

Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
Inspire Your Heart with Art Day: Celebrating art is good for your heart
When it comes to holidays, Jan. 31 has a little something for everyone! Not only is it Scotch Tape Day, Backward Day, National Hot Chocolate Day, Brandy Alexander Day and Eat Brussels Sprouts Day, it is also Inspire Your Heart with Art Day! Hooray! While the origins of this annual "holiday" are unknown, Inspire Your Heart with Art Day celebrates art of all shapes, sizes and varieties. Whether it's a trip to a local museum, watching or acting in a play at the local theater or


Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
Scotch Tape Day: It's a Wrap
Double or single-sided, folks have been dispensing this sticky product since it was invented back in 1930. In case you’ve never heard of him, chances are pretty good you’ve used his products a time or two! Engineer Richard Gurley Drew found himself in a bit of a "sticky situation" when he invented a moisture-proof, transparent product first used by grocers, bakers and meat packers to seal cellophane wrap. January 31st is Scotch Tape Day! And not only did Drew develop the tran


Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
National Hot Chocolate Day
If your taste buds are screaming for a delicious sweet treat to warm you up on a cold winter's night, go grab your mug. Jan. 31 is National Hot Chocolate Day! This annual "holiday" celebrates the warm and creamy beverage we love to drink. While the terms hot chocolate and hot cocoa are often used interchangeably, hot chocolate is comfort in a cup no matter what you call it! Why not whip up one or two sinfully delicious tried-and-true or brand new hot chocolate recipes in hono


Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
Brandy Alexander Day
When it comes to unusual holidays, Jan. 31 is a biggy! Not only is it Scotch Tape Day, Backward Day and Inspire Your Heart with Art Day, it is also a great big food holiday. Jan. 31 also celebrates a much-maligned vegetable, a sinfully delicious drink and a creamy cocktail. It's also Eat Brussels Sprouts Day as well as National Hot Chocolate Day and (National) Brandy Alexander Day! Brandy Alexander Typically made with brandy, cream and creme de cacao, some believe the delicio
Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
Happy Backwards Day - Celebrate Jan. 31 in reverse!
If you are stuck in a rut or like to do things a bit differently than everyone else, today may just be your lucky day! Today is Backward Day, also referred to Backwards Day or yaD drawkcaB! Not to be confused with National Opposite Day, this annual event is celebrated every year on January 31. How to Celebrate Backwards Day Instead of waking up on the wrong side of the bed today, try waking up on the right side! While reading a book from cover-to-cover is always recommended,


Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
Eat Brussels Sprouts Day: Brussels Sprouts recipes that don't suck
Let's be honest. January 31 celebrates a vegetable that is not on everyone's favorite food list. It's Eat Brussels Sprouts Day, an annual food holiday that encourages folks to give Brussels sprouts a second, third or fourth chance. Brussels Sprouts Whether you love 'em or well, not so much, these miniature members of the cruciferous family are really good for you! High in protein, iron and potassium, Brussels sprouts also contain Vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants. In honor of


Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
National Croissant Day
Jan. 30 celebrates a type of delicious crescent-shaped pastry that can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and/or as a snack. It's National Croissant Day! While the origins of this food holiday are unknown, these buttery, savory and/or sweet treats are just plain fun to eat no matter what time of day or night it happens to be. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, these light and flaky treats are made with a special type of dough that is layered with butter


Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
National Inane Answering Message Day: Outgoing message tips that don't suck
If you've ever had to push 200 buttons to talk to an actual human being, endure blaring music, annoying background noises or long-winded messages when calling a friend, acquaintance or business, today is your lucky day! January 30 is National Inane Answering Message Day! This annual "holiday" was created by the folks at Wellcat to encourage folks to "change, shorten, replace or delete those ridiculous and/or annoying answering machine messages that waste the time of anyone wh


Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
Happy National Escape Day – Give me a break!
Are you feeling a little down in the dumps lately? Have those depressing winter blues set in? If you’re sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, well, no worries. Today is all about taking a well-deserved break from all the hassles and struggles of everyday life. January 30 is National Escape Day. Whether you escape to a tropical paradise or head to your nearest restroom to soak in some suds, today is all about taking a moment out of your hectic day to pamper the most s


Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
National Corn Chip Day
Have you heard the latest “scoop?” While yesterday was all about blueberry pancakes, today is all about chips. Corn chips, that is. Jan. 29 is National Corn Chip Day, not to be confused with National Tortilla Chip Day which is observed next month. These salty and crunchy treats have been gobbled up en masse since they were first “invented” by the folks at Fritos back in the day. According to the company website, C.E. “Elmer” Doolin was frustrated tortillas just didn’t stay fr


Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
Happy Curmudgeons Day: Best grumpy old men movies
Whether you work with one, live next door to one or happen to live with one, we all know one. January 29 is dedicated to all the Ebenezer Scrooges, Oscar the Grouches of the world. It's Curmudgeons Day, an annual event that actually celebrates the birthday of the legendary William Claude Dukenfield, also known as W.C. Fields. The famous actor and writer frequently portrayed a grumpy old man in his films. According to Merriam-Webster, a curmudgeon is defined as a miser, a "cru


Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
Happy National Puzzle Day
If you love to use your noggin, today may be your lucky day! It’s National Puzzle Day. While the origins of this holiday are well, puzzling, this annual event is celebrated each year on Jan. 29. The old expression, “if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it” certainly holds true in this case. In fact, many experts believe the key to keeping the mind healthy and sharp as a tack is to USE it. Just like your body, exercise is beneficial for the brain too. Researchers discovered that p


Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
It's National Blueberry Pancake Day: Pancakes to flip for!
f you’re in the mood for a delicious stack of piping hot pancakes, drenched in your favorite syrup and loaded with delicious blueberries that burst in your mouth, you’re in luck! Besides National Kazoo Day, Jan. 28 is National Blueberry Pancake Day! Hooray! Who can resist gobbling up a delicious batch of comforting pancakes just like mom used to make? And don't forget - blueberries are super healthy for you too! And by the way, pancakes aren’t just for breakfast anymore. Serv


Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
Get Ready to Blow: It's National Kazoo Day
Do you kazoo? If so, it's your lucky day. It’'s National Kazoo Day in the U.S.A! This annual event, usually celebrated "on or about" Jan. 28, during National Kazoo Week, was founded by Chaplin Willard Rahn. Folks have been hummin’ on kazoos ever since they were invented back in the 1840s. Originally made to disguise one’s voice, today’s pocket-sized musical instruments are made out of a variety of materials including metal, wood or plastic. And just in case you’ve never tri


Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
National Chocolate Cake Day
For all you chocolate lovers out there, you're in luck. Jan. 27 has got to be one of the best days of the year! Get ready to get your sweet tooth on - it's National Chocolate Cake Day in the U.S.A! If you’re feelin’ a little blue, why not help yourself to a heapin’ helpin’ of decadent and delicious chocolate cake in honor of today’s momentous occasion? It's time to satisfy that chocolate craving with a few brand new or tried-and-true piece of chocolate cake. Now you real