Earth Day

In the United States, April 22 has been designated as Earth Day.

In 1970 the first Earth Day was organized to bring attention to environmental reform issues. Events were held in New York and Philadelphia.  Twenty years later,  Earth Day 1990 focused on international recycling efforts and world peace.  There was even an International Peace Climb on Mt. Everest where climbers from the United States, China and the Soviet Union roped together for the first time to climb the mountain.  They collected and sent back by (way of their support crews) more than 2 TONS of trash left behind on the mountain by previous climbers.  By Earth Day 2000 the Internet was being used to spread the message, and environmental groups in 183 countries participated in Earth Day activities.



In springtime the gardens are waking up from their long winter sleep, and the first rains of the season fill the air with the wonderful 'earthy' smell.  What better way to have fun and celebrate the Earth than to serve ... Dirt!

There are a number of recipes that are all quite similar.  So whether you call it Dirt Cake, Dirt Pie or Dirt Pudding, it's just plain fun!  Part of the fun is how it is served.  A new, clean, plastic children's pail and shovel or 10-inch flower pot and trowel give the most impact to this sweet treat.

Dirt (Cake, Pie or Pudding)

1 package Oreo cookies
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) butter or margarine
1 (8 oz.) pkg cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
3 1/2 cups milk
2 pkgs. instant vanilla pudding
1 (12 oz.) carton Cool Whip
1 small package gummy worms

Crush the cookies in a blender and set aside.  Cream together the butter, cream cheese and powdered sugar.  Set aside.  Mix the milk and pudding together.  Add Cool Whip to the pudding. Then fold in the cream cheese mixture.  Place a layer of crushed cookies in the bottom of your serving 'bowl'.  Then a layer of pudding mixture.  Repeat, putting gummy worms in the pudding layers.  End with a layer of cookie crumbs on top.  Chill overnight.

A plastic artificial flower could even be stuck in the top for presentation!  Serve with shovel or trowel into bowls.