About Today: Happy Mardi Gras!

If you can't see this email, click here

Today Cajun-style revelry has been underway for weeks now in New Orleans, but today marks the official one-day observance of Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday. (If you're Polish--or just enjoy a good excuse to pig out on doughnuts--you also know it's Paczki Day.) Today we look at the sounds, smells, and traditions of this holiday that began in medieval France. The History of Cajun Mardi Gras You know about the raucous parades and lavish costumes, but are you familiar with another longstanding Mardi Gras tradition that sees residents of rural towns in Louisiana going door-to-door on horseback in search of gumbo ingredients? Mardi Gras Costumes Printable Mardi Gras Masks See More About:  cajun music  zydeco  louisiana culture The Food of Mardi Gras Fill your kitchen with the alluring smells of a Cajun Mardi Gras feast with this collection of tantalizing recipes from our Guide to Southern Food. Shrimp Creole Recipe Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce Recipe See More About:  mardi gras recipes  louisiana recipes  The Music of Mardi Gras Recent hypothetical studies have shown that batches of shrimp jambalaya and other Cajun foods taste four to five times better when the cook is rocking out to the sounds of Mardi Gras while in the kitchen. Traditional Mardi Gras Music Best Mardi Gras Oldies See More About:  mardi gras music  new orleans  cajun Mardi Gras Festivities in New Orleans Are the Mardi Gras festivities that have taken over New Orleans really as wild and crazy as they look on TV? Our Guide to New Orleans Travel, a life-long resident of the city, has the insider's scoop. Offbeat Mardi Gras Mardi Gras King Cakes See More About:  new orleans mardi gras  mardi gras parades  mardi gras for kids Today Ads Mardi Gras Food Recipes Parades Louisiana Recipe Cajun Recipe Featured Articles Resume Writing Tips Top Electronics for Kids Old-Fashioned Cupcakes Obama on Evolution Sex and Pilates China's Boxer Rebellion   More from About.com Top 10 Skin Myths How do you know the information and advice you get about your skin is true? Start with this article, which debunks some of the the most persistent myths out there. More> Learn a New Hobby Are you thinking about taking up a new hobby? From chess to painting to birdwatching, this comprehensive list provides a wide variety of options, to suit all sorts of interests. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Today newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2012 About.com     Follow us on: Advertisement