Author: Kacie Cotter-Harrigan
Free Yourself from the Food Fight
“Using force, overriding intuition, undervaluing heart consciousness, berating myself into submission, or changing because I think it’s going to prove my worth, are no longer options for me. Living under those belief systems has created such negative consequences in my life that whenever I can, I try for the most loving, gentle, and allowing path. The path of least resistance.” – from “Mindfulness – An Introduction,” an eBook by personal trainer and wellness coach Allison Petroski.
As if this year wasn’t already stressful enough, now are the holiday feasts and for many of us, the months when battling the bulge becomes a daily tug-of-war.
“I would love to allow people to let themselves off the hook a little. To tell them they don’t have to radically transform their lives at this time, to take the pressure off,” said Allison Petroski.
SOOTHING THE SENSES WITH SELF-LOVE
For almost a decade, Allison struggled with eating disorders. Anorexic and bulimic in her teens and early twenties, by her mid-20’s she’d stopped exercising and gained 50 lbs.
It was a low point that led her to an out-of-the-box diet plan – a system of making healthier food choices by first calming the nervous system through emotional, mental, physical, spiritual care, mindful living, and self-love.
“Soothing the nervous system is the key to shifting how you experience your entire life.”
LOVE IT TO TRANSFORM IT
Allison’s experience as a personal trainer and wellness coach, as well as a group fitness instructor at the Saratoga Springs Branch of the Saratoga Regional YMCA, combined with the advice from international motivational speakers including Louise Hay, Pema Condron, and Abraham Hicks, has informed her unique relationship to food and exercise – a system where you love the body to transform it.
“Stress, anxiety and depression are huge contributors to anxiety, depression, and mental unrest. There are all these emotions around self-acceptance, the negative self-talk, and why we use food as a coping mechanism, that there’s often such a disconnect between our mind and our body that we don’t tune in to our own hunger and fullness cues. It seems like a very simple act to know when we’re hungry, but it actually takes an immense amount of wisdom and connection,” said Allison.
GET FREE FROM FOOD OBSESSION
Allison has helped many of her clients lose 50 to 100 lbs. but the weight-loss is really a side-effect of the healthier mindset she teaches them how to develop.
“What people are most excited about is that they achieve a level of freedom from the obsessive quality that food and weight have on our brains and that they can bring into our lives,” she said.
If you want help identifying your own unhealthy patterns and a personalized plan, Allison offers weight-loss coaching sessions over the phone and by email. For personal training exercise routines, she conducts in-home visits or Zoom calls.
To find out more and to get a copy of her mindfulness eBook, find her on Facebook or go to www.loveittotransformit.com
Carving Out a Piece of History One Duck at a Time
Have you ever been driving by a lake or pond and saw a duck that just did not look quite right?
Eventually, when you got a closer look you indeed discovered that it was in fact a fake. You must have been thinking to yourself, “why would someone put a fake duck in the water?” These fake ducks are in fact known as decoys and they are widely used today by hunters to attract waterfowl.
Recently I had the opportunity to talk to Shawn Beaulieu, owner of Market Hunter Decoys, who explained to me what makes a hand-carved duck decoy so special. Creating decoys to replicate ducks is a process that was started by the Native Americans over 2,000 years ago. Beaulieu explained to me that initially, decoys were made from reeds and grasses, but eventually decoys became made of wood. Hunters found that by having decoys in the water, waterfowl species were more likely to fly closer because having other birds around shows them that the area is safe. This allowed hunters to get closer, thus making them easier to shoot. The practice of hunting with decoys became widely adopted and eventually in the 1800s wood carvers were highly sought out to create decoys for the wealthiest of hunters. The process is truly an art form as it involved hours of hand carving and painting different types of wood to create lifelike presentations of duck species. Instead of using traditional methods to carve decoys, today most modern decoys tend to be made from canvas or plastic. The plastic ones are easier to produce and therefore cheaper, but Beaulieu says that they lack certain aspects that could impact the outcome of your hunt. This is what he said inspired him to begin making them himself.
Shawn Beaulieu had wanted to build decoys for years because as an avid duck hunter, he felt that there was just something missing on the plastic ones. So, in 2017 he sat down in a spare room of his house and began carving. He continues to use the same method when carving by using a two-handle draw knife to complete the shape of them. At first, he started making decoys out of cedar wood, but eventually switched to a high-density cork. Ducks are known to have extremely good eyesight, so he knew he had to pay as much attention to detail as possible.
After he carved his first decoy, he did not know what kind of impact it was going to have. He soon made a set of around 12 decoys and began testing them in the field. Beaulieu found that he was able to significantly attract more ducks to the areas he had his hand-carved decoys in than his areas with the plastic ones. Although the success of duck hunting has many variables, he truly felt that these hand-carved decoys made a difference. A hunter always wants his decoys to look as real as possible and one of the biggest differences between a hand-carved decoy and a plastic decoy is how they sit and move in the water. Beaulieu discovered that by using cork bodies with a basswood head, the decoys became much more buoyant. Each of his decoys ends up coming out slightly different, so they end up looking much more natural. Duck hunters tend to hunt with a dozen to upwards of fifty decoys to imitate a flock of feeding ducks. By using hand-carved decoys, each one appears to move differently in the water, whereas plastic decoys all move and look the same. The painting process is the most difficult and time consuming, but attention to detail makes his decoys one of a kind. By using high detailed photographs of duck species as a template, the decoys he hand paints come out looking extremely lifelike. He says the painting usually takes a few hours to a full day depending on the species of duck. Ducks like Mallards (the ones you see as you walk in Congress Park) are straightforward, but duck species like Teal and Wood Ducks have more advanced color schemes. Beaulieu says his hand-carved decoys are made to fool the ducks that the plastic decoys do not.
So next time you pass by a lake and see a flock of ducks, be sure to look twice. You may be looking at a set of decoys. Although if they are made by Shawn Beaulieu, you may have to look three times. Market Hunter decoys are currently available at Blueline Sports in Saranac Lake and are available for pick up at their shop in Ballston Spa. Be sure to also check out their Etsy page. If you have any questions or inquiries, please feel free to reach out to Market Hunter Decoys by email: mkthunter.decoys@gmail.com. Contact Info: Etsy shop: MarketHunterDecoys.
Under the Mistletoe
I find it fascinating that Christmas has so many plants associated with it. Wherever we turn, we’ll see evergreen trees and wreaths, holly and ivy, Christmas Cacti and Poinsettias. Equally interesting are the stories of the roles they play and forms they take.
Let’s take kissing balls for example….you know, those round balls of evergreen usually with a bow on top. Thirty years ago, kissing balls were not really seen much if at all. If they were seen, they were homemade. These days you can get all kinds of kissing balls. Pictured above at top right, a ball made of plastic berries. Behind that is a kissing ball made of fresh evergreens and, at bottom, a modern kissing ball made from the same material as an artificial Christmas tree. These days kissing balls are a well-entrenched holiday decoration. So, how did kissing balls get their start?
The biggest clue is in the name. To find their origin we need to look for the original kissing ball….mistletoe. The kissing part makes sense since we all know that, for some reason, we are entitled to kiss someone standing beneath a sprig of mistletoe…but what about the ball part? Mistletoe is a parasitic plant. Rather than growing roots into the soil to get nutrients, mistletoe forces its roots into the bark of a host tree and sucks the nutrients it needs from it like a vampire. here are several trees that can fall victim to mistletoe including oak trees. A mature clump of mistletoe takes on the familiar kissing ball shape
Mistletoe is interesting for other reasons. It was never adopted by Christianity into Christmas celebrations. Not only did the church never sanction the use of mistletoe in holiday celebrations, but its use was also actually banned at one time. This is, no doubt, due to the fact that it was highly revered by the ‘pagan’ Druid priests. It is central to their ancient solstice celebrations along with its host, the oak tree. During the Druid’s solstice celebration, a Druid priest would cut the parasitic mistletoe from the branch of an oak tree and distribute pieces of it to the gathered populace. While doing this, he was careful not to let it touch the earth. Part of the mystery of mistletoe to the Druids was that it grew, not from soil, but from the bark of the oak tree. To receive a sprig of mistletoe from the priest was a blessing Druids looked forward to as part of their solstice rituals.
Today, all we know about mistletoe is that we are entitled to kiss anyone who stands beneath it. That tradition has its roots in Scandinavian myth. Loki, a troublesome little god, shot Balder, another young god, with an arrow made of mistletoe, the only thing that could harm this favorite son of Freyja. The tears of sorrow Freyja shed became the white berries of the mistletoe. All the Norse gods worked together to restore Balder to life and, in gratitude, Freyja is said to bestow a kiss on anyone who passes beneath mistletoe. Now we are all entitled to kiss anyone we find standing below the mistletoe.
Although hanging an entire ball of mistletoe was fairly common in Victorian England, it would be rare these days. This is partially due to a small supply but mostly out of safety concerns. Mistletoe is poisonous and can cause harm or even death if eaten. These days the only real mistletoe you can find is a heavily painted sprig with the warning on the package not to eat it.
If you want your modern kissing ball to have the same magical quality that requires people to kiss if they meet below it, you’ll need to attach a sprig of real mistletoe at the bottom.
THANKS FOR THE READ!
Shop Local at the Farmers’ Market this Holiday Season
Supporting small businesses is always a must in our eyes, but this year it’s more important than ever. Not only does it give our local economy a boost, but you’re more likely to find unique gifts for your loved ones. .
The Saratoga Farmers’ Market offers a spacious shopping environment featuring 50+ local businesses, with some attending exclusively for the holiday season. These holiday season vendors will rekindle your excitement for shopping and finding the perfect gift.
Sweetbrier Farms makes small-batch, plant-infused wellness and beauty products. They offer hand-made soaps, tinctures and glycerites, herb-infused raw honey, salves and balms, and teas. Sweetbrier’s products are made from “responsibly wildcrafted ingredients” – many from their farm in Salem.
With seasonal favorites like eggnog and hot cocoa, Grandma Apple’s Cheesecakes make great gifts for any “sweet tooth.” Grandma’s handcrafted, artisanal cheesecakes come in various flavors and sizes that make the perfect cake easy to find.
For the spirits connoisseur on your list, Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery, nestled in the foothills of the Adirondacks, produces hand-crafted, high-quality spirits in a natural and innovative process. They make award-winning vodka, gin, rye whiskey, moonshine, Limoncello, Orangecello, and Cowboy Coffee.
Scotch Ridge Berry & Tree Farm has handmade wreaths, kissing balls, holiday swag, and tabletop Christmas trees all this month. Gorgeous greenery makes a memorable and personal gift, and even more so when it’s locally made.
Saratoga Suds ‘n’ Stuff makes soap the “old fashioned” way – “by hand, in small batches, using fat and lye and some essential oils to scent it.” For the holidays, find soaps in the shape of gingerbread men, Christmas trees, and other fun seasonal shapes alongside their traditional soaps.
Goodway Bakery has been baking cookies, cakes, pies, and brownies in Troy for over 40 years. Their rum cakes, in particular, have an excellent shelf life for 2-3 weeks at room temperature, making them perfect gifts.
For the farmers’ market enthusiast in your life, Owl Wood Farm has freshly-harvested, Certified Naturally Grown produce every Saturday in December. Assemble a gift basket of produce, purchase a gift certificate, or buy a 2021 CSA subscription for a friend or family member.
Amazing authentic Indian food for Christmas? Why not! Daily Fresh Food makes to-go curries, vegan samosas, soups, and other specialty dishes that make a great gift and offer a break from cooking.
Many holiday season vendors offer pre-order for easy pickup as well as online ordering. Find their website or like them on social media to stay up-to-date on their products and specials.
The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Find us online at saratogafarmersmarket.org, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter: www.saratogafarmersmarket.org/weekly-newsletter.
Season’s Eatings!
Hello my Foodie Friends!
This is my fun time of year and has been since my childhood. Mom would be baking Italian cookies and pastries daily during the month of December. The cookies would get eaten so fast that they didn’t have much time to cool. There were five cookie monsters running around the Reardon household and three in Paula’s house. Cooking and baking smells were a daily occurrence and the excitement kept building up for the day the man in the white beard stopped by to get his cookies and leave something for the sweet, angelic little Reardon kids!
Everyone knows that baking is part of the holiday season. Italian cookies are a wonderful gift for family and friends. There are many types of Italian cookies made by people worldwide. Secret family recipes that have been around for over 50 years are usually delivered nationwide to hand out. Holly Wreaths were always my favorite Italian cookie to make with my mother. Our family really values certain traditions derived from our Italian culture and heritage. Both Paula and my grandparents came over from Italy! However, as I have been reminded by my wife, my family came from Sicily and that’s not Italy (?!). Is that true? Anyway, we try to hand down our Italian heritage to our children. Although we do not speak the language, we do try to cook some of the dishes we have learned over the years. We absolutely adore Italian cookies and remember our childhood memories of watching our mothers and grandmothers bake holiday cookies. The kitchen was filled with the wonderful aroma as tray after tray of cookies came out of the oven.
Enjoy your family baking traditions. It is always important to include personal traditions that everyone can love. Creating simple traditions makes holiday memories priceless. You can almost guarantee that your family will continue the tradition for generations to come. Stop in to 33 Railroad Place and say Buon Natale to the Reardon Family! We also have all types of cookie cutters shapes for your delicious sugar cookie creations.
Happy Holiday Traditions! Remember my Foodie Friends: “Life Happens in the Kitchen.”
Take Care,
John & Paula
Somewhere in Time
Color Saratoga Springs’ history any way you’d like to see it.
Local landmarks, people, and places are featured in “The History of Saratoga Springs, NY Coloring Book,” recently released by local artist Mary Frances Millet.
Drawing off the success of “The History of Schenectady, NY Coloring Book,” published in 2017, this second book (in what Millet plans to make a series) includes 60 hand-drawn illustrations of iconic Saratoga scenes.
“The series is a way to tell people what we have here. There are facts on each page because I wanted to make it like a history lesson that would be fun and interesting for all ages,” she said.
Mary Frances Millet. Photo provided.
DID YOU KNOW?
Mary Frances Millet’s coloring books are a snapshot of our shared history.
It’s a history that held some surprises for Millet, who is a third generation Schenectady native that has also spent a lot of time in Saratoga Springs.
“Saratoga has more than just horses and springs. It was the first and best in a lot of areas, including the Grand Union hotel, which was the biggest and best hotel of its kind in the world!”
Among some of Millet’s favorite facts include, that:
• Saratoga was the birthplace of Dr. Simon Baruch’s research institute. He was the father of hydrotherapy and started his studies in Saratoga in the 1800s.
• The carousel in Congress park has real horsehair on its horses’ tails.
• The “Saratoga porch” is a structure with three stories and balconies on each level.
• The Old Daley Inn is the oldest building in Saratoga Springs.
A GLIMPSE INTO THE PAST
Millet, who is also a caregiver and former occupational therapist, said that in addition to the relaxation and enjoyment that families can get from coloring the pictures, this book is also a great tool for a historical “treasure hunt.”
It has something for everyone.
“It’s a trip down memory lane. For those who are older and have dementia or Alzheimer’s’, it can help bring back the memories they may have thought were lost,” said Millet.
It took about six months for Millet to draw the pictures for this latest book, which were then laid out by graphic designer, Dianne Stage Fowler.
Both of her coloring books are available on Amazon and at Northshire Bookstore.
Find Mary Frances Millet’s art and silk scarves at Thistle Be Perfect, 19 Glenridge Road, Suite A, Glenville. See all of her work and purchase directly from the artist by visiting her website maryfrances.faso.com
State Champs: Boys X-Country
The Saratoga Springs High School Boys Cross Country team started the 2020 season in a state of uncertainty.
Despite that, they set an intention early-on to make the best of this year’s challenging situation and success followed.
“Our main perspective, when we were talking a lot about the uncertainty, was to do anything we could to have a great season,” said senior Dawson Tooker.
Saratoga is undefeated among the Suburban Council competition this season. They came in first among the 15 teams in the league at their meet on November 21. Then, at this weekend’s regional championship, they were crowned New York State’s top team and the second-best ranked team in the entire Northeast.
SELF-MOTIVATED TO GO THE DISTANCE
They were expecting to have practice on that afternoon last Spring when it was announced school was going to be cancelled because of the pandemic.
From March until June, the 30-40 guys on the XC team trained remotely, running an average of 50 miles/week. In the summer, they stepped it up to between 60-70 miles/week. Once school resumed in the fall, they were still running up to 12 miles/day while also competing in seven remote meets this season.
The Suburban Council exhibited more caution than almost any other league in the state, conducting races remotely. The teams ran independently and then merged their times to determine the winner.
THE HEAT IS ON
The Northeast Championship was the only time this season that Saratoga XC raced in-person at the same location as their competition.
Start times were staggered, with another group running every 30 minutes. Saratoga was the final team on the list.
“There was a little bit of pressure seeing everything in front of you and everyone coming in, there was a high bar to meet – higher than I expected. Despite what anyone else was doing, we just decided we would run our best that day,” said Dawson.
It was a tight spread as one runner came in after another.
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“I thought, ‘We got this. I knew we did it,” said senior Max Fredette.
“I really like winning and don’t like losing, so I was happy.”
SHINING AT THE SEASON’S END
Before their Championship run, to celebrate the end of their season, the Saratoga XC team held a drive-through banquet at Pitney Meadows Community Farm.
The runners’ families watched from their cars as awards were handed out, tuning in to hear speeches from their coaches on their car radios.
“It was a really nice way to wrap-up the season,” said Coach Shane Zanetti.
Now that they’ve done so well in the Championship, they have something else to celebrate.
“It was a really great team victory. The Championship victory was a result of running as a team,” he said.
In addition to their fastest runners, it was the tremendous improvements made by other members that accomplished the team’s place in history.
“It’s crazy. It’s a crazy feeling being my age (I’m a freshman) and doing something this big. It’s insane that we got here and I’m super pumped,” said Owen Mansfield.
Senior Brady Tooker expressed a similar sentiment.
“Now that we’re finished, I’m really relieved that we ended it on a really good note,” he said
Although it was an unusual season, they were happy to have the chance to shine.
“I was grateful I got to spend the season with these guys. I enjoyed every second of it,” said senior Shifan Shaffe.