NATIONAL DARK CHOCOLATE DAY

January 31, 2026January 2, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 6 Comments

On February 1st, National Dark Chocolate Day reminds us to indulge a little. Many tout dark chocolate as the healthier chocolate. However, for some, it can be an acquired taste.

Also known as bittersweet chocolate, dark chocolate is different from milk chocolate. Candy makers add milk or butter to milk chocolate, giving it a creamier consistency. Dark chocolate includes no added milk or butter. Instead, the percentage of cocoa solids remaining in the chocolate determines how dark the chocolate is. The higher the ratio, the darker the chocolate. It may also have a slightly bitter taste.

Chocolate Bliss: 150 Easy Chocolate Recipes: A Chocolate Cookbook – Cookies, Cakes, Bars, Candy, Brownies, Pies

175 Dark Chocolate Recipes: A Dark Chocolate Cookbook for All Generation

YORK Dark Chocolate Peppermint Patties, Valentine’s Day Candy Party Pack, 35.2 oz

Blue Diamond Almonds Oven Roasted Dark Chocolate Flavored Snack Nuts, 25 Oz Resealable Bag

Chocolate comes from the seed of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree. We have been cultivating cacao for at least three millennia, and the plant grows in Mexico, Central America, and Northern South America. Our earliest known documentation of using cacao seeds dates to around 1100 BC.

Fermentation helps develop the flavor of the cacao seeds. Otherwise, the seeds are too bitter to eat. Once fermented, the beans are dried, cleaned, and roasted. After roasting, the shell is removed to produce cacao nibs. Processors then ground the cocoa nips into cocoa mass, pure chocolate in rough form. Next, they usually liquefy the cocoa mass and mold it with or without other ingredients. At this point in the process, it is called chocolate liquor. The chocolate liquor may then be processed into two components: cocoa solids and cocoa butter.

Besides being lower in calories and fat, dark chocolate has many other health benefits. It also serves as a decadent ingredient in many desserts and sauces.

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL DARK CHOCOLATE DAY

Eat some dark chocolate. Bake with dark chocolate. Add dark chocolate to a savory dish. Share dark chocolate recipes. Host a dark chocolate tasting. Learn about the health benefits of dark chocolate. Use #NationalDarkChocolateDay on social media.

DOVE PROMISES Valentine’s Day Individually Wrapped Dark Chocolate Candy Assortment, 15.8 oz Bag

BROOKSIDE Dark Chocolate, Acai and Blueberry Flavored Snacking Chocolate Bag, 21 oz

ChocZero 92% Cocoa Ultimate Dark Chocolate – Sugar Free, Low Carb, All Natural – Keto Friendly (48 Bars – 19.2 Ounce Tin)

Lindt LINDOR Assorted Dark Chocolate Candy Truffles, Assorted Chocolate with Smooth, Melting Truffle Center, 15.2 oz. Bag

NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY

January 8, 2026December 18, 2025Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

Across the country on January 9th each year, citizens take the lead to show support on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.

Law Enforcement Officers of every rank and file have chosen a profession that puts their life on the line every day for their communities. They’ve answered a call to public service that is demanding and often unappreciated.

From local, state, and federal, their duties command dedication. The jobs are often thankless and take them away from their families for long hours. Rarely do they know what their days have in store for them. Often law enforcement are the only paid emergency resource a community has. More often they work in coordination with other local, state, and federal organizations to make communities safer.

On National Law Enforcement Day, we have an opportunity to thank them for their service and offer a token of respect.

Thank You for Your Service Police Officer Prayer Challenge Coin Appreciation Service Military Coins God Bless The Police#NationalLawEnforcementAppreciationDay — Thank You for Your Service Police Officer Prayer Challenge Coin Appreciation Service Military Coins God Bless The Police

25 Police LEO Appreciation Thank You Tags - Thin Blue Line#NationalLawEnforcementAppreciationDay — Thank You for Your Service Police Officer Prayer Challenge Coin Appreciation Service Military Coins God Bless The Police

NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY HISTORY

Several organizations came together to create National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in 2015 to thank officers across the country for all the daily sacrifices they make for their communities. Some of the organizations supporting the observance include:

Concerns of Police Survivors
FBI National Academy Associates
Fraternal Order of Police
International Association of Chief of Police
Officer Down Memorial Page
Law Enforcement United
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
International Conference of Police Chaplains
National Troopers Coalition

Since then the inaugural celebration, nationwide many more organizations have joined forces to support National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (L.E.A.D.) to spread encouragement and respect to these dedicated men and women.

HOW TO OBSERVE #LawEnforcementAppreciationDay

There are several ways to show your support. Send a note of thanks to your local, county or state police agency. Wear blue, turn your social media channels blue or shine a blue porch light to show your support. Find more ideas at Concerns of Police Survivors and share your support using #NationalLawEnforcementAppreciationDay to share on social media.

Personalized Police Gifts for Men - Wood Phone Docking Station, Nightstand Organizer, Gift Ideas for Special Anniversary, Birthday, Wedding, Father's Day, Christmas#NationalLawEnforcementAppreciationDay — Personalized Police Gifts for Men – Wood Phone Docking Station, Nightstand Organizer, Gift Ideas for Special Anniversary, Birthday, Wedding, Father’s Day, Christmas

JENVIO Thin Blue Line Police Tumbler | Stainless Steel Travel Mug Including 2 Lids 2 Straws Gift Box for Coffee Cup | Correctional for Him | Cops Officer Christmas Gift#NationalLawEnforcementAppreciationDay — Personalized Police Gifts for Men – Wood Phone Docking Station, Nightstand Organizer, Gift Ideas for Special Anniversary, Birthday, Wedding, Father’s Day, Christmas

UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS MONTH

November 30, 2025November 30, 2025Jensperspectiveblog 4 Comments

Universal Human Rights Month is an annual designation observed in December. This month and every month to follow, people all across the globe are encouraged to come together and stand up for equality, justice, and the dignity of all humans. December is a time to honor the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, an international document stating the basic rights and fundamental freedoms to which all human beings are entitled. These rights include freedom from discrimination, the right to equality, and the right to be considered innocent until proven guilty.

HISTORY

The Universal Month for Human Rights started in 1948 when the United Nations wrote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

HOW TO OBSERVE

This December, take a little time out of your schedule to educate yourself. If another culture makes you anxious or apprehensive, learn more about their history and why they do things the way they do. Chances are, it’ll humanize them and help you understand that they aren’t people to be “afraid” of, or to dislike. This month, you can also:

Read a book about the Declaration of Human rights, or about human rights in general
Spread the word on social media
Go out of your way to treat everyone with respect, kindness, and equality
Teach others about why human rights for everyone are so important

Use #UniversalHumanRights, #HumanRights, and #StandUp4HumanRights to post on social media. The Dignity & Respect Campaign says the best way we can celebrate Universal Human Rights Month is by working to find common ground with those around us who may not have the same background as we do. Their advice is to remember that we were all born into the same world, we are all humans, and our different races, religions, beliefs, and cultures shouldn’t divide us.

uman Rights Month Shirt - Universal Human Rights Month Zip Hoodie
#UniversalHumanRights — uman Rights Month Shirt – Universal Human Rights Month Zip Hoodie

Human Rights Month Shirt - Universal Human Rights Month Tote Bag#UniversalHumanRights — uman Rights Month Shirt – Universal Human Rights Month Zip Hoodie

Bittersweet CHOCOLATE WITH ALMONDS DAY

November 6, 2025November 6, 2025Jensperspectiveblog 16 Comments

On November 7th, National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day ushers in one of the more healthful ways to enjoy chocolate. Dark chocolate is chocolate liquor to which sugar, cocoa butter, and vanilla have been added. It has less sugar and more liquor than semisweet chocolate. However, the two of them may be interchangeable when baking.

Recent studies reveal health benefits from eating small quantities of Dark chocolate. The addition of almonds increases health benefits as well. Pairing the two of them gives us a delicious and healthy snack. Make them a part of your lunch or enjoy them as part of an afternoon snack.

In 1742, Eliza Smith included the only chocolate recipe in her cookbook, The Compleat Housewife, printed by William Parks. The simple recipe combined grated chocolate, orange flower water, and sugar. But, no almonds.

However, plenty of recipes include almonds and chocolate. You only need to know where to look. When combining chocolate and almonds, remember that both keep well, too. So, sharing during the holidays is easy. Make a little or a lot of a recipe to spread the holiday cheer when using dark chocolate with almonds.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE WITH ALMONDS DAY HISTORY

The National Confectioners Association sponsors Bittersweet Chocolate With Almonds Day.

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE #BittersweetChocolateWithAlmondsDay

Chocolate and almonds can improve just about any day. Try one of the recipes below or one of your favorites to celebrate. Make enough to share or invite friends to get creative with chocolate recipes in your kitchen. Are you looking for other ways to add chocolate and almonds to your day? Here are some ideas to share:

Top your oatmeal with some chopped dark chocolate and almonds. It will add crunch and flavor.
Make up some granola for a mid-snack using chocolate and almonds.
Roll up some delicious energy bites with these two amazing ingredients and put them in the freezer for a quick and easy craving quencher.
Enjoy them separately! Add dark chocolate to your morning coffee, and top your salad with almonds. You might be missing the “with” but we won’t tell.

While you are celebrating, be sure to use #BittersweetChocolateWithAlmondsDay to post on social media.

60% Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds, 2.2 lb

Cocoa Dusted Almonds Halves – 16 OZ Bag – Healthy Snacks for Adults – High Protein Snacks – Cocoa Chocolate Covered Almonds – Almonds Covered in Cocoa Bulk – Queen Jax – Flavored Almonds

Lindt LINDOR Almond Butter Milk Chocolate Candy Truffles, Milk Chocolate With Almond Butter, 5.1 oz. Bag

Blue Diamond Almonds Oven Roasted Dark Chocolate Flavored Snack Nuts, 14 Oz Resealable Bag

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE DAY

October 27, 2025September 13, 2025Jensperspectiveblog 1 Comment

National Chocolate Day, on October 28th, recognizes one of the world’s favorite tastes. While many specific chocolate-related holidays exist throughout the year, National Chocolate Day celebrates all things chocolate.

Chocolate earns its day of honor by being America’s favorite flavor. (Some sources designate July 7 or December 28 as Chocolate Day or International Chocolate Day.)

Everything Chocolate: A Decadent Collection of Morning Pastries, Nostalgic Sweets, and Showstopping Desserts

Ah! 150 Yummy Chocolate Candy Recipes: A Yummy Chocolate Candy Cookbook You Will Love

Chocolate 365: Enjoy 365 Days With Amazing Chocolate Recipes In Your Own Chocolate Cookbook

The Ghirardelli Chocolate Cookbook: Recipes and History from America’s Premier Chocolate Maker

How is chocolate made?

Chocolate comes from the seed of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree. Humans have been cultivating cacao for at least three millennia. The plant grows in Mexico, Central America, and Northern South America. Historians document the earliest known use of cacao seeds at around 1100 BC.

The intense, bitter taste of cocoa requires the bean to be fermented to develop the flavor. Research suggests that chocolate, when eaten in moderation, can lower blood pressure.

Once fermented, the beans are dried, cleaned, and roasted. After roasting, the shell is removed to produce cacao nibs. The cacao nibs are then ground into cocoa mass, which is pure chocolate in rough form. The cocoa mass is usually liquefied then molded with or without other ingredients. At this point in the process, it is called chocolate liquor. The chocolate liquor may then be processed into two components: cocoa solids and cocoa butter.

Unsweetened baking chocolate – cocoa solids and cocoa butter in varying proportions.
Sweet chocolate – cocoa solids, cocoa butter or other fat and sugar.
Milk chocolate – sweet chocolate with milk powder or condensed milk.
White chocolate – cocoa butter, sugar, and milk but no cocoa solids.

Chocolate is a good gift. You can give a variety of chocolate, too. That way you’re more likely to give someone their favorite kind. However, please remember to not give dark or milk chocolate to someone who is allergic to it. White chocolate is the safer option.

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE DAY HISTORY

National Confectioners Association created National Chocolate Day

Chocolate celebrations include…

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CHOCOLATE DAY

Visit your favorite restaurant and indulge in a delicious chocolate dessert. Another idea is to host a chocolate tasting party. Invite friends to bring their best chocolate recipes to share.

Use #NationalChocolateDay to post on social media.