If it’s June, cucumbers are ripening in home gardens and plentiful at your local farmer’s market. That makes today the perfect time to hold National Cucumber Day. Unsurprisingly, among other things, this month is Cucumber Month. Cukes as they are fondly called, are one of the healthiest vegetables you can eat. While it consists of 95 percent water, the rest of it is loaded with healthy minerals and vitamins that are good for your heart, and for your overall health. They are also low in calories and carbohydrates. 

The best way to enjoy and celebrate National Cucumber Day is to pull out your recipe book and select a few interesting ways to prepare and consume cukes. We most commonly think of eating cukes in salads, gazpacho, and other recipes where they are eaten raw or uncooked. However, they are good in many cooked recipes, too. Use them as an ingredient in soups and stews. And, you can even make fried cucumbers. Find Cucumber Recipes Now. 

Cool as a Cucumber 

This is a popular phrase used by many people in a wide variety of settings. Most likely, you’ve used it a number of times, too. But, do you know where it came from?  “Cool as a cucumber” was first coined in 1732 in John Gay’s Poem, New Song on New Similes.

It’s a gorgeous day. And, you are truly a beautiful and attractive person. Just look in the mirror and see how lovely (or handsome) you are. With these thoughts in mind, you are well-prepared to enjoy and celebrate National Making Life Beautiful Day. But this June 9 holiday is not just about you and the weather. It is also about making the lives of others more beautiful. As a matter of fact, boosting the morale and self-image of others is an exquisite way to spend your day. And, it is central to what this holiday is all about.

Begin the day by preparing yourself inside and out to be an alluring and stunning example of beauty. When you look your best, you feel your best. Now that you are prepared for a beautiful day, make it your personal goal to bring out the beauty in others. It all begins with a smile. Greet everyone you meet with an attractive ear-to-ear smile and a cheerful “Hello”. That’s guaranteed to bring out a smile from others. Your next goal is to enhance to inner beauty of others so that will come out, too.  It’s easier than you think. Seek ways to compliment them and make them feel like a million bucks. However, it is important to be honest and sincere with your compliments. People see right through superficial compliments and insincerity.

Finally, be observant. Watch how your efforts are reflected in the joy and happiness of others. You will quickly see how great Making Life Beautiful Day is. And, you will also feel great about the role you play.

In 2024 we have a brand-new holiday to savor and enjoy. While new holidays are created seemingly every day, this one is an important worldwide celebration. We are celebrating the incredible, edible egg omelet. It’s an egg dish prepared in a popular, easy-to-make way. Yes, today is International Omelet Day. On this June 9 food holiday, we give recognition to a basic food staple that is an important part of the diet of people all over the world. And now we have even more reason to celebrate. Yes, eggs are high in cholesterol. But, researchers now believe the good health benefits outweigh the bad.

Egg omelets are prepared by frying scrambled eggs in a frying pan until they are almost done. Then, we place on top of the eggs, any one or more of a very wide range of fillings. Finally, we fold the omelet in half giving it a half-moon shape and finish cooking the eggs to seal in the wonderful, blend of tasty ingredients. Perhaps the biggest challenge to participation in this day is to determine what fillings to include in your omelet. Somehow, we feel certain you are equal to the task. To complete your meal, may we suggest tomato juice or orange juice? Or, perhaps you prefer a Bloody Mary or a Mimosa.

Did you Know? Yes, they are high in cholesterol. But, researchers now believe the good health benefits outweigh the bad.

When we think about gingerbread, we often think of the holidays. That’s when this spicy and flavorful treat is most popular. However, there is nothing wrong with enjoying it any time of the year. And, that’s exactly why today is National Gingerbread Day. This June 5 holiday encourages us to bake and serve up a bread with the great flavor of ginger.

The ginger plant is native to Asia, where it has been consumed as a food and used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Chinese cooking uses ginger in many ways for main meals as well as desserts and other sweets. Ginger is common in many alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, with ginger ale readily coming to mind. The first gingerbread recipe dates back to 2,400 B.C. So, people have enjoyed the spicy flavor for a very long time. 

Today is Go Barefoot Day, a June 1 holiday. By the title of this holiday, you might think it’s all about shedding your footwear and going barefoot in the park or at the beach. After all, Memorial Day is in the rearview window, which means unofficially summer has begun. However, this holiday is much more than that. It’s a charitable event to promote an important cause. According to Soles4SHoes, the creator of this holiday, the objective of this day is to collect and donate shoes and other footwear to those in need who go barefoot every day because they have no shoes. Sometimes called National Go Barefoot Day, you can do your part and have fun on this day, too.

Going barefoot today shows your support for the plight of those less fortunate. An estimated 300 million children go barefoot every day. They have no shoes or footwear. So clearly the need is great. What are you going to do about this problem?

Are you a bootlegger? Or, perhaps you just enjoy a nip or two of white lightning from time to time. If so, you’re gonna just love this drinking holiday. Today is National Moonshine Day. On this June holiday, we grab a jug of hooch and enjoy a few swigs. If it’s an illegal batch of white lightning, we won’t tell the Feds. And, if you’ve got a still up on the hill, we will just look the other way. Or, perhaps we will join you there.

Craft distilleries aside, moonshiners make their firewater in a still hidden up in the hills. Because it is illegal, they work under the cover of darkness with only the light of the moon to help them see what they are brewing. On this holiday, perhaps they will let you mix up a batch of corn mash to begin the process. Better yet, volunteer to do the quality control work and test the product as it comes out of the still.  

Bottoms up as you chug a lug with the jug!

Songs of the Day:

• Moon River, Andy Williams (1961)
• Bad Moon Rising, Creedence Clearwater Revival. (1969)

Eggs are a wonderful, and nutritious food. Researchers and nutritionists have determined that the good health benefits of eating them exceed the bad. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s all celebrate and enjoy National Egg Day.  On this June 3 holiday, break out of your shell and celebrate this incredible, healthy food holiday.

In 1968, the American Heart Association recommended limiting consumption to just three eggs per week. The concern was the high level of cholesterol in them. Years later nutritionists have determined the health benefits outweighed the bad. The high level of protein is good for your bones and muscles. They contain essential vitamins and micronutrients, most notably vitamins A, D, and E. It contains antioxidants that can slow down the aging process and improve vision. It has Omega-3 fats which are good for your heart. And, some studies suggest eating them can help you to lose weight 

So, with all of this goodness inside of a thin shell, be a good egg and eat lots of them today, prepared in your favorite way(s).