Take a look at our November newsletter!
November 2021
5274 Scotts Valley Dr., #102 Scotts Valley, CA 95066 831-430-0616 www.VisitingAngels.com/CentralCoast 229 Reindollar Ave., Suite E Marina, CA 93933 831-392-0876
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KEEP THE POLITICS OUT OF DINNER Practice Gratitude This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving should be a time to practice gratitude, but how many of you leave Thanksgiving celebrations emotionally exhausted after hearing tense arguments about politics, religion, lifestyle choices, and even grudges? My guess is far too many of us feel drained after family gatherings — but it doesn’t have to be this way. When my daughters were young, we traditionally volunteered at the Veterans Memorial Building for the annual Thanksgiving Dinner. As is common in many cities, this was a community meal planned for locals who didn’t have a family or home to visit on Thanksgiving Day. So, we would join other volunteers for a few hours on our holiday to prepare and serve the food, and we helped clean up afterward, too. A few professional chefs donated their time and expertise, while everyone else chopped vegetables and cleaned up.
Afterward, my daughters and I would drive to the beach, where we would watch the ocean and chat about what we were most grateful for that year. My daughters are grown now, and our Thanksgivings look a little different. But those years we spent volunteering and catching up at the beach are some of the memories they remember most. Those were a few of my favorite holidays, too. I often think about the people we served on that day, many of whom were homeless or without a family to be around. In the moments when family feels exhausting, I remember the people we met that day — people who appreciated the meal, but who I’m sure longed to be with family instead. As a mom, I saw how powerful these lessons were for my daughters and how much of an impact these moments had on them.
This Thanksgiving, I hope you can find a way to turn from politics or debates when you gather with your family. This should be a time for celebration and enjoying time spent together. I hope you’ll focus on the good within your family, be it the amazing spread your relative has made or the heartwarming stories about loved ones who have passed. And don’t dwell on whom you spend it with, so long as you do have someone to spend it with. Thanksgiving can just as easily be about a dinner with friends who have become family or neighbors who are more like friends. The focus is just on gathering and being present together. If you can, I would encourage you to share what you’re most grateful for this year, too. It can inject new life and energy into your day, and it’s a
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Can Vitamins Be Customized?
Everyone knows it’s important to get their vitamins. But do people need the same amount of certain vitamins, or does it vary? Some researchers say it varies, so vitamin supplement companies, like monthly vitamin subscription service Care/ of, customize their pill offers based on your personal health and/or goals. But do these services actually work? Since supplements aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, how do we know whether their packages contain the vitamins and minerals promised? Vitamins may not help as much as you think. Johns Hopkins researchers found that for many illnesses (especially heart-related), taking supplements didn’t make a big difference. One study involving 450,000 people found that multivitamins did not reduce risk for heart disease or cancer. Another study tracking the mental functioning and multivitamin use of 5,947 men for 12 years found that multivitamins didn’t reduce risk for mental decline such as memory loss or slowed-down thinking, either. The only exception? Young women. Larry Appel, M.D., director of Johns Hopkins Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, says that supplemental folic acid for
women of reproductive age may be helpful. “Folic acid prevents neural tube defects in babies when women take it before and during early pregnancy. That’s why multivitamins are recommended for young women.” The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends women of reproductive age to intake 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, and the amount of iron in a multivitamin may be also beneficial. But can customized vitamins make a difference? If you’re a young woman, or you have a doctor’s orders to get a multivitamin for certain conditions or treatments, the bad news is that right now, hardly any customizable vitamins have a third-party certification for quality and accuracy. If the vitamin or brand doesn’t have ConsumerLab.com, NSF International, or U.S. Pharmacopeia certification, you simply can’t know what you’re getting. So, the best multivitamin is the one designed for your age group with third-party certification. Even if it’s a $10 bottle from Target, it’s likely more effective than what’s trending online.
Comparison Shop Like a Champ DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON
Look at the per unit price for food. If you’re buying groceries for Thanksgiving dinner, sometimes the item that’s more expensive at face value is actually cheaper per unit. That can mean you’ll save money overall by buying in bulk. Be wary of markups. Black Friday can leave you feeling frenzied, and that’s not always when stores have their best deals. In fact, many of them mark up their prices (sometimes “discounting” them back to their regular price) in preparation for that day. It’s a good rule of thumb to be wary of massive “sales” at big retail locations. If you want to know where you can compare prices, take a look at any one of these apps: Google Shopping, PriceGrabber, Shopping.com, Idealo, Shopzilla, BuyVia, NowDiscount, ScanLife, or ShopSavvy.
stores or online retailers. You’ve probably done comparison shopping without knowing you were doing it. However, once you truly embrace the concept, you can increase your savings. Plus, by using the bevy of online price comparison tools, you can do so without scrambling around to every store in town. If you want to comparison shop like a champ this holiday season, here are a few general tips. The best deal isn’t always the lowest price. If you’re buying gifts online, be sure to take shipping costs into account. They might end up making the cheaper option more expensive in the end. You should also take a look at the return fees, in case these could drive the price up significantly.
The holiday season can be expensive. Sure, you might describe this time of year with less cynical words like “magical” or “warm,” but unfortunately, most stores don’t accept magic or warmth as legal tender. Whether it be for gifts or for holiday meals and treats, most people want to get the most for their money while saving their time and energy. That’s what makes comparison shopping in the age of technology so worthwhile. In case you didn’t already guess its meaning, “comparison shopping” is simply when you compare prices of the same or similar products at different
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Chefs of All Ages Can Help This Thanksgiving Cooking Is for Everyone! Cooking can be a tradition passed down through generations, and often, our favorite dishes come from family recipes. This Thanksgiving, make room in the kitchen for chefs of all ages with a few modifications for older adults. Rethink Your Space Some kitchens were not designed with aging adults in mind, but that doesn’t mean you can’t update it for your loved one. If there is a task that can be done while sitting — like cutting vegetables or peeling potatoes — consider moving the prep for those tasks to the dining room table. You can also use anti-fatigue mats, which are designed to offer better support for those who experience pain after standing for too long. Furthermore, consider improved lighting, so older adults can see their work more easily. Get the Right Gadgets Just like the kitchen may not be mobility-friendly, the tools that are often used may exacerbate arthritis pain or limit a senior’s ability to work. For example, jars can be very difficult for older adults to open, and can openers require a lot of joint work. Consider using inexpensive tools like a jar opener or automatic can opener to lessen the pressure on an older adult’s arms. Other tools, like gloves that prevent cuts or bowls with extra grips, can help seniors find more stability in the kitchen.
Buddy Up Ask relatives of all ages to help with the meal prep and pair older and younger family members together. The younger family members will likely be able to see and hear potential obstacles more easily, and they may be able to do tedious tasks like opening jars. Meanwhile, the older family members can pass along their knowledge and tricks from years spent cooking in the kitchen, keeping family tradition and methods alive. At Visiting Angels, our team of caregivers is dedicated to ensuring our seniors can live independently in their homes for as long as possible, and cooking is a big part of that! If you would like to learn more about how we can help you create a better kitchen environment for your loved one, please call us.
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EASY CRANBERRY- APPLE SALAD
great way to get the conversation moving in a positive direction.
This can be as simple as going around the table and expressing your gratitude, or it can be as fun as this game I found online. It’s very simple. Pass out a few slips of paper and some pens. Then ask everyone to write down what they are most thankful for this year. Ask them to get creative, because this is where it gets fun! Everyone places their gratitude notes into the jar, and one by one, you pull out the slips of paper, and everyone has to guess who wrote what. It’s trickier than you may think, but it’s guaranteed to get everyone cracking up! This Thanksgiving, I hope you don’t leave the table feeling tired from anything other than eating too much turkey or laughing too hard. Focus on what you’re grateful for and promote a positive, easy celebration among those you are lucky enough to spend this day with. Happy Thanksgiving!
Want the taste of fall without the calories? Try this quick and easy salad, topped with homemade apple cider vinaigrette.
Directions 1. In a skillet over medium heat, toast the pumpkin seeds until fragrant, then set aside. 2. In a small jar or bowl, Ingredients For the salad: • 1/4 cup dried pumpkin seeds • 5 cups salad mix • 2 Granny Smith apples, chopped into bite-size pieces • 1/3 cup dried cranberries • 1/3 cup goat cheese, crumbled
For the dressing: • 1/4 cup olive oil • 1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar • 1 1/2 tsp honey • 1 tsp Dijon mustard • Salt and pepper to taste
3. Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing until lightly coated, then toss and serve!
Cindy Saunders, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
whisk together all dressing ingredients, then set aside.
Inspired by CookieandKate.com
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Inside
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A Fun Idea for Your Thanksgiving Table!
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Do Customizable Vitamins Work?
Comparison Shop Like a Champ This Holiday Season
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3 Ways to Make Cooking Ageless
Easy Cranberry-Apple Salad
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Support Local Charities This Holiday Season!
3 Local Groups to Support This Holiday Gathering for Women — Monterey Where: 147 El Dorado St., Monterey Website: GatheringForWomen.org Contact Information: 831-241-6154 and Info@GatheringForWomen.org Max’s Helping Paws Foundation Where: 26388 Carmel Rancho Lane, Ste. D, Carmel Website: MaxsHelpingPaws.org Contact Information: 831-704-6473 and Info@MaxsHelpingPaws.org Put the ‘Giving’ Back in Thanksgiving!
Jacob’s Heart Where: 680 West Beach Street, Watsonville Website: JacobsHeart.org Contact Information: 831-724-9100 and Info@JacobsHeart.org Jacob’s Heart has battled the impact of cancer on nearly 3,400 children and their families in California. The organization also founded September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. But for the families it helps, Jacob’s Heart is so much more than an awareness organization. The group partners with donors, volunteers, and providers to offer support to families impacted by pediatric cancer. It’s a source for transportation to medical treatment, social guidance, counseling, basic-needs care, and financial support. You can donate today by contacting Jacob’s Heart. It’s traditional to give back, volunteer, or donate during the holiday season, and if you’re searching for a new cause to support, look no further than these wonderful organizations.
In April 2014, Monterey community members started a weekly hot lunch at San Carlos Cathedral Hall to help the more than 500 homeless women in their region. Since then, lunch has transformed into a resource for emergency assistance, referrals, clothing, showers, and additional guidance for homeless women. Today, Gathering for Women relies on community donations and volunteers to operate its day center and offer services three days each week. Learn more or donate by contacting Gathering for Women.
In 2016, Dr. Jonathan Fradkin and Dyana Klein mourned the loss of their beloved dog, Max. While they were incredibly heartbroken, they were comforted to know they did all they could to extend his life. That gratitude came with a sobering reality: Not everyone can afford pet care. To help ease the burden, Fradkin — a veterinarian — and Klein, who is a veterinarian tech, began Max’s Helping Paws Foundation. Through donations, the organization supports and funds veterinary costs for owners in need. You can donate or apply for support by contacting Max’s Helping Paws.
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