The UCB
Flier
A publication of
Utah Council
of the Blind
January
2020
For the latest news updates call the Utah Connection 801-299-0670 or 1‑800-273-4569.
(You may also leave a message at the end of the announcement.)
Check out the website at utahcounciloftheblind.org.
Mail correspondence to: UCB, PO Box 1415, Bountiful, UT 84011-1415.
E-mail us at ucb.board@gmail.com.
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If you would prefer to receive your newsletter in a different format, please
call the Utah Connection or send an e-mail to ucb.board@gmail.com and let us know.
This issue is dedicated to the memory
of Leslie Gertsch.
In
This Issue
Disclaimer................................................. 3
From the Editor........................................................................................... 3
Leslie Gertsch Life Sketch.......................................................................... 4
As I Knew Her.......................................................................................... 18
Tribute to Leslie........................................................................................ 22
President's Message: New Adventures.................................................... 23
Annual Christmas Party Wrap-up............................................................. 25
Craft Donations........................................................................................ 28
New Vote by Mail..................................................................................... 29
GoGo Grandparent: Another Transportation Option................................. 30
About GoGo Grandparent....................... 34
Pumpkin-Spice Steel-Cut Oats................................................................. 35
Cinnamon & Honey.................................................................................. 37
American
Academy of Ophthalmology: 36 Fabulous Foods for Your Eyes................................................................................................................. 45
Helpful Hints............................................................................................. 51
General UCB Information......................................................................... 61
Upcoming Board Meetings...................... 62
Articles and
announcements included in this publication are presented for your information
and interest. They reflect the opinions of the respective authors and are not
necessarily endorsed by the UCB.
This
issue is dedicated to the memory of Leslie Gertsch, who passed away on November
28. She passed away at about the time the December 2019 issue was being prepared,
and because of that and the fact that with the upcoming
Christmas party about to take place, we felt it would be better to skip the
December issue and hold everything till this one. We hope you agree it was
worth the wait.
The first three articles are tributes to Leslie, and the rest will present UCB news, and we hope to formation you will find useful, and, of course, some household and kitchen hints.
(The
following sketch of the life of Leslie Gertsch was provided to us by her
daughter, Elora, and is presented here with her permission. We are grateful for
her sharing it with us.)
Leslie
was born on June 4th, 1949 at St. Marks Hospital in
When
Leslie was two, Elora and Berry discovered the vision loss that she was
experiencing, when they noticed their toddler kept running into things. Leslie
was very close with her sister, Elayne, and as soon as she started walking, she
went everywhere Elayne went. She followed her sister's lead, right down to
potty training. Both
One
sunny day, Leslie went to sit with her mother, who was visiting with friends on
the porch. She was wearing her thick glasses, which caused quite the reflection
of light. Without warning, a giant hawk flew down from the sky and scooped the
glasses right off Leslie's face. She let out a scream of shock and sustained
minor scratches when the bird snagged her glasses. Luckily, the hawk dropped
them not too far away, after realizing they were inedible. Elora was very
upset, just knowing how expensive those glasses were. The cost of them was $80
in a time that her father only made $200 per month.
Leslie
tried to take good care of her glasses, knowing the financial burden, but twice
she kneeled on them, and another time, a classmate threw a snowball and broke
them. Around age twelve she no longer needed them, as they no longer improved
her vision.
Leslie,
Elayne and Mark were all three years apart in age. They all played together,
because there weren't any other kids in the area. Another member in this clan was
a sweet old laying hen that followed them everywhere. One day that little hen
laid under the car for shade. Sadly, to the hen's demise, Elora ran the hen
over, but the trio would visit the hen's grave each time they played in that
area.
Leslie
learned to can and preserve food at a young age from her mother. Elora would do
this to stretch the food budget, and Leslie learned to husk the corn, pod peas,
and pop beans. Leslie continued this practice throughout her adult life,
nurturing a full garden and making canned goods for food storage and often
shared the fruits of her labor with others. Leslie made the best canned salsa.
Leslie's
grandma taught her cursive and how to write her name while she was attending
kindergarten at age six. The teacher seemed displeased that she already knew
how to write her name. It was a challenge for the teacher to help Leslie with
her sight loss. Leslie often struggled with the other kids, as she couldn't
keep up with the games and running on the playground. Despite this, she didn't
care, as she loved school and felt as though she was a part of the game.
Leslie
lost her vision in her early years, when large print and a special lighting
device didn't serve her long.
In
the second grade, Leslie attended Tolman elementary, where she met her first
friend, Annette Glissmeyer Jackson. For the first time, she really had a true
friend. Annette frequently liked to read and would often read books to Leslie.
When allowed, Annette also helped Leslie read her work at school.
Leslie's
father, Berry, made paper for her with heavy dark lines so that Leslie could
write and do her math, using her memory to do most things. Leslie believed
Annette and she were kindred spirits. They both loved horses and began
collecting glass horses to play with daily. At one point she had over 100 model
horses, many of which had to be glued back together from enthusiastic play.
At
the end of elementary school, on the advice of her teacher, Leslie was
transferred to the school for the blind in Ogden. Not knowing their rights,
Berry and Elora sent Leslie away to Ogden. There she attended school throughout
middle school. It was organized as a boarding school, and they kept a tight
ship, hospital corners on the beds and all. Leslie was not happy about being so
far away from family and found it difficult to cope, as did her mother each
time she dropped Leslie off.
It
was at the blind school that Leslie began to learn braille. She also began to
read braille music so that she could learn to play the piano. Another learned
practice was typing, to produce her work in print. Choir was another favorite
subject of Leslie's. Although Leslie did not love the blind school, she made
several friends, which helped her cope. Those friends helped Leslie learn to
style her own hair.
Leslie
was also an editor on the school magazine, which was collated, and she learned
to set the braille type on a special braille embosser. They then ran copies for
everyone who could read braille. She also learned cooking, sewing, and rug
weaving. She learned to thread a sewing machine and operate it without injury.
She did sports activities for PE and roller-skated down the sidewalks with
hills. She attended Bountiful High beginning junior year, where she was
assisted by her mother, who had to learn algebra in order to assist Leslie.
Annette earned a dollar an hour to read for Leslie. Leslie earned straight A's
and graduated with high honors.
Leslie's
love for horses was always deep. Berry had taken Leslie to ride ponies across
from the power plant he worked at. Berry sat her on top of a stubborn pony that
refused to budge. He gave that stubborn horse a swat on its behind and it shot
off the line. Berry attempted to grab Leslie, but only snagged the skirt of her
dress which promptly tore free, and Leslie rode away in her tiny pink slip.
Many accidents never stopped her love of horses.
Leslie
passed her love for these giants to her little sister, Gayle, who would steal
the neighbor's horses and bring them home.
Leslie
soon bought her own horse to graze on the family property where her home still
stands.
Leslie
then met Vicki in a carpool arrangement for college. They connected because
they were both in the honors program together. Vicki read to Leslie all
throughout college, and Leslie often commented on Vicki's exceptional smarts.
After
Leslie graduated with her bachelor’s degree, she passed her student and
assistant teaching requirements and served as a school counselor and worked
closely with the parking lot dropouts to help them graduate.
After
four years of college, Leslie graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of
Utah Honors program with her Bachelors in French, minor in English, and her
teaching certificate and traveled to Belgium to perfect her language skills.
She continued another three years in the honors program to earn her master's
degree, also summa cum laude, in secondary counseling.
Leslie
worked for a brief time in a nursing home. There she had connections in that
job that led her to meeting her beloved husband, Dero. These connections at the
nursing home encouraged her to pursue a relationship with him, despite any
hesitations she felt. Very shortly after, Dero became Leslie's transportation
to and from her work. Very early on, he became a great help as a taxi, ferrying
her and their common friends to and from work. Eventually, Leslie and Dero were
spending the majority of their time together. Leslie was accepted into the
Gertsch home as one of their own.
Eventually,
Leslie lost her job and was fighting for her rights. During this time, she
applied to be a school counselor and became acquainted with the Utah Council of
the Blind. It was then that she used their help to fight for her job at the
nursing home. It was the UCB that jumped on the wagon and went to battle. They
used the media and any other outlets to lay the pressure on, but none prevailed
in salvaging her position.
After
that, both Leslie and Dero became charter members of the UCB Credit Union and
the UCB.
Leslie
started substitute teaching, and eventually got a job at the youth counseling
center in Bountiful.
On
March 27th, 1975, Leslie and Dero decided to be married. It was a small
wedding, officiated by their bishop. Gayle, Leslie's sister, was her only
bridesmaid and her friend, Vicki, played the wedding march. A year later, Dero
and Leslie were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City temple,
along with Dero's parents, Carl and Theresia, who had never been sealed.
Shortly
after they wed, Leslie gave birth to their first child, Kathryn. She was a busy
child, and Leslie had to follow her around to keep her safe, since she
continually managed to escape the fence they built
just to contain her.
Leslie's
parents blended well with Dero's, which resulted in family gatherings with the
Gertsch's great dane and pet monkey dominating the events. Unfortunately, by
1976 both Carl and Theresia passed on.
Leslie
and Dero's second child, Sam, was born shortly thereafter. He was a mellow
child and Kate's item of obsession. She once decided to take him to school with
her without permission. After searching in a panic, it was discovered she had
toted him to school in his pajamas. Oddly, the school didn't report this and
figured he just needed a babysitter.
With
Dero's inheritance, they paid tithe and the remainder was used to begin
building their present-day home. Dero and Leslie started buying their building
supplies, hauling them in Old Yeller, Leslie's pickup truck she bought in 1971.
They erected their family home together, with the help of Leslie's family. They
used a little $600 travel trailer as shelter for the two oldest, Kate and Sam,
as well as to prepare food for the workers. When they finally moved in, Dero
and Leslie continued to work at finishing the upstairs of their home. Leslie
would sand and wipe things down to paint, while carrying their third child
Kerri Ann.
There
on the farm, they had lots of animals over the years - some lambs, calves,
horses, and chickens. The kids had dogs, cats, and even raised miniature
bunnies. A few times they even had geese, ducks, turkeys, and pigs, not to
mention such exotics as snakes, lizards, and turtles.
Leslie's
third child, Kerri, was a very intelligent and agile. She was a busy body and
escape artist of sorts. She loved riding horses, like her mom, and enjoyed
visiting the neighbors who were working on their home. Sadly, Kerri lost her
life to a reckless teenage driver at two and a half years old. The silver
lining was that the decision was made to donate her eyes, and Leslie and Dero received
a gift of the narrated scriptures. Leslie listened and said that it played a
large role in her coping with mourning the loss of her daughter.
Leslie
desperately wanted another baby, and a few years later, was blessed with her
fourth child, Alex. He was the healthiest of all her babies, rating 10 for
overall health. A new life after death proved to be healing, as Kate and Sam
were so excited to have a new baby. Kate, at eleven years old, threw Leslie her
first baby shower and invited the sisters from the ward.
Three
years later came Elora. Leslie knew she wanted another daughter after Kerri had
passed, and she finally got her big blue-eyed baby to complete her family.
Leslie
enjoyed family vacations and rock hounding in the desert. She loved hosting
weekly family dinners, playing with and teaching her children and grandchildren
strong values and lifelong skills.
She
taught them farming and gardening, a strong work ethic, and how to be
resourceful. Leslie has always been very oriented with her surroundings. She
knew her plants by touch and her friends by the sound of their voices. Leslie
had been a dedicated wife and partner for forty-four years and served alongside
Dero in an assortment of spiritual callings in their church. Leslie has always
been a strong-willed woman and an advocate for justice for people with
disabilities. For the past 44 years, Leslie has worked with the Utah Council of
the Blind, most of those years as the executive director. She loved to serve
others and spent much of her time serving with her family, church, and
community. She gave several decades of her life to organizations serving and
advocating for people with disabilities. Among many others, those included were
the Utah Council of the Blind, the UCB Credit Union, the Legislative Coalition
for People with Disabilities, the Division of Services for the Blind and
Visually Impaired Advisory Council, the Institutional Council for the Utah
State Schools for the Deaf and Blind, and the Utah Statewide Independent Living
Council. Her major focus was always on independence for people with
disabilities. She made those passions her life's work and was recently
presented with the inaugural "Leslie H. Gertsch Award for Lifelong
Leadership and Service", which was created in her honor.
Leslie
has always shared her entrepreneurial spirit with her children in the operation
of her braille transcription business, which served those with disabilities.
She has been a wonderful missionary and friend to her community by being a
spiritual rock and steadfast in her faith in her Heavenly Father, she continued
to make every effort to attend her weekly Sacrament meeting up until her final
days, and honored her temple covenants with faith.
by
Tom Mitchell
Leslie
Gertsch, for more than 40 years the heart and soul of the Utah Council of the
Blind, passed away on November 28. Rather than try to write a thorough
biography, like the one presented by her daughter, Elora, I want to try and
tell those of you who did not know her, and there may be a few, of her
character and dedication, and the person we came to know.
She
began attending the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind at the age of ten.
In the last several months of her life, she wanted to get together with some of
her school friends, and during those visits, she admitted to us that those
first three months at the School for the Blind were very hard for her. She
cried every night, she said, and sometimes, when her parents dropped her off at
the school, she would run out the door and chase the car down the driveway.
However, those of us who lived in other dorms were not aware of this. We knew
she was trying to learn her Braille and other skills, but were never aware of
the struggles she was having. And I do remember being impressed with how much
she was learning in all our classes, and her ability to understand what it all
meant.
It
didn't seem to take her long to gain her mobility and learn her way around campus,
and to play on the playground equipment at the school, running easily from one
piece of equipment to another, and climbing poles, always having a good time. And
she was always up for a good game, whatever it might be.
One
of Leslie's greatest passions, all through her life, was horses. She used to
talk about horses while at school, and every summer at a week-long summer camp
held for blind children and adults in the Uintas, she was a most enthusiastic
rider, signing up to ride as often as she could. It was the love of horses that
led her to the other great love of her life, her husband, Dero. With his
building and engineering skills, and the help of family members, they built
their dream home, where they raised five children: Kate, Sam, Kerri, Alex, and
Elora. The accidental death of Kerri at age 2, was, of course, one of the
hardest trials she ever faced. But it was her deep religious faith that made it
possible for her to carry on, knowing that she will see her in a life to come.
But
there came to be a third passion in her life. It was her love for blind people,
and her passionate need to make their lives better. When she joined the Utah
Council of the Blind, it changed her life; not only hers, but the lives of
other blind people throughout Utah. When she first joined, the UCB was little
more than a social organization. And while that was all well and good, she told
me once: "I don't want this to be just a social group. I want it to have
programs that will actually do things for blind people."
Over
the past four decades, she has achieved that goal. With more than thirteen
different programs, the UCB has become the kind of organization she wanted. It
provides services such as discount cab coupons, a reader-driver program,
teacher-trainers who train blind people in their homes, and grants for
purchasing electronic and other equipment that blind people need. The one thing
that made her unhappy, was that so few blind people participate in the
organization; its parties, conferences, and particularly its business meetings.
She really wanted to see more blind people there. But her door, and
particularly her phone, was always open to people who needed questions answered,
or whatever help she could find.
Our
sincerest wishes are extended to her family. We know you will miss her. And so,
will we all.
By
Tina Terry
Leslie
Gertsch touched so many lives while she was here with us. She did more for me than
she could ever know. I am normally a quiet person and must talk myself into
anything that does not involve staying home and reading a book.
I
was selling Pampered Chef and approached Leslie several years ago about having
a table at the Convention in Park City. While we were talking, she asked me to
consider working with the Utah Council of the Blind as a teacher-trainer. She
felt that it was something that Rick and I would be good at. As I started
teaching, I realized how much I love doing it.
She
also had faith in me when I was asked to run for the Board and then as
President. These were things that I never would have imagined myself doing.
There have been many times when I have felt inadequate or wondered if I was the
right person for the job. When we found out Rick had cancer, she was the first
person I called. She was a huge support through the initial shock and following
months. She was such an encourager, and it was my honor to work with her for
the past few years. My hope is that I can pass the care and encouragement on to
others the way that she gave them to me.
Thanks.
By
Tina Terry
This
year has flown by so quickly. It seems like it should be May or June. There
have definitely been ups and downs, but it has been a year of growth for me.
The last three years I have challenged myself to do something out of my comfort
zone for the new year. This year I have not decided what that challenge will be
yet. I have enjoyed trying my hand at different crafts. I can definitely say
that I have become a pro at tearing things out. I work on a project, get
distracted, go back, think I have made a mistake and take it apart, and start
over. Crafts may not be my forte, but it has been fun trying.
I
wanted to do this because I know that crafts are one of the things some folks
who are losing their sight are afraid, they will lose. We have many wonderful
examples in the blind community who will show that we still can create
beautiful and useful things. I am not sure what I will try next. Will I be good
at it? I don't know, but I will enjoy trying. The thing that I do know is that
my blindness only holds me back as much as I let it. I often tell people that
life, whether blind or sighted, is about alternative techniques. We all have
our different ways of doing things. It is all about finding the right way for
you. Whatever I do, it will be fun trying new ways of accomplishing my goal.
The thing that I love about working with many of you is that we can learn from
each other. I hope that if any of you want to try something, that you will
reach out to others in the community instead of letting preconceived ideas tell
you what you can and cannot do.
Good
luck with whatever you try to do.
By
Sandy England
We
want to say a big thank you for all of you who came to our annual Christmas
party. We all had a great time with
great food and desserts along with a wonderful bake sale. We had the Puppy Raisers there to help out,
and we want to let them know how much we appreciate how much they did for us
this year. We want to thank all who
helped with tables, decorating, handing out things and more.
Thanks
for those of you who gave things to the gifting table. This went very well for
the first time we have done it. We have some great craft items to look at and
buy.
Below
are a few names of those I would like to especially thank. I hope I don't forget anyone.
Monica
Youngdell for Christmas music during the party
Jennifer
Gardiner (in charge of food serving)
Puppy
raisers (sorry don't know all your names)
Michelle
Hendrickson (helped handing out candy bars and gift cards)
Tina
Terry (what didn't she do? A big thank you.)
Tina's
driver, Tia, was so helpful as well
The
Hendrickson family for arranging tables
Belva
Frandsen for working at the bake sale table.
Tom
Mitchell, what a great announcer (always does a great job for us)
The
Entertainers were wonderful! Tina sang like an angel, Robert Hendrickson did a
great job on his story, Sandy Ruconich was wonderful playing Christmas carols,
and she did a delightful song.
A
number of organizations donated money and food for the party. Thank you to
those who donated:
Alison's
Pantry
Cal-Ranch
Chick-fil-A
Costco
Democracy
Life
Golden
Corral gave us a big discount on our dinner
Lee's
Marketplace
Macey's
Food Store
Nothing
Bundt Cakes for desserts
Petersons
Food Store
Ream's
Grocery
Smith's
Marketplace
I
(Sandy England) hope your Christmas and New Year will be the best ever. We are looking forward to next year, and
anyone who might want to help please let the Utah Council of the blind know.
I
enjoyed being the chair this year and am glad all went well.
By
Sandy
We
want to give a big thank-you to those who came and showed their crafts. Here's
a list of them for those who might like to get in touch with them.
Emily
Stevens 801-318-4796, hair bows for girls
Kathy
Poulsen 1-435-850-8400, rice bags, message board, small storage jars
Kira
Larkin 801-898-5472, rice bags, rice socks, scrubbies, bracelets and more.
Ray
Wright 801-560-9866 or e-mail wrightturnonly@gmail.com, ball point pens, pizza
cutters, bottle top openers and etc. (all out of wood)
Sandy
England, kisses candy jars, lap blankets, glass block that has lights inside
and decorated on the outside.
UCB
office: Call Donni Mitchell at 801-520-3766 during office hours for measuring
cups and spoons, small hammers with nested screw drivers, T-shirts
By
Tina Terry
Leslie
and I have talked to many of you, or written articles in the newsletter about
accessible vote by mail. I am happy to say that this looks like this is coming
closer to an option for us. Several of the counties in Utah, including
Washington, Davis, Weber, and Salt Lake, are looking at vote by mail very
seriously. This would give those who cannot vote at the voting machines another
option. Being able to vote in private is one of the rights that should excite
us all.
If
you would like more information on who to contact, call me at: (801) 245-9264
or email me at: tinakt67@live.com. I will let you know who to contact in your
area.
Those
of us who don't have smartphones or tablets, and therefore couldn't use Uber or
Lyft, have been envious of those who did have smartphone, and could use those
services. Listen up, all you people who still don't use smartphones. Now
there's GoGo Grandparent, a service you can call toll-free, who will get you to
your destination. Here's all the information you need from their website.
STEP 1
If
you haven't yet, register for free at
http://www.gogograndparent.com/ or by calling us toll-free at 1 (855)
464-6872 and Press 0.
STEP 2
When
you're ready to ride, call us toll-free at 1 (855) 464-6872. Listen to the menu
and press the digit that does what you want! happen. For example: Press 1 to
get picked up at home; Press 2 to get picked up where we dropped you off
Press
6 to request an operator
Pickups
happen within 15 minutes. To schedule in advance, speak to an agent.
STEP 3
Your
agent for affordable rides
No
smartphone or app required
Available
in over 7,000+ cities
Pay
up to 30% less than a taxi
Curb-to-curb
rides
24/7
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Rides
can be requested within 15 minutes — or 6 months in advance!
As
a driver accepts your request, you'll hear their name, when they'll arrive, car
color, make/model, and license plate.
STEP 4
Once
a ride is on the way keep your phone near you, the ringer all the way up, and
the line free. You'll receive a call when they're 4 minutes away.
STEP 5
If
you need to speak with your driver, contact them by calling 1 (855) 464-6872
and Press 3 at any time.
WHAT DO I NEED?
Any
phone that can call 1 (855) 464-6872. You don't need a "smart" phone
or any apps.
CAN I CANCEL MY RIDE?
To
cancel a ride, call us and Press 9. Cancel within 5 minutes of ordering to
avoid a fee.
WHO ARE THE DRIVERS?
We
work with Uber and Lyft to ensure that you can get affordable rides. Your trips
are protected by Uber and Lyft's insurance policies from when you get matched
with a driver until you arrive at your destination.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
We
charge a small concierge fee plus Lyft/Uber's fare. We quote the cost every
time you call. Rates can change when demand is high (this happens rarely and
returns to normal in a few minutes). You do not pay the driver, and they do not
know the total cost of the trip. After the trip, we'll charge the card you have
on file and call or email you with how much was charged.
Now
that you're a pro, tell everyone you know!
CAN I BRING MY WALKER?
If
you can get into a car without assistance from the driver, then walkers and
foldable wheelchairs are no problem. If you use an assistive device, speak to
an operator before ordering your ride so we can notate your account.
SHOULD I TIP?
Tipping
is encouraged and expected, especially in the cases where you ask a driver to
wait or lift something up.
I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS!
Give us a call! Dial 1 (855) 464-6872 and Press 0 for an operator.
WHEN CAN I CALL AN OPERATOR?
Operators
are available 24/7 to give price quotes, schedule rides in advance and answer
any questions that you have. Call and Press 0 to speak with an operator.
Today
we help thousands of loved ones use transportation services to remain
independent.
GoGo
Grandparent was started for a family member that needed help helping herself.
Since then, we have committed ourselves to helping folks maintain their
independence (and have a good time doing it).
Insta Pot recipe
Submitted
by Kelly Nelson
The
pumpkin bug hits each fall; I think that part of the appeal is the warming
spices that usually accompany it. I like this pumpkin oatmeal with dried
cranberries instead of raisins, which I use in more traditional oats. If you
like nuts such as walnuts or pecans, as I do, be sure to add those, too, after
cooking. If you prefer not to use maple syrup, you can sweeten with chopped
dates; add to the cooker before cooking the oats.
Ingredients
2
1/4 cups water
1
cup vanilla nondairy milk
Pinch
of salt
1/2
teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/2
teaspoon ground cardamom
1
to 2 cinnamon sticks
1/2
cup dried cranberries
1
cup steel-cut oats
1/2
cup diced pumpkin or other squash; or 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1
to 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
Maple
syrup
1/4
cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts
Instructions
1.
Combine the water and milk in a pressure cooker. Stir in the salt, spices, and
cranberries. Add the oats and pumpkin, but do not stir.
2.
Lock the lid on the cooker. Bring to high pressure; cook for 3 minutes. Let the
pressure come down naturally. Carefully remove the lid, tilting it away from
you.
3.
Stir the mixture. If it seems watery, lock the lid back on and let sit for 5
minutes. Open carefully.
4.
Use long tongs to remove and discard the cinnamon sticks. Add the pumpkin pie
spice and maple syrup to taste. Top each bowl with toasted nuts.
Pumpkin-Spice
Buckwheat: Make this dish with buckwheat groats (kasha) instead of steel-cut
oats. Follow the same directions.
by
Sandy England
Facts
on honey and cinnamon: It is found that
a mixture of honey and cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of
the world. Scientists of today also
accept honey as a 'Ram Ban' (very effective) medicine for all kinds of
diseases. Honey can be used without any
side effects for any kind of diseases.
Today's
science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a
medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients.
Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada, on its issue dated 17 January,
1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and
cinnamon as researched by western scientists:
HEART
DISEASES:
Make
a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam,
and eat it regularly for breakfast. It
reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart
attack. Also those who have already had an attack, if
they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves
loss of breath and strengthens the heartbeat.
In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients
successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their
flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and
veins.
ARTHRITIS:
Arthritis
patients may take daily, morning, and night, one cup of hot water with two
spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly
even chronic arthritis can be cured. In
a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that
when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey
and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a
week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally
relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not
walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.
BLADDER
INFECTIONS:
Take
two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of
lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys
the germs in the bladder.
TOOTHACHE:
Make
a paste of one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and five teaspoons of honey and
apply on the aching tooth. This may be
applied three times a day until the tooth stops aching.
CHOLESTEROL:
Two
tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces
of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient were found to reduce the level of
cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken
three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said
journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.
(By the way. If you're taking cholesterol medicine STOP! They all contain
STATIN which weaken your muscles, including YOUR HEART, and none has been shown
to stop heart attacks or strokes!!!!
COLDS:
Those
suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey
with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure
most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.
UPSET
STOMACH:
Honey
taken with cinnamon powder cures stomachache and also clears stomach ulcers
from the root.
GAS:
According
to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that if honey is taken
with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.
IMMUNE
SYSTEM:
Daily
use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the
body from bacterial and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has
various vitamins and iron in large amounts.
Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial
and viral diseases.
INDIGESTION:
Cinnamon
powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity
and digests the heaviest of meals.
INFLUENZA:
A
scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural Ingredient which
kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.
LONGEVITY:
Tea
made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages
of old age. Take four spoons of honey,
one spoon of cinnamon powder and three cups of water and boil to make like
tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times
a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft
and arrests old age. Lifespans also
increase and even a 100-year-old, starts performing the chores of a
20-year-old.
PIMPLES:
Three
tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this
paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm
water. If done daily for two weeks, it
removes pimples from the root.
SKIN
INFECTIONS:
Applying
honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema,
ringworm and all types of skin infections.
WEIGHT
LOSS:
Daily
in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach and at night
before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of
water. If taken regularly, it reduces
the weight of even the most obese person.
Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to
accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.
CANCER:
Recent
research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the
stomach and bones have been cured successfully.
Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one
tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three
times a day.
FATIGUE:
Recent
studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than
being detrimental to the strength of the body.
Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are
more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who
has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of
water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the
afternoon at about 3:00 p.m. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease,
increases the vitality of the body within a week.
BAD
BREATH:
People
of South America, first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey
and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout
the day.
HEARING
LOSS:
Daily
morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restore
hearing. Remember when we were kids? We
had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!
(Editor's
note: Before making any major life-style changes, please consult your own
physician.)
Written
By: Celia Vimont
Reviewed By: Brenda Pagan-Duran, MD
(Submitted Oct. 17, 2019 by Kelly Nelson)
If
you're looking for a diet that's healthy for your eyes, here's some good news:
The same diet that helps your heart and the rest of your body will help your
eyes. Plus, you'll enjoy many delicious choices.
For
"2020: The Year of the Eye," the American Academy of Ophthalmology
intended to list 20 vision-healthy foods. Instead, we came up with 36. It's a
diet rich in fruits, vegetables, beans and fish.
Why Is Nutrition Important for Good Vision?
"Some
nutrients keep the eye healthy overall, and some have been found to reduce the
risk of eye diseases," said Rebecca J. Taylor, MD, an ophthalmologist in
Nashville, Tennessee.
Eating
a diet low in fat and rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help not
only your heart but also your eyes. This isn't surprising: Your eyes rely on
tiny arteries for oxygen and nutrients, just as the heart relies on much larger
arteries. Keeping those arteries healthy will help your eyes.
What Should I Focus On for Eye-Healthy Eating?
Orange-colored
vegetables and fruits with vitamin A
Perhaps
the best-known eye-healthy nutrient is vitamin A. Your retina needs plenty of
vitamin A to help turn light rays into the images we see. Also, without enough
vitamin A, your eyes can't stay moist enough to prevent dry eye.
Carrots
are a well-known source of vitamin A. Sweet potatoes provide even more vitamin
A, Dr. Taylor said. "A sweet potato has more than 200% of the daily dose
of vitamin A doctors recommend." Fruits, including cantaloupe and
apricots, can be a good source of vitamin A.
Fruits
and veggies rich in Vitamin C
Vitamin
C is critical to eye health. As an antioxidant, vitamin C helps protect the
body from damage caused by some things we eat, unhealthy habits and
environmental factors. Fried foods, tobacco smoke and the sun's rays can
produce free radicals—molecules that can damage and kill cells. Vitamin C helps
repair and grow new tissue cells.
Good
sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, such as oranges, tangerines,
grapefruit and lemons. Lots of other foods offer vitamin C, including peaches,
red bell peppers, tomatoes and strawberries. Antioxidants can prevent or at
least delay age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts, according to
the Age-Related Eye Diseases Study (AREDS).
Vitamin
E
Another
important antioxidant is vitamin E, which helps keep cells healthy. Vitamin E
can be found in avocados, almonds and sunflower seeds.
Cold-Water
Fish With Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Diets
rich in omega-3 fatty acids from cold-water fish may help reduce the risk of
developing eye disease later in life, research suggests. These fish include
salmon, tuna, sardines, halibut and trout. "Omega-3's are good for tear
function, so eating fish may help people with dry eye," Dr. Taylor said.
Leafy
Green Vegetables Rich in Lutein and Zeaxanthin
Lutein
and zeaxanthin are antioxidants found in the pigments of leafy green vegetables
and other brightly colored foods. They are key to protecting the macula, the
area of the eye that gives us our central, most detailed vision. Kale and
spinach have plenty of these nutrients. Other foods with useful amounts of lutein
and zeaxanthin include romaine lettuce, collards, turnip greens, broccoli and
peas. And while not leafy and green, eggs also are a good source of these
nutrients.
Beans
and Zinc
The
mineral zinc helps keep the retina healthy and may protect your eyes from the
damaging effects of light. However, zinc can lower the amount of copper in your
body, which we need to help form red blood cells. Fortunately, you can increase
both at once with all kinds of beans (legumes), including black-eyed peas,
kidney beans and
Should I Get Eye-Healthy Nutrients Through Vitamin Supplements?
Eating
the right food is the best way to get eye-healthy nutrients, Dr. Taylor said.
"In general, most Americans can and should get enough nutrients through
their diet without needing to take supplements."
People
who have macular degeneration are an exception. "In this case, taking
supplements is recommended by the Age Related Eye
Disease Study 2, a follow-up to the AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease) Study. Talk
with your ophthalmologist if you or a family member has AMD," Dr. Taylor
said.
No
matter your age, it's not too late to start eating healthy, she said. "So
many of my patients focus on a healthy diet only after they've been diagnosed
with a serious health problem. Start eating well now to benefit your vision and
your health for the rest of your life."
(Editor's
note: Before making any major life-style changes, please consult your own physician.)
Submitted
by Sandy
When
storing soups: If putting it in the freezer for later, don't put lid on until
it is frozen.
Print
out this handy guide to all kitchen equivalents and put it on your fridge for
reference:
MEASUREMENTS—SMALL
VOLUME (LIQUID:)
1
tablespoon = 3 teaspoons = 1/2 fluid ounce
2
tablespoons = 1/8 cup = 1 fluid ounce
4
tablespoons = 1/4 cup = 2 fluid ounces
5
tablespoons + 1 teaspoon = 1/3 cup
16
tablespoons = 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces
LARGE
VOLUME (LIQUID):
1
cup = 8 fluid ounces
1/2
pint = 2 cups
16
fluid ounces = 1 pint=1/2 quart
3
cups = 24 fluid ounces = 1 1/2 pints
4
cups = 32 fluid ounces
2
pints = 1 quart
8
cups = 64 fluid ounces = 2 quarts = 1/2 gallon
16
cups = 128 fluid ounces = 4 quarts = 1gallon
DRY
MEASUREMENTS:
1
cup = 16 tablespoons
1
pound dry = 16 ounces
Equipment
With
a ruler, measure the length and width of the pan across its top from one inside
edge to the opposite inside edge. Holding ruler perpendicular to the pan,
measure the depth on the inside of the pan from the bottom to the rim.
PAN SIZE—APPROXIMATE VOLUME
2
1/2-by-1 1/2-inch muffin-pan cup = 1/2 cup
8-by-1
1/2-inch round cake pan = 5 cups
9-by-1
1/2-inch round cake pan = 6 cups
9-by-1-inch
pie plate = 4 cups
8-by-8-by-2-inch
square pan = 7 cups
9-by-9-by-1
1/2-inch square pan = 8 cups
9-by-9-by-2-inch
square pan = 10 cups
11-by-7-by-1
1/2-inch rectangular pan = 7 cups
13-by-9-by-2-inch
rectangular pan = 14 cups
8
1/2-by-4 1/2-by 2 1/2 inch loaf pan = 6 cups
9-by-5-by-3-inch
loaf pan = 8 cups
15
1/2-by-10 1/2-by-1-inch jelly-roll pan = 16 cups
Ingredients
Apples:
1 pound = 3 medium or 3 cups sliced
Bananas:
1 pound = 3 medium or 11/3 cups mashed
Barley:
1 cup raw quick-cooking = about 3 cups cooked
Beans:
1 cup dry = 2 to 2 1/2 cups cooked
Blueberries:
1 pint = 2 1/2 cups
Bread:
1 pound loaf = 16 regular or 28 thin slices
Bread
crumbs: 1/2 cup fresh = 1 slice bread with crust
Bulgur:
1 cup uncooked = 3 to 3 1/2 cups cooked
Butter
or margarine: 1 stick = 8 tablespoons or 4 ounces
Cabbage:
1 pound = 4 to 5 cups coarsely sliced
Celery:
1 medium-size bunch = about 4 cups chopped
Cheese:
4 ounces = 1 cup shredded
Cherries:
1 pound = about 2 cups pitted
Chicken:
2 1/2- to 3-pound fryer = 2 1/2 cups diced cooked meat
Chocolate:
1 ounce unsweetened or semisweet = 1 square
Chocolate
chips: 6-ounce package = 1 cup
Cocoa:
8-ounce can unsweetened = 2 cups
Cornmeal:
1 cup raw = about 4 cups cooked
Cottage
cheese: 8 ounces = 1 cup
Couscous:
1 cup raw = about 2 1/2 cups cooked
Cranberries:
12-ounce bag = 3 cups
Cream:
1 cup heavy or whipping = 2 cups whipped
Cream
cheese: 8-ounce package = 1 cup; 3-ounce package = 6 tablespoons
Egg
white: 1 large = about 2 tablespoons
Egg
yolk: 1 large = about 11/2 tablespoons
Farina:
1 cup regular or instant uncooked = 6 to 61/2 cups cooked
Flour:
1 pound all-purpose = about 3 1/2 cups
Gelatin:
1 envelope unflavored = 2 1/2 teaspoons
Gingersnaps:
15 cookies = about 1 cup crumbs
Graham
crackers: 7 whole crackers = 1 cup crumbs
Hominy
grits: 1 cup uncooked = about 41/2 cups cooked
Honey:
16 ounces = 11/3 cups
Kasha:
1 cup uncooked = about 3 cups cooked
Lemon:
1 medium = about 3 tablespoons juice and 1 tablespoon grated peel
Lentils:
1 cup uncooked = about 2 1/2 cups cooked
Macaroni,
elbow: 1 cup uncooked = about 2 cups cooked
Milk,
condensed: 14-ounce can = 11/4 cups
Milk,
evaporated: 5-ounce can = 2/3 cup
Molasses:
12 ounces = 11/2 cups
Noodles:
8 ounces uncooked medium = about 4 cups cooked
Nuts:
4 ounces = 1 cup chopped
Oats:
1 cup raw old-fashioned or quick-cooking = about 2 cups cooked
Onion:
1 large = 1 cup chopped
Orange:
1 medium = 1/3 to 1/2 cup juice and 2 tablespoons grated peel
Peaches:
1 pound = about 3 medium or 2 1/2 cups sliced
Pears:
1 pound = about 3 medium or 2 1/4 cups sliced
Peppers:
1 large bell = about 1 cup chopped
Pineapple:
1 large = about 4 cups cubed
Popcorn:
1/4 cup un-popped = about 4 cups popped
Potatoes:
1 pound all-purpose = about 3 medium or 3 cups sliced or 2 cups mashed
Raisins:
15-ounce box = about 2 cups
Raspberries:
1/2 pint = about 1 cup
Rice:
1 cup uncooked regular = about 3 cups cooked; 1 cup uncooked instant = about 2
cups cooked
Saltine
crackers: 28 squares = about 1 cup crumbs
Shortening:
1 pound = 2 1/2 cups
Sour
cream: 8 ounces = 1 cup
Spaghetti:
8 ounces uncooked = about 4 cups cooked
Split
peas: 1 cup raw = about 2 1/2 cups cooked
Strawberries:
1 pound = about 3 1/4 cups whole or 2 1/2 cups sliced
Sugar:
1 pound confectioners' = 3 3/4 cups; 1 pound
granulated = 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 cups; 1 pound light or dark brown = 2 1/4 cups
packed
Tomatoes:
1 pound = 3 medium
Vanilla
wafers: 30 cookies = 1 cup crumbs
Yeast:
1 package active dry = 2 1/2 teaspoons
Common
Substitutions
Baking
powder: 1 teaspoon baking powder = 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar plus 1/4
teaspoon baking soda
Broth:
1 cup chicken or beef broth = 1 bouillon cube or 1 envelope or 1 teaspoon
instant bouillon plus 1 cup boiling water
Buttermilk:
1 cup buttermilk = 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice plus enough milk to
equal 1 cup. Let stand 5 minutes to thicken. Or use 1 cup plain yogurt
Chives:
Use green onion tops
Chocolate:
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate = 3 tablespoons
unsweetened cocoa powder plus 1 tablespoon butter, margarine, or oil; 6 ounces
semisweet chocolate = 1 cup chocolate chips, or 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
powder plus 7 tablespoons sugar and 4 tablespoons butter, margarine, or oil
Cornstarch
(for thickening): 1 tablespoon cornstarch = 2 tablespoons flour or 2
tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
Fish
sauce, Asian: 1 tablespoon fish sauce = 2 teaspoons soy sauce plus 1 teaspoon
anchovy paste
Flour:
1 cup cake flour = 1 cup minus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 cup
self-rising flour = 1 cup all-purpose flour plus 1/4 teaspoon baking powder and
a pinch of salt
Milk:
1 cup whole milk = 1/2 cup evaporated milk plus 1/2 cup water
Pancetta:
Use sliced smoked bacon simmered in water for 3 minutes, then rinsed and
drained
Pepper,
ground red: 1/8 teaspoon red pepper = 4 drops hot-pepper sauce
Pine
nuts: Use walnuts or almonds
Prosciutto:
Use ham, preferably Westphalian or a country ham, such as Smithfield
Shallots:
Use red onion
Sour
cream: 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup plain yogurt (in unheated recipe). To prevent
yogurt from curdling in a cooked recipe, you will have to stabilize it with 1
egg white or 1 tablespoon of cornstarch or flour dissolved in a little cold
water for every quart of yogurt
Sugar:
1 cup light brown sugar = 1 cup granulated sugar plus 1 tablespoon molasses or
1 cup dark brown sugar
Tomato
sauce: 15-ounce can tomato sauce = 6-ounce can tomato paste plus 1 1/2 cans
water
Vanilla
extract: Use brandy or an appropriately flavored liqueur
Yeast:
1 package active dry yeast = 1/2-ounce yeast cake or 1 package quick-rise yeast
(allow half the rising time for quick rise)
Yogurt:
1 cup plain yogurt = 1 cup buttermilk
Donni
Mitchell, our vice president, volunteers in the UCB Office at DSBVI, 250 N 1950
W,
We
are always looking for articles, book reviews, or interesting tidbits of information
from our readers or other interested persons. The deadline for submitting items
for publication is the 10th of the month, e.g. the deadline for the February
newsletter is January 10th. You may e-mail any articles you wish to submit to
tommit60@gmail.com; send Braille, print, or audio to UCB Flier, PO Box 1415,
Bountiful, UT 84011-1415; or drop them off to Donni or Adrienne at the office.
Please allow extra time for processing Braille, print, or audio.
If
you have questions or concerns for any board member or to be placed on the
agenda of a board meeting, e-mail ucb.board@gmail.com or leave a message on the
Utah Connection, and you will receive a timely reply.
Members
are invited and encouraged to attend meetings of the Board of Directors. These
are typically held the fourth Thursday of each month at 4:45 p.m. at DSBVI in
Conference Room R (in the north hallway), except as noted.
Thursday
February 27, 2020
Thursday, March 26, 2020
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