Thursday, December 4, 2025

December 4, National Cookie Day
Healthy Cookie Recipes and Tips

The Holiday reminds me of the wonderful aroma of fresh-baked cookies. My family owned a bakery in New York. This is my son Jake peering through the glass, wondering what cookie he wants.



Try healthy homemade cookies from EatingWell, Healthy Cookie Recipes, and Tips.
(You still need to watch how many cookies you eat.)


Resource

My Favorites:
Meringues at 8 Calories per cookie.


For young and older - here is Cookie Monster,
sharing how he feels about cookies.

Sesame Street: 
Cookie Monster Sings C is for Cookie






Wednesday, December 3, 2025

April Wellness News

 



Monthly

National Autism Awareness Month
National Volunteer Month
Alcohol Awareness Month
Cancer Control Month
Celebrate Diversity Month 
Child Abuse Prevention Month
Month of the Military Child
Defeat Diabetes Month
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Awareness Month
Medical Cannabis Education & Awareness Month 
African American Women's Fitness Month
National Donate Life Month
National Occupational Therapy Month
National Parkinson's Awareness Month 
Stress Awareness Month
National Arab-American Heritage Month
Global Child Nutrition Month
Emotional Overeating Awareness Month
Fresh Florida Tomatoes Month
National BLT Sandwich Month
National Licorice Month
National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Month
National Garden Month

National Pecan Month 

National Soft Pretzel Month
National Soyfoods Month
National Youth Sports Safety Month
National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
National Social Security Month
Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month 
Jazz Appreciation Month

Keep America Beautiful (3/20 - 6/20)


Weekly

1-7 Medication Safety Week 
1-7 National Public Health Week
1-7 Egg Salad Week
21-27 National Volunteer Week
20-28 National Park Week
22-30 Passover
22-26 Every Kid Healthy™ Week
24-30 World Immunization Week
26
-28 Global Youth Service Day


Daily

1   April Fools or All Fools Day; National Sourdough Bread Day; Tater Day (sweet potato)
2   World Autism Day;   International Children's Book Day; National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day; National Love Your Produce Manager Day; National Walking Day
3  National Chocolate Mousse Day; Find A Rainbow Day; Burrito Day
4    Vit C discovered; National Chicken Cordon Bleu Day; International Carrot Day; International Kid’s Yoga Day
5    National Deep Dish Pizza Day; National Caramel Day; National Raisin and Spice Bar Day, Dandelion Day
6   Fresh Tomato Day; Charlie the Tuna Day; Hostess Twinkie Day; International Day of Sport for Development and Peace; National Student-Athlete Day; Teflon Day; National Caramel Popcorn Day
7 World Health Day; Coffee Cake Day; Metric System Day; National Beer Day; No Housework Day; WHO
8  National Empanada Day
9 Chinese Almond Cookie Day; National Cherish an Antique Day
10 Cinnamon Crescent Day; National Farm Animals Day
11  World Parkinson's Disease Day; National Cheese Fondue Day; National Pet Day; Clean Up Your Pantry Day  
12  Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day; National Licorice Day; Passover begins at sundown
13  National Peach Cobbler Day; National Make Lunch Count Day; National Scrabble Day, Palm Sunday
14 International Moment of Laughter Day; Natl Pecan Day; National Gardening Day
15   McDonald's Opens; Tax Day; National Glazed Spiral Ham Day; World Art Day
16   Day of the Mushroom; National Eggs Benedict Day; Banana Day, Stress Awareness
17 National Cheeseball Day; World Hemophilia Day; National Ellis Island Family History Day; National Crawfish; Herbalist Day
18   National Animal Crackers Day; Adult Autism Day; PiƱata Day, Good Friday
19   National Amaretto Day; National Garlic Day; Bicycle Day
20   National Cheddar Fries Day; National Lima Bean Respect Day; National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day, Easter  
21  Chocolate-Covered Cashews; National Kindergarten Day; International Hemp Day, Boston Marathon
22 Earth Day; National Jelly Bean Day
23 National Picnic Day; English Muffin Day; National Cherry Cheesecake Day
24  National Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day
25  National Zucchini Bread Day;  Natl DNA Day; Zucchini Bread Day; Arbor Day
26  National Pretzel Day; National Kids and Pets Day; National Herb Day; National Sense of Smell Day
27 National Prime Rib Day; National Devil Dog Day; Teach Children to Save
28  World Day for Safety and Health at Work; National Blueberry Pie Day; National Superhero Day; Maryland, 7th State
29  National Shrimp Scampi Day
30  Louisiana 18th State; Potato Head Day; National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day;  Bugs Bunny Day; Oatmeal Cookie Day; National Raisin Day, Stop Food Waste Day






Months

January 

July

 February  

  August

March

September

April

October

May  

November

June

December

 

March Wellness News


Monthly

National Nutrition Month®
American Red Cross Month
Brain Injury Awareness Month
Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
International Listening Awareness Month
National Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
National Endometriosis Awareness Month
National Eye Donor Month
National Hemophilia Month
National Kidney Month
National Multiple Sclerosis Education & Awareness
National Social Work Month

Save Your Vision Month
National Celery Month
National Caffeine Awareness Month
National Flour Month
National Frozen Food Month
National Noodle Month
National Peanut Month
National Sauce Month
Irish American Heritage Month
National Craft Month
National Women's History Month
Optimism Month

Quinoa Month
Sing With Your Child Month
Youth Art Month
National Ethics Awareness Month


Weekly
2/29-3/10 Florida Strawberry Festival
3-9 National Consumer Protection Week

4-9 National School Breakfast Week
10-16 Girl Scout Week
17-23 National Agriculture Week
17-23 Poison Prevention Week

Daily

1 National Peanut Butter Lover's Day, Nebraska, 37th State, Ohio, 17th State, National Fruit Compote Day, National Frozen Food Day

2   Dr. Seuss Birthday, Banana Cream Pie Day, NEA's Read Across America Day

 3 Florida, 27th State, Time Magazine 1st published, National Cold Cuts Day, National Mulled Wine Day, Soup It Forward Day, World Birth Defects Day

4 National Pound Cake Day, World Obesity Day, Vermont 14th State, Mardi Gras

5 National Cheese Doodle Day

6 Oreo Cookie Day, National White Chocolate Cheesecake Day, National Dentist’s Day

7 National Cereal Day, National Crown Roast of Pork Day, National Flapjacks Day, National Day of Unplugging (sundown x 24 hours)

8 International Working Women's Day, UN Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace 

9 National Crabmeat Day, National Meatball Day, Barbie Day, Daylight Saving Time

10 National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, National Pack Your Lunch Day, Blueberry Popover Day
11 National Oatmeal-Nut Waffle Day, National Johnny Appleseed Day

12    National Baked Scallops Day, Girls Scouts of USA founded, Plant a Flower Day, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day

13 Good Samaritan Involvement Day, National Coconut Torte Day, National K9 Veterans Day, World Kidney Day, Registered Dietetic Tech Day

14   National Potato Chip Day, National Children’s Craft Day, National Pi Day, World Sleep Day

15 Ides of March, Maine 23rd State, National Pears Helene Day, World Consumer Rights Day
16 National Artichoke Heart Day, Freedom of Information Day, National Farm Rescuer Day, Corn dog Day, Tequilla Day

17 Saint Patrick's Day, Corned Beef and Cabbage Day

18 National Oatmeal Lace Cookie Day, National Sloppy Joe Day, Global Recycling Day, National Ag Day

19 National Chocolate Caramel Day, National Let’s Laugh Day, National Poultry Day, Raspberry Day

20 Great American Meatout, Intl Day of Happiness, National Ravioli Day, National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, World Flour Day, First Day of Spring

21 National French Bread Day, World Down Syndrome Day, California Strawberry Day, Single Parent Day, International Color Day, Healthy Fats Day

22 UN World Day for Water, National Bavarian Crepes Day, Earth Hour @8,30 pm local time

23   Chip and Dip Day, National Puppy Day, National Chia Day, National Melba Toast Day, National Tamale Day

24 World Tuberculosis Day, National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day, National Cheesesteak Day

25 Pecan Day, National Lobster Newburg Day, National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day

26 National Spinach Day, National Nougat Day, Make your own holiday, Purple Day, American Diabetes Association Alert Day

27 National Spanish Paella Day, National Joe Day, Whole Grain Sampling Day

28 Something on a Stick Day, Black Forest Cake Day, Triglycerides Day, Weed Appreciation Day

29 National Vietnam War Veterans Day, National Lemon Chiffon Cake Day, National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day

30 Jeopardy premiere, Doctors Day, Take a Walk in the Park Day, International Day of Zero Waste

31 National Clams on the Half Shell Day, National Crayon Day, National Tater Day     

 



Months

January 

July

 February  

  August

March

September

April

October

May  

November

June

December

 

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

National Special Education Day and Meeting Children's Nutritional Needs

Special Education Day commemorates the anniversary of our nation’s first federal special education law, signed by President Gerald Ford on December 2, 1975. This law is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

IDEA made education available to all American children, and to this day, honors the progress that has been made in special education

National Special Education Day was first celebrated in 2005, which was the 30th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

In recent years, we have seen increasing emphasis on ensuring that children with disabilities have the same opportunities as other children to receive an education and related benefits, such as school meals.

My son Jake has cerebral palsy and requires someone to feed him. He was brought into the cafeteria with his aide, and they sat alone. He asked if he could eat in the classroom because he was embarrassed that the children would make fun of him. The school said no. Jake started to refuse to eat - he said he wasn't hungry. Sometimes he would come home with food all over his clothes and face. There is still time to learn how to meet nutritional needs for Special Needs Children.



Florida State Receiver Travis Rudolph Eats
Lunch With An Autistic Boy Sitting By Himself

Autistic kindergartner denied school lunch


When my son graduated, his certificate of completion was a huge milestone for him and our family. Ending these certificates erases years of hard-won progress. Why hurt students with disabilities by taking away the recognition they deserve? #SpecialEducationDay 


Monday, December 1, 2025

December 1, National Eat a Red Apple Day



Health Benefits
Apple is a fruit rich in antioxidants and a good source of fiber. Quercetin, an antioxidant found in apples, may inhibit lung cancer. Pectin found in apples helps treat diarrhea and constipation by adding bulk to the stool. Other benefits being studied include treatments for diabetes, heart disease, lowering blood pressure, lowering blood levels of LDL, reducing risks of Alzheimer’s, and decreasing bone fractures.

Apple seeds should never be eaten. They contain the poison cyanide.

Let’s not forget the peel. The apple peel contains ursolic acid, a chemical that may prevent muscle wasting.


There may be some truth to “An Apple a Day, Keeps the Doctor Away”.


Recipe
Baked Stuffed Apple

Yield 2 servings

Ingredients 
2 medium apples 
1/2 cup bran flakes 
1/4 cup applesauce, unsweetened
1 Tbsp raisins 

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, ground 
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice


Directions 
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Core and slightly hollow out the apples with a spoon, leaving the bottom of the apples intact to create a well for the filling. Place the apples in a pan.
3. In a bowl, combine the bran flakes, applesauce, raisins, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. Fill and top each apple with the cereal mixture.
4. Bake for 40 minutes, or until the sides of the apples are soft and easily pierced with a knife.


Nutrition Information


NY Apples Are a Smart Choice for Healthy Eating
Kelly Springer, RDN


References and Resources
1. U.S. Apple Association
2. 
Apple Recipes, Washington Apple Commission

 
Nutritional Analysis Services
Ensure accurate, cost-effective nutritional analysis and food nutrition facts labels for your recipes and menus, using an extensive research database. An excellent service for the Media, Cookbook Publishers, Writers, Chefs, Recipe Websites, and Blogs. Your readers will enjoy and benefit from the Nutrition information.

For more information, visit Dietitians-Online Nutritional Analysis Services

contact:
Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN, FAND
recipenews@gmail.com
954-294-6300





December Wellness News: Health, Nutrition, and Food Events

Current News, Resources, and Events in Nutrition, Food, Health, Environment, Safety, and Disability Rights. Encourages awareness and inspires ideas for Journalists, Educators, Consumers, and Health Professionals. Wellness News is updated daily. 

December Highlights

December Produce




Monthly Events

Safe Toys and Gifts Month
National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month
Coats & Toys for Kids Month (check local listings)
National Handwashing Awareness Month
National Stress-Free Family Holiday Month
National Write a Business Plan Month
Root Vegetable Month
Buckwheat Month
National Pear Month
Exotic Fruit Month
National Fruit Cake Month
Worldwide Food Service Safety Month

Weekly Events
1-7 Cookie Cutter Week
1-7 Crohn's & Colitis Awareness Week
1-17 Operation Santa Paws
7-13 National Hand Washing Awareness Week
7-13 Recipe Greetings for The Holidays
10-17 Human Rights Week**
14-22 Hanukkah
14-20 Gluten-free Baking Week
15-19 Cookie Exchange Week
12/26-1/1 Kwanzaa

December Daily Event

Monday

1

UN World Aids Day, National Eat a Red Apple Day, Cyber Monday

Tuesday

2

Special Education Day, National Fritters Day, National Mutt Day, Giving Tuesday

Wednesday

3

UN Intl Day of Persons with Disabilities, Illinois 21st State, Special Kids Day, Make a Gift day

Thursday

4

National Cookie Day

Friday

5

UN Intl Volunteer Day, National Sacher Torte Day, World Soil Day

Saturday

6

National Gazpacho Day, National Microwave Oven Day, World Pear Day

Sunday

7

Pearl Harbor Day, National Cotton Candy Day, National Fire Safety Council Day

Monday

8

National Chocolate Brownie Day, National Day of Lard, Green Monday

Tuesday

9

National Pastry Day, Birdseye Frozen Food Day

Wednesday

10

Human Rights Day, Mississippi 20th State, International Animal Rights Day

Thursday

11

UN Mountain Day,  UNICEF Anniversary, 1946, Indiana 19th State, National Noodle Ring Day

Friday

12

Gingerbread House Day, National Ambrosia Day, Pennsylvania 2nd State

Saturday

13

National Cocoa Day, Root Vegetable Month, Gingerbread Man, Gingerbread Decorating Day

Sunday

14

Chanukkah (14-22), Bouillabaisse Day, Yoga Day, Alabama 22nd State

Monday

15

Bill of Rights Day, National Cupcake Day

Tuesday

16

National Chocolate-Covered Anything Day

Wednesday

17

Maple Syrup Day

Thursday

18

International Migrants Day, Roast Suckling Pig Day, New Jersey 3rd State, National Bake Cookies Day, Re-Gifting Day

Friday

19

National Hard Candy Day, Oatmeal Muffin Day, National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

Saturday

20

Intl Human Solidarity Day, National Sangria Day

Sunday

21

Winter Solstice, World Peace Day, National Fried Shrimp, National Kiwifruit Day, National Re-gifting Day  

Monday

22

National Date Nut Bread Day

Tuesday

23

National Pfeffernuesse Day

Wednesday

24

Christmas Eve, National Egg Nog Day

Thursday

25

Christmas, Pumpkin Pie Day, Christmas Pudding Day

Friday

26

Kwanzaa Begins (12/6-1/1), National Candy Cane Day

Saturday

27

National Fruitcake Day

Sunday

28

Iowa 29th State, National Chocolate Day 

Monday

29

Pepper Pot Day, Texas 28th State

Tuesday

30

Bicarbonate of Soda Day, National Bacon Day   

Wednesday

31

New Year's Eve, National Champagne Day, Universal Hour of Peace

Thursday

 

 

 

A Happy & Healthy Holiday from
All of Us at Dietitians-Online and Wellness News


Thank you for your support.
Have a happy, healthy, and safe holiday.
Sandra and Jake.

Prepared by
Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN, LN
Jake Frank



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