Every year on September 13th, National Celiac Disease Awareness Day encourages us to support those with the auto-immune disease affecting 3 million people.
Those with celiac disease avoid gluten due to the immune response that damages the villi in the small intestine. Over time, the damage prevents the absorption of nutrients into the body. Grains such as wheat, barley, rye, and even some oat products contain gluten. The destruction is irreversible and the only known treatment is a carefully controlled diet.
National Celiac Awareness Day promotes the importance of diagnosis as well as bringing resources and support to those who have already been diagnosed. Alternative meal preparation, diet suggestions, and celiac support groups help families provide nutritional lifestyles.
The United States Senate passed a unanimous resolution in 2005 supporting Celiac Disease Awareness Day on September 13th. The day recognized the birthday of Dr. Samuel Gee, the physician who first published literature on the nature of celiac disease and the need for a diet to treat the disease. The Senate continued to call for National Celiac Disease Awareness Day annually until 2011.
Share your tips and resources on this National Day. Offer to serve a completely gluten-free meal for a loved one or friend you know who has celiac. Also, be mindful of their needs at future gatherings. Ask for recipes to add to your collection for your reference. To find out more visit beyondceliac.org or glutenfreeworks.com. Use #CeliacDiseaseAwarenessDay to share on social media.
World Coconut Day on September 2nd recognizes the flavorful and aromatic nutrition the coconut brings to many products.
Biologically, the coconut is a seed, nut, and fruit all in one package. However, the term for a one-seeded fruit (nut) is “drupe.” Every part of the coconut is sourced from the water inside the shell to the outer husk. Its oil moisturizes our skin and improves the flavor of our food. The nutrient-rich ingredient is one superfood!
The coconut is full of anti-viral and anti-microbial properties. This nutrient-rich seed provides fiber, Vitamin B6, iron, and minerals.
Grown in tropical areas, the coconut also brings to mind yummy tropical drinks like the pina colada. We can use coconut milk to make ice cream, sauces, and soups.
In 1998, the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community declared World Coconut Day to bring awareness to the powerful nutrients and versatility of this superfood.
Crack open a coconut! Learn all the ways to cook with this plentiful nut (um, seed…fruit…drupe). See how many ways you can use the coconut. Will be the oil as a lip balm? Or will you use the milk for a sauce? This versatile ingredient calls for experimentation and adventure.
Share your celebrations using #WorldCoconutDay on social media.
We celebrate National Rice Month throughout the entire month September. With over 40,000 kinds that grow on every continent, except on Antarctica, we have 30 days to discover as many varieties as possible!
Rice is the oldest known food still consumed today. Rice was first grown about 130 million years ago in the south-eastern part of Asia. The Chinese word for rice is the same word used for food. However, rice is more than food; it’s part of the national culture. Many cultural customs date back to the days of wet rice cultivation. The historic commitment to group harmony is a predominate custom of the original culture for communal rice cultivation. In China, young girls are told that they must eat all the rice on their plate because each grain of rice represents a pockmark on the face of their future husband! Interestingly, Chinese and Japanese heritage both cultivate rice as a part of their culture.
Rice is the second highest grain produced worldwide after maize (corn). Nearly 85% of rice consumed in the U.S. is grown domestically is six states: Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas. Rice is a complex carb, low in fat, making it very healthy to eat!
There are four types of rice and each is different from one another:
White rice is the most common and the inferior rice of the four. So, unlike other rice varieties, white rice has little nutrients, making it the least healthy.
Brown rice is a whole grain rice rich in thiamine, iron, and zinc. Because of this, brown rice has a chewy texture and gives a fuller feeling after eating.
Black rice full of rich nutty, earthy flavors. Interestingly, scientists classify black rice as a different species from white and brown rice. On a nutritional level, black rice is an excellent choice for diabetics, as it has a very low glycemic index.
Red rice is similar to black rice on the nutrient scale, except it provides more antioxidants to the body. The antioxidants found in red rice attribute to the rich red color of the rice.
HISTORY
U.S.A. Rice designated September National Rice Month to encourage the use of the small but mighty grain in our daily dining.
There are several ways to celebrate National Rice Month. Preparing some jambalaya, fried rice or rice pudding for the family is a great way to celebrate at the kitchen table! While shopping for rice, look at what varieties available. Mix and match to create your own delight!
Use #NationalRiceMonth in social media correspondence.
As summer gently fades into autumn, September invites us to savor the beauty and warmth of this transitional month. With its crisp air, vibrant foliage, and comforting traditions, September is a time to reflect, recharge, and reconnect with ourselves and our loved ones.
Weather and Changing Seasons
September is a month of contrasts. In many places, warm days linger, allowing us to bask in the sun’s glow before the chill of winter sets in. As the leaves begin to change, we witness nature’s stunning transformation:
Early September: Expect warm, sunny days with temperatures often in the 70s and 80s (Fahrenheit). It’s perfect for outdoor activities and enjoying the last of summer’s bounty.
Late September: The air cools significantly, often dipping into the 50s and 60s. Sweaters and cozy blankets make their return as we prepare for the autumn chill.
This month serves as a gentle reminder to embrace change, both in nature and within ourselves.
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September is rich with symbolism, particularly in its birthstones and zodiac signs:
Birthstone: The sapphire, symbolizing wisdom, loyalty, and nobility. Its deep blue hue is reminiscent of the clear autumn sky.
Zodiac Signs: Virgo (August 23 – September 22) and Libra (September 23 – October 22). Virgos are known for their practicality and attention to detail, while Libras epitomize harmony and balance.
Famous birthdays this month include:
Freddie Mercury (September 5)
Beyoncé (September 4)
Agatha Christie (September 15)
Stephen King (September 21)
Each of these figures has left an indelible mark on their respective fields, reminding us of the creativity and inspiration that can blossom in this month.
Cozy Activities to Embrace September
As the air turns crisp and the days grow shorter, it’s the perfect time to indulge in some cozy activities. Here are a few ideas to make the most of September:
Nature Walks: Take a leisurely stroll through a local park or nature reserve to witness the changing leaves. Bring along a thermos of hot cider for an extra touch of warmth.
Baking Days: September is ideal for baking seasonal treats. Try your hand at apple pies or pumpkin bread, filling your home with comforting aromas.
Book Nook: Create a cozy reading corner with soft blankets and pillows. Dive into a good book, perhaps one by a beloved September birthday author.
Crafting: Start a DIY autumn project, whether it’s creating decorative wreaths from fallen leaves or knitting scarves to prepare for the colder months.
Movie Nights: Host a movie marathon featuring fall-themed films. Snuggle up with popcorn, hot chocolate, and your favorite cozy blankets.
Harvest Festivals: If possible, attend local harvest festivals or farmer’s markets. Enjoy the seasonal produce and connect with your community.
Mindfulness Moments: Take time for reflection and mindfulness. Consider journaling about your hopes and goals for the coming months or simply enjoy a moment of stillness outdoors.
Embracing the Spirit of September
September is a month that encourages us to slow down, appreciate the beauty around us, and indulge in the simple joys of life. Whether it’s through the warmth of family gatherings, the thrill of birthdays, or the serenity of nature, let this month be a reminder to savor every moment. As we transition into autumn, may we carry the light of summer in our hearts and embrace the cozy changes ahead.
What cozy activity are you looking forward to this September?
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Honey is a sweet and viscous fluid produced by honey bees, and derived from the nectar of flowers. According to the United States National Honey Board and various international food regulations, “honey stipulates a pure product that does not allow for the addition of any other substance…this includes, but is not limited to, water or other sweeteners”.
Honey is Not All the Same. Honey is available in many varieties! Did you realize that honey is available in many different varieties? When bees visit mostly one kind of flower as they gather nectar, the honey they produce has a unique taste, aroma and color from that particular flower. Other honeys are delicious blends of floral sources (look for Mixed Flower, Polyfloral, Wildflower). The Honey Locator is a website you can use to find suppliers of these many varieties of honey.
September is significant for honey producers as it is the month that marks the end of the honey collection season for many beekeepers in the United States.
Honey and its use The main uses of honey are in cooking, baking, as a spread on breads, and as an addition to various beverages such as tea and as a sweetener in commercial beverages. Because honey is hygroscopic (drawing moisture from the air), a small quantity of honey added to a pastry recipe will retard staling.
Medicinal uses and health effects of honey For at least 2700 years, honey has been used to treat a variety of ailments through topical application, but only recently have the antiseptic and antibacterial properties of honey been chemically explained. As an antimicrobial agent honey may have the potential for treating a variety of ailments.
Topical honey has been used successfully in a comprehensive treatment of diabetic ulcers when the patient cannot use other topical antibiotics. Some studies suggest that the topical use of honey may reduce odors, swelling, and scarring when used to treat wounds.
Raw honey also contains enzymes that help in digestion, several vitamins and antioxidants.
Honey may also prevent the dressing from sticking to the healing wounds.
Honey has been shown to be an effective treatment for conjunctivitis in rats.
Honey (especially when combined with lemon) is often taken orally by pharyngitis and laryngitis sufferers, in order to soothe them.
Honey has been a part of many folk cures, it is common and cheap (compared to pharmaceuticals), and cannot be patented.
A Honey for All Skins Skin is the body’s largest organ and its most exposed. Throughout life, the skin comes into contact with more damaging conditions and environments than any other part of the body. Pamper it with one of the world’s oldest skin care secrets, honey. read more http://www.honey.com/consumers/sb/skins.asp
History The awareness month was initiated by The National Honey Board, a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) founded and overseen organization. (a US government established, USDA-overseen, organization) in 1989.
Biblical Period The Old Testament contains many references to honey as a symbol for all that is pleasant and desirable. For example, the book of Exodus famously describes the Promised Land as a ‘land flowing with milk and honey’ (33:3). There, however, the Hebrew devash refers to the sweet syrup produced from the juice of the date. In contrast, bees’ honey is referred to explicitly in The Book of Judges when Samson found a swarm of bees and honey in the carcass of a lion (14:8). Matthew 3:4 John the Baptist lived for a long period of time in the wilderness on a diet consisting of locusts and wild honey. The word “honey” appears 61 times in the King James Version of the Bible. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honeyy
HOW TO OBSERVE
Add some honey to your diet and use #NationalHoneyMonth to post on social media.
