And today is .......

[tiger_one]

December 16


National Chocolate Covered Anything Day is about indulging in chocolate-covered treats. It’s a playful unofficial holiday to celebrate the essence of indulging in "chocolate covered anything," to embrace culinary creativity, experimenting with unique flavour combinations (both sweet and savory), and enjoying the simple, mood-boosting pleasure of chocolate.is celebrated each year on 16 December. This day is al

And who doesn’t love chocolate? And who doesn’t like to smother their favourite delicious fruit, or ice creams, or desserts with that oozy, deep rich chocolate topping, be it saucy or choccy bits – YUMM!

The core of the idea is trying unique pairings, blending sweet, salty, and even savory tastes to discover new delights.

We can maybe dip any foods we like into melted chocolate, pushing the boundaries of traditional treats; or maybe today’s a chance to experiment with unconventional combinations, such as the popular sweet and salty mix of chocolate-covered pretzels or potato chips, or more adventurous options like bacon or even pickles (I did say “maybe!”)

Remember, chocolate contains compounds like phenylalanine, which have been shown to have a similar effect on the brain as falling in love, contributing to a feeling of well-being and making the indulgence a mood-boosting experience

Chocolate's ability to melt just below body temperature creates a "melting in your mouth" sensation that stimulates the senses and boosts mood through the release of chemicals like serotonin and dopamine.

While anything (within reason!) can be covered in chocolate, our possibilities are pretty much whatever we may want, like fruits - strawberries, bananas, pears, apple slices, and cherries; or pretzels, marshmallows, OREOs, caramels, and ice cream; or potato chips, nuts (almonds, macadamia, hazel nuts, peanuts), and even cooked bacon. And don’t forget pancakes and crepes – more YUMM!

Ultimately, the day is a "green light" for chocoholics to have fun, appreciate the artistry of chocolate, and share memorable experiences with friends and family. Today is surely time for us to have a fun excuse to think outside the box in the kitchen, making everyday items feel special and festive. The day offers a playful opportunity to savour treats without overthinking the health aspects, often framed as a simple joy and a break from routine.

Yes, today highlights that almost everything is better coated in chocolate, offering a delightful twist to the familiar.



"If you're not chocolate coated, you're missing out on life".

“Chocolate sauce: it makes everything a little less vanilla.”

"Don't worry, chocolate is always a good idea".

“I've got 99 problems, but chocolate keeps them all away.”

“Ganache? Fondant? Oozy chocolate anyways is the right way.”

 

[tiger_one]

December 17



National Maple Syrup Day is celebrated on December 17. Yes, that sweet, thick, amber-coloured liquid that's pure magic on your pancakes, waffles, crepes, French toast and oodles more. Beyond the basic pancakes, Aussies are discovering its use in marinades, glazes, cocktails, and even maple hollandaise.

Its distinct flavour profile is like nothing else on Earth. Canada’s delicious gift to all of us.

Maple syrup is a natural, sweet, sticky liquid made by boiling the sugary sap collected from maple trees, primarily sugar and red maples, during early spring when warm days and cool nights cause the sap to flow. This simple process of tapping trees, collecting sap, and evaporating water concentrates its sugars, creating the distinctive caramel flavour and amber colour, with lighter grades having delicate tastes and darker ones having bolder notes.

Maple syrup is widely available in Australia and can be purchased from major supermarkets, general food retailers, and online specialty stores.

Any pure maple syrup consumed in Australia is imported, as local production is not feasible due to our warm climate.

Pure maple syrup is good for us – it provides several essential nutrients. It's considered a source of calcium, a good source of copper, and an excellent source of riboflavin and manganese.

Maple syrup actually offers a few different nutrients to the body, such as zinc, calcium, potassium and magnesium, as well as antioxidants. As sweet as it is, and as long as it is used in small quantities, maple syrup can be a smart way to provide a bit of sweetness to a healthy diet. However, it should still be consumed in moderation due to its natural high sugar content.

Maple syrup is generally considered slightly healthier than honey because it has fewer calories, lower sugar content, and a lower glycemic index (slower blood sugar rise), while offering more essential minerals like calcium, potassium, and zinc, though honey provides more vitamins and unique antioxidants. Both are natural sweeteners best used in moderation, but maple syrup's mineral profile and lower glycemic impact often give it a nutritional edge for general use.

The use of this delicious syrup among Australian chefs is steadily rising, moving beyond just pancakes to become a versatile, natural sweetener and flavour enhancer in both sweet and savoury dishes, used in glazes for meats (pork, poultry, bacon), marinades, sauces, cocktails, and even chocolates, appreciated for its unique caramel notes and as a healthier alternative to refined sugars. Its growing presence in major supermarkets reflects increased demand from both home cooks and culinary professionals.

From chefs and bakers to brewers and ice cream makers, specialists across the Aussie culinary landscape are using maple with passion, reinventing family favourites, traditional recipes and iconic dishes. A natural substitute to refined sugars that can be used in equal quantities, maple sugar is great for mixing into classic bakes like cakes, cookies and meringues. Maple can also be enjoyed in the form of maple spread, ideal for smearing over French toast or mixing into a glaze.

So don’t delay – today really is the day to reacquaint yourself with one of nature’s absolute winners: maple syrup will enhance just about anything being dished up. And don’t we all deserve more sweetness in this wicked world?



"Pure liquid gold."

“The best things in life are sweet and sticky."

“Syrup: Because everything's better with it."

“Life's too short for fake syrup.”

 

[Suzie-Q]

December 16


National Chocolate Covered Anything Day is about indulging in chocolate-covered treats. It’s a playful unofficial holiday to celebrate the essence of indulging in "chocolate covered anything," to embrace culinary creativity, experimenting with unique flavour combinations (both sweet and savory), and enjoying the simple, mood-boosting pleasure of chocolate.is celebrated each year on 16 December. This day is al

And who doesn’t love chocolate? And who doesn’t like to smother their favourite delicious fruit, or ice creams, or desserts with that oozy, deep rich chocolate topping, be it saucy or choccy bits – YUMM!

The core of the idea is trying unique pairings, blending sweet, salty, and even savory tastes to discover new delights.

We can maybe dip any foods we like into melted chocolate, pushing the boundaries of traditional treats; or maybe today’s a chance to experiment with unconventional combinations, such as the popular sweet and salty mix of chocolate-covered pretzels or potato chips, or more adventurous options like bacon or even pickles (I did say “maybe!”)

Remember, chocolate contains compounds like phenylalanine, which have been shown to have a similar effect on the brain as falling in love, contributing to a feeling of well-being and making the indulgence a mood-boosting experience

Chocolate's ability to melt just below body temperature creates a "melting in your mouth" sensation that stimulates the senses and boosts mood through the release of chemicals like serotonin and dopamine.

While anything (within reason!) can be covered in chocolate, our possibilities are pretty much whatever we may want, like fruits - strawberries, bananas, pears, apple slices, and cherries; or pretzels, marshmallows, OREOs, caramels, and ice cream; or potato chips, nuts (almonds, macadamia, hazel nuts, peanuts), and even cooked bacon. And don’t forget pancakes and crepes – more YUMM!

Ultimately, the day is a "green light" for chocoholics to have fun, appreciate the artistry of chocolate, and share memorable experiences with friends and family. Today is surely time for us to have a fun excuse to think outside the box in the kitchen, making everyday items feel special and festive. The day offers a playful opportunity to savour treats without overthinking the health aspects, often framed as a simple joy and a break from routine.

Yes, today highlights that almost everything is better coated in chocolate, offering a delightful twist to the familiar.



"If you're not chocolate coated, you're missing out on life".

“Chocolate sauce: it makes everything a little less vanilla.”

"Don't worry, chocolate is always a good idea".

“I've got 99 problems, but chocolate keeps them all away.”

“Ganache? Fondant? Oozy chocolate anyways is the right way.”



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😔 I wish there hadn't been so many threads where people couldn't be reasonable yesterday, then I might have seen this. Luckily, I had some caramel slice and some cookie dough slice, so I didn't miss it entirely! 😂

 

[krissy]

😔 I wish there hadn't been so many threads where people couldn't be reasonable yesterday, then I might have seen this. Luckily, I had some caramel slice and some cookie dough slice, so I didn't miss it entirely! 😂

This was a day I could get behind, what diet?
Hard pass on maple syrup day.

 

[tiger_one]

December 18



National Twin Day is celebrated globally on December 18th, a day to honour the unique bond between twins and multiple births, recognizing their shared experiences and special connection, whether they're identical or fraternal.

It's a time for twins, families, and friends to share stories, celebrate their distinctive bond, and appreciate the lifelong support they often provide each other, sometimes with intuitive understanding. It’s all about these rare siblings so they enjoy the unique connection of a really special shared birthday.

Remarkably, twins share many all-too-similar connections, way beyond their birth dates:

Some twins have developed their own language or way of communicating with each other that is not understood by others. This is called twin language or idioglossia. While it’s not common for twins to develop their own language, it has been observed in some cases and is a very interesting phenomenon.

Contrary to popular belief, twins rarely have identical personalities. While identical twins share the same DNA, they will still have different personalities due to environmental factors and life experiences. Fraternal twins, who do not share the same DNA, are even more likely to have different personalities.

Twins can be born with different skin colours, even if they are identical. This is because skin colour is determined by multiple genes, and different combinations of these genes can result in different skin colours. In rare cases, twins can also be born with different hair colours and eye colours.

Twins have a unique bond that allows them to sense each other’s emotions and feelings. They can often feel each other’s pain, joy, and sadness, even when they are not in the same room. This is called twin telepathy and is a subject of much fascination and research.

While their personalities may be different, they often know what the other is going to say before the words are spoken. Distance isn’t an issue either. Twins manage to stay connected across the country or around the world.

All these above only scratch the surface of what makes twins so unique. National Twins Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the bond between twins and learn more about their fascinating world.

In Australia, ongoing research continues to raise awareness about challenges like identity and health faced by twins and their families, supported by organizations like Twins Research Australia. There’s always more to know.

In Australia, twins happen in 1 in every 70 births. This means that 1 in 35 Australians is a twin. The chance of having fraternal twins is higher. Around one third of twins are identical and two-thirds are fraternal.

Over the past decade, multiple birth numbers have remained relatively consistent in Australia. In 2023, 4,118 sets of multiples were born, representing 1.5% of all births (286,998) in Australia. Of these, 4,073 were twins and 45 were triplets or higher order multiples (or 99% were twins and 1% triplets or HOMs).

In 2023, the Australian Capital Territory had the highest proportion of multiple births than any other state or territory (1.6%). The Northern Territory had the lowest proportion of multiple births (1.3%).

The population of Australia is around 25.4 million, so we can estimate there are around 750,000 multiples (based on estimate of 3% of the population is a multiple).

Twins, eh!? Today is not a day for just one feeling or one thought or one anything.

Today is for every twin, and every parent of a twin, to have their moment to be recognized for all their strengths and fun, as well as everything a twin brings to our world – take a bow both of you, everyone of you, all of you!



“Twins: another of life’s hilarious curve balls.”

"Genes so nice, they made them twice."

"Not sure who is who, either."

“Twins are more than just friends. They are more like a very small gang.”