March 26 - National Spinach Day

Happy National Spinach Day! On March 26th each year, today reminds us of the health benefits packed into this leafy green vegetable. Not only are there so many delicious ways that you can enjoy spinach, but it is also incredibly good for you! 

  

An annual plant, spinach grows natively in central and southwestern Asia. Thought to have originated in ancient Persia, Arab traders carried spinach into India and then later introduced into ancient China.  

  

There it was known as “Persian vegetable.”  The earliest available record of the spinach plant was found in Chinese, saying that the spinach plant was introduced into China via Nepal. 

  

During her reign as queen of France, Italian noblewoman Catherine de' Medici enjoyed spinach so much, it was served at every meal. To this day, dishes made with spinach are known as “Florentine” reflecting Catherine’s birth in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. 

  

Spinach is: 

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  • eaten raw or cooked and is available fresh, frozen or canned. 
• • one of the best sources of iron. 
• • an excellent source of calcium, folic acid, fiber, protein, calcium and vitamins A, C and K. 
• • loaded with cancer-fighting antioxidants 
• • believed to help improve cardiovascular and gastrointestinal health. 

Types of spinach: 

Savoy: dark green color with curly leaves; usually sold in fresh bunches. 
Flat or Smooth Leaf: broad, smooth leaves;  mostly grown for canned and frozen spinach as well as soups, baby food and processed foods. 

Semi-savoy: a hybrid variety with crinkly leaves: is sold fresh and processed. 

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  • Following China, the United States produces the world’s second-largest crop of spinach.  
• • California, Arizona, and New Jersey are the top spinach producing states in the United States. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

There are so many ways to enjoy spinach. Try these suggestions: 

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  • Fresh spinach salad 
• • Spinach pizza 
• • Spinach dip 
• • Cream spinach 
• • Spinach lasagna 
• • Add spinach to scrambled eggs 

Share your favorite ways to add spinach to your meals.  Use #NationalSpinachDay to post on social media. 

HISTORY 

National Day Calendar® continues researching the origin of this leafy holiday. However, we’ve ruled out Popeye the sailor man. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny1I3kFM7iI 

#NationalSpinachDay 

@Dole 

@nichecinema 

March 26 - National Epilepsy Awareness Day

Happy National Epilepsy Awareness Day! On March 26th, this day aims to increase the public’s knowledge of a neurological condition affecting nearly fifty million people worldwide.  

  

Also known as Purple Day, people are encouraged to wear purple in support of epilepsy awareness.  

  

The neurological condition, epilepsy, impacts the central nervous system causing seizures and other symptoms. The types of seizures vary depending on the cause and type of epilepsy. Some known causes of epilepsy include: 

• 
  
  • brain injury 
• • genetics 
• • metabolic disorders 
• • immune disorders 
• • infection 

However, sometimes no known cause can be found for epilepsy in a patient. While epilepsy is not contagious, any age group can develop epilepsy.  

  

The good news is that it’s highly treatable, although the condition can be confusing for children. In some parts of the world, treatment can be challenging to find. 

  

Another important goal for the day is removing the stigma associated with epilepsy. Those with epilepsy can lead normal lives, especially when their epilepsy is controlled. 

  

HOW TO OBSERVE 

  

Join the Purple Day movement. Here’s how: 

• 
  
  • Learn more about epilepsy.  
• • Show your support by wearing purple. 
• • Volunteer at a fundraising event. 
• • Donate to research to cure epilepsy. 
• • If you or someone you know has epilepsy, speak up, and help eliminate the stigma associated with epilepsy. 
• • Know the signs of a seizure and what to do.  

Use #EpilepsyAwarenessDay or #PurpleDay to post on social media. 

HISTORY 

In 2008, Cassidy Megan of Nova Scotia, Canada launched Purple Day to encourage awareness of epilepsy and to cast away some of the myths that cloud the general public’s view of the condition.  

While other awareness observances existed previously, Purple Day and its founder continue to gain a following and awareness is spreading around the globe. 

#EpilepsyAwarenessDay 

#PurpleDay 

@nichecinema