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December 2024
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A TASTE OF TRADITION MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY SWEETS
Apart from our birthday, Christmas is the one day when we can expect to receive an assortment of festively wrapped gifts. Regardless of what you asked Santa for this year, there is no better gift than the 10–15 pounds of weight you will gain by consuming an array of holiday sweets. I have fond memories of sweets from my childhood and a continuing admiration for the desserts my family makes for the holidays. As a kid, my mom would make us “Idiot’s Delight,” which were delicious no- bake oatmeal cookies. I’m not sure if it was her or my dad that hated the name, but she renamed them “Simple Goodies.” Both names came from being super easy to make, but she didn’t believe in calling herself (or those of us who ate them) an idiot. We also made Christmas cookies growing up — sugar cookies we’d cut into fun shapes, like gingerbread men, Christmas trees, elves, and the occasional sprinkled dinosaur (you have to use your novelty cookie cutters at least once a year, right?). They were never flavorful, but they were fun to make. These days, we always make Polish Tea Cakes, as they are a particular favorite for our kids. The recipe comes from my wife’s family, and we make them every year. If you would like to try some of my family’s favorite recipes, then you are in luck! I have included these two recipes for you to try. Merry Christmas, everyone! Butternut Snowballs — Mary Kaye My wife always called these Polish Tea Cakes, but her grandmother’s recipe calls them Butternut Snowballs, so I’ve put that here. I don’t know for sure that these are authentic Polish, but since my wife’s grandmother was full- blood Polish and born in Poland, I’m going to say they are! While maybe a little dry on their own, they are great with coffee or milk.
Simple Goodies (the Cookies Formerly Known as Idiot’s Delight) — Regina Miller These are delicious no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies — just like my mom used to make! It is a unique recipe that makes for delectable and irresistible treats. It also makes me nostalgic, as these were one of the only desserts I could get away with eating growing up. While the original name for the recipe was Idiot’s Delight, my grandma thought that was too harsh and preferred to call them Simple Goodies instead. I’ll let you decide which moniker is more appropriate when you whip them up at home!
Ingredients •
½ cup evaporated milk
• •
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• •
2 cups sugar
½ cup peanut butter (we used smooth)
Ingredients •
¼ cup margarine (we usually use butter) 4 tablespoons cocoa
1 cup butter ½ cup sugar
• • •
½ tablespoon salt
•
1 cup chopped nuts, optional (we never use this, but it’s an option)
• • •
2 cups finely chopped pecans
• •
2 tablespoons vanilla 2 cups sifted flour
Powdered sugar
3 cups quick oats
Directions 1. Combine first four ingredients and bring to a full boil. Remove from heat; stir in remaining ingredients. Use a teaspoon to spoon onto waxed paper and let cool. Makes about 3 dozen.
Directions 1. Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla until fluffy. Add the flour and salt, blend well. Add pecans and mix. Shape into 1-inch balls. Bake for 20 minutes at 325 degrees. Do not brown. Cool then roll in powdered sugar. Makes about 6 dozen. If not cool when rolling in powdered sugar, the sugar will melt.
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TOP THRIFTING TIPS Sift Through Cast-Offs to Discover Gems
The U.S. thrift and resale market for second-hand goods will likely hit $50 billion this year, driven by shoppers’ passion for bargain-hunting and reduced prices. Combing through racks, shelves, and piles of donated items has become a popular pastime for millions of consumers. As thrifting grows in popularity, veteran bargain hunters have honed some useful strategies for separating junk from gems. Here are a few tips from seasoned thrifters. Diversify Your Search Leading thrift chains run by Goodwill Industries, Disabled American Veterans, The Salvation Army, and other large organizations have expanded. Still, small local thrift shops operated by churches, hospital foundations, and other local charities often have the best prices. One Reddit poster claims to have found a Coach bag and wallet for $3 at a church-run thrift shop. This thrifting local strategy is rewarding beyond the money saved — it lets you take pride in supporting worthy local causes.
elegance to your home, and that vintage dresser might make a fine living room hutch to hold your TV. When items look expensive or antique, look for a brand name. And use your sense of touch. If you shop for clothing or linens, consider whether the fabric feels weighty and the seams are well-made. If so, the item is probably high-quality and will last. Dress for Try-Ons Bring a tape measure to size up potential purchases and help avoid trying on garments that won’t fit well. Many donated items have lost their size tags, and a quick measurement of bust, waist, and hip circumference can help you minimize fitting room frustration. Also, wear close-fitting tights or slacks and a T-shirt on your thrifting adventure so you can easily slip garments on over your clothes without trekking to a fitting room. Be Patient An axiom of thrifting is that shoppers must work a little harder because many stores fail to display items in an orderly way. Discovering a real find often requires exploring the entire store. You might find crop tops and baby tees in the kids’ section and kitchenware mixed with bath items. Also, you need time to consider whether that colorful but too-large tunic might look great on you with a belt or scarf.
Timing Matters Consider shopping off-season to pick up affluent donors’ end-of-season castoffs. Throughout the year, Mondays can be great shopping days for getting first dibs on weekend donations. Also, tune in to thrift stores’ sale days. Ask thrift store employees to clue you in on regularly scheduled sales, such as “color
Bring a List Have an idea of what you want or need. Setting out to find the perfect vintage lamp or distressed jeans can help you avoid impulse purchases that strike your fancy but disappoint after you bring them home. Additionally, you should set a budget and stick to it. Getting carried away with thrift store purchases can defeat the purpose of shopping there. And if you don’t find a good fit for your needs or an item that delights, it’s okay to leave empty-handed!
days,” when all items tagged in a specific color are discounted, or “half-off Saturdays.” Hone the Art of the Scan Train your eye to survey tables, shelves, and display racks and notice fine materials, target colors, or beautifully designed products. That eye-catching ceramic crock pot on a top shelf might bring
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SLEEP STEALERS
AVOID THESE FOODS FOR BETTER SLEEP
For the estimated 1 in 3 Americans who struggle with insomnia, avoiding sleepless nights is a top priority. Most people know to ease into relaxing activities and avoid blue light from digital devices for at least an hour before bedtime. However, avoiding certain foods that can keep you awake is just as important. Here are four of the worst culprits. Rhythm Wreckers Cheese lovers, beware! Tyramine, an amino acid found in fermented and aged foods, including cheese, tends to trigger the release of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that can raise blood pressure. Alcohol also is believed to interfere with circadian rhythms by disrupting the body’s sensitivity to natural sleep cues, such as waning light in the evening. Acid Igniters For the estimated 1 in 5 Americans who suffer from acid reflux, the food and drink consumed
before bedtime are pivotal to sleep quality. Foods that trigger this gastrointestinal disorder include spicy items and high-fat dairy products like ice cream. Sadly, popular party fare, which includes cheese, tomato sauce, alcohol, and carbonated drinks, also can trigger heartburn. Tummy Troublemakers As enjoyable as carbonated beverages may be, they can cause gas, bloating, and general stomach discomfort, preventing you from settling into sleep. Other potential triggers of stomach problems include citrus fruits, which have a high acid content that can fuel stomach acid. Citrus also acts as a natural diuretic, prompting you to awaken in need of a bathroom at night. Hidden Caffeine Avoiding the caffeine in coffee, energy drinks, and soft drinks is a no-brainer, but certain teas can disrupt sleep, too. While even the highest- caffeine teas, including yerba mate and black
tea, have less than half as much caffeine as a standard cup of coffee, all true teas — so defined because they are made from the Camellia sinensis plant — still have enough caffeine to disturb sleep. Only herbal teas like chamomile, peppermint, and hibiscus brews are caffeine- free. And chamomile, in particular, contains the added benefit of a plant-based compound called apigenin, which calms the brain.
Sticky Fig and Pecan Pudding With Toffee Sauce
Inspired by Delicious.com
Ingredients • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened • 2/3 cup brown sugar • 2 eggs, beaten
• 3/4 cup pecans, roughly chopped • 1/2 cup hot water
Toffee sauce • 1/2 cup unsalted butter • 1 cup brown sugar • 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp baking powder • 3/4 cup self-rising flour • 3/4 cup dried figs, roughly chopped
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 6-cup ovenproof bowl and line the bottom with waxed paper. 2. In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs, baking powder, and flour until smooth. Stir in pecans and figs, then add 1/2 cup hot water. 3. Pour batter into prepared bowl, cover with a circle of waxed paper, then cover tightly with foil. Bake for 50–60 minutes until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. 4. For toffee sauce, put butter and sugar in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves. Stir in cream and increase heat to medium. Bring to just below boiling, then reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5–7 minutes until thickened. 5. Turn pudding onto a plate and drizzle with toffee sauce.
TAKE A BREAK
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214.292.4225 www.AaronMillerLaw.com 1400 Preston Road, Suite 118 Plano, Texas 75093
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Recipes for Delicious Holiday Desserts
2
How Skilled Thrifters Discover Bargain Treasures
3
Foods to Avoid for a Good Night’s Sleep
Sticky Fig and Pecan Pudding With Toffee Sauce
4
Mix, Measure, and Make Memories
WHISKING UP FAMILY FUN Festive Kitchen Adventures — Kid Edition
Could your child be a future celebrity chef? Could your baby be a world- class baker in waiting? Help transform your toddlers or school-age kids into tiny tastemakers by following these three simple tips. Use your space as a skill zone. It takes more than just a love of food to make delicious meals and treats, as cooking and baking put all five senses to the test. Helping in the kitchen enables small children to heighten their awareness of smells, tastes, sounds, and textures while learning new words. Having them measure ingredients and pour them into bowls is an easy way to refine their motor skills, and your guidance behind the counter will encourage them to follow directions. If your kitchen companion is a baby, you can still involve them by describing the sights, sounds, and smells surrounding them and letting them touch some of the food — all great tools to assist in developing their connection to the world. Kid-proof your meal prep. Before taking your child on a culinary journey, check that their countertop travels won’t endanger them. It’s obviously a big no-no to rest a sharp knife on a cutting board that small hands can reach, but little things like toothpicks can also pose a risk. If your small assistant is old enough to cut up ingredients, a plastic utensil will be less painful than steel if the blade misses its mark.
Keep family flavors flowing. Want to give your elderly mom or dad a holiday surprise they’ll never forget? Present them with a meal based on one of their famous recipes that their grandkid(s) helped prepare! Holiday gatherings are great for sharing the details and delicacies that shaped your family’s history — and a wonderful opportunity to pass down those special traditions to the next generation. With the holidays upon us, now is a perfect time to introduce little ones to the joys of baking and cooking by turning your kitchen into a safe space for learning and bonding.
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