Late May Midway
May 21st is International Tea Day!
This day aims to raise awareness of the long history and the deep cultural and economic significance of tea around the world! It’s supposed to promote and foster collective actions to implement activities in favor of sustainable production and consumption of tea and raise awareness of it’s importance in fighting hunger and poverty worldwide!
May 17th is Cherry Cobbler and Walnut Day!
Cherry cobbler is delicious (any cobbler is, let’s be honest!)! You can celebrate this day with a delicious cobbler full of cherries and other fruits (Here’s an Easy Cherry Cobbler recipe) or by trying to make cobbler in a new way (Cherry Cobbler Muffins anyone?)
We can’t forget about Walnut Day, either! Walnuts are an incredible tree nut with some impressive qualities that can improve your health! They are:
Rich in antioxidants (like cherries!)
A great source of Omega 3s (higher than any other nut!)
Can decrease inflammation!
Promote healthy gut activity and digestion
May reduce risk of some cancers (Breast, prostate and colorectal have been studied with this as a factor)
Support weight control
May help manage type 2 diabetes and lower your risk by balancing blood sugars!
May help lower blood pressure in people with hypertension or those under stress!
Support healthy aging and brain function!
Be careful as you enjoy walnuts make sure you are aware that they are treenuts and many folks have allergies to them!
May 20th is Pick Strawberries Day and May 21st is Strawberries and Cream Day!
What a perfect coincidence that these two holidays would follow each other, huh? Take some time these two days to appreciate the fleeting taste of strawberries as they pass in and out of peak season quickly! Strawberries and cream is a perfect way to enjoy their flavors and a traditional English dessert with some afternoon tea! There are many different recipes for this delicious snack ranging from English to Mexican versions, so make sure you explore some new things on this day or just kick back with some fresh strawberries and bask in the coming summer weather!
May 22nd is Vanilla pudding day!
I’m not saying that these three holidays were practically meant to be but if you celebrated pick strawberries day and then strawberries and cream day, why NOT celebrate vanilla pudding day by adding some more of your fresh picked berries? There are so many recipes for vanilla pudding ranging from simple Homemade puddings to those that incorporate vanilla pudding into other dishes (Here’s 42 Recipes with Boxed Pudding). Try your hand at enjoying this delightful snack today!
May 24th is Asparagus Day!
Ah the oft forgotten unsung veggie hero! Asparagus has a million ways to prepare it, add it and enjoy it as well as a huge range of health benefits. They’re low calorie (if you’re concerned with that), relatively high protein for a vegetable (2.2 grams/serving) and is a great source of vitamins and minerals. It’s high in antioxidants to combat blood pressure, inflammation and hypertension. Asparagus is full of fiber which can be great for digestion and for those folks who are pregnant or considering having a child it’s a great source of folate which is necessary for healthy development!
May 25th is Brown Bag It Day!
You may remember as a kid in school getting that brown paper bag sac lunch on a field trip or maybe your guardians packed it for you? Yeah, it takes you back to simpler times. Well this holiday is here to remind you of why brown bagging your lunch and bringing it with you can be an important step in not only helping your wallet but also helping promote and support your own health!
Brown bagging your lunch today can help you be more responsible with what you’re taking with you from fruits to veggies to the humble sandwich and protein bar. A thermos can also be used to take warm foods along and keep them warm enough to enjoy during your break times! It allows you to control your portions, decrease waste (if you’re utilizing Sustainable Lunch Plans and reusable containers/utensils), save money and it can help you really look at what it takes to keep you full and satisfied throughout the day! Experiment with new things, try different combinations and enjoy your brown bag lunches today (and maybe every day after!)
Not much has changed in produce but here’s a list in case you missed Early May’s produce seasonality:
Apples
Arugala
Asparagus
Cabbage
Chard
Chives
Cilantro
Collard Greens
Fava Beans
Fiddleheads
Garlic Scapes
Green Onions
Lamb’s Quarters
Lettuce
Mint
Morels
Mushrooms
Nettles
Onions
Oregano
Parsley
Parsnips
Pea Shoots
Peas
Purslane
Radishes
Ramps
Rapini
Rhubarb
Rosemary
Sage
Sorrel
Spinach
Sprouts
Tarragon
Thyme
Tomatoes
Watercress