Tag Archives: January Holidays

International Hot and Spicy Food Day

OR-3-10-1710January 16 is International Hot and Spicy Food Day! Today is a red-hot day on the holiday calendar. It celebrates all foods that make your tongue burn, make your eyes water, and maybe even cause little beads of sweat to form on your forehead. Whether you’re a fan of super spicy salsa, confoundingly hot curry,  or jambalaya jam-packed with fiery flavor, today is best served with a side of heat.

Archaeologists have proven that humans have been using hot spices in recipes for over 6,000 years. Christopher Columbus discovered chili peppers in 1493 after he “discovered” America. The chemical in chili peppers that makes them hot is called capsaicin. The capsaicin oil is measured and diluted to determine the amount of “heat” in peppers and give it a place on the Scoville scale. Currently, the pepper which is highest on the Scoville scale, and thus the hottest, is called the Carolina Reaper, which is 300 times hotter than the average jalapeño pepper. People who have a palette capable of handling this kind of heat on a regular basis are known as “pyro-gourmaniacs.”

PrintHot spices are used the world over to give food that flavorful kick. Not only are spicy foods tasty, but they can also be beneficial to your health due to their medicinal and antimicrobial properties. Chiles, onions, garlic, oregeno, and allspice are known to kill bacteria and make food safer to consume.

Even if you’re not the type of person who likes to put your taste buds into a state of shock, you can still enjoy today by adding a touch of heat to whatever you’re eating. If the heat may become too much for you to handle, make sure to keep a glass of milk or some yogurt handy. While drinking tons of water is usually people’s immediate reaction to foods that are too spicy, doing this will only cause the spicy oils to be dispersed around your mouth because the oil in chili peppers will not mix with the water like milk will.

Whether you’re ready to go all-out on spicy foods today or just enjoy a small amount of spiciness on the side, make sure to add some heat to your meals today!

Sources: Punchbowl, Foodimentary, Days of the Year

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National Hat Day




Isabella Blow wearing an elaborate hat designed by Philip Treacy.

Isabella Blow wearing an elaborate hat designed by Philip Treacy.




Sources: Wikipedia, World’s Special Days, KTBS.com

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Make Your Dream Come True Day

dream1January 13 is Make Your Dream Come True Day! Along with the new year comes a new batch of resolutions, goals, wishes, and dreams we set out for ourselves. Today is a day dedicated to putting in motion whatever you need to in order to make your life dreams come true.

Dreams will forever stay your dreams unless you take some sort of action to make them become reality. Are you following the career path you want to be? Do you want to travel more? Perhaps you would like to move somewhere new? Is there something you have always wanted to do, but have never gotten around to it? Seize the day! Get yourself into gear, and push forward into the new year, fulfilling your desires and making yourself truly happy.

dream2To celebrate today and start following the path you believe you are meant for, we’ve compiled a list to get you started:

  • Create a dream list or board. Your dreams will begin to feel more real and achievable if you get them out of your head and physically put them down on paper. If you have something visual to remind you of your dreams every day, they are more likely to come true.
  • Make a plan. Outline the path you need to take in order to reach your goals. Plan out steps. Break everything down and put together a timeline. If you figure out what steps you need to take in order to reach your dreams, getting there will be a lot easier!
  • Don’t be pessimistic. If you have a dream, you can attain it. Don’t let negativity creep into your thoughts. Share your dreams with people who will support you, and keep clear of naysayers who may have you second guessing yourself and your goals.
  • Find a mentor. It is likely that there is someone in the world who has or had dreams similar to yours. Look up to them and take their advice for attaining what you want out of life. We advise you to not completely follow in their footsteps though, make your dream your own, and find your own way of getting there using tips from those you admire.
  • Inspire others. Everyone has dreams, and by following yours, you can inspire others to do the same. Supporting others, and having them support you, will give you (and them) the energy and empowerment to follow your heart.

Whatever your dreams are, they are reachable as long as you believe in yourself and push yourself to make them happen!

Sources: Work Smart. Live Smart., Bubblews, World’s Special Days

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Hot Toddy Day

hot toddyJanuary 11 is Hot Toddy Day! Not familiar with hot toddies? They’re a hot alcoholic beverage typically containing honey, lemon, hot water, and whatever spirit you’d like! The most commonly used are whiskey, brandy, and dark rum.

The hot toddy is thought to have originated in Scotland sometime in the 18th century. It makes perfect sense that this warm delicious drink was invented in a country who experiences cold and damp weather throughout most of the year. Historians speculate that the recipe came about to mask the taste of Scotch whiskey to make it easier to drink. Women in the 18th century apparently weren’t very fond of the smokey, peat flavor of Scotch. The word “toddy” is thought to have come from “Todd’s Well” or Todian Spring, Edinburgh’s main water source.

Not only are hot toddies great for warming you up on a cold winter day, but they have become a popular remedy for cold and flu symptoms as well.

We’ve put together a list of hot toddy recipes for you to make in celebration of today!

Sources: Punchbowl, Grocery Headquarters

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Old Rock Day






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Cuddle Up Day





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National Spaghetti Day

esq-spaghetti-sauce-0412-lgJanuary 4 is National Spaghetti Day! Spaghetti is a long, thin, cylindrical form of pasta, usually topped with tomato sauce, Parmesan cheese, and often with vegetables or meat added to it.

Though the origin of spaghetti is debatable, the first recorded incidence of boiled noodles being prepared was in the Jerusalem Talmud, suggesting that Arabs created the food in the 5th century. Spaghetti noodles in the form we know them today have been traced back to Sicily in the 12th century when Sicilians first created the long string-like pasta. The word spaghetti comes from the Italian word spaghetto and it literally translates to “little strings.” Pasta popularity spread throughout the rest of Italy in 19th century when pasta factories began to open up across the country, allowing for mass production. Spaghetti was first served in the United States in the late 19th century, appearing on menus as Spaghetti Italienne, a dish likely served with a mild tomato sauce and simple spices and vegetables like clove, bay leaves, and garlic. Soon after its introduction to the United States, canned versions of the dish were produced along with spaghetti kits, making it easy to prepare and readily available to everyone. This simplification of this already simple meal has made it a staple dish in American diets.

"Touched by His Noodly Appendage," a parody of Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam, is an iconic image of the Flying Spaghetti Monster by Arne Niklas Jansson.

“Touched by His Noodly Appendage,” a parody of Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam, is an iconic image of the Flying Spaghetti Monster by Arne Niklas Jansson.

Spaghetti has become such a significant meal, that many pop culture references have been made about the pasta dish. Famous Italian actress Sophia Loren was once quoted attributing her success to the dish saying, “Everything you see, I owe to spaghetti.” In March 2010, the Guinness World Record for world’s largest serving of spaghetti was made at Buca Di Beppo’s Garden Grove in California when they filled a swimming pool with 13,780 pounds of spaghetti. Spaghetti was also a part of one of the biggest April Fool’s pranks ever pulled when the BBC convinced many of their viewers that spaghetti noodles grew on trees. Also, lest we forget about the Flying Spaghetti Monster? This guy’s got an entire religious movement centered around him.

Looking for the perfect recipe to celebrate today with? We’ve got you covered:

Sources: Wikipedia, Punchbowl, Seamless

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Festival of Sleep





Happy Festival of Zzzzzzzz…

Sources: Holiday Insights, Sleep Compass, Wiki How

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Cream Puff Day

cream puffJanuary 2 is Cream Puff Day! Cream puffs are small puffy pastry desserts filled with cream. Though the origin of cream puffs are not specifically known, they are thought to have originated in France in the 1500s, and were first found on American menus in the 1800s.

The dough used to make cream puffs is called pâte à choux, and it is made differently than other dough. Instead of being made in a mixer, pâte à choux is made by adding flour to boiled water and butter. It is then cooked at a high temperature until you get hollow balls of dough. Another popular dessert made using pâte à choux is beignets. Unlike beignets however, cream puffs are baked rather than fried. After the puffed balls of dough are taken out of the oven, they are cut in half to let steam that has collected inside out. If the puffs are not cut, they will deflate when cooling. The filling is then sandwiched between the two puffed halves. Cream puffs are often filled with whipped cream, pastry cream, and sometimes even ice cream! Some enjoy their cream puffs with nothing on top, while others prefer to top them with powdered sugar, chocolate, caramel, or whatever delightful sweet topping comes to mind.

Though it is up for debate, it is thought that cream puffs got their start in France in the 1540s when the pastry chef of Catherine de Medici first created the puffed treats for Medici’s husband, Henry II of France. The dessert first appeared on American menus in 1851.

We’ve gathered up some tasty cream puffs recipes for you to try out today in celebration of this delicious dessert’s day:

Happy Cream Puff Day!

Sources: Punchbowl, CNN’s Eatocracy, Examiner.com, National Day Calendar


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Inspire Your Heart with Art Day

January 31 is Inspire Your Heart with Art Day!



Check out some of our amazing art calendars!

Sources: Holiday Insights, Bendo13

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