17th February : Significance

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."
- Leo Buscaglia

History of Random Acts Of Kindness Day

Random Acts Of Kindness Day was first created in Denver, Colorado in 1995, and nine years later it spread to New Zealand in 2004. Random Acts of Kindness can include just about anything, including something as simple a taking a tray of muffins to work. The idea behind this holiday is to make the world a better place by spreading a little light around. Lift someone up with your words, compliment them on their appearance, all these things can help to really turn around someone who's having a bad day.

Additionally, research has shown that the very act of doing something for someone else gives us a chemical high, a higher one, in fact, than if something had been done for us. There was a wise man who once shared a concept "Do not think of those who are in need, such as panhandlers, as seeking charity. They are, instead, providing a service. A service that allows you to get your fix of feel good while simultaneously paying someone for providing it." It may be a bit more open-minded than some people are ready for, but it certainly helps bring things into light!

My Way Day has been created in celebration of that wonderful phrase "It's my way or the high way". The history of My Way Day is unclear but it believed to have been inspired by key events in the world happening because someone had a bold idea and they weren't afraid to go through with it.

On that note, the idea of My Way Day is simple - it is the day where you are encouraged to do whatever you want, however you want. Do you fancy watching every Bond film in a row wearing a onesie and eating chocolate? Go ahead. How about being a bit ore adventurous and begin to write that novel you were always thinking about? Absolutely fine. My Way Day is your day - just make sure that whatever you decide to do, it's legal.

National Cabbage Day is observed annually on February 17th.

With St. Patrick's Day exactly one month away, National Cabbage Day is a great day to test out some recipes with cabbage, a staple ingredient for Celtic holidays.

From the French caboche, meaning head, cabbage comes in a variety of forms. The cabbage family is quite varied and includes Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, kohlrabi and kale. Cabbage is an ancient food with origins in Asia Minor (Turkey today) and eastern Mediterranean.

French explorer Jacques Cartier was the first to bring cabbage to the Americas.

When selecting a cabbage, the head should be firm and dense. The fibrous leaves of a healthy cabbage should be shiny and crisp with no browning or bruising.

Cabbage is versatile and can be eaten raw, steamed or sautd. A popular ingredient in Asian, German, Irish and Latin recipes, it's a culturally diverse food.

Having low calories (6 per leaf) makes cabbage a popular diet food as well. It has no fat or cholesterol, is low in sodium and carbs, and is a good source of Vitamin C.