Take a look at our December newsletter!
DECEMBER 2024
BREAK DOWN THE LANGUAGE BARRIER HOW HOLIDAY GATHERINGS CAN FOSTER FRIENDSHIP AND UNDERSTANDING
For many of us, the holiday season is a time to spend with our loved ones, exchanging gifts, feasting on good food, and simply enjoying the company of others. However, it’s important to remember that not everyone in our community has the same ability to gather with their friends and family for the holidays. Their loved ones may be a thousand miles away, and they don’t have the means or funds to visit. If possible, we should try to invite these individuals into our homes so they don’t have to spend the holidays alone. Last year, my kids weren’t going to be able to make it home for Thanksgiving, so I decided to invite people from our community who didn’t have family nearby to enjoy the holiday at my home. It ended up being a great time for everyone who came! You never really know what you’ll learn when you gather people from different cultures and backgrounds to gather together. As many of you know, I’ve been on a journey to learn how to speak Spanish, and one of the ways I tried to improve my skills was by inviting my Spanish-speaking friends over for dinner. Most of the time, these individuals would speak just as much English as I spoke Spanish, which can complicate things. Sure, we could use language apps to translate everything, but struggling through
some basic conversation was much more rewarding and beneficial. Once we hit a point where language fatigue started to set in, we would just point to different things around the room and say what it was in our respective language. It was such an eye- opening learning experience for everyone involved. December is National Learn a Foreign Language Month, and there’s no better time to attempt to learn a new language by inviting people from different cultures to your home. It might sound daunting at first, but you can keep it simple. When I have my Spanish-speaking friends over, our conversations usually wrap around basic things like food, age, weather, and our children. It helps everyone practice their language-learning skills and feel included in the community. We all celebrate the holidays differently, so this is a great time to learn about different cultures and beliefs. If you aren’t already connected to the Spanish- speaking community or another group that speaks a different language, you might wonder how to invite people of different backgrounds to enjoy the holidays with you and your family. I’ve met most of my Spanish-speaking friends through church, but there are organizations throughout our community that offer volunteer work and other opportunities that will allow you to meet people from different
My friend Mary (from Costa Rica) and me
cultures. The Kentucky Refugee Ministries is a great option. I have a friend who signed up to mentor a new family, and they would all go to the park together. There wasn’t much conversation, but the kids played together, and the family felt more involved and connected. You could call that organization and offer to host new people for dinner in our country. We have people from all over the world who have moved to Louisville, so let’s try to welcome and learn about them. So many people in our community can’t spend the holidays with loved ones, so let’s try to make the holidays special for them. Don’t let language barriers stop you from being neighborly. You may learn something new about other cultures or even develop a meaningful friendship that persists for the rest of your life.
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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 KITCHEN ADVENTURES: KID EDITION Whisking Up Family Fun
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 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.
What to Donate for Maximum Impact BEYOND THE BASICS
Plenty of food drives are going on right now, and if you want to make a difference this holiday season, it’s a good idea to figure out what most people in need could use. Many of the most commonly donated items aren’t as helpful as you might think. Take boxed macaroni and cheese as an example. This is one of the most commonly donated items, but for these individuals to make it, they need milk and butter, two items rarely seen at a food pantry. They would also need a stovetop or some other way to boil water, which not everyone has. Another commonly donated item that many people in need can’t use is canned goods. You might assume that many people who use food pantries already own a can opener, but homeless people use these facilities, too, and they usually don’t have one. If you donate canned goods, make sure they have a pop top.
Here are a few items you should donate to help make someone’s day. Boxed milk is a treasure because kids can use it for cereal, which is regularly donated. Most people don’t think about donating spices, salt, and pepper, but these can be a real gift to those in need. For some, tea bags or ground coffee can seem like a little luxury. Items like sugar, flour, cake mix, and frosting make it possible to make a child’s birthday cake. They get a lot of peanut butter and jelly but rarely receive bread. Remember that EBT cards don’t pay for dish soap, feminine hygiene products, paper products, and diapers, so providing these items can make someone’s life much easier. Donating goods is a wonderful idea, especially during this time of year. Putting extra thought into what you give can make someone’s holiday season feel magical.
Many people refer to the holiday season as the giving season, as we try to give back to our respective communities before the end of the year. There are many ways to do this, from volunteering to donating goods. If you’ve ever volunteered at a food bank or pantry, you know how much donations can impact someone’s life.
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Have a Laugh!
Temperatures will drop over the next few weeks, and our chances of snowy and icy weather will increase. While we’d love to stay bundled up in our homes whenever inclement weather is on the radar, that’s not a reality for many of us. We’ll still have to go to work, take the kids to school, or handle other responsibilities that require us to get in our cars and drive around town. If you can’t avoid driving when it’s snowy or icy out, take every safety precaution you can. Nobody wants to get stuck on the side of the road during a blizzard. Here are a few tips to help you stay safe while driving this winter. Prepare your vehicle for winter weather. Before the first snowflake hits the ground, there are a few things you should do to prepare your car for winter. Start by making sure your tires are properly inflated. The air becomes denser as the weather gets colder, lowering tire pressure. You should also keep your fuel tank at least half full. Finally, keep emergency supplies in your car in case you get stuck. You should have a bare minimum of blankets, food, water, and flashlights. Adjust your driving habits. You need to drive slower and exercise more caution during wintery conditions. Take your foot off the gas and pay more attention to your surroundings. Don’t follow other cars too closely, and be cautious when turning. Plan ahead and leave home earlier to ensure you reach your destination on time. Don’t risk your life by speeding and trying to rush to work because you’re running a few minutes late. Change your voicemail. This unique idea could save your life if disaster were to strike. If you find yourself stranded somewhere, and your cellphone is about to die, change your voicemail message. State where you are currently located, what is wrong, and what you need. Anyone who calls you will hear that message and can provide help. SAFETY FIRST KEY STRATEGIES FOR WINTER DRIVING SUCCESS
One-Pot Brothy Beans With Herbs and Lemon
INGREDIENTS
• • • • • •
1 lb dried white beans
• • • • • • • •
1 tbsp dried thyme 1 tbsp dried oregano 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
3 tbsp olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, quartered 2 shallots, quartered 1 stick celery, chopped 5 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp chili flakes
6–8 cups vegetable stock Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 1/2 tbsp white miso 1–2 tbsp lemon juice
DIRECTIONS
1. Soak beans overnight in water with 1 tbsp of salt. Drain and set aside. 2. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add onions, shallots, and celery. Brown all sides lightly, about 10 minutes. 3. Add garlic, thyme, oregano, paprika, and chili flakes. Stir and sauté about 1–2 minutes. 4. Add beans and 6 cups of stock. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer. Cook for 1 1/2 hours partially covered, adding more stock if needed. 5. In a measuring cup, combine miso and a cup of hot stock from the pot. Whisk to dissolve, then pour back into the pot. Test doneness, add lemon juice, then serve garnished with chopped parsley.
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INSIDE
INVITE COMMUNITY AND CULTURE INTO YOUR HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS 1 MIX, MEASURE, AND MAKE MEMORIES ITEMS THAT TRULY MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THOSE IN NEED 2 TIPS TO SAFELY DRIVE DURING WINTER WEATHER ONE-POT BROTHY BEANS WITH HERBS AND LEMON 3 SAMSON AND CLEO’S TAIL-WAGGING TALE 4
How a Kitten Helped Samson Unleash His Inner Pup A PURR-FECT MATCH
Golden retriever Samson takes his job as a medical service response dog very seriously, maybe even too seriously. For
They gently placed the backpack with the little kitten inside in the middle of the room, and Samson immediately sprung into excited barks and tail wags. Lea said they were never expecting him to be so excited about his new friend, and the two have been inseparable since.
owner Lea Hendy, it became apparent quickly that the loveable giant didn’t know how to dog. On their days off at the dog park, Samson was the odd man out, sitting alone in the corner while the other pups played. It seemed like he couldn’t turn off work mode or form bonds with other dogs. Samson joined Lea’s family to train as a service dog. When she noticed his seeming lack of social skills with other dogs, she was determined to find a way to bring him out of his shell. Little did she know that a chance encounter with a cat would change everything. While they were out traveling, Samson spotted a kitten in the window of a building and immediately wanted to play. It was an “aha!” moment that Samson could indeed make deep bonds; it just had to be with the right animal. A couple of months later, they brought home a tiny kitten named Cleo, and the instant friendship surprised everyone.
“It was so heartwarming to see him come out of his shell and immediately form a connection with Cleo,” Lea said.
Now, the pair spend every moment they can together, playing, napping, and enjoying each other’s company. Cleo has become an avid adventurer since the family started taking her on hikes. When the kitty tires out, she takes a ride on her older brother Samson, who looks so proud to be transporting his sister. Cleo, a tiny kitten with a big heart, allowed Samson, a workaholic looking for a friend, to break out of his shell and explore his world in ways his family never thought possible. Now, thousands of people worldwide watch their friendship and adventures on the animal-odd couple’s Instagram page @calvin.andco.
“It shows that friendship has no bounds,” Lea said. “Anyone can be friends.”
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