Food Holidays: December 18th, 2021

Good morning, welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: December 18th, 2021. I would like to ask you to take a look at the Holidays being celebrated today. Then let me know which Holiday you most want to celebrate and why. For me and Charlie we want to celebrate National Hard Candy Day. I think I will have a Butterscotch or Werther’s Candy. Would you like one of these?

December 19th- National Hard Candy Day

Today is the day to put the Peanut Butter Balls and Sugar Cookies down. December 19th is all about the hard stuff as we celebrate National Hard Candy Day. While we’re a little sticky about the origins of this Holiday, it can be safely said that hard candy has long been a preferred sweet snack by many Societies. In the Medieval period, Sugar was the only true ingredient in Candy, but Sugar was prohibitively expensive. Thus, Jolly Ranchers and Blow Pops of the dark ages were reserved for the royal or wealthy. Quite a difference from the Penny Candy you can pick up for cents on the dollar today. Over the years, confectioners have refined the process to an exact Science. We now know exactly how we need the Sugar to create sticky hard candy.

NATIONAL HARD CANDY DAY ACTIVITIES

1. Making your own hard candy isn’t typically the first thing we think of when coming up with homemade goods, but Lollipops could make their way onto that list. As long as you can find a mold which are available in Baking Shops or Online. Then you can buy the ingredients for Lollipops in any Supermarket. Then, it’s just a matter of mixing, melting and pouring. Choose which colors and flavors you want to try. For a unusual Lollipop you can add Gum, or edible Flower Petals.
2. It’s the Holiday Season, and thanks to hard candy’s brilliant colors, there’s more to these sweets than just eating. Find a clear vase with a funky shape, or an old bottle with a wide mouth, and fill it with whatever candy looks best. If the wrappers are all the same color, this can still give off a gift-theme vibe.
3. If you’re a dyed in the wool Werther’s fan, maybe it’s time to venture out of Candy Cane Court and into Lemon Drop Lane. There’s a whole world of hard candies out there including Fruit flavored or Chocolate Cream and even obscure flavors, like Wildflowers.

WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL HARD CANDY DAY

1. Of course, not every hard candy can claim to be good for the body, but there are reasons why hard candy takes the form it does today. Originally, hard candies made with Lemon or Peppermint were likely given to patients with stomach problems. The slow release of these ingredients, which are known stomachache remedies, was and is still a great way to ingest them. Tell your dentist all those Christmastime Candy Canes were for helping your Indigestion.
2. What was once an old legend now having some basis in Science. Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have found that sucking on a Peppermint while taking a test can increase your concentration ability. Other studies have demonstrated that a quick burst of Sugar can help people persevere longer on difficult tasks and can delay gratification.
3. Unlike that plate of Christmas Cookies, you wolfed down the other night, hard candy is designed to last. A single, cheap Lollipop will give you flavors for far longer than other treats. In fact, we’re still waiting to know how many licks it actually takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop. While Wonka’s Everlasting Gobstopper isn’t yet a reality, confectioners have come a long way to give us a gift that keeps on giving.

National Oatmeal Muffin Day– December 19th.

We are eager to fill up our stomach with delicious Muffins without having to worry about Cholesterol or Calories consumed. Healthy Muffins that look like Cupcakes can satisfy our sweet cravings?

HISTORY OF NATIONAL OATMEAL MUFFIN DAY

What are the origins of National Oatmeal Muffin Day? Nobody knows. All we know is that Oatmeal Muffins are a staple in American households. We welcome any Holiday where we can eat a Muffin and have fun. The best part is that Oatmeal is known to be ‘heart-healthy’ and has a lot of nutritious value.

Muffins have been around for several Centuries, beginning with English-style Muffins. Dating back to the 10th Century in Wales, this type of Muffin uses Yeast for rising and is cooked on a griddle. By the end of the 18th Century, Americans improved on the recipe for Muffins and developed Muffins into what we know today as Quick Bread Muffins, prepared in individual molds. This style of Muffin was made possible when Pearlash was discovered. Pearlash, or Potash, as it is commonly known, was eventually replaced when Baking Soda became mainstream.

American-style Muffins need molds for baking because batter is used to create these Muffins instead of Dough. The shape and size are similar to a Cupcake, and recipes for Oatmeal Muffins started to be published in American cookbooks from the mid-1800s onwards.

Amelia Simmons, the Author of the first-ever American Cookbook called “American Cookery”, used Pearlash in her recipes. Pearlash’s rise to popularity caused over eight thousand tons exported to Europe in 1792. It wasn’t until 1857 that Baking Powder became commercially available.

Today, the Oatmeal Muffin is loved by many because the Oatmeal Muffin is packed with rich flavor and has a lot of health benefits. Oatmeal Muffins become even more delightful when complemented with Fruits like Blueberries, Raisins, or Bananas. Nuts can be incorporated into the recipe as well for extra crunch.

HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL OATMEAL MUFFIN DAY

1. Now is the time to bake Oatmeal Muffins, if you’ve never done so before. Experiment with different recipes and make your own version.
2. You can also pick up Oatmeal Muffins from a local Bakery. Grab a cup of Coffee or Tea and enjoy these Muffins from Heaven with your family and friends.
3. Oatmeal Muffins are healthy and filled with rich nutrients. Encourage the picky eater of the family to try Oatmeal Muffins into their diet.

5 MOUTHWATERING FACTS ABOUT MUFFINS

1. The word ‘Muffin’ most likely originates from the old German word ‘Muffen.’
2. McDonald’s introduced its Egg McMuffin in 1972, consisting of Canadian Bacon, American Cheese, an English Muffin, and an Egg.
3. National Blueberry Muffin Day is another Muffin celebration on July 11th.
4. Did you know there are four states in the US that have adopted a Muffin; Minnesota and Washington — Blueberry, Massachusetts — Corn, and New York — Apple.
5. One large Blueberry Muffin contains 385 calories.

WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL OATMEAL MUFFIN DAY

1. It is truly marvelous how every baked good or sweet treat has a history. It is also amazing that these treats did not start out the way they are today but evolved over time.
2. Give us any Holiday that celebrates and satisfies our sweet tooth and were for it.
3. According to the American Heart Association, Whole Grains including Oatmeal contain Fiber, Protein, and other Nutrients that are essential for preventing Chronic Diseases. Oatmeal is also great for maintaining Cholesterol Levels.

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates