Volunteer Recognition Day

Today it's Volunteer Recognition Day which honors the many people that dedicate themselves to causes and helping others.
Volunteers don't only make a difference in the life of others but they also make a difference in their own lives. There is great satisfaction and a feeling of well being when you actually know that even the little things you do while volunteering are changing lives.

Everyone of us is passionate about something, some cause. A great way to start on the road to volunteering is by visiting VolunteerMatch.org
This organization is not only for volunteers that are looking for opportunities to help make a difference, it's also helps nonprofits find volunteers.

No matter what cause you are interested inn VolunteerMatch.org probably has something that will interest you.

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.

Lao Tzu

Volunteer activities make you feel energized and happy, it's truly rewarding.

So to celebrate this special day make sure to get involved in volunteer work, thank others that you know volunteer or donate to a group/nonprofit that volunteers.

If you don't find anything through VolunteerMatch.org then check for organization in your community that you would like to help. A simple search online can give you many nonprofits that are looking for volunteers. You can also check with you local churches, community centers and hospitals.

Take that first step today.

I absolutely love the website Anawhite.com. It has amazing plans for furniture and home decor and great home ideas.

Compliment Day

Compliment Day is celebrated every year on January 24th and was created in 1998 by Kathy Chamberlin, of Hopkinson, NH. and Debbie Hoffman, of Concord, NH.

Has anyone told you what a great smile you have???
You look wonderful!
Yup...today is compliment day and the most important part about giving a compliment is to make sure that it's sincere.

Some interesting reads:
17 Of The Best Compliments Women Ever Got
Women Agreed With Compliments Men Gave Them Online, And It Didn't Go Well
15 Best Compliments you can Possibly Give
16 Compliments you can Say to Someone that will make them Blush

National Pie Day

National Pie Day is celebrated every January 23rd and this day was created by The American Pie Council to celebrate the pie. It all started in 1986 in order to commemorate Crisco's 75th anniversary although Charlie Papazian of the examiner.com also claims to have started this day in 1975 on his birthday.

A great way to celebrate this day is by getting out your ingredients and rolling pin and start baking some pies. Or even better just celebrating by eating some delicious pie.

Here are some delicious pie recipes for you to enjoy:

Blueberry Crumble Pie

Black-Bottom Peanut Butter Mousse Pie

Rum Raison Apple Pie

Cherry Bourbon Pie

Mississippi Mud Pie

Pecan Pie

Lemon Meringue Pie

Pumpkin Pie

Apple Pie

Sweet Potato Pie

Frozen Key Lime Pie

National Blonde Brownie Day

National Blonde Brownie Day is celebrated on January 22.
Wow this is the perfect day to indulge that sweet tooth and have some delicious treats.
Unlike the tranditional brown brownies these wonderful treats are made with light brown sugar which makes them a light color.
Here are some great recipes to try:

• Blonde Brownies Recipe on Food.com
• Blonde Brownies on Nestle Very Best Baking
• Blonde Brownies from Allrecipes.com
• Cheryl's Chocolate Chips Blonde Brownies

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National Hugging Day

Celebrated on January 21st this day was created by Rev. Kevin Zaborney from Caro, Michigan in 1986. Not sure if this really is a National Holiday since this would require an act of congress. Hugs are a wonderful way to make someone feel special and loved. Personally I think that hugs make you feel good and happy inside. So Celebrate today by giving hugs to family, friends, loved ones and they will feel the love. By the way National Hugging Day is actually copyrighted by NationalHuggingDay.com

Penguin Awareness Day

January 20th is Penguin Awareness Day. (World Penguin Day is celebrated on April 25th)

These wonderful flightless birds are found in Antarctica, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Peru, Chile, the Galapagos Islands and the Falkland Islands.

Find out more about this wonderful day on National Geographic Society in Explorers Journal by Andrew Howley.

Did you know that the Falkland Islands is home to 5 different species of penguins. They are the King penguins, rockhopper penguins, magellanic penguins, gentoo penguins and macaroni penguins. 

Find out more at Falkland Conservation website.

National Popcorn Day

Although the origins of this holiday are unknown, National Popcorn Day is celebrated on January 19th.
Popcorn can be a healthy snack as long as you don't overdo it and add tons of butter or salt. The great thing about making or buying popcorn is that there are many different flavors that can be added to this snack food.
So why not try some of the following delicious ways to make your popcorn really pop.

50 Delicious popcorn recipes for you to try from the Food Network.
30 Healthy Popcorn Recipes that satisfy any craving from the Greatist.com

Celebrate Winnie the Pooh Day

Every January 18th it's a celebration of everyone's favorite cute bear Winnie the Pooh. This day is to celebrate A.A. Milne born in 1882 and the creator/author of this adorable bear and his friends.
If you have kids this is the perfect opportunity to celebrate by reading some stories of the Pooh Bear to your young ones.
Now you can also watch the adventures of Winnie the Pooh in movies.

Ditch Your New Year's Resolution Day

If your going to ditch your New Year's resolution then January 17 is the day to do it.

People general like to start the New Year with good intentions and want to better themselves in the New year. Unfortunately the vast majority of resolutions are set aside about 2 weeks into the New Year. Diets, fitness, improvements, new attitudes are all forgotten as people tend to go back to their routines and what's comfortable for them.

 So if you have the balls to keep your resolution here are some tools that might help you keep yours!

1. Getting the Weight off and keeping it off! - One way to get help here is to team up with a family member or friend so that you can both encourage each other to go to the gym or keep the diet. Another great way is to join an online community or program like WeightWatchers.com
2. Save More Money: For many many the best way to do this is to pay yourself first. So before you withdraw money from you bank account or cash your paycheck, put aside a little into a savings account that isn't linked to your checking. In other words if you have to go to the bank in person to get money out you are less likely to spend it. Some employers also offer deductions into Christmas funds etc.. Even 20 dollars a week adds up and at the end of the year you'll be happy to have the extra cash. Also with websites like Mint.com you can keep track of your finances and create a budget that works for you.
3. Organizing your home - This task can be overwhelming and the trick is to divide it into tasks. Start by tackling one closet at a time, then move on to one room at a time and by the time you know it you'll have a clean and organized home.
4. Learn something new. Did you know that now a days you don't even have to leave the comfort of your home to learn something new. You can enroll in class that interest you or you can contact your local community college and see what they have to offer. There's also a lot you can learn online without paying a dime. Youtube is great for learning.
5. Travel - sometimes you don't know all your city or state has to offer. If you're short on cash and can't afford that dream vacation. Why not look up your state or city and instead of going to the usual places you go to, roam about the city as if you are a tourist. This is a great website to get tips on traveling on a budget. BudgetTravel.com
Also check out the following:

1. Beth Whitman (Wanderlust and Lipstick) 
2. Caz Makepeace (Y Travel Blog)
3. James Feess (The Savvy Backpacker)
4. Andy Lee Graham (Hobo Traveler)
5. Kash Bhattacharya (Budget Traveller)
6. Mark Kahler (About.com Budget Travel)
7. Tom Meyers (Euro Cheapo)
8. Kim Orlando (Traveling Mom)
9. Robert Schrader (Leave Your Daily Hell)
10. Rick Steves (Rick Steves' Europe)

National Fig Newton Day

January 16th is (unofficial) National Fig Newton Day.

Newtons are a pastry filled with fig paste are they are a Nabisco Trademarked treat.
It's believed that this treat comes from the original fig rolls which were handmade products invented in the 19th century after physicians recommended a daily intake of biscuits and fruit to relieve digestive problems.

In 1891 Charles Roser invented and patented a machine which inserted fig paste into a think pastry dough.  His recipe was purchase by Kennedy Biscuit Company and mass production began. It's believed that they named the product "Newton" after the town of Newton, Massachusetts.

The Kennedy Biscuit Company and the New York Biscuit Company merged to become Nabisco and they called these treats Fig Newtons.

So celebrate the day by going out and treating yourself to some fig newtons.