Check out our January/February newsletter!
January - February 2023 & A rborists
WWW.TROUTBROOKTREE.COM
(860) 888-8472
New Year, New You! RENEWAL, REBIRTH, AND REJUVENATION IN 2023
Last November, families everywhere came together to cook the turkey, mash the potatoes, and prepare countless delicious side dishes and desserts to share amongst family and friends. Then, in December, we trimmed the trees, placed lights on the exterior of our homes, hung our stockings, and watched our favorite Christmas movies. We exchanged gifts with our loved ones, attended festive holiday get-togethers, and enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the holidays! When the ball dropped, and the clock struck midnight on Dec. 31, it was time to ring in the new year. Now that 2023 has arrived, we have a clean slate in front of us. It’s time to reflect on 2022, appreciate our blessings and accomplishments, and look ahead to a new year. Whether you want to focus on goals and aspirations that you weren’t able to check off your list last year or you have some new resolutions, it’s time to set some plans to build a better you in 2023! A new year is also a time of renewal, rebirth, and rejuvenation. Without our goals to give us a sense of direction, we wouldn’t have any focus to spearhead our mission in 2023. What goals do you have in place for the new year? More importantly, what are your plans to accomplish them? Did you know that Jan. 17 is known as “Quitters Day”? It’s the day that many people abandon the resolutions they set just 17 days prior. Here are some tips to keep your goals active and thriving throughout the year to keep this from happening to you. Be specific. Most of the time, people set goals like losing weight or achieving better health, but if your goal lacks specific plans, you’ll likely find yourself making excuses or
exceptions here and there. Instead, choose a deadline for your resolution and plan exactly how many times a week you’ll work out, the duration of your workouts, and what meals you will — and won’t — eat throughout the day. This way, you won’t find yourself skipping out on the gym too often or breaking your diet plans. Be realistic. While it’s nice to dream big and set large plans into motion, it’s also essential to ensure your resolutions are both attainable and realistic. Otherwise, you’ll get frustrated and throw in the towel early on. So, don’t dream too big! Incorporate accountability. Accountability is a large piece of the puzzle when it comes to achieving greatness. So, whether you have an accountability partner who checks in with you weekly, monthly or quarterly, or you make a checklist for yourself, be sure to have check-ins on your progress to ensure that you are taking the proper steps to achieve your 2023 New Year’s resolutions. This year, my hope for you is to have happiness, love, and good health. Should you need any tree trimming, planting, or pruning, give us a call. We are ready to
work hard for you! And if you see us working hard in the snow, be sure to give us a wave and a wink !
Happy New Year!
–Andrew Bachman CT Arborist S6222
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Sharing Your Time Can Become Your Favorite Exercise VOLUNTEER TO KEEP YOUR BODY AND MIND ACTIVE!
Staying active is increasingly vital to our health as we age. But pain, injury, or the lack of an exercise location can limit how we keep fit. But luckily, there is an easy way to have an active lifestyle without lifting weights or joining a gym: volunteer! Here are three reasons volunteering can be your new favorite exercise if you’re looking to flex some physical, mental, or social “muscle.” It moves you. Volunteering offers different ways to move your body! Even small things like strolling through a park to pick up litter, navigating around a soup kitchen, or directing visitors at your local donation center keep you active. Most organizations are happy to modify more strenuous activities (like lifting heavy boxes or walking up a steep hill) to fit your abilities. So, even if you’re just beginning an exercise habit, volunteering is a perfect initial step in
up a park, or planting a garden. Joining others to accomplish a task provides a significant brain boost, and studies show camaraderie increases positive thoughts and feelings. On top of feeling better, volunteering keeps your mind agile. By working hard to solve a problem, you’re using more neural pathways, which helps keep mental decline at bay. You form connections. As we mentioned earlier, when you show up to volunteer, others usually attend for the same reason. Socializing with the group can help you feel less isolated and more connected to others, and some of these people may even become friends when the job is complete. If you want to get active but don’t know of volunteer opportunities in your area, visit VolunteerMatch.org and enter your zip code to find local in-person options. Help yourself and others by making volunteer work your go-to exercise!
your fitness journey. Your brain expands.
When you volunteer with others, you usually have a common goal, like feeding the community, cleaning
This time of year, we all enjoy nestling up by a fire, cuddling under a blanket on the couch, or enjoying a warm cup of joe at the local coffee shop. If someone were to propose a winter picnic at the local park, you’d probably think they were crazy. But don’t be so quick to dismiss the idea. With these four tips for hosting a winter picnic, you’ll be up for having lunch outside in January any time. Keep Warm Maintaining heat in winter is at the forefront of all concerns, and your winter picnic is no different. Be sure to pack hats, scarves, gloves, blankets, socks, and an extra set of clothing for unexpected changes in the weather. Believe it or not, a large beach umbrella is extremely helpful in protecting you from the winter elements. You can even plan some active picnic games to keep your body moving and the heat flowing! Light a Bonfire If the location of your picnic permits, light a fire to cozy up next to. Some beaches and campgrounds have designated firepit areas to start a fire while enjoying a warm winter meal. You can even cook your food over the fire! Remember to be careful when building a fire in the wilderness and take proper safety precautions. IT’S COZY SEASON! 4 Tips for a Successful Winter Picnic
Pack Hot Meals Picnics are all about ease and relaxation! Here are some toasty and hearty winter picnic meal ideas to help warm you up:
• Soup • Stew
• Baked mac and cheese • Loaded baked potatoes • Quiche • Chili
• Pot pie • Toasted
sandwich or panini • Warm brownies
Keep It Simple Remember, it doesn’t need to be complicated! Even just a thermos of hot chocolate; some warm, freshly baked cookies; a bunch of blankets; and hats and gloves are plenty for a winter picnic — ultimately, it’s all about soaking up the beauty of the most wonderful time of the year!
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TAKE A BREAK
Why the Best Time to Prune Trees is Winter IT’S A MUST!
It’s snowy and cold outside, but that doesn’t mean we’re off the clock! Instead, it’s quite the opposite. During the winter season, we stay plenty busy. It’s a common misconception that tree care slows down this time of year, but winter is a popular time for tree pruning! Even though the trees are bare and blanketed with snow and are in their dormant season, now is the best time to prune them! Here are some of the best benefits of pruning your trees during dormancy. Evaluating tree structure is easier. Once fall strips all the trees of their leaves, our team can access all parts of the trees more efficiently, and it’s easier to see the tree’s structure, too! This way, we can identify broken, dead, or decaying branches and remove them while giving the healthy limbs a trim to promote growth and keep trees looking their best. It welcomes spring beauty. In the cover article, we mentioned rejuvenation in the new year. Pruning your trees during the winter rejuvenates them, enabling them to recover quickly to flourish and thrive in spring! This way, while the tree is already naked, you get pruning out of the way — it’s a win/win! It’s less stressful. For both the arborist and the tree, winter pruning is a smoother process! Because we aren’t as busy in the winter, we can take more time ensuring that we are thorough. Also, because the trees are “hibernating” in the winter, they are storing their energy in their roots. This way, the trees don’t go into shock when they are pruned and will emerge from their deep sleep healthy and robust with time to heal and regrow before the summer heat arrives. It’s healthier for the tree. When the trees are bare, we can identify potential problems and concerns much easier than if the tree was full of lush, green leaves. Our team can search for potential trouble spots (structural rot, disease, or infestation) and address them. This allows us to act proactively to keep your trees happy and healthy. Winter pruning is essential for lush, healthy, and leafy trees this spring! Give us a call to schedule your winter pruning today! You can reach us at 860-888-8472!
Air Fryer Roasted Salmon With Sautéed Balsamic Spinach Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Ingredients
• 3 tsp olive oil, divided • 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) • 1 1/2 tsp reduced- sodium seafood seasoning • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1 garlic clove, sliced
• Dash of crushed red pepper flakes • 10 cups fresh baby spinach (about 10 oz) • 6 small tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch pieces • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
Directions
1. Preheat air fryer to 450 F. Rub 1 tsp oil over both sides of salmon, then sprinkle with seafood seasoning and pepper. In a greased air fryer basket, place salmon. 2. Cook about 10–12 minutes until fish flakes easily. 3. In a 6-qt stockpot, place remaining oil, garlic, and pepper flakes. Heat over medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Stir in tomatoes; heat through. 4. In a small saucepan, bring vinegar to a boil. Cook until vinegar is reduced by half, then remove from heat. 5. Arrange spinach on serving dish. Place salmon over spinach mixture and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
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69 TALCOTT RD. WEST HARTFORD, CT 06110 WWW.TROUTBROOKTREE.COM (860) 888-8472
SCAN FOR A QUOTE
& A rborists
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
1 Happy New Year! 2 Volunteer to Stay Active
Tips for a Cozy Winter Picnic
3 Winter Pruning Is a Must
Air Fryer Roasted Salmon With Sautéed Balsamic Spinach
4 Local Community Events LOCAL COMMUNITY EVENTS
Kicking Off the New Year in West Hartford
The holidays may be all wrapped up, but there is still a whole lot going on around town to keep your spirits up while we wait for spring to arrive! Remember, even though it’s cold and snowy outside, it’s still important to get some fresh air and sunlight from time to time or to socialize indoors with others! Here are some of the most extraordinary upcoming events you’ll want to check out! Playhouse on Park It’s always a great time for a performance! Throughout January and February, Pulitzer-prize-winning playwright
Paula Vogel’s “Indecent” will be on stage at West Hartford’s Playhouse on Park! Once a month, they also host a Comedy Night that’s an absolute blast! Get ready for a great night of entertainment! Northeast Recreational Vehicle & Camping Show From January 27-29 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, recreational vehicle and camper exhibitors from all over the world will gather to showcase their camping services and products. If you’re in the market for a camper or just interested in browsing the newest and greatest RVs and campers, this is the perfect expo for you! Fleet Feet Running Club Is running your escape? Are you looking for a way to have fun and stay fit? The Fleet Feet Running Club is a great way to mingle with others and get in some exercise at the same time. As they say, “It’s easy to show up when you have friends waiting for you!” The club meets every Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. and every Saturday at 8:30 a.m. at the store! To be added to their email list for fun runs and upcoming 5k races, call the store!
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