Culligan Water of the Low Country - March 2021

Culligan Water of the Low Country - March 2021

Reflecting on 4 Generations THE CULLIGAN MAN AND HIS FAMILY WATER WISE OF THE LOW COUNTRY 2021 MARCH

In last month’s edition, I talked about how I became the Culligan man, the history of Culligan Water of the Low Country, and how I came to own it. I also mentioned that I work alongside my son, Christopher, making our enterprise much like other Culligan franchises, which are often run by second- or third- generation family members. I come from a close-knit family, so working with a company that values family and community connection is important to me. Now that Christopher and my daughter, Sarah, are adults and have started their own families, my wife, Anne, and I have welcomed even more people into our original family of four. Christopher got married back in September, so we officially welcomed his wife, Rachel, into the Lane clan. They live nearby in Bluffton, so we get to see them frequently.

rule, too, because their kids, our grandchildren, change fast! Coleman is 4 years old, and Caroline is almost 2. We love any time we get to spend with our family, but there’s one Lane family tradition my father started (and I’m continuing) that is an especially good time: hanging out by the family pool. I wanted to name our backyard swimming hole “Papa’s pool,” but to be truthful, it’s really Coleman’s pool. He loves the water, doing cannonballs, and just hanging out poolside watching cartoons in the mornings that he spends at our house. (Yes, I put a TV out there. What can I say? It’s one of our favorite hangout spots!) Caroline is still young, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she also becomes a fish. She loves doing whatever her big brother is doing, and when he’s at our house — and the weather is nice — that’s splashing around in the pool out back. This reminds me so much of my own childhood growing up in New York. I have fond memories of my mom and dad taking us out to Bracket Lake to swim on the weekends, but in 1968, we put in a pool in our backyard, and there was no longer a need to daytrip for a swim. My childhood home was already the hub for the neighbor kids who were my friends, but once we got the pool, we always had people at our house swimming, playing games, and enjoying weekend cookouts. Once I got married and had kids of my own, Anne and I would take them to my parents’ house to swim all the time in the summer. Now, the tradition continues at our home in Hilton Head with our kids and grandkids. You’ll hear more about my family in the coming months, but for now, I’m happy to have the chance to at least get to introduce the members of the Lane clan. They all play a role in supporting me and keeping this local business running strong. –Chris Lane

Sarah and her family live a few hours away, but my wife, Anne, has a rule that we can’t go more than three weeks without seeing them. It’s a good

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IMPROVE YOUR ATTENTION SPAN And Transform Your Life!

Since the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world last year, many things have gotten shorter, like school days and our patience. But perhaps the main thing that’s grown shorter for all of us is our attention spans. In 2019, researchers from the Technical University of Denmark reported that our collective attention span is indeed narrowing — and it may be because we’re bombarded with tons of information that we don’t want to “miss out” on, whether we’re scrolling through Facebook or finding new videos on YouTube. Unfortunately, a poor attention span can affect us in many ways. It may impact our performance at school or work or cause communication difficulties in relationships. It may even result in poor health related to self- neglect and an inability to practice healthy habits.

How do you fix it? Is it even possible to improve your attention span? Yes, you can! But it will take time. Here are a few ways you can get started.

First, accept that you may make yourself a little mentally uncomfortable while expanding your attention span. It simply won’t feel natural to focus on a single task for a longer period of time than normal, but, with a routine, it’ll get more comfortable as time goes on.

Second, give the Pomodoro method a try. Named after a tomato- shaped timer that its creator used, the Pomodoro method has gained a lot of attention over the years as a brain workout, and it’s a great way to slowly expand your attention span while accomplishing tasks. To get started, think of a small task. Then, set a timer to 25 minutes (or longer, if your attention span will allow). Work on your task for 25 minutes straight. Then, take a five-minute break. After the break, repeat the process. After four rounds, take a break of 15–20 minutes. Congratulations, you’ve used the Pomodoro method, which you can repeat as many times as you want. It’s very handy for getting your tasks finished in a flash, despite any attention span issues! Third, meditate, work out, or adopt new educational interests. Anything that keeps your brain, body, and spirit engaged can help you learn how to focus better. There’s plenty of research that shows the benefits of meditation and exercise to your focus — the trick is exploration. Not every form of meditation, exercise routine, or hobby will work for you, so don’t give up right away! Stay curious and keep exploring. We’re living in a technological age where we can learn almost anything and reach almost anyone at the tap of a button, so we have to learn how to create opportunities for ourselves. We hope these tips help you get started!

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DO SOMETHING BETTER IN THE GARDEN 3 Ways to Improve Your Harvest

Go With the Flow

There’s something beautiful about cultivating your own harvest, but you can grow more than simple backyard vegetables. Help your garden “grow up” by trying something unique this spring.

Creating a year-round garden that practically takes care of itself means using principles of permaculture, a philosophy of working with, rather than against, nature. Start by analyzing your space and yard. Determine your soil type and layer mulch or cover crops to protect it. Then, begin planting the same way that’s found in nature — trees grow at the top, shrubs and bushes are below, and other small plants and vines intermingle within. Choose crops that help each other grow (like corn, beans, and squash), and offer aid to your garden without digging up too much soil or disturbing its natural process. Permaculture gardening requires thoughtful planning, but once your crops are in place, nature will take its course.

Plant for Your Health

Mass production of your favorite fruits and vegetables reduces their key nutrients. Instead, choose fresh, home-grown varieties to yield greater health benefits. This is good news for those living with heart disease, joint disorders, or other chronic conditions. You can grow a garden chock full of nutrient-rich foods! Colorful fruits, root veggies, onions, and beans are great for joint health, while leafy greens can boost heart health. Grow pumpkins so you can harvest the seeds for better brain function, while berries can support your liver.

Grow Fun Foods

We plant gardens for a purpose, so why not make it fun! Plant fresh basil, tomatoes, onions, peppers, oregano, and more to create a garden worthy of your next homemade pizza. All you will need to buy is the crust! Pumpkin plants can offer fresh gourds for any Halloween fanatic, while new species of fruits and vegetables can create an exciting home-cooking experience. Try the silver cucumber for a sweet taste or pineberries for a mix between strawberries and pineapples. You just might find a new flavor you love. TAKE A BREAK

Before you dig into these new gardening methods, consult with an expert at a nursery or greenhouse to get the best possible results.

ASPARAGUS AND SMOKED MOZZARELLA PIZZETTES

Ingredients

Directions

• 1 lb prepared whole-wheat pizza dough, divided into 6 equal portions • 12 oz asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 1/4 tsp salt • 1 cup shredded smoked mozzarella cheese • 1/3 cup scallions, thinly sliced • 2 tbsp walnuts, toasted and chopped • 1 sprig of fresh mint leaves, torn • Zest of 1 orange

1. Preheat oven to 500 F and ensure there are two racks in your oven. 2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, stretch each piece of dough into a 7-by-3-inch oval and arrange evenly on the pan. 3. On a second baking sheet, toss asparagus with oil and 1/4 tsp salt. 4. Place dough on top rack and asparagus on bottom and bake for 3 minutes. 5. Remove both trays from the oven, sprinkle cheese over the dough, then top with asparagus and scallions. 6. Return pizzettes to oven and bake until the crusts’ edges are golden, about 8–10 minutes. 7. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with walnuts, mint, and orange zest before serving.

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20B Cardinal Rd. Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 (843) 418-0724 • culliganhhi.com

OF THE LOW COUNTRY

INSIDE

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Learn More About Your Local Culligan Man

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How to Improve Your Attention Span!

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Make Gardening Better With These 3 Ideas Asparagus & Smoked Mozzarella Pizzettes

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3 Simple Hand Exercises to Avoid Cramps

STOP CRAMPING PALMS With 3 Simple Hand Exercises

Hand health is so easy to take for granted — but the minute we start to lose it, we realize just how important it is. If you’re using your hands to type, scroll on your phone, or do other repetitive motions every single day, this can cause problems later on. Luckily there are some simple hand exercises you can do to keep your joints healthy! A quick tip before we get started: If your hands are feeling painful or stiff, try warming them up with heating pads or soaking them in warm water before your exercises. This will make it easier to stretch and move them. No. 1: Finger Stretch You want to be able to use your hands pain-free and with flexibility. Finger stretches help ensure that’s the case for a lifetime. To relieve pain and improve the range of motion in your hands, first, place the heels of your hands on a flat surface. Then, gently straighten your fingers until they are as flat as possible — but don’t force your joints. Hold for 30–60 seconds. Repeat at least four times with each hand. No. 2: Finger Lift To increase your range of motion and flexibility in your fingers, put your hand in a flat, finger stretch position. But instead of focusing on keeping

your hand as flat as possible, try gently lifting one finger at a time

before slowly lowering them. You can also lift all your fingers and thumbs at once, then lower. Repeat for 8–12 times on each hand.

No. 3: Thumb Touch Almost all of our tasks require some coordination between our fingers and thumbs. That’s what this exercise is all about. Press the tips of your thumb and index finger to form an “o” shape with your hand. Create the same shape with your thumb and middle finger. Hold for 30–60 seconds. Repeat this with the rest of your fingers, then do the whole exercise for a total of four times. Going through this workout routine might seem unusual at first, but considering how important our hands are to our daily lives and communication, you certainly won’t regret keeping them in shape. Happy stretching!

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