Take a look at our December newsletter!
From Cake Wars to Crab Cakes
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Holiday Memories and Sweet Rivalries I can’t help but write this article with a huge smile. This time of year always makes me think back to my childhood and my earliest memories of the holidays. For many families, the end of December is a time for togetherness and harmony. However, in my household growing up, the last week of the year always delivered discord over desserts. Allow me to explain. I grew up in a blended family. My mother’s side is Jewish, and my father’s side is Catholic. I was raised Episcopal, a kind of “Catholic Lite,” but we celebrated the holidays from both sides, including Hanukkah. Christmas was hosted at my house, and there would be a big party. Everyone from both sides of the family would pile in … and then the annual Cake Wars would begin. What were the Cake Wars? Let’s just say they were a protracted battle for the ages. My grandmother on my mother’s side, Clara, was a baker who lived in downtown Baltimore. She’d arrive at our house with homemade pound cakes and coconut cakes. I hated coconut back then, so that one was off the table for me, but her pound cake was amazing. It likely contained more butter than I’d ever imagine eating these days, but I loved it as a kid. My grandmother’s sister, Hedwig (whom we called “Auntsie”), also loved baking, so she’d also show up with red velvet cake. Always looking to stir up some family drama, my Uncle John would instigate a “taste-off” to determine which sister baked the better cakes. The siblings took the competition seriously and personally. Many barbs were thrown, and one of them would inevitably get bent out of shape. The stakes were high, but the overall mood was still fun for the rest of us. Inevitably, it was always declared a tie. When I was in my mid-teens, my family moved about three hours away, and I never experienced the Cake Wars again. Fortunately, I still carry on one major tradition from my childhood as a Maryland boy. Although I love Atlanta and am proud to call it home, I still
get crab cakes overnighted from Maryland for Christmas or my daughter’s birthday. We also celebrate another food-related tradition my daughter loves: a strawberry roll from Alpine Bakery here in Atlanta. That thing is massive: literally a five-pound cake filled with fresh strawberries and cream. My household doesn’t need a Cake War, as that dessert is always the winner. Besides the great food, I look forward to celebrating another holiday season knowing my family is happy and healthy. Now in her sophomore year, my daughter is doing incredibly well, double-majoring in finance and accounting at the University of Georgia. When I was growing up, the kids were encouraged to become doctors or lawyers. The rest of my family are all lawyers except for my brother, who works in finance on Wall Street and handles real money. With the financial field growing, I’m thrilled to see her pursuing that same direction. Whether your family gatherings include bakery-fueled battle lines or simply a chance to sit back and relax with those you love, I’m glad you’ve made it through another year. Enjoy your family traditions, as they could end up being what puts a smile on your grandchildren’s faces someday.
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No Time? No Problem SMART FITNESS TIPS FOR PACKED SCHEDULES
Between overflowing inboxes, back-to- back meetings, and endless to-do lists, staying fit can feel like a luxury reserved for people with extra hours in the day. But here’s the secret: You don’t need hours, you just need strategy. With the right hacks, you can incorporate fitness into your routine, no matter how hectic your schedule looks. Sneak in micro-workouts. Your calendar may be jam-packed, but fitness doesn’t always mean hitting the gym. Think micro-workouts: pace during phone calls, squats while brushing your teeth, or squeeze in a quick plank before bed. These small bursts add up over time and keep you moving without derailing your schedule. Use interval training wisely. Instead of committing to long, draining sessions, try short intervals of intense activity paired with light recovery moves. Ten minutes of push-ups, squats, or stair
sprints can leave you feeling energized without the guilt of skipping a “real” workout. It’s efficient, effective, and surprisingly doable. Treat exercise like a meeting. If you wouldn’t cancel a client call, why cancel on yourself? Block out short fitness breaks in your calendar, whether a 20-minute lunchtime walk or a quick yoga stretch after work. When you schedule it, you’re more likely to follow through. Prepare your environment for success. Keep a ready-to-go fitness bag with sneakers, a water bottle, and workout gear. Having everything within reach reduces excuses and makes it easier to stick to your plan. Rely on bodyweight basics. If you don’t have any equipment, it’s not a problem! Push-ups, squats, lunges,
and planks deliver serious results using only your body weight. They’re portable, adaptable, and efficient, perfect for hotel rooms, living rooms, or even the office. Don’t skip hydration and sleep. Drinking enough water and getting enough rest are two underrated hacks. Hydration keeps your brain sharp and muscles ready to perform, while quality sleep ensures your body can recover and push harder the next day. Sometimes, the healthiest move is choosing sleep over Progress isn’t just about six-packs or running marathons. Did you manage five push-ups between meetings? Celebrate that. Took the stairs instead of the elevator? That counts. Recognizing these victories builds momentum and helps create a lasting habit. another late-night grind. Celebrate small wins.
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of my friends.” —Sherveecka S.
“Great law firm, highly recommend. Everyone was efficient and professional. Got the max potential from my case, and the results were also resolved pretty fast with great communication. Thank you, Brauns Law!” —Wenbin Z.
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When you hang ornaments and lights on your Christmas tree, you’re preserving a centuries-old tradition … and upholding a practice of positivity that has helped civilization thrive through dark times for generations. Here’s some intriguing history on how Christmas trees and decorations help keep the holidays festive while doing wonders for our mental health. Greenery in the Gloom Although this part of the U.S. generally experiences milder winters than most, it can be downright brutal in other places worldwide. The heavy snow, frigid air, and dark skies often make people retreat into their homes and sometimes experience moods that match the gloominess outdoors. Fortunately, as their name suggests, evergreen trees keep their color all year long, leading them to be viewed by various cultures as a sign of vitality. Greenery played a significant role in the Winter Solstice celebrations observed in Ancient Rome, while Germanic and Scandinavian peoples began bringing evergreen trees indoors to brighten the atmosphere in their homes as early as the 16th century. Branches Bearing Beauty
LIGHTS AND LEGENDS
Of course, one of the best things about having a tree in one’s home is that things can be hung from it, and adding ornaments became a holiday staple in some parts of the world by the 1800s. Germanic peoples were largely responsible for starting the trend, first by hanging fruits and nuts from the branches, which some historians believe was done in homage to the previous fall’s harvest. Eventually, these foods were replaced by more permanent glass, paper, and yarn items. As for the lights added to the trees to symbolize a reprieve from the darkness of winter, candles were initially hung on trees before being replaced by the considerably safer electric lights we use today. Whether you purchase your ornaments or make them yourself, hanging them alongside lights on your tree this year keeps one of the world’s oldest traditions of self-care going and glowing!
Holiday Ornaments Through the Ages
Take a Break
DIRECTIONS 1. CRISPY PROSCIUTTO AND CHEESE SLIDERS INGREDIENTS • 3 oz thinly sliced prosciutto • 1 package dinner rolls, halved lengthwise • 1/4 cup fig preserves • 3/4 cup shredded fontina cheese • 3/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese • 1/2 cup melted butter • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme • 2 chopped garlic cloves • Black pepper, to taste Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, arrange prosciutto and bake for 8–10 minutes. 3. On a separate lined baking sheet, place the bottom halves of the rolls and spread fig preserves over them. 4. Layer with fontina and Swiss cheese. Top with crispy prosciutto. 5. Place the top half of the rolls over the prosciutto and gently press down. 6. In a bowl, mix butter, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, garlic, and black pepper. 7. Pour butter mixture over rolls. Cover with foil and bake 10 minutes. 8. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes, and separate before serving.
CARDINAL COOKIES FROSTY GINGERBREAD
GIFTS MENORAH MITTENS PEPPERMINT
PINECONES SAGITTARIUS SNOWBALL YULE
Inspired by HalfBakedHarvest.com
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Inside This Issue 1 Festive Feasts and Family Fireworks Quick Workouts for Hectic Lives Need Help? Call Brauns
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Bright Symbols of the Season Crispy Prosciutto and Cheese Sliders Overthinking Overload? Try These Mind-Clearing Tips
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We’ve all been there: lying awake at night, replaying conversations, imagining worst-case scenarios, or obsessing over things we can’t change. Overthinking might feel harmless, but when those thoughts keep circling, they can take a toll on your mood, energy, and overall well-being. So, how do you break the cycle? It starts with noticing what’s happening in your mind. Next time your thoughts go into overdrive, pause and ask yourself: What emotion is fueling this? Maybe it’s worry, guilt, or frustration. Recognizing the source is the first step toward loosening its grip. Turn down the mental volume. When your brain feels stuck on repeat, try redirecting your energy. Dive into a hobby, work out, learn a new recipe, or volunteer for a cause that matters to you. Shifting focus gives your mind a break and can help you feel more grounded.
Breathing exercises also work wonders. Place one hand on your heart, one on your belly, and take slow, steady breaths in and out through your nose. It’s simple, but it signals your body to relax and can help calm racing thoughts in just a few minutes. Challenge your thoughts. Automatic negative thoughts (those instant, gloomy reactions) can trap you in “what ifs” and worst-case scenarios. Write them down, seek a more balanced perspective, and see if you can do anything about them. Taking small, thoughtful actions toward solutions can help quiet the mental noise. And remember, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Talking to a trusted friend or a therapist can give you a fresh outlook on managing those runaway thoughts.
WHEN ‘WHAT IF’ WON’T QUIT Hit Pause When Your Brain Won’t Stop Talking
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