Informative
Introducing Discounts for Military, First Responders, and Teachers! 0
We are proud to announce that we are offering discounts for Military, First Responders, and Teachers. Mother Earth Products is a veteran owned company and we really appreciate the work of our military, first responders, and teachers. Our military keeps our country safe, our first responders make sure we all get the help we need in an emergency, and our teachers make sure our children develop into good world citizens. We love the work all of you do.
The discount is 10% and is underwritten by VerifyPass. There is a link on the footer of our website or click here to go to our registration page. Just create an account from the pop-up window. You can use your Facebook or Google+ login, or you can simply create an account using your email address. The discount cannot be combined with other discounts or offers.
The Military discount eligibility includes Active Duty, Veteran, Retired, Disabled, and Dependents.
First Responders, eligibility includes Law Enforcement, Firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician/Service.
Teachers eligibility includes K-12, University, and Pre-K.
To all of you, thank you for your service!
Sincerely,The Mother Earth Products Team
The Surprising History of Father's Day 0
From whipping up all kinds of healthy treats to searching for a wow-worthy gift weeks in advance, Mother's Day is the perfect chance to thank our mothers for all the hard work they've done raising us and teaching us right from wrong. But, let's be honest: Even though moms are the best, it's high time we gave the unsung heroes of every family, a.k.a. the dads, the attention they deserve, amirite?
Celebrated annually on the third Sunday of June (in most countries), Father's Day is a celebration dedicated to dads everywhere, honoring them for protecting, providing, and caring for their families. Of course, the holiday these days has nothing to do with how it all started back in the 20th century. So, if you want to let your dad know how come he's being pampered and showered with gifts every June, this brief history of Father's Day will do just the trick.
Moms Paved The Way For Dads
Considering most aspects of society were dominated by men during the 19th century, it was pretty tough for women to stand out. However, their role as mothers inspired many to dedicate a day solely to them and that's how Mother's Day came to be (in its unofficial form, at least). But what does this have to do with Father's Day?
Well, seeing that mothers get the lion's share of attention compared to dads, a woman from the state of Washington (her name was Sonora Smart Dodd(1) if you're curious) thought of honoring her father while listening to a Mother's Day sermon at church in 1909. She did that out of pure respect of him as he was a Civil War veteran and widower who managed to raise six children on his own after his wife passed away giving birth to their last one.
Lore has it that to guarantee the success of her quest, Sonora reached out to various local authorities, from churches and the YMCA to shop owners and government officials. That explains why her idea of "celebrating fathers and not just mothers" was a huge success. It's also worth noting that this concept may have resonated with a lot of people at the time, considering many had lost their parents (fathers, in particular) during the Civil War. So, coming 19th June 1910, Washington was the first state to officially celebrate Father's Day.
But, that wasn't the first time dads found themselves in the spotlight. A year before Sonora's praise-worthy attempt, in 1908, a Methodist church in West Virginia held a Sunday Sermon to commemorate 362 men (250 of them were fathers) who died in the previous December during an explosion at the Fairmont Coal Company mines in Monongah(2). This commemoration was initiated by Grace Golden Clayton, who shared her idea with the local church to honor the fathers lost due to this tragic incident.
However, the celebration was a one-time thing since it happened with the sole purpose of honoring these men. So, unlike Sonora's "campaign" (if we can call it that), this celebration didn't mean to last.
To sum up, Mother's Day (or at least the acclaim moms were receiving through this holiday) made many people think that fathers deserved just as much attention. And that's pretty much why more and more people embraced this holiday as the years passed by.
And Then Came Parent's Day... Or Maybe Not
But, it wasn't smooth sailing from there. You see, despite the purest of intentions to dedicate a day on dads alone, History.com states that several activists during the 1920s and 1930s tried to scrap both Mother's and Father's Day and instead create a celebration that honors both parents equally. Dubbed as Parent's Day, this new idea didn't hit home with most folks, and that's why it never really took off.
Making Things Official
So, for several decades, Father's Day was only celebrated locally, making a name for itself as a national institution rather an official holiday. In fact, it took more than 60 years for the government to recognize Father's Day as a federal holiday. To be exact, it was 1972 when Richard Nixon signed a proclamation that made Father's Day an official holiday. Fun fact: If we're being honest, Lyndon B. Johnson paved the way for this Nixon proclamation by designating the third Sunday of June as Father's Day in 1966 through an executive order.
Father's Day: Commercial Gimmick or A Sign of Affection?
While the holiday started out with the best of intentions (at least on behalf of some individuals), most Americans resisted it - especially during the first two decades- thinking it was more of a commercialized replica of Mother's Day. This way, merchants could cash in on the popularity of the celebration, all in the name of fatherhood.
Of course, that wasn't the only reason Father's Day was sort of... dissed back in the day. You see, stereotypes surrounding the macho, manly man were thriving back then and, thus, many guys saw this celebration as an attempt to squash their manliness by forcing them to show a rather affectionate side. Luckily, such beliefs aren't an issue these days because guys are more acceptive of their emotional side, which is why Father's Day has grown on us.
So, that was the history of Father's Day. What do you think? Do dads deserve all the attention or it's all just a commercial gimmick? Feel free to share your thoughts in the section down below!
References:
Introducing our New Earthling Subscribe Program! 0
Save time ordering the food you love and sign up for our Earthling Subscribe program! You can get your food when you want it, without the hassle of re-ordering each time you need your favorite food or snack, and at a lower price, too!
How does it work?
You can set up your scheduled orders and delivery of your favorite products however often you want them. You will immediately save 5% when you set up your subscription, and then 15% on each subsequent order for that particular product(s). Be aware that discounts may vary based on what food you choose.
You can set up your Earthling Subscribe account easily, and add in the food you want in your mailbox each week or month - You Choose! It’s all so easy and convenient. Once you’ve started the subscription, you can change the frequency or cancel the subscription (which you can do after you’ve ordered 3 total times, using our Earthling Subscribe program). You can also skip orders, up to 7 - in case you don’t need any that week or month, or if you need a little more time to eat what you have at home.
Our new Earthling Subscribe program will automatically create a new order, based on how often you want your fruits and veggies, according to your delivery schedule (which you set up yourself), until you cancel.
All the details aside, it’s exciting that we can now offer you a program that can allow you to order the food you want, when you want it, and without the hassle of sitting down and ordering each time you want it. It’s all done automatically to save you time, money, and hunger. Get what you crave without all the hassle! Get your spices without waiting! Get your hiking and outdoors food without wondering if it’s in stock!
The Origin of Memorial Day 0
Memorial Day is set aside to remember the soldiers who lost their lives in dedication for the service to their country. Memorial Day [1] can be traced back to May 30, 1868, where it was first observed after a proclamation by General John A. Logan.
General Logan was a member of the organization of former soldiers and sailors of the Grand Army of the Republic. During the first commemoration, or Decoration Day, the first speech was made by Ohio Congressman, James Garfield. James also happened to be a former Union General. After the speech, more than 5,000 people who had attended the proceedings helped to decorate more than 20,000 the graves of former Confederate soldiers that day.
Inspiration Behind its Observance
Various towns across the United States of America had been observing the Memorial Day for the past 3 years after the end of the Civil War. New York was the first state in the country to officially recognize this day as a holiday in 1873. A few years later, more communities and cities started to observe the day as well. By the late 1800s, more states had already declared it as an official holiday. By the end of the World War I, Memorial Day became a day used to honor all the soldiers who had died in serving the USA military in different wars.
When Is Memorial Day?
Congress established Memorial Day in 1971 through the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, meaning that Memorial Day was now an official holiday in the USA. The holiday is celebrated on the last Monday in May[2]; however, there are a few southern states that have set aside an additional day to honor the Confederate soldiers who died during the Civil War.
Confederate Memorial Day
Confederate Memorial Day is celebrated on January 19 in Texas. Arkansas honor it on the 3rd Monday in January, while Alabama honors it on the 4th Monday in April. Florida and Georgia have set aside April 26th to honor this day, while North Carolina and South Carolina honor it on May 10th. Virginia honors it on the last Monday in May, while Tennessee and Louisiana honor it in June 3rd.
Memorial Day is officially commemorated at Arlington National Cemetery in a ceremony presided over by the Vice President or President of the United States. The leader in attendance places a flag on the grave of an unknown soldier. Participants in the ceremony place a small American flag on each grave at the cemetery. It is estimated that more than 5,000 people attend the event each year.
Some Things You May Not Know About the Origin of Memorial Day
- It May Have Some Ancient Roots
Although the very first commemorative event was not held until the late 19th century, the practice to honor [3] those who have died in battle can be traced back to thousands of years ago. Ancient Romans and Greeks held annual remembrance days to remember their loved ones, including soldiers. They held the events once a year and placed flowers on the graves. They also held public feasts and festivals each year on the day set aside for these festivities. In Athens, the populace would hold public funerals for their fallen soldiers at the end of each battle.
The remains of those who had passed away in battle would be displayed in public for mourning before they could be taken for internment through a public procession.
- One of the Earliest Memorial Day Commemorations Was Organized by Recently Freed Slaves
When the Civil War ended, soldiers, who had been held as prisoners, assembled in camps spread all over Charleston, South Carolina. The conditions in some of these hastily assembled camps were so bad that more than 250 prisoners eventually died, caused by disease and exposure. They were later on buried in a mass grave located behind the camp. Less than 3 weeks later, an unusual procession made its way into the former prisoner camp. On May 1, 1865, more than a 1,000 recently freed slaves, a handful of white Charlestonians, and regiments of U.S colored troops gathered at the camp to give the deceased a proper burial. During the burial, the recently freed slaves distributed flowers, gave readings, and sang hymns.
The Foundation of the Memorial Day
As mentioned earlier, Memorial Day’s beginning can be traced back to General John A Logan. He meant to honor the lives of the more than 620,000[4] soldiers who had died or had been killed in the Civil War.
Legend has it that General Logan chose this day because it was a day that did not fall on any anniversary used to commemorate the Civil War. But, some historians believe this day was selected because it was when flowers across the country would be in full bloom.
When the Civil War ended, General Logan, a war veteran, returned back to his former political career. It is worth noting that he had earlier on served as a US congressman before resigning to rejoin the army. He would later be elected to serve in both the Senate and House. He passed away in 1886, after unsuccessfully vying for Republican Vice President 2 years earlier. His body was laid in state at the Rotunda in the U.S Capitol. Logan Circle in Washington D.C., together with other towns spread across the country, has been named in honor of this legend who issued the celebrated Memorial Day.
References
The Evolution of the Strawberry 0
Summer would never be complete without a bowl of ice-cream with strawberries. The strawberry is a cultivar, meaning simply that it has been greatly altered from its wild form, likely smaller than today’s varieties. The new varieties are crossbred for greater resistance to disease and reliability. The evolution of the strawberry is one that until now, researchers knows little about.
The History of the Strawberry
The strawberry
is native to North America. The Native American Indians used strawberries in
various dishes. The first garden strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) grew in Brittany, France in the 18th century. It
was across the Fragaria chiloensis[1]
from Chile and the Fragaria virginiana [2]
brought from North America by the first colonists.
Previously, the fruit was sourced from wild
strawberries and some cultivated selections obtained from the wild species. The
fruit appeared in the ancient Roman literature for its medicinal use. During
the 14th century, the French started transplanting strawberries from the forest
to the gardens for harvesting. The Western European monks used wild
strawberries in illuminated manuscripts in the 15th century. The strawberry is
also traced in Flemish, German, and Italian art, as well as the English
miniatures.
Strawberry cultivation became more popular in the 16th century, and people used it for medicinal properties, including treating depressive illnesses. Botanists started to name the different species, and in 1972, a French excursion traveled to Chile and introduced North American female plant, which brought to existence the modern strawberry.
Cultivation
Earnest cultivation of the strawberry began in the early 19th century, after strawberries with cream became a luxurious dessert. With the advent of the railroad, New York became the strawberry hub, shipping the plant in railroad cars. The cultivation spread to Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Florida. Today, California produces 75% of strawberries.
Strawberry cultivars come in various shapes, sizes, flavors, colors, the season of ripening, degree of fertility, the constitution of plant and liability to disease [3]. The flower’s structure is hermaphroditic - functions as female or male.
There are two cultivation models: the perennial system of mounds or matted rows/ annual plasticulture [4]. The plasticulture method is mostly used for bulk production, using plastic covers to prevent erosion and weeds. The strawberry plant takes one to two years to decline in fruit quality and productivity in the commercial plasticulture system; therefore, plants are replaced annually for denser plantings and better yields. The perennial system, mostly used in colder climates, utilizes the same plants for years. Its production cost and yields are lower than in the plasticulture method.
Strawberries can be grown in strawberry pots indoors; however, the plant might not grow naturally in the winter, but the LED lighting in the combination of red and blue light can promote growth during the winter.
The Quest to Bring the Strawberry Glory Back
Odds are at one point you have been disappointed by some strawberries that have lost flavor. The supermarket strawberries are mostly bred for color, size, disease resistance, and shelf life. Breeders are in the quest to make the strawberry taste as good as it used to.
In 1892, Thomas Laxton bred the American hardiness with the European flavor to cultivate the Royal Sovereign, an exceptionally delicious strawberry; however, the Royal Sovereign showed signs of disease in the 1930s and was superseded commercially.
The
flavor gets more complicated, because it includes various components, including
sugar content, texture, the aroma, and type of sugars (derived from a range of
genes that rely on one another). Isolating the flavor trait is not entirely
impossible. Identifying the ideal flavor chemical structure is the first step,
involving the genome discovery of the parent plant and building a database for
the gene codes for the flavor trait.
The flavor is also determined by the time of picking. A strawberry picked at
its peak ripeness will always taste better than strawberries picked before they
are well ripened.
Strawberries in Cuisine
In ancient times, wild strawberries were eaten in small quantities since they were tough, small, or lacking in taste. In the modern day, strawberries are tasty eaten off the stem or when incorporated in various dishes fresh or cooked: pies, tarts, quick bread, muffins, preserves, jellies, sauces, and jams. Fresh berries are suitable for smoothies, wine, sangria, and salads.
Although growing strawberries is seasonal, they can be frozen for future consumption. Frozen strawberries are perfect for smoothies, as are our Freeze Dried Sliced or Whole Strawberries. We've got you covered. You can get high quality freeze-dried strawberries from Mother Earth products today.
References
A History of Saint Patrick’s Day: Toast to Everything Irish 0
On March 17th, Ireland honors the foremost saint of Ireland - St. Patrick. Honoring St. Patrick has become a global celebration. In the United States alone, approximately 39.6 million people, seven times Ireland’s population, celebrate Irish heritage.1 These celebrations have a distinct Irish vibe, which includes drinking, wearing green, and parades.
Here’s a quick glance at the history of Saint Patrick’s Day and everything that goes with it.
Who was St. Patrick?
Maewyn Succat, alias Patrick, was born to a wealthy family in Scotland. At 16, he was kidnapped and enslaved in Ireland. Years later, he fled, claiming God told him to escape from his captors, using a boat that waited at the shore to take him home.2 Years later, he travelled back to Ireland as a priest named Patrick, where he spent his life converting the Irish from Celtic paganism to Christianity.
Legend says that St. Patrick banished snakes from Ireland. According to the belief, snakes attacked him while he was fasting, and he chased them all to the ocean. The story explains the absence of snakes in Ireland since the post-glacial period.3 Saint Patrick is believed to have died on March 17th in the fifth century.1
The St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
Traditionally, St. Patrick’s Day was a religious holiday in Ireland. The Irish laws dictated that pubs remain closed on March 17th - until the 1970s. Then, the government began using St. Patrick’s Day to showcase the Irish culture to drive tourism. Over a million people travel to Ireland annually to take part in the St. Patrick’s festival held in Dublin, which features concerts, parades, fireworks, and outdoor theatre productions.3
The first parade in the history of St. Patrick’s Day was held in the United States by Irish soldiers in the English military. They marched along the streets of New York City playing music together with fellow Irishmen. Since then, Irish patriotism among American immigrants has flourished. Every year, millions of people watch parades, including the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, with participants exceeding 150,000.3
Various cities developed different traditions to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day as the Irish immigrants dispersed in the United States. For instance, dyeing the Chicago River green has been done since 1962.1
Chicago’s pollution control team traced illegal sewage using green dye, when they discovered it could be a great way to celebrate the holiday. With the aim of reducing environmental pollution, 40 pounds of vegetable dye is used to turn the river green for several hours.
Wearing Green
Wearing green attire, green accessories, or shamrocks is customary on St. Patricks Day; however, blue was the first color associated with the holiday, leading to the origin of the St. Patricks blue, a color that is widely used in Ireland. So, where did the green obsession come from?
Based on the history of St Patrick’s Day, the saint used the three leaves of legendary shamrock, a native Irish plant, to explain the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) to the Irish.3 Green is further associated with the green flag, from the 1640s, of the Irish Catholic Confederation. Another reason why green is used is Ireland's nickname - The Emerald Isle.1
St. Patrick’s Day Recipes
Although cabbage and corned beef is not a traditional Irish dish, it is a significant meal in the history of St. Patrick’s Day. The Irishmen would probably have served potatoes and bacon or pork. However, the Irish immigrants in America substituted bacon with corned beef. which was the cheaper option. Most restaurants worldwide serve Irish meals and beverages to celebrate the holiday.
Those who are not big fans of cabbage and corned beef are known to incorporate Irish delicacies to their menus, including Irish potatoes and Irish soda bread. Great ideas for desserts with an Irish touch include: whiskey added to chocolate cake and bread pudding from soda bread. Guinness is also a must, and is the most popular beer in Ireland.
Amazing Destinations for St. Patrick’s Celebrations
Dublin immerses the traveller into the Irish St. Patrick’s Day experience with numerous activities. One can learn about Ireland’s culture and see the stunning iconic buildings, enjoy a stroll in the streets illuminated in green and watch Irish dances, and indulge in the thrilling boat races on River Liffey.
New York City hosts the world’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day parade. The parade takes place along the Fifth Avenue, which is home to Central Park and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
London is also one of the largest hosts of the St. Patrick’s Day celebration. There are numerous Irish themed restaurants offering Irish food and Guinness, and the spectacular St. Patrick’s Day Parade starts in Piccadilly. Trafalgar Square also hosts the St. Patrick’s Day Festival.
Authentic Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
You may want to break the routine and indulge in new ways to celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day.
If you feel like spending the day indoors, here are some great Ireland films will give you a clue of what being Irish entails. Brooklyn and Leap Year are some remarkable films from and about Ireland, as well as Dare to Be Wild (about the first Irish woman to win the Chelsea Flower Show).
It is always a good time to learn new things. Dig into the history of St. Patrick’s Day and Ireland. You might be surprised about how diverse culture is. Learn how the world operated in ancient times up to date. How about adding to your language with some Irish words? "Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhuit!" meaning "Happy St. Patrick's Day to you!" might be a good start.
You could also participate in the various Shamrock-themed races or marathons held on St. Patricks Day. Buy some green outfits and race. It is a good way to burn some calories.
Look up some Irish recipes and host some friends for lunch or dinner. You never know, you may find new recipes to add to your daily lifestyle. Challenge yourself to make your St. Patrick’s Day fun as you celebrate the Irish history and heritage. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day from Mother Earth Products.
