Livingston Life Dec 2020

Livingston High School Junior Starts Online Bakery

By Steve Sears

Livingston High School junior, Mackenze Glassman, recently started her own online bakery.

A wonderful thing: a high school student developing a keen business acumen doing what she enjoys.

There’s more. Some of her profit gathered from her peanut and tree-nut free bakery biz is in turn donated to a charity or organization.

She calls her business Sweets by Mackenze. Glassman, who is 15, intends on majoring in Business in college.

“In early March during quarantine,” she recalls, “I started to bake for my friends and family because I couldn’t see them, and it was just a hobby to pass the time. One of my friends actually really liked it, and she said that I should start a business, so then I went to my parents and said, ‘I want to start a business.’”

Heath and Taryn Glassman gave the okay, and it developed from there. Tastings were held with her family as she perfected her goodies, and a few weeks went by before Glassman felt comfortable enough to hang out the Sweets by Mackenze “awning,” she then creating – in addition to her baked goods – Facebook and Instagram accounts for her endeavor. She initially took orders during the week and then spent the weekend doing baking and deliveries, but now that she is home and in school just twice a week, her baking is done during off hours from school. “Basically, if someone messages or emails me and says they need something by a certain date,” she says, “I can try to accommodate it and fit it into my schedule.”

many colors. She also offers cookie pizzas and cookie cakes, Oreo brownie a big favorite in the latter category. Glassman often interacts with her little brother, Luke, (“He is kind of the mind behind some of my flavors,” says Glassman) and her Instagram followers as she experiments with different varieties of tastes and treats.

Any size order is welcome, and Glassman bakes to order (nothing is premade).

A key component to what Glassman does is being cognizant of food allergies she, her family, and her friends suffer with. “I’ve often tried baking for myself, and my friends and family, and I was trying out different recipes that were treenut and peanut free, because I have that allergy myself, and my father also has a severe dairy allergy, and so when I bake I always try to keep him in mind. So, my family and I can all enjoy them (the sweets) together and no one is excluded.”

Glassman’s initial creations were bigger sized cookies which she called XL, and from those she created mini cookies, the variety being chocolate chip, double chocolate chip, red velvet, sprinkles, smores, and sugar doodle. People also tend to favor her tie dye cookies, which are available in

Thus far, recipients of some of the Sweets by Mackenze profits have been the COVID19 Relief Fund, No Kid Hungry, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and she has also donated snacks to the Livingston Neighbors Helping Neighbors, and dinner and treats to the Livingston Police Department.

Her ultimate goal? “I’m hoping to combine my love of business and math and my love of baking and build a good experience for myself in college and later on in life.”

Orders can be made through Facebook Messenger on the Sweets by Mackenze Facebook page, Instagram (www. instagram.com/sweetsbymackenze/), and via email at sweetsbymackenze@gmail.com.

By Steve Sears

ISister Cities: Livingston, New Jersey, Meet Livingston, Montana

magine, a My Life Publications sister city has their own sister city, Naganohara, Japan. “We have a wonderful program,” says Leslie Feigel, CEO of the Livingston, Montana Chamber of Commerce, the second oldest chamber in the United States (it was started in 1909). The Helena, Montana COC is the oldest. “65 years in the making. It’s a wonderful program where we just flip kids – the children go there, and we have a bunch of their kids that come here every year and go to school here and live with host families.”

Livingston, Montana, which was incorporated in 1883, is the county seat of Park County, Montana, and is located on the Yellowstone River. “Our Yellowstone River is pretty much the heartbeat of much of the area of Montana, and it’s kind of odd because, as you go south, it goes up in elevation, so the Yellowstone River actually runs north. That’s kind of strange and is pretty cool.”

Livingston, Montana is surrounded by four mountain ranges. “The mountains are just so large and just take your breath away with how beautiful they are,” says Feigel. “Snow-capped mountains that for just one or two months out of the year, the snow melts

near the top and they’re beautiful for hiking. If you want to explore anything outdoor recreation related, this is the place to come to, and also see the first national site within a short drive from our downtown.” The mountains also give the town a unique distinction: it’s often listed as one of the windiest places in the country. One recent week during inclement weather, wind whipped through town at 119 miles per hour. “We are listed number one,” says Feigel. “Livingston has the highest clocked, sustained winds. The way Livingston sits between these four mountain ranges is the reason we get these winds. They come whooshing through the valley and down across the mountain and it just comes right through the center of Livingston.”

Livingston’s Main Street is where the historic buildings are found. The buildings are scattered in the downtown area, which is comprised of four blocks between Second and Main Streets. The structures, which all date back to the late 1800s, are on the National Register of Historic Places. Yellowstone in 1872 became the first designated national park in the United States. “Once they found that oddity, the mammoth hot springs in the park, they (tourists) just had

to travel and see it.” Visitors would get on a ferry or stagecoach and venture down into the valley to view the site.” Originally known as Clark City, where a few businesses were located as a ferry came up the Yellowstone River, the railroad also ventured from both the east and west coasts, and finally met in

the middle of the town in 1882, when Livingston was born. It was incorporated in 1883.

The current population of Livingston, Montana is roughly 8,000 residents, a far cry from Livingston, New Jersey’s nearly 30,000. There are currently eight hotels – the Murray Hotel, built in 1904, in town is one of the continued on page 5

By: Megan Roche

FLocal Writer Shares Special Connection to President Jimmy Carter

or then 33-year-old Bloomfield resident Steve Sears, the computer operator was slowly finding that his work was no longer fulfilling to him. Always having an interest in writing, Sears submitted many of his poems for consideration for publishing. That’s when all sorts of rejection letters came. Stopping by a bookstore after a long day at work, Sears found former President Jimmy Carter’s book of poems, Always a Reckoning and Other Poems, and picked it up. A fan of what he read, Sears penned the former president a letter, thanking him for keeping poetry alive while in the White House. After attaching some of his own poetry, Steve put the letter in an envelope, placed the stamp, and off it went to the Carter Center in Atlanta, GA.

Fast forward about a month to March 1995, an envelope from the Carter Center arrived in Bloomfield.

“I got the first page of my letter back. Both the second page of my letter, nor my poems were included in the response. The first page of my letter had a very kind note from him thanking me for writing to him, showing his appreciation for my liking his poems, and a PS that he liked mine,” Sears recalled.

This was no official correspondence though. Sears received a personal, handwritten letter from the former president.

sent from the Carter Center on official letterhead. There wasn’t anything really presidential about it at all. It was like he was writing to a friend. I remember telling my mom, and my mom said, ‘that sounds just like him.’ He was just so down to earth and that and the document itself is something I value to this day,” Sears said. That was the humble beginnings of where Steve Sears started his freelance writing career.

“What’s unique about the letter is that he just handwrote a response on the first page of my letter. There was no official letter

The letter still draws inspiration for Sears; it sits right next to his writing desk in his basement in a frame. Now 58 years old, Sears has made the freelance writing career lifestyle work for him. Looking back on his longevity in the freelance world, Sears passed along some advice to others who are looking to start their own freelance careers.

“Don’t let your career kill you and wear you down to the point where you don’t enjoy it anymore. You have to do something that you enjoy. No matter what you select, there are always going to be drawbacks, hard days, and peaks and valleys. But, you need to find out where the joy lies for you,” Sears said.

That letter from President Carter came in 1995, and this year marks the 25th anniversary of Sears receiving the reply. Sears plans on sending a follow up letter to the Carter Center with a photo of the original letter, just to thank the former President for providing some inspiration for a very new writer.

“A lot of people don’t know this, but when you write a letter to the White House, the interns respond to the letters. Our Pres-

continued on page 5

Local Writer...

continued from page 4

idents and Vice Presidents rarely see the correspondence that is sent to them, except in rare cases. This letter was very important to me, it was a huge source of encouragement, and it fueled my thirst for continuing on this writing journey.”

Sister Cities...

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historic spots to stay – as well as lodges to rest comfortably during a visit. Livingston also has twenty-four restaurants to dine at.

Films and even commercials have often set up shop in this picturesque area, as have celebrities. Newscaster Tom Brokaw, actor Peter Fonda, and actress Margot Kidder are among the recognizable names. “Dennis Quaid has lived here,” says Feigel. “Dennis Quaid – he actually played down at Chico (Chico Hot Springs: Montana Hot Springs Resort and Hotel) quite a bit and in the area.” Singer John Mayer has a

couple of homes in Livingston, one right on Yellowstone River. “We don’t really look at them as being different,” Feigel says. “Everybody is just who they are here. That’s why Livingston is just this very comfortable place for people who are movie stars because nobody treats you any different. Mayer will pop in, he’ll just grab his guitar, and sit down if there’s a band in there at the Murray bar and start playing.”

“It’s the perfect place to come and chill,” says Feigel of Livingston. “It’s a place where visitors and tourists like to come to and relax.”

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Before After

Before After

By Richard Mabey Jr.

The Christmas of 1973 was so very dear and precious to my heart. I was to learn the important spiritual lesson to never give up on a goal, even in the midst of trials and tribulations. I was 20 years old and my cousin, Howard Palmer, was 19. We both were born in early September, our birthdays were just a few days apart. So that was just one of the common bonds that welded our spirit of brotherhood to each other.

Howard suffered from Muscular Dystrophy. From about the time he was five years old, he was confined to a wheelchair. We were close cousins, in all so many ways we were closer than a lot of brothers are. Howard was a very intelligent boy. He was an incredibly talented artist. He developed his own unique style in both oil paints and water colors. His forte was landscapes. But, he also had a great talent for painting portraits.

In mid-December of 1973, Howard came down with pneumonia. It was a most sad thing. When he went into the hospital, I cried. When my mom told me the news that Howard was in the hospital, I took a walk in the woods behind my house, to the towpath of the old Morris Canal. I sat upon the foundation of my great grandfather’s old icehouse and I cried my eyes out. I knew that the odds were that Howard was not going to pull through.

Evening came and that night, I cried myself to sleep. Howard was always like a brother to me. During the summer time, I would hop onto my bicycle and ride the ribbon

A Christmas Story

of road of old Route 202, down to Howard’s house. We both lived on Route 202, about a mile apart. Howard lived in Montville, I lived in Lincoln Park.

We would sit at the kitchen table and I would write stories and Howard would draw and paint. I would arrive early morning to Howard’s house. I would help Aunt Bert, Howard’s mom, get Howard up from bed and into his wheelchair. Howard and I used to listen to Cousin Brucie play the hits on the old WABC-AM radio station, as we fulfilled our artistic and creative destinies upon that humble kitchen table.

Aunt Bert would be stirring soup at her stove, with home-made bread in the oven. Aunt Bert would make soup from scratch that would put canned soup to shame. At lunch time, I had the high honor of cutting the warm bread into thick slices. Howard loved to sop up the soup with his buttered bread.

When I saw Howard in the hospital, he was working on a painting for his dear mother. It was to be a surprise. It was early morning and there was Howard sitting up in his hospital bed, with his little bottle of oil paints spread all about his bed. It was a most heart-warming scene.

Howard was fully aware that his time on this earth was coming to a close. The good Lord blessed Howard with a private room, in the hospital. Howard and I talked and talked and talked about the hereafter, during my many times of visiting him in the hospital. While we talked, Howard would keep on working on his painting for his mom.

Howard told me that his blessed angel had come to visit him several times, since he was first admitted in the hospital. He spoke of his dreams of visiting with our rel-

continued on page 7

A rare photo of Cousin Howard (left-hand side of photo) in his classroom.

A Christmas Story...

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atives who had passed on. There was an ethereal calm in Howard’s voice. A kind of acceptance that he knew he was soon to leave this earthly existence and cross over to Heaven’s Gate.

Howard did finish his painting for his mom. It was a beautiful painting of a garden, with a white bench in its midst, a tall maple tree, and an angel in the sky. Truly, it was one of the most beautiful paintings I have ever seen in my entire life.

Christmas arrived. I had the high honor of being present, in Howard’s hospital room, when Howard gave his painting to his mom. I had brought the Christmas wrapping paper for Howard to wrap it with, the day before.

Aunt Bert cried when she opened her son’s heart-felt gift. We all cried. Grandma Kemmerer was there. Grandpa had passed away just two years ago. But, I felt Grand-

pa’s presence in spirit. My mom and dad and sister, Patti, were also there. Howard’s dad and his two brothers and his sister were also present.

Howard’s words were very simple. He looked at each and every one of us and simply said, “don’t cry. Please don’t cry. I’m soon going to be going Home to be with the Lord.”

In early January of 1974, Cousin Howard peacefully passed away.

My cousin Howard was a most courageous young man. I still miss him very much. I still deeply mourn his passing. His kind words still gently echo in my heart, “please don’t cry. I’m soon going to be going Home to be with the Lord.”

Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@ hotmail.com. Please place the wording “My Life Weekly” in the subject line.

By Henry M. Holden

TWas Santa Claus Invented in Morristown?

he image of Santa Claus is iconic. He strikes a portly figure, with a fluffy, white-as-snow beard, red coat with a white faux fur collar and cuffs, white fur-cuffed trousers, a red hat with white-fur trim, white gloves, and black belt and boots, carrying a bag of gifts for all good children. His jolly delivery makes young and old find a warm spot in their heart for this legend. And he is fondly remembered through the illustrations of Thomas Nast.

Thomas Nast (1840-1902) and his family moved from Germany to Elmhurst, N.Y. when Nast was six years old.

Nast was not a good student in the normal sense of the word, spending much of his time doodling. When his parents put him in art school when he was thirteen, he flourished almost overnight.

The original drawing, Santa was an elfish-looking figure wearing a brown fur suit with stars on it. Nast’s Santa grew in size and shape and the suit evolved into the ensemble that resembles the image of the jolly St. Nick that is ubiquitous today.

The first image of Santa Claus appeared in the 1862 Christmas issue of Harper’s Weekly, a political magazine of the day. By this time Nast was already known for his political caricatures.

The image was not the iconic and beloved figure we know, but a likeness of Nast in a Union encampment giving gifts to the Union soldiers, basically saying they were the good soldiers, and Confederate soldiers were the enemy, and would not get any gifts.

The Santa Claus idea had existed before Nast’s first illus-

tration in 1862. Nast drew a picture of Santa Claus, inspired by a poem composed forty years earlier by Clement Moore who had written, “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” better known as “The Night Before Christmas.” Moore had created the poem for the amusement of his six small grandchildren. But his wife had recorded the poem in the family Bible; and later made its way into print. Nast apparently read the poem and drew Santa Claus, with sleigh and reindeer, much as Moore had described him. Nast also modeled some of his early depictions of Santa after his own image, so, a lot of his early Santa Claus images resembled Nast.

Nast provided Harper’s Weekly with annual Christmas drawings until 1886. It was during this time that the iconic image we know today evolved.

Nast, a long-time Morristown resident, and Clement Moore, American professor of Biblical languages were responsible for creating the Victorian image of Santa Claus that we still know and use today. They gave the world a new image of St. Nicholas, one that would live in the hearts of children for generations to come.

Nast’s Christmas themed work allowed him to use the Morristown neighborhood in which he lived and its backdrop of spires on the town’s churches, to drawings views of the town frequently in his Christmas drawings. In the latter part of the 19th century, there were no less than seven churches within a few blocks of Nast’s Morristown home, and most of them still exist.

Nast and his family lived in a house on Macculloch Ave, (Villa Fontana) across from the Macculloch Hall and Muse-

The original Santa Claus wore a fur jacket with stars on it and hardly resembles the Santa we have come to know and love.

Mark

Gialluisi

917-583-8190

Email: mark@gialluisihomes.com

Website: gialluisihomes.com

Santa has evolved into the iconic figure that children love. (Credit Henry M. Holden)

continued from page 8 um (which today holds a large collection of Nast’s work). The house still stands but is under private ownership.

This side of Nast’s work is significantly different from the world of political cartoons he is most famous for. Nast is most remembered for his cartoons that took down, “Boss” William M. Tweed, and the

Tammany Hall Democratic party’s political machine in New York City, in 1871.

Tweed was arrested, broke out of jail, fled to Cuba and Spain, before being extradited and dying in a New York City jail, in 1878.

Nast is often considered to be the “Father of the American Cartoon”.

What to Look for in an Infant Day Care

It can be challenging to raise a baby even in the best of times, but many parents need additional support for the education and care of their young children amid the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, both parents work in nearly two-thirds of families with children. The number of working single parents is even higher.

However, as long as teachers and staff follow rigorous health and safety practices, day care centers are among the safest places for children right now.

“More than ever before, families are struggling with balancing the need to return to consistent routines with concerns about the possible health risks to their children,” said Dr. Elanna Yalow, chief academic officer of KinderCare Learning Centers. “Our rigorous safety protocols give families confidence they can count on our programs when traditional support systems may not be available.”

Although the decision to place your baby in someone else’s care can be difficult, the benefits of day care can be significant, especially for children who start a program as babies. Consider these important factors when choosing an infant day care.

Exceeding Recommended Guidelines

Parents will want to make sure their

day care center follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics and local health department guidelines. These include masks and social distancing, restricted access to classrooms, consistent grouping of children, health screenings upon entry, handwashing throughout the day and frequent cleaning and sanitizing. In addition to knowing the steps teachers and staff are taking to keep children safe, ask about staff training and the checks and balances the center has in place to make sure written polices translate into best practices in classrooms.

Teachers Who See Each Baby as an Individual

Responsive, caring teachers tend to each baby’s specific needs. From the moment you meet them, they’ll ask what your baby enjoys, what comforts him or her, what milestones your baby is working on and so forth. The best teachers see each baby as a unique person and work to meet your child wherever he or she is, whether that’s watching for signs of tiredness and holding him or her or responding to your baby’s babbling and coos as signs of early language development.

Strong Communication

Trusting someone else to look after your bundle of joy is a tremendous leap of faith for many parents, particularly as safety-con-

scious providers are limiting access to their classrooms and parents may not be able to go any further than the front door. That leap is easier if you know you’ll receive updates about your child throughout the day. Whether you want videos and photos, phone calls or texts, or short notes about the things your child is doing while you’re at work, talk with your potential provider about how often you want updates and what kind of information is most meaningful to you. While it’s natural to feel a twinge of nervousness when you

get a phone call from your child’s day care, you should also be contacted with good news and friendly reminders.

For many parents, the most important thing is that their baby is safe, happy and flourishing in a loving, caring and engaging environment. Once they find this, they can rest assured they made the best decision for their family. Find more information and tips to find the right center at kindercare.com

(Family

Features)

Recently, a patient came to Dr. Chiu with a loose full denture in her upper jaw. It turned out she just had her teeth extracted last year and the new denture was put in. Since that loose upper denture was made, she had been unhappy with the situation. She inquired about the possibility of a fixed bridge supported by implants.

After careful examination, Dr. Chiu decided she would need very extensive bone repair in her sinuses, done in stages to allow her to have implants placed. This could take two years, because she is already wearing a removable denture. It interferes with the normal bone repair process in the other areas of her upper jaw.

That’s why planning ahead is crucial when it comes to a treatment of an implant-supported fixed bridge, especially before the teeth are extracted. Often times, a lot of the “prep” work is done while a couple of teeth remain in the mouth to hold up a fixed temporary appliance. This allows for a faster healing time and more optimal placement of implants to support a fixed bridge.

Come and visit Dr. Chiu, who has placed and restored implant-supported fixed and removable prosthesis for many years.

Your comfort and convenience are always Dr. Chiu’s top priorities. To know more about these procedures, please call (973) 377-0224. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have. To receive a COMPLEMENTARY IMPLANT CONSULTATION, simply mention this article during your appointment.

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The Various Advantages to Shopping Locally

Residents of a given town or city are often encouraged to support local businesses by looking to these firms to fill their needs. Small businesses are not just integral parts of communities, employing millions across the country, they also are operations that fund the very communities they service.

Efforts to promote shopping local appear to be working. According to the Commonwealth Financial Group, over the last several years there has been a shift in consumer purchasing behavior marked by a preference among consumers to support locally owned shops and stores over big-box retailers and even online shopping.

The following are some key reasons why shopping locally not only benefits small business owners, but also the communities they call home and the customers they serve.

• More money stays in the community: According to the American Independent Business Alliance, for every $100 spent at a local business, $68 remains in the community. Conversely, only 43 percent of every $100 spent at a chain retailer stays in the community.

• Job creation: The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies says local business-

es create the majority of economic growth. They employ millions of Americans by creating roughly two-thirds of private sector jobs. Local business owners also tend to hire people who represent the demographics of the communities where the business is located, which may include historically underserved populations.

• Diversity of products: Local stores tend to diversify their products and services to meet the needs of the local communities, whereas chain stores often stock their shelves based on national demands.

• Personalized service: A small business owner may be more inclined to go to great lengths to make customers happy because the long-term success of the business depends on customers becoming repeat customers.

• Personal connection: Knowing the people behind a business facilitates a connection not easily achieved with other companies. Customers may celebrate when a favorite business succeeds and look to spread the word about that business because they feel like they played a positive role in its success.

Shopping locally has gained momentum and is fueled by the many advantages to supporting local businesses.

Fun Facts About Three Kings Day

The holiday season begins with Thanksgiving, and many people believe that the festivities come to a close after ringing in the new year. In fact, for the faithful, the Christmas season does not end until January 6 (January 12 in Eastern churches).

January 6 marks the celebration of the Epiphany, sometimes referred to as Three Kings Day, Little Christmas, the Baptism of Jesus, and Día de los Reyes. The Epiphany is celebrated 12 days after December 25. In fact, that is where the phrase the Twelve Days of Christmas, and the song of the same name, originated.

Christians believe that the real celebration of the holiday season does not begin until December 24 and then continues through Three Kings Day. While the four weeks preceding Christmas, also known as Advent, are supposed to be times of reflection and prayer in anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ, the 12 days of Christmas are times of great celebration. On the Epiphany, children may leave their shoes out for presents in a similar fashion to the way stockings are hung. Gifts are ex-

changed, reminiscent of the three gifts the magi presented to the Christ child of gold, frankincense oil and a resin called myrrh. The gold represented Christ’s royal standing. The frankincense marked Christ’s divine birth. Finally, the myrrh stood for Christ’s mortality.

Many celebrants will bake ring-shaped cakes in which they will hide plastic baby figurines that are meant to symbolize Jesus Christ. The cake is called The Kings Ring, or Rosca de Reyes.

In Latin America, the three magi are more prominent figures than Santa Claus and are greatly revered by children and adults alike. Until the 19th century, the Epiphany may have been considered more important than Christmas day. However, those tides have largely shifted outside of Latin America and areas dominated by large populations of people who have Latin American heritage.

Christmas and New Year’s garner considerable attention during holiday celebrations, but Three Kings Day also is an important date on the calendar for faithful Christians.

Practically every year there’s at least one person on your holiday gift list that seems to have it all. One way to think outside the box is to sift through wants and needs to find something that can truly be put to use on an almost daily basis.

For example, tools, binoculars, vacuum cleaners, knife sharpeners and security solutions can serve as practical gifts that give your recipient a functional piece of equipment for daily life. These types of presents show your thoughtfulness and can provide your loved one a frequent reminder of the relationship you share each time the gift is used.

Find additional holiday gift ideas for everyone on your list at eLivingtoday.com.

An Eye-Catching Gift

If you’ve got someone on your holiday gift list that enjoys pursuits such as sports,

Sensible Solutions for Holiday Gifting

concerts, nature viewing or stargazing, help bring the action closer with a gift like the Bushnell Powerview 2 binocular. An evolution from the popular line, the versatile, general-use binoculars deliver clear views in multiple sizes and magnifications. The binoculars feature an aircraft grade, aluminum alloy chassis built for durability, and high-quality, soft-touch black rubber armor and brushed metal texture finishes provide eye-catching exterior design, easy handling and a confident grip. For more information, visit bushnell.com

A Cut Above the Rest

This holiday season, get the chef or outdoorsman in your life a gift that keeps on giving, such as the Wicked Edge Go knife sharpener. Made from high-quality materials, it’s easy to use for both new and experienced knife sharpeners. It offers guided angle con-

trol, can sharpen a variety of knife types and makes cutting more efficient while increasing the longevity of your knives. Find more at wickededgeusa.com

Cleanliness On the Go

Give the gift of cleaner living spaces anywhere and everywhere with the ultra-portable Raycop GO vacuum, which uses UVC light technology to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria and viruses along with dust mites. It’s less than 2 pounds, easy to assemble and stores in four pieces, making it simple to take in the car, to the office or on vacation. It can even sanitize phones, handbags or luggage, and the battery lasts 30 minutes without recharging. Visit raycop.com for more information.

The Gift That Protects

If you’re looking to secure connected toys and devices received this holiday sea-

son, consider internet security products that allow you to protect your family. With advanced protection for all your devices, ESET’s Smart Security Premium solution helps protect against identity theft with the latest malware detection, online banking, password security and smart home support. Find more security solutions at eset.com/us.

Get the Job Done

Help the handyperson in your life finish the job quicker with the Milwaukee M12 Drill and Driver Kit from Ace Hardware, the only tool in its class with an all-metal locking chuck. Its compact, lightweight and durable design delivers comfort and efficiency along with an onboard LED light and fuel gauge to help increase productivity and avoid interruptions. Find more information and holiday gift ideas at acehardware.com. (Family Features)

Skip the Holi-daze How to Spend Added Time Making Memories

Making time to reconnect with loved ones is a wish topping many lists this holiday season, so set aside the chaos and commit to doing more this year. More of what you truly enjoy, that is.

These time-saving holiday hacks from the Chinet® brand can help curb your time commitments so you can focus on personal connections and celebrating good cheer with loved ones instead.

Spread out prep time. If you’re busy putting the final touches on a meal as guests begin to arrive, you’ll miss out on the excitement as the party begins. Rely on tricks to spread your meal preparation out over the days before your event, such as making sides and casseroles ahead of time and freezing them so all you have to do on the big day is pop them in the oven. Mashed potatoes are a notorious last-minute time suck, so make them early in the day and keep them warm in a slow cooker. Just add a bit of cream and stir periodically to keep them soft and fluff y. Simplify cleanup. After enjoying a meal

surrounded by loved ones, there’s no reason to halt the conversation while you slip away to bring order back to the kitchen. Cover dishes and put perishables away then return to your guests for the quality time you deserve. If you use disposable tableware, there’s even less to worry about later. For example, Chinet Classic White products make cleanup easy so you can spend more time with friends, family and guests. The plates and bowls are strong enough to serve the heaviest, messiest meals with style then you can simply toss them when you’re done.

Shop local for shortcuts. Local businesses are feeling the crunch of 2020 in a big way, but you can give them a boost while doing yourself a time-saving favor. Pick up a pie or specialty dessert from a local bakery. Inquire about family-size sides from the family restaurants in your community. Also remember to check with school-age children you know, as many seasonal fundraisers offer pre-made holiday desserts and other treats you can share with guests with minimal effort.

Get out of the house. If you’ve spent too much time this year looking at your own surroundings, getting away from it all may lift your spirits while saving the hours you’d pour into getting your home ready for entertaining. Community groups with their own facilities often have space available to rent, and these spaces are typically large enough to maintain social distancing requirements and are subject to rigorous cleaning protocols. Alternately, if you’re keeping the guest list small, renting a vacation home offers the opportunity to turn the seasonal celebration into a short road trip for added memories and joy. With some simple decorations, you can create a fun atmosphere for your holiday event and skip the headaches of hosting at home.

Go short and sweet. If the idea of a fullfledged dinner event is stretching you too thin, look for festive ways to scale back. For example, a dessert-only party lets you gather with loved ones and keep the focus on the company rather than the food. Plan themed stations with different styles of desserts and consider asking family mem-

bers to help stock each station with their own favorite treats. Add a touch of style by placing a stack of Chinet Cut Crystal dessert plates at each station so guests can sample all their favorites while they min-

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Skip the Holi-daze...

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gle. The collection also includes cups and stemless wine glasses ideal for a beverage table or single servings of desserts like mousse or parfaits.

Find more ways to manage your time this holiday season at MyChinet.com

Celebrate Like It’s 2020

After a whirlwind of a year, this holiday season promises to be a little different than those of years past. Instead of lamenting what won’t be the same, treat this year as an opportunity to deck the halls in a whole new way.

Invite technology to the party. With group gatherings and travel restrictions likely to continue in many parts of the country through the holiday season, there’s a good chance you may not be able to gather with everyone you’d like. However, the pandemic has shown how simple it can be to use technology to stay connected. Go ahead and schedule a virtual party or make time to jump on a video chat during your celebration to include those who can’t be there in person. To help add a touch of normalcy to the festivities, consider packaging and sending small boxes of party essentials in advance to each person who’ll join the virtual party.

Make giving a group effort. Helping those in need is a tradition many people honor around the holidays, but this year your giving is likely to be especially impactful. When you join efforts with family or friends, your contributions can go even further, and it’s a way to bond over your

shared experience. Consider volunteering as a group at a food pantry, adopting a family or two together or finding another local cause that could use some extra help and count your blessings while you enjoy the extra time together.

Simplify gift-giving. As families grow, the gift lists get longer. However, especially in a year like this, not many

wallets have expanded to keep up with the pace. Forgo the time and money required to buy for everyone in the family and start a new tradition by drawing names and instead of buying smaller items for a lot of people, put a little more toward a single item your recipient truly wants or needs. (Family Features)

5 Tips for Winter Travelers

Because of the pandemic, fewer Americans are taking to the skies, but a significant number likely plan to hit the roads to visit friends and family during the winter months. Whether a few towns over or a couple states away, many drivers will travel interstates, which are major logistics corridors often dominated by commercial trucks.

According to the United States Census Bureau, there are approximately 3.5 million people working as truck drivers in the U.S. From keeping grocery store shelves stocked to delivering those next-day packages, professional truck drivers impact lives with the freight they move and serve an important role in keeping the economy running.

Professional truck drivers are also experts when it comes to planning travel. From mapping out a route to maintaining their vehicles and even practicing a healthy diet, many truck drivers are road trip experts.

Caron Comas is a professional truck driver for Variant, a subsidiary of U.S. Xpress, one of the nation’s largest trucking companies. Highly trained, she’s driven trucks for 17 years and her expert insight can aid the average automobile driver planning to hit the roads this winter.

“It’s important that the average driver give trucks plenty of space on the road,” Comas said. “People can forget we’re generally handling 75 feet of tractor and trailer, which can weigh 80,000 pounds. We can’t stop on a dime like automobiles, so increase distance when merging in front

Season’s Greeting

of trucks and avoid slamming on your brakes.”

Comas suggests following these tips on the road and before you travel:

Don’t follow trucks too closely. If you can’t see a tractor trailer’s mirrors, the driver can’t see you.

Schedule vehicle maintenance before your trip. Have your oil changed and ask the experts to check your tire pressure and other important fluids to help assure you’re driving safely and efficiently.

Carefully plan your route. If driving through big cities, consider fluctuations in rush hour traffic. For more remote locations where there may not be regular food or gas, plan for when you’ll need to stop along the route.

Stay hydrated and nourished. Before setting out, eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water. For the drive, pack healthy, non-perishable snacks like granola, fruit or nuts along with bottled water. For longer trips with kids, consider a small cooler for sandwiches, string cheese or yogurt.

Be overly prepared. Keep a few blankets, a flashlight, a first-aid kit and an extra pair of shoes in your car. If you experience car trouble, make sure you can stay warm until help arrives.

Keep in mind the global pandemic. Check each state’s quarantine requirements that you’ll be traveling to or through, wear a mask when in public and follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines when traveling.

For more travel tips, visit usxpress.com/ news. (Family Features)

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newark and the Home Depot Foundation Team Up to Fix Veteran Homes

Did you know that about a third of veterans who served after 2001 pay more than 30% of their income on housing (NLIHC 2013). Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newark and the Home Depot Foundation have teamed up to address veteran homeowners’ critical repair needs in Essex, Hudson, and Union counties.

Veteran Partner Family member Sonia,

a 30-year Jersey City resident, says that when she bought her house in 2013, she “didn’t know it was going to be so much of a headache!” In the six years she’s lived in the house with her mother and sister, she’s paid for one major repair after another while working three jobs to foot the bills. Veteran Partner Family member Michael concurs. His home, a multi-family

in Elizabeth, is over 100 years old and he’s “constantly fixing something.” Unfortunately, since he bought the house in 2014, he hasn’t been able to devote his full attention to fixing it, first because of deployment and then because of health issues related to his service.

Michael says he “greatly appreciates the help from Habitat,” noting with frustration “It’s difficult to get help when you are a veteran homeowner, as opposed to a veteran who’s homeless or facing homelessness.” Sonia says, “You guys are awesome. You guys always returned my calls and emails. Everything was easy because you guys took care of everything!”

Michael and Sonia’s Critical Repair projects were funded by The Home Depot Foundation as part of its commitment to veteran causes, focusing on programs benefiting combat-wounded veterans, homeless veterans, and senior veterans. Since 2011, the Foundation has invested more than $335 million in veteran causes and improved more than 47,000 veteran homes and facilities in 4,500 cities. In 2018, the

Foundation pledged an additional $250 million to veteran causes taking the total commitment to half a billion by 2025. In addition, through Team Depot, Home Depot’s associate-led volunteer force, volunteers devote thousands of hours each year to building and repairing homes for those who have served. The Home Depot Foundation notes that the company contains 35,000 veteran associates.

Veteran Partner Families who participate in Habitat of Greater Newark’s Critical Repair program receive a home evaluation from Habitat of Greater Newark’s Family Services Coordinator. After a scope of project is compiled, Habitat of Greater Newark contractors get to work along with veteran homeowners, who must complete “sweat equity” hours on their projects or other Partner Family members’ home projects.

Veteran homeowners interested in Habitat of Greater Newark’s Critical Repair program can email the Family Services Coordinator at gbernal@habitatnewark.org to find out more.

Eat and Drink Smart to Fend Off Cold and Flu Season

It’s no secret that a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and veggies can deliver important vitamins and nutrients for better health, but many of your favorite foods can actually help support your immune system, too.

In addition to precautions like avoiding people who are sick and washing your hands often, you can influence your immune system through what you eat and drink.

Stay hydrated. Keeping well hydrated can be difficult during the winter months, especially if you spend most of your time indoors. A warm drink like this flavorful Orange Spiced Tea provides a strong dose of vitamin C along with a delicious dose of hydration.

Keep the produce going strong. Fresh, seasonal fruits and veggies often come to mind during warmer months, but produce like citrus, leafy greens and root vegetables are plentiful during cold and flu season, too.

“Consuming the whole fruit is the best way to ensure you gain the maximum nutritional benefit,” Dr. Poonam Desai said. “When speaking with patients, I recommend seeking nutrients like vitamin C from whole food sources, rather than supplements, especially with a vitamin C-rich fruit like California oranges.”

Get a natural boost of vitamins. Vitamins A and C, found in fresh citrus, are two key nutrients that support your body’s natural line of defense, your immune system. Just one orange offers 90% of the daily recommended value of vitamin C, and California Navel oranges are in their peak season – just in time for the height of cold and flu season.

Get inspired with more ideas to boost your immune system with essential vitamins and nutrients at californiacit-

Picking out the perfect presents for kids this holiday doesn’t limit your search to simply including gifts with screens or the hottest tech gadgets.

Although the amount of options in store and on virtual shelves for kids can be somewhat overwhelming, gifts fostering imaginative play and creativity never go out of style. Even if it seems your children already have pretty much everything, getting back to the basics with crafty gifts like paint and art sets, color and wash collectibles, science kits or customizable DIY projects encourage children to express their creativity and explore their inner-artists.

Consider these activities that can spark imagination and allow kids of all ages to create colorful memories

rusgrowers.com

5

Ways to Get More Vitamin C

Pick heavy fruit. When shopping for citrus, choose fruit that smells fresh and feels heavy for its size. The heavier the orange, the juicer it’s likely to be.

Explore versatility. Fresh citrus like California Navel oranges make a nutritious addition to sweet and savory dishes, beverages, cocktails, sauces and more.

Use the whole fruit. Reduce food waste by consuming the flesh, juice, zest and peel. Try squeezing juice and grating zest into a smoothie, using orange segments for a vibrant salad or combining diced Navels with red onion, cilantro and jalapenos for a zesty salsa.

Retain vitamin C content. Vitamin C is water soluble, so to retain as much as possible, eat citrus fresh, avoid overcooking and use minimal amounts of water.

Refrigerate for longer shelf life. Keep your citrus fresh longer by storing it in the refrigerator at a temperature below 42 F. To get the most juice out of the orange, bring it to room temperature before cooking.

Orange Spiced Tea

Recipe courtesy of California Citrus Growers

6 cups water

1 clove cinnamon or 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

6 tea bags

1 cup California Navel orange juice

1/2 cup white sugar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 slice California Navel orange

Bring water and cinnamon to boil; let cinnamon dis-

solve. Remove from heat and add tea bags; soak at least 5 minutes. Remove tea bags.

In separate pan, bring orange juice, sugar and lemon juice to boil. Stir until sugar dissolves.

Pour juice mixture into spiced tea.

Garnish with orange slice and serve hot.

Creative, Colorful Christmas Ideas for Kids

this holiday season. Find more at Crayola.com

Custom Craft Creations

Give the kids creative freedom with an option like Crayola’s Maker series, which allows them to

create custom paper and markers for arts and crafts time at home or school projects. The Marker Maker comes with 16 makeable markers along with a color mixing guide and custom-

izable labels for each one. The Paper Maker includes an instruction booklet, paper-making pulp to make 20 sheets of 5-by-8-inch paper, a stir and smoothing tool and a pressure plate. Both kits make it fun and easy to craft DIY cards, decor, notes and other projects.

Colorful Pets

Kids can take imaginative, creative play to new places this holiday season with the Scribble Scrubbie Pets Grooming Truck. This life-like environment includes a grooming truck with moving wheels and features a real working spray pump and scrub tub that allow kids to wash and clean the two included pets

just like real groomers do. The truck also doubles as an easy-to-pack storage solution for taking the customizable pets on-the-go for later use. After creating a colorful look for their pets using washable markers, kids can simply scrub them clean for a fresh blank canvas to create over and over.

(Family Features)

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Holiday Presents for Every Person (and pet) on Your Holiday List

With a variety of personalities and interests likely on your holiday shopping list, finding the perfect gift for everyone can be a daunting task. Rather than spending countless hours browsing online or walking up and down store aisles, consider this array of gift ideas that can put you on the path toward successful shopping during a holiday season sure to be unlike any before it.

With more people spending time at home, gifts that can keep the house clean, showcase team spirit or provide a simple way to pass the time can be hits. Of course, you can also ship a tasty meal directly to a loved one’s door or give that four-legged family member an extra special treat.

Find more holiday gift-giving inspiration at eLivingtoday.com

A Tasteful Holiday Gift

Give the gift of flavor this holiday season with a full spread of Omaha Steaks favorites in one collection. Loaded with double-trimmed, famously fork-tender Butcher’s Cut filet mignons, tender and crispy bacon-wrapped filet mignons, flavor-packed burgers, classic boneless pork chops, juicy boneless chicken breasts, gourmet jumbo franks, all-beef meatballs, a savory side and dessert, it’s a memorable and

delicious gift everyone can enjoy. Find more flavorful holiday gift ideas at omahasteaks. com.

The No. 1 Gift Pick

Give the sports fan in your life an authentic piece of collectible memorabilia to showcase his or her team spirit, such as this Patrick Mahomes Super Bowl LIV MVP Dynasty Banner from Winning Streak Sports – The #1 Premium Licensed Product in Sports. Created to commemorate some of the greatest teams, schools and players, these limited-edition high stich count banners, which are available framed or unframed, are made from 100% wool blend felt with iron-safe backing and include a hanging cord for easy display. Find more upscale, gift-worthy sports memorabilia at winningstreaksports.com

A Riveting Read

Provide the bookworm in your life with a true thriller like “Pilate’s Cross” by J. Alexander Greenwood, a murder mystery based on a true story. A sleepy college town in the middle of nowhere is just the fresh start John Pilate needs, but he didn’t count on uncovering a deadly conspiracy. In over his head, Pilate risks it all to get to the truth in this tale exploding with action, crisp dialogue and quirky twists. Visit amazon.com

to find the book.

Count Down to the Holidays with Your Pet

Add more happiness to your pet’s holiday season with an option like this Merry & Bright Holiday Deck The Howls with Cookies Advent Calendar Dog Treat, which is available at PetSmart. Your dog has been good all year, so don’t forget to include him or her in the holiday countdown with an advent calendar of his or her own. Find more holiday gift ideas for your pets at petsmart.

com

Give the Gift of Time

Gifting your family a vacuum-and-mopin-one like the DEEBOT T8 allows you to enjoy the holidays and leave the cleaning to the robot. It provides hands-free cleaning and removes 99.26% of bacteria with its patented OZMO Mopping System. With no pre-cleaning needed and a runtime of more than three hours, it also detects obstacles with accuracy to avoid collisions and getting stuck. Learn more at ecovacs.com/us.

Popping Up Festive Holiday Fun

During a holiday season that may not quite feel the same for many families, you can add a magic touch to at-home festivities with activities and treats that get everyone involved. Creating decorative holiday sweets allows little ones and grown-ups alike to take part in the fun, and the end result is delicious desserts for all to enjoy.

Start with a main ingredient like wholegrain, freshly popped popcorn. At 30 calories a cup, it’s naturally low in fat, nonGMO and gluten-free for a nutritious alternative to traditional holiday indulgences. It’s a clever way to create artsy representations of the season at hand that celebrate festive flavors like peppermint, coconut, chocolate and other sweet eats.

For example, Coconut Popcorn Snowballs add fun and flavor to wintertime with a coat of sweetened coconut “snow” and candy cane handle while easy-to-construct Holiday Popcorn Snowmen are sure to be a hit with your children. Add to the holiday spirit throughout your home with wintery Jingle Balls that call for colored sugars to create a magical sparkling effect then take

the creativity to the next level by encouraging kids to make their own red-nosed, sleigh-pulling team of Chocolate Popcorn Reindeer.

Discover more decorative dessert recipes at popcorn.org

Coconut Popcorn Snowballs

Yield: 8 balls (4 inches)

2 cups shredded or flaked sweetened coconut

nonstick cooking spray

3 quarts popped popcorn

4 tbls (1/2 stick) butter or margarine

3 cups miniature marshmallows

1 teaspoon coconut or vanilla extract

8 candy canes or candy cane sticks (about 3-4 inches)

Place large sheet wax or parchment paper over work surface. Spread coconut on paper.

Spray large mixing bowl lightly with nonstick cooking spray and place popcorn inside.

In medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in marshmallows until melted and mixture is smooth. Pour over popcorn and mix well until coated.

Spray hands with cooking spray and press mixture firmly to form into balls. Place balls on coconut; roll and press coconut to coat. While holding popcorn balls, gently press candy cane into each ball.

Serve immediately or wrap individually in plastic wrap for storage.

Yield: 12 cups

Jingle Balls

Nonstick cooking spray

12 cups popped popcorn

6 tablespoons butter or margarine

3 cups mini marshmallows

1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract assorted colored sugars

Spray large mixing bowl lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Add popcorn. Spread plastic wrap on cookie sheet; set aside.

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Comparing Medicare Plans to Save You Money

Medicare Open Enrollment is here. With plan premiums at historic lows, now’s the time to review your coverage options

Medicare’s Open Enrollment gives people with Medicare the opportunity to sign up for health or prescription drug plans, or make changes to their existing health plans or prescription drug plans for coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2021. But don’t delay – Open Enrollment ends on Dec. 7, 2020.

Why compare plans for next year? Just as your health care needs can change from year to year, so do Medicare plans. While Medicare plans generally cover all Part A and Part B benefits, not all plans offer the same cost sharing or additional benefits. You may be able to find new extra benefits, save money – or both.

What’s new this Open Enrollment?

Medicare plans in 2021 have historically low premiums – dropping an average of 34% over the last three years, and in some states dropping over 50%. There’s never been a better time to go to Medicare.gov and look at your options.

If you’re among the 1 in 3 people with Medicare who has diabetes, here’s some more good news: hundreds of prescription drug plans will be participating in a new insulin savings initiative, through which they’ll offer a month’s supply of a range of insulins for a copayment of $35 or less in 2021. If you take insulin and enroll in one of these plans, you could save an average of $446 per year on your out-ofpocket costs for insulin next year.

Here are some things to consider when shopping for Medicare plans:

Check if your doctors are still in-network and your prescriptions are on the plan’s formulary.

The plan with the lowest monthly premium may not always be the best fit for your health needs.

Look at the plan’s deductible and other out-of-pocket costs that factor into your total costs.

Some plans offer extra benefits, like vision, hearing or dental coverage, which could help meet your unique health care needs in 2021.

If you take insulin, you may find a plan offering insulin for $35 or less for a 30-day supply.

Medicare is here to Help

Think you’ll need help comparing plans? Here are some things you can do safely from home:

Find plans at Medicare.gov, where you can compare coverage options and see estimated out-of-pocket costs for all your prescriptions.

Call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. Help is available 24 hours a day, including weekends.

You can also find help in your community. Get personalized health insurance counseling at no cost to you from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Visit shiptacenter.org, or call 1-800-MEDICARE for your SHIP’s phone number. Many SHIPs also have virtual counseling this year.

Medicare Open Enrollment ends on Dec. 7, 2020. Now’s the time to act if you want to enroll in or make changes to your Medicare health or prescription drug plan for coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2021. If your current coverage still meets your needs then you don’t have to do anything. Re-

member, if you miss the Dec. 7 deadline, you’ll likely have to wait a full year before you are able to make changes to your Medicare coverage.

For more information, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE. If you need help in a language other than English or Spanish, let the customer service representative know the language.

You can also find information about Medicare on the Medicare Facebook page and by following @MedicareGov on Twitter.

Information provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Popping Up Festive Holiday Fun...

continued from previous page

In medium saucepan, melt butter and marshmallows; stir until mixture is smooth. Stir in peppermint extract. Pour over popcorn, mixing until well coated. Let cool 2 minutes.

Spray hands with nonstick cooking spray and form popcorn mixture into 3-inch balls. Gently press colored sugar onto balls. Let sit on prepared cookie sheet until cool and set.

Chocolate Popcorn Reindeer

Servings: 8

In saucepan over medium heat, heat marshmallows, chocolate, butter and salt, stirring often, until smooth. Toss marshmallow mixture with popcorn until well combined.

Scoop 3/4 cup popcorn mixture into ball. Repeat with remaining mixture to make eight balls. Place each ball in paper muffin cup liner.

Insert one pretzel stick on each side of ball to resemble antlers, attach two eyeball candies for “eyes” and one red chocolate candy for “nose.” Repeat with remaining balls. Let cool completely.

Holiday Popcorn Snowmen

Yield: 5 snowmen

8 cups unsalted, unbuttered, popped popcorn

2 1/2 cups mini marshmallows

1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate or dark chocolate chips

2 tablespoons butter or light olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

16 pretzel sticks

16 eyeball candies

8 red candy-coated chocolate candies

Place popcorn in large mixing bowl.

1 package (1 pound) large marshmallows 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, plus additional for greasing hands

1 teaspoon vanilla

10 cups popped popcorn sprinkles (optional)

licorice (optional)

gum drops (optional)

cinnamon candies (optional)

In large saucepan, melt marshmallows and 1/4 cup butter. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Let stand 5 minutes.

Pour marshmallow mixture over pop-

corn and stir. Butter hands well and form into balls.

Decorate with sprinkles, licorice, gum drops and cinnamon candies, if desired. (Family Features)

Toast the Season with Festive Twists on Favorite Drinks

Despite a holiday season that’s practically guaranteed to feel different than any other, one constant will remain for many: enjoying the tastes of favorite foods and beverages while cozied up at home. Enhance the holiday spirit and complement the meal at your table with adult beverages that call for seasonal flavors to add to the festive vibe.

Whether you prefer your drinks with a fruity twist and plenty of mix-ins or would rather opt for a simpler combination, the options are vast. Many traditional holiday drinks require a small handful of ingredients that blend, mix or shake together to create a wintry flavor that’s worth the wait.

Regardless of personal preferences, one ingredient you can rely on when creating an at-home concoction is a mixer like those from Zevia, which are naturally sweetened with stevia and include no artificial ingredients, colors or preservatives. These non-alcoholic, zero-sugar, zero-calorie mixers for cocktails (or mocktails) are

available in three different flavors: Lemon Lime with Bitters, Tonic and Ginger Beer to provide a simple yet delicious complement to the ingredients of your choosing.

For a fruit-flavored solution, this Cranberry Smash Moscow Mule offers a sweet spin on the classic cocktail. Break out your favorite copper mug and let the cranberries and cinnamon sticks add festive flair to your fusion of vodka and ginger beer.

Alternately, if the sour notes of a margarita better fit your style, go for a holiday twist with this Winter White Margarita by blending in coconut milk and garnishing with cranberries and rosemary sprigs. By rimming your glasses with granulated stevia, you can add a sweet touch to each gulp.

To find more holiday cocktail ideas, visit Zevia.com/recipes/cocktails

Cranberry Smash Moscow Mule

Servings: 1

1 cup cranberries, plus additional for garnish (optional), divided 3/4-1 cup water, divided

2 ounces vodka

1-2 ounces fresh squeezed lime juice

4 ounces Zevia Ginger Beer Mixer ice

rosemary, for garnish (optional)

lime slices, for garnish (optional)

cinnamon sticks, for garnish (optional)

In saucepan, boil cranberries in 1/2 cup water until they burst.

Use fork to smash cranberries. Boil 3-4 minutes. Keep mixture moist by adding water 1/4 cup at a time.

Let mixture cool to room temperature.

In copper mug, combine vodka, lime juice, ginger beer and smashed cranberries over ice.

Garnish with additional cranberries, rosemary, lime slices and cinnamon sticks, if desired.

Winter White Margarita

Servings: 6

12 ounces coconut milk

12 ounces silver tequila

1 tablespoon orange extract

2 1/2 cups ice

1 1/2 cans Zevia Lemon Lime with Bitters granulated stevia, for garnish (optional) cranberries, for garnish (optional) rosemary sprigs, for garnish (optional)

In blender, blend coconut milk, tequila, orange extract, ice and bitters until smooth.

Rim six glasses with granulated stevia. Divide mixture among glasses and garnish each with cranberries and rosemary, if desired.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

Put a Zesty Spin on Weeknight Meals

Dinner in many households means foolproof recipes that families can count on, but those can become bland and boring. Finding new ways to put a twist on meals throughout the week adds fun to time spent in the kitchen while bringing new flavor to the table.

To help reinvigorate traditional weeknight dinners, chef Bobby Flay and Hidden Valley Ranch created the three-part Hidden Valley Ranch Night! series to debut dishes that bring bold flavor to traditional meals, such as these recipes for Ranch Crusted Burgers with Avocado Ranch Sauce and Ranch Seasoned Chicken and Mushroom Quesadillas with Tomato Salsa and Sour Cream. The series will provide a spin on weeknight staples to showcase the simplicity, versatility and zesty flavor of ranch seasoning when used to create family-friendly dinners any night of the week.

Find more information, including series episodes and additional recipes, at hiddenvalley.com/ranch-night.

Ranch Crusted Burgers with Avocado Ranch Sauce

Servings: 4

Avocado Ranch Sauce:

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup sour cream

1 tablespoon well-shaken buttermilk

1/2 teaspoon Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

3 green onions, thinly sliced

2 avocados, peeled, pitted and diced

Ranch Spice Crusted Burger:

1 1/2 tsps Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning

1 teaspoon paprika

kosher salt

freshly ground pepper

1 1/2 pounds ground chuck (80% lean)

2 tablespoons canola oil

8 slices American cheese

1/4cup water

4 brioche buns, split in half

Avocado Ranch Sauce

To make avocado ranch sauce: In bowl, whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, ranch seasoning, salt and pepper until smooth. Fold in green onions and diced avocados; set aside.

To make burgers: In small bowl, whisk ranch seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper.

Heat large cast-iron pan or griddle over high heat. Divide meat into four 6-ounce patties and make deep depression in centers with thumb. Season each with spice rub on one side.

Add canola oil to pan and heat until shimmering. Place on burgers in pan, spice side down, and cook until golden brown and lightly charred, 4 minutes. Turn burgers over and cook 4 minutes, or until they reach desired doneness.

Top each burger with two slices cheese. Add water to pan and cover tightly with lid 10 seconds, or until the cheese is melted.

Place burgers on bottom buns and top each with avocado ranch sauce and top buns.

Shop Small and Give Back This Holiday Season

This year has been tough for many. Despite the challenges, acts of compassion and generosity can bring together the global community. With this holiday season different than those before, it is important to remember the world’s shared humanity and help make the season brighter.

For those who will be celebrating this season and are looking for gifts that give back, UNICEF Market offers an online collection of handcrafted gifts made by artisans from around the world. Supporting these small businesses helps both the artisans – many of whom are dealing with economic hardship because of the pandemic – and the lifesaving mission of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The platform brings business to artists like Mirian Otzin from Central America, who began weaving using Mayan techniques with her mother as a hobby at the age of 8. Otzin worked for a female weavers organization for 16 years before becoming an entrepreneur.

“This is something I’m grateful to UNICEF Market for because for me and many artists like me, this is our only source of income,” she said. “Thanks to its system and the space it’s opened up for artisan women like me, we still have hope that we can overcome this pandemic. During these hardships, we’re still crafting in our home-based workshops, making sure we’re following all the health protocols set by our health departments and the platform’s rules that we must follow to keep everyone safe.”

Featuring an array of woven goods, Otzin’s profile includes table linens, cushion covers and bags. In addition to Otzin, more than 2,000 artisans are empowered on the

platform. These entrepreneurs share their talents, selling their handcrafted items for homes and gardens, jewelry and more, such as reclaimed stone flowerpots and onyx and marble chess sets from Mexico, teakwood cutting boards from Thailand, silk tapestries from Ghana and knit blankets from India.

A portion of gifts’ proceeds also help fund lifesaving programs such as nutrition, sanitation, education and more in the more than 190 countries where UNICEF works. Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, the organization’s 13,000 staffers have reached 250 million children with distance-based learning and 2.88 billion people with virus prevention information, as well as delivering more than 234 million units of personal protective equipment, hospital equipment and diagnostic tests to frontline workers globally. As the largest vaccine buyer in the world, the organization is set to lead the procurement and supply of COVID-19 vaccines in the world’s biggest and fastest operation of its kind.

Share the best of this season by visiting unicefusa.org/ ShopSmall2020. (Family Features)

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