Food Holidays: December 29th, 2021

Good morning, welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: December 29th, 2021. Today is National ‘Get on the Scales Day” which I refuse to do. Not only that with as much as I weigh, but I might also end up breaking the Scale. So don’t expect me to celebrate today. How about you?

National “Get on the Scales” Day

Five Weight Loss Tips

• Instead of eating straight out of the box, pre-portion your snacks into small individual baggies. Which I’ve done in the past but instead of stopping at one baggie which I know I should I eat several at a time. Which isn’t right. Do you do this as well?
• Skip dessert and instead have a roll in the hay with your Honey. Healthy sex may also help control the amount of food you eat. Which is hard in my home because there are always children here and David is always working. Do you have that problem as well?
• Be sure to stock Red Pepper Flakes in your pantry. When eaten early in the day, Red Pepper Flakes can reduce the amount of food you consumer later. Although, I can’t eat these because they end up making me sick. But I may retry it if it will keep me from overeating.
• Many of us hit the gym and eat right during the week but cut loose on the weekends by indulging in Fried Foods and trading in workouts for sleep. Be healthy seven days a week by planning your weekend ahead of time. God willing this is what I plan on doing this year, but we all know if were not careful we let things slip in and end up not Exercising.
• Who said healthy foods have to be boring? Puree Peaches, Pears and Berries and spread them on a Wheat Pita for a healthy treat that’s perfect for Spring or Summer! OMG sounds like I might need to start eating Fruit after all. Lord, help me…

National Pepper Pot Day*

National Pepper Pot Day is celebrated every year on December 29th. National Pepper Pot Day is meant to celebrate a soup that was nicknamed ‘The Soup That Won the War.’ The war here refers to the American Revolutionary War for Independence from Britain. The Philadelphia Pepper Pot Soup is a thick Soup made up of Beef Tripe, any vegetables you have on hand, and Peppercorns. This Peppery Soup has a long history and probably originates from the Caribbean. ‘The Soup That Won the War’ was brought over to America by Enslaved people, who later sold the Soup in the streets.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL PEPPER POT DAY

The Philadelphia Pepper Pot Soup was not unknown before the American Revolutionary War known as the American War for Independence. Philadelphia Pepper Pot Soup made of Tripe, Vegetables and seasoned heavily with Pepper could have been brought to the U.S. by people Enslaved from the Caribbean Islands.

Philadelphia Pepper Pot Soup was made popular by African American Philadelphians who would sell it right out in the street. The traditional recipe is said to have had Cassava as well as the Soup thickener.

According to popular retellings of the story, the Pepper Pot Soup became Central to the American Revolutionary War efforts because of Christopher Ludwig. He was the general Baker of the Continental Army and a German immigrant to Philadelphia.

The Baker worked in Philadelphia, which is likely how he knew the food of the City. He was a staunch supporter of the American Revolution and was a great friend of President George Washington. Christopher Ludwig was even given a certificate of conduct due to his service to the Army. His efforts were invaluable and appreciated so much that his certificate was handwritten by President Washington himself.

During the War, in 1777, Winters were harsh, and farmers refused to sell Food to the Continental Army, and instead sold it to the British. Christopher Ludwig was the baker general, which meant that his primary task was to bake Bread for the troops. But in this scenario, with no Grain to eat insight and faced with the prospect of starvation, George Washington put Christopher Ludwig in charge of feeding his men. And Christopher Ludwig presented the Pepper Pot soup.

Pepper Pot Soup was what the Army ate to survive that Winter, and it’s how it earned the nickname ‘The Soup That Won the War.’

HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL PEPPER POT DAY?

1. Choose a recipe online and make your own version of Pepper Pot Soup that won the War!
2. If you have the opportunity visit Philadelphia because there is nothing like the real deal. Then grab a bowlful of the authentic Pepper Pot Stew.
3. Host a lunch and ask your guests to bring their versions of Pepper Pot Soup.

5 FACTS ABOUT NATIONAL PEPPER POT DAY

1. Did you know there are famous paintings that feature Pepper Pot Soup including John Lewis Krimmel’s 1811 painting?
2. Pepper Pot Soup is in a book about Harriet Tubman called “Road to Freedom.”
3. The Army became better after 1778 surviving the Winter on Pepper Pot Soup which let the Army train and become more disciplined.
4. Guyana has a similar recipe which is one of the national dishes of Guyana.
5. Black women sold Pepper Pot Soup first. Christopher Ludwig had a taste in Philadelphia streets then remembered the Pepper Pot Soup in the harsh winter.

WHY WE CELEBRATE NATIONAL PEPPER POT DAY

1. In the Winter, there’s nothing like a thick bowl of Soup to warm you up!
2. With a History like Pepper Pot Soup has got to be special, correct?
3. We love celebrating the country’s diverse food and does Pepper Pot Soup get more diverse than an adaptation of a Soup from the West Indies by a German Immigrant?

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates