INTERNATIONAL HUMMUS DAY

May 12, 2026May 6, 2026Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

Every year on May 13th, hummus lovers unite to celebrate International Hummus Day. The day also spreads awareness for this delicious food that’s considered a cross-cultural phenomenon.

Hummus is an Arabic word that means chickpea. Despite the Arabic roots of hummus, some historians believe this food originated in Egypt. Still, other groups of people, including the Lebanese, Turks, Jews, and Syrians, have tried to take credit for inventing hummus.

No matter who actually invented it, the basic recipe for hummus has remained the same throughout the years. The most basic hummus recipe consists of chickpeas, tahini (ground sesame seeds), olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. Some people like different flavors of hummus. These flavors include sun-dried tomato, spinach and artichoke, red pepper, basil pesto, chipotle, roasted garlic, and lemon.

Every flavor of hummus is considered a very healthy food, too. Hummus packs a wide variety of vitamins and minerals into a single serving. With each delicious bite, hummus provides folate, copper, manganese, magnesium, iron, zinc, and Vitamin B6. Hummus is also a low-carb food with a plant-based protein.

Other health benefits of hummus include:

It’s high in fiber, which promotes digestive health and feeds good gut bacteria.
The ingredients used have been proven to fight inflammation.
It has a low glycemic index, which means it helps control blood sugar levels.
Chickpeas are considered a heart-healthy food that reduces the risk of heart disease.
It promotes weight loss and the ability to maintain a healthy body weight.

Additionally, people all over the world eat hummus because it’s free of many common food allergens, including gluten, nuts, and dairy.

INTERNATIONAL HUMMUS DAY HISTORY

Ben Lang, co-founder of Innovation Israel, along with his friend, Miriam Young, founded International Hummus Day in 2012. Inspiration for the day came from another kind of spread called Nutella. When they realized World Nutella Day celebrated the hazelnut spread, they thought hummus deserved its own day as well.

HOW TO OBSERVE #InternationalHummusDay

On this day, people around the world are encouraged to eat some hummus. They can eat it for either breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Eateries across the globe, from New York City to Melbourne, hold hummus-tasting events.

To participate:

If you’ve never tried hummus, grab some pita bread or carrots and give it a try.
Make your own hummus from scratch.
Eat at a restaurant that serves Middle Eastern food.
Watch Hummus! The Movie – a story of faith, community, and growth.
Share this day on social media with #HummusDay.

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NATIONAL SPINACH DAY

March 25, 2026March 3, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 2 Comments

On March 26th each year, National Spinach Day reminds us of the health benefits packed into this leafy green vegetable. Not only are there so many delicious ways that you can enjoy spinach, but it is also incredibly good for you!

An annual plant, spinach grows natively in central and southwestern Asia. Thought to have originated in ancient Persia, Arab traders carried spinach into India and then later introduced into ancient China. There it was known as “Persian vegetable.” The earliest available record of the spinach plant was found in Chinese, saying that the spinach plant was introduced into China via Nepal.

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During her reign as queen of France, Catherine de Medici enjoyed spinach so much, it was served at every meal. To this day, dishes made with spinach are known as “Florentine” reflecting Catherine’s birth in Florence.

Spinach is:

eaten raw or cooked and is available fresh, frozen or canned.
one of the best sources of iron.
an excellent source of calcium, folic acid, fiber, protein, calcium and vitamins A, C and K.
loaded with cancer-fighting antioxidants
believed to help improve cardiovascular and gastrointestinal health.

Types of spinach:

Savoy: dark green color with curly leaves; usually sold in fresh bunches.
Flat or Smooth Leaf: broad, smooth leaves; mostly grown for canned and frozen spinach as well as soups, baby food and processed foods.
Semi-savoy: a hybrid variety with crinkly leaves: is sold fresh and processed.

Following China, the United States produces the world’s second-largest crop of spinach.
California, Arizona, and New Jersey are the top spinach-producing states in the United States.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalSpinachDay

Many of us enjoy spinach that celebrating is easy! Shake up your vegetable routine and mix up your greens. Experiment with some spinach.

Fresh spinach salad
Spinach pizza
Spinach dip
Cream spinach
Spinach lasagna
Add spinach to scrambled eggs

You can also plant some spinach in your spring garden. Not only will you reap the benefits of a lush green salad, but spinach doesn’t require much space.

Spinach grows in pots on a sunny balcony or in a small garden space.
Use fertile soil.
Plant in cool weather.
Keep moisture levels consistent.
Harvest and enjoy!
You can plant again in the fall. Double the bounty!

Share your favorite ways to add spinach to your meals. Use #NationalSpinachDay to post on social media.

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NATIONAL ARTICHOKE HEARTS DAY

March 15, 2026February 3, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 1 Comment

On March 16th, National Artichoke Hearts Day offers a tasty option to add flavor to any dish.

According to the California Artichoke Advisory Board, artichokes are a good source of antioxidants, vitamin C, folate, and magnesium. The antioxidants in artichokes are very good for your liver and help promote healthy skin. Artichokes are also high in fiber, calcium, and protein while low in calories. These reasons, plus being fat-free and cholesterol-free, make artichokes a healthy and delicious food to celebrate!

The total antioxidant capacity of an artichoke flower head is one of the highest reported for vegetables.
The fleshy base of the artichoke is perhaps the most enjoyably edible part of this oddly-shaped vegetable.
California is known as the artichoke capital of the world. They supply nearly 100% of North American fresh artichokes.

While artichokes may be a little difficult to prepare, you can find artichoke hearts packed in vinegar, oil, or marinade. Don’t let the artichoke heart fool you. They’re more versatile than they seem. Eat them as a snack or add them to dips or sauces. They also make excellent toppings on pizzas and flatbread. Toss them into the skillet for a savory sauté or infuse them into a broth. Artichoke hearts just might turn into a healthy addition to your cooking routine!

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HOW TO OBSERVE #ArtichokeHeartsDay

Pick up some fresh artichokes or canned artichoke hearts to make your favorite recipes. You can even test out a few new recipes with friends and family. Be sure to save and share your best ones. We offer a few techniques for you to try with your artichoke hearts, too.

Roast artichoke hearts with your potatoes and carrots. Season them lightly with olive oil and salt and pepper.
Try grilling fresh artichoke hearts for a smoky addition to your meal.
Create an artichoke salad or an artichoke dressing.
Make an artichoke heart and grilled cheese sandwich with smoked provolone.
Warm-up with this Lemony Artichoke Soup.
Another hearty recipe is this Artichoke Hearts Gratin.
Make a variety of dips and sauces, too.

Use #ArtichokeHeartsDay to post on social media.

National Nutrition Month

February 28, 2026February 23, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 16 Comments

National Nutrition Month is an educational campaign focusing on the significance of physical fitness as well as eating nourishing meals. Taking charge of your health contributes to overall well-being; as well as losing weight or staying at your ideal weight, which reduces risks of chronic illness such as heart disease and diabetes.

The campaign, originally “National Nutrition Week,” was first launched in 1973, with the theme “Invest in Yourself – Buy Nutrition.” The American Dietetic Association (ADA) was an early advocate in getting the message to the public organizing educational events held in schools and health care centers.

By the beginning of 1980, due to an intense increase in popularity, the House of Delegates expanded National Nutrition Week to National Nutrition month. ADA is now known as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and, with more than 70,000 members, is the world’s largest organization of registered dietitian nutritionists and dietetic technicians. This year’s theme is “Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle,” focusing on exercising regularly and making the best food choices.

Nutrition For Dummies
#NationalNutritionMonth — Nutrition For Dummies

Food For Health: Nutrition Principles For Optimal Metabolism
#NationalNutritionMonth — Nutrition For Dummies

HISTORY

National Nutrition Month began in March 1973, and is an educational campaign focusing on the significance of physical fitness as well as eating nourishing meals. The campaign was immediately embraced by members of the American Dietetic Association as an effective way to promote messages about nutrition all over the country and world. Taking charge of your health contributes to overall well-being; as well as losing weight or staying at your ideal weight, which reduces risks of chronic illness such as heart disease and diabetes.

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE

Use #NationalNutritionMonth to post on social media. Spread the word about how you are boosting your nutrition this month! Eat healthy and get exercising… You’ll be glad you did!

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NATIONAL CELERY MONTH

February 28, 2026February 23, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 6 Comments

Get chopping in March with National Celery Month! This vegetable adds crunch to salads while adding lots of flavor to casseroles and soups.

Celery is a fibrous vegetable that grows into a leafy stalk. While many enjoy it fresh, celery also goes well into a cooked meal. Per serving, the crunchy vegetable has 16 calories. It’s a good source of fiber, potassium, and vitamins A and C. Add it to snacks to benefit from its anti-inflammatory qualities.

However, celery is not a superfood. They are the perfect complement to a healthy diet. While it is not glorified as a superfood, celery does class up the plate. Seasoned right, celery can stand out with a flavor all its own.

Meanwhile, back in your kitchen, your celery sticks scream for something else. Add some peanut butter or avocado. Mix chopped celery into a pasta dish or stir-fry. Stir chopped celery into onions and potatoes for a delicious soup.

While all these items are cooking, chop up a few extra sticks and store them in an airtight container, and place them in the refrigerator. They will keep crisp for at least two days. The celery will lose quality after that, but you can still enjoy them or use them in soups or other recipes.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalCeleryMonth

Celebrate National Celery Month by incorporating celery into your meals every day. Try these ideas to keep you inspired all month long:

Plant celery in your garden this year.
Try a new recipe featuring celery.
Make ants on a log.
Add celery to just about any soup recipe.
Add celery to your favorite salad.
Create delicious dips for dunking your celery.
Make a celery relish.

Try a new recipe and use #NationalCeleryMonth to share on social media.

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