TopicWell

Guinea Pig Appreciation Day

Posted on July 16, 2023 by Liz Yuki

There’s Nothing Wild About These Guys!

Guinea pigs were first domesticated in Peru over 3,000 years ago! To this day, they no longer exist naturally in the wild. Fear not, however, for these rapidly reproducing rodents can have litters of up to 13 pups, and as incredibly social beings, their love knows no bounds. The sows, or female guinea pigs, only take 68 days to have their young, and the boars, or male guinea pigs, can breed with them year-round. That’s a lot of babies!

European countries settled guinea pigs into a life of comfort when they were fully domesticated as pets in the 1800s. They were also, sadly, used as lab subjects in the years to follow. This is where the colloquial term ‘guinea pig‘ comes from in regard to using someone as a test subject. However, guinea pigs are far more likely to be taken home as pets today, as lab testing has gradually died down over the years.

Piggy for Your Thoughts?

Here are a few facts about our friend, the guinea pig!

Appreciate the Pig!

So, how can you celebrate Guinea Pig Appreciation Day? Here are some ideas!

Adopt a friend! See if your local shelter has any guinea pigs up for adoption, and consider taking a couple home if you’re able! Make sure to adopt responsibly, and ensure ample socialization of your new friend. They can get very sad if left alone.
Donate to a charity such as Cruelty-Free International to help stop lab tests on animals like the guinea pig.
If you own guinea pigs, show them extra love with treats, cuddles, and playtime!
Throw a Guinea Pig Party!

As always, thank you for reading! You can contact us at contactliznkey@gmail.com with questions or concerns, and if you feel so inclined please consider donating to the site so we can continue serving up great content! Last but not least, comment below if you have something to share!

National Mac and Cheese Day

Posted on July 14, 2023 by Liz Yuki

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Indulge in the ooey-gooey goodness of the ultimate comfort food—the irresistible mac and cheese! Get your taste buds ready because July 14 marks National Mac and Cheese Day. From its humble origins to becoming an iconic symbol of culinary delight, mac and cheese continues to reign as the best comfort food.

Join us as we take a nostalgic journey through the history of mac and cheese, explore why it holds a special place in our hearts, and discover fun ways to celebrate this mouthwatering holiday.

Let’s Celebrate National Mac and Cheese Day

Here are some fun ways to celebrate!

Mac and Cheese Tasting Party: Gather your friends and family for a delightful mac and cheese tasting extravaganza. From truffle-infused mac to buffalo chicken mac and cheese, the possibilities are endless. Let your taste buds embark on a scrumptious journey!
Mac and Cheese Cook-Off: Challenge your culinary skills by hosting a macaroni and cheese cook-off. Compete with friends or family members to create the most mouthwatering dish. Prepare different categories such as the creamiest, most innovative, or best presentation. May the cheesiest creation win!
Mac and Cheese Movie Night: Settle into the cozy comfort of your home with some homemade mac and cheese and your favorite cheesy movies. Whether it’s a classic comedy or a heartwarming family film, let the delectable combination of cheesy goodness and on-screen entertainment create the perfect evening.

Mac and Cheese: A History

Believe it or not, the roots of mac and cheese stretch back centuries. The earliest known recipe for macaroni and cheese was discovered in a medieval English cookbook dating back to the 14th century. This delectable combination of pasta and cheese quickly gained popularity, spreading across Europe and finding its way to the shores of America.

America is where mac and cheese truly made its mark. Some people credit Thomas Jefferson for introducing the recipe to the United States after encountering it during his travels in Italy and Paris. However, others doubt his discovery came first, and the origins remain debated even today.

Nevertheless, mac and cheese’s popularity soared, becoming a staple dish in American households.

In 1937, Kraft further cemented and revolutionized the culinary scene with macaroni and cheese. It introduced the first boxed mac and cheese, forever cementing its place in our hearts and kitchens. It’s worth noting that mac and cheese’s enduring charm even inspired Crayola to honor it in 1993 by naming a new crayon after this beloved dish.

Why We Love Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese has been in our lives a long time and as such, we’ve all come to love it for varying reasons. Me? I love it because it makes the kiddo happy. Homemade mac and cheese isn’t his favorite, but he knows a good macaroni dish when he sees one.

What other reasons could we love it? The reasons are limitless, but here are a few just to get started:

Nostalgia and Comfort: Mac and cheese holds a special place in our hearts, reminding us of cherished moments from our childhood. Whether it’s the homemade mac and cheese your grandmother lovingly prepared or the box of macaroni you devoured after school, each bite evokes a sense of warmth and familiarity.
Versatility: Mac and cheese is an incredibly versatile dish. From crispy bacon to vibrant vegetables or even lobster, you can customize it to suit your taste preferences and culinary imagination. Each creation is a delightful surprise, enhancing the cheesy experience.
Pure Bliss: Let’s face it—mac and cheese is pure bliss. The perfect combination of tender macaroni enveloped in a creamy, cheesy sauce is a culinary symphony that delights our taste buds and brings a smile to our faces. It’s the ultimate comfort food that never fails to satisfy.

I’s time to embrace the cheesy goodness and celebrate this iconic dish that has captured our hearts and palates. Let your imagination run wild and experiment with different recipes, share nostalgic memories with friends and family, and indulge in the pure joy that mac and cheese brings.

Join the nationwide celebration of comfort food at its finest, and remember to share your favorite recipes and heartwarming stories with TopicWell! Get ready for a day filled with cheesy delight on July 14 — Happy National Mac and Cheese Day!

Kebab Day

Posted on July 13, 2023 by Liz Yuki

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Tomorrow is July 14th, Kebab Day! Birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and grills are sizzling with meat and veggies! Dripping with juicy flavors, a skewered array of delicacies sits before you. Celebrate this delicious day with the savory kebab, a simple but oh-so-satisfying dish passed down through the centuries.

Bite-sized pieces of meat, flavorful bursts of cherry tomatoes, and more await you on this mouthwatering day! Fire up the grill and join me as we cook up some facts about the kebab!

What’s a Kebab?

Kebabs, also spelled kabob or kebob, are made up of food that is skewered on a stick and cooked. Normally, this consists of grilled meat and/or veggies, but there are many variations. The Greeks prefer Souvlaki, a carnivorous meat-only kebab. Others enjoy the shish kebab, which is the traditional meat-and-veggie kebab we know today. I enjoy fruit kebabs, which have no meat at all! All kebabs are not created equal, but they are all equally scrumptious!

Kebabs are also a healthy choice for a meal, as they are packed with protein-rich chunks of meat and vitamin-rich veggies! They also help connect us to other cultures, as different kebab types span the entire world! There are over 20 recorded varieties, and their countries of origin bring us all together as we chow down!

The History of Kebabs

Kebab Day is quite young, having started around 2019, and it always occurs on the second Friday of July. Kebabs themselves, however, date back many years ago. Centuries, even! The first kebabs came from the Middle East and Central Asia, where Persians coined the term. They have since become widespread after migrating from Asia to Greece, and over to the Americas and beyond!

Types of Kebabs

There is a near-infinite number of kebab varieties. If you can skewer it and eat it, it can theoretically be on a kebab! The most popular kebabs are meat and veggie-based, and many of those are grilled to bring out juicy flavors! However, there are also succulent fruit kebabs, flaky fish kebabs, and even sweet candy kebabs! Check out some mouthwatering examples below! Pick out your favorites and chow down on Kebab Day!