It’s National Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day. This June 9 holiday is a time to enjoy a slice of a pie you may never have tried before. While Strawberry Rhubarb Pie has a long history, dating back to the 1800s, not too many people have ever tried it. Some people, especially the younger crowd, do not even know what rhubarb is.

The rhubarb plant has a long, thick, edible stem with good flavor, but a tart taste. Rhubarb recipes use sugar to sweeten it. The leaves are not eaten, as they are poisonous. Through the years, the debate has raged as to whether Rhubarb is a vegetable or a fruit. It is commonly thought of as a fruit, as this is the way it is used. In actuality, Rhubarb is actually a vegetable.

Are you ready to be adventuresome?  Dig into a piece of Strawberry Rhubarb Pie. You will not be disappointed. 

Today is National Selfie Day. It’s a cinch to participate in this June 21 holiday. And, it’s fun! Simply take your smartphone out of your pocket or purse and take a selfie. Better yet, get a couple of friends, and take a selfie with them. Use a selfie stick if it is a large group. Make sure to put on a big smile. And, don’t forget to post it on social media so others know how much fun you’re having.

Selfies are extremely popular. Millions of them are taken each and every day. It kind of makes you wonder why we need a special day to encourage us to take a selfie.  The term “selfie” is a slight misnomer. While “Selfie” means a picture you take of yourself, it can also be a picture of you with others.

Most people believe selfies originated when smartphones came on the scene. Smartphones have built-in, hi pixel cameras, with a lens on both sides of the camera, making it easy to take a selfie. In actuality, selfies were around for a long, long time, they just weren’t called “selfies”. Back in the day of film-based cameras, some of them had a delay feature on the camera. You could set the camera up on a table or tripod, aim it, and press the delay button (usually ten seconds). Then, you’d run to where the camera was aimed and pose. They were not called selfies. Although, some people referred to them as “self-portraits”.

We recommend you carry a Selfie Stick. This lets you take in more of the image you are capturing.

Today is the first day of summer. It’s time to hit the beach, soak up some rays, and search for seashells. It makes perfect sense that today is also National Sea Shell Day. On this June 21 holiday, feel the warm sand and saltwater on your toes, as you collect gifts from the sea.

Sea shells are found on beaches around the world. As they crumble and break down, seashells help to form the very beach where you love to sunbathe and swim. Beachgoers young and old, love to collect seashells of all shapes and sizes. We take them home and put them on display, as a reminder of those warm, sunny, and fun days on the beach.

What’s your favorite seashell? A conch, a clam, a sand dollar, or a seahorse (not actually a seashell), perhaps? Chances are, you collect them all. As you pick them off the beach, make sure the shell is empty and not alive. When in doubt, gently, place them back in the ocean. With a little luck, the tide will take the little fella safely into the sea, and not back onto the beach.

The best time to search for seashells is from an hour before to an hour after low tide. Most can be found along the high tide mark. During the peak summer season, thousands of people are on the beach, looking to beat you to the treasure trove of unbroken seashells. The most successful sea shell hunt occurs at first light when seashells from the night before are most plentiful.

Did You Know? The Guinness World Book of Records has a category for the largest human image of a seashell. It included 1.093 people.

There’s a holiday for just about anything and everything. So, why not have a special day to celebrate and enjoy prunes? The easy answer is “because we can”. While we didn’t create this wrinkly day, we’d like to join you in celebrating National Prune Day. This June 15 holiday is bound to be a day to get you going!

So, why would anyone eat prunes? They certainly aren’t attractive. In case you didn’t know, prunes are a fruit. They are dried-up, wrinkly old plums. This fruit is tasty, with a brown sugar or molasses-like flavor. For those who like prunes, they are usually eaten as a dried fruit. Many people also enjoy prune juice, especially when the digestive system is backed up. They are high in fiber and Vitamin A. They are also loaded with cancer-fighting antioxidants.  If you don’t like prunes, you can still celebrate this holiday. We won’t tell anyone that you didn’t eat any. 

Did You Know? Prunes beat out blueberries for #1 having the highest level of antioxidants.

For all that ails you……  Prunes can do a lot for you.  They are best known for aiding and regulating the digestive system, helping you to stay “on the go”. Prunes provide many other health benefits.  As previously mentioned, high levels of antioxidants help to fight cancer. They are good for your vision, helping to avoid macular degeneration and night blindness. Prunes are good for your cardiovascular system, promote healthy bones, and also fights anemia.  If you’ve never eaten prunes, we are not surprised. Why don’t you use National Prune Day, to try them!? You just mightlike them.

You’re at any of a number of your favorite burger joints. You just ordered a burger with all of your favorite toppings Then, the waitress asks if you want anything with it. Of course, you do! But, you’re tired of same-o-same-o french fries. Then a smile creeps across your face as you say “Yes, Onion Rings, please!” Those onion rings are the perfect side as today is National Onion Ring Day, a June 22 holiday.

After french fries, onion rings are the second most popular choice to pair with your burger or hot dog. They go great with Italian sausage, too. Aren’t you lucky that someone a long time ago, created the first onion ring recipe? Here lies the great mystery or debate….. just who first created the onion ring recipe?

It is well documented that the first onion ring recipe was in the recipe book The Art of Cookery Made Easy & Refined. It was published in 1802.  In the 1900s, several other individuals, companies, and restaurants made claims to be the first. Those supporting their case suggest the 1802 recipe wasn’t truly onion rings. But, that 1802 recipe called for onions sliced into rings, and to be fried. Undoubtedly, those who came up with recipes in the 1900s contributed to the evolution of onion rings and contributed new recipes for our beloved rings. But, the 1802 recipe was the first. We don’t mean to take sides in the debate, we’re just saying……………………..

It’s so easy to participate in this special day. Simply, eat onion rings. However, you get extra brownie points, if you make onion rings from scratch. See Fried Onion Rings in Beer Batter

Onions, now here is something to cry about…. if you’re cutting them fresh, that is! The National Onion Association (NOA) created National Onion Day to memorialize the creation of their organization on this day in 1913. We think it’s great that they did. At the same time, we’d like to propose an expansion of the purpose of this special June 27 holiday, to make it more relevant to everyone. Let’s also enjoy this special day, as a day to celebrate growing onions, and of course, eating them!

If you’re a gardener, celebrate today by pampering your onion plants. Weed them, apply a dose of fertilizer, and give them a good drink of water. They’ll respond to the love you give your plants today, by growing bigger onion bulbs.

All of us can enjoy eating them. There’s no shortage of onion recipes. We sure love our onions. We use them to flavor foods, and as a recipe item itself, for example, onion soup or onion rings. Eat onions today for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For breakfast, put some onions in your eggs, or eat an onion bagel. For lunch, use onion bread for your sandwich. Put a big slice of red onion on your burger, or just about any sandwich. For dinner, have a cup of onion soup or a blooming onion. For your main course, select an item that goes well with sautéed pepper and onions.

Need more ideas, see Onion Recipes.

   Did You Know? Onions are a $6 billion industry.

Today is National Jerky Day, a June 12 holiday. It has been popular for hundreds of years. Jerky originated in South and North America. People were eating jerky hundreds if not thousands of years before the White Man came to America.

Jerky is dried, flavored meats. Essentially, the meat is soaked in brine and a variety of flavorings, and then it is dried. It is popular for snacks and as a nutritious treat on long hikes, while biking, and out in the woods. It is lean, nutritious, and lightweight, making it easy to carry in your backpack.

Many of us think of jerky as “beef jerky”. But, it is made from almost any type of meat, including deer, chicken, poultry, pork, and turkey. A wide variety of flavorings often smoked, gives us a wide variety of jerky to enjoy. And, enjoy it we do.

Did You Know? Jerky is a Space food. It has been on the diet of astronauts in space since 1996.

To really celebrate National Jerky Day, make some homemade jerky. If you don’t have the time or expertise to make it at home, that’s perfectly okay. Go out and buy some, and enjoy it today.

Today is National Handshake Day. It celebrates the handshake in all of its forms, as a way of greeting, and in a business where professionals around the world, “seal the deal” with a handshake, before putting the agreement into writing.  Your handshake is your first impression. It is a sign of peacefulness and agreement is used around the world.

People have been shaking hands for thousands of years. A form of shaking hands dates back to at least 5,000 B.C. Roman soldiers and medieval knights shook hands, to check the forearms of their opponents for daggers and other hidden weapons. Handshakes are used around the world upon meeting or greeting someone. It is a universal sign of friendship. There are countless examples of the use of a warm handshake to disarm wary adversaries or end feuds and battles. Native Americans incorporate the handshake in “blood brother” rituals. 

National Gardening Week is a wonderful, week-long event. It is both a celebration and an educational opportunity. National Gardening Week celebrates one of America’s most popular hobbies. Tens of millions of Americans, young and old alike, grow a garden of some size. This week is a great opportunity to get out into your garden and tend to it, along with enjoying your garden’s peacefulness and beauty. Regardless of whether your garden is big or small, show it off to family and gardening friends.

 National Gardening Week is also a great time to promote this hobby, and offer educational programs to the general public Garden clubs, 4H groups, schools, and even businesses can get into the act, providing some form of educational programs, demonstrations, or seminars. As individuals, gardeners can encourage others to start gardening.

However you celebrate this week, we hope it is a great growing experience for all involved!

Circle the wagons, err the trucks that is. National Food Truck Day, also called National Eat at a Food Truck Day, is today. Often several trucks participate at an event together, forming what is fondly referred to as a Food Truck Rodeo. School is out, and summer has arrived. Now you find thousands of these food venues around the country hitting the road. The trucks are largely run by local, small business entrepreneurs. You can find them at street corners, in parks, and at special events. When you eat at a food truck, you are supporting your local small businesses.

According to the creators of this day, the goal of National Food Truck Day is to “… celebrate and support small businesses across the country. The people who operate food trucks, food carts, and trailers, are all hard-working small business owners that make our cities that much more delicious and diverse. We wanted to create a national day that celebrates the entire industry and raised awareness.”

You will find food truck rodeos everywhere. Summer is filled with festivals and events. During almost any summer happening, you’ll find these trucks. There’s hardly an event, that does not utilize the menu versatility a group of several trucks has to offer. It is mutually beneficial to both the industry and the entertainment or event venue. For food trucks, it means increased business success, with more and more faithful followers and increased profits. The popularity and diversity of food truck menus bring more people to the events. Some people actually follow their favorite food truck from one event to another, increasing attendance.

On National Food Truck Day, many of the trucks offer special deals. We encourage you to get outside in the warm, sunny summer weather and patronize a food truck today!