Visiting Angels - December 2020

Visiting Angels - December 2020

December 2020

5274 Scotts Valley Dr., #102 Scotts Valley, CA 95066 831-430-0616 www.VisitingAngels.com/CentralCoast 229 Reindollar Ave., Suite E Marina, CA 93933 831-392-0876

A

e

S

The Value of a Day

The trick is to find what works for you . It might not be walking in nature, as it is for me. I knew a woman who would sit in bed at night just before she fell asleep and “put the day to bed.” She would walk through what she did right after she woke up that morning, then what she did next, then what she did after that. For her, this was a way to catalog her memories. She found value in the meditative practice of intuitively reflecting on the day she lived. Giving yourself something nourishing throughout your day is a powerful gift — a practice that takes time to perfect but is worth the effort. And we can help you! If you want to find a way to add more value to your day or find a way to nourish your soul, just ask your Visiting Angels caregiver! Sometimes it’s easier to commit to something new when you have someone supporting you. Finding What Nourishes Your Soul Each Day

I’ve been thinking about time a lot lately. Even though life has slowed down considerably during the pandemic, time seems to be moving fast. I remember visiting friends and family, going out to dinner, and traveling before the pandemic. Those moments seem to have moved at a much slower pace. Today, everything moves so fast, even as life has become more routine. As I’ve reflected on that phenomenon, I did a little reading and found that it is something psychologists have been trying to explain for years. There are multiple theories, but the one that sticks out to me the most is the idea that creating new experiences causes time to slow down. New memories are unique. These are new and exciting, and as Dr. Ronald E. Riggio writes in Psychology Today, the mundane and routine parts of our life seem to fly by because we’re not creating novel experiences that stand out. Of course, memory is fickle. Our brains remember more than we think they do, and some memories aren’t even that profound. But what often sticks out are unique moments — something that strikes us as different from our normal routine. Our child’s first words signal the start of an active, vocal childhood.

We likely remember those words more than we remember what they said on a random September morning before school because those first words were unique and a deviation from the routine. So, how do we add value to our days, especially as we age and routine becomes more common? This can be a very personal question, and to answer it, I believe we have to ask ourselves what makes a day “good.” For me, it’s doing something fun. I used to think I had to wait until I finished all my work before I could have fun, but I found that I just kept working and working without ever scheduling time for myself. So, I made a promise to myself. I dedicate one day each weekend to doing something just for me. I go for a walk by the beach. I had dinner with family or friends when it was safe to do so. I settle onto the couch with a good book or movie. I’ve made a commitment to add fun into my life, and that adds value to my days. Personally, I enjoy the days I go for a hike or walk in nature the most. I find the crisp air refreshing and relaxing. I’ll see a family of deer or watch wildlife skitter along the woods and contemplate just how connected life is. It’s a meditative experience.

If you can start, I know you will discover a newfound value in your days.

Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday season! Stay safe, and be well,

Cindy Saunders, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

831-430-0616 | 1

Personalized Homecare ... When You Need It ... From People You Trust!

5 Ways to Make Your Holiday Extra Eco-Friendly This Year

Sustainability is the gift that keeps on giving, so if you’d like to give a gift to the environment this December, make your holidays anti-plastic! Here are five ways that you can use the latest eco- friendly technology to make sure your Christmas is just as convenient as ever. Set up recycling bins. Nobody wants to sort through trash on their holiday, especially if you’re hosting all the parties! To avoid dealing with the waste, set up recycling and composting bins before any home holiday festivities. It’ll make your next trip to a local recycling center so much faster because everything will be organized and easier to manage. Use paper containers for leftovers. Give your celebration a restaurant- from-home feel by storing and giving away leftovers in paper containers

rather than plastic. Paper will dissolve and leave behind much less chemical residue than plastic. Want to make it look extra posh? Stamp the exterior with the family initials! Change up your gift wrap. Why use wrapping paper every year when you can make your packaging extra interesting, colorful, and creative? Use newspapers, magazines, comics, posters, maps, or even art by your kids to conceal your gifts this year.

culture’s customs and serve your food on local ingredients, like palm leaves, coconuts, or wood. Localize as much as possible. If you can buy ingredients like fresh meat or vegetables from local farms, you won’t use as much plastic packaging and you’ll support small businesses at the same time! Never buy one-use plastics if you don’t have to. For every holiday tradition, ask yourself: Can I reduce, reuse, or recycle any components to this? We hope you have a happy, eco- friendly holiday!

Rent, borrow, or rethink your tableware.

If you’re missing proper tableware for your holiday celebration, don’t despair — some companies will actually let you rent out their dishes for your special evening! You can also borrow tableware from friends and family. But you don’t have to use metal tableware. Try following another

3 Gift-Giving Tips Ah, the holidays. It’s a time of sweet treats, family, and giving back — and sometimes giving a little too much. When it comes to the perfect holiday gift, many people spend too much money. The average American spends nearly $1,000 on gifts during the December holidays alone!

That Won’t Kill Your Savings

the tree. Instead, look to your own talents as a clue to what you should give. If you’re a great crafter, create something unique for the people on your list. If you can offer the gift of time, provide a free night of babysitting for your friends with kids or an experience at the local theater. These gifts have a bonus factor: Recipients love the gift when they open it, and they love it when they get to use it! Set a budget — and stick to it. Setting a holiday budget ensures you only spend what you can afford. It also narrows down your search. If you choose to buy your neighbor something, but they aren’t your top priority, set their budget at a lower level, like $25–$50. If you have a sibling who has had a rough year and you’d like to make their holidays a little brighter, bump their budget up. This narrows the focus of what you’re looking for so you don’t stumble into something you can’t afford.

It’s possible to cut back and make it to January without major debt. Here’s how.

Check your list — twice! The list is going to be your secret weapon to tackling the holidays with your savings still intact. Start by writing down the name of every person you’d like to get a gift for. Now, with the exception of your immediate family members, narrow the names down to your top five — top 10 if you’re really popular. Now, place the names of the people who didn’t make the cut into a second list. If you still feel the need to do something for them, send homemade cookies or a handwritten note instead of purchasing something. This limits how much you actually have to spend! Think beyond store-bought or expensive items. Sure, everyone wants this holiday season’s “it” item, but sometimes the best gifts don’t even come wrapped under

Ultimately, it’s the spirit of giving during the holidays that makes them so rewarding. With a little ingenuity, you can be generous and avoid the stress of excess debt come January.

2

| www.VisitingAngels.com/CentralCoast

You CAN Learn Something New! HOBBIES FOR ALL AGES

Help Others You could be sitting on the talent a local nonprofit organization needs! If you love

We think it’s nonsense to claim you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. There’s nothing stopping you from learning a new hobby — no matter how old you are! Plus, there’s scientific evidence that proves learning something new is like exercise for your brain.

animals, connect with an animal rescue about fostering or cleaning. Other nonprofits are always in need of

So, find your next great adventure with this handy guide!

Record Your Story Whether you prefer to record your life’s story on audio or video or you’re handier with pen and paper, get to work detailing the stories of your childhood, how you met your spouse, and what you’ve enjoyed most as a parent, grandparent, employee, business owner, or friend. You could even record your family’s story through a cookbook or scrapbook! Everyone has a story worth sharing, and even your most mundane tales will be a treasure for your family. Try a New Hobby If you’ve always wanted to learn how to play the piano or you have an affinity for the French language, now is the time to learn. Podcasts, YouTube videos, books, and local or online classes offer a plethora of options for learners of all types. There’s value in trying, even if you find out you were never meant to be a musician or bilingual speaker.

office administrative support and organization skills. If you miss working, you can put your talents to use and stay active.

Work With Your Hands This is perfect for anyone who has always wanted to be a little more creative, and it can be extremely beneficial for those with cognitive issues. Researchers have found that art can be therapeutic for those experiencing memory or cognitive decline. Building puzzles, woodworking, painting, making pottery, cooking, and even knitting or crocheting can be the perfect outlet to shut off your mind, get creative, and let your brain flex its muscle. If Visiting Angels can help you turn your hobby dreams into a reality, just ask us how we can incorporate your hobby into your care plan! Nothing pulls together a salad quite like a delicious Caesar dressing. This easy vegan recipe takes just five minutes to make and keeps for 5–7 days in the fridge. Ingredients • 1/4 cup hummus • 5 cloves garlic, minced SIMPLE VEGAN CAESAR DRESSING

Sudoku

• 2 tsp capers, minced • 3 tsp caper brining juice • 1 tbsp olive oil • Salt and pepper, to taste • Hot water, as needed

• 1 tsp spicy mustard • 1 tbsp lemon juice • 1/2 tsp lemon zest

Directions 1. In a small bowl, add all ingredients and whisk to combine. 2. If needed, add a bit of hot water to thin the dressing until it will pour. 3. Serve with salad or refrigerate for later! Inspired by MinimalistBaker.com

831-430-0616 | 3

Personalized Homecare ... When You Need It ... From People You Trust!

5274 Scotts Valley Dr., #102 Scotts Valley, CA 95066 24/7 831-430-0616

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Scotts Valley Office Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday–Friday

www.VisitingAngels.com/CentralCoast Home Care Organization #444700002

Inside

1

Finding Value in Every Day

2

5 Ways to Make Your Holiday Extra Eco‑Friendly This Year 3 Fool-Proof Ways to Pay for the Holidays Without Going Broke

3

You’re Never Too Old to Find Your Passion! Simple Vegan Caesar Dressing

4

Check Out What’s Going On at the Library!

Check Out the Library!

Virtual Events Hosted by Our Favorite Community Spot

Passionate Readers Book Discussion Group When: Thursday, Dec. 17 from 10:30 a.m. to noon Where: Online via Zoom Admission: Free

There’s always something going on at the library, even if those events have to be online. This December, don’t miss some great events by checking out this lineup! Drop-In Mindfulness Where: Via Zoom or phone When: Every Wednesday from

must register at least one hour prior to each session. You can learn more at MontereyPL.LibCal.com or call 831-646-3933. Naturalist Night: Wetlands When: Tuesday, Dec. 15 from 6–7 p.m. Where: Online Admission: Free Get outside without leaving your home! At each Naturalist Night session, Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History’s Marisa Gomez takes participants on an adventure through native habitats to educate the public about our local landscape. This month, Gomez leads participants through the wetlands and their impact and conservation efforts. Registration is required. Nature enthusiasts can learn more at SantaCruzPL.LibCal.com or call 831-427-7713.

Every fourth Thursday of

12:15–12:45 p.m. Admission: Free

the month, the La Selva Beach Adult Book Discussion Group meets to discuss a book the group has read together. It’s a great way to decompress after a good book and share your thoughts with others. This month, the group is diving into the wonderful world of poetry! Attendees are invited to bring their own poems to share. All adults are welcome, but registration is required. Visit SantaCruzPL.LibCal.com or call 831-427-7713 to learn more!

We could all use a few moments of peace. Take time to meditate with guided sessions every Wednesday, as presented by the Monterey Public Library. Professional meditation and mindfulness practitioners will guide participants through a relaxing meditative experience. All experience levels are welcome, and there’s no need to join in person! This event takes place entirely over Zoom or the phone. Participants

4

| www.VisitingAngels.com/CentralCoast