
Maize Day is recognized annually on the day after Thanksgiving.
Maize Day is a day set aside for all Americans regardless of ethnicity, naturalized citizens, descendants of the first peoples of the Americas or descendants of immigrants to celebrate the traditional role of corn in these cultures.
Unlike other food and plant life, corn was common across the Americas. It was a central food source used by all the nations and an important part of their everyday diet. It is also a day to celebrate the traditional crops and foods of Native Americans.
There are many varieties of maize. Some varieties are used to make corn flour, others a best eaten on the cob and still others are perfect for popping.
Although we often associate corn with the color yellow, it actually comes in a host of different varieties featuring an array of different colors, including red, pink, black, purple, and blue.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Serve a meal featuring ingredients used by Native Americans such as fish, squash, beans, nuts, tomatoes, mushrooms, persimmons, honey, cattail, asparagus, chicory, dandelion and of course maize.
National Maize Day was started by artist Corinne Lightweaver in 2004. “This holiday began as a small research project through which I intended—with my family—to commemorate the United States holiday of Thanksgiving through the viewpoint of the indigenous people.”
- Corn will always have an even number of rows on each cob.
- In the days of the early settlers to North America, corn was so valuable that it was used as money and traded for other products such as meat and furs.
- Corn not only provides the necessary calories for healthy, daily metabolism, but is also a rich source of vitamins A, B, E and many minerals.
- Its high fiber content ensures that it plays a significant role in the prevention of digestive ailments like constipation and hemorrhoids as well as colorectal cancer.
- The antioxidants present in corn also act as anti-carcinogenic agents and prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
- Besides being a delicious addition to any meal, corn is a rich source of calories and is a staple among dietary habits in many populations.
- It reduces the risk of hemorrhoids and colorectal cancer because the fiber content of one cup of corn amounts to 18.4% of the daily recommended amount.
- According to researchers, corn oil has been shown to have an anti-atherogenic effect on cholesterol levels, thus reducing the risk of various cardiovascular diseases. Corn oil, particularly, is the best way to increase heart health, and this is derived from the fact that corn is close to an optimal fatty acid combination.
- Corn helps to prevent anemia caused by deficiency of these vitamins. Corn also has a significant level of iron, which is one of the essential minerals needed to form new red blood cells; a deficiency in iron is one of the main cause of anemia as well
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