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…

How about Jarcuterie!?

And, this is a continuation of all things cheese since today is National Cheese Day. Cheese & Cheese Boards are Fun Food and so are Fruicuterie Boards & Bagel Boards. And now Jarcuterie!

PureWow always has great Fun Food ideas and this article has all the how-to’s. In this time of Covid, this idea is perfect with everyone having their own OR anytime for people who don’t like to share…!

You will be surprised just how much a jar can hold, especially when you get creative.

Cheese on a plate is Fun Food

June 4th is National Cheese Day SO today is the perfect day to enjoy cheese. Here is a link to ALL the celebrated food days – Fun or not – so you do not miss any!

Cheese on a plate goes by a number of names and add bread (any type!) plus crackers and you have the perfect Fun Food partners.  You can also include potato chips & grilled foods to up the Fun Food Factor – a combination created by Marissa Mullen.

Marissa is an Insta Foodie & author who focuses on all forms & types of cheese – @thatcheeseplate. She has a book, gives classes, shares recipes and so much more that you can find right here.  Marissa is the perfect start to finding the World of Cheese on Instagram & in your life.   #cheese !  

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.

Not “goat milk”, OAT milk…

If I got a free coffee every time I have had to clarify my OAT milk request… Oat milk is Fun Food.

We Canadians are lucky with So Fresh Earth’s Own – what I believe to be the best tasting & easy to find brand of oat milk! The price is right and it is made in Canada, no surprise given all the oats we grow. So Fresh is soooo plant based it has a Plantifesto. Fun Foods could all aim to get Plantifestos!!

One of the earliest brands – maybe the first – is Oatly from Sweden. This LIVEKINDLY article reviews the recent history and huge success of the brand – the company is about to proceed with an IPO (Initial Public Offering).

The world is discovering oat milk and this handy PureWow article ranks 6, unfortunately they are mostly available in the US. While I prefer So Fresh, I want to try the Oatly Chocolate Oat Milk!

This #earthdayweek, I highly suggest having your morning coffee AND oatmeal with oat milk as your April 22 Earth Day celebration! And if you are not sold on giving oat milk a try, give this One Green Planet article a read and see if there is another non-dairy milk/mylk that convinces you to help our planet.

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!