All - Leep Calendar

April is Sprouted Grains Month. Sprouted grains, a cornerstone of the health food movement, have a history as ancient as agriculture. Yet, their popularity has surged due to their perceived health benefits. Sprouted grains are essentially whole grains that have been soaked and left to germinate, initiating a process that breaks down some of the starches into simpler sugars and alters the nutritional profile of the grains. Sprouting grains have roots in traditional agricultural practices worldwide, where grains were often exposed to moisture and warmth, leading to natural sprouting. Ancient civilizations noted this process, including those in Egypt and Mesopotamia, where sprouted grains were likely consumed out of necessity when stored grains began to germinate. Today, sprouted grains are believed to provide increased access to nutrients, including B vitamins, vitamin C, and essential amino acids. They're also believed to reduce the levels of antinutrients, which can inhibit the absorption of minerals. These changes make sprouted grains a favorite among health-conscious consumers. Commonly sprouted grains include wheat, barley, millet, and rice, used in various culinary applications, from bread and cereals to snacks and salads. Sprouted grain bread, which uses a mixture of sprouted grains and legumes, has gained popularity for its enhanced nutritional value and digestibility compared to regular bread.

Africa

Apr

STD Awareness Month, Ntl.: April

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April is Sexually Transmitted Disease (STDs) Awareness Month, hosted by the Center for Disease Control in the United States. This month-long observance provides individuals, doctors, and community organizations an opportunity to address ways to prevent some of the nearly 20 million diagnoses of sexually transmitted diseases in the United States each year. Its purpose is to raise STD awareness, reduce stigma, promote prevention, and improve access to care. Half of all new STDs occur among young people aged 15–24. While most infections will not cause harm, some can lead to serious health problems if not diagnosed and treated early. See the CDC site below (source URL) for more information.

Africa

Apr

Straw Hat Month: April

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Created by the Headwear Information Bureau (disbanded with the death of its founder Casey Bush in 2006, Straw Hat Month continues to be observed annually as the herald of Spring. It’s time to put away the felt and fur hats and don the straw until October.

Africa

Apr

Stress Awareness Month, Ntl.: April

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Each April, the Health Resource Network sponsors Stress Awareness Month and Stress Awareness Day. This national cooperative effort seeks to educate the public about the dangers of stress, successful coping strategies, and the harmful misconceptions prevalent in our society. The United Kingdom holds its annual National Stress Awareness Day in November.

Africa

Apr

Supply Chain Integrity Month: April

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Supply Chain Integrity: The lifeblood of business Supply Chain Integrity Month is an observance that underscores the importance of securing the global supply chain from various risks and threats. It is typically marked in April and was first recognized in 2021 by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a U.S. Department of Homeland Security division. The month focuses on raising awareness about supply chain vulnerabilities and promoting best practices to secure them against cyber threats, natural disasters, and other disruptions. A supply chain refers to the network of all the individuals, organizations, resources, activities, and technology involved in creating and selling a product. It starts from the procurement of raw materials and extends to the delivery of the finished product to the end consumer. This chain encompasses several stages, including production, distribution, and logistics. Supply chains are crucial for the smooth operation of global economies, impacting everything from daily consumer goods to sophisticated technology and healthcare products. Efficient and secure supply chains ensure that products arrive on time, costs remain low, and businesses can respond swiftly to market demands. Conversely, a disrupted supply chain can lead to shortages, economic loss, and a ripple effect on interconnected industries and global markets. Supply Chain Integrity Month aims to highlight these critical aspects. It encourages businesses and organizations to adopt robust security measures, foster collaboration, and share best practices to mitigate risks. This observance is especially relevant in a world increasingly reliant on digital technologies and interconnected global networks, where a single vulnerability can have far-reaching consequences.

Africa

Apr

Ta'anit Bechorot (J): April 1

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Ta'anit Bechorot in Judaism is the Fast of the Firstborn that occurs on the day prior to Passover. Unlike most of the other fast days in Judaism, only firstborns are required to fast on Ta'anit Bechorot. PLEASE NOTE: All Hebrew calendar months and celebrations begin and end at sundown. LEEP Calendar marks Jewish months and events on their first full day. Observant people of the faith will observe the beginning at sunset the day prior.

Africa

Apr

Take Down Tobacco Day, Ntl.: April 1

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National Take Down Tobacco Day (formerly Kick Butts Day) aims to educate and raise awareness of the hazards of tobacco and encourage youth to stay away from tobacco. Quitting smoking for the day is the most common way to observe this day. Kick Butts Day was first held in 1996 and is sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

Africa

Apr

Tatting Day, Intl.: April 1

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The first of April is National Tatting Day. Tatting is a skill, much like crochet and knitting, and it falls into the same category of textile crafts and began around 1835. It is the process of creating linen or cotton lace from knots using thread and a shuttle. A shuttle is the device makers of handmade rugs use to pass between the strings (as opposed to the kind of shuttle that takes you from point A to point B). During the Victorian era, tatting became a way for the average woman to create a lace look. Lace at the time was costly, and tatting allowed people to make it. By the 20th century, various threads and yarns were used in tatting. Though this event does not have an official sponsor nor origin, there is an International Tatting Club that can provide information, patterns, and history on the craft of tatting.

Africa

Apr

Testicular Cancer Awareness Month: April

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Testicular Cancer Awareness Month began as a weekly event run by the National Men's Resource Center in early April. It has become a monthly event through the Testicular Cancer Society's sponsorship and outreach. The United Kingdom counterpart is the Orchid male cancer awareness organization. Testicular cancer is a young man's disease and the most common cancer in men ages 15-40. Any male who has reached puberty is at risk. Nearly 9,000 young men in the United States are diagnosed with testicular cancer yearly. Of those, four percent will die because they didn't catch it soon enough. In addition, 1,280 men were diagnosed with penis and other genital cancers, of which 290, 23 percent, of men will die. Testicular cancer develops in one or both testicles. If detected early, it is a highly treatable and usually curable form of cancer. Testicular Cancer Awareness Week and the Get a Grip Campaign is about educating men between the ages of 12 and 50 about the importance of doing a monthly testicular self-exam.

Africa

Apr

TWIT Award Month, Intl.: April

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Do you have an incredibly annoying person in your life who grates on you? You're in luck. It's International Twit Award Month, where you can officially award that darn twit in your life the lifetime award and let them know how much you appreciate them. Twit is an abbreviation of the title Tiresome Wit.

Africa

Apr

Welding Month, Ntl.: April

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National Welding Month occurs each April and is sponsored by the American Welding Society and National Center for Welding Education and Training. The month brings awareness to the skill and craft of welding while conducting outreach to students interested in pursuing a career in welding.

Africa

Apr

Women's Eye Health and Safety Month: April

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Women's Eye Health and Safety Month occurs each April. Two-thirds of blindness and visual impairment occurs in women, which means women are 50 percent more likely than men to become victims of blindness and image problems. Women's Eye Health and Safety Month seeks to bring attention to this issue which in many cases can be mitigated or avoided through living a healthful lifestyle, protecting eyes from injury, and getting regular dilated-eye exams. The month also focuses on healthy eating. Several studies have suggested that specific vitamins and other nutrients may reduce vision loss. Carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin provide some eye protection and are found in dark, leafy greens, egg yolks, broccoli, and several yellow/orange vegetables. Omega-3 fats also may be essential for eye health and can be found in walnuts, certain fish, and flax. Staying active also can improve your eye and overall health. Regular, moderate physical activity can reduce your risk of developing problems that can lead to eye disease. The CDC recommends the following nine actions to protect your eyes: 1) Know your family's eye health history. It's important to know if anyone has been diagnosed with an eye disease or condition since many are hereditary. 2) Eat right to protect your sight—in particular, eat plenty of dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, or collard greens, and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, albacore tuna, trout, and halibut. 3) Maintain a healthy weight. 4) Wear protective eyewear when playing sports or doing activities around the home, such as painting, yard work, and home repairs. 5) Quit smoking or never start. 6) Wear sunglasses that block 99 percent-100 percent of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. 7) Clean your hands before taking out your contacts, and cleanse your contact lenses properly to avoid infection. 8) Practice workplace eye safety. 9) Get regular comprehensive dilated eye exams.

Africa

Apr

Workplace Conflict Awareness Month: April

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Conflict is inevitable if you're in an organization of more than one person, and how you navigate it defines your career. National Workplace Conflict Awareness Month is a time for employers and employees to work on conflict resolution and mitigation for everyone's sanity.

Africa

Apr

Youth Sports Safety Month: April

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Rita Glassman of the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation and MomsTeam.com® created National Youth Sports Safety Month after her daughter Michelle suffered a severe back injury that ended her tennis career. The purpose of the month is to raise awareness with parents of child athletes on the tools and present options toward reducing the number and severity of injuries youth sustain in sports and fitness activities through the education of health professionals, program administrators, coaches, parents, and athletes. The National Youth Sports Safety Foundation website no longer exists. MomsTeam.com, which is affiliated, is now the official site for everything related to this month.

Africa

Apr

Autism Day, World: April 2

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Autism and other forms of disability are part of the human experience that contributes to human diversity. As such, the United Nations has emphasized the need to mainstream disability in the Organization’s development agenda. Mainstreaming disability requires an integrated approach to designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating policies and programs in all political, economic, and societal spheres so that inequality is not perpetuated. In September 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted the ambitious new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets that promise to leave no one behind. While all SDGs are universally applicable, disability and persons with disabilities are explicitly referenced in the following goals: a) Quality Education; b) Decent Work and Economic Growth; c) Reduced Inequalities; d) Sustainable Cities and Communities; e) Partnerships for the Goals.

Africa