Primary Eye Care Associates - November/December 2019

Take a look at our newsletter this month!

INSIGHT ON EYESIGHT WWW.WEHELPCHICAGOSEE.COM / 773-788-6974 / NOVEMBER–DECEMBER 2019

HOW THANKFUL I AM FOR ALL OF YOU Trying My Best to Put Into Words

I wish I could fully express my gratitude to everybody who deserves it in the space of this article, but I don’t know if that’s possible. That said, I’ll try my best to hit the highlights. Another year is almost done, and, with Thanksgiving and the holiday season fast approaching, I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on the people and things in my life I’m thankful for. education. Shyal went to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Sabrina went to Loyola University. At the same time, my oldest son, Shaun, started his second year at the University of Wisconsin. I’m incredibly thankful for the ways my kids are learning and growing and that the ethics and values I’ve instilled in them are serving them well. Shaun currently has a 4.0 GPA, and, as an extra step into being more responsible, he’s living off-campus this year in an apartment with three roommates. All my kids are flying with their own wings now, and it’s incredible. Even though she actually started a new career this year, I want to express my gratitude for Izabela, who, for 12 years, was an indispensable member of the Primary Eye Care Associates team. When she first started working here, she had no experience in the eye care field. Earlier this year, both of my twins began their journeys into higher

Over time, however, Izabela proved to be a hard worker and a fast learner. By the end of her time at Primary Eye Care Associates, she was my right hand and could handle any workload we threw at her. Earlier this year, she left to take a position in the fitness and wellness industry, which had always been a goal of hers. We are all happy she gets a chance to pursue her dream,

Associates team. I honestly can’t put into words how blessed I am to receive the support I do inside and outside of the office. A lot of my family still lives in Canada, which makes it hard to visit them sometimes. So, my team has become like part of my family, inviting us to their weddings, their baby showers, and other gatherings. I don’t always feel like I do the best job at thanking my team, but I hope I’ve done an okay job here. Finally, I want to thank all our patients for trusting us with your eye care over the years, and we hope to continue doing so for many more years. Some of you come from as far away as Canada, California, Arizona, England, and even Australia. We are honored that, even after moving away from the Chicago area, you still find time to stop in for exams when you’re back in town. Some of you have been with us since the start of my career, a huge vote of confidence for me and my team that we hope to continue working to deserve. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, and until next time, eye’ll see you then! – Dr. Steven Chander

“SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN WITH US SINCE THE START OF MY CAREER, A HUGE VOTE OF CONFIDENCE FOR ME AND MY TEAM THAT WE HOPE TO CONTINUE WORKING TO DESERVE.”

and I’m thankful for the role I got to play in pushing her to succeed here and elsewhere. Some patients still request her as their eye care professional, and she comes in on her days off to spend time with us here. Of course, I can’t talk about Izabela without talking about how thankful I am for the rest of the Primary Eye Care

773-788-6974 | 1

Why You Need to Brine Your THANKSGIVING TURKEY

2. Once your cooler is ready, mix the hot water, salt, and sugar. Stir to dissolve. Then, add broth and ice. 3. If there is anything in the body cavity of the turkey, be sure to remove it. Submerge the turkey breast-side up. Should the turkey float, simply add a sealed bag of cold water on top of it to hold it down. You want to make sure the turkey is completely submerged. 4. Once it’s settled at least an inch under the brine, cover the cooler with the lid and store it in a cool place. Let brine for 12–48 hours. If the brine gets above 40 degrees F, add more ice. Keep a thermometer handy to periodically check the temperature. This is to prevent bacteria from making a home in your brine and turkey. 5. After 12–48 hours, prepare your turkey as desired. For the best results, roast your turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 161 degrees F for the breast and 181 degrees F for the thighs.

The best way to take your Thanksgiving dinner to the next level is to brine your turkey. First, brining your turkey elevates the flavor. It infuses the meat with a light savory-sweetness that brings out the flavor of the turkey itself. Second, it adds moisture. No one likes a dry turkey with dinner, and brining helps to keep it from losing as much moisture as it otherwise would while cooking, leaving you with mouthwatering results. Third, brining your turkey means you get to “wow” your dinner guests that much more. When they take their first bite, they won’t believe this Thanksgiving staple could be so tender, juicy, and flavorful! Alton Brown, chef and TV personality (and a huge fan of a well-cooked turkey)

is credited with developing one of the best brines. Here’s what you need: • 1/2 gallon hot tap water • 1 lb kosher salt • 2/3 cup sugar • 8 lb ice (which equals a gallon of water) • 16 cups (128 oz) vegetable broth This recipe is for an 18-pound turkey, but you can adjust the ingredient amounts to suit your needs. The amounts do not need to be exact, but you should try to keep it close. 1. Before you brine the turkey, get a cooler it will fit in. Make sure to clean the cooler with soap and water before using it!

A FULL STOMACH AND CLEAR VISION Thanksgiving Foods That Improve Your Eyesight

Thanksgiving might be the one holiday of the year where we’re encouraged to have eyes bigger than our stomachs. It seems only fair that all the food we consume does something to improve our eyesight. As it turns out, many Thanksgiving dinner staples actually contain nutrients that prevent cataracts, the No. 1 cause of vision loss in the United States. They may not be healthy, but, at least when your fork finally clatters on your empty plate, you can rest knowing your eye health is taken care of. TURKEY It’s good to hear the main dish at most Thanksgiving dinners ranks among the best foods on the dinner table for your eyes. Turkey contains loads of zinc, B-vitamins, and niacin, all of which help prevent cataracts. So, in the interest of maintaining your vision, gobble up as much turkey as you can!

SWEET POTATOES Whether candied, mashed, or baked, sweet potatoes have an abundance of vitamins A, C, and E. All of these go toward cataract prevention. Sweet potatoes are much healthier than their white, mashed counterparts in lots of ways, so consider trading out those mashed potatoes for something good for your eyes and just as delicious. GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE Green bean casserole and really any other green vegetables on your Thanksgiving table all have loads of the nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin, which help prevent cataracts. Not only that, but they also prevent macular degeneration, a disease that breaks down your central vision. So, even if it’s just green bean casserole, eat something green this Thanksgiving. Your eyes will thank you. Of course, no Thanksgiving meal, no matter how wonderfully prepared, will ensure your eyes stay healthy. If you haven’t visited Primary Eye Care Associates in a while, schedule an appointment at (773) 735-6090. Happy Thanksgiving!

2 | WWW.WEHELPCHICAGOSEE.COM

MONA LISA AVERTS HER EYES

Understanding the ‘Mona Lisa Effect’

Most anyone who has visited the Louvre in Paris says the same thing when they view Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting the “Mona Lisa:” “I think she’s looking at me,” they say as they walk through the crowds gathered in front of the painting, trying to elude the woman’s enigmatic gaze.

published findings suggesting that the “Mona Lisa” itself, ironically, does not actually meet requirements to instill this effect. For viewers to actually experience characters looking at them, a character’s eyes need to face straight forward, varying by only 5 degrees or so from dead center. This effect has been applied to the creation of artificial-intelligence avatars as well as in pictures and film.

Admirers of the painting have noted this effect for decades, even centuries. Wherever they move, the Mona Lisa’s eyes seem to follow. Now, when this same effect happens with characters in other paintings, in photos, or on- screen, it’s described as “the Mona Lisa effect.” The irony of this moniker, however, is that the Mona Lisa’s eyes don’t actually follow onlookers.

However, researchers found that the Mona Lisa’s gaze falls slightly to the right by around 15 to 16 degrees — way out of the range of the Mona Lisa effect. With this revelation, the question is why do so many people insist the Mona Lisa is looking at them. One of the researchers, Gernot Horstmann, speculated that perhaps people have a desire to be looked at, and their brains make up the rest. He also said perhaps whoever came up with the term “Mona Lisa effect” might have done so just because it sounded cool. Whatever the reason, the Mona Lisa’s ubiquity in modern culture could ensure the effect keeps its name — even if its namesake doesn’t actually abide by it.

Earlier this year, a team of researchers at Bielefeld University in Germany

HAVE A LAUGH

The Best Leftover TURKEY SANDWICH

Inspired by FoodNetwork.com

INGREDIENTS

• 2 slices sourdough bread • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard • 2 slices Swiss cheese

• 1/3 cup shredded leftover turkey • 3 tbsp leftover cranberry sauce • 1/3 cup leftover dressing or stuffing • 2 tbsp leftover gravy • 1 tbsp butter, room temperature

Note: Don’t worry if you don’t have all the leftovers required.

DIRECTIONS

1. Coat inside of each bread slice with mustard and a slice of cheese. Place turkey and cranberry sauce on one slice and dressing and gravy on the other. 2. Combine sandwich and spread butter on both sides. 3. In a panini maker or large skillet, grill until crispy and golden brown. 4. Slice and serve.

773-788-6974 | 3

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

773-788-6974 www.wehelpchicagosee.com

5460 S. Archer Ave. Chicago, IL 60638

Inside This Issue

Reflecting on a Year of Blessings This Thanksgiving PAGE 1

The Best Thanksgiving Turkey Ever PAGE 2

The Thanksgiving Foods That Improve Your Eyesight PAGE 2

Understanding the ‘Mona Lisa Effect’ PAGE 3

The Best Leftover Turkey Sandwich PAGE 3

The Gift of Giving PAGE 4

CELEBRATING GIVING TUESDAY Supporting the People You Believe In

November is usually all about Thanksgiving, but it isn’t the only holiday that encourages generosity. Giving Tuesday is a phenomenal celebration in which millions of people from across the globe are inspired to spend 24 hours giving back to the communities they love. ORIGIN AND GOAL Giving Tuesday is celebrated every year on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, and this year, the holiday lands on Dec. 3! It was established in 2012 by the United Nations Foundation and New York’s 92nd Street Y as a response to consumer-driven holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The purpose of the holiday was to spread the spirit of giving, not only for the people in our nation but individuals across the world. The goal is “to create a massive wave of generosity that lasts well beyond that day and touches every person on the planet.” TECHNOLOGY AT ITS BEST Through the use of social media and technology, the organization hopes to encourage and spread generosity on a

global scale using the hashtag #GivingTuesday. The website states that “... technology and social

media could be used to make generosity go viral; that people fundamentally want to give and talk about giving.” Through massive social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, the individuals and companies participating in Giving Tuesday can spread their missions and messages all over the world, encouraging others to do the same. HOW YOU CAN CELEBRATE Now is the perfect opportunity to support your community and the causes you believe in. The best part of this holiday is that “giving” doesn’t just refer to donating money. People can give back by volunteering their time to help a nonprofit business, donating goods and food, or just buying a stranger some lunch. Even the smallest actions can have the biggest impact. If you’re interested in participating in Giving Tuesday, get together with your friends, family, sports team members, or neighbors to brainstorm on how you can give back. To learn more about how you can participate, visit GivingTuesday.org .

4 | WWW.WEHELPCHICAGOSEE.COM

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online