Reflection & Remembering

Canada Day 2021 will not be like the others that preceded it, even the one in 2020. And our future ones are still to be charted.

Canada actually has a shortish history compared to many countries on this planet. We can ensure that we learn it.

And our past includes Canadian Food Inventions – 18 in total – kudos to the Canadian Things Group on Facebook for this great list. I’m not going to fact check, I’ll just agree! Many are on my list of Fun Foods and some are near the top.

I’m not sure about 2 Inventions on this list being Fun Foods – Canola Oil & Pablum, BUT I did research the Cuban Lunch and I now need to track down this chocolate bar with spanish peanuts, definitely a Fun Food!

There is lots to learn about our Canadian past, Fun Food or more importantly, otherwise.

Juneteenth Fun Food

Red Velvet Cake – a legend in Fun Food – has a long history that links to Juneteenth. Here is a helpful Thrillist article & recipe to understand both Red Velvet Cake and also Juneteenth.

Today is the newly legislated Juneteenth National Holiday in the USA and like Cinco de Mayo, everyone can celebrate with holiday Fun Food. For additional background and history of this cake, watch the great new Netflix show “High on the Hog”, episode 4 – but watch the whole series!

And for an even deeper understanding of Juneteenth, this New Yorker article by Annette Gordon-Reed was written on Juneteenth 2020. It shares a perspective and historic details that will help anyone understand and forever remember the importance of this both old & new holiday.

I haven’t made this recipe yet – but I am going to! And I may use Duncan Hines creamy cream cheese frosting to make it easier…

Fun Food & Mercury in Retrograde

Who knew that Astrology & Fun Food have a connection!

This informative Thrillist article explains not only this astrological term but also the connection to comfort food decisions during this perilous timeframe. Comfort foods = Fun Food by MOST people’s definitions.

This article ALSO gives us an important link where we can check anytime whether we are in retrograde! Prepare yourself as we are about to go retrograde on May 29th (check the link!) until June 22nd – see how it will effect you & your sign here.

So now we have additional insight into our comfort Fun Food cravings!!!

Cinco de Mayo – a BIG Fun Food Opportunity

May 5, 1862 is Cinco de Mayo which is a big day for Puebla as Mexico beat the French at the Battle of Puebla. And while it is not actually a Mexican National Holiday, this PureWow article brings you up to speed on the history and importance of this day. Did you know the official dish is Mole Poblano which is from Puebla, of course!

AND for Canada as well as the States, it has become a fun day to have our favourite Mexican foods and drinks. AND many favourites have Fun Food “designation”, think Guacamole! Margaritas! Tacos!

PureWow has also compiled 40 recipes into this article to give you eating ideas both traditional and modern. Breakfast Nachos anyone!! Particularly interesting and helpful as Mother’s Day brunch approaches.

The revival of the pancake – if it needs it…!

I love IHOP! I like pancakes but I love the pancakes at IHOP – at any time of the day. Some, if not most, Fun Foods can be eaten morning, noon or night.

This article on the Great Pancakes Revival from ManRepeller in the early months of Covid – April 2020 – is about pancakes, working from home dynamics, social media and even references The International House of Pancakes IHOP!

And we are in the 9th month of the Islamic Calendar which means the commencement of Ramadan. This Al Jazeera article outlines key elements of the starting day which is likely to be April 13th or today’s sundown. Suhoor is the predawn period before daylight fasting commences and a pancake feast at IHOP is the perfect way to start a day of fasting – this great Thrillist article explains how IHOP became a Ramadan tradition for many. Pancakes can be an Important Fun Food.

But since we are still in this Time of Corona, we can only dream of our next breakfast or early breakfast outing with family or friends. This leaves people to experiment with new recipes for their comfort foods. Taste of Home put together this useful article of 17 healthy pancake recipes! Healthy or not, pancakes are Fun Food.

Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

All things lemon

Lemons have Vitamin C which is a noteworthy & helpful quality but most importantly their taste goes in MANY Fun Foods – lemon cheesecake, lemon loaf, lemon meringue pie as well as various liquid lemon concoctions.

Who knew there was a wrong way to make lemon water – there is. This great PureWow article not only lays out the 3 steps to correctly make it, it also outlines the 5 health benefits of lemon water which I plan to try out now.

AND I love lemonade but I have never had Lynchburg Lemonade and intend to order one! This handy Thrillist article includes the history of the drink & recipe variations so I can make it myself and expand my fruity cocktail repertoire.

Kibble – a Fun Food for dogs?

The rules around what IS a Fun Food can be flexible. Somehow I think doggies would agree that kibble can be a doggie Fun Food and especially if it is free!

Play FreeKibble Trivia daily to win Kibble to feed shelter dogs – and Meow Trivia for cats!! Follow this link on a daily basis or better yet sign up for a daily email reminder.

Who said there is No Free Lunch – these daily trivia tests & related photos and fun stories ensure shelters animals have breakfast, lunch and dinner!

Chicken Pot Pie, minus 3.14159…

Pie is Fun Food so I am not dissing pie! And March 14th is National Pi Day while January 23rd is National PIE day – thank you Thrillist for this clarifying article.

AND I firmly believe chicken pot pie is amazing and buy or order it frequently. Hello Savary Island Pie Company or 700+ yr old Sheepheid Inn in Edinburgh or Summerhill Market in TO. But, I confess that the filling is my favourite part of a pie – chicken pot or otherwise.

When one of my favourite food sources Thrillist features an Extremely Lazy, Insanely Delicious Chicken Pot Pie recipe, I have to try it! And, since I am even lazier than Greer Glassman “recipeist extraordinaire”, I intend to make the recipe minus the pie part. And maybe it will be eaten straight out of the pot with a spoon or perhaps over rice or mashed potatoes…

PS – I’m guessing Chicken a la King may be the correct name for this but Chicken Pot Pie Filling is much more Fun!

Green milk & Lucky Charms

All cereal with “too much” sugar is Fun Food – there I’ve typed this. Perhaps not great for everyday eating and not a “healthy” breakfast but who says cereal is only a morning food.

Similar to snacks, this Time of Corona has brought capacity and supply constraints to the Cereal World so says Bloomberg. This article has in-depth cereal spending details and even asks the question whether Sugar Cereals are Breakfast or Dessert – I say both. But, I really don’t understand the run on Grape-Nuts… And for the record original Cheerios has less sugar than G-N which was a surprise!

Now St. Patrick’s Day is always March 17th which is a Wednesday in 2021. I’ve been on the lookout for the special edition Lucky Charms to celebrate – thanks Thrillist for the heads up! So far no joy BUT Cap’n Crunch has been calling my name as I pace the cereal aisle – maybe he was an Irish Pirate! This hilarious Uncyclopedia article indicates otherwise…

PS – March 7th is National Cereal Day – happy accident for this post!

Oreos, an update

A fun version of this great Fun Food came out late in January – Lady Gaga Oreos ! This Insider article by Rachel Askinasi gives good background & context as she is both a Lady Gaga fan AND has previously ranked 26 mainstream Oreo flavours.

AND……., another major brand has just launched a puppy friendly product! Anheuser-Busch now has Dog Brew by Busch. Warm, room temp. or cool this brew is good with dinner OR on dinner! I firmly believe Oreos could add to their long history (over 100 years old – 1st cookie was 1912 ) and create a canine cookie – full size or minis!!