January - "Splurge-pecific"

I know we just went through probably the must glutenous few months of the year, and many of us (including yours truly) are "trying" to be better and watch what we are sticking in our bodies right?....well kinda, I know your pain. We've set our goals, actively committed to our individual plan, but...many of us also look forward to the holidays coming up as a way to "splurge" for our tremendous hard work, our staying away from the dreaded donuts that incentive person brought to the office this morning and ordering the steamed veggies in replacement of the fresh cut French fries, like the ones that the guy at the next table ordered and secretly hope he looks away long enough so you could snag one off his plate.

Valentines, St Patty's day, and that coveted Easter brunch with family or friends seem light years away, so what do you do in between? So glad you asked...I love interactive readers! So here are a few fun factoids on what the month of January brings us in the way of National Food Month, week and Daily Holidays!!! Yes our reason to "hold out for a specific day to splurge" (and the crowd goes wild)!

Now I could go day by day, starting at the 1st day of January, but I won't torment you on lost opportunities, so I'll just pick up on this week onward. I know what your saying already, "I'm trying to be good here, and your NOT helping Chef!!!" Oh contrare' my dear readers, there will be a little something for you all, especially those of you with more will power than me.

Month long :
January is The National "Bread Machine baking" month, so for those of you who own one still, and love torturing the other members of your household for an hour and half while it bakes, smelling up the house with that fresh baked aroma, this is your month to shine! This month also brings a variety of additions :
National "Meat" month, National "Egg" month, National "Soup" month, National "Candy" month, National "Oatmeal" month, National "Hot Tea" month, and my personal favorite National "Breakfast Prune" month.....#sarcasm

Daily:
January 20-31
1/20 - National Cheese Lovers Day- If there is any day this month that tests my will power more, this is a biggie!!
1/21 - New England Clam Chowder day - Cream based chowder, can't beat this on those cold January days
1/22 - Blonde Brownie Day - Really? Like we NEED an excuse to eat brownies - regardless of the color!
1/23 - Rhubarb Pie day - A sweet and tart pie, popular in the Upper Midwest, UK, Sweden and Ireland.
1/24 - (Both) National Peanut Butter day and Lobster Thermidor day...."you had me at peanut butter"
1/25 - National Irish Coffee day ( just another excuse to use Bailey's...I'm in)
1/26 - National Pistachio Day - Taste's great, high in antioxidants and helps reduce LDL cholesterol too!
1/27 - National CHOCOLATE CAKE DAY- Yes, those are angel harps in the back ground!!!
1/28 - National Blueberry Pancake Day - eating blueberries help reduce blood pressure, pancakes not so much. But hey, everything in moderation right?
1/29 - National Corn Chip Day - get your Frito pie fix in today...or nachos, ok, ok, I'll stop.
1/30 - National Croissant Day, that flaky goodness that has 81 layers of buttery doughy love...mmmm...butter (and no this was not a Paula Dean endorsement...)
1/31 - National Brandy Alexander Day - Brandy, Cognac and Creme de Cocoa, YES please..

So there really was a little something for everyone, sweets, savory and even a few nutritionally focused choice days. My point here folks is, all in fun, it's always an important and smart idea watch what we eat, and have a goal. However, TREAT yourself every once in a while, regardless of your vice, it will kep you focused on the long term goal!

"Until we Eat Again"

Chef Rob