Dog Days of Summer and the Fake Greek Sala: Ways to Stay and Eat Cool
The "dog days of summer" have nothing to do with dogs, and the Greek salad you think you know could be faking you out!
This week in Family Tree Food Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia France chase one ancient instinct on a hot summer day... how to eat and stay cool.
From Persian ice pits in the desert to a Florida sponge dock to that coffee cup you're holding in your hand. You'll find out why the same star made the Greeks brace for disaster while the Egyptians threw a party. What to know how a favorite Tarpon Springs "Greek" salad has been hiding a scoop of potato salad underneath the lettuce for over a hundred years… it includes with two feuding family origin stories that neither side will drop.
Plus: Did you know that a famous New York coffee cup gave a secret nod to the Greek flag? How two Chicago restaurants fought over who first set cheese on fire and yelled opa. Oh, and how to help your dog stay cool too? Because you'll learn how to make a dog-safe pupsicle (and the peanut butter ingredient that can kill your dog), for Rover.
FAQ & A Few Key Takeaways
- Why is it called the "dog days of summer"? The dog days of summer are named after Sirius, the "Dog Star," the brightest star in the night sky. For about 40 days each summer, Sirius rises and sets alongside the sun, and the ancient Greeks blamed the season's extreme heat on it. The name has stuck for over 2,000 years, even though the star has nothing to do with the temperature. There's more in this episode.
- Is flaming saganaki actually Greek? Honestly, the fire part isn't. In Greece, saganaki is simply pan-fried cheese, without the flames, no shouting "opa." The flaming tabletop version was invented in Chicago's Greektown in 1968, and two restaurants still both claim they did it first.
- Why is the New York paper coffee cup blue and white? The iconic "Anthora" cup was designed in the 1960s to reflect the Greek flag. At the time, more than 600 New York coffee shops and street carts were Greek-owned, so a cup company created the blue-and-white design specifically to appeal to them. We think this was a terrific marketing idea. It was also made even more famous on NYPD Blue and The Wolf of Wall Street.
What To Do Next
Follow Family Tree Food & Stories at podcast.familytreefoodstories.com so you don't miss what's coming, and send this episode to the person you think is spending too much time in a hot kitchen during the Dog Days of Summer.
Tell us on Facebook what was in your favorite cool salad made for a hot day, and leave us a review. We read every single one. https://www.facebook.com/groups/familytreefoodstories
Additional Links Shared:❤️
- Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
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- Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
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- 👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
- You can send us a DM on Facebook.
Next Thursday: we're celebrating our 100th episode with a birthday party... and everything to make your next birthday celebration even more delicious and fun.
About Your Award-Winning Hosts:
Nancy May and Sylvia France are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, and podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, foodie, and business leader, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.
If you missed the first time around... now's your time to listen to Family Tree Food & Stories and get inspired to make better use of what’s already in your kitchen. Then visit our page to share how you're using your leftovers this year. Waste less. Cook smarter. Tell the story behind your fridge.
"Every Meal Has a Story, and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of the Family Tree Food & Stories podcast (c) copyright 2026, all US and International Rights Reserved.
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