Special Time of the Year Takes Planning, here are some Suggestions. Champagne and Sparkling Wine Discussion, Punch Recipe Which Holiday Movie/Special was Our Patients’ Favorite? At Bottom Holiday Music with Different Songs and Artists Save 20% on ALL Skin Care Products 12/26-12/30 Winter Solstice and the Shortest Day of the Year, (hint, it’s over!) Testimonial Below Sums It Up!!
Mused after finding a “different” holiday music station. If you’re like me there’s only so much Mariah I can listen to. Jimmy Fallon on Sirius XM channel 17 has songs you have never heard and songs you have sung by lesser-known artists. Occasionally there will be a popular song sung by a popular artist but in general it’s worthwhile listening to.
HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
We are looking forward to the next two weeks with the holidays. By planning on activities, you can share the enjoyment with less stress. Many of us will be spending the holidays home with those we live and wishing we could be sharing it with all our loved ones. To those of you with young children you will be enjoying it through them. Here are some things to do to make it special, other ideas and some recipes for food and drink.
Flowers to brighten up the house, in addition to the Christmas tree
Seeing A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker, Festival of Lights at the zoo, or Winterfest at King’s Island
Dress up, no tie though
Exercise, 20 minutes max, the holiday is a day of rest
Special Breakfast, splurging on smoked salmon and mimosas
Going to a Service or just saying prayers of gratitude
Dinner out with friends or an open house seeing friends and family
Make a Fire inside or out and turn off television and cell phones, time to reflect
Xmas movies and music in the background
Calling, Facetime, Zoom family and friends that can’t be present
Making a production out of dinner, since as you know, I love to cook
A walk, Ghost would enjoy this especially in the cold
A cocktail at the Omni Netherland and its Art Deco Bar, Palm Court
Other ideas:
Games board or on computers.
Make something
Read
Movies
Puzzles
Bake, it’s never too late around the holidays and it smells good too
Volunteer
Watch Football, basketball, hockey.
Drive around your neighborhood and check out the lights
The point is to plan so that when a special day or time comes you can make the most of it.
(Did You Know? The Winter Solstice, last Saturday, is the beginning of winter and the shortest day of the year. More daylight started yesterday.)
SKIN CARE PRODUCT SAVINGS OF 20% 12/26-12/30
Ghost “unwrapping presents” last year.
TESTIMONIAL:
Everyone was wonderful. I could not have made a better decision to have Dr. McKenna and his staff do my tummy tuck. Every question and concern were addressed to full understanding. The facility is beautiful, more relaxing than a hospital setting. Thank you so much. M.T.
LA DOLCE VITA, JOIE DE VIVRE:
Discussion of Champagne and Sparkling Wine
Champagne:
• Region-Specific: Champagne is a type of sparkling wine that comes specifically from the Champagne region in France. Strict regulations govern what can be labeled as “Champagne.” It’s made using specific grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier) and follows the traditional method, including a second fermentation that happens in the bottle.
• Production Method: The traditional method involves a primary fermentation, followed by a secondary fermentation that occurs inside the bottle. This secondary fermentation creates the bubbles naturally.
• Flavor Profile: Champagne tends to have complex flavors, often described as toasty, yeasty, with notes of citrus, apple, and sometimes a slightly nutty taste, depending on the aging process and blend.
Sparkling Wine:
• Variety: Sparkling wine is a broader category that encompasses all effervescent wines made around the world using various grape varieties and production methods.
• Production Methods: While some sparkling wines, like Champagne, may be made using the traditional method, others use different techniques. For instance, the Charmat method involves conducting the second fermentation in a large tank instead of individual bottles.
• Global Varieties: Sparkling wines are made in many regions worldwide, like Cava from Spain, Prosecco from Italy, and sparkling wines from regions in the United States, Australia, and South Africa, among others.
• Flavor Profiles: Sparkling wines come in a wide range of flavors, from light and fruity to more complex, depending on the grapes used, the winemaking process, and the level of sweetness.
Both Champagne and sparkling wine can vary in sweetness levels, from bone-dry (Brut Nature/Zero Dosage) to sweet (Doux). They’re celebrated for their effervescence, making them perfect for celebrations or as a refreshing drink on various occasions.
-Chat GPT
Cranberry-Pomegranate Punch:
Combine 4 bags of cardamom-cinnamon tea with 2 cups of water and 2 cups of sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil for 30 seconds, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat and steep 5 minutes. Discard tea bags and let cool for 30 minutes. Add cooled syrup, to 4 cups of cranberry juice, 4 cups of pomegranate juice, 3 cups of fresh lemon and if desired, two bottles of champagne/sparkling wine. Serve with ice ring and garnishes like mint sprig.
-Food and Wine Magazine
Holiday Movie/Special Contest:
WE had a contest to see which of the holiday movies or specials were our patients’ favorite and it was a tie. Christmas Vacation and Elf had the same number of votes followed closely by Charlie Brown and Home Alone. My favorites are A Christmas Carol, White Christmas and A Charlie Brown Christmas (I love the jazz from the Vince Guaraldi Trio).
Remember to count the blessings you have.
Happy Holidays,
Peter McKenna, M.D.
513.793.5772
www.mckennamd.com
McKenna Cosmetic Surgery Center . 10577 Montgomery Road . Cincinnati . OH . 45242
30 Years of Improving Lives
A Cincinnati Magazine “Top Doc” since 1998
Allergan Top 500 Physician
Skinceuticals “Flagship” Practice
(I do write all the emails and have done so since 2007. -PJM)