National Bizarre Holiday List

August 4th - National Coast Guard Day

2012-08-07T12:37:00.000-04:00

Probably the least appreciated and most poked fun at branch of the military is the Coast Guard, and incorrectly so. For anyone who has ever watched an episode of Deadliest Catch and has seen a crabbing trip gone bad, they always know that the boys in orange will be doing all they can to swoop down in the rough seas and risk life and limb to save somebody that they have never met before in their life. Still think it's an easy job? Of course not, and that is why August 4th is "National Coast Guard Day".

The U.S. Coast Guard was created on August 4th, 1790 when the Revenue Cutter Service was created by the U.S. Congress. Congress then authorized the construction of ten cutter ships, which were built to enforce U.S. tariff laws. The Revenue Cutter Service was the early version of the U.S. Coast Guard, which officially got the name "Coast Guard" in 1915. "National Coast Guard Day" does not have any official origins, but any profession that risks it all in order to save a life or two deserves their own day regardless of whether or not it is nationally recognized.

So whether you know somebody in the Coast Guard, would like to join the Coast Guard or just really enjoy swimming in the ocean or watching Deadliest Catch, make sure to thank all of those who wait on call in order to make the waters safe for all of us adventure goers. And if you really want to show your appreciation, drive a ship out into the middle of nowhere, jump off and wait for the Coast Guard to rescue you so you can personally thank them. I'm kidding of course, just bake them a cake or some cookies instead...

Still not convinced, then check out this top 10 Coast Guard rescues video below.

August 3rd - National Watermelon Day

2012-08-03T12:33:00.000-04:00

I bet I know who really enjoys celebrating "National Watermelon Day". Yeah you know who I'm talking about. I'm talking about everybody. That's right, cause even if you don't like the delicious fruity nectar of this refreshing summer snack, you can still spit the seeds at all the people you don't like and play it off like you were just trying to not swallow the seeds. There are hardly any other foods and no other fruits in which spitting is not only acceptable but completely encouraged and that is why we celebrate August 3rd for being "National Watermelon Day".

Watermelons are thought to have originated in southern Africa where it is found growing in the wild. Although evidence of the watermelon's cultivation was found in the Nile Valley of Egypt as early as second millennium BC with watermelon seeds even being found at the tomb site of King Tut. Watermelon is also mentioned as being eaten by ancient Israelites in the Bible during the time when they were in bondage with Egypt. There is no official origin of the first "National Watermelon Day", but I would like to think that it was started by King Tut who often enjoyed watermelon after his large feasts and would have regular seed spitting contests with his advisers.

So what are you waiting for? Go buy some watermelon and have some watermelon eating contests, speed sitting contests, or even better, inject it with vodka and let the real party start. And if you are not a fan of the seeds, you can always buy a seedless watermelon, but that just takes all of the fun out of it. Just in case you were wondering too, the Guinness Book of World Record distance for a watermelon seed spit is 68 feet 9 and 1/8 inches held by Lee Wheelis in 1989.

And if you need any pointers on how to properly eat a watermelon, just let Petey Greene show you how in his tell all video on "How To Eat A Watermelon".

August 2nd - National Ice Cream Sandwich Day

2012-08-02T13:24:00.000-04:00

The ice cream sandwich has to be one of the most genius and tasty dessert treats that has ever been invented. Taking two slabs of chocolate cookies and slapping a healthy dose of vanilla ice cream in between couldn't be any simpler yet any more delicious. And just in time too for the true dog days of summer which makes August 2nd "National Ice Cream Sandwich Day" all the more perfect and easy to celebrate.

Depending on where you are currently located, the ice cream sandwich has many different origins and names. In Australia they are known as "cream betweens", New Zealand has the "vanilla slice", Scotland and Northern Ireland market them as "sliders', the UK has "nougat wafers" and Singapore calls them "potong" which translates to cut ice cream. So while the names may vary from country to country, the basic makeup is the same and the end result is a happy celebration of this joyful marriage between two sugary favorites. The first ice cream sandwich was said to have been invented in 1945 by Jerry Newberg, an ice cream vendor at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, PA, although pictures of ice cream sandwiches selling for 1c at the shore in Atlantic City have surfaced dating back to as early as 1905.

With all the different varieties of ice cream sandwiches that exist, today seems like the perfect time to try every single one you've ever craved. A little dessert before, after and during every meal never hurt anyone. It's just one day. And if you want to improvise, why not take two of your favorite cookies and slide a big old scoop of vanilla ice cream in between to make your very own bite-sized version.

You can also give this simple ice cream sandwich recipe below a try and make your own version of this summertime delight.

August 1st - National Raspberry Cream Pie Day

2012-08-01T11:27:00.000-04:00

What better way to satisfy that sweet while at the same time staying cool than with a delicious raspberry cream pie? Made with wholesome and tasty raspberries, pie crust, yogurt or pudding and topped off with pretty much anything you desire, the raspberry cream pie is a summertime favorite and the perfect compliment for picnic goers and barbeque's everywhere. Even better, there is no cooking involved when making this tasty treat and that is why August 1st is "National Raspberry Pie Day".

There really couldn't be a simpler recipe to follow when making your raspberry cream pie. You can just grab some pie crust (any flavor you desire), some fresh raspberries or canned, pudding, yogurt, whip cream, whatever and just mix it in on top of the pie crust, make it look pretty and enjoy! It's so simple in fact that even the Ancient Greeks were known to make pies around 10,000 B.C. And if you are unable to match the culinary skills of the Ancient Greeks, then you must be a female born after 1982. There are no known origins of the very first "National Raspberry Cream Pie Day", but I'm sure it had something to do with someone being lazy and not wanting to cook a pie in some shape or form.

You could always go out and buy a raspberry cream pie from your local bakery or grocery store, but something so simple and delicious should be attempted in the home at first. You could even just put a little pudding or yogurt on top of a nilla wafer and top if off with a fresh raspberry. If you are feeling a little more ambitious, then take on this easy raspberry cream pie recipe below and share it with those around you.

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups crushed vanilla wafers (about 45 wafers)
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup butter, melted
FILLING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons orange liqueur
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped
TOPPING:
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons water
2-1/2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries, divided

Directions

Combine the wafer crumbs, pecans and butter. Press onto the bottom and up the sides of a greased 9-in. pie plate.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, liqueur and vanilla until light and fluffy. Fold in whipped cream. Spread into crust. Chill until serving.
In a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch; stir in water and 1-1/2 cups raspberries. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Transfer to a bowl; refrigerate until chilled.
Spread topping over filling. Garnish with remaining berries. Yield: 8 servings.

Source

July 31st - National Mutts Day

2012-07-31T13:09:00.000-04:00

Mutts. You either love em or hate em. They can either be a smelly, hairy mess who slobber on everything to you, or the most loyal, best friend who will love you unconditionally. Regardless of your views, there is a good chance that you either have a mutt or know someone who does, so why not grab a nice treat or toy to give to him because July 31st is "National Mutts Day".

So you might be asking yourself, what's the difference between a mutt and a dog? Well I'm glad you asked, halfbreed. No I'm not calling you a halfbreed (although I don't know you all that well), but that is the main difference between mutts and dogs. Mutts are a mix breed of dogs from two or several breeds. So if your neighbor just got this interesting looking dog that she calls a labradoodle retriever pit bull, you can be pretty sure that she has a mutt. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, even though mutts have had a bad rap over the years as alley dogs who eat your trash. Rumors most likely started by purebred purists who like to parade their dog around at dog shows just so it can be fondled by some weirdo wearing gloves. Not that there's anything wrong with that. The purebred dogs that is and not the fondling part...

Today's celebration is simple. Treat your or your buddies mutt extra special. After years of discrimination and having stereotypes laid down about them that just aren't true they've definitely earned it. So grab some doggie treats, take him to the park and be sure to give him a little extra love on this important day. Cause let's be honest, he's seen you do things that no one else could ever imagine you doing and will never tell a soul...

July 30th - National Cheesecake Day

2012-07-30T11:34:00.000-04:00

The cheesecake has been revered as one of the most decadent dessert dishes you can indulge in. With its rich and creamy texture and its savory, sugary flavor, the cheesecake has been satisfying sweet tooth's everywhere for many years. And not only can this delicious dessert be topped with fruits, chocolate sauce, nuts, whip cream or just about any other sweet treat you can think up to compliment this dish, there are also varying flavors of cheesecake that exist. Some of which include, lemon, chocolate, toffee, strawberry, key lime and even a peanut butter cup version. So whichever is your favorite, cut yourself a double because July 30th is "National Cheesecake Day".

Popular in ancient Greece, the cheesecake was first mentioned by Greek physician Aegimus, who wrote a book on the art of making cheesecake. The more modern adaptation of the cheesecake was developed accidentally in 1872 by William Lawrence, who was attempting to recreate the soft, French cheese Neufchatel but instead created a heavier and creamier version of what he was attempting. The origins of "National Cheesecake Day" are unknown.

So with all of the different flavors of cheesecake there has to be at least one that you enjoy. And if you would like even more variety, than look no further than the region you are purchasing your cheesecake from. You can get yourself a Pennsylvania Dutch style with a tangy type of cheese, New York style with heavy cream or sour cream, or even a lactose free cheesecake if that sort of thing suits you. So head on over to the local bakery and grab your favorite. Or if you feel so inclined, whip up your own cheesecake with the recipe below.

July 29th - National Lasagna Day

2012-07-29T15:24:00.000-04:00

Get your utensils and appetite ready for this holiday because July 29th is "National Lasagna Day". You would think that this dish would be fit more for the fall or winter since it is such a warm comfort food, but let's be honest, a meal that is packed with meat, cheese and pasta and smothered with tomato sauce and even more cheese can and should be enjoyed year round. Best served with some garlic bread with a little olive oil dipping sauce and a glass of Pinot Noir, lasagna is one of those meals that you can't help but go back for seconds even if you are stuffed to the brim and have zero room for more. Just look at Garfield, he was a cat and he could polish off pan after pan of lasagna with no problem. And he never even thought to share a bite with Odie.

There are many theories as to where this delicious pasta dish originated ranging from a few old Greek dishes which used pasta dough cut into strips and another which used the Greek word (λάσανα, lasana) for lasagna to describe the pot in which the dish was served. The more notable and well-accepted theory is that lasagna derived from the 14th century English recipe "Loseyn" which featured layering of ingredients between sheets of pasta. The use of tomatoes did not appear in the dish for another century or so when the recipe appeared in European literature written in 1544. There are no known origins of the first "National Lasagna Day", but something tells me Garfield had a hand in making this day known as a national holiday.

So grab a pan, all the ingredients you need to make a delicious meal of lasagna and get to work. And if you don't know how to cook, then be sure to go to a local home cooked Italian restaurant to get the next best thing. But in all honesty, nothing beats baking and eating your very own lasagna recipe, so why not follow along with this simple lasagna recipe below and bask in its glory after you complete this Italian favorite. Plus there is also an unwritten rule that says if you make up a meal from scratch you can eat as much of it as you want and not feel guilty. Looks like it's a written rule now...

Or if you are one of those people who like to torture yourself by not eating meat, you can try out this vegetable lasagna recipe below to celebrate along.

Ingredients

1 pound eggplant, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
1/2 pound medium fresh mushrooms, cut into 1/4 inch slices
3 small zucchini, cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices
2 sweet red pepper, cut lengthwise into 6 pieces each
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 (15 ounce) container reduced-fat ricotta cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup egg substitute
1 (26 ounce) jar meatless spaghetti sauce
12 no-boil lasagna noodles
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
3 tablespoons minced fresh basil

Directions

Coat two 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pans with nonstick cooking spray. Place eggplant and mushrooms on a prepared pan. Place the zucchini and red pepper on the second pan. Combine the oil and garlic; brush over both sides of vegetables. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes. Turn vegetables over. Bake 15 minutes longer. Remove eggplant and mushrooms. Bake zucchini and red pepper 5-10 minutes longer or until edges are browned. In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese and egg substitute. Spread about 1/4 cup pasta sauce in a 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Layer with four lasagna noodles (noodles will overlap slightly), half of ricotta cheese mixture, half of vegetables, a third of pasta sauce and 2/3 cup mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with half of basil. Repeat layers. Top with the remaining noodles and pasta sauce. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until edges are bubbly and cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.
Source

July 28th - National Milk Chocolate Day

2012-07-28T13:12:00.000-04:00

Ah milk chocolate. Has there ever been a better comfort food? I mean seriously, a food that is known to release similar chemicals in the brain as an orgasm that tastes like heaven on a stick makes this delectable treat so above and beyond anything else that it's not even fair. And with it's sweet, light and fluffy texture that goes with just about any food or to compliment any meal, it simply is the best. Just think about it, milk chocolate is the base ingredient for 90% of the candy bars in the market. You can dip fruit or even vegetables in it, add its powder form to milk for hot cocoa or chocolate milk, melt it and drizzle it over some ice cream or a sundae, put it in chocolate chip cookies or just eat it by the handful. There is no wrong way to eat milk chocolate so that is why we make July 28th "National Milk Chocolate Day".

Milk chocolate is a product of the cacao bean and has been mainly used as a drink for all of it's history. The first known use of chocolate was in 1100 BC in Puerto Escondido, Honduras where sweet chocolate residue was discovered in jars at a known gathering place. Milk chocolate was later adapted from the cacao bean by being mixed with sugar, milk powder or condensed milk to give it a sweeter flavor with a smoother texture. There are no known origins for the first "National Milk Chocolate Day", but I think it's safe to assume that a group of chocoholics who were tired of be ostracized by their peers for how much chocolate they consumed on a daily basis had something to do with it.

So you have one task and one task only and that is to put milk chocolate on everything today. I'm sure there are your old reliable favorites that you will indulge in first, but be sure to go outside of the box while celebrating today. Put some milk chocolate on some strawberries, eat some candy bars you've never even tried before or drizzle a little chocolate syrup on your ~~lover~~, err bananas. Milk chocolate can be fun for people of all ages, so do it up right...

Milk chocolate is so delicious in fact that even this gorilla will play a drum solo of Phil Collins "In The Air Tonight" just to get a little taste.

Purchase
Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight

July 27th - National Take Your Pants For A Walk Day

2012-07-27T11:43:00.000-04:00

With a day as unusual as "National Take Your Pants For A Walk Day" you may be wondering exactly how one goes about taking their pants for a walk. I'd like to think that if you wear a pair of jeans long enough without washing them that will become so stiff and take on a life of their own that they eventually just get up and walk out your front door on this day. There have been multiple occasions when I woke up in the morning only to notice that my pants had gone missing, and now that I see that a day like today exists I know exactly what happened. And to think, all those years my friends had me convinced that I drank too much whiskey, tore my pants off of myself and ran around telling everybody there was a pants off dance off. Quite the pranksters those guys.

"National Take Your Pants For A Walk Day" is actually just a clever way of telling people to get off of their lazy asses and go outside for a walk. There's a good chance that you will be wearing pants when you go for a walk, hence the whole take your pants for a walk thing. I personally think you should tie a leash around your pants and take them out for a walk for the ultimate celebration of the holiday, but then there's a pretty good chance you will get arrested if you do that. So you might want to think twice about before following through with that plan. There are no known origins of the very first take your pants for a walk day.

The main thing to remember today is to go for a walk. Even if it's pouring rain or in the middle of a tornado you still need give your pants the well deserved break from supporting your ass and get them some fresh air. And maybe wash them and yourself every once in a while. Everybody will benefit from that one...

So let's be sure and celebrate today with a pants party and a little music from Roger Alan Wade should kick it off in the right direction.

Purchase
Party In My Pants

July 26th - National All Or Nothing Day

2012-07-26T09:23:00.002-04:00

July 26th is "National All Or Nothing Day" and I think this one is pretty self-explanatory. Is there something you always wanted to do? A dream job, vacation, talk to someone who might not know you exist, act on Broadway, make a record, run a marathon, whatever really. Today is a day about making no wrong decisons because you are afraid of failing. Life is about trying and failing and learning a lesson from your trial so that next time you can go at it with a better idea of what you're doing and succeed. Without failure there would be no success. So what is it that is really holding you back. Most of the time it's just excuses you've built up in your head and made yourself believe that you are unable to achieve something great. This world wasn't created by people that make excuses, so get off your ass and completely go at it not only today, but each and every day. Just let today be the day you start it. It's like the old Chinese Proverb says. "Those that say it can't be done, should get out of the way of those doing it".

There are no known origins of the first official "National All Or Nothing Day". But don't let that stop you from following in the footsteps of those who were great before and start a new adventure today. It's always been about the journey and not the end result...

"All Or Nothing" by The Small Faces seems like a pretty appropriate theme song for this day and can serve as a little inspiration too.

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All Or Nothing

July 25th - National Culinarians Day

2012-07-25T12:12:00.000-04:00

July 25th is "National Culinarians Day". And for those of you who are scratching your heads wondering what the hell that means, culinarian is simply a fancy word for chef most likely thought up by the French to give themselves a more important title than what they actually are. And if your not sure what a chef is, then you are most likely a female born after 1982 because none of you know how to cook. Only kidding of course, chefs can be called whatever the hell they want as long they keep serving me delicious food on end and enjoy every bit of it. Hell I even have one of those cheeky "Kiss The Chef" aprons with the arrow pointing down that I rock every time there is a grill out even if I'm not cooking. Culinarians are artists and my stomach is the judge, so whenever they feel the need for critique there is a very simple formula to follow. Don't overcook the steak and never under cook the chicken. Easy enough...

There are no known origins of "National Culinarians Day" but the word culinarian first appeared in 1949 in the New Collegiate Dictionary to describe a cook or a chef. It's first use in a negative way was when chef Gordon Ramsay yelled at a fellow chef and called him a culinarian c*cksucker when he undercooked the risotto. Not sure if that's true or not, but I think there's a pretty good chance that it is.

What better way to celebrate this fine day then by whipping up a batch of something special for yourself or for those around you. Especially you ladies, you might be surprised what your man will eat after you serve him a hearty meal fit for a king. So bring out the chef inside of you today and let your culinary skills shine. And remember as Mitch Hedberg used to say, "Fettuccine Alfredo is macaroni and cheese for adults." And everybody can make macaroni and cheese...

Why not try out something new with this classic Italian ~~cleavage~~ porkchop meal with Giada De Laurentiis.

Weeknights with Giada: Quick and Simple Recipes to Revamp Dinner

July 24th - National Tequila Day

2012-07-24T11:45:00.000-04:00

It's happened to all of us. You wake up in the morning, look at your friends and utter the always infamous phrase "I remember everything until we started doing shots of tequila." And after your buddies finish telling you about how you managed to recreate all of the Twilight movies after you swore to everybody you never watched them, you realize that tequila might not be the liquor for you. OK, that was only one time, but it's no excuse to stop drinking this elixir fit for the gods. Tequila always seems like the go to drink when the party is getting dull or when you are trying to get up the nerve to do something you will most likely regret but at the same time won't remember, so it all seemingly works out in the end. So splash in a little tequila with your orange juice this morning and raise your glass because July 24th is "National Tequila Day".

Made from the blue agave plant in the area around the city of Tequila, Mexico, this distilled liquor has been a favorite for fiesta goers and spring breakers everywhere. The early cousin of tequila was a fermented beverage the Aztec people made from the agave plant which they called octli centuries before the Spanish arrived. Tequila was later thought up when the Spanish conquistadors ran out of brandy and began to distill the agave plant. Tequila was then popularized and mass-produced in the early 19th century with Sauza Tequila becoming the first to be exported to the United States. There are no official origins of when "National Tequila Day" began, but my theory is that a bunch of drunks got together and decided to make pretty much one day a week a national drink day so they had another excuse to drink, which is a pretty good idea if you ask me.

So whatever tickles your fancy in the tequila drink category should be your go to beverage for this entire day. Whether it's a margarita, tequila sunrise or just a good old shooter with lemon and salt, you will be sure to have a great time celebrating this amazing holiday. And remember, if somebody asks if you want to eat the worm, don't question it and just do it...

What better theme song to have on "National Tequila Day" then by listening to The Champs "Tequila" and dancing along with Pee Wee Herman.

Purchase
The Champs - Tequila (Original)

July 23rd - National Hot Dog Day

2012-07-23T11:13:00.000-04:00

Has there ever been a food that is more of a staple to picnics, grill outs, and just meals everywhere in general than the hot dog? It's almost always the perfect compliment to a juicy burger, some great side dishes like pasta salad or even just all by itself at the local hot dog stand that has the buns perfectly toasted in the tin foil wrappers. I mean think about it, how many times do you go to a sporting event and grab a dog for a quick snack, or eat a couple of hot dogs while you're waiting for the main course to come out? It's such a simple yet diverse food that can be enjoyed in so many ways. The hot dog just seems to go with everything (probably because it has a little bit of everything inside of it) and has more than earned its spot for July 23rd to be known as "National Hot Dog Day".

There are many claims as to the origination of the hot dog, but the most widely accepted story about the birth of the hot dog comes from Frankfurt, Germany in the 13th century where pork sausages served in a bun were known as Frankfurter Würstchen (Würstchen is German for little sausage). The first known hot dog to be sold in America was when German immigrant Charles Feltman began selling sausages on rolls around 1870 in Coney Island New York. So it looks like there is some good to come out of Germany and we can finally forgive them for that other thing people have been on their case about for so long. And that of course is making David Hasselhoff the number one singer in your country. Shameful...

There are many stories as to where the name hot dog first started being used in association with these small sausages. The most notable and first clear reference of the terms' use took place on December 31, 1892 in an issue of the Paterson Daily Press where Fred R. Shapiro wrote about a local vendor, Thomas Francis Xavier Morris aka "Hot Dog Morris", who overheard a young boy say to Morris "Hey, Mister, give me a hot dog quick". Other stories claim the hot dog got its name because dog meat was used to make it (which wasn't too far fetched considering Germans were known to eat dog meat) but that has yet to be proven today. The first "National Hot Doy Day" is not known, but I'd like to think that it started with the words "Yo, how many hot dogs do you think I can eat?"

What's your favorite way to eat a hot dog? With just a little mustard on top, ketchup, relish and onions, chili cheese, bacon bits, sauerkraut, stuffed with cream cheese and olives or just the good old foot long variety (pervert)? Whatever you fancy you really can't go wrong with this celebration. I'd suggest making one of each hot dog above plus a few unique dogs and have a hot dog eating competition with whoever you can find to participate with you. That shouldn't be too hard considering Americans consume more than 20 billion hot dogs a year...

There are surprisingly quite a few songs about hot dogs out there but I think Mickey Mouse's "Hot Dog Song" catches the true spirit of the holiday and is simple enough that everybody can sing along.

And while you're listening to this song on repeat in your mind, test out your culinary skills with this delicious chili dog recipe perfect for today's celebration.

Ingredients:

1 steamed all-beef hot dog
3 slices crispy fried bacon
1/4 cup chopped tomatoes
1 slice American Cheese
2 tablespoons mustard
1/3 cup chili 1 tablespoon diced onions; white preferred over sweet vidalia
1 soft hot dog bun

Preparation:
Spread mustard on a warm, soft hot dog bun. Place cheese on the bun, followed by the hot dog. Top with chili, bacon, tomatoes and onions.
Recipe courtesy Bobby Flay

Purchase
Mickey Mouse - Hot Dog!

July 22nd - National Hammock Day

2012-07-22T15:10:00.000-04:00

Is there ever any reason to not enjoy a nice relaxing afternoon in the sun gently swinging back and forth in the wind? Well if you ever needed an excuse to get away from the family and just be at peace for a few moments, today you have the best excuse possible. That's because July 22nd is "National Hammock Day". And even if most of your memories of hammocks are of being spun around as far possible while hanging on for dear life through the little string holes or waking up with a deep checkered pattern on your face that seemingly lasts for days, they're still a lot better times then doing yard work or hanging with your in laws. So grab a nice cool glass of lemonade, a magazine or your iPad and just enjoy a few moments to yourself.

The hammock is said to have been originated by Native Americans at the time of the Spanish Conquest. Early hammocks were woven out of bark from a hamack tree and later switched to sisal fibers because of its abundance. Hammocks provided protection from animals and insects, particularly snakes and biting ants, by suspending the beds above between two trees above the ground. Hammocks were then introduced to Europe by Christopher Columbus who brought several back to Spain after seeing their use by the Native Americans. There are no known origins as to the very first "National Hammock Day", but in all honesty you should try and make every day during the dog days of summer a hammock day.

With so many varieties of hammocks to choose from, you really can't go wrong celebrating. Whether it's a net or canvas hammock strung between two trees, a portable hammock you can put pretty much anywhere, or a banana hammock that you should wear proud no matter how many people stare, this day is all about getting you to just chill out. So make the best of it, pour yourself a cold one and make sure you provided enough support for yourself so you don't crash to the ground mid nap...

Don't have a hammock? Then why not make your very own following these simple instructions below with minimum materials and time. Just don't fall like this dude.

July 21st - National Junk Food Day

2012-07-21T12:45:00.000-04:00

July 21st is "National Junk Food Day" and what better way to celebrate such a day then by just completely overdoing it. And I'm not just talking about reaching for another handful of doritos when you've already had enough or buying the king size version of a peanut butter twix bar. No I'm talking about making a bowl out of deep fried pizza crust, filling it up with every type of your favorite candy, layering on cheetos and whip cream with bugles and twizzlers on top kind of overindulging. Too much? Well man up and just do it, I'm pretty sure it's mandatory on a day like today. And if you get the urge to eat something healthy, some deep fried, cheesy broccoli bites should have more than enough nutrition in it to balance out the bad.

While a lot of people celebrate every day like it's "National Junk Food Day", today is truly the one day you can look your doctor in the eye and say you have an acceptable reason for deep frying already fried pork rinds to put on top of your bacon for breakfast. The term junk food was said to have been coined in 1972 by Michael Jacobson, who was director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (sounds made up to me). Typical foods that fall under the junk food category are said to contain high levels of sugar, fat and calories while having very little to no nutritional value whatsoever. There is no known origin of the very first "National Junk Food Day", but legend has it that Rosie O'Donnell ate so many sugary snacks on this day while filming A League of Their Own that she went into a sugar induced coma while shouting today is National Junk Food Day! That's actually not true at all, but really doesn't seem all that far-fetched now does it?

So whatever you fancy, whether it be salty, sweet, deep fried or just layered in cheese, be sure to add a little extra in honor of this great holiday. Even if you just go to a fast food restaurant and order one of everything on the dollar menu you will have done your part in celebrating. And remember, you can never put too much bacon on anything...

Take a page out of the Epic Meal Time guys book and make up your very on fast food lasagna.

July 20th - National Moon Day

2012-07-20T12:41:00.000-04:00

I know what you're thinking, so before you go around dropping trowel while proclaiming that July 20th is "National Moon Day", you should probably realize that I am talking about the big old hunk of cheese that hangs out with the stars in the sky at night and not your derrière. Now that we got that out of the way let's discuss why such a holiday exists in the first place. The moon plays a fairly important role our daily lives, ranging from influencing ocean tides with it's gravitational pull to impacting a few crazy people's moods according to its lunar phases. Not to mention that the moon is the only natural satellite to the earth and has been the basis for tales told throughout history for most likely millions of years. These reasons alone should be enough to bask in it's nighttime glory and celebrate its presence every single day.

So why celebrate "National Moon Day" on July 20th? Well that's simple really. You see, on this very day in 1969 famed Apollo 11 American astronaut Neil Armstrong touched down on the Moon's surface and historically took the very first recorded steps on the celestial rock. And as he lept forward, he uttered those famous words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind", that has been mimicked by drunk people everywhere trying to walk up their steps to get to bed after a day of trying to fly to the moon in their mind. There are no specific recordings showing when the first official "National Moon Day" was celebrated, but I think we can just assume that there was quite a bit of celebrating going on at NASA and homes around the world on July 20th, 1969 so we can pretty much inaugurate that day to be the beginning of this monumental holiday.

To celebrate this historical event you can go as big or as small as you desire. Anything from eating some moon pies, watching Apollo 13, stargazing, or even by doing some moonwalking of your own. There really is no wrong way to celebrate. I would suggest doing all of the above though while throwing one killer lunar party. Get yourself a keg of Blue Moon, dress up as an astronaut, serve moon shaped snacks and make up a playlist of songs completely about the moon. Then and only then will it be acceptable to moon somebody in honor of this great holiday...

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Van Morrison - Moondance

July 19th - National Daiquiri Day

2012-07-19T12:55:00.000-04:00

Now here is a holiday that we can all fully get behind and celebrate properly. With the perfect mixture of sweet, sour and alcohol, the daiquiri has been a favorite of party goers and beach dwellers year round to give that tropical vacation feel to any party. With base ingredients of rum, lime juice, and sugar, the daiquiri can take on any fruity flavor your palate desires from the smooth strawberry daiquiri to the tangy banana daiquiri and can be served straight up or as a frozen mixture with crushed ice. The daiquiri is also one of the few beverages where it is acceptable to drink from a cocktail glass, so you can feel somewhat classy while you're sucking down your rum infused slurpee.

The daiquiri was said to have originated in Santiago, Cuba by Jennings Cox, an American mining engineer who just so happened to be in Cuba during the Spanish-American War and thought up the drink when he was looking to get a little blotto but found himself to have run out of gin. The drink stayed somewhat local to the Santiago area until in 1909 when Cox introduced the drink to Admiral Lucius W. Johnson, a U.S. Navy medical officer who in turn introduced the sweet boozy delight to the Army and Navy Club in Washington, D.C. The drinks popularity grew from there and was said to be the favorite drinks of President John F. Kennedy and famous writer Ernest Hemingway, who was later credited with thinking up the frozen variety of the daiquiri that is popular today.

Today's celebration should be a pretty easy one for you. All you need to do is a mix up a batch of your favorite variety and imbibe fruitfully. Not sure which flavor you like the best? Then mix up a dozen or so batches and taste test until you figure out which one you enjoy the most. Either that or until you wake up in the front yard again. And if you don't drink alcohol you can even whip up a virgin daiquiri to celebrate along. Although if that's the case, you'd probably be better of just buying a water ice or slushee...

Make your very own daiquiri by following this simple recipe below.

July 18th - National Caviar Day

2012-07-18T13:48:00.000-04:00

July 18th is known as "National Caviar Day" around the world, or more notably, in upper class neighborhoods who feel that eating little baby fish fetuses truly cements their status in society. Known for its salty flavor, caviar is actually non-fertilized, processed and curated roe (fish eggs) that can be eaten on it's own with some crackers or bread or served as a garnish to give food that little extra something to really standout. Normally black in color, true caviar is said to come from the wild sturgeon in the Caspian and Black Seas, but can also be orange or red in color and come from many other species of fish such as the salmon, steelhead, whitefish, trout or lumpfish.

Caviar actually has a long and illustrious history with recorded mentions of it's existence dating back to the times of Aristotle who wrote that the arrival of caviar during a feast normally indicated the end of the meal. The Persians were the most notable cultivators of this delicacy, who were said to have harvested the roe in belief of it's medicinal qualities. There are also many notations of caviar during the Middle Ages and being served during feasts thrown by King Edward II of England and was strictly reserved only for royalty. There is no known origin for the start of "National Caviar Day".

So go out and grab your favorite tin of caviar and celebrate by eating it by the spoonful directly out of the container. Or if you are feeling really adventurous, why not head to your local stream or lake and see what types of fresh caviar you can scrape up yourself. That's how the Persians would have wanted you to celebrate. I'm only kidding of course, but why not try out all types of caviar and see which suits your palete the best. And if you're not a fan of this salty treat, then you can always make up your own candy caviar or even just buy a bag of swedish fish and pretend they are little baby sturgeon.

I think the only true way to celebrate this day is to go all out like the guys of Epic Meal Time and make your very own candy sushi.

July 17th - National Yellow Pig Day

2012-07-17T11:57:00.000-04:00

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that there are no yellow pigs in existence and that celebrating "National Yellow Pig Day" makes about as much sense as two bald men fighting over a comb. Don't worry though, there is a reasonable explanation to all of this madness, sort of...

The origin of July 17th becoming "National Yellow Pig Day" goes back to the 1960's when two math students (David Kelly & Michael Spivak) at Princeton University were given an assignment to study the properties of the number 17. Needless to say the constant thought of the number 17 drove both students quite mad so in order to save the little bit of sanity they had left they decided to create the mythical yellow pig. The yellow pig was a creature which had 17 toes, 17 eyelashes, 17 teeth and 17 of pretty much every other body part you can think of. With the legend of the yellow pig growing over the years, the story has now become a celebration recognized by mathematicians all over the world who realize that their profession is futile.

So how does one go about celebrating "National Yellow Pig Day"? That's simple really and as I always say, when in doubt do as the Roman Numerals do (a little math humor for you). And I think that in this case they would celebrate by doing everything in groups or multiples of 17. For example you can brush your hair 17 times, or take 17 bites of your morning donut, eat 17 strips of bacon, put in 17 spoonfuls of sugar in your coffee, drink 17 beers or do 17 shots with your coworkers or by yourself when they day is done (some of these are more examples than actual ideas and should not be attempted). Other and more widely accepted ways to celebrate this day is by making yellow pig cake, yellow pig cookies or cupcakes and even singing yellow pig songs. In all honesty though there really is no proper way to celebrate yellow pig day. As creator David Kelly says, it's a day to let our imaginations run (hog) wild and come up with your own ideas on how to celebrate. So now that you know what you are doing, get out there and make this the best yellow pig day ever!

I couldn't find any official songs for yellow pig day but Donovan's "Mellow Yellow" came to mind and could definitely work with a few lryic changes.

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Donovan - Mellow Yellow

July 16th - National Corn Fritters Day

2012-07-16T13:28:00.000-04:00

July 16th is also known as "National Corn Fritters Day" here in the bizarre holiday world. And what could be more appropriate then to head to your local restaurant and eat up a batch of these savory fried biteables that are a perfect side dish with any barbeque or southern-style meal. Made up of a mixture of corn, egg, flour, milk and butter, these tasty treats can be fried or baked and served with pretty much any dipping sauce that suits your palete or topped with fresh fruits and syrup to make one delicious dessert.

There are no known specific origins for this holiday or dish, but the corn fritter is thought to have originated in the Southern region of the U.S., although similar recipes have been found in many different cultures all over the world.

So what better way to celebrate and treat yourself then by whipping up your own batch of corn fritters and trying all different combinations of toppings to see which you like best. Plus you can try and pass them off as healthy since it technically is a vegetable that you are using as your base ingredient. Check out a few recipes below and indulge.

Or you can try out this Southern style recipe from Paula Deen, which you know is going to taste amazing.

Ingredients
1 1/4 cus self-rising cornmeal mix
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
2 large eggs, slightly beaten
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
1 (15.25 ounce) can corn, drained
Vegetable oil, for frying

Directions
Heat oil to 325 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine cornmeal mix, flour, sugar, and salt. In a small bowl, combine milk and eggs. Add milk mixture to cornmeal mixture, stirring well. Stir in butter and corn. Pour oil to a depth of 2 inches in a Dutch oven, or use a deep-fryer. Drop by tablespoons into hot oil. Cook 2 to 4 minutes, or until golden, turning once. Drain on paper towels.

July 15th - National Gummi Worm Day

2012-07-15T16:58:00.000-04:00

July 15th is officially "National Gummi Worm Day" and what better way to celebrate then by seeing how many gummi worms you can stuff into your mouth at the same time. My personal best is 47, good luck beating that. With multiple different colors, sizes, and flavors, the gummi worm has been a favorite scare tactic for older brothers everywhere who try and convince their younger siblings that they are actually putting a real worm down their pants. Either that, or trying to impress the girl they like by eating one in front of them and saying that it was a real worm they just ate. That tactic was always a good one and still works to this day...

Originating in Germany in 1981 by the Trolli company, the gummi worm is arguably the second best gummi candy in a long line of chewy sugary treats trailing only the original gummi bear. With the original gummi bear being created by the German based candy maker Haribo in 1920, the gummi treat got it's name for it's rubbery texture and was called the Gummibär which translates to rubber bear in German.

Perfect for decoration on top of a dirt cake or to just snack on while watching a movie, the gummi worm is one of those treats that is sure to be around for hundreds of years to come. So grab a handful of these sugar filled favorites and be sure to share with those around you. If you come across someone who won't eat a soft, warm gummi worm that has been sitting in your pocket all day, then they most likely aren't someone you should be associating with in the first place.

Or if you really want to celebrate this holiday properly, then why not grab the world's largest gummi worm and see if you can finish the whole thing in one sitting.

Or you can just stick with the traditional dirt cake by following this simple recipe below.

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
3 1/2 cups milk
1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
32 ounces chocolate sandwich cookies with creme filling
1 small package of gummi worms

Directions

Chop cookies very fine in food processor. The white cream will disappear. Mix butter, cream cheese, and sugar in bowl. In a large bowl mix milk, pudding and whipped topping together. Combine pudding mixture and cream mixture together. Layer in flower pot, starting with cookies then cream mixture. Repeat layers. Chill until ready to serve. Add artificial flower and trowel. Sprinkle gummi worms on top. Enjoy!
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July 14th - National Nude Day

2012-07-14T13:13:00.000-04:00

There are not many holidays that will truly get me excited quite like this July 14th, which is officially "National Nude Day". How can you tell I'm excited? Well, we'll leave that be for now and move on to something else... As much as it may sound like some perverted holiday thought up by a group of teenage boys looking to see some boobs for free one day out of the year, National Nude Day is actually a very serious holiday started up by the many nudist groups around the world. The message they are trying to convey is that the human body is a beautiful thing, in all shapes and forms, and should not be something that you are embarassed about. It's how we come into this world and for the few lucky of us it's also the same way we go out of it, so what's there to be ashamed of? If you got it, flaunt it, and if you don't embrace it and celebrate it.

There are no official known origins for National Nude Day, although one belief is that this "au natural" holiday was thought up of by New Zealand TV personality Mark Ellis, who offered a cash reward to anyone who streaked in front of Prime Minister Helen Clark back in 2003.

So celebrate accordingly by doing all your daily chores in and outdoors completely in the buff and be sure to top the night off with a good old fashion streak-off. I'm kidding of course, although it would be interesting to hear that conversation with the police when they catch you running down Main st. completely naked and you tell them you were celebrating a national holiday. So celebrate however you feel is appropriate and simply enjoy the skin you're in and embrace the joy and freedom that nudity can bring to all of us.

I'm not sure if there is an official "National Nude Day" theme song, but I would like to nominate "I'm Too Sexy" by Right Said Fred to fill that gap from this day forward since we are all too sexy for our clothes on this day...

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Right Said Fred - I'm Too Sexy

July 13th - National French Fries Day

2012-07-13T12:11:00.000-04:00

July 13th is "National French Fries Day", or as we like to call it around these parts, Fryday. That joke only works about once every 5 years or so, so if you are reading this and don't get the joke, realize that this was written on a friday. What's not to love about the French fry though? They can be baked, fried, curled, seasoned, dipped in ketchup, ranch, bbq, thousand island or even mayonaisse (only if you have issues) and can accompany just about any meal. Paired best with hotdogs and hamburgers, the french fry has been a staple for summer cookouts and restaurants everywhere for quite some time now.

Thought to have originated sometime in 17th century Belgium, the French fry was said to have been thought up by resourceful (or just lazy) fisherman. The inhabitants would often cook up small strips of fish that they caught earlier in the day to accompany their meals. When the weather would become too dangerous to fish, they would cut up potatoes into thin strips and fry them up to resemble the fish they would normally use. Later, in the early 19th century, this delicious side dish was said to have received it's current French name courtesy of American President Thomas Jefferson, who would noted that he would eat deep-fried raw potatoes cut up into small proportions and accredited French chef Honoré Julien with creating the dish.

So whether you call them French Fries, chips, wedges, tater tots, frites or Belgian fries, just be sure to celebrate by serving yourself a second or even third helping with all of your meals today. Those lazy Belgian fisherman would be proud to see their tradition still living on today...

If you would like to celebrate by making your very own batch, here's a video on how to make McDonald's French fries in the comfort of your own home.

Or if you are looking for a healthier alternative to French fries, here is a simple baked fries recipe to try out.

Ingredients:

3 russet potatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch strips
cooking spray
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Directions Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a medium baking sheet. Arrange potato strips in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, skin sides down. Spray lightly with cooking spray, and sprinkle with basil, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.
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July 12th - National Pecan Pie Day

2012-07-12T10:50:00.000-04:00

If you're a fan of nuts (and frankly who isn't) then today's holiday is catered directly to your liking. That is because July 12th is officially "National Pecan Pie Day" and what better way to celebrate then to stuff your face full of this sweet, crunchy treat. Made up primarily of corn syrup or molasses and pecan nuts on a flaky pie crust, the pecan pie is an American favorite during the holidays. Many other variations of the pie do exist, including putting whipped cream, some fresh fruit, chocolate sauce and even splashing a little bourbon or whiskey in with it can add quite a unique flavor.

The pecan pie was said to have been originated by the French shortly after they settled in the New Orleans area. Locals introduced the French settlers to the native nut, causing them to thnk of new ways to utilize this delectable treat. The dish was later popularized by the makers of Karo syrup in an attempt to give their product a new use. There does not appear to be any documentation as to the actual beginning of "National Pecan Pie Day".

So celebrate accordingly by whipping up your own batch of pecan pie with this simple recipe below. And remember, you are allowed to eat as much as you want today. It is a celebration after all so you might as well indulge...

Pecan Pie Recipe from Good Housekeeping:

3/4 cup(s) dark corn syrup
1/2 cup(s) dark brown sugar
3 tablespoon(s) butter or margarine, melted
1 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
1 pinch(s) salt
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cup(s) pecan halves, toasted
1 9-Inch Baked Pie Shell

Directions Prepare 9-Inch Baked Pie Shell as recipe directs. Cool pie shell on wire rack at least 10 minutes. Reset oven control to 350 degrees. In large bowl, with wire whisk, mix corn syrup, sugar, butter, vanilla, salt, and eggs until blended. With spoon, stir in pecans. Pour filling into pie shell. Bake 43 to 45 minutes or until filling is set around edge but center jiggles slightly. Cool on wire rack at least 3 hours for easier slicing. Refrigerate leftovers up to 1 week.

July 11th - National Cheer Up The Lonely Day

2012-07-11T11:20:00.000-04:00

July 11th is officially "National Cheer Up The Lonely Day". So how can you celebrate such a depressingly themed holiday you might ask? Well that's easy, if you are a happy, outgoing and cheerful person, then why not spread that good vibe with those around you. As they say, happiness is infectious (along with a few other things that we won't discuss here), so why not share it with the people who aren't. If there is someone in your family, a friend you've lost touch with or even an elderly person or someone in your neighborhood who looks like they could use a little cheering up, why not spend 5 minutes with them. You never know how much of an impact such a small gesture can have on both of you. Or if you're not exactly the type, just take a buddy out for a beer or go shopping with your girlfriends if that suits you more. The effort makes all the difference.

National Cheer Up The Lonely Day was said to have been created by Francis Pesek in Detroit, Michigan. Always the quiet kind with a compassionate heart, Francis got the idea as a way of promoting kindenss towards others who were lonely, introverts, stuck in nursing homes with no relatives or friends, or those who may have lost loved ones close to them. He chose July 11th to be "National Cheer Up The Lonely Day" because it was his birthday.

So it's pretty simple really, take some time out and spread some cheer with those around you who need it. The lasting effects could be monumental...

If all else fails, then just play a little "Don't Worry Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin to brighten up the day.

Purchase
Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy