January 2015

Comfort Food

The weather outside is frightful -- but the food is so delightful! If that's the
 tune that runs through your head this time of year, you're not alone. As temperatures
fall, experts say, our winter appetites can spin out of control.

But what is it about frostier temperatures that drive us to eat more. Experts say
there are a number of factors at work.  It's cold. Days are shorter, and nights 
are longer. You're worn out from holiday preparations -- or maybe you have a case
of the seasonal blues.

"Simply put, when outdoor temperatures drop, your body temperature drops, that's
 what sets up the longing for foods that will warm you quickly...-- stews, mashed
potatoes, mac and cheese," says Kristin Herlocker MS, RD, a nutrition expert with
Diabetes Centers of America in Houston.

In short, she says, feeling cold triggers a self-preservation mode that tells the
body to heat up fast. And that message is often played out as a craving for carbohydrate-rich
foods -- the sugars and starches that provide the instant "heat" boost your body
 is longing for; thereby setting up a cycle that keeps the appetite in motion.

Technically, any food will boost your metabolism and help your body temperature 
to rise, but culturally, we're not trained to think of salads or fruits and vegetables
as winter eating -- first, because there's less of them around, but also because
 we associate winter with richer, heavier meals. So, when your body sends the message,
warm me up, your brain hears-Bring on the mac and cheese."

While for some it's falling temperatures that sets appetites in motion, for others,
it's the decrease in sunlight as well as problems with the body's biological clock
or in levels of the brain chemical serotonin.

Despite all these appetite-boosting factors, experts say you can take control. With
a little bit of planning, you can keep your life and your appetite in perfect harmony
all year long.

Here are 6 suggestions.

1. Have a Healthy Snack-Eat a high-protein, high-fiber snack between meals causing
us to crave less carbs.

2. Make a Winter Activity Plan-Create a list of winter activities you could do. 
Not only does exercise burn calories, it also affects brain chemicals linked to 
appetite.

3. Create Low-Calorie Comforts- Make comfort foods with low calorie ingredients.
 Mac and cheese made with low-fat cheese, or steamy pizza with veggies and a whole
wheat crust

4. Get a Daily Dose of Light- If you think your food cravings may be related to 
shorter days, try spending some time outdoors in sunlight every day.

5. Keep a Lid on Seasonal Goodies-Keep rich treats out of direct eye view

6. Give Out a Lot of Hugs-If it's comfort you're seeking, hugging is a great way
 to fill you up without filling you out.

As you get cozy and contemplate your gardening plans for 2015, indulge your cravings
and whittle your waistline by re-creating your favorite comfort foods by using wholesome
ingredients.


Thursday, January 1
New Year's Day


Store Closed

Saturday, January 24 at 10 AM

Houseplant Re-potting Demonstration
Learn hands on how to successfully re-pot your houseplants.
Registration is $5 or free with purchase of any container.
Personal plant re-potting by appt. only please.
Register by calling 757.898.7799

Valentine Rose Bouquet Special
Preorder by Friday, February 6
And get $5 OFF

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Check This Out!

Demystifying
Bird Feeders

As a newbie to bird feeding, I would stand at a selection of bird feeders and scratch
my head. After many years of novice bird feeding, I've learned a few things about
bird feeder functions.


Tray and Platform Feeders
Platform feeders are suspended or on the ground and attract the widest variety of
birds, including doves, starlings, sparrows, and grosbeaks.


Hopper or House Feeders
House feeders can be suspended or pole mounted and are attractive to most birds 
such as finches, jays, cardinals, buntings, grosbeaks, sparrows, chickadees, and
 titmice.


Window Feeders
Small plastic feeders that attach outside your window with suction cups, and tray
feeders that hook onto window frames attract small birds like finches, chickadees,
titmice, and sparrows.


Tube Feeders
Hollow tube feeders can be found in a variety of sizes, with different perches, 
port diameters and made of different materials.  Designs with perches above the 
feeding ports are specialized for birds that can feed hanging upside down, such 
as goldfinches and chickadees.


Suet Feeders
A suet feeder is typically a metal cage-like construction into which you can place
a suet block to feed woodpeckers, flickers, nuthatches, and many other species of
insect and seed eaters.
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Tips for the Garden:


*If you see broadleaf weeds emerging in your lawn, spray them now with Bonide Weed
Beater Ultra, a liquid herbicide that can be used in cool weather.

*If you have containers that are not being used throughout the winter, be sure to
 turn them over to keep them from collecting water that could freeze and crack the
container.  And don't forget to protect your fountains and birdbaths.

*If we experience a dry or windy winter, you should water thoroughly on a day when
the temperature is above 40 degrees.

*Avoid walking on frost or ice-covered turf.  The walking usually results in extensive
physical "breaking" of the leaves.  The good news is that the damage is primarily
cosmetic and does not impact the overall survival of your lawn.

*Now is a great time to dream a little and think about your 2015 vegetable and flower
gardens.  It's the perfect time to consider revamping overgrown gardens or even 
to consider adding a new focal point garden.

*Create a tropical oasis inside your home with some new houseplants.  Go easy on 
the watering.  Most houseplants like the soil to go slightly dry between watering.

*Prune fruit and shade trees now, before the sap begins flowing, leaving a short 
nub of branch to promote healing.  In addition, don't forget to also cut off the
 "sucker" shoots from around the base of any fruit tree.
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$5 OFF

Your Next Purchase
of $35 or More

With this coupon or email

Expires January 31, 2015.
Not valid in conjunction with any other offers, gift certificates, previous purchases,
bagged goods or bulk items.  Limit one coupon per customer.
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Have a question or need more information?
www.kenmatthewsgardencenter.com 
staff@kenmatthewsgardencenter.com