People all over the world eat rice in many, many ways. So, that means millions of us all over the world are going to just love this great food holiday. Today is National Fried Rice Day. On this September 20 holiday, we celebrate and consume the world’s most popular food staple. Of all the ways we use it, fried rice is the most popular. We eat it as a side dish, or as the main course. And, amazingly this flavorful dish was originally just a way to use up leftovers from last night’s dinner. 

Fried rice is one of the most popular ways we use rice. Pork fried rice is the most popular recipe. The recipe includes rice, pork, peas, onion, eggs, and soy sauce. It is cooked in a wok with a little peanut oil at high temperature. The result is a slightly sticky consistency. And that’s a good thing, as fried rice is best consumed using chopsticks.

Remember when you looked at someone and got butterflies in your stomach? And, you couldn’t catch your breath? That first love, often at a young and tender age, is unforgettable. Today is National First Love Day. On this September 18 holiday, we pause to remember him or her, and the giddy feeling it gave us to see or be with them. Unless you married your first love, this is a bittersweet day. In addition to the joy of that first relationship, there is the sadness of a breakup. It’s okay to spend a few moments remembering it. Your mate had a first love, too.

Whether it was puppy love in grade school, or a romantic relationship at an older age, it’s an impactful and remarkable experience. It’s one you’ll never forget. Nor, should you. Often, it begins the process of identifying what you want and don’t want in a soul mate.

Let’s take a trip down Memory Lane. But how do you define first love?  First, the relationship simply makes you feel good all over. Obviously, there is chemistry in the connection. However, at a young and tender ages, it might not result in a first kiss or a hug. And, it may be over as quickly as it began. But, the memory of those fond and tender days and moments last a lifetime.

Our Favorite Movie Line: In the 1946 Christmas movie classic “It’s a Wonderful Life“, young Mary whispers into her young, first love’s ear: “George Bailey, I’m going to love you until the day I die!”

Mint lovers, here is a holiday you definitely want to include in your September holiday calendar. Let’s all raise our glasses in a toast to a great peppermint-flavored liqueur. Today is National Creme de Menthe Day. There are both alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties. So, everyone can enjoy this September 15 holiday. You can enjoy it straight up in a shot glass. Or, use it as a mixer in a variety of minty cocktails. And, don’t stop there. Rather, you can use it to bake a wide variety of delicious desserts.

In 1885, French pharmacist Emile Giffard discovered it somewhat by accident as he researched the health and digestive properties of mint. With a minty-fresh flavor, it indeed aids in the digestive process. Mint freshens your breath, too. Like other alcoholic beverages, it was originally used medicinally as a tonic. But, it didn’t take long before Creme de Menthe found its way into people’s liqueur cabinets.

Please remember to drink responsibly.

What’s for dinner tonight? Your dinner menu was decided for you before you even woke up this morning. Today is National Eat a Hoagie Day. On this September 14 holiday, there’s only one thing to have for dinner. Enjoy your favorite hoagie sandwich! And, don’t wait for dinner. Rather, eat a hoagie for lunch, too. Wow, two hoagies in one day. This is your lucky day!

We’ve enjoyed this sandwich since the early 1900s. It is popular around the world. Italian American immigrants who migrated to Hog Island, PA created it. That’s where “Hoagies” got their name. The original hoagie was a long roll with Italian deli meats and cheeses. Then, you add Italian dressing. From this humble original recipe, emerged an endless variety of hoagies. Along the way, we have called it by other names, with “Submarines”, or simply “Subs” being the most popular name.

Without a doubt, this is a day to savor and enjoy. As for me, it’s lunchtime. So, I’m off to my favorite sub shop!

It’s been a long, stressful day. You’re hungry and want something to eat that’s quick and easy. So, don’t cook tonight. Rather, celebrate National TV Dinner Day. On this September 10 holiday, pop a pre-made frozen entree into the microwave. Nuke it for just a few minutes, and you have a ready-made meal to enjoy in front of the television. There is no shortage of varieties of dinners. You can even select vegetarian, low-calorie, or low-carb frozen meals, too.

TV dinners save time and don’t cost a lot of money. It’s a luxury everyone can afford. Americans lead busy lifestyles. So, these quick-to-make dinners are perfect when time is short or you’re simply too tired to cook. And, clean-up is a breeze. There are no pots and pans to scour. When dinner is over, you rinse the tray and place it in the recycle bin.

This is a special holiday that can literally wake you up. And, it can give you the jitters, too. Today is National Coffee Ice Cream Day. On this September 6 holiday, you can have your fill of an ice cream that’s loaded with caffeine. For coffee lovers like you and me, it’s a real treat. So, you’re going to love this holiday.

If you’ve reached your quota of coffee for the day, yet you’re still not fully awake, have a couple of scoops of coffee ice cream. It combines two flavors that people around the world love.  

Today is National Chrysanthemum Day. The holiday is over one thousand years old. This September 9 holiday originated in Japan in 910. It is also called the “Festival of Happiness”. The festival celebrates their love of this beautiful, long-lasting flower. Unquestionably, the flower is deeply embedded in Japanese culture. You can find it on pictures, statues, and artwork all over the country. Chrysanthemums are a symbol of the Imperial House of Japan. And, it is on the Imperial Emblem. You will find it on Japanese passports, too. 

If you love flowers, then you’ll love chrysanthemums. The flower is a Fall favorite in the United States, too. So, this is the perfect time to celebrate the beauty of this bright and cheerful hardy flower. However, the holiday is not yet widely known and celebrated here in the U.S. Let’s change that. Add this holiday to your September calendar and take time to fully enjoy it.

The Japanese word for Chrysanthemum is “Kiku”. The holiday is also called The Festival of Happiness. Certainly, the bright blooms make people happy and put a smile on their faces. During the festival, it is customary to drink sake with chrysanthemum petals in it. And, people wipe chrysanthemum dew on their faces. Japanese believe the dew has healing powers.

Did You Know? Mums are hardy annuals. They overwinter successfully in most areas of the United States. If you have them in containers during the Fall season, plant them in the ground before the ground freezes. 

Pierce Your Ears Day is today. It is a fun day for all of us. That’s right, nowadays it is fashionable for both gals and guys to get their ears pierced. So, there’s no excuses. Everyone can participate. People of all ages can do it, too. On this September 2 holiday, you can start on the road to a new and more attractive you. C’mon, be brave and go get your ears pierced. It only hurts a little. And, then you can start your collection of earrings. You can make earrings and other bling from a wide variety of materials, including diamonds, precious gems, bones, feathers, and glass beads to name a few.  

For thousands of years, humans have worn earrings for a variety of reasons. Archeologists discovered a very old mummy wearing them. It dates to 3,000 B.C.! Historically, both men and women have worn them. Wearing earrings is always fashionable for women. Although, for men, wearing them goes in and out of style. However, during different eras, men have worn them for thousands of years. From the early to mid-1900s, they were out of style for men. For a time, people considered them unmanly. But, sailors wear them and there is nothing unmanly about sailors. Currently, they are in fashion for men. So guys, get in the act and get your ears pierced today!

If you already have an earring or two adorning each ear, that’s okay. Add another piercing to each ear. Of course, we won’t object if you do other body piercings today, too. Most importantly, for those of you who have not yet done so… What are you waiting for!?