NATIONAL AVOCADO DAY

Ripe for the picking, add this delicious superfruit to your menu on National Avocado Day on July 31st!

While guacamole is grand, don’t settle for just the chips and dip on this food holiday. Since avocado is so versatile, clear the table for the entire meal. That includes everything from the appetizer and main dish all the way to dessert. On National Avocado Day, this tree grown fruit has them all covered!

Avocados are more than a staple food in the American diet; they are proven to be a key ingredient in recipes for both inside the body and on the body! According to the Hass Avocado Board, as of 2015, avocado consumption in the United States doubled since 2005 and quadrupled since 2000. In fact, a whopping 4.25 billion avocados were sold in the U.S. in 2015. That’s four point two five billion of this amazingly beautiful food.

Super Food

There are many reasons to celebrate National Avocado Day. For one, avocados target insulin resistance with heart-healthy fats. They also fight Alzheimer’s with its Omega 3 fatty acids. Another avocado superpower is preventing and repairing damage due to its source of Vitamins C, E and K.

One of the secret weapons in an avocado is the high oleic acid content. This moisturizing fatty acid helps keep skin soft and hydrated but also supports the regeneration of damaged skin cells reducing redness and irritation. Eat more of this superfruit or cook with avocado oil if you have this type of skin issue.

Beauty

Ancient Aztecs used the avocado to beautify their skin topically with masks. Then in the early 20th century, the cosmetic industry discovered the benefits of its oil in creams, lotions, facial cleansers and other products that required a smooth application. Interestingly, the practice continues today.

As mentioned before, avocados have found their way into every meal of the day. Of course, avocados celebrate with dessert effortlessly. Additionally, the creamy texture replaces calorie-laden oils with healthful fats. That means we can indulge without the guilt. What better way to celebrate National Avocado Day than to indulge a little?

HOW TO OBSERVE #NATIONALAVOCADODAY

Enjoy an avocado and try a new recipe. Share your favorite avocado recipe and use #NationalAvocadoDay to post on social media.

Sliced in a salad, on toast or paired with Fajitas, Tacos, or Nachos, chances are you can find a variety of ways to enjoy avocado today!

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NATIONAL AVOCADO DAY HISTORY

Model Meals founded National Avocado Day at the peak of California avocado season, on July 31. Model Meals is a meal delivery service established in 2015 by Camille May and professional curve model Danika Brysha. The company works with local organic growers and farmers as much as possible to create whole food-focused menus, encouraging sustainable agriculture and healthy eating.

Whole30 approved, gluten-free and Paleo-friendly, a huge part of the Model Meals lifestyle is avocados, whether that’s in a dish or to have on the go. Danika and Camille famously carry “purse avocados” for a midday dose of healthy fat and vitamins. Obviously passionate about this superfood, Model Meals wanted to celebrate it to the fullest, and the idea to create its own holiday was born. If you’re curious if Model Meals delivers in your area, click here

Amazon Fresh Deals page
Amazon Fresh Deals page

NATIONAL FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE MONTH

Add color to your meals during National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month in June. As the peak season for many early garden crops find their way into markets, it’s an excellent time to take advantage of these freshly picked fruits and vegetables.

Find farmers market near you
Find a Farmers Market Near You

Berries and salad items come to mind first, but don’t hesitate to try exotic produce, too. As we head into a season where more variety is available, our family gets to enjoy the benefits of early summer’s bounty in vibrant color.

From zucchini and tomatoes, leafy greens, onions, and avocado, each provides added fiber, protein, and vital nutrients. Whether we eat them as a snack, on a salad or in smooth, it’s important to have five servings of fruit and vegetables per day.

Cucumber, Tomato Salad
Cucumber, Tomato Sald
Red, Blue, and Cheesecake Salad
Red, Blue and Cheesecake Salad
Easy Broccoli Salad
Easy Broccoli Salad
No-Fail Fresca Sangria
No – Fail Fresca Sangria

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HOW TO OBSERVE

Skip the canned and frozen aisle and check out the delicious fresh fruits and vegetables coming into the grocery, farmers markets, and even your garden every day in June. Maybe visit a pick-your-own-fruit-and-vegetable farm and bring home the fruits of your labor. Savor the goodness of these delicious foods and use #FreshFruitAndVegetableMonth to share on social media.

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National Mediterranean Diet Month

When it comes to flavor and health in one package, National Mediterranean Diet Month in May has us covered. From fresh herbs and vegetables to succulent seafood and wine, this cuisine satisfies.

One way to get the best out of a Mediterranean diet is to indulge in the whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables along with the healthy oils our bodies need. Olive and canola oils are rich in good cholesterol. Add fish and chicken to the menu and limit red meat to only a couple times a month and we’re well on our way to enjoying a Mediterranean lifestyle. Finish it off with a glass of red wine occasionally and plenty of exercise.

Oldways founded National Mediterranean Diet Month in 2008.

We actually combine Keto, Mediterranean and Carb Counted to get a healthy diet of flavors, and a lot of the dishes can be altered to this style of eating.  It keeps things so flavorful you probably won’t even realize you’re on a diet….

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HOW TO OBSERVE

Are you looking for a flavorful, easy to follow diet? The Mediterranean diet meets the guidelines for the food pyramid. Give it a try during May and you might find it a lifestyle changer. Use #MediterraneanDietMonth to share on social media.

National Salad Month

It’s time for the freshness of National Salad Month. Greens pop this time of year, and it’s easy to grow garden lettuce even in a small space. They fill the grocery with a variety of color, too.

Beyond the leafy part of the salad, the crisp vegetables, proteins, flavorful cheeses, herbs, berries, grains, and nuts make salads exciting and healthy.  If we don’t over indulge in the cheese and fatty meats, it’s usually the dressing that causes our salad downfall.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

Salads are an excellent way help get your 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day.  We’ve provided tips to get the maximum salad-eating in this month!

  • Mix up the lettuce variety. Iceberg is what we’re most familiar with in the United States. Try spinach for a change of pace. Romaine makes excellent lettuce wraps. Butterhead comes in loose, crisp, rosettes.
  • Prepare salads for the work week. Fill the bottom of a Mason jar the salad dressing.  Add the more solid fruits or veggies to next layer followed by any proteins and cheeses. Next, add the leafy greens. The items crunchy croutons, nuts or soft fruits and veggies should be added the day you eat the salad.
  • Serve salad with every meal, even breakfast. Fruit salad is a bright way to start the morning.
  • Substitute salad for one meal a day.
  • Try a different type a salad every week.

Use #NationalSaladMonth to share on social media.

NATIONAL GARDENING DAY

National Gardening Day on April 14th encourages gardeners and would-be gardeners to pick up a shovel, plant some seeds, and kick off a beautiful year of homegrown bounty.

Whether you want to grow vegetables, fruit, flowers, houseplants, or anything in between, National Gardening Day celebrates a satisfying pastime that you will enjoy for decades.

Growing your own food also provides fresh and natural nourishment for your family and saves you time and money at the grocery store.

As many gardeners know, the benefits of gardening come from more than the produce. Spending time in the garden also provides physical activity and an opportunity to join with nature.

The day is a call to action to get out and grow flower or vegetable gardens. No matter how you garden, plant in the ground, in containers, in straw bales or in a square foot gardening box. Just garden!

NATIONAL GARDENING DAY HISTORY

Cool Springs Press, an imprint of The Quarto Group, founded National Gardening Day on April 14 to celebrate gardening and to encourage home gardeners and students to learn more about how to garden.

About Cool Springs Press

Celebrating over twenty-five years of inspiring gardeners, Cool Springs Press is a leading publisher of best-selling gardening books with titles that cover all facets of plant cultivation and gardening techniques, both indoors and out.

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Green thumbs are not required to learn to garden. Attend gardening seminars to gain knowledge. Read up about the plants that thrive in your zone. Start with some easy plants to grow such as: Radishes, Lettuce, Potatoes. We always do Tomatoes, Herbs, Zinnias, Pansies, and Marigolds.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL GARDENING DAY

There are many ways that you can celebrate the day, including:

  • Find the right book, guide or resource for your needs at Cool Springs Press, county extension service, the local bookstore or library.
  • Look for a community garden in your area.
  • Organize a seed and perennial plant swap with neighbors and friends.
  • Join a garden club. There isn’t one near? Start one!
  • Visit your local nursery or garden center—you will be amazed and excited by all the beautiful options
  • Visit Quarto Homes on Facebook and Instagram for more gardening information
  • While you’re gardening, be sure to share your experience with others on social media using #NationalGardeningDay, #garden and #gardening.