NATIONAL CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRY DAY

As part of National Nutrition Month, National California Strawberry Day kicks off the strawberry season in California. The celebration takes place annually on March 21st which is typically the first full day of spring. It’s an ideal time to rejuvenate our senses and get excited about fresh fruit dishes, too. 

Strawberries are the flavor of paradise speckled with a bit of sunshine and whimsy. Their bright red dimpled fruit inspires picnics with double scoop strawberry ice cream cones. Of course, as the season heats up, the ice creams will drip down our chins but that is a worthy price to pay for a delicious crop of these dazzling and beautiful berries. Even eaten fresh, the juices leave a tantalizing mark on the lips of sweet toddlers and sweethearts, too. 

As you celebrate the kiss of summer, remember that strawberries provide good sources of potassium, fiber, folic acid, and vitamin C. They are also low in calories, with no fat and no cholesterol.

HOW TO OBSERVE #CaliforniaStrawberryDay

While spring beckons, make your favorite strawberry recipes. Add strawberries to your morning breakfast routine. Make a parfait or strawberry shortcake and while you’re at it, make some memories, too. For another fun way to enjoy your strawberries, plan a trip to a pick-your-own strawberry farm.  Enjoy some California strawberries and use #CaliforniaStrawberryDay to post on social media.

Want more Strawberries???

• Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day
• Strawberry Shortcake Day
• Strawberry Cream Pie
• Strawberry Ice Cream Day
• National Strawberry Day
• Pick Strawberries Day
• California Strawberry Day
• National Strawberry Month
• Strawberry Rhubarb Wine
• Strawberry Parfait Day

NATIONAL CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRY DAY HISTORY

In 1983, the California Strawberry Advisory Board (now the California Strawberry Commission) proposed California Strawberry Day to celebrate the California strawberry season as a true sign of spring. 

NATIONAL CEREAL DAY

March 7th urges us to get our bowl spoon ready for National Cereal Day each year! Since the end of the 19th century, cereal has become America’s most popular breakfast food.

Now, not only is cereal eaten for breakfast, but it has become a popular bedtime snack. Some people even enjoy a bowl for an evening meal. Bakers turn to cereal in their cake, cookie and bar recipes. The most popular one is Rice Crispy Bar Treats.

Cookie Crisp Breakfast Cereal, Chocolate Chip Cookie Taste, Made With Whole Grain

Great Grains Crunchy Pecan Cereal, Heart Healthy Cereal with Crunchy Pecans and Granola Clusters, Non-GMO Project Verified

Golden Grahams Lucky Charms Breakfast Cereal Treat Bars Variety Pack

Kellogg’s Breakfast Cereal in a Cup, Assortment Pack, Bulk Size

A Little Cereal History:

Ferdinand Schumacher, a German immigrant, began the cereal revolution in 1854 with a hand oats grinder in the back room of a small store in Akron, Ohio. His German Mills American Oatmeal Company was the nation’s first commercial oatmeal manufacturer.  In 1877, Schumacher adopted the Quaker symbol, the first registered trademark for a breakfast cereal.

Granula, the first breakfast cereal, was invented in the United States in 1863by James Caleb Jackson, operator of Our Home on the Hillside, which was later replaced by the Jackson Sanatorium in Dansville, New York.  The cereal never became popular since it was inconvenient as the heavy bran nuggets needed soaking overnight before they were tender enough to eat.

Do you remember mornings eating a bowl of cereal, reading the back of the box and trying to find the toy inside the box?

The cereal industry rose from a combination of sincere religious beliefs and commercial interest in health foods. Dr. John Harvey Kellogg experimented with granola.  He boiled some wheat, rolled it into thin films, and baked the resulting flakes in the oven; he acquired a patent in 1891.  In1895 he launched Cornflakes, which overnight captured a national market.

In 1906, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg’s brother, William K. Kellogg, after working for John, broke away, bought the corn flakes rights from his brother, and set up the Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company.  His signature on every package became the company trademark and insurance of quality.

Charles W. Post introduced Grape-nuts in 1898 and soon followed with Post Toasties.

Because of Kellogg and Post, the city of Battle Creek, Michigan is nicknamed the “Cereal Capital of the World.”

More Breakfast ideas….

• Better Breakfast Month
• Better Breakfast Day
• National Oatmeal Month
• National Oatmeal Day
• National French Toast Day
• National Toast Day
• National Bacon Day
• National Egg Day
• Eggs Benedict Day
• National Egg Month
• National Waffle Day
• National Pancake Day
• National Orange Juice Day
• National Coffee Day
• National Coffee Cake Day
• Hot Breakfast Month
• National Douhnut Day
• National Cappuccino Day
• National Espresso Day
• International Coffee Day
• National Cereal Day

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalCerealDay

What’s your favorite cereal? Have a bowl for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Share it as a snack or bake something and share your recipes. Use #NationalCerealDay to post on social media.

Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds Breakfast Cereal, Honey Cereal with Granola Clusters and Sliced Almonds

Cheerios Honey Nut Cheerios Heart Healthy Breakfast Cereal, Gluten Free Cereal With Whole Grain Oats

Pebbles Cocoa PEBBLES Cereal, Chocolatey Kids Cereal, Gluten Free Rice Cereal

REESE’S PUFFS Chocolatey Peanut Butter Cereal, Kid Breakfast Cereal, Giant Size

NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER LOVER’S DAY

March 1st was made for National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day. Ah, peanut butter. One day is not enough to recognize peanut butter. The goober has been paired, blended, and added with many tasty results!

The creamy, nutty goodness known as peanut butter is so amazingly delicious that when we pair it with creamy and dreamy chocolate, we almost have bacon.

We digress. Another great love is peanut butter ice cream. Blended smooth with a few chopped nuts and a drizzle of peanut butter syrup is a peanut butter lover’s dream come true.

The slang term for peanut butter in World War II was “monkey butter.”

A monkey visited the lab at Kellogg’s one day and dipped his banana in a jar of peanut butter, and he’s been ape over the combination ever since. Actually, banana slices with peanut butter sandwiched between them and dipped in chocolate make a terrific snack.

Peanut butter and bananas were a combination even fit for a king. Elvis Presley loved a peanut butter and banana sandwich or two.

Then peanut butter got its passport and traveled the world. It paired up with some shrimp and got a little saucy. The result is a Thai peanut butter shrimp that is so yummy it had to be true love.

Things heated up a little when peanut butter jumped into the stew pot to sweat it out with a spring chick seasoned with some cayenne. African Chicken Peanut Stew tastes better than ever.

One of the best times peanut butter has ever had is with marshmallows. Fudge enjoys a satisfying dessert status to be envied.

A Thrilling Cookbook for Peanut Butter Lovers: Peanut Butter Recipes for your Incredible Addiction

The Peanut Butter “I Can’t Get Enough Of It” Cookbook: Healthy, Mouth-Watering Recipes, and Fascinating Facts For Peanut Butter Lovers

The Official Peanut Butter Lovers; Centennial Cookbook: A Collection of America’s Favorite Peanut Butter Recipes

REESE’S Milk Chocolate Snack Size Peanut Butter Cups, Candy Pantry Pack,

Fun Peanut Butter Facts:

• It takes about 540 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter.
• C.H. Sumner first sold peanut butter in the United States at the Universal Exposition in St. Louis.  He sold $705.11 of the “new treat” at his concession stand.
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup was introduced to America in 1928.
• The oldest operating manufacturer and seller of peanut butter has been selling peanut butter since 1898.
• Mr. Ed TV’s used peanut butter as a secret ingredient to get a horse talking.
• Americans spend almost $800 million a year on peanut butter.
• January 24th is National Peanut Butter Day.

NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER LOVER’S DAY HISTORY

National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day first made its appearance in 1990 commemorating the anniversary of when peanut butter made its commercial debut in the United States. Promoted by both the Adult Peanut Butter Lovers Fan Club and the National Peanut Board, the day found full cover peanut butter spreads in newspapers across the country. An un-named doctor was given credit for first providing peanut butter to his patients. In March of 1890, he began providing the spread to those patients who had difficulty chewing. More than 100 years later, we continue to celebrate the benefits of peanut butter, and its history, too.

Explore More…

• Peanut Butter Lovers Month
• Peanut Butter Lovers Day
• Peanut Butter Cookies
• National Peanut Day
• National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
• National Peanut Month
• Chocolate Peanut Clusters
• National Peanut Brittle Day
• National Peanut Butter Day
• National Peanut Butter Fudge Day
• National Ants On A Log Day
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
• Peanut Butter Haystacks
• National Fluffernutter Day

HOW TO OBSERVE #PeanutButterLoversDay

• Fall in love with some peanut butter or a new peanut butter combination.  
• Try peanut butter and apples.  
• Or maybe fried peaches and peanut butter.
• Try one of the recipes above.
• Or how about peanut butter and bacon.  
• Share your favorite peanut butter combos.
• Use #PeanutButterLoversDay to post on social media.

Once Again Organic Creamy Peanut Butter, 16oz – Salt Free, Unsweetened – USDA Organic, Gluten Free Certified, Vegan, Kosher – Glass Jar

SKIPPY Creamy Peanut Butter, 5 Pound

Amazon Fresh, Creamy Peanut Butter, 16 Oz (Previously Happy Belly, Packaging May Vary)

JUSTIN’S Classic No Stir Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Spread

NATIONAL STRAWBERRY DAY

We continue with February’s heart-shaped and red theme by observing National Strawberry Day on February 27th. These juicy, sweet berries can brighten up any dish and are delicious all on their own.

There are a few different stories behind the origin of the name. The more widely accepted version is that the berries would drop off the leaves and become “strewn” about the plant. Overtime “strewn-berries” became “strawberries”. There was a time (and some gardeners still do this today) when strawberry beds were mulched with straw, insulating the plants over the winter, keeping weeds at bay during the growing season and making them easier to harvest. Another sweet story tells of English children stringing the berries on grass straws and selling the “straw berries” in their neighborhoods.

Not only are they delicious, but they are also fragrant. One of the more aromatic fruits, they belong to the rose family.

Strawberry Love: 45 Sweet and Savory Recipes for Shortcakes, Hand Pies, Salads, Salsas, and More

Strawberries: 50 Tried & True Recipes (Nature’s Favorite Foods Cookbooks)

Easy Strawberry Cookbook: A Strawberry Cookbook for Strawberry Lovers, Filled with Delicious Strawberry Recipes

The Unofficial Strawberry Shortcake Cookbook: From Blueberry’s Berry Versatile Muffins to Orange Blossom Layer Cake, 75 Recipes from the World of … Shortcake!

Strawberries are grown in nearly every corner of the Earth (if the Earth had corners) except for her most frozen southern and northern reaches. Along with all these possible locations, there are over 600 varieties of strawberries as well.

An excellent source of Vitamin C, strawberries are also a good source of folic acid, potassium and fiber. At 55 calories and zero fat in 1 cup, these sweet things hit the spot when a snack time is calling!

Explore More…

• Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day
• Strawberry Shortcake Day
• Strawberry Cream Pie
• Strawberry Ice Cream Day
• National Strawberry Day
• Pick Strawberries Day
• California Strawberry Day
• National Strawberry Month
• Strawberry Rhubarb Wine
• Strawberry Parfait Day

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalStrawberryDay

While the best season for strawberries is from late April to August, now might be a good time to scout out strawberry festivals and pick-your-own farms or plan to plant your own strawberry patch. Imagine sitting in your very own patch eating sun-warmed, sweet berries you picked or even grew yourself under clear blue skies.

Berry Picking Tips:

• Pick fully ripe berries. Strawberries don’t continue to ripen if picked too early like bananas or pears.
• Don’t overfill your container. Berries are tender and can bruise easily.
• Don’t wash the fruit until you are ready to eat. Strawberries are susceptible to mold and washing will speed up spoilage.
• The best time to pick strawberries is on cool, cloudy days, but if they will be eaten right away, any time is perfect!
• If you pick more than you can eat before they spoil, strawberries freeze very well. Pluck off the green caps and toss into a freezer bag. Use for smoothies, ice cream or cake toppings.

You may want to have a fresh bowl of strawberries now, or maybe give one of the following recipes a try:

Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Easy Strawberry Banana Smoothies
Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie
Strawberries and Cream Bread Pudding

Use #NationalStrawberryDay to post on social media.

Micro Ingredients Organic Strawberry Freeze Dried Powder, 1 Lb | Fresh Strawberry Powder for Baking | Best Superfoods for Smoothies & Beverage Blend | Non-GMO, Vegan, 0 Sugar Added (151 Servings)

HERSHEY’S KISSES Chocolate Dipped Strawberry

NESTLÉ KitKat Mini Chocolate Bar Adult Sweetness Strawberry 10pcs

Sparkling Ice, Strawberry Lemonade Sparkling Water, Zero Sugar Flavored Water, with Vitamins and Antioxidants, Low Calorie Beverage, 17 fl oz Bottles (Pack of 12)

NATIONAL CHERRY PIE DAY

Some pie lovers will be eating their favorite pie on February 20 during National Cherry Pie Day. Whether they eat it for breakfast, lunch or supper or a slice at every meal depends on just how much they love cherry pie!

It seems only right that we celebrate the cherry pie so close to Presidents Day as we all know the story (albeit untrue) of President George Washington and the cherry tree. Cherries were, however, one of his favorite foods.    

365 Yummy Cherry Recipes: From The Yummy Cherry Cookbook To The Table

50 Cherry Pie Recipes: Make Cooking at Home Easier with Cherry Pie Cookbook!

Duncan Hines Comstock More Fruit Pie Filling & Topping Cherry

vicrays Ceramic Pie Pan for Baking – 9 inch Pie Plate, Round, Fluted and Deep Pie Dish for Tart, Pizza, Apple Pie, Quiche, Pot Pies, Cake – Reactive Glaze

According to the American Pie Council, the pie came to America with the first English settlers. The early colonists cooked their pies in long narrow pans calling them “coffyns” like the crust in England.  As in the Roman times, the early American pie crusts often were not eaten, but just designed to hold the filling during baking. It was during the American Revolution that the term crust was used instead of “coffyn.”

In the United States, cherry pie is often referred to as a “great American dish.”  Recipe books have many different versions of recipes for cherry pie.  

Explore More…

• Peach Pie Day
• Apple Pie Day
• Cherry Pie Day
• Lemon Meringue Pie Day
• National Pie Day
• Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
• Custard Pie Day
• Bavarian Cream Pie Day
• Blueberry Pie Day
• Coconut Cream Pie
• BlackBerry Pie Day
• Pumpkin Pie Day
• Pecan Pie Day
• Chocolate Pecan Pie Day
• Banana Cream Pie Day
• Peach Pie Day
• Key Lime Pie Day
• Mincemeat Pie Day
• Great American Pies Month
• Strawberry Cream Pie
• Mississippi Mud Pie
• Raspberry Cream Pie

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalCherryPieDay

Try making your own cherry pie.  Not much of a baker?  Stop by your favorite bakery or take a friend out for a slice of cherry pie and a cup of coffee.  Use #NationalCherryPieDay to post on social media.

That’s it. Apple + Cherry 100% Natural Real Fruit Bar, Best High Fiber Vegan, Gluten Free Healthy Snack, Paleo for Children & Adults, Non GMO No Sugar Added, No Preservatives Energy Food (12 Pack)

JJ’s Bakery Pies Ultimate Variety Pack Bundled by Tribeca Curations

Eight O’Clock Coffee Flavors of America Ground Coffee, Michigan Cherry Pie, 11 Ounce

JJ’s Bakery Cherry Pies, 4 Ounce — 12 per case.