2015 Holiday Guide by Cheshire Herald

l i o H day Guide November 25, 2015

THE CHESHIRE HERALD, NOVEMBER 25, 2015

Two

Holiday Guide Shopping In Town Beneﬁts The Local Economy

oliday shopping dominates free time for many people between Thanksgiving and Christmas. While many people may shop ’til they drop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, those two days account for a relatively small percentage of the hundreds of billions of dollars that are spent each holiday season. Shoppers now have a plethora of options at their disposal as they check oﬀ their gift lists. Brick-and-mortar retailers are still around, and online shopping continues to grow in popularity every year. But many holiday shoppers are looking to buy local,

and that can benefit not only them but also the communities they call home. • Buying local benefits your local economy. Studies from Civic Economics, an economics and strategics planning firm, found that independent, locally-owned retailers return a far greater percentage of their revenue into their local economies than national chain stores. One such study examined the disparity between revenue recirculation among independent, locally-owned businesses in Raleigh, North Carolina, versus four major national chains in the city. The former recirculated 51.1

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percent of revenue into the local economy, while the latter recirculated less than 14 percent. Similar results were discovered in many cities. • Buying local creates jobs in your community. One of the biggest ways local business owners in Raleigh recirculated their revenue in the local economy was job creation. While national chains create jobs, those jobs tend to beneﬁt only the communities in which the chains are located. If your local mall is several miles away, chances are the stores there are not employing many of your fellow residents. Businesses in your community are more likely to employ residents of your town. • Shopping local may provide access to more unique gifts. Shoppers may ﬁnd merchandise made by local craftsmen is more unique than mass-produced items found on the shelves of national retailers. Recipients

may enjoy receiving more unique items that they cannot ﬁnd on their own, and that may spur them to visit more local retailers after the holidays, beneﬁting their own communities. • Local business may provide a more personal touch. Buying from national chains has its advantages, but customer service is not always one of them. Should your loved ones encounter problems with their gift that requires assistance, they might be forced to wait

on the phone for extended periods of time as they and thousands of others wait for customer service representatives to answer their calls. Local businesses do not deal with nearly the volume of customers as national retailers and, therefore, are capable of addressing concerns more quickly and personally than large chains. Buying local not only beneﬁts small business owners, but it also pays dividends for their customers and their communities.

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THE CHESHIRE HERALD, NOVEMBER 25, 2015

Three

Holiday Guide Choose Lighter Fare To Trim Thanksgiving Calories

tatistics indicate the average Thanksgiving dinner exceeds 3,000 calories—more calories than a person should eat in an entire day, much less a single meal. Many people admit to indulging in bigger portions and more fattening foods come the holiday season, but including some lighter fare can make the Thanksgiving meal healthier without sacrificing taste. Here are a few healthy substitutions or alterations hosts can make when preparing their Thanksgiving feasts. •Trim down the turkey. Play up the main course with aromatic seasonings or unexpected flavors. Use garlic, olive oil and basil to add a boost of flavor to turkey without having to rely on butter or salt. Marinate the bird with lemon juice and citrus marmalade for a sweet yet pungent flavor. Skip the bread stuffing and make a stew of roasted root vegetables instead. •Opt for turkey breast. White meat turkey tends to have less fat and fewer calories than dark. Serve just a turkey breast, which will not only cut down calories, but also the cooking time. •Make homemade cranberry sauce. Making your

own cranberry sauce means you can control the ingredients. Cut down on the amount of sugar used in the recipe or substitute it with honey or molasses. •Reduce the number of courses. Thanksgiving dinner often features multiple courses. Extra courses can be expensive, but such massive spreads also lead many people to overeat. Stick to two or three courses, and chances are guests will not miss the extra food. •Choose whole-grain breads. Sliced whole-grain breads or rolls paired with an olive tapenade will be flavorful and such breads are healthier than white bread and butter. •Flavor vegetables with herbs. Vegetables grilled or sauteed with fresh herbs may be so flavorful they will not need added dressings that tend to be rich or cream or butter-based. Have a wide variety of vegetable side dishes available so guests can fill up on healthier fare rather than more calorie-dense items. •Serve only low- or nocalorie drinks. Beverages can add a substantial amount of calories to Thanksgiving meals. Give guests the option of sparkling water or

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Opt For Nutrition even diluted cider so they’re not ﬁlling up on sugary sodas or other high-calorie beverages. •Serve fresh fruit for dessert. Create a fresh fruit salad that can be served in lieu of fatty cakes and pastries. •Plan other activities besides eating. Don’t make the meal the centerpiece of the celebration. Plan activities, such as a game of touch football in the yard or a walk around the neighborhood to give guests the opportunity to burn oﬀ some of their meal.

•Whole wheat or multigrain pasta: These low-calorie alternatives to traditional pastas are now available in many chain grocery stores as well as organic markets. A two-ounce serving of whole wheat or multigrain pasta includes about seven grams of protein and six grams of fiber. •Nonfat Greek yogurt: Nonfat Greek yogurt is a great low-calorie source of protein, making it a great snack option that can boost afternoon energy levels. Single serving containers tend to be right around six ounces, and that six ounces can include 120 grams of protein or more. •Russet potatoes: One medium-sized Russet potato has about 170 calories and three grams of fiber, five grams of protein and 25 percent of your daily recommended dosage of potassium. Russet potatoes also are high in vitamin C and iron. •Fresh spinach: A four-cup serving of fresh bagged spinach is just 20 calories and loaded with viSee FOODS, page 11

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THE CHESHIRE HERALD, NOVEMBER 25, 2015

Four

Holiday Guide Organization Is Key To A Stress-Free Holiday Meal

large meal is customary for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Planning an impressive holiday menu can be enjoyable for many people, while others get a little nervous when tasked with such an undertaking. But getting a head start and staying organized can make planning a Thanksgiving meal much easier than it looks. Begin by jotting down ideas of which dishes you want to make this year. Traditional foods like turkey and candied yams may be expected, but it’s perfectly acceptable to think outside the box as well. If you won’t be hosting a large crowd, you may want to serve more manageable Cornish hens in place of a larger turkey. Root vegetables and squash are seasonal foods that can add some autumn ﬂavor to your Thanksgiving dinner table. Potatoes, corn, turnips and parsnips can be served baked or turned into soups

and casseroles. Thanksgiving is a great time to celebrate local foods as well. If certain items are native to your area, such as grains or game, incorporate these foods into the planning. Once you have established the menu, you can make a list of what can be prepared in advance and what will need to be made shortly before the holiday or the day of. Separate your shopping accordingly. Any frozen or canned products can be purchased in advance of the holiday rush and stored until use. Frozen turkeys also can be bought weeks before and then thawed out when they need to be cooked. Any dairy products or fresh produce should be purchased a few days before Thanksgiving and freshly prepared for optimal ﬂavor. Rather than spending all of your time cooking the night before the dinner, mashed

potatoes and casseroles can be prepared and frozen, then reheated on Thanksgiving. Some foods actually taste better when flavors have had an opportunity to meld. Even some baked goods can be made in advance and refrigerated or frozen until use. Think about preparing batters for cookies or cakes and then storing them in the refrigerator before finishing them on Thanksgiving. Any work you can handle in advance will save you time in the kitchen come the big day. Timing can be challenging on Thanksgiving. Whenever possible, free up your oven for side dishes and desserts so that you will have ample space inside. A turkey can take up valuable real estate in the oven, so you may want to consider investing in a rotisserie or a deep-fryer so the turkey can be cooked more efficiently elsewhere. Then you will have plenty of oven space for heating side dishes

and desserts. Dense foods should be placed in the oven ﬁrst to enable them to heat thoroughly. Finger foods and appetizers may only need brief heating. Do not underestimate the power of the outdoor barbecue for quickly heating up foods if you are short on space in the kitchen. Delegate some of the work to others on Thanksgiving so you and your family can better enjoy the holiday. Encourage guests to bring their favorite items to serve

buﬀet- or pot-luck style for Thanksgiving. This not only cuts down on the amount of work for the host and hostess, but gives guests an opportunity to showcase their culinary skills as well. Desserts are often laborintensive elements of entertaining. Precision in measuring and preparing helps guarantee success. If you do not have the time to bake this Thanksgiving, serve store-bought cakes and save yourself the hassle, or ask See BREAK, page 15

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THE CHESHIRE HERALD, NOVEMBER 25, 2015

Five

Holiday Guide AAA Offers Ways To Reduce Holiday Travel Stress

otor club AAA says that roughly 43 million people travel at least 50 miles from home for the Thanksgiving holiday. With so many people flying the friendly skies or on roads or railways, there is a good chance individuals will encounter delays and some frustration. Following a few tips can make the experience a bit easier. Flying •Book flights early. Come the holidays, lastminute deals are few and far between. The best way to ensure you get the flight time you want for the best price is to book as early as possible.

other necessities, you’ll have peace of mind that being late won’t hamper those plans. Driving •Save up personal time and leave work early. Peak travel times for Thanksgiving driving include Wednesday afternoon when many businesses close early for the holiday. If you leave then, there’s a good chance you will be sitting in traffic with the thousands of other travelers who decided to get a head start by leaving at 3 p.m. If you can, take off from work on Wednesday and leave in the morning. Or do the bulk of your driving at night. •Pack a GPS device with you. Busy holidays could mean a greater propensity for accidents or traffic jams. Don’t be caught off guard by not knowing a detour around the hold-up. Having a GPS with you can help you to stay abreast of traffic patterns and get out of trouble should

dinner on time. •Know security protocol. Visit the airline’s web site or call in advance to learn your carrier’s Dos and Don’ts. Security measures at airports have changed and may be tighter in light of current events in Europe. Know the restrictions in regard to liquids or toiletries to save time and ensure you make your ﬂight. •Pack lightly. Baggage check and claim can take up precious minutes. If your Thanksgiving trip will be brief, bring along only one carry-on per person (the amount allowable for most airlines) and easily board the airplane. •Arrive early. Arrive at the airport as early as you can, ideally 2 to 3 hours before your ﬂight. This enables you to check in bags and get to the gate. Should you have to make changes to seats at the gate or take care of any

Some people book their tickets a year in advance if they know they will be traveling for Thanksgiving. A safe bet is to do so two months before so you will have options, including seating family members together and avoiding connecting flights. •Cheaper flights can be had on Thanksgiving. Long lines and bigger crowds peak the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. If you want to avoid crowds and save a little money, consider traveling on Thanksgiving Day. If you’re traveling west, you may be able to take advantage of the time change and book an early flight—and still make it to

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Holiday Events at Cheshire United Methodist Church

Dec. 6 - HOLIDAY SOUP AND SALAD with bell-ringing and carol singing!

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ere are a few turkey tidbits that may surprise you. •The turkey’s scientific name is “meleagris gallopavo,” the wild turkey from which the domesticated turkey descends. Another species is the ocellated turkey, which is native to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. •By the early 1900s, the wild turkey neared extinction. Restoration projects have increased the number of turkeys from approximately 30,000 birds back then to nearly seven million now. • Despite their size, turkeys can fly in the wild. They often perch in trees to sleep and avoid predators. Some domesticated turkeys may not fly because they have been bred to be overly large to produce more breast meat. • The heaviest turkey ever raised was 86 pounds. • A male turkey is called a “tom” or a “gobbler,” while female turkeys are referred to

your main travel route become blocked. •Prepare the vehicle. There’s nothing worse than having turkey and pumpkin pie on your mind when you are standing roadside with an inoperable car. Schedule a tune-up before travel to make sure you are set for the trip. Have a spare tire ready and any tools necessary should you have a blow-out. •Pack snacks. Hunger pangs can make tempers rise when you are stuck in traﬃc. Although there will be plenty of food at your destination, pack snacks (especially if kids are traveling) so that falling sugar levels or grumbling stomachs do not add stress to the trip. Millions of people will be visiting friends and relatives for the Thanksgiving holiday. Keep travel-related stress at bay by having a travel plan and setting oﬀ as early as possible.

Cheshire United Methodist Church

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from Elim Park

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THE CHESHIRE HERALD, NOVEMBER 25, 2015

Six

Holiday Guide Host A Festive Gathering With A Unique Flair

ntertaining season is in full swing, and many people’s social calendars are ﬁlled with parties, dinners and family gatherings. For those serving as host or hostess, setting your event apart from others can be challenging but not impossible. Explore these ideas to breathe new life into holiday parties. •Choose a creative date. The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day tend to be the busiest of the holiday season, so think about hosting your event outside of this four-week span. A pre-Thanksgiving party or something in mid-January may be more amenable to busy guests. Parties that fall outside of the usual time period may be a welcome change for guests who are simply stretched too thin during the heart of the holiday season. •Choose an unusual party time. Cocktail parties are the norm come the holiday season, so switch things up for your soirée. Host a brunch or luncheon, which ﬁgures to be less expensive than cocktail or dinner parties. •Invite children to the event. For a depar-

ture from the more typical adults-only holiday parties, include children in the festivities this year. Seeing the magic of the holidays through the eyes of children can add life to your party, and it can save you and your guests the cost of childcare. •Create a photo montage. Collect images of your guests from the last year and create a slide show. Guests will likely enjoy reliving the previous 12 months and look forward to making some memories in the year to come. •Throw a party you yourself would love to attend. Instead of thinking of ways to make your party the best or the most unique for guests, figure out your likes and what makes you comfortable. If you are relaxed and enjoying yourself, there’s a good chance that demeanor will rub off on your guests. The holiday season is littered with parties, many of which are difficult to distinguish from one another. But party hosts can take several steps to set their shindigs apart from other holiday gatherings.

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Let A New TraditionTake Hold Try a “Friendsgiving” dinner for friends, family and colleagues at the end of autumn harvest season. Encourage guests to bring a postcard from somewhere around the world to use as a dinner table place card. This simple idea inspires interesting conversation. Assemble a graceful tablescape using marble and wood serving trays, vintage tablecloths and a tiered cake stand to create an elegant display guests won’t soon forget. The More, The Merrier! Family members always make the holiday dinner guest list, but hosting at this time of year is about opening our homes to lots of people, whether they share our last names or not. Inviting some fresh faces can stimulate engaging conversation and even lift the spirits of someone who might not be able to make it home for the holidays.

THE CHESHIRE HERALD, NOVEMBER 25, 2015

Seven

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THE CHESHIRE HERALD, NOVEMBER 25, 2015

Eight

Holiday Guide Minimize Frustration With Some Light-Stringing Tips

oliday lighting displays are a beloved tradition come December, as homeowners and businesses alike string lights to make the season even more festive. Stringing lights can be tricky, but the process can go smoothly if doit-yourselfers employ a few tricks of the trade. The best time to hang outdoor lights is before the weather gets especially cold and wet. Some people like to hang their lights before American Thanksgiving, which falls on the fourth Thursday of November,

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while others hang their lights on the days after Thanksgiving. No matter when you hang your holiday lights, make sure you do so when the conditions outside are comfortable and safe. Even if you do not plan to hang the lights early in the season, start your preparation early. Remove the lights from storage and inspect them to check for bulb outages or frayed wires. Sketch out your lighting plan, including which architectural features of the home you plan to highlight. Set the ground work by running and

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attaching extension cords and setting up any timers you plan to use. If this is the ﬁrst time you are lighting up your home’s exterior or if you are trying a new lighting scheme, use a tape measure to determine the width and height of the area you will cover. Then measure the length of each strip of lights you will use. Multiply accordingly to best estimate how many strings of lights will be needed. It’s much less stressful to have an extra box of lights on hand than to realize when you’re up on the roof that you have run out of lights and need to purchase more. Invest in a few packages of light clips or nail-on fasteners. These devices attach to the gutters or siding to make it much easier to string up lights. If they are inconspicuous, some clip styles can be left up for several years, saving you more time in the years to come. Space the clips about 12

Additional Lighting Tips * Tailor lighting displays to the style of your home. Let them complement the architecture as well as the neighborhood. * Borrow ideas from neighbors but do not copy them to a tee. * If you are new to the neighborhood, ask neighbors what is typical for lighting displays on your street. * Dress windows from the inside if you do not want to scale the exterior of your home. * Net lights and other products are designed to make covering bushes and trees easier.

inches apart, or as needed to keep the lights taut. Do not use staples or nails to hang lights, as they can wear away at the wire covering and insulation, creating an electrical ﬁre hazard. It helps to have a buddy who can work with you when hanging your lights. This person can feed you strings of lights and also hold or adjust the ladder as needed. Once your equipment is in place, start at the closest electrical outlet. Continue to work around the perimeter of the home, clipping the lights

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and adding new strands as necessary. Remember to pay attention to the electrical load limit for the outlet. Do not connect too many strings of lights together. If necessary, use multiple outlets and ensure the outlet and a timer (if used) can handle the combined amperage of all the light strings. Use caution when working with strings of lights. They are not very durable and it may not take much tugging or bending to break wires and render strings unusable. If stringing holiday lights makes you nervous, consider hiring a professional decorating service to hang them for you. Such companies will hang your lights and create impressive lighting displays.

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THE CHESHIRE HERALD, NOVEMBER 25, 2015

Ten

Holiday Guide Try This Tasty Take On Sweet Potatoes

weet potatoes are a staple of many families’ Thanksgiving dinner tables, and diﬀerent cooks have their own special sweet potato recipes. Those trusted with hosting this Thanksgiving who don’t have their own unique take on sweet potatoes might want to consider the following recipe for “Herb-Roasted Garnet Sweet Potatoes” from Jill Lightner’s “Edible Seattle: The Cookbook” (Sterling Epicure). Herb-Roasted Garnet Sweet Potatoes Serves 4 3 1 1 1 3

tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, minced teaspoon minced fresh sage teaspoon minced fresh oregano medium garnet sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1⁄4-inch dice Kosher salt

1. Preheat the oven to 375° F. Spray a large roasting pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the olive oil and herbs. Add the sweet potato dice to the mixture, and use your ﬁngers to coat them well. Season with salt to taste. 2. Transfer the mixture to the prepared roasting pan. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, until your desired consistency is reached, whether you want them a bit ﬁrm or fork-tender. Edible Tip: A good alternative variety to Garnet sweet potatoes are Red Jewels, which are easy to come by at both farmers’ markets and local grocers. Look for a deep, bright color, and be sure to cook them fairly quickly after purchase. Keep in mind that, unlike white potatoes, sweet potatoes do not store very well.

Celebrating Chanukah

erhaps due to its proximity to Thanksgiving and Christmas, Chanukah tends to be the most widely celebrated Jewish holiday in America, and, this year, begins on Sunday, Dec. 6. Even though it considered a minor holiday, Chanukah is important to families across the globe. The basis of Chanukah is rededication to the faith, it very well may be an instrumental celebration for families rediscovering the roots of their beliefs. Chanukah celebrations bear signiﬁcance for the thousands of people who celebrate each year. While Chanukah is steeped in tradition, the following are a handful of ways you can add a creative spin to your family’s festivities this year. •Light: One of the major tenets of Chanukah is how light can lead a person through dark periods. This is typically exempliﬁed by the lighting of the menorah, which is prominently placed in windows or other visible areas of celebrants’ homes. This Chanukah, spend time with someone who may be dealing with an illness or the loss of a loved one. You may be the light that inspires this person each day. Give candles to friends and family members to symbolize the light that will shine in the future. •Oil: Another component of Chanukah celebrations is the focus on how a one-day supply of oil somehow lasted eight days during the rededication of the temple’s menorah. Many ways to include oil in celebrations exist. Some people like to get creative in the kitch-

en, serving fried foods and desserts. Give gifts of oil, such as fragrant essential oils that can be used in potpourri or in the bath or shower. Working alongside their parents, children can see how a wick drenched in oil can serve as an efficient lighting source and decorate the home with homemade oil lamps. •Twenty-five: The number 25 is significant when celebrating Chanukah. The word Chanukah can be divided into two: Chanu, meaning “they rested,” and Kah, the numerical value of 25. On the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, the Maccabees rested from their battle with the Greeks and triumphantly marched into the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Invite 25 people to celebrate with you or ask children to make murals with 25 different adornments. •Charitable giving: Gift-giving is now a component of Chanukah celebrations, but it wasn’t always. Greater importance was once placed on the lighting of candles to publicize the miracle and evangelize the faith. Some poor people could not afford candles, and these people would go door-to-door for candle funds, or “gelt,” to be able to purchase candles and kiddush wine. Some Jewish families prefer to give money rather than gifts on Chanukah to keep with the tradition of Chanukah gelt. However, families also can incorporate charitable giving in their celebrations as a way to reinforce the customs of giving to the poor.

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THE CHESHIRE HERALD, NOVEMBER 25, 2015

Eleven

Holiday Guide Find Ways To Maintain Your Workout Routine

etween decking the halls, visiting family and attending parties, it may seem like there is little time to maintain a workout routine during the holiday season, but men and women who plan ahead and stay dedicated to their routines do not need to let their health fall by the wayside until January. Studies show that people can gain from one to a few pounds between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Although that might not seem like a lot of weight, a report in The New England Journal of Medicine noted that many people never lose the weight they put on during the holidays. Those who struggle to keep the weight oﬀ understand the importance of maintaining both a consistent ﬁtness schedule and healthy eating habits. This may be challenging when the rich foods and parties synonymous with the holiday season are around to threaten healthy habits. Here’s how to stay on course. •Establish a regular exercise date. Treat exercise as any other obligation on the calendar. Make it a necessity and not a luxury. Schedule time for workouts, even if it means removing something else from your agenda. •Don’t worry about the length of your workouts. If you’re accustomed to an

hourlong workout but cannot ﬁt in more than 20 minutes on some days, don’t skip the workout simply because it’s shorter. Make the most of that time by targeting larger, core muscles.

•Change your schedule. You may need to alter your daily schedule to ﬁt in gym workouts or other exercise. Try getting up earlier and heading out prior to work or school. This will open up time throughout the rest of your day, and you can use that time to meet the demands of the holiday season. •Get a trainer or a workout buddy. It’s far easier to blow oﬀ a workout when you go it alone. However, if you have a workout partner who is counting on you and vice versa, you may be less inclined to miss a workout— even when you’re not especially motivated to hit the gym. •Try new activities. Workouts need not be limited to exercises in the gym.

Plenty of activities work the body and burn calories. Sledding, ice skating, skiing, and snowboarding are just a few winter sports that can help you stay in shape. •Choose a hotel with a pool or gym. If holiday travel is on your itinerary, select a hotel that has fitness equipment. This way you can keep up with your routine. Even swimming a few laps in an indoor pool can provide a cardiovascular workout while you’re on vacation. Remember, it only takes a two-week break from exercise to experience a fitness regression, and you will only have to work harder to get back to your current fitness level if you let exercise slide too long. •Add short, high-intensity exercises. Burn more calories in less time with high-intensity workouts. This way you won’t need to schedule as much time for workouts but will still get the benefit of exercise. •Transform chores into exercise opportunities. See that vacuum cleaner, rake or broom as a piece of exercise equipment. While cleaning up for holiday company, turn on the radio and get your heart pumping, too. Do leg raises while you’re preparing meals or do some pushups off of the kitchen counter.

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•Use your bodyweight. Even if you can’t make it to the gym, rely on your own body resistance for a thorough workout. Pushups, squats, burpees, mountain climbers, jumping rope, and lunges are some exercises that rely on bodyweight for eﬀectiveness. •Periodically exercise during the day. If you have a few free moments here

and there during the day, use these opportunities to exercise. By the end of the day, you may find you squeezed in an entire workout’s worth of exercise over the course of several 10-minute intervals. Exercise and fitness do not have to play second fiddle to other holiday activities. Make time for workouts, and you will be ahead of the game come the new year.

Foods To Boost Nutrition continued from page 3 tamins and nutrients and provides 160 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin A and 40 percent of the daily value of vitamin C. Spinach is also a great source of folic acid, which can help prevent heart disease, stroke and certain types of cancer. •Dried lentils: Dried lentils make great additions to salads, soups and stews and pack a nutritious punch despite their relatively small serving size. A single serving of dried lentils is 1/4 cup, and that serving includes 10 grams of protein and 11 grams of ﬁber. •Brown rice: A single 1/4 cup serving of brown rice has roughly 20 less calories than a similar serving of traditional white rice, and brown rice is also a much greater source of dietary ﬁber (1.8 grams) than white rice (0.4 grams). Brown rice also is rich in selenium, which can reduce a person’s risk of developing arthritis, certain cancers and heart disease.

THE CHESHIRE HERALD, NOVEMBER 25, 2015

Twelve

Holiday Guide Reduce Holiday Waste By Resusing And Recycling

any families anticipate holiday gatherings for months. Such gatherings bring together friends and family members who may not see one another much throughout the year. Food tends to be plentiful at holiday gatherings, so it should come as no surprise that the holiday season generates a good deal of waste. In addition, energy consumption is high during the holiday season. The United States Environmental Protection Agency says household waste generally increases by 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day — equalling about 1 million extra tons of waste. The Worldwatch Institute states that the same period of time generates three times as much food waste as other times of the year. Making the holiday season more sustainable does not mean families must give up

their cherished traditions. Here are several tips to help make your holiday celebrations a bit more eco-friendly. •Cut down on packaging. When shopping, seek items that are minimally packaged or shop at retailers that offer package-free products. Packaging accounts for a considerable portion of the trash that ends up in landfills. Shopping at local stores and craft fairs can help you avoid too much plastic packaging. •Decorate with efficient products. Making a home look festive is part of many families’ holiday celebrations. Opt for LED holiday lights, which last longer and use a fraction of the energy of traditional lights. Use soy or beeswax candles and incorporate as many natural items, such as fresh evergreen boughs, branches and berries, as you can find in your decorations. •Shop smart. Shop at food stores that stock local

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products so foods do not have to travel great distances to reach your table. Take advantage of local farm stands and other vendors that pop up in the autumn. Remember to bring reusable shopping bags with you on any shopping excursions so you can reduce your reliance on paper and plastic bags. •Reduce food waste. People often cook extra food for the holidays out of fear of not having enough for guests. But leftovers often end up going to waste. Use plan-

ners to determine how much food to cook for the number of guests you will be having. Keep portion sizes healthy by selecting smaller dinner plates. Provide foods that are hearty and satisfying, such as rich proteins and complex carbohydrates. Promptly wrap and refrigerate leftovers so they don’t spoil. •Use reusable dishes and ﬂatware. Avoid paper and plastic utensils, instead opting for ones that can be used again and again. Take out your ﬁne china or a fes-

Watch What Fido And Fluffy Eat

et owners tend to be very selective when choosing commercial pet foods, but sometimes they’re less discerning when they offer scraps of their own food to pets. It can be hard to resist the pleading eyes of a pet looking for a handout from the dinner table. While it is generally fine to offer a tidbit here and there, even small amounts of certain foods can cause illness, or even death. Some foods people eat can be toxic or even lethal to pets. Avocado, for example, contains persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Birds and rodents are also sensitive to avocado poisoning. Grapes and raisins are other seemingly healthy foods that can be harmful to pets. The toxin in these fruits is unknown, but grapes and

raisins can cause kidney failure. Cyanide is present in the seeds/pits of plums, pears and peaches, making these fruits potentially hazardous as well. The ASPCA lists coffee, caffeinated products and chocolate as dangerous for pets as well. These items contain substances called methylxanthines that, when ingested by companion animals, can cause vomiting, panting, hyperactivity, tremors, and seizures. Dark chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate. Baking chocolate is the most toxic kind of chocolate to dogs. Foods and products artificially sweetened by xylitol will cause insulin release in many species, and this can lead to liver failure. Keep pets away from chewing gum, candy and toothpaste. Common herbs like on-

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tively patterned service set to use. Keep the dishwasher empty so that you can load it up with dirty dishes and run a full load to save even more energy. •Reuse gift wrapping and accessories. Save wrapping paper and other decorative paper products to use at a later date. Keep a container full of bows and ribbons that are still in good condition as well. Gift bags can often be used several times before they begin to exhibit signs of wear and tear.

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ions, chives and garlic can cause gastrointestinal irritation and may lead to red blood cell damage. Cats are more susceptible than dogs to these foods, but each species can be aﬀected negatively. Dog owners have frequently oﬀered animal bones as a treat. However, these bones may harbor bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illnesses. Furthermore, bones can splinter while they are being chewed, potentially lodging in the esophagus or intestines of the pet. The following are some additional human foods and beverages that should not be given to pets: •alcoholic beverages •apple seeds •hops •macadamia nuts •moldy foods •mushrooms •potato leaves and stems •salt •tea •tomato leaves and stems •yeast dough •walnuts

THE CHESHIRE HERALD, NOVEMBER 25, 2015

Thirteen

Holiday Guide A Thanksgiving Quiz

hanksgiving is celebrated in the United States and Canada with similar parades and fanfare. In both countries, it is a day to be thankful for life’s blessings and to enjoy the company of family and friends during a special meal. Although we celebrate Thanksgiving every year, many of us may not be aware of some of its interesting history. Test your knowledge of general trivia.

3. Pilgrims from Europe associated with Thanksgiving are purported to have sailed across the Atlantic to reach North American on which ship? a. Daisy b. Mayflower c. Santa Maria d. Roseflower 4. Which tribe of Native Americans taught Pilgrims how to cultivate the land, contributing to the first Thanksgiving? a. Algonquin b. Lenape c. Shoshone d. Wampanoag 5. Fossil evidence shows that turkeys roamed the Americas how long ago? a. 10 million years ago b. 15 million years ago c. 20 million years ago d. 25 million years ago

4. D

5. A 6. B

7. C

Answers below:

7. In what year did Congress make Thanksgiving an oﬃcial national holiday in the United States? a. 1932 b. 1939 c. 1941 d. 1946 8. Twenty precent of the overall consumption of this type of fruit is done on Thanksgiving. a. apples b. cranberries c. cherries d. grapes 9. The ﬁrst Canadian Thanksgiving was a welcome-home celebration for Sir Martin Frobisher when he returned to which area of the country? a. Albert b. Manitoba c. British Columbia d. Newfoundland 10. Canadians sometimes call Thanksgiving in the United States by this name to distinguish it from their own holiday. a. Yanksgiving b. Amerigiving c. Turmerica d. USthanks 2. A 3. B

2. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on which day of the week in Canada? a. Monday b. Tuesday c. Wednesday d. Thursday

6. Three diﬀerent deboned types of poultry go into this Thanksgiving meal alternative. a. Orange duck b. Turducken c. Turkey chowmein d. Chixturck

1. C

1. Despite competing historical claims, the story most people associate with the ﬁrst American Thanksgiving took place in a colony in which state? a. Pennsylvania b. New Jersey c. Massachusetts d. Delaware

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he holiday season is a joyous time of year dominated by family reunions and seasonal soirees. And while kindness is a theme of the holiday season, this time of year can be especially unkind to personal budgets, many of which get stretched thin in the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Travel and shopping tend to do the most damage to budgets come the holiday season, when people hit the road to see family and friends, often with numerous gifts in tow. But the holiday season does not have to be so harsh on personal budgets, especially for those men and women who employ a few tricks of the trade to lighten their ﬁnancial burdens during this festive time of year. •Set spending limits. Many families, especially those that are very large, establish spending limits with regard to how much each person can spend on gifts for their loved ones. Such limits still allow holiday celebrants to exchange gifts with their family members, but limits help celebrants reign in their holiday spending as well. No one wants to begin the new year with heaps of debt or an empty bank account, so don’t be afraid to propose such spending limits to your relatives. •Share hosting duties. In addition to travel and shopping, hosting holiday parties requires a considerable ﬁnancial commitment on the part of the host. Rather than forcing holiday hosts to shoulder that burden on their own, families can share the hosting See KEEP, page 14

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THE CHESHIRE HERALD, NOVEMBER 25, 2015

Fourteen

Holiday Guide Keep Poinsettias Vibrant Throughout The Season

long with the fragrant evergreens and twinkling lights synonymous with the holiday season, poinsettias make up a key component of holiday decorating. Unlike holly and some of the other greenery that is commonly associated with the holidays, poinsettias do not naturally thrive in the colder temperatures. These plants originate in southern Mexico and were considered an exotic plant when first introduced to the United States by Joel Robert Poinsett, the first American ambassador to Mexico. Poinsettias can be fickle plants and ones that gardening novices may find challenging to maintain. The plants are comprised of green foliage, colorful (often red) flower bracts, and the actual flowers of the plants, which

are the red or green buttonlike parts nestled in the center of the bracts. Because they are a tropical plant, poinsettias can be damaged by exposure to low temperatures, even if they are only exposed for short periods of time. They should be wrapped and protected against the elements when brought home. For maximum plant life, poinsettias need to be placed near a warm, sunny window, or another area that has ample amounts of light. They thrive in temperatures between 60 and 75°F and should be kept away from warm or cold drafts. Water the plant whenever the surface feels dry to the

touch. Water until it drains out the bottom, but don’t let the plant sit in water. Overor under-watering can cause leaves to drop prematurely and wilt. If your home lacks in humidity, you may need to water the plant more frequently. Poinsettias do not need to be fertilized while the plant is in bloom. The Ohio State University Extension says poinsettias can be reﬂowered the following Christmas, but unless a yearlong schedule of care is observed, the results usually are not good. You can speak

duties, even if the party is still slated to take place at one person’s home. Make the holiday dinner a potluck aﬀair so holiday hosts don’t have to assume the cost of the entire meal on their own. Request family members bring certain items, asking one person to provide beverages for the night while another takes care of dessert. Sharing such duties makes the cost of hosting a large

holiday dinner much more manageable while freeing up time that holiday hosts can spend with their loved ones. •Make your own decorations. Holiday decorations go a long way toward feeding the festive atmosphere of the season. But store-bought decorations can be expensive. Instead of outsourcing your holiday decorating, make homemade decorations with materials purchased at a nearby arts and crafts store. Gather the

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ability of poinsettias makes it more convenient to buy new ones each year than try to foster regrowth. Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not poisonous to humans or animals, but they should not be ingested due to the potential for allergic reactions. Poinsettias can help remove pollutants from indoor air, which is advantageous during the winter months when doors and windows are typically kept closed. Select plants that have dark green foliage and no low or damaged leaves. This ensures the best success for keeping poinsettias looking healthy and vibrant throughout the holiday season.

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with a gardening expert or consult online resources for the proper care schedule. Caring for a poinsettia year-round involves gradually drying out the plant and storing it in a cool location. The plant later will be moved outdoors and then back inside and pruned to keep a full shape. Poinsettias are short-day plants, which means they flower about 10 weeks after the daylight shortens to about 12 hours or less. Therefore, to have the plant in full flower by Christmas, it will have to be kept in complete darkness between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. from the first part of October until Thanksgiving. Many people find the afford-

family together for a crafts night and enjoy this time spent together during what’s typically a hectic time of year. Homemade decorations also create lasting memories, as you and your family can enjoy reflecting on the fruits of your labors every holiday season for years to come. •Start shopping early. Though many holiday shoppers have been given such advice, very few take it to heart. Shopping early affords more time to find deals and comparison shop, and beginning your search for gifts early allows you to patiently wait for sales or other discounts that might not be available once the holiday season hits full swing. If you plan to purchase any big-ticket items well in advance of the holiday season, first confirm the return policy, specifically how long you have to return the gift, as you don’t want your loved one to end up with a gift they can’t return if necessary. The holiday season finds many people stretching their budgets. But men and women can employ several strategies to save money while still enjoying a memorable and festive holiday season.

THE CHESHIRE HERALD, NOVEMBER 25, 2015

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Holiday Guide Get Into The Spirit With Some Christmas Trivia

he holiday season has arrived, and millions of people across the globe will be celebrating Christmas with their families and friends. The following are some interesting tidbits to share with your loved ones this holiday season. • Each year, more than three billion Christmas cards are sent in the United States alone. • In 350 A.D., Pope Julius I, bishop of Rome, proclaimed December 25 the official celebration date for the birth of Jesus Christ. Many historians and theologians have surmised that Christ really wasn’t born this time of year, thanks to imagery and information from the Bible. • Christmas carols began as an English custom called “wassailing.” Individuals toasted neighbors to a long and healthy life. • Despite the common tale that three wise men paid homage to baby Jesus, the Bible never specifically calls out a number. Similarly, there’s no specific indication that they visited the infant Jesus. Their visit may have occurred when Jesus was

Break Meal Prep Into Manageable Tasks continued from page 4 guests to bring desserts so you can focus your attention on the main meal. While prepping for the Thanksgiving dinner, keep the dishwasher empty so you can easily load items as they are used and keep kitchen clutter to a minimum. Increasing the number of ﬁnger foods can help reduce the number of dishes used and

“Expect the Best” That’s All We Carry!

cut down on clean-up. When preparing for the meal, keep storage containers at the ready. Have guests ﬁll up take-away containers with leftovers before the table is cleared so that no food goes to waste. Promptly refrigerate all leftovers so that they are safe to enjoy later on. Thanksgiving is a time when big meals are customary and a good deal of work is

required. Breaking down the work into manageable tasks helps the holiday go oﬀ without a hitch.

older. • Santa Claus’ modern look was inspired by writings from The Knickerbockers of New York and imagery from Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” Moore denied authoring the famous poem for 15 years after it was published anonymously, feeling the poem was beneath his talents. • Santa has his own official postal code. It’s H0 H0 H0. • The song “Jingle Bells” was originally written for Thanksgiving and not Christmas. People loved it so much that the lyrics were changed to fit Christmas. • Christmas trees typically grow for 15 years before they’re cut and sold. This means the trees sold today were likely planted in 1999. • Christmas was not declared an official holiday in the United States until June 26, 1870. • Before turkey, the traditional Christmas meal served in England was a pig’s head and mustard. • Male reindeer tend to shed their antlers in the win-

ter. This means Santa’s reindeer are likely female. • Christ may have been born in a cave rather than a manger. According to the gospel of Luke, the shepherds that helped ﬁnd shelter for Mary to give birth kept their ﬂock in a cave. The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is built over a cave called the Grotto of the Nativity, where Jesus is believed to have been born. • Many people may be less inclined to stand under mistletoe waiting for a kiss if they knew what “mistletoe” means in the ancient Germanic language. It literally means “dung on a twig,” for the bird who eats the berries and then leaves seeds in droppings to propagate new plants. • Each holiday season, PNC Wealth Management calculates the costs of the gifts in the song, “The 12 Days of Christmas.” The price index for the gifts went from $12,673 in 1984 to more than $24,000 in 2011. The most expensive gift is the swimming swans.

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THE CHESHIRE HERALD, NOVEMBER 25, 2015

Sixteen

Season Sponsor

Foundation

December Events Elim Park Holiday Celebration • December 3, 2015 • 11:00am–2:00pm

Huge tag sale • Hand-made crafts • Apartment tours • Hot hors d’oeuvres and Christmas cookies

New Haven Symphony Orchestra Holiday Ensemble •

December 5, 2015 • 7:30pm

A traditional Christmas concert, with an array of seasonal classics featuring a brass ensemble, pipe organ and vocals.

St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble* •

December 10, 2015 • 7:30pm

Acclaimed Russian a cappella singers present All-Night Vigil by Sergei Rachmaninoff, along with Russian folk songs. Tickets to this event are cash only, available at the box office.

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December 20, 2015 • 2:00pm & 5:30pm

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