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Author: Kacie Cotter-Harrigan

Shared Meaning in Times of Crisis

Written by Kacie Cotter-Harrigan on . Posted in News.

My daughter beat us in Rummikub again. As she ran to increase her tally on our scoreboard, my husband and I exchanged proud, defeated smiles. We all laughed. This new daily reprieve might just be keeping us sane.

Psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl’s 1946 book Man’s Search for Meaning said we must find a sense of purpose to navigate hardship. Dr. John Gottman later applied Frankl’s work to relationships, explaining that shared meaning often sustains couples, even when relationships face challenges.

Working both as a therapist and in public service, I have been thinking about how shared meaning and how Frankl’s work may offer guidance in such challenging times.

Dr. Gottman says shared meaning includes four basic elements – rituals of connection, symbols, roles, and goals. The idea is that because each of us is unique, we create small microcultures existing nowhere else when we form relationships. That culture, made up of shared meaning, is what we would lose if the relationship ends. Like an inside joke, it’s just not as funny if the other person who gets it isn’t around.

We also have shared meaning in communities. We walk our kids to school, follow sports teams (rituals of connection) and wear school colors or fly flags (symbols). We work, volunteer, or raise families in ways that contribute to our communities (roles), and plan for our financial futures, hoping for good lives for our children (goals).

For many of us, that normal sense of meaning has been shattered. It is up to us to find a new normal, with a sense of shared meaning that rises to the occasion. As Frankl said, “when we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”

FDR gave his first fireside chats during the Great Depression, increasing them in frequency after the country went to war. During national uncertainty, that new ritual provided comfort and brought Americans together around their radios. While the term “potluck” existed long before the depression, the tradition of sharing a communal meal with everyone pitching in helped people stay connected and stretched what little they had during times of scarcity.

Rituals of connection during this time of quarantine include people going outside to clap at the same time to honor first responders, and virtual social hours, religious services, and classroom meetings are keeping us connected. In my family, we have started a fierce daily rummikub competition that is part of our new evening routine.

The rainbows coloring our neighborhood’s windows symbolize shared meaning. The candles on our porches symbolize gratitude. During World War II, the “V” for victory hand gesture, made famous by Churchill, was created as a symbol for resistance fighters. Rosie the Riveter appeared on posters as a rallying cry for women to help the war effort.

Rosie the Riveter also represented changing roles during wartime. With soldiers away, many women trained for new jobs. During the depression, many who lost jobs found new roles through WPA projects. According to the New York Times, during the 1918 flu epidemic, even Boy Scouts became enforcers of health protocols, issuing warnings to people who spit in public and violated sanitary codes.

Today, how many of us are learning the new roles of homeschool teacher or remote worker? Healthcare providers serve where the need is greatest. Businesses have become mask, sanitizer, and medical device manufacturers. Essential workers have become our heroes.

The last element of Gottman’s shared meaning is goals. During the energy crisis, President Carter wore a sweater, asking people to conserve. During the depression, banks began to recover when people answered FDR’s call to redeposit their savings. We are truly dependent on each other now, making shared goals more important than ever.

We must develop the shared goals of staying home and practicing social distancing to protect ourselves, loved ones, essential workers and our community. We must embrace supporting our local businesses now when they need it most. We must resist the urge to hoard. We must win at least one rummikub game!

If we absorb these lessons from history, we can see that Frankl was right. Our rituals may have to change, but we can still connect. We may be called to stretch into new roles, but we can adapt. We will find symbols of hope and aspire to be part of the solution.  Frankl said “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” If we choose to respond by embracing a shared sense of purpose and meaning, we will get through this together.

Diana Palmer is a therapist in private practice and past president of the New York Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Albany- Hudson Valley Chapter. She is the 3rd Ward Councilwoman for the City of Glens Falls and a Doctoral Candidate in Law And Policy at Northeastern University.

Shared Meaning in Times of Crisis

Written by Kacie Cotter-Harrigan on . Posted in News.

My daughter beat us in Rummikub again. As she ran to increase her tally on our scoreboard, my husband and I exchanged proud, defeated smiles. We all laughed. This new daily reprieve might just be keeping us sane.

Psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl’s 1946 book Man’s Search for Meaning said we must find a sense of purpose to navigate hardship. Dr. John Gottman later applied Frankl’s work to relationships, explaining that shared meaning often sustains couples, even when relationships face challenges.

Working both as a therapist and in public service, I have been thinking about how shared meaning and how Frankl’s work may offer guidance in such challenging times.

Dr. Gottman says shared meaning includes four basic elements – rituals of connection, symbols, roles, and goals. The idea is that because each of us is unique, we create small microcultures existing nowhere else when we form relationships. That culture, made up of shared meaning, is what we would lose if the relationship ends. Like an inside joke, it’s just not as funny if the other person who gets it isn’t around.

We also have shared meaning in communities. We walk our kids to school, follow sports teams (rituals of connection) and wear school colors or fly flags (symbols). We work, volunteer, or raise families in ways that contribute to our communities (roles), and plan for our financial futures, hoping for good lives for our children (goals).

For many of us, that normal sense of meaning has been shattered. It is up to us to find a new normal, with a sense of shared meaning that rises to the occasion. As Frankl said, “when we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”

FDR gave his first fireside chats during the Great Depression, increasing them in frequency after the country went to war. During national uncertainty, that new ritual provided comfort and brought Americans together around their radios. While the term “potluck” existed long before the depression, the tradition of sharing a communal meal with everyone pitching in helped people stay connected and stretched what little they had during times of scarcity.

Rituals of connection during this time of quarantine include people going outside to clap at the same time to honor first responders, and virtual social hours, religious services, and classroom meetings are keeping us connected. In my family, we have started a fierce daily rummikub competition that is part of our new evening routine.

The rainbows coloring our neighborhood’s windows symbolize shared meaning. The candles on our porches symbolize gratitude. During World War II, the “V” for victory hand gesture, made famous by Churchill, was created as a symbol for resistance fighters. Rosie the Riveter appeared on posters as a rallying cry for women to help the war effort.

Rosie the Riveter also represented changing roles during wartime. With soldiers away, many women trained for new jobs. During the depression, many who lost jobs found new roles through WPA projects. According to the New York Times, during the 1918 flu epidemic, even Boy Scouts became enforcers of health protocols, issuing warnings to people who spit in public and violated sanitary codes.

Today, how many of us are learning the new roles of homeschool teacher or remote worker? Healthcare providers serve where the need is greatest. Businesses have become mask, sanitizer, and medical device manufacturers. Essential workers have become our heroes.

The last element of Gottman’s shared meaning is goals. During the energy crisis, President Carter wore a sweater, asking people to conserve. During the depression, banks began to recover when people answered FDR’s call to redeposit their savings. We are truly dependent on each other now, making shared goals more important than ever.

We must develop the shared goals of staying home and practicing social distancing to protect ourselves, loved ones, essential workers and our community. We must embrace supporting our local businesses now when they need it most. We must resist the urge to hoard. We must win at least one rummikub game!

If we absorb these lessons from history, we can see that Frankl was right. Our rituals may have to change, but we can still connect. We may be called to stretch into new roles, but we can adapt. We will find symbols of hope and aspire to be part of the solution.  Frankl said “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” If we choose to respond by embracing a shared sense of purpose and meaning, we will get through this together.

Diana Palmer is a therapist in private practice and past president of the New York Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Albany- Hudson Valley Chapter. She is the 3rd Ward Councilwoman for the City of Glens Falls and a Doctoral Candidate in Law And Policy at Northeastern University.

Shared Meaning in Times of Crisis

Written by Kacie Cotter-Harrigan on . Posted in News.

My daughter beat us in Rummikub again. As she ran to increase her tally on our scoreboard, my husband and I exchanged proud, defeated smiles. We all laughed. This new daily reprieve might just be keeping us sane.

Psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl’s 1946 book Man’s Search for Meaning said we must find a sense of purpose to navigate hardship. Dr. John Gottman later applied Frankl’s work to relationships, explaining that shared meaning often sustains couples, even when relationships face challenges.

Working both as a therapist and in public service, I have been thinking about how shared meaning and how Frankl’s work may offer guidance in such challenging times.

Dr. Gottman says shared meaning includes four basic elements – rituals of connection, symbols, roles, and goals. The idea is that because each of us is unique, we create small microcultures existing nowhere else when we form relationships. That culture, made up of shared meaning, is what we would lose if the relationship ends. Like an inside joke, it’s just not as funny if the other person who gets it isn’t around.

We also have shared meaning in communities. We walk our kids to school, follow sports teams (rituals of connection) and wear school colors or fly flags (symbols). We work, volunteer, or raise families in ways that contribute to our communities (roles), and plan for our financial futures, hoping for good lives for our children (goals).

For many of us, that normal sense of meaning has been shattered. It is up to us to find a new normal, with a sense of shared meaning that rises to the occasion. As Frankl said, “when we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”

FDR gave his first fireside chats during the Great Depression, increasing them in frequency after the country went to war. During national uncertainty, that new ritual provided comfort and brought Americans together around their radios. While the term “potluck” existed long before the depression, the tradition of sharing a communal meal with everyone pitching in helped people stay connected and stretched what little they had during times of scarcity.

Rituals of connection during this time of quarantine include people going outside to clap at the same time to honor first responders, and virtual social hours, religious services, and classroom meetings are keeping us connected. In my family, we have started a fierce daily rummikub competition that is part of our new evening routine.

The rainbows coloring our neighborhood’s windows symbolize shared meaning. The candles on our porches symbolize gratitude. During World War II, the “V” for victory hand gesture, made famous by Churchill, was created as a symbol for resistance fighters. Rosie the Riveter appeared on posters as a rallying cry for women to help the war effort.

Rosie the Riveter also represented changing roles during wartime. With soldiers away, many women trained for new jobs. During the depression, many who lost jobs found new roles through WPA projects. According to the New York Times, during the 1918 flu epidemic, even Boy Scouts became enforcers of health protocols, issuing warnings to people who spit in public and violated sanitary codes.

Today, how many of us are learning the new roles of homeschool teacher or remote worker? Healthcare providers serve where the need is greatest. Businesses have become mask, sanitizer, and medical device manufacturers. Essential workers have become our heroes.

The last element of Gottman’s shared meaning is goals. During the energy crisis, President Carter wore a sweater, asking people to conserve. During the depression, banks began to recover when people answered FDR’s call to redeposit their savings. We are truly dependent on each other now, making shared goals more important than ever.

We must develop the shared goals of staying home and practicing social distancing to protect ourselves, loved ones, essential workers and our community. We must embrace supporting our local businesses now when they need it most. We must resist the urge to hoard. We must win at least one rummikub game!

If we absorb these lessons from history, we can see that Frankl was right. Our rituals may have to change, but we can still connect. We may be called to stretch into new roles, but we can adapt. We will find symbols of hope and aspire to be part of the solution.  Frankl said “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” If we choose to respond by embracing a shared sense of purpose and meaning, we will get through this together.

Diana Palmer is a therapist in private practice and past president of the New York Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Albany- Hudson Valley Chapter. She is the 3rd Ward Councilwoman for the City of Glens Falls and a Doctoral Candidate in Law And Policy at Northeastern University.

Important Economic Stimulus Provision to Help You Weather the Storm

Written by Kacie Cotter-Harrigan on . Posted in Families Today.

At the end of March Congress passed the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act, which is a $2.2 trillion life support bill to help the economy survive the duration of the government-imposed shutdown. While the bill is extremely wide-ranging, and many provisions may not apply to you, there are some items in the Act which you should at least be aware of. 

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) is included in the Act and provides extended eligibility for individuals who are traditionally ineligible for unemployment benefits, including the self-employed and independent contractors. It also provides an additional $600 on top of regular benefits, each week for up to 39 weeks. You are encouraged to check the New York State unemployment insurance website at www.labor.ny.gov for details and read the Frequently Asked Questions page to help determine your eligibility.

The CARES Act also includes a provision to temporarily suspend most Required Minimum Distributions from IRAs and retirement plans. People who were 70 ½ before January 1, 2020, or who turn 72 this year, would otherwise be required to withdraw a portion of their accounts and pay taxes on the distribution. The Act suspends this requirement through the end of 2020, resuming again next year. 

Recovery Rebates, which are direct payments from the government to individuals, have also been approved as part of the Act. These one-time  payments will include $1,200 for each adult plus an additional $500 per qualifying child, however there is a caveat. Individuals with income higher the $75,000, and joint filers with incomes great than $150,000 will have their rebates gradually reduced, and eliminated for those individuals with income great than $99,000 and joint filers with incomes greater than $198,000. These payments will be automatic, and should require no action on your part. 

For people under that age of 59 ½, who qualify, the government is allowing access to up to $100,000 of your IRA or certain retirement plans without the usual 10% early withdrawal penalty. In addition to waiving the penalty, the government is allowing the income to be recognized over three years which would help most individuals remain in a relatively lower tax bracket than they would be in, had they recognized all of the income in just one year. For those who only need to take the withdrawal as a short-term financial bridge, the Act also allows repayment of the distribution within three years of receipt which would avoid the income recognition altogether!

For small business owners, it is important to note that the ACT makes loans and grants available through the Small Business Administration (SBA). Contact the SBA directly for details on these programs.

While not technically part of the CARES Act, it is worth mentioning that the IRS has postponed the tax filing deadline for individuals from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. They tax payment date has also been delayed. According to the IRS, this extension is automatic, and does not require you to file any forms. 

While nobody knows the depth or duration of the economic impact from the Coronavirus and the subsequent government-mandated economic shutdown, the CARES Act is a huge step, at least in the short-term, toward providing resources to help individuals and families weather the storm.

Like any piece of legislation, the CARES Act is convoluted and contains a myriad of provisions. Work directly with your Certified Financial Planner® professional and your CPA to help determine which provisions may apply to you, and how best to use them to benefit you and your family. 

Stephen Kyne, CFP® is a Partner at Sterling Manor Financial in Saratoga Springs and Rhinebeck. Securities offered through Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Sterling Manor Financial, LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor or Cadaret Grant & Co., Inc. Sterling Manor Financial and Cadaret, Grant are separate entities.

Stay Healthy, Saratoga: Let’s Work on That Core!

Written by Kacie Cotter-Harrigan on . Posted in Sports.

Core training has become an extremely popular phrase lately but I’m not sure people truly understand what the actual function of the core is. So when I ask people what they feel they need the most work on, I will typically get the response that they have a weak core and need to strengthen it. And if I was to ask that same person how they would strengthen their core, they usually say something like sit-ups (which drives me crazy!). Now I’m not saying that sit-ups won’t get you stronger or work your core, but I will say that I don’t believe that it is the best way to train the core, because it isn’t how our core is designed to function. 

From a functional standpoint, the joints in our body are either designed to be mobile or stable. If it is mobile (think hips and ankles), then we want to move it freely through different ranges of motion. If it is stable (think knees and lower back/core), then we want to limit movement in that joint as much as possible. So when we think about the core and our lower back, we want to limit the movement, so doing endless amounts of sit-ups (think flexing the low back) and crunches might not be the optimal exercises for functionally strengthening the core. 

The ANTI approach has become a very popular concept (and for good reason) in the health and fitness industry. This approach towards core training is to make people more aware of how the core truly functions by making people look at the core as anti-movement muscles. So we want to do exercises that challenge us to not move those muscles such as planks and avoid exercises where we do move them such as sit-ups. 

Alright everyone, now that I told you how the core actually works, I am going to give you some of our favorite core exercises that we perform at Gunning Elite Training on a regular basis. These exercises follow the principles of the ANTI approach in different planes of motion. I think it is so important to train our bodies the way they are designed to work rather than against, so we can live a long and healthy life. Stay strong and keep GET’n after it!

HomeWorkouts CoreExercises

Life Online: Virtual PT

Written by Kacie Cotter-Harrigan on . Posted in Families Today.

It’s hard to know what to write today. Things sure have changed since the last article I wrote. At the time my staff and I had been going to Silver Sneakers and the senior centers in Saratoga County performing fall assessments. We had started Osteoporosis programs, hosted running workshops and had just started screening and working with local athletes. Oh yeah and we were seeing patients in the clinic. 

After things started closing down and about a week of trying to get our bearings, we have settled into life online. Every PT at my office is seeing patients virtually.  Starting April 13th we will be seeing patients in the clinic one-on-one…meaning one therapist on-site with one patient. We are doing this because there are people that can’t do virtual therapy due to the nature of their condition. We will be taking all the precautions possible to help keep patients and ourselves safe and healthy. 

I am trying to use this time to reflect and see what was working and what wasn’t working at the office and in my life. I think this pandemic has made me realize how fortunate I am to have enjoyed such good health. After my initial disappointment from watching my business go from busy to empty, I realized that I could still help people…which was the point of getting into PT in the first place. 

Then, a few days ago I was applying for the loan from the government to keep my staff employed, it is a mess for sure, but I encountered good people trying their best to help. I spoke to accountants, bank employees, bank administrators, retirees, and even my older brother that works for one of the big international banks. In every case, I encountered people that were clearly doing their best to help make a difficult time go more smoothly. 

At times the efforts to help me went above and beyond expectations. Local bank officials, in the midst of the chaos around them, called me to offer help. I knew some through physical therapy and some through friends of friends. Over and over again I was offered help or names of someone to help. It helped lift a lot of the stress I was carrying and helped me reset myself and now I want to return the favor!

I would like to offer my expertise to the people working at their desks for extended hours without taking breaks in an effort to help small businesses like mine. So if you know anyone that is doing that, please thank them for me! And share the pictures below with them. And if anyone has a specific question please share my email, I’m happy to offer my help!

In the meantime, here are some thoughts. 

First things first. When sitting make sure you scoot your butt all the way back in the chair and lean back against the chair. I realize that this position is difficult to get used to but sitting forward in a chair puts more strain on the lower back and neck, so whenever possible sit back!

If/when your upper back and neck tense up you will benefit from performing the retraction exercise. This is best done in a conference room chair or a waiting room chair. In other words a chair with a back that goes up to about the shoulder blades. 

If you are not interested in doing any stretches then at very least, stand up every 30-45 minutes to change your position and give your spine some movement. Just because you are able to sit longer does not mean you should. I have found one of the most common problems people with back pain and neck pain face is pain with sitting. 

Once again I would like to say thank you to all the people trying to help in these difficult times. I know my staff and I are appreciative and please know that we are here to help in any way we can. Our number is 518-306-6894 and my email is goodemotept@gmail.com. Reach out anytime!

FT VirtualPTExercises

Copy of Strength Training for Osteoporosis

Written by Kacie Cotter-Harrigan on . Posted in Families Today.

Osteoporosis affects 55 percent of the people aged 50 and older in the United States. 

Osteoporosis is diagnosed when a person has decreased bone mineral density. This diagnosis literally means “porous bone.” Therefore, instead of a bone being filled with a strong matrix inside, it is more sponge-like, causing it to become weak. 

Although there are many diseases and medications that can increase your risk of Osteoporosis, the most common cause is due to the body’s hormonal changes. With decreased production of estrogen and progesterone in post-menopausal women, there is an increased rate of bone resorption and no change in the rate of bone formation, leading to weaker bones. 

A majority of treatment today focuses on the change in hormone levels and acts to decrease the number of osteoclasts (i.e. cells that break down bone) to decrease the rate of bone breakdown. However, this method can often lead to secondary bone mineral loss because it interferes with the body’s natural responses. 

Normally, when there are increased osteoclasts, the body will produce increased osteoblasts (i.e. cells that make more bone) in order to maintain balance. Therefore, although the medication decreases the body’s rate of breaking down bone, it can also interfere with the body’s ability to build new bone. 

The most common areas of Osteoporosis include the spine and the hips, and it is important to be aware that not all those diagnosed with decreased bone mineral density will have pain. However, due to the fragility of the bones, there is a very high risk of fractures. Worldwide, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 will experience at least one osteoporotic fracture. 

As physical therapists, we are educated on Wolf’s Law, which states that a bone will adapt to the loads under which it is placed. This means the more force put through a bone, the stronger it will become, due to increased osteoblast activity.

There is substantial research showing that strength training leads to increased bone mineral density. The exercises in the studies talk about performing fewer repetitions with heavier weights. Heavier meaning weights that are “almost” maximal for someone to be able to lift. Most women over the age of 50 are not lifting heavy enough weights, if it all. In order to see changes in bone mineral density on a DEXA scan, the technology used to measure bone density, it takes about 6-8 months of heavy, consistent loading. 

That is why FysioFit PT has developed a specialized program for individuals with Osteoporosis to teach foundational lifting patterns as well as provide progressive loading in a comfortable, small-group setting. The lifting component focuses on three major, functional lifts. These include the squat, overhead press, and deadlift. These movements were chosen since they are seen throughout our day-to-day activities including lifting things over our heads or picking up heavy groceries or laundry baskets.  Often times, we perform these movements without thinking or moving with correct form, causing increased stress through our backs. By learning the proper lifting techniques from our PTs, there is a significant reduction in future injury risk. The FysioFit program is not only designed-by but also led by doctors of physical therapy. This ensures correct form with each lift as well as the ability to modify when needed on an individual basis. 

Each class starts with a movement prep, which differs from a generalized warm-up that you see with most fitness classes. These are carefully selected movements that will help to activate the correct muscles and introduce the proper movement patterns to complete the lift for that day. In order to maximize the load put through the bones, we often use a weighted vest to directly load the spine with these various movements. A weighted vest will distribute load primarily through the spine and hips. Although dumbbells are great too, they won’t have as big of an impact through the spine and hips. 

Our Phase 1: Foundations class has been a big success this past winter season. We expect to have another foundation class starting in Spring 2020.  In addition, a lot of our participants will continue with Phase 2 to continue to progress in weight used as well as building confidence to perform these exercises on their own. Our program does not have to be performed as an alternative to medical treatment but rather in conjunction with for best results. In addition to strength training for building bone density, our program also focuses on loading using a yoga program. The yoga program was designed to also load the spine and hips as well as improve balance, stability, and posture. These are very important for those with Osteoporosis to decrease the risk of falls as well as improve posture to reduce the risk of compression fractures in the spine. To learn more about the yoga portion of the program, read Dr. Sarah Avery’s article on www.FysiofitPT.com. 

Our comprehensive, research-based program is truly one of a kind. We cap our classes to 4 people to ensure more individualized attention as well as start the program with an evaluation of each person’s past medical history, strength, and body mobility. The program focuses on your goals and our job is to guide you there! For more information call us at 518-306-6894 or email us at Fysiofit@gmail.com. 

Pop On Over

Written by Kacie Cotter-Harrigan on . Posted in Food.

Hello my Foodie Friends!

Most people fall into a rut when it comes to bread options. However, Popovers can be a deceptively simple item that will impress your family and friends and tickle their taste buds. Not only are popovers cost effective, they’re also a breeze to make as long as you follow a few simple rules: make sure the pan is hot before pouring in the batter, don’t fill the cups more than half full, and no opening the oven while they’re baking.

Having the correct pan is important to making airy popovers with golden domes. The secret is how the batter lies in the pan. Popover pans are used for making popovers. They are specially constructed to convey the heat directly to the batter, which needs to be added to a hot pan, similar to the way Yorkshire puddings are made. Popover pans are also made with tall, narrow cups, which create a distinctive shape. This creates steam that helps the popovers expand and become light and hollow on the inside. Then you can stuff them with things. A popover pan is deep with steep-sided wells.  This forces the batter upwards creating puffy domes and crispy sides. Investing in a real popover pan eventually starts to feel quite justifiable. These tins are really only useful for making popovers, but oh, what beautiful popovers they make! The trick is to make sure the pan is very hot before you add the butter and the batter.

At Compliments to the Chef, we carry popover pans from Nordicware and USA Pan.  Both the Nordicware pan and USA Pan’s are made in the U.S.A. These pans are designed to allow maximum airflow so popovers reach their full height. 

The next time you are not sure what to pop on over with to visit a friend or a family member, or to serve as a bread option, think about a creative popover to serve with the meal. During this challenging time – popovers may be a fun and creative way to add to your meal planning. Please call John at 518-226-4477 to set up an appointment to assist you’re your culinary needs. I’ll greet you wearing my mask and remember, “Life Happens in the Kitchen.”

 Take Care,
John & PaulaREARDON PopOvers

Amid Pandemic Farmers Create More Options for Obtaining Fresh Food

Written by Kacie Cotter-Harrigan on . Posted in Food.

These days leading up to Easter have presented many unprecedented challenges. As a community, we’ve grappled with job losses, pay cuts, shortages of basic goods, fears of the spreading Coronavirus, and in some cases, illness itself.

Farmers, too, face such challenges. Yet, as histories of droughts, hurricanes, floods, crop failures, and climate change show, farmers can adapt innovatively to crises. Many who bring their goods weekly to the Saratoga Farmers’ Market are creating others ways to connect with customers and make their products available in a safe, wholesome manner.

“It is vital that we keep the farmers market running during this time of crisis,” says market manager Emily Meagher. “Because of that, we want to make sure we offer the community as many options as possible to obtain fresh, local food.” 

Most of the Saratoga Farmers’ Market vendors are continuing to bring their products to market each Saturday from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Tomorrow’s market will feature many of the fresh, healing foods of Easter. Look, for instance, for freshly cut lettuce, spinach, and other greens from Pleasant Valley and Green Jeans, lamb from Elihu, duck and goose eggs from Squashville, and maple treats from Slate Valley farms, among others. 

Vendors who are not attending the market are inviting shoppers to contact them directly to preorder such items as Mangiamo’s pasta and Lewis Waite meats. Other vendors are offering delivery and/or curbside pickup services at other locations or suggest looking for their items in local specialty stores. A spreadsheet on the farmers’ market website at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org lists the various options available.

The market is following the social distance protocols established by the state’s federation of farmers’ markets. Vendors are spaced several feet apart and have sanitizers, disinfectant wipes, and gloves at their tables. The market is asking shoppers to not crowd around vendor tables and has established a curbside pickup service for preordered items near the mall entrance. Look for the red tent.

“We want our market to be a safe space,” Meagher says. “We might not be able to gather socially as we normally do, but we can still offer our community fresh and wholesome foods from our local farms.” 

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays in the parking lot outside the Wilton Mall. Please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates. 

 

FM LambChops

Hello From Our Home To Yours

Written by Kacie Cotter-Harrigan on . Posted in Families Today.

Hey you!

It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other at school/the store/church/the park! I hope you and your loved ones are healthy and well!

Here’s an update on us: The kids have all been home from school for four weeks now. I can’t praise the teachers enough—we hit the ground running with distance learning almost immediately after schools closed, and my boys are all moving forward in their academics, from the kindergartener up to the high school sophomore. That blows my mind, and is a real testament to just how much the teachers have their act together (even though I’m sure they’re feeling just as discombobulated as I am!). And while school at home has involved a major learning curve (mostly on my part—the kids have just kept bumping along like no big deal), I’ve actually been so grateful for the structure it’s provided. 

I have always tried to adhere to a fairly strict schedule with the kids—doing so provides the kind of order and expectation that my personality needs to be peaceful—so creating a 9-2 school schedule (which includes a snack, a small break, and lunch, just like when they’re at school, and allows for lots of outside time after school’s over) has been just right for us.

During our school hours, I sit at the kitchen table with the kindergartener, second grader, and fourth grader, and, like so many of you, my husband is home from work, so he can watch the baby during that time, which has proven to be an absolute necessity (the baby’s very busy and mischievous!). I’m almost totally hands-on with my kindergartener, helping him work through each assignment, and I’m there to answer questions from my second- and fourth- graders, but they do the vast majority on their own. My big boys have set up work stations for themselves in other parts of the house and are basically totally self-sufficient. Amazing.

Other than the often-crushing worry, sadness, and fear about current affairs, school takes up about half of my mental space, with food taking up most of the rest. For a family whose collective love language has to do with what delicious treat or nice dinner we’ll have when we’ve accomplished something or are celebrating something or because it’s nice weather or because it’s bad weather or for no reason at all, not going to the grocery store whenever I want, rationing the food we have so everyone has enough for each meal, and squeezing as many meals as possible out of what we do have has been a challenge, but one I feel up to and have been doing well with (if I do say so myself!). I’m cooking a lot more, since everyone’s home for every meal, and digging deep into all the things I learned from my mom and through the years to make filling, satisfying, healthy meals, snacks, and treats. No one’s complaining about being hungry, and they mostly seem to love what I’ve been making, so we’re good on that front.

We watch Mass on Sundays, and catch up on any school if necessary on Saturdays. I’ve suspended my rule about video games—instead of only allowing the boys to play them on weekends, they now get a turn just about every day after they’ve finished school and spent time outside, and my husband’s also been playing board games and throwing the ball in the yard with them almost every day. I’m able to lie down during the baby’s naptime each afternoon. I’ve been sticking to the same bedtimes for the little guys, but the older boys get to stay up later and we’ve all been sleeping a little later in the morning as well. We’ve been praying as a family a lot more. It’s been about as peaceful as a deadly pandemic can be, and for that, I’m immensely grateful.

But we can’t wait to see our family and friends again, to go to the store without that cloud of suspicion and fear hanging over everyone there, to go to church and school and play sports and play on the playground, to move freely about outside, to not have to worry those whose livelihoods are in danger, and the economy, and what isolation is doing to society as a whole but especially to those who live alone, and of course, most of all, for this virus to stop ravaging—and taking—lives (a huge thank you to those of you who are putting yourselves in harm’s way to provide essential services for us all, and a very special mention of healthcare workers who are caring for the sick and dying and running a greater risk of contracting the virus themselves, especially where there are inadequate supplies). I recently read an article that referred to social distancing and staying-at-home as gifts we’re giving those who need it, they are actual acts of love. We’ve always tried to teach our boys to think of others before themselves, to love their neighbors, and that greater love has no one than those who lay down their lives for others. We’re being given the opportunity to do these things on a bigger and more critical scale than ever before.

So that’s us! From what I’ve read online and on social media, it’s likely how you’re doing too. I hope to be able to see you soon, in person, and catch up. After all, the end of this is closer than it was yesterday. And Happy Easter! Good news and hope are just what we all need right now.

Kate and her husband have seven sons ages 15, 13, 11, 10, 8, 6, and 1. Follow her at www.facebook.com/kmtowne23, or email her at kmtowne23@gmail.com.