NATIONAL GUACAMOLE DAY

National Guacamole Day on September 16 brings fresh flavors together for the perfect celebration. What a great way to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month!

Avocados shine as the star of this dip! Lime juice, tomatoes, onion, and seasonings make guacamole a guilt-free addition to any snack or meal.

Since avocados fall under the superfood category, feel free to indulge. Packed full of good fats and nutrients, along with the fresh taste of lime and hint of spice, the dip is flavorful. It’s easy to make, too. Take it to work or use it for a party dish.

Guacamole is versatile, too. For example, add it as a topping on a quesadilla or even add it to a salad. Of course, the simplest way to enjoy is by dipping your favorite tortilla chip.

Originating with the Aztecs in Mexico, guacamole is an avocado-based sauce that has become popular in American cuisine as a dip, condiment, and salad ingredient. 

Using a mortar and pestle, mash ripe avocados and then mixing in sea salt.  Beyond the tomatoes, onion, garlic, and lemon juice, hot sauce, yogurt or other seasonings can be added.  If a celebration calls for spicier guacamole, add jalapenos, chilis, cumin, or red pepper. 

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalGuacamoleDay

Mix up your favorite recipe for guacamole. Go to your favorite restaurant and order some fresh guacamole. While there, give a shout out to the restaurants with the best guacamole around.  Be sure to invite friends. As we say around here, why #CelebrateEveryDay if you don’t do it with friends? Share your recipes and find the best combination. Use #NationalGuacamoleDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL FAJITA DAY

On August 18th, National Fajita Day recognizes the sizzling deliciousness of the savory Tex-Mex flavor found in fajitas.

In the early 1930s, Mexican vaqueros in Southwest Texas developed what we’ve grown to love all over the United States. Using throwaway cuts of beef, they developed the fajita. However, it wasn’t long before they became a staple in the region. These cowboys cooked the steak over an open fire or grill. Once cooked, they served it with flour or corn tortillas. In later years, fresh Pico de gallo, guacamole, and southwestern spices elevated the fajita. Soon the convenient meal for hardworking cowboys made an introduction to new audiences. The fajita became a destination food in the culinary world.

As their popularity grew, fajitas added a colorful flair to Tex-Mex menus. Sizzling platters full of bright peppers, onions, and a mouthwatering aroma delighted patrons. Menu choices beyond tender steak also broadened the fajita spectrum. Sweet shrimp, lean chicken, or pork with freshly made tortillas arrived at tables with fanfare. By the 1980s, most Mexican restaurants in the United States served fajitas. In the modern culinary kitchen, lime, cilantro and a plethora of vegetables find their way into a fajita, too. Add to that the perfect seasonings and mouths really begin to water!

Another flavor boost comes from grilling with mesquite. It adds a smoky flavor and bacon adds crunch. Of course, who could forget the cheese? With their festive presentations, fajitas continue to be enjoyed today. The fajita has come a long way from skirt steak trimmings!

NATIONAL FAJITA DAY HISTORY

On the Border LOGO

In 2016, On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina founded National Fajita Day to celebrate the sizzling Tex-Mex flavor of the fajita!

About On The Border

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina is the world’s largest Mexican casual dining brand. They offer an extensive menu of great-tasting, classic, and contemporary Mexican food. When you visit, enjoy sizzling mesquite-grilled fajitas, and Margaritas as big and bold as the border itself. On The Border is owned by Border Holdings, LLC, with more than 150 restaurants in 34 states, Puerto Rico, Asia, and the Middle East. Follow and like On The Border on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OnTheBorderMexicanGrillandCantina and @ontheborder on Twitter. For more information, visit www.ontheborder.com.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFajitaDay

While you’re celebrating the day, invite a friend to join you for these flavorful entrees! Whether you prefer shrimp, steak or chicken, there’s a fajita for you. Pick your favorite from all the amazing flavors, and don’t forget to use #NationalFajitaDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL PICNIC MONTH

July is an excellent time for National Picnic Month. The fresh air stirs the appetite, and garden vegetables and fruits make outdoor eating easier.

Picnics hearken back to mid-18th-century al fresco French dining. A bottle of wine, a loaf of bread, some cheese and fruit made for an instant meal under the sky. The word picnic is derived from the French word piquenique.

Extra Large Picnic & Outdoor Blanket Dual Layers for Outdoor Water-Resistant Handy Mat Tote Spring Summer Blue and White Striped Great for The Beach,Camping on Grass Waterproof Sandproof (SC-CM-01)

by Scuddles
Extra Large Picnic & Outdoor Blanket Dual Layers for Outdoor Water-Resistant Handy Mat Tote Spring Summer Blue and White Striped Great for The Beach,Camping on Grass Waterproof Sandproof (SC-CM-01)

by Scuddles

Whether we pack meals for tailgating at sporting events, an afternoon get-away or a weekend of camping, picnics provide an excellent way to enjoy the company of friends and family away from home.

Tirrinia Large Insulated Picnic Basket, 26L Leakproof Collapsible Portable Cooler Basket Set with Aluminium Handle for Travel, Shopping, Camping, Attach with a Free Foldable Grocery Bag, Blue

by Tirrinia
Tirrinia Large Insulated Picnic Basket, 26L Leakproof Collapsible Portable Cooler Basket Set with Aluminium Handle for Travel, Shopping, Camping, Attach with a Free Foldable Grocery Bag, Blue

by Tirrinia

It’s important to keep the meals simple and focus on the company. Sandwiches, finger foods, and beverages may seem plain, but it’s more about spending time with each other and being in nature.

apollo walker Picnic Backpack Bag for 2 Person with Cooler Compartment, Detachable Bottle/Wine Holder, Fleece Blanket, Plates and Cutlery (Blue)

by apollo walker
apollo walker Picnic Backpack Bag for 2 Person with Cooler Compartment, Detachable Bottle/Wine Holder, Fleece Blanket, Plates and Cutlery (Blue)

by apollo walker

HISTORY

The American Bakers’ Association founded National Picnic Month in 1952.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

Pack up the picnic basket and head out to your favorite park. Bring juice, wine, fruit, cheese, bread and some smoked meats and you’re all set. Use #NationalPicnicMonth to share on social media.

NATIONAL MOVIE NIGHT

Pop some popcorn, grab a blanket and your favorite buddy, put away the cell phones and tablets, and then queue up a string of movies for a fun night of entertainment. National Movie Night on the second Friday in June encourages us to start (or restart) a tradition of movie nights with friends and family.

Movies have been bringing people together for over 100 years. The stars, the stories entertain us, connect us and help us create memories. As technology evolves, so does how we enjoy our movie nights. From the theater to reel-to-reel home movies, the VCR, DVD, and streaming, we’ve been enjoying movies on big and small screens. Drive-in movies invited us to enjoy films from the comfort of our cars. Today, our video library is as large as we want it to be thanks to streaming services. We can even enjoy movies in our own backyards projected onto screens under the stars.

Can you smell the popcorn popping? Start your tradition with friends and family on National Movie Night with new and classic movies at the theatre or in your homes.

Jennifer and Jayda Borget, a mother-daughter duo fluent in movie quotes and authors of the Family Movie Night Journal, founded National Movie Night to create an opportunity to bring new and old movie night traditions to life. Be prepared to laugh, cry or cringe, but most importantly, to make memories! Need a list of suggestions for National Movie Night? This list at movienightjournal.com will get you started.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalMovieNight

What movie will you watch and who will you invite for National Movie Night? There are so many ways to start a movie tradition:

  • Make a movie night bucket list.
  • Share your favorite movie quotes.
  • Create a group with people who love movies. Plan to celebrate with a night out at the movie theatre.
  • Host a movie night in with the family. Pick a film the whole family will enjoy.
  • Invite friends and family for a movie night BBQ. Hang a sheet or screen to project the movie onto. Wait for it to get dark and then let the entertainment begin.
  • Load up the car and head to the nearest drive-in movie theatre.
  • Create a buffet of your favorite movie snacks and beverages for everyone to enjoy.
  • Ask everyone to write a review and deliver it in their best critic voice.
  • Invite everyone to dress in their red-carpet best for movie premieres and go to the movies in style.

Don’t forget to share your movie night traditions. Use #NationalMovieNight to share your celebration on social media and follow @movienightjournal. Sit back, hit play, and enjoy the show!