While you're frying up some eggs and bacon, we're cooking up something else: a way to celebrate today's food holiday.

In 1970, a generation that perfected protesting turned their attention to something closer to home – Mother Earth. Since then, the popularity of Earth Day - and the environmental movement that goes along with it - has led to the development of the Environmental Protection Agency (or EPA), as well as the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and the Endangered Species Acts.

So, in the spirit of things, here are a few simple ways you can do your part to reduce your food footprint:
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While you're frying up some eggs and bacon, we're cooking up something else: a way to celebrate today's food holiday.

April 15 is National Glazed Spiral Ham Day.

Americans have become accustomed to serving ham on special holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving, but there’s no law that says ham can only be served in November and December. When you don’t have to worry about in-laws, five side dishes, three desserts and someone breaking a limb during the annual family flag football game, ham isn’t nearly as threatening to prepare at home.
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While you're frying up some eggs and bacon, we're cooking up something else: a way to celebrate today's food holiday.

It takes two to fondue - April 11 is National Cheese Fondue Day.

Fondue parties were synonymous with the 1970s, but since then, fondue restaurants have popped up all over the country billing themselves as communal dining experiences that are exciting and fun. Fondue can be just that (if you lose the bell-bottoms), but you certainly don’t have to go out to a fancy restaurant to get it.

Most families are given a fondue set at some point in their lives - be it a wedding or random birthday. If, by some stroke of luck, you actually got something you really wanted instead, fondue sets are almost always available and incredibly affordable at estate and garage sales, just make sure the bottom of the pot isn’t warped or damaged.
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While you're frying up some eggs and bacon, we're cooking up something else: a way to celebrate today's food holiday.

Everything's coming up stinking roses - April is National Garlic Month!

It’s a pity that garlic has a such a reputation for bad breath as it’s an incredible herb. Not only does it scare vampires away, it has amazing medicinal qualities too. Plus, it’s darn tasty.

There are a couple of different types of garlic available in most grocery stores. Other than the regular-sized bulbs, you might also find green, black or elephant garlic. Green garlic is garlic that was harvested before it had time to mature and form cloves. Black garlic is fermented garlic that is sweet and savory at the same time. Elephant garlic is actually a leek that produces large cloves. It’s also milder in flavor which is ideal if you’re just starting to experiment with garlic or are going on a date. Then again, if both of you eat garlic, the smell and taste could be canceled out… (That is, if the date goes well.)
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While you're frying up some eggs and bacon, we're cooking up something else: a way to celebrate today's food holiday.

Today's food holiday gets our seal of approval! April 8 is National Empanada Day.

Some food dishes know no boundaries; they are loved by many cultures the world over. Empanadas fit perfectly into this category.

Most people think of these half-moon shaped pastries as being South American, but their origins can be traced back to Portugal and Galicia. The beauty of empanadas is that the rich, buttery dough can be filled with almost anything - sweet or savory.
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While you're frying up some eggs and bacon, we're cooking up something else: a way to celebrate today's food holiday.

Being April 1, we could tell you that today is "National Snake on Toast Day" or "National Chug Fryer Grease Day," but we like you so we’ll be nice.

April celebrates the grilled cheese sandwich. There’s something so perfectly comforting about this simple and humble dish.

Grilled cheese can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch or dinner. They can be devoured on their own or paired with soup; jazzed up or dressed down - it really doesn’t matter, they taste just as good.

Here are some tips for making the perfect grilled cheese:
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While you're frying up some eggs and bacon, we're cooking up something else: a way to celebrate today's food holiday.

Hit the hydration station - March 22 is World Water Day.

Water: It makes up 60% of our bodies, and yet most of us don’t get enough of it on a daily basis.

However, not everyone has access to clean, fresh, readily available drinking water. The United Nations estimates that as many as 783 million people lack clean water. Access to clean water is important for sanitation and farming, but it’s also integral to a healthy way of life.

Natural sources of water, like rivers, know no boundaries and often wind their way through multiple countries; controlling the flow of those rivers can cause serious political conflict. To help raise awareness to these problems and more, the UN has designated 2013 as the International Year of Water Cooperation. With 85% of the world’s population living in the driest half of the globe, it’s important not to take water for granted on this World Water Day.
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While you're frying up some eggs and bacon, we're cooking up something else: a way to celebrate today's food holiday.

Ooooh, that's the good stuff! March 20 is National Ravioli Day.

When I first started covering food holidays I thought, “Wouldn’t it be cool if I tried to make the food of the day, every day?” That notion lasted all of a minute. Tt was simply too time consuming, so, I chose my battles wisely. Today has got to be one of my favorite days, I’m a ravioli addict.

Ravioli is any filled pasta shape that’s sealed. Different sizes and sealing techniques have different names. Whether it says agnolotti, tortellini (the smaller version of a tortelloni) or sachetti on a menu, they’re all the same thing – a type of ravioli.
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While you're frying up some eggs and bacon, we're cooking up something else: a way to celebrate today's food holiday.

It's a sticky situation. We'll deal. March 19 is National Chocolate Caramel Day.

Caramels are soft, chewy, velvety bites of heaven. When they're combined with chocolate, they become a taste sensation second to none.

Luckily , making them at home isn’t as daunting as you’d think. Yes, there’s some equipment involved, and yes, there should always be an adult in the room, but the rest is easy.
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While you're frying up some eggs and bacon, we're cooking up something else: a way to celebrate today's food holiday.

"O" is for oatmeal and that's good enough for me. March 18 is National Oatmeal Cookie Day.

Oatmeal cookies are a big deal in our house. We like to think that they’re healthier than regular cookies, but that doesn’t stop them from lasting one, maybe two days. Oatmeal cookies are very versatile and can be customized to your liking - nuts, no nuts, raisins, no raisins, chocolate chips (but really, who doesn’t like chocolate chips in their cookies?).

Oats take the place of most of the flour in oatmeal cookies, and you typically only need one egg to bind them so already that’s healthier than your average cookie. Rolled or old fashioned oats work best here, but in a pinch I’ve used a sachet of instant oats too.
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