January 31

How I Celebrated

Last day of the month! 1/12 of the year complete can you believe it?! It seems to make the time go by fast. I found a couple other guys doing a year of celebration. We shall see if we accomplish it! I went with my Ghiradelli hot cocoa. But I have to say, if you make that chocolate lava cake I think that counts too!!! Any excuse is a good one. New obsession.

Diet Helpers 

• Sugar Free

  Use cocoa powder and a different kind of sweetener like this recipe from Hershey's for hot cocoa.
  For your brandy Alexander, you can use a sugar free chocolate syrup like this recipe

• Gluten Free

  Yes

• Vegetarian

  yes

Recipes

• All Recipes has one for  some creamy hot cocoa
• Buzzfeed says this is the best hot chocolate
• And another fancy one from bon appetit
• Here is a brandy alexander recipe from chowhound. The rest are basically the same, unless you want to try some of the pinterest inspired by recipes
• Nec vero intermittunt aut admirationem earum rerum, quae sunt ab antiquis repertae, aut investigationem novarum.

Follow Molly's board January 31 Recipes on Pinterest.

History

Punchbowl on Brandy Alexander
So far, most of the alcoholic drink days seem like holiday drinks and have a lot of holiday spices. I guess whatever makes the liquid gold taste like liquid gold? And as popular as it says it is on punchbowl, I definitely have never heard of it.

Merchandise

ooh that sweatshirt... 
Follow Molly's board January 31 Merch on Pinterest.

Restaurants

• Mindy's Hot Chocolate in Chicago is the first place that came up
• Fodor's has a list of the 15 best places to get hot chocolate in America
• Buzzfeed has a similar list but of 27 and these are supposedly the best in the world.
• Someone on tripadvisor said that this Freighthouse Restaurant has the best Brandy Alexander drinks
• And it looks like more people are looking for Brandy Alexander in New York

Other Things to Celebrate Today

• Be Kind to Food Servers Month
• Fat Free Living Month
• Wheat Bread Month
• Meat Month
• Egg Month
• Candy Month
• Bread Baking Month
• National Soup Month
• Hot Tea Month
• California Dried Plum Digestive Health Month (Prune Breakfast Month)
• Oatmeal Month
• Catholic Schools Week
• Children's Authors & Illustrators Week
• National Meat Week
• World Leprosy Week
• Appreciate Your Social Security Check Day
• Backward Day
• Inspire Your Heart with the Arts Day 
• Street Children's Day
• World Leprosy Day

January 30

How I Celebrated

I didn't forget! I had this filmed for a while, but did not have time to edit and upload because of all the errands I had after work and then a super important online tea party that I was co hosting, so I couldn't be late!Anyways, these are dollar store bought croissants, they taste like they are just puff pastries you roll up. I don't know if there is much of a difference between the two, but I know that I would have loved for them to be flakier. Still, any carbs are delicious carbs.

Diet Helpers 

• Sugar Free

  This recipe uses stevia instead of sugar. The picture looks great, but I wonder how different they are just because I thought that sugar helps to activate yeast

• Gluten Free

  This recipe is gluten free and sugar free, but they don't look very flaky, more like rolls. Good luck finding one with a good texture!

• Vegetarian

  Yes

Recipes

• Try your hand at making this "authentic" recipe on all recipes
• Here is one from Weekend Bakery that looks supper professional and store bought (maybe the only good one in the batch? haha jokes)
• Or try one from Fine Cooking.com

Follow Molly's board January 30 Recipes on Pinterest.

History

Punchbowl
Did not know it was Austrian, totally thought it was 100% French. I feel like everyone has better pastries than America. But also, I don't go to fancy bakeries.

Merchandise

Very cute, very French
Follow Molly's board January 30 Merch on Pinterest.

Restaurants

• Try something on this list of the 10 best croissants in LA from LA Weekly
• I'm sure there are plenty of restaurants with croissant in the name like Le Croissant Dore in Westminster
• Or Croissants Bistro and Bakery in SC

Other Things to Celebrate Today

• Be Kind to Food Servers Month
• Fat Free Living Month
• Wheat Bread Month
• Meat Month
• Egg Month
• Candy Month
• Bread Baking Month
• National Soup Month
• Hot Tea Month
• California Dried Plum Digestive Health Month (Prune Breakfast Month)
• Oatmeal Month
• National Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Week
• National Clean Out Your Inbox Week
• National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week
• National Inane Answering Message Day
• National Seed Swap Day
• School Day of Non Violence and Peace

January 29

How I Celebrated

Not depicted is the delicious nacho cheese and salsa I dipped these in. A bit too much savory. Did not feel well after. I wonder if people from China love Fritos 'cause they sure love to make everything else corn flavored.

Diet Helpers 

• Sugar Free

  Corn chips are savory and most do not contain added sugar.

• Gluten Free

  Corn is gluten free so most likely your chips will be gluten free

• Vegetarian

  Yep

Recipes

• Make some chips out of corn tortillas
• Or try making some from scratch
• Maybe make a recipe out of store bought chips

Follow Molly's board January 29 Recipes on Pinterest.

History

 Wikipedia is very helpful. I thought about tortilla chips and that doritos are also made of corn, but they are not quite like fritos, right? I guess it is the extra corn flavor and a different kind of processing to keep that corn flavor.

Merchandise

Most of the merch is corn tortilla inspired cause everyone knows that fritos are the last packs in the assorted chip packs to go. I wonder if they really sell by themselves. Maybe that is why corn chip day exists.
Follow Molly's board January 29 Merch on Pinterest.

Restaurants

I guess if you are going to count tortilla chips as a corn chip for corn chip day, just go to a Mexican restaurant. Nothing is coming up specifically for serving corn chips at restaurants.

 

Other Things to Celebrate Today

• Be Kind to Food Servers Month
• Fat Free Living Month
• Wheat Bread Month
• Meat Month
• Egg Month
• Candy Month
• Bread Baking Month
• National Soup Month
• Hot Tea Month
• California Dried Plum Digestive Health Month (Prune Breakfast Month)
• Oatmeal Month
• National Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Week
• National Clean Out Your Inbox Week
• National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week
• National Medical Group Practice Week
• National School Choice Week
• Tax Identity Theft Week
• Curmudgeons Day
• Freethinkers Day
• Kansas Day
• National Carnation Day
• National Fun at Work Day
• National Preschool Fitness Day
• National Puzzle Day
• Seeing Eye Guide Dog Birthday

January 28

How I Celebrated

Did you notice how unexcited I was about eating blueberry pancakes? I really do not like blueberries. I did finish my plate and I did not have the vomiting problem I did when I first had blueberry muffins. They will forever still be on the bottom of my list.

Diet Helpers 

• Sugar Free

  You can use vanilla and cinnamon to trick your brain into thinking that things are sweet like this recipe (if you would rather not have any added sweetener)

• Gluten Free

  Gluten free pancakes are not too hard to come by and if you use coconut flour, they are pretty freaking tasty. Here is a recipe to try 

• Vegetarian

  Go easy on the bacon

Recipes

• Food network actually has quite a few recipes for blueberry pancakes, but here is Trisha Yearwood's recipe (which seems to be popular as it popped up first)
• All Recipes
• Betty crocker
• Taste of home

Follow Molly's board January 28 Recipes on Pinterest.

History

Punchbowl
Blueberries are horrible. Ever since I had a blueberry muffin at a young age they have made me want to vomit! The only blueberry thing that didn't taste bad was this kids "energy drink" that was essentially extra sugary powerade. So artificial flavor and sugar is where it is at people.

Merchandise

Blueberry pancakes look nice, sure. Even the smell is awful to me though. 
Follow Molly's board January 28 Merch on Pinterest.

Restaurants

• Here are foursquare's suggestions for places to have blueberry pancakes in LA
• Ihop is an obvious solution to pancake craving problems
• I have never heard of this Perkins Restaurant, but they seem to have a few blueberry pancake options.

Other Things to Celebrate Today

• Be Kind to Food Servers Month
• Fat Free Living Month
• Wheat Bread Month
• Meat Month
• Egg Month
• Candy Month
• Bread Baking Month
• National Soup Month
• Hot Tea Month
• California Dried Plum Digestive Health Month (Prune Breakfast Month)
• Oatmeal Month
• National Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Week
• National Clean Out Your Inbox Week
• National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week
• National Medical Group Practive Week
• National School Choice Week
• Tax Identity Theft Week
• Christa McAuliffe Day
• Daisy Day
• Data Innovation Day
• National Kazoo Day
• Rattlesnake Round Up
• Thank a Plugin Developer Day

January 27

How I Celebrated

This is probably the most chocolate-y cake I have ever had and if you need a chocolate fix, you need this cake. End of story. Just search for the crock pot chocolate lava cake online. Pretty simple.

Diet Helpers 

• Sugar Free

  Here is a sugar free recipe for a chocolate cake

• Gluten Free

  Here is a gluten free cake that sounds pretty good if you don't mind dense cakes

• Vegetarian

  Yes

Recipes

• Try one off of the list from huff post
• Martha Stewart has a few recipes for you too
• Don't forget food network

Follow Molly's board January 27 Recipes on Pinterest.

History

Punchbowl
It is hard to decide what cake is the best chocolate cake. I love the dark dark devils chocolate and the super moist lava cake and German chocolate mostly for the coconut frosting (but for some reason, I don't think today would be a good day for German chocolate cake...)

Merchandise

Some of the stuff I found on pinterest is pretty cute
Follow Molly's board January 27 Merch on Pinterest.

Restaurants

• Chilis has their chocolate molten lava cake and I mean it is pretty good, but it isnt like the BEST ive ever had.
• This looks like the ultimate chocolate cake bucket list in LA
• People like claim jumper and maybe their cake is good, but their strawberry shortcake is not a cake at all. Don't waste your money!

Other Things to Celebrate Today

• Be Kind to Food Servers Month
• Fat Free Living Month
• Wheat Bread Month
• Meat Month
• Egg Month
• Candy Month
• Bread Baking Month
• National Soup Month
• Hot Tea Month
• California Dried Plum Digestive Health Month (Prune Breakfast Month)
• Oatmeal Month
• National Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Week
• National Clean Out Your Inbox Week
• National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week
• National Medical Group Practice Week
• National School Choice Week
• Tax Identity Theft Week
• Auschwitz Liberation Day
• Holocaust Memorial Day
• International Mobile Phone Recycling Day
• National Geographic Day
• Punch the Clock Day
• Thomas Crapper Day
• Vietnam Peace Day

January 26

How I Celebrated

Yeah, peanut brittle is ok. But just ok. I can see why it isn't popular. It just is like... well I need something sweet so all I have are these peanuts and some sugar. And I think I would rather have candied peanuts because the brittle just feels like it is destroying my teeth. Ah well. Happy Peanut Brittle Day!

Diet Helpers 

• Sugar Free

  Looks like there are plenty of companies that sell sugar free peanut brittle, and here is a recipe that you can try for yourself. 

• Gluten Free

  Yes

• Vegetarian

  Yes!

Recipes

• Betty Crocker
• Food Network
• Martha Stewart
• Joy of Baking

Follow Molly's board January 26 Recipes on Pinterest.

History

Punchbowl
My first memory of peanut brittle is playing candy land.

Merchandise

Follow Molly's board January 26 Merch on Pinterest.

Restaurants

• Do regular old stores count? Cracker Barrel?
• There is some peanut brittle creme brulee at Marmalade restaurant and bar in San Juan
• Or peanut brittle ice cream at Karoux Restaurant in South Africa

Other Things to Celebrate Today

• Be Kind to Food Servers Month
• Fat Free Living Month
• Wheat Bread Month
• Meat Month
• Egg Month
• Candy Month
• Bread Baking Month
• National Soup Month
• Hot Tea Month
• California Dried Plum Digestive Health Month (Prune Breakfast Month)
• Oatmeal Month
• National Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Week
• National Clean Out Your Inbox Week
• National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week
• National Medical Group Practice Week
• National School Choice Week
• Tax Identity Theft Week
• Australia Day
• Lotus 1-2-3 Day
• Spouse's Day
• Toad Hollow Day of Encouragement

January 25

How I Celebrated

I did not know they made Bailey's Irish Cream Creamer. It was sooo freaking good. I have had Irish Cream in chocolate bars before and it is one of my favorites and now I think I have a new favorite. Did not want to delve into the haggis this time. Maybe one day I will visit the UK and try some authentic... sausage? Happy National Irish Cream Day!

Diet Helpers 

• Sugar Free

  Get yourself some sugar free whipped cream for your Irish coffee.
  As for haggis, I don't think there is sugar involved unless you put it in some of your sides or dressings

• Gluten Free

  Lookin good!

• Vegetarian

  Your coffee should be fine, but as for haggis, you may need a recipe like this but I really wouldn't know how the taste compared. I would guess that it wouldn't because the ingredients are really... special. I have to say it is more appealing to me right now even though I really want to be open to trying all kinds of food.

Recipes

• Making haggis? Alton Brown can't steer us wrong right?
• Try making haggis in your slow cooker!
• Try a vegan Irish coffee

Follow Molly's board January 25 Recipes on Pinterest.

History

Punchbowl on Irish Coffee and Burns Night
I like the Idea of a Scottish bard. I didn't realize how crazy both Irish and Scottish pronunciation is. I still don't really know how to say Auld Lang Syne and I already forgot how to pronounce that actress' name (Saoirse). I always want to say Siaosi LMAO.

Merchandise

Make sure to wear a wool tartan scarf! Super soft and warm.
Follow Molly's board January 25 Merch on Pinterest.

Restaurants

• The Buena Vista in San Francisco is where the Irish Coffee came to America
• Want to travel for the real deal? Here are 13 coffees you have to try according to the Daily Edge
• Tom Bergin's is the "house of Irish Coffee" in LA
• Try some Haggis in Edinburg!
• Here are some places to try some haggis (even though the real thing is illegal her in the good ol' ban everything USof A) in LA

Other Things to Celebrate Today

• Be Kind to Food Servers Month
• Fat Free Living Month
• Wheat Bread Month
• Meat Month
• Egg Month
• Candy Month
• Bread Baking Month
• National Soup Month
• Hot Tea Month
• California Dried Plum Digestive Health Month (Prune Breakfast Month)
• Oatmeal Month
• International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
• National Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Week
• National Clean Out Your Inbox Week
• National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week
• National Medical Group Practice Week
• National School Choice Week
• Tax Identity Theft Week
• Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day)
• Week of Christian Unity
• A Room of One's Own Day
• Better Business Communication Day
• Bubble Wrap Appreciation DAy
• Macintosh Computer Day
• National IV Nurse Day
• Observe the Weather DAy
• Opposite Day

January 24

How I Celebrated

After a big pie yesterday (it was a splurge), we kept it simple with some nutter butters. Ill have to try lobster thermidor another day.

Diet Helpers 

• Sugar Free

  It is really hard to find store bought peanut butter that has no sugar added. Believe me, I have looked. Once we tried soy nut butter as an alternative. It pretty much tastes like edamame, so not bad, but not a peanut butter substitute.
  Lobster Thermidor is a savory dish so it is not likely that you will have sugar in it.

• Gluten Free

  Both are generally gluten free, always check recipes and manufacturers labels.

• Vegetarian

  I'm sure vegetarians love to get their protein from peanuts. Lobster is an animal, so maybe not a good choice. Although, I have heard some do not consider shellfish to be "meat"

Recipes

• Here is a recipe for lobster thermidor form epicurious
• So I think Desserts with Benefits is the blogger girl I am jealous of. Making healthy desserts became her major (like health science or something) and so her profession is to eat delicious healthy treats?! Anyways here is her recipe for natural peanut butter
• If you are really about that vegan life, here is what you can use instead of lobster.

Follow Molly's board January 24 Recipes on Pinterest.

History

I really want to know where punchbowl got its info about the preferences of peanut butter types based on gender. They got me all wrong. Everyone knows that extra crunchy is the best.

Merchandise

Lobster clothing is so cute, but I still am scared to touch live lobsters and crabs! 
Follow Molly's board January 24 Merch on Pinterest.

Restaurants

• Here is a fancy place to eat lobster in LA... but where would you eat lobster that wasn't spendy?
• Maybe Yelp can help me find a place to try lobster Thermidor?
• Or maybe it is a Vegas thing
• Looks like there was a shop in Studio City that did peanut butter stuff, but they are... still moving? Their peanut butter is still available for purchase though.

Other Things to Celebrate Today

• Be Kind to Food Servers Month
• Fat Free Living Month
• Wheat Bread Month
• Meat Month
• Egg Month
• Candy Month
• Bread Baking Month
• National Soup Month
• Hot Tea Month
• California Dried Plum Digestive Health Month (Prune Breakfast Month)
• Oatmeal Month
• International Snowmobile Safety and Awareness Week
• International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
• National Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Week
• National Clean Out Your Inbox Week
• National School Choice Week
• Tax Identity Theft Week
• Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day)
• Week of Christian Unity
• Beer Can Appreciation Day
• Belly Laugh Day
• Change a Pet's Life Day
• National Bible Sunday
• National Compliment Day
• Talk Like a Grizzled Prospector Day
• Visit Your Local Quilt Shop Day

January 23

How I Celebrated

So, I have never had a Rhubarb Pie before today so it was the perfect day to try one. We went to four n 20, a cafe that our friend Drewski recommended to us while he was here. It was a strawberry rhubarb pie, and I think that might also be another day in the future, so if there are not any other foods celebrated on that day, I'll either have to get creative or just have another. Don't mind if I do....
Happy National Pie Day!

Diet Helpers 

• Sugar Free

  Pie is a toughie to do without sugar. Here is a list from Yummly

• Gluten Free

  Gluten free crusts are easy enough as far as ingredients go, but even regular crusts are hard to get right (according to Nate). Here is a recipe to try

• Vegetarian

  Yep

Recipes

• One from all recipes
• And a recipe from the NY Times
• Courtesy of food network
• And America's homemaker, Martha

Follow Molly's board January 23 Recipes on Pinterest.

History

Here is punchbowl on national pie day
 I'm trying to remember if I have ever tried rhubarb pie. I remember that Pam doesn't like it on the office. I think my grandma tried to grow it in her backyard. Makes sense, it looks like it is a Southern Pie.

Merchandise

Follow Molly's board January 23 Merch on Pinterest.

Restaurants

• Here are the best places for rhubarb in LA according to foursquare
• I may be trying four n 20 because it was close by and recommended by a friend
• Here are the Daily Meal's suggestions for the best pie shops in America
• If you are not in the spirit to try rhubarb pie, go for some haupia at Teds
• A final recommendation from myself would be a diner like Shari's. I think they have a meal and pie deal on certain days.

Other Things to Celebrate Today

• Be Kind to Food Servers Month
• Fat Free Living Month
• Wheat Bread Month
• Meat Month
• Egg Month
• Candy Month
• Bread Baking Month
• National Soup Month
• Hot Tea Month
• California Dried Plum Digestive Health Month (Prune Breakfast Month)
• Oatmeal Month
• Hunt for Happiness Week
• International Snowmobile Safety and Awareness Week
• International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
• National Activity Professionals Week
• National Fresh Squeezed Juice Week
• National Handwriting Analysis Week
• Week of Christian Unity
• Local Quilt Shop Day
• Measure Your Feet Day
• National Handwriting Day
• Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day

January 22

How I Celebrated

I might make blondies later today for Nate to try because he has never had them. When I got home, Nate had made some tasty grits and biscuits and gravy! If you know me, you know I love gravy. And carbs. And bad food. So it was a great thing to come home to. We got a frozen biscuit dough pack from the dollar store, a gravy mix pack also at the dollar store and I am not sure where we got the grits from. Maybe big lots? If he had not made the food before I got here, I would have tried something crazy I came up with to get two more elements of the southern food in there. I wanted to try making the grits into balls and frying them (cause they fry everything in the south right?) and then dip them in BBQ sauce cause barbecue is a southern thing too, right? I have no idea. My grandma would be quite disappointed (well, that wouldn't be the first time either hashtag rebel heart hashtag not Madonna). Happy National blonde brownies day and southern food day!

Diet Helpers 

• Sugar Free

  Try this for a sugar free version of a blondie dessert
  As for southern food, you will have to check each recipe for diet restrictions

• Gluten Free

  These actually look pretty appealing for a gluten free baked dessert.
  As for southern food, you will have to check each recipe for diet restrictions

• Vegetarian

  Blondies are good to go!
  As for southern food, you will have to check each recipe for diet restrictions

Recipes

• Bobby Flay has a recipe for blondies for you
• This recipe claims to be easy and adaptable, so if you have a hard time in the kitchen, try it out
• Here are a bunch of "quick" southern classic recipes
• And my southern food suggestion is chicken fried steak (with mash and gravy)

Follow Molly's board January 22 Recipes on Pinterest.

History

 I don't think that blondies can win my heart over like brownies do. What can I say, Im just into that chocolate. Did you know they have KFC in China? They serve noodle bowls there. Also, their chicken nuggets have corn kernels in them.

Merchandise

Follow Molly's board January 22 Merch on Pinterest.

Restaurants

• Of course Popeyes comes to mind with southern food
• Check out this list of spots in LA for southern food
• Looks like applebees is the first that comes up for having a blondie on the menu

Other Things to Celebrate Today

• Oatmeal Month
• California Dried Plum Digestive Health Month (Prune Breakfast Month)
• Hot Tea Month
• National Soup Month
• Bread Baking Month
• Candy Month
• Egg Month
• Meat Month
• Wheat Bread Month
• Fat Free Living Month
• Be Kind to Food Servers Month
• Healthy Weight Week
• Hunt for Happiness Week
• International Snowmobile Safety and Awareness Week
• International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
• National Activity Professionals Week
• National Fresh Squeezed Juice Week
• National Handwriting Analysis Week
• No Name Calling Week
• Sugar Awareness Week
• Week of Christian Unity
• Celebration of Life Day
• National Answer Your Cat's Question Day
• Roe vs. Wade Day

January 21

How I Celebrated

Nate said the clam chowder tasted weird even though we both are used to eating chowder from a can. Maybe it is because he put some cheese wiz on it. Ask him about it, I don't know why he is like that. The granola bar was a fruit and nut trail mix bar Nature Valley I believe. I like the sweeter ones. Like the sweet and salty nut ones. Fave. Happy National Granola Bar Day and National New England Clam Chowder Day!

Diet Helpers 

• Sugar Free

  Did your parents ever tell you to eat something healthy and sometimes those chewy granola bars counted? I am pretty sure there is enough sugar in there to count as a cookie. I have not come across any sugar free ones at the store, but then again I never really looked. Here is a recipe for granola bars without refined sugar.

• Gluten Free

  I don't think I would want to be gluten free for clam chowder day. I really like thick and super creamy clam chowder, and this recipe looks kinda watery. Maybe it tastes better?
  It looks like a lot of granola bars are gluten free. Here is one example.

• Vegetarian

  Granola bars are okay, but if you are a chowder lover, you might want to try something like this recipe.

Recipes

• Here is Alton Brown's recipe for Granola Bars
• Here is a list of several healthy granola bars
• Get fancy making your own clam chowder and cooking with wine haha

Follow Molly's board January 21 Recipes on Pinterest.

History

Punchbowl
My favorite thing I learned is that Maine made it illegal to put tomatoes in clam chowder. Sounds obvious to me, but there is a story behind every bill right?

Merchandise

Gp and buy some of the nature valley fruit and nut bars or just the sweet and salty ones. SO GOOD.
Follow Molly's board January 21 Merch on Pinterest.

Restaurants

• It would probably be best to go out to New England to eat some New England Clam Chowder
• Out in Portland? Check out Mo's. Cause the name is cool, and I liked it. Right on the beach.
• Here are some clam chowders in LA

Other Things to Celebrate Today

• Oatmeal Month
• California Dried Plum Digestive Health Month (Prune Breakfast Month)
• Hot Tea Month
• National Soup Month
• Bread Baking Month
• Candy Month
• Egg Month
• Meat Month
• Wheat Bread Month
• Fat Free Living Month
• Be Kind to Food Servers Month
• Healthy Weight Week
• Hunt for Happiness Week
• International Snowmobile Safety and Awareness Week
• International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
• National Activity Professionals Week
• National Fresh Squeezed Juice Week
• National Handwriting Analysis Week
• No Name Calling Week
• Sugar Awareness Week
• Week of Christian Unity
• Get to Know Your Customer Day
• National Hugging Day
• Squirrel Appreciation Day
• Women's Healthy Weight Day

January 20

How I Celebrated

After reading all the crock pot mac and cheese recipes, I decided to just make my own on the stove because it was way faster. I mean, why cook in a crock pot if you still have to cook the noodles separately and it takes 2 hrs instead of a long period of time that you can leave and come back to a meal? 2 hrs is not beneficial time wise for me at all. I just kind of made up my own recipe and it turned out pretty great. I did a few things because I thought that merely a string cheese would be boring. I still have other kid sort of treats (mac and cheese, cheese wiz) and then buttercrunch is an almond roca (it is on their label) but once again, pretty close to the same thing as toffee. I do not recommend the peppermint ones though. The flavors do not belong together.

Diet Helpers 

• Sugar Free

  Here is a sugar free recipe for buttercrunch
  Have a sugar free coffee break and maybe some cheese cubes
  

• Gluten Free

  The above recipe is also gluten free (though most are)
  Cheese is also gluten free

• Vegetarian

  Yes Yes Yes

Recipes

• Huffpo made this list of 50 recipes for cheese lovers
• How about a few gluten free recipes for mac and cheese?
• Make your own buttercrunch 
• Or, maybe make some buttercrunch coffee cake for your coffee break

Follow Molly's board January 20 Recipes on Pinterest.

History

Punchbowl
Can I still be considered a cheese lover if I am picky about my cheese? I had no idea there were so many kinds of cheese. I knew there were a lot that I had never tried either because of cost or because of smell. I find it strange if people aren't cheese lovers, though. For example, how awesome is this gift? 

Merchandise

I think people need to walk around with those cheese head hats on all day. That would be awesome and hilarious.
Follow Molly's board January 20 Merch on Pinterest.

Restaurants

• Here are some of the best cheesy dishes in New York
• If you ever head out to the Oregon coast, make sure you check out the Tillamook Cheese Factory and stock up on squeaky cheese
• Looks like buttercrunch is not a very popular thing at restaurants. There was this pecan butter crunch cake at the Amerigo Italian Restaurant in MS

Other Things to Celebrate Today

• Oatmeal Month
• California Dried Plum Digestive Health Month (Prune Breakfast Month)
• Hot Tea Month
• National Soup Month
• Bread Baking Month
• Candy Month
• Egg Month
• Meat Month
• Wheat Bread Month
• Fat Free Living Month
• Be Kind to Food Servers Month
• Healthy Weight Week
• Hunt for Happiness Week
• International Snowmobile Safety and Awareness Week
• International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
• National Activity Professionals Week
• National Fresh Squeezed Juice Week
• National Handwriting Analysis Week
• No Name Calling Week
• Sugar Awareness Week
• Week of Christian Unity
• Camcorder Day
• Inauguration Day
• National Bill Cosby Sweater Day
• National Disc Jockey Day
• Penguin Awareness Day

January 19

How I Celebrated

I have been eating my box of Captain Crunch since I bought it a while ago at the dollar store (quite a good deal, eh?) but I have been saving the rest just to eat today. I also thought I would eat one of my favorite recipes of popcorn, hurricane popcorn. It isn't the store bought super expensive and delicious very processed one, it is just a version I found on the internet with Aloha shoyu, furikake, and rice cracker mix. Oh and dont forget the real butter (unsalted because the soy sauce is already salty. ENJOY :)

Diet Helpers 

• Sugar Free

  Plain with no additives, of course!

• Gluten Free

  Corn is gluten free!

• Vegetarian

  Yes! 

Recipes

• This is how you can make microwave popcorn with a brown paper bag (very inexpensive).
• Here is a kettle corn recipe
• Did anyone else used to get popcorn balls when they went trick or treating?
• Try at home hurricane popcorn recipe! It is how I do mine now. Much cheaper.

Follow Molly's board January 19 Recipes on Pinterest.

History

Punchbowl
I did not realize that popcorn was a specific kind of corn. I guess I used to think that  the regular kernels were dried? But I never heard of anyone growing/ producing their own popcorn either.

Merchandise

I don't remember when it was, but when I tried kettle corn, I thought it was the best popcorn ever (probably because it was new. I had that same experience when I first had cream soda too). The most I have ever spent on popcorn is probably whenever I get the real Hawaiian Hurricane popcorn packs. So expensive, but so delicious.

Also, who freaking buys popcorn at movies still? Talk about throwing money away...
Follow Molly's board January 19 Merch on Pinterest.

Restaurants

• Here are some popcorn restaurants in LA (you know, like popcorn chicken)
• There is a popornopolis in Universal Studios, but I think this is the gourmet stuff they have at costco.
• I remember going past a store like this in the mall as a kid with all these different colors and flavors of popcorn.

Other Things to Celebrate Today

• Oatmeal Month
• California Dried Plum Digestive Health Month (Prune Breakfast Month)
• Hot Tea Month
• National Soup Month
• Bread Baking Month
• Candy Month
• Egg Month
• Meat Month
• Wheat Bread Month
• Fat Free Living Month
• Be Kind to Food Servers Month
• Healthy Weight Week
• Hunt for Happiness Week
• International Snowmobile Safety and Awareness Week
• International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
• National Activity Professionals Week
• National Fresh Squeezed Juice Week
• National Handwriting Analysis Week
• No Name Calling Week
• Sugar Awareness Week
• Week of Christian Unity 
• Archery Day
• Confederate Memorial Day
• National Gun Appreciation Day
• Rid the World of Fad Diets & Gimmicks Day
• Robert E. Lee's Birthday
• Tin Can Day
• World Day of Migrants and Refugees

January 18

How I Celebrated

I am not a coffee drinker, so I substituted for Samoan cocoa. 100% cacao. It is super tasty. I tried to froth some milk and make a cocoa latte, but I have no idea what milk froth is supposed to be like. It was good, but I couldn't make cool latte art like I saw in youtube videos so clearly I did something wrong. It is also Peking duck day, but everywhere we looked it was really expensive (and far). I mean, if all the close Chinese restaurants (walkable distance) served it, we might have considered it a bit harder. I was sure craving it though :/

Diet Helpers 

• Sugar Free

  Don't add sugar to your coffee.
  Also, many recipes call for sugar to season the duck. Here is one that uses honey instead of sugar if you are okay with that.



• Gluten Free

  Coffee is generally gluten free
  Substitute liquid aminos for your soy sauce (or another gluten free soy sauce) in Peking Duck (you will probably have to make your own) Here is a recipe to try.

• Vegetarian

  While coffee is a plant, ducks are not. Even ducks eat bugs and fish so that is double the not being vegetarian.

Recipes

• All recipes says that this is a short cut version of Peking Duck.
• One from The Cooking Channel
• And another from Food Network

Follow Molly's board January 18 Recipes on Pinterest.

History

Punchbowl
Because I had to figure out how I am going to make my own gourmet hot chocolate since I do not drink coffee, I had to see what the difference was between gourmet and regular coffee. For the most part, they said it was the kind of bean, because the gourmet ones are harder to produce. Also the processing including the roast. Makes sense. So I guess I just need some special imported chocolate (that I definitely have).
In China, we ate duck quite often. I don't know if it was peking duck, but it was always delicious.

Merchandise

Being a duck owner, I can tell you that you might want to rethink getting your own duck if that is how you want to make this day special. I have supposedly one of the more quiet breeds of ducks and it is NOT quiet. Having a house and a yard would also be helpful...
Follow Molly's board January 18 Merch on Pinterest.

Restaurants

• At Duck House in LA, they will carve the duck table side for you
• Here is a list from LA Weekly made for Peking Duck Day a few years ago
• Or if you actually make it out to China, try these places in Beijing
•  This is the Daily Meal's list of the best coffee shops in America

Other Things to Celebrate Today

• Oatmeal Month
• California Dried Plum Digestive Health Month (Prune Breakfast Month)
• Hot Tea Month
• National Soup Month
• Bread Baking Month
• Candy Month
• Egg Month
• Meat Month
• Wheat Bread Month
• Fat Free Living Month
• Be Kind to Food Servers Month
• Healthy Weight Week
• Hot Heads Chili Days
• Hunt for Happiness Week
• International Snowmobile Safety and Awareness Week
• International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
• National Activity Professionals Week
• National Fresh Squeezed Juice Week
• National Handwriting Analysis Week
• No Name Calling Week
• Week of Christian Unity
• Civil Rights Day (MLK Day)
• National Crowd Feed Day
• National Day of Service
• National Sanctity of Human Life Day
• Robert E. Lee Day
• Thesaurus Day
• Winnie the Pooh Day

January 17

How I Celebrated

Without the bite of vinegar like the hot toddy, this rum FLAVORED version was super tasty and definitely felt unhealthy.  I know people will add as much rum flavor as they want or as much rum as they want and since I am not really fond of the flavor, I just put a hint. So it was mostly a sugar and spice drink. So maybe it should be called a powerpuff girl :D  Happy Hot Buttered Rum day!

Diet Helpers 

• Sugar Free

  Sweeten as desired!

• Gluten Free

  Yes!

• Vegetarian

  Yes!

Recipes

• You like Rachel Ray?
• Or maybe you are partial to Martha...
• Well, if you don't want to drink, you can make these Mugcakes from Paula Deen. Cause I heard she likes butter.

Follow Molly's board January 17 Recipes on Pinterest.

History

Punchbowl

 So, an American version of the Hot Toddy huh. Okay, I'm learning.

Merchandise

I am a sucker for warm spicy candles. Mmm I can smell it now...

Follow Molly's board January 17 Merch on Pinterest.

Restaurants

• The first thing that popped up from LA was when the band Hot Buttered Rum played at SoHo Restaurant in Santa Barbara
• Hot drinks are much more popular in colder places like New York. Here is a list from CBS New York.
• Of course, how would a yelp page from Portland not pop up?

Other Things to Celebrate Today

• Oatmeal Month
• California Dried Plum Digestive Health Month (Prune Breakfast Month)
• Hot Tea Month
• National Soup Month
• Bread Baking Month
• Candy Month
• Egg Month
• Meat Month
• Wheat Bread Month
• Fat Free Living Month
• Be Kind to Food Servers Month
• Bald Eagle Appreciation Days
• Cuckoo Dancing Week
• Hot Heads Chili Days
• Hunt for Happiness Week
• International Snowmobile Safety and Awareness Week
• National Activity Professionals Week
• National Fresh Squeezed Juice Week
• National Handwriting Analysis Week
• National Soccer Coaches of America Week
• Pay it Forward Weekend
• Ben Franklin's Birthday
• Cable Car Day
• Ditch New Years Resolutions Day
• Judgement Day
• Kid Inventors' Day
• Popeye Day
• World Religion Day
• World Snow Day

January 16

How I Celebrated

These aren't name brand fig newtons. They aren't even fig flavor, they are apple. But with hot sauce they are pretty weird. Actually, if they had a bit of spice, I wouldn't mind, I think it was just the vinegar. Someone needs to make a spicy fig newton haha. And of course, my favorite spicy chip is the hot fry. And Nate is in love with fig newtons so that is great. What a good day!

Diet Helpers 

• Sugar Free

  Sugar is probably the reason that drew me to fig newtons as a kid. And since they are not very sweet, they were not my favorite. Here is a sugar free recipe, though I am sure there are plenty that might be closer to resembling the original.
  Luckily spice does not mean sugar, but sugar and spice go together well. I mean, Powerpuff Girls am I right? 

• Gluten Free

  The above recipe is also gluten free (as long as you get the oats that are gluten free/ free of gluten contact).
  Add spice to one of your gluten free recipes and there you go. Simple. 

• Vegetarian

  Fig Newtons are a go. Avoid spicy meats. But you knew that.

Recipes

• I guess I never tasted the orange hint in the Fig Newtons before as mentioned in this recipe.
• Take Fig Newtons to the hard-core level with Martha Stewart
• Want just a little spice on the side? How about some appetizers?
• Cooking channel has a few fire recipes for you too.

Follow Molly's board January 16 Recipes on Pinterest.

History

Punchbowl on Fig Newtons and Hot and Spicy Day

If you are new to cooking with chilies and spice, make sure you check out the scoville scale. Also, be careful. Once I used way too much cayenne when making chili. To my defense, I was in China, and I think their "Chili powder" is really cayenne. Also, while adding the spices, my mouth got used to it. Nate and I were crying during dinner that night. Digestion wasn't all too pleasant either.

Merchandise

Some of my friends used to eat some sauce like this. Why you would buy something that is named after an unpleasant sensation? Why do people always have to go looking for trouble? 
Follow Molly's board January 16 Merch on Pinterest.

Restaurants

• I didn't think I would find any restaurant that served fig newtons, but here is The Carillon restaurant in TX
• Here are a bunch of spicy restaurants in LA from Discover Los Angeles
• I was thinking of going down to Hot Licks to sample their ghost pepper sauce, but I wanted to live another day

Other Things to Celebrate Today

• Oatmeal Month
• California Dried Plum Digestive Health Month (Prune Breakfast Month)
• Hot Tea Month
• National Soup Month
• Bread Baking Month
• Candy Month
• Egg Month
• Meat Month
• Wheat Bread Month
• Fat Free Living Month
• Be Kind to Food Servers Month
• Bald Eagle Appreciation Days
• Cuckoo Dancing Week
• International Snowmobile Safety and Awareness Week
• National Soccer Coaches of America Week
• National Vocation Awareness Week
• Pay It Forward Weekend
• Appreciate a Dragon Day
• Civil Service Day
• National Nothing Day
• Religious Freedom Day
• Soup Swap Day 
• Underwater Parks Day

January 15

How I Celebrated

I really like strawberry ice cream. It is one of my favorites. I didn't want to buy a large quantity of sugary goods since most of the food holidays tend to be sweets, so I opted for a strawberry shortcake ice cream bar instead of a tub of ice cream. I have fond memories of scraping together some change to buy one of these bars at my jr high. Good times. Happy Strawberry Ice Cream Day!

Diet Helpers 

• Sugar Free

  Strawberry Ice cream can be made sugar free, and it looks like Breyers makes some no sugar added ice cream as well.
  Fresh juice should not have any added sugar. Get to squeezing.

• Gluten Free

  Most basic ice cream recipes do not contain gluten. Always read the label

• Vegetarian

  You bet

Recipes

• This recipe from food.com claims to be like Ben and Jerry's
• If you wanna get fancy roasting your strawberries first, check out Zoe Bakes
• Here is one from Food Network from those of you who like that nice pink color. (I mean, if it really comes out like the photo)

Follow Molly's board January 15 Recipes on Pinterest.

History

Punchbowl article
Whoever invented juice is a miracle worker. When I was a kid and had a fever, I would wake up at night and make some of that juice from concentrate in the frozen cans. It cooled me down and gave me a jump start of energy when I felt weak. Much easier to sleep with a belly full of sweet goodness. Not as healthy as fresh squeezed or just eating fruit... but it worked.

Merchandise

Sweet things always have the cutest merch. Hello Kitty Juice Bar? Yes please.

Follow Molly's board January 15 Merch on Pinterest.

Restaurants

• Whenever I go to Coldstone, I end up getting either the strawberry blonde or strawberry banana rendezvous with regular chocolate chunks instead of the white chocolate. I know they have to have some other killer ice cream, but it's like my go to.
• Check out some of the best ice cream parlors per state by USA today
• I have yet to try some of those fresh juice stands people just set up around either the train station or ouside shopping centers. I bet they are pretty tasty. 
• There are probably a TON of juice bars in LA, let alone around where I live. Here is a guide by Los Angeles Eater.

Other Things to Celebrate Today

• Oatmeal Month
• California Dried Plum Digestive Health Month (Prune Breakfast Month)
• Hot Tea Month
• National Soup Month
• Bread Baking Month
• Candy Month
• Egg Month
• Meat Month
• Wheat Bread Month
• Fat Free Living Month
• Be Kind to Food Servers Month
• Cuckoo Dancing Week
• National Soccer Coaches of America Week
• National Vocation Awareness Week
• Hat Day
• Humanitarian Day
• International Fetish Day
• Lee Jackson Day

January 14

How I Celebrated

I was happy to have another day to eat Rachel sandwiches. The first time I realized that I could like swiss cheese was when I had this particular sandwich at the cafeteria in college. I told Nate about how I liked this sandwich and he didn't know there was a such thing as a Rachel sandwich. Come to find out, it wasn't just a random name that our kitchen staff made up like it does sometimes. Anyhow, today was special because Nate bought some rye bread (we don't usually get that) and we had fresh turkey pastrami and swiss cheese from the grocery deli. Then I cut some cabbage instead of getting the coleslaw bag and of course the spread was thousand island. Happy Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day!!

Diet Helpers 

• Sugar Free

  This isn't a particularly sweet food, but watch out for sauces and if you really must, go for sourdough bread.

• Gluten Free

  Besides obviously needing a bread substitute, pastrami sandwiches should be gluten free. Here is a recipe.

• Vegetarian

  Pastrami sandwiches are not vegetarian. Some people have used some tofurky to make some pastrami like sandwich filler. Here is a recipe for a vegetarian Rueben.

Recipes

• I Think this time I am only going to post this list from Huffpost because looking at recipes is making me too hungry.

Follow Molly's board January 14 Recipes on Pinterest.

History

I had no idea. Wikipedia blows my mind sometimes. So I grew up in SLC, and went to high school right next to Crown Burgers, the place where they invented the pastrami burger. So I guess that is why I never thought it strange when Carl's Jr came out with their pastrami burger. But I have never tried a crown burger pastrami burger because, well, I was pretty damn broke growing up and I think the one burger I ever had at crown burgers was a plain old cheeseburger. Pretty disappointing after everyone raves about their burgers. *sigh* ah money.

Merchandise

Not a lot to talk about here...


Follow Molly's board January 14 Merch on Pinterest.

Restaurants

• Well, obviously you all need to try Crown Burgers now
• Here are LA's best pastrami sandwich joints from LA weekly
• Anyone know if Katz in New York or Langer's in LA has the better Pastrami Sandwich?

Other Things to Celebrate Today

• Oatmeal Month
• California Dried Plum Digestive Health Month (Prune Breakfast Month)
• Hot Tea Month
• National Soup Month
• Bread Baking Month
• Candy Month
• Egg Month
• Meat Month
• Wheat Bread Month
• Fat Free Living Month
• Be Kind to Food Servers Month
• Cuckoo Dancing Week
• National Soccer Coaches of America Week
• National Vocation Awareness Week
• Universal Letter Writing Week
• Cesarean Section Day
• International Kite Day
• National Dress Up Your Pet Day
• Organize Your Home Day
• Orthodox New Year
• Ratification Day

January 13

How I Celebrated

The peach melba was a success. I had some honey yogurt that I have been having a hard time eating because of the consistency (once you freeze it, dont ever try to eat it from the fridge again). So I mixed that with the rest of the left over whipped topping (like I did for the parfaits the other day), but I added a bit more sugar and some vanilla extract. We got some of those peach cups and I strained them and warmed it up in the microwave. I added some frozen raspberries to the hot peaches to melt and then blended more of the raspberries that were still frozen with the remaining home made berry syrup I had before. That was probably the best consistency I have ever had for yogurt in my ice cream maker. It was delicious and not too sweet. Nate even ate it for breakfast haha. Happy Peach Melba Day!

Diet Helpers 

• Sugar Free

  The biggest thing about peach melbas you have to worry about is the ice cream. Next is the raspberry sauce. Get sugar free of both of those and the fruit is natural sugar. Here is a low carb sugar free recipe.

• Gluten Free

  This dessert should be gluten free. 

• Vegetarian

  No meat here!

Recipes

• I haven't tried this dish out yet, so I feel like just looking at it, all the recipes are the same. I guess I have to eat it more often to develop a preference. Here is a poached peach melba recipe.
• Here are some gluten free dinner ideas.
• Pastries are the things I think would be hardest to avoid or make on a gluten free diet so this list from buzzfeed is probably very helpful.

Follow Molly's board January 13 Recipes on Pinterest.

History

PBS has this article about the Peach Melba, but not really how it became a "day" to celebrate.

Merchandise

Hmm I think if I were to buy anything for this day, it would be a candle that smelled like peach melba. Or maybe soap.


Follow Molly's board January 13 Merch on Pinterest.

Restaurants

• Check out this picture from a restaurant serving a peach melba in Dubai
• It looks like this restaurant in FL has a Peach Melba crepe
• Because of all the Gluten Free Hype now, there are a ton of restaurants that serve gluten free meals. Here is a list from Discover Lost Angeles. 
• When one of my friends was working there, I tried out this restaurant called Zest in UT with (if I remember correctly) a totally (or mostly) gluten free menu.

Other Things to Celebrate Today

• Oatmeal Month
• California Dried Plum Digestive Health Month (Prune Breakfast Month)
• Hot Tea Month
• National Soup Month
• Bread Baking Month
• Candy Month
• Egg Month
• Meat Month
• Wheat Bread Month
• Fat Free Living Month
• Be Kind to Food Servers Month
• Cuckoo Dancing Week
• National Soccer Coaches of America Week
• National Vocation Awareness Week
• Universal Letter Writing Week
• Make Your Dreams Come True Day
• Poetry Break Day
• Public Radio Broadcasting Day
• Rubber Ducky Day

January 12

How I Celebrated

I made one of my favorites, coconut chicken Thai curry. I tried to make it less spicy this time (cause Nate has a weak tummy), but I still think he is going to have problems. I'm always worried I am going to miss out on the spice ( I guess coconut chicken wouldn't be too bad).
Nate got some marzipan off of Amazon because we couldn't find all the ingredients for a reasonable price and we couldn't find the finished product anywhere! I guess we could have driven somewhere to get a pastry, but our car isn't exactly reliable right now. It tasted like very strong almond extract and sugar. I wouldn't suggest doing any strenuous activity after. It will make you feel sick.

Diet Helpers 

• Sugar Free

  Marzipan and Doughnuts are going to be hard to make without sugar. Here is a recipe for marzipan, and another for a sugar free glaze and sugar free doughnut.
  Curry Chicken is easy enough to make without sugar, I personally have never used sugar when cooking with curry.



• Gluten Free

  Gluten free doughnuts sound like they would be dense. I have not tried a lot of gluten free breads or pastries, so good luck. Here is a recipe from Food Network.
  Marzipan is usually gluten free and so is curried chicken. Just make sure the sauce is not thickened with flour, and you will have to skip out on flour roti or certain coatings on chicken.

• Vegetarian

  Unfortunately, chicken is not vegetarian. But go ahead and cook veggie curry instead!
  Marzipan and Doughnuts are also vegetarian!

Recipes

• Here is an easy marzipan recipe from The Daring Gourmet
• A Doughnut recipe from the NY Times
• I should ask my dear old roomie for her delicious Fijian curry recipe. But here is a nice one to try instead.
• For the coconut Thai curry lovers, here is a recipe to try.
• Whenever I make Japanese Curry, I always use the Curry Sauce Mix as depicted in the recipe here.
• Here are a bunch of Indian curry recipes

Follow Molly's board January 12 Recipes on Pinterest.

History

Here is Punchbowl on curried chicken.

Merchandise

You can buy all kinds of marzipan online. Be warned, it is an expensive thing. Probably why I haven't tried it (or if I did, I don't think I knew what it was).
Also, glazed doughnuts from grocery stores are a hit and miss. We tried getting a bunch of assorted doughnuts at Winco, but they were pretty meh.


Follow Molly's board January 12 Merch on Pinterest.

Restaurants

• Number one on the search comes up with Glazed doughnut shop in Amherst MA
• Krispe Kreme's original is the glazed, it says it on the sign.
• Before I had even tried a Krispe Kreme, I was partial to the glazed goodness from Banbury Cross in Utah.
• It looks like this Marzipan Bakery is the place to go if you travel to Jerusalem
• First on the yelp list of bakeries with marzipan cakes is Hygge Bakery in LA
• If you are in Little Tokyo in LA, looks like there is a Curry House you can try out.
• Thai curry is one of my favorites. Here are sine if the best Thai Restaurants in LA according to Jet Tila (Thrillist).
• I'll  tell you one of my hidden secrets of where to eat delicious Fijian curry in Hawaii. It is this little place out in Kahuku. So good.

Other Things to Celebrate Today

• Oatmeal Month
• California Dried Plum Digestive Health Month (Prune Breakfast Month)
• Hot Tea Month
• National Soup Month
• Bread Baking Month
• Candy Month
• Egg Month
• Meat Month
• Wheat Bread Month
• Fat Free Living Month
• Be Kind to Food Servers Month
• Cuckoo Dancing Week
• National Vocation Awareness Week
• Universal Letter Writing Week
• Feast of Fabulous Wild Men Day
• Kiss a Ginger Day
• National Pharmacist Day
• National Poetry at Work Day
• Work Harder Day