January 3, 2014 is National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day

The National Confectioner's Association has designated today as Chocolate Covered Cherry Day.  I know it's a bit early but these candies always make me think of Valentine's Day, which of course is next month.  But that's another story.

Anyway I found this video on YouTube if you'd like to try making your own Chocolate Covered Cherries.




Celebration suggestion for today - Buy someone you love (or yourself) a nice box of chocolate covered cherries and enjoy!

Happy Chocolate Cake Day ~ January 27

YES!!!!

Here's a recipe for you from MyRecipes.com.  Looks super yummy...

Just the mention of chocolate cake makes me think of this old skit by Bill Cosby... I may not always agree with his politics, but I have to admit this always make me laugh...

January 22 ~ Happy Blonde Brownie Day!!!

Another yummy day! 

If you don't have your very own recipe for Blonde Brownies try one of these....

Hot and Spicy Food Day ~ January 16

Happy Hot & Spicy Food Day Apron January 16 by Everydays_A_Holiday
See other Hot and spicy food day Aprons

Just so we don't get too confused, today is "International" Hot and Spicy Food Day.  I did find some references to the fact that there is also a "National" Hot and Spicy" Food Day in August, but those of us that love spicy food won't mind at all if we need to celebrate twice a year.

When we think "hot" - we think of peppers...and I found this visual guide to hot pepper to help you decide just how hot you like your peppers.  Pick a pepper today...and have a spicy day!

Happy Milk Day ~ January 11

Moooooo!!!!

It is believed that today is Milk Day to commemorate January 11th as the first day milk was delivered in bottles.  Previously the milk wagon would have come around with large cans and the customers would have to transfer their milk into their own containers, usually open pails.

There is some controversy about the validity of the date, and there are several other days of the year dedicated to this wholesome beverage, but for today pour yourself a tall glass of ice cold milk and enjoy! 

January 3 ~ National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day

 I love the holidays that involve chocolate!!!

I'm not sure who is responsible for the Food Holiday list, but all the different sites I've found seem to agree on them.  There is a food for every day of the, but for now, since I'm only doing one holiday a day, I alternate between the food holidays, the religious holidays, the foreign holiday, and the just plain weird holidays.  And, when the food holiday has something to do with Chocolate it usually wins my debate on which holiday to feature.

If you're feeling creative today try these...

These Chocolate Covered Cherry Mice are soooo cute... I made them one year for Christmas, but couldn't make them fast enough to give any away.



If you'd rather not make your own there are some gourmet and ready made options...

and if you really want to start from scratch....

National Cashew Day ~ November 22

My Favorite Nut!!!  Wish I could find a good sale on them today.

If you are familiar with how the cashew is grown you understand why it is a tasty but expense snack.  Not only are cashews good on their own, they are often used in recipes and candy confections.

Add cashews to your dinner menu tonight with this Garlic buttered broccoli with cashews...

• 1 1/2 pounds fresh broccoli, cut into bite size pieces
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup chopped salted cashews

1. Place the broccoli into a large pot with about 1 inch of water in the bottom. Bring to a boil, and cook for 7 minutes, or until tender but still crisp. Drain, and arrange broccoli on a serving platter.
2. While the broccoli is cooking, melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Mix in the brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, pepper and garlic. Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat. Mix in the cashews, and pour the sauce over the broccoli. Serve immediately.

National Fast Food Day ~ November 16

Well I suppose having a day to eat "fast food" guilt free isn't such a bad thing.  At Fast Foods.com you can get a rundown on the nutritional values of some popular fast food meals.

What's your favorite fast food joint?

McDonalds

Burger King

Taco Bell 

Wendy's 

Chick-fil-A 

Sonic 

Just a few of the many... Check out Wikipedia for a very long list with links to your favorites.

November 8 ~ National Harvey Wallbanger Day

Bottoms up!!!

Stir 3 parts vodka and 6 parts orange juice in a collins glass with ice. Float 1 part Galliano on top.  Garnish with orange slice and maraschino cherry.

Before you have one too many try these super delicious looking cupcakes....

Recipe found at Cocktail Cupcakes for Your Bachelorette Party Supplies. 

If you are in need of Party Supplies (keep in mind these are not kids parties) they seem to have it all...  

I will definitely be trying some of those cupcakes!!

Doughnut Appreciation Day ~ November 5

If you want to truly appreciate the doughnut you'll want to know all about the history of the doughnut in America...
Too bad this wasn't a subject in school, I might have actually gotten an A in this class.

Buy a Doughnut Day ~ October 30

Ok, if you insist!

As I've said many times before...I live in the south.  But I'm still a Yankee (Jersey born and bred) and while Krispy Kreme is the favorite down here, I'm still a Dunkin' Donuts gal.  I'm not sure if either of these franchises will be celebrating today, but it's worth a trip to their websites to see if there are any "specials" going on for this delicious holiday.

My all time favorite doughnut is the Boston Cream, with the chocolate glazed following as a close second.  What's your's?

National Chocolate Day ~ October 28

As far as I'm concerned every day should be "chocolate day"







Some facts about chocolate:

• Columbus brought cacao (chocolate) beans back to Spain on his fourth voyage in 1502.
• Americans consume about half of the world's chocolate production.
• Hershey's chocolate was introduced in 1900.
• Hawaii is the only state that grows cacao beans to produce chocolate.
• Seven billion pounds of chocolate and candy are manufactured each year in the United States. 
• Chocolate syrup was used in the famous shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho.
• Chocolate contains phenylethylamine (PEA), a natural substance that is reputed to stimulate the same reaction in the body as falling in love.
• One plain milk chocolate candy bar has more protein than a banana.
• The average person will consume 10,000 chocolate bars in a lifetime...that's a lot of chocolate!
•  

Happy National Greasy Food Day ~ October 25

I live in the south.  They have a theory down here.  If you can eat it, you can fry it!  When I moved here from New Jersey my cholesterol levels were just fine, but not anymore.  Because if you live in the south every day is greasy food day.


What can be deep fried?

Your Thanksgiving Turkey

Twinkies

Candy Bars

Cookies

Even Soda can be deep fried

And if you really want your cholesterol levels to soar,

try deep fried butter

National Nut Day ~ October 22

Research into National Nut Day kept bringing me to sites and references in the UK. So, it's possible that the "National" in this instance is not American. We may have adopted it from the English. Oh well, wouldn't be the first thing we've taken from them.

I'm a nut lover...pistachios and cashews are my favorites.  Nuts are wonderful healthy snacks and also a great ingredient in many recipes, from main courses to deserts.

How many meals can you add nuts to today...

Banana Nut Waffles

Hazelnut coffee

Sugared Walnuts

Perisian Rice and Pistachio Salad

Pistachio Mayonnaise

Spicy Nut Mix

Tangy Almond Garlic String Beans

Nut crusted Mashed Potato

Chicken Cashew

Meatloaf with Pistachio Nuts

Swedish Nut Cake

Chocolate Chip Nut Cake

Looks like you might be able to have a nut with everything today!

Caramel Apple Day ~ October 21

This time of year Caramel Apples are a familiar favorite.  Years ago I remember receiving them as a Halloween treat.  Of course these days you won't find them in your trick or treat bag, but you can still make them a home pretty easily.  Or you can buy the gourmet variety at a good candy shop or by mail order.












For the home version, Kraft caramel candies often come with wooden sticks this time of year and you might even find the recipe on the bag.  If not, visit Kraft's website for the recipe and some good tips.

I've created a line of cards and gift items on Zazzle just for this fun and tasty holiday...

Browse other personalized gifts from Zazzle.

October 18 ~ National Chocolate Cupcake Day

     I've been waiting for this one.... Yummy!!!  My favorite cupcake is chocolate with vanilla icing, but I never turn down an all chocolate one.
     Whether you make a batch from the box, buy them ready made, or go all out and make them from scratch, today you have permission to indulge and forget about calories and diets.  
     If you want to try your hand at making the perfectly chocolatey chocolate cupcake I came across this recipe at a blog called Cupcake Project...looks sinfully delicious, and they claim it's better than sex.
       Some great cupcake supplies...