The SunWest Life - November 2022

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Nov 2022

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Sports:

Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

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History: Pardoning of the Turkey

Local: Dicken's Festival: What is it?

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CONTENTS Lifestyle + Home + More

04 DECORATING FOR DINNER With plenty of decor options to pick from, your guests will remember the beautiful setting for many Thanksgivings to come.

06 THE BEST CARAMEL APPLES Do you want to try out the BEST caramel apples? Brian Webster shares his family's favorite caramel apple recipe that will be a hit at your next dinner.

09 NOVEMBER PICK EM'

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THANKSGIVING TURKEY BOWL

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13 EXCLUSIVE!

SOCIAL MEDIA Social media has transformed the way we communicate with each other. See how it helps us connect with others.

16 FLAKE REVIEW Looking for a new treat for your friends and family to enjoy can be stressful. Flake Pie Co is new in Saint George so we decided to try it out.

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PARDONING OF THE TURKEY

DICKENS FESTIVAL: WHAT IS IT?

Every Thanksgiving, the president pardons one lucky turkey. Where did this start and why is it a tradition?

With the Dicken's festival right around the corner, learn about this fun, family tradition that so many people love.

18 GET INTO A RHYTHM Ever wonder why you feel so out of whack some days?

Learn more about your circadian rhythm and how it can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.

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Living in one of SunWest Management’s communities is more than just having a place to rest your head — it’s where you call home. At SunWest Management, we know it’s a privilege to say, “Welcome home!”

In our wide variety of communities that meet virtually every need, the perfect fit for your lifestyle is just through the front door of your next dream home in one of our Southern Utah communities.

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WAYS TO

decorate for holiday dinners •

EXPERIMENT WITH COLOR-

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EMBRACE AUTUMNAL SHADES-

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USE A BOLD TABLECLOTH-

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USE LITTLE WHITE PUMPKINS-

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PLAY WITH PATTERNS-

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FOCUS ON CANDLES-

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USE KRAFT PAPER-

The colorful table runner provides the perfect backdrop for the stunning floral centerpiece.

Use classic china to ensure the look doesn't skew too far from traditional.

The perfect Thanksgiving table is sure to include plenty of autumnal hues. Add a shabby chic candelabra and create a table runner out of muted flowers and gourds.

Black-and-white buffalo check linen is a fun, unexpected way to decorate for Thanksgiving.

Pairing it with jewel tones and natural accents like pine cones adds extra to the table setting.

Another element that will catch your guests eye is the use of decorative white pumpkins.

They're the perfect nod to the fall season.

For your next Thanksgiving table, experiment with decor in a mixture of patterns. The trick to making it cohesive? Using complementary colors.

Arrange pillar candles in a variety of heights.

Tuck evergreen around the whole table. And use table place settings featuring plenty of metallic accents. Together, this will make for an elegant look.

Instead of a traditional table runner, try kraft paper and add some calligraphy. It can work as a fun, eye catcher. Then top the whole thing with a gorgeous floral centerpiece.

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With the right inspo photos and a little creativity, you can fashion gorgeous place settings on a budget. Sometimes, it is hard to think of how to decorate a big table for everyone. To get inspired, Pinterest is a great platform to find a ton of inspiration. Target, Michaels, or TJ Maxx are great places to find a few great, basic pieces.

With plenty of options to pick from, make sure to pick something that makes you LOVE your table. Loving your own table is so important.

No matter which option you pick, your guests will remember the beautiful setting for many Thanksgivings to come.

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A favorite treat in our house is caramel apples. We especially love to make them in the fall when fresh apples are locally available. The real secret to the best caramel apples is home-made caramel! Here’s the recipe we use:

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Ingredients

Caramel (single batch will do about 5-6 apples) • 1 stick salted butter • 1 cup Karo syrup • 2 cups (packed) brown sugar • 1 can sweetened condensed milk Other • Apples, of course! (We like the sweet/tart combo of Honeycrisp) • Flat popsicle sticks - stabbed into the apples to spin in the caramel • White chocolate, cinnamon-sugar, oreos, mini M&Ms, chopped nuts, or other favorite toppings.

Directions

Melt the butter into the Karo and add the brown sugar. Once boiling, add the sweetened condensed milk slowly so the mix keeps boiling. The knack is to know how much to heat the caramel so that it is the right consistency. Boil it for only a minute or two and it stays too soft to hold form on the apple--but this is perfect for caramel popcorn! If you cook it too long, it can get too hard when it sets. I like to test the caramel as it is cooking by dropping some (a teaspoon or two is enough) into a bowl of ice water. Once it cools enough to handle, you can grab it to get a good idea of how firm the caramel will be when it sets. Simply heat the caramel until the cooled droppings are the right firmness for you. Now the hard part is done!

While you set the caramel aside to cool, you can prep the apples and other toppings. We prep the apples by washing and towel drying them. The towel drying is especially useful to remove any retail wax polishing so the caramel will stick better. I like to use flat popsicle sticks rather than round. The round sticks tend to spin in the apple when you are turning the apple in the caramel. We use parchment paper on cookie sheets to rest the apples on. This way, you can easily peel the caramel off the parchment, once the caramel is cooled.

When dipping the apples in the caramel, I like to use a rubber spatula to wipe off the caramel on the lower sides and the bottom of the apple. The caramel will settle some and re-cover the area. If it’s cool enough you can set the apples outside for the caramel to set, otherwise have some space ready in the fridge. Once the caramel is set on the apple, if some forming of the caramel is needed, you can use a little cooking spray on your hand to help from sticking to the caramel.

If you are adding any toppings directly on the caramel, do it before the caramel sets to be sure they stick to the caramel--unless you are doing a layer of chocolate. In that case you’ll want the caramel to be completely cooled and set, then the melted chocolate will layer, instead of mixing with the caramel. When the chocolate is still warm/soft, add any other toppings you’d like, our favorite is cinnamon-sugar.

They’ll keep best in the fridge. Even so, they are best within 5-6 days, before the caramel tends to get grainy.

Enjoy this yummy treat!

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Pardoning the Thanksgiving Turkey

By Diana Juarez

Pardoning of the Turkey has become an American tradition every Thanksgiving. But where did it come from?

did the pardoning w here of the turkey come from?

Though it was George H.W Bush who officially initiated this tradition, Abraham Lincoln actually helped start this trend in 1863 when pardoning the turkey for a christmas dinner. Since then, a few presidents have spared the turkeys as dinner. The formalities of pardoning a turkey gelled by 1989 when H.W Bush, assured us that the turkey would live out his days on a childrens farm near the white house. (I’m sure the animal rights activists picketing nearby helped make this tradition come to life). Since then, turkeys across the United States have rejoiced, at least one day a year as the leaders have spared a lucky bird from the Thanksgiving table.

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• Minnesota raises the most birds in the United States.

Minnesotan farmers produce around 40 - 42 million turkeys a year.

• 2012 was the first time Americans could vote online to choose which bird got the presidential pardon.

• From 2005 to 2009, the turkeys were flown to either Disneyland or Disney World to be the grand marshal of the Thanksgiving Day parade.

• The first female turkey to be pardoned received the reprieve from President George W. Bush in 2002.

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Thanksgiving turkey bowl

By Joseph Brimer

N

ovember has always been a month I look forward to. In St. George that’s when I feel like we actually get to experience fall (albeit a short-lived fall) as the temperatures stay low. It’s also the start of the holiday season and the spirit of giving comes to life. Primarily, I love November because of Thanksgiving and all the food that comes along with it. But there is one thing I always look forward to: The Turkey Bowl. Growing up, my three brothers and I would join the rest of the neighborhood kids for a LONG game of football. At the edge 10 10 II www.swmlife.com www.swmlife.com

of our neighborhood, hidden away from the rest of the world, we would meet at our own Field of Dreams. At times it felt like we had 100 kids playing football at the same time making it hard to know who was on your team. I think some of the glamour around the event was that it became socially acceptable to absolutely run over your own sibling or a friend. Speaking from experience, the bowl game was used as a way to settle some grudges! For our parents I’m sure there was upside to it, we didn’t have to bug them for a couple hours and we weren’t glued to any electronics.

The Turkey Bowl didn’t start out like that.

I remember growing up with my uncles being around for the holidays who would first introduce us to a similar activity. In a dusty lot by my grandparents, we would kick a ball around and place bets. Once

we all had enough red dirt in our lungs we’d make a beeline back home for pie and board games with the rest of the family. It was then that my love for November and Thanksgiving would cement itself into my psyche.

Now, as an adult with my own kids, I still go out and play some version or another of The Turkey Bowl. But for me it’s more about creating that experience for my kids and letting them learn firsthand the power of November. I still think about all those years, playing on a dirt lot or playing at the park. To this day, playing at that park overlooking town is still one of the most surreal experiences in my life. Those we played with still like to joke about some of the fun and painful memories. I like to compare it to the ending of The Sandlot; This person is up to that, and that person it up to this. And I’m still just as excited to pass it down to the next generation!

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How Social Media helps us connect with others

By Christian Gates

Scrolling through social media can sometimes be hard when it seems like only bad things are happening in the world. Something that can help take your mind off of the negative things seen is reaching out to long distance friends! Social media has transformed the way we communicate with each other by allowing us to hop on a Video-call 24/7. Talking to friends and family all over the world is an amazing opportunity that sometimes can get overshadowed by daily distractions. With resources like Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, iMessage, and even just a simple phone call, connecting with others is as easy as having them in your very living room. In 2001, one of the very first platforms of social media was released in a website called “Friendster.” This

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platform was short-lived, but opened the door for other platforms to use email registration and basic online networking. Two of the most popular social media platforms today, LinkedIn (2002) and Facebook (2004) were founded shortly after and were based on some of the same ideas from Friendster. These platforms have given us a way to connect with people even beyond sending a text or phone call. Being able to see what friends are doing each day through something as easy as a post has allowed us to connect with others by seeing what goes on in their day-to-day lives.

This November, try to let all of your friends and loved ones know how thankful you are for them through a social media platform!

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Dickens Festival

By Nick Bolton

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years ago, 4 women decided to combine their talents and create a show that would incorporate Charles Dickens' vision of Olde England around Christmas and the feeling of being a part of that time period.

They decided to call it the Dickens’ Christmas Festival. One of these women was my Aunt Kathy. Making the streets of Olde London throughout the Festival has always been something that was hoped for. They worked hard to hand select each one of the vendors that would come from various parts of the country to sell all sorts of arts and crafts that had been handmade. Workers and, at times, close to 350 Vendors were asked to wear old English clothing and even talk with an English accent. It felt as if you were transported into that time period as you walked through the streets and were able to look at all the décor and goods. Early on, they asked my Grandfather, Bud, to participate by having a booth that he would make and sell his amazing Cinnamon rolls.

In years past they would do 2 shows, one in Salt Lake and one in Southern Utah. This year, they will only be doing the one show here in Saint George, Utah.

My Aunt Kathy, my Uncle Gary, along with their two daughters, Brittney and Mellissa, are still doing the Dickens Christmas Festival.

My Dad, Brother, Sister and I have continued making the cinnamon rolls as well. To this day, only 4 people know the original secret family

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Use this coupon above if you are 55 years or older and enjoy all that the Dicken's Festival has to offer!

recipe that we use. It’s become a tradition for our family and as well as the patrons that are visiting, and their families We have heard of families coming 12 hours away for the show.

We have shipped our famous cinnamon rolls as far as Chicago to families that have requested them. We now not only sell Cinnamon, but have added several flavors. Cinnamon, Cinnamon Raisin, Caramel Pecan, & Orange Coconut with Craisins are some of our consistant favorites.

But every once and a while we will get a crazy hair and make flavors such as Maple and Bacon, Apple Cinnamon Fritter, the Sweeny Todd with Raspberry and White Chocolate, the Spicy Todd with Raspberry, White chocolate and Jalapenos Jelly, the Aloha Bun with Pineapple, Coconut and Coconut Milk.

The Dickens’ Christmas Festival is not just another craft show, but a unique and unusual entertainment and shopping experience. From dancers, performers, plays all out of Charles’ Dickens books such as Oliver and Scrooge, to amazing paintings, hand crafted items for all ages and yummy treats to please everyone. In years past, they have had horse drawn carriages and Father Christmas has brought some of his Reindeer from the North Pole for kids to feed and pet. Everyone in your family will enjoy the festival. Also make sure to bring your young ones to see and get a picture with the REAL Father Christmas who will not only take some time with your young ones to hear what they want this Christmas season, but to share some of his amazing stories.

So if you’re looking for a new family tradition this might be a great one for you. Be sure to come by our booth to watch us make our Buns and even try one of our famous cinnamon rolls.

Have a happy Christmas!

Southern Utah show is held: Nov. 30th - Dec 3rd, 2022 (10 AM - 9 PM) Dixie Convention Center 1835 Convention Center Dr St. George, Utah

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Flake pie co

By Christian Gates

F

lake Pie Company is located downtown on the historic St. George Boulevard.

With 11 different pie flavors, 6 being year-round and 5 being seasonal, there is something for everyone to enjoy. With the option to buy a single pie or a discounted pack of 3, trying a variety of different flavors is possible with the pies being only about 6 inches in diameter. The B-A-N-AN-A-S pie was my favorite of the three I tried. With the filling being banana cream with a torched meringue topping, it was very creamy and light. With light and creamy being my ideal dessert textures, I decided to give this pie a score of 8/10.

The second of the three, “Sweet child O’Lime” was a classic key lime pie that I thought was average in taste with a lot of whipped cream on top. I didn’t feel like there was anything special about this pie,

but if you’re looking for that classic Key Lime flavor, it will definitely satisfy your craving. I decided to give this pie a score of 5/10. The third and final pie I tried was titled “The Greatest Dough on Earth.” This pie was stacked as follows: Crust, layer of biscoff, cookie dough filling, whipped cream, and more cookie dough as an extra topping. With this pie having so much cookie dough, it was difficult to have more than 3 bites without being sugaredout. For those who have the sweetest of tooths, this pie would be the frontrunner to satisfy those cravings. I decided to finish the review and give this pie a rating of 6/10. Overall the experience was worth the trip and the pie was a great ending to a night out with friends and loved ones. If you find yourself next to Flake Pie Company, I recommend stopping in!

471 E St Blvd St. George, UT 435-628-2056

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Flake Pie Co

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GET INTO YOUR RHYTHM By: JC Hallman

Get Into Your Rhythm Your Body’s Clock Can Help You Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle Ever wonder why you feel out of whack some days? Maybe you lack an appetite for some reason, or feel like you’re just too tired to get out of bed in the morning. Or perhaps you feel slightly overheated or chilled during part of the day. And what about jet lag? It may be that your circadian rhythm is off.

Circadian rhythm is the natural cycle of physical, mental, and behavior changes that the body goes through in a 24-hour cycle. It is mostly affected by light and darkness and controlled by a small area in the middle of the brain known as the “master clock.” Circadian rhythm can affect sleep, body temperature, hormones, appetite, and other body functions. An abnormal circadian rhythm may be linked to obesity, diabetes, depression, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder, and sleep disorders such as insomnia.

Circadian Rhythm and Sleep The sleep-to-wake cycle is one of the clearest examples of the importance of circadian rhythm. During the day, light exposure causes this clock in our brain to send signals that generate alertness and help keep us awake and active. As night falls, the master clock initiates the production of melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep, and then keeps transmitting signals that help us stay asleep through the night. Our circadian rhythm aligns our sleep and wakefulness with day and night to create a stable cycle of rest that revitalizes us and supports increased daytime activity.

Influences on Other Body Systems Scientific evidence has also connected circadian rhythm to metabolism and weight through the regulation of blood sugar and cholesterol. It can also influence mental health, including increasing the risk of illnesses like depression and bipolar disorder as well as the potential for diseases like dementia. There are indications that circadian rhythm has an important influence on the immune system as well as processes of DNA repair that are involved in preventing cancer.

Jet Lag Explained Have you ever flown through multiple time zones and experienced jet lag? That’s your circadian rhythm telling you something is off. While you can adjust your watch, your body clock will try to function on the time it is at your home. The more time zones you pass through, the more off you may feel. Your body clock will reset to the new time you’re in, but it can take a few days.

Maintaining a Healthy Circadian Rhythm While things like diet, exercise and managing stress are important, your sleep habits are probably the biggest way you can maintain a healthy circadian rhythm including: ● ● ● ● ● ●

Avoiding stimulants such as coffee in the hours before bed Going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day Turning off lights and screens in the half-hour before bedtime Keeping your bedroom at a comfortable temperature Having a bedtime routine that relaxes you and prepares you for sleeping Avoiding exercise and food in the hours just before bed.

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Sources: National Institute of General Medical Sciences; sleepfoundation.org; chronobiology.com.

This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal or investment advice. If you are seeking investment advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own separate from this educational material.

Kmotion, Inc., 412 Beavercreek Road, Suite 611, Oregon City, OR 97045; www.kmotion.com ©2022 Kmotion, Inc. This newsletter is a publication of Kmotion, Inc., whose role is solely that of publisher. The articles and opinions in this newsletter are those of Kmotion. The articles and opinions are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Nothing in this publication shall be construed as providing investment counseling or directing employees to participate in any investment program in any way. Please consult your financial advisor or other appropriate professional for further assistance with regard to your individual situation.

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SUNWEST MANAGEMENT? WHO ARE WE & WHAT MAKES US SPECIAL? SunWest Management specializes in helping you develop a strong sense of community and promote harmony in your community. Prudent financial management, the best governance practices and maintenance strategies, yeah, we’re good at that too! We work with you to keep your property values high and your community thriving.

Our digital magazine is another way we share our passion and commitment to serve community associations everywhere. Read on for best practices, tips and offers to enhance your home and community.

Contact us and discover how your community can start living the SunWest life! We can’t wait to hear from you!

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