February 27th is…Anosmia Awareness Day - Brings attention to a condition causing a loss o

February 27th is…

Anosmia Awareness Day - Brings attention to a condition causing a loss of smell. Of all our senses, smell perhaps is taken for granted more than any other. There are many causes of Anosmia. The most common reasons are due to upper respiratory or sinus/nasal infections or diseases. We’ve all experienced a cold or allergy that’s temporarily prevented us from smelling. However, other conditions cause a permanent or long-term loss of the sense. When anosmia symptoms are prolonged or lifelong, many anosmics do not get to enjoy the flavor of foods, the scent of an infant or use their sense of smell as an early warning system for danger. Our olfactory sense has a powerful effect on memories and emotions. When we lose this sense, the impact is terrific. 

Kahlua Day - Recognizes the rich, cream coffee liqueur that also serves up a great many delicious desserts! This alcoholic beverage adds to cocktails and adult flavored desserts equally well. To celebrate, you may want to use Kahlua, a coffee-flavored rum-based liquor, to flavor your ice cream or another dessert such as cheesecake or cake.  It also tastes great in coffee, hot chocolate, creamy cocktails, as a shot or on the rocks. Pedro Domecq began producing Kahlúa in 1936. Kahlúa is made from coffee and rum, so it does contain caffeine.

Pokemon Day -  Marking the anniversary of the Japanese release of Pokémon Red and Green on February 27, 1996, this day is a favorite for fans of the franchise. The game was developed by Game Freak and released by Nintendo to be played on the Game Boy.

Polar Bear Day -  Polar bears can reach a height of 9 ft tall and a weight of 1400 pounds. They use their large, slightly webbed front paws to paddle as they swim.  As they are powerful swimmers, some polar bears swim hundreds of miles from land.  Polar bears have a warming layer of fat covered by their thick coat of insulating fur, which helps them live in colder environments.

Retro Day - This day takes us back to a time before smartphones and the internet. Every generation looks back and asks, “Remember when?” This celebration indulges our love for the good ol’ days while remaining in the present. No matter the decade, pick a point in time where people talked more face to face than text to text, had dinner at home around the table and the kids played games that didn’t require internet.

Strawberry Day -  There are a few different stories behind the origin of the name. The more widely accepted version is that the berries would drop off the leaves and become “strewn” about the plant. Over time “strewn-berries” became “strawberries”. There was a time (and some gardeners still do this today) when strawberry beds were mulched with straw, insulating the plants over the winter, keeping weeds at bay during the growing season, and making them easier to harvest. Another sweet story tells of English children stringing the berries on grass straws and selling the “straw berries” in their neighborhoods. There are over 600 varieties of strawberries as well. An excellent source of Vitamin C, strawberries are also a good source of folic acid, potassium, and fiber. At 55 calories and zero fat in 1 cup, these sweet things hit the spot when snack time is calling!

World NGO Day - World Non-governmental Organization (NGO) Day recognizes the inspirational work of the people behind not-for-profit organizations around the world do every day.  NGOs are found at the local, regional and international levels. NGOs, according to Article 71 of the United Nations Charter, are defined as any organization “independent from government influence and is not-for-profit.” Equally important, these groups provide benefits to individuals and communities that may not otherwise be available. They improve neighborhoods and the lives of the people who live in them. From medical aid, financial services, environmental research, educational support, and crisis intervention, NGOs provide a variety of services.