MDBCs 06 May 2023

Created and organized by the Herb Day Coalition, an organization of five non-profit groups, the holiday encourages people to learn more about herbs and use them more extensively in their daily lives.

The holiday, which first began in 2006 in the United States, brings together herbalists, gardeners, manufacturers of herbal products, culinarians and home cooks, and the general public. It attempts to spread knowledge about the medicinal, culinary and cosmetic benefits of herbs.

Different From Spices

Botanically, herbs are green parts of a plant that are used in food, medicine or as additional flavoring. They are usually leaves and can be used fresh or dried. Herbs are distinct from spices, which are usually dried or processed non-leafy – seeds, barks, roots, or stems – parts of a plant or a tree.

Worshiped Plants

People around the world use herbs for cooking and for medicinal purposes. Some cultures consider herbs as having spiritual qualities and extensively use them during religious ceremonies. In India for example, basil is considered to be a holy plant and is worshiped in many parts of the country.

How to Celebrate?

Learn more about different kind of herbs and their uses.
Start a small herb garden in your kitchen – herbs are easy to grow and they will make your kitchen smell nice.

Did You Know…

…that some people perceive the taste of cilantro or coriander as being soapy and like eating bugs? Studies have shown that this is because they have a special olfactory receptor gene called OR6A2, that makes them sensitive to the aldehyde chemicals found in the herb.

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Free Comic Book Day

The first Saturday of May every year is celebrated around the world as Free Comic Book Day. On this day, participating specialty comic book stores give out free comics to anyone visiting their stores.

The holiday has three main aims – to create new comic book readers, to show appreciation to current comic book fans, and to bring back former comic book readers by reminding them about the joy of reading comic books. The holiday also encourages people to get acquainted with the art and science of comic books and to patronize their local comic book stores.

The unofficial holiday was first observed in the United States and Canada in 2002. It has now become a popular holiday around the world.

Following the footsteps of Free Comic Book Day, German, Austrian, and Swiss comic book industry and stores started their own version of the unofficial holiday in 2010. Gratis Comic Tag as the holiday is called, is celebrated annually on the second Saturday of May.

Comic book stores in the Netherlands and Belgium celebrate Free Comic Book Day on the first Saturday and Sunday of May.

How to Celebrate?

Visit your local participating comic store and get your free copy of a comic.
If you have kids in your life, why not take this day to introduce them to the world of comic books?

Did You Know…

…that typographic symbols used in comics to represent profanity are known as grawlixes?

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Beverage Day

Raise a glass to all your favorite beverages on Beverage Day.

This unofficial holiday is celebrated annually on May 6 and is also sometimes called National Beverage Day. While the origins of Beverage Day are unknown, we can all safely assume that the day encourages people to honor their beverages of choice and acknowledge that a humble beverage has the power to make or break many situations. A good beverage can energize you after a long, tiring day. It can also make a long, boring meal go fast, it can bring together two strangers, and it can make a party more fun.

Whether your preferred beverage is a hot cup of tea, a delicious and healthy smoothie, or a tall glass of lemonade, Beverage Day is the perfect excuse to indulge yourself by drinking it all day long.

Sit back, relax and celebrate the day with your favorite beverage. It could be anything from something as simple as water to a fancy cocktail.
Try new beverages. What about tasting the national drink of a country you have never visited?
Have a tasting party at home. Pick up a beverage you and your guests like and make or find different versions of it to taste and try. For example, you could do a beer or wine tasting party or a tea or coffee tasting party. Have each of your guests bring their favorite brand of beverage to share and serve foods that pair with the beverage of your choice. Who knows, you may just find your next favorite beverage at one of these parties!

Did You Know…

…that in common usage, water isn't usually considered to be a beverage?

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I was leading a tour through Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico when a woman asked,

"How many miles of undiscovered passageways are there in this cave?"

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A customer called our rental store to ask about rectangular tables. I told him we had six-foot and eight-foot tables.

His response: "What's the difference?"

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The night we took our three young sons to an upscale restaurant for the first time, my husband ordered a bottle of wine. The server brought it over, began the ritual uncorking, and poured a small amount for me to taste.

My six-year-old piped up, "Mom usually drinks a lot more than that."

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A little boy was brought into our emergency room after ingesting part of a plug-in air freshener. After consulting Poison Control and monitoring him, the doctor wrote on his discharge, "Patient doing well. Ready to go home. Smells good."