July 13 French Fry Day

Each year on July 13, many people will participate in the celebration of French Fry Day by enjoying one of the many varieties of the classic food. French fries, also known as chips, fries, finger chips or French-fried potatoes are batons of deep-fried potatoes and are common fixtures at fast food restaurants that are loved by adults and kids.

It is believed by some that the term “French” was introduced to the potatoes when the American soldiers arrived in Belgium during World War I and consequently tasted Belgian fries. It is suggested that they called them “French” as it was the official language of the Belgian Army at that time.

French fries are often complimented with ketchup, ranch dressing, vinegar, mayonnaise, honey mustard, cheese, gravy, or chili. Today, French fries are a global phenomenon. Whether it’s “pommes frites” in France, “patatasfritas” in Spain, or “chips” in the UK, French fries are a worldwide favorite.

To celebrate National French Fry Day, share some French fries with your friends and have them seasoned, cut and shaped how you like. 

July 12 Simplicity Day

Author, naturalist, philosopher, historian, tax resister, abolitionist, development critic, surveyor, and leading transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau was born on July 12, 1817. Simplicity Day is observed on July 12th in his honor. Thoreau was an advocate for living a life of simplicity.

Thoreau (July 12, 1817 – May 6, 1862) is well-known by many for his book Walden, a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings. “In proportion as he simplifies his life, the laws of the universe will appear less complex, and solitude will not be solitude, nor poverty poverty, nor weakness weakness.” ~Henry David Thoreau

Simplicity Day is the time to take a step back and begin to simplify our lives. One can start by slowing down, tuning into nature, enjoying the simple things in life, decluttering and striving for balance. Once you have done this, you can begin to enjoy the many stress-reducing pleasures and benefits of a simple lifestyle.

Happy Simplicity Day… 

July 12 Pecan Pie Day

Pecan Pie Day is celebrated on July 12. This sweet delight has the best of both worlds—a smooth filling and a crunchy top. Traditional recipes for pecan pie call for ingredients like roasted pecans, butter, eggs, and brown sugar, but there are many different variations. Pecan pie is a staple of the Southern United States and one of America's favorite desserts.

Pecan pies are associated with Thanksgiving and Christmas. But you don't have to wait till Thanksgiving to indulge yourself with a slice of this delicious pie. On National Pecan Pie Day, bake a pie or pick it up at your local bakery.

Today is a great day to eat a slice of pecan pie! Pick up a pie at your local bakery or grocery store to share with friends. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and enjoy.

Try this Irresistible Pecan Pie recipe.

July 11 Cheer Up The Lonely Day

Each year on July 11, people across the United States are trying to make someone happy on Cheer up the Lonely Day. Cheer up the Lonely Day is an opportunity to make a lonely person happy. Any time you can make someone happy; you’ve done a good thing, and should be proud of yourself.

If you know someone who is lonely or going through a difficult time due to health issues, financial reasons, grief due to loss or personal reasons, this was created as a day to reach out to them and try to cheer them up. Your small act of kindness can make a big difference to them.

Spend some time today cheering up lonely people. It's easy to do.....just spend some time with them. When you visit, bring happy things to talk about. Keep the conversation upbeat, and lively. When you leave, give a big hug and let them know you enjoyed the stay. Sending cards or making a phone call is okay, only if they live too far away to visit. What a lonely person really needs, is face to face time with other people. 

July 11 Blueberry Muffin Day

On July 11, it is Blueberry Muffin Day. Blueberry muffins are melt-in-your-mouth delicious and are honored each year on July 11 celebrated by people around the world. In America, the term “muffin” refers to a quick bread product that is similar to a cupcake in cooking methods and size.

The main ingredients of muffin batter are flour and leavening agent other than yeast or eggs “usually baking soda”. It has a liquid to dry ratio of about 1:2. Muffins often have additional ingredients stirred in such as chocolate chips, berries, fruit chunks. Blueberry muffin is one of the most popular muffin varieties.

Try your hand at baking these delicious muffins in your family. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup butter, 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, 1 1/2 tsp orange zest. Stir over medium heat until butter melts, let cool, and beat in 2 eggs.

Sift 2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 3/4 tsp salt into a bowl. Add milk mixture and stir until blended. Fold in 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries. Divide batter among 12 muffin cups lined with paper liners. Bake at 400 °F for about 20 minutes.

Give these blueberry muffin recipes a try!

Blueberry Muffins

Nutmeg Blueberry Muffins

To Die For Blueberry Muffins

July 10 Teddy Bears Picnic Day

Teddy Bear Picnic Day is celebrated on July 10, 2016. Take your Teddy Bear and eat a meal outdoors, ideally taking place in a beautiful landscape such as a park, beside a lake or with an interesting view. Picnics are often family-oriented but can also be an intimate occasion between two people or a large get-together.

During the early 1900s, President Theodore Roosevelt was in office as President of the United States. He was a hunter. While hunting in Mississippi in 1902, he refused to shoot a small bear. The Washington Post picked up on this story, and made a cartoon of the event. Toy store owners, Morris and Rose Michtom, wrote to President Roosevelt for permission to call their stuffed animals "Teddy Bears". Teddy bears became wildly popular.

Spend the lunch hour on a blanket under a shade tree with your Teddy Bear. 

July 10 Don’t Step on a Bee Day

Don’t Step On A Bee Day is an important reminder that the fate of the common bee lies in the balance – with bee numbers in some countries having halved in the last decade with no apparent cause, it’s vital that we take care to maintain bee populations, pollination and honey production.

This year we’re calling for your help to protect our precious bees.Support your local beekeeper. The majority of our honey here in the UK is imported (85 %), but with the wealth of bee keepers on our doorstep there is really no need. Support your local bee keeper by visiting a near-by farm shop or deli and enjoy their precious produce for breakfast on some warm buttered toast.

This Don’t Step on a Bee Day, we urge you to help spread the message! We would love it if you could share the message with your audience on Facebook or Twitter and tag @BeeGood or use #DontStepOnABeeDay to help raise awareness. 

July 9 Sugar Cookie Day

Its Sugar Cookie Day, Celebrated each year on July 9. Sugar Cookie Day honors the ever popular and delicious sugar cookie.

The sugar cookie is believed to have originated in the mid 1700′s in Nazareth Pennsylvania. It was there that the German Protestant settlers created the round, crumbly and buttery cookie that came to be known as the Nazareth Cookie.

Sugar cookies are a great way to keep the kids entertained too; just give them the dough, cookie cutters, an assortment of toppings, and let their imaginations run wild! For the ultimate Sugar Cookie Day experience, you can organize a Cookie Exchange party with your friends and neighbors – just don’t forget to bring your sweet tooth.

To celebrate Sugar Cookie Day, make a batch of homemade sugar cookies to share with friends and coworkers. Provide a variety of interesting decorations and let everyone personalize their bite-sized dessert 

July 8 Chocolate with Almonds Day

Chocolate with Almonds Day celebrated every year on July 8.

Milk chocolate is a type of chocolate that contains milk in the form of condensed milk, liquid milk, or milk powder. According to the U. S. Food and Drug Administration regulations, it must contain at least 12% milk solids. It has a sweeter and lighter taste than bitter or dark chocolate. Milk chocolate pairs especially well with almonds. This delicious combo is used in many confectioneries and desserts such as candy bars, sweets, chocolate brownies, muffins or cupcakes filled with chopped almonds etc. Chocolate-covered almonds are a very popular treat.

To honor this combination of flavors on National Milk Chocolate with Almonds Day, try your hand at making delightful milk chocolate almonds spread that can be spread on crackers, toast and crepes. Here is a recipe for you.

Melt 9 ounces milk chocolate and 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate in the microwave or in a bain-marie until smooth. In a food processor or blender, grind 1 cup roasted almonds into fine powder. Add 2 tbs almond oil and process until smooth. Add 3 tsp confectioner's sugar, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract. Process until well incorporated. Add the chocolate and blend well. 

July 7 Strawberry Sundae Day

July 7th Strawberry Sundae Day observed each year. Strawberry sundae is a sweet ice cream dessert. You’re looking for the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day, and then look no further. A strawberry sundae made with ice cream, whipped cream. Strawberries are actually a member of the rose family, and are the only fruit with seeds on the outside.

The sundae is a popular ice cream dessert made with one or several scoops of ice cream (typically vanilla although over flavors can also be used) topped with fruit syrup or sweet sauce. It may also be topped with other ingredients such as fruit and berries, whipped cream, sprinkles, and maraschino cherries.

Here is a recipe for all fans of homemade fresh fruit sundaes. Place 2 small scoops of vanilla or strawberry ice cream in a serving bowl. Add 4 halved strawberries and drizzle with 2 tbs strawberry sauce. Scatter with 3 quartered marshmallows and garnish with a dollop of whipped cream. To celebrate Strawberry Sundae Day, go out to your favorite ice cream parlor or make a strawberry sundae at home. 

July 7 Macaroni Day

Each year on the pasta lovers across the celebrate Macaroni Day.

Made with durum wheat, macaroni is a large variety of dry pasta which typically do not contain eggs. Many people think that it is the short, hollow shape that makes up macaroni; however, it is actually the kind of dough from which the noodles are made. Elbow macaroni is the most common in the United States but macaroni may be straight noodles, curved, shells or many other shapes.

Macaroni is used in many different dishes from casseroles and hot dishes to soups and salads.

try one of the following macaroni recipes:

Hamburger and Macaroni Hotdish

Ham and Macaroni Picnic Salad

Homemade Mac and Cheese

Beef Macaroni Soup

Post photos of your macaroni creation on social media using #MacaroniDay. 

July 6 Fried Chicken Day

Fried Chicken Day is observed each year on July 6th. Scottish immigrants brought their tradition of deep-frying chicken in fat to the southern United States. On this day, fried chicken lovers across the country celebrate this American favorite at a nearby restaurant, home or an outdoor picnic.

Fried chicken is a dish that consists of chicken pieces which have been floured or battered then pan-fried, deep-fried or pressure-fried. The breading adds a crisp coating to the exterior of the chicken.

After its introduction to the American South, fried chicken soon became a staple. Over time, seasonings and spices were added to enrich the flavor of the chicken.

Invite friends and family member over fried chicken party, make some fried chicken and share photos on social media using.

To celebrate, try this fried chicken recipe…

July 5 Apple Turnover Day

Each year On July 5 people observed Apple Turnover Day, also called hand pies because they are so portable.

Made as under say…

Peel and core 1 large apple cut it into 1/4-inch dice. In a bowl, stir together apple chunks, 3 tbs dried cranberries, 3 tbs heated apple jelly, 1 tbs cornstarch, and 1/8 tsp cinnamon.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry and cut into 6 parts. You need roughly 4-inch squares. Divide the apple filling among pastry squares, leaving a 1-inch border. Brush border with lightly beaten egg. Cut 2 tbs cold unsalted butter into bits and dot filling with it. Fold each square into a triangle and crimp edges, using a fork. Cut a couple of slits in top of each turnover. Brush lightly with egg and sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 400 °F until puffed and golden. Let cool to warm and enjoy

Try Apple Turnover recipe and share them with your family and friends. Post on social media using Apple Turnover Day to encourage others to join in paying it forward.