October Kitchen B2C - December 2017

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THE NOURISH

LETTER DECEMBER 2017 Meet the Men Behind Your Meals

www.OctoberKitchen.com | 860-533-0588 | 309 Green Rd, Manchester, CT 06042

Remembering the Meals We Share With Family MEMORIES IN GRANDMA’S DINING ROOM

When I think of the perfect family dinner, my grandma’s dining room is where that meal would be served. Growing up, we would have Sunday dinners over at my grandma’s house every week. After church, she would pull out her portable dishwasher, set up an electric griddle on the dining room table, and make us all flapjacks and silver dollar pancakes. When Thanksgiving and Christmas rolled around, that’s where we’d be again. The whole family — my parents, my sister and I, my aunt and uncle, Grandpa Oz, and Grandma — would gather together to share holiday meals. Grandma’s dining room was the family dining room. After a lifetime of associating my grandma with great home cooking, it was shocking to discover she all but stopped cooking for herself as she got older. Living on her own at the ripe old age of 88, Grandma wouldn’t go out of her way to heat up the kitchen or spend time cooking because, as she would say, “It’s only me!” She got by on snacks and other junk food and insisted she just wasn’t hungry anymore. In reality, she was actually starving. Her body went into a fasting mode, which caused her metabolism to slow down and her muscles to atrophy. When she tried to stand, she would lose her balance and fall to the floor, unable to get back up. After she ended up in the hospital twice, my parents decided she couldn’t live on her own anymore.

At the time, my mom still worked as a parish secretary, and while my dad was semi-retired, he’s no good in the kitchen. Taking care of all the housework and cooking meals with an extra person was way too much for my mom to handle alone. I worked as a personal chef, and my mom asked if I would prepare an extra meal for them, or, as she put it, “Toss an extra potato in the pot.” Of course, I was happy to help my parents and my grandma, so I started bringing over dinners a few times a week. The system worked so well for my family that my mom mentioned it to a few of her friends who were also taking care of aging parents. I started to make something for them too, and the service turned into a prototype of what would one day become October Kitchen. Once my grandma began to eat right and get the nutrients she needed, she bounced back. Grandma lived for another seven years, which was amazing! With the diet she’d been on before, I don’t think she could have made it to five. My grandma spent so many years cooking for her family, I am glad I was able to return the favor and cook for her when she needed it most.

“My grandma spent so many years cooking for her family, I am glad I was able to return the favor and cook for her when she needed it most.”

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At the peak of the holiday season, many Americans find themselves overcome by a spirit of generosity and goodwill. Many people go beyond finding the perfect gift for friends and family and give their time or money to a charitable organization, seeking to make the holidays a little better for those worse off than themselves. But with thousands upon thousands of charities to choose from, how do we ensure our dollars are truly going to the best possible cause? It may seem obvious, but it’s best not to hand your credit card info to an anonymous organization soliciting your aid. The IRS has little regulatory power over most charitable organizations since they don’t typically pay taxes. As a result, it’s all too easy to be defrauded. “Never give a gift where you didn’t initiate the communication,” advises Tim Meisenheimer, a certified financial planner. Calls can be a red flag, as charities who employ telemarketers are much less likely to receive the entirety of your donation. If you’re donating online, he also advises you to check that there’s a “https” at the beginning of the URL, which indicates a secure connection.

But the best way to avoid shady scammers is to research the charity before you hand over your cash. One helpful resource is CharityNavigator. org, a charity-screening website where you can scrutinize a charity’s rating, spending habits, category, and much more. When examining a charity, they look for all kinds of red flags, such as if they spend more than one-third of their budget on administrative costs or if they aren’t forthcoming about their operations and expenditures. If you’re unsure of where to donate, check out their list of “Charities With Perfect Scores.” If you want to provide humanitarian aid, Direct Relief (DirectRelief.org) is a well-known charity, and it has a perfect rating of 100 on Charity Navigator. They provide medical treatment in resource-poor communities. If you’re more inclined to protect the environment, check out The Conservation Fund (ConservationFund. org), which seeks to preserve natural resources while fostering economic development in America. Education-minded donors should look up Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO-usa.org), another organization with a perfect 100 from Charity Navigator. They strive to provide robust education for underserved communities. There are thousands of excellent charities to donate to, and many of them are probably right in your backyard.

Which Charity Should I Donate To?

NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATIONS

From Every Corner of the Globe Reykjavik, Iceland This time of year, the world’s northernmost capital only gets four hours of sunlight, so residents love an excuse to go wild. Beginning around 4 p.m., bonfires light up the city, burning off the past year’s negative vibes. It only gets more festive from there. And there’s no better way to cure a New Year’s hangover than visiting one of Iceland’s picturesque hot springs. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Just before celebrations reach their apex in America, Brazil’s most famous city puts on a party like no other. Revelers dress up in white and go to Copacabana Beach for an all-night celebration. Boats filled with flowers are put out to sea to honor the oceanic goddess Yemanja. Music, dancing, fireworks, and an unrivaled atmosphere — Rio has it all. If you follow the new year from one end of the world to the other, you might be a little tired by the time 2018 hits our shores. Partying with the entire world, however, makes the effort worthwhile.

When you think of marquee New Year’s Eve parties, New York is probably what comes to mind. The Times Square ball drop has become an iconic moment that closes out the calendar, but it’s far from the only mega celebration. Let’s take a globe-trotting tour of some of the world’s biggest and best New Year’s Eve parties, time zone by time zone. Sydney, Australia Due to its location, Sydney is the first major city to close out one year and begin another. With this honor comes the dignified responsibility of getting the party started, and the city doesn’t hold back. The world’s largest fireworks display illuminates the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Sydney Opera House, drawing over 1 million visitors every year. On Bondi Beach, there’s also a dance party that would make a music festival blush. Hong Kong, China China’s most cosmopolitan city recreates the famed ball drop in its own Times Square shopping mall. From there, locals go to Victoria Harbor, partying on boats and the city’s many rooftop and terrace bars. The grand finale? A stunning pyrotechnic dragon slithering across the sky.

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BEER VS. WINE Is There a Healthier Beverage?

Pick your poison: Beer or wine? When you judge these popular adult drinks by flavor, there’s no wrong answer. It all boils down to personal preference. But when you’re seeking the healthier option, there is a clear winner, and the champion might surprise you. A 5-ounce glass of red wine is just 125 calories, while your average bottle of craft brew can pack over 300 calories. However, when it comes to nutritional value, beer contains high levels of proteins, fiber, B vitamins, folates, and niacin, making it more of a meal than a drink — not that you should replace your dinner with a bottle of beer. A study from the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture found that wine does have nutritional value of its own, boasting 187 mg of potassium and a significant amount of fiber. Additional research suggests that small doses of resveratrol, found in red wine, can help slow the effects of aging, while flavonoids found in wine might help protect _____________________________ Write your name here and fax the completed puzzle to 860-533-0585, send it via empty delivery box, or bring it to the shop and receive 10 percent off your next order . Limit one per customer. Expires December 31, 2017.

your skin from harmful UV rays. These findings are promising, but wine still elevates your triglyceride levels, which can lead to heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and kidney damage. Shockingly, beer has a lot more going for it, even if excessive amounts can lead to heartburn. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that the hops in beer can increase bone mineral density, which means it makes your bones stronger! Commission E — Germany’s equivalent of the United States’ FDA — has even approved hops to treat restlessness, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. When you compare the numbers, beer comes out on top, but only by a little. Regardless of whatever nutritional value or health benefits these drinks provide, alcohol always comes with risks. Overindulging in alcohol can lead to liver damage, dehydration, dependency, and impaired motor skills. Feel free to enjoy your favorite drink this holiday season, but please drink responsibly.

TESTIMONIALS

WORD SEARCH

“This place has been a godsend. So many reasons this works for me:

1. I recently lost 40 pounds (juice fasting) and needed a way to eat good, healthy, well-balanced meals. I have not gained a pound since finding October Kitchen meals. 2. Price: I don’t like to cook and sometimes I don’t have time. So often I would do fast food or eat out to avoid fast food. Well, the fast food, while slightly cheaper, left me hungry because it was devoid of nutrition, and the eating out kept me eating more and in the poor house. 3. Variety: While I have my favorites (tomato pie is the best!) I have not had this variety at home in years (probably never). 4. Portion control: The single meals are the perfect size for me. I don’t overeat, and at under 500 calories, it’s perfect. 5. Healthy: Meals are tasty and many are gluten-free. Not eating bread and gluten has certainly been helpful in maintaining my weight loss and has also given me energy to power through workouts. 6. Great customer service! Everyone is so helpful and happy. I tend to want happy people cooking my food. I could go on, but I won’t. Truth is, I don’t like every meal I’ve tried, but I have taken a lot of risks trying foods I’d never had, so that’s completely understandable. Some foods you may not like. But that happens for me few and far between. I highly recommend, and you won’t be disappointed.” –Jeff H

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309 Green Rd. Manchester, CT 06042 INSIDE

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Grandma’s Dining Room

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Which Charity Should I Donate To?

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New Year’s Celebrations Around the World

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A Toast to the Healthier Drink

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Word Search

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Christmas Trees Are German?

The Unclear Origin of Christmas Trees

When you brought home this year’s Christmas tree, you and the family most likely spent an evening decorating it with lights, store-bought and homemade ornaments, a star or angel topper, and maybe even tinsel. If you’re more traditional, you may have even included a popcorn string. But have you ever wondered why we started decorating our Christmas trees in the first place? While the origins of the Christmas tree are uncertain, we’ve used the evergreen fir to celebrate winter festivals, both pagan and Christian, for thousands of years. The tree has represented many things, including the winter solstice, Saturnalia, and everlasting life with God. During the 1500s in Germany, people brought full pine trees, called paradise trees, into their homes to celebrate the Name Day of Adam and Eve on Dec. 24. The families decorated the tree with apples and gingerbread. Before long, glassmakers began crafting small ornaments to hang on the trees. In Victorian times, trees were even decorated with candles!

Over time, paradise trees evolved into Christmas trees. In the 18th and 19th centuries, when many Germans immigrated to the United States, they brought the tradition with them. However, the practice of decorating a pine tree with apples didn’t quite catch on. Then, In the winter of 1841, Queen Victoria of England requested a Christmas tree at Windsor Castle for her husband, Prince Albert, who was of German descent. The Queen thought the tree would be a nice gesture, and the London News published a story about the royal Christmas tree in 1848. The tradition quickly spread throughout Europe and North America. When Christmas trees first rose to prominence in the United States, they were often decorated with homemade ornaments, while many German-Americans continued to use apples, nuts, and marzipan cookies. Popcorn joined later, dyed bright colors and interlaced with berries and nuts. Electricity brought lights, making it possible for Christmas trees to glow for days on end. And with that, Christmas trees quickly became an American tradition.