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INSIGHT ON EYESIGHT WWW.WEHELPCHICAGOSEE.COM / (773) 788-6974 / DECEMBER 2018
The Joy of Spending Holidays With Family A CHANDER FAMILY CHRISTMAS
There are families that hold off until after Thanksgiving to decorate for Christmas, and then there are the chosen few that can’t wait. My mom loves everything about the holidays, and the second Halloween was over, you can bet she had the decorations out, ready to deck the halls. It was always a lot of fun when I was growing up, but when I moved out, I carried the tradition from decorating my dorm room to my own home with my kids.
time together, no matter what. With Shaun off to college this year, it’s even more critical for us to find time as a family. Sometimes
traditions change, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but having them is still important. Others may see them as monotonous, but I see traditions as platforms for caring and affection to flourish. The
You don’t have to be of any particular religious background to appreciate the beauty and meaning of decoration. When you’re a single person out on your own, decorating for the holidays isn’t usually at the forefront of your priority list. Many Christmases were spent at my sister’s. My kids have always been like older siblings to their younger cousins, so they helped with carrying on the Chander Christmas traditions. One year, my kids were on the verge of no longer believing in Santa, and my sister not having a fireplace didn’t help matters. We prepacked the gifts in the trunk of the car and went out to get them while
twins are already stressed while dealing with the college process, and the last thing they want is for holiday customs to burden them further. That is why we stick to the classics: ice skating and a Christmas Day movie. The holidays are often centered on gifts, and while I’ve been fortunate to receive some great ones over the years, the present that sticks out the most is the one my brother and I gave to our dad. We were living at home, and it had to be when I was in eighth or ninth grade. Our garage door opener broke, and I knew it had to be expensive to replace. My brother and I put our heads together, collaborated, and came up with a solution. We started working odd jobs around Halloween, talking to neighbors every
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SOMETIMES TRADITIONS CHANGE, AND THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT, BUT HAVING THEM IS STILL IMPORTANT. OTHERS MAY SEE THEM AS MONOTONOUS, BUT I SEE TRADITIONS AS PLATFORMS FOR CARING AND AFFECTION TO FLOURISH.”
the kids were downstairs in the basement. I had the bright idea of combating the fireplace theory with some good ol’ fashioned Chander ingenuity. The gifts were in a large bag, and I set it on the front steps. When the time was right, I went outside and rang the doorbell before sneaking back inside. The kids opened the door, and there was Santa’s delivery. I expected my children to be overjoyed, but the random appearance of presents was met with a healthy degree of skepticism.
chance we could to find opportunities. We scrounged up any extra work we could, and after nearly two months, we saved up enough and got a brand-new garage door opener for him. All three of us installed it on Christmas day, and I’ll never forget the effect it had on my dad. I hope you’re able to give meaningful gifts this Christmas, too.
Until next time, eye’ll see you then!
–Steven Chander
Whether St. Nick is in the picture or not, the holidays are a great time to spend with family. We make it a priority to always share
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SURVIVING THE SEASON OF SWEETS How to Indulge Your Sweet Tooth With Less Sugar
half as much sugar as milk chocolate, twice as much healthy fat, less cholesterol, 4–5 times more iron, twice as much potassium, fewer carbs, and more flavonoids and theobromine. The antioxidant properties of the theobromine and flavonoids make dark chocolate as good for your heart as it is for your soul. If you have a recipe that calls for chocolate, reach for the dark stuff, whether it’s dark chocolate chips, cocoa powder, or baking chocolate.
Cookies, cakes, and pies, oh my! The holiday season is brimming with sweet treats of all kinds. Sometimes it can feel like candy and sugary desserts are around every corner, and yet you still want to indulge. However, when you consider that over 50 percent of Americans are insulin-resistant, prediabetic, or diabetic, that piece of pumpkin pie with whipped cream starts to look more dangerous than appetizing. During the holidays, how can you satisfy your sweet tooth without worrying about consuming excessive sugar and calories? Skip the candy and go for the fruits and nuts. Keeping a bowl of fruit and nuts nearby can help keep sugar cravings at bay. Dried fruits, such as cranberries,
pineapple, or apricots, are both sweet and nutritious. Just be sure to check the packaging for added sugars. You can even make your own dried fruit with a food dehydrator. This way, you are completely in control of the ingredients. No matter what you do, just be mindful not to overindulge. Dried fruit is high in sugar and calories, but the
While it may seem as though everyone and their grandma is overindulging
fiber and vitamins make fruit much healthier than just about any other sugary treat.
in sugar this season, know that you have the choice to opt for healthier sweets. And come New Year’s, you won’t have to spend the first few months of 2019 working off that
Another way to cut down on your sugar intake is to use dark chocolate in all your
chocolate-based treats. Dark chocolate has about
extra cookie weight.
EYES OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM 2 Birds That Redefine Vision
Everything we do at Primary Eye Care centers around the human eye and how we can help it perform better. We
very well, making their vision better than that of most animals. However, while owls can see well, their vision lacks color clarity. EAGLES With a range eight times that of humans, eagles are the animal kingdom’s interpretation of binoculars. Add in the fact that they can see a more extensive array of colors than we can, and the term “eagle eye” makes a whole lot more sense. Eagles are natural predators, and they rely on their vision to spot potential targets up to 2 miles away. It makes them vastly superior to other birds of prey, but while they are great hunters, they often steal their food from other animals rather than hunt. We can’t help you see better than an owl or an eagle, but we can promise you the best service Chicago has to offer. Reach out to us today, and we’ll show you the potential of the human eye.
provide ocular nutrition, exams, and treatment plans designed for your specific needs. But while we dedicate our lives to the human eye, there are two species of animals that are known for having the best vision in the animal kingdom.
OWLS An owl can turn its head an
astonishing 270 degrees, which helps it scan its environment with minimal movement. Owls’ eyes are a defining aspect of their predatory abilities. Larger than human eyes, owl eyes have more rods and a reflective film behind the retina, making their nocturnal vision a force to be reckoned with. Owls can also see during the day
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BLAST FROM THE PAST:
Famous Athletes Who Wore Goggles
Phelps’ swimming goggles are actually prescription eyewear. He has mild astigmatism, and the goggles help him not only see but perform at a higher level. ERIC DICKERSON Very few running backs in the history of the National Football League could move as Eric Dickerson could. With his strength, speed, and versatility, he almost defied athletic logic with the way he ran the ball. Many interviews have him stating he didn’t much care for his goggles, but they helped him see the field in 1984 en route to 2,105 yards, an NFL single-season running record that stands to this day. Of course, there are many others, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who could lay claim to the goggle throne, but these three are pretty iconic in their own right. While some think goggles are a distant memory in the field of eyewear, many athletes and children elect to use them still. If you’re interested in more information, reach out to us today.
Glasses, monocles, contacts, and LASIK can all help you see better, but in many cases, these can be uncomfortable for one section of the population: athletes. The alternative for many? Goggles. Here are three of the most famous athletes to wear them. HORACE GRANT Drafted 10th overall by our beloved Chicago Bulls, Grant was an integral part of the first three-part championship run. While Grant is famous for his sports goggles he wore on the court, many Bulls fans may remember him starting his career without eyewear and might wonder where they came from. Dr. David Orth, the team’s ophthalmologist, noticed that Grant’s jump shot from 12 feet and beyond was struggling. After an eye test revealed Grant was 20-40 in one eye and 20-80 in the other, Orth prescribed his now infamous eyewear. Grant’s shot improved 54.7 percent from the field that year and 57.8 percent the next season, both career highs. A few years later, he received LASIK surgery, but because so many kids who wore glasses looked up to him, he continued to wear the goggles to serve as a role model. MICHAEL PHELPS Known for 16 gold medals, Phelps is an American icon. But while the world watches him glide through the water, many don’t realize that
HAVE A LAUGH
Buttery Roasted CHESTNUTS
INGREDIENTS • 2 pounds fresh
chestnuts, unpeeled • 2–3 sprigs rosemary • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, or more to taste
• Pinch of freshly ground nutmeg • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS 1. Heat oven to 450 F. 2. Place a large sheet of foil on a rimmed baking sheet.
3. On a large, flat workspace, place chestnuts flat side down. Using a sharp knife, carve an X on the rounded side of each chestnut. 4. In a large bowl of hot water, soak chestnuts for 1 minute. 5. Pat dry and transfer to a medium bowl. Add rosemary, butter, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Toss to coat and transfer to baking sheet. Arrange in a single layer. Gather the edges of the foil together, leaving an opening at the top.
6. Roast until peels curl up, about 30–45 minutes. 7. Transfer to a platter and serve while hot or warm.
Inspired by Bon Appétit
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Inside This Issue
How We Celebrate the Holidays PAGE 1
Indulge Your Sweet Tooth With Less Sugar This Holiday Season PAGE 2
Can You See Better Than an Eagle? PAGE 2
Famous Athletic Eyewear PAGE 3
Buttery Roasted Chestnuts PAGE 3
Everything You’ll Need for an Ugly Sweater Christmas PAGE 4
UGLY SWEATER PARTIES A Fun Trend You Can Easily Follow!
It’s speculated that the first ugly sweater party took place in Vancouver, Canada, back in 2001. Since then, the trend has become one of the most popular holiday party themes. Come Thanksgiving, you’ll start to see racks in all types of clothing stores lined with hideous sweaters. If you’re ready to jump on the ugly-sweater- party bandwagon this Christmas season, here are a few things to keep in mind. YOUR VERY OWN UGLY SWEATER Ugly sweaters come in all shapes, sizes, and prices. You can head to H&M or a local thrift store to pick one up. However, if you have a sweater that’s been cozied up for years in the back of your closet or a drawer, now’s your chance to give
it new life. Arm yourself with a hot glue gun, thread, and needle, and patch Santa, Rudolph, or Frosty on it. And let it be known that an ugly sweater isn’t complete without sparkles, beads, and sequins galore.
A few ugly-sweater-themed games that should be on the agenda include an ugly gift exchange, which is similar to the white elephant exchange, except with the gaudiest gifts you can find; an ugly photo booth, complete with terrible, tacky props; and, of course, an ugly sweater contest.
WHAT EXACTLY IS AN UGLY SWEATER PARTY? It’s rather simple — slip on your favorite Christmas sweater, gather all your friends and family members, make sure there are plenty of refreshments and games, and you’re guaranteed to have a top-tier party.
This is the only time of year when slipping into a lurid red sweater with a stuffed Santa sewn on the front is considered trendy. So adorn
yourself in the frumpiest, tackiest sweater you can find, and have some fun this December!
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