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December 2023
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Yes, everyone eats cookies throughout the year, but something about December has us baking and chowing down on these treats regularly. Maybe the string of holiday parties, the Christmas Eve tradition of feeding Mr. Claus, or the increased time spent indoors has the winter month filled with cookies. Whatever the reason, countless countries across the globe have their own take on Christmas cookies. With Dec. 4 being National Cookie Day, I wanted to share a few variations of this seasonal treat! Greece — Kourabiedes Generously covered in powdered sugar, these dense Greek Christmas cookies are similar to butter cookies but filled with walnuts, almonds, and a bit of brandy. They are also commonly served at weddings and Easter celebrations. However, when December rolls around, you’ll find them everywhere, with an added clove on top representing the gift of spices the Three Wise Men brought to Bethlehem. Italy — Pizzelles These Central Italian cookies look more like doily-shaped waffles than your average sugar cookie. Crispy and delicate, these Christmas cookies were actually created before Christmas! Dating back to the 8th century B.C., pizzelles are often considered the first-known cookie recipe in the world. The cookies are traditionally flavored with anise but can be made with flavors like vanilla, almond, chocolate, or citrus zest. REFERRALS WELCOME Thank you for referring clients to us over the years. You will never be embarrassed by a referral to our office. We’re always available to lend a helping hand to anyone with any legal need. Just give us a call at (314) 961-5678 or visit us at BeckLawMO.com . The More Cookies, the Merrier! Holiday Cookie Delights From Greece to Poland
Austria — Linzer Cookies Often made in showstopping shapes like Christmas stars or snowflakes, these cookies are known for their delicious nutty shortbread texture and fruit jam fillings. Traditionally, the dough is formed with ground hazelnuts, but alternate versions made with ground almonds are just as delicious. In Linz, Austria, during the 1600s, nuts were easier to get than wheat flour. In fact, before there were Linzer cookies, the cake base of a Linzer torte was made from ground nuts. With the leftover dough, bakers created these cookies with black or red current jam sandwiched in the middle. However, in the U.S., popular fillings include strawberry, raspberry, or chocolate. Poland — Kołaczki While the exact origin is unclear, Poland claims these tasty cookies, which can be found across Eastern Europe during the holiday season. The dough is made with cream cheese, giving a soft, flaky texture, and filled with fruit preserves. You’ll likely see these cookies shaped like little envelopes, but they can come in many shapes and flavors, allowing for various cultural adaptations and specialties. I don’t know about you, but after learning all about these global cookies, I’m now on a mission to taste of every single one this season! Let’s enjoy ourselves this Christmas and celebrate to the fullest with those we love most. If that celebration involves cookies, then even better.
Happy National Cookie Day, and of course, happy holidays!
-Paul Beck
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The Battle Over Student Loan Forgiveness What Happens Now?
The costs of higher education have grown substantially over the past few decades. According to a report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, the average cost of tuition, fees, and room and board for an undergraduate degree has increased 169% between 1980 and 2020. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports that tuition has risen by another 5% in the past three years alone. While the cost of a college education has continued to go up, the average wage earned by recent college graduates has not kept pace, with only a 19% increase between 1980 and 2020. Most students and their families cannot afford college tuition on their paycheck alone, which has led them to take out exorbitant student loans. When the pandemic started, many Americans grew fearful of their financial future. Many were losing their jobs or getting furloughed, so they worried they couldn’t afford housing, food, or basic necessities, let alone their monthly student loan payments. In March 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which paused all federal student loan repayment programs. Individuals could still make payments on their loans, but they didn’t have to worry about interest or past-due notices. To help young Americans reclaim their financial freedom, President Joe Biden announced in August 2022 a $400 billion plan to eliminate or reduce federal student loan debt for millions of Americans. Not everyone in Congress agreed with Biden’s proposal, which led to the Supreme Court deciding the issue. The Supreme Court voted against the proposed plan 6-3. They claimed Biden was trying to use a bipartisan law from 2003 that deals with national emergencies to gain the power he needed to push his plan into action. “Six states sued, arguing that the HEROES Act [Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act] does not authorize the loan cancellation plan. We agree,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court. So, where do we go from here? The student loan forgiveness plan is out the window. Interest on student
loan repayments started back up in September, with actual payments resuming in October. President Biden has not backed down on helping college graduates with their student loan payments. A few months ago, the Education Department unveiled its newest income-driven repayment plan called Saving on A Valuable Education (SAVE). While SAVE doesn’t outright cancel any federal student loans, it will make repayment much more affordable for millions of Americans. A couple of fantastic benefits come with SAVE. First, borrowers earning less than $32,800 individually or $67,500 for a family of four will see $0 monthly bills. Other borrowers will pay less each month, with many experts estimating that payments will be cut in half. Students who took or plan to take less than $12,000 in loans will be eligible for forgiveness after 10 years instead of 25. And possibly the best benefit is that interest will no longer build up as long as you make your monthly payments. While it’s not total forgiveness, this plan does help recent college graduates get off the ground. One of the biggest concerns regarding student loan forgiveness was that it would apply only to people with loans. SAVE will help all former, current, and future higher education students. If you have children or grandchildren preparing to start college in the next few years, share this great news with them, as it will help make college more affordable for all.
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TAKE A BREAK
Chimney Christmas
Gifts Igloo
Mistletoe Ornament Parka Reindeer Sleigh Snowman Wreath Yuletide
Dreams are mysterious journeys into our subconscious. They can be filled with strange places, familiar faces, or bizarre scenarios. While the content of your dreams may seem random, research suggests the position you sleep in can influence their nature and intensity. The Impact of Sleep Position on Dreams The way you sleep can affect how often you enter the rapid eye movement (REM) stage and, consequently, the types of dreams you experience. While researchers can’t conclusively identify the relationship between sleeping positions and dreams, they have reached some research-based theories. Supine (On Your Back) Sleeping on your back allows for more unobstructed breathing and less fragmented sleep and may increase the likelihood of vivid and intense dreams because you’re more likely to reach REM sleep. Prone (On Your Stomach) Sleeping face down is associated with more restless sleep, less REM, and potentially fewer dreams, meaning your dreams will be less vivid and memorable. Lateral (On Your Side) Sleeping on your side, particularly in the fetal position, commonly leads to emotional dreams, possibly due to the sense of vulnerability or comfort this position provides. While sleep position can influence the frequency and nature of your dreams, it’s only one piece of the dream puzzle! Dreams remain a complex aspect of human consciousness, but it’s pretty neat to know that how you sleep may play a part! A Dreamer’s Guide: The Link Between Sleep Positions and Dreams
Chicken, Leek, and Blue Cheese Pilaf
Inspired by BBCGoodFood.com
Ingredients
• 2 1/2 cups water • 1/2 cup brown basmati rice • 2 tsp vegetable bouillon powder • 1 bay leaf
breasts, chopped • 1 leek, thinly sliced • 2 zucchini, thinly sliced • 1 cup frozen peas • 4 walnut halves, broken • 1/4 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
• 1 tsp grapeseed oil • 2 skinless chicken
Directions 1. In a large pot, add water, rice, bouillon powder, and bay leaf. Cover, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, in a large frying pan, heat oil and stir-fry chicken over medium-high heat until just cooked. Remove from pan, then fry leek until soft. Add zucchini, stir-fry for a few minutes more, then add peas. 3. When the rice is cooked, add it and any liquid from the pot to the vegetables. Return chicken to the pan, then cover and cook for 5 minutes more. Stir in walnuts and cheese and serve hot.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Explore Christmas Cookie Traditions From All Over the World
1
New Hope for Student Loan Borrowers
2
Chicken, Leek, and Blue Cheese Pilaf
3
Sleep Position Secrets
The Unbelievable Story of WWI’s Christmas Truce
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A BRIEF PAUSE IN THE TRENCHES The Heartwarming Tale of the Christmas Truce in WWI
Christmas is a time for kindness, yet for those in the trenches during World War I, no one expected mercy. It was Christmas Eve 1914 when British soldiers huddled in the mud-filled trenches, trying their best to ignore the harsh winter winds. Well, that was when peace broke out all along the Western Front. It became known to the world as the Christmas Truce after countless men wrote about their experiences amid the ceasefire. Records reveal the Germans called over to the British at around 10 p.m. to share some wine. At first, the British soldiers were skeptical, yet as they met halfway along the battlefield, amiable chatter and merriment began.
All along the trenches on various battlefields, French, German, Belgian, and British soldiers followed the
Christmas Truce. Men who were shooting at one another the day before began to share cigarettes, sip wine, and joke around. One account even recalled a soccer match between the British and German soldiers. A German lieutenant named Kurt Zehmisch wrote of the match in his diary. He wrote, “Eventually, the English brought a soccer ball from their trenches, and pretty soon a lively game ensued.” Zehmisch added, “How marvelously wonderful, yet how strange it was. The English officers felt the same way about it. Thus, Christmas, the celebration of Love, managed to bring mortal enemies together as friends for a time.”
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