From the monthly archives: "February 2022"

The Crazy Plant Lady

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by Ana Morlier

Feng Shui—Encourage A sense of Balance

The preparation for St. Patrick’s Day has begun in this issue of the Banner! I’m sure you’ve done it all before in preparation for St. Patty’s Day: seeking out four-leaf clovers (if the weather permits), wearing green, consuming a copious amount of lucky charms, and hitting the pub with friends if you’re of age. But have you considered the practice of feng shui to enhance your luck on St. Patrick’s Day? For all you readers who are looking for a less rowdy way to celebrate this holiday, this practice is for you!

Feng shui (translates to wind and water) involves positioning furniture, plants, or other items in your house to encourage a sense of balance between you and your external environment. How you structure various rooms depends on the Bagua you want to concentrate on. That is, an element of your life, such as wealth, fame, partnership, children, family, knowledge, career, wealth, and health, to name a few. Generally, the practice encourages a less cluttered, more open space.

Here are some plants that encourage the benefits of these Baguas. Position them so that they receive adequate lighting. Some may need indirect lighting, while others require full sun. Try to line them at the perimeter of your room to allow space in the focal point of your room for better flow.

To encourage wealth: Jade plant, Money plant (Crassula Ovata), Money Tree (Pachira Aquatica). The color purple and boxy shapes are also associated with this Bagua. Best placed in an office space.

To encourage wellness: Citrus trees, philodendron, ferns, and fiscus. Associated with plants with rounded leaves and act as air purifiers. Place in a beloved gathering place, such as a living room.

To encourage intellect: Blue lace, lavender, fairy thimbles, and the triplet lily. These plants can also be placed in an office/study space.

To encourage fame: Mother of thousands, coleus, anthurium, and radiator plants (peperomia). Most effective when placed in a gathering space or an office space. 

For protection: Snake plants, hedgehog aloe serve as protectors of the home. Place them near doors or windows (for the cheaper and greener home security option).

These are a few suggestions for luck-bringing plants. Any plants in your home will positively impact your mental health and well-being, no matter what they may be.

Their air-purifying properties and hearty nature can encourage a sense of flow and vitality in your home. You can also practice mindfulness while taking care of your plants, thus benefiting your overall health.

This St. Patrick’s Day, stay green with a green thumb, and may prosperity be with you!

Location, Location, Location

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A Look At Real Estate In the Catoctin Region

Buying or Selling in Today’s Market

By Erin Kelly, Realtor, Team Reeder of Long & FosterReal Estate, Inc.

Is purchasing a home one of your resolutions for 2022? Today’s real estate market continues to be highly competitive and fast-paced. As a buyer, it can feel overwhelming to keep up with the demands of the homebuying process. Here are five tips to help you write a strong offer.

1. Find a Trustworthy, Real Estate Professional

No matter what the housing market looks like, it is always important to work with a trusted real estate agent. As Freddie Mac puts it: “The success of your homebuying journey largely depends on the company you keep. . . . Be sure to select experienced, trusted professionals who will help you make informed decisions and avoid any pitfalls.” Real estate agents are experts in the local market. They have insight into what’s worked for other buyers in your area and what sellers may be looking for in an offer. They inform you of your options and walk with you through the process so that you can achieve success. Remember that your agent is always your biggest advocate.

2. Get Pre-Approved & Know Your Budget

Knowing what you can afford and how much a mortgage lender is willing to let you finance is critical to your success as a homebuyer. The best course of action is to get pre-approved with a lender before you even start to look at homes with your agent; that way, you can focus on properties that are within your means. In today’s market, having a pre-approval letter already in-hand when making an offer has become the standard, and sellers are sometimes even looking for a pre-approval from a local lender. Instead of waiting for a lender to run the numbers while another buyer swoops in, get pre-approved ahead of time. It will allow you to move quickly when you find one that you love.

3. Be Prepared to Move Fast

Homes are selling quickly, sometimes even within days of being on the market. As a buyer, staying on top of the market and moving quickly is key. Your agent can help you put together and submit your best offer as soon as you find the home you want to buy. Sometimes offers will be presented to the seller as they are received, or sometimes an offer deadline will be set and offers will be presented all at once. It depends on the seller and their listing agent. Either way, it is always helpful to be ahead of the competition.

4. Make a Strong, But Fair Offer

According to the latest Realtors Confidence Index from NAR, 40 percent of offers today are above the list price. In such a competitive market, emotions and prices can run high. Unfortunately, that means submitting an offer at or below list price can give reason for your offer to be overlooked. Having an agent to help you submit a strong, yet fair offer, is critical in these situations. Your agent can help you understand the market value of the home and recent sales trends in the area. They can also give insight on the other aspects of your offer, besides the price, that you can adjust to entice a seller. These include contingencies like inspections, appraisals, and financing.

5. Be a Flexible Negotiator

When putting together an offer, your trusted real estate agent will help you consider which levers you can pull, including contract contingencies. Be aware that there are certain contingencies you may not want to give up. Waiving inspections or purchasing a home “as-is,” (which means that the seller isn’t required to pay for repairs) can leave you stuck with a house that you can’t afford to fix. Lean on your real estate agent to make an informed decision, and only do what makes you feel comfortable.

Bottom Line

It’s no secret that owning real estate provides many financial benefits. But beyond that, the non-financial benefits are what makes owning a home a New Year’s resolution for so many people. When a house becomes a home, it provides security and stability. Purchasing a home can be a highly emotional process.

In today’s competitive landscape, trusting a local real estate professional is more important than ever to keep your head above water and make a winning offer on your dream home!

The Supermarket Gourmet

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by Buck Reed

Price Conscious Kitchen

No doubt, unless you are super rich, we all feel the crush of inflation and supply problems. Future historians will decide whose fault it is, but regardless, we must change our purchasing and eating habits. Case in point, if your favorite cereal isn’t on the shelves for three weeks, when it comes back, you may just buy the only two boxes left. Yes, I am a cereal hoarder. And not to toot my own horn, I have mostly been talking about this situation for almost my whole tenure as the Super Market Gourmet. So, this is it, hopefully my last article on the subject of saving money in the kitchen. I wouldn’t count on it, but let’s live in hope.

Okay, right off, we must change our shopping habits. I am a big proponent of just going to the market and letting the food speak to us on what we should create on our stoves and in our ovens. Arriving at the store with a plan is an important notion, and planning your meals may be the difference between eating well and throwing away your hard-earned money. That doesn’t mean we cannot be flexible, and given the unavailability of some ingredients, it will be important that we are. But once you have a plan, stick to it. One of the goals is to keep yourself from going shopping too often.

 Buy foods that have a purpose. For instance, if you are going to cook a meal, make sure everyone will actually eat it. Also, there is the topic of leftovers. We cannot let extra meat loaf just sit in the fridge for a week before we throw it away. Brown bagging a meat loaf sandwich will stretch your food dollar a bit, yet can get a little tedious. A two- or three-week menu rotation might make it a little easier for you and creativity can help. Try turning it into Meat Loaf Parmesan or making a hash out of it. I heard about Meat Loaf Parmesan in a movie, and it works on the premise that if you put enough tomato sauce and cheese on anything, you can eat it. Try and think about what you like to eat and how you can repurpose it into something else you like to eat. I make a great meatloaf or cheeseburger soup. Email me and I will send the recipe.

Watch out for foods that are extravagant, but do not seem to be. Number one on the list is crumbs. That’s bread crumbs, graham cracker crumbs, cookie crumbs…you name it. All they are doing is taking a whole food and grinding it into crumbs. It seems to be an easy enough task, but if you do the math, you will find they are charging you 5 to 10 times more for the convenience.

Another idea is Peasant Soup. This soup is simply a combination of whatever you have in the kitchen and get rid of it in a soup. Ingredients include, but are not limited to, broth; milk or half and half; any frozen or fresh half bag of veggies you have; onions; celery; carrots; pasta, potatoes, or rice (or all three); half a jar of spaghetti sauce; herbs of choice; as well as any kind of leftover meat chopped. Just call it soupe paysanne and say it is French.

 Did you enjoy this article, need a recipe, or have a question or idea, please contact me at RGuyintheKitchen@aol.com.

Culinary Arts Creations

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by Ava Morlier, Culinary Arts Writer

Happy March! Miss the rich flavors of the holidays (Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras)? Can’t wait for the delicious Easter Sunday dinner of next month? Today’s dish will let you be satisfied with waiting (while also being meat-free and rich): Fresh Ravioli!

It may seem like too much work for something so small, but homemade ravioli is much better than your classic restaurant entree. The fresh pasta alone will leave you wondering why you’ve been avoiding making it. The rich filling is also much more fresh when you make it, and it allows you to play with the flavor a bit more. Not a cheese fan? You can simply replace it with ground beef if you prefer!

Making ravioli is a work-heavy feat, so if you have a bored family member or interested child, invite them to help you make it! It’s a great way to bond and learn to cook together. Even the most novice chef can help!

May this rich and delicious ravioli bring you good times and warmth in this chilly month with your family, whether in the kitchen or in the dining room.

Fresh Ravioli

Ingredients

For the Pasta

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups semolina flour

1 pinch salt

6 large eggs

2 tbsp. olive oil

For the Filling

15 oz. (1 carton) ricotta cheese

2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

1/3  cup grated parmesan cheese

1 large egg, beaten

2 tsp. minced fresh basil (or 1 tsp. dried)

1 tsp. minced fresh parsley (or ½ tsp. dried)

1 tsp. minced fresh oregano (or ½ tsp. dried)

¼ tsp. garlic powder

1/8  tsp. salt

1/8  tsp. pepper

oil

Tools Needed

Large sheet pan (to make pasta on), sifter, fork, bowl, wet paper towel, medium bowl, liquid and solid measuring utensils, spatula, pastry wheel/ravioli cutter, rolling pin or pasta roller, two spoons, large pot, bowl.

Instructions

Make the pasta:

On the sheet pan, sift flour, semolina flour, and salt together.

Make a well in the middle; add olive oil and cracked open eggs into the well.

Gently beat eggs with a fork, gradually adding more and more flour from the sides.

Once dough becomes thick, knead by hand until all ingredients are incorporated.

Knead the dough for 8-12 minutes or until smooth and elastic, gradually adding flour if the mixture becomes sticky.

Once kneaded, put in a bowl and cover in plastic wrap. Let rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.

Make the filling:

In the medium bowl, combine the ingredients for the filling, mixing well with the spatula.

Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Directions:

Once pasta has finished resting, fill the large pot with water and set to boil.

Divide the dough into four portions. Roll out one portion to 1/16 in. thickness on a floured surface. Put the other portions back in the bowl under a damp paper towel.

Take out filling.

On half of the pasta sheet, put rounded spoonfuls of filling 1 inch apart.

Fold the pasta sheet over so that the filling is covered by the pasta sheet completely.

Press around the rounds of filling so that the filling is sealed in. Cut into squares with the ravioli cutter. Set aside finished raviolis and repeat with remaining filling and dough.

Salt the boiling water. Add ravioli gently to the water one at a time and reduce heat so that the water is simmering.

Cook until the ravioli floats to the top, about 1-2 minutes.

Take out with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl.

Add olive oil to ensure the raviolis don’t stick together.

Repeat with remaining ravioli.

Garnish with fresh herbs, sauce, or cheese and serve.

Veteran Spotlight

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How I Came to Know My Father ~ Part 3by Sally T. Grove

Courtesy Photo of Chester L. Grove, Jr. in Uniform

Courtesy Photo

I started to understand my father, Chester Grove when I was 20 years old in 1977. That’s when I found the journal he kept during World War II. I read about experiences he didn’t talk about… fighting in war. About the assault on the Rhine, he wrote:

Where I lay, there were two more of my buddies, so I crawled back along the wall trying to locate the rest but could not do so… The Jerries must have heard me for just then a pebble dropped from the wall about ten feet away… I realized that it might not be a stone after all. I hugged the ground as tightly as I could, pushing my body against it. I also, in that split second, turned my face against the wall. Then it happened, a blinding flash and a deafening noise. I could neither see nor hear. Dirt flew all over me.

A grenade had taken my father’s sight and his hearing. A dark veil hanging over his bright blue eyes. How it must have magnified his fear!

I felt my face for I was sure it must be bleeding, but then my sight returned and gradually my hearing, although my ears kept ringing… I looked at my buddy in front of me and his head was smeared with blood as well as his foot and legs. I shook him thinking he was dead but he moved, then another grenade not quite as close hit the ground. A blinding flash and blast followed, however it did not touch us.

Concern for others, even in the face of adversity does not surprise me. Although my family didn’t have much growing up, we never did without, thanks to my father. Dad had just three suits: one for winter, one for summer, and one to wear when the in-season suit was getting cleaned. His children, on the other hand, went shopping each September for new school clothes, and each spring, we shined in our new Easter outfits.

I knew then that they would keep grenading us till we were dead or came out. I never prayed so hard and so desperately in my life, I know that I could never be an atheist, ever, and that anyone no matter what his feeling, put in the same situation would ever deny God.

Dad never talked about religion, he lived his belief. Mom was the one who took us to church on Sundays. Dad came for Baptisms, First Communions, and Confirmations, but Sunday mornings were always Dad’s time at home, while we went to mass with Mom. I have never known a more-loving man than my father, so I am not surprised that he professes his belief in God, still he never talked to us about his faith.

In those few minutes, which seemed a year, I saw visions of my favorite fishing places and hunting territory… saw them clearly as if I were there. I pictured mom, dad, and all the family, as well as all my friends who I was sure I would never see again.

My dad’s sister, Aunt Kitty, told me that Dad was always her best friend. They were closest in age of all their siblings and played together as children. They fished in Carroll Creek and rode their bikes through the streets of Frederick. I once read a letter that Dad wrote to his father; he signed his letter, “Love, Your Fishing Buddy, Tommy.”

Again a grenade dropped within 20 feet and I pressed into the earth… a voice spoke in broken English “Hello boys, come out, ve know you are there.”… I scarcely breathed for each breath sounded like a bellows, at least in my ears… I was soaked to the skin in blood and water and was shaking like a leaf in the wind. I thought of my first-aid kit with its sulfa drug to keep my wound from infection, yet I dared not move for every move brought a grenade.

The waiting must have been torture. Dad knew that the Germans were close, and they had his life in their hands.

Night started to fade… empty boats floated by… then we heard footsteps on the beach… the Jerries were afraid to come down in the darkness for fear of ambush. They had waited until they had light enough to see and then investigated. We were prisoners.

Dad’s fear must have been great when he heard footsteps approaching. The soldier became a prisoner.

At least the constant fear of uncertainty and falling grenades was now over. We had lain under the wall from 12 p.m. till daylight… four and a half hours of terrible uncertainty, awaiting death or capture or possibly help.

Dad relinquished one state of uncertainty for another. Perhaps being a prisoner of war was better than lying in wait for an unknown fate.

We were searched and stripped of all equipment but our clothes, even our first-aid pouches were taken, as well as our cigarettes, water, rations, and anything the Jerries decided they wanted. I refused to give up my pay book and finally they agreed to let me have it… I then tried to get the other fellow’s books back but they would not allow this.

Why was his pay book so important? What did it mean to a soldier?

Certainly a soldier got paid whether they presented a pay book or not.

Thankfully, by the time I knew my dad, he had given up cigarettes for a pipe. I know that pipes are bad for you, but to this day, pipe smoke makes me think of my father.

We had four guards for the eight of us and we were forced to carry a fifty pound box with us. We climbed up a steep, rocky ridge just before the sun peeped over the horizon. The going was rough…those hills were hundreds of feet high and very steep. Our (the U.S.) artillery had begun firing again and we were in constant danger from our own shells…We were really scared and I never thought we would make it through there alive.

I had seldom seen my father show raw emotion, except, that is, when Dad made a decision to reverse a doctor’s recommendation for our family. I was 10 when my brother Craig was born. We didn’t know it for several years, but Craig’s brain had been damaged during the birth process—Craig was developmentally disabled.

The doctors told my parents that Craig and our family would fare best if Craig moved into a group home.

Unfamiliar with the plight ahead, my parents placed Craig in Kemp Horn Home.

Our family was not allowed to see Craig for a month. When we finally visited, it was raining. “Song Sung Blue” played on the radio. My family’s hearts mirrored the rain as we visited with Craig. My father decided that doctors do not know best, and Craig came home with us that very day. My family never looked back.

Ask Dr. Lo – The Benefits of Meditation

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by Dr. Thomas K. Lo, Advanced Chiropractic & Nutritional Healing Center

Meditation is a mind and body practice that has a long history of use for increasing calmness and physical relaxation, improving psychological balance, coping with illness, and enhancing overall health and well-being. Mind and body practices focus on the interactions among the brain, mind, body, and behavior.

Many studies have looked at how meditation may be helpful for a variety of conditions, such as high blood pressure, stress, certain psychological disorders, and pain. A number of studies also have helped researchers learn how meditation may work and how it affects the brain.

While there are many definitions of mindfulness, one that encompasses the basic idea is “a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment.” Being present involves acknowledging and accepting your feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, while not being overly reactive or overwhelmed by them.

What Is the Difference Between Mindfulness and Meditation?

Meditation is an ancient practice, and there are many ways to meditate—mindfulness being one of them.

There are usually four elements in common with all meditative practices. The first is being in a quiet location with as few distractions as possible. The second is being in a specific, comfortable posture (sitting, lying down, walking, or in other positions). The third is focusing your attention (a specially chosen word or set of words, an object, or the sensations of the breath). The fourth practice is having an open attitude (letting distractions come and go naturally without judging them).

What Science Studies are Finding About the Effectiveness of Meditation?

Many studies have investigated meditation for different conditions. There is evidence that it reduces blood pressure, as well as symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and flare-ups in people who have had ulcerative colitis. It also is helpful for symptoms of anxiety and depression and for helping people with insomnia.

In a 2016 NCCIH-funded study, adults ages 20 to 70 who had chronic low-back pain received one of the following treatments: either mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), or traditional care. The MBSR and CBT participants had a similar level of improvement, and it was greater than those who got traditional care, including long after the training ended.

Results of a 2009 NCCIH-funded trial involving 298 university students suggest that practicing Transcendental Meditation lowers the blood pressure of people at increased risk of developing high blood pressure.

The findings also suggested that practicing meditation helps with psychological distress, anxiety, depression, anger/hostility, and coping ability.

A 2014 literature review of 47 trials of 3,515 participants suggested that mindfulness meditation programs show evidence of improving anxiety and depression.  A 2012 review of 36 trials found that 25 of them reported better outcomes for symptoms of anxiety in the meditation groups compared to control groups.

In a small, NCCIH-funded study, 54 adults with chronic insomnia learned mindfulness-based stress reduction, showing a significantly greater reduction in insomnia severity compared with non-meditative procedures.

A 2014 research review suggested that mind and body practices, including meditation, reduce chemical identifiers of inflammation and show promise in helping to regulate the immune system.

Results from a 2013 NCCIH-supported study involving 49 adults suggest that eight weeks of mindfulness training may reduce stress-induced inflammation better than a health program that includes physical activity, education about diet, and music therapy.

Some research has also suggested that meditation may physically change the brain and body and could potentially help to improve many health problems and promote healthy behaviors.

   In a 2012 study, researchers compared brain images from 50 adults who meditate and 50 adults who do not meditate. Results suggested that people who practiced meditation for many years have more folds in the outer layer of the brain. This may increase the brain’s ability to process information.

In addition, a 2013 review of three studies suggests that meditation may slow, stall, or even reverse changes that take place in the brain due to normal aging.

What Are the Basics of Mindfulness Meditation?

People practice mindfulness meditation in order to become intentional and aware of their thoughts and surroundings. While mindfulness meditation can be a formal practice in which you sit down in silence with your eyes closed, you can also practice in many other ways, such as paying closer attention to the things you do each day, rather than multitasking or being distracted.

Here is what you can expect when practicing mindfulness:

     Rather than completing tasks while “going through the motions,” daydreaming or zoning out, instead you practice focusing on what you are actually doing and feeling. You notice your thoughts and emotions, rather than letting your mind wander.

     The idea is to be aware of what you are experiencing right now, rather than reviewing the past or planning for future events.

     During guided mindfulness meditation, you typically keep your focus on something constant, such as your breath or sounds in your environment. Your exact focal point varies depending on the meditation techniques you are using.

     You may choose to focus on a prayer, chant, or an image in your mind, a candle flame or a religious image. For example, in transcendental meditation, you repeat a mantra to yourself silently, which serves as your focal point, while in Vipassana meditation (one of the oldest Buddhist meditation practices), you usually fixate your attention on your breath.

     While trying to pay attention to the object in focus, you listen to your own thoughts without being caught up in them. You notice how thoughts continuously pop up but then leave or change if you do not follow them.

     You use the practice to gain self-awareness. Rather than trying to stop your thoughts or judge them, you approach them with curiosity and compassion.

How To Start

Here is how to practice mindfulness if you are a beginner, using a basic meditation technique that focuses your awareness on your breath:

     Start by deciding how long you want to practice. In the beginning, it is recommended that you stick to short but consistent sessions, such as 5 or 10 minutes per day, in order to build a habit. As you advance, you may want to meditate for as long as 20 to 60 minutes daily.

     Choose a location where you are comfortable and undistracted.

     Decide which posture works best for you, choosing one that allows you to feel comfortable but alert. You may want to sit with crossed legs and a straight spine or lay down, but keep in mind that the goal is not to fall asleep. You can also use a chair, a meditation cushion, bolster, blanket, etc.

     Keep your body relaxed, eyes either closed or slightly open but soft, and arms loosely dangled by your side. Try to relax your muscles but not to hunch or stiffen your back or neck.

     Bring your attention to your breath, focusing on the sounds, feelings in your body, or anything else that grabs your attention regarding your breath.

     This is when your mind will start to wander, which is expected and normal. Gently return your attention to your breath. Your mind will likely keep generating thoughts that distract you, but the whole point of the meditation is to practice observing your thoughts without needing to react.

     No matter how much your attention keeps drifting away from your breath, try not to judge yourself or give up. When time is up, take a moment to notice how your body feels and any change in your emotions. Pause for a few moments and notice if you feel any more clarity or calmness.

If you are struggling with health issues, call the Advanced Chiropractic & Nutritional Healing Center at 240-651-1650 for a free consultation. Dr. Lo will demonstrate Nutritional Response Testing® to analyze the body and determine the underlying causes of ill or non-optimum health.

The office is located at 7310 Grove Road #107, Frederick, MD. Check out the website at www.doctorlo.com.

the health jeanne

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jEanne Angleberger, Shaklee Associate for a Healthier Life

Are there health benefits to having a professional facial? You know the benefits if you’ve had one. You feel them during and following the facial. It is a great way to find out how your skin is reacting to outside and inside elements like pollution, hormones, and stress.

Getting a facial steam can help increase the circulation of blood in the face. It also opens up the pores and cleanses your skin thoroughly.

It can help reduce stress. A facial puts you in a very relaxed state. Until you experience the process of this wonderful feeling, it is unknown as to how wonderful and relaxed you can feel. It relaxes the senses, nerves, and muscles. There are hundreds of pressure points on your face that are connected to various systems in your body.

Getting a deep cleansing of the facial skin increases circulation. A facial can detoxify, exfoliate, and hydrate. It leaves you feeling rejuvenated.

Keeping your skin healthy is a part of anti-aging. You’ll notice a younger look and feel to your face immediately after the facial. Regular facials boost cell regeneration and promote collagen development.

Our skin is exposed to all types of environmental toxins every day. Your face needs a way to recover from these. Even if you cleanse and wash your face every day, you need facials to detoxify it.

Your skin is the largest organ and a direct reflection of internal healthiness.

In addition, you’ll benefit from the massaging of the head and neck area and the arms and hands.

Your skin type (oily, dry, prone to acne, etc), the condition of your skin, your skincare goals, and your budget will determine how often you should get a facial. Consult a Licensed Esthetician. It is important to learn the healthiness of your facial skin. This treatment is very beneficial. Only you’ll know how it feels and looks!