30 Reasons to Celebrate in June

Today's the day to enjoy a cold glass of milk. If cow's milk isn't your thing, there are so many dairy alternatives in the grocery store. Try almond milk, oat milk, or other nut milks or add some chocolate syrup to your milk for a glass of classic chocolate milk.

Rocky Road is a tasty blend of chocolate ice cream, nuts, and marshmallows. Concocted in 1929, it was named Rocky Road to give people a reason to smile during the Great Depression. Ice cream has the uncanny ability to make any situation better!

Eggs are cheap, readily available, packed with protein, and super versatile. Whether you like them scrambled, hard boiled, soft boiled, fried, poached, or baked, there are so many delicious ways to eat eggs. Today, celebrate the humble egg with some breakfast tacos, egg salad, quiche, or even your favorite brownies!

Only if your cat will tolerate it!

Today is the day to hug your feline friend. If your cat doesn’t like being hugged, and really, many don’t, try showing your affection in another way. Give your pet a nose-to-tail rub, cuddle its head, or take a relaxing cat nap together. 

There are so many types of donuts these days. Whether you prefer a classic glazed, Boston creme, or a wild and wacky topped donut, today's the day to enjoy. Pick a dozen mixed donuts and share with friends or co-workers.

Gardening can burn about 200 calories per hour and is a great exercise because it’s low-impact (easy on the joints), cheap or free, and relaxing. Plus, time spent outdoors has been linked to reduced stress and improved brain function. Grab your gloves and get gardening! If you live in an apartment without a backyard or green space, learn how to start growing plants and herbs inside.

Chocolate and summer marry two very special and beloved things among most people. To celebrate National Chocolate Ice Cream Day, all you'll need to do is grab your favorite cocoa-flavored cold treat and enjoy it outside for a hot-cold contrast.

Best friends play lots of roles in our lives, from a trusted adviser, number one cheerleader, or educational instructor. Today, show your best bud how much you appreciate them with a happy hour drink, their favorite home-cooked dinner or dessert, or a small gift you know they’ll love.

Strawberry rhubarb pie is an early summertime classic. The two fruits combine together in a perfect, not-too-sweet, juicy filling. If you're feeling ambitious, make your own pie. If not, pick one up at your favorite local bakery. And, don't forget a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Nothing says “summer” like a big pitcher of freshly brewed, ice cold tea that’s jam-packed with sliced lemons. Whether you prefer classic iced tea, iced lemongrass tea, or every Southerner’s sugar-laden favorite, sweet tea, there’s no wrong way to drink an iced tea today as long as you just do it.

Topped with butter, salt and pepper, sprinkled with queso fresco and lime juice, or chopped into a fresh summer salad, it’s not a barbecue without some corn on the cob. If you’re crunched for time, you can microwave corn on the cob and it tastes just as delicious. Simply shuck the ears of corn, wrap each individual ear in plastic wrap or a damp paper towel, and microwave for one minute. 

Road trips, hikes, and camping would be a lot hungrier without jerky. Packed with protein (for relatively few calories), jerky is a must-have for long summer excursions. Amp up the nutritional value and save a few bucks by making your own jerky at home. All you need is a dehydrator, your favorite lean meat, and some spices for added flavor. 

But now that it’s summer, it’s time to give your garden the TLC it deserves! Rally your kids, grab your toughest gardening gloves, and tackle the weeds that took over during the winter.

On June 14, 1777, the United States adopted the American flag. Since then, it’s become a symbol of freedom, endurance, and patriotism recognized around the globe. Seek out a flag today or hang one up in or outside of your home.

If you're intimidated by lobster, today's the day to change that. If you're feeling adventurous, steam your own lobsters, crack those claws, and enjoy. Just don't forget your bib! If preparing them yourself isn't your thing, head to a seafood shack for a tasty lobster roll.

Eating fresh veggies doesn’t mean you have to eat a whole plate of greens. Swap your regular old salad for new-to-you combination, roast your favorite root veggies with garlic, olive oil and, your favorite spices, or blend up a handful of veggies (and fruits) in a nutrient-packed smoothie. 

Say hallo to apple pie’s tasty cousin! Made with thin layers of flaky crust, tons of apples, and brown sugar, freshly baked apple strudel pairs well with coffee at breakfast or vanilla ice cream for dessert. Make your own strudel to start the morning or end the day on a sweet note.

Whether splurging means drinking a glass of wine on your patio, buying an outfit you’ve been eyeing, or enjoying a massive bacon cheeseburger, there’s only one thing to do today: treat yourself with a splurge purchase you've been "waiting for the right moment" to finally carry out.

While a martini is a classic drink, there are actually a lot of variations on this classic. If you prefer a botanical flavor, opt for gin over vodka. A dry martini has less vermouth, while a wet martini has more. Lastly, you'll need to decide if you want olives or olive juice, which makes it a "dirty martini."

On a hot summer day, not much can beat a cold vanilla shake. If you're so inclined, mix in some crushed cookies or your favorite candy.

After a seemingly endless winter, ring in the season with a few cocktails al fresco, a delicious (and veggie-packed) fresh summer salad, and a fun, outdoor family activity. Take advantage of the extra-long daylight and enjoy.

Dunking a food item in batter and deep-frying it can make it about 100 times tastier. This is especially true for onions! Try making your own onion rings at home (it’s easier than you’d think!) with a classic beer batter recipe.

Pink can add a fun, unexpected pop of color to your home décor, garden, wardrobe, or even your hairdo (maybe go for a demi-permanent pink hair dye if you’re on the fence).

Pralines may make you think of a sweet, southern grandmother, and for good reason! A classic southern treat, pralines combine pecans, hazelnuts, or almonds with butter, cream, and brown sugar for a delicious dish guaranteed to make your dental fillings hurt. Today, channel your inner-granny and whip up a batch of your own!

A strawberry parfait is a layered treat, usually served in a tall glass (to show off those layers). If you’re looking for a healthier way to indulge, try this: Swap the ricotta for vanilla Greek yogurt and the cookie crumble for homemade granola. 

Even if you can’t hit the beach today, you can still celebrate Tropical Cocktails Day! Don your favorite Hawaiian shirt, slip into some flip flops, and enjoy a classic tiki cocktail, like a Mai Tai, Zombie, or Rum Swizzle. 

Celebrate the end of June by packing up a picnic and eating outdoors. You can enjoy your meal in a local park, after a long hike, or in your own backyard. Just clean up your trash!

Love it or hate it, this squishy treat has its very own national holiday. Whether you make it in pudding-form, added to boba tea, or even baked, tapioca makes an interesting addition to tons of drinks and desserts that you can discover by getting in the kitchen today.

Even though most people just use a phone’s cameras these days, take a moment to reflect on how amazing cameras actually are. Invented in 1816, cameras have come lightyears from the first camera. It was a simple box with a piece of silver chloride-coated paper that produced very primitive photos. Celebrate this day by going to your favorite location or pulling one of your favorite people aside for an hour or two and start snapping some photos you can save forever.

While there isn't always an opportunity to catch a shooting star in the sky, June 30 is a day for celebrating all the wonders our moon, stars, and sky offer us on a nightly basis. Celebrate today by taking out your telescope and searching the sky for meteors or other phenomenons, or simply watch the stars to close out June.