13 March

NATIONAL GOOD SAMARITAN DAY  

National Good Samaritan Day on March 13th recognizes the unselfish actions of those who provide help when needed. The day is also known as Good Samaritan Involvement Day and celebrates kindness in all its forms.

Good Samaritan Day

The term "good Samaritan" comes from the Bible parable where a Samaritan helped a stranger who had been robbed and beaten and left to die by the side of the road. The Samaritan not only cleaned the man's wounds and clothed him but took him to an inn where he paid for the man's care.

he term is used today to describe those who perform acts of kindness for those in need, especially those who are strangers.

How to Observe Good Samaritan Day

• Make an effort to help someone who is struggling or having a problem. 
• Share a story about someone who was a Good Samaritan in your life.
• The act of a Good Samaritan can be large or small. Something as simple as a phone call to as inconvenient as stopping to help change a tire are all acts of a good Samaritan. 
• Make a commitment to developing a habit of kindness and awareness of others. 
• Volunteer. Offer your valuable skills to others in times of need. Do you enjoy sports or have mad math skills? Your ability to mentor youth may change someone's life for the better.

National Good Samaritan Day History

Our research found this day honors the death of Catherine “Kitty” Genovese, who was murdered near her home on March 13, 1964, in New York City. That night, if one Good Samaritan had stepped forward, Miss Genovese would have lived. Something interrupted her killer twice that night, each interruption witnessed by neighbors or passersby. Still, no one called the police. One person called after his third and successful attempt, but too late for Miss Genovese. We have been unable to identify the creator of this national day.

Good Samaritan FAQ

Q. What is a good Samaritan law?
A. A good Samaritan law protects someone who provides aid in an emergency from being sued for injuries or damages. The laws vary from state to state but generally have the expectation that the good Samaritan asks permission if possible from the ill, injured, or in danger and that they do not act in a reckless or negligent manner.

Q. Does every state have good Samaritan laws?
A. Yes. Additionally, Federal laws protect good Samaritans, too.

 

Also

Coconut Torte Day

Earmuff Day

Jewel Day

K9 Veterans Day

Open an Umbrella Indoors Day

 

Today's Thought

Am I letting matters that are out of my control stress me out?

 

 07 days until Spring

 

 

 

 

 

12 March

NATIONAL WORKING MOMS DAY 

Every mom is a working mom. On March 12th, National Working Moms Day celebrates the breadwinners and the breadmakers, the educators and the role models, those resilient, inspirational fixtures in our children's lives.

Working Moms Day

Ever since the invention of motherhood, mothers have been innovating, creating, and developing. They strategize and organize, never stopping until the work is done. And through each evolution, we know mothers keep pace with the changing world. Working moms invest in our communities because their small businesses thrive there. We can never celebrate them enough, no matter how many cookies they make or how much bread they bring home.

That's why National Working Moms Day celebrates every mom. Whether you recognize a marvelous working mother in your life or you reflect on your accomplishments as a working mom, join in the celebration!

How to Observe Working Moms Day

Working Moms Day is an opportunity to appreciate a working mom you know.

• Frequent a business owned and operated by a working mom. Supporting a small business means you're also supporting a working mom's family and your community.
• Show your appreciation to a working mom with a handwritten note. Thank you notes are one item that can be re-read for encouragement. Also, technology cannot delete handwritten notes.
• Take over meal duties for the evening. Any working parent knows mealtime is one of the most stressful times of the day.

It's also a day for working moms to take a little time for themselves.

• Practice some mindfulness. Whether it's 5 minutes of deep breathing or writing in a journal, take some time just for you.
• Take the day off, if possible. Network with other moms and enjoy much-needed time together.
• Register for a course you've been wanting to take. Whether it's to advance your career or lower your stress levels, make the time.
• Join a working moms network like Working Moms of Milwaukee. Organizations like these offer support, resources, and social network for working moms to share experiences.

National Working Moms Day History

Susannah Lago of the Working Moms of Milwaukee (WMM) launched National Working Moms Day in 2020 to celebrate working moms everywhere. WMM's vision is a one-stop-shop for working mothers in Milwaukee to network, socialize, and share experiences. They aim to create a supportive space where moms can connect both online and in-person, get support from moms that just "get it," access services to make the day-to-day a little easier, and celebrate this crazy life stage together!

Working Moms FAQ

Q. Does being a working parent require organization?
A. It does, but even the best laid plans go awry. Balancing work and home takes effort. It doesn't happen magically. From meal planning to managing schedules and routines, working parents know that organization is helpful.

Q. What is another important skill working parents need?
A. Good communication skills go a long way to helping working parents stay in touch with their family. Communication is valuable to making sure everyone knows their responsibilities, schedules and more. 

 

Also

Baked Scallops Day

Girl Scout Day

Plant a Flower Day

Registered Dietician Nutritionist Day

 

Today's Thought

The reason most people give up so fast is that they look at how far they still have to go, instead of how far they have come.  

 

 08 days until Spring

 

 

 

 

 

11 March

NATIONAL OATMEAL NUT WAFFLES DAY  

National Oatmeal Nut Waffles Day on March 11th celebrates a healthier version of the classic waffle. Whole grain oats and chopped nuts mixed into a waffle recipe is a delicious, healthy way to start your morning. 

Oatmeal Nut Waffles Day

A waffle is a batter-based or dough-based cake cooked in a waffle iron patterned to give a distinctive size, shape, and surface impression. There are many variations based on the type of iron and recipe used. Waffles have been around for centuries, and there are many varieties of them around the world.  The oatmeal nut waffle is another flavorful addition to the family for us all to try!

Besides, oatmeal starts a day off right. Add spices, fruit, nuts, or nut butters to add flavor. It’s also a versatile ingredient. And the health benefits of oatmeal are just as good as the flavor. 

• A serving of oatmeal daily can lower cholesterol.
• It may reduce the risk of heart disease.
• It may reduce your risk of cancer. (According to the American Cancer Society, eating a diet high in fiber may help reduce your risk for cancer.)
• The grain is low in fat.
• Oatmeal is low in calories.
• Add oatmeal to your diet as a good source of iron and fiber.

HOW TO OBSERVE OATMEAL NUT WAFFLES DAY

• Mix up a batch of oatmeal nut waffles for the whole family.
• Start the morning off right with maple syrup and fresh berries, too.
• Top with bananas or your favorite nut butter.
• Make several batches ahead and freeze them so they're ready for busy mornings.
• They also make a great snack, especially for tiny hands.

Oatmeal Nut Waffle FAQ

Q. Can prepared waffles be frozen?
A. Yes. Seal in an airtight freezer-safe container before freezing. Heat them up in the toaster, toaster oven or oven for best results.

Q. Are all waffles shaped the same?
A. No. Waffles irons determine the shape of a waffle and they come in a variety of designs.

Q. Are waffle and pancake batters the same?
A. No. Waffle batter contains about twice as much fat and sugar as pancake batter. The additional fat and sugar are what make waffles crispy on the outside.

 

Also

311 Day

Funeral Director & Mortician Recognition Day

Johnny Appleseed Day

Promposal Day

Worship of Tools Day

Today's Thought 

The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. ~ Amelia Earhart  

 

 09 days until Spring

10 March

NATIONAL NAPPING DAY  

Each year, National Napping Day recognizes our need the day following the return of daylight saving time. Not only does the observance encourage a nap, it reminds us that there's no shame in taking one either. While preparing for the time change can offset the shock to our internal clock, many other things in our life may not handle the change so well causing us to still lose sleep. Young children and pets do not adjust as easily and certain work schedules do not permit early adjustment, either.

National Napping Day

Mid-afternoon naps are an integral part of most cultures, and scientifically proven to be good for you.

A needed rest can make you feel better and also improve your mood. After having the extra amount of sleep, a person will notice that they will be more productive and energetic. Numerous studies have shown that short 10-20 minute naps are the most effective when midday fatigue hits. Improvements in alertness, productivity, and mood have all been shown to improve with this type of snooze.  

Though there are some of us who are just not the napping kind, if you can reap those benefits, find a cozy spot for 10 minutes or so on National Napping Day.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL NAPPING DAY

• Catch some zees!
• Be sure to nap early enough in the day so as to not interrupt your regular sleep cycle. 
• Create a perfect napping environment. 
• Share your favorite type of nap or why you enjoy a good snooze.
• Take a relaxing nap.

National Napping Day History

William Anthony, Ph.D., a Boston University Professor, and his wife, Camille Anthony, created National Napping Day in 1999 as an effort to spotlight the health benefits to catching up on quality sleep.  "We chose this particular Monday because Americans are more ‘nap-ready’ than usual after losing an hour of sleep to daylight saving time," Anthony said in B.U.’s press release.

Napping FAQ

Q. Are there any benefits to taking a nap?
A. Yes. Several studies point to the benefits of short naps. Some of those benefits include:

• Improved alertness
• Decrease stress
• Improve mood

Q. Does everyone nap?
A. No. Some people are not nappers.

Q. Can a nap be too long?
A. Yes. Long naps and naps taken late in the day can negatively impact our nighttime sleep habits. According to the Mayo Clinic, an optimal nap time is between 10 and 20 minutes.

Also

Blueberry Popover Day

Mario Day

Pack Your Lunch Day

Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

 

Today's Thought

Every great dream begins with a dreamer.  Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. ~ Harriet Tubman

 

 10 days until Spring

 

 

09 March

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME  

Daylight Saving Time begins on the second Sunday in March in the USA. The practice gives people an extra hour of sunlight in the evening by setting the clock ahead one hour on a predetermined date each year.

Daylight Saving Time

The practice of Daylight Saving Time (DST) advances clocks during the summer months. It causes us to lose an hour for one day. However, the practice allows people to get up earlier in the morning and experience more daylight in the evening. Typically, users of DST adjust clocks forward one hour near the start of spring. Then, they change them back again in the autumn.

The system has received both advocacy and criticism. Setting clocks forward benefits retail business, sports, and other activities by exploiting sunlight after working hours. However, the practice causes problems for evening entertainment and other activities tied to the sun or darkness. For example, farming and fireworks shows are both affected.

Although some early proponents of DST aimed to reduce the evening use of incandescent lighting, usage patterns differ greatly. Additionally, research about how DST currently affects energy use is limited or contradictory.

Problems sometimes caused by DST clock shifts include:

• Complicating timekeeping.
• Disrupting meetings, travel, billing, record keeping, medical devices, heavy equipment
• Impacting sleep patterns

Software often adjusts computer clocks automatically, but this can be limited and error-prone. In addition, programming is particularly problematic when various jurisdictions change the dates and timings of DST changes.

How to Observe Daylight Saving Time

• Besides adjusting our clocks, it's important to adjust our sleep schedules, too. Many of us go into the time change sleep deprived. Don't do this during Daylight Saving weekend.
• Start preparing your body and anyone in your household for an earlier bedtime.
• That includes pets. Their potty and feeding schedules will need to be adjusted, too. Start a few days before if at all possible.
• In the end, you and your entire household will be able to benefit from the additional sunlight in the evenings by enjoying outdoor activities without feeling the drag of lack of sleep.
• Another way to celebrate the day might include writing your representatives in Congress. According to the National Congress of State Legislatures, nearly every state has tackled the issue of daylight saving time and whether to end it or not. Even at a federal level, the issue has been brought to the table a time or two.
• Of course, most importantly, be sure to turn your clocks forward

Daylight Saving Time History

George Vernon Hudson from New Zealand proposed the modern version of daylight saving in 1895. Germany and Austria-Hungary were the first countries to use it starting on 30 April 1916.

The energy crisis in the 1970s accelerated the growth of Daylight Saving Time. It has been argued that more natural light in the evening hours uses less electricity due to less artificial lighting requirements. As a result, many retail shops and tourist attractions also enjoy more business.

Daylight Saving FAQ

Q. When does Daylight Saving end?
A. Daylight Saving ends in November.

Q. How much daylight is saved?
A. None. It's just moved from one end of the day to the other.

Q. Does every state participate in Daylight Saving?
A. No. Arizona, Hawaii, and parts of Indiana do not participate in Daylight Saving. The U.S. territories do not, either.

Q. Do other countries observe Daylight Saving?
A. Yes. Many countries observe Daylight Saving including Australia, most areas in North America, and countries in Europe.

 

Also

Barbie Day 

Ointment Day

Get Over it Day

Meatball Day

I Am Day

Slam the Scam Day

 

Today's Thought

If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary. ~ Jim Rohn

 

 11 days until Spring

 

 

 

 

 

 

08 March

NATIONAL PEANUT CLUSTER DAY  

March 8th is National Peanut Cluster Day! Melted chocolate mixed with peanuts makes a perfect combination for sweet and salty deliciousness!

Peanut Cluster Day

Two things had to happen for peanut clusters to even exist. First, a method had to be invented for the cocoa bean to be processed and transformed into what we know as chocolate. That process wasn't widely used until about the late 1890s and just about the same time the second extraordinary thing happened; agriculture found a way to grow the peanut and bring it to the public with steel tools and steam power.  

It didn't take long for confectioneries to add the now readily available peanuts to melted chocolate. The sheer simplicity of the salty peanuts added to sweetened chocolate is a mouthwatering temptation few can resist, even today. Candy makers find them to be a popular addition to cookie tins or other holiday baskets. Their simplicity allows bakers to easily round out any cookie or bar tray. They also quickly satisfy a snack craving without much effort at all. 

How to Observe Peanut Cluster Day

• Snack on some peanut clusters.
• Make your own at home.
• Share some with friends and family. 

Peanut Cluster Day History

We continue to research the origins of this nutty food holiday but have come up empty-handed. Well, we've found a handful of peanut clusters, but that's another story. 

Peanut Cluster FAQ

Q. Can peanut clusters be made with white chocolate?
A. Yes. Peanut clusters can be made with milk, dark or white chocolate.

Q. How long do peanut clusters keep?
A. Store peanut clusters in an airtight container and they will keep for several months.

Q. Can peanut clusters be frozen?
A. Yes. Seal in an air-tight, freezer-safe container before freezing.

 

 Also

International Women's Day

Oregon Day

Proofreading Day

Today's Thought

Rejection tests whether you're serious about your dream.

 

 12 days until Spring

 

 

07 March

The company finally got the Internet repaired after the high winds.  Out since yesterday afternoon.

 NATIONAL CEREAL DAY  

March 7th urges us to get our bowl spoon ready for National Cereal Day each year! Since the end of the 19th century, cereal has become America’s most popular breakfast food.

National Cereal Day

Now, not only is cereal eaten for breakfast, but it has become a popular bedtime snack. Some people even enjoy a bowl for an evening meal. Bakers turn to cereal in their cake, cookie, and bar recipes. The most popular one is Rice Crispy Bar Treats.

A Little Cereal History:

Ferdinand Schumacher, a German immigrant, began the cereal revolution in 1854 with a hand oats grinder in the back room of a small store in Akron, Ohio. His German Mills American Oatmeal Company was the nation’s first commercial oatmeal manufacturer.  In 1877, Schumacher adopted the Quaker symbol, the first registered trademark for a breakfast cereal.

Granula, the first breakfast cereal, was invented in the United States in 1863by James Caleb Jackson, operator of Our Home on the Hillside, which was later replaced by the Jackson Sanatorium in Dansville, New York.  The cereal never became popular since it was inconvenient as the heavy bran nuggets needed soaking overnight before they were tender enough to eat.

Do you remember mornings eating a bowl of cereal, reading the back of the box and trying to find the toy inside the box?

The cereal industry rose from a combination of sincere religious beliefs and commercial interest in healthy foods. Dr. John Harvey Kellogg experimented with granola.  He boiled some wheat, rolled it into thin films, and baked the resulting flakes in the oven; he acquired a patent in 1891.  In1895 he launched Cornflakes, which overnight captured a national market.

In 1906, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg’s brother, William K. Kellogg, after working for John, broke away, bought the corn flakes rights from his brother, and set up the Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company.  His signature on every package became the company trademark and insurance of quality.

Charles W. Post introduced Grape-nuts in 1898 and soon followed with Post Toasties.

Because of Kellogg and Post, the city of Battle Creek, Michigan is nicknamed the "Cereal Capital of the World."

How to Observe National Cereal Day

• Give a shout-out to your favorite cereal brand.
• Have a bowl for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Share it as a snack.
• Create a delicious recipe from cereal and share your recipes. 

National Cereal Day History

After two scoops, a prize, and a second helping, the identity of the day's founder has fruit us for a loop. We tried boo berry hard. If it were a life mission, perhaps it would be more than just trix for kids. However, we figure if we snap, crackle, and pop a few more times, we might cereously score the lucky charms we krave that will lead us to the answer. It might seem corny, but our capt'n crunches in the research department!

Cereal FAQ

Q. Who's idea was it to give away prizes with cereal?
A. Look to the original cereal makers for that answer. Dr. John Harvey Kellogg tempted kids to eat his cereal with a prize in exchange for a mailed proof of purchase. However, soon the prizes were being included inside the box.

Q. Do cereals still include toys in their cereal boxes?
A. These days, it's rare for cereal makers to include toys in the cereal box. Occasionally, a cereal maker will make a special promotion that includes a toy, like General Mills did in 2020. However, today's cereal makers are following tech-savvy kids and their own bottom line by drawing the kids to the internet to earn prizes, credits, and more.

 Also

Be Heard Day

Crown of Roast Pork Day

Flapjack Day

Tartar Sauce Day

Dress in Blue Day

Speech & Debate Education Day

Employee Appreciation Day

 

Today's Thought

Collaborate with people you can learn from. ~ Pharrell Williams

 

 14 days until Spring