Ardent for Life ~ Holiday 2022

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

No doubt you’ve heard a lot about Bio-identical Hormone Re placement Therapy lately. What is it all about? How does it work? Who needs it? Is it something you could benefit from?

Bio-identical Hormone Replace ment Therapy, also known as BHRT, is exactly what it sounds like. Your declining hormones are replaced with hormones that are structurally identi cal to the hormones produced by your own body. Why is this important? Hormones that are not structurally identical to your own (for example, Premarin, which comes from horse urine) do not act the same on your body, may contain hormones that your body does not make and has no receptors for these hormones, so you waste energy by giving incom plete messages to cells which then fail to produce a balanced hormonal response. Also, your body cannot ef fectively metabolize these foreign hormones, which may have long term unknown, potentially, negative effects on your body.

MYTH: Our hormones levels are declining because we are growing older.

FACT: We are growing older because your hormones are declining.

The goal in BHRT is to turn back the hormonal clock to around age 35, or around 20 years younger than your chronological age. Anti-aging medicine is a personalized, meta bolic medicine. We now have the sci ence to individually customize your care and we can look at the cause of the problems, instead of just treating symptoms. If you are basically healthy, we can look at how your body breaks down things to help you be healthier and stay healthy. All the patients in my practice have a totally different treat ment regime, there are no protocols. It is a very personalized approach.

So is Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy right for you?

Do you find yourself wondering……?

Why am I so tired?

Why am I gaining weight?

Why do I have mood swings?

Why do I have a low sex drive?

Why am I not able to sleep well?

Why am I having memory lapses?

Why do I have frequent urination and/or incontinence?

Why do I have migraine headaches?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, bio-identical hormone ther apy may be just what would benefit you.

How does the process work?

After obtaining lab testing of saliva, blood or urine, you meet for a consultation with Dr. Dayle A. Imperato, an American An ti-Aging Academy trained physician for evaluation of your unique bio-identical hormonal needs. You are prescribed the specific hormones that your body needs!

We use a quality compounding pharma cy and carry a high pharmaceutical grade of supplements for your use.

Your hormones are a symphony of in teractions. All of your hormones are de signed to work together and if one is al tered, or deficient, it will affect the actions of all of the other hormones in your body. It is an interactive balance and as unique to an individual as a fingerprint. One size does not fit all. Treating even “mild” hor monal deficiencies can dramatically im prove quality of life. Longevity medicine is aimed at the early detection, preven tion, treatment, and reversal of age related decline.

We are not prisoners of our genetic des tiny. Chronic inflammation is the cause and the effect of most illnesses and the diseases of aging. Balanced hormone optimization and a balanced life style de creases chronic inflammation. Hormone optimization is the finishing touch of an anti-aging lifestyle of good nutrition, ex ercise, stress reduction, anti-oxidants and nutraceuticals

Community Corner q&a

What are some of your favorite family

holiday traditions?

ALL OF THEM! Decorating the tree, watching Christmas movies, touring holiday lights, wrapping gifts, and holiday bak ing. Pretty sure I have some Christmas elf in my DNA. Seri ously love everything about the holidays!

What is your favorite holiday food; what is your least favorite?

Favorite holiday food has got to be homemade raviolis. We make them completely from scratch and use Great Grandma’s rolling pins from Italy. I honestly can say I’ve never met a holiday food I didn’t like!

How do you welcome the New Year?

I am a low-key celebrator of the New Year. I like to have a few of our friends and their families over, make some sort of spe cial dinner, and ring in the new year with champagne and good company.

What was the best way you used your time this past year?

Creating new relationships and taking advantage of every op portunity brought my way. For example, connecting with Ar dent for Life magazine!

What are you hoping to do in 2023?

I live a “go go go” type lifestyle being a working mom, wife, blog ger, and small business owner; so, I am hoping to get better at being more present in both big and small moments, and not worry so much about what I have coming up next.

Rebecca Voorhees

Designer & Food Blogger

Story on page 22.

Cynthia Estrella

Co-owner of Burton's Shoes in Lodi

See our ad on page 49.

What are some of your favorite family holiday traditions?

There are too many to choose just one! So many of them revolve around Burton's Shoes and downtown Lodi. Decorating the store, having Christmas Parade watching parties from the storefront, taking horse car

Community Corner q&a

riage rides, pictures with Santa, walking and shopping our great Downtown! Somehow all of our traditions revolve around food, lol! However, I don't want to forget making gin gerbread houses and tons of cookies, but the family favorite is making tamales. My Mom makes everything from scratch, and they are by far the family favorite. Everyone gathers in the kitchen (some to help, some just to eat)! Nothing says Christmas like tamale-making time!

What is your favorite holiday food; what is your least favorite?

My favorite holiday food is Tamales. We only get them once a year, so it's a real treat!! My least favorite? Eggnog. I try it every year... just to make sure I still don't like it.

How do you welcome the New Year?

We throw a New Year's party for our kids and their friends. It's been a tradition for many years. Sadly, this year may be different as the kids no longer live at home. I'm sure we'll find a new fun adventure to embark on!

Sonia Chavez

Lifestyle Coach at Ego Wellness and Beauty

See more of what we do on page 40.

What are some of your favorite family holiday traditions?

One of my favorite things about the holidays is the traditions that bring our family together in our busy life. Our blended family has been taking family photos every year for the past 10 years. I know our children look forward to our photos because they love discussing what color we will all be wearing each year. We also have a large gathering of family and friends each year to make homemade tamales.

Community Corner q&a

What is your favorite holiday food; what is your least favorite?

We eat a very healthy diet at home and I try to make the healthiest version of our holiday favorites. We make three different varieties of Tamales every year. I love the chicken filled Tamales. My family would all say their favorite is my Flan. My least favorite is one that my family loves - My homemade Posole.

How do you welcome the New Year?

I normally take some time off after Christmas to spend time with my family and friends. We spend time getting our home back in order from the holidays. January is always a busy time at work so I try to get organized and set goals for the New Year. I look forward to the new energy a new year brings, especially helping our patients in January with their weight loss goals.

What was the best way you used your time this past year?

This past year, I started meeting with Liset, our Con sciousness Coach and Reiki Master. They have helped me with self empowerment. This has truly changed how

I handle my stress. I have a daughter leaving for college next year. So, I have been making an extra effort to be more present so not to miss out on any time with her and family.

What was the best thing that happened this past year? What are you hoping to do in 2023?

One of the highlights of 2022 was that I was able to take a trip to Europe with my husband. We spent an amazing week in Italy. I hope to plan more trips with my family this year. I look forward to seeing what college my daughter will attend, I hope it is near a beach! I am continuing my education this year with college units and another certification to help me better serve my patients.

Contributor’s Corner

Justin Azevedo

Justin has been a Youth Services Librarian for Sacramento Public Library since 2010, and is currently the Youth Materials Selector for the system.

Jessica Feuerbach

Photographer and Owner of Jessica Feuerbach Photography

Aaron Andrew Grove

Serial Entrepreneur and Owner of Purely CBD of Elk Grove

Bethany Hironaka

Owner of Bethany Hironaka Photography

Dr. Dayle A. Imperato

A Board Certified physician, she has served the Sacramento community for the past 20 years. Owner of Rejuvenation Wellness & Aesthetic Medicine in Old Town, Elk Grove.

Nan Mahon

Is an author and journalist. She is a member City of Elk Grove Committee for the Arts and received the Elk Grove 2011 Mayor’s Award for volunteerism in the Arts.

Cindy Della Monica

Cheesemonger and Owner of Cheese Central in Lodi, Ca.

Carole

Morris

Instructional Specialist, Author and Adjunct Professor. She is married to an outstanding, brilliant man and the mother of two grown awe-inspiring children, and grammie to three flawless grandchildren.

Anna Osborn

Anna lives in Elk Grove with her husband and school aged twins. She owns Life Unscripted Counseling in Midtown Sacramento.

Elizabeth Pinkerton

Teacher and Administrator for 40 years, she is now a historian and author.

Justin Pinnell

Justin is not just another pretty face in Real Estate. He enjoys long walks on the beach and high mountain sunsets.

Louis Silveira

Newsletter Editor, Webmaster, and Archivist at the Elk Grove Historical Society

Dianna Singh

Owner of Elk Grove Vitamins for the past eight years.

Dave Soto

Award Winning Photographer & Videographer. Has produced work for NBC Nightly News and Good Day Sacramento.

Rebecca Voorhees

Designer by day. Blogger by night. Diva 24/7. Follow me on my adventures in the kitchen @divadicucina

Zachary Wackman

General

Manager

Kayla Webb

at McConnell Estates Winery

Marketing Manager at McConnell Estates Winery

Brendle Wells

Is a librarian and lifelong reader who has a passion for sharing books with pretty much anyone she meets. She currently works as the Adult Materials Selector for the Sacramento Public Library and asks, “What have you read lately?”

For full bios of our contributors, please visit www.ardentforlife.net.

Our cover model is here to brighten your day with his puppy dog eyes and this dog-themed quote.

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.

-Roger Caras

executive editor carole Morris carole@mrsandmrpublishing.com

creative director Sara Pinnell sara@mrsandmrpublishing.com sales sales@mrsandmrpublishing.com

business manager

Justin Pinnell justin@mrsandmrpublishing.com

art & production info@mrsandmrpublishing.com

View ardent for life online at www.ardentforlife.net

Copyright © 2022 Mrs. and Mr. Publishing

Published by Mrs. and Mr. Publishing six times a year

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ARdEnt

for life

Checking In

The holiday season is upon us. This is the perfect time to embrace family and friends, and to let them know how important they are to us. Giving voice to how they have impacted our life, by naming the specific, positive ways they have changed our life for the better.

Sadly, however, it’s also the season where complicated feelings (from the past) can come in like a dark, ominous cloud. It really is a choice, we can choose to stay in the moment and love the life we are living …in the present. This is a gift all of us can give to our children and grandchildren, modeling how to let go of the negative and embrace the positive.

executive editor Carole Morris

What I’ve Learned

As always we have included mouth watering recipes…Did you see the one with marshmallows and Hot Cocoa Charcuterie Boards by Re becca Voorhees? Try your hand at making a couple for your family as you laze about in your jammies.

Don’t pass up the adorable article about Elf on The Shelf, done by Cindy Della Monica, from Cheese Central. Personally, anything writ ten about the little fellow is impos sible for me NOT to read.

Traditions, written by Anna Osborn is a wonderful reminder that tradi tions can change…and that’s okay.

Eric Schnetz

Written by Justin Pinnell

It started as a hobby, and became a passion. Eric Schnetz’ interest in the restaurant business began when he was 13; at the time he was busing tables at an Italian restaurant in a suburb outside of Chicago. Sadly, however, Eric's interest in the restaurant industry would take a back burner to the necessities of life.

After moving to Sacramento in his late teens, Eric started buying used cars to fix and flip. Flipping cars led him to create a highly successful repair shop called Clutch Mart. Eric put his back into his business, and Clutch Mart soon grew into a multimillion-dollar franchise with twelve locations. While enjoying the success of his franchise, his life took an unexpected turn—and it started with a gift.

Eric's sister gifted him a Chicago pizza cookbook and a deep dish pan. This simple gift started him down a path of obsession. His obsession? To make the perfect pizza. Consequently, he made pizzas every chance he could for family events, parties, and school fundraisers…always pursuing the perfect Chicago-style pizza.

After selling off Clutch Mart, Eric decided it was time to go all in on his hobby and obsession. He began traveling back to Chicago and visiting every pizzeria he could. He asked the pizzerias the same questions, “what cheeses do they use and where do they get their meats?” He went so far as to dumpster dive for ingredi ent packages to confirm the perfect ingredients. He found Chicago's Pizzerias use things like Premium Wisconsin cheese and the finest Italian sausage, Eric was on the road to master the king of all pizzas.

Then Eric created the perfect homemade crust. His pizza was taste tested by family, friends, and lucky fundraiser attendees. Now, he was fully armed and ready to go, therefore, he opened his first "Tribute to Chicago Pizza" and it was named Chicago Fire.

If you have ever been to one of his locations in the Sacramento area, you will get that distinct Chicago feel. When I asked Eric, “What do you love about run

Eric Schnetz with sisters

ning Chicago Fire?” His answer, "The people, the sense of camaraderie, the energy, the need for a concerted effort of so many team members to do a suc cessful service." His answer clearly shows us how he is able to give cus tomers such a fantastic dining experi ence at Chicago Fire.

After his many years in the food indus try, I had to ask Eric what his favorite pizza was. His answer surprised me, “I prefer the basics, sausage, pepperoni, and maybe a combo…combined with the foundation of tomato, cheese (caramelized onion), and oregano.”

Being a man with a known strong pas sion for pizza, I was curious about any plans for Chicago Fires’ menu, he told me. "Historically, we didn't have to add new items. However, we

recently decided to introduce Italian family-style entrees with fresh pasta, homemade meatballs, etc. We did this because we want to solidify our con cept as a family-style restaurant that allows for individual choices. Given the current inflation and increase in many consumers' costs, family style offers familial sharing experiences and is less expensive than ordering individual entrees."

Chicago Fires’ extensive menu offers something for everyone; I asked Eric, “What item on his menu, excluding piz za, do you wish everyone would try?”

"Our Italian beef sandwich. It's an authentic Chicago Sandwich recently popularized by the HULU show "The Bear." We've been making it in-house

for 20 years, and it is unlike any localstyle sandwich."

Eric is not slowing down, when he is not working on his golf game or enter taining his family–he is planning the future of the Chicago Fire. He shared, "We recently signed a lease in Merid ian, Idaho (a suburb of Boise). Because I am committed to growing Chicago Fire, we are now looking outside of California for new opportunities."

The Elk Grove Chicago Fire is one of my family's favorite restaurants. We plan to visit all of Eric's locations in the Sacramento area…immerse our selves in the Chicago ambiance, raise a glass, and cheer the windy city for its gift of the Chicago-style deep dish!

ELK GROVE

7101 Laguna Blvd

Elk Grove, CA 95758

(916) 667-8370

SACRAMENTO

2416 J Street Sacramento, CA 95816 (916) 443-0440

ROSEVILLE

500 N Sunrise Ave

Roseville, CA 95661

(916) 771-2020

FOLSOM

310 Palladio Parkway

Folsom, CA 95630

(916) 984-0140

What do you love about running Chicago Fire?

"The people, the sense of camaraderie, the energy, the need for a concerted effort of so many team members to do a successful service."

By Rebecca Voorhees

divadicucina.com

Hot cocoa charcuterie boards are taking off in popularity and there is no better time than the holiday season to try and make your own. Whether you want to make it for just your family to enjoy around the fireplace, a large party, or even for gifting, it is a sure way to spread some holiday cheer.

While a charcuterie board traditionally refers to an assortment of meats, cheeses, and breads served as an appetizer, the term has become much broader and people are getting creative with how they bring foods together. While I never pass up traditional meat and cheese charcuterie to go with a bottle of wine, hot cocoa charcuterie has become one of my favorite Christ mas traditions in our home.

On the day we plan to decorate our Christmas tree and put out all our decora tions, I lay out a spread of sweets to snack on and every ingredient my son could dream of to make a big ol’ mug of fully loaded hot cocoa. Do I go over board? Absolutely. But it makes creating a cup of hot cocoa so much more fun and we love grazing on it throughout the day.

Last year we decided to share that holiday magic and made hot cocoa char cuterie boxes for our friends and delivered them to their doorsteps along with a box of assorted fresh baked cookies. The kids seriously love it! Pair a homemade box with some fun holiday mugs for the cutest gift set ever!

As a special touch I also like to purchase some gorgeously decorated sugar cookies from local bakers. They can include a special saying or message like “Merry Christmas.” They become sort of like an edible card.

There really is no right or wrong way to build a hot cocoa charcuterie board or box, it is about bringing together an assortment of ingredients and letting people use their imagination topping, drizzling, dipping, and sipping.

I hope this has inspired you to create your own hot cocoa board or box this holiday season and beyond. And just keep in mind, the number one rule for building a board or box is, there are no rules! Just have fun with it.

How to Build Your Board or Box

Step 1

The first step is selecting your board or box. My best advice is to make sure it is big enough for all your goodies. The bigger the better, but just make sure you have enough to fill it so there aren’t any bare spots.

If you are creating this for a really large group, you could always just line your counter or table with butcher paper or parchment paper and make it a grazing experience.

Step 2

Place your most important ingredient of all, your hot cocoa bombs or container of mix in a corner.

If you want to have your hot cocoa prepared ahead of time, skip this step. When having a party, I like to make my homemade hot cocoa in a

crock-pot so it is ready to go. The guests can just ladle it into their mugs.

Step 3

Place small bowls or containers for sprinkles, chocolate chips, smaller candies, and syrups around the board. If making a gift box, plastic sauce cups with lids work great!

Place longer items, like pirouette cookies, candy canes, and candy coated stir sticks in cups or mason jars to add some height to the board.

Step 4

Arrange cookies in clusters around the board or box.

Step 5

Fill in remaining gaps with candies, marsh mallows, and chocolates. You want the board to look full so don’t be shy, add lots and don’t worry about layering things up!

Step 6

Add some small scoopers and/or tongs in addition to some sort of stir sticks. I love including chocolate dipped spoons and the wood stir sticks coated in crushed pepper mints but it could be as simple as some wood stir sticks or spoons.

Fun toPPIngS And extrA treAtS

Marshmallows (assorted sizes)

Candy canes

Festive sprinkles

Toffee bits

Semi-sweet chocolate chips

White chocolate chips

Pirouette cookies

Chocolate coated pretzels Assorted cookies

Chocolate coated Oreos Assorted chocolates and candies

Caramels

Caramel sauce

Chocolate sauce

Chocolate truffles

Peppermint bark

Chocolate covered spoons

Adult mix-ins (peppermint or butterscotch schnapps, amaretto, Irish cream, Irish whiskey, etc.)

A huge thAnk you to Sugar Sweetery for providing the sugar cookies for this article. Check them out on IG @sugar_sweetery

Creamy Hot Cocoa for a Crowd

Around the holiday season, I love having company over and setting up a hot cocoa bar where all the kids (and grown-ups) can make themselves a cozy cup of cocoa. I’m talking about thick, creamy, REAL hot cocoa. The kind that fills you up and warms your belly, the kind that leaves a thick creamy mustache on your upper lip with every sip.

This recipe is fantastic because you can just throw all the ingredients in a crock-pot a couple of hours before your company comes over, turn it on low, stir it every so often, and it comes out perfectly!

This hot cocoa is by far the best you will ever have! Add a variety of toppers and mix-ins and it will take every grown up back to their childhood days and will be memorable for all the kiddos.

note: While this recipe calls for making the cocoa in a crock-pot, you can also just prepare it on the stove top too. Just add all ingredients to a large pot and warm up on low for about 15–20 minutes, whisking occasionally until all the chocolate is melted and ingredients are mixed together smoothly.

IngredIentS:

14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

12 oz bag chocolate chips (dark, milk, or white chocolate will all work)

2 c heavy whipping cream

6 c milk (2% or whole)

1 tsp vanilla

StePS:

● Combine all of the ingredients in a large crock-pot.

● Turn on low.

● Cook for 2 hours stirring occasionally with a whisk.

● Ladle into a mug and top with your favorite treats.

By Rebecca Voorhees - www.divadicucina.com

Homemade

Marshmallows

By Rebecca Voorhees - www.divadicucina.com

Gourmet marshmallows seem to be all the rage this season but unfortunately they can be quite costly. With this recipe you can make your own gourmet marshmallows, right at home. They are a little bit of work, and one might be intimidat ed, but they are pretty darn easy and absolutely worth it! I think the hardest part is waiting for them to set and not cutting into them too early.

If making your own marshmallows isn’t on your bucket list, it should be. They take your hot cocoa over the top as they slowly melt and add a sweet frothy layer you won’t be able to get enough of.

note: The marshmallows can be very sticky and difficult to handle so the trick to cutting them is to constantly coat them in powdered sugar after every slice of the knife. I then put them in a colander to sift off all the extra powdered sugar.

IngredIentS:

● Combine sugar, corn syrup, and 3/4 cup water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil over mediumhigh heat.

● While sugar water is heating up add 3/4 cup wa ter to a large mixing bowl and sprinkle the 4 packs of gelatin over the top. Set aside.

● Bring the sugar water mixture to a rolling boil and boil for 5 minutes or until a candy thermom eter reads 235º.

● Carefully pour the hot sugar water into your mix ing bowl with the water and gelatin and mix on low.

● Add the salt and increase the mixer speed to high.

● Beat the sugar mixture on high for 5 minutes and then add vanilla.

● Continue beating the mixture for another 5 min utes.

● When you are done, pour the marshmallow cream into a greased 9” x 13” dish.

● Smooth the top and gently tap the dish on the counter to release air bubbles.

● Leave the dish on the counter to rest for at least 10 hours.

● After the waiting is up, sprinkle the entire top of your marshmallows with powdered sugar making sure it’s coated and place a cutting board over the top of your dish.

● While holding the cutting board and dish togeth er carefully flip the dish and cutting board upside down simultaneously releasing the marshmallows onto the cutting board.

● Lift the baking dish and sprinkle all the exposed marshmallows with powdered sugar making sure there are no exposed sticky areas.

● Using a large sharp knife cut into 1” strips and coat each exposed side with powdered sugar.

● Cut those strips into 1” cubes making sure you coat each cut side with powdered sugar.

● Once done, sprinkle all the marshmallows with the remaining powdered sugar making sure there are no exposed sticky sides.

● Store in an airtight container or bag.

For more great recipes visit - www.divadicucina.com

StePS:

paired with Marilyn Jean Sparkling Blanc de noir

By Kayla Webb, Marketing Manager at McConnell Estates www.mcconnellestates.com

Winter at the winery is a cause for celebra tion. With harvest officially behind us, and the new year just ahead, we are raising glasses of Marilyn Jean and toasting to what will soon begin again.

Our Marilyn Jean is a champagne method sparkling Blanc de Noir. Its fine bubbles and notes of white rasp berry, nectarine, and Rainier cherry make it a wine worthy of sharing with life’s most jubilant moments.

As we celebrate the holidays with those whom we hold most dear, we are making sure to nourish our tummies as much as our hearts with this creamy veggie chow der. Whether you keep it vegan or top it off with your choice of meat, this soup pairs beautifully with our Marilyn Jean and is best enjoyed while cozied up with loved ones on winter’s coldest nights.

Directions

1. Add olive oil, onion, and chili flakes to a large pot on medium heat. Sauté until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then add carrots and red pepper. Cook until the peppers are sweaty. Add celery and half of the zucchini and cook until the zucchini has softened. Add vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cover for 10 minutes.

2. While the soup is cooking, purée cannellini beans until creamy. Set aside. Purée about 1/3 of the corn kernels with the coconut milk. Then, mix together with the bean purée until creamy.

3. Add remaining zucchini and corn kernels to the soup pot and cook for 5 minutes. Add puréed mixture, stir to combine, and bring back to a simmer. Adjust seasoning to your taste. 4. Ladle chowder into bowls. Add toppings of your choice. Enjoy with slices of crusty baguette.

Elf On The Shelf

By Cindy Della Monica, Owner, Cheese Central

The “Season” is upon us. The hot summer doldrums are past, which is probably the item I’m most “thankful for'' with my turkey dinner prayers this year. While summer heat seemed to drag on, it was just an illusion. Time was the on-rushing train that brought us to this moment. Schedules have started to fill up, holiday menu planning has begun, and our best intentions to be ahead of the game are bright and hopeful.

To start our family holidays, we do Thanksgiving a week early in a rented vacation home every year. Mid-September, the grandkids all start asking “how long until we get to go to the beach house?” I feel the Win, as I have the whole family together for four glorious days, one of which is Thanksgiving meal day. My favorite cranberry recipe is always on the menu, and some stashed away for leftovers. We play card and board games, try out new signature cocktails and fancy breakfasts. We potluck the rest of the vacation meals, trying new-to-us recipes. As the beach weather this time of year is usually spectacular, we plan a whole day out ing for sandy fun and fresh air. Next week, Thanksgiving Thursday sees our kids entertaining the in-laws and friends—certainly more hectic than the time we just spent together.

Many families get out the Christmas Elf on the Shelf, some as soon as the turkey is cleared from the table! This Elf is an enticement for the children to “be good” for Santa. Shouldn’t we be practicing this ALL year? Of course! But this reminder is such fun!

The Elf has impishly creative fun in overnight antics during December, as evi denced by internet photos: such as hosting a holiday pool party— the kitchen sink filled with balloons, or a big bowl of mini marshmallows, of course! He invites his friends from the toy box to a paper bag race across the coffee table, or to make snow angels in a pile of sugar on the counter. Hanging from the mailbox by his feet, or from the chandelier are somewhat ho-hum activities… especially if your Elf TP’s the Christmas tree in the middle of the night!!

Coded messages from Santa? Our Elf is in direct contact! One clever Elf “planted” a candy cane garden in chocolate cookie crumb “dirt,” watering the garden daily, and each morning the kids got to see how much the candy canes grew—from just a bit of red/white stripes peeking out of the “dirt,” to grow ing an inch a night. “Tic Tac Bow” is a blast, using painter’s tape on the wall to form the squares, and holiday bows with sticky backs that become the mark ers! Can you beat your Elf over the course of a week with nightly moves?

donuts and M&Ms. Green-colored cream cheese for toasted mini bagels is fun—yes, please—but it doesn’t hurt to add colored sprinkles on top for a festive touch. Elves ARE little sugar hounds! Have you ever caught your Elf sipping maple syrup from a straw? You might be surprised.

My Favorite Thanksgiving Cranberries

Serve this savory version alongside jellied or homemade sweet cranberry sauce, because you can NEVER have too many cranberries with turkey!

Ingredients

1 bag fresh cranberries, picked through to remove smushy ones 1/2 C sugar 1 T lemon juice

Directions

Place fresh cranberries and sugar in a food processor bowl. Pulse just until cran berries are coarsely chopped. Do not puree! Remove mixture to a bowl and stir in lemon juice and ¼ C pre pared horseradish. Taste for flavor. Add more horserad

1/4-1/3 C prepared horseradish, as mild or hot as you prefer (we like Beaver Hot Horseradish)

ish (if desired). Stores well in the refrigerator for up to five days or frozen for up to a year. Horseradish “heat” will dissipate over time, but horseradish flavor will still be present. Excellent as a bread spread for the leftover turkey sandwich!!

Our Elf loves grilled cheese sandwiches—mini versions, of course—ready to float like croutons in a warm cup of tomato soup for an after-school snack. Seeing Elf with a chunk of cheese on a box grater will demonstrate just how hard he had to work overnight to get the cheese just right. Grill a full-sized sandwich, then cut it up into 1” squares to float in that yummy hot mug. This is a great time to talk about the school day, finish homework… and practice being polite while laughing at the “puny” jokes Elf likes to tell.

What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire? Frostbite. What does Santa suffer from if he gets stuck in a chimney? Claus-trophobia

What do you call Santa when he stops moving? Santa Pause.

What do snowmen eat for dessert? Ice crispies. What is it called when a snowman has a temper tantrum? A meltdown.

What is Santa's dog's name? Santa Paws

What do Santa's elves learn in school? The elf-abet. What kind of photographs do Elves like to take? Elfies!!

Christmas Eve morning is the last time we will see Elf this year, so we always prepare a special breakfast for his trip back to Santa and the North Pole. A simple plate of scrambled eggs, warm and chunky applesauce, and Ginger bread Scones washed down with a milk-thinned eggnog or Egg Nog Latte. Mmmmm. Happy Holidays to you all!

As always, our staff at CHEESE CENTRAL is ready to help you with samples of our 100+ cheeses at the counter. Visit us at 11 N School St, Lodi, CA 95240 or visit our website at www.cheesecentrallodi.com

Directions

Heat oven to 400* In the bowl of the food processor, combine the first 9 ingredients. Pulse to combine. Add butter dice, and pulse just until the butter is the size of small peas.

mixture into a large

Whisk together buttermilk, vanilla, and molasses. Pour into the flour mixture, stirring gently, until it comes together in large clumps with some crumbs in the bowl. If it is overly crumbly and will not come to gether at all, add a couple tablespoons of extra buttermilk and work it in. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and use your hands to press into a circle about 1” thick. Cut into 8 equal wedges for large scones, or divide a ball of dough in half and press out smaller discs to cut into 8 wedges each for smaller scones. Brush tops with buttermilk, and sprin kle generously with coarse sugar.

Transfer to a baking sheet and bake for 20-24 minutes. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely.

Galette Des Rois

By Carole Morris

Just letting the words Galette Des Rois roll off your tongue (as you serve it to friends and family) is worth practicing the pronunciation over and over. Their faces when you say it in its French glory!

This French version of Cake of kings is everything I love. What can surpass a flaky pastry cake made from puff pastry filled with a frangipane almond cream?

All around the world, cultures have adopted this old tradi tional cake that used to bring in the Epiphany on January 6. Now, it is a favorite New Year’s cake with as many exciting versions as the many different cultures of the world. Enjoy this version (or make your own tradition) try topping with fun-colored sprinkles or filled with your favorite fruit. Start your own tradition and ring in the New Year in style!

Galette Des Rois

Filling ingredients

2 large eggs (room temperature)

6 tablespoons butter (softened to room temperature)

¾ cup confectioners’ sugar

Pastry ingredients

¾ cup almond flour ¼ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon rum or Rum coffee syrup flavoring 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2x 9.5-inch-diameter circles of puff-pastry dough (17-ounce Frozen Puff Pastry Frozen Pastry Dough Sheet)

Filling

Beat the butter and sugar togeth er until creamy and light. Beat in the almond flour and the salt. Mix in 1 egg, Mix the second egg white only with the Rum (or Rum flavor ing). Cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

In a bowl, mix the yolk with 1 teaspoon of cold water …cover the mixture and refrigerate until needed.

Assembling the Cake of Kings

Place one circle of dough on a bak ing sheet (lined with parchment paper). Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border bare. Moisten the 1-inch border with cold water, position the second circle of dough over the filling, and press around the bor der seal well. Using the back of a butter knife, push in fun rounded edges (scalloop edges) by push

ing into the dough (½-inch deep) every ½ inch. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Pre-heat the oven to 425°

Brush a layer of the reserved yolk glaze over the top of the galette, avoiding the border (if the yoke glaze drips down, the galette won’t rise). With the point of a small knife, etch a design into the top of the galette, do not pierce the dough. Cut 6 small slits in the top as steam vents.

Turn the oven down to 400°

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the galette is puffed and deeply golden. Check after 20 minutes, and tent loosely with foil (if it’s browning too fast). Transfer to a rack, and cool for at least 15 min utes.

Happy New Year, may this year be a Blessed one for your family!

Crystalyn & Jerry

Photographed by Kelsey Lauren Photo www.kelseylaurenphoto.co

Who are you?

We are from Northern California, although we lived in San Jose and Monterey, we both grew up in Sacramento and recently bought a house in Rancho Cordova. Jeremiah (Jerry) is a business system analyst and also works part time at a local brewery as a beertender. Crys talyn is a pediatric nurse.

how did you meet?

InJerry'sWords: We first crossed paths at a friend's birth day party when I bought her a drink from across the bar. She returned the gesture with an "...um, thanks?", and I knew we shared our first moment. Some weeks after, I ran into her at the gym, and I interpreted her glances as an invitation to start a conversation; I ended up with her phone number and a date that weekend. That first time hanging out was at a beer tasting fundraiser, and our first real date was on a hike near Lake Berryessa. These two things gave us reasons to keep seeing each other, and through shared time and experiences I learned that she understood and appreciated who I am, and also became a necessary part in shaping who I would grow to be.

In Crystalyn's Words: He always tells that birthday party story, but we did not even talk after he sent me and my friends a drink. The first time I specifically remember talking to him was at a housewarming party where he poured my friend and I a beer from the keg he got. We said, “Awww thanks!” then left the party shortly after. That is when he told me I caught his eye. Shortly there after we started seeing each other more often at the gym, basically saying, “hi” then “bye.” Until one time at the gym we made small talk about hiking, said goodbye, then he came back around to interrupt my set...again. After I pulled out my headphones, he invited me to go hang out with him and some friends that weekend. We went to a beer tasting fundraiser together, but I ended up spending most of the evening with my friends, and him with his. At the end of the night he got me home safely, he was such a gentleman. This gave me a reason to want to get to know him better...sober. We went on a hike for our first real date near Lake Berryessa where we shared things about our past, present and what we were looking for in the future. Here we are now, finally getting married!

When we love , we see things other people do not. We see beneath the surface to the qualities, which make our beloved special and unique.

the Proposal

On one of the last weekends before Crystalyn would move to Utah for nursing school, I took her back to a spot we had not visited since our first date. I told her I wanted to do a test shoot with a drone and Go-pros and we drove to the Stevenson Bridge between Davis and Winters. While filming we had to dodge cars and cyclists, but finally there was a clear opportunity to tell her how much she meant to me. I thanked her for her patience and for trusting our love, as I asked for her hand in marriage.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNcNkwKgX1A

what is love?

Crystalyn: When we love, we see things other peo ple do not. We see beneath the surface to the quali ties, which make our beloved special and unique. To see with loving eyes, is to know inner beauty. And to be loved is to be known, as we are known to no other. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not selfseeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, al ways hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

what is love?

Jerry: Love is when you have someone that depend ably shares in all your challenges, celebrations, emo tions, and moods. It's when you know that you are equally supported and critiqued, not only for growth

Loveis when you have someone that dependably shares in all your challenges, celebrations, emotions, and moods.

as an individual, but also to cultivate the bond with your loved one so you can perpetuate that love out ward. It's more than the efforts we make to show our love, it's all the other times when we don't have to prove it.

what do you love most about him?

In almost 10 years together we've experienced great triumphs and misfortunes. These trials have pushed the boundaries of what we thought we could endure, and in the end, I feel more strongly connected with him. He reminds me to get up, try again, stay positive and control only what I can. He has taught me how to love again when I didn't believe it existed. He makes me a better person. He continues to choose to see the beauty in my flaws, to love me without judgment. He has taught me the true meaning of home. It's not a lo cation on a map, but it's wherever he is. He has been my force, my rock, and the love of my life.

what do you love most about her?

She understands who I am, and what I aspire to be. Our relationship is equal parts giving and receiving guidance, advice, lessons, and motivation... (and driv ing directions). I'm not a very expressive person, and she's been patient in learning how to navigate that.

when did you know you were in love?

Crystalyn: I knew I had fallen in love with him by the way he treated everyone around him. He is loving, kind, generous, patient and a respectful man. I saw him treating everyone around us with these quali

ties, especially his mother. I had a feeling if he treated everyone around us like this that he would treat me the same or even better.

When I would hold his hand, he made me feel weak in the knees. He made me smile from ear to ear when I saw him, so hard my cheeks hurt when I went to sleep at night. He reminded me to be a little kinder on my most difficult days. He reassured me that it's okay to fall apart sometimes because that's how you get stronger. He made me feel like I was the only woman in the world. I never knew what a great love looked like until I met him.

when did you know you were in love?

Jerry: In a conversation with my brother, he asked me, "Does she make you want to be a better person?" I never thought that someone could affect my life in that way, but the answer was undoubtedly, "Yes''. It's not because she had specific expectations of me, but it was knowing that she chose to be with me despite my shortcomings and that she trusted me with her vulnerabilities. I knew that growing together with her meant that I'd become a better person myself, and I'd want her with me on that journey.

Fun facts

We were one of the couples who planned our dream wedding for March 21, 2020. Five days before the wedding, we decided to postpone it due to the pan demic related shutdowns. Bright side was we were able to still get married in the comfort of our living

room with loved ones being able to witness via video chat. After 1 pandemic, 2 years and 2 wedding dates later we finally had our wedding day on March 26, 2022.

We have a Goldendoodle named Barley. We love her! She was our flower girl for our wedding. She's a good mediator whenever the two of us have a disagreement.

We love craft beer and it was one of the mutual inter ests that bonded us together.

We love camping and hiking. We've been fortunate to have traveled to Peru, Iceland, Canada, and multiple parks across the states.

Crystalyn enjoys running and yoga as a way to stay healthy and for stress relief.

One of Jerry's hobbies is playing board games, and he was able to turn it into working as a game tester for multiple publishers.

what did you enjoy most on your wedding day? Finally, being able to celebrate our love with our fam ily and friends who have supported us throughout the years.

honeymoon

We didn't plan a specific trip or event for a honeymoon. Because we love to travel, we continue to take trips to gether to celebrate our love. "Love is an adventure best traveled together."

Photography

Kelsey lauren Photo

Videographer Jem ramos Visuals

Venue the willow Ballroom

Rentals

la Vera Party rentals and design; celebrations; Forever Vintage rentals Caterer Simple Pleasures catering Desserts/Cake Freeport Bakery; teaqueria (Boba)

DJ Extreme Productions Entertainment Hair and Makeup glambyjmk Florist la Vera Party rentals and design

Tux Rentals the Black tux Bride’s Dress odette by Enzoani Reception Dress Mini caspian by odylyne the ceremony

Bar Service Primo Bar

Photo Booth creative corner rentals Day of Signage Shimmer and Stain Transportation Baja limo

Save the Dates crum and co

Cocktail Napkins rubi and lib

Late Night Snacks Mcdonalds happy Meals

What I’ve Learned About San Joaquin County Historical Museum

By Carole Pinnell, MS Education

Closing your eyes, imagine you are in your great-grandmother’s attic. In your mind’s eye, do you see things from a century ago? Where did they come from? What were they used for? Where can information be found about the culture of that era?

I’m happy to say that all those questions can be answered at your local museum. Museums play a vital role in preserving local culture. They carefully document and preserve artifacts, so that a culture can be detailed and remembered.

As an educator, I believe it’s important that in formation be shared and understood by those who have the same culture so that they feel a connection. Additionally, it is crucial that those who have a different cultural background feel a connection to the local culture. I know (as a teacher) that I would make connections for my students by comparing the daily life rituals and foods that make each culture unique…a perfect compare and contrast learning moment. Sci ence has proven that the earlier a child is edu cated on the significance of welcoming diversity, the more likely they are to become caring, openminded adults.

The San Joaquin County Historical Museum is a living tribute to our shared history. Because of the original benefactor, William G. Micke, and the generous support from the County of San Joaquin and countless volunteers, supporters,

and benefactors—a history museum and autho rized storage of historical items from the Micke home became reality on December 21, 1965.

From a humble workspace in the County Parks maintenance shop, Medora Johnson imagined a museum complex with several ex hibit buildings and grounds featuring native plants and trees. In 1971, the first exhibition building opened and was named after Wil liam G. Micke. Over the years, the Museum has grown to an 18.5-acre portion of Micke Grove Regional Park.

Did I mention that museums are fantastic plac es to take children, for both entertainment and education. Museums open a world of adventure, and they spark imagination; what is better than hands-on learning with knowledgeable employ ees who have visual aids? In the unique envi ronment of the museum, kids have quality time sharing dialogue about objects, family stories, and historic events. This will lead to a conver sation that often gets missed in the hustle and bustle of life.

Photos from top to bottom: Parker Holt and

S. Springer pose on an early Holt steam-powered traction en gine, No. 44, built in Stockton in 1902. This photograph was the first donation to the Museum’s collections in 1966.

The Pacific Fruit Express ice car is lowered onto tracks north of the Tree and Vine Building in 1980.

Robert Turner shows off the Liberty Harness Shop. It was built in 1976 with matching grant funds from the Ameri can Revolution Bicentennial Commission of California. On display are harness and saddle making tools from the Lo cher Tool Collection.

Woodcarving of the original San Joaquin County Historical Museum logo.

Russell

• For preschool and kindergarten age children they offer Farm to Fork, which is an interactive exhibit. It teaches children (in a simple way) the economics of farming. Students will take a loan out from the ‘bank’, buy seeds with that money, plant their seeds in real soil, harvest their produce, sell the produce at market, pay-off the loan and purchase something with the profits.

• Grades 3-4 can come to the Pioneer Living Project (Valley Days) which provides students with a meaningful hands-on adventure in our county’s history. It involves a community of teachers, parents, school volunteers and museum docents who plan activities that took place in the late 1800’s. The activities range from branding and gold panning to corn husk dolls and cooking in the cookhouse.

• Pioneer School is another opportunity to step back in time. Third and fourth grade students can spend a whole day in a one-room schoolhouse, that was built in the 1800’s. The docent teacher is cre dentialed; therefore, the field trip counts as a regular school day.

The San Joaquin County Historical Museum is a living tribute

In 2001, the San Joaquin County Historical Society was chosen as Grand Marshal for the Lodi Grape Festival Parade. Represented on the float are the Museum’s education programs of Valley Days, Grandmother’s Trunk, and Pioneer School Day.

• All ages can enjoy the museum led tours viewing the historic exhibits, artifacts, and a broad range of themes. However, if you are a teacher (and don’t have funding for transportation) Grand mother’s Trunk can be brought to your school, it has interesting artifacts from the museum collection. The trunk is filled with items from before the turn-of-the-century, before electricity, cars and radios. A museum docent will tell a story using selected items in Grandmother’s Trunk.

We all know that lifelong learning begins at a young age…what better way to ignite an interest in his tory, art, and science than at your local museum?

San Joaquin County Historical Society & Museum

11793 N. Micke Grove Road, Lodi, CA 95240 (209) 331-2055www.sanjoaquinhistory.org

On September 5, 1986,

Docent

County

San Joaquin County Historical Museum supplies many educational programs for a variety of age groups.

to our shared history.

Photos from top to bottom: Katherine Mettler admires the Improved Davis Windmill in the Micke Building. It was built in Stockton by the Davis Regulating Windmill Company.

at the Annual Barbecue, the restored Calaveras Schoolhouse opened to the public.

Mary Thompson, first docent class, 1972, in the Micke Building.

Supervisor George Barber on tractor, with Supervisor Richard Yoshikawa (right) and San Joaquin County Historical Society President Robert Bonta guiding a plow for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Tree and Vine Building in 1977.

San Joaquin County

TracTor FesT

By Carole Pinnell, MS Education

This popular event (featuring tractors of all kinds) brought guests up close and personal with the workhorses of our County. The immersive tractor show had something for the whole family; which included a tractor parade, Tik Tac Tractor, and a local food truck.

Additionally, the San Joaquin County Historical Museum’s many buildings were open for guests to enjoy the exhibits.

Valley Days Pioneer Living Project

Valley Days is the most rewarding program to participate in…whether you are museum staff, docents, teachers, parents or imaginative students. Looking at the images, you can see the delight on the faces of both young and old, as they partake in activities and chores that occurred in the 1800’s.

It truly is like a family reunion as teachers and parents share their stories of coming to Valley Days (when they were third graders). Now, they get to be the mentor for this generation…now, that’s community!

K

ILLE

r S o F A C E r TAI n Ag E

By: Deanna Raybourn

Book Reviews

by BRENDLE WELLS

People read books for all sorts of different reasons—escape, emotional catharsis, or edu cation, just to name a few. Sometimes, though, a reader is simply looking to be enter tained. Well, in terms of sheer entertainment value, I doubt that few books can match the plot of Killers of a Certain Age. It’s about four women of a certain age who have just retired from their 40 year careers as elite assassins and are going on an all-expenses paid vacation to celebrate their new life. Unfortunately, they soon find themselves the target of their former employer. It would seem they know far too much to be allowed to head off into the sunset peacefully. Now they will have to combine their old school talents to thwart assassins and uncover the motives behind the efforts to kill them. Someone will soon learn it isn’t wise to underestimate these women. This present day thriller marks something of a departure for Deanna Raybourn, who is best known for writing romantic historical mysteries. Though set in the contemporary era, it still features her usual engag ing characters, humor, and tightly plotted storyline. The book ties nicely into the current trend for senior sleuths too. Fans of The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman or The Old Man by Thomas Perry should check this out.

Berkley, 2022

WWW SACLIBRARY ORG

For details, telephone the Sacramento Public Library at (916) 264-2920 or visit www.saclibrary.org.

That’s n ot My n ame!

Author: Anoosha Syed

Children's Book Reviews

By JUSTIN AzEVEDO

Mirha has been waiting for months to start school, eager to learn new things and make new friends. She starts the day with her favorite breakfast, and stands in front of the class to introduce herself. However, nobody can seem to get her name quite right, even after she tells them—some kids make the “i” sound more like an “e,” while others don’t get the “r” quite right. Even the teacher gets it wrong, and even though Mirha doesn’t want to be called “Mina” for the rest of the schoolyear, she’s too shy to offer a correction. Disappointed, she tells her mom that evening of her new plan to change her name to something easier to pronounce; maybe then, she figures, she can fit in better. But Mirha’s mother reminds her of how beautiful her name is, and that if people can remember how to pronounce Tchaikovsky, they can remember how to pronounce Mirha. Filled with new confidence, Mirha resolves to speak up for herself the next day, and not only does it lead to her making new friends, but encourages others to share what their names mean and how they got them. This story is affirming on multiple levels—it provides a familiar story of first-day-of-school jitters with a gentle resolution, while acknowledging how tough it can be to speak up for yourself but showing the positive things it can lead to. The result is a much-needed example of the impor tance of listening and learning how to pronounce people’s names, and using a misstep as an opportunity to connect with someone and learn more about them, instead of as a joke or an inconvenience. Gentle humor and heart, recommended for ages 4-8.

Viking Childrens Books, 2022

Friendsgiving trendE

We had a very TrendE Friendsgiving, a girl’s night out of sipping, shopping, snacking and services with girlfriends!

Over 70 ladies came through TrendE boutique, enjoying the services and products of several local vendors, while visiting with friends.

Didn’t make this one? Catch the next ladies’ night coming in February, a GALENTINES party.

TrendE partners with Jenna Deacon (a local Realtor) with Keller Williams, and DNP Josh Koshsefat, Botox specialist and owner of The Aesthetic Collective, hosting a “ladies’ night out” every three months offering Botox & Shopping.

These events spotlight various small businesses in the community, from flowers, cookies, crafts, jew

elry, photography, and more. It’s a great way of in troducing new small businesses to the community, and an opportunity to meet new people in a fun and friendly environment.

TrendE also donates $1 from every purchase with their “purchase with purpose” program to a local nonprofit charity and chooses a different charity to benefit every quarter. Past beneficiaries have been Chicks in Crisis, Heart of JB, Project Ride, Together We Heal, Albie Aware Breast Cancer Foundation.

TrendE also hosts private parties, gather a group of your besties for after-hours shopping, contact TrendE to book your party

To find details on upcoming events and specials, follow TrendE on Instagram @shoptrende_boutique or on FB @TrendE You will also see the latest arrivals in women’s fashion, accessories, and gifts.

Photos by Bethany Hironaka

Photography

Holiday Heart Syndrome

By Howard Dinh, MD, Kaiser Permanente

You’ve enjoyed the ham, the yams, the cookies, pie, and maybe a few glasses of holiday spirits. Suddenly you are not feeling so well. You may ask yourself if you are having a heart attack. Maybe not. But it could be something known as “Holiday Heart.”

Holiday Heart (a.k.a. Holiday Heart Syndrome) is a condition characterized by an abnormal heart rhythm in healthy individuals associated with in creased alcohol consumption, usually around the time of holidays and celebrations. While there may be an injury to the heart muscle, it is not consid ered a "heart attack" in the traditional sense. The abnormalities of the heart's electricity can be very uncomfortable and can trigger a panic or anxiety attack, but the syndrome is not simply considered an anxiety issue.

Patients may feel palpitations, chest pain, short ness of breath, or dizziness. If you have never had heart issues, you may certainly think you are hav ing a heart attack.

The difference between holiday heart syndrome and a heart attack is that it typically occurs in a person without any other clinical evidence of heart disease. It’s also completely reversible.

But heart attacks also tend to occur more frequent ly around the holidays, especially Christmas and New Year’s. There are many theories about why we see this phenomenon. These include a higher rate of respiratory illness in the winter, emotional stress associated with holidays, and changes in diet and alcohol consumption which can injure or over whelm the heart, including raising blood pressure.

While research is continuing into why there may be an increase in heart attacks at the holidays, there is one connection we do know - there is an

inappropriate delay in seeking medical care due to the holidays themselves. In other words, people are too focused on all the holiday activities to take time to care for themselves. Plus, no one wants to be seen as “ruining” the holiday for the family.

However, if symptoms of heart racing, shortness of breath, and chest pain are out of the ordinary, you should be concerned – regardless of if it is holiday heart syndrome or an actual heart at tack. Severe dizziness or passing out are other ominous signs. People may think "Oh, some thing doesn't feel right" but may not want to go to the hospital. If you experience any of these issues, get medical care immediately.

But before you have an episode of holiday heart or an actual heart attack, there are some steps you can take to keep you out of the emergency depart ment and enjoying the festivities with your friends and family.

Practice Moderation

Avoid alcoholic binges and overeating. Limit sodium intake. Moderation is key. Balance healthy foods with a few indulgences.

Maintain Your Exercise r outine

Keep up your normal exercise routine. Get in some extra steps while shopping. Take a family walk after a big meal.

Prevent Illnesses

Getting COVID-19, the flu or even a cold, can have impacts on your heart health. We encourage everyone to get their flu shot and bivalent CO VID-19 booster when eligible to help reduce the impact of a respiratory virus. Of course, wash your hands, consider wearing a mask when ap propriate, and avoid socializing with those who are sick to help keep yourself well.

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

While you are caring for your physical health, focus on mental health, too. Whether it’s family, finances, or feelings, there are factors that can cause stress and lead to elevated blood pressure. Then there’s "stress eating," which can cause high sodium intake, resulting in retaining flu ids and strain on the heart. Some ways to manage your stress include practicing gratitude, finding moments of joy, volunteering in your com munity, and setting reasonable expectations for the season. Your plans may not go perfectly but focus on the good.

The holidays definitely add extra stress onto our daily routines, with additional cooking, cleaning, shopping, entertaining and juggling re sponsibilities that most don’t have during the rest of the year. So, it’s important to remember to focus on your health - eat and celebrate in moderation and manage your stress so that you can enjoy the holidays more.

Howard Dinh, MD, has been a practicing physician since 1999 and joined Kaiser Permanente in 2015. He is currently the Chair of Cardiology Chiefs for Kaiser Permanente, Northern California and the Medical Director of Car diac Services for Kaiser Perman ente Greater Sacramento. He lives in South Sacramento with his wife and three teenage kids. He is an avid tennis player and ballroom dancer. If you happen to see him doing the bachata with his wife around Sacramento’s ballroom venues, please ask him for a dance. It’s good for your heart.

Ashwagandha

Indian Ginseng

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a highly valued adaptogen in Ayurvedic medicine, one of the oldest healing systems in the world, practiced in India for over 5,000 years. Practitioners of Ayurveda incorporate diet, meditation, breathing, yoga, purification (detox), massage and herbal extracts in their treatment plans to restore patients to a state of balance and good health.

The name ashwagandha comes from the Sanskrit word used to describe the essence of a horse, re ferring to the scent of the plant’s roots after har vesting, but also to the feeling of strength and vitality that all those using the herb experienced as well.

Traditionally, ashwagandha has been pre scribed for many things: calming nerves, reducing inflammation, and increasing both libido and stamina. It has the special ability to be energizing and calming at the same time. Ashwagandha has also been recommended for arthritis and joint pain, so it is an excellent all-around herbal adap togen for just about everyone.

So what are the scientific explanations for ash wagandha’s success? A major reason is that it contains a wealth of potent natural compounds, including withanolides. These compounds boost resistance to physical and psychological stressors.

Stress r elieving, Adapting Abilities

In fact, in clinical studies, ashwagandha has been shown to reduce cortisol levels and increase protective antioxidant activ ity. The result is that people feel less “fight or flight” and more calm. Ashwagandha also helps fight other stress-related com plications, including some of the most seri ous issues:

• Tight muscles and increased heart rate

• Feelings of social anxiety

• Stress-related insomnia

• Severe depression symptoms associated with stress

Hormone Balancing

Other work has shown that one of ashwagand ha’s unique abilities is to bring a variety of dif ferent hormones back into balance. It brings

up what is too low and takes down what is too high. One 8-week clinical study of middle-aged, overweight men found that ashwagandha in creased testosterone levels by almost 15 percent and beneficial DHEA-S levels by 18 percent. That can do a lot to restore vitality to a man who is feeling chronically tired and listless.

Additionally, in another clinical study, ashwa gandha was found to boost testosterone levels in men but not in women. It seems to be a very smart adaptogen, indeed – providing exactly the support that’s needed depending on the indi vidual.

Multiple Ways Ashwagandha Puts a Stop to Stress

Another clinical study found that ashwagandha significantly reduced stress in men and women, according to a common anxiety measurement scale. The researchers noted that it did this in four different ways:

Written By Terry Lemerond

Sponsored by Dianna Singh, Owner of Elk Grove Vitamins

Through the HPA axis: Ashwagandha may regulate how much cortisol and DHEA we generate in response to stressors. People tak ing ashwagandha have lower levels of these compounds in the morning, which suggests that it may be working to lower stress levels, and by extension, how much of these natural chemicals the body produces.

Stopping oxidative damage: Ashwagand ha is a powerful antioxidant. The demands that free radical damage puts on the body and mind can’t be overstated. This herb puts a stop to that cycle.

Reducing inflammation: Ashwagandha is also a powerful anti-inflammatory. Inflamma tion and oxidation are two major factors in stress, depression, and many chronic illnesses.

Working directly with brain chemistry: Ashwagandha influences GABA and sero tonin activity. Each of these actions working in synchronicity appears to be the reason this herb is so effective at helping people become resilient to stress.

Increase Your Stamina with Ashwagandha

Of course, not all stress and exhaustion are necessarily brought on by our mental state or some other type of deep-rooted issue. Some times, we’re just plain tired. Or, we simply want to do more and have better endurance. Ashwagandha can help here, too.

Consider this study that focused on the per formance of 40 elite cyclists, 20 male and 20 female. Recognizing that the sports nutrition field is teeming with products that claim to improve aerobic capacity, researchers decided

to try a traditional, yet updated, approach. They used ashwagandha.

The 8-week study was broken into placebo and treatment groups. At the beginning of the clinical trial, these elite athletes were ex amined via treadmill test for their maximal aerobic capacity (the rate of oxygen uptake by the body that fuels red blood cells), and the respiratory exchange ratio (how much oxygen is inhaled versus how much carbon dioxide is exhaled). The researchers also measured the total time until the athletes reached a point of exhaustion.

In every parameter, the botanical group im proved. Ashwagandha boosted the endurance of these athletes and improved the intensive interplay between the ability of the lungs to bring in oxygen to fuel red blood cells, and the heart’s ability to pump those red blood cells to the muscles in the body. The placebo group showed no change at all.

r emain Vital and Strong with Ashwagandha

We will always have some stress in our lives. The important thing is the way that we face it. Ashwagandha is an incred ibly valuable herb that helps you during times of physical or psychological stress. It allows you to adapt, stay resilient, be physically and mentally energized, and helps you respond wisely to any chal lenges that come your way.

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your physician and is not to be considered medical ad vice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you have any concerns please contact your physician directly.

Terry's Bottom line

Dealing with stressful situations on a daily basis can crank up your cortisol levels, and make you feel jittery, overwhelmed, and unfocused. Fortunately, ashwagandha, a time trusted botanical with both centuries of traditional use and modern clinical studies, can help.

T HIS AMA z ING

ADAPTOGEN WI ll

• Help you feel energized, but not jittery

• Boost your mental resilience

• Reduce cortisol levels and balance stress hormones

• Sharpen your focus and concentration

• Help you adapt to changing circumstances more easily

• Allow you to calm down and relax

Terry Lemerond has o ver 45 years of experience in the health food in dustry as an owner of several health food stores and dietary supplement manufacturing companies. He has researched and developed over 400 nutritional and botanical formula tions that continue to be top selling products on the market today.

Stop by Elk Grove Vitamins to find out more about Ashwagandha and many other products. We have a knowledgeable staff that can answer your questions and get you started on the path to health. Visit us at 9647 E. Stockton Blvd. Elk Grove.

Traditionally, ashwagandha has been prescribed for many things : calming nerves, reducing inflammation, and increasing both libido and stamina.

Traditions?

By Anna Osborn, LMFT, Relationship Therapist and Coach

I love family traditions. I love friend traditions. I love this time of year because it feels like the calendar is full of them. I like the bak ing and delivering goodies to neighbors. I love getting together and watching the same movie with the same treats. I love walking through the same neighborhood watching my kids knock on the same doors to get the same candy and then going back to look at the same lights and blowies that are decorating their front yard. I love traditions.

And I’m also a human.

Which means this year I forgot to make our usual res ervations to look at the holiday lights via horse drawn carriage so that’s out…after six years of back to back en joyment. We also moved last fall so it means that my kids want to trick or treat in the new neighborhood with their schoolmates and not with our friends like we’ve done… since they were born. It also means that my family’s fam ily is growing and changing. I don't get to see them for every holiday like I used to.

It means that things are changing and I’m having to ad just.

I’m doing my best to learn the great value in being open to traditions changing. And I’m doing ok with it…con sidering.

You see, if you would have asked the Anna of three years ago about changing traditions, I would have been against it. I would have clung tightly to the way it’s always been done or reminisced about how fun it was to do it the exact same way we did last year. It wasn’t good, let me tell you.

But I’m working to let the last few years of so much change (so much different and so much pivoting) help me to realize that gifts can exist in the change. And it’s hard…but it’s also sort of incredible.

We all know that we can’t control or stop change. And sometimes change is really hard and sad. It’s not just about forgetting to make a reservation to look at holiday lights. Sometimes change means loss, some times it means hurt and sometimes it means grief. Sadly, it’s the things we can’t control or stop.

And there can also be a lot of beauty in change…if we’re open to seeing it.

Because when change happens…it opens up for more. Different ‘more’, but still more.

More memories, more joy, more healing, more closure, more ex periences, more, more and more.

And if I keep insisting that it needs to be done the same way it’s always been done (or look the way it’s always looked) I don’t get to experience the new and different that is waiting there for me.

I would have missed the beauty that comes with change. And I would have lost the opportunities and experiences I’ve gained–if I wasn’t open to mixing things up. I would have missed the opportunity to feel the sadness that comes with change and also embrace what is waiting for me instead.

I’m grateful for the friends and family around me that gently (most of the time) remind me that “special” isn’t in the tradi tion never changing; but “special” really lies in the ability to embrace the change. I’m grateful that as much as change can feel like loss (because sometimes it actually is) it is really there to help me grow. I’m grateful that all changes don't equal less but actually allow for more.

My encouragement to you during this season of traditions is to remember…

It’s ok for traditions to change. It’s ok to find new and meaningful ways to create connections. It’s ok to sit outside your comfort zone for the sake of adventure.

And it’s even more ok to try something new as a way to honor something old.

Take the risk to see a change in traditions as an opportunity. Whether the house is quieter this year than you’d like, or you’re missing how it always used to be…look for the more. I know it won’t be easy but it doesn’t mean it also can’t be beautiful.

So get out there…together…and make some new traditions.

I’m doing it right along with you!!

AnnaOsborn,LMFT,is a relationship coach and therapist. You can reach out to her by calling 916.955.3200 or visiting her website at www.AnnaOsborn.com.

More memories, more joy, more healing, more closure, more experiences, more, more and more.

The Sacramento Prison Ship

La g range

By Louis Silveira, Elk Grove Historical Society

The original jail for Sacramento County was a converted sailing bark (barque), the LaGrange bought from the Salem & California Trading & Mining expedition. The LaGrange set sail out of Salem, Massachusetts on the 19th of March, 1849 for the California gold fields with 63 men on board.

The wooden three-masted barque was the most common type of deep-water cargo-carrier in the middle of the 19th century. By the end of the eighteenth century, however, the term barque (sometimes, particularly in the USA, spelled bark) came to refer to any vessel with a particular type of sail-plan. This comprises three (or more) masts, fore-and-aft sails on the aftermost mast and square sails on all the other masts. Barque were the workhorse of the Golden Age of Sailing in the mid 19th century as they attained passages that nearly matched full rigged ships but could operate with smaller crews.

Around the Horn in 1949

Published in the Overland Monthly

The writer trusts that “a plan, unvarnished tale” of his journey around the horn – jotted down at the time – may not be devoid of interest at the present day, when the pioneers to these shores are, one-by-one, life’s duties all performed with more or less faithfulness, leaving their earthly tenements of clay forever behind them, departing, let us hope, for the shores of a brighter world, to enter upon fields of more exalted usefulness.

The old adage of “a sailor’s life is a dog’s life” found no support, I will venture to say, from the band of Argonauts, that, on the good LaGrange ,

made that pleasure trip of some 20,000 miles to the coast.

Salem, Massachusetts, 1849 March 17th – Saturday 3:30 pm we cast off from the wharf, and in good barque “LaGrange,” Captain Joseph Dewing, made sail and started for San Francisco. Since noon, the crowd on the wharf had been continually increasing, until it numbered thousands, who had assembled to take leave of friends who were about to embark on a long and somewhat novel and perilous enterprise. Many now leave their homes for the first time, and none say it may not be the last.

“Cast off the bow fast; leave the ship, all who are not going to California,” sings out the pilot, and spreading the canvas to the northwestern breeze, her bow recedes from the wharf, the last grasp of the hand is given, friends hurry ashore, and excepting the pilot, none remain on board but those are to be intimate companionship for many long months

The roll having been called, and everyone – sixtyfive in number, sixty-one in the company, two cooks and two passengers – having answered to his name, three hearty cheers were given by the company, and returned by those on the wharf

as they paused in their prolonged cheering, the four Baker brothers and Jesse Hutchinson were announced, and favored us with the following song, composed for the occasion by the latter:

“We’ve formed our band, and are all well manned, To journey afar to the promised land,

Where the golden ore is rich in store, On the banks of Sacramento’s shore”

Then heigh, boys, ho, to California go, Where the mountains bold are covered with gold

On the banks for the Sacramento Heigh ho, and away we go Digging up gold in Sacramento.

A Letter from the La g range

Captain Joseph Dewing

Fanning’s Harbor, Falkland Islands, June 14, 1849 –

“Please report by the first opportunity that may offer, at any port in the United States of America, that on the 9th of June 1849, the barque LaGrange of Salem, Massachusetts, U.S.A., Joseph Dewing Master, arrived here, having on board the Salem & California Mining and Trading Co., consisting of sixty-five persons, including two passengers, bound to San Francisco, Upper California, on a two years’ expedition, all well and enjoying the best of health,

Above photos from left to right: The prison ship La Grange. The ship was moored at the mouth of the Sacramento River upstream from H Street. - A 1861 sketch depicting a typical prison ship.

by the blessing of God. May his blessing and a long life attend you. By granting the above request you will confer a favor on."

- Yours Respectfully, Joseph Dewing

The LaGrange sailed into San Francisco in September 1849 after a trip around the horn. The ship continued on and arrived in Sacramento on October 3, 1849. As adequate jail space was not available, the “City” of Sacramento came up with a solution of creating a prison barge. The first of these barges was the barque Stafford which was rented by Sacramento County and served as a jail from March through May 1850. The second one, the Stirling, also rented by Sacramento County, floundered, and sank. The LaGrange was the third and final jail and was purchased from the Salem & California Trading & Mining Company from $2,500 on June 14, 1850. The ship was ordered to be moored at the mouth of the American River upstream from H Street to wait for its conversion to a prison ship.

With the LaGrange in place an additional $2,500 was authorized for repairs and alterations. In preparations for its new role, the ship was stripped of its masts and the hold was partitioned in cells and a superstructure added to the topside to properly fit the vessel as a jail. The forward cabin was built of oak and was used as a dungeon for the prisoners convicted of the worst crimes. Iron shafts embedded in oaken planks were added. In addition, a ball and chain was riveted to the leg of each prisoner to discourage escapes.

It served as the county jail from 1851 to November of 1859. Other ships were used as hotels and warehouses along the early waterfront before they too bowed to “time and the river.”

The “floating jail” era came to an end in November 1859 following heavy rains. The Sacramento Union reported on November 19, 1959 that:

About six o’clock yesterday morning the officers were aroused by the cry of prisoners that the vessel was sinking, the water flowing freely, and partially flooding cells between decks.

The vessel sank sufficiently to admit water into the lumber hole forward, rendering it inadvisable to continue prisoners below, so they were admitted upon deck and closely watched till about a quarter to four p.m., when they were by concerted action of the sheriff, chief of police, and supervisors, transferred to the Station house, 33 prisoners in all, including three females…

As the barge was securely attached to its mooring at both bow and stern, it was prevented from rising with the rise of the water level. Soon only the peak of the superstructure and two small flag poles could be seen above the water. The water came in so fast that the prisoners that were housed there were barely saved. The LaGrange filled with water and sank to the bottom of the Sacramento River.

It sank in the heavy rain and floods that plagued early Sacramento. It was the third and last prison ship of the city and after that the jail remained on land. The ship was later salvaged, and the cells retrieved and used in the jail built on land. The metal tube in the center of cells was most likely the ventilation shaft from the cells to the topside of the old ship. If you look closely at the walls in the cells you will notice inscriptions and writings from prisoners once housed in these cells. Each cell could hold four prisoners. Notice the small opening at the bottom of each cell door. The opening would enable a jailor to pass food to the prisoners without opening the cells.

The Jail Cell Story

After a new prison was built and the original cells were given to different townships in Sacramento County. On September 23, 1911, Elk Grove Constable Brenton and his men secured two cells from the old County jail and

were made into a calaboose on the city lot back of the Odd Fellow building (Present day School of Rock).

In 1983, this building was moved from its original location on 1st Avenue in Old Town Elk Grove by members of the Delta Patrol of the Sacramento Sheriff's Depart ment and the Elk Grove Historical Soci ety, thus preserving an example of Gold Rush Era Justice in Elk Grove. The building stands erect in Heritage Park. It was com pletely renovated in March 2000, with judges’ desks and the two last remaining 4-bunk cells that remind us of an earlier time.

JAIL F or ELK gro VE

Elk Grove Citizen, 26 June 1909: Constable Hauskins, who has had an application in some time for a jail here, expects to have his hopes realized as soon as the old Sacramento city jail is torn down. Sheriff Reese says there 21 cells in the old jail, some of them being double and there will be enough to furnish different towns that need a jail, such as Elk Grove with two cells.

Elk Grove is in badly need of a jail, for the safe keeping of criminals and drunks, who while they are in their intoxicated condition, are lower than the animals and should be placed where they will have no chance to offend the public and make a general nuisance of themselves.

At the present time Constable Hauskins’ only recourse when he arrests a drunk and wants to place him where he can be out of the way, is to use an S.P. box car for a jail. And if the prisoner is placed there for keeping overnight, some friend is sure to release him before morning.

A CALAB oo SE F or ELK gro VE

Elk Grove Citizen, 23 September 1911:

The approach of winter and wet weather has made it necessary to provide comfortable quarters for our friends the hobos, who drift along this way like birds of passage, so on Wednesday, men and teams in the charge of

Above:The Jail was moved to the historical society museum in 1983. Photo to the right: The last two remaining cells from the original 1850 Sacramento County Jail.

Odd Fellows Building is located at 9045 Elk Grove Blvd.

Deputy Constable “Pinkey” Benton, went to Sacramento to bring out two of the steel cells that formerly were in the old county jail, and these are to be made into a calaboose on the county’s lot back of the Odd Fellows building.

The town has known the need of a jail, or lockup of some kind for a long time, not for its citizens, but for the chaps who drift along here without visible means of support. Hereafter, “Jack” and “Bo” will have to be able to give a good account of them selves when they stop in Elk Grove, or it will be the calaboose for them.

The original San Joaquin Township Justice Court also sits on the museum grounds. Originally located behind the old Odds Fellow Building in Old Town Elk Grove, near the tracks and built in 1912, the building served the towns of Elk Grove, Sheldon, Florin, and surrounding area’s until the 1940’s.

CITY BASTIILE

Elk Grove Citizen, 3 February 1912: Elk Grove is to have a place to confine lawbreakers. Workmen in the employ of J.M. Derr are erecting an 18 x 24 foot building on a concrete base over the steel cells recently donated by the county. The jail is being erected on the lot just north of Jones & Colton’s store (Odd Fellows building). Tourists on foot are warned to keep on the move.

All the information for this article was obtained from the Elk Grove Historical Society files and from the diligent research of and articles written by Anita Peters (2008) and Barbara Claire (2012).

For a more complete account you can purchase the 38-page booklet San Joaquin Township Courthouse and Jail for only $5. Go online to elkgrovehistoricalsociety.com and search in the museum store at the end of the Home page.

S MALL Tr EAS ur ES S H o W elk Grove Fine arts center 11th annual

Our community rang in the holidays at the annual Small Treasures show at the Elk Grove Fine Arts Center. The walls were decorated with hundreds of small works created by over sixty local artists, who look forward to this annual event as much as the community does.

When doors open at 4 p.m., on the first Saturday of November, lines of patrons fill the galleries to get a first look (and a first purchase) at the collection. These 5x7 wooden panels are filled with images of the artists' choice, as well as a bonus selection of holiday-themed work that is put up for raffle.

This important fundraiser supports year-round workshops for all ages, gallery exhibitions, and the Center’s newest event—the Elk Grove Festival of the Arts. New and established collectors will always find something special at the Elk Grove Fine Arts Center. We look forward to seeing you in the gallery!

Photos by Katherine Robbins and courtesy of EG Fine Arts Center