Atlantic, Caribbean, & Gulf Hurricane Season
(6/1-11/30)
Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season (5/15–11/30)
National Aphasia Awareness Month
Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month
Migraine and Headache Awareness Month
Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month
Fireworks Safety Month (6/1-7/4)
National Safety Month
Caribbean-American Heritage Month
Great Outdoors Month
Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month
National Pet Preparedness Month
National Oceans Month
National Rivers Month
June Dairy Month
Dairy Alternative Month
National Candy Month
National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month
National Frozen Yogurt Month
California Avocado Month
Georgia Blueberry Month
National Iced Tea Month
National Mango Month
National Papaya Month
National Soul Food Month
Sorghum Month
National Steakhouse Month
Turkey Lovers Month
Sports America Kids Month
Potty Training Awareness Month
National Camping Month
Weekly Events
14-21 Men's Health Week
21-27 Learning Disabilities Week
22-28 Lightning Safety Week
21-27 National Mosquito Control Awareness Week
Daily Events
1Kentucky 15th State;
Tennessee 16th State; National Olive Day; National Hazelnut Cake Day; National
Heimlich Maneuver Day; World Milk Day
2MyPlate Anniversary;
National Rotisserie Chicken Day; National Rocky Road Day
3National Egg Day;
National Chocolate Macaroon Day; World Bicycle Day, Global Running Day
4National Cheese Day;
National Cognac Day
5UN World Environment
Day; National Veggie Burger Day; National Gingerbread Day, Doughnut Day (Salvation Army)
6National Applesauce
Cake Day; National Drive-In Movie Day; National Gardening Exercise Day;
Horseradish Day, Espresso
Day
7Chocolate Ice Cream
Day; World Food Safety Day, National Cancer Survivors Day
8World Ocean Day;
National Best Friends Day; National Jelly-Filled Doughnut Day
9Donald Duck Debut;
National Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day
10National Black Cow
Day; National Herbs and Spices Day; National Iced Tea Day; National Egg Roll Day
11Corn on the Cob Day;
National Making Life Beautiful Day; National German Chocolate Cake Day
12National Peanut Butter
Cookie Day; International Falafel Day
13Kitchen Klutzes of
America Day; National Weed Your Garden Day, Family Fitness and Health Day
14(World) Blood Donor
Day; Flag Day; Army Birthday; National Bourbon Day; National Strawberry
Shortcake Day; Cucumber Day; Chop Suey Day
15Nature Photography
Day; Arkansas 25th State; National Lobster Day; National Smile Power Day; Prune
Day; National Turkey Lovers’ Day
16National Fudge Day;
Cracker Jack Day
17National Eat Your
Vegetables Day; National Apple Strudel Day; National Cherry Tart Day; UN
World Day to Combat Desertification & Drought
18Intl Picnic Day; Intl
Sushi Day; Sustainable Gastronomy Day
19World Sickle Cell Day;
National Martini Day; National Garfield the Cat Day, Juneteenth
20National Ice Cream
Soda Day, National Vanilla Milkshake Day; West Virginia, 35th State; UN World
Refugee Day
21Summer Solstice;
Peaches & Cream Day; New Hampshire 9th state; International Day of Yoga, Father's Day, Family
Awareness Day, International
Day of Yoga
22National Onion Rings
Day; National Chocolate Éclair Day; World Rainforest Day
23Public Service Day;
National Pink Day; National Hydration Day; National Pecan Sandies Day
24Celebration of the
Senses; National Pralines Day; National Parchment Cooking Day
25Strawberry Parfait
Day; National Catfish Day
26National Chocolate
Pudding Day; Great
American Backyard Campout; National Coconut Day
27National HIV Testing
Day; National Orange Blossom Day; National PTSD Awareness Day; National Onion
Day; National Ice Cream Cake Day; Intl Pineapple Day; National Food Truck Day
28 National Tapioca Day;
National Columnists' Day
29National Almond
Buttercrunch Day; National Camera Day; National Waffle Iron Day
30Jake's
Birthday; Social Media Day; National Meteor Watch Day; California Avocado Day;
National Bomb Pop Day
Celebrate the annual National Senior Health and Fitness Day. The goal is to help keep older Americans healthy and fit. National Senior Health and Fitness Day is the nation's largest annual health promotion event for older adults.
Vinegar has been around for more than 10,000 years. The Babylonians used it as a preservative and condiment, and they began flavoring it with herbs. Romans used it as a beverage. Hippocrates proclaimed its medicinal qualities, and it was probably one of our earliest remedies. The Bible references show how it was used for its soothing and healing properties. As recently as World War I, vinegar was used to treat wounds. Today, research is being done to lower the glycemic index of foods and decrease appetite.
Vinegar is an acidic liquid produced from ethanol fermentation in a process that yields acetic acid (ethanoic acid). It also may come in a diluted form. The acetic acid concentration usually ranges from 4% to 8% by volume for table vinegar and up to 18% for pickling.
No standards of identity for vinegar have been established under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. However, the FDA has established "Compliance Policy Guides" that the Agency follows regarding the labeling of vinegar, such as cider, wine, malt, sugar, spirit, and vinegar blends. In other countries, there are regional standards for vinegar produced or sold in that part of the world.
POLICY: Historically, definitions have been developed for different types or combinations of vinegars. The United States FDA requires that any " vinegar " product contain at least 4% acidity. This requirement ensures the minimum strength of vinegar sold at the retail level.
FDA considers the following to be satisfactory guidelines for labeling vinegar: Natural vinegar, as it comes from the generators, typically contains more than 4 grams of acetic acid per 100 mL. When vinegar is diluted with water, the label must bear a statement such as diluted with water to _______ percent acid strength", with the blank filled with the actual percent of acetic acid - in no case should it be less than 4 percent. Each of the varieties of vinegar listed below should contain 4 grams of acetic acid per 100 mL.
VINEGAR:
VINEGAR, CIDER VINEGAR, APPLE VINEGAR. The product is made from alcoholic and subsequent acetous fermentations of apple juice.
WINE VINEGAR, GRAPE VINEGAR. The product is made from the alcoholic and subsequent acetous fermentations of the grape juice.
MALT VINEGAR. The product made by the alcoholic and subsequent acetous fermentations, without distillation, of an infusion of barley malt or cereals whose starch has been converted by the malt.
SUGAR VINEGAR. The product is made by the alcoholic and subsequent acetous fermentations of sugar syrup, molasses, or refiner's syrup.
GLUCOSE VINEGAR. This dextrorotatory product is made by the alcoholic and subsequent acetous fermentations of a glucose solution.
SPIRIT VINEGAR, DISTILLED VINEGAR, GRAIN VINEGAR. The product is made by the acetous fermentation of dilute distilled alcohol.
VINEGAR IS MADE FROM A MIXTURE OF SPIRIT VINEGAR AND CIDER VINEGAR.The product should be labeled as a blend of the products with the product names in order of predominance. This labeling applies to a similar product made by acetous fermentation of a mixture of alcohol and cider stock.
VINEGAR IS MADE FROM DRIED APPLES, APPLE CORES, OR APPLE PEELS.Vinegar made from dried apples, apple cores, or apple peels should be labeled as "vinegar made from ______," where the blank is filled in with the name of the apple product(s) used as the source of fermented material.
Cooking with Balsamic Vinegar
Below are some of the uses found on the Internet. Many have yet to be tested or researched, making recommendations difficult.
How Does Apple Cider Vinegar Work?
Food Preparation
1. Soak fish in vinegar and water before cooking it. It will be sweeter, more tender, and hold its shape better. When boiling or poaching fish, a tablespoon of vinegar added to the water will keep it from crumbling so quickly. 2. Vinegar is used in pickling, vinaigrettes, marinades, mustard, ketchup, and mayonnaise. 3. When boiling an egg and it's cracked, a little vinegar in the water will keep the white from running out. (Forget this one. If the egg is broken, throw it out.) 4. A teaspoon of white distilled or cider vinegar added to the water in which you boil potatoes will keep them nice and white. You can keep peeled potatoes from turning dark by covering them with water and adding 2 teaspoons of vinegar.
5. Freshen up slightly wilted vegetables by soaking them in cold water and vinegar.
6. Fruits and vegetables. Add 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar to 1-pint water and use to wash fresh fruits and vegetables, then rinse thoroughly. This is supposed to help kill bacteria in fruits and vegetables.
7. Flavor Enhancer. To enhance the flavor of soup, gravy, or sauce, add your favorite specialty vinegar.
8. Use as a meat tenderizer for tough meat or game. 9. Simmer a small vinegar and water solution to eliminate unwanted cooking smells. 10. Rice will be fluffier and less sticky if you add a teaspoon of white distilled vinegar to the boiling water before adding the rice.
11. Remove fruit stains from your hands by cleaning them with vinegar.
12. Remove heavy, stale smells from lunch boxes by dampening a piece of fresh bread with white distilled vinegar and leaving it in the lunch box overnight.
Cleaning
1. White vinegar is often used as a household cleaning product. The acidity is said to dissolve mineral deposits from glass, coffee makers, and other smooth surfaces. Dilution with water is recommended for safety and to avoid damaging the surfaces being cleaned.
2. Vinegar can be used for polishing brass or bronze.
3. Vinegar has been marketed as a green solution for some household cleaning problems, such as an eco-friendly urine cleaner for pets and as a weed killer.
Medical
1. Experts advise against using vinegar preparations for treating wounds.
2. Acetic acid solutions were ineffective at inhibiting the growth of Escherichia coli, group D Enterococcus, or Bacteroides fragilis bacteria and only slightly effective at inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.
3. Experts caution against using vinegar as a household disinfectant against human pathogens because chemical disinfectants are more effective.
4. Undiluted vinegar may be used effectively for cleaning dentures; unlike bleach solutions, vinegar residues left on dentures were not associated with mucosal damage.
5. Vinegar is commonly recommended for treating nail fungus, head lice, and warts; however, scientific support for these treatment strategies is lacking.
6. Vinegar may reduce hunger by reducing the meal-time glycemic load.
7. The use of vinegar in controlling blood sugar as an adjunct therapy for individuals with diabetes or prediabetes has yet to be determined.
Combine all ingredients, stirring well. Let stand for 45 minutes. Strain dressing. Discard ginger and garlic (or use them in food preparation later).
Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing, Yield: 1 cup; Serving Size: Unlimited 3/4 cup water 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 2 teaspoons capers 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1½ teaspoons dried basil 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped Combine the ingredients. Adjust vinegar to taste. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator.
Chili-Cilantro Vinaigrette Dressing, Yield: ¾ cup; Serving Size: Unlimited 1 small green chili, diced ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro ¼ cup water ¼ cup fresh lime juice 1 clove garlic pinch, artificial sweetener freshly ground pepper to taste Place all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth.
Citrus Herb Vinaigrette Dressing, Yield: 1½ cup; Serving Size: Unlimited ½ medium-sized red bell pepper, 2 medium tomatoes, diced ½ cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced ½ cup fresh orange juice ½ cup loosely packed fresh parsley ¼ cup raspberry vinegar 1 Tablespoon dry mustard 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves 2 teaspoons fresh tarragon 2 teaspoons fresh oregano Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until pureed. Makes approximately 1½ cups
Indian Vinaigrette Dressing, Yield: ¼ cup; Serving Size: Unlimited ¼ cup orange juice ¼ teaspoon ground coriander ¼ teaspoon chopped cilantro ½ teaspoon prepared hot mustard Put all ingredients in a small bowl and stir. Let sit for about 10 minutes.
Orange and Lemon Vinaigrette, Yield: 1 cup; Serving Size: Unlimited ½ cup wine vinegar 4 Tablespoons lemon juice 4 Tablespoons orange juice grated rind of 1 lemon ½ teaspoon French mustard pinch garlic ground black pepper to taste Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Store in the fridge and use within 2 days.
Orange Thai Vinaigrette Dressing, Yield: ½ cup; Serving Size: Unlimited 5 Tablespoon orange juice 1 teaspoon minced ginger 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 Tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce ¼ cup rice vinegar pinch of cayenne Whisk together all ingredients with a fork.
Parsley-Tomato Vinaigrette Dressing, Yield: ¾ cup; Serving Size: Unlimited ¼ cup tomato juice (low sodium) Pinch of cayenne pepper ¼ cup red wine vinegar ½ teaspoon oregano, fresh 1 Tablespoon onion, minced ½ teaspoon black pepper ¼ cup parsley chopped fresh ½ cup tomatoes, chopped, fresh 1 garlic clove, minced Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth.
Red Pepper Vinaigrette, Yield: ½ cup; Serving Size: Unlimited ¼ cup apple juice ¼ cup cider vinegar 2 tablespoons white onion 1 cloves garlic, pressed Pinches of rosemary and thyme ½ teaspoon dried whole oregano ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder ½ teaspoon paprika ½ of a roasted red bell pepper Mix in a blender. Blend thoroughly and chill overnight.
Tomato Vinaigrette, Yield: ½ cup; Serving Size: Unlimited ½ cup tomato, chopped 2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar ½ teaspoon dried basil ½ teaspoon dried thyme ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard Mix in a blender. Blend thoroughly and chill overnight. Lasts about 2 days. Serve on salads.
About seventy percent of the cherries produced in the United States come from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. There are two main types of cherries: sweet and sour. Sour cherries are lower in calories and higher in vitamin C and beta-carotene than sweet cherries.
From Tree to Table
Selection Select firm, red cherries with stems attached. Avoid soft, shriveled, or blemished cherries. Good cherries should be large (one inch or more in diameter), glossy, plump, hard, and dark-colored for their variety. Avoid fruit that is bruised or has cuts on the dark surface.
How to Store Refrigerate cherries for up to 10 days.
Nutrition Benefits Fat-free; saturated fat-free; sodium free; cholesterol free; good source of vitamin C; good source of potassium.
Health Benefits
Cancer Sweet cherries have several cancer-preventive components including fiber, vitamin C, carotenoids, and anthocyanins. The potential role of sweet cherries in cancer prevention lies mostly in the anthocyanin content, especially in cyanidin. Sweet cherries are a good source of cyanidins, which appear to act as an antioxidant and may reduce cancer risk.
Cardiovascular Disease Sweet cherries have been shown to have significant levels of anthocyanins as well as other pigments in perhaps smaller concentrations that together provide synergistic effects thought to be protective to heart and related vascular tissue
Diabetes Researchers are interested in the role of anthocyanins in reducing insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. The lower glycemic response shown in relation to cherry consumption may be the result of glucose-lowering effects of cherry phytochemicals in combination with the fiber content of cherries.
Potassium Sweet cherries are considered a good source of dietary potassium, with approximately 260 mg potassium for every cup of fresh cherries consumed. Adequate potassium intake has shown to reduce the risk for hypertension and stroke.
Quercetin Sweet cherries also contain a small amount of quercetin. Quercetin is an antioxidant which may play a beneficial role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and cancer.
Melatonin Cherries are one plant food source of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that plays a role in promoting healthy sleep patterns.
Ease muscle soreness Researchers believe tart cherries’ antioxidants protect against exercise-induced free radicals, which can lead to painful inflammation.
Gout Cherries may help reduce the swelling, inflammation, and tenderness associated with gout. Research reveals eating about 2 cups fresh sweet Bing cherries daily lowered uric acid levels by 15%.
A refreshing fruit dessert made with watermelon. Topped with yogurt, your favorite berries, and mint.
Watermelon Pizza
Ingredients
½ cup low-fat plain yogurt
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
6 Watermelon wedges (about 1 inch thick), cut from the
center of the melon
1/2 cup raspberries
1/2 cup blueberries
1 tablespoon torn fresh mint leaves
Directions
1. Combine yogurt and vanilla in a small bowl.
2. Spread 1/4 cup yogurt mixture over each slice of watermelon. Cut each slice
into 6 wedges. Top with raspberry, blueberries, and mint.
