National Strawberry Ice Cream Day

January 15th is National Strawberry ice Cream Day. This special treat evolved from ancient flavored ices. In China hosts served their guests sweet juices mixed with ice or snow as far back as 3000 BC.

Although vanilla and chocolate are still the favorite flavors of ice cream today, strawberry is 3rd or 4th on the list.

So as a special treat today leave some room for dessert and have yourself a bowl of strawberry ice cream.

National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day

Pastrami was created to save valuable protein back when there was no refrigeration. The preparation of pastrami is done by curing the meat. The Pastrami sandwich is believed to have been first introduced by Sussman Volk, a butcher, around 1887 at his Delancey Street deli in New York.

Traditional pastrami sandwiches are made with pastrami, rye bread and brown mustard.
One great place in New York that serves delicious pastrami sandwiches is

Carnegie Deli. 854 7th Ave (between 7th and 8th). – cash only.
Katz’s Delicatessen. 205 E Houston St (at Ludlow). – cash only

Brent's Deli, Westlake, Ca.

www.brentsdeli.com

National Rubber Ducky Day

January 13 is National Rubber Ducky day.

No one knows the exact origin of the Rubber Ducky although they have been around since the rise of the rubber industry in the late 1800s. The puppet Ernie who was created by Jim Henson performed the song "Rubber Duckie" on Sesame Street and so the rubber ducky became an american symbol.

You can view Ernie perform the song here.

In the 1940"s Sculptor Peter Ganine created a sculpture of a duck and then patented it and reproduced it as a floating toy.

Charlotte Lee was awarded the 2007 Guinness World Record for the World's Largest Rubber Duck Collection. And in 2013 rubber duck were inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame.

For more information on the rubber ducky click here.

International Kiss A Ginger Day

Another word for Ginger = Redhead!

So on the special day which is semi official and celebrated on January 12, if you come across a redhead please make sure to give them a hug and a loving peck on the cheek.

In 2009 Dereck Forgie started this day by creating a Facebook Group intended as a counter-event to the November 2008 creation of Kick a ginger campaign also on Facebook. The latter (kick a ginger day) is a horrid idea and resulted in ginger kids being assaulted at school which brought outrage and condemnation from the international community. Kiss a Ginger day is a loving way to show your appreciation for gingers.
If you would like more information about Kiss a Ginger Day visit their Facebook Page here.

Cigarettes are Hazardous to Your Health Day

If you want to do something positive for yourself and you're a smoker today is the day to quit. The first government report saying that smoking is hazardous to your health by the US Surgeon General Luther Terry was issued in 1964.
Organizations like Anti-Smoking.org and Smokefree America are continuously working to help people give up this detrimental habit. The costs of health care related to smoking is over $150 billion per year. Somethings in life are hard to do, like breaking a habit and going through withdrawal but harder yet are the health implications if you don't stop.

For help stopping reach out to your family doctor and the following organizations:
Anti-Smoking.org
Smokefree America
The Truth

Bittersweet Chocolate Day

As per the FDA, bittersweet chocolate must contain at least 35% chocolate liquor which is a non-alcoholic liquid produced from cocoa beans. Bittersweet chocolate is a sweetened chocolate made with cocoa liquor, sugar, cocoa butter and vanilla and does not contain any milk solids.

Did you know that all variations of dark chocolate contain antioxidants which lower blood pressure and help protect your heart.

Today is the perfect day to indulge in your favorite bittersweet chocolate.

National Apricot Day

Over 4,000 years ago the apricot tree emerged in China and eventually made it's way to Europe and the New World. About 95% of the apricots grown in the United States are from California.

Apricots ripen earlier than most fruits and are enjoyed sooner than most summer fruits. In Latin the word Apricot mean Precious.

So enjoy an apricot or two today in honor of National Apricot Day. And remember that apricots can be enjoyed fresh, broiled, grilled, poached, in jams or jellies or dried.

Bubble Bath Day

Oh Wow, Bubble Bath Day is probably a lot of girls favorite day. Only one great way to celebrate this day and that's by relaxing in a glorious bubble bath. Warm baths have been enjoyed by humans for thousands of  years. It was a routine for most citizens of Ancient Rome to bathe at a public bath facility. In the past the average American bathed once a week for personal hygiene however today a daily shower is standard. Once in a while it's nice to relax in a warm bubble bath though.

Old Rock Day - And it's not about Rock-n-Roll

When I came across Old Rock Day my first thought was it's probably about old Rock-n-Roll. Wrong!
Old Rock Day is a day when amateur rock enthusiasts and Geologists show their appreciation of all things stony and fossilized.

The origins of this day are unclear however it's a fun day to have young children go out and find themselves their first pet rock. No feeding needed.
Other fun activities for this day include painting fun faces on rocks, turning tiny pebbles into fun pieces of jewelry or better yet why not create a peaceful rock garden.

Here is additional information about creating a rock garden:

Let's Rock! 20 Fabulous Rock Garden Ideas

Decoist.com

National Bean Day

Who came up with National Bean Day?
Around the web some sources say the death of renown geneticist, Gregor Mendel, who used bean and pea plants to test some of his theories died on January 6, 1884.

Beans have been used in recipes for a very long time both today and in the old times. They are a good source of protein, fiber and other nutrients.

Great recipes can be found in these books:

One great way to celebrate this special day with your little ones is to read to them the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. You know your pre-schooler will love this day. You can also follow the story by serving some beans for them to try.