by Kaye Mindar
I hate to confess, but this year finds me once again awake in the early hours of the morning; by the fire and Christmas tree. I suppose I would not be my mother’s daughter if I did not still have presents to sew and gifts to wrap closing in on the countdown to Christmas morning. I have been taught to enjoy each day – each moment - to its fullest, even if the dishes and laundry waits for another hour.
There is a song on the radio that harmonizes the words “A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year… I hope it’s a good one without any fear.” At first I wondered how strange to say the word “fear,” then I realized that fear is probably second only to love as the strongest of human emotion. We all have to overcome fear to ever get anything or anywhere in this life. We may never have gone on to higher education, loved, married, had children, gained a career, moved, or made any other decision without first overcoming a fear. We also may be held back by fear to forgive or ask forgiveness, to teach, to stand up for our beliefs or to allow ourselves to love life and live it to its fullest. So my holiday wish for you once again is: have a wonderful holiday and a happy New Year. I hope it’s a good one, without any fear.
Christmas Dinner
Santa made it to Luna safely last Friday evening after a wonderful dinner at the Luna L.D.S. Church and greeted both children and adults with Christmas spirit and good cheer. Many thanks go to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Luna Ward and to Idonna Bradford and all who helped make the evening go so well.
Food Bank Boxes
Another special recognition of thanks goes out to Keith and Jamie Spiller and Ali Gray who work so diligently each month in organizing and making sure so many families of our community have the extra food they need with commodities from the New Mexico food bank. Keith and Jamie went the extra holiday mile and delivered many boxes to homes themselves last Friday evening.
Preparedness Corner
During this holiday season please take care to remember the 10 rules of safe food handling:
• Rub-a-Dub-Dub: Always wash your hands with hot soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food.
• 2-Hour Rule: Refrigerate or freeze perishables, prepared food and leftovers within 2 hours. Do not leave them sitting out at room temperature.
• Thaw Law: Always thaw food in the refrigerator. Never defrost food at room temperature on the countertop.
• Temperature's Rising: Cook food to the proper internal temperature and check for doneness with a thermometer.
• Cutting Edge Clean: Wash cutting boards and knives with hot soapy water after food preparation, especially after cutting raw meat, poultry or seafood. Sanitize cutting boards and counters with a dilute bleach solution - Add 2/3 cup bleach to a gallon of water; put in a spray bottle for easy use.
• Raw Deal: Never place food on the same plate or cutting board that previously held raw meat, poultry or seafood unless the cutting board has been thoroughly washed.
• The Eyes Have It: Use visual signs of doneness when a thermometer is not used:
Steam rises from food.
Clear juices run from meat and poultry, not pink.
Pork, veal and poultry are white inside, not pink or red.
Shellfish is opaque and fish flakes easily with a fork.
Egg yolks are firm, not runny, and egg whites are opaque.
• Bottom Line: Store raw meat, poultry and seafood tightly wrapped on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. This prevents the raw juices from dripping on other food.
•Mindful Marinating: Always marinate food in the refrigerator, not on the countertop. Discard leftover marinades that have been used with raw meat, poultry or seafood.
• Towel Turnover: Replace and wash dish towels and sponges often to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria throughout the kitchen. Use paper towels to dry washed hands after handling raw foods.
Quote of the Week
“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt creep in. Forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it well and serenely.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
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