SPANISH PAELLA DAY

March 27th is the annual observance of National Spanish Paella Day.  A rice dish from Spain, paella has become very popular and is known around the world.  It originated in its modern form in the mid-19th century in Valencia, on the east coast of Spain.

At lunchtime, workers in the fields would make the rice dish in a flat pan over a fire. They mixed in whatever they could find – such as rabbits, snails, and vegetables. Later, for special occasions, chicken was added. Paella has spread to every region of Spain, as well as worldwide, using almost any type of ingredient that goes well with rice.

There are many versions of recipes of paella.  Key ingredients are saffron and olive oil. Saffron is an essential spice that also turns the rice a beautiful golden color.

This is a great dish to share with family and friends. Try it as an alternative menu to a shrimp or crawfish boil. An interesting backyard barbecue, or a great reason to have a party. In our family we all bring ingredients and make it together.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #SpanishPaellaDay

Master this Spanish rice dish and share it with family and friends. We’ve provided a few versions for you to try, too!

Vegetarian Paella
Classic Seafood Paella
Easy Paella

Use #SpanishPaellaDay to post on social media.

WORLD KIDNEY DAY

World Kidney Day on the second Thursday in March sets out each year to create increased awareness about kidney care.

Our kidneys are vital to our everyday health, and many health issues contribute to Chronic Kidney Disease. Preventative measures help to reduce our risks and improve outcomes.

Several health conditions impact our kidneys. These are just a few:

  • Diabetes is one of the leading causes of kidney failure.
  • High blood pressure weakens blood vessels, including the ones in the kidneys.
  • High Cholesterol impacts how well the kidneys work and can also lead to high blood pressure and diabetes.
  • Anorexia Nervosa causes chronic kidney disease due to the lack of a healthy balance of water, electrolytes, and salt in the body.
  • Lupus causes your immune system to attack parts of your body. It sometimes impacts the kidneys, too.
  • Polycystic Kidney Disease causes cysts to grow inside the kidneys.

Early Chronic Kidney Disease usually has no symptoms, so early detection is essential. Educating medical professionals, identifying high-risk populations, and increasing donor programs are some of the key objectives of reducing Chronic Kidney Disease.

In 2022 I was rushed to the emergency room with kidney stones I didn’t even know I had. Today I am happy to say I had the stones on the left surgically removed. In the process I learned to take better care of myself and my kidneys. I did such a good job I ended up not needing surgery on the right. My urologist gave me a clean bill of health and encouragement to keep them that way.

WORLD KIDNEY DAY HISTORY

In 2006, the International Federation of Kidney Foundations created World Kidney Day to raise awareness and increase educational opportunities regarding kidney diseases and prevention.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #WorldKidneyDay

We all need to take care of our own health, but it is important to be supportive of others, too. Check out ways you can do both.

  • If you’re on a medication regimen that requires testing of your kidney function on a regular schedule, be sure to follow your physician’s instructions.
  • Learn about conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, that increase the risk for Chronic Kidney Disease.
  • Find out if kidney diseases run in your family and update your medical records with your family physician.
  • Volunteer to support those receiving dialysis.
  • Attend a seminar or screening at a local clinic.
  • Learn about donor programs and consider becoming a donor.
  • Learn more by visiting www.worldkidneyday.org

NATIONAL KIDNEY MONTH

National Kidney Month during March is a reminder to give our kidneys a check up. 1 in 3 Americans are at high risk for kidney disease because of diabetes, high blood pressure, or family history of kidney failure. On top of that, 30 million Americans already have kidney disease, and many of them are not aware of it because symptoms usually don’t show until the disease has progressed.

Our kidneys are crucial for 3 main reasons. They regulate water, they remove waste and regulate minerals, and they produce hormones. Located in our lower back, these two hard-working organs also filter 200 liters of blood a day! Keeping our kidneys healthy is vital to a long and productive life.

HISTORY

National Kidney Foundation supports National Kidney Month.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

Learn more about caring for your kidneys at www.kidney.org and use #NationalKidneyMonth to share on social media. Schedule a checkup, and learn what symptoms to keep an eye out for to know if your kidneys are starting to fail or become infected. Here’s what else you can do this month to protect your kidneys:

  1. Control your blood pressure (and diabetes if you have it.) These are the two leading causes of kidney disease and kidney failure.
  2. Exercise often. Regular exercise keeps your kidneys healthy by keeping things moving and controlling blood pressure.
  3. Cut out processed foods. They tend to be big sources of sodium, nitrates, and phosphates, and they’ve been linked to kidney disease.
  4. Try to reduce over the counter pain medicines. They may help with aches and pains, but they can greatly damage your kidneys.

NATIONAL GAZPACHO DAY

National Gazpacho Day, on December 6th, recognizes a flavorful soup that cooks serve cold. Gazpacho is typically a tomato-based vegetable soup. Originating in the southern Spanish region of Andalucia, Gazpacho is widely consumed in Spanish cuisine, usually during the summer months.

The original Spanish recipe includes stale bread, tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Other ingredients include olive oil, wine, vinegar, water, and salt.

Following is the typical method of preparing gazpacho:

  • Washing vegetables
  • Peeling tomatoes, garlic, and onions.
  • Chop all vegetables (traditionally pounded with mortar) and process in a food processor.
  • Add the soaked bread.
  • Blend part of the processed contents until liquid, depending on desired consistency.
  • Blend in chilled water, olive oil, vinegar, and salt to taste.
  • Add remaining processed ingredients.
  • Garnish as desired.

Gazpacho offers cooks many modern variations. Abundant fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs make a delicious gazpacho, too. Consider using ingredients such as avocados, cucumbers, parsley, watermelon, or grapes. However, recipes offer meat stock and seafood varieties for gazpacho, too. Don’t hesitate to try something new. If the grocery offers something fresh on special, look for a recipe that will get you experimenting. You won’t regret trying something fresh, especially in the fall or winter. Your palate will thank you for the fresh spices, herbs, and vegetables.

Even though we serve gazpacho cold, some recipes call for a cooked broth. When the gazpacho is too warm, sometimes ice cubes are added. 

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalGazpachoDay

Try this refreshing soup to change up your menu. Share your favorite recipes or find a variety of options online. Enjoy this Traditional Gazpacho recipe from foodal.com. We also have a delicious Garlic Gazpacho for you to try. You don’t want to miss out on that!

Use #NationalGazpachoDay to post on social media.