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NATIONAL BLACK FOREST CAKE DAY / NATIONAL SOMETHING ON A STICK DAY / NATIONAL TRIGLYCERIDES DAY
Very interesting juxtaposition of National Days today. Two that might great tasting options and one highlighting negative health consequences of such gustatorial delight.
Spoiler alert: LOTS of reading.
NATIONAL BLACK FOREST CAKE DAY
March 28th recognizes a decadent and delicious dessert on National Black Forest Cake Day. Black Forest cake is the English name for the German dessert Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte, meaning “Black Forest cherry torte.”
Most often, bakers layer several sheets of chocolate cake with whipped cream and cherries between each layer to make Black Forest cake. Then they decorated the cake with whipped cream, maraschino cherries, and chocolate shavings. Some traditional recipes call for sour cherries between the layers and a Kirschwasser (a clear liquor distilled from tart cherries) to be added to the cake. In the United States, bakers usually do not use alcohol. However, in Germany, liqueur is a mandatory ingredient. Otherwise, the cake can not legally be sold under the Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte name.
The cake is named after the specialty liquor (Schwarzwalder Kirschwasser) of the region of the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) mountain range in southwestern Germany.
Beyond the history of the cake, bakers and pastry chefs create elegant displays when baking Black Forest cake. The combination of rich chocolate layered with contrasting color and bold red cherries offer bakers an opportunity to design remarkable pieces. Their decadent interpretations leave us with fantastic memories and a sweet piece of cake to enjoy, too.
HOW TO OBSERVE #BlackForestCakeDay
- Visit your favorite bakery and order a delicious black forest cake to bring home.
- Give your favorite bakery a shout-out.
- Or, break out the cake pans and bake one up yourself.
- Show off your keen baking skills with one of these delicious recipes!
NATIONAL SOMETHING ON A STICK DAY
Observed each year on March 28th, National Something on a Stick Day is a food holiday that lets you use your creative talents. Once you get started, the possibilities are endless. Foods that come on a stick are fun and easy to eat.
There isn’t much that can’t be put on a stick when talking about food. Soup might be that one exception, though if it were flavorful frozen, we might make an exception.
From cool summer treats like the Popsicle to frozen food staples like the corn dog, food on a stick is one of the world’s great inventions. Fresh fruit kabobs and skewers of grilled veggies and meat are both summer favorites.
Street fairs and food trucks have created a variety of recipes made to go on a stick that takes us from breakfast to after-party hunger with flavor combinations that sometimes make us wonder why we haven’t tried that before! Whether it is fresh and healthy or breaded and deep-fried, menu choices are broad and plentiful for National Something on a Stick Day.
HOW TO OBSERVE #SomethingOnAStickDay
- Get inventive and create your own combination. How about grilled pear on a stick? Or perhaps meat and cheese squares or brownie and marshmallows bites? Have a creative breakfast, lunch or dinner and have fun with the day!!
- Master eating with chopsticks.
- Serve each meal on a stick. French toast for breakfast? Serve it cut up on toothpicks. Salad for lunch? Slide all the fixings on a skewer. The same goes for supper. Be creative and involve the whole family in the planning. Just don’t serve soup.
- Challenge the family to create or name as many foods on a stick as possible.
- Have you ever put family photos on a stick or created something similar to a Flat Stanley?
- Take a group photo using a selfie stick. That’s right, put your phone on a stick.
- Create a photo booth. Use fun props, many of which are on a stick.
NATIONAL TRIGLYCERIDES DAY
On March 28, National Triglycerides Day shines a spotlight on one of the key factors to a healthy lifestyle.
The observance serves as a reminder to patients and practitioners to know about the hidden risks of triglycerides. Learn your numbers and take steps to bring them to healthy levels.
High levels of triglycerides in your blood can be a risk factor for heart disease. Triglycerides are different from cholesterol, though they are both a type of lipid or fat stored in your blood. They serve different purposes. While triglycerides store unused calories and give the body energy, cholesterol builds cells and some hormones.
Monitoring triglycerides is important for heart health. A blood test will tell you if your triglycerides are within normal limits. If they’re not, high triglycerides can be a sign of other conditions such as:
- Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
- Metabolic syndrome (cholesterol, weight and blood sugar are all a factor)
- Hypothyroidism
- rare genetic conditions
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalTriglyceridesDay
- Include a triglycerides check with your routine physical exam.
- Visit with your doctor to learn how triglycerides impact your health.
- Ask your doctor for advice on how to maintain healthy levels, too.
- Your primary care is your go-to source and will be able to guide you on your risk factors.
So:
Have you checked your triglyceride levels within the last year?
What is your favorite thing to eat on a stick ?
Can all of the chocolate involved actually make Black Forest Cake a health food ?