Celebrate Every Day

Are You A Fan Of Monkey Butter?

Welcome to March 1st, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the spoils of war and weaponizing Wilbur.

Many of the folks who fought during World War II have passed away, but the great war passed on some unexpected traditions that live on to this day.  While food items such as hamburgers, cream and butter were in short supply, one item was never rationed during the war; good old peanut butter.  Known by soldiers as “monkey butter” this wasn’t the smooth creamy type that some of us prefer.  To sweeten their sandwiches and keep them from sticking to the roof of their mouths, soldiers added jam.  The PB&J became popular with the kids back home, and peacetime brought a new generation of monkey butter fans.  On National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day celebrate this iconic lunchtime staple with a tall glass of milk!

In ancient times, the Persian Empire had one of the most terrifying weapons anyone had ever seen on a battlefield. War elephants. This animal was the equivalent of a tank and made the Persian army nearly unbeatable. When they attacked the Greek city of Edessa, war elephants ran through the streets, destroying everything in their path. But then another animal stopped the giant creatures in their tracks. The pig. Their squeals terrified the elephants and sent them running. When the Greeks realized this, they began to use pigs in battle. The elephants were rendered useless. While this may seem strange, keep in mind that a pig’s squeal is only a few decibels lower than a jet engine. On National Pig Day, celebrate the barnyard animal that accidentally saved the course of Western civilization.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

Have You Heard Of The Zundert Floral Parade?

Welcome to February 28th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate magical dessert and over the top flowers.

Souffle is a French word meaning “to puff or blow up” and when paired with chocolate the results are intoxicating. But don’t let the fancy word fool you, for if you are brave enough to conjure some stiffly beaten egg whites, you’re halfway to creating this masterpiece in your own kitchen.  Lots of people shy away from making souffles because they believe the results are elusive, but with some tricks up your sleeve you’ll be a wizard in no time. The key is to keep things quiet while the souffle bakes, as any loud noises will cause them to fall.  Straight from the oven, few things are more delightful and on National Chocolate Souffle Day you’ll be celebrated for your kitchen magic!

The small Dutch town of Zundert is home to the largest floral parade in the world. It began in 1936 to celebrate the birthday of the Queen and has grown into a huge annual festival. Like the Parade of Roses in Pasadena, California, it showcases the beauty of its local blooms. But the floats are designed using dahlias rather than roses. And Zundert floats don’t depict sweet scenes of butterflies and teddy bears. Instead, artists build things like giants, Viking warships, and entire city skylines using hundreds of thousands of flowers for each float. Some of these floats are 3 stories tall and over 6 stories long, nearly twice the size of their American cousins. In 2016, the winning design was a giant orange dragon that breathed actual fire from its mouth. On National Floral Design Day, we celebrate the artistry of flower arrangement in all its shapes and sizes. 

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

If You Think Polar Bears Are Cuddly, Think Again!

Welcome to February 27th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the winding road from Mexico to Canada and a cuddly killer.

It might surprise you to learn that the Mexican liqueur Kahlua owes much of its popularity to a Canadian. In 1977, bartender Peter Fich of Alberta, Canada, created a shot called the B-52. This mixture of Kahlua, Bailey’s, and triple sec was such a hit that the demand for Kahlua skyrocketed, and it’s been a staple at bars ever since. Fich named the shot after his favorite band, the B-52s. That band named themselves after a beehive-style hairdo called the B-52, which had been named after the B-52 bomber used in the Air Force. Confused yet? Maybe it’s time to celebrate National Kahlua Day with a drink!

The Arctic Circle is home to the largest four legged predator on earth.  Polar bears are beautiful, but make no mistake they are built for hunting.   With super powers such as traction on the ice and the ability to smell their prey from over 20 miles away, most other animals don’t stand a chance.  And polar bears are not afraid to take a dip to catch their favorite prey, the arctic seal. They are perfectly camouflaged with a beautiful white coat that is actually made up of translucent hairs.  The fur only appears white because it reflects the color of snow.  On National Polar Bear Day consider helping them with the only threat they cannot overcome on their own, their disappearing habitat. 

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

Welcome to February 26th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate happy starts and useful ends.

Anna: Once upon a time there was an industrious boy named Marlo who liked to daydream. One day, on his way to market, he was stopped by a wise old owl…

Marlo: Anna, what the heck are you talking about?

Anna: It’s National Tell a Fairy Tale Day, so I’m telling a fairy tale.

Marlo: But why is it about me?

Anna: It’s not. He just has the same name as you.

Marlo: Okay. Go on.

Anna: So…the owl told him to go back to town and tell the people that the next day was to be a celebration of popcorn. 

Marlo: You’re sure that’s not about me? That’s literally how National Day Calendar was started. I mean, other than the owl and the market.

Anna: Who’s telling this story, Marlo? 

Marlo: Okay. Okay.

Anna: I forget the rest, but they all lived happily ever after. The End.

John: What happened to the owl? 

When it comes to nuts, some are just plain addictive.  Take pistachios for instance. The global consumption for just one year can reach over one and half million pounds.  Because they are easily cracked from their shells, most people eat pistachios by the dozens. And that means piles of leftover shells when you are done snacking.  But did you know there are plenty of ways to recycle them?  Some people use them as kindling to start a fire.  Others line the bottom of a potted plant with shells for better drainage. Salted pistachio shells can make a border for outdoor plants that keep snails and slugs away.  And the nuts themselves are full of nutrients for healthy snacking.  With all this good news National Pistachio Day is the perfect time to get cracking. 

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

Which Do You Prefer, New England Or Manhattan Clam Chowder?

Welcome to February 25th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a peaceful breakfast and a feisty lunch.

A Toast to Toast:  On any given morning, a chill hangs in the air.

You shuffle to the kitchen and give the fridge a stair.

With one eye closed you grab a loaf of any random bread

Fresh or stale, it matters not… there’s one thought in your head.

It only takes two minutes or three at very most. 

To transform ordinary bread into the crispy toast. 

And as you watch the butter melt pleasingly away

You raise a cup of coffee to the best start of the day.

Happy National Toast Day!

Boston and New York have a rivalry that dates back centuries. One was colonized by the religious Puritans, the other by The New Amsterdam Company. Boston became a center of education. New York was built around banks. And, of course, the Yankees and the Red Sox. This rivalry extends into the world of food as well. New England clam chowder is a rich, cream based soup made with potatoes, onions, and pork fat. The Manhattan version is tomato based. They are equally delicious, but don’t tell that to any New Englanders. The region is so against the Manhattan recipe that someone once introduced a bill in the Maine legislature to ban the use of tomatoes in chowder. On National Clam Chowder Day, enjoy a hot bowl of this seafood favorite, but look over your shoulder before placing an order.  

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

Have You Taken The "One Chip Challenge?" It's Not For The Faint Of Heart!

Welcome to February 24th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate brave mouths and healthy hearts.

One of the best parts of eating at a Mexican restaurant is gorging on chips and salsa before the meal arrives. But sometimes, one tortilla chip is more than enough. For the past few years, a company called Paqui has been daring customers to eat one of their chips. Just one. The catch is that this one tortilla chip is spicier than almost any other food. To be specific, it’s 8,000 times hotter than a jalapeño pepper. The single black chip comes in a coffin-shaped box with a giant skull on it. We are in no way recommending that you try this, but be sure to check out videos of the One Chip Challenge on YouTube. And celebrate National Tortilla Chip Day with some mild mannered chips and dip while you watch videos of the brave, crazy people who think they can handle spicy food.

While Valentines Day has come and gone, there is still time to celebrate someone who deserves your attention: you!  February is National Heart Month and while your New Year’s resolutions may have already been broken, this month is the perfect time to learn a few small steps that can make a big impact.  Speaking of steps, it takes as little as 30 minutes of exercise, five times per week to jumpstart your heart health.  Learning about heart healthy foods can have a ripple effect because even swapping out delicious healthy food for some of the junk can make a difference in how you feel right away.  The key is understanding that your small positive choices add up and believing that you are worth it!  

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

Have You Ever Heard Of The Toynbee Tile Mystery?

Welcome to February 23rd, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate mysterious tiles and a banana’s last stand.

Since the 1980s, people in cities across the United States have found strange tiles on their sidewalks and streets. Each of these license plate-sized tiles all had the same bizarre message: TOYNBEE IDEA IN MOVIE 2001 RESURRECT DEAD ON PLANET JUPITER. And they’ve continued to pop up randomly for 40 years. They’re called Toynbee Tiles and no one has ever figured out who’s doing it. Or even why. The message seems to be a reference to the Stanley Kubrick film 2001: A Space Odyssey, but that’s not for certain. All that anyone knows is that the tiles usually show up during the summer months and are set in place using tar paper. On National Tile Day keep a look out for the mystery that may be lurking under foot.

If you have ever turned overripe bananas into delicious banana bread then you already know the virtue of the adage, waste not want not.  But before the 1930s most banana based desserts only used slices of the fruit in perfect condition.  The Great Depression changed all of that. During a time when food was scarce, no one would dream of tossing out fruit, even if it was past its prime.  The real hero was a newly discovered ingredient which did most of the heavy lifting: baking soda.  By the 1930s, cookbooks made use of baking soda in all kinds of quick bread recipes and ripe bananas played a starring role!  On National Banana Bread Day, bake up a tradition that’s still good to the last crumb.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

What's Your Favorite Snack Food?

Welcome to February 22nd, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate healthy snacks and a frozen twist.

If I say snack, you say?  It’s National Snack Food Month and before you go hog wild on all the stuff you gave up for New Year’s consider this: healthy snacking is a good way to lose weight.  Smaller servings of nutrient rich food can keep your metabolism stoked all day. So keep some heart healthy nuts with you.  Or load up your lunch box with fresh veggies and fruit. Hard boiled eggs and beef jerky are great for protein on the go.  Oh I give up. Grab some yummy snacks and enjoy them with a margarita.  That’s right folks it’s also National Margarita Day!

When Mariano Martinez began serving frozen margaritas at his restaurant in the 1970s, he found that people loved this new version of the drink, but his bartenders did not. There was too much time and preparation involved in making one. Martinez found a solution at a 7-Eleven convenience store. He noticed the Slurpee machine and thought it would be a great way to make a large batch of margaritas. Using a soft serve ice cream machine he began experimenting with recipes to get the consistency of the margaritas just right. Eventually, he found the perfect mixture of tequila, simple syrup, and water. And voila! A new twist on an old favorite was born. Celebrate National Margarita Day with some chips, salsa, and this frozen favorite. 

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

Have You Ever Tried Gluten Free Baked Goods? Now There Are Plenty Of Ways To Celebrate These Two Days Together!

Welcome to February 21st, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate flat tummies and big buns.

If you suffer from a grain allergy then baked goods are most assuredly off the menu for you.  And it turns out that a good portion of people have some mild sensitivity to them.  On National Grain-Free Day we celebrate the many alternatives and simple substitutions that can be made for folks who still love the tastiness of grains.  Did you know that cauliflower makes a delicious stand in for fried rice?  People even use it as a base for tortillas and pizza crust.  And have you ever tried almond flour or coconut flour in your favorite cookie recipe?  Macaroons have no flour whatsoever and flourless chocolate cakes are actually my favorite!  Even if you have no sensitivity to grains at all, you may find that making these changes flattens your tummy and smooths out your muffin top.  And that’s worth celebrating any day!

In 2018, Wolferman’s Gourmet Baked Goods in Oregon wanted to find a way to celebrate their new 5 pound cinnamon bun. They decided that the best way to do that was to create an even bigger bun; over 1,100 pounds bigger. That’s about the size of a full grown cow! Wolferman’s broadcast a livestream of the process, much to the delight of foodies around the world. Once it was completed, this delicious monstrosity used 350 pounds of flour,  378 pounds of cinnamon sugar and over 13 dozen eggs. The Guinness World record holder was sold, piece at a time for charity at the Medford’s Annual Pear Blossom Festival. Celebrate National Sticky Bun Day by going over the top.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

Do You Speak Your Pet's Language? If Not, Find Out What You're Missing!

Welcome to February 20th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate talking with the animals and a slice of history.

These days you probably don’t need a reminder to love your pet.  The furry, feathery or scaly creatures that chew up our furniture and make messes on the floor hold a special place in our hearts.  You may even think you’re good at spoiling them, but have you ever considered learning their language?  I’m not talking about a Dr. Doolittle course, but love languages are universal.  These include physical touch, quality time, words of affirmation, gifts and service.  Chances are that your pets are giving you clues as to which of these they prefer the most. Once you understand all of their messages you can probably avoid the cold shoulder or an accident on the rug.  On National Love Your Pet Day celebrate the best friend in your life who already knows the way to your heart.  

Pies have been around for thousands of years, but most were savory, filled with meats and cheeses. But pie really took off in the 1500s, when someone started making them sweet by baking in fruit. According to legend, the first person to be served a cherry pie was Queen Elizabeth I. There’s even some versions of the story that say she came up with the idea and baked it herself. We can’t confirm that, but we can say confidently that cherry pie is more than worthy of all the praise. While it’s only the 5th most popular pie in the States, its American roots are as storied as its British counterpart. George Washington reportedly cut down his dad’s cherry tree just to bake one, for goodness’ sake! Celebrate National Cherry Pie Day with a delicious slice of history.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.