March is National What Month?

I’m sure we all know the great month of March is National Women’s Month. But what else gets celebrated for the entire month of March?

National Peanut Month
What is there to know about peanuts and National Peanut Month?

Humans have been eating peanuts since 1400 B.C. That’s a long time! In 1916, Black inventor George Washington Carver, known as the father of peanuts, studied the many ways humans can consume peanuts. He is attributed for the invention of peanut butter. So the next time you eat peanut butter, think of this incredible inventor! National Peanut Month started in 1941 but was originally celebrated as National Peanut Week. In 1974, it was first recognized as a month-long celebration.

How can I celebrate National Peanut Month?

The best way to celebrate National Peanut Month is to just eat peanuts and peanut products for the entire month! For those of us who can eat peanuts, maybe consider replacing your regular cow’s milk with homemade peanut milk. Also, try making your own peanut butter. Trying new recipes from scratch is so much fun, and you might find that you enjoy the process or even the taste better than store-bought peanut butter. Another way you can celebrate is to use the hashtag #NationalPeanutMonth to share some of your favorite peanut snacks on social media!

Fun recipes to try

How to make peanut milk
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted dry-roasted peanuts
2 ½ to 3 cups filtered water
2 pitted dates (optional)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
To start, pour 1 cup peanuts into a container and then top them with 4 cups of filtered water. Store the container in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours, or overnight.
Once the peanuts have soaked, pour them out into a strainer and rinse them with cold water.
Next, scoop out 1 cup of the peanuts and pour them into the blender. Add 2 ½-3 cups filtered water (however much fits into your blender), the dates and the vanilla, and blend peanuts for 1 minute.
Place a double layer of cheesecloth or a nut milk bag over a large container or bowl and carefully pour milk over the top, making sure the milk doesn’t seep over the edges. Gently squeeze the bottom of the cloth so that the milk strains out and the only thing left is the peanut milk.
Pour the milk into a glass jar and store it in the refrigerator.
Enjoy!

How to make peanut butter
Ingredients
2 cups dry roasted peanuts
1-2 tablespoons honey or sugar
Additional salt to taste
Instructions
Place peanuts in the food processor. Turn the food processor on and let it run for 4-5 minutes. During this time, you’ll see the peanuts go in stages from crumbs to a dry ball to a smooth and creamy “liquid” peanut butter. Stir in the honey and add any additional salt, if you want
Store in the fridge or at room temperature if you think you’ll go through it fast enough

National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
What is there to know about Cerebral Palsy and Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month?

According to the CDC, Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a “group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture.” There is currently no cure for Cerebral Palsy, but raising awareness helps to encourage researchers to try and develop new treatments for CP. As recently as 2005, people realized that there was no federal funding for research into CP causes and treatment. That realization helped to spark the idea of having National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month be recognized nationwide, to raise awareness about CP and to raise funds toward CP research.

What can I do to support Cerebral Palsy Research?

There are many ways that you as an individual can help support CP research. One way is to use the hashtag #CPDOCTALK on Twitter. There is a major discussion with professionals, parents, and clinicians going on under this hashtag and just reading and watching as these conversations happen can help to educate yourself on the cause and the movement. The goal of National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month is to inform the public that CP is NOT a disease, rather a motor disability. Another goal is to raise awareness that there even is such a thing as CP Awareness Month and day.

Sources:

peanut butter cup recipe

peanut butter recipe

http://pediatricbrainfoundation.org/blog/national-cerebral-palsy-awareness-month

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/facts.html#:~:text=Cerebral%20palsy%20(CP)%20is%20a,problems%20with%20using%20the%20muscles.