By Hello, February! What better way to welcome a new month than by making a difference with holidays like USO Day or learning a lasting trick to boost your self-esteem?
But these are plenty of excuses to indulge this week too. Potato fans will appreciate tips to whip up great roasted spuds on National Potato Lover’s Day. Meanwhile, anyone with a sweet tooth won’t be able to resist treating themselves on National Chocolate Fondue Day! Below, you’ll find ideas for celebrating these mini holidays that will get your February off to a great start.
Sunday, February 2: Candlemas
Celebrate this holiday of purification—with the candles representing the purifying nature of light—by burning a candle! We asked Kate De Palma, owner of candle company Scented Designs, how to ensure your candles last longer. Her top tip? “Make sure you let it burn long enough so the wax melts all the way across the top of the candle to the edges of the container, especially on the first burn.” This prevents your candle from burning downward in a narrow “tunnel,” which wastes the wax around the edges.
Tuesday, February 4: USO Day
Celebrate the birthday of the United Service Organizations (USO) today! The organization helps service members and their families connect via phone and internet, offers entertainment to troops, delivers care packages and provides a home away from home for soldiers—and they’re always looking for volunteers. (Note: An application must be filled out first at the website.)
You may choose to serve snacks or greet guests at events, help out around the center or share in a great conversation with military members. Short on time? Even small donations can brighten the days of service members! For example, $15 can go toward buying books for USO libraries or comfort food packages shipped overseas. Learn more about the wishbook here.
Wednesday, February 5: National Chocolate Fondue Day
Indulge today with homemade chocolate fondue. “There is no one right way to fondue, so don’t stress over it,” says Rachel McGhinnis, owner of The Little Dipper Fondue in Wilmington, North Carolina. “It’s about sharing an indulgent moment with friends and family!” To give fondue a gourmet touch: Consider stirring in caramel sauce, marshmallow cream or peanut butter; mixing in chopped nuts, toffee pieces, peppermint or candied ginger; or sprinkling the finished fondue with a pinch of sea salt or chili powder.
Saturday, February 8: National Potato Lover’s Day
Celebrate with a delicious batch of roasted potatoes! Chef Amy Casey, of AmyCasey Cooks.com advises against using parchment paper or foil on your baking sheet. “It creates a barrier and moisture between the potatoes and the baking sheet that hinders browning. You want the potatoes in direct contact with a hot baking sheet so they’re crispy, golden brown and delicious.” And for even more crunch, use duck fat instead of olive oil.
February 1–28: Boost Your Self-Esteem Month
One way to increase your confidence this month? Speak kindly to yourself while looking in a mirror, suggest researchers reporting in The Journal of Positive Psychology. They asked participants to come up with four phrases they would use to comfort their best friend, then to read them out loud. What they found: People who spoke these phrases while looking in a mirror were more soothed and showed greater heart rate variability (a sign of resilience to stress) than those who had no mirror or looked at one without speaking. These positive affirmations will help you know your worth!
Help a Hero
Keep them feeling fresh!
Do you have hotel-sized toiletries, sunscreen or lip balm to spare? If so, send them to Operation: Care and Comfort. This nonprofit organization will send the items to troop members stationed abroad. Mail items to Operation: Care and Comfort (OCC), 1702-L Meridian Ave, #241, San Jose, CA 95125.
