February is filled with luscious food holidays

February is best known for celebrating Valentine's Day, but there are so many worthy reasons, we suggest you dive in and celebrate every day of the month!

MONTHLY

· National Canned Food Month

· National Chocolate Lovers Month

· National Cherry Month

· National Grapefruit Month

· National Snack Food Month

· National Potato Lovers Month

· Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month

· National Hot Breakfast Month

· Berry Fresh Month

· Celebration of Chocolate Month

· Great American Pies Month

· National Fiber Focus Month

· National Fondue Month

· National Heart Healthy Month

· National Sweet Potato Month

WEEKLY

· Week 1 African Heritage & Health Week;  La Poutine Week; Shape Up With Pickles Time

· Week 2 Great American Pizza Bake; Kraut & Frankfurter Week

· Week 3 National Margarita Weekend

· Week 4 National Pancake Week

DAILY

· Superbowl Sunday-National Pork Rind Day

· First Saturday-National Pisco Sour Day

· Shrove Tuesday-International Pancake Day

· Second Monday-Oatmeal Monday

· Fourth Thursday-National Chili Day

· Last Friday-National CSA Day

· 1st-National Cake Pops Day; National Baked Alaska Day; National Dark Chocolate Day

· 2nd-National Tater Tot Day; Crepes Day; Heavenly Hash Day

· 3rd-National Carrot Cake Day

· 4th-National Homemade Soup Day; National Stuffed Mushroom Day

· 5th-World Nutella Day; National Frozen Yogurt Day; National Chocolate Fondue Day

· 6th-National Chopsticks Day

· 7th-National Fettuccine Alfredo Day

· 8th-National Molasses Bar Day; National Potato Lover

· 9th-National Bagels & Lox Day; National Pizza Day

· 10th-National Cream Cheese Brownie Day, National Have a Brownie Day

· 11th- National Peppermint Patty Day; Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day; National Latte Day

· 12th-National PB&J Day; National Biscotti Day; National Plum Pudding Day

· 13th-National Italian Food Day; National Tortellini Day

· 14th-National Cream Filled Chocolates Day; National Clementine Day

· 15th-National Gumdrop Day, National Chewing Gum Day

· 16th-National Almond Day

· 17th-National Café au Lait Day; National Indian Pudding Day

· 18th-National Drink Wine Day; National Crab Stuffed Flounder Day

· 19th– National Chocolate Mint Day

· 20th-National Cherry Pie Day; National Muffin Day

· 21st-National Sticky Bun Day

· 22nd-National Margarita Day; National Cook a Sweet Potato Day

· 23rd-National Banana Bread Day; National Toast Day

· 24th-National Tortilla Chip Day

· 25th-National Chocolate Covered Peanuts Day; National Clam Chowder Day; National Chili Day

· 26th-National Pistachio Day

· 27th-National Strawberry Day; National Kahlua Day; National Protein Day

· 28th-National Souffle Day

· 29th-National Frog Legs Day; National Surf & Turf Day

Gluten-free banana cupcakes recipe from Betty Crocker

If you are looking for a gluten-free recipe for cupcakes, this one for banana cupcakes from Betty Crocker will get your mouth watering!

Cupcakes 

• 1 box (15 oz) Betty Crocker® Gluten Free yellow cake mix 
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (2 medium) 
• 1/3 cup butter, melted* 
• 1/3 cup water 3 eggs, beaten 
• 2 teaspoons vanilla 

Frosting 

• 1/3 cup butter*
• 3 cups powdered sugar 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla 
• 3 to 4 tablespoons milk

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Place Reynolds Baking Cups in each of 17 regular-size muffin cups. In large bowl, stir cupcake ingredients just until dry ingredients are moistened. Spoon batter evenly into muffin cups. 
2. Bake 16 to 18 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. 
3. In 1-quart saucepan, heat 1/3 cup butter over medium heat just until light brown, stirring occasionally. (Watch carefully because butter can burn quickly.) Remove from heat. Cool slightly, about 5 minutes. 
4. In medium bowl, beat butter, powdered sugar, vanilla and enough milk until smooth and spreadable. Spread frosting over cooled cupcakes.

Expert Tips 

• Reynolds StayBrite Baking Cups are fashion-inspired designs that won’t fade during baking. 
• *Do not use margarine or vegetable oil spreads. 
• Always read labels to make sure each recipe ingredient is gluten free. Products and ingredient sources can change. 
• Beurre noisette is the French term for “browned butter,” referring to butter that becomes light hazelnut in color during cooking. The wonderful, unforgettable, one-of-kind flavor has no equal or substitution. 
• Betty’s mixes won gold. The Edison Best New Product Awards are given annually and are voted on by a not-for-profit group. Enjoy this recipe using one of the mixes.

What to avoid when going gluten-free

If you have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, you have most likely been told to completely eliminate wheat from your diet. The same may hold true for ADHD, autism, schizophrenia, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraines and infertility. The problem with wheat is that it contains gluten-a protein that is also found in many other grains. Even in patients who have not been diagnosed with Celiac, ingesting gluten can lead to gastrointestinal disorders which can trigger anemia, malnutrition, weight loss, mood swings, lactose intolerance and a variety of other complaints. Avoiding gluten is difficult, but it is becoming easier as more food manufacturers create gluten-free products. Be sure to purchase foods labeled "gluten-free" or bear the gluten-free logo. Being "wheat-free" just isn't good enough. Many other grains contain gluten. Here is a list of safe grains and a list of those to avoid:

WHAT IS SAFE

• Rice

• Potato

• Corn

• Buckwheat

• Unprocessed oats

• Quinoa

• Tapioca

• Yam

• Teff

• Amaranth

• Arrowroot flour

• Gelatin

• Xanthan gum

• Guar gum

• Sorghum

WHAT TO AVOID

• Wheat

• Rye

• Barley

• Spelt

• Processed oats

• Bulgar

• Farina

• Semolina

• Malt

• Couscous

• Durum

• Kamut

• Einkorn

• Farro 

Packaged processed foods can be particularly bothersome to check. Even if a product seems to be safe, there may still be hidden gluten or the product was manufactured on equipment that also manufactures items containing gluten. Avoiding the following terms will help weed out gluten from your diet: stabilizer, starch, flavoring, emulsifier, hydrolyzed and plant protein.