March 24, 2015 – NATIONAL CHOCOLATE COVERED RAISIN DAY – AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION ALERT DAY

             NATIONAL CHOCOLATE COVERED RAISIN DAY

Raisins coated in a shell of either milk chocolate or dark chocolate have their own special day of honor each March 24th on National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day.
Chocolate covered raisins have been popular with movie goers for many years and they continue to be.  They are also a popular bulk vending item across the country.
More than 1 million Raisinets are produced per hour.
In some countries, chocolate covered raisins are known as Raisinets.  Raisinets were the earliest and one of the most popular brands of the product.  Currently made by Nestle, they are the third largest selling candy in United States history.  The Blumenthal Chocolate Company introduced the Raisinets to the United States in 1927 and then in 1984, the brand was acquired by Nestle.  There are also a large number of other brands of chocolate covered raisins on the market. 

Raisins are an excellent source of calcium, potassium, iron, fiber and vitamin B.  When you combine the raisins with dark chocolate, you have a great tasting, healthy, snack.  
To celebrate, try one of the following “tried and true” recipes:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-chiarello/raisin-oni-chocolate-raisin-clusters-recipe.html
http://www.food.com/recipe/easy-chocolate-covered-raisins-crock-pot-278661
http://www.meals.com/recipe/deluxe-oatmeal-raisinets-cookies-30206
Happy National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day.
NATIONAL CHOCOLATE COVERED RAISIN DAY HISTORY
Our research was unable to find the origin and the creator of National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day, an “unofficial” national holiday.

National American Diabetes Association Alert Day – Fourth Tuesday in March

AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION ALERT DAY

National American Diabetes Association Alert Day is observed annually on the fourth Tuesday of every March.  This day is a one-day “wake-up call” to inform the American public about the seriousness of diabetes and encourages all to take the diabetes risk test and learn about your family’s history of diabetes.
For more information : http://www.diabetes.org/in-my-community/programs/alert-day/   http://ndep.nih.gov/partners-community-organization/diabetes-alert-day/index.aspx