April Celebrations
Easter, Good Friday, Palm Sunday, Earth Day, Soy month...
Easter
This year Easter is April 4, 2010. The name "Easter" originated with the names of an ancient Goddess and God. Easter was named after Eostre. She was the Great Mother Goddess of the Saxon people of Northern Europe. Her name was derived from the ancient word for spring "eastre." The ancient Saxons celebrated the return of spring with a festival commemorating her. Easter was originally a pagan festival. The second-century Christian missionaries came across these pagans and decided to convert them to Christianity. They did it slowly, allowing them to continue celebrating their way, then slowly changing the holiday to a Christian holiday. Easter is celebrated by Christian’s world wide with food and festivities. Good Friday is April 2, always the Friday before Easter. Good Friday is the anniversary of Jesus' death on the cross. According to the Gospels, Jesus was put to death on the Friday before Easter Day and it is often observed with a religious fast. Palm Sunday is March 28, the Sunday before Easter. It is the sixth and last Sunday in Lent and the first day of Holy Week.
Earth Day
Earth Day is always April 22. Even before the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, people everywhere were searching for a way to bring the environment into the forefront of America’s conscience. For too long, we had ignored the needs of Mother Earth. For too long, we had taken from the earth without ever giving back. On the first Earth Day, nearly 20 million people participated in demonstrations across the country, showing their concern for the environment and encouraging others to do the same. Today, Earth Day gives us a chance to take a break from our regular routine and give thanks for all Mother Earth has given us. The holiday may have begun with politics in mind, but you can celebrate Earth Day in small, simple ways at home. Start by exploring the produce department at your local supermarket. You might be surprised at some of the natural treasures you’ll find there. Conventional or exotic, fruits and vegetables are a genuine miracle - a symbol of Mother Earth’s power. Use Earth Day as your inspiration and reaffirm your commitment to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables daily for better health (as suggested by the Produce For Better Health Foundation and the National Cancer Institute). Nature offers an incredible variety of choices - so this Earth Day, try something new and different in your diet. Celebrate Earth Day the way Mother nature intended: the healthy way!
National Soy Month
National Soy Month is celebrated the whole month of April. Start the month by trying some of our healthy and delicious soy products. They are a positive change from regular meat and are surprisingly delicious. Once you try them, you will be pleased with their taste and health value. Some of our more popular soy items include: Soyrizo (it tastes just as good as the real thing with more than 50% less fat and no cholesterol!), soy cheese (our soy cheese melts like the real thing!), and of course our burgers and dogs. Also, tofu is the ultimate soy product, offering versatility and texture to anything you add it to. Tofu will take on the flavor of whatever sauce or flavor you add it to. And lastly, one of our all time favorites, edamame! Edamame has become the craze in recipes. You can add them into vegetable side dishes, stews, casseroles, soups, even fresh salads, but they are most popular eaten as a snack out of hand. Take them on-the-go in the pod (shell) or without. Soy Month doesn’t have to be only the month of April… you can enjoy Melissa’s soy products all year around!
Easter
This year Easter is April 4, 2010. The name "Easter" originated with the names of an ancient Goddess and God. Easter was named after Eostre. She was the Great Mother Goddess of the Saxon people of Northern Europe. Her name was derived from the ancient word for spring "eastre." The ancient Saxons celebrated the return of spring with a festival commemorating her. Easter was originally a pagan festival. The second-century Christian missionaries came across these pagans and decided to convert them to Christianity. They did it slowly, allowing them to continue celebrating their way, then slowly changing the holiday to a Christian holiday. Easter is celebrated by Christian’s world wide with food and festivities. Good Friday is April 2, always the Friday before Easter. Good Friday is the anniversary of Jesus' death on the cross. According to the Gospels, Jesus was put to death on the Friday before Easter Day and it is often observed with a religious fast. Palm Sunday is March 28, the Sunday before Easter. It is the sixth and last Sunday in Lent and the first day of Holy Week.
Earth Day
Earth Day is always April 22. Even before the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, people everywhere were searching for a way to bring the environment into the forefront of America’s conscience. For too long, we had ignored the needs of Mother Earth. For too long, we had taken from the earth without ever giving back. On the first Earth Day, nearly 20 million people participated in demonstrations across the country, showing their concern for the environment and encouraging others to do the same. Today, Earth Day gives us a chance to take a break from our regular routine and give thanks for all Mother Earth has given us. The holiday may have begun with politics in mind, but you can celebrate Earth Day in small, simple ways at home. Start by exploring the produce department at your local supermarket. You might be surprised at some of the natural treasures you’ll find there. Conventional or exotic, fruits and vegetables are a genuine miracle - a symbol of Mother Earth’s power. Use Earth Day as your inspiration and reaffirm your commitment to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables daily for better health (as suggested by the Produce For Better Health Foundation and the National Cancer Institute). Nature offers an incredible variety of choices - so this Earth Day, try something new and different in your diet. Celebrate Earth Day the way Mother nature intended: the healthy way!
National Soy Month
National Soy Month is celebrated the whole month of April. Start the month by trying some of our healthy and delicious soy products. They are a positive change from regular meat and are surprisingly delicious. Once you try them, you will be pleased with their taste and health value. Some of our more popular soy items include: Soyrizo (it tastes just as good as the real thing with more than 50% less fat and no cholesterol!), soy cheese (our soy cheese melts like the real thing!), and of course our burgers and dogs. Also, tofu is the ultimate soy product, offering versatility and texture to anything you add it to. Tofu will take on the flavor of whatever sauce or flavor you add it to. And lastly, one of our all time favorites, edamame! Edamame has become the craze in recipes. You can add them into vegetable side dishes, stews, casseroles, soups, even fresh salads, but they are most popular eaten as a snack out of hand. Take them on-the-go in the pod (shell) or without. Soy Month doesn’t have to be only the month of April… you can enjoy Melissa’s soy products all year around!
