INTERNATIONAL BACON DAY

September 5, 2026August 24, 2026Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

The first Saturday in September is International Bacon Day and a day to enjoy all things bacon! This delicious food holiday is a favorite because bacon makes everything better!

There are so many things we can say about bacon and the flavor it adds to dishes. Today, we are reminding everyone that bacon is not just a breakfast food, but also a great way to add delicious flavor to any recipe.

Bacon Backstory

Bacon is pork cured in salt made from cuts of the belly or back of a pig. Curing pork dates back thousands of years. During ancient times, Chinese, Egyptian, and Roman cultures all had methods for preserving pork. However, Romans recieve credit for sharing their knowledge of curing pork calling their bacon “petaso.” As cured pork expanded throughout Europe, the meat became a staple to families because of the ability to preserve it easily.

European settlers brought their pork curing techniques to America the same time the first settlers arrived. However, the meat was much saltier and leaner than what they would eat in Europe. During the 19th and 20th centuries, meat production began to expand to the general public. Brining and smoking bacon became widely acceptable in mass production, making the distribution of bacon much easier. Today, bacon plays a significant roll in American cuisine.

5 Bacon Festivals in the U.S.

Bacon Fest, Pennsylvania
Bourbon and Brews Festival, Kansas
Bacon & Beer Festival, New Hampshire
Bacon Bash, Texas
Memphis Flyer Bacon & Bourbon, Tennessee

Did You Know?

Bacon is one of the most popular and recognizable meat products around the world and is known for its distinctive savory and smoky flavor.

Are there different types of bacon? Yes! Here the 4 common types of bacon throughout the world:

American bacon is the most well-known bacon type. It’s made from pork belly and contains both meat and fat. This type of bacon becomes crispy after cooking.
Canadian bacon is made from the lean parts of the pig. Normally, Canadian bacon is similar to ham in flavor and appearance.
Pancetta is an Italian bacon made with salt and spices that can be eaten cooked or uncooked. People often use pancetta in sandwiches, but also in some dishes.
Guanciale is another Italian bacon commonly used in carbonara and amatriciana. This type of bacon is the fattiest of all other bacon types and is probably most flavorful.

Bacon adds rich flavor and versatility to cooking by enhancing the dishes it is added to. Whether enjoyed on its own, as a savory ingredient, or as a guilty pleasure, bacon remains a favorite food around the globe.

HISTORY BEHIND INTERNATIONAL BACON DAY

Each year on the first Saturday in September we celebrate International Bacon Day as a way to indulge and enjoy bacon. We plan on starting our day with bacon and eggs, have a bacon sandwich for a mid morning snack, and eat a BLT for lunch. Then, we will likely eat a bacon-inspired pasta for dinner with a bacon infused dessert. Later in the evening, we are going to relax with a nice Bloody Mary with bacon garnish.

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6 INTERNATIONAL BACON DAY CELEBRATION IDEAS

International Bacon Day is a time to savor the delight of delicious bacon! Embrace your joy for bacon today by having fun with today’s food holiday.

Host a bacon-everything breakfast by adding bacon to your eggs, pancakes, or omelets. You can also make breakfast burritos or add bacon to your waffle batter.
Experiment with bacon in a new recipe or add it to a favorite one you already make.
Cook different types of bacon and have a bacon tasting party with your family and friends. We recommend adding Applewood -smoked, maple-glazed, or peppered flavor to your menu.
Create the ultimate beverages by adding bacon and other ingredients. In fact, we hear adding bacon as a garnish to a Bloody Mary is delicious!
Find a local bakery or specialty bacon shop that offers a variety of bacon flavors. This might be a great way to treat yourself to a better quality bacon versus buying bacon in the grocery store.
Share your love for bacon on social media using the tag #InternationalBaconDay.

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NATIONAL ITALIAN CHEESE MONTH

August 31, 2026August 7, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 13 Comments

Lasagna. Pizza. Manicotti. Ravioli. Cannoli. What do all of these delicious dishes have in common? They’re all made with Italian Cheese! September is National Italian Cheese Month, and there’s no better time to celebrate the buttery, bold, creamy, crumbly and nutty Italian Cheeses that are essential to our favorite Italian fare. After all, these are the memorable meals that bring families together!

With as many as 450 varieties of Italian Cheese—there are enough tastes and textures to satisfy every age group and palate. How many have you tried? Imagine the recipes!

Mozzarella is the most popular cheese in the United States, with the average American eating more than 11 pounds of this classic cheese every year. (Fantastico!) But that’s not where our love affair with Italian Cheese ends. Other favorites include the versatile Ricotta and Provolone, hard cheese like Parmesan and Romano, creamy selections like Fresh Mozzarella and Mascarpone, and one-of-a-kind flavors like Bel Paese, Asiago, and Gorgonzola. Italian Cheese is even available in Cheese Sticks, which are beloved by kids across the country!

Italian Cheese is full of a rich, flavorful history waiting to be shared. It is believed that Italian Cheese dates as far back as the Roman Empire, where many families had a special kitchen, called a caseale, used exclusively for making, aging, and storing cheese. Romans were passionate about creating and sharing their cheese, introducing the art of cheesemaking to other European countries. Today, fine Italian Cheese is made in both Italy and America, with some Italian Cheese earning Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, ensuring the cheese was made in a specific region following traditional methods.

HISTORY

Galbani® cheese founded National Italian Cheese Month in 2017 to celebrate America’s love of Italian Cheese.

Visit Galbani® for Italian Cheese recipes all month long. Follow them for more great ideas on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

Look no further for ways to celebrate Italian Cheese Month! Create the ultimate cheese plate to sample and share at work. Have your friends over for a make-your-own-pizza party. Or treat your family to decadent desserts like Cannoli and Tiramisu. There are so many ways to celebrate Italian Cheese, all you need is the appetite! Share your favorites by using #NationalItalianCheeseMonth on social media.

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NATIONAL CAESAR SALAD DAY

July 3, 2026June 15, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 3 Comments

National Caesar Salad Day commemorates a time-honored tradition on July 4th. Although a classic Caesar salad dressing includes a few ingredients that make some people a bit squeamish, it’s still one of the most popular salads around. And the flavor is undeniably a name-making recipe.

These versatile bowls with lids are a mainstay in our kitchen. Salads, bread, stirfry, you name it. The kids help with fridge space and they can go right to the table. Premium Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls with Airtight Lids (Set of 5) Nesting Bowls for Space Saving Storage, Easy Grip & Stability Design Mixing Bowl Set Versatile For Cooking, Baking & Food Storage

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Using a raw (or coddled) egg and Worcestershire sauce as the main ingredients, Chef Caesar Cardini developed a salad that has stood the test of time. He added parmesan, dijon mustard, and lemon juice for brightness. A dash of salt brings all the flavors together. Beautifully, the ingredients rest on a bed of romaine lettuce with croutons. Once garnished with freshly grated parmesan, the salad is ready to be served. Considering it is found on nearly 50 percent of the restaurant menus across the country, it is served with frequency.

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While most Caesar dressings include anchovies today, the original did not. Chef Cardini used Worcestershire sauce, which is derived from anchovies. Either way, the salad rouses the senses and elevates even the simplest meal. Additionally, when ordering, there’s no need to choose a dressing. Chef Cardini selected the perfect ingredients when he designed the salad.

Fresh Gourmet Premium Croutons, Classic Caesar, 5 Ounce (Pack of 6)

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While you can certainly make your own dressing and croutons, if your short on time or patience I featured our favorite brands. If you are choosing low carb or Keto homemade let’s you control the ingredients.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalCaesarSaladDay

Make a Caesar salad with as much celebration as Chef Cardini did. If you need a recipe for a Caesar Salad, we have you covered. Don’t forget, half the restaurants in the country serve it, too! Post on social media using #NationalCaesarSaladDay.

NATIONAL CAESAR SALAD DAY HISTORY

We were unable to identify the founder of National Caesar Salad Day. However, this day is relevant to the history of the Caesar salad.

During the holiday weekend of 1924, Caesar Cardini created the Caesar salad for an elite Hollywood crowd at his Tijuana, Mexico restaurant. The Independence Day weekend called for a little extra excitement at the dinner table. As part of the service, Cardini made a dramatic performance of mixing the salad as his guests watched. He tossed the ingredients with great panache and flair, much to the thrill of those around the table. The display was such a success, preparing a Caesar salad today continues in much the same fashion out of tradition.

NATIONAL EAT YOUR BEANS DAY

July 2, 2026June 22, 2026Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

National Eat Your Beans Day is a “live healthy” holiday observed every year on July 3rd. This day celebrates the bean vegetable in all sizes, shapes, and colors. Beans (legumes) date back to the early seventh millennium BCE, making them one of the longest-cultivated plants.

As they were seven millennia ago, today, beans are a significant source of protein. If you’re looking for complex carbohydrates, folate, fiber, and iron, eat some beans. They are excellent sources for each of those. A very healthy choice for any meal or snack, they are also an excellent source of fiber, low in fat and high in complex carbohydrates, folate, and iron.

There are approximately 40,000 bean varieties in the world.
Only a fraction of these varieties are mass-produced for regular consumption.

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Let’s Snack!

That’s a lot of beans! How do we know which ones to choose? Snacking on chickpeas provides us with one of the best choices. Also known as garbanzo beans, these legumes pack a whopping 12.5 grams of fiber, 71 % of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of folate, 84% RDI of Manganese, and 26% RDI of Iron per serving in 1 cup. Add chickpeas to stews like you would any bean. However, they also roast nicely with your favorite herbs and spices for a delicious and healthy snack.

Try this Hummus Recipe for a tasty treat snack or treat. Pst… don’t tell anyone. They’ll never believe something this good is also good for you. If your pressed for time get the canned versions for chili’s, Stews, or even making hummus. These will save you so much time when making weeknight meals.

Another tremendous snacking bean is the soybean. For more tips on bean varieties, visit www.medicalnewstoday.com.

With so many choices, celebrating with beans should be a delicious success!

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalEatYourBeansDay

Try some great recipes from our page. Minestrone, White Chicken Chili, and Jens Easy Chili are favorites. Use #NationalEatYourBeansDay to share on social media.

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NATIONAL CHOCOLATE PUDDING DAY

June 25, 2026June 6, 2026Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

This food holiday National Chocolate Pudding Day is observed each year on June 26th. Chocolate pudding has been loved by children and adults for many years. Usually eaten as a snack or dessert, chocolate pudding is also used as a filling for chocolate creme pie.

Historically, chocolate pudding is a variation of chocolate custard, using starch as a thickener instead of eggs. The 1903 edition of Mary Harris Frazer’s Kentucky Receipt Book and the 1918 edition of Fannie Farmer’s Boston Cooking School Cook Book both have recipes for the earlier version, using both eggs and flour.

In 1934, General Foods (Jello) introduced chocolate pudding mix as “Walter Baker’s Dessert.”
In 1936, it was renamed “Pickle’s Pudding.”

Chocolate pudding is usually made with milk and sugar, flavored with chocolate and vanilla then thickened with flour or cornstarch. Some recipes do use eggs when making the pudding.

Chocolate pudding can be purchased ready-made and sold in grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations. The popular brands include Jell-O by the Kraft Foods Corporation and Snack Pack by Hunt’s.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

Enjoy some delicious Chocolate Pudding as a dessert or as a snack. Try this homemade Chocolate Cornstarch Pudding recipe. Use #NationalChocolatePuddingDay on social media.

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NATIONAL ITALIAN CHEESE MONTH

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