NATIONAL EAT YOUR BEANS DAY

National Eat Your Beans Day is a “live healthy” holiday observed every year on July 3rd. This day celebrates the bean vegetable in all sizes, shapes, and colors. Beans (legumes) date back to the early seventh millennium BCE, making them one of the longest-cultivated plants. 

As they were seven millennia ago, today, beans are a significant source of protein. If you’re looking for complex carbohydrates, folate, fiber, and iron, eat some beans. They are excellent sources for each of those. A very healthy choice for any meal or snack, they are also an excellent source of fiber, low in fat and high in complex carbohydrates, folate, and iron.

  • There are approximately 40,000 bean varieties in the world.
  • Only a fraction of these varieties are mass-produced for regular consumption.

Let’s Snack!

That’s a lot of beans! How do we know which ones to choose? Snacking on chickpeas provides us with one of the best choices. Also known as garbanzo beans, these legumes pack a whopping 12.5 grams of fiber, 71 % of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of folate, 84% RDI of Manganese, and 26% RDI of Iron per serving in 1 cup. Add chickpeas to stews like you would any bean. However, they also roast nicely with your favorite herbs and spices for a delicious and healthy snack.

Try this Hummus Recipe for a tasty treat snack or treat.   Pst… don’t tell anyone.  They’ll never believe something this good is also good for you.  If your pressed for time get the canned versions for chili’s, Stews, or even making hummus.  These will save you so much time when making weeknight meals.

Another tremendous snacking bean is the soybean. For more tips on bean varieties, visit www.medicalnewstoday.com.

With so many choices, celebrating with beans should be a delicious success!

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalEatYourBeansDay

Try some great recipes from our page.  Minestrone, White Chicken Chili, and Jens Easy Chili are favorites.  Use #NationalEatYourBeansDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL ORANGE BLOSSOM DAY

National Orange Blossom Day is observed annually on June 27th.  This day is set aside to enjoy Orange Blossoms for their aesthetic beauty.  Orange blossoms have been used in culinary dishes, desserts, and teas worldwide.  They add a slight citrus flavor to any dish!

Fragrant orange blossoms offer multiple health benefits when prepared correctly to make a tea or orange blossom water. Some of the advantages may include improved sleep, reduced anxiety and improved circulation.

Not surprisingly, the orange blossom is Florida’s state flower. Not only do the flowers result in the sweet as sunshine orange fruit, but thanks to the pollinating bees, we also get to enjoy a unique honey with a faintly orange flavor a delightful treat. The blossom’s scent goes into making perfumes and other fragrances for the home.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

Use #NationalOrangeBlossomDay to share on social media.

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National Mediterranean Diet Month

When it comes to flavor and health in one package, National Mediterranean Diet Month in May has us covered. From fresh herbs and vegetables to succulent seafood and wine, this cuisine satisfies.

One way to get the best out of a Mediterranean diet is to indulge in the whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables along with the healthy oils our bodies need. Olive and canola oils are rich in good cholesterol. Add fish and chicken to the menu and limit red meat to only a couple times a month and we’re well on our way to enjoying a Mediterranean lifestyle. Finish it off with a glass of red wine occasionally and plenty of exercise.

Oldways founded National Mediterranean Diet Month in 2008.

We actually combine Keto, Mediterranean and Carb Counted to get a healthy diet of flavors, and a lot of the dishes can be altered to this style of eating.  It keeps things so flavorful you probably won’t even realize you’re on a diet….

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HOW TO OBSERVE

Are you looking for a flavorful, easy to follow diet? The Mediterranean diet meets the guidelines for the food pyramid. Give it a try during May and you might find it a lifestyle changer. Use #MediterraneanDietMonth to share on social media.

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.