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December is Buckwheat Month. Buckwheat is cultivated for its grain-like seeds. Despite its name, buckwheat is not related to wheat and is actually a member of the rhubarb and sorrel family. It originated thousands of years ago in Central Asia, where it was a staple crop. From there, it spread to Europe and the Americas, brought over by Dutch and English settlers. Historically, buckwheat was valued for its hardiness and ability to thrive in poor soils, making it an essential crop for many early farmers. It was trendy in areas where other grains struggled to grow. Over time, its popularity waned in favor of other cereals, but it has seen a resurgence in recent years due to its high nutritional value and suitability for gluten-free diets. Cooking buckwheat is relatively straightforward. The seeds, often called groats, can be cooked similarly to rice or barley. They are typically rinsed and then simmered in water or broth until tender. Buckwheat can also be ground into flour, which is used in a variety of recipes. Some of the most popular dishes featuring buckwheat include: BUCKWHEAT PANCAKES—A staple in American breakfast menus, these pancakes use buckwheat flour, giving them a distinct, rich flavor and a hearty texture. SOBA NOODLES—In Japanese cuisine, soba noodles are made from buckwheat flour. These thin noodles are served chilled with a dipping sauce or in hot broth as a noodle soup. KASHA—An Eastern European dish where buckwheat groats are toasted and boiled until fluffy. Kasha is often served as a side dish, mixed with onions or mushrooms. GALETTES—In France's Brittany, galettes are savory crepes made from buckwheat flour filled with cheese, eggs, ham, and other savory ingredients. PIZZOCCHERI—An Italian pasta dish made from buckwheat flour and wheat flour, traditionally served with potatoes, cabbage, and melted cheese. Buckwheat's ability to adapt to various soil conditions and climates and its role in crop rotation and soil health ensures its place in agricultural and culinary practices for years to come.

Africa

Dec

Cabernet Day (1642): December 4

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Cabernet Day marks the death anniversary of Cardinal Richelieu on December 4, 1642. Cabernet Sauvignon, one of the world's most renowned red wine grape varieties, has a rich history steeped in viticulture and winemaking tradition. Contrary to some popular beliefs, Cardinal Richelieu, the 17th-century French statesman, did not play a direct role in creating Cabernet Sauvignon. The grape's history is more scientifically rooted and less tied to specific historical figures than legend might suggest. The origin of Cabernet Sauvignon engenders speculation. Still, DNA profiling at the University of California, Davis, in the 1990s revealed that it is a cross between two older varieties: Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. This accidental natural crossbreeding likely occurred in the 17th century in southwestern France. Cabernet Sauvignon's rise to prominence began in the Bordeaux region of France, where it quickly became a key component in Bordeaux blends, valued for its robust structure, deep color, and complex flavors. The grape's ability to thrive in various climates and soils allowed it to spread beyond France to other world regions. Cardinal Richelieu, known for his influential role in the politics of his time, was indeed involved in viticulture, particularly in his efforts to improve the quality of French wines. However, his efforts were more focused on Burgundy than Bordeaux, and there needs to be direct historical evidence linking him to the development of Cabernet Sauvignon, only a legend that he delivered the first cuttings to create the hybrid grape. Over time, Cabernet Sauvignon gained a reputation for producing some of the world's finest and most age-worthy wines. Its popularity soared in the 20th century, especially in regions like California's Napa Valley, where it became the star varietal, producing wines of exceptional quality that rivaled those of Bordeaux. Today, Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in nearly every major wine-producing country, from Italy and Spain to Australia and Chile, making it one of the most widely recognized and respected red wine grapes.

Africa

Dec

Calendar Awareness Month, Intl.: December

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International Calendar Awareness Month seeks to remind us of changes to our current calendar over the years and educate us about the different calendars used by various cultures worldwide. Pope Gregory XIII created the Gregorian Calendar in 1582, but it was universally implemented in 1752. The Gregorian calendar has 365 days, with one leap year every four years to account for the 365.25 days it takes the sun to rotate around the earth. The birth of Christ is the demarcation point for BC "Before Christ" and AD "Anno Domini," meaning "The year of our Lord." Non-Christian societies refer to the periods as BCE "Before the Common Era" and CE "Common Era." Regardless of which designation, the same demarcation point, the birth of Jesus Christ is universal. We use both markers in LEEP Calendar. Prior to 1752, the world used the Julian Calendar, which the Roman Empire adopted in 45 BC by Julius Caesar. He was the first to create Leap years and designate January 1 as the first of the year, but the timing was off by one day every 128 years. When the Roman Empire fell, the first of the year moved back to March and, in some cases, Christmas. By the Middle Ages, the extra day every 128 years caused issues with Christian holidays and the harvest. The equinoxes marking the changes in the seasons were falling ten days too early. Pope Gregory XIII decreed a new calendar for all of Christendom. England and its colonies, Protestant and ever the rebel, continued on the Julian Calendar under Queen Elizabeth I, while the rest of Europe transitioned to the new Gregorian Calendar. Eventually, this became problematic, leaving England out of step with its trading partners. An act of parliament in England officially approved the Gregorian Calendar in 1750, and the change was implemented in stages during 1752 and established January 1 as New Year's Day. Every civilization has operated on a calendar. Other calendars in use today often follow religious observances and mark their years according to when that specific faith came into being or by the position of the moon, stars, and sun. Examples of this include: 1) The Islamic calendar (Hijra) begins in 622 CE to mark the Prophet Mohammed's journey between Mecca and Medina. 2) The Hebrew Calendar begins October 6, 3761 BCE. 3) The Hindu calendar begins January 23, 3102 BCE. 4) The Buddhist calendar initiates on May 13, 544 BCE, or March 11, 545 BCE. There is some discrepancy within the faith. 5) The Sikhs mark time from March 14, 1469 CE. 6) The Chinese Calendar begins in 2637 BCE. Live in countries where the above religions are the dominant faith? You'll find events, holidays, and legal documents often have the faith calendar date rather than, or in addition to, the Gregorian calendar date. Following a religious calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar can be advantageous. On average, faith calendars are shorter than the Gregorian calendar, allowing for shorter billing cycles per year. The shortage often translates to a 13th month of pay for employees working under religious calendars. In Islamic countries, where the Hijra calendar is the official government calendar, you'll see this. It is also why Islamic observances move every year 11 days earlier.

Africa

Dec

Cancer Related Fatigue Awareness Month: December

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The American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, the US Government, and various other cancer-related organizations promote Cancer Related Fatigue Awareness Month. The National Cancer Institute of the United States defines cancer-related fatigue as such: "Fatigue is cancer treatment's most common side effect tied to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or selected biological response modifiers. Cancer treatment-related fatigue generally improves after therapy, but fatigue may persist for months or years following treatment. Research indicates that fatigue may be a significant issue long into survivorship for at least a subset of patients. Fatigue presents as a symptom in cancers that produce problems such as anemia, endocrine changes, and respiratory obstruction and is common in people with advanced cancer who are not undergoing active cancer treatment. Cancer treatment-related fatigue occurs in 14% to 96% of patients undergoing cancer treatment and 19% to 82% post-treatment. Several studies have documented significantly worse fatigue in cancer survivors compared with non-cancer populations, as described in one review article. For example, a Norwegian cross-sectional study compared the prevalence of fatigue in long-term survivors of testicular cancer (n = 1,431) at an average of 11 years post-treatment with the majority of fatigue in age-matched men in the general Norwegian population (n = 1,080). The prevalence of chronic cancer-related fatigue (CRF) was 17.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 15.2–19.1%) among testicular cancer survivors, compared with 9.7% (95% CI, 8.0–11.5%) in the general population. Chronic CRF was also associated with multiple psychosocial problems, somatic complaints, and poor quality of life. Fatigue, like pain, is viewed as a self-perceived state. Patients may describe fatigue as feeling: • Tired • Weak • Exhausted • Lazy • Weary • Worn-out • Heavy • Slow • Like they do not have any energy or any get-up-and-go." This month is about educating those dealing with cancer, those supporting cancer patients, and their caregivers on how to mitigate this side effect and live fuller lives.

Africa

Dec

Candle Lighting Day, Worldwide: December 14

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Worldwide Candle Lighting Day honors and remembers the people no longer with us. On this day, everyone in the world is invited to light a candle and keep it lit throughout the day in honor of their deceased loved ones.

Africa

Dec

Candy Cane Day, Ntl.: December 26

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National Candy Cane Day occurs on the second day of Christmastide. It celebrates the birth of Christ and the shepherd’s crook-shaped candy that has become synonymous with the event, the candy cane. The candy cane was created in 1670 by the choirmaster of the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. Today, the Cologne Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Africa

Dec

Card Playing Day: December 28

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Card Playing Day is celebrated in the U.S. each year. Organized by several different groups, including the International Playing Card Society, this is a day to honor and celebrate one of the most prominent forms of entertainment throughout human history, playing cards! Since the late 14th century, card playing has been integral to every European culture.

Africa

Dec

Caroling Day, Go Ntl.: December 20

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A few nights before Christmas is Go Caroling Day. Caroling, or wassailing, is an English Christian oral tradition of singing songs and walking the neighborhood passed down from generation to generation. The original word, wassailing, is derived from the Old Norse, "ves heill," or "to your health / luck / happiness." Hard cider, mead, or ale usually played a part in traditional wassailing. Originally, caroling occured any time of year. In the 13th century, Saint Francis of Assisi began to incorporate wassailing in his Christmastide sermons. Assisi wrote down the songs, and the tradition of singing them at Christmas and sharing them with friends and family carried on. In 1582, his collection of carols was published, upon which they became a standard for holiday celebrations throughout Europe and later the Americas.

Africa

Dec

Cat Herders Day, Ntl.: December 15

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Cat Herders Day honors not cats, but recognizes futility in attempting to manage unmanageable situations, be these in the office, home, or school. Consider it an illustrated version of the Serenity Prayer: “God, grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change The courage to change the things I can And the wisdom to know the difference.” Cat herding is a metaphor for being in over your head and yet trying your best. It is brought to you by the folks at Wellcat.

Africa

Dec

Cat Lover's Month, Ntl.: December*

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Ailurophile is the fancy name for a person who loves cats, and December is National Cat Lover's Month. Cats have been companions to people for over ten to 12,000 years and perform an essential function in keeping rodent populations at bay. Cats, as we know them today, are descendants of a Middle Eastern wildcat called "Felis Sylvestris," or Cat of the Woods. This origin is why cats are called felines and where the name Sylvester (as in Sylvester the Cat) is widespread. National Cat Lover's Month is an opportunity for cat lovers to socialize, share and work together to make the world more purrfect! This event appears to have been initiated in 2014, and its founder is unknown.

Africa

Dec

Champagne Day, Intl.: December 31

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International Champagne Day is celebrated every year on New Year's Eve. Champagne is the traditional beverage used for toasting in the New Year. Champagne is a region of France, and only sparkling wines from this region are permitted to be called Champagne. The beverage was invented in the 1600s by Pierre Pérignon, a Benedictine monk of the Abby of Hautvillers. One of his duties at the Abby was to care for the wine cellars. Today we know him as Dom Pérignon. The original nickname of Champagne was 'Mad Wine,' so dubbed by Pérignon. The bubbles for which it is now known were not desirable, and they were downright aggravating to Pérignon, who was trying to produce good white wine! Good white wines don't have bubbles. In 1670 the monk developed the méthode champenoise. Pérignon spent 47 years caring for the wines of the Abby and, in that time, developed many of the pressing and fermenting processes still used today. Champagne would later become the preferred beverage of the elite and the universal symbol of congratulations and celebration. International Champagne Day is an unofficial event with no sponsor.

Africa

Dec

Cheetah Day, Intl: December 4

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CELEBRATING THE WORLD'S FASTEST ANIMAL: INTERNATIONAL CHEETAH DAY International Cheetah Day raises awareness about cheetahs, their endangered status, and the conservation efforts aimed at protecting them. The day highlights cheetahs' challenges in the wild and seeks to inspire action to ensure their survival. ORIGINS Dr. Laurie Marker, a prominent conservationist and the founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), initiated International Cheetah Day. She chose December 4 to honor a cheetah named Khayam, whom she raised and trained in Oregon in the 1970s. Khayam became an ambassador for understanding cheetahs and their natural behaviors. The day underscores Dr. Marker's lifelong dedication to protecting this species and promoting coexistence with humans. Cheetahs, the world's fastest land animals, face many threats that have led to a significant decline in their population. Fewer than 7,500 cheetahs remain in the wild and inhabit only about 10% of their historic range. ISSUES IMPACTING CHEETAHS Key issues affecting cheetahs include: —Habitat loss and fragmentation: Expanding human settlements, agriculture, and infrastructure encroach on cheetah habitats. —Human-wildlife conflict: Cheetahs often prey on livestock, leading to retaliatory killings by farmers. —Illegal wildlife trade: Cheetahs are captured and sold as exotic pets. —Lack of genetic diversity: Small populations lead to inbreeding and reduced genetic health. OBJECTIVES International Cheetah Day focuses on: —Education: Teaching people about the ecological importance of cheetahs and their precarious situation. —Advocacy: Encouraging policies and practices that support cheetah conservation. —Fundraising: Supporting organizations like the Cheetah Conservation Fund and other initiatives to protect cheetahs. PARTICIPATING —Spread Awareness: Share facts about cheetahs and their conservation on social media using hashtags like #InternationalCheetahDay. —Support Conservation Efforts: Donate to or volunteer with organizations that protect cheetahs. —Learn and Teach: Host educational sessions, read books, or watch documentaries about cheetahs and their ecosystems. —Advocate for Change: Promote wildlife-friendly practices, such as reducing human impact on cheetah habitats. International Cheetah Day is a crucial reminder that immediate action is necessary to secure the future of these magnificent animals and preserve our planet's biodiversity.

Africa

Dec

Childermas (C): December 28

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It is believed, and told through the Gospels, that King Herod ordered the killing of all newborn to two-year-old male babies in Bethlehem in an attempt to destroy Jesus Christ. Called the Slaughter of Innocents, it is believed up to 20 children lost their lives, though there is no mention of it in secular historical records of the time. Childermas is the day of remembrance for this action.

Africa

Dec

Children's Memorial Day, Ntl.: December 14

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National Children's Memorial Day each year is a time to grieve and remember all the children who died too young, whether through disease, accident, or war, during one of the most challenging times of the year.

Africa

Dec

Chocolate Brownie Day, Ntl.: December 8

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National Chocolate Brownie Day celebrates the chocolate brownie. A brownie is a cross between a cookie and a cake. It is dense like a cookie but cake-like in consistency. Brownies are typically cooked in a pan and cut into squares. Though the blond brownie had been around since 1896, the chocolate brownie made its official debut in print in 1898 in an advertisement in the Kansas City Journal. The following year, in 1899, the first chocolate brownie recipe would be published. The chocolate brownie originated with Palmer House Hotel in 1893, it is believed. Proprietor Bertha Palmer was looking for a dessert that women would like and would easily fit in a boxed lunch, and her chef came up with the chocolate brownie. By the mid-twentieth century, brownies would become one of North America's favorite snack-time desserts.

Africa