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December 11, 2014

the cheshire herald, december 11, 2014Holiday Guide Cheshire Heraldtwo

BellaGioGioRISTORANTE& PIZZERIA GioICE CREAM& PASTRY

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Last-Minute Shopper? Here Are Some Tips To Help You Through

Holiday shoppers tend to fall into three distinct camps. there are those people who have completed all of their shopping and wrapping even be-fore November ends. Others shop in the weeks between thanksgiv-ing and christmas. Finally, many people wait until the last minute,

and such shoppers are the ones seen rushing from store to store on de-cember 24.Waiting until the last

possible second to pur-chase a gift may not prove much of a prob-lem when shopping for

birthday gifts. but come the holiday

season, such pro-crastination may

fi nd shoppers perus-ing limited inventories and dealing with other frantic proscrastinators.

but even those shoppers who still plan to put off their holiday shopping can make the most of such stalling this holiday season.

Consider eGift cards. Many retailers offer digital gift cards that can be emailed in a matter of minutes. Purchase the card from the online retailer and email the redemption code to the gift recipi-

ent. time the email to arrive on christmas morning or include all of the necessary information in a holiday card.

Ship to store. Some shoppers like the convenience of ship-to-store services. this enables a per-son to purchase a gift online but avoid shipping charges by having the item made available at a store location.

in-stock items are typically ready the day of purchase, and this helps you avoid crowds and impulse buys, as online purchases are typically available at special pick-up locations in the store that allows online shoppers to skip long lines at the registers.

Avoid gimmick gifts. Skip the as seen on tV aisle at the store

or trendy infomercial gifts. such gifts may suggest to their recipi-ents that you waited until the last minute to buy the gifts and then really didnt have any good ideas.

Expect extra charges and fac-tor such charges into your bud-get. Procrastinating may work for your schedule, but expect to pay more if you shop online and re-quire shipping. You will probably need to expedite shipping if you expect to have gifts delivered on time.

Verify the delivery date before making any purchases. Paying more for shipping may outweigh the hassle of driving to the store after searching for gifts. Online retailers like amazon may even offer selective delivery on christ-

mas eve.Check store hours. Some

stores offer extended shopping hours to meet the needs of last-minute shoppers. You may be able to visit early morning or late at night to skip the crowds. cer-tain department stores time sales with these extended hours, such as early bird or night owl specials, so you may even be re-warded for procrastinating.

Shop smaller retailers. One way to avoid the hassles that often come with holiday shopping is to patronize smaller, independent shops. chances are the crowds will be smaller at these shops and you may have access to a more unique selection of gifts than you would fi nd at the nearby mall.

Some Great Gift Ideas For That First-Time ParentMany parents fondly recall their fi rst holiday season as a mom and dad. While youngsters may not remember much about their fi rst Thanksgiving dinner with family or where their fi rst Christmas present was placed under the tree, parents tend to cherish such memories, mak-

ing their fi rst holidays with children in tow very memorable.loved ones of new parents can take steps to make this holiday season even more special. the

following are some gift ideas for holiday shoppers who want to make this season even more memorable for the proud new parents in their lives.

Photo album: Todays new parents have more pictures and video of their bundles of joy than any previous generation of moms and dads, as smartphones, tablets and other devices

have made taking pictures much easier than in years past. but family members also have more access to such photos than ever before, making it easy to put together a

special photo album of the new parents and their new child. Pull pic-See GET, page 15

the cheshire herald, december 11, 2014Holiday Guide Cheshire Herald three

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Battle Fatigue With Some Tasty Vittles

Winter weather pro-duces more than just colder temperatures and snow-covered landscapes. the longer hours of darkness synonymous with winter can promote feelings of lethargy and fatigue. People who leave the house in the early morning darkness, only to return home when the sun has set, of-ten fi nd themselves feeling tired. but changing your diet to include foods that provide energy may be just what you need to counter such fatigue.

energy levels are often af-

fected by what we eat. if you choose foods that result in a mid-afternoon slump, it could be time to make some changes. the key is to select menu items that will provide a gradual stream of en-ergy through the day, eliminat-ing those highs and lows that can lead to dips in energy. here are some smart food choices to fi ght fatigue.

Oatmeal: This fi ber-rich food provides a quick boost of energy from carbohydrates, but will not result in a sugar crash that is com-mon with many breakfast cereals.

The fi ber in oatmeal will feed the benefi cial bacteria in your diges-tive tract, helping to keep the digestion system healthy. this means you can easily absorb the nutrients in oatmeal and avoid constipation.

Pumpkin seeds: Researchers at the United states agricultural research service found that peo-ple with magnesium defi ciencies required more oxygen uptake during physical activity, which then brought on fatigue. snacking on magnesium-rich foods, such as pumpkin seeds, will provide the body with the recommended daily allowance of magnesium. aim for 310 mg of magnesium for women and 400 mg for men.

Lean proteins: When enjoy-ing proteins, opt for leaner meats and seafood that can be quickly digested by the body. red meats marbled in fat require more en-ergy to digest.

Yogurt: The soft texture of yogurt makes it easily digestible by the body, providing a quick source of energy. but unlike other foods, yogurt has a good ratio of protein to carbohydrates, making it a long-lasting energy source. Yogurt also contains a bevy of healthy probiotics that promote healthy bacteria in the digestive tract while eliminating harmful bacteria. recent research from the University of toronto sug-

gests that probiotics can help ease symptoms of chronic fatigue syn-drome, among other conditions. this makes yogurt a good meal or snack to enjoy any time of the day.

Whole grains: When choos-ing carbohydrates, opt for com-plex carbohydrates, which can be found in whole grains, instead of refi ned carbs. The body digests and releases complex carbohy-drates slowly, moderating blood sugar levels and keeping your

mood stable. this helps the body maintain adequate energy levels.

Spinach: Fatigue may be a byproduct of an iron defi ciency, which is a common cause of anemia. red blood cells use iron to carry oxygen to cells. With-out adequate iron, the red blood cells cannot do their job well and mental and physical fatigue may ensue. Spinach is an excellent source of iron, magnesium and vitamin c.

See WALNUTS, page 14

the cheshire herald, december 11, 2014Holiday Guide Cheshire HeraldFour

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Dread Decorating? Heres Some Advice To Make The Process FunCelebrations go a long way toward making the holiday season a special time of year. each holiday offers the op-portunity to transform both the in-terior and exterior of a home into a holiday wonderland blending both store-bought and handcraft-ed decorations and ornaments.

as families grow, many amass various holiday trinkets and dec-orative items that become part of their holiday traditions. some decorations hold special senti-mental value, while others are standard decorations found in homes across the globe come the holiday season.

its easy to get overwhelmed by holiday decorations, but organiz-

ing such items can make the pro-cess of giving your home a holi-day facelift that much easier.

Color-codingstorage bins are the unsung

heroes of holiday decorating. such bins keep treasures safe and out of the way in attics, base-ments and closets. employing a color-coding system to organize holiday decorations will make it easier to identify items and their corresponding holidays. christ-mas objects can be housed in red or green storage containers, while halloween decorations can be placed in orange containers, and so on. investing in durable, plas-tic bins with lids will keep items

clean and orderly.

Designate a storage spothunting and pecking around

the house for holiday decor can make the process of decorating that much more time consuming. Not knowing where the strings of lights or extra extension cords

are stored can drag out the time it takes to decorate. establish a designated storage area for orna-ments, lights, wreaths, and other items used to decorate your home come the holidays. Out-of-the-way spots like attics or seldom-used closets make good storage spots for holiday decorations,

guaranteeing that such items wont get in the way throughout the rest of the year.

Sort and replace as you gotake the time to periodically

go through decorative items, re-moving anything that is broken

For Many, Three Kings Day Is The Exciting Time Of YearChristmas celebrants real-ize that the holiday sea-son does not end on december 26 or even January 2. For many peo-ple, christmas and New Years eve are merely a prelude to the real celebration to come on three Kings day.

three Kings day, or da de los trs reyes, is celebrated on Janu-ary 6 to honor the wise men who visited and brought gifts to Jesus christ. also known as the epiph-any, the holiday marks the end of

the christmas season for many practicing christians.

Very little is known about the kings, or magi. these kings, who are only mentioned once in the Gospel of Matthew, are never named. the story says they hail from the east and are guided to the manger by a mysterious light in the sky. They begin a journey to bring gold, frankincense and myrrh to the newborn king. Un-beknownst to many, the popular song the 12 days of christmas

actually marks the 12 days fol-lowing christmas, ending on the Feast of the epiphany, and not the 12 days preceding christmas day.

many traditions are associated with the epiphany. celebrants in Mexico serve Rosca de Reyes, an oval-shaped cake that symbolizes a crown. the cake has a small doll inside that represents baby Jesus and the hiding of Jesus from King herods troops. herod ordered his soldiers to seek out and murder all male infants born in bethlehem in retaliation of the prophecy that a messiah would come and become the new King of Jerusalem.

roscas can be made with dried and candied fruits to symbolize the jewels that adorn real crowns. Whoever receives the plastic doll in his or her slice of cake is ex-pected to throw a party on di de la candelaria (candlemas day), which occurs each year on Febru-

See BIBLE, page 13

See MAKE, page 11

the cheshire herald, december 11, 2014Holiday Guide Cheshire Herald Five

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Creative Ways To Celebrate HanukkahMany jokes have been shared about the com-plexity of growing up Jewish sur-rounded by christian friends and the overwhelming in uence of christmas come the month of de-cember. seemingly everywhere you look buildings, stores and homes are decked out in lights and decorations. but christmas celebrants are not the only ones with reason to be festive this time of year, when hanukkah is also cause for celebration.

Perhaps due to its proximity to thanksgiving and christmas, hanukkah tends to be the most widely celebrated Jewish holiday in america. even though it is of-fi cially listed as a minor holiday, hanukkah is important to families across the globe. in fact, because the basis of hanukkah is rededi-cation to the faith, it very well may be an instrumental celebra-tion for families who may need to fi nd their way back to the roots of their beliefs.

hanukkah celebrations may not feature lavishly decorated trees or scores of celebrants belting out carols, but it bears signifi cance for the thousands of people who celebrate each year. While ha-nukkah is steeped in tradition, the following are a handful of ways you can add a creative spin to

your familys festivities this year.Light: One of the major tenets

of hanukkah is how light can shine and lead a person through dark periods. This is typically ex-emplifi ed by the lighting of the menorah, which is prominently placed in windows or other vis-ible areas of celebrants homes. this hanukkah spend time with someone who may be dealing with an illness or the loss of a loved one. You may be the light that inspires this person each day. Give candles to friends and fami-ly members to symbolize the light that will shine in the future.

Oil: Another component of hanukkah celebrations is the fo-cus on how a one-day supply of oil somehow lasted eight days during the rededication of the temples menorah. many ways to include oil in celebrations exist. Some people like to get creative in the kitchen, serving fried foods and desserts. think about giving gifts of oil, such as fragrant essential oils that can be used in potpourri or in the bath or shower. Working alongside their parents, children can see how a wick drenched in oil can serve as an effi cient light-ing source and decorate the home with these homemade oil lamps.

Twenty-fi ve: Bring attention to the number 25, which is signifi -

cant when celebrating hanukkah. The words offi cial hebrew spell-ing is chanukah, and it can be divided into two separate parts: chanu, meaning they rested, and Kah, which is the numeri-cal value of 25. On the 25th day of the hebrew month of Kislev, the maccabees rested from their battle with the Greeks and trium-phantly marched into the holy temple in Jerusalem. make 25 a part of celebrations by inviting 25 people to celebrate with you or ask children to make murals with 25 different adornments.

Charitable giving: Gift-giving is now a component of hanukkah celebrations, but it wasnt always. Greater importance was once placed on the lighting of candles to publicize the miracle and evan-gelize the faith. some poor peo-ple could not afford candles, and these people would go door-to-door for candle funds, or gelt, to be able to purchase candles and kiddush wine. some Jewish fami-lies prefer to give money rather than gifts on hanukkah to keep with the tradition of hanukkah gelt.

however, families also can incorporate charitable giving in their celebrations as a way to re-inforce the customs of giving to the poor.

Do You Have A Favorite Movie Version Of Ebenezer Scrooge?First published on decem-ber 19, 1843, charles dickens novella a christmas carol tells the story of ebene-zer scrooge, a bitter miser whose christmas eve encounters with the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Yet to come spark a transformation from a penny-pinching near-recluse into a be-nevolent do-gooder.

the tale of ebenezer scrooge has endured for nearly 175 years, and fi gures to remain a staple of the holiday season for years to come. but as much as audiences enjoy the tale of Mr. Scrooge, so, too, do actors enjoy giving their take on this memorable miser.

Nary a year has passed since the classic tale was fi rst adapted for the stage in 1844 that an actor, be it amateur or professional, has not portrayed ebenezer scrooge, and such portrayals have taken place on the stage, the small screen, the silver screen, and even the radio. some manifestations of the old miser have been true to dickens version, while others are modern-izations of the legendary writers original story. the following are some of the more memorable performances from actors tasked with playing ebenezer scrooge.

Alastair Sim: Considered by many fi lm critics to be the best version of ebenezer scrooge to ever grace the stage, screen or air-waves, sims 1951 performance

is still celebrated to this day. sim would reprise the role 20 years later in the Oscar-winning ani-mated version.

Albert Finney: The England-born Finney won the role of eb-enezer Scrooge despite being just 34 years old at the time the 1970 musical adaptation was made. Finney would win a Golden Globe award for his performance in the fi lm, which was titled Scrooge.

Tom Ricketts: Though not necessarily as renowned a perfor-mance as some others who would

See ECLECTIC, page 14

the cheshire herald, december 11, 2014Holiday Guide Cheshire HeraldSix

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Dont Let The Delicious Seasonal Food Break Your Workout RoutineBetween decking the halls, visiting family and attending holiday parties, it may seem like there is little time to main-tain a workout routine during the holiday. While the holidays are an especially busy time of year, men and women who plan and stay dedicated to their routines do not need to let their health fall by the wayside until January.

several studies show that peo-ple can gain anywhere from one pound to a few pounds between

thanksgiving and christmas. although that might not seem like a lot of weight, a report in the New eng-land Journal of medi-cine noted that many people never lose the weight they put on during the holidays.

those who struggle to keep the weight off under-stand the importance of maintaining both

a consistent fi t-ness schedule

and healthy eating habits. this may be

challenging when the rich foods and parties synony-

mous with the holiday season are around to threaten healthy habits. heres how to stay on course.

Establish a regular exercise date. Treat exercise as any other obligation on the calendar. make it a necessity and not a luxury. schedule time for workouts, even if it means removing something else from your agenda.

Dont worry about the length of your workouts. if youre ac-customed to an hourlong work-out but cannot fi t in more than 20 minutes on some days, dont skip the workout simply because its shorter. make the most of that time by targeting larger, core muscles.

Change your schedule. You may need to alter your daily

schedule to fi t in gym workouts or other exercise. Try getting up earlier and heading out prior to work or school. this will open up time throughout the rest of your day, and you can use that time to meet the demands of the holiday season.

Get a trainer or a workout buddy. its far easier to blow off a workout when you go it alone. however, if you have a workout partner who is counting on you and vice versa, you may be less inclined to miss a workout, even when youre not especially moti-vated to hit the gym.

Try new activities. Workouts need not be limited to exercises in the gym. Plenty of activities work the body and burn calories.

sledding, ice skating, skiing, and snowboarding are just a few win-ter sports that can help you stay in shape.

Choose a hotel with a pool or gym. if holiday travel is on your itinerary, select a hotel that has fi tness equipment. This way you can keep up with your routine. even swimming a few laps in an indoor pool can provide a cardio-vascular workout while youre on vacation. remember, it only takes a two-week break from exercise to experience a fi tness regression, and you will only have to work harder to get back to your current fi tness level if you let exercise slide too long.

Add short, high-intensity exer-cises. burn more calories in less time with high-intensity work-outs. this way you wont need to schedule as much time for work-outs but will still get the benefi t of exercise.

Transform chores into ex-ercise opportunities. see that vacuum cleaner, rake or broom as a piece of exercise equipment. While cleaning up for holiday company, turn on the radio and get your heart pumping, too. do leg raises while youre preparing meals or do some pushups off of the kitchen counter.

Use your bodyweight. Even if you cant make it to the gym, rely on your own body resistance for a thorough workout. Pushups, squats, burpees, mountain climb-ers, jumping rope, and lunges are some exercises that rely on body-weight for effectiveness.

Periodically exercise during the day. if you have a few free moments here and there during the day, use these opportunities to exercise. By the end of the day, you may fi nd you squeezed in an entire workouts worth of ex-ercise over the course of several 10-minute intervals.

Exercise and fi tness do not have to play second fi ddle to oth-er holiday activities. make time for workouts, and ensure that your fi tness doesnt suffer so you will be ahead of the game come the new year.

the cheshire herald, december 11, 2014 seven

Holiday Dining & Catering

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The Real Shopping Deals Can Be Found When January Rolls AroundShopping may be the last thing on the average persons mind once the holi-day season has ended. but January may be a great time to go bargain hunting.

though sinking January temperatures can make winter seem endless, retail-ers already have spring on their minds when the calender turns, and many use the fi rst month of the year to clear out inventory and make room for spring merchandise. if youre ready to shop, the following items might be available at heavy discounts.

Winter clothing: January can be a great time to get discounts on win-ter apparel. sweaters and coats have been on display since september, and stores are ready to start display-ing their spring collections. Use that accu-

mulated christmas cash to stock up on coats, sweatshirts and even snow boots.

Exercise equipment: Many people resolve to get in shape

come the new year, so it comes as no surprise that fi tness gear and equipment

is on sale in January. look for deals on home

gym equipment, work-out wear and items for

winter sports. if you are in the market for a gym mem-bership, health clubs typi-cally offer discounted fees and incentives to join in the fi rst month of the year.

Home furnishings: Several

manufacturers release new furni-ture collections in February, and retailers must clean out their old inventory beforehand. if you are in the market for big-ticket home furnishings, hold off until after the holidays and your patience may just be rewarded with considerable savings.

Holiday items: Now is the time to stock up on holiday dcor as re-tailers reorganize for Valentines day and spring holidays. take inventory of any decorations that broke during the season as well as anything you are thinking of replacing. Purchase cards, wrap-ping paper and other holiday items now and pack them away until next year.

Vehicles: January and February can be ideal times to fi nd discounts on both new and pre-owned ve-hicles. drivers may not to want to drive new vehicles through messy winter conditions, so they will usually wait to buy until spring. dealerships recognize this and will drop prices on vehicles during the winter to try to entice shoppers to buy. You might fi nd it easier to ne-gotiate a better deal in January and February than you would later in the year when demand is higher.

Big-ticket electronics: Janu-ary is traditionally one of the best months to buy electronics because this time of year is when the con-sumer electronics show unveils the newest technology. as people upgrade to new models and sys-tems, last years merchandise is put on sale. sports fans also may want to upgrade the size of their televi-sions now so come February they can watch the super bowl in style.

Jewelry: January is slow for jewelry retailers, and that lull can be advantageous to buyers shop-ping in January. Splurge on jewelry now before prices spike for Valen-tines day.

bargain hunting consumers may want to brave the winter weather and shop till they drop this Janu-ary, when retailers may be looking to unload inventory as they prepare for the spring shopping season.

the cheshire herald, december 11, 2014Holiday Guide Cheshire Herald Nine

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Holidays Can Be A Dangerous Time For A Family Pet In The HouseThe holiday season is full of joy. But in the midst of decorating and socializing, pet owners may overlook the needs of their pets. hectic schedules and homes full of unusual dcor can throw pets off-kilter.

No pet owner wants their pet to feel uncomfortable or suffer any injuries, so its important that owners exercise caution with the following items come the holiday season.

Bones: Is turkey on the menu for the family feast? if so, re-sist the urge to toss some bones and scraps to dogs or cats. small bones or bone chips can become lodged in the digestive tracts of pets and cause serious injury. If you want to provide your pet with a holiday treat, choose a safer, store-bought bone.

Aromatic oils: The holidays are not the same without the fa-miliar scent of mint, cinnamon or pine. some people resort to scent-ed candles or aromatherapy oils to create the perfect holiday am-biance. but some synthetic aro-mas or even natural extracts can be toxic to cats and dogs. Stick to nontoxic items and keep them well out of the pets reach.

Chocolate and other sweets:

an abundance of treats seems to be par for the course during the holiday season. dogs should avoid all chocolate, but dark chocolate poses a particularly se-rious threat. chocolate can cause agitation, elevated heart rate, di-

arrhea, vomiting, seizures, and even death. in addition, candy or cookies sweetened with the artifi -cial sweetener xylitol can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure for dogs.

Pine needles and trees: When ingested, pine needles can punc-ture the intestines of pets. in

search of an easy drink, dogs and cats may be drawn to the fresh water reservoir of live trees, in-creasing the likelihood that they knock over a christmas tree, in-juring themselves and causing damage around the house. trees

should be properly secured, and fallen needles should be promptly discarded.

Tinsel and decorations: Skip the tinsel if you have a cat. Fe-lines are likely to mistake tinsel for a toy. eating tinsel can cause severe damage to a cats intes-tinal tract, as it may get caught

in the stomach while the rest of it continues to pass through the intestines. tinsel also may wrap around the tongue, increasing the cats risk of choking. Ornaments also are tempting playthings. cats may pounce on glass ornaments, breaking them and suffering in-jury. Keep pets in mind when selecting tree ornaments, and opt for unbreakable ornaments when possible.

Electrical cords: The Ameri-can animal hospital association says holiday lights mean more electrical cords for kittens and puppies to chew. secure all cords and keep them out of reach of pets.

Candles: The subtle icker

of a lit candle can add ambiance to a space. but all it takes is the swish of a tail or the pat of a paw to knock over a candle and spark a fi re. Never leave lit candles unattended. if you have boister-ous pets, opt for led simulated candles instead.

Alcohol: Spirits are sometimes a part of celebrations, but alco-holic beverages should be kept out of reach of pets. alcohol sup-presses the immune system, and it can result in signifi cant health is-sues the for pets who consume it.

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The holiday season is rife with tradition, from christmas trees to lighting displays to visits with santa claus at the local mall. Fami-lies reunite come the holiday season to exchange gifts, enjoy meals togeth-er and do a little catching up along the way.

but the holiday season also is syn-onymous with parties. Whether its to

enjoy an offi ce holiday party, a gathering with family and friends or a more intimate gathering at home, such celebrations are a big part of the holiday season and a main reason why this is such a festive and beloved time of year.

as this is a season of celebrating, its good to remember that no holiday party is truly complete until eggnog has been served. Enjoyed almost exclusively during the holiday season, eggnog is as much a staple of holiday celebrations as stockings hung by the chimney with care. this year, impress your holiday guests with the following recipe for Excellent Eggnog from A.J. Rathbuns Good Spirits (Harvard Common Press).

Excellent Eggnogserves 8

8 large eggs, preferably organic 21/4 cups superfi ne sugar 8 ounces brandy 8 ounces rum 4 ounces bourbon 1 quart milk Freshly grated nutmeg for garnish1. separate the egg yolks from the egg whites, setting the

whites aside for a moment. 2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the yolks with a hand mixer un-

til completely combined. add the sugar and beat until it reaches a creamy consistency.

3. add the brandy, rum and bourbon, and then the milk, beat-ing well.

4. In a medium-size mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with a hand mixer until soft peaks form (be sure before beating the whites that you have cleaned and thoroughly dried the beaters).

5. Fold the egg whites into the yolk-sugar-alcohol mixture. Re-frigerate the mix until well chilled (at least 3 hours).

6. stir to recombine as needed. serve the eggnog in mugs, top-ping each serving with some nutmeg.

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A Special Treat For The New Year

New Years celebrations wouldnt be the same without food and, of course, drinks. but while you may al-ready have the champagne on ice for when the clock strikes 12, you may not already have plans in place with regard to feeding your guests as you ring in a new year.

if you really want to send the year out in avorful style, consid-er the following recipe for cock-tail dates from bob blumers Surreal Gourmet Bites: Show-stoppers and conversation start-ers (Chronicle Books).

Cocktail DatesYields 12 bites

12 large dried Medjool dates1 4-ounce chunk Parmigiano-

reggiano cheese6 slices bacon, cut in half

widthwise

Preheat oven to 350 F.insert a bamboo skewer or a

similar facsimile in the bottom of the date until the pointy tip rests

on the bottom of the pit. Push the pit out of the stem side. reserve dates.

Using your sharpest knife, cut Parmigiano-reggiano cheese into 14-inch slices. Cut those slices into 14-x-1-inch pieces (the re-sulting 1-inch pieces should be approximately the same diameter as a pencil). cut the tip of each piece at a 45-degree angle.

leading with the pointy end, stuff a stick of Parmigiano-reg-giano cheese into the pit hole of each date.

Wrap each date with a slice of bacon. set dates on a bak-ing sheet, seam-sides down, and skewer each with a toothpick to hold bacon in place.

Bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until bacon is crispy. Caution: These cocktail dates are like molten lava when they come out of the oven. let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Medjool dates or any other dried date can usually be found in mediterranean stores or specialty food stores.

dates can be stuffed and wrapped up to 24 hours in advance of serv-ing your guests.

the cheshire herald, december 11, 2014Holiday Guide Cheshire Herald eleven

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Shopping For Non-Family Or Friend Can Present Some ChallengesCome the holiday season, many people find its not just family and friends on their shopping lists. coworkers and acquaintances often land on such lists as well, and its not always easy deciding what to get those people who arent close friends or family members.

BossGifting the boss is a sensitive

subject and should be dictated by company protocol. if you are the only employee to buy your boss a gift, it may seem like you are try-ing to curry favor. however, if ev-eryone else is gifting and you fail to offer a gift, you may be caught off guard.

Some business etiquette ex-

perts say that it is customary for bosses to give gifts to employees but not the reverse. however, em-ployees who are especially close with their bosses or who work closely with them each day may want to offer a small token of ap-preciation.

When selecting gifts for bosses, do not give anything too personal, such as clothing, perfume or jew-elry. Food or gift cards are a safer bet. Experts say a gift in the range of $10 to $25 is adequate. chip-ping in for a gift with other em-ployees may be the best course of action so you dont inspire resent-ment among coworkers.

Babysitter or nannycaregivers play important roles

in the lives of children. Once you have found a sitter or nanny who you trust, you want to ensure you keep that person content. if you regularly use a nanny or sit-ter, money is always a great gift. For a full-time nanny, one week to one months pay is adequate. For a regular sitter, consider a gift equal to two nights pay.

Coach or club leaderchildren today are involved

in many different activities, and chances are parents schedules are filled with sports games and practices. a small gift of $10 to $20 can show your appreciation to a coach or club leader. this is another instance when it might be nice to pool your resources with

fellow parents to purchase one large gift.

Mail carrierif your mail is de-

livered by the same mail carrier week af-ter week, you may want to spread some holiday joy. Mail carriers have an extra workload during the holidays, when they are tasked with delivering packages and greeting cards in addition to more routine mail. civil servants may be forbidden from receiving cash. in such instances, a gift card makes a great gift.

Trash collectorhauling garbage is neither an

easy nor glamorous job. Many

garbage collectors appreciate a tip for their hard work. take no-tice of who collects the trash from

your home. if it is the same people each week, take the time to person-

ally deliver an enve-lope with a small tip of around $20.

Hairstylistif you are a regular

for frequent treatments and color in a salon, show the stylist you appreciate his or her work with a cash gift. if you want to give a wrapped present, avoid tools of the trade or anything that is too personal. stylists are on their feet much of the day, so a gift for a massage appointment or pedicure may be just what they need.

or worn beyond repair. it takes time to go through items piece by piece, but this will save time next year when decorations are taken out again.

the longer you wait to sort items and do a little cleaning, the more time it ultimately takes to clean house.

Keep a running listalthough you may have a gen-

eral idea of the items you have packed away, some things may be forgotten. Keep an informal inventory of decorations and sup-plies so you dont purchase any duplicates.

if you notice your list is lack-ing some items, shop pre- or post-season sales when items tend to

be less expensive. Try to avoid shopping for holiday decorations right around that holiday, when stores are running out of stock and prices are typically at their highest.

decorating for the holidays can be fun, and its even more fun when homeowners take the time to carefully organize their decora-tions.

Make A List Of Inventory ... And Check It Twice!continued from page 4

the cheshire herald, december 11, 2014twelve

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ary 2.Unlike in the United states,

where gifts are typically ex-changed on christmas day, much of the Latin community exchange gifts on the eve of January 6. Puerto rican children have been known to gather grass or straw in shoeboxes for the kings horses or camels. some families display carvings and artwork of the three magi atop camels.

many celebrants participate in three Kings day parades and festivals. Family gatherings and parties that would rival other spe-cial holidays are common as well. a special meal consisting of corn tamales and hot chocolate may be served, while others may enjoy black beans, picadillo and yucca.

so, who were the kings?

While the bible does not indi-cate how many kings visited Je-sus on the epiphany, based on the number of gifts offered, histori-ans believe there were three. his-torians and theologians believe these kings were babylonians, Persians or Jews from Yemen. in the Western christian church, the kings go by the names of mel-chior (a Persian scholar), caspar (an indian scholar) and balthazar (an arabian scholar).

the kings also were said to have distinct physical characteris-tics. caspar, who brought the gift of gold, was the oldest and sport-ed a long, white beard. middle-aged melchior brought the gift of frankincense, while balthazar, who brought myrrh, is believed to have been a dark-skinned young man around the age of 20.

Bible Gives Few Details On Kings

Know The Dos And Donts Of Giving A Grab Bag Gift This SeasonHanukkah, christmas and New Years eve are right around the corner. that means neighborhoods, buildings and stores will soon be awash in holiday splendor. social sched-ules will be full, and men and women everywhere will shuf e to complete their holiday shop-ping.

Grab bags are a staple of this season of giving, and the fol-lowing are a few dos and donts to ensure participation in gift ex-changes is fun and friendly for all involved.

DO set a gift amount limit. holiday grab bags are more about having fun and exchanging a little something with friends and fam-ily members than walking away with amazing prizes. establish a spending limit so everyone re-ceives a gift of roughly the same value and no one feels slighted or left out.

DONT exceed the spending limit. it can be tempting to spend more to make your gift appear more impressive. but overspend-ing defeats the purpose of the gift exchange. Grab bags typically are anonymous, so being overly gen-erous will not win you any style points.

DO make it a game. tossing gifts in a bag only to have oth-ers reach in and grab one is cer-tainly effective. but the concept can be even more fun if you make a game out of it. try passing wrapped gifts around in a circle to a holiday song. When the mu-sic stops, the gift you are holding is the one you open. Experiment with your own variations to make gift exchanges more fun.

DONT let anyone see the gift you bring. the idea is to keep things as secretive as possible so as not to sway the selection of presents.

DO ensure your gift is unisex. Unless you know specifi cally that only men or women will be open-ing the presents, select items that will appeal to both genders. Food, gift cards, music, or home staples make great grab bag gifts.

DONT forget to consider ages as well. Gift exchanges may in-clude both children and adults, so include gifts that appeal to all ages when necessary. When the exchange has ended, allow participants to swap gifts if they want to.

DO expect some grab bag gifts to be gag gifts. such gifts are en-tertaining and may make up the

majority of the grab bag gifts. Keep your sense of humor and youre likely to enjoy grab bags a lot more.

DONT regift items to use as grab bag picks. should the per-son who gave you the gift par-ticipate in the grab bag, he or she can trace that gift back to you and

may be offended.DO make sure everyone is

aware that there will be a grab bag gift exchange, as there needs to be an equal number of gifts to participants so everyone gets a treat. hosts may want to have a few extra wrapped gifts around just in case someone forgets to

bring their contribution.Gift exchanges in the form of

grab bags, auctions, swaps, and other games make for fun addi-tions to holiday festivities. they also can be a part of any family or friends gathering to add excite-ment and entertainment to the oc-casion.

continued from page 4

the cheshire herald, december 11, 2014Holiday Guide Cheshire HeraldFourteen

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Walnuts: Walnuts and other foods rich in omega-3 fatty ac-ids can alleviate symptoms of fatigue. a study published in the american Journal of clinical Nutrition suggests that alphalino-lenic acid found in walnuts can boost energy and relieve depres-sion symptoms.

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follow in his footsteps as eb-enezer scrooge, ricketts efforts are memorable because his 1908 performance came during the si-lent fi lm era. The 15-minute short version of a christmas carol marked Ricketts fi rst onscreen role after he earned a reputation as a great shakespearean actor in

his native england.Reginald Owen: Like Rick-

etts, Owens performance did not garner any special acclaim, but it did mark the fi rst American fea-ture length attempt at telling the dickens story. the role went to Owen after the legendary lionel Barrymore, who holiday fi lm fans may know as the mean-spirited

mr. Potter from the 1946 clas-sic its a Wonderful life, was forced to drop out of the fi lm due to a medical condition.

George C. Scott: Scotts 1984 turn as ebenezer scrooge is mem-orable for all the right reasons, as the made-for-television tale star-ring this Oscar winner is widely considered one of the best adapta-

tions of the story ever made. that success may not have come as a surprise to industry insiders 30 years ago, as the version starring the Patton actor was directed by Clive Donner, who served as fi lm editor on the acclaimed 1951 big screen version.

Bill Murray: Though his char-acter was not named ebene-zer scrooge, murray played a scrooge-like character in 1988s scrooged, a hilarious modern-ization of the classic tale. in the

fi lm, Murray plays a heartless television executive who under-goes a scrooge-like transforma-tion while planning a live adap-tation of a christmas carol for his station.

charles dickens memorable novella a christmas carol has endured for nearly 200 years. that endurance can be credited to both dickens unique storytell-ing and the numerous actors who have memorably brought ebene-zer scrooge to life.

Eclectic Group Of Actors Have Portrayed Famous A Christmas Carol Character

Although poinsettias are most often associated with the holiday season, they are actually tropical plants. in spite of their origins, poinsettias can thrive during the holiday season and even last long af-ter the holidays have come and gone.

Poinsettias are native to Mexico and Central Amer-ica. Aztecs called the plant cuetlaxochitl. The ower-ing plant was fi rst introduced to the United States by Joel Poinsett, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, and was subsequently renamed the poinsettia. The owers of the poinsettia are actually the yellow blooms at the middle of the bright red or white bracts that form on the plant. Perhaps due to the bright red of the bracts, the plant quickly became a popular christmas plant.

its important to note that poinsettias grow in a warm climate and therefore must be kept in tropical conditions to ensure the plants health. Furthermore, poinsettias bloom in response to shortening daylight hours.

that means they will need ample darkness each night in order to simulate the dark nights of short, win-ter days. to achieve this, you may need to put the plant into a dark closet for 12 to 14 hours each night.

during the day, the plant should be in a sunny window where it will have access to bright light. the more light the better. Keep the soil evenly moist. misting the plant will help it to retain some humidity. Also, fi ll the over ow sau-cer on your ower pot with gravel to allow water seeping through the pot to evaporate from the gravel. hot tempera-tures indoors combined with high humidity will help the plant to thrive. even one day without adequate moisture can cause the leaves to drop. Furthermore, decreasing tem-peratures can cause leaves to fall off. the goal is to keep the indoor temperature consistent.

While many poinsettia plants are discarded after the holiday season, these plants can actually be cut back and saved for next season. Trimming back any remaining leaves and continuing to care for the plant by keeping it moist can help. To force the blooms next season, start re-ducing the plants exposure to sunlight in mid-September to October.

again, this will mean removing the plant to an area that is shrouded in complete darkness. even streetlights or in-door lighting can affect blooming. if the plant does not be-gin to turn color before the holiday season, you may need to purchase a new plant and try again next year.

Keep Your Poinsettias Healthy Throughout The Holidays

continued from page 3

continued from page 5

the cheshire herald, december 11, 2014Holiday Guide Cheshire Herald Fifteen

325 S. Main St.Cheshire, CT 06410

203-271-1541

200 Orchard St., #108New Haven, CT 06511

203-865-3737

www.pmapc.com

Ronald Angoff, MD

Nancy B. Brown, MD

Gregory Germain, MD

Dyan Grif n, MD

Christine Patterson, MD

Richard Uluski, MD

Meridith Cowperthwait, APRN

Jane Lawrence-Riddell, APRN

Physician in of ce 365 days per year

Complimentary Pre-Natal andNew Patient VisitsEvening and weekend appointments available

With thanks to our PMA families for another year of partneringwith us in promoting quality care for your children

T

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tures from the parents social me-dia accounts or make an album of the numerous photos you have no doubt received since your loved ones became parents. Parents likely dont have time to make such albums, so your efforts will almost certainly be appreciated.

Camcorder: Many smart-phones are capable of taking video, but such devices are not ideal for shooting longer home videos new parents will want to watch for years to come. an hd camcorder with suffi cient internal ash memory can allow new par-ents to take longer, higher-quality videos with superior audio to those that are shot on smart-phones. such a camcorder may be costly for those shopping on a strict budget, but its a gift new parents are sure to love and utilize for years to come.

Nursery sound system: New moms and dads are no doubt anx-iously anticipating the day when the newest additions to their households sleep through the night. help speed up the arrival of that glorious night with a nursery sound system that provides sooth-

ing sounds to create a perfect sleeping environment for newly born boys and girls. the results may not arrive overnight, but par-ents may soon fi nd their lovable youngster is spending more of the wee hours of the morning sleep-ing and less time waking up mom and dad.

Spa treatment: Not every gift you buy for the new parents in your life needs to focus on help-ing them cherish their fi rst holiday season as parents. New parents tend to experience lots of exhaus-tion in their fi rst few months on the job, but a spa treatment can be just the relaxing break they need from catering to their bundle of joys every need.

moms may prefer the full spa treatment, while dads may simply want a massage and some relax-ing time in the steam room. book a treatment for both mom and dad so they can spend some time re-laxing during this hectic time of year.

New parents often cherish their fi rst holiday season as moms and dads, and the right holiday gift can make that fi rst holiday season even better.

Get That New Parent A Gift They Can Use On Their Own

'Tis the season to be fes-tive, and that usually means stringing up hundreds of twin-kling lights to create a welcoming glow on dark winter nights. some people view the holiday season as their chance to go all out with regard to decorating their homes with an abundance of lights, in- atable lawn ornaments and may-be even some mechanical fi gures.

While these decorations cer-tainly may be symbols of the season, it's easy to forget just how much energy and resources they consume. a typical strand

Turn Your Decor Into An Eco-Friendly Display That Saves Energy

of lights uses around 300 watts of electricity. Multiply those fi g-ures by the dozens of strings of lights people use and it's easy to see how quickly energy usage can add up.

in addition to lights, lit candles, animated dolls, wreaths, trees, and scores of imported ornaments contribute to the energy con-sumption per household. even so, environmentally conscious indi-viduals need not skip the holiday dcor and entertaining. Fortu-nately, there are various ways to be energy effi cient with holiday

dcor this season.Switch to LED lights. LED

lights consume a fraction of the energy traditional incandescent bulbs do. While a standard string of 50 lights consumes 300 watts, led sets only consume four watts. this not only saves energy, but also considerable amounts of money over the course of the holiday season.

Use fi ber-optic decorations. Fiber optic items are lit by one light. the illumination carries through the fi ber optic cables to the entire decoration.

Use a power strip and timer. Plug decorations into a power strip (be sure to follow the r e c o m m e n d e d power load for safety) and hook everything up to a timer so lights are not on when no one can see them.

Check light strands. always inspect lights for frayed wires and any damage. Frayed lights are less effi cient and pose a considerable safety risk.

Enhance decorations. Use mirrors and re ective ornaments to give the appearance of more lights without actually adding more.

Turn off ambient lighting. christmas tree lights or the lights framing a picture window should be suffi cient to light up a room. Keep lamps and overhead light-ing off while the tree is lit to save money and energy.

Lower the thermostat. When entertaining, turn the thermostat down a few degrees. Having ex-

tra people in your home will raise the temperature. similarly, heat generated by the oven and other cooking appliances can warm up a home. don't waste energy by keeping the heat turned on high.

Invest in re-chargeable bat-teries. accord-

ing to energy Quest, 40 per-cent of all bat-teries are pur-chased during the holiday season. to

power those many gifts and devices, use

rechargeable bat-teries which can

be used again and again.Change your cooking prac-

tices. smaller appliances use less energy. Put those toaster ovens, slow cookers and electric fryers to good use. Only use the oven if you are cooking a large meal.

Wait until the dishwasher is full. Pack in the dishes from holi-day meals, and only run the dish-washer when it is full.

Reuse items whenever possi-ble. many items around the house can be put to good use as deco-rations, holiday servers or gifts. take inventory of what you have before you go out and purchase new decorations.

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continued from page 2

the cheshire herald, december 11, 2014Sixteen

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