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National Lollipop Day

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national lollipop dayToday is National Lollipop Day! Early incarnations of the lollipop date back thousands of years. Archaeologists* have found evidence that ancient Egyptians used honey to preserve fruit, then inserted sticks to make it easier to eat.

New Haven, CT, confectioner George Smith claimed he got the idea for the lollipop from the stirrers he used when mixing sweets. They became coated with candy, and Smith often took them home as a treat for his children.

Smith trademarked the name in 1931, stating that it was inspired by a famous racehorse called Lolly Pop. Many linguists contend it is derived from Northern English slang: “lolly” (tongue) and “pop” (slap).

You can whip up a batch using only four ingredients: sugar, water, corn syrup, and the flavoring of your choice. And the stick, of course.

Happy National Lollipop Day!

*For word nerds (like me) who wonder about the difference between “archaeologist” and “archeologist.”

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National Hot Dog Day

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national hot dog dayToday is National Hot Dog Day, according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC), an august body created by the North American Meat Institute, which has declared July to be National Hot Dog Month.

The NHDSC serves as a clearinghouse of information about the preparation and nutritional quality of hot dogs and sausages, funded by contributions from manufacturers and their suppliers.

National Hot Dog Day was established in 1991 to coincide with the annual Capitol Hill Hot Dog Lunch in Washington, DC. As a result, the holiday’s date is dictated by the congressional calendar and falls on the third Wednesday in July.

Here are a few stats:

  • In 2024, 896 million pounds of hot dogs were sold at retail stores. That number represents more than $3 billion in retail sales.
  • Ten percent of annual retail hot dog sales occur during July, which is why it is designated as National Hot Dog Month.
  • Hot dog producers estimate that an average of 38 percent or $1.16 billion of the total number of hot dogs are sold from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
  • The NHDSC predicts that major league ballparks will sell 20 million hot dogs during baseball season this year.
  • According to sales data for 2024, New Yorkers spent more money on hot dogs in retail stores ($111.7 million) than any other market in the country. Residents of Los Angeles came in second, spending $90.6 million on hot dogs.

If you’re curious, NHDSC has a video showing how hot dogs are made. We can’t say whether it will make you more or less hungry for a hot dog. Results may vary.

Have a happy National Hot Dog Day!

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National Personal Chef Day

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national personal chef dayToday is National Personal Chef Day, created by the United States Personal Chef Association (USPCA) to recognize the hard work and dedication of personal chefs across the country.

A private chef works exclusively for one client, sometimes living in the home. A personal chef can be hired by as many clients as his or her schedule allows.

They do more than just cook for dinner parties. They plan menus, shop for groceries, give cooking classes, and prepare meals for a variety of people, including working couples, families, seniors, and those with food allergies or dietary restrictions.

If you want to outsource your food prep chores and can afford it, use a member of the USPCA. If you don’t and/or can’t, we highly recommend our guy: Chef Boyardee.

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Beans ‘n’ Franks Day

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Today is Beans ‘n’ Franks Day. July is National Hot Dog Month. July 14 is National Hot Dog Day. We’ve no idea when hot dogs and baked beans were first combined.

The 500th birthday of the frankfurter was celebrated in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1987. Citizens of Vienna (Wien), Austria, dispute Frankfurt’s claim, citing their city’s name as proof the wiener was invented there.

The dish known as baked beans is of unknown provenance. In most recipes, then as now, beans were stewed, not baked. It was one of the first canned convenience foods, eaten by soldiers during the American Civil War.

Somewhere along the way, franks were added to the beans. It was a match made in culinary heaven. Whether you enjoy them separately or together, have a happy Beans ‘n’ Franks Day!

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