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January 2025 Winter Wonders of a Minnesota Upbringing How I Survived Minnesota’s Extreme Cold and Ice Fishing Expeditions
Growing up in the teeth-chattering cold of Minnesota gave me a certain rugged charm — or so I tell myself. Now, firmly planted in South Carolina’s milder climate, I often regale my friends and clients with tales from my frosty youth, promising them they’ll never catch me or my wife back in that winter so-called wonderland. First things first, while some children’s winter tales include mild frost and occasional snowball fights, mine involve survival tips for subzero school days. In Minnesota, schools have a policy: Only if the mercury dips below a brisk 30 degrees below zero is it a snow day. Not because it’s a bit chilly, but because it’s so cold that frostbite could set in while waiting for the bus! And yes, that’s 30 degrees below zero. I’m not making this up.
two sets of shoes were mandatory. You’d don thick, thermal boots to brave the snow-laden trek to school, only to swap them for indoor sneakers once you arrived, lining the school hallways with rows of snow-caked boots, not to mention the countless heavyweight coats, scarves, and gloves needing to be stowed away. Oh, and imagine kids running around in full-face ski masks — standard kid attire, where face-covering masks didn’t mark a potential robbery but just another day ending in “Y.” Then, on the weekends, ice fishing would turn into a full-blown expedition. We would drive our truck across the frozen river with the ice house hitched behind. Imagine that — a dozen ice houses scattered across the ice, each spaced about 100 feet apart, a testament to just how thick and solid the ice was. You could drive a full-sized truck on it without a second thought. Now, setting up the ice house was where the real work began, especially for me. The ice house, a cozy shelter about the size of a small room, needed a fishing hole, and that was my job to create. Armed with an ice pick that seemed as tall as I was in elementary school, I’d chip away at the ice. Every swing of the heavy metal spear felt like a small victory, but it was exhausting. Eventually, my dad took pity on me and invested in a gas- powered auger. The relief of watching the machine effortlessly bore through
the ice was immense — I was officially retired from child manual labor. Living in such extreme cold also introduced some peculiar routines. For instance, school delays were not uncommon, but not out of sympathy for us kids at all. Some days, the buses’ engines would be too frozen and needed to be plugged in to thaw. Yes, our buses, much like our cars at home, needed electricity to start long before Elon Musk introduced Teslas. I remember one particularly memorable incident in high school when someone unplugged all the school buses as a prank, freezing the engines and canceling school for the day. My wife, also a Minnesota transplant, shares my frosty sentiments. And she made me promise, long before our wedding vows, that we’d spend our winters anywhere but Minnesota. Now, we watch the holiday snowfall strictly on TV, comfortably snuggled up in a place where the only ice comes in a glass, and the only layers needed are those of the blankets we’re under. So, while some may revel in the nostalgic chill of a northern January, you’ll find us celebrating the new year with a toast to milder Januaries, steadfastly grateful for our less frosty zip code. Cheers to that! –Samuel Harms
As for winter gear, my school days featured a peculiar fashion trend:
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People tend to pay more attention to their overall health and fitness as they age. If you ignore your aches, pains, and injuries, they’re more likely to worsen, which is why so many of us go out of our way to track specific health measurements. One measurement you should track, especially if you’re showing symptoms of prediabetes, is your blood sugar. Maintaining low blood sugar helps prevent cognitive decline, kidney disease, nerve damage, and more. However, many don’t know how to lower their blood sugar if it’s starting to reach dangerous levels. Here are two lifestyle changes that can help keep blood sugar low while improving other aspects of your health. Exercise regularly. Exercise becomes increasingly important as we age, but this doesn’t mean you have to go all out every time you strap on Sugar Smarts ESSENTIAL STEPS TO BALANCE BLOOD SUGAR AS YOU AGE
your running shoes or go to the gym. Experts recommend that you get around 150 minutes of exercise every week, and it doesn’t have to be any more strenuous than a brisk walk. You’ll see much better results if you pick a routine that’s easy to maintain and follow. Cut back on ultra-processed foods. When people try to keep their blood sugar balanced, they usually make an added effort to reduce their intake of sweets. However, nearly all processed carbs pose a risk. Even eating things like bread, pasta, noodles, and white rice can raise sugar levels. Pay attention to what you eat, and your body will thank you.
Biting Bullets and Serving Cold Shoulders
The Unexpected Histories of Old Expressions
When you’ve had to “bite the bullet” and face a difficult situation, did you get a mouth full of gunpowder? Or, has someone’s “cold shoulder” left you with indigestion? While we hear these common expressions often, their quirky origins may leave you feeling like a “cat’s got your tongue.” From wartime
practices to subtle ways to kick out unwanted houseguests, the stories behind these phrases may surprise you. Bite the Bullet In the days before painkillers and anesthesia, doctors had a bang-up method to dull the pain of surgery. Soldiers injured on the battlefield were given a bullet to bite down on as a way to distract from the aches. We still use this expression to describe accepting something difficult or unpleasant. At least we won’t chip any teeth today! Give the Cold Shoulder Nothing stings quite like someone snubbing you and giving you a cold shoulder. As early as the 1800s, cold shoulders were considered a polite
way to tell someone you wanted them to leave. Party hosts used to serve a cold piece of pork shoulder or beef to unwanted guests to say, “Get out.” Break the Ice We have all probably had to “break the ice” in conversations or awkward social situations, but its origins are far more literal. Ships used to be the primary mode of transportation for goods, and road infrastructure was many years away. While carrying goods to trade, ships often got stuck in ice. The receiving country would send small ships to break the ice and make a path for the trade ships. It symbolized an understanding and partnership between two territories.
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TAKE A BREAK
When life feels overwhelming, or you just aren’t feeling your best, it can be difficult to find hope or joy. Sometimes, the best medicine is a little self-care in the form of simple activities and treats that you enjoy most. One of the best ways to boost your mood is by planning something to look forward to. Whether it’s a favorite movie, a new painting class, or a tasty latte, prioritizing things that bring us happiness can empower us with hope. It’s like adding a bright spot in the future, making the tough days more manageable. What do you love? Your plan doesn’t have to be grand or complicated. Start by identifying activities that make you happy or that interest you. Do you love comedy movies or enjoy going to concerts? You might sign up for an improv class or buy tickets to see a play. It can be anything that brings a smile to your face. Plan it. Once you know the activity, start planning. Our busy lives sometimes lack time for the little things that make us feel good. Treat your happiness like a necessary appointment and get it on your calendar. Spending time with your loved ones and friends also has a wealth of benefits for your mental health, so decide whether you want someone to join you. By planning to do things that bring you joy, you’ll feel more hopeful, balanced, and better equipped to handle whatever life throws your way. WHY SMALL PLANS CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE The Happiness Hack
BEGINNINGS BLANKETS CARNATION CAPRICORN GARNET HEALTHY ICICLE PENGUIN PLANNING RESOLUTION SNOWBOARD SOUPY
One-Pot Chicken Noodle Soup Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Ingredients
• 2 1/2 lbs skinless,
• 4 medium carrots, chopped • 2 bay leaves • 1 tsp dried thyme • 3 cups uncooked egg noodles (about 8 oz) • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley • 1 tbsp lemon juice
bone-in chicken thighs
• 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp pepper • 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 10 cups chicken broth • 4 celery ribs, chopped
Directions 1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. In an 8-quart stockpot over medium-high heat, add oil and chicken and cook until golden brown, 3–4 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside. 2. Add onion to drippings; cook over medium-high heat for 4–5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add broth and bring to a boil. Return chicken to pot. Add celery, carrots, bay leaves, and thyme. Reduce heat and cover; simmer until chicken is tender, 25–30 minutes. 3. Turn off heat. Remove chicken to a plate. Add noodles and let stand, covered, until noodles are tender, 20–22 minutes. 4. Shred chicken meat into bite-size pieces, and return to pot. Stir in parsley and lemon juice, and discard bay leaves.
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33 Market Point Drive Greenville, SC 29607 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Samuel’s Tales of Frosty Mornings and Ice Fishing in Minnesota
1
Simple Lifestyle Tweaks to Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check
2
A Witty Journey Through Quirky Sayings
One-Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
3
The Power of Planning Something to Look Forward To
Bizarre Beliefs of the 19th Century
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‘ELECTRIFIED’ WAISTS AND FAT-FIGHTING WORMS Shocking Health Practices From the Victorian Era
Looking to lose weight? Try a diet of worms! Have back trouble? Cover yourself with magnets! If you lived in Great Britain in the 19th century, you would likely have been familiar with these popular remedies for common health concerns. Although these long-abandoned solutions sound crazy by today’s standards, it’s worth noting that doctors in the U.S. used chloroform as an anesthetic during the same period. Medicine is an ever-evolving science, and today’s medical marvels may be tomorrow’s laughably primitive practices. That said, the Victorians’ idea of better health was wild . Many women of the era would ingest a tapeworm egg to achieve most people’s dream of losing weight while eating whatever they wanted. Once hatched, the parasite would theoretically eat part of whatever
their hostesses consumed — a diet method more “Alien” than Atkins. In addition to the questionable practice of allowing a worm to live inside them , Victorian ladies also had to figure out how to remove it once they had achieved their ideal weight. Placing a glass of milk near one’s bottom to lure it out was among the most popular methods. If squatting over dairy to extract a creepy crawly resulted in back pain, sufferers could take advantage of a widespread treatment: the “electric corset.” Billed by manufacturers as “scientifically constructed” and “the ‘very thing’ for ladies,” this device used magnetized steel plates — not electricity — to supposedly bring “health, comfort, and elegance” to the person wearing it. Unsurprisingly, the product was largely dismissed as a fraud by the late 1800s.
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