Check out our November newsletter!
MONTH 2021
(AV)A BREATH OF Fresh Air
NOV. 2022
AvaAir. We’ll Be There
A THANKFUL SEASON Celebrating the Holidays With a Full Heart
This is the most wonderful time of the year: Pies, desserts, and sweet treats are constantly baking in the kitchen. Holiday decorations and Christmas lights line the streets. Temperatures continue to drop, and all is merry and bright! Many people love to see their favorite holiday movies rolling on television or to hear holiday music playing in the stores. And I don’t know about you, but during the holidays, I have turkey and ham on my mind. But there are other things that make this time special. The holidays bring everyone together to celebrate the past year, and it’s such a joy to be together. There is nothing better than quality time spent with family and loved ones. Also, around the holiday season, I notice a sense of additional kindness and cheer coming from everyone I run into — whether I know them or not. It’s great to head out to the grocery store, or even a doctor’s appointment, and to be surrounded by strangers who are cheerful and joyous — the happiness is contagious! However, most importantly, I enjoy the holiday season because it’s a time to be thankful! After another difficult year for the vast majority of us — due to struggles stemming from COVID-19 — it’s important that we take time to appreciate the many blessings in our lives: family, health, food, water, shelter, and more. It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives or to pay too much attention to the news and only focus on the negatives in our world. Unfortunately, not focusing on good things can cause us to take certain blessings for granted. For me, I’m grateful for the love and support of my family and friends, my health, the opportunity to do what I love each and every day, my ability to continue to work, and the little things in life that put a smile on my face. I’m also thankful for you, my loyal customers. Without you, AvaAir would not exist, because you keep us running. Thank you for believing in us and for trusting our team. If I’m sending them out to you, it’s because I also trust them; I’d even send them out to my parents’ house!
As a short reminder, as the end of the year approaches, don’t forget to change out the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and test that they function properly. Also, as a safety precaution — and so Santa can make it down safely without dirtying his nice red suit — have your chimneys cleaned. We don’t offer this service, but we can provide you with some referrals. We are here for anything you need.
From my family and the AvaAir family to you and yours, happy Thanksgiving and happy holidays!
–Chris Heenan
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‘COCO’ EDUCATES AND ENTERTAINS A 12-year-old boy accidentally banished to the land of the dead befriends a skeleton at risk of being forgotten by his living relatives. Together, they travel through a vibrant, musical, and sometimes bittersweet afterlife in search of a way to solve both their problems. Welcome to the magical world of Disney Pixar’s film “Coco.” “Coco” takes place in Mexico on Día de Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead. The Nov. 2 celebration is a time to honor deceased ancestors, but the festivities are at least as joyful as they are somber. Though American awareness of this holiday bubbled under the surface for decades, it exploded when “Coco” hit theaters in 2017. Five years later, the film hasn’t lost its charm and manages to be slightly morbid and uplifting at the same time. It’s also a fascinating peek into a culture many American viewers don’t know well. Beyond Sugar Skulls
Most parents want their kids to view Thanksgiving as a meaningful event — not just an opportunity to indulge in turkey and mashed potatoes. Unfortunately, most kids’ eyes will glaze over when their parents launch into a lecture about thankfulness. You will likely find better success by emphasizing the value of gratitude all year long. “What do you say?” It’s a question we all ask our young children after someone does something nice for them. This practice instills good manners, but it shouldn’t be confused with teaching gratitude. Imparting the meaning behind the words “thank you” takes something more. If you want grateful children, you need to be grateful parents. Consider how you can incorporate gratitude more into your everyday life. Are you as thankful as you should be? Do you repay favors and write thank-you notes? Do you regularly talk about why you’re so fortunate or what you’re thankful for? Cultivating gratitude in your life sets a good example, and many studies show it benefits your mental health as well. Next, consider how you can encourage your child to reflect on who they’re grateful for. Acts of kindness and returning the favor to those who have been good to us can inspire kids to put their gratitude into action. Doing some yardwork, sharing a toy, or making a painting as a gift can help children understand how powerful it can be to outwardly show our gratitude for the people who are in our lives. Consistency is the most crucial factor, so try to find ways you can incorporate gratitude into your everyday routine. Children of any age can keep a gratitude journal with their parents’ help. Some families also use a gratitude jar where each family member can write what they’re grateful for on a slip of paper and add something different to the jar each week. It’s the perfect way to keep gratitude front and center. These lessons may not sink in immediately, but by cultivating these positive habits in our everyday lives, you will see a big difference in the long run. RAISING THANKFUL CHILDREN A Daily Dose of Gratitude
The film follows Miguel, a child with a passion for music. Unfortunately, his family has sworn off music after
a musician relative brought tragedy to his family many years ago. A series of mishaps whisks him off to the land of the dead, where he meets a down-on-his-luck skeleton named Hector. They set off on an adventure to help each other and learn that they have more in common than they first suspected.
Despite its fanciful nature, most experts agree that “Coco” accurately represents how people celebrate Día de
Muertos. It shows how families use an ofrenda (altar) to remember their dead relatives, travel to the cemetery to visit their graves with offerings, and take time to remember them. The film also portrays the belief that death is not the end of life but rather a new phase. If your family is unfamiliar with Día de Muertos, viewing “Coco” is an excellent way to learn more about the holiday. It’s also an opportunity to discuss some weighty topics together as a family. Children may feel more comfortable approaching the scary subject of death after watching the movie, and it could be the perfect chance to discuss your family’s beliefs. You might also consider how you can better remember your relatives. Any parent looking to pass down their family’s history without their children’s eyes glazing over might never find a better moment. So, sit down together this November to enjoy the family-friendly tale of “Coco” and see what else you might discover.
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A SOFT TOUCH PREVENTING DRY WINTER SKIN
Winter seems specifically designed to make your skin dry and flaky. You must contend with cold air, low humidity levels, and dry furnace heat. Fortunately, there are things you can do to fight back. Here are some expert tips on having the softest skin possible during the upcoming cold months — without spending a fortune. Our skin consists of several layers, but we can only see the stratum corneum. It has to be tough to protect the other layers against outside threats. The stratum corneum also acts as a barrier, preventing the 60% of our bodies that is water from evaporating into thin air. But when skin is damaged or overwashed, or when the air is insufficiently humid, moisture escapes and causes dry skin. So, increasing the humidity around you is one of the best ways to keep your skin from turning into sandpaper. An inexpensive humidifier will do wonders, particularly at night while you sleep.
It won’t completely solve the problem, but it’s a good start. It also has the bonus of keeping your eyes, nose, and mouth less dry. Moisturizer is crucial to reducing itchy and flaky dry skin, but it’s also essential to moisturize correctly. Thicker lotions work better on dry skin, so find one that doesn’t come in a pump bottle. Ideally, you should be able to hold the jar upside down without the moisturizing cream falling out. Additionally, try to apply lotion immediately after your shower; it’s the best way to seal in the moisture. Speaking of showers, it might be time to give up the long, hot kind. They might feel great, but they strip away the natural oil in your skin that prevents it from drying out. Keep your showers short and use warm water instead of hot. You also don’t want to overdo it with scrubbing or soaps. Treat your skin gently and use moisturizing shower products.
Finally, if dry skin does catch up with you, stay calm and avoid scratching. Resisting instant relief is difficult, but scratching will only damage and dry the skin more. Further, research shows scratching doesn’t even work — it only makes you itchier. Applying a thick moisturizer should do the trick for most itches, and you can use a cold pack for the most persistent ones. This step will take willpower, but your skin will thank you later.
TAKE A BREAK
Roasted Pork Loin With Apples Inspired by MomFoodie.com Ingredients
• 4 lbs pork loin • 2 tsp garlic powder • 2 tsp salt, divided • 1 tsp black pepper
• 8 apples • 2 red onions • 3 garlic cloves • 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 tsp cinnamon • 3 tbsp butter, softened
Directions
1. In a large bowl, season pork loin with garlic powder, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and pepper, then cover and place in refrigerator for 30 minutes. 2. Preheat oven to 425 F. 3. Slice apples and onions, then chop garlic cloves. Season with brown sugar, olive oil, remaining salt, and cinnamon. 4. In a 9x13-inch baking dish, place a layer of apples and onions in the pan, put pork loin on top, then place remaining apples and onions around it. 5. Break butter into small pieces and place them on the pork loin and apples. Place dish in oven and let it bake for 15 minutes. 6. Reduce the heat to 350 F, then continue to bake for 60 minutes. 7. Remove dish and stir apples and onions. 8. Increase heat to 450 F, put dish in oven, and roast for an additional 8–10 minutes.
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AvaAir. We’ll Be There
Inside
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Thankful This Holiday Season
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A Daily Dose of Gratitude
Learn About Día de Muertos From ‘Coco’
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Keeping Skin Soft in Cold Weather
Roasted Pork Loin With Apples
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What Your Heart Rate Means
UNDERSTANDING YOUR ACTIVITY TRACKER’S HEART RATE DATA Don’t Miss a Beat
About 20% of Americans wear fitness trackers — and if you’re one of them, your watch of choice probably has a function to track your heart rate. Those who take a more relaxed approach to physical activity might also hear a nurse announce the pulse rate during a doctor’s visit. But do you know what those numbers mean? We’ve got the answers. There are three heart rate metrics: resting, target, and maximum. Resting heart rate is calculated when a person is not engaged in any activity. A target heart rate indicates the ideal heart rate to reach during exercise. Finally, your maximum heart rate reflects the number you should never exceed.
that range are better for a person’s health. Elite athletes may have heart rates below 60, but tell your doctor if you’re a marathon runner, or they will be very concerned when they take your pulse! Your resting heart rate can vary based on your stress, activity level, hormones, or medication, and your doctor can help with tips on improving it. Maximum heart rate is calculated by subtracting your age from 220. So, a 40-year-old would have a maximum heart rate of 180. Even then, you shouldn’t go beyond approximately 95% of your maximum heart rate — meaning you shouldn’t exceed a heart rate of 171. If you do, it means the exercise you’re doing is putting more strain on your heart than the potential benefit is worth.
you should aim for when performing moderate to intense exercise, and it’s how your fitness tracker is most helpful. You can use the tracker to determine if you’re exercising hard enough, and many will also alert you once you’ve hit your target heart rate zone. Finally, while fitness trackers can be helpful, it’s important to remember that they’re not medical devices. If your heart rate is abnormally high or low, it’s not necessarily indicative of a problem — but you should mention it to your doctor for safety’s sake. Additionally, different fitness trackers calculate your heart rate with different formulas. So, if you switch and notice a change in your heart rate, rest assured that you didn’t magically become less (or, unfortunately, more) healthy overnight.
An adult’s average resting heart rate is between 60–100 beats per minute. Lower numbers within
Finally, your target heart rate reflects 50%–80% of your maximum heart rate. It is the range
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