Memorial Day Activities + Chef Marco's Barbeque Sauce Recipe

Happy Memorial Day from Blendtec! Today is much more than a day to sit poolside and barbeque with the family—Memorial Day honors the men and women who have died while serving in the armed forces of the United States of America.

Memorial Day started after the Civil War, to honor the dead of the Union and Confederate, and was originally known as “Decoration Day,” commemorated on May 30. In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Holiday Act, making Memorial Day the last Monday in May. This ensured every Memorial Day was a three-day weekend, which eventually turned it into the unofficial kickoff of summer.

For most, Memorial Day Weekend is a time of barbequing, backyard games, and sitting poolside or at the beach with a cold beverage in hand. While that’s a perfectly okay way to spend the day, it’s also important to remember those fallen men and women who died fighting for our country. Here are some small ways to honor the meaning of Memorial Day:

1. Teach your children about the true meaning of Memorial Day

Take a break from swimming to talk to your kids about what the day is all about, helping them to appreciate the sacrifices of those who fought for their freedom.

2. Donate to the cause

Whether it be donating your time through volunteer opportunities or your money to one of many worthy organizations, you could make a difference in the lives of veterans and military families. 

3. Write a letter to an active duty military member

There are about 200,000 active troops deployed in over 170 countries, and writing a letter is the perfect way to thank those men and women who are far from their homes.

More ideas from Huffington Post

Don't miss our Memorial Day promo! 

Chef Marco’s Memorial Day BBQ Sauce

No Memorial Day is complete without a BBQ and no BBQ is complete without the sauce. Try Chef Marco Niccoli's recipe below. It will be the talk of the party! Trust us, it’s tasty. 

Ingredients

1 ½ cup apple juice
5 cups ketchup
¾ cup apple cider vinegar
1 bottle dark beer
5 Tbsp brown sugar
5 Tbsp local honey
½ Tbsp granulated garlic
½ Tbsp onion powder
1 Tbsp yellow mustard

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to WildSide+ jar and secure lid.
2. Run on "Soup" or "Hot" or "90" cycle twice or blend on a High speed for 180 seconds until warm.
3. When all the ingredients are fully pureed, warm and smooth, store in a mason jar. Refrigerate for 2 hours before using. Enjoy!

Pro Tip: I love being able to do as many things ahead of time. And this is the perfect recipe to do in advance. It also tastes better as it sits.

Happy Cooking!! 

Sources: 

Time Magazine: Why do we Celebrate Memorial Day?

Huffington Post: 50 Ways to Honor the True Meaning of Memorial Day