Category: April

• NATIONAL BUCKET LIST DAY | April 24

  NATIONAL BUCKET LIST DAY

  April 24 celebrates National Bucket List Day to remind us it’s never too late to set new goals, go on a dream vacation, and inspire people around you to enjoy life to the fullest.

  #NATIONALBUCKETLISTDAY

  By definition, a bucket list is a list of things a person would like to do, but has never experienced before. Some people refer to them as milestones, while other people refer to them as goals. Whatever you call them, a bucket list is a list of things a person would like to accomplish before they die.

  What Is A Bucket List?

  A bucket list is the list you create to make the most out of life. It is a list of goals, dreams, and aspirations you would like to accomplish before you pass away. The basic meaning of a bucket list is to keep track of your goals by making yourself accountable to achieve all you want in life. The purpose of a bucket list is to encourage ourselves to accomplish goals within in a specific timeframe.

  Our time on earth is short. Very few of us pause to think about how we spend what time we have. Creating a bucket list can help you live your life to the fullest. It also gives you the opportunity to appreciate the life you have and reflect on the good things to come.

  Bucket List Ideas

  A bucket list can be anything you want it to be. Your bucket list should reflect your interests. In fact, we’re guessing there are no two lists alike. If you are a simple person, create a bucket list that reflects the simple pleasures in life. If you gravitate towards extravagant things or love to travel, your list will more than likely consist of ideas that require more of a financial investment.

  Simple Bucket List Ideas

  • Graduating from high school or college.
  • Having children.
  • Buying a home.
  • Becoming a freelance photographer.
  • Participating in a painting club.

  Extravagant Bucket List Ideas

  • Go on a cruise.
  • Visit the Rainforest.
  • Visit all the continents in the world.
  • Visit historical landmarks across the country.
  • Ride a hot air balloon.

  Travel Bucket List

  • Travel to Europe.
  • See the ancient Mayan ruins.
  • Visit Egyptian tombs.
  • Travel Route 66.
  • Visit all the state parks in North America.

  Finding Gratitude

  Living a life of gratitude is key to living a well-rounded life, full of happiness and satisfaction. Gratitude allows you to find every day moments and turn them into long-term fulfillment. Completing items on your bucket list will help you realize the opportunity you have been given as you experience life-changing moments you thought might never happen. Enjoy the ride and show gratitude for the adventure you have in this life.

  ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES

  • Be brave and have some fun by learning to paint, drive a race car, skydive, surf, or jump off a cliff.
  • Sample local food and drink during your travels.
  • Create a bucket list with a friend that you both can enjoy.
  • Watch the movie Bucket List, staring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.
  • Pay it forward with a bucket list that allows you to donate time to an orphanage, local soup kitchen, or food pantry.
  • Share your videos and photos on social media from your bucket list adventures.

  CREATING NATIONAL BUCKET LIST DAY

  National Day Calendar and Cindy Rhodes of Bucket List Coach Travel & Tours and the Bucket List Coach Web Show formed a collaboration to create National Bucket List Day to be celebrated each year on April 24. Using her own personal bucket list, Cindy thought the ultimate bucket list item for 2023 would be to have her own National Day.

  National Bucket List Day is a day focusing around gratitude for your own life and experiences. Cindy believes everyone should get out and experience life to the fullest. Share your gratitude for the things you have and create experiences not things with friends, colleagues and family!

  About the Founder

  Cindy Rhodes is a travel blogger and agent by day and a National Day Calendar Celebration Ambassador by night. In her mid-forties, she realized life was passing her by and was merely existing. She knew that had to change. She began creating bucket lists of things she wanted to do and experience, making the most of the dash. Along the way, she remembers to show gratitude for every experience she has.

  Do not wait till you retire to experience the world! Tomorrow is not promised. CELEBRATE EVERY DAY!

  Cindy Lee

  
  Cindy believes people should start making it their personal mission to create bucket lists as early as possible. In fact, she encourages bucket lists for anyone, whether they are 20 years old or 90 years old. Recently, Cindy started a National Day Calendar Bucket List.

  

  Since becoming a Celebration Ambassador, Cindy has learned to incorporate National Day Calendar into her daily business plans. In fact, she uses National Days to grow her business. One way she shares her gratitude is sending gifts to clients and friends on specific National Days throughout the year. Read Cindy’s Blog to learn how you can use National Days to grow your business.

  Learn how to use National Days to grow your business with Cindy’s Growing Referrals and National Day Calendar Guide.

  Annual National Bucket List Day Vacation

  Join Bucket List Coach Travel & Tours on the annual trip celebrating national days/months.

  2023 – National Bucket List Day Cruise:

  • April 22- 29th sail from Long Beach, California to the Mexico Rivera. This cruise celebrating:
    • National Brunch Month
    • National Humor Month
    • National Volunteer Month by giving back at an orphanage in Puerto Vallarta
    • National Guitar Month at Cabo Wabo
    • National Prime Rib Day on the Carnival Panorama
    • International Pay It Forward Day

  Upcoming Dates

  • 2024: New Orleans Bucket List & Cruise
  • 2025 Miami: Bucket List and Cruise
  • 2026: France: Bucket Listing & Grape Stomping 

  Read Cindy’s National Bucket List Day Blog to learn about different ideas on
  checking off your bucket list.

  Learn how you can use National Days to grow your business.
  “Growing Your Business Through Referrals and National Days”
  https://www.facebook.com/growingreferralsandnationaldaycalendarguide

  For more information about Cindy, visit one or all of her many social media platforms.

  WEB SHOW

  

  

  

  SURFER’S WEB SHOW

  

  

  TRAVEL

  

  

  

  Business

  Travel Tours 

  December 29, 2022

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  Amy

  •

  April, April 24, Art & Entertainment, Founders, National Day

• NATIONAL IEP WRITING DAY | First Monday in April

  NATIONAL IEP WRITING DAY | First Monday in April

  The first Monday in April is National IEP Writing Day to honor all special education teachers and team members who write Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities.

  #IEPWritingDay

  On National IEP Writing Day, let’s pay it forward by thanking the team of professionals that write and implement IEPs that lead to the success of every student they work with on a daily basis.

  What is an IEP? An IEP, or Individualized Education Program, is a compilation of legal documents that are the layout of special education instruction and services needed for student with disabilities to thrive while in school, at home, and in the community.

  Writing an IEP is an under-appreciated job requirement special education teachers and teams provide each year. Statistically, almost 65% of teachers don’t like writing IEPs, and an additional 80% dislike writing Present Levels and the  Goals/Objectives of an IEP. The amount of paperwork that needs to be submitted per student is extremely time consuming.

  IEP Season

  Special education teachers and their teams go to great lengths writing and providing IEPs. In fact, no two IEPs are alike because no two students are alike. The professionals that create these IEPs and implement them are managers of legal documents, medical documents, and educational documents. According to school districts across the country, the average time it takes to write an IEP is between 1 to 2.5 hours per student. However, special education teachers and teams say they actually spend nearly 4 hours writing one IEP. Can you imagine the time it takes to write an IEP for nearly 50 students?

  On average, a special education teacher will write 16 IEPs in one school year. For some, it can be over 100 in a school year. In the Spring many schools have what they call an “IEP Season.” Even though most school districts have teachers writing IEPs year-round, the IEP season is 4-6 weeks in length. During this time teachers will write all IEPs in this short time frame, plus hold IEP meetings with teams and families.

  SPECIAL EDUCATION CELEBRATIONS

  • Write quick note or email to your fellow IEP team members thanking them for helping.
  • Praise your special education students for being a part of your teaching life. 
  • Send in a little treat, a handwritten card, gift card, or flowers to show appreciation to your child’s special education teacher and the rest of the IEP team.
  • Visit The Intentional IEP website and watch videos on the best practices for IEP writing.
  • Use #iepwritingday and #NationalIEPWritingDay to share yourself writing an IEP for a student without giving away confidential information. 
  • Give a public shoutout to the special education teachers and their teams at your school and share on social media using #makingpositivewaves.

  BEHIND NATIONAL IEP WRITING DAY

  National Day Calendar and The Intentional IEP collaborated to form National IEP Writing Day in 2022. Each year during the first Monday in April, we will celebrate special education teachers and their teams for making positive waves in the lives of students.

  The Intentional IEP is a website that helps special education teachers write IEPs more effectively and efficiently. Unsurprisingly, The Intentional IEP celebrates special education teachers and all IEP team members by working together to complete IEPs more collaboratively as a team. This collaboration helps to further facilitate the positive waves in education. The organization offers both free training using blog posts and videos. In addition, they offer paid services that includes video training, a searchable IEP goal bank, and an IEP writing course for teachers.

  Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

  On November 29, 1975, the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was signed into law giving disabled students access to services through an IEP. The intent was to help them access the same curriculum as their same-aged, neurotypical peers.

  The IDEA law states public schools must write IEPs for each student with disabilities who qualify for special education services. These IEPs are intended to help students and families:

  • Access the same-aged general education curriculum as their classmates.
  • Provide individualized and specific accommodations based on the student’s needs.
  • Allow special education teachers and teams to modify, adapt and make support changes based on individual IEP details. 
  October 18, 2022

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  Amy

  •

  A Look Back, April 03, Classroom, Education & History, Founders, National Day, Pop Culture & Lifestyle, Proclamations, Registrar

• NATIONAL GUMMI BEAR DAY – April 27

  NATIONAL GUMMI BEAR DAY 

  Gummi bears are a sweet treat that brings joy to people of all ages. On April 27, let’s celebrate National Gummi Bear Day and the memorable treat of childhood that’s timelessly fun.

  Few treats are as cute and sweet as gummi bears. Fruity and fun, these colorful chews have been charming us since 1922. That’s right, the gummi bear is 100 years old! HARIBO® founder Hans Riegel started the company in 1920 from his home kitchen. Two years later he created the world’s first gummi bear. Today, they’re known as Goldbears® are an iconic treat all over the world.

  While chewing on that bit of information, remember gummi bears are also the perfect treat to share. The bite-sized pieces mean everyone can join the fun and celebrate National Gummi Bear Day together!

  CELEBRATE #NationalGummiBearDay

  • Inspire joy in friends and family with the gift of gummi bears.
  • Share how and why gummi bears bring you joy.
  • Join the conversation by using #NationalGummiBearDay on social media.
  • Treat yourself and enjoy some gummi bears today!

  HISTORY OF NATIONAL GUMMI BEAR DAY

  HARIBO® founded National Gummi Bear Day to celebrate the 100-plus years of joy gummi bears have brought and continue to bring to people of all ages. Established in 1920, the company is a family-owned business with a century-long heritage. Founder Hans Riegel built HARIBO on a foundation of quality, while delivering moments of joy through its products. The name HARIBO is an acronym that contains the founder’s name and the city in which the company was born (Bonn, Germany): HAns RIegel BOnn. HARIBO is proud to continue making playful gummies that are meant to be shared so our inner child can always experience joy through this cute and sweet treat.

  The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed National Gummi Bear Day to be observed on April 27, annually.

  April 21, 2022

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  Michele

  •

  April 27, National Day

• 420 DAY – April 20

  420 DAY

  Every year on April 20th, cannabis producers, consumers, advocates, and those who are just curious have long celebrated 420 Day. Once an unconventional day, the day has become the rallying cry of those who seek to legalize marijuana for medicinal and recreational uses.

  While federal law in the United States still classifies cannabis as illegal, many states have legalized the substance for medicinal, recreational use, or both. Since the 1970s, some state legislatures have been going through various stages of decriminalizing cannabis possession and use. Alternatively, other states have strengthened their stance on the topic. California led the way in 1996 by making medical cannabis legal. Washington and Colorado legalized cannabis for recreational use in 2012. Other states have followed suit in varying degrees.

  A 2018 Gallup Poll showed that 66% of Americans support legalizing marijuana. According to Gallup, they first asked the question back in 1969, and only 12% supported making the plant (or weed) legal. Today, proponents point to several reasons for making cannabis legal.

  • Cannabis will become the largest cash crop in the United States.
  • Legalizing it allows regulation.
  • Allows law enforcement to focus on violent crimes and eases pressure on public resources.
  • Cannabis is safer than alcohol.

  HOW TO OBSERVE #420Day

  • Share your thoughts about 420.
  • Learn about legislation in your state.
  • Explore the medical benefits of cannabis.
  • Use #420Day to post on social media.

  420 DAY HISTORY

  Since the 1970s, people have celebrated 420 Day. Why 420, though? Many myths circulate about how 420 came to mean cannabis or smoking marijuana. Most of them are untrue or unverifiable. However, as related in Time magazine, one tells the story of five teenagers from San Rafael High School in Marian County, California. In 1971, they would meet at 4:20 PM, and eventually, 420 became their code for marijuana. One of the five, Dave Reddix, worked as a roadie for the Grateful Dead and further popularized the term. In 1991, High Times magazine printed a flier initially handed out by a group of Deadheads in Oakland, California. The flyer was an invitation to a 420 event to smoke marijuana. It was on April 20, 1990, at 4:20 PM.

   

  April 19, 2022

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  Michele

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  April 20, National Day

• NATIONAL LAUNDRY DAY – April 15

  NATIONAL LAUNDRY DAY

  Benjamin Franklin may have overlooked one certainty in life: laundry. National Laundry Day on April 15th creates an opportunity to assess our laundry habits and teach our children to develop good ones.

  Humans have been doing laundry in numerous ways for as long as it has existed. One of the earliest ways was beating the dust and dirt out of our clothes and bedding with a stick or pounding the grime out against a rock in the river.

  Early forms of soap were developed from a mixture of animal fat and ashes. Washboards and tubs replaced washing by a river. Scrubbing the fabric over the ribs of the washboard and soap helped release the grime and stains. Humans also washed their clothes in manually cranked tubs. These tubs eventually led to the first automatic washing machine. The first U.S. patent for an electric washing machine was granted to Alva J. Fisher in 1910.

  Dry cleaning is another process we’ve used to clean our clothes. These days, so many clothes are wash-and-wear, dry cleaning has moved lower and lower on the household budget.

  When we do laundry has also changed, too. Before commercial washing machines and dryers, clothes were hung on a line to dry. Though many people still line dry their wash, few people have clotheslines. Also, the poorer a person was, the more frequently they washed their clothes and linens. Once a week was fairly average and wash day was traditionally on a Monday as noted in several books and nursery rhymes. For example, this is a nursery rhyme from before the Victorian era shows weekly laundry washed on a Monday:

  They That Wash on Monday

  They that wash on Monday
  Have all week to dry;

  They that wash on Tuesday
  Are not much awry;

  They that wash on Wednesday
  Are not so much to blame;

  They that wash on Thursday
  Wash for shame;

  They that wash on Friday
  Wash in need;

  And they that wash on Saturday?
  They are dirty indeed!

  HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalLaundryDay

  • Do your laundry.
  • Teach others how to do laundry.
  • Volunteer to help someone in need with doing their laundry.
  • Organize your linen closet.
  • Explore different ways to keep your laundry fresher longer.
  • Share your stain removing tips and tricks.
  • Join the conversation by using #NationalLaundryDay on social media.

  NATIONAL LAUNDRY DAY HISTORY

  Though laundry has a long dirty and clean history, we were unable to sort out who the founder of the day is. However, in the early 1990s, September 15th used to be celebrated as National Laundry Worker Day.

  Laundry FAQ

  Q. What does “Don’t air your dirty laundry in public” mean?
  A. This laundry saying refers to having arguments in public or discussing things in public that should remain private.

  Q. What does “laundry list” mean?
  A. A laundry list is usually a long, detailed list of items. The lists can be related to upcoming events, to-do lists, or demands as part of an agreement.

  Q. Are there other laundry days on the calendar?
  A. Yes! Check out these fun days:

  • Hanging Out Day
  • National Sock Day
  • International Clothesline Week

   

  April 15, 2022

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  Michele

  •

  April 15, National Day

• LIMB LOSS AND LIMB DIFFERENCE AWARENESS MONTH | April

  LIMB LOSS AND LIMB DIFFERENCE AWARENESS MONTH | April

  Every Day in the United States, someone loses a limb. Did you know that more than half of amputations are caused by vascular disease? That’s one of the reasons April is Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month.

  According to the Amputee Coalition, 2.1 million people live with limb loss in the United States and more than half of the amputations that occur each year are preventable. Limb loss is a traumatic and life-long condition. It also comes with increased healthcare costs.

  However, the observance is about more than statistics. It’s also a celebration of the victories amputees experience. The month is an opportunity to share stories of amputees, their strengths, and their overwhelming ability to overcome obstacles.

  HOW TO OBSERVE #LLAM #LLLDAM #WeTHRIVE #NoAmputeeAlone

  • Share your experiences as an amputee. You may inspire another to victory.
  • Host an event showing support and increasing awareness of limb loss and limb differences.
  • Support those with limb loss by improving accessibility.
  • Attend an adaptive wellness, fitness, or athletic program.
  • Follow the Amputee Coalition on social media.
  • Share your favorite resources.
  • Be an advocate or offer peer support.
  • Write to your Congressional leaders in support of improved healthcare measures.
  • Follow the conversation by using #LLAM, #LLLDAM, #WeTHRIVE, and #NoAmputeeAlone.

  LIMB LOSS AND LIMB DIFFERENCE AWARENESS MONTH

  The Amputee Coalition founded Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month in 2010 giving the limb loss and limb difference community a platform and a voice. Throughout the month and all year long, the organization supports those with limb loss through numerous activities, resources, advocacy, and action.

  April 4, 2022

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  Michele

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  April Month

• NATIONAL HISTORIC MARKER DAY – Last Friday in April

  NATIONAL HISTORIC MARKER DAY

  Historic markers all across the nation provide a glimpse into the past and preserve history for future generations. On the last Friday in April each year, National Historic Marker Day invites volunteers and communities to come together to maintain their markers. Unfortunately, weather and time take their toll on these small monuments to history. By working together, we not only ensure these markers tell the stories to future generations, but we also take the opportunity to celebrate the history and culture they preserve.

  Historic markers pop up all over the country. In fact, according to the Historical Marker Database, more than 157,000 historic markers preserve history across the United States. Look closely, and you will see them near significant natural formations, state and national trails, historic buildings and communities, and even cemeteries. They tell stories of cultural, national, and historical significance. They also remind us of the people who lived, worked, contributed, played, created, and survived in communities all across the country.

  Many historic markers are neglected and in need of upkeep. National Historic Marker Day invites individuals and communities to come together to restore and preserve these glimpses into our culture and history.

  HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalHistoricMarkerDay

  • Register your local or regional National Historic Marker Day event on the William G. Pomeroy Foundation website: wgpfoundation.org
  • Volunteer to clean and preserve historic markers in your community.
  • Share your event with others to showcase your progress and community spirit.
  • Lead a fun educational activity to encourage student engagement with history.
  • Join the conversation by using #NationalHistoricMarkerDay on social media.
  • Follow the Pomeroy Foundation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see photos from volunteers across the country.

  NATIONAL HISTORIC MARKER DAY HISTORY

  The William G. Pomeroy Foundation established National Historic Marker Day in 2021 to highlight the value historic markers bring to the entire country and encourage volunteers to help preserve them. More than three dozen volunteers across multiple states participated in the inaugural event. Volunteers were encouraged to take photos of their cleaning efforts and post them on social media. As the celebration’s creator and official host, the Pomeroy Foundation curated a photo gallery and shared it on social media.

  In 2022, the Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed National Historic Marker Day to be observed annually on the last day in April.

  DATES
  29 April 2022
  28 April 2023
  26 April 2024
  25 April 2025
  24 April 2026
  30 April 2027
  28 April 2028
  27 April 2029
  26 April 2030
  25 April 2031
  30 April 2032

   

  March 30, 2022

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  Michele

  •

  April 28, Education & History, National Day, Pop Culture & Lifestyle

• INTERNATIONAL LAVERBREAD DAY – April 14

  INTERNATIONAL LAVERBREAD DAY

  On April 14th, discover a nutritious ingredient that comes from the sea. International Laverbread Day celebrates this food with a long history made from seaweed.

  Laverbread is the cooked version of ‘laver’ – porphyra seaweed – a diaphanous red algae found abundantly along Wales’ rocky coastline. For centuries, the Welsh have traditionally cooked laver to make laverbread, also called bara lawr and Welshman’s caviar. Not to be confused with sliced bread, laverbread is prepared by cooking the seaweed and creating green gluey sludge. So what’s appetizing about that? Well, for some, laverbread is considered a delicacy. For others, it may be an acquired taste. And still, for others, it’s neither acquired nor a delicacy.

  However, laverbread can be added to various recipes. Despite the long cooking time, (8 hours!) laverbread enhances the flavor with a salty sea taste. Add laverbread to soups, dried and crumbled over vegetables, salads, eggs, and even baked into bread. Traditionally, the Welsh roll laverbread in oatmeal before frying or spreading it on toast.

  Humans have been consuming seaweed for thousands of years, including laver. Since laver contains more vitamins and minerals than any land-based vegetable, it makes a healthy addition to any meal.

  Future Food

  Laver also produces 80 percent of the world’s oxygen, earning it the nickname “Lungs of the World.” So this “future food” checks all the boxes for sustainability, too.

  • Requires no land
  • Requires no freshwater
  • Grows up to 20 times faster than traditional crops
  • Requires no pesticides

  What more could you ask for when shopping for Earth-friendly food? On International Laverbread Day, celebrate the history, heritage, and benefits of laver.

  HOW TO OBSERVE #LaverbreadDay

  • On April 14th experience the joys of laverbread and incorporate it into your cooking.
  • Make laverbread at home. Try this recipe for 5 Beans on Toast with Welsman’s Caviar.
  • Ask your local deli to include fresh laver in the deli case.
  • Share your laver recipes.
  • Learn more about laver and the ways to use it.
  • Share the day using #LaverbreadDay.

  INTERNATIONAL LAVERBREAD DAY HISTORY

  The Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company founded International Laverbread Day in 2021 to share its love of laver and all its benefits. Jonathan Williams established the company in 2011, creating various seaweed-based products. But the company’s true love is Laver Seaweed. If seaweed is the core of its business infused with Welsh Heritage, then Laver seaweed is Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company’s champion.

  Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company puts local food producers and the environment first. Their mission includes using biodegradable packaging and disposables, sustainable power where possible, and applying sustainability principles at every level across the company.

  The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed the first International Laverbread Day to be observed on April 14th and annually thereafter.

  About Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company

  Jonathan Williams founded his award-winning business on a passion for laverbread. Quitting a desk job in Swindon in 2010, he returned to Wales to run a food stall dedicated to Welsh seafood delicacies, particularly laverbread foraged from his local coastline.

  Over the years, the business grew from a pop-up market stall to a permanent van at Freshwater West, where people queued to buy treats such as lobster rolls, crab rolls, and breakfast buns stuffed with bacon, egg, cheese, seaweed butter, and laverbread patties. Now Jonathan has taken on the lease at The Old Point House, an iconic old smugglers’ inn reached across a tidal causeway on Angle, Pembrokeshire. Work is underway to give the venerable pub a new lease of life – and it will include a permanent Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company presence via a repurposed boat selling street food in the pub garden. The Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company also has an online shop selling deli goods such as dried laver (Welshman’s caviar), Môr Ketchup (seaweed ketchup sauce), seaweed butter, seaweed pesto, and more. In 2017, Jonathan launched Barti Rum, a seaweed spiced rum.

   

  March 24, 2022

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  Michele

  •

  April 14, International, National Day

• NATIONAL AFTERNOON TEA MONTH – April

  NATIONAL AFTERNOON TEA MONTH

  Afternoon tea once was a meal that filled a gap and infused itself into daily routines and social rituals. National Afternoon Tea Month in April celebrates the history, food, and culture surrounding this nostalgic pastime.

  Afternoon tea is a nearly 200-year-old tradition that began in the United Kingdom. In the 1830s, only the upper class enjoyed afternoon tea due mainly to the price of tea leaves. The upper class also enjoyed more leisure time than the working class, allowing them to enjoy a social moment over tea and biscuits. What began as a light snack turned into a meal with rituals and traditions carried over from high society.

  During the 19th century, the day’s last meal was often served between 8 and 9 pm, creating a long gap between meals. The afternoon tea offered a light, casual meal to help tide people over until supper. But the afternoon tea was more than a way to stave off hunger for a few hours. It was a time to dust off the day’s troubles and enjoy the company of loved ones. Over time, the meal became more than a necessity; it became a social occasion and part of the culture. The meal filtered into public places like restaurants and tea gardens, developing into a social event.

  The Meal

  Afternoon tea consists of light, small portions—crustless finger sandwiches, scones, small cakes and pastries, and of course, tea. Various spreads, such as clotted cream, lemon curd, jams, and jellies, are also served. Usually, English Breakfast tea and Earl Grey are served, but other teas find their way to the serving tray, too. Teas such as Lapsang Souchong, lavender, mint, Darjeeling, and chamomile bring a variety of flavors to the table.

  Reviving a Fading Tradition

  As our routines changed, we began to eat the supper meal earlier and earlier. Busy lifestyles, travel, and two-income households have all but eliminated the afternoon tea. However, afternoon tea parties are still hosted around the world. They serve as casual occasions to celebrate friends and family and inspire us to interact and commune with each other.

  National Afternoon Tea Month is a chance to reignite interest in the ritual and give tools for planning the perfect Afternoon Tea Parties at home. Today, teahouses, tea gardens, tearooms, bed and breakfasts, and other locations also offer afternoon tea and an opportunity to revive a culture that has been slowly fading away.

  HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalAfternoonTeaMonth

  Celebrate National Afternoon Tea Month by organizing an afternoon tea in your home. You can also attend afternoon teas at local restaurants, teahouses, and many other locations. Explore a variety of menus and bring the tradition of afternoon tea into your life. Learn everything you need to know about hosting afternoon tea by visiting Tea Tea and Company.

  Use #NationalAfternoonTeaDay when you share your experiences on social media or visit the website afternoonteamonth.com for more ways to celebrate.

  NATIONAL AFTERNOON TEA MONTH HISTORY

  Tea Tea and Company founded National Afternoon Tea Month to celebrate the culture surrounding tea and as a way to inspire a rival of the afternoon tea traditions. Tea Tea and Company specializes in tea, tea parties, tea education, and custom blends. In addition, they offer experienced guidance on choosing, drinking, and serving tea.

  The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed National Afternoon Tea Month in 2022 to be observed annually in April.

   

  February 17, 2022

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  Michele

  •

  April Month, Education & History, Pop Culture & Lifestyle

• STOP FOOD WASTE DAY – Last Wednesday in April

  STOP FOOD WASTE DAY

  Food waste worldwide is an alarming issue. That is why on the last Wednesday in April, Stop Food Waste Day raises awareness of the growing concern of food waste.

  According to the USDA, Americans waste between 30-40 percent of the food supply. That is near or more than the worldwide estimate of 1/3 of the world’s consumable waste. Additionally, food waste occurs for many reasons all along the food chain.

  • Lack of workers to harvest
  • Quality expectations
  • Weather
  • Overproduction
  • Faulty equipment
  • Poor planning
  • Overbuying
  • Over preparing

  These are only a few reasons that add up to millions of tons of food waste. Stop Food Waste Day addresses all the factors and brings increased awareness to the world. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that nearly half of food waste happens before it even reaches the consumer. So, everyone along the food chain has a responsibility to help reduce it. That means, from farm to table and everywhere in between, we have work to do. Some of the solutions include:

  • Improved weather forecasts, so farmers know what to grow and when.
  • Improved storage facilities so that distributers and markets can preserve food longer.
  • Reduced production where possible.
  • An improved understanding of food quality and a loosening of those standards.
  • Preparing smaller meals.
  • Teaching consumers how to use leftovers in soups, casseroles, and stir-fries.
  • Learning how to preserve meals at home.
  • Begin composting the incidental waste to improve home production and commercial production.

  Food waste is everyone’s problem, whether we realize it or not. Join the movement to reduce food waste. Follow these tips for reducing food waste:

  At home:

  • Purchase and prepare only the amount of food you need to feed your family.
  • Discover new recipes that allow you to makeover leftovers.
  • Learn how to preserve food.
  • If you buy in bulk, consider donating excess to local shelters.
  • Understand the use by and best by dates.

  In your community or business:

  • Speak to your local grocers about changing their damaged fruit and vegetable policies. Those pristine-looking bins full of blemish-free fruits and vegetables shouldn’t be the standard anymore.
  • Shop farmer’s markets, local food stands, and food co-ops.
  • Create or participate in a donation program.
  • Promote neighborhood composting.
  • Educate your employees about best food practices.
  • Develop a partnership with area farmers and feed the animals.

  HOW TO OBSERVE #StopFoodWasteDay

  • Share your tips and tricks to avoid food waste.
  • Try a new recipe that repurposes leftovers.
  • Give a shout-out to restaurants and businesses that use smart food practices.
  • Learn more about food waste, the causes, and how to prevent it.
  • Watch documentaries about food waste such as:
    • Just Eat It, directed by Grant Baldwin
    • Wasted! The Story of Food Waste, directed by Nari Kye and Anna Chai
    • Expired! Food Waste in America, directed by Rebecca Richman Cohen
  • Read about food waste in books like:
    • The Waste Not, Want Not Cookbook by Cinda Chavich
    • In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto by Michael Pollan
  • Join the conversation and use #StopFoodWasteDay on social media.

  STOP FOOD WASTE DAY HISTORY

  The Compass Group launched Stop Food Waste Day in 2017 to raise awareness about the growing worldwide food waste crisis. They promote the day of action while addressing some of the world community’s challenges regarding food production, hunger, and climate change.

  Food Waste FAQ

  Q. Can anyone participate in this day?
  A. Yes. Food waste is everywhere and taking steps to reduce and stop it falls on all our shoulders.

  Q. How can I stop food waste at home?
  A. Stopping food waste at home is easier than one might think. Try these steps to get started:

  • Shop for only what you need.
  • Plan meals around sales so you don’t overstock foods you won’t use.
  • Shop your pantry for meal planning.
  • Plan meals that freeze well. Leftovers can be used weeks later.
  • Begin composting and use the results in your garden and flower pots. You can also donate extra to local community gardens.

  DATES
  27 April 2022
  26 April 2023
  24 April 2024
  30 April 2025
  29 April 2026
  28 April 2027
  26 April 2028
  25 April 2029
  24 April 2030
  30 April 2031
  28 April 2032
  27 April 2033

   

  February 14, 2022

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  Michele

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  April 26, National Day