Okay, so other than America’s Birthday in July, why not try to celebrate some other silly, fun, and also, quite tasty ‘holidays’? Some of them may not have any true origins, however, they can also be an attempt at a good excuse to why you have to “cheat” on your diet, or treat your children and family to something extra delicious! Perhaps some of these you can take for a party or event you’re going to this summer. I’ve also included some easy recipes for each celebration that you may want to try out.
I’ll start from the beginning part of the month, then work my 
way on down, since there’s quite a few I know you probably have never heard of. The 7th is quite possibly the best ever in my opinion…Chocolate Day! Are you as excited as I am? Granted, this one seems to be a mystery of how it’s a ‘holiday’, but I wouldn’t mind celebrating it every day either! I’ll leave this one up to you as to how you want to enjoy your chocolate. 
Another related ‘holiday’ is National Milk Chocolate Day on the 28th. Hmmmm, Hersheypark or Chocolate World any 
one? Kids love chocolate too (there’s also dairy-free chocolate available, so there’s not too many excuses left as to why you can’t enjoy it!)
Not a fan of chocolate, no problem! On the 7th, it’s also National Strawberry Sundae Day. So what if this one is also a mystery of how it started? This does give more of a reason to go to local farms for their strawberry festivals and pick fresh strawberries. Most farms are having these festivities this summer, so check them out, then come home and make this easy strawberry sundae with your kids.
Speaking
of Ice cream, yes, you guessed i
t,
there’s National Ice Cream Day (the third Sunday of the month) and Peach Ice Cream Day both of which are on the 17th this year. We can thank President Ronald Reagan for July being National Ice Cream Month. To top all of this off, on the 23rd, it’s Vanilla Ice Cream Day! I’m sure making trips to get some ice cream in this warm weather wouldn’t be minded. Possibilities are endless with ice cream!
Another cool idea to try out (if not already) is a having a Teddy Bear Picnic, on Teddy Bear Picnic Day ofcourse! On the 10th, gather up your kids’ teddies, or any stuffed animal, and have a picnic together! You can check out how to have a Teddy Bear Picnic and combine some other July celebrations at this picnic simultaneously, such as National Sugar Cookie Day (on the 9th), Tapioca Pudding Day (the 15th), or get an early start on National Lollipop Day (July 20th). Believe it or not, there is some slight history to the origin of lollipops! A teddy bear picnic also sounds like a great play date idea to me. Start making those invitations my friends, your kids will love it!
Some other celebrations you may not be aware of this month are Pecan Pie Day and National Raspberry Cake Day, both within the same week. You can enjoy some pecan pie on the 12th, then next week, have some raspberry cake on the 19th. At least, you’d be enjoying these desserts in moderation, right? You can make some raspberry-swirl cupcakes with your kids for all to enjoy.
Enough of the sweets, later in the month, there’s National Junk Food Day (on the 21st) and also National Hot Dog Day (the 23r
d). Despite these designated days, you can practically celebrate them by going to any carnival or fair this summer! Remember, you can always limit your amount of junk food, so I’m not trying to fatten up anyone here! Additionally, it doesn’t help that junk food tastes so good too, right? For dinner on the 29th, have some lasagna, in honor of National Lasagna Day. Nothin
g beats a tasty family meal shared by all! July is also National Grilling month, so for all of the “Grillmasters” out there, carry on and grill your heart out! Grilling steaks and veggies is one of my favorites, not to mention, a quick and healthier way to eat.
I saved the best for the last, at the end of the month, my personal favorite, National Cheesecake Day on the 30th. So, not to turn this into an episode of The Golden Girls, but enjoying cheesecake, of any kind, in any way, is quite a delectable treat! Also, if you were not aware, The Cheesecake Factory offers half prices on any of their slices of cheesecake on this day too. Try making Oreo Cheesecake bites or Cheesecake Pops with your kids, cheesecake isn’t just for adults any more!
