January 29: National Corn Chip Day

 

When I read that today was corn chip day, I thought for a while (a few seconds) about whether that meant any chip that was made of corn (tortilla chips) or thicker, Frito-type chips. I quickly decided it meant Frito-type chips, and it looks like Wikipedia agrees with me:

 

While American-style corn chips and tortilla chips are both made from corn, the corn in tortilla chips is subjected to the nixtamalization process, resulting in a milder flavor and aroma, and a less rigid texture. Tortilla chips also tend to be larger, thinner, and less salty than American-style corn chips.

 

And, in case you’re ever on Jeopardy!, nixtamalization is ” a process for the preparation of maize (corn), or other grain, in which the grain is soaked and cooked in an alkaline solution, usually limewater, and hulled”.
 
Now we know!

 

I decided to celebrate with the superior Frito flavor, the Chili Cheese Frito:
 

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Tomorrow: National Croissant Day

January 28: National Blueberry Pancakes Day
 

You know, I’m not really a pancake person. I really like pancakes, yes, but it wasn’t until I met Bryce that I realized there are people who are actually obsessed with pancakes. Unfortunately, Bryce has since gone gluten-free, but in our early days of dating we spent many mornings (or early afternoons :/) at breakfast places so Bryce could get his pancake fix.

 

My issue with pancakes isn’t that they aren’t good. They definitely are. My issue is that when I eat something, I like a variety. I like to have a bite of one thing, then a bite of another, then maybe two bites of something else, etc. I’m a fan of multiple flavors. When you order pancakes, you get a stack of 1,500 calories of pancakes. A bite of pancake… then another bite of pancake… then another bite of pancakes.

 

To solve this problem, when we go to brunch, I like to order a combo, if available. So when Bryce used to order wheat germ blueberry pancakes, I’d usually order the “18 Wheeler Dealer” like a lumberjack or something. But it is so much better! You get a pancake AND an egg AND some bacon or sausage AND potatoes! It’s the BEST. Unfortunately, people in California seem to like egg white broccoli scrambles and not 18 Wheeler Dealers. Combos do not exist! It’s so frustrating! We don’t go to breakfast very often anymore, but now it’s always a struggle choosing between salty or sweet instead of BOTH.

 

That’s the definition of struggle, right? Choosing between pancakes or eggs?
 

Anyway, pancakes for dinner is a rarity around here, but these were delicious, even without the sides.

 

Tomorrow: Corn Chip Day

January 27: Chocolate Cake Day
 
I’m all about home-baked, but sometimes you need to embrace modern conveniences and go to Trader Joe’s a buy a mini chocolate bundt cake.
 

 

Was it as good as homemade? No, (it actually tasted like a Hostess Cupcake?), but that’s okay sometimes.

 

Tomorrow: National Blueberry Pancake Day

January 26: National Pistachio Day

 

Pistachios are trendy right now, right? There are so many pistachio ads! Where are the cashew ads?

pistach1

 

pistach2

 

I realize that in hindsight I should have worn something lime green and made my own pistachio ad, but instead I sat on the couch and ate them in front of the TV.

 

 

Tomorrow: Chocolate Cake Day

January 25: National Candy Month

 

Technically, January 25th is National Irish Coffee Day. And while you might think that I didn’t do it because I don’t like coffee (which is true!) BUT the real reason I didn’t drink one is because I was in Oakland all day working at COMPOSTCON (seriously, I woke up at 5am and didn’t get home until 11ish). So, I celebrated Candy Month with some Werther’s from my purse.
 

 
Here is a bonus photo! Here are the dirt cups I made for the kids’ corner of CompostCon!

 

dirtcup

 

Tomorrow: National Pistachio Day

January 24: National Peanut Butter Day
 

 
Peanut butter often gets pigeon holed, right? Peanut butter and ___. Jelly, right? Maybe chocolate? What about apples? Personally, I think it’s the most successful marriage.

 

Tomorrow: National Candy Month

January 23: National Rhubarb Pie Day National Hot Tea Month
 
Guys, the fact that JANUARY 23rd is RHUBARB PIE DAY is ridiculous. Yes, I live in California, but rhubarb season is definitely not January. Without rhubarb, we can’t have rhubarb pie. Weird how that works, right?
 
Anyway, since it was literally impossible to make rhubarb pie to celebrate unless you live in the southern hemisphere or something, I had to celebrate National Hot Tea Month.
 
I actually don’t like tea. Or coffee. I am 100% fine with not liking coffee (stained teeth, bad breath, etc.), but I admit that it would be nice to like tea. It sounds like it would be nice to snuggle up with a warm cup of tea. But, to me, it’s nothing more than some hot bland water that tastes like flowers. :(
 

 

The only tea I like is passion tea from Starbucks… when it’s iced… and mixed with lemonade. Ha! This time, however, I sucked it up and ordered a HOT passion tea… with a million honeys. :)

 

Tomorrow: National Peanut Butter Day