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THE NOURISH LETTER
Meet the Team Behind Your Meals NOVEMBER 2018
www.OctoberKitchen.com | 860-533-0588 | 309 Green Rd., Manchester, CT 06042
HOLE IN THE UNIVERSE
How We Say Thank You
O nce a month, Alison and I volunteer at the Cornerstone Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen in Vernon. On the third Sunday of the month, we go up and cook breakfast for around 100 people who might not be able to eat a hot meal otherwise. This is one way we try to give back to our community and make the hole we leave in the universe a little bigger. The concept of a hole in the universe is something I picked up a long time ago. The idea is that the hole through which you give to others is the same hole through which you receive. If you give only a pinprick, then a pinprick is what you receive in return. But if the hole you create is a floodgate of generosity, then your life will be blessed with a flood of goodness in return. The point of our hole in the universe isn’t to demand equal return for our efforts, but to know that when we are kind and generous to others, we will enjoy a world filled with more goodness. As a small business, October Kitchen regularly receives requests for donations to local fundraisers, charity events and sponsorships. No matter what time of year it is, we are always happy to say yes. Back in September, we donated a turkey dinner to the Manchester High School Football Booster Club. A week later, we were making recovery muffins for a local church’s 5K race. We’ve had the privilege of working with Boy Scout troops, theater clubs, charities that serve the blind and other amazing organizations in our community. It is
important for us to give back to the community that has supported us however we can. I consider that part of our corporate responsibility — and the best way for me and October Kitchen to really show our thanks and gratitude. As we enter the season of giving, I am reflecting more on the importance of giving back. The way I see it, giving back where you can — widening your hole in the universe as much as possible — is how we truly say thank you for what we have in life. And I believe the goodness that comes to us in return is, in a sense, God responding to our thanks. I always struggled with the concept of the Heavenly Host in the prayer book until I really thought about it. What do we do when hosting a party? We break out our best china, clean the house and make sure we have everything our guests could desire. God is the same way for us. He is the host of this party we call life and He has prepared a feast for us with all the best things He could offer. What do grateful guests say when having enjoyed such a wonderful party? They say, “Thank you.” And what is the Host’s reply? “You are welcome!” As we offer our thanksgivings and gratitude this season, let us always recall, Our Heavenly Host’s answer is “You are welcome!”
“No matter what time of year it is, we are always
happy to say yes.”
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Jimmy Gilleece Proves Heroes Exist THE THIEF AND THE WEDDING RING
floor. By some miracle, they found the wallet with the ring still safely inside.
Jimmy Gilleece owns a bar called Jimmy’s at Red Dogs in North Carolina. Like any good business owner, Gilleece cares about
This wasn’t the end of Gilleece’s good deeds. Young Prather, the thief, was homeless and hadn’t eaten in two days. Estranged from his mom and living in the forest alone, Prather stole the wallet so he could buy food. “I could tell he wasn’t a criminal,” Gilleece said. “He was just somebody who needed a little help.” And Gilleece offered that help. Today, Prather lives at Gilleece’s house with Gilleece’s fiancée and kids. He’s working two jobs, including helping out around the bar, and says his future looks bright for the first time in years. “I couldn’t have been luckier,” Prather said. “Most other people would have just [given] the footage to police and he chose to help me. He’s made me part of his family.”
his customers, but earlier this year, Gilleece showed just how big his heart is when he went above and beyond for a woman who lost her wallet and for the thief who stole it. In March 2018, Gilleece was contacted by a woman who had lost her wallet at his bar. She was frantic because her wedding ring, valued at $10,000, had been inside the wallet. Rather than shrug it off, Gilleece combed through security-camera footage. After three hours of searching the footage, he spotted the wallet on a bench outside the bar just as a suspicious young man approached. With a little detective work, Gilleece discovered the thief was 17-year-old Rivers Prather. The boy admitted to taking the cash and dropping the wallet into an ocean channel. It looked like the ring was lost to the sea, but Gilleece again went the extra mile and hired divers to search the ocean
This just shows how much good a little compassion can bring.
THE MOST UNDERRATED THANKSGIVING FOODS
4 DISHES YOUR TABLE NEEDS
nutritious dish. For example, try roasting halved Brussels sprouts with dried cranberries and bacon, drizzled with a raspberry balsamic vinaigrette. SAUSAGE Put a creative spin on your traditional Thanksgiving dishes and try using sausage in the stuffing. An Italian sausage, for instance, adds a kick of flavor to any stuffing, homemade or from the box. You can also experiment with other kinds of sausage to find the flavors that best complement your stuffing. Use a sweet sausage when you need something to pair with a stuffing that incorporates apples. CRANBERRY SAUCE This Thanksgiving staple rarely gets the attention it deserves. While it’s easy to buy a can of cranberry sauce, you do your guests a culinary disservice by going this route. Instead, make your own cranberry sauce. There are many recipes online and all you need are some fresh or frozen cranberries, orange juice and sugar to make the best cranberry sauce of your life.
When you think of Thanksgiving food, the first dishes that pop into your mind are probably turkey, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole. They’re a part of nearly every Thanksgiving meal. And while these delicious foods are something you don’t want to skip, there are dishes your table is sorely missing — dishes that don’t get the respect they truly deserve. This Thanksgiving, why not take a look at a few other options? SOUP This is one dish that rarely hits the Thanksgiving table. But try a butternut squash or broccoli cheddar soup and you’ll be surprised just how “at home” it feels among the rest of your spread. It’s perfect to serve ahead of the main course, as the final touches are put on the turkey or when the green bean casserole needs a few more minutes in the oven. BRUSSELS SPROUTS These tiny greens often get overlooked during Thanksgiving, but with the right accompaniment, they can make for an extremely tasty and
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WHY NOT WINTER SQUASH? The Perfect Addition to Your Menu
TESTIMONIALS At October Kitchen, our mission is to provide delicious, nourishing meals. In doing so, we hope to help our clients lead healthy and independent lives. Nothing fills our hearts more than knowing we’ve succeeded in our goal when we hear such kind words from our clients. “My boyfriend and I work long hours and by the time we get home, we do not feel like cooking. October Kitchen saved me! I enjoy being able to take out of the freezer homemade, healthy food and pop it in the oven (or microwave). So much better than Dream Dinners, where you spend hours there preparing your food and then when it’s time to eat it, you still have to prep it and cook it. Paul at October Kitchen already does everything for you and you just need to heat it up and eat. They use less salt and seasonings, so it’s good for everyone — ‘You can always add it, but you can’t take it out.’ Seeing as we have no health issues, we always ‘add it’ and that’s okay! Love, LOVE October Kitchen!” –Carol L. “Love this place! Wide variety of meals to choose from each week. Everything I’ve ordered has always been extremely tasty. All healthy options. I don’t have to worry about cooking when I get home from work or resort to takeout. I know I’m paying for the convenience, but it’s absolutely worth it. Excellent customer service too. Really nice and attentive people.” –Monica A. Some of the thick-skinned squashes, like hubbard, can last up to six months in the refrigerator. Meanwhile, the thin skins of delicata and acorn squash are even edible, so they don’t need to be peeled. Winter squash is the real Swiss army knife of vegetables. Winter squashes can be cubed, sliced, roasted, boiled, grilled, mashed, stuffed, spiralized or made into soup. There’s no end to the healthy recipes that call for winter squash. Serve them alongside roasted chicken, swap out the tortilla for butternut squash in an enchilada, or stuff some apples in an acorn squash for a spicy, buttery treat. However you prepare them, you’re sure to “fall” in love with this seasonal staple! Looking to work with a nutritionist who can help you take advantage of the healthiest foods all year long? Call Jen or Evelyn at Sea Slim Nutrition and Weight Loss at 860-918-9176. Don’t forget to mention October Kitchen and receive $25 off a consultation!
Move over potatoes — winter squash is back in season! Available everywhere from farm stands to the local supermarket, now is the time to take advantage of the goodness that is winter squash. With more than a dozen different squash varieties available, these versatile fall vegetables can help you easily change up your meals while providing a lot of nutrients and other health benefits. Gut Heath Whether you prefer pumpkin, butternut, acorn, delicata or kabocha, winter squash is great for your gut because it’s high in fiber, averaging 6 grams per cup. Low Carbs Compared to potatoes, winter squash is also lower in carbohydrates. Plus, the pectin in these nutrient powerhouses is anti-inflammatory, has antioxidant properties and supports healthy blood sugar levels. Vitamins and Minerals Winter squashes are high in vitamins and minerals like beta-carotene, vitamins A and C, folate, potassium, magnesium and calcium. This means that a serving of butternut squash at Thanksgiving dinner is not only delicious, but it’s also good for your skin, heart, bones and immune system.
_____________________________ Write your name here and fax the completed puzzle to 860-533-0585, send it via empty delivery box or bring it to the shop and receive 10 percent off your next order . Limit one per customer. Expires November 30, 2018. October Kitchen
N N I Y P A U L G H H G P G E U O E C V G K E N U X U J G A P R V H A A F A I R O E A H L N O X E C I R T V S P S X Y I L V P Z M T Z G I X U I R Y S E I O Z A B I P G A V R E L O S X T E L P E K S V E P Z X N S C A K X H V R K B V Z I A A U L T Q T Z T R N E G S F T W R N O J Z U K A A D C I T B I B C E K D S R L H A N I N Y C Y U S N E C W K T N T Z K P R G R A T I T U D E U F P Q P R F A M I L Y B Y D Y O N B A F D E H S A M R E B O T C O H O
ALISON ALISON CRANBERRY GRATI UDE KITCHEN OCTOBER POTATOES KITCHEN OCTOBER POTA OES THANKSGIVING THANKSGIVING CRANBERRY GRATITUDE
ATTITUDE FAMILY GRAVY MASHED
BRUSSEL FINNEY BRUSSEL FINNEY HAPPY NOVEMBER PIE SOUP HAPPY NOVEMBER PIE SOUP
ATTITUDE FAMILY GRAVY MASHED PAUL SAUSAGE TURKEY
PAUL
SAUSAGE TURKEY
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309 Green Rd. Manchester, CT 06042 INSIDE
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To Give and Receive
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The Value of Compassion Thanksgiving Dishes Your Table Is Missing
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Don’t Skip the Squash Word Search
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How to Give Thanks Year-Round
Taking the time to acknowledge who and what you’re grateful for is a Thanksgiving tradition far more important than turkey or football. It’s the cornerstone of the holiday and the reason we feast together in the first place. But when you really think about it, should expressing our gratitude and appreciation for others be limited to one day every year? Of course not! Why Gratitude Matters As we get older, it’s easy to succumb to negativity and pessimism — “Kids these days,” “The world isn’t what it used to be,” etc. The crabby grandparent and angry old neighbor are archetypal depictions of later life. But these fictions don’t AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE Should Last Beyond Thanksgiving
minutes to write down the acts, people and moments that you’re grateful for. Some will be big, others small — but all will have an impact on your mood and bring a smile to your face. Before you know it, you’ll have an entire book full of good memories and warm feelings. While keeping a journal is great, there are other ways to go about cultivating and expressing gratitude. The easiest one is simply to say “Thanks” whenever you can. It may seem insignificant, but you’d be surprised what a difference it makes. When you approach the world with the perspective that every day is Thanksgiving, it’s only natural to be grateful. We all have moments when we want to curse the world — especially as we get older — and those experiences are perfectly normal. Just as frequently, though, we have moments that are worth celebrating, often with people who are worth appreciating. Which will you think about more?
have to be your reality. Recognizing and acknowledging gratitude will help you take stock of the positive aspects of your life and dwell less on unhappy thoughts. Being grateful has also been linked to significant health benefits. According to gratitude expert and author Dr. Robert A. Emmons, “Preliminary findings suggest that those who regularly practice grateful thinking do reap emotional, physical and interpersonal benefits. Adults who keep gratitude journals on a regular basis exercise more regularly, report fewer illness symptoms, feel better about their lives as a whole and are more optimistic about the future.” How to Practice Gratitude In the above quotation from Dr. Emmons, he mentions the practice of keeping a gratitude journal. This activity is a great way to start seeing the world with a more positive, appreciative eye. As often as you can, take a few
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