Today is World Chocolate Day! Let’s celebrate!

Do you love chocolate? 🙂 WE DO!
Today, we celebrated the history of this sweet treat and shared some tips on how to make your chocolate habit healthier.

The history of chocolate goes back around 2,500 years. The Aztecs loved their newly discovered liquid chocolate. Cocoa seeds even acted as a form of currency.
Chocolate took a turn and went sweet in a 16th Century Europe.

Cadbury began in England by 1868. And then 25 years later Milton S. Hershey, purchased chocolate processing equipment at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, he is now one of the biggest and world-known chocolate creators in the world.

Click HERE to see a more complete history of Chocolate and some fun facts to share with other chocolate lovers.

Did you know that chocolate can be good for you? We found 10 Ways to Make Your Chocolate Habit Healthier from AARP. Click HERE to access the full article. You should be intentional about your choices, but hey! Let’s eat some chocolate and feel good about it!

1. Pay attention to ingredients

2. Look for at least 70 percent cocoa or cacao

3. Be aware of good — and bad — additions

4. Opt for lower sugar

5. Seek out higher fiber

6. Pay attention to serving sizes

7. Know the buzzwords

8. Consider the origin of your chocolate

9. Learn to love dark chocolate

10. Go beyond the bar

What are you making for the 4th of July?

Tomorrow is Independence Day! Are you looking for something to take to your picnic? Or family reunion?

The Morning Thing crew found 6 easy and festive recipes that are perfect for your 4th of July. These are simple to prepare, crowd-pleasing, and full of summer flavor! Check them out!

If you try one of these recipes, let us know what your family thinks and share their reviews. Email us at wnzr@mvnu.edu Also, send us a picture! 🙂

Have a wonderful 4th of July!

1. Red, White & Blue Fruit Skewers

Ingredients:

  • Strawberries (halved)
  • Blueberries
  • Marshmallows (or banana slices)
  • Wooden skewers

Instructions:
Thread strawberries, blueberries, and marshmallows onto skewers in a red-white-blue pattern. Serve chilled for a refreshing and patriotic snack.


🌭 2. Grilled Hot Dog Bar

Ingredients:

  • Hot dogs & buns
  • Assorted toppings: ketchup, mustard, relish, diced onions, sauerkraut, shredded cheese, chili

Instructions:
Grill hot dogs until heated through and lightly charred. Set up a toppings bar so guests can customize their own!


🥔 3. Easy Ranch Potato Salad

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs baby red potatoes (boiled & quartered)
  • 1/2 cup ranch dressing
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients together and chill for at least 1 hour. Garnish with extra green onions or bacon bits if desired.


🍔 4. Mini Cheeseburger Sliders

Ingredients:

  • Slider buns
  • Ground beef patties (small)
  • Cheese slices
  • Pickles, ketchup, mustard

Instructions:
Grill or pan-cook small beef patties. Assemble with cheese and toppings on slider buns. Serve warm with toothpicks to hold together.


🍉 5. Watermelon Feta Salad

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups cubed watermelon
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
  • Juice of 1 lime

Instructions:
Toss watermelon with feta and mint. Drizzle with lime juice and chill before serving.


🍰 6. No-Bake Berry Icebox Cake

Ingredients:

  • 1 box graham crackers
  • 2 cups whipped topping
  • 1 cup sliced strawberries
  • 1 cup blueberries

Instructions:
Layer graham crackers, whipped topping, and berries in a 9×13 dish. Repeat layers. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight to set.

Are you ready for some Family Fun this 4th of July?

The Morning Thing is here to help!

Check out these FUN Ideas for some Family Fun this Independence Day!

🎆 Outdoor Activities

  1. Watch a Fireworks Show – Find a local display or do a small, safe one at home.
  2. Backyard BBQ or Picnic – Grill out classic American favorites.
  3. Decorate Bikes for a Parade – Host a mini neighborhood bike parade.
  4. Play Lawn Games – Cornhole, horseshoes, sack races, or a water balloon toss.
  5. Go to a Local Festival – Many towns host 4th of July events with food and games.
  6. Camp Out in the Backyard – Stargaze, tell stories, and enjoy s’mores.
  7. Host a Water Day – Sprinklers, slip n’ slide, kiddie pools, or a water balloon fight.

🎨 Creative Fun

  1. DIY T-Shirts or Tie-Dye – Use red, white, and blue to make festive shirts.
  2. Patriotic Face Painting – Stars, stripes, and sparkles!
  3. Make 4th of July Crafts – Flags, pinwheels, or paper fireworks.
  4. Decorate the Yard or House – Let the kids help with flags and streamers.

🍓 Food-Focused Fun

  1. Bake Patriotic Treats – Star-shaped cookies, flag fruit pizza, or red/white/blue Jello cups.
  2. Create a Hot Dog or Ice Cream Bar – Let everyone build their own.
  3. Make Homemade Lemonade or Snow Cones – Perfect for hot weather.

🧠 Quiet or Indoor Options

  1. Watch an Independence Day-Themed Movie – Ideas: National Treasure, The Sandlot, or Liberty’s Kids for younger viewers.
  2. Read Books About America – Great for young kids to learn about history.
  3. Play Patriotic Music and Sing Along – Teach classic American songs.

🏃‍♂️ Get Moving

  1. Do a Family Walk or Bike Ride – Explore a park or trail.
  2. Join a Fun Run or Parade – Many towns host family-friendly events.
  3. Scavenger Hunt with a Red, White & Blue Theme – Use household or nature items.

Want to know WHERE and WHEN to see fireworks this year?
Thanks to Knox Pages for this very informative list of Fireworks Displays and events happening around the Knox County Area! Click HERE to see their list of events for the 4th of July Weekend.

Are you taking care of yourself?

On The Morning Thing today, we highlighted self-care! We shared some great insights from Focus On The Family about what self care actually is. Then we jumped into some tips on how to uphold your self-care from the Positivity Blog! They are both great reads that are sure to help you wind down this summer!

To learn more about self care, click HERE!

If you want to see the tips, click HERE!

National Real Food Day!

Today on The Morning Thing, we celebrated National Real Food Day by sharing many food related topics! Including what National Real Food Day is, Real Food vs Fake Food, and some foods you’ve probably been storing wrong in your house.

What is it?

We talked a little bit about what it is, the history behind it, as well as how to celebrate it!

For more on that, click HERE!

Real Food vs Fake Food

Real Foods (Whole, Natural, Minimally Processed)

· Fresh fruits (apples, bananas, berries, oranges)

· Fresh vegetables (spinach, carrots, broccoli, tomatoes)

· Whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, oats)

· Nuts and seeds (almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds)

· Legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas)

· Fresh meat, poultry, fish (unprocessed cuts)

· Eggs (preferably free-range or organic)

· Dairy (plain milk, plain yogurt, cheese with minimal ingredients)

· Natural oils (olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil)

· Fresh herbs and spices

· Water

Fake Foods (Highly Processed, Artificial, or Industrial)

· Soda and sugary soft drinks

· Packaged snacks (chips, cheese puffs, snack cakes)

· Instant noodles or ramen with seasoning packets

· Processed meats (hot dogs, some deli meats, chicken nuggets)

· Artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes

· Candy bars and chocolate with added chemicals and fillers

· Fast food burgers and fries

· Frozen meals with preservatives and additives

· Highly refined baked goods (white bread with preservatives, packaged cakes)

· Margarine and hydrogenated oils (trans fats)

· Artificial flavorings, colorings, and preservatives

· Energy drinks and powdered drink mixes

Foods you’ve been storing wrong!

Finally we talked about some of the foods we all have and how you may be storing them all wrong! This will help you make your food last longer.

To view that list, click HERE!

Easy vegetable recipes to eat healthier!

Today on The Morning Thing, we honored National Eat Your Vegetables Day! We shared shared a lot of information on the day and how to celebrate it. As well as many fantastic vegetable centric recipes for you to use! These recipes are easy, quick, tasty, and you can customize them any way you like.

Here are our recipes:

Rainbow Veggie Wraps 

  • Ingredients: 
  • Whole wheat tortillas 
  • Hummus or cream cheese 
  • Shredded carrots 
  • Sliced cucumbers 
  • Baby spinach 
  • Red bell pepper strips 
  • Purple cabbage, shredded 
  • Directions: 

Spread hummus or cream cheese on a tortilla. Layer the veggies in rainbow order. Roll tightly and slice into pinwheels if desired. 

Cheesy Broccoli Bites 

  • Ingredients: 
  • 2 cups steamed, chopped broccoli 
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs 
  • 1 egg 
  • Salt and pepper to taste 
  • Directions: 

Mix all ingredients and form into small balls or patties. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes or until golden brown. 

Stuffed Bell Peppers 

  • Ingredients: 
  • 4 bell peppers, tops cut off and seeds removed 
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa or rice 
  • 1 can black beans, rinsed 
  • 1 cup corn 
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes 
  • 1 tsp cumin 
  • Shredded cheese (optional) 
  • Directions: 

Mix filling ingredients, stuff peppers, and bake at 375°F for 30–35 minutes. Top with cheese for the last 5 minutes if desired. 

Crispy Zucchini Fries 

  • Ingredients: 
  • 2 zucchinis, cut into fries 
  • 1 egg, beaten 
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko preferred) 
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese 
  • Italian seasoning 
  • Directions: 

Dip zucchini in egg, then breadcrumb mixture. Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes until crispy. 

Summer Corn & Tomato Salad 

  • Ingredients: 
  • 2 cups fresh corn (cut from cob or thawed frozen) 
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 
  • ¼ cup chopped red onion 
  • Fresh basil, chopped 
  • Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt & pepper 
  • Directions: 

Toss everything together and chill before serving. 

Ratatouille Skillet 

  • Ingredients: 
  • 1 eggplant, diced 
  • 1 zucchini, sliced 
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped 
  • 1 yellow squash, sliced 
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes 
  • Garlic and Italian herbs 
  • Directions: 

Sauté all veggies until soft, then stir in tomatoes and seasonings. Simmer for 10–15 minutes. Serve with crusty bread. 

Garden Veggie Pasta Salad 

  • Ingredients: 
  • 2 cups cooked pasta 
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes 
  • ½ cup cucumbers 
  • ½ cup red onion 
  • ½ cup broccoli florets 
  • Italian dressing 
  • Directions: 

Toss cooked pasta with chopped veggies and dressing. Chill and serve. 

Veggie Tacos 

  • Ingredients: 
  • Corn or flour tortillas 
  • Sautéed bell peppers, onions, zucchini, and mushrooms 
  • Avocado slices 
  • Salsa or hot sauce 
  • Directions: 

Warm tortillas, fill with sautéed veggies and toppings. Add lime juice or cheese if desired. 

Some fun ways to Celebrate!

🥦 National Eat Your Vegetables Day – 20 Fun Ways to Celebrate!

Celebrate June 17th with healthy, tasty fun!

🥕 Fun & Tasty Celebrations

· • Veggie Taste Test Challenge – Try a new vegetable or compare raw vs. cooked.

· • Build-Your-Own Salad Bar – Offer a variety of greens, toppings, and dressings.

· • Make Veggie-Based Snacks – Try carrot fries, cucumber boats, or zucchini chips.

· • Go Meatless for a Meal – Choose one meal to go fully plant-based.

· • Juice or Smoothie Station – Blend up colorful veggie smoothies.

· • Cook a Rainbow – Make a dish using veggies of every color.

· • Veggie Potluck – Invite friends or coworkers to share veggie dishes.

🎨 Creative & Educational Activities

· • Veggie Art or Carving – Make funny faces or sculptures using vegetables.

· • “Name That Veggie” Game – Blindfold taste tests or silhouette guessing.

· • Visit or Plant a Garden – Explore where veggies come from or plant seeds together.

· • Veggie Storytime – Read books like ‘Eating the Alphabet’ or ‘Rah, Rah, Radishes!’

· • Veggie Bingo – Create a card with different veggies to encourage variety.

📱 Social & Community Engagement

· • Share a Veggie Recipe Online – Post your favorite veggie dish on social media.

· • Host a Cooking Demo – Teach others how to cook a veggie meal (live or virtual).

· • Visit a Farmer’s Market – Buy and try local, seasonal vegetables.

· • Volunteer – Help at a food pantry or community garden.

🏆 Healthy Competitions & Challenges

· • “Most Veggies in a Day” Contest – Track how many servings you eat.

· • Veggie Selfie Challenge – Snap a pic with your veggie plate and tag friends.

· • Veggie Tracker – Compete to try the most different veggies during the week.

· • Prizes & Stickers – Reward yourself or kids with veggie-themed goodies.

Eat smart. Have fun. Share the love of veggies!

Want to take more action in your own life?

Today, our host shared some great tips on how to take action in your life every single day! Taking action can be struggle but staying consistent is the key. These suggestions are things you can implement today that will make it easier to meet you goals going forward!

Click HERE to check out these great tips!

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