Christmas Edition

Christmas occupies a special place in the hearts of Bajans and Caribbean people alike. There are several similarities between the islands from as far north as the Bahamas to the southern island of Trinidad and Tobago. It may look very different to those who are used to a ‘white Christmas’. In the Caribbean, the sun shines bright, the climate is cool, and clear blue skies rule the day. Like many other parts of the world, the Christmas season is also referred to as the Holiday Season depending on where you are as well as your religious or cultural practices. In the Caribbean we are all united in the feast that is prepared to celebrate one of the most significant events on the Christian calendar, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

In most of the islands the Christmas Day meal would include, peas and rice, ham, turkey, jug jug, great cake - also known as Christmas cake made from fruits soaked in rum for weeks if not the entire year -. The meal is not complete unless there is sorrel, a drink made from the sorrel plant.

While there are several similarities, there are some unique features in some of the islands. In Trinidad and Tobago there is a unique tradition called ‘Parang’. It is played and sung at Christmas time, usually in Spanish. Informal singing groups go around serenading communities using horns, the steel drum, pots, pans and so many other types of instruments to make music.

In St. Vincent the tradition is to go house to house sharing food with neighbors. There

is a celebration called Nine Mornings. The idea behind the Nine Mornings Festival is to go to the beach after early mass then head into town to catch whatever concert or recitals there may be. It slowly grew into a full on street party and the rest is history.

In Barbados however, things are a little different, one can quickly tell that Christmas is approaching by observing activities in the neighborhood. The observer will notice that homes are ‘picked down’ that is, curtains have been taken down and they remain down until Christmas Eve. Cushions and living room furniture are packed to one side of the house. The exterior of most homes would be given a fresh coat of paint, or power washed, lawns are being cut and trees trimmed. The sprucing up suggests an expectancy of the arrival of an important person or event which must be completed by a deadline.

You might not find chestnuts, but the intoxicating smell of delicious food is definitely on the Caribbean menu. Tasty pork dishes are the centerpiece of many Caribbean Christmas feasts. Warm weather and large family gatherings make the perfect setting for the special meal. There’s no shortage of festive decoration here in the Caribbean. Lights twinkle from port to port, wrapped around tall palms and adorning the façades of pastel buildings. There is nothing like Christmas in the Caribbean.

Maybe it’s already too late for you to trade snow for sand. Christmas in all the islands is a festive one, filled with cheer and festivities, take in as much as you can, enjoy and have a Merry Christmas from Team Advo.

TEN THINGS TO OVECOME THE HOLIDAY BLUES

Dr. Derek Berry Thorpe

Whenthedogbites,whenthebeestings,whenI’mfeelingsad… Ijustsimplyremembermyfavoritethings,andthenIdon’tfeel,sobad. OscarHammersteinII

Transient depression around the Christmas and holiday season is a tangible thing around the globe. What is packaged as the happiest time of the year by the media, is for many a season where the feeling of aloneness and anxiety is more acute. This mental health consideration is often overlooked and can be mistaken for its cousin; Seasonal affective disorder, where the decreased exposure to sunlight can affect one’s circadian rhythm, ushering a state of melancholy malaise. If one happens to live in a country where sunset can vary by as much as six hours, the disruption in your serotonin, melatonin and vitamin D levels

can make this holiday transient depression even more difficult to manage.

The pressures of adult daily living, between each bene diction of ‘Merry Christmas’ and ‘Happy New Year’ can present a challenge. Does anyone really care of the spouse that was lost to either death or divorce ? Or that your bank account has been decimated from the chronic disease you’re suffering from. Many readily admit, the font of joy at Christmas spring from the eyes of the children… your own children perhaps. But the fracture of a family, or the anxiety surrounding toxic traits knitted into negative family dynamics is often the source of much discontent around the holiday season.

We all make assumptions of other people’s happiness, but the fact is, this assumption is usually very wrong. We think the smiles of our friends in photos or on the sidewalks are reliable badges of permanent membership in the club of happiness, but we fail to appreciate other people wear the same ‘masks’ to hide their own personal pain.

Here are Ten things you can do to effectively overcome the holiday blues.

1. If your geographic location makes you prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder, make it a point to either expose yourself to more natural sunlight or invest in artificial lighting in the home that can mimic the healthy wavelength range. Take more Vitamin D and Melatonin supplements to fortify the fall off in hormones levels.

2. Be self-aware. Understand that loneliness is an acceptable feeling in the human experience and you’re definitely not the only passenger on that ship. Acknowledge the emotion and try to dissect the precise cause of the despair.

3. Think outside of yourself. Know that many of your friends maybe feeling the same way and deliberately reach out and touch them in the manner they would appreciate most. A call, a text or a visit may be appropriate.

4. Give the gift of yourself to strangers through service or volunteering to people in need. Overt charity can be an expression of your gratitude to what you already have in life and take for granted. Interacting with persons less fortunate will improve your mood through service.

5. Understand the negative power of social media at this time. Limit your use if you find jealousy of your friend’s successes and perceived joy as you observe them electronically. Avoid comparing your peer’s existence to your own.

6. Lower expectations of what the holiday season should achieve to avoid disappointment. Just accept that Thanksgiving and Christmas are merely artificial

days on the calendar which you are not required to subscribe to.

7. Try not to be too hard on yourself for not achieving the goals you set out to attain in this year but use the hope for next year to balm your emotions and be excited to learn new skills. Plan for a trip overseas to reconnect with a family member or friend.

8. Have a serious plan when family members you’ve had previous negative experiences with are going to be in your space. Greet them with an exaggerated smile/hug initially then avoid further contact or arguments for the rest of the engagement. Limit your time spent at this gathering if your anxiety becomes overwhelming by leaving via a built-in excuse to the host.

9. Gift yourself a pet of your choice. A dog or cat around the holiday season can channel your energy away from the feelings of loss or guilt and redirect that love and attention in a special new bond.

10. If all else fails, don’t hesitate to seek professional help to guide you through rough waters. There is zero shame in this mature decision.

Dr. Derek B Thorpe

Dr. Thorpe is in nuclear medicine and functional medicine physician with post graduate degrees from Cornell School of Medicine and the University of Florida. He mentors clients through the ketogenic diet and treats pain and injury through optimization of blood flow. mongo505@hotmail.com

THE CHALLENGE OF FINDING THE PERFECT GIFT

This season as you make and adjust that you are really thinking about stores are full, and people are be a rush to check off all the items before Christmas.

It probably would not be as special if it were you have to know the recipient. You have to pay what they communicate, but what they do not communicate.

Gifts are not about how much you spend or them, but about how well you know and respond

In many cases, you have to ask questions. It is It is okay for your effort to be evident in this way. a surprise. The goal is to make people feel special thought of, but truly seen.

Here are a few categories of people who may

Gifts are not about how much you spend or how much other people admire them, but about how well you know and respond to people and their realities.

OF PERFECT

adjust your shopping lists, be sure about the recipients.Traffic is heavy, stressed as there always seems to items on our lists in the three weeks easy. To do a good job of gifting, pay attention to them and not only communicate. or how much other people admire respond to people and their realities. is okay to seek more information. way. Every gift does not have to be special and not only remembered or may be on your list and making you

think a little harder than usual.

FOR THE ‘SIGNIFICANT OTHERS’

For our intimate partners, these gifts ideas should always be easier…in Look for hints during the year, look for preferences. Easy popular finds would be perfume, tech gadgets, jewelry, clothing, shoes and accessories. The first tip is to start your shopping for partners early, not when there is more competition closer to Christmas, we do not want to disappoint them and it gives more time to fix errors or make exchanges.

Please don’t rely on memory, reconfirm shoes and dress sizes, look for the latest upgrades to their tech gadgets, try new cologne scents from their favorite labels.

In the end however, thoughtfulness will always win-over your loved ones. Maybe their phone is outdated or damaged maybe they’ve been needing a new handbag simply new tires for their vehicles. Items of need are always more special and says that you were paying attention and that you care.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE EVERYTHING

We often want to give a gift, just because. For those who are special to us and have likely helped us when we had nowhere else to turn, maybe without us even having to ask. They have everything, but we really want to acknowledge them and let them know that they are special to us and we are grateful to have them in our lives, gift-giving can result in those people having an abundance of junk.

No one needs a twenty-third figurine to dust on cleaning days. Instead of desperately searching for a generic item to wrap and pass off as thoughtfulness, take time to truly think about the person who has everything. What is valuable to them today?

For many people who have everything, it is time. How can you give them time? Maybe a day of cleaning would give them the freedom to attend to other things. What about errands? If they are not stuck in traffic during the busy weeks of the year, they may be able to finish a few projects. If you do not have the time to give yourself, consider paying someone else to do it.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE FINANCIALLY STRUGGLING

There is often a reluctance to give money. Some may think it is impersonal or does not demonstrate enough thought about who a person is and what they would like. Some may fear judgment for the amount of money they choose or are able to give.

Money, however, is the best gift for people who face financial challenges. While gift certificates or paying a bill yourself may seem like a good idea, they are limiting.

Money that can only be spent in a grocery store cannot pay the electricity bill. Your payment of the electricity bill does not keep the data service going which is required for work. Give money in a way that allows the recipient to make decisions about how it is used.

FOR THOSE WHO TRAVEL OFTEN

Luggage is a must, and passport holders are a common gift, but what about all of the other necessities?

If the person does long-haul travel, consider putting together a comfort kit. This could include comfortable earphones, moisturizer, lip balm, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, comfortable socks, a reading light, an eye mask, and gum.

There are many ways to add a personal touch. Get the hand sanitizer in a scent they like. Make the moisturizer yourself with shea butter, one of the many appropriate oils, and essential oils for a delightful scent. Pack it all in a small bag that can easily fit into a backpack, purse, or carry-on bag and is the person’s favorite colour or print.

FOR THOSE WHO SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITH THEIR FAMILIES

There are some people who always seem to be hanging out with their parents and/or children or having get-togethers with extended family members. Look for games that are fun to play and accommodate large groups of people.

Reach for the puzzles, and even the old school toys like hula hoops that can lead to more fun and laughter than people have had in a long time.

If you are giving a gift to someone who hosts often, consider serving trays, coasters, and comfortable cushions and blankets for sprawling on the floor after a good meal.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE CAREGIVERS

Taking care of another person or multiple people on a full time basis is hard work.

It is often difficult, if not impossible, to take care of oneself under this circumstance. When there is time to spare, it is usually spent doing the most basic and the most critical tasks.

This means there is no time for massages, manicures, upkeep of the garden, or taking the car to get serviced.

In addition to looking for nearby spa specials you can take care of some of the things on the to-do list. If you can, make it possible for them to experience pleasure. This could be a full day off or even 90 minutes per day for a week.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIFFICULTY SLEEPING

They tell you how late they were up and most times they depend on caffeine to stay alert. Are they having difficulty concentrating every day? Insufficient sleep and low quality sleep can wreak havoc on people’s lives.

Lavender oil, chamomile tea, and hot showers are go-tos. Think about ways they can be made more effective. What about a diffuser so that the lavender scent fills the bedroom?

Maybe it is time to switch to loose tea and a tea ball would be handy. How about shower steamers? Outside of the box, maybe a sleep specialist would be helpful as there may be medical issues that are preventing or interrupting sleep.

FOR THOSE WHO JUST MOVED INTO A NEW HOUSE

This may be one of the busiest times of a person’s life. There are things that need to be fixed, boxes that need to be unpacked, items that need to be organized, budgets that need to be adjusted, neighbours to meet, and new responsibilities to take on.

Maybe they are ready to start a vegetable garden, so soil, shovels, seedlings, water cans, and someone to set

up an irrigation system would be highly valued.

What item on their to-do list can you take care of? It may be hiring someone to do basic landscaping at a time convenient to the new homeowner(s).

It could also be helping them to put together a gift registry that can be shared with family members and friends so well-intentioned people do not give them things they do not need.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING

The holidays are a particularly difficult time for people who are grieving loved ones. It is always best to ask what would be helpful.

Some people may prefer to avoid all holiday-related topics and activities. Others may want to find ways to honour the deceased.

Maybe they would like your company as they select flowers and then arrange them on the grave. Maybe they want to be able to talk about the person without other people getting uncomfortable or trying to change the topic.

Everyone experiencing grief needs a support system. Find ways to help them to honour old traditions or create new ones. If that means getting entirely new decorations, take that journey with them. If they want to reserve a seat at the table for the deceased, communicate that with others and ensure that no one is disrespectful.

You are now fully equipped to make the best purchase choices this season. Best of luck shopping!

From drab to fab!

Imagine walking into a bathroom and immediately feeling sick to your stomach because you’ve been transported to the 70s décor and it’s not the trendy kind you want to bring back. That’s what this bathroom looked like and it was in desperate need of a makeover. Emphasis on desperate!

Advo Magazine enlisted a happy home owner to walk us through the transformation. This homeowner was budget conscious and eagle eyed for deals all in an effort to do it herself.

So let’s begin the journey first they were the go-to tools which included gold spray paint, leftover paint salvaged from a previous reno, waterproof wall-paper and luxury vinyl flooring, which had to be professionally installed (the biggest splurge)

The change started with installing light gray faux brick waterproof wallpaper to brighten the space up. It matched the light vinyl floors and the grey shelves used to replace the fixture over the toilet. Wanting to enhance the room a pop of color had to go in, so gold spray paint was added to change the white brackets under the grey shelves. Keeping with the golden theme, meant an addition of some glass jars bought from the dollar store, sprayed the covers gold, then used a hot glue gun to attach crystal-looking door pulls to the cover, as handles and to add rhinestonelooking fabric around the top for a unique look .

Next came the shelves these had to be decorated so the top shelf was enhanced with a faux potted plant. Spray painted the shelves in the corner of the wall by the sink area to hold ready-to-use items and keep as much usable counter space as possible.

Adding a shelving unit into the corner of the bathtub/

shower provided easy access to items most often used and keeps clutter to a minimum.

A change was made to the black matte fixtures, a beautiful, large rainfall shower head with a handheld feature replaced the old one and chose a matching tap for the sink, which also got some TLC: fresh coat of white paint! The final touch to complete the shower/tub area was a black matte tray for those nights when a relaxing bubble bath and a glass of wine by candlelight is needed.

The process involved a lot of spray paint, hot glue, and patience. The bathroom is small and doesn’t have a window, so it needed to be made more inviting and serene.

The transformation was awesome. The look is calming, bright and looks spacious. The room is modern and is now in the modern era. The homeowner is quite naturally ecstatic and the team at Advo thanks her hot sharing this Transformation with us and we hope it will inspire you to do the same if not now for the holidays but certainly in 2023.

Now that this project has been done so well she’s ready to take on another room in the house. So keep visiting us @ www.advomag.com for our Build Fix Finish edition in 2023.

Advo Magazine features The Sylk Luxury Brand

The Sylk Luxury Brand was born out of the need for spiritual comfort. You might ask whatever does that mean. Well; It’s owner says that at a particular time, feeling there was a decline in spiritual well being, there was a strong need to get back to worship. Being creative was the way through the challenging time and so some ten (10) or so years ago the journey began.

The jewelry pieces complement the latest fashion colors and styles creating affordable, handcrafted, wearable art with innovative designs. The pieces are versatile, can be worn with jeans, sportswear, a suit, a cocktail dress, evening wear, and even to a formal wedding. Excellent gift items for both men and women

The Sylk Luxury Brand also offers the hosting of Sylk Blingz Parties.

Who doesn’t like to pamper themselves?

Pampering can take many forms and for most women manicures are top of the list. It is a way of taking care of your nails but can and does improve your mood when you see those nails bedazzled with colour and design.

For the season treat yourself to a manicure.

Here are some styles to chose from:

French tip

Swirled lines

Bedazzled

Go neutral, soft tones or jazz it up with colour. When you go we guarantee that you will feel like you’ve won a million dollars.

Christmas Trees

What are your decorating plans for this season. If you haven’t chosen a theme as yet the Advo team has some suggestions for you.

We are Caribbean people and we love color however some of us are traditional not venturing out or taking a radical plunge. So we share both the exotic and the traditional with you for you to make a decision.

Decorating can just be adding a tree, whether real or artificial. The real tree has its benefits and shortcomings, you have a tree for a short period of time and you have the scent of pine permeating your home throughout the season, the artificial tree is with you for life, stored and taken out as needed. What is your preference?

Colours for the tree can be tradition or exotic.

Red and gold, investing in these colours are great as this tradition has stood the test of time and is guaranteed to be on point year after year.

For glitz and glamour why not use gold and silver adding pearls with soft lighting, no colours. For those who are into sustainable decorations use paper and wooden decorations making your own and having your children included in the creation adds variety, absolutely no restrictions on colour.

We don’t have winter here but we can have a white tree decorate to your hearts content.

FRIED TURKEY RECIPE

Method

This could be an excellent alternative to those who don’t like baked turkey. Try this recipe for the season. A small turkey is needed 12 pounds or so

Ingredients

3 gallons of oil peanut oil preferably 1 turkey ( cleaned )

Seasoning Bajan style

Onion Black pepper

Salt Garlic

Fill to medium height a large stock pan with oil. Heat to at least 400 degrees.

Clean and rinse the turkey and pat dry. Rub seasoning inside and out. Let sit for half hour to marinate

Once oil temperature has been reached turn off in preparation for placing the turkey . Turn off heat then carefully place the turkey in the pot, in a basket if available. Turn the heat on mainitinng a 350 degree temperature.

Cook for 45 minutes uncovered until no longer pink and golden in colour.

Remove and drain . Use a thermometer to test core temperature, it should read at least 165 degrees and no more than 180 degrees

Finally transfer turkey to a platter to continue draining.

Once cooled slice and serve. Enjoy!

Christmas to Me

By:

Laurel Beckles Paul, Speech-Language Pathologist and Caleb Paul , Social Worker

“It’satimeofcelebrationandjoy,atimetobesurroundedbythosewecherishand createlastingmemories.”

Sure, who doesn’t love the presents, the food, the carols, the lights, the decorations and the merriment that Christmas time brings? It’s a time of year that people the world over eagerly look forward to. We love the feelings of warmth and excitement that comes with the holiday season but beyond the flicker of Christmas lights and the enticing aromas emanating from Christmas dinner, lies the true meaning of Christmas.

It’s a time of celebration and joy, a time to be surrounded by those we cherish and create lasting memories. It’s a time to show our appreciation for our loved ones and give back to those less fortunate. It’s a time to be generous and kind and to spread the spirit of

Christmas throughout the world. Christmas is a time to reflect on the past year and to look forward to the one ahead. It’s a time to be thankful for all the blessings we have received throughout the year.

Most importantly, it’s a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus and to remember the real, but often forgotten, reason for the season. Take some time to consider the greatest story ever told; Jesus Christ, who came to this earth to offer us the incomparable gift of hope. So of course! Enjoy the delectable fruitcake and unwrapping long-awaited presents but remember too, that HE is the reason for the season!

Happy Holidays from the Pauls!