NOVEMBER 2023

Greetings Tony,

"November comes and November goes,

With the last red berries and the first white snows.

With night coming early, and dawn coming late,

And ice in the bucket and frost by the gate.

The fires burn and the kettles sing,

And earth sinks to rest until next spring."

~ Elizabeth Coatsworth

The holidays are fast approaching and Kitchen Angels is ready to welcome new volunteers through our doors! As we continue to grow, we need more volunteers to cook and deliver delicious meals to our homebound neighbors. We always need extra help in the kitchen leading up to Thanksgiving so we can prepare a truly sumptuous holiday feast for our clients. The sign up sheet will be in the volunteer room soon. If you have friends or family who you think would enjoy the benefit that comes from volunteering, please let us know so we can sign them up.

If you will be away during the week of Thanksgiving, (or anytime in December), and won't be able to cover a scheduled shift, please tell Crystal sooner rather than later so she can fill all vacancies. We typically have a good influx of visiting volunteers in November and December, so don't worry - you'll be covered. If you have family coming into town and want to bring them along to help, there will certainly be opportunities for that as well.

In addition to volunteer shifts cooking and delivering meals, we also have opportunities for larger groups to come in and wrap gifts for our Spirit of Giving project. Although we'll have members of the Entrepreneurs' Organization coming in to help (see below), we'll still have plenty of two-hour shifts when your group can gather and wrap presents for our homebound clients. This is such a lovely way to show our clients that we care. We send out the gift boxes mid-December so they have gifts to unwrap for whatever holiday they choose to celebrate. We often hear from our clients that ours were the only gifts they received during the holidays.

Please contact Dwayne by email or phone (505) 471-7780 x 204 to sign up for a shift. Spread the word to businesses and community groups. This is the one time during the year when we can accommodate larger groups of volunteers all at once.

Kitchen Angels is grateful for all the hard work our volunteers contribute throughout the entire year. Keep up the great work and spread the word!

November is National Caregiving Appreciation Month. Kitchen Angels not only feeds homebound clients who qualify for our services, but we also deliver meals to their caregivers. We currently have several husbands on service who are the primary caregiver for their disabled wives.

Those who give care to aging parents, family members who are ill, or disabled children already know that caregiving can be overwhelming and stressful. Kitchen Angels tries to lighten the load a bit for them so they can spend more quality time tending to the ones they love and give themselves a bit of care, as well.

If you are a caregiver, it's important to schedule some time for yourself to rest and recuperate. Here are some ideas from Harvard Medical School about self-care practices, which will help you feel more balanced and focused.

If you know a caregiver who can use a break, gift them with a massage, a soak in a hot tub, or take them out for a walk in nature. Here’s a list from the Alzheimer’s Association of 100+ ways to support the caregivers in your life. Take your pick – but it's always best to first ask what type of help will make the most difference to them.

"Tonight’s dinner was the Best Ever! Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who worked on it. It was OUTRAGEOUS!”  ~Karyn G

“I just wanted to express how much I love your new Chef. They're just awesome, and I appreciate them very much. As I do all of you, you’re all my angels. Thank you.”

 ~Denise T

“Fabulous! You guys really cook! It’s been an amazing experience and all the (Kitchen) Angels have blessed me. Nothing quite beats hearing a knock on the door and having someone deliver your dinner!" ~Carol E

"Today’s vegetarian meal is the best Kitchen Angels meal I’ve ever had – and they’ve all been delicious! Your Chef is the Best!" ~Mary M.

"I feel so blessed to be receiving Kitchen Angels meals and love. All the drivers are wonderful. So grateful! I value the friendly delivery contact. Living alone, no family, it eases the isolation." ~Jesus C.

Where the Rubber Meets the Road

Kitchen Angels delivery drivers are the volunteers who typically have the most face-to-face contact with our clients. And while we regularly share comments and stories from clients about the impact of our program or their interactions with delivery drivers, we don't always stop to reflect on the impact clients have on drivers or the many small ways our drivers help clients beyond simply delivering meals.

We'd like to change that. Here's a note from Ginger Sloan, one of our Friday delivery drivers:

"Recently, my client, Melissa, was worried that her favorite plants that were in a large, heavy wooden planter would freeze in the anticipated cold weather. She was not feeling well and felt that she could not do anything about the situation. Being a gardener myself, I offered to repot her plants in separate containers and help carry them into her house. We were able to do so and she was very grateful. It was just a little thing, but I felt good about helping her and she appeared happy to get her dinner and something a little extra."

* * * * * * *

We want to hear from our delivery drivers about your experiences as a driver and how clients may have had an impact on you. Send your thoughts or stories to info@kitchenangels.org. Please let us know if we can use your name. Use the words "Driver Stories" in the subject line.

Thanksgiving is such an iconic American holiday, most of us don't realize that there was controversy surrounding the holiday during its early years. Here's a little of the holiday's history and some unusual facts with which you can impress your holiday dinner guests.

Although Americans had celebrated an annual day of giving thanks since the Pilgrims' arrival, it was not until October 1863 that Abraham Lincoln began the observance of Thanksgiving as an actual holiday. Prior to that, presidents had to declare Thanksgiving a holiday every year. However, Thomas Jefferson refused to recognize the event because he believed that, since Thanksgiving involved prayer and reflection, designating it a national holiday would violate the First Amendment. He also thought it was better suited as a state holiday, not a federal one.

Thanksgiving has not always been observed on the fourth Thursday of November. In 1939 Franklin Roosevelt moved the holiday back one week to allow more Christmas shopping days after the holiday in an effort to boost the economy. While retailers liked the change and had, in fact, lobbied the President to make the change, it was not well received and in 1942 Thanksgiving was moved back to the fourth Thursday. 

The United States isn't the only country to celebrate Thanksgiving. Canada has its own day of giving thanks to celebrate the English explorer Martin Frobisher's successful voyage from England to the Canadian territories in 1578. Canada's Thanksgiving is observed on the second Monday of October.

Some of the more obscure facts about the holiday include:

• The average number of calories consumed during the Thanksgiving meal ranges between 3,150 and 4,500. A healthy daily calorie intake is 2,000 for the average adult female and 2,500 for the average adult male.
• 13 percent of Americans plan to order takeout or go to a restaurant in lieu of preparing Thanksgiving dinner.
• Each year it is estimated that 46 million turkeys are cooked to provide the traditional holiday meal.
• As a result of all the Thanksgiving cooking and dishwashing (as well as houseguests stressing out plumbing systems), Roto-Rooter reports that kitchen drains, garbage disposals and toilets require more attention the day after Thanksgiving than any other day of the year.

And a few even more obscure facts about the holiday:

• In 1953, a Swanson Foods employee accidentally ordered a colossal shipment of 260 tons of Thanksgiving turkeys. To deal with the excess, salesman Gerry Thomas took inspiration from the prepared foods served on airplanes and came up with the idea of filling 5,000 aluminum trays with the turkey – along with cornbread dressing, gravy, peas and sweet potatoes. The 98-cent meals were a hit, especially with kids and increasingly busy households. Within a single year, over 10 million were sold and a whole industry was born.
• In November 1926, Vinnie Joyce of Nitta Yuma, Mississippi, sent President Calvin Coolidge a live raccoon to be served as Thanksgiving dinner. However, the President became so smitten with the furry animal that he pardoned it and adopted it as a pet. He named it Rebecca.

Come Shop KITCHENALITY

Folks know that Kitchenality is the ideal place to shop for unique gifts all year long. As the Christmas season begins, Kitchenality is the ideal place to find unique Christmas-themed holiday decorations as well as those perfect holiday gifts.

If you're having trouble selecting a gift for that person who has everything or if you're looking for a way to simplify your holiday shopping, a Kitchenality gift certificate is the solution. One hundred percent of every purchase supports our meal delivery program.

Come by the store and check out all the exciting holiday-themed items as well as the many beautiful and unique kitchen and tableware pieces. Store hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and Saturday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Kitchen Angels Recipe Box

Michelle's Roasted Butternut Squash

INGREDIENTS

1 Medium Butternut Squash

2 Tablespoons olive oil

2 Tablespoons melted butter

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon cracked black pepper – or ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon Herbs de Provence, Italian Seasoning, or other seasonings of choice

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees and grease a large baking sheet.
2. Peel the squash, slice down the middle and scoop out the seeds and innards – discard innards.
3. Chop into one-inch pieces and place in a large bowl.
4. Drizzle olive oil & melted butter over squash pieces and toss with a large spoon or hands to coat.
5. Add salt, pepper, and other seasonings and toss again to coat evenly.
6. Spread evenly on baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until squash is very tender and begins to brown on the edges. For a crispier texture bake a few minutes longer keeping a close eye not to burn.

Enjoy as a delicious side dish, add protein to make it a main dish, or add to a salad or soup.

* * * * * * *

If you'd like to contribute a recipe, send your selection to info@kitchenangels.org by the 15th of the month to be considered for inclusion in the next month's Halo Headlines. Use the word "Recipe" in the subject line and tell us your name, how long you've been volunteering with Kitchen Angels, and what your volunteer job is. If it's a "borrowed" recipe, give credit. If you have a photo, send it along.

We're always looking for volunteers and, with the holiday season now upon us, there will also be plenty of opportunities for substitute volunteers to fill in. If you're interested in a regular shift or to be placed on our substitute volunteer list, please contact Crystal Hena, Volunteer Coordinator.

Here are the latest opportunities:

Continuing Education

Researchers studying gratitude have found that expressing thankfulness not only improves health and happiness in both the individual giving and the individual receiving, it also has benefits for those who observe. Among the findings that researchers discovered:

• Gratitude unshackles us from toxic emotions;
• Gratitude helps even if you don’t share it;
• Gratitude’s benefits take time to have impact; and
• Gratitude has lasting effects on the brain.

You can learn more about the Ripple Effect of expressing gratitude from Greater Good Magazine.

We’ve all felt the personal glow of gratitude, and also seen its broader effect, when we witness an expression of gratitude. Kitchen Angels strives to be a place of positivity and generosity of spirit, and gratitude is a cornerstone of our work. These values make everyone around feel valued and lifted up. Volunteers feel it; clients feel it; staff feels it. Even donors and funders feel it.

The benefits of gratitude can especially shine when it is a two-way street - freely given and graciously received. When an earnest “thank you” is brushed away, not taken in, or dismissed as “no problem,” the person expressing thanks can feel unacknowledged or as if their appreciation didn’t matter. Many people have difficulty receiving gratitude . . . "awww . . . it was nothing." If “you’re welcome” doesn’t feel right, try “I know you’d do the same for me,” or “it was my pleasure.”

Taking in an expression of appreciation completes the circuit and can help build positive self-regard and social connection.

And in this spirit, thank you for all you do in support of Kitchen Angels and our clients. We couldn't do it without you!

Community Connections

Kitchen Angels is delighted to welcome the Entrepreneurs' Organization for their first time helping our Spirit of Giving. It will also be their first time visiting Santa Fe.

Founded in 1987 and with 220 chapters worldwide, the Entrepreneurs' Organization is dedicated to "making our mark and having an impact on our growing businesses, the communities we serve and operate in as well as our neighbors, families, friends and each other." Members will be flying in from Virginia, Ohio, Vermont and Michigan, as well as Guatemala, Kenya, and the Philippines to "help with whatever needs to be done."

It takes many hands to wrap all of the gifts for our clients and we look forward to greeting the members of the Entrepreneurs' Organization. If you'd like to learn more about the group, click here.

Thank You

Many thanks to all of you who joined us for the 2-millionth meal celebration. We had over 250 people join us for the event! Attendees toured the facility while dining on delicious food prepared by our own chef, Karen Price-Coberly and her husband William. Many thanks to the volunteers who helped Karen prepare the food, especially Maria Goldstein, who baked the fabulous cheesecakes! Karen and Will worked extra hard to make sure the food was top-notch.

Amanda from Land of Decals and Photography captured some great photos during the event. Click here to check out the gallery.