19 minute read
Summer Says Sangria
by 55+ Life
It was 1964 and the United States got its first real introduction to Sangria at the World’s Fair in New York. Its humble roots started in Spain and today it is served in every establishment with their own spin on it. It is without question Spain’s most popular drink. It is served chilled and goes with just about anything. In my own words, “this is so good, it even goes with bad conversation.”
Sangria means bloodletting and can be traced back to the 18th century. I had my first run in with it in 1971 and since then we as a family, have been coming up with our own summer blends. It fits just about any occasion and makes everyone a lover. Who does not like a little wine with fruit and possibly other spirits mixed in?
The main ingredient is wine. Until modern times, water was not always safe to drink. People would bathe in it and even wash their horses in it. The only
BY ROD MICHAEL
safe liquid had to have some alcohol in it.
Do not forget that Spain is known for its vineyards dating to 200 BC and most households made some wine from fruits, grapes, or berries. It was easy to liven things up by adding some fruits and other ingredients to give something a different flavor. Sangria got it name from the locals, perhaps by watching the red juice flow out of the grapes when they were squeezed, hence “Bloodletting”.
Sangria is traditionally a red wine punch. The red version is typically made with a Tempraneillo grape from the Rioja Region. It can also be made with white wines or even Roses. The white version is called Sangria Blanco. In the south of Spain Sangria is typically called zurra and is created with peach or nectarine. If you want, you can even use a sparkling wine to make a nice bubbly version.
Typically, this beverage is made from red wine,
fruit juices, soda water, fruit and sometimes brandy. The beauty of this, you can do whatever strikes your palate and make it yours. Chill your wine overnight, add fruit let it get happy, and mix in a traditional Sangria pitcher. It is worth buying a pitcher, that you will use throughout the summer, plus it also prevents all the fruit from flying into your wine glass. Do take some fruit out of the pitcher and add to your glass to create a lovely piece of artwork. When choosing a wine glass, try one that can hold your drink and fruit.
You will become the mixologist, be sure to think about what fruits will go with a red wine and ones that will go with a white wine. We are using local fruits, so think peaches, nectarines, berries, apples, pears, pineapples, limes, and orange slices. I like tossing in a little Vodka, gin, a flavored liquor and some simple syrup to finish it off. Making sangria should be fun, so please smile and taste as you proceed. The red version will take a splash or two of brandy or whatever you think might make it taste better. Try to make this a day ahead so all the flavors get to meld, and you get a second chance to tweak the blend. Do experiment with different fruits and see what tastes you can come up with, all will taste good, some just a little better to your taste buds.
It is summer, we wait all year for this time, so why not say it with Sangria? This is a time
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for serendipity, do not buy a premade bottle, do it yourself. Sangria can keep for a couple days in the fridge but do me a favor this summer, as we continue to social distance, gather a small group of 10 or less friends and enjoy this delightful libation. _________________________________
Peach Sangria
Ingredients
1 bottle white wine (Spanish table wine or
Pinot Grigio) 1/3 cup sugar 3/4 peach brandy * less if you like less sweet 3 peaches, sliced 1/2 cup raspberries
In a large pitcher, mix together the wine, sugar and brandy. Add in the peaches and raspberries. Cover and refrigerate 2-4 hours. When ready to serve, pour into glasses. _________________________________
Red Sangria
Ingredients
1 bottle red wine (Spanish table wine or a Pinot Noir) 1/2 cup brandy 1 orange 1 lemon 1 lime 1 green apple Optional sweetener: add some simple syrup or orange juice
Add the wine, brandy, cut up fruit (small wedges) into a large pitcher. Cover and refrigerate for 2 or more hours. Serve over ice and if you like it fizzy, top each glass off with a splash of club soda. _________________________________
There is no right or wrong way to make sangria, it's personal preference. Play around, experiment and most of all have fun with it!
When did ELDERS become "the elderly?"
Many of us have buried parents, family and friends. We celebrate 40th or 50th high school reunions and mourn the loss of classmates we didn’t even know were gone. We approach an age when thoughts of mortality are also about our own. There are psychologists who have identified death as our biggest fear and underlying unconscious causal factor of many behaviors throughout our lives. We devote unfathomable resources and money to keeping people alive. There are medical protocols to insure health service providers do everything they can to keep us alive, unless we have made legal provisions otherwise. Keeping people alive beyond when it is time to depart is for another discussion and not to be twisted into a justification to not provide safety and effective medical and personal care to elders.
The Covid-19 pandemic has certainly illuminated many important matters, especially about ourselves, society, the nation and the world and yes, potentially the opportunity to see how all of life on the planet is interrelated
BY WILLARD WASHBURN
FIFTY-FIVE PLUS YEARS OF AGE MEANS MOST OF US READING THIS MAGAZINE ARE BABY BOOMERS, BORN BETWEEN 1946 AND 1964.
and interdependent. The coronavirus effects expose the disparities in our society, including people who are in extended care facilities or elders in general. Notice the shift in language. Language matters because it conveys our values. We have the choice to see those who are growing older in “new” ways that are old ways for many who gathered around elders to listen and learn from them as they grew-up with their presence and tutelage. This difference is a way of life for Native Americans.
As we grow older we physically degenerate, no matter how devoted we may be to exercise. The mind is not immune to the aging process, yet, we continue “to see” from where we have been in relation to what is happening around us. I learned as much from my mother’s grace when she suffered from dementia as I did growing-up with her and my father’s love & encouragement. Besides, just being together is what matters most. Why do we need to know what day it is when we are together or what we talked about last time? So we meet someone again that we knew before. Or reacquaint by reconstructing the relationship. Enjoy telling or hearing the story again. Is it our own fears about ourselves that compel us to bring elders into our world rather than
understanding and continuing to relate and learn from theirs?
The “Aging & Saging” phenomenon speaks to how we continue to learn, including how to live with growing older. That is different, as we may remind millennial sons & daughters, than referring to us as “old”. So when did elders become “the elderly”? I’m sure there are those with more expertise to offer perspective on its origins and history, but it certainly seems evident in modern day perspectives of Western originated societies. Sadly, it parallels how the “disadvantaged” perspective became the dominate educational paradigm and policy that contributed indelibly to the “other” language, phenomenon, and reference to people who are different from “what counts” in society and history. While perhaps not intended, disempowerment becomes the effect for far too many people, including elders.
Yet, what was it we said to our children at times or in thought about people not being smart and safe during the pandemic? “You know better.” And elders do, often by example. My wife and dear partner in life reminds us there are fewer days ahead of us than are behind us. We like to think
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there is a depth and lightness to our being, kinda like the glow of a beautiful sunset at the end of the gift of another day. Like life, beauty can take on such meaning as we grow older.
I am a hopeful realist about any and all that I share. My hope will remain with our younger people and how they can “learn something” from the wisdom of elders in the many forms it may take, as we also learn from them. Lastly, perhaps with some wisdom I may offer, the multifaceted aspects of loss inherent in the question posed is perhaps one of the greatest opportunities to learn and alter how we see and value each other, other forms of life, and the earth itself. Educational and human possibilities emerge in the dynamic of human experience. The collective future of our species depends on it. NYS Talking Book and Braille Library
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CAMPFIRES There is nothing as captivating and comforting as the crackle, flames and warmth of a campfire.
Iam easily transported to those days gone by and reminded just how quickly time passes. Nights sitting around a fire at Boy Scout camp learning how to build a fire with my friends. Nights sitting with my friends, who I grew up with, in someone’s backyard keeping the neighbors awake. Nights at our camp overlooking the lake discussing life with my children and their friends. These nights have prepared me for the new memories I will make around the fire this summer.
I feel that life goes into slow motion as I sit and gaze into the warming glow and beauty. So many times I have sat before this flickering of flames and shared wonderful moments with family and friends. A campfire is a moment in time where we gather to connect. Staring into the captivating fire’s flames, there is an opportunity to find your spirit. Fire is a magical and mysterious element.
As we sit together warming our souls, we can steal a glance into the star laden heavens and come right back to earth into the comfort of it’s hold. It is the soul enriching campfire that enables us to tell and listen to those stories that make life so beautiful and wonderful.
No matter our station in life, before the fire we are all one. Staring dreamily into its warmth and light, campfires reassure us that there is hope. All are welcome.
So, may the campfire open your heart and your mind, put a smile on your face and enable you to dream the dreams that only you can make come true and maybe you can even sneak in an extra s’more!
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Beat the Heat Frozen Iced Tea Pops – refreshing and tart! Beat the Heat Frozen Iced Tea Pops – refreshing and tart!
healthy hydration healthy hydration Rethink the way you hydrate! Rethink the way you hydrate!
Beat the Heat Frozen Iced Tea Pops Fruity Jell-O ® Cutouts Warmer weather is here, which means it’s a good time to think about hydration. Staying hydrated helps your body perform key functions like regulating temperature and transporting nutrients. Try these simple summery hacks to excite your taste buds and keep you going until the sun goes down. . Beat the Heat Frozen Iced Tea Pops In a large bowl, brew 1 Lipton ® Cold Brew Tea Bag in 2 Fruity Jell-O ® Cutouts Here’s a fun one to make with the kids. Heat 2 1/2 cups Warmer weather is here, which means it’s a good time to think about hydration. Staying hydrated helps your body perform key functions like regulating temperature and transporting nutrients. Try these simple summery hacks to excite your taste buds and keep you going until the sun goes down. . In a large bowl, brew 1 Lipton ® Cold Brew Tea Bag in 2 quarts of cold water for 3 minutes. Stir in 4 to 6 tablespoons Here’s a fun one to make with the kids. Heat 2 1/2 cups Creative Roots Mixed Berry Coconut Water Beverage in a quarts of cold water for 3 minutes. Stir in 4 to 6 tablespoons lemon juice, 3 to 4 tablespoons granulated sugar and a handful of fresh raspberries or peach wedges. Stir until sugar has dissolved. Adjust lemon and sugar to suit your taste. Pour the tea mixture into freeze pop molds or paper cups, and lemon juice, 3 to 4 tablespoons granulated sugar and a handful of fresh raspberries or peach wedges. Stir until sugar has dissolved. Adjust lemon and sugar to suit your taste. Pour the tea mixture into freeze pop molds or paper cups, and freeze for 1 hour. After an hour, push wooden craft sticks into each one so half of the stick is left out of the mold or cup. Creative Roots Mixed Berry Coconut Water Beverage in a medium pot until just boiling. Remove from heat and stir in 4 (3 oz.) packages Sugar Free Strawberry Jell-O ® . Continue stirring for 3 minutes, then pour into a 9 x 13 rectangular baking dish. Add a handful of fresh raspberries or blueberries to the medium pot until just boiling. Remove from heat and stir in 4 (3 oz.) packages Sugar Free Strawberry Jell-O ® . Continue stirring for 3 minutes, then pour into a 9 x 13 rectangular baking dish. Add a handful of fresh raspberries or blueberries to the top of the mixture, allowing the berries to sink into the Jell-O ® . Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, then cut into squares or use freeze for 1 hour. After an hour, push wooden craft sticks into Freeze the pops again until solid, at least 6 hours. Take out of top of the mixture, allowing the berries to sink into the Jell-O ® . small cookie cutters to create fun shapes. These fruity cutouts each one so half of the stick is left out of the mold or cup. the freezer when you’re ready for a delightfully tart treat. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, then cut into squares or use can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Freeze the pops again until solid, at least 6 hours. Take out of small cookie cutters to create fun shapes. These fruity cutouts Makes 30 cutouts. the freezer when you’re ready for a delightfully tart treat. Pop of Flavor Ice Cubes Fill an ice tray about 3/4 full with Smartwater ® Pineapple can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Makes 30 cutouts. Get creative with your fruity cutouts! Experiment with different flavor combos such as Creative Roots Watermelon Pop of Flavor Ice Cubes Fill an ice tray about 3/4 full with Smartwater ® Pineapple Kiwi flavored water and top with a small piece of strawberry. Or try with Smartwater ® Strawberry Blackberry flavored water topped with a fresh mint leaf. Freeze until solid, then Get creative with your fruity cutouts! Experiment with different flavor combos such as Creative Roots Watermelon Lemonade Coconut Water Beverage with Sugar Free Lemon Jell-O ® and chunks of strawberries, or Creative Roots Peach Mango Coconut Water Beverage with Sugar Free Orange Kiwi flavored water and top with a small piece of strawberry. add to a glass of water for a cool, refreshing beverage that Lemonade Coconut Water Beverage with Sugar Free Lemon Jell-O ® and chunks of diced apple. The summer fun goes Or try with Smartwater ® Strawberry Blackberry flavored has a pop of flavor and just a hint of sweetness! Jell-O ® and chunks of strawberries, or Creative Roots Peach on and on! water topped with a fresh mint leaf. Freeze until solid, then Mango Coconut Water Beverage with Sugar Free Orange add to a glass of water for a cool, refreshing beverage that has a pop of flavor and just a hint of sweetness! Jell-O ® and chunks of diced apple. The summer fun goes on and on! A simple trick: to estimate how many ounces of water you should be drinking daily for proper hydration, simply divide your weight in pounds by two. How much water should you drink? }
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