SWEET POTATO AWARENESS MONTH

Sweet Potato Awareness Month is an annual designation observed in November. This month, the holidays go into full swing, and what better way to celebrate than with loads of hearty, delicious, and… wait for it… HEALTHY food! That’s right, sweet potatoes fall into all of those categories. They can be used in dozens of recipes, and their natural goodness doesn’t even need added spices to make them taste like they came straight from the heavens. Don’t believe me? Now’s the time to find out for yourself.

Did you know sweet potatoes have a low glycemic index and lower carbohydrates than russet. They make a good alternative to regular potatoes for diabetics, and anyone counting carbs like ketogenic diets call for.

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HOW TO OBSERVE Sweet Potato Awareness Month

  1. Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamins C and A. Both nutrients are important for immune system support, and maintaining healthy skin, vision, and organs.
  2. They are FULL of antioxidants, and other nutrients.
  3. Sweet potatoes are anti-inflammatory, which lowers the risk of nearly every chronic disease. These include obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
  4. They help support weight loss, BIG TIME. Take it from someone who has experienced it first hand. I replaced hamburger buns, regular mashed potatoes, toast, pasta, and other processed carbs with sweet potatoes for a month, and lost 12 pounds. They are so filling, it doesn’t even feel like you’re trying to slim down!

So, whether you’re baking, mashing, or folding… or cutting it into chunks with ground cinnamon sprinkled on top… OR enjoying the classic fall-favorite, sweet potato pie… It won’t be difficult for you to celebrate Sweet Potato Awareness month and enjoy every minute of it! Your body will thank you, too.

Use #SweetPotatoAwarenessMonth to post on social media. The best part about sweet potatoes, also known as yams, is that you can eat them SO many different ways, and they have so many health benefits that they are often referred to as a “superfood.” Here are some of the nutritional facts about this delicious vegetable.

NATIONAL PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE DAY

Each year on October 20st, National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day ushers in the flavors of fall. Cheesecake is one of America’s favorite desserts and by adding pumpkin, we celebrate the essential flavoring of the season. 

This sweet dessert mixes fresh soft cheese, cream cheese or cottage cheese, eggs, and sugar to create a base. The crust is made from crushed graham crackers, crushed cookies, pastry or sponge cake. Pumpkin may be added to cheesecake recipes in various ways. For example, it may be swirled throughout,  mixed thoroughly with all ingredients or layered. Bakers prepare cheesecakes both baked or unbaked. Some bakers flavor cheesecakes and top them with fruit, fruit sauce, chocolate or whipped cream.

An ancient form of cheesecake may have been a popular dish in ancient Greece. The earliest attested mention of cheesecake is by the Greek physician, Aegimus. He wrote a book on the art of making cheesecakes.

James Kraft developed a form of pasteurized cream cheese in 1912. In 1928, Kraft acquired the Philadelphia trademark and marketed pasteurized Philadelphia Cream Cheese. In fact, bakers us Philadelphia cream cheese more than any other to make cheesecake than any other. 

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HOW TO OBSERVE #PumpkinCheesecakeDay

Try one of the following recipes to celebrate:

Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Caramel Pecan Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites
Pumpkin Cheesecake

Use #PumpkinCheesecakeDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL BRANDIED FRUIT DAY

On October 20th each year, we celebrate the delicious food holiday known as National Brandied Fruit Day!

Brandied fruit first became popular around the Victorian era. During this time, it was discovered by adding brandy to fruit, it was easiest way to make it last longer. Incidentally, this process was also a great way to harvest the taste of fruit, while creating a delicious dessert for adults.

Brandied fruit is created by soaking sweet fresh fruit in brandy, sugar, and spices. Often sitting for 30 days after preparation, this delicious treat is best used as a topping on desserts, such as pies or cakes. Interestingly, brandied fruit is used as a starter for Friendship Cake. Similar to the concept of a starter for sourdough bread, Friendship Cake takes time to prepare. However, once you’ve completed the process, you’re sure to enjoy one of the most delicious treats ever!

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Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day
Strawberry Shortcake Day
Strawberry Cream Pie
Strawberry Ice Cream Day
National Strawberry Day
Strawberries & Cream Day
Pick Strawberries Day
California Strawberry Day
National Strawberry Month
Strawberry Rhubarb Wine
Strawberry Parfait Day
Raspberry Bombe
Raspberry Cake Day
National Raspberry Cream Pie
National Raspberries N’ Cream Day
Fruit at Work Day
National Raspberry Popover Day
National Peach Month
Peaches and Cream Day
Peach Melba Day
Peach Pie Day
Mango Day
National Apricot Day
Rainier Cherry Day
Fruit Cocktail Day
World Vegan Day
World Vegan Month
National Rhubarb Month
National Blueberry Month
Papaya Month
Watermelon Month
National Pomegranate Month
National Grapefruit Month
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month
National Apple Month
Watermelon Day

HOW TO OBSERVE #BrandiedFruitDay

The best way to celebrate #BrandiedFruitDay is to enjoy some with family friends. Use #BrandiedFruitDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL PUMPKIN SEED DAY

The first Wednesday in October offers up the seasonal delight, National Pumpkin Seed Day! As the temperatures cool and the leaves turn, snack on these delicious tidbits.

Many of us have fond memories of roasting these delicious nuggets after carving the Jack o’ lantern. However, we never realized just how good (and good for us) they were. Surprisingly, pumpkin seeds have been valued for their dietary and medicinal properties for thousands of years. In fact, pumpkin seeds have been traced back as far as 7000 BC, according to archeologists excavating a tomb in central Mexico.

Nutritional Powerhouse

Among other civilizations, the Aztecs and Mayans were believed to revere pumpkin seeds as an essential and powerful source of food and nutrition. As it turns out they were on to something – In comparison to other nuts and seeds, Pumpkin Seeds are one of the most nutritious plant-based foods. A quarter-cup serving alone includes an immune-boosting 17% of an adult’s daily allowance of zinc and a robust red blood cell-supporting 15% of the iron needed.

This little seed also has a whopping 8.5 grams of complete plant-based protein in just 1 ounce. Ounce for ounce, that’s 2.5 times more protein than a hard-boiled egg. These flavorful bites have much more to offer including a plentiful helping of minerals with over 40% of the RDI of magnesium, phosphorus, and manganese, essential nutrients that aid in overall body function.

Pumpkin seeds without shells, also known as pepitas, provide an even better standalone snack. Pepitas are especially delicious when dry roasted. Try adding savory seasonings, too. They also make great additions to salads, oatmeal, and even ice cream. Mix them into baked goods for added crunch or to granola and bars for extra protein. Don’t hesitate to elevate a savory dish to a new level by creating a pesto with pumpkin seeds.

NATIONAL PUMPKIN SEED DAY HISTORY

SuperSeedz Gourmet Pumpkin Seeds founded National Pumpkin Seed Day to share all the wonderful benefits of pumpkin seeds and the ways they can be enjoyed.  A woman-owned company, Kathie Pelliccio founded SuperSeedz in her kitchen with a cast iron pan making healthy pumpkin seeds to add to salads, yogurt, and oatmeal.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPumpkinSeedDay

Move pumpkins seeds from your memories file and over to your daily file. They really shouldn’t be a sometimes food anymore!  Try them in this Maple Buckwheat Flapjack Recipe in this Asian Slaw Recipe from SuperSeedz. Use #NationalPumpkinSeedDay to share on social media.