Welcome February

image from here

The February sunshine steeps your boughs and tints the buds and swells the leaves within.

William C. Bryant

As we welcome February, I think many readers will agree this month is mostly recognized for Valentine’s Day. Yes cards, flowers and chocolate sales go sky high! Also depending on where you live, it can be a very cold month!

February fluctuates between having 28 and 29 days per year. The 29th day only occurs every 4 years during leap years, and the next leap year will be 2024.

The length of February was finalized when Julius Caesar remade the Roman calendar and assigned the month 28 days and 29 days. In 713 B.C., February was officially added to the Roman calendar.

If you were born in February, your birthstone is an amethyst and your birth-flower is a violet or primrose.

The western zodiac signs in February are Aquarius which is until February 18th, and Pisces, which is from February 19th.

In the Northern Hemisphere, February is the third month of winter. Meanwhile in the Southern Hemisphere, February is the last month of summer.

The name of February comes from the Latin word “februum” which means purification.

February was named after a purification ritual which was like an early Roman spring cleaning festival.

In Welsh, February is sometimes known as “y mis bach” which means “little month.”

The Saxons called February “Sol-monath” which means “cake month” because they would offer cakes to the gods during February.

Of all the words you can misspell, February is one of the most misspelled words in the English language.

February is the only month where it’s possible to go the entire time without having a full moon.
See the above and more in article here

violet February birth flower

Wishing all readers a Happy February

In celebration of "cake month" here are some low carb cake recipe ideas

Cinnamon Tea Cake - see here

Cinnamon Coffee Cake - see here

Ginger Cake - see here

Malibu Coconut and Chocolate Cake - see here

Chocolate Pound Cake - see here

Carrot Cake - see here

Italian Lemon Cake - see here

Mug Cakes - see here

Dear reader, this blog is presented in a magazine style - we hope something for everyone. You will find a variety of articles, studies, thoughts, photographs, music and recipes! However, not all the recipes ideas featured in this blog may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan