National Angel Food Cake Day / World Mental Health Day

National Angel Cake Day celebrates the delicious, light, and fluffy cake that many home cooks serve with fruit or glazes. 

 Originating in the United States and first becoming popular in the late 19th century, angel food cake was so named because of its airy lightness. It was said to be the “food of the angels.”

 Making angel food cake requires whipping egg whites until they are stiff. Cream of tartar stabilizes the egg whites. Additional ingredients are then folded into the egg white mixture.

The cake is then usually baked in an ungreased tube pan, leaving a hole in the middle of the cake. The center tube allows the cake batter to rise higher than other pans, causing the batter to cling to all sides of the pan. After baking, the pan is inverted while cooling to prevent the cake from falling in on itself.

 Usually, rather than frosting, angel food cakes are topped with a glaze or a sweet fruit sauce and a swirl of whipped cream. Angel food cake also makes beautiful and amazing trifles. The airy layers absorb the flavors of fruit, caramel, liqueurs, and chocolate well. Another dessert that angel food gives an elegant look to is the parfait. 

World Mental Health Day raises awareness and mobilizes efforts to support mental health.

Mental health is a hot topic. This is good news. It means the stigma for mental health issues is slowly going away. Mental health issues are finally getting the attention they deserve.

Healthcare workers and individuals feel they can discuss mental health more openly.

 However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t still work to do.

As a whole, we often misunderstand mental health because it is hard to define. Additionally, mental health includes several areas. These areas involve one’s social, emotional, and psychological well-being. Mental health affects thoughts, feelings, and actions. When one has positive mental health, they are better equipped to handle stress, be more productive, and realize their full potential.

 When one has poor mental health, they are more likely to suffer from a mental health disorder. These disorders include the following diagnoses:

·        Depression

·        Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

·        Panic disorder

·        Phobias

·        Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

·        Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD)

·        Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)