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December 2017
Meaning and Mem ories A HOLIDAY CHARGEDWITH
Ever since I was little, Christmas has been a deeply special time for me and my family. Though this holiday is sure to be slightly different than years previous, since my mother-in-law sold the family
“Though we never had a whole lot of presents, it always felt like a day of abundance and wonder.”
home where we all used to gather for the holidays. But I’m certain we’ll be able to establish a new set of traditions and keep the spirit of Christmas intact.
— ridiculously delicious bite-sized pecan pies — or spicy cheese cookies, which, though they might sound odd, were absolutely mouthwatering. Spicy sausage balls, nut fingers with powdered sugar, and dozens of other options showed up over the years. We never knew what to expect, other than knowing it’d be some of the most delectable snacks we’d get to taste all year. During and even after the feast, we’d talk and eat until it felt like we couldn’t possibly have a single treat more. My father would then read the story of Christmas from the Bible, with an additional layer of drama courtesy of the shimmering candlelight. I can recall those moments with crystal clarity even now, because they were so powerful. After he was done, we’d each pick out a single gift to tear open from under the tree, and when it felt like we couldn’t possibly stay up another second, we’d head off to bed. When we awoke, we’d rush out to the living room and sit down together to open gifts. Though we never had a whole lot of presents, it always felt like a day of abundance and wonder. After Mom passed, we lost some of that magic, but it’s still an incredibly meaningful time for all of us. Though I’m not sure at the time of writing exactly where we’ll be for Christmas this year, I know the entire family — spouses, grandchildren, and all — will be together somewhere. To me, that’s what the holidays are all about.
Back in the day, Christmas was an
especially big deal for my mom, and she did everything possible to make it truly meaningful for us all. On Christmas
Eve, we’d gather in the living room while my mom lit candles
around the house. Then she’d turn out the lights, leaving us all
illuminated by this dim, flickering glow. It colored the night with a keen sense of closeness between each of us, centering the focus on my brother, sister, mom, dad, and me. For that evening, it felt like nothing else existed beyond the
boundary of the light.
Then we’d have a meal of delicious prime rib, accompanied by a staggering array of my mom’s signature hors d’oeuvres. To prepare for Christmas, she would spend hours making a wide range of tasty little treats, coming up with something new every year. Maybe there’d be a plate of pecan tassies
–Kim Nartker
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Our 25% New Year’ s Special!
Have you resolved to shed pounds, eat healthy, and get active in 2018? Don’t go it alone — let the experts at Stretch Physical Therapy help! Next month, all of us at Stretch Physical Therapy are pledging to start the “24-Day Challenge,” a complete diet and meal plan solution designed to transform habits and foster healthy eating. And we’d be thrilled to have you join us!
Not only that, we’re making it easier than ever to start exercising and get in the best shape of your life for the new year.
See back for details ...
So many people start out their healthy New Year’s resolutions strong, exercising and eating right, until they push themselves too hard and are forced to return to their sedentary lifestyle. Our array of exercise and health programs are designed to help you exercise in a way that fits your specific needs, prevent injury, and lose weight.
We offer each of the following programs, tailored to your specific goals:
• Strengthening Programs • Weight Loss Programs • Exercise Prescriptions • Programs to Boost Your Energy Levels • Personal Training
Best of all, each of our exercise and fitness programs are guided by one of our experienced physical therapists, experts in facilitating efficient movement and preventing injury. Sign up for any one of our robust fitness programs by January 1st and get 25% off! Give us a call at 513-874-8800 and take the first step towards making 2018 your healthiest year yet!
Gift Basket!
GIVE A DIY HOUSEWARMING
Flavors of Life Everyone needs the basics when they are settling into a new home. Put together a basket with these ingredients for a
Around the world, people welcome their newest neighbors with special gifts. Russia is often credited with starting this housewarming tradition, as dignitaries would visit nearby villages to deliver salt and bread to townspeople. The salt was symbolic of living a life full of flavor, while the bread was so no one would go hungry. Other cultures have their own housewarming customs. In Italy, a broom is bequeathed to new inhabitants to sweep away any lingering evil spirits. Another common gift is a candle, which signifies always having light. Meanwhile, the Frenchmake a day of it by inviting new neighbors over for a“l’aperitif,”an afternoon snack of cheese andmeat. Indians also extend a hospitable welcome, inviting new neighbors to join them for lunch or dinner. These neighbors also receive a gift for their new home. People often lament a time when“everyone knew their neighbors,”and while some nostalgia is better left tomemory (lava lamps, for example), a neighborly connection is worth pursuing. If you’ve never met yours, or if you just noticed the new family moving in next door, it’s time to extend a friendly hand. This holiday season, go above and beyond by putting together a gift basket for your neighbors inspired by some of the aforementioned traditions. Here are a few themes to try. Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness There’s nothing worse than unpacking and realizing you tossed out all of your cleaning tools. Draw on Italian sensibility and put together a household supply basket. Fill this basket with items like all-purpose cleaner, furniture spray, antibacterial wipes, sponges, and automatic air fresheners.
savory start: gourmet salt, a breadmix, olive oil and vinegar, a mixed herb set, and a bottle of wine tomake unpacking a bit more enjoyable. Warmth forWinter’s Chill
You can also provide heartwarming gifts to brighten a new home. This theme might include seasonal candles, scented plug-ins, a decorative string of lights, and glow-in- the-dark stars for the kids’room. Once you’ve chosen a theme, gather the materials to prepare your basket, including a decorative bow andmatching tissue paper. Then, stop by and introduce yourself and share your thoughtful, creative gift. You’re sure to impress!
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HAVEYOUTRIED PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR DIABETES?
Diabetes is a condition in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or does not react normally to insulin. When this occurs, it causes levels of glucose in the blood to become too high, which can lead to health problems. Physical activity and exercise are important and effective in lowering high blood glucose levels, and physical therapists can help people with diabetes improve or avoid related problems. They can also teach sedentary people how to increase their daily physical activity in safe, effective, and enjoyable ways. Individuals with diabetes are at risk of complications like heart disease, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, eye disease, kidney disease, nervous system disease, peripheral vascular disease, skin issues, cell death, amputations, and premature death. Once someone has been diagnosed by a physician, a physical therapist can evaluate their symptoms and the physical problems associated with the condition and provide individual, specialized treatments.
Physical therapy for diabetes is meant to help those with the disease participate in safe, effective exercise programs to improve their ability to move, perform daily tasks, reduce pain, and lower blood glucose levels. After a physical therapist reviews an individual’s blood glucose record and examines them for skin wounds, the therapist will then conduct an assessment of the individual’s strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance. The physical therapist will then choose specific activities, treatments, exercises, and stretches to help restore normal movement, strength, flexibility, endurance, balance, coordination, pain levels, and healthy blood glucose levels. The therapist will also discuss activity goals and prescribe at-home exercises to speed up recovery. Diabetes is a condition with many serious complications. However, physical therapy can reduce those complications while simultaneously improving physical fitness and lowering blood glucose levels. Talk to your physical therapist about diabetes treatment today.
HAVE A LAUGH ON US!
Thai Spaghetti Squash
WITH PEANUT SAUCE
(Recipe inspired by Leelalicious.com.)
Ingredients
Peanut sauce: •
• • • • • •
1 medium spaghetti squash
Olive oil
1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk ¾ cup unsweetened peanut butter
Salt
• • • • • •
1 garlic clove, minced ¼ cup chopped parsley
¼ cup coconut sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons white vinegar 2 teaspoons sesame oil 2 teaspoons red curry paste
2 tablespoons crushed peanuts
Directions
Lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Heat skillet over mediumheat. Add garlic, parsley, and 1 of the peanut sauce and combine. Add spaghetti squash and crushed peanuts. Stir to combine until heated through, about 2 minutes. Once served, drizzle withmore peanut sauce.
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Preheat oven to 350 F. Halve squash and scoop out seeds. Drizzle inside of squash with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place squash on baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes. Let cool. Using a fork, scrape out spaghetti squash strands. Place sauce ingredients in saucepan and bring to boil over medium-high heat.
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Inside
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Holiday Hors D’oeuvres by Candlelight
How to Give theWarmestWelcome
DownloadYour Free Copy of ‘5 Health Hacks for Busy People’
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Physical Therapy for Diabetes Treatment
Thai Spaghetti SquashWith Peanut Sauce
Evolution of a Christmas Icon
Santa Claus
THE ORIGIN OF
S anta Claus wasn’t always a husky, omniscient gift-giver who circumnavigates the world once a year, propelled by flying caribou and backed by an army of friendly elves. Though the historical St. Nicholas hadmany of the same generous tendencies as our contemporary“King in the North,”he lacked a high-tech sleigh that could exceed the speed of light. To be exact, St. Nicholas was a renowned Bishop of Myra—an old Roman town near modern-day Demre, Turkey—way back around A.D. 300. Even before he became the bishop, St. Nicholas was known for his generosity. The most famous tale of his charity involved a poor man who could not afford a proper dowry tomarry off his three daughters. In those days, this generally meant the daughters would remain unmarried, making it likely that they’d fall into prostitution. Wanting to help, but also wanting to spare the family embarrassment, St. Nicholas traveled to the house at night and threw three purses packed with gold coins through the window.
After his death, St. Nicholas became a beloved patron saint, but during the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, the respect that many Catholic saints received diminished, and his popularity dwindled across Europe. One area where he remained popular was the Netherlands. There, he lived on as “Sinterklaas,”a mythical figure who went house to house on the eve of St. Nicholas’s nameday, December 5, leaving treats and gifts for children. Sinterklaas traditionally wore red bishop’s clothes and employed elves, and he traveled with horses that could walk across rooftops. When the Dutch emigrated in droves to America during the 17th and 18th centuries, they brought this kindly icon to the new colonies. Over time, notably through Clement Moore’s 1822 poem“AVisit From St. Nicholas”and a famous 1930s depiction by Coca-Cola ad illustrator Haddon Sundblom, Santa evolved into the figure we see today.
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