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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
How Empathy Leads to Patient Recovery I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND
This is an example of interpersonal synchronization. While additional research is needed to determine whether increased synchronicity causes decreased pain, or vice versa, Goldstein suggests touch can be a tool for “communicating empathy, resulting in an analgesic, or pain-killing, effect.” It is possible empathetic touch influences the brain’s anterior cingulate cortex, which is associated with pain perceptions, respiratory function, and empathy. Goldstein’s study is the first to explore interpersonal synchronization in the context of empathy, pain, and touch, but he is not the first to examine the role empathy plays in care fields. Affectionate touch can be a powerful force in personal relationships, but equally important is empathetic understanding. As Dr. James T. Hardee wrote in The Permanente Journal, numerous studies have found improved health outcomes, better patient compliance, and increased satisfaction among both patients and physicians when medical providers employ emphatic communication. Empathy is also viewed as a necessary ingredient in providing care to seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia. There are many reasons to incorporate empathy into your routine. An empathetic response can help forge bonds of trust and allow caregivers to recognize when someone may not be as “fine” as they claim to be. Even in your everyday life, the emphatic approach can yield lasting benefits.
How do we help our loved ones feel better and recover more quickly? A recent study conducted in the United States suggests the key may lie in empathy. Dr. Pavel Goldstein was inspired to look into the connection between human touch and pain relief when his wife gave birth to their daughter. After delivering their child, his wife was still in pain and Goldstein wanted to help her. However, all he could do was hold her hands. It turned out, the love and care he showed with that warm touch of affection did make her feel better. The simple, genuine gesture left such an impression, Goldstein, a postdoctoral pain researcher in the Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Lab at the University of Colorado Boulder, decided to conduct thorough research to understand the impact of touch on someone who’s in pain. In his study, Goldstein observed 22 heterosexual couples who either sat together while not touching, sat together while holding hands, or sat in separate rooms. In each scenario, the woman was subjected to a mild heat pain on their forearm for a few minutes. Goldstein found all woman allowed to hold hands with their partner experienced less pain, especially when their partner expressed more empathy. This pain relief is more than a physiological sense of support or understanding. Through his research, Goldstein found when an empathetic couple holds hands, their heart and respiratory rates sync, and pain experienced by one partner is lessened.
“An empathetic response can help forge bonds of trust and allow caregivers to recognize when someone may not be as ‘fine’ as they claim to be.”
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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?
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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.
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“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
page 1
The Power of Empathy
page 2
Which Charity Should I Donate To?
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Join the Alliance!
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A Toast to the Healthier Drink
page 3
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.
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