NATIONAL PUNCH DAY

September 19, 2026August 3, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 2 Comments

While one perspective suggests honoring tools used to make holes, another points to a day created to throw a few punches at a punching bag. However, we will direct you toward the thirst-quenching version instead. Besides, this delicious, refreshing drink sparkles with celebration.
A wide assortment of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, fall into the category of punch.

Punch Bowls and Pitcher Drinks: Recipes for Delicious Big-Batch Cocktails

The Punch Bowl: 75 Recipes Spanning Four Centuries of Wanton Revelry — Punch Bowls and Pitcher Drinks: Recipes for Delicious Big-Batch Cocktails

A combination of fruit juice and a carbonated beverage, the colorful, bubbly drink sparkles with party personality. In fact, parties, weddings, and other celebrations serve punch as part of the centerpiece at the beverage table. Large wide bowls known as punch bowls provide a beautiful vessel for serving punch.

The word punch is a loanword from Hindi panch (meaning five). Originally, punch was made with five ingredients: alcohol, sugar, lemon, water, and tea or spices. It was called paantsch.

Soft drink manufacturers today distribute many types of “fruit punch” beverages. Most punch mixes are red in color. However, despite the name, they contain a small fraction of fruit juice. Sugar, corn syrup, citric acid, and artificial flavors make up the main ingredients.

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HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL PUNCH DAY

Make some punch and make a toast! Thousands of punch recipes make the beverage versatile and easy to make. Check recipe books and online. Be sure to share your favorites, too! Use #NationalPunchDay to post on social media.

CreativeWare RM-BEV03 2.5-Gallon Bark Beverage Dispenser

Galssmagic 1 Gallon Drink Dispenser with Stand,2 Pack Glass Beverage Dispenser with Stand,Punch Bowls Water Juice Lemonade Dispensers with Easy Flow Spigot for Parties — CreativeWare RM-BEV03 2.5-Gallon Bark Beverage Dispenser

NATIONAL PEANUT DAY

September 12, 2026August 20, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 2 Comments

On September 13th National Peanut Day pays homage to mighty and tasty peanut.

Likely originating in South America around 3,500 years ago, this legume is not a nut. They grow underground, like potatoes. Since they are an edible seed that forms in a pod, they belong to the family Leguminosae with peas and beans. When it comes to plants packing protein power, peanuts provide a whopping 8 grams per ounce, more than any other nut according to The Peanut Institute. And remember, it’s not a nut! Nuts grow on trees.

The peanut is also high in antioxidants. Not only are peanuts high in vitamins E and B6, but they’re rich in minerals such as magnesium, iron, and zinc. Studies also show when paired with other nutrient-rich foods, this wonderful legume helps us absorb nutrients better, too.

365 by Whole Foods Market, Dry Roasted and Salted Peanuts, 16 Ounce

PLANTERS Salted Cocktail Peanuts, Party Snacks, Plant-Based Protein, 2.19 lb Jar — 365 by Whole Foods Market, Dry Roasted and Salted Peanuts, 16 Ounce

For the longest time, livestock gained the most significant benefit from all these nutrients. Until modern methods came along, planting and harvesting peanuts were labor-intensive and risky endeavors for farmers. Gradually their popularity grew. Civil War soldiers found a fondness for them, and so did fans of PT Barnum’s traveling circus. But what made it possible for peanuts to be grown in abundance was an advancement in farm technology. Just like the cotton gin revolutionized the cotton industry, planters and harvesters transformed not only the peanut farm but farming the world over.

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack ~ lyric from Take Me Out to the Ballgame (1908) by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer.

Dr. George Washington Carver

With the rise in peanut production, there also brought an increase of curious investigation into its possible uses. When the boll weevil wreaked havoc on the South’s cotton crop, Dr. George Washington Carver, made a suggestion. He had been researching this amazing groundnut and suggested farmers diversify into peanuts. It was an economic boon to Southern farmers. He published his research “How to Grow the Peanut and 105 Ways of Preparing it for Human Consumption” in 1916. His continued research resulted in more than delicious uses for this goober, groundnut or ground pea. From shaving cream to plastics and cosmetics and even coffee, Dr. Carver’s appetite for the peanut seemed to be unending.

Many of the peanut discoveries Dr. Carver made 100 years ago are still being used today.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPeanutDay

Explore the world of the peanut and crack open some for a healthful snack. Use #NationalPeanutDay to post on social media.

PLANTERS Sweet & Spicy Peanuts, 16 Ounce

PLANTERS Variety Packs (Salted Cashews, Salted Peanuts & Honey Roasted Peanuts), 36 Packs - Individual Bags of On-the-Go Nut Snacks — PLANTERS Sweet & Spicy Peanuts, 16 Ounce

NATIONAL BANANA SPLIT DAY

August 24, 2026August 19, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 5 Comments

National Banana Split Day recognizes the sweet ice cream treat served with a banana, whipped cream, and various toppings. Get yours on August 25th!

How to Make a Banana Split

Originally served in drug stores, soda fountains and ice cream parlors, the banana split is traditionally served in a long dish called a boat. To make a banana split, cut the banana lengthwise and place it in the dish. Then add scoops of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream between the slices of banana. Each scoop gets a topping; add crushed pineapple to the strawberry, drizzle chocolate syrup over the vanilla, and add strawberry topping to the chocolate. Next, sprinkle with crushed nuts. Finally, garnish with whipped cream and maraschino cherries.

Anchor 561G 8-1/4 oz Banana Split Dish, Crystal - 2/Pack by Anchor — Anchor 561G 8-1/4 oz Banana Split Dish, Crystal – 2/Pack

by Anchor

The Inventor

A 23-year-old apprentice pharmacist at Tassel’s Pharmacy in Latrobe, Pennsylvania created the first banana split in 1904. David Evans Strickler enjoyed inventing sundaes at the store’s soda fountain. For only 10 cents, Strickler sold his first “banana-based triple ice cream sundae,” double the cost of all the other sundaes.

SimpleHouseware Fruit Basket Bowl with Banana Tree Hanger, Chrome Finish by Simple Houseware — SimpleHouseware Fruit Basket Bowl with Banana Tree Hanger, Chrome Finish

by Simple Houseware

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalBananaSplitDay

Enjoy this Banana Split Cheesecake recipe.

Celebrate with a delicious banana split and don’t forget the cherry on top! Use #NationalBananaSplitDay to post on social media.

Hersheys Syrup Variety Pack Bundle of 3 Flavors- Chocolate, Caramel and Strawberry by HERSHEY'S — Hersheys Syrup Variety Pack Bundle of 3 Flavors- Chocolate, Caramel and Strawberry

by HERSHEY’S

SOFT ICE CREAM DAY

August 18, 2026July 16, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 7 Comments

National Soft Ice Cream Day on August 19th gives us a tasty way to cool off on a hot summer day. Whether you enjoy it in a bowl or on a cone, grab some soft serve and enjoy!

Melting Ice Cream

In 1934 on Memorial Day weekend in Hartsdale, New York, Tom Carvel had a flat tire. After pulling his ice cream truck into a parking lot, the businessman knew his product was melting. As vacationers drove by, Carvel sold the softened ice cream to them. Surprisingly, they loved the soft ice cream! The potential for a new dessert was not lost on the salesman. Instead of roving ice cream truck, Carvel could have a fixed location with soft ice cream.

Two years later, Tom Carvel opened his first ice cream store on the site where his truck broke down. In the preceding years, Carvel patented a super low-temperature ice cream machine and created a secret formula ice cream.

It wasn’t long before other businesses began to crop up. The hard ice cream industry began to object. Despite both products providing similar flavors, servings, and enjoyment, they were different. Hard ice cream business did suffer a reduction in revenue during the first years of soft ice cream’s popularity. Even the Minnesota legislature passed laws prohibiting the sale (technically by law it was considered to be ice milk) of soft-serve ice cream from a machine. It had to be sold pre-packaged. The law was later changed. (Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 19 Aug 1951)

ICEPURE Ice Cream Maker, Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine Countertop, 2.1 Quarts Large Capacity Freezer Bowl, Homemade Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt, and Gelato. Gifts for Kids, Recipe, Stainless Steel

Frostline Vanilla Soft Serve Ice Cream Mix, Large 6 Pound Bag, (2 Bags) — ICEPURE Ice Cream Maker, Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine Countertop, 2.1 Quarts Large Capacity Freezer Bowl, Homemade Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt, and Gelato. Gifts for Kids, Recipe, Stainless Steel

Soft vs. Hard Ice Creams

How different are soft and hard ice creams? While they are made with the same ingredients, soft ice cream has less milk fat. It also has more air than hard ice cream. Both of these factors contribute to the ice cream being more delicate and smoother. The milk fats in the hard ice cream cause it to be firmer when frozen.

Another difference is the temperatures the ice creams are kept frozen. Soft ice cream machines keep a temperature of -6°C. However, hard ice cream is kept at a temperature of -12°C. While that might not seem like a big difference, the evidence is in the ice creams.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalSoftIceCreamDay

There are many ways to enjoy soft ice cream. Order a dipped cone or have a sundae. Soft ice cream comes in a variety of flavors. One that seems to taste better as soft serve is chocolate mint. However, that may just be an opinion. Go out for some soft ice cream and use #NationalSoftIceCreamDay to post on social media.

Ice Cream Maker by Cuisinart, Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt Machine, 2-Qt. Double-Insulated Freezer Bowl, Silver, ICE30BCP1

Nostalgia Electric Ice Cream Maker - Old Fashioned Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine Makes Frozen Yogurt or Gelato in Minutes - Fun Kitchen Appliance - Vintage Wooden Style - Light Wood - 4 Quart — Ice Cream Maker by Cuisinart, Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt Machine, 2-Qt. Double-Insulated Freezer Bowl, Silver, ICE30BCP1

GRAB SOME NUTS DAY

August 2, 2026August 7, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 2 Comments

There are many “nut” days throughout the year, but August 3rd embraces them all. It’s National Grab Some Nuts Day!

Defining a nut is tricky. Though botanically an almond and cashew aren’t considered nuts, once they’re in the can, it’s hard to tell the difference. The same goes for walnuts and peanuts, even though they have the word “nut” in their names. Despite the confusion, these nuts, legumes, seeds, and drupes continue to find their way into our daily diets. Whether we add them to salads or into our baking, we love nuts. We’re nutty for nuts!

Depending on the kind, they add necessary good fats to our diets. They’re also full of minerals and nutrients we might otherwise be missing. In the right quantities, they improve our health and make things taste better, too. There’s nothing too nutty about that.

Nature's Garden Healthy Trail Mix Snack Packs – Mixed Nuts, Heart Healthy Nuts, Omega-3 Rich, Cranberries, Pumpkin Seeds, Perfect For The Entire Family – 28.8 Oz Bag (24 Individual Servings) — Nature’s Garden Healthy Trail Mix Snack Packs – Mixed Nuts, Heart Healthy Nuts, Omega-3 Rich, Cranberries, Pumpkin Seeds, Perfect For The Entire Family – 28.8 Oz Bag (24 Individual Servings)

Power Up Trail Mix Gourmet Nut Bag, Mega Omega, 14 Ounce — Nature’s Garden Healthy Trail Mix Snack Packs – Mixed Nuts, Heart Healthy Nuts, Omega-3 Rich, Cranberries, Pumpkin Seeds, Perfect For The Entire Family – 28.8 Oz Bag (24 Individual Servings)

These little bountiful nuggets contain beneficial nutrients, have a long shelf life, and can be quite portable. They add a nice crunch to snacks and desserts as well as satisfying meals. National Grab Some Nuts Day might seem a little squirrelly, but then again it’s the right time of year for it. Go nuts and grab a few or a lot!

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalGrabSomeNutsDay

Do not forget to grab a handful of your favorite nuts to snack on today! Better yet, get baking. Nuts add texture and flavor to baked goods. Don’t forget the savory dishes. Try adding almonds to salads, peanuts to stirfry or create a crust from crushed pecans for a pork roast.

Try my Keto Breaded Chicken for an awesome addition to salads or just use it for fried chicken. No matter how you celebrate, the day encourages sharing by using #NationalGrabSomeNutsDay on social media.

Jen's Perspective Blog

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