Take a look at our December newsletter!
A Roaring Good Time
SEE THE ZOO THROUGH A 4-YEAR- OLD’S EYES
2024 DEC
Few things excite my 4-year-old son more than a visit to Africa.
looking at these massive animals gives you respect for the wonders of nature. I enjoy visiting the polar bears in the Zoo’s North America section, which has habitats ranging from honey bee gardens to rocky coasts for polar bears. We like to top off our day at the zoo with a meal at Table, an Asheboro restaurant featuring American dishes from the Southeast. On a recent zoo trip with Bennett, Marah enjoyed the grits and greens there, and Bennett pulled out all the stops with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I get hungry just looking at the menu. We support the zoo through a lifetime membership that also gives us free admission to all of the North Carolina Aquariums, which are operated by the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. We’ve been to the aquariums several times, including the ones at Pine Knoll Shores, Fort Fisher near Wilmington, and Roanoke Island in Manteo. Bennett loves the sea otters, especially when they’re awake and playful. Zoo and aquarium visits benefit small children in countless ways. Unlike the videos that leave them glued to a screen, seeing, hearing, and smelling a variety of wild animals stimulates kids’ senses, creating an emotional connection and a desire to learn new vocabulary to name what they see. Seeing the animals in their natural habitats, like those at the North Carolina Zoo, helps children understand the importance of preserving a variety of open and forested spaces. Kids also can learn about global efforts to conserve endangered species, such as the North Carolina Zoo’s work to protect Bennett’s beloved African lions and other vulnerable species. Moreover, educators say zoo visits often live on in kids’ minds to become cherished family memories. I’m glad Marah and I can provide these memories for Bennett. As Visit the Zoo Day rolls around this month, I hope you will have a chance to appreciate your local zoo as well!
Thanks to the vision of wildlife conservationists,
Bennett could walk along a path in the African Continent section of the North Carolina
Zoo on a recent visit and imagine that he was actually crossing the savanna, home to his favorite wild animal — the lion. In recognition of Visit the Zoo Day on Dec. 27, this is a good time to reflect on what people of all ages can gain by visiting zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries.
The North Carolina Zoo, just south of Asheboro, is the world’s largest natural habitat zoo and one of only two zoos nationwide supported by their state governments. (The other one is in Minnesota.) We are in luck because this 500-acre wonderland is only about 140 miles, or 2 1/2 hours, from us by car. As readers of this newsletter know, Bennett is excited about anything related to lions. For Halloween, he wore a lion costume, while Marah and I played supporting roles as the Tin Man and the Scarecrow from “The Wizard of Oz.” Bennett loves the gorillas, zebras, and giraffes in the zoo’s African region, which also has numerous different habitats for chimpanzees, gorillas, and elephants. Just
Special This Month: Look inside this newsletter for a profile of my cousin Scott Kirkpatrick, a war hero who has made our family proud!
WHISKING UP FAMILY FUN Kitchen Adventures: Kid Edition
BATTL
Leadersh
For Col. (Retired) Scott Kirkpatrick, the moment was a test of his leadership.
Soldiers under his command in Iraq stood before him with a request. The mission at hand was to re-take a critical Iraqi Army facility that insurgents had seized. His soldiers already had combat experience in the area, a hotbed of insurgent activity where they and civilians in the area had come under frequent mortar fire and IED attacks. They knew the mission was extremely dangerous. And they wanted the job.
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
They told me, “Sir, we need to be the unit that takes that facility,” Kirkpatrick says. “They knew we were the best and most capable.” Kirkpatrick carried the request to U.S. Armed Forces commanders, and his company won the assignment — and the battle, taking over and holding the army facility for 16 days. His soldiers were firmly rooted in what he calls the Confidence Zone: “They had trust in themselves, and they had trust in me as their leader, and they believed it was the right thing to do, even though they knew it would expose
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.
them to risks.” Throughout that 13-month tour of duty, Kirkpatrick accompanied his soldiers into battle 80% of the time. Asked about the outcomes of the tour, Kirkpatrick’s voice breaks as he says, “We were able to bring everyone home alive.” After a 28-year career in the military, including four combat tours in Iraq and two in Afghanistan, Kirkpatrick is bringing what he learned about leadership to civilian life. He has earned countless medals, including the Bronze Star several times for heroic acts in ground combat, a Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit for outstanding service, loyalty, and fidelity. He also served as a senior Army Inspector General officer for over eight years, focusing on ethics, compliance, and employee relations.
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.
“Retirement is not a word I like to use,” he says. “I call it ‘pivoting to my next purpose.’” At this stage, that includes leadership training and speaking engagements for clients in business and sports.
Many people assume that all anyone has to do to be a leader in the military is to give orders. “But regulatory authority will only take you so far,” Kirkpatrick says. If subordinates comply just to avoid punishment, they will break down in the face of tough assignments, he adds. “People don’t have to disobey an order to cause a mission to fail.”
LEFIELD TO BOARDROOM hip Lessons From a Military Commander
Instead, “leadership is an art and a science” that requires knowing and understanding your team and setting a culture and environment that motivates them to achieve your mission. One tool for monitoring a team’s culture is a framework Kirkpatrick has developed called “The Law of the 5 Cs.” The first C is the Conscientious Zone. At this stage, individuals work hard as they learn the rules. However, it isn’t the best place to be because people lack the confidence to make sound decisions. The second C is the Confidence Zone, where good leaders want their organizations to stay. At this stage, individuals know how the organization works and have the confidence to do the right thing. The third, fourth, and fifth Cs are setbacks to avoid. In the Comfort Zone, people stop following procedures or building relationships, opting for comfort over healthy risk-taking. Teams that get too comfortable will likely skid into the
Complacency Zone, where they ignore winning policies, disciplines, and processes. Teams at this stage risk slipping into the fifth C — organizational Chaos. To avoid those pitfalls, Kirkpatrick says to surround yourself with people with the ability and courage to challenge your decisions, stay attuned to your team’s performance, and always think five or six steps ahead of your competition. “That
requires you to be on the razor’s edge as a leader,” Kirkpatrick says. “If that’s not what you want to do, then don’t sign up for leadership.”
Next month: Col. (Retired) Kirkpatrick expands on three principles of leadership that apply across the professions, including business, sports, and the military.
Col. (Retired) Kirkpatrick addresses his soldiers on the last day of their control of Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan
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Take a Walk on the Wild Side With a Day at the Zoo 1 Leadership Lessons From a War Hero 3 Mix, Measure, and Make Memories 2
The Essential Fats You Need on Your Plate 4
WHY YOUR BODY NEEDS OMEGA-PACKED FOODS Don’t Fear the Fat
NUTS Nuts are heart-healthy snacks that provide protein, fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and beneficial monounsaturated fats. When you incorporate these into your diet, your heart will benefit. Studies have found that nuts can help reduce the risk of diabetes and lower cholesterol levels. Almonds, pistachios, and walnuts are all wonderful options to try out. Just make sure you moderate how much you eat, as they are high in calories. These nutrient-packed foods taste great and provide essential benefits to keep your heart, brain, and body functioning at their best. So, next time you prepare your plate, don’t fear fats! Embrace the healthy ones that fuel your body.
The word “fat” might sound like something to avoid on your wellness journey, but not all fats are created equal. Certain unsaturated fats are essential for keeping your heart strong, brain sharp, and energy levels steady. Knowing which fats to add to your plate can take your health goals to the next level. Get ready for a healthy serving of omega fats as we explore three of the best foods to fuel your body and improve your overall well-being. SALMON Salmon is one of the best sources of omega fats and one of the most nutrient-rich foods you can find on the whole planet. Not only does it contain omega fats, which support a healthy nervous system, heart, and brain,
but it also contains quality protein and multiple nutrients. By adding this tasty and popular fish to your plate, you can reap a wealth of benefits like lower cholesterol levels, healthy blood pressure, strong bones, improved brain function, and reduced risk of stroke, just to name a few. AVOCADO Avocados are a superfood, and while they are high in fat, they’re the good kind. This creamy and indulgent fruit also contains a high amount of vitamin E and provides a healthy serving of dietary fiber. Add this green superstar to salads or toast to get the nutrient booster you need to maintain weight, reduce heart disease risk, control blood sugar, and improve brain function.
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