L I v I ng NN Y
WINTER 2016 nnyliving.com Volume 5 No. 1
Planting the seeds of health
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FEATURES
FASHION
FOOD
OPINION
Grandparents renew commitment to health
Textile recycling helps lighten waste stream
Dinner made easy with a few staple ingredients
Natural borders define our region
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C o ntri b u t o r s Neal Burdick is the editor of St. Lawrence University Magazine and a freelance writer who lives in Canton. In this issue’s ‘North Country Notes,’ he writes about the many different geographic borders that define our region. (p. 12)
Katheen Smith Hirschey is a freelance writer and blogger who splits her time between Carlisle, Pa., and Sackets Harbor. In this issue’s ‘The NNY Life,’ she recalls a memorable encounter with an inspirational woman. (p. 10)
Chairman of the Board John B. Johnson Jr.
Editor & Publishers John B. Johnson
Co-Publisher
Harold B. Johnson II Michelle Graham is the wellness director for the Downtown Watertown YMCA. She lives in Watertown. In this issue, she writes about how to make health and wellness a regular routine for life, not just a resolution. (p. 14)
Boo Wells is a chef and owner of the Farm House Kitchen, a catering company and cooking school in Sackets Harbor. She shares an easy-to-follow 30minute recipe for chicken enchiladas aimed at busy families on the go. (p. 24)
Magazine Editor
Kenneth J. Eysaman
Photography
Justin Sorensen, Amanda Morrison Jason Hunter and Stephen Swofford
Director of Advertising Michelle Bowers
Magazine Advertising Manager Beth Hornbarger
Advertising Sales
Katie Machia is a fashion blogger, Watertown native and freshman at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. In this issue, she writes about how textile recycling is keeping thousands of pounds of waste out of landfills. (p. 26)
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MARKETPLACE
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4-H Camp Overlook ............................ Bonnie Castle Resort & Marina ........... Camden renewable Energy ............... Clarkson University .............................. Clayton Dental Office ......................... Community Bank Wealth Management .......................... Cornell Cooperative Extension .......... D.L. Calarco Funeral Home ................ Dr. Guitar .............................................. Edge on Science ................................. Foy Agency .......................................... Fuccillo Automotive ............................ HighTower Advisors ............................. Hospice of Jefferson County .............. Invent Now Kids ...................................
21 11 11 20 30 29 28 15 30 21 30 30 13 15 21
Immaculate Heart Central Schools ..... 3 Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors ................................. 21 Mary Kay Cosmetics ........................... 30 St. Lawrence County ARC ................... 20 Thompson Park Conservancy ............ 20 Thousand Islands International Tourism Council ............... 3 The Farm House Kitchen ....................... 6 Tunes 92.5 /104.5 FM Radio ................ 25 Waite Motorsport ................................... 9 Waite Toyota .......................................... 8 Watertown Daily Times ........................ 18 Watertown Savings Bank ...................... 2 WPBS TV ................................................ 32 WWTI TV-50 ........................................... 31
Cindy Aucter, Laurie Denesha, Mike Hanson, Barb Loomis and Amy Rivera
Ad Graphics, Design
Brian Mitchell, Heather O’Driscoll, Scott Smith, Todd Soules, Rick Gaskin
Circulation Director Mary Sawyer
NNY Living (ISSN 2165-1159) is published five times a year by Northern New York Newspaper Corp., 260 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601, a Johnson Newspaper Corp. company. © 2011-2016. All material submitted to NNY Living becomes property of Northern New York Newspaper Corp., publishers of the Watertown Daily Times, and will not be returned.
Subscription Rates Five issues are $10 a year and 12 issues are $15 for two years. Call 315-782-1000 for delivery. Submissions Send all editorial correspondence to keysaman@wdt.net Advertising For advertising rates and information in Jefferson and Lewis counties, email bhornbarger@wdt.net, or call 661-2305 In St. Lawrence County, e-mail blabrake@ogd.com, or call 661-2507 Printed with pride in U.S.A. at Vanguard Printing LLC, Ithaca, N.Y. a Forest Stewardship Certified facility. Please recycle this magazine.
Contents
Departments 4 4 6 6 6
Contributors Marketplace Editor’s note Next issue Calendar
8 Social Scene 10 The NNY Life 12 North Country Notes 14 Wellness
Volume 5, No. 1
foundation for health 16 AExperts share their best
advice for shaping up a new you. the love of family 22 For One retired couple is
working to make fitness a priority. and healthy 24 Quick Chicken enchiladas
made easy for busy families.
goes green 26 Fashion Textile recycling helps
to keep landfills free of clothes.
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Columns
WINTER 2016
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EDITOR’S NOTE
IN THIS, OUR WINTER ISSUE OF NNY LIVING, magazine associate Karee Magee writes about a how to make health and wellness a lasting habit and not just a January resolution. Karee speaks with a handful of experts who offer dozens of tips and plenty of advice for how to make an exercise routine stick once and for all. Karee’s health and wellness feature begins on page 16. ALSO IN THIS ISSUE — Wellness writer Michelle Graham shares Ken Eysaman her “Top 10” list for to help get your family healthy and engaged this new year. Her list starts on page 12. Have you ever wondered what becomes of used clothing that doesn’t make it to those in need? Chances are it winds up in the same place as your household trash: the landfill. Fashion writer and Watertown native Katie Machia, a freshman at New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology, writes about textile recycling
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n our spring issue, coming in late April, we spotlight some of the north country’s star students off the field of play.
n ASK-A-DOC IS BACK: A north country doctor answers questions about your health. n TOP SEASONAL DESTINATIONS: A look at some favorite places for fun close to home.
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and how local second-hand shops and officials are pushing for more people to donate clothes before they make it into the local waste stream. Her feature begins on page 26. And on page 24, food writer Boo Wells shares a simple recipe for chicken enchiladas. SOCIAL SCENE — This issue’s Social Scene section, which begins on page 8, features 22 faces from across the north country. On Jan 29, we joined the Snowtown Film Festival at the Dulles State Office Building for a “flannel casual” red carpet reception. Congratulations to all who volunteered to produce the second annual two-day film festival. On Feb. 9, we joined the Jefferson County Historical Society for its annual Valentine’s Day “Chocolate& Cocktails” reception at the historic Paddock Mansion. As always, if you have any comments, suggestions or story ideas, email me at keysaman@wdt.net or call (315) 661-2399. Warm regards,
Alexandria Bay Saturday, April 16, to Sunday, April 17 n North Country Peoples’ Choice Wine Competition, 10 a.m. Saturday, 5 p.m., Sunday. Bonnie Castle Resort and Marina, 31 Holland St. Includes blind tastings from 50 vineyards in New York. Cost: Contact Bonnie Castle for ticket prices. Information: 482-4511 or info@bonniecastle.com.
Carthage Wednesday, March 2 n Harlem Superstars Comedy Basketball Show, 6 p.m., Carthage Central Senior High School gym, 36500 NY-26. Tickets are available in Carthage school offices, Stefano’s Pizzeria and from Carthage lacrosse players. Cost: Advance, $7; at the door, $8. Information: 493-0771.
Chaumont Saturday, March 19 n Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Chaumont Presbyterian Church, 27532 Church St. Includes a pancake breakfast with eggs and sausage, the Easter bunny and an egg hunt. Cost: $4. Information: 649-5320.
Clayton Friday, April 8, to Sunday, April 10
I N OU R S P R I N G I SSU E
Also coming in our next issue:
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CALENDAR
n PLUS: Social Scene, Arts, Food, Books, Wellness, The NNY Life, History, This is NNY, Today’s Gardener and My NNY. n FOLLOW US ON Twitter for updates at @NNYLivingMag and visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NNYLiving. Catch exclusive previews and unique content on our website at www.NNYLiving.com.
n Thousand Islands Spring Boat Show, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Cerow Recreation Park, 615 East Line Road. Features runabouts, fishing boats, docks, lifts, pontoons and personal watercraft. Cost: Adults, $4; Youth, $2; Children 8 years and younger free. Information: 686-3771 or 1000islands-clayton. com/1000-islands-clayton-spring-boat-show.
Fort Drum Saturday, March 19 n One Night, One Diamond, 6:30 to 11:30 p.m., The Commons on Fort Drum. An elegant evening of dining, dancing and a chance to win a half-carat diamond donated by Waterbury Fine Jewelers. Event proceeds will purchase designated medical equipment for use at Samaritan Medical Center. Information: ONOD@shsny.com.
Lisbon Saturday, March 5, to Sunday, March 6 n St. Lawrence Valley Snowshoe Biathlon, 10:00 a.m., St. Lawrence Valley Sportsman’s Club, 25 Sportsman’s Club Road. Competition for men, women, and youth aged 12 and up with smoothbore muskets, flintlock or caplock rifles, or in-line rifles, primarily on wooden snowshoes. Cost:
CALENDAR
[ Arts, music. Theater, culture ] Contact for prices. For details: fhanss@twcny.rr.com, 212-6213 or fort1749.org.
Lowville Monday, March 14 n Relay For Life of Lewis County Kickoff, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Elks Lodge 5600 Shady Ave. The 2016 theme is “Children’s Books.” Cost: Free. Information: Don Boshart, don.boshart@cancer.org or 433-5650.
Saturday, March 12, to Saturday, April 16 n Black River Valley Concert Series, 7: 30 p.m., Lewis County Historical Society, 7552 S. State St. Features Tas Cru on March 12, The Cadleys on April 2 and The Buskers on April 16. Cost: $20; family, $45; advance, $18; season tickets, $110, includes one guest pass.
Ogdensburg Friday March 25 and Friday April 29 n No Tap Bowling Tournament, 6 p.m., Ogdensburg Bowl, 1121 Patterson St. Five-person bowling teams compete in a benefit for the Remington Museum. Cost: $20. Information: Debbie Ormasen, ormasen@fredericremington.org or 393-2425.
Old Forge
or ncjrironchef@gethealthyslc.org.
Pulaski Saturday, April 2 n Annual Spring Fling Vendor & Craft Show Fundraiser, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pulaski American Legion, 3350 Maple Ave. The proceeds go to the Ladies Auxiliary for the three kid’s community holiday parties they do each year. Cost: Vender Table, $25. Information: helpinghandsmic@gmail.com. Do not request an app before knowing if you are available on this date or if you live more than an hour.
Syracuse Saturday, March 12 n St. Patrick’s Day Parade, 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Clinton Square, West Genesee and South Clinton Streets. Featuring 2.5 miles of bands, floats and dancers. Cost: Free. Information: 800-234-4797.
Saturday, March 12 to Sunday, March 13 n Greater Syracuse Antiques Expo, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Empire Expo Center, New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd. Featuring over 200 vendors with items from primitives to vintage. Cost: Adults, $7; children under 12, free; VIP Weekend Pass, $8. Information: 800-234-4797.
Saturday, March 5
Sunday, April 3
n Snowmaker’s Ball, 7 p.m. to 12 a.m., McCauley Mountain, 300 McCauley Mountain Road. Includes dinner, dancing, prizes and live music with Joe Bolton. Cost: Per person, $20; Per couple, $40. Information: 369-3225.
n Syracuse Half Marathon, 8 a.m., The Oncenter, 515 Montgomery St. Packet pick-up is at 6 a.m., the race begins at 8 a.m. and the post-race party and runner’s hot food service is at 9:10 a.m. Registration ends March 29. Cost: $75. Information: syracusehalf.com.
Wednesday, April 20
n SnoFest, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Hiltebrant Recreation Pavilion, 225 North St. Sponsored by Central Adirondack Association. Ski Doo, Yamaha, Polaris and Arctic Cat will premier their 2017 models. Cost: Free. Information: Old Forge Visitor Center, 369-6983.
n Syracuse Fashion Week, 6:30 p.m., BarnesHiscock House, 930 James St. Featuring designs and pieces throughout the decades. Event includes music, hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and a vendor floor. Cost: $40. Information: syracusefashionweek.com or email at syrfashionweek@gmail.com
Friday, March 18
Friday, April 29 to Sunday, May 1
n St Patrick’s Day Parade, 5 p.m., Main Street. Features synchronized snowplows, grocery cart maneuvers, and floats. Cost: Free Information: 369-6983.
n Spring Fest, Palace Theatre, 2384 James St. Spin-off of the Syracuse International Film Festival featuring filmmakers connected to Central New York. Includes premieres, live music and talks with the directors. Cost: $20; festival pass, $35. Information: Michael Massurin, 671-2188.
Potsdam Saturday, March 12 n North Country Jr. Iron Chef Cooking Competition, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 54 Lawrence Avenue. Middle and high school students from around the North Country compete to develop healthy recipes using local & commodity foods that could be prepared in a school cafeteria. Cost: Free. Information: 265-2000, potsdam.k12.ny.us/AAK
Saturday, April 30 n Forever Baby Expo, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., SRC Arena and Events Center, 4585 W Seneca Turnpike. This event brings families, providers and retailers together. Cost: Free. Information: forever-baby.com.
Thursday, March 3 n Relay For Life of Jefferson County Kickoff, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Ramada Inn, 6300 Arsenal St. Cancer survivors, caregivers, volunteers, and community members will gather to kick off the North Country Relay for Life fundraising season. Cost: Free. Information: Don Boshart, don. boshart@cancer.org or 433-5650.
Friday, March 11 to Sunday, March 13 n 31st Annual Irish Festival, Dulles State Office Building, 317 Washington St. Event includes live bands, Miss Ireland Pageant, a beard growing contest, Irish Parade and Irish step dancers. Cost: Friday and Saturday, $6; Sunday family tickets, $6; Sunday individual tickets, $2; children 12 and younger, free. Information: ncirishfest.com.
Saturday, March 19 to Sunday, March 20 n Maple Weekend, Massey Ranch, 20605 Combs Road. Live demonstrations on maple candy, cotton candy and maple cream. Learn step-bystep how maple syrup is made. Cost: Contact for prices. Information: Shawn Massey, 783-5939 or shawn@masseysfurniturebarn.com.
Friday, March 25 n St. Patrick’s Hockey Classic, 6 p.m., Watertown Ice Arena, 600 William T. Field Drive. The 6th annual game between the City of Watertown Firefighters and Jefferson County Volunteer Firefighters will benefit Andrew Derouin and family. The game will be a double header with the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association versus the New York State Troopers. Cost: Contact for prices. Information: watertowncityfire.com.
Saturday, March 12 n Shamrock Run, 10 a.m., Watertown Family YMCA, 119 Washington St. Courses include a 2.2 mile walk/run and a 5 mile run. Online Registration is open. Cost: 2.2 mile for members, $17; for nonmembers, $20; 5 mile for members, $23; for nonmembers, $25. Information: watertownymca.org/programs/122-shamrock-run.
Sunday, April 17 n Brahms and Dvorák, Dulles State Office Building, Watertown, 3 p.m., Dulles State Office Building, 317 Washington St. Orchestra of Northern New York presents piano soloist Paul Wyse. Cost: Adults, $22; senior citizens 62 and older and military, $18; students 6 to 17, $5. Information: 267-2277 or onny.org. TEll us about it — Have an event you would like to include in NNY Living? Email us at nnyliving@wdt.net with the details or visit www. nnyliving.com and click Events.
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Friday, March 11 to Saturday, March 12
Watertown
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SOCIAL SCENE
[ Cocktails & Chocolates ] Jefferson County Historical Society, Watertown
From left, Deana Winslow and Cindy Anlheim, both of Chaumont.
Joanne McClusky and husband, James, both of Watertown.
karee magee PHOTOS | NNY LIVING
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From left, Carol Wardwell, David Walton and JoAnn Seiler, all of Watertown. The Jefferson County Historical Society hosted its annual Valentine’s Day “Chocolate & Cocktails” reception on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at the Paddock Mansion, Watertown.
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karee magee PHOTOS | NNY LIVING
From left, Tammy Frary, Adams Center, and Karen Moseley, Rodman.
OUTER WASHINGTON ST. WATERTOWN NY 315-788-6022
WaiteToyota.com
Let's Go Places
SOCIAL SCENE
[ Second annual Snowtown Film Festival ] Dulles State Office Building, Watertown
From left, Jill Bach, Clayton, sister, Kylie Peck, Cape Vincent, and mother, Janet Ferguson, Clayton.
KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY LIVING
From left, Jennifer Knapp and husband, Marc, Watertown.
KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY LIVING
From left, Hillary LaClair, Tim Sweeney, Ken Tousley and Melissa Aulet, all of Watertown. The second annual Snowtown Film Festival took to the screen Jan. 29 and 30 at the Dulles State Office Building. The two-day festival opened with a “flannel casual” red carpet reception and screening of “The Thing.”
From left, Steve Hunt, wife, Ayesha, Watertown, Marti McIntosh, Watertown and son, Colin Riendeau, Montreal, producer, “The Fish.”
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THE NNY LIFE
Rhinetone pins and cigarette pants help define character BY KAThy hirschey
I recently spent part of thE AFTERNOON at the Social Security office. My husband and son needed replacement cards. As we sat in the waiting room, I was fascinated and moved by one person who was sitting nearby. It was a woman who appeared to be in her late 70s. She was wearing a fur coat, full length, with a rhinestone pin affixed to the lapel. It was a glittery cursive “L.” Her hair, gray and short, was combed and shaped into a lacquered shell of elegance and tucked gently into the front of her bangs was a bobby pin affixed with another shiny stone, perhaps a rhinestone, or it could have been a diamond. I was touched by the little details of her
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outcome of her meeting. I watched her hands move as she spoke. There was something about her that made my heart ache. She was all dressed up, with nowhere to go. Stop, I told myself. You know nothing about her. She may be going to dance class after this. Perhaps her companion isn’t her driver, but her young lover. She may have a rich and vibrant social life, or maybe, just maybe, she doesn’t, and she’s happy. It could be, though, that she’s lonely, and tries her best to polish her outside each day, missing the girl that once was, hoping, by some miracle, that with the right shade of lipstick, and a moment of perfect of lighting, she will be there again, and
There comes a day when you are a little invisible. Once that happens, you need to be ready to embrace yourself, and the impression you make on others, by feeling confident on the inside.
attire like her perfectly polished black shoes with the small heel. Her smooth, snag-free stockings, which were visible between where her Capri slacks, or “cigarette pants,” as my grandmother used to call them, ended. Under her fur, she wore a white sweater that appeared to be cashmere, and she had added tiny pearl earrings. Her fingernails were red, a manicure of perfection. Her lips were stained with care, another flushing shade of red, and I was mesmerized as I watched them move; pursed in worry, or forming words, as I heard her wonder out loud about the
someone will notice. I looked down at my own hands, which are nicked and red. My hands aren’t aging so well. I should have moisturized more. My own nails are broken, uneven, and unpainted. As we were about to leave the office, I heard her number called. I watched her walk, slowly, head held high. Her spine was straight, and the fur of her coat made the slightest ripple in response to her gait. Her companion walked beside her, and I heard her say: “You’ll go in with me?” He nodded. She looked relieved. Her red lips relaxed a little, she tucked her shiny purse
under her arm and she was gone. There comes a day when you are a little invisible. You are no longer valued for your beauty, or your dewy complexion, or shapely legs. Once that happens, you need to be ready to embrace yourself, and the impression you make on others, by feeling confident on the inside. I know I’m not ready for that. I’m too caught up in the sadness of losing something I never felt entirely comfortable in — my own skin. Maybe I was jealous of the woman at the Social Security office. She didn’t seem unaware that she was old and she proudly wore a giant rhinestone “L,” to give herself back that bit of sparkle. The glittery part of her who listens to Frank Sinatra while she sips a martini and paints her nails the brightest color of red she can find. She sits in her house and she takes pride in herself even though she is old, lined and to some invisible. The universe reminds you at the most unexpected moments about what’s important in life. I think I needed to see the woman at the Social Security office in order to spend some time thinking about all the things that lurk just under the surface of my current psyche. I can say “It’s what’s inside that counts,” but that doesn’t make me believe it. I need to face the fact that someday, sooner than I think, I’ll have choices to make about acceptance, and how I see my place in the world. I need to ask myself tough questions: Do I know enough about life and its course to be peaceful? Am I knowledgeable and confident about the things I will want to discuss, when I’m older? Like playing bridge or sitting in a square of women, debating politics and lessons of history. Do I feel the beauty that is contained on the inside? Am I doing all I can to face myself, full on now, so that I accept her when she’s older? Should I wear pantyhose, red lipstick, and a rhinestone in my hair? Is there any place that still sells cigarette pants?
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Kathleen Smith Hirschey is a north country native who splits her time between Sackets Harbor, and Carlisle, Pa., where her husband, an Army colonel, attends the U.S. Army War College. Kathleen works in the human service field and spends her spare time writing, trying to become a better cook, attempting to outwit her teenage son, and dreaming of the day when she can live on a beach. Check out her blog Kathleenuntitled.wordpress.com, or email her at Kathleenmon1@hotmail.com
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north country notes
Our north country is a ‘land of many borders’ within itself BY NEAL BURDICK
“Border country.” I overheard THIS this phrase once, a discernible fragment of conversation in a noisy restaurant. It’s another name for the north country. When we use it, we are probably thinking of our border with Canada. But there are lots of other borders in the north country. Some are man-made — straight, narrow lines drawn on maps by politicians, planners and promoters to delineate counties, towns, villages, school districts, water districts, fire districts, voting districts, land-use zones, economic development zones, tourism marketing zones, and on and on. Others, though, have been around since long before Europeans arrived in the area (the native peoples didn’t worry too much about lines on maps). These have been laid down by nature. They’re not straight
the surface?). Downstream from Massena, though, it strikes out due east, heading relentlessly overland more or less coincident with the 45th parallel, the half-way line between the Equator and the North Pole. It’s a little crooked here and there; the intent was for it to sit right on that latitude, but surveying wasn’t all that precise when it was marked off two centuries ago, and maybe the crews said, “Close enough.” Then there’s the point where it hits Lake Champlain: The United States built a fort to fend off invasions from Canada, but put it on the wrong side of the border, upon which the Canadians, nice people even then, said, “Oh, here, you can have the land under the fort, no hard feelings,” and calmly jogged the boundary a quarter mile north. Historic quirks like that one aside, na-
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The natural borders that overlie the region shape these human borders, and they’re one reason the north country is more varied than we often recognize.
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and narrow, they move around, they’re invisible if you aren’t paying attention, and they affect our lives every day. All of that makes them much more interesting. Which is not to suggest that human boundaries are totally boring. That international boundary, for example — it has a split personality in the north country. For a while it follows a geologic divider, the St. Lawrence River, dodging and darting among the islands off Alexandria Bay (ever fall for that ruse on an islands cruise, when the pilot sends you to the back of the boat to look for it floating on
ture’s boundaries have their own stories to tell. Open your eyes and ears to those stories, and you will come to appreciate that these boundaries are more influential than we realize. One such boundary is the ecological one between the Adirondack and Tug Hill uplands and the valley lowlands that encircle them. Each zone has its distinct geology, vegetation types and land uses, and the difference is sometimes quite stark. Near Nicholville while driving home to Canton from the mountains recently, we traveled a winding, hilly road in mixed
it bequeaths such entertainment as ice storms and 40-degree temperature lurches from one day to the next. If you’ve ever wondered how it can be 30 below zero at the Watertown airport and a balmy 10 above an hour away in Syracuse, blame that air-mass boundary. These natural borders subtly affect human ones as well. Very generally, on either side of the ecological boundary between the uplands and lowlands, people establish settlements differently, recreate differently, and follow different food customs and principal occupations. (You will
find more loggers in Tupper Lake than in Clayton, for example, or dairy farmers in Lowville than around Cranberry Lake.) The natural borders that overlie the region shape these human borders, and they’re one reason the north country is more varied than we often recognize. Maybe it should be “Borders Country” — a land of many borders that tell much about us. Neal Burdick lives in Canton, where he is publications editor at St. Lawrence University and a freelance writer, editor and anthologist with special interest in his native north country. He writes regularly for several regional periodicals. His column appears in every issue of NNY Living.
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forest one minute, a flat, straight road in cornfields the next—we had emerged, suddenly and dramatically, from foothills to farmland. While this boundary is often not quite so stark, you can see it across the north country, from Route 812 as it descends into the Black River Valley, or from Hallock Hill near Keeseville, where within half a mile you go from Adirondack rock and forest to Champlain Valley pastures and orchards. Trees help define this border, a fact that is amplified when we understand that the north country straddles on the boundary between two of the Northern Hemisphere’s primary forest zones: the northern, or boreal zone, typified by conifers like spruces and firs; and the temperate zone, characterized by hardwoods such as maples, beaches and oaks (pines, nature’s ecumenical species, are content in both). Because this border, like all those in nature, is indefinite, the region is hospitable to a blend of trees that characterize both sides of it. The same may be said of species from mosses and lichens on up the chain to wildlife. The north country may not be as diverse as many places in its human population, but it is remarkably so in its floral and faunal populations. If you want a good visualization of these boundaries, check out one of the rivers that flow from the Adirondacks down to the St. Lawrence. Hike to the Grass River at Lampson Falls — it’s a level, easy 15-minute walk, handicappedaccessible — and observe the evergreen forest, the rugged terrain, the water tumbling and swirling and flying raucously over rocks as though it can’t wait to get to the valley. Then drive the short distance downriver to Madrid and study it again — it’s quiet, laconic, lazing along almost without evidence of a current between farm fields and willow trees. Within a handful of miles, it has become a different river. It has crossed boundaries and changed its personality. Even less distinct and more fluid than the tree boundary is our meteorological one. It separates warmer mid-continent air masses from colder polar ones, and this one bounces back and forth in both time and space, making it all that much harder to locate. This is especially true in winter, when it can really flop around, from north of us, giving us mild and rainy weather, to south of us, ushering in those iconic days of brilliant sunshine and highs below zero. When it parks right over us
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WELLNESS
A necessary change for today’s children to foster healthy habits BY MICHELLE L. GRAHAM
The new year always brings hope for change. My hope for 2016 is to find ways for children and families to be more active and live healthier. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta has reported that almost half of the youth in America ages 12 to 21 are not participating in vigorous exercise on a regular basis. Worse yet, the CDC estimates 14 percent of youths report no physical activity at all. Participation in activity declines with age and advancement in grade. Also, adolescent girls are less active than boys. There are challenges across the age spectrum. Our children are in crisis as
want our children to be active and eat well, we have to be their role models, teach them and guide them toward good health behaviors and structure in their day. The good news is it is never too late to start. Have a family meeting and decide what changes within your family structure need some reworking and then formulate your own plan. There are some promising ideas to help increase activity among our youth. I appreciate our physical educators trying hard to make the best use of their time. They now focus on health and fitness for life, not just for organized sports. I truly believe this is helping. Education is the
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Modest amounts of daily activity can be very beneficial. A wellstructured plan can guide families to better health. Be your own best advocate for lasting healthy change.
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they now battle adult diseases such as Type II diabetes and elevated cholesterol. Obesity among the young is on the rise at an alarming rate, too. As I say about most things I write about, having a plan means everything. What plan can you and your family put in place to lead a healthier more active lifestyle? The days when we can place the responsibility in the laps of our schools are over. Physical education across school districts continues to decrease. If we
key to learning healthy behaviors. I would love to see our neighborhood schools host after school intramural sports. How we can accomplish such a task requires collaborations and great minds coming together for the greater good of our youth. Not every child wants to participate in competitive sports. Perhaps intramural sports could be part of the solution. Also, modest amounts of daily activity can be very beneficial. A well-structured plan can guide families to better health. Be your own best advo-
cate for lasting healthy change. Here’s a top 10 list to help get your family healthy and engaged once and for all this new year: 1. Plan meals together and eat together as a family unit. Get everyone involved in the process. 2. Research active things to do in our area throughout every season. We are lucky enough to live in a beautiful area. With a change of season there are also changes in activities. Take advantage of your surroundings. Go for a hike, a swim, a bike ride, kayak or canoe paddle or snowshoe or ski. 3. Put down the electronics and minimally set limits. Our youth today are so connected to tablets, phones and computers. Set limits on these devices and then FOLLOW THROUGH. 4. Teach your family about healthy foods and try new recipes. Pack lunches with healthy foods in them. Get your children involved in making lunches so everyone wins. 5. Create opportunities for everyone to be active together. A walk is easy and requires no equipment. Make activities fun, challenging and playful. Get your family active. Bottom line: MOVE MORE. 6. Play active games with your children. Find ways to have fun and be active at the same time. Make an obstacle course in your backyard. Go for a walk at the zoo. Do a “seek and find” on a hike. 7. Make sure your children get enough sleep. Sleep for children of all ages is important. Don’t underestimate a good night’s sleep for your whole family. 8. Watch out for soda and other high-calorie beverages. Water is best for hydrating. I see children doing very little activity guzzling down Gatorade and
315-782-4910
For 2016, become a proactive role model. It does not have to be perfect or elaborate, just workable. Slow and steady wins the health and fitness race. Your health and your family are at stake. Becoming a health-focused family does not require anything special, just a little time and attention. Be a happy healthy family in 2016. Set your plan in place today. Michelle L. Graham, MS, is wellness director for Watertown’s Downtown YMCA. Contact her at ymca_mgraham@yahoo.com. Her column appears in every issue.
(315) 782-4910 • 1-800-772-4201 • Fax: (315) 785-8248 www.dlcalarco.com • francee@dlcalarco.com
WI N TE R 20 16 | N N Y LI V I N G
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Powerade. Do they really need all these extra calories? 9. Be a role model for your family. If we want our children to eat better, we also have to eat better ourselves. If we want our youths to move more, then we have to move more, too. Make a simple plan and expect wonderful results. 10. Do things as a family. Get involved, be an ACTIVE role model and parent. Be positive. Spend time focusing on being healthy habits rather than a specific numbers.
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COVER STORY
A foundation for health & wellness Families should strive to make fitness a lasting habit for the future TEXT By karee magee | NNY LIVING
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While leading a healthy lifestyle may seem to be easier said than done in today’s busy society as parents juggle work and family, the problem might be the way health and wellness is viewed. Health is not limited to a mother losing weight as a New Year’s resolution, a father pumping iron for a six-pack, or a child eating all of his vegetables. True health and wellness is not a solitary activity. It is a family priority. “Parents need to set a good example,” said Dr. Gregory J. Healey, a family physician with Canton-Potsdam Hospital. “It’s not simply enough to yell at your kids to go outside. Our children learn by love and example.” Getting children to understand healthy activities begins with the parents, said Dan M. Meyers, executive director of Double Play Sports Center, Lowville. “As a child sees a parent being active it instills something in them,” he said. Though adjusting to a healthier lifestyle may appear daunting, Michelle L.
Graham, senior director of health and wellness at the YMCA, said it all begins with a plan. “When you have a plan, you have everything,” she said. “Those who have success make it a priority.” Ms. Graham stresses that it must be a realistic plan and to do that it’s best to introduce one change at a time. “When I see people get into trouble they’re going in too many different directions,” she said. “It requires some time. It requires focus and dedication.” The changes do not need to be huge, though, Ms. Graham said. They can be as simple as going for a walk during a break or packing healthier lunches instead of eating fast food. One of the most important steps, though, is to evaluate your progress and do not get discouraged by the big picture, she said. “It can be really daunting,” Ms. Graham said. “We put goals on us that are too lofty. It’s important to celebrate the
small successes.” The best way to ensure progress is to have the whole family participate in being healthier. “Just doing things as a family will instill those habits and more importantly give families more time together,” said Jamie S. Wood, owner of Page Fitness Athletic Club. The best way to do that is to involve everyone in the process and decisionmaking, especially the kids. Ms. Graham said this can involve regular family meetings to set goals and evaluate progress, packing the kids’ lunches with them and scheduling family activities like skiing or hiking. A good way to teach children about healthy eating, according to Etosha Farmer, registered dietician and nutrition counselor at Feed the Soul, is to include them in food preparation. “If they see where it comes from and how it’s made they’ll get more excited,” she said. “They like to help and feel that
STEPHEN SWOFFORD | NNY LIVING
Ryder Blackburn, 6, jokes with classmates as they make a fruit parfait during Kids in the Kitchen cooking class at Calcium Primary School last month. Programs like Kids in the Kitchen aim to instill lasting healthy habits in children so they don’t carry unhealthy habits into adulthood.
heads off mental health issues. It makes kids feel safe.” When parents are more engaged with their children, the more influence they can have over healthy choices. “They’re usually the resources we learned as young children,” Dr. Healey said. Though while engagement and nutrition are essential to family health, exercise is just as important. “The more you do the longer, healthier life you’ll have,” said Mr. Meyers. Mr. Meyers suggests trying new activities every few weeks to do together to increase fun and cut down on boredom. “There are no cookie cutters when it comes to fitness,” he said. “Finding what works for your body is essential.” Mr. Wood recommends getting young kids involved with activities like skiing, hiking and snowshoeing, but he said parents should focus on more strength training than cardio workouts since it builds up muscle better.
The most important part of fitness, though, is making it a habit, not a temporary solution for losing weight, Mr. Wood said. “There needs to be a lifestyle commitment, instead of instant gratification,” he said. “The critical element is making it a routine.” Wood said his clients reach a point where if they miss a few days of workouts, they end up missing it. With an increasing number of health and wellness solutions, though, it may seem intimidating to begin the journey. Ms. Graham said making use of community resources including gyms, personal trainers and dietitians would start families on the right path. “It’s about making an investment in your health,” she said. The north country, though offers a variety of other resources as well. The Cornell Cooperative Extension offers free workshops to low-income families on health and wellness topics,
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they’re contributing.” Involving your children in meal planning as well is a good way to instill those values by having the children choose a favorite healthy meal for that week, Ms. Farmer said. Bringing back family dinners would ensure better nutrition as well because families are more likely to serve healthy food if prepared at home, Dr. Healey said, but it also allows for family bonding. “The engagement occurs during dinner,” he said. “It’s a great time for parents to find out what’s going on. It’s good for mental health as well.” Family engagement, Dr. Healey said, is as important as physical health and it can happen at the same time. He recommends doing activities with your children like playing catch or kicking around the soccer ball, as well as substituting video games with board games. “Those interactive games are so much better because you’re interacting with other people,” he said. “Engagement
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including food pantries, healthy living, nutrition, and grocery store tours. The Cooperative also has wellness programs designed for primary and secondary school-aged children. Choose Health is a program for 8 to 12 year olds that introduces students to new healthy foods over six lessons. The Kids in the Kitchen program has seven lessons on nutrition for students 6 to 15 years of age and includes a cooking or food preparation activity. Molly Farrell, executive director of Mina Anthony Common Nature Center, said that the north country itself offers an abundance of physical activities for families to participate in together.
The Wellesley Island nature center alone has nine miles of hiking trails. The center offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter, and kayaking, fishing and hiking in the summer. Some of their programs are designed specifically for children, including Trail Tales, an interactive hike paired with a lesson like track identification. “This area presents a unique chance to go out and explore the natural world,” Ms. Farrell said. “The gift of the north country is outdoors. It’s important to take advantage of that.” KAREE MAGEE is a magazine associate for NNY Magazines. Contact her at 661-2381 or kmagee@wdt.net.
Eight tips for successful meal planning made easy 1. Start slow. Plan a few days per week instead of planning every day. Choose two to three new recipes each week. The other days plan items that you already know how to make or plan for leftovers. Check your calendar to see if there are nights that require more or less time for meal prep.
each meal that are different colors, shape and textures to ensure a variety of vitamins and minerals are being consumed and to enhance overall appeal.
2. PLAN AHEAD. Make a menu and grocery
6. INCLUDE FAVORITES. Find foods your
list to use before you go shopping to ensure you will have everything you need. 3. GET ORGANIZED. Make a meal planning
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binder or folder with recipes or ideas that you and your family would like. Every time you see a recipe print it out, pull it out of a magazine or make a tab in your cook book so you can easily find ideas quickly. Pull this out when you are ready to plan for the week.
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4. MAKE A BALANCED MEAL. Aim for a lean protein, complex carbohydrate and nonstarchy vegetable. 5. VARIETY IS KEY. Ensure to pick items at
entire family will like. Have each member pick one recipe/item they want to get everyone involved in the decision making. 7. REUSE. Keep old meal plans for future use. If you are too busy to plan in the future you can go back and use a prior plan. 8. DON’T STRESS. If your plan does not go
exactly as you intended, life happens. Your meal plan will need a little wiggle room.
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There’s an app for that 10 free health and wellness apps For adults
1. MyFitnessPal: With this calorie counter you can set daily calorie goals and record your daily food and exercise to help keep on track of your weight loss goals. 2. Moves: The app automatically records any walking, cycling and running. You can view the distance, duration, steps and calories burned by each activity. 3. HealthyOut: Quickly find and order healthy restaurant dishes. Dishes can be searched by calories, nutrition tags and cuisines. 4. Fitocracy: The app was designed to motivate you to succeed at health and wellness. Track your workouts, earn points, unlock achievements and beat quests. 5. Fooducate: The app acts as a weight loss coach for people who want to eat a healthy diet. Features include food and exercise tracking, recipe storage, barcode scanning for nutrition grades and advice on healthy foods. For children
1. NFL Play 60: This game gets them moving. You run, jump and turn while holding the phone and the character moves with them. See how many yards you can run, collect coins, unlock funky characters and jump over obstacles. 2. Max’s Plate: This “snax-maker” allows kids to play with their food as they learn about the five food groups. Tap and drag each food image to the correct area on the plate to progress through the game’s three levels. 3. Awesome Eats: Sort, stack, pack and plate fruits, veggies and whole grains through 64 levels while exploring 70 characters, healthy eating tips, skill bonuses, obstacles and fun surprises. 4. Motion Maze: This simple maze game forces the player to stand up and start running in place, tapping the screen to change direction as your character collects treasures. 5. Dance Party: A party game where you mimic the movements of dancers on your HD TV, Mac or PC using your iPhone or iPad Touch to track your movements.
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Joyce M. Kent weighs tomatoes while working at her son’s produce booth, Kent Family Growers, at the Canton Farmer’s Market. At left is her husband David J. Kent. The Lisbon farm offers year-round CSA shares. JASON HUNTER | NNY LIVING
Invest in fresh with a CSA share BY KAREE MAGEE
lar to a greenhouse, but passively heated, to grow winter vegetables including beets, carrots, onions and cabbage. They also freeze fresh produce like broccoli and cauliflower for the winter season. Mr. Kent’s family produces pickles, pesto and strawberry jam as niche items for the winter season. He said his customers appreciate the CSA because it “forces them to eat vegetables.” “I might say we’re encouraging them,” Mr. Kent said. “People are afraid of throwing away local produce. You’re going to make the extra effort to put it to use.” GardenShare offers a program to help low-income families in St. Lawrence County to afford the CSA payment called CSA Bonus Bucks. The program pays $100 of the cost of a CSA membership. “Every farm is different,” McAdam said. “Find the farm that is right for you and then come back to us for CSA Bucks.” GardenShare maintains a list of CSA’s and Farmers’ Markets in St. Lawrence County on its website gardenshare.org. To find CSA’s in the Lewis and Jefferson counties check the Cornell Cooperative Extensions website at cce.cornell.edu. KAREE MAGEE is a magazine associate for NNY Magazines. Contact her at 661-2381 or kmagee@wdt.net.
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The grocery store has long been dominated by soldier-like rows of foods while the freshest and healthiest sections on the perimeter have grown ever smaller. As those sections have decreased, the products, especially produce, become more expensive and less fresh. “It’s an important public health issue,” said Gloria McAdam, executive director of GardenShare, a nonprofit that helps lowincome families afford locally produced food. “The lower a family’s income the more likely they’ll buy the cheapest food they can instead of the healthiest. Options might seem slim, but a growing number of Community Supported Agriculture farms are bringing local, fresh produce back to the north country. “It will absolutely be fresher,” Ms. McAdam said. “The average eggs from the grocery store are 45 days old.” If shoppers buy eggs from a CSA, though, they would last longer without having to be refrigerated if they haven’t traveled far, she said. A CSA is a partnership between a farmer and local consumers where everyone shares the risks and benefits of farming, Ms. McAdam said.
Consumers pay up front at the beginning of the growing season, usually in June, and receive weekly deliveries or pickups of produce and other items. Dan Kent, of Kent Family Growers, a CSA in Lisbon, said being a partner isn’t as risky as it seems. “There is really no risk,” he said. “We produce more than enough.” Ms. McAdam said that consumers usually end up with more produce than what the payment is worth. Each CSA offers different items with the staples mainly produce, but farms also offer cheese, eggs, beef, chicken and niche products. “We try to give people the largest portion of each share the staples, but we offer some special items like strawberries and cantaloupe to keep it interesting,” Mr. Kent said. The produce available changes depending on the season though. Strawberries and blueberries are available in the late spring, but items like tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and squash are available later. Certain CSA’s, including Kent Family Growers also have a winter season running from November to March. Mr. Kent’s farm has a high tunnel simi-
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July 11 to August 26 Doors Open each day at 8 a.m.
at the NY State Zoo at Thompson Park
$180 per week per camper with a 20% discount for all members.
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After camp care (4:00 to 5:00) is an additional $5.00 per camper per day. We will offer lunches at an additional cost of $4.00 per day (includes morning and afternoon snack, sandwich, side and drink).
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Look for summer activities for everyone in the family with
beginning in May in the
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It is a great time to buy or sell real estate. The Jefferson-Lewis Board of REALTORS invites you to visit www.nnymls.com, then contact one of our members and let them show you how to
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AMANDA MORRISON | NNY LIVING
Roy Matteson, and his wife, Carol, work out together at the Watertown Family YMCA Downtown Branch. The couple was inspired to get fit because of their 14 active grandchildren. Opposite page, Carol Matteson uses an ab machine while working out at the YMCA.
Stepping up for family With 14 grandchildren, retirees trade couch for fitness
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BY KAREE MAGEE
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With 14 grandchildren underfoot ranging from 1 to 15 years old, good health took on a new meaning for Carol and Roy Matteson this past fall. The retired Indian River teachers decided they were no longer content with the inactivity that had crept up on them. “We were kind of getting to be couch potatoes and that’s when we noticed we were getting heavy and uncomfortable,” Mr. Matteson said. The couple took a hard look at their lives and decided that they were too young to feel worn down. “There are things we enjoy doing and
I don’t want to give them up yet,” Mr. Matteson said. “I watch people who have to give them up and I’m not ready to be there.” Their strongest motivation for being healthy, though, is keeping up with their grandchildren. “It’s our life really,” Mrs. Matteson said. “We’re blessed because they’re all close.” Having active children and grandchildren places pressure on the Mattesons to be energetic in order to keep pace with them. The grandchildren participate in basketball, gymnastics and dance, and they spend a lot of time at the YMCA with
their parents as well, Mrs. Matteson said. “It seems to be as important to them as it is to us,” she said. Besides babysitting some of the younger grandchildren three times a week, the Mattesons enjoy taking the kids on trips to Old McDonalds Farm, Niagara Falls, and the Teddy Bear Factory in Vermont. In the summers, they also take the older grandchildren on bike rides up to Cape Vincent and other local areas. “Being able to do those things with the kids is a lot of fun,” Mrs. Matteson said. At the end of October, the Mattesons joined a diabetes prevention program at the Downtown YMCA to jumpstart their
features healthy lifestyle. “Just because you’ve been doing it for 45 years doesn’t mean you’re doing it right,” Mrs. Matteson said. The one year program seeks to prevent diabetes before it starts by assisting individuals who are at higher risk of Type 2 diabetes by instructing them on healthy living practices. As part of the program the Mattesons keep a food journal, have periodic weighins, exercise regularly and go to nutrition classes at the YMCA. It’s not always easy, Mrs. Matteson said, but by doing the program together they encourage each other to keep going. “There are days when I don’t feel like going out and he says ‘come on, we’ve got to go out,’” she said. They’ve each found their strengths, for Mr. Matteson it’s the exercise and Mrs. Matteson is better at encouraging the nutrition. Mr. Matteson said they also find the encouragement from Michelle Graham, head of the diabetes prevention program, keeps them on track “When I screw up, she says ‘you’re
really lucky you lost 20 pounds over the holidays,” he said. “Maybe you didn’t lose as you wanted to, but you didn’t gain any.” Mrs. Matteson said that becoming healthy isn’t about punishing yourself for slipping up or getting rid of things that you like.
regular chips with wheat thins pop chips or full fat ice cream with low fat. The progress from the program is showing itself, Mr. Matteson said, including making it difficult to sit still long enough to watch football on Sundays. “I’ve got a lot of energy,” he said. “Sunday afternoons become harder because I want to get up and do something.” An added benefit, though, is being positive role models for their grandchildren when it comes to healthy living. “I think they’ll see overtime that we’re eating differently,” Mr. Matteson said. “I hope they do. It reinforces what the parents are doing.” Mrs. Matteson said they’ll be keeping up the healthy routines because they don’t plan to go anywhere anytime soon. “If you keep it up you can be around longer,” she said. “Hanging around with the grandkids keeps you younger as well, the hugs, the laughs.”
An added benefit is being positive role models for grandchildren when it comes to healthy living. “Don’t give up or feel like you’ve failed because you enjoy something,” she said. “You don’t stop living because you change the way you eat.” It’s all about planning and limiting certain items, Mrs. Matteson said. If you want to eat out, then plan around it, she said. For Mrs. Matteson, that includes eating a low calorie breakfast, buying one meal and sharing it or putting half of your meal into a to-go box before eating any. She also looks for healthy alternatives to her favorite snack foods, like replacing
KAREE MAGEE is a magazine associate for NNY Magazines. Contact her at 661-2381 or kmagee@wdt.net.
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FOOD
Meal prep made fast and easy n Keep a few staple ingredients on hand to impress
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BY BOO WELLS
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Life moves so quickly. When my boys were babies, random strangers would constantly approach us while we were out for a walk or at the grocery store, “Thing One” and “Thing Two” in a stroller or shopping cart, “Thing Three” in a snuggle cryovaced to my chest, and they would ooh and ahh, complimenting me on how darling the boys were (really, I’m not biased). What I remember most was the number of times they would warn “time moves quickly, enjoy every moment,” and “Your boys will grow up in a blink of an eye,” or “Enjoy them now, because before you know it, they will be grown and gone.” It was one of those things that I heard so often it began to sound like the adult voices on a Peanut’s cartoon “Wa-wa-wa-wa-wa-wa.” Fast forward to present day, the well-meaning strangers were right. The time did go by faster than I ever thought imaginable. The boys have morphed from my little “Things” into independent human beings … well, most of the time. “Thing One” has moved out west to try his hand at the ski bum life (so far he is not very good at it because he would rather eat seafood Alfredo than the prerequisite ski bum meal of Ramen noodles), “Thing Two” is in college, taking academia by storm and “Thing Three” is saving to buy his own car. Months and years have flown by ... heck, at the end of most days I can’t quite figure out where the time went. We are all so busy trying to “get things done,” checking items off of the interminable “To-Do” list. We whiz through life multitasking and, in my case, improvising most of the time. I get caught up in all the things I need to get done in a day and before I realize how late it is, “Thing Three” is inquiring about dinner ... wait,
I think, didn’t I just feed you breakfast? But alas, it truly is time to feed the darling boy and I have not even given it a minute’s thought ... panic. I have a friend who starts her family’s dinner as soon as she is done feeding them breakfast. She takes great pride in rattling off (read: bragging) about what she has going in the crock pot or what divine casserole she just has to warm up and voila dinner is ready. But let’s be honest, who really wants to think about dinner at breakfast? Who really wants to be that organized and on top of their game? Doesn’t it take all the challenge out of the early evening witching hour when everyone is hungry (irritable) and tired (even more irritable). My Mom always had dinner for the entire week planned out. She would write out what we would have on the back of a white envelope or an index card and stick it on the door of the refrigerator. It was fine knowing what we were having for dinner even before we knew what we were having for lunch. It was sort of nice knowing what to expect, even though surprises are much more fun. Expectations and reliability have their place. Spontaneity can sometimes be overrated (not often though). As an adult I might like having a dinnertime game plan. It might make life a little calmer and totally boring. I think maybe, planning dinner menus a week in advance, like leftovers, may just not really be my thing. I work much better under pressure. I like the challenge of foraging through the refrigerator, desperately searching for ingredients to turn into an acceptable, if not delightful, meal. The creative process of combining a little of this with a little of that, the energy surge every time “Thing Three” asks when dinner is going to be ready. In an attempt to be more like my Mom, I have recently begun to tame my wild adrenaline junky dinner demon a little bit. I have started cooking some of the recipes that I actually share with students in my “30-Minute Meals” cooking class. If I keep a supply of essential ingredients in the pantry, I can still procrastinate starting dinner until even my stomach is rumbling and then grab my trusty “30-Minute Meals” recipe. I hit the pantry, rattle about in the fridge, stir, season, and serve dinner way before the boyfriend suggests ordering pizza. Victory is mine. Menu plans and cooking dinner at breakfast work for some people but, this gal needs spontaneity and a few key ingredients to end another day on a high note. Boo Wells is chef and owner of the Farm House Kitchen, a catering company and cooking school in Sackets Harbor. Contact her at sacketsfarm housekitchen@gmail.com or visit www.thefarmhousekitchen.com.
Chicken enchiladas (Yield: 6 to 8 servings)
INGREDIENTS 3 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup oil, divided 1 tablespoon flour ¼ cup chili powder 2 cups chicken stock 10 ounces tomato puree 1 teaspoon dried oregano ½ teaspoon ground cumin Salt to taste 3 cups grated cheddar cheese 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken 1 onion, chopped 10 corn tortillas 1 cup sour cream, for garnish
½ cup chopped scallions, for garnish INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Sauce: In a saucepan heat 3 tablespoons oil, add flour and cook, whisking, 1 minute. Add chili powder and cook 30 seconds. Stir in stock, tomato puree, oregano and cumin and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes until flavors are well-blended. Season to taste with salt. FILLING: In medium bowl, combine cheese, chicken and onion. In skillet over medium-high, heat remaining 1/2 cup oil, until hot. Using tongs dip tortillas in the hot oil, one at a time, to soften, and drain on paper towels. Dip each tortilla in sauce. Fill each tortilla with a generous spoonful of filling and roll up; place enchilada seam-side down in a baking dish and repeat until all ingredients are used up. Top with remaining sauce. Bake 30 minutes. To serve, top with sour cream and scallions.
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FASHION
Fast fashion made greener Textile recycling helps the north country manage an eco-friendly waste stream
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TEXT BY KATIE MACHIA | PHOTOS BY AFM PHOTOGRAPHY
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In 1990, the average American household spent approximately 5 percent of its overall budget on apparel. Today, that percentage has dropped to 3.5 percent, which amounts to an average of $1,700 a year, according to a recent article in Forbes magazine. Another change has been on the manufacturing side. In 1990, approximately 50 percent of clothing worn by Americans was made in this country. Today, that figure is less than 2 percent. Clothing is one of the few consumer goods whose price point has declined; meanwhile, the price of almost everything else has gone up. Taking a brief look at this fact, it’s reasonable to conclude that we’re spending less of our budget on clothing. So why are our closets getting bigger, while our clothing
budget is declining? The simple answer to this question is fast fashion, which started gaining popularity in the 1990s. It refers to the process of creating a garment and getting it into stores as quickly as possible. Fast fashion retailer Zara, headquartered in Spain, has a reputation for this practice. Just as recently as the 1990s, there were only two seasons in the retail industry. Zara currently produces clothing for 104 seasons. That means they’re putting out 30,000 designs a year, clothes are arriving in stores two times a week, and 2.5 million items are moved from their distribution center in Spain each week. Zara’s clothing has been described as almost “carbon copies” of designer pieces. Although they use minimal advertising, the company has been reported
to be dominating the fast fashion market, along with their competition, H&M, Forever 21, and Topshop. This can all seem very appealing — clothes at rock bottom prices, new styles coming in every week, and the idea of being able to own the latest “it” item. What could possibly be wrong with any of this? The answer is a very indepth and complicated one. Factory tragedies, unsafe working conditions in foreign countries, overfilled landfills, a depleting ecosystem and a vicious cycle of consumption are all consequences of fast fashion. The flaws of the fast fashion cycle began being evident on April 24, 2013, after Rana Plaza, a garment factory in Bangladesh used by retailers worldwide, collapsed. A total of 1,129 people were killed and
Above, an abundance of discount clothing retailers has led to increased low-cost options for consumers. Below, many retailers employ a practice called fast fashion, which started gaining popularity in the 1990s. It refers to the process of creating a garment and getting it into stores as quickly as possible. Textile recycling, or donating used clothes to thrift stores, has helped to eliminate thousands of pounds of clothing from the regional waste stream.
The average American creates 70 pounds of apparel waste per year, according to the Council for Textile Recycling.
The Council has revealed that in 1999, Americans created 18.2 billion pounds of clothing waste, and that figure increased to more than 25 billion in 2009. If this cycle continues, it’s projected that Americans will create 35.4 billion pounds of apparel waste in 2019. The idea that something is so cheap, along with the lower end quality production of many of these pieces, are major contributors to the problem. You would think a lot harder about throwing away a $50 sweater, as opposed to one of the numerous $10 sweaters that you picked up at a fast fashion retailer. This mindset has people throwing away more textiles than ever before, and as a result, landfills are being over-
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another 2,515 injured. The building had been evacuated the day before over concerns about large cracks found in the structure. But the factory was still deemed safe, and the manager threatened to withhold a month’s pay from employees who did not return to work. That tragedy was just the beginning of the crisis behind fast fashion. Surprising data started emerging about the effects this cycle was having on our environment, shocking many in the industry. Each year, since the craze began, the average person has been creating more textile waste — filling up space in landfills and damaging the environment.
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whelmed. The dyes and chemicals from these clothes can be released into the atmosphere after sitting for years, according to the Secondary Materials and Recycling Textiles Association (SMART). But efforts are being made at both the state and local levels to keep unwanted
Ms. Oatman wrote in an e-mail. “Much of the reusable textiles are sent overseas to developing countries, others are sent to the wiping rag industry and others are reclaimed for their fibers.” However, not all thrift stores can handle the excess amount of clothes that can’t be
You can recycle any clothing, household textiles or commercial linens, as long as they are dry and have no odor.
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clothing out of the landfills, said Jan M. Oatman, regional recycling coordinator for the Development Authority of the North Country. In 2014, the New York State Association of Reduction, Reuse and Recycling helped launch a statewide textile recovery campaign to raise awareness of the issue. One of the resources for textile reuse/recycling has been thrift stores, such as the Watertown Urban Mission and the Rescue Mission, according to Ms. Oatman. “The textiles that are re-sellable are used in their stores, and those that they cannot sell or do not want are generally baled and go to a grader, where they are sorted and sent to a variety of places,”
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resold, she noted. “Many thrift stores do not want anything other than items that they can re-sell in their stores,” because they aren’t equipped to deal with damaged items, she said. That’s why an effort has been made to set up wooden collection sheds for textile recycling throughout the area. DANC has joined with Jefferson County and some other towns to set up these donation sheds at their transfer stations. The items are collected for St. Pauly Textile, a Rochester-based company which helps to distribute clothing worldwide. You can recycle any clothing, household textiles or commercial linens, as long as
they are dry and have no odor. Halloween costumes, curtains, pet beds, sports jerseys and stuffed animals are also accepted. In the north country, the best places to recycle your textiles can be found at this website: northcountryrecycles.org/textiles There are other solutions to help reduce the problems created by fast fashion: Talk about it This may seem like such a simple answer, but talking about the difficulties that relate to fast fashion is really the first step to solving the problem. So, next time you’re out shopping with friends or out to coffee with someone, just mention this. You may be surprised how many people don’t even know about the problems created by fast fashion. Write to the companies Although the retail companies and manufacturers should work toward improving working conditions in overseas factories and reducing the amount of toxic chemicals being released into the environment, the consumer has to first demand change. Write a letter voicing your concerns over these problems. If enough people take the time to do this, these companies will be forced to listen. You can find the contact information for most retailers on their websites.
Change your consumption Habits It’s a fact that a lot of people use shopping as “retail therapy,” whether they’re happy, sad, or lonely. Fast fashion creates massive amounts of disposable apparel. People love the feeling of having lots of possessions, making fast fashion one of the most successful trends the industry has ever seen. The best way to change your consumption habits is to buy quality over quantity. You’ll buy less because you’re spending more money on fewer items, and you’ll only be bringing things to your closet that you’ll actually wear. Buy ethical This is a good way to begin changing your shopping habits. Buy clothing from local boutiques or designers, or from companies that are upfront about where their products are manufactured. You can also support fair trade brands, and buy from second-hand stores. Even if you supplement these buying habits with your existing ones, you’ll still be making a difference. KATIE MACHIA, 18, is a Watertown native and freshman at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. She writes about fashion on her blog, theaisleofstyle.com, and is a regular contributor to NNY Living. She also models for print and runway shows.Contact her at theaisleofstyle@gmail.com.
An employee at the Impossible Dream Thrift Store at Watertown Urban Mission pulls a bag of used clothing to sort. The Factory Street second-hand store is one of several in the north country that accepts donations of used clothing, which helps to keep textiles out of the waste stream.
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