Today is June 14 and National Cucumber Day at National Day Calendar and we are enjoying fresh cucumbers all day long! Join us as we crunch on this crisp summer favorite and enjoy the fruits of summer.
#NATIONALCUCUMBERDAY
You can almost taste the crisp, watery goodness of a cucumber during the summer months. With fresh fruits and vegetables at our fingertips, we feel very little guilt indulging in this salad favorite. Whether we grow them in our garden or purchase them at a local farmers market, we love the freshness a cucumber adds to our diets.
Most people think cucumbers are a vegetable. In fact, they are actually a fruit in the watermelon family Cucurbitaceae. Cucumbers are normally a long and have a cylindrical shape, and are grown in different sizes. There are also around 100 different types of cucumbers around the world.
Most cucumbers have green flesh with a white inside. The Lemon Cucumber has yellow skin and a tart taste. However, the Albino cucumber is a rare heirloom cucumber grown by seed savers. A seed saver is someone who saves seeds year-to-year and prevents cross-pollination with another seed variety.
Crunchy History
Cucumbers have been cultivated for nearly 3,000 years originating in Asia. It is unclear how or when cultivation was introduced to Ancient Greek and Roman Empires, but records show both upper and lower class people of those times were cultivating cucumbers as part of their diet. Europeans would bring cucumbers to the U.S. some time during exploration. Benjamin Watson’s Heirloom Vegetables book stated “in 1539 DeSoto found Indians in Florida growing cucumbers that were “better than those of Spain.””
How do you eat cucumbers? Cucumbers are a common salad food. However, cucumbers are a main ingredient in the puree of gazpacho soup. In addition, tea houses in Britain serve cucumber sandwiches with tea because its lightness pairs well with afternoon tea.
Though most people slice cucumbers and eat them in salads, many people use them for pickling. Pickling possibly dates back as far as the Mesopotamians who would preserve cucumbers in a brine solution. Today, Americans consumer almost 10 pounds of pickles per person in one year! Unsurprisingly, Kosher dill pickles have been a favorite among households since the 19th century thanks to Eastern European Jews emigrating to the U.S.
7 Cucumber Facts
Placing sliced cucumber on your tongue for a few minutes will eliminate bad breath.
Cucumbers reduce and ease face swelling, especially around the eye area.
Boiling sliced cucumbers releases a natural stress reducer into the air.
Cucumbers are 95% water, which make them a great substitute for hydration.
The waxy coating of a cucumber will erase a pen on anything.
Eating cucumbers before bed after a night of too many adult beverages will help your body recover from a hangover the next day.
Pureeing cucumber and applying it to a sunburn provides instant relief.
A NATIONAL CUCUMBER DAY CELEBRATION
Visit a local farmer to learn about growing cucumbers.
National Day Calendar created National Cucumber Day in 2023 to celebrate the refreshing taste of cucumbers all day long! We want everyone to enjoy the little things in life and today’s National Day is delicious celebration honoring another food holiday.
Related Days on the National Day Calendar Calendar:
Today is the 241st day of the year (or August 29) and we are on a mission to celebrate National Sport Sampling Day. Today, we encourage kids and families alike, to try a new sport or play one they haven’t in a long time. In fact, we want to provide and promote opportunities for every child to grow physically and emotionally through the power of sports.
#NationalSportSamplingDay
There is power in play. National Sport Sampling Day gives power to children who love to play sports by sampling more than one sport. Sampling more than one sport provides opportunity for children to grow physically and emotionally. Sampling new sports calls for action to enter into a world of new experiences and memories. On National Sport Sampling Day, we are inspiring kids to take action by exploring more than one sport.
5 Benefits of Sports
Teaches problem-solving skills.
Helps maintain healthy habits for both mind and body.
Builds self-esteem and boosts self-image.
Encourages new friendships.
Promotes learning to work with other people.
Some people view sports as a distraction to children and young adults. Playing sports requires time, dedication, and energy that could be better focused on school. However, children who play sports tend to actually be more focused on school because being successful in school allows them to play sports. In fact, playing sports promotes self-determination, good work ethic, and requires goals. All of which are the same as goals as any dedicated student.
The vision of 2-4-1 CARE is a world at play with individuals who are physically and emotionally well.
There are many organizations around the world that support children in sports. One organization is the 2-4-1 CARE organization. Their mission is to provide all children equal opportunity to grow on an emotional and physical playing field, while using the power of sports to take action. Athletes and families can use their personal power to train, learn, and develop skills for their sport and to use in their life, too.
Being a child is about learning and experiencing new things. Sampling new sports is no exception. Children should never be tied to one specific sport, especially if there is opportunity to expand participating in something new. As an international movement, 2-4-1 CARE supports the bravery to explore other sports and bring fun back to playing.
What is 2-4-1 CARE?
National Sports Sampling Day celebrates the story of an organization that is becoming the most recognized sport sampling program in the country. As an inspiration proving that taking action is more powerful than not trying, 2-4-1 CARE is building their reputation by approaching sport-sampling in local schools and rec programs. While developing programs that focus on participating and encouragement, 2-4-1 Care serves the underserved and disenfranchised who may not otherwise be given the opportunity to try sports.
CARE
Culture, ability, relationship, and enjoyment are values that drive us to create and deliver quality programs. These programs produce positive outcomes for the families and communities that CARE:
C is for Culture. The value of culture starts with an understanding of respect for all cultures. Promoting equality within groups and communities brings positive success for all children participating.
A is for Ability. Valuing different abilities of each individual develops confidence and motivation to be active for life. Learning how to develop confidence sets a pace for finding individual abilities. Because abilities vary from child to child, spending time finding the talent of each child builds confidence.
R is for Relationship. Positive relationships are a great way to learn socially and emotionally. Discovering why sports and interactive play-based environments are important brings awareness and relationship skills, eventually guiding participants through sport participation and beyond.
E is for EnJOYment: Playing sports is competitive, but should always be fun and enJOYable for everyone. Maintaining an enjoyable experience while playing sports impacts each child emotionally. This emotional impact encourages each child to feel a sense of pride.
SPORT SAMPLING SUPPORT
Sign your child up for youth sports to begin learning the benefits of being involved in a sport.
Support a local youth sports club by volunteering to be a coach.
Get outside with your family and enjoy a game of soccer or baseball.
Host a family day for your friends and family and teach the children how to play a new game.
Support 2-4-1-CARE by donating your time, money, or resources to help those not otherwise able to participate in a local sport.
Share your special moments of physical play on social media using #NationalSportSamplingDay.
WELCOME 241CARE.ORG
In 2022, National Day Calendar began working with 2-4-1 Care to form National Sport Sampling Day. Each year on the 241st day of the year, we encourage kids and families alike, to try a new sport or appreciate the sport they already play.
Brief History
In 2006, Steve and Kerry Boyle’s nine-year-old daughter was told after a travel soccer team tryout that she was the coach’s number 1 prospect. After continued conversations about the program and commitment, Steve mentioned their daughter was also showing interest in trying lacrosse. Steve was wondering if there would be a conflict in the spring. Unfortunately, the coach went silent. With a mix of anger and awkwardness, the coach said, “We’re no longer interested in your daughter.”
That defining moment led Steve and Kerry to wonder how a nine-year-old went from the number 1 prospect to no longer being allowed to participate. Was it really because she was interested in trying another sport? Instead of becoming angry, Steve and Kerry took that moment and made it into a movement. They came up with the tagline “Life’s 2 Short 4 Just 1 Sport” and started a multi-sport small camp for girls in Hartford, Connecticut. Four short years later, the Aspen Institute’s Sport and Society Program has recognized 2-4-1 as one of 8 model programs in the U.S. for their approach to Sport Sampling.
Our hope is that by trying a new sport, individuals may pursue it further or it will help them to appreciate the ones they already play but might take for granted.
Steve and Kerry Boyle, Founders of National Sport Sampling Day
Today, 2-4-1 CARE is a 501c3 with a mission to provide all children with the opportunity to grow physically and emotionally through the play-filled power of sport. The numbers “2-4-1” come from the tagline “Life’s 2 Short 4 Just 1 Sport.” The story of those numbers becoming the most recognized sport sampling program in the country is an inspiration, proving taking action is more powerful than simply complaining.
Signature Status
In 2021, the 2-4-1 CARE organization reached more than 5,000 children across North America through curriculum and programming. Unsurprisingly, Steve and Kerry had an increased desire to reach more children in underserved communities. They converted the entire organization to a 501c3, officially making 2-4-1 Sports a signature program.
Under 2-4-1 CARE, 2-4-1 Sports has a curriculum and programming in Colorado, Idaho, Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana, North Carolina, Connecticut, and Vancouver, Canada. 2-4-1 was recently identified as a national resource in Sport Sampling in the State of Play, Oakland report. Amazingly, the report as sponsored and announced by Stephen and Ayesha Curry’s Eat.Play.Learn. Foundation.
Follow 2-4-1 CARE on any of their social media platforms to learn more and support their organization.
National Living Donor Day on April 11 celebrates and honors the brave people who step up and save lives by donating their living organs and tissue to heal those in need.
#NationalLivingDonorDay
According to organdonor.gov, there are over 104,000 people in the United States on the national transplant waiting list. National Living Donor Day presents an opportunity to educate and encourage people to consider saving a life through living organ or tissue donation.
April is already recognized as National Donate Life Awareness Month. While the monthly celebration generates a positive impact on saving lives, the focus tends to encourage individuals to sign up with the deceased donor registry to donate upon death. However, there is a significant opportunity to complement these initiatives by designating a specific day during the month of April that focuses on raising awareness of living organ donation. By bringing awareness to National Living Donor Day, we can demonstrate the importance of living donors by saving as many lives as possible by using living donor transplants.
What Is Living Organ Donation?
A living organ donation is a medical procedure that removes a healthy organ, portion of an organ, or tissue from a living person. The organ is then transplanted into another person whose organ is no longer working properly. Living organ donation allows the recipient to live a longer and healthier life. In addition, the donor contributes to the life of another to continue their own personal journey.
Finding an organ donor can be a difficult process for many. Organ donation does not discriminate and those in need of a donation include people of every age, race, and gender. In fact, the demographic is so diverse, no specific category fits one person. Some people may wait for years for a deceased donor. However, living donors can alleviate and often eliminate the stress of waiting or wondering if an organ donation will happen before it’s too late.
Who Can Be A Living Donor?
Anyone can sign up to be a donor. Medical tests can help determine which recipient would benefit from your donation. Oftentimes, people misunderstand who qualifies to become an organ donor. An organ donor can be:
Anyone between the ages of 18 – 60 years of age at most transplant centers.
A parent, sibling or adult child.
Other relatives, such as an uncle, aunt, or cousin.
A biologically unrelated person who knows the recipient, such as a friend, co-worker, significant other, or spouse of a friend.
Anyone who knows the recipient’s need for the organ.
A good Samaritan living donor simply decides to donate because they are a match to a stranger who is in need of an organ.
Many people wonder what makes for a good living donor candidate. Generally speaking, a good candidate is someone who has been mentally and physically healthy throughout their life. However, there are other factors that go into deciding if you should become a living donor. Ultimately, the decision is up to you. Some living donors want to be a part of something meaningful, while others have a personal interest in why they choose to be living donors. Whether the living donor chooses to help for charitable reasons or because they believe in a specific organization, living donors save lives.
“If National Living Donor Day only saves a single life, it still will be worth it as it will give that individual a second chance at life and allow them to make special memories with friends and families that would not have otherwise been possible.”
Dave Galbenski, Founder, Living Liver Foundation
The 4-1-1 of Living Donors
In 2022, there were 5,863 living donor kidney transplants comprising approximately 23% of kidney transplants in the U.S. In addition, there were 603 living donor liver transplants comprising approximately 6% of liver transplants in the U.S. By increasing the number of living organ donors, the transplant wait list has the potential to be eliminated, ensuring that no one dies while waiting for the availability of a deceased organ.
The most common type of living donation is kidney donation, where a donor donates one of their kidneys to a recipient. The second most common is liver donation, where a donor donates a portion of their liver to a recipient.
A major area of opportunity with living organ donation awareness is to educate the general public on the magical capability of the human liver. A significant amount of people in the U.S. are unaware that the liver is the only human organ that can regenerate. Not only does it regenerate in the donor to full size, but it also regenerates to full size in the recipient. Proof that combining the innate capabilities of the human body with innovative ideas from the human mind can result in modern medical miracles.
For most living donors, the cost of testing, transplant surgery and follow-up care is covered by the recipient’s health care insurance.
WAYS TO SUPPORT NATIONAL LIVING DONOR DAY
Visit with your physician to begin the steps to becoming a living donor.
Support organizations that help find matches for those on the national donor list.
Help out a family who is recovering from a donor surgery.
Hold a fundraiser to alleviate costs for a living donor or recipient of a donor surgery.
Learn about the different types of organs and tissue a living donor can give.
Honor and support the transplant medical professionals and health systems that make living organ donation possible.
Share your story about becoming a living donor or receiving an organ donation on social media using #NationalLivingDonorDay.
A LIVING TESTAMENT
In 2023, the Living Liver Foundation and National Day Calendar formed a working collaboration to celebrate National Living Donor Day on April 11 each year. The day celebrates and honors the brave people who step up and save lives by donating their living organs and tissue to heal those in need. Dave and Lynn Galbenski, founders of the Living Liver Foundation, are asking for our help to spread the word and encourage living donor transplants. We share their goal to save the lives of up to 17 people per day that might otherwise die while on the transplant list.
The Story Behind National Living Donor Day
On November 25, 2019, Dave Galbenski underwent a successful living donor liver transplant at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Thanks to the courage, compassion, and generosity of his brother-in-law, Mark Dybis, who stepped forward to become his living liver donor. From that moment, Dave made a commitment to use his time, talents, and energy to promote living donor awareness to pay this tremendous gift of life forward.
In 2020, Dave and Mark began to publicly tell their story to raise awareness of the impact of living organ donation. By providing key information and resources about living organ donation, Dave and Mark are inspiring others to potentially consider becoming a living donor.
Follow the Living Liver Foundation on any of these social media platforms and show your support for the organization and the services it provides to others.
World Health Esteem Month in January is a month to appreciate ourselves for who we are now and the small choices we can make to enhance our lives without making any resolution.
#WorldHealthEsteemMonth
What is “Health Esteem”? Health Esteem is a new category of fitness and diet that integrates positive self-esteem, embracing who you are now, along with changes you would like to make. Health Esteem is grounded in accepting and embracing the person you are today and championing who you wish to become. World Health Esteem Month challenges the traditional notion that January is a month of depriving ourselves via empty promises and resolutions based on social “ideals.”
Historically the tradition of making New Year’s Resolutions dates back to about 4,000 years. Unfortunately, falling short of those resolutions is a tradition nearly as old, which can be a discouraging way to start the year.
Self-improvement is great, but self-improvement that starts at the expense of our self-esteem is destructive. This is why so many people start, but aren’t set up for real success with their New Year’s resolutions.
A New, Sustainable Tradition for Wellbeing
The alternative to this pattern of endless resolutions, annual self-judgment and comparisons driven by the Imperfection Economy is Health Esteem. This healthier tradition integrates healthy choices with a positive mindset for overall wellbeing. One in which we replace the New Year’s ritual of guilty goal-setting, deprivation, and eventual failure with a month spent appreciating ourselves for who we are. Now is the time to celebrate the tiny choices we can make each day to enhance our lives and even achieve better outcomes than when we thought we had to bully ourselves into New Year’s Resolutions.
Health Esteem Is a Skill You Can Learn
Practicing Health Esteem leads to better choices. Instead of working out because you’re unsatisfied with yourself, you exercise because you value yourself. This mindset allows you to do it in a way which is rewarding as much in the moment as it is over the long term. Similarly, instead of making food choices to punish yourself into weight loss you will start to make choices in support of taking care of yourself, ultimately making you feel better to build on your Health Esteem.
You Can’t Fail at Health Esteem
Every day of January is an opportunity to succeed. It can be as simple as checking in on 10 Tiny Moments that can have a dramatic impact on your Health Esteem.
Spend the first month of 2023 celebrating who you are and, for once, feel great about yourself from day one!
10 Tiny Ways to Improve Your Health Esteem
Wake Up On The 1st Alarm.
Do the Hardest Thing First.
Make Time To Eat Breakfast.
Replace Dirty Energy With Clean Energy.
Plan Lunch The Day Before.
Swap Afternoon Treats For Superfood Desserts.
Give Energy.
Do A Post-Work Reflection.
Slow Dinner Down.
No-Screens 30 Minutes Before Bed.
BONUS: Take a Tiny Moment At Any Time of Day to appreciate yourself and be grateful.
JOIN IN THE CELEBRATION
A few other easy ways you can observe World Health Esteem Month are:
Use the hashtag #WorldHealthEsteemMonth on social media to show how you are focusing on improving your Health Esteem as opposed to outdated “resolutions.”
Journal daily about your small changes and successes along the way.
Sign up for a free 14-day trial of BODi, a leading on demand streaming platform from the Beachbody Company, at www.BeachbodyOnDemand.com.
Make a Pledge to Improve Your Health Esteem this January
The first step to starting a long-term Health Esteem Routine is appreciating who you are, what you have now and finding gratitude for what got you here. And that is 100% free. If you don’t think you have anything to be grateful for or optimistic about, keep looking. This is important because you don’t just receive gratitude and optimism – that’s not how it works.
You can’t wait for things to be great and then decide “Okay, I’ll be grateful for that.” You need to bring perspective to it in order to see it. The first step to starting a long-term Health Esteem Routine is appreciating who you are, what you have now and finding gratitude for what got you here. And that pledge is 100% free to make now.
Make a Pledge to Improve Your Health Esteem this January
The first step to starting a long-term Health Esteem Routine is appreciating who you are, what you have now and finding gratitude for what got you here. And that is 100% free. If you don’t think you have anything to be grateful for or optimistic about, keep looking. This is important b. Because you don’t just receive gratitude and optimism – that’s not how it works. You can’t wait for things to be great and then decide “Okay, I’ll be grateful for that.” You need to bring perspective to it in order to see it. The first step to starting a long-term Health Esteem Routine is appreciating who you are, what you have now and finding gratitude for what got you here. And that pledge is 100% free to make now.
FOUNDER
Headquartered in Southern California, Beachbody is a leading digital fitness and nutrition subscription company with over two decades of creating innovative content and powerful brands. The Beachbody Company is the parent company of the Beachbody On Demand streaming platform (BOD) including its live digital streaming subscription BODi, and the Beachbody Bike powered by MYXfitness, the Company’s connected indoor bike. For more information, please visit The Beachbody Company website.
NATIONAL SPRAY TANNING DAY | Third Thursday in March
Get your glow on and celebrate National Spray Tanning Day on the third Thursday in March by getting a fresh spray tan!
#NationalSprayTanningDay
After the winter, our skin can be dull and dry. Today on National Spray Tanning Day, prepare to glow all spring and summer with a natural spray tan. In fact, spray tanning is a great way to achieve a healthy head-to-toe glow and is customizable for any skin tone.
There are two types of spray tanning. The first uses an automated spray booth. The second uses a professional spray tan artist creating an air-brushed glow using a handheld spray machine. Both options allow for a customizable and desirable color that compliments all skin tones. In addition, both types of spray tanning involve being sprayed with a liquid solution that contains dihydroxyacetone (DHA).
Dihydroxyacetone is a naturally derived and fermented active ingredient that reacts with your skin to mimic a tan for a temporary amount of time. After getting a spray tan, it’s important to leave the solution on your skin for between four and 24 hours, rinsing when you have achieved your desired color. A spray tan:
Provides a sun-kissed glow in just minutes.
Evens out uneven skin complexion.
Gives skin a more toned appearance.
Boosts confidence.
Can be customized based on your preferences.
Contains vitamins to lock moisture into skin.
Gives an even and streak-free tan.
Offers an option for tan lines.
Includes optional scents based on your preferences.
Tantalizing Benefits
There are many benefits to spray tanning. Not only can you achieve a sun-kissed look in just minutes, spray tanning also gives you a major confidence boost! The average spray tan, whether it be in an automatic booth or by a professional spray tan artist, takes about 5 minutes. For most people, when taking the route of traditional sun tanning, it can take hours or days to begin seeing a sun-kissed glow. Sadly, many people receive a sunburn instead of a tan when choosing the traditional sun tanning.
How Do You Prepare for a Spray Tan?
Preparing for a spray tan can help to elevate your overall experience. To get the most natural looking and long-lasting tan, be sure to:
Shower, exfoliate, and shave/wax 24-28 hours before your session.
Arrive for your appointment with clean skin. Do not apply moisturizers, deodorant, oils, or make-up before your appointment.
Wear loose-fitting, dark colored clothing to prevent bronzer transfer.
Schedule your manicure and/or pedicure appointments prior to your spray tan appointment, so that your tan does not fade prematurely.
Bring a rain jacket if there is a chance of rain to protect your tan while it is developing.
Avoid rinsing or getting wet for a minimum of 4 hours. You can leave your tan on for up to 24 hours before rinsing.
Post Spray Tan Tips
Your post-spray tan care is just as important as the preparation! Be sure to keep in mind the following tips to help your tan last as long as possible:
Rinse your spray tan with warm water and minimal soap/scrubbing.
Pat dry after rinsing your tan instead of wiping off moisture.
Apply moisturizer after your shower and then daily to extend your tan.
Avoid swimming/bathing for the first 24 hours after your spray tan.
Use self-tanners to help extend the length of your tan.
Flaunt your favorite outfit to wear once your spray tan is fully developed and rinsed.
Encourage your friends and family to utilize spray tanning as a healthy way to glow.
Share photos of your spray tan on social media using the hashtag #NationalSprayTanningDay.
Be on the lookout for giveaways, promotions, and events nationwide surrounding National Spray Tanning Day by following @mystictan, @versaspa, and @norvellsunless on Instagram.
ABOUT #NationalSprayTanningDay
National Day Calendar designated National Spray Tanning Day on behalf of Sunless, Inc. brands Mystic Tan, Norvell, and VersaSpa in 2022, to be celebrated on the third Thursday in March each year. National Spray Tanning Day encourages people to safely enhance their skin with a natural-looking glow!
Sunless, Inc. is the leading industry authority in the sunless tanning industry with over 30 years of experience. The company offers sunless tanning technology alternatives such as spray tanning and self-tanning products in the place of harmful UV rays. Sunless, Inc. creates the best of the best when it comes to spray tanning booths, equipment, and solutions. The advanced spray technology delivers streak-free and natural-looking tans every time.
With decades of experience, Sunless, Inc. creates the best of the best when it comes to spray tanning equipment, solutions, and self-tanners. The brands Mystic Tan, Norvell, and VersaSpa are iconic among frequent spray tan users.
You can instantly locate a salon that provides spray tans by Mystic Tan, VersaSpa, or Norvell by using their salon locator.
On October 1 we celebrate National Green City Day to highlight the progress and innovations cities are making to become more sustainable.
#NationalGreenCityDay
There are so many exciting innovations that cities across the country are implementing to become eco-friendly. This National Day gives everyone the chance to highlight milestones addressing the issue of climate change. The day also encourages people to share various eco-friendly ideas and solutions to meet the need of sustainable urban planning.
What is a green city? Also known as a sustainable city, a green city is a city that is addressing social, environmental, and economic impacts through building eco-friendly alternatives by removing harmful chemicals and waste from communities. While ways to help the planet is essential to sustainability, reducing costs and creating a vibrant culture for citizens are equally important. Through planned infrastructure, green cities can leave behind a net zero footprint for a more sustainable world and create vibrant, healthier spaces for everyone.
Why are green cities important? According to a recent UN report, around 2.5 billion more people will be living in cities by 2050, highlighting the need for sustainable urban planning and public services. Green cities:
Lower emissions.
Conserve energy.
Reduce waste.
Ensure rich biodiversity.
Increase housing density and improve public health.
Encourage the development of sustainable local businesses.
Becoming A Green City
Cities across the world are implementing changes to become more eco-friendly for future generations. As population increases, so does the emission of pollution. By supporting efforts and everyone doing their part, cities are learning to live more sustainably and preserve their natural resources. The future is urban and sustainability is the way forward.
Urban Green Spaces
Maintaining parks, wetlands, open green spaces, hiking trails, community, and rooftop gardens are all ways to bring nature into the city. Fortunately, cities have dedicated green spaces that bridge the gap between urban and natural environments. Urban green spaces can boost mental/physical health while reducing the effects of heat, pollution, and traffic noise. These spaces also support greater urban biodiversity by providing safe refuge and food for local wildlife.
Transportation
Improving transportation options in a city promotes green city living. Cities can repair or create new bike paths to encourage biking to destinations rather than driving. Public transportation companies can support green living by investing in clean technology for trains and buses. In addition, public transportation can reevaluate their routes to meet the needs of pollution laws and still serve commuters effectively.
Solar Energy
Increasing use of solar panels to produce energy will reduce the number of emissions from fossil fuels. They can also help alleviate the damage of smog, acid rain, and contaminated water sources. In addition, renewable energy projects increase city resilience by reducing dependence on the grid in times of natural disasters. In fact, many cities are offering bulk purchasing options, lowering the cost for everyone involved.
Waste Management
For a city to be successful at becoming a green city, urban dwellers must participate in the process and rethink buying habits. Several cities have already banned the use of plastic straws, plastic bags, and plastic foam products (Styrofoam). You can help by reducing your household plastic consumption and reusing as much as possible. When recycling, remember to place your items in the appropriate bins. The most successful green cities have reliable drop-off locations that are not only convenient, but easy to access. Green cities have location drop offs for:
Paper
Plastic
Cans
Electronics
Food waste
GO GREEN
Bike to work to save money, time, and the environment.
Green your rooftop or balcony by adding plants.
Create outdoor spaces to promote physical activity.
Shop at a farmers’ market or start a community garden in your neighborhood.
Support preservation of natural habitats and landscapes.
Make a plan to go plastic-free.
Carpool to reduce vehicle emissions.
Enjoy an outdoor picnic and collect natural items that can be used for a fun art project.
Organize your own event at a local park and celebrate all the ways your city is going green.
Recycle and reuse.
Volunteer to clean up your local park or waterways
In 2022, Mio Reggio LLC founder Monica Tierney and National Day Calendar collaborated to create National Green City Day. The day promotes the progress cities are making to become more sustainable and eco-friendly.
Mio Reggio LLC is a company that provides educational materials and blocks for children ages 3 and up. Their mission is to connect children to sustainability and creativity through open-ended play. Mio Reggio products support sensory development, spatial awareness, and a connection to nature.
According to Mio Reggio LLC, children today rarely explore outdoors and are missing out on an appreciation for nature. Children who spend time outside develop better:
Cognitive skills
Physical strength
Emotional skills
Mental health
Creative ideas and critical thinking
Self-regulation
Verbal development
Mio Reggio believes in children’s role as global citizens and their ability to give shape to the green city movement. We are all citizens of a city.
The city, which is both theirs and ours, is a place always in the process of becoming. We should not resist the new, attempting to preserve a world that we know is destined to disappear….what we can do, and in a certain way, must do, together with the children, is to give shape to this evolution. ~Carla Rinaldi
October 14 is National Real Sugar Day and we celebrate the people who harvest sugar crops and learn about it’s origins. We also learn how to balance a healthy diet, while enjoying enjoy food made with real sugar.
#NationalRealSugarDay
Today, we dedicate the entire day to celebrating the gold standard of sweetness on National Real Sugar Day. In a March 2021 survey, 1,500 U.S. consumers were asked to name any ingredients that makes food or beverages more enjoyable to eat or drink. Of course, sugar came in as the number one ingredient. Not only does real sugar provide our food with amazing flavor, aroma, color, and texture, it is also available to anyone who wants to make their life a little sweeter.
The real sugar we stock in our pantries and use in many of our favorite recipes is grown by sugar beet and sugar cane farmers across the United States. Sugar is a simple carbohydrate that provides energy when you need it. In fact, glucose is the building block of most carbohydrates and is a key fuel source for the body. In addition, real sugar is essential for the brain, muscles, and other organs to property function.
Real Sweetness
What is real sugar? Real sugar comes from sugar beets and sugar cane plants through photosynthesis. After harvest, sugar plants are taken to facilities to extract and package the sugar for use in our kitchens. In addition, sugar plants also contain molasses, which is found naturally in the sugar plants. When molasses is washed away from the real sugar, the result is brown sugar. Interestingly, when you leave the molasses on the sugar plants, the result is also brown sugar.
“A healthy dietary pattern limits added sugars to less than 10 percent of calories per day.” ~Dietary Guidelines for Americans
How much sugar can you consume? A healthy lifestyle is about maintaining a balanced diet, which includes proper physical activity and avoiding anything in excess. A healthy balance means being able to enjoy real sugar in nutritious foods, and occasionally sweets and treats.
A SWEET CELEBRATION
Bake or cook something with real sugar and share with your family and friends.
Visit a sugar beet or sugar cane harvest to learn how sugar cane is processed.
Share your favorite sweet recipe.
Host a baking day with your friends to make all of your favorite sweet treats.
Teach your class about where real sugar comes from.
Identify the closest state to you where sugar is grown.
Share your real sugar creations on social media by posting photos and tagging #NationalRealSugarDay.
MEET THE FOUNDER
In 2022, National Day Calendar welcomed the Sugar Association, Inc. to the National Day Calendar Founder Family. National Real Sugar Day was born to be celebrated each year on October 14.
The Sugar Association consists of 14 member companies across 17 states that proudly grow, extract, and deliver the real sugar to the American public.
The Sweet History of Sugar
Sugar has been around for thousands of years and is one of the oldest commodities in the world. In fact, early documentation about domestication of sugar cane dates back to 8000 BC in Papua New Guinea. According to records, the indigenous people would chew on it raw. From there, it spread across the globe.
Sugar was crystallized in India for the first time around 350 CE. During this time, sugar was used to treat indigestion and stomach ailments by both Roman and Greek civilizations. Between 640-900 CE, the Chinese began developing cultivation techniques to grow and harvest sugar. However, the export of sugar would not reach Europe until around 1101 CE.
A Growing Industry
As the sugar industry grew, so did the invention of sugar cane presses to extract sugar more easily. In 1550, over 3,000 sugar mills were open in the Caribbean and South America. By 1751, sugar cane would enter Louisiana, making it the final sugar colony in the U.S. However, the discovery of beet sugar by German chemist Andreas Marggraf in 1747 would not reach the U.S. for another 100 years.
In 1890, the first commercial sugar beet factories would open in the U.S. Interestingly, the mechanization of sugar cane cultivation began when 16 whole stalk harvesters were successfully used to harvest cane in Louisiana in 1938. Around 1946, machines would cut over 63% of the sugar crop in Louisiana.
Today, real sugar grows from coast to coast and border to border of the United States. In fact, sugar cane is grown in three states: Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. In addition, 11 states grow beats: California, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. While it was once so valuable that people kept it locked in a sugar safe, advancements in extracting sugar from plants have made this versatile ingredient available to everyone.
National Smarties Day on October 2 celebrates the sweet legacy of an iconic candy and the smarty pants people who never stop learning.
#NationalSmartiesDay
Smarties have been around since 1949. That’s over 70 years of celebrating this sweet candy wafer roll. In honor of National Smarties Day, we invite everyone to take a walk down memory lane and enjoy this nostalgic candy. If you’ve never tried Smarties, this is your chance to become a new member of the smarty pants club.
What are Smarties? Smarties are rolls of a small pastel colored candy tablets that are sweet and a little bit sour. Unlike most candy, Smarties have only 6 ingredients, too. There are six different flavors in a Smarties package. Flavors are randomly mixed together for each individual Smarties roll.
Smarties Original Flavor Lineup
White = Orange cream
Yellow = Pineapple
Pink = Cherry
Green = Strawberry
Purple = Grape
Orange = Orange
A Smart Choice
When it comes to candy, Smarties are considered a smart choice. For starters, Smarties are free from the nine major food allergies: milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy and sesame.
If you are at a loss for classic gluten‑free candy, Smarties products are your delicious solution. The sweet treat is also gluten-free. Interestingly, the ingredients found in Smarties candy contains no animal products, making them a tasty and cruelty-free choice for anyone looking for delicious vegan candy. Did we mention they are only 25 calories in each roll of Smarties?
SMARTIE PANTS CELEBRATIONS
There are an endless number of ways to celebrate today. If your candy cravings are keeping you from thinking straight, here’s a list of ideas to get you started:
Incorporate some Smarties in your favorite sweet treat. Use as a topping on ice cream, jello, or cake. You can even bake them in cookies, brownies or mix into homemade jam!
Create a DIY “Smartie Pants” Halloween costume.
Craft a thank you note for teachers and tape a Smarties roll to it.
Use Smarties as a teaching tool to learn to count, identify colors, match items, and build shapes to help with motor skills.
Make up your best Smarties pun or go with the classic, “Thanks for making me a Smartie!”
Eat a roll of Smarties, of course. Or maybe two.
Pick up some Smarties Mega Lollies for a friend.
Tag and post your Smarties celebration using #NationalSmartiesDay.
CLASSIC HISTORY
In 2022, National Day Calendar welcomed the Smarties Candy Company to our list of Founders. Beginning October 2 and every year after, we will be celebrating National Smarties Day in sweet style. The October 2 date also pays a beautiful tribute to the birthday of company Founder and Smarties creator Edward Dee, who was born on this day.
Edward Dee, Smarties Founder 1924-2019
Iconic Legacy
Edward Dee (1924-2019) came to the U.S. from England with his family in 1949. As a third-generation candy maker, Dee arrived with a candy idea that would build his legacy. Beginning in a factory in Bloomfield, N.J., Dee began Ce De Candy Inc. in a rental property with two machines–a wrapping machine and a candy pellet-making machine. Dee would move his company to Elizabeth, N.J. in 1959 and finally to Union, N.J. in 1967, where the business remains today.
Co-Presidents Sarah Dee, Jessica Dee Sawyer and Liz Dee
In 2011, the company decided to change their name from Ce De Candy Inc. to Smarties Candy Company. The Dee family has always been sole owners of the company, keeping their family tradition alive. In the 1970s, Dee’s sons Jonathan and Michael joined the business. The company is now led by the founder’s granddaughters, Co-Presidents Sarah Dee, Jessica Dee Sawyer and Liz Dee, making it a woman run company for the first time in its history.
There have been many updates over the years including improving manufacturing facilities, adding solar power to their NJ candy factory which offsets half of their energy usage, and releasing new candy products including Mega Smarties – the largest Smarties roll available!
A Sweet Future
Education was an important aspect in Dee’s life long before he would immigrate to the U.S. He was a Cambridge University graduate and he knew the value of education. Because of this, he decided to name his candy Smarties as a way to encourage others to never stop learning. In 2013 the company began the “Smarties Think” initiative to continue his vision. Since then, Smarties has given more than $250,000 to classrooms in need.
The early days of Edward Dee going door-to-door to make candy sales clearly paid off. Today, the Smarties brand continues to be a leader in the candy industry producing billions of Smarties rolls per year. With factories in New Jersey and Ontario, the Dee family continues the tradition of providing an iconic candy for smarty pants people everywhere.
Sourdough September celebrates the world’s oldest leavened bread, giving everyone a chance to enjoy this delicious delight the entire month.
#SourdoughSeptember
The entire month of September provides opportunity for bread baker’s across the world to share their talent of making sourdough bread. Initially starting as a campaign, this month long bread holiday has turned into a food celebration.
What is sourdough bread? Unlike dry yeast breads, sourdough bread begins from a “starter” that contains a live culture of yeast. Interestingly, a sourdough starter can be a saved piece of sourdough bread from a previous or old piece of bread. The “sour” part of the dough is created by adding water and flour every week to the old piece of bread until it becomes fermented. Basically, a process naturally occurs between the yeast and “good” bacteria causes the mixture to sour and prompts growth. That growth eventually becomes a loaf of bread.
Can you make a sourdough starter from scratch? Making a sourdough starter is super easy. You want to make wild yeast, which is 1/2 cup of flour and 1/2 cup of water mixed into a paste. Over a period of about seven days, you’re going to remove, add, feed, and mix your wild yeast. You can visit any baking website on the Internet for a standard recipe. However, you might want to ask a family member if they have a recipe before you search the world wide web.
Did You Know?
It is believed sourdough originated in Ancient Egyptian times around 1500 BC.
It appears the French bakers receive credit for bringing sourdough bread to San Francisco during the California Gold Rush in 1848.
San Francisco bakers are using the same sourdough culture used during the Gold Rush. In fact, to this day bakers refer to it to as the “Mother dough.”
Louise Boudin risked her life to save the original “Mother dough” during the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906.
You should bake sourdough bread in glass because the metal in baking sheets causes the dough to corrode.
Is sourdough bread healthier than other breads? Yes! Sourdough bread is considered to be the least processed bread because of so few ingredients. It’s also easier to digest because the bread acts as a prebiotic, meaning the bread fiber helps to process the good bacteria found in intestines. Good bacteria helps us maintain a healthy digestive system. Furthermore, sourdough bread has been known reduce the rate starches are digested in the intestines. lowering the glycemic index.
Not Just a Bread
There are other uses for your sourdough recipes besides standard bread. In fact, sourdough can be used for several other things, such as:
Crackers
English muffins
Pancakes
Biscuits
Pizza crust
Pretzels
Rolls
Pie Crust
CELEBRATING SOURDOUGH
Share your sourdough recipe with family.
Bake real sourdough bread and deliver it to friends.
Buy 100% genuine sourdough bread from a local bakery.
Host a sourdough baking party, complete with condiments to go with your fresh sourdough bread.
Create several sourdough starters, add baking instructions and give them away to neighbors.
Attend a sourdough baking class.
Enter a local bread baking contest with your sourdough recipe.
Tag and share your sourdough celebration on social media using #SourdoughSeptember.
BEHIND SOURDOUGH SEPTEMBER
In 2012, the Real Bread Campaign came up with an idea to get people to try, buy, or make their own sourdough. This food month began as a campaign to promote the benefits of real sourdough bread. Though the Real Bread Campaign celebrates food throughout the year, this month long food holiday shines the light on the baker’s who put time and effort into providing a genuine sourdough product.
Each year the Real Bread Campaign encourages people to celebrate through sharing. In fact, they encourage bakers and bread lovers to add their sourdough event to their Real Bread Calendar. Their website provides several tips and ideas on how you can celebrate #SourdoughSeptember in your area.
In 2022, follower Chris Young from Sustain reached out to National Day Calendar to request this trending holiday be added to our calendar. After researching it’s origins, we were convinced that this month long celebration was an excellent fix. Thank you Chris Young! If you would like more information about Sustain, you can email them at: realbread@sustainweb.org
On August 20, National Accessible Air Travel Day focuses on the need for accessible air travel for people with disabilities.
#NationalAccessibleAirTravelDay
Today, we highlight the need for accessible air travel for people with disabilities. While providing education and recognizing achievements made to assist people with disabilities, the day also encourages everyone to recognize how airplane accommodations are necessary for millions of people with disabilities to travel safely.
Air Carrier Access Act
People with disabilities are entitled to the same accommodations as any other individual when traveling, including air travel. All airlines are required to follow the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), which provides all passengers disability assistance with:
Wheelchairs
Boarding and deplaning
Connecting flights
Personal belongings
Assistance with service animals
Interpreters
Technology (TTY) to communicate
Airline carriers are required to follow the ACAA, which became law in 1986. The federal law prohibits discrimination against any individual with a disability during air travel. It also ensures people with disabilities have the same rights as other passengers when flying. In 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) published the Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights. This Bill of Rights describes the fundamental rights of air travelers with disabilities under the ACAA and its implementing regulation, 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 382.
The Air Carrier Access Act makes it illegal for airlines to discriminate against any passenger with a disability.
SUPPORT NATIONAL ACCESSIBLE AIR TRAVEL DAY
Join an organization that is raising awareness and funding projects to develop innovative technologies making air travel accessible for people with disabilities.
Donate to an organization who fund projects that provide feasibility, safety and economic studies to create and make accommodations, including those required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), airline carriers and legislators.
Participate and create an event in your community to promote awareness or raise funds to support a nonprofit.
Petition your local congressperson and write the FAA.
If you’re an individual with a disability, share your travel stories to help raise awareness for others.
Post on social media using #NationalAccessibleAirTravelDay.
HISTORY
All Wheels Up (AWU), is a nonprofit organization that works to raise awareness for safe and dignified air travel for people with disabilities The organization founded National Accessible Air Travel Day in 2022 and recognizes the need to raise awareness about the need to improve accessible air travel for people with disabilities. As the only organization to crash test wheelchairs for commercial flight for a wheelchair spot, AWU focuses on funding research and advocating for safe accessible air travel with an emphasis on securing a wheelchair spot on airplanes.
AWU is dedicated to improving how people with disabilities travel, with a focus on:
Funding more wheelchair and wheelchair securement crash testing specific to FAA seat standards.
Working with regulators, such as the FAA, Congress, airplane manufacturers, and airlines, to secure a wheelchair spot on airplanes.
Developing educational tools and resources showing how to support wheelchair accessible air travel.
Making worldwide air travel fully accessible for millions of people who use wheelchairs.
Creating an annual awareness day on August 20 to encourage communities to join together and recognize the needs and achievements in air travel for people with disabilities.
Statistics
According to All Wheels Up, there are currently 4 million wheelchair users in the U.S. and growing. Adults with disabilities spend $17 billion on travel annually, with $4 million in European travel, plus millions more in other developing world countries. Sadly, there are NO wheelchair spot on planes, like there are on buses or trains.
The FAA projects U.S. airline passenger growth to average 2% every year. In addition, the U.S. air travel demand to go from 756.3 million passengers in 2014. By 2035, those numbers will double and reach 1.14 billion passengers. The International Air Transport Association projects world airline passenger growth to average 3.8% ever year. In fact, world air travel demand will double from 3.5 billion passengers in 2015 to 7 billion by 2034.
Accessible Air Travel
Normally, when booking a flight, the customer is asked if they require special assistance. Oftentimes, these questions do not specify in detail what type of services might be needed. Because people with disabilities do not require the same types of services, it’s very hard for people to make further arrangements. Understanding what services are available is just as important as the services themselves.
The Department of Transportation has a variety of easy-to-use material available for passengers with disabilities. This material is specifically designed to assist and make travel enjoyable.
Join us each year on August 20 as we celebrate National Accessible Air Travel Day to raises awareness with need for accessible air travel for people with disabilities.
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