Happy National Sweet Potato Day! Pixel Shares 5 Fun Facts About the Sweet Treat

It might seem silly to celebrate a root vegetable, but never has a root brought so much joy to my heart, or to the world (in my humble Pixel opinion). Sweet potatoes are incredibly yummy and so good for you, they are quite worthy of having a day of celebration all to themselves! Sweet potatoes are nutritious, easy to cook in a variety of ways, and go good with just about everything, including whatever you might be wearing. I'm wearing sweet potatoes from dinner on my chin right now to celebrate this festive occasion. But don't let me keep yammering on about sweet potatoes, let's get to the root of this distinguished tuberous vegetable.

5 Fun and Interesting Facts About Sweet Potatoes:

1. Although often called "Yams", Sweet Potatoes are not the same as Yams.
That's right. Yams are not sweet potatoes. Yams are white potatoes from the Caribbean, while the lovely, orange sweet potato is originally from South America. The sweet potato can, however, come in colors such as white and purple.
2. Sweet Potatoes are high in LOTS of Vitamins and Minerals.
Vitamins A, C, E, Potassium, Fiber, and Beta Carotene are just a few of the good benefits your body gets from this root vegetable, plus they are low calorie, making them an excellent addition to any meal of the day.
3. Sweet Potatoes are believed to have healing properties.
Doctors and healers use them to fight diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Medical experts say the benefits from sweet potatoes come not just from the pretty orange fruit we love to eat, but the entire plant, including the skin, the shoots, the greens and the leaves. So from tip to root, this sweet treat is of benefit to every single body, whether you are two or four legged!
4. Christopher Columbus LOVED sweet potatoes!
The world traveler was introduced to sweet potatoes in 1492 while visiting the Americas. He thought they were so delicious and amazing, he brought them back home across the ocean to England. Great thinking on his part.
5. The Sweet Potato was "domesticated" over 5,000 years ago.
In fact, the sweet potato is one of the oldest vegetables known to mankind! That is one faithful staple for dinner. I bet dog loving pet parents have been slipping a little big of sweet potato under the table to their beloved companions for thousands of years. Here's an interesting article from NPR talking about how the sweet potato crossed the Pacific before Columbus.
Sweet potatoes are fun to eat & they look good on your chin too!

I love them pureed in my food, mashed like regular potatoes and cut up into wedges and baked in the oven. I eat them every day! In fact, I wear them on my chin quite often as a matter of fact.
Do you like sweet potatoes? Tell me how you enjoy eating your sweet potatoes friends.

Learn More:

All About Sweet Potatoes
Dr. Axe.com - Nutritional Facts on Sweet Potatoes
Library of Congress - A Sweet Potato History