Informative
7 Creative Ways to Celebrate the National Brother’s Day 0
May 24th is National Brother’s Day. It is a day to celebrate the contribution of your male siblings and the unique bond that you share. The bond between siblings is naturally strong because you’ve grown up together, played, and gotten into trouble. It forms the first friendships in your life. The good news is that the fights and childhood rivalry were nature’s way of building your bond and making you closer.
Brother’s Day is the best time to celebrate and reflect on the contributions of your brother to your life. Having a brother is like having a friend, a playmate, and a protector in one person. They may drive you crazy, but you love them to bits.
The “bro code” is strong among men and even though there is no blood relation, that means having a strong brotherhood bond. While having a sibling is normal for most people, those born alone will tell you how they wish they had a sibling to fight and share memories with. You may not have a blood brother, but you can celebrate the men in your life who count as brothers and may have filled the void, such as friends, cousins, or brother-in-law.
Often brothers are hard to celebrate. You can buy flowers or chocolate for your sister, but arranging a surprise or gift for your brother can be confusing. Worry no more. In this article, we share a few tips for celebrating your brother.
Why Is Brother’s Day Special?
A brother’s love is unconditional
You may have grown apart as adults and live independently, but a brother’s love is forever. A brother’s love is not only pure and unconditional, but it never fades. They care for you without expecting anything in return and understand you like no one else. That’s reason enough to celebrate them.
Brothers will always have your back
Your male siblings are often your pillar of strength and are always with you in hard times. Brothers protect and guide you through your struggles and always be there for you. They accept you for who you are.
Your brother is your confidant
Your male siblings are probably the most annoying person you know but still your closest friend. They are confidants you can trust with your issues, because they will rarely tell on you. They have probably kept your secrets safe since you were young. Therefore, you are confident that they will cheer you up and give you advice no matter your challenges.
What Is the History of Brother’s Day?
National Brother’s Day is mainly celebrated in the United States, but other countries also acknowledge the day on May 24: Australia, Russia, India, France, and Germany. In some places, National Brother’s Day is an unofficial holiday. Please note that National Brother’s Day is different from National Siblings’ Day, which is celebrated in April.
Brother’s Day has been celebrated on May 24th since 2005. The first holiday was organized by Daniel Rhodes, based in Alabama, although the exact details are not known.
How to Celebrate Brother’s Day
Are you wondering what to buy for your brother on Brother’s Day? A brother is important in your life, and their value cannot be measured. You can share anything with them, and be sure they’ll keep your secret and give you the right advice. Here are some creative ideas to celebrate your brother in style and make them feel special.
Spend time with him
Your time is just as important as your money, and it is said that people make time for those they value. The best idea is to get in touch with your brother whether they live around you or are far away. Accompany your brothers to their favorite joint, watch their favorite game, or movie. If you have not seen each other for a while, it is the best time to get in touch and reminisce your childhood memories.
Share his photos on social media
Share stories and fun memories with your brother on social media. Make sure to use the social media hashtag #brothersday. You can also share your favorite brother’s quotes. Here are a few examples:
“It was nice growing up with someone like you – someone to lean on, someone to count on… someone to tell on!” -Unknown
“Sometimes, being a brother is even better than being a superhero.” -Marc Brown
“A brother shares childhood memories and grown-up dreams.” -Unknown
“Brothers don’t necessarily have to say anything to each other – they can sit in a room and be together and just be completely comfortable with each other.” -Leonardo DiCaprio
Get him a surprise gift
There are no guidelines for buying men a treat. A surprise gift will brighten their day and make them feel so happy, and make Brother’s Day memorable. You can buy him a book, movie ticket, or his favorite wine or whisky. You can also get him a gift card from his favorite online shopping store, whether a video game, a pair of shoes, or something they love.
Another great gift for men can be a lavish grooming gift hamper with essential oils for the face and beard especially made for men.
Plan a holiday or road trip
Trips are fun for friends, but for siblings, it’s magic. Plan for a holiday or road trip with your brothers or those you consider brothers to their favorite destination and enjoy the adventure together.
Host a surprise party
Plan a surprise party and invite your brothers or close male friends. You can involve your other siblings and parents to make it more entertaining. If you organize a dinner with all your family members, make up a trivia game with questions about your childhood. Get more ideas from the internet to come up with a questionnaire.
Take him out for dinner
Invite your brother for dinner at his favorite restaurant and catch up. You can surprise him or tell him in advance so that he doesn’t cancel on you because he’s busy. It can help you strengthen your bond and get to know how they are doing, especially if you live in separate locations and only meet up during holidays,
Give them a call
If you live far apart and cannot meet, a phone or video call is the best way to hook up. Although male siblings rarely engage in long chats, unlike female siblings, they will be happy to hear you celebrate them. You can also send them a gift, like their favorite wine. They will sip it after a long day while thinking about you.
Love them or hate them, a brother is irreplaceable. They love you back; they probably don’t admit it or say it often. Make sure that you set a reminder so that you don’t forget to tell your brothers how much you love and appreciate them on Brother’s Day.
References
8 Creative Ways to Celebrate Arbor Day 0
Ushering in a season full of new plants, flowers, and trees, April has long been synonymous with rejuvenation and regrowth. So, it makes perfect sense that this month hosts one of the most important eco-conscious celebrations, known as Arbor Day.
Equal parts movement and holiday, Arbor Day is a tribute to nature and forest life as a whole. So, whether you want to pay homage to this day by doing something solo or organizing an event with your friends, family, and coworkers, these eight creative activities will help you make the most out of this special day.
What is Arbor Day?
Celebrated on the last Friday of April (that'd be the 29th for 2022), Arbor Day(1) is a holiday that celebrates nature – and, specifically, trees. Its purpose is to encourage people to plant, upkeep, and preserve trees in their communities, giving Earth a much-needed oxygen boost. Arbor Day can also be a great way to teach yourself and your little ones more about forest life and its contribution to the Earth's ecosystem, mainly through fun activities and collective actions.
1. Plant a Tree
The most obvious way to show your appreciation for nature on Arbor Day is to plant a tree yourself. You can either plant a specific variety of trees in your backyard (say, apple trees) or fill up a small clearing with pine trees in a nearby forest. Either way, make sure to check if the laws in your state allow such actions before you proceed.
While you can do this activity solo, you could share the joys of tree-planting with friends, family, or even coworkers by joining a related event where you'll pick the perfect spot, dig some holes, and tuck the young roots into the fertile soil. #TheJoysOfGardening
2. Create a Plant Scrapbook
Another engaging way to celebrate Arbor Day is to create your own plant scrapbook. While it may sound like a tedious job, it's actually pretty fun and could intrigue your kid's curiosity (if you want to engage in this activity with your family). You could also go at it solo; in which case, you could look for rarer and more intriguing plant varieties.
To create the scrapbook, just gather the most common (or photogenic) leaves and tree flowers that you can find in your area, dry them out, and attach them to a notebook (customized or not). To complete the task, write the name of each flower or leaf and mention a few fun facts about it.
3. Clean Up a Nearby Site
While trees feed on decomposing matter, there's a certain type of debris that shouldn't be near their roots. We're talking about plastic bags, Styrofoam containers, glass bottles, and even fabrics. To help trees thrive even more, you could organize a local clean-up event on Arbor Day, where members of your community will clear up the trash from a nearby park or forest. You can hit two birds with one stone by recycling the items that can be recycled out of the debris you just collected.
4. Practice Sustainable Eating
As we become more aware of how our food habits impact the environment, we realize that plants are essential to sustainable eating. So, in honor of Arbor Day, you could make a dish that features all the fantastic edibles that grow on trees, from fruits like apples and cherries to unique ingredients like maple syrup and nuts. This culinary take on the holiday could inspire you (and perhaps the people around you) to practice sustainable eating more often and is also a great way to acknowledge how trees contribute to our living.
5. Take a Nature Walk
Since Arbor Day falls the same time that spring shows its first signs, Arbor Day is the perfect excuse to take your first hike of the season. Just pick your favorite trail (or one you haven't explored yet) and sink into nature's beauty. Look twice as you spot a budding or a century-old tree and identify each species with the help of a book or a guide. If you're living close to a national park(2), you can even plan a day-long hike with your family or friends and make sure you chat with the rangers and learn more about the different tree species that thrive in the region. To make your nature walk even more exciting, you can even throw a picnic somewhere along the way – perhaps when you reach a small glade or a stream.
6. Host a "Green" Expo
Doing something on your own sure is impressive. But engaging others into celebrating Arbor Day is where you could really make a change. So, if you're willing to get others into the tree-planting spirit, you could host a "green" expo at your workplace. Just feature local agencies and businesses that promote or organize tree-planting activities and drives.
And yes, this activity is tailored to coworkers and neighborhood committees. But if you feel like it, you could also host an informal "expo" for your family members. Just invite them to participate in "green" activities around the house, from composting dead leaves and foliage to making room for a seasonal garden to planting trees that benefit pollinators (think bees, butterflies, etc.)
7. Make Ornaments for Your Backyard Trees
If your thumb is more brown than green and crafts are more up your alley, you could make a few ornaments to dazzle your backyard trees (or even indoor plants). Just draw a few small paper windows and a door and stick them on a tree trunk to make it look like a garden gnome lives in it. Or paint a tire and hang it on a branch so that you can sow your climbing plants in it without them crowding your walls. You could even paint a tree stump to make it look like a mosaic. The sky is the limit when it comes to ideas!
8. Learn More About the History of Arbor Day
Perfect for your inner bookworm, this activity will not only inspire you to participate in this holiday but will also make you want to raise awareness in the years to come. Unlike many similar holidays (like Earth Day, which counts just 50+ short years), Arbor Day has a long history – and an interesting one at that. It all started when pioneers in the Nebraska region noticed the lack of trees in the surrounding area. So, newspaper editor and local J. Sterling Morton decided to do something about it by forming civic groups that planted trees every chance they got. But what started as mere enthusiasm of one individual grew into a yearly tradition for many over the years. Check the official Arbor Day Foundation(3) page for more facets of the holiday's fascinating history.
How would you like to celebrate Arbor Day? Let us know in the comment section down below!
References:
10 Incredible Ways to Celebrate International Women's Day 2022 0
International Women's Day is a global celebration marked every March 8th worldwide. It celebrates the contributions of women in politics, education, economy, and social arenas in the past, present, and future and makes a call to accelerate gender equality.
Although there have been incredible strides in women empowerment and equity (with the election of the first female, black, and Asian vice president to the U.S. and women leaders in Germany and New Zealand, women's full participation in leadership), decision making, and critical aspects of the economy are still underrepresented.1
We all need to take action to accelerate gender equality. Let's teach our children about equality and make them aware of strong female leaders.
What's The History Of International Women's Day?
In February 1908, thousands of women working as garment workers held a striking match in New York City to protest against the poor working conditions for women. The women complained of low wages, sexual harassment, and poor working conditions.2
The workplace did not have proper structures, and men always had better pay and an upper hand. International Women's Day was created in honor of the strike that lasted for more than a year. A nation's Women's Day was celebrated for the first time in the U.S on February 28th, 1909, championed by the Socialist Party of America.1
The first International Women's Day celebration in the U.S. was held in 1911. Clara Zetkin, a German women's rights advocate, championed turning the day into an international movement during the International Conference of Working Women in 1910. Her effects bore fruit and led to the recognition of the day throughout Europe by 1910.3
Since then, more countries have adopted the day, and it is marked on March 8th globally to advocate for women's rights and equality around the world.4
What's The International Women's Day 2022 Theme?
Every year, women's day has a unique theme. The official 2022 International Women's Day theme is #BreakTheBias. The theme calls for us to acknowledge the bias that exists but also a call for action to stop the bias.1 Discrimination against women, whether intentional or unconscious, makes it difficult for women to succeed.
How To Celebrate International Women's Day
World leaders have taken massive steps to forging a path to gender equity, but we all have to be involved, no matter how little effort we make.
There are various ways to participate and mark International Women's Day 2022. You can observe the day at home or work. From sharing women empowerment quotes to advocating for gender equity at work to listening to music from your favorite female icons - use the day to remind yourself and others of the immense contribution of women to the world.
This blog post will give you 10 excellent ways to celebrate and participate in International Women's Day 2022 and advocate for gender equity.
Share The Theme On Social Media
One impactful way to celebrate the day is by participating in the #BreakTheBias social media campaign. You can wear a branded t-shirt or use online design tools to create social media graphics. Share a photo of you crossing your arms to show solidarity and share with #BreakTheBias #IWD2022 to challenge others to advocate for an inclusive world.
Share International Women's Day Quotes
There's no better time to share inspiring words spoken by powerful women on your preferred social media platforms alongside the #BreakTheBias than on International Women's Day. Here are a few examples:
"Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn't be that women are the exception." — Kamala Harris
"The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights."— Gloria Steinem
Recognize The Incredible Women In Your Circles
Take a moment to encourage a woman in your life and tell them how awesome they are. It could be your mom, grandma, sister, daughter, wife, girlfriend, or friend. A simple word of encouragement through text, a call, or a video call will surely make them smile. You can also send an inspiring email to your female colleagues and tell them why you think they are amazing women.
Donate To A Charity That Supports Women
Donating is an easy way to make a difference by supporting the worthy cause of charitable organizations that support women locally or internationally. Check online for organizations that do incredible work supporting women's rights and empowerment.
Advocate For Gender Equality in Your Workplace
Women face a lot of bias in the workplace. Women are more likely to be laid off or leave their jobs due to the increased burden of managing households work and childcare responsibilities. Although the world has made considerable strides in equal pay for women, some countries and organizations still lag behind.
All countries and organizations should create an inclusive work environment to bridge this gap. If you have a say at your workplace, champion better company policies that ensure fair and equal support to women, especially maternity leave, flexible work schedules, and coach and promote women to leadership positions.
Champion a lunch hour discussion on all the challenges women face in the workplace. Give both genders time to share their thoughts. Only when women get equal inclusion in leadership can the world solve the problems and create a more promising future.
Support Women-Owned Or Run Businesses
When women succeed in business, it contributes to equal economic empowerment for all genders. This International Women's Day, deliberately support a woman-owned or run business. Challenge your coworkers, family, and friends to do the same on this day.
Involve Men in The Conversation
Although the International Women's Day initiatives target women, everyone needs to be involved in the conversations. Men should also participate in women empowerment discussions since they can also be critical advocates for gender equity. They can offer solutions and influence other men to support women and tackle the issue of sexism. When men are engaged, there is more progress. For any activity you take to celebrate International Women's Day, tag along with the men in your life, and let's share how to stop the bias on gender.
Read A Book Written By a Female Icon
Books give more knowledge and understanding of the challenges that women face worldwide. Read a book with your kids or friends whose primary focus is women empowerment and those that celebrate women's achievements. Here are four fantastic books written by inspiring women to get you started.
- I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb
- You Are Not A Princess (And That's Ok!) by Melanie Berliet
- She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World by Chelsea Clinton
- We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Listen To Girl-Power Music
So what if you cannot find time to read? Compile a playlist on Spotify with female artists. You can listen to it all day long. You can also watch girl power movies that have inspiring female leads or characters such as Moana or Frozen. Don't forget to share with your friends.
Avoid Participating In Celeb Gossip That Bullies Women
It's no secret how sexist and misleading the media can be judging by how women gossip stories attract more attention. Before you sit and listen to gossip that touches on a woman, take a moment to think about how that woman will feel. Take a moment to imagine how you would feel if you were in the same position. Don't participate in gossip that clearly shows that the woman celerity did not deserve that treatment or those that shame women dressing.
Imagine a free and gender-equal world free from bias and discrimination. A world that is inclusive, equitable, and safe, where women are celebrated with women's achievement and the constitution they bring to the world. Together we can #BreakTheBias by celebrating women's achievement and advocating for a gender-equal world free from stereotyping and violence against women. We can choose to call out gender bias and inequality and decide to celebrate the remarkable contributions of women. Let's #Breakthebias.
Happy International Women’s Day from us at Mother Earth Products.
References
- https://www.internationalwomensday.com
- https://time.com/5187268/international-womens-day-history/
- https://www.unfpa.org/events/international-womens-day
- https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/international-womens-day
- https://www.parents.com/parents-magazine/parents-perspective/celebrate-international-womens-day-on-march-8/
- https://www.workflowmax.com/blog/10-excellent-ways-to-celebrate-international-womens-day
- https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/a26713899/how-to-celebrate-international-womens-day-at-work/
14 Simple Ways to Give Back to the Community 0
Giving back to the community is an act that we need to do every day. It makes life meaningful to the giver and changes the lives of the beneficiaries.
What does giving back do for you?
Giving back is good for your health and happiness. It is a great tool to fight depression, because you temporarily forget your problems when you shift your focus to help other people. When you give back to the community, you get the fulfillment that you may not get elsewhere. In fact, giving back is one of the basic human needs that makes life have more meaning. It is an essential part of life, and it is the secret to a happy existence. The act of giving back changes not only the lives of others but also enriches your life.
What Are Ways To Give Back?
The beauty of philanthropy is that it doesn’t need to be extravagant. You don’t need to be a celebrity to reach many people. It takes one simple step to start. You can donate your time or use your skills and change your community for the better. It can simply be helping a blind man cross the road or helping an elderly neighbor to carry groceries to the house, clean the neighborhood, or plant trees.
Here are 14 simple and meaningful ways to give back to the community that you can start today.
1. Teach a Skill
There are plenty of ways to give back for free, and teaching in your area of expertise is one of them. Everyone has unique skills that they can teach others. Do you have a high-impact skill that you can teach people? For example, if you’re good at public speaking, you can mentor young professionals. Or, if you’re a skilled artist, you can use your hobbies to coach young children. You can teach English as a literacy volunteer to those who need help. All you need is to reach out to the schools and community centers that would benefit from your skills.
2. Perform a Random Act of Kindness
Give back by making simple gestures of kindness to strangers or your neighbors. For example, help your neighbor carry groceries or walk their dog or babysit their child when the nanny calls in sick and they have to rush to work. These simple tasks will make someone’s day better when you do them.
3. Support Businesses That Give Back To the Community
There are various charitable businesses where when you purchase a product, part of the proceeds supports a more significant cause. Get online to get a list of charitable companies that give back.
4. Do a Cleanup of Your Neighborhood
Are you wondering how to give back to your community? You are the resource that the community needs to make a difference. Start from where you live. Organize or participate in cleaning up your neighborhood or a nearby park or beach. This is a great way to give back when you don’t have resources but have extra time.
Encourage and tag along with your friends and family and impact the community and the environment together. It doubles up as bonding time with your loved ones and teaching your children to give back to the community.
5. Donate Your Time
When you have more time than money, use it to help those in need. For example, give back by donating your time to a local nonprofit organization or an animal shelter a few times a year. Or participate in runs or walks that seek to raise funds for a cause. Time is valuable, and it will make a massive difference in the lives of others.
6. Donate Food to Those in Need
Many families sleep hungry every day in the world. Find charities that feed homeless people and commit to donating dry food packs. It is a chance to make an immediate difference in other people’s lives. You don’t need to give a large sum of donations to make an impact. Instead, donate what you can afford to charities such as Feeding America, Samaritan’s Purse, or Feeding the Hungry.
7. Participate In Charity Events and Fundraisers
Find a cause that is important to you and identify charities in that line. It will be a great motivation to support what you are passionate about. For example, if you love children, find organizations that work directly with children. Some people have started charities based on what they have gone through, be it a disease or loss.
8. Volunteer in A Local Shelter for Elderly People
The seniors often feel lonely and isolated in the later years. So you can assist them with the daily tasks or donate money to such homes to provide better services to the seniors.
9. Give Back To the Community as a Business through CSR Projects
Most companies have a yearly CSR project. If your workplace is yet to start, reach out to the HR department or raise the corporate volunteering idea with your boss. You can work together on a charity task such as visiting homeless shelters. Or, if you run a company, consider including it in how you give back to the community. Set up an allocation point for money and nonperishable food items in the office. When people come together, there can be more impact on the lives of those in need of help.
10. Donate Blood
Donating blood is a life-changing way to give back. It can save up to three lives. The best part is that it only takes 15 minutes of your time to save another person’s life. Moreover, donating blood prompts your body to produce new cells and help you live longer. Search for a blood bank near you and sign up to be a blood donor.
11. Plant a Tree and Save the Environment
Air pollution and deforestation are significant causes of global warming. However, we can save the environment for our future generation. Planting trees is an excellent way to give back. It is also beneficial for the environment and improving the population’s health because trees decrease toxicity by producing oxygen that purifies the air we breathe.
12. Donate Items That You No Longer Use
Most of us have piles of clothes and stuff that we no longer need. Don’t let them fill up your space while they could be of help to someone else. If you have a stack of clothes you’ve not worn for last year or toys or appliances you no longer need, consider donating them to a local nonprofit organization that gives homeless shelters.
13. Recycle Plastics
Another way to give back to the environment is to recycle plastics. It reduces the pollution to our environment because plastic degrades slowly. The advantage is that most local recycling centers give money in exchange for your plastics.
14. Give Back Online By Raising Awareness on Social Media
Share how you give back on social media and create a challenge to inspire other people to give back. Spreading the word to other potential volunteers and inspiring others to give back is another way of giving back.
One person can make a big difference. So let’s create a chain of people who give back and cause a ripple effect of positivity around the globe. If every person reached out to those in need, the world would be a much more joyful and inspiring place to be in.
How Do I Start Giving To Others?
Like any change, if you’re starting, start slow. Don’t give much too fast or volunteer in so many things simultaneously. You can always add more time or money as you go along. Make time to volunteer even if you have a busy schedule and see your life transforming and becoming more fulfilling.
Ready to give back? Whether you give back by volunteering or planting trees, it still impacts and gets the fulfillment that humans need to live a healthy life. We can make a significant impact when we for this together, shall we? Make a yearly plan of giving back and start immediately. Please share in the comment section what activities you do to give back.
References
7 Ways to Celebrate the World Kindness Day 2021 0
World Kindness Day is an international holiday celebrated annually in many countries, including the United States, Italy, Australia, and Japan on November 13th.1 The purpose of the day is to emphasize the importance of kindness. It helps every person to understand the importance of compassion in unifying people and nations. People can pledge and promote acts of kindness as individuals or as organizations. The day presents an opportunity for everyone to reflect on kindness since it is one of the most important and unifying human principles.2
Currently, people and nations are getting divided every day. We may feel powerless to change the situation. However, when we all do small acts of kindness for one another, it helps to make the world a better place. Kindness doesn't need much effort, but it has a significant impact on the people around us. That's the purpose of World Kindness Day: to celebrate kindness and inspire others to do the same.3
During World Kindness Day, everyone worldwide comes together and creates a chain reaction of compassion by performing random acts of kindness for people around strangers and us. You don't need to spend money; you need to do something nice for someone else. The goal is to spread kindness around the globe and to encourage as many people as possible to participate in World Kindness Day 2021.4
History of World Kindness Day
World Kindness Day was first introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement. The organization was formed in 1997 at a conference in Tokyo by various organizations that championed kindness in the world. Twenty-eight nations were involved in the conference that is not related to any religious or political movement.1 The World Kindness movement was officially registered as an official NGO in 2019 under Swiss Law. 2
During the 1997 conference, the written declaration for the inception of World Kindness Day stated the pledge to join together to build a kinder and more compassionate world. The declaration facilitated the launch of World Kindness Day in 1998. As outlined by the World Kindness Movement, the purpose of the day is "to highlight good deeds in the community focusing on the positive power and the common thread of kindness which binds us." 3
The day is devoted to promoting small acts of kindness by individuals and organizations to unify people. Since the launch of World Kindness Day, it has achieved global notice. Many events have been created worldwide to celebrate the day, such as concerts; dance mobs; and the distribution of kindness t-shirts, cards, and printouts.2
Although the day is still under unofficial observance, the World Kindness Movement hopes to attain official recognition status by the United States. If successful, World Kindness Day would join the other recognized days of observance, such as the International Day of Peace, Human Rights Day, and World Health Day.1
How to Celebrate World Kindness Day 2021
- Wear a kindness t-shirt. Please take a photo and share it on social media with the hashtag #WorldKindnessDay
- Do random acts of kindness. Be kind to a stranger. Being kind doesn't have to cost money. Simple actions can go a long way to inspire kindness in the world. Go out of your way to be kind to others at your workplace, in school, or your community. Pledge to do one intentional act of kindness. Smile when you walk by others. Hold the door for an older person. Compliment your coworkers for their kindness, or send an encouraging text to at least five people on your contact list.
- Appreciate others for their kindness and generosity. There are kind people around you who do acts of kindness all year long. Appreciate them for their kindness and encourage them to go on with that spirit. Look for opportunities to add kindness to someone's day.
- Buy flowers for your loved ones. Treat a stranger or a friend to a cup of coffee. Offer to help a stranded stranger. Reach out to a family member you haven't talked to in a while, or cook for your sick family member.
- Volunteer in shelters and baby homes. Donate food or toiletries to street families.
- Hug someone. Send an uplifting message to someone who may be stressed.
- Include intentional acts of kindness in your daily routine. For example, allow someone to cut you in traffic with a smile. They are probably in a rush because of an emergency.
Happy World Kindness Day from Mother Earth Products. Get creative and make your list of kind acts for World Kindness Day!
"The world is full of kind people. If you can't find one, be one." – Unknown.
References
- https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/world-kindness-day-2021/
- https://nationaltoday.com/world-kindness-day/
- https://inspirekindness.com/blog/12-ways-to-participate-in-world-kindness-day-2021
- https://inspirekindness.com/blog/world-kindness-day-2021-your-complete-guide#h_150291441271570018428238
Are Banana Chips Really Healthy? Here’s What You Need to Know 0
Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard of the new chip that's making waves in the health food aisle. Yes, we're talking about banana chips. The indulgent snack seems to be taking the clean eating world by storm, and its health halo shows no signs of fading away. But the question that everyone keeps asking is: are banana chips healthy, or is there something hiding between those nutrition label lines? Well, here's what science has to say.
What Are Banana Chips?
As the name implies, banana chips are crispy slices of banana, which are usually fried in oil and are coated with sugar or honey for a sweeter taste. Some companies even season the chips with salt and/or spices for a flavor kick.
Considering the processing they go through to reach our table (or better yet, bowl), it's fair to say that banana chips are nothing like raw bananas. But, since we shouldn't compare and contrast different types of food (i.e., fresh vs. processed), let's see how the various kinds of banana chips stack up against one another.
Are There Multiple Kinds of Banana Chips?
Before we delve deeper into the snack's nutritional value, you should know that all banana chips aren't created equal. While most of them are highly processed, one type doesn't undergo the intense processing that others do (except, perhaps, for freezing and dehydration). This type is known as freeze dried bananas.
What's the Difference Between Processed & Freeze Dried Banana Chips?
• Processed Banana Chips
Made from slices of under-ripe bananas, processed chips(1) are deep-fried and soaked in a sugary solution. Between frying and sugar-coating, the snack loses most of its original nutritional value and ends up being more of an indulgent candy than a healthy treat.
• Freeze Dried Bananas
Unlike their processed "cousins," freeze dried bananas aren't subjected to drastic cooking methods that alter their nutritional profile in a heartbeat. On the contrary, they are just freeze dried under the lowest temperatures possible, a technique(2) that helps them retain most of their nutrients and bio-compounds. So, by default, freeze dried bananas are almost as nutritious as raw bananas. They also don't contain any additives (i.e., sugar or flavor enhancers), which is always a plus.
The Nutritional Value of Banana Chips
The nutritional value of banana chips depends on the processing they go through before they hit the shelves. Below we list the nutrition ‘deets’(3) on the variety you're most likely to run into while shopping (a.k.a. processed).
So, a one-cup serving of the snack (72 g) provides you with:
- Calories: 374
- Protein: 1.6 grams
- Carbs: 42 grams
- Fiber: 5.5 grams
- Sugar: 25.4 grams
- Total Fat: 24.2 grams
- Saturated Fat: 21 grams
- Vitamin B6: 0.187 mg (that's about 11% of your RDI)
- Potassium: 386 mg (that's about 8% of your RDI)
The Downsides of Consuming Processed Banana Chips.
Before we list the reasons why you shouldn't consume the snack all too often, we should mention that these downsides refer solely to processed banana chips, a.k.a. the kind that is deep-fried and sugar-coated before hitting the shelves.
• High in Saturated Fat & Harmful By-Products
Even though they start off healthy, store-bought banana chips lose their "clean eating" status as soon as they hit the frying pot. According to experts(4), the most common oils used for this process are coconut and palm oils(5) (both known for being high in saturated fats).
Research(6) also shows that frying banana slices in coconut oil triggers the production of PAHs(7) (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons), a complex group of chemicals that are linked to several diseases, including cancer. These compounds are also described as "lipophilic," which means they tend to cling onto fat cells. So, unless metabolized, they linger around in the lipid tissues (with whatever health issues this may entail).
• High in Sugar & Calories
Besides frying, most banana chips are also coated with sugar, honey, or syrup to acquire a slightly sweeter taste. This step helps make the snack more flavorful and, thus, irresistible. Now, we all know that sugar is high in carbs(8), so the snack becomes an instant calorie bomb. What's also troubling is that, given the chips' addictive crunch, it's hard to stop at just a handful and keep the calorie count at bay.
The Benefits of Consuming Freeze Dried Bananas
Before we check out why this snack can be a solid snacking choice, note that these benefits refer to the freeze dried variety that's minimally processed and handled.
• High in Nutrients
When it comes to nutrients, freeze dried bananas are almost as dense as the real deal. And that's because freeze drying(9) doesn't strip the chips off of their original contents. In fact, the technique removes 99% of the food's moisture, allowing the chips to retain the water-soluble vitamins and minerals that'd otherwise be lost throughout the process.
• Low in Sodium
Compared to potato (and even veggie) chips, freeze dried bananas are considered a much healthier option – and that's mainly because of their low sodium content(10). Since the snack doesn't contain or use salt as a flavor enhancer, it's an excellent choice for anyone who wants to keep their sodium intake in check but can't resist the crunch of a chip.
• Long Shelf Life
One of the most convenient benefits of freeze dried bananas (and chips, in general) is their long shelf life(11). Since they contain very little water, these bites don't oxidize as quickly(12) as raw bananas, sparing you from throwing them away almost a week after you bought them.
• Easy to Carry Around
Given their small size and portable nature (along with the fact that they don't require a cooler), banana chips are an excellent snack choice for people on the go and hikers.
So, Are Banana Chips Healthy? The Takeaway
Of course, they are. But ONLY IF there are prepared the right way, a.k.a. not dried-and-fried in saturated fat. That said, when you need something sweet and crunchy to tame your sweet tooth, reach for a handful of freeze dried bananas rather than the processed kind. The fruity snack contains the same nutrients as raw bananas and tastes just as great (without the use of saturated fats and added sugar). Or you could go for plan B: Eat a banana!
If you want to explore more sides of the fruit (other than its chip form), these banana recipes won't disappoint.
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_chip
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7022747/
- https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1102628/nutrients
- https://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/media/document/polycyclic-aromatic-hydrocarbons-in-banana-chips.pdf
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5044790/
- https://www.food.gov.uk/research/research-projects/occurrence-of-polycyclic-aromatic-hydrocarbons
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benzoapyrene-properties-incident-management-and-toxicology/polycyclic-aromatic-hydrocarbons-benzoapyrene-general-information
- https://sugar.ca/sugar-basics/uncover-the-truth-about-sugar/nutritional-value
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07373930600558904
- https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/topics/health-conditions/heart-health/lower-sodium-foods-shopping-list
- https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Does-freeze-drying-make-food-shelf-stable
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3155377/
