WHOLE GRAINS MONTH

August 31, 2026August 24, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 6 Comments

Throughout September, Whole Grains Month promotes the benefits and flavors of whole grains in a healthy diet.

Whole grains include the entire seed of a plant. A grain seed is composed of three parts.

Bran – The outer shell of a seed or kernel is hard and contains important minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.
Endosperm – The next layer of a seed or kernel (or the middle layer) contains most of the carbohydrates found in grains.
Germ – The center layer provides vitamins, minerals, and necessary protein.

Whole grains are a vital part of a healthy diet. Not only do whole grains help reduce heart disease and diabetes, but it also helps improve bowel health. Maintaining a regular bowel movement is at the top of everyone’s list! (Yes, we went there.)

Adding whole grains to your meals is easier than many people think it is. These whole grains can be added to every meal with ease.

A few kinds of whole grains to start incorporating in your diet include:

Oats or oatmeal
Brown or wild rice
Popcorn
Whole rye, barley, corn
Quinoa
Buckwheat
Bulgar

Whole Grain Month also promotes recipes and shopping tips all month long.

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WHOLE GRAIN MONTH HISTORY

The Whole Grains Council has been promoting Whole Grain Month since 2006. Their mission is to share the importance of whole grains and how to incorporate them into a healthy diet.

HOW TO OBSERVE #WholeGrainMonth

Add whole grains to your meals throughout September! Try these delicious ways to incorporate whole grains:

Add granola to your yogurt.
Switch to 100% whole grain bread – this includes 100% whole wheat breads.
Replace refined pasta with whole-grain versions.
Replace refined pasta with whole grain rice.
Add quinoa to your smoothie.
Enjoy a bowl of air-popped popcorn.
Switch to whole-grain tortillas.
Add whole grains to your baking. Replace a portion of a recipe that calls for all-purpose flour with a whole-grain version.

After a month of adding whole grains to your diet, check-in with your body and see how you feel. Use #WholeGrainsMonth to share your favorite ways to cook with whole grains.

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NATIONAL POTATO MONTH

August 31, 2026August 7, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 3 Comments

This month we salute the terrific tuber, the spud, otherwise known as the potato! September is National Potato Month!

It’s hard to imagine a world without potatoes. Once indigenous to South America, specifically Peru and Bolivia, the potato has become a staple food in much of the world. In fact, it is an integral part of the food supply in many countries. Spuds are grown in all fifty states in the U.S. alone!

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In 1784, Thomas Jefferson set voyage on a trip to France with his slave James Heming. Jefferson brought his slave along in hopes he would learn some of the French culinary skills. Upon return to the U.S., Jefferson made Heming prepare one of the many culinary delights learned in France, the French fried potato. The dish was served at Jefferson’s private residence. Despite the fact Heming learned the culinary skill to make French fried potatoes and brought that skill back the U.S., Jefferson is given credit for introducing French fried potatoes. The earliest known recipe for the potato chip appeared in a cookbook published in 1817. The preparation resembled the French fried potato prepared by Heming.

The potato continues to have a vast history after its initial introduction. Most notably, the history of potatoes relates to the Irish potato famine of the 1840s. Sadly, starvation and disease claimed as many as a million lives in Ireland during the famine. It was during this time that nearly 500,000 Irish immigrated to the U.S.

Mash-Up Potato Facts:

The word “spud” first made an appearance in New Zealand around 1850. Potato planters used spuds, a sharper version of a spade, to dig up potatoes. Technically, it had nothing to the with the potato.
The world’s largest potato chip was produced by the Pringle Company in 1990. It measures 23′ by 14.5′.
Potatoes have even made an entry into pop culture. Possibly the most famous potato known to man, Mr. Potato Head. A creation from New Yorker George Lerner, the Hasbro Company launched the beloved toy in 1952. Unfortunately, Mr. Potato Head lost his pipe in 1987 mostly due to pressure from anti-smoking groups.
The “Mashed Potatoes” was a popular dance craze in the early 1960s. Mashed Potato Time was a 1962 chart-topping hit for soul singer Dee Dee Sharp.

Potatoes also have health benefits. For instance, potato skins are a good source of roughage and potassium. The average potato with the skin intact only contains 110 calories. It’s all the stuff you put on it that makes it fattening. As long as toppings are used in moderation, you can enjoy potatoes in all their deliciousness!

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HOW TO OBSERVE

Potato dishes can be found in all corners of the world, making it easy to find something that suits your taste buds!

Use #NationalPotatoMonth in social media correspondence.

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National Potato Day

August 18, 2026August 7, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 2 Comments

National Potato Day is August 19, so if you like spuds, this one’s for you! Never celebrated this tasty tot before? Good news, we have the lowdown on how to do things up right with facts and links to turn you from couch potato to party animal.

Potatoes have been a popular food for centuries so it’s about time we recognize this versatile and ap-peeling favorite. Mashed, smashed, chipped, or covered in cheese, potatoes can be eaten with just about every meal — or as a meal! — making these starchy veggies a delicious and easy way to get iron, potassium and vitamin c. The puns are just baked right in! Now just fry and stop us from telling you the whole scoop on what makes National Potato Day so …spudtacular.

NATIONAL POTATO DAY ACTIVITIES

Did you know there are over 4000 different kinds of potatoes? It’s true! Choose your favorite or choose a bunch because potatoes are so tasty and easy to cook that no matter what you pick you won’t be wrong! And not being wrong is a wonderful way to celebrate anything, so try it out this August 19.

There’s no wrong way to prepare a potato and the Internet (and probably your grandma) have a million and one recipes for you to try. Select a favorite, chop to it and discover for yourself why this hot potato is such a hot commodity. Don’t forget to invite some friends and make it an event! This is a celebration, after all.

Creamy and buttery or crispy and salty, the last step to enjoying this day is the best step — eating! —and we will eat potatoes in any form (even baked into bread)! We think consuming these delectable spuds in mass quantities is the best way to pay homage on their special day.

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WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL POTATO DAY

Potatoes are a staple for a reason Hashbrowns or potato salad, hot or cold, no matter how you slice ‘em, potatoes have been a staple in diets all over the world because they’re easy to grow, tasty and relatively inexpensive to produce and buy. Nearly ever cuisine has potatoes in it, so you can take a culinary journey with your trusty potato by your side.

Potato chips are the best snackThe people have spoken! Potato chips are regularly regarded as the most delicious snack and we couldn’t agree more. Plus, there isn’t a better party food than the potato chip. Just pour them in a bowl and let the festivities begin! With chips coming in more and more flavors all the time, you’ll never run out of ways to enjoy your favorite spuds with your buds. That deserve a few chip-chip-hoorays!

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How to OBSERVE

Potatoes are America’s cropPotatoes are grown in all 50 states! It makes sense that there should be a national day to celebrate the crop that can feed an entire country. We really do think this starchy, vitamin packed veg is all that and a bag of chips so pick up a bag, choose a recipe and feast with friends!

No matter how you celebrate share it on social media with #NationPotatoDay. We look forward to seeing your favorites.

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International Beer Day

July 31, 2026August 3, 2026Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

The first Friday in August brings a toast to ales, lagers, and pilsners that put the international in International Beer Day. This year that day falls as August 6, 2021.

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Perhaps there’s a porter or a Belgian in your glass. Whether yours is fermented or not, dark or pale, hoppy, bitter, smooth, raise your mug. Lift it high among friends around the world, thanking those who work at brewing delicious beer in your local area. Why? Because International Beer Day brings the world together, celebrating the beers of all cultures on one remarkable day.

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Beer not your thing? My husband and lots of my friends love it but I can only handle a couple sops of a dark lager. Given a choice I much prefer these alternatives

Did you know, this is a day for beer lovers everywhere. In backyards, taverns, pubs, and breweries all over, people celebrate beer’s greatness while showing gratitude to their bartender and waitstaff. By the way, did you miss National IPA Day the other day? Don’t miss this one. If you do, be sure to check out these other ways to celebrate:

“A fine beer may be judged with only one sip… but it’s better to be thoroughly sure.” – Czech Proverb

Pack a cooler and the grill for National Tailgating Day.
National Drink Beer Day
In December, National Lager Day has you covered.
Beer goes well with National Pizza Day.
And it goes really well with National Pretzel Day, too.
Of course, there’s always National Beer Day.
Don’t forget National Beer Lover’s Day.

INTERNATIONAL BEER DAY HISTORY

The origin of International Beer Day dates back to 2008. Because August is hot in many parts of the world, the first Friday of August was chosen.

HOW TO OBSERVE #InternationalBeerDay

Better yet, don’t miss it. Enjoy a glass with friends. Try a new beer. If you don’t know what to try, here are some suggestions.

Attend a tasting – Yes, like wine tastings, there are beer tastings, too.
Get a flight – Many pubs and breweries offer a flight with of few ounces of 4-5 beers to taste.
Take a quiz – There are several flavor profile quizzes online to help you choose your next beer. You can also take a quiz to find out just how much you know about beer, too. Like this one at Fun Trivia.
Ask the bartender – They can guide you based on your flavor preferences. Then be sure to thank and tip them, especially if they provided sound advice.
Tour a brewery – Brewery tours offer samples. Not only will you find a beer you like, but most breweries have a rich history. Even younger breweries include fascinating stories about their founders or their recipes.

Post on social media using #InternationalBeerDay – Celebrate all who brew such fantastic beer around the globe.

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NATIONAL REFRESHMENT DAY

July 22, 2026July 28, 2026Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

National Refreshment Day on the fourth Thursday in July celebrates fun at the hottest time of the year. July 23, 2026 toasts those moments of ice, cold refreshment, especially a nice cold beer. These are the simple pleasures that we all love and cherish.

Whether you’re at the beach or wrapping up a long day of work, it’s nice to know there’s a glass waiting for you somewhere. The dog days of summer call for coolers full of ice. Long weekends and vacation days beckon, too. Take a day and celebrate.

NATIONAL REFRESHMENT DAY HISTORY

Traveler Beer Company founded National Refreshment Day in May 2015 to highlight the refreshing flavors of summer. The Traveler Beer Company was a craft beer venture based in Burlington, Vermont.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalRefreshmentDay

Turn the fan on high, grab your bathing suit, and ice down the beer. Make the most of the dog days and raise a glass to Refreshment! Give a shout out to your favorite brewery or craft beer. You can also thank a server for their dedication and buy them a refreshing beverage. Share in the holiday by using #NationalRefreshmentDay on social media.

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International Beer Day

“A fine beer may be judged with only one sip… but it’s better to be thoroughly sure.” – Czech Proverb

INTERNATIONAL BEER DAY HISTORY

HOW TO OBSERVE #InternationalBeerDay

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NATIONAL REFRESHMENT DAY

NATIONAL REFRESHMENT DAY HISTORY

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalRefreshmentDay

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WHOLE GRAIN MONTH HISTORY

HOW TO OBSERVE #WholeGrainMonth

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Mash-Up Potato Facts:

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HOW TO OBSERVE

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NATIONAL POTATO DAY ACTIVITIES

WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL POTATO DAY

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“A fine beer may be judged with only one sip… but it’s better to be thoroughly sure.” – Czech Proverb

INTERNATIONAL BEER DAY HISTORY

HOW TO OBSERVE #InternationalBeerDay

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NATIONAL REFRESHMENT DAY HISTORY

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalRefreshmentDay

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