A scene from the 2016 documentary, 'Burgundy: People With a Passion for Wine,' one of Bob Lipinski's top picks for the holidays.
By Bob Lipinski
My annual list of books (and video) to purchase for the upcoming holidays covers a multitude of topics, genres and authors. Some are current, “just-released” publications and other are “golden oldies” that are a “must read.” They are available in most bookstores and online.
Bob Lipinski
“The Italian Slow Cooker” (2010) by Michele Scicolone. Finally, a book that combines the fresh, exuberant flavors of great Italian food with the ease and comfort of a slow cooker. Scicolone, an authority on Italian cooking, shows how good ingredients and simple techniques can lift the usual “crockpot” fare into the dimension of fine food.
“The Italian Vegetable Cookbook” (2014) by Michele Scicolone. Scicolone shares 200 of the best vegetable recipes gathered from talented home cooks, chefs, produce vendors and vineyard owners throughout Italy. A cherished few of the recipes are family specialties, passed down by her grandmother.
“Burgundy: People With a Passion for Wine” (2016-DVD) by Rudi Goldman. A colorful mosaic of extraordinary stories about people whose lives revolve around the culture, challenges and pleasures of wine, winemaking and French gastronomy in Burgundy’s Côte d’Or. A must see video; it’s that good!
“101: Everything You Need to Know About Whiskey” (2015) by Bob Lipinski. It covers the basics of each major whiskey category and countries of origin. Also covered are history, definitions, slang terms, classic cocktails, drinks of American presidents and famous people and whiskey-infused quotes.
“The 24-Hour Wine Expert” (2016) by Jancis Robinson. This best-selling author has penned a 112-page book that strips away the nonessentials and concentrates on what’s really important in learning about wine. Easy to read style with drawings and down-to-earth material that can be read in 24 hours.
“Italian Wine & Cheese Made Simple” (2015) by Bob Lipinski and Gary Grunner. Background on more than 130 Italian cheeses paired with wine, cheese and fruit combinations, glossary of terms, phonetic pronunciation, regions of origin and so much more.
“Friends of Wine” (2013) by Michael Belardo. Friends of Wine represents Belardo’s personal collection of photographs taken through the years of people in and associated with the international wine business. Great photos!
Now for my “booze” recommendations to drink while reading:
Mayfair London Dry Gin (England) 86 proof. Juniper-filled bouquet along with lemon and rosemary. Medium-bodied and full of flavor with subtle hints of lemon, orange peel and a delicate creaminess in the finish. Superb gin … one of the best I’ve tried lately.
Lighthouse Gin (New Zealand) 84 proof. “Batch Distilled from 100 percent Sugar Cane.” Heavy juniper-perfumed bouquet with tones of sage, pine and citrus. Herbal tasting with hints of peach, orange, lime, lemon and pine, Quite smooth with little burn.
McCarthy’s Single Malt Whiskey (Oregon) “pot distilled” (Peat Malted Scottish barley). Aged three years. 85 proof. Medium-full peated nose (reminds one of Laphroaig) with smoke and leather. Flavors of citrus, orange, leather and black pepper. It’s not a Scotch, but pair it against a smoky one.
Bob Lipinski, a local author, has written 10 books, including “101: Everything You Need to Know About Whiskey” and “Italian Wine & Cheese Made Simple” (available on Amazon.com). He conducts training seminars on wine, spirits and food and is available for speaking engagements. He can be reached at www.boblipinski.com OR [email protected].
Many of us give thanks for our health on Thanksgiving. Well, let’s follow through with this theme. While eating healthy may be furthest from our minds during a holiday, it is so important. Instead of making Thanksgiving a holiday of regret, eating foods that cause weight gain and fatigue, as well as increase your risk for chronic diseases, you can reverse this trend while staying in the traditional theme of what it means to enjoy a festive meal.
What can we do to turn Thanksgiving into a bonanza of good health? Phytochemicals (plant nutrients) called carotenoids have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and are found mostly in fruits and vegetables. Carotenoids make up a family of greater than 600 different substances, such as beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene and beta-cryptoxanthin (1).
Carotenoids help to prevent and potentially reverse diseases, such as breast cancer; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease; age-related macular degeneration; and cardiovascular disease — heart disease and stroke. Foods that contain these substances are orange, yellow and red vegetables and fruits and dark green leafy vegetables. Examples include sweet potato, acorn squash, summer squash, spaghetti squash, green beans, carrots, cooked pumpkin, spinach, kale, papayas, tangerines, tomatoes and Brussels sprouts.
Acorn squash contains carotenoids, which help to prevent breast cancer, Lou Gehrig’s disease, age-related macular degeneration and cardiovascular disease.
Let’s look at the evidence.
Breast cancer effect
We know that breast cancer risk is high among women, especially on Long Island. The risk for a woman getting breast cancer is 12.4 percent in her lifetime (2). Therefore, we need to do everything within reason to reduce that risk. In a meta-analysis (a group of eight prospective or forward-looking studies), results show that women who were in the second to fifth quintile blood levels of carotenoids, such as alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and lutein and zeaxanthin, had significantly reduced risk of developing breast cancer (3). Thus, there was an inverse relationship between carotenoid levels and breast cancer risk. Even modest amounts of carotenoids potentially can have a resounding effect in preventing breast cancer.
ALS: Lou Gehrig’s disease
ALS is a disabling and feared disease. Unfortunately, there are no effective treatments for reversing it. Therefore, we need to work double-time in trying to prevent its occurrence. In a meta-analysis of five prestigious observational studies, including The Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, results showed that people with the greatest amount of carotenoids in their blood from foods such as spinach, kale and carrots had a decreased risk of developing ALS and/or delayed the onset of the disease (4). This study involved over one million people with more than 1,000 who developed ALS.
Those who were in the highest carotenoid level quintile had a 25 percent reduction in risk, compared to those in the lowest quintile. This difference was even greater for those who had high carotenoid levels and did not smoke; they achieved a 35 percent reduction. According to the authors, the beneficial effects may be due to antioxidant activity and more efficient function of the power source of the cell, the mitochondrion. This is a good way to prevent a horrible disease while improving your overall health.
Positive effects of healthy eating
Despite the knowledge that healthy eating has long-term positive effects, there are several obstacles to healthy eating. Two critical factors are presentation and perception. Presentation is glorious for traditional dishes, like turkey, gravy and stuffing with lots of butter and creamy sauces. However, vegetables are usually prepared in either an unappetizing way — steamed to the point of no return, so they cannot compete with the main course, or smothered in cheese, negating their benefits, but clearing our consciences.
Many consider Thanksgiving a time to indulge and not think about the repercussions. Plant-based foods like whole grains, leafy greens and fruits are relegated to side dishes or afterthoughts. Why is it so important to change our mind-sets? Believe it or not, there are significant short-term consequences of gorging ourselves. Not surprisingly, people tend to gain weight from Thanksgiving to New Year. This is when most gain the predominant amount of weight for the entire year.
However, people do not lose the weight they gain during this time (5). If you can fend off weight gain during the holidays, just think of the possibilities for the rest of the year. Also, if you are obese and sedentary, you may already have heart disease. Overeating at a single meal increases your risk of heart attack over the near term, according to the American Heart Association (6). However, with a little Thanksgiving planning, you can reap significant benefits.
What strategies should you employ for the best outcomes?
• Make healthy, plant-based dishes part of the main course. I am not suggesting that you forgo signature dishes, but add to tradition by making mouthwatering vegetable-based main dishes for the holiday.
• Improve the presentation of vegetable dishes. Most people don’t like grilled chicken without any seasoning. Why should vegetables be different? In my family, we make sauces for vegetables, like a peanut sauce using mostly rice vinegar and infusing a teaspoon of toasted sesame oil. Good resources for appealing dishes can be found at www.pcrm.org, EatingWell magazine, www.wholefoodsmarket.com and many other resources.
• Replace refined grains with whole grains. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that replacing wheat or refined grains with whole wheat and whole grains significantly reduced central fat, or fat around the belly (7). Not only did participants lose subcutaneous fat found just below the skin but also visceral adipose tissue, the fat that lines organs and causes chronic diseases such as cancer.
• Create a healthy environment. Instead of putting out creamy dips, processed crackers and candies as snacks prior to the meal, put out whole grain brown rice crackers, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes and healthy dips like hummus and salsa. Help people choose wisely.
• Offer more healthy dessert options, like dairy-free pumpkin pudding and fruit salad. The goal should be to increase your nutrient-dense choices and decrease your empty-calorie foods. You don’t have to be perfect, but improvements during this time period have a tremendous impact — they set the tone for the new year and put you on a path to success. Why not turn this holiday into an opportunity to de-stress, rest and reverse or prevent chronic disease by consuming plenty of carotenoid-containing foods.
References: (1) Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2010;50(8):728–760. (2) SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975–2009, National Cancer Institute. (3) J Natl Cancer Inst 2012;104(24):1905-1916. (4) Ann Neurol 2013;73:236–245. (5) N Engl J Med 2000; 342:861-867. (6) www.heart.org. (7) Am J Clin Nutr 2010 Nov; 92(5):1165-1171.
Dr. Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com or consult your personal physician.
The turkey may seem like the star on Nov. 24, but everybody knows it’s all about the sweet stuff. Go all out with these delicious recipes for Classic Pumpkin Pie and Caramel Macchiato Ice Cream Pie, a scrumptious and satisfying way to end your Thanksgiving feast.
Classic Pumpkin Pie
YIELD: Serves 8 to 10
Ingredients:
Pie crust
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 stick vegetable shortening
3 to 6 tablespoons ice cold water
Filling
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin purée
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions: Preheat oven to 425 F. In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt. With a pastry blender or fork, cut in shortening until mixture resembles course crumbs. Sprinkle in 3 to 5 tablespoons ice water, a tablespoon at a time. Mix lightly with a fork after each addition, until dough is just moist enough to hold together. Shape dough into a ball. Wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Roll out onto a lightly floured surface in the shape of a circle until dough is less than 1/4-inch thick. Roll the dough around the rolling pin, lift up, and unroll over a 9-inch pie plate. Using your fingers, gently pat the dough into place. Trim any excess dough with a paring knife or kitchen shears, leaving a 1-inch overhang; then fold dough under to reinforce the edge. Whisk the pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, spices and salt in medium bowl until smooth. Pour into crust. Bake for 15 minutes.
Reduce oven temperature to 350 F and continue baking 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted 1 inch from crust comes out clean. Cool. Garnish with whipped cream. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.
Caramel Macchiato Ice Cream Pie
YIELD: Serves 10.
INGREDIENTS:
Crust
9 graham crackers
1 cup finely chopped almonds
1/4 cup granulated sugar
4 tablespoons butter, melted
Filling
1 container (1.5 quarts) Dreyer’s or Edy’s Grand Coffee Ice Cream, softened
1/2 cup Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels, chopped, divided
1/2 cup Nestlé La Lechera Dulce de Leche
1 tub (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
DIRECTIONS: To make the crust: Heat oven to 325 F. In food processor, add graham crackers and pulse until crackers resemble fine crumbs. Add crumbs to bowl along with chopped almonds, sugar and butter; stir to combine. Press into bottom and up sides of 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Bake 5 minutes.
Remove from oven and cool completely. To make filling: Spread ice cream into cooled pie crust, smoothing out over bottom. Sprinkle with half of the chopped morsels. Heat dulce de leche in microwave-safe bowl on high for a few seconds to soften; stir. Pour over chocolate morsels, spreading evenly. Spoon whipped topping over dulce de leche, covering entire surface of pie. Sprinkle with remaining morsels and almonds. Freeze 30 minutes.
Remove pie from freezer and cover with foil. Place back in freezer for at least 4 hours, or until pie has set. Remove from freezer 10 minutes before serving.
The leaves on a ginkgo tree turn bright yellow in autumn. Photo by Ellen Barcel
By Ellen Barcel
This is part one of a two-part series.
Selecting trees for your property requires some decision making. For example, which trees do well in acidic soil? Which trees tolerate drought? Which trees are fast (or slow) growers, depending on your needs? Which trees have negatives that may mean you would avoid them (see my columns on researching plants, Sept. 22 and 29). And what about the final height? Is this a specimen tree for the front of your house or a shade tree for your back patio? But, there are other factors involved in your choice. One is evergreen versus deciduous trees. A second is autumn leaf color and a third is final tree shape. Since trees take so long to mature, this is one decision you want to get right.
Evergreen vs. deciduous
Evergreen trees hold their needles (and color) over the winter. Photo by Ellen Barcel
Trees can be divided into evergreen and deciduous trees. Evergreen trees keep their needles (leaves) throughout the winter while deciduous ones lose their leaves in fall. Evergreen trees tended to evolve in climates that have short growing seasons. Keeping their needles over the winter is a survival mechanism for the trees since they have greenery ready to feed the tree quickly during that short growing season. Evergreen trees do eventually lose their leaves/needles, but it is later in the growing season after the new ones have come in. Evergreen trees include pine, spruce, cedar, juniper, arborvitae and hemlock.
The advantage of evergreen trees for the gardener is that they provide screening year round. If you have a sight you wish to block or screen, then evergreens are ideal. It could be an ugly wall or privacy screening for a hot tub or gazebo. While most needled trees are evergreen, remember that the dawn redwood, referred to sometimes as a living fossil, a truly beautiful tree, does lose its needles in fall after they turn a reddish brown.
Deciduous trees lose their leaves in the autumn, have bare branches throughout the winter and put out new leaves the following spring. The advantage of a deciduous tree for the home gardener is that it provides shade in the heat of summer but lets the sun reach the ground and nearby houses in the winter. Many are quick growing, meaning a more established look in fewer years. Another advantage is the brilliant colors the leaves take on in autumn.
Autumn color
Japanese red maple have leaves which turn a deep mahogany in autumn. Photo by Ellen Barcel
Autumn color is another consideration when selecting new trees for your garden. Some blaze yellow in autumn such as the ginkgo, sassafras and sweet gum trees. Others go a deep mahogany like the Bradford pear, some varieties of maple and the pin oak. Now, of course is the ideal time to check out those you might be interested in. Of the evergreens, those with a blue tinge, like the Colorado blue spruce and blue cedar, or a golden hue, will keep that color in autumn, along with green varieties.
Next week, a look at tree shapes for the garden.
Ellen Barcel is a freelance writer and master gardener. To reach Cornell Cooperative Extension and its Master Gardener program, call 631-727-7850.
Centering your holiday meal around a turkey cooked to golden perfection is the ideal way to serve a feast. Without the right preparation and execution, however, your bird could fall short. To ensure your holiday dinner centerpiece lives up to expectations, follow these simple tips, from purchase to plate:
Buy the right bird. Finding a turkey that’s just the right size for your expected party is the start to a successful gathering. One common rule of thumb is to buy 1 pound of turkey per person — so for a 10-person meal, purchase a 10-pound turkey. Don’t forget that nearly everyone loves leftovers, so you may consider buying a few pounds more than necessary.
Be patient. If you opt for a frozen turkey, don’t rush the thawing process. For larger turkeys, it can take days to defrost properly. Timing is everything. Finding the right amount of time for your turkey to spend in the oven is crucial but not always the easiest thing to do. For an 8- to 12-pound bird, aim for 2.5 to 3.5 hours; 12 to 16 pounds for 3.5 to 4 hours; 16 to 20 pounds for 4 to 4.5 hours, and so on. The key is bringing the turkey to a temperature reading of 170 F.
Let it rest. Instead of pulling the turkey out of the oven and immediately carving it, give it a chance to rest for 20 to 30 minutes, which allows the juices to soak into the meat and moisten it up. While the turkey typically receives all the attention at holiday gatherings, rounding out your meal with the perfect sides and desserts is the key to a successful feast.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows
YIELD: Serves 8
INGREDIENTS:
5 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
1/2 cup Kitchen Basics Original Chicken Stock
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
4 tablespoons butter, cut into chunks
2 teaspoons McCormick Ground Cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon McCormick Ground Nutmeg
2 cups miniature marshmallows
DIRECTIONS: Spray inside of 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Add sweet potatoes, stock and brown sugar. Cover.Cook 4 hours on high or until potatoes are tender, stirring after each hour. Stir in butter, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Cover. Let stand 5 minutes. Beat potatoes with electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth. Top with marshmallows. Cover. Cook 10 minutes on high or until marshmallows are slightly melted.
Zucchini Casserole
YIELD: Serves 4
INGREDIENTS:
6 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, diced
3 medium zucchini, peeled, cut into 1/4-inch slices
2 medium peeled carrots, shredded
1 can cream of chicken soup (10 3/4 ounces)
1/2 cup sour cream
1 bag (8 ounces) herb seasoned stuffing mix, coarsely crushed
DIRECTIONS: In a large skillet, melt the butter. Add the onion, cook until tender. Add zucchini and carrots and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Remove skillet from heat. Stir in cream of chicken soup and sour cream, mix well. Sprinkle half of stuffing into a 13- by 9-inch greased glass baking dish. Spoon zucchini mixture on top, then remaining stuffing. Bake at 350 F for 25 to 30 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
Roasted Chestnuts
INGREDIENTS: 20 fresh unpeeled chestnuts
DIRECTIONS: Using a small sharp knife or a chestnut knife, carve an “X” in the flat side of each chestnut. Place chestnuts in an even layer, “X”-side down, in a chestnut-roasting pan. Cook chestnuts over low heat until opened, 20 to 25 minutes. Peel immediately, using a towel if chestnuts are too hot to touch.
Vitamin D levels may play an important role in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
By David Dunaief, M.D.
David Dunaief, M.D.
Medicine has made great strides in the treatment of multiple sclerosis over the last few decades. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease where there is underlying inflammation and the immune system attacks its own tissue. This causes demyelination, or breakdown of the myelin sheath, a protective covering on the nerves in the central nervous system (CNS). The result is a number of debilitating effects, such as cognitive impairment, numbness and weakness in the limbs, fatigue, memory problems, inflammation of the optic nerve causing vision loss and eye pain (optic neuritis) and mobility difficulties.
There are several forms of MS. The two most common are relapsing-remitting and primary-progressive. Relapsing-remitting has intermittent flare-ups and occurs about 85 to 90 percent of the time. Primary-progressive (steady) occurs about 10 percent of the time. Relapsing-remitting may eventually become secondary-progressive MS, which is much harder to control, although dietary factors may play a role.
Diagnosis and progression
MS is diagnosed in several ways. The ophthalmologist may be the first to diagnose the disease with a retinal exam (looking at the back of the eye). If you have eye pain or sudden vision loss in one eye, it is important to see your ophthalmologist. Another tool in diagnosis is an MRI of the CNS. This looks for lesions caused by the breakdown of the myelin sheath. The MRI can also be used to determine the risk of progression from a solitary CNS lesion to a full-blown MS diagnosis. This is accomplished by examining the corpus callosum, a structure deep within the brain, according to a presentation at the European Neurologic Society (1). Approximately half of patients with one isolated lesion will progress to clinically definite MS within six years. An MRI may be able to predict changes in this portion of the brain within two years. Patients with a family history of MS should discuss this diagnostic with a neurologist.
Medication
Interferon beta is the mainstay of treatment for MS for good reason. Data shows that it reduces recurrence in relapsing-remitting MS and also the number of brain lesions.However, in a study, interferon beta failed to stop the progression to disability in the long term (2). Many MS patients will experience disability over 20 years. Ultimately, what does this mean? Patients should continue therapy; however, they should have realistic expectations. This study was retrospective, looking back at previously collected data — not the strongest of studies.
In an RCT, higher levels of vitamin D in the blood showed a trend toward reduced disability in timed tandem walking and in disability accumulation.
Vitamin D impact
Vitamin D may play a key role in reducing flare-ups in relapsing-remitting MS. There have been several studies that showed this benefit with vitamin D supplements and/or with interferon beta. In one study, interferon beta had very interesting results showing that it may help increase the absorption of vitamin D from the sun (3). This was a randomized controlled trial (RCT), the gold standard of studies, involving 178 patients. The study’s authors suggest that interferon beta’s effectiveness at reducing the frequency of relapsing-remitting MS flare-ups may have to do with its effect on the metabolizing of vitamin D. In those who did not have higher blood levels of vitamin D, interferon beta actually increased the risk of flare-ups.
Physicians should monitor blood levels of vitamin D to make sure they are adequate. It may be beneficial for MS patients to get 15 to 20 minutes of sun exposure without sunscreen per day. However, patients with a history of high risk of skin cancer should not be in the sun without protective clothing and sunscreen.
In a prospective (forward-looking) observational study, patients with higher levels of vitamin D, even in those without interferon beta treatment, had reduced risk of relapsing-remitting MS flare-ups (4). The patients with higher levels had 40 ng/ml, and those with lower levels had 20 ng/ml. Patients’ blood samples were assessed every eight weeks for a mean duration of 1.7 years. The relationship with vitamin D was linear — as the blood level increased two-fold, the risk of flare-ups decreased by 27 percent.
In an RCT, higher levels of vitamin D in the blood showed a trend toward reduced disability in timed tandem walking and in disability accumulation (5). The results did not reach statistical significance, but approached it. A much larger RCT needs to be performed to test for significance.
Diet and lifestyle
Interestingly, a study found that caffeine, alcohol and fish — fatty or lean — intake may result in delay of secondary progression of relapsing-remitting MS (6). This observational study involved 1,372 patients. The reduction in risk of disability was as follows: Moderate daily alcohol intake resulted in a 39 percent reduction; daily coffee consumption showed a 40 percent reduction; and fish two or more times a week showed a 40 percent reduction.
All of these results were compared to patients who did not consume these items. However, the same effect was not shown in primary-progressive MS patients: Fatty fish actually increased risk of progression, compared to lean fish. With MS, vitamin D blood levels may be critically important. They are one of the easier fixes, although it may take higher doses of vitamin D supplementation to reach sufficient levels, once low.
While food (fish with bones, for example) provides vitamin D, it falls short of the amount needed by an MS patient. Interferon beta and vitamin D supplementation may have added effects. Lifestyle changes or additions also have tantalizingly appealing possibilities.
Dr. Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com or consult your personal physician.
While the best elder law and estate plan is to have a valid health care proxy naming agents and a valid durable power of attorney naming an agent to make financial decisions, not everyone has done the proper planning.
It is not uncommon for an elderly person to fall ill, be hospitalized and then need nursing home care with no time to plan. If there are no advance directives in place, a guardianship proceeding under Article 81 of the Mental Hygiene Law may be required.
In an Article 81 proceeding the court will making a finding that a person is in need of a guardian and has the ability to consent or the court will determine that the person lacks capacity to understand and consent. In either case, a guardian will be appointed to protect the person and/or property of the individual. It is in this context that we often request that the court will allow the guardian the opportunity to formulate a Medicaid plan to protect assets, if possible.
The court utilizes “the doctrine of substituted judgment” when permitting the guardian to create a Medicaid plan. There must be clear and convincing evidence that a competent, reasonable person in the position of the incapacitated person would adopt such a plan.
The approved Medicaid plan could include an exempt transfer of the family home to a spouse, minor, blind or disabled child, an adult sibling who resides in the home for at least one year and has an “ownership” interests in the property or a caretaker child that has lived with the parent for two or more years and has cared for the parent.
Assets, other than the homestead, could be transferred to a spouse or a disabled child. The court has also approved Medicaid plans where there are transfers of assets that create periods of ineligibility provided there is a promissory note transaction or other assets, like individual retirement accounts to pay for any period of ineligibility.
Of course, this type of emergency planning is done all the time by competent individuals or their duly appointed agents. In this case, the court would be giving the guardian the same powers if adequate proof is submitted on the application to approve a Medicaid plan. Typically, the court would not allow guardians to this type of Medicaid planning, until a challenge was brought alleging that among other things, incapacitated persons were not afforded the same rights as people without disabilities.
In an important decision, the highest court in New York State, in the Matter of Shah, held that: “No agency of the government has any right to complain about the fact that middle class people confronted with desperate circumstances choose voluntarily to inflict poverty on themselves when it is the government itself which has established the rule that poverty is a prerequisite to the receipt of government assistance in the defraying of costs of ruinously expensive, but absolutely essential, medical treatment.” As a result of this case, the guardianship judges in New York State started to approve Medicaid planning by guardians. This has been an important case for individuals who have failed to plan in advance of their incapacity.
There are also instances where an individual is in a nursing facility that could cost anywhere from $10,000 to $18,500 per month and they still have assets in excess of the permitted amount but are unable to make the transfers. Under a New York State Department of Health administrative directive, the incapacitated person would be immediately eligible for Medicaid as the assets would be deemed unavailable. The person would get Medicaid without any review of their assets, even though they have assets well in excess of the Medicaid limits. This often occurs when an individual is in a nursing home and receiving care and there is no one to access his or her funds. If the nursing home makes an application for a guardian to be appointed, the nursing home can immediately apply for Medicaid as well. This is a useful and necessary tool for nursing homes that frequently suffer the economic effects of residents that cannot pay and due to incapacity cannot cooperate in making an application to the Department of Social Services for Medicaid reimbursement.
While this option is available, it is far better for individuals to be prepared and take the time to execute a power of attorney and a health care proxy. Guardianship cases are legal proceedings that are expensive and can become contentious between family members. In addition, the individual is at the mercy of the court to determine what their wishes would have been using the doctrine of substituted judgment. It is far better to be proactive and choose your own plan and the agents to implement it.
Nancy Burner, Esq. practices elder law and estate planning from her East Setauket office.
Many are still recovering from the most historic presidential election in our lifetime. This campaign season was probably the most horrific. It was disgraceful. The lack of respect for the dignity of all people, never mind all Americans, reached a despicable all time low. The ad hominem attacks were heartless, demeaning and unchallenged. So much money was spent this campaign season on paper and digital propaganda that it was scandalous. If only that money had been better invested in feeding all the poor and the homeless in our nation, we would have cared for their needs for almost a year!
Shame on all our elected leaders for fueling the “Swamp,” the media that exploited all of the negativity being expressed by all those running for public office this season; shame on so many of our church leaders, who kept silent about the hate, degradation and social injustice. No one with power called our candidates to speak about the issues and the policies they believed in.
Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, changed the course of American history. The Electoral College elected a wealthy businessman as our commander-in-chief. That vote clearly rejected business as usual. Our president-elect is a nonpolitician, a person who’s never served in the military or held public office. On Jan. 20, 2017, he will assume the most powerful office in the world without the majority of the popular vote. Trump will begin his tenure as president with a very divided nation; a nation riddled with anxiety, fear and hate. His first order of business must be to attempt to bring us together and begin the important process of healing.
As president, he must build a bridge among us, not a wall! He must end the rhetoric that is divisive and hateful and take on a language that speaks of love, respect and inclusiveness of all Americans. Our nation is deeply divided; that has been best illustrated by the ongoing demonstrations around the country based on profound dissatisfaction and fear.
Early on Wednesday morning, Nov. 9, President-elect Trump stated that he was the president for all Americans, no matter what their race, religion, sexual orientation or economic circumstance. He spoke sincerely about healing our nation and moving forward.
The president-elect is correct. We are deeply wounded and still bleeding as a nation. We need our president to lead in that healing by example. Words are empty if they are not accompanied by actions. How great it would be if he began his tenure as our president by apologizing to the nation, to all Americans, for his inappropriate rhetoric during his campaign and stating that he intends to listen and lead all Americans to a more unified and stronger America!
If he had the courage to do that before or at his inauguration, we could stand in solidarity once again and celebrate the untapped potential that is there for every human being blessed to call our nation home. Remember hope does not abandon us — we abandon hope!
Fr. Pizzarelli, SMM, LCSW-R, ACSW, DCSW, is the director of Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson.
Sunflower seeds are popular with birds. Photo by Ellen Barcel
By Ellen Barcel
Once our beautiful flowering plants have bloomed, the question then becomes, what do you do next, if anything. Deadheading is frequently recommended for plants with many or large flowers such as rhodies. But, the question is, should you deadhead your flowering plants? The answer is yes and no.
Deadheading helps the energy of the plant go into growing the plant rather than producing seeds. Some plants will bloom again or continue blooming if deadheaded. Coreopis, daylilies, roses and marigolds are all plants that will produce more blooms if deadheaded. So will cosmos and geraniums (Pelargonium). After all, the botanical purpose of flowers is to produce seeds. If you remove the remains of the flowers before they go to seed, the plant will generally send up more flowers so it can produce seeds.
In addition, deadheading makes plants look tidier by removing the brown/curled remains of old flowers. Some people don’t like the look of the flowers that form on hostas, planting them instead for their unique leaves. If you feel that way, remove the flower as soon as you see it.
However, don’t deadhead if:
• You plan to save the seeds of heirloom plants, particularly tomatoes, for next year. Take one of the best tomatoes, cut it open and remove the seeds and dry them. There are even seed exchanges where you can trade some of your heirloom seeds for others.
• The plant is a self-seeder (volunteer) like lunaria or columbine. Then you want the plant to go to seed, spreading the seeds throughout the garden for next year.
• Some plants bloom only once (like Hydrangea macrophylla), but the blooms stay on the plant all season. In that case, don’t even think about deadheading.
• You want the local birds to have a food source. Sunflowers are particularly popular with birds, as are tickseeds (from coreopsis) but so are most flower seeds.
• You like the appearance of the seed pods (for example, lunaria) or the remains of clematis.
• You plan to eat the seed pods (green beans, snap peas, melons, squash, apples, etc.) that form from or around the flowers. Or, in the case of roses, plan to use the rose hips to make jelly.
• You can’t comfortably reach the flowers. Don’t damage your plants by bending branches down just to reach and remove spent flowers, or climb on a ladder if it’s not safe to do so.
• You’ll damage the plant’s growing sections. For example, rhododendron’s new leaves come out from the end of the branch, where the flower has bloomed. When pulling off the remains of the flower, it’s easy to accidentally knock off the new leaves coming in. As a result, I never deadhead rhodies. I let the flower remains fall off naturally.
Remember that deadheading means just removing the spent flower, cutting as little of the stem as possible. It is not pruning where you cut back a plant drastically. However, if you are deadheading a plant that has a single flower at the end of a long stem, like a daylily, cut that stem back to the ground.
Ellen Barcel is a freelance writer and master gardener. To reach Cornell Cooperative Extension and its Master Gardener program, call 631-727-7850.
Want to spend more time with loved ones this Thanksgiving? Ditch the perfectly timed oven schedule and put your slow cooker to work. It’ll deliver the familiar flavors of your favorite holiday stuffing, sauces and desserts in a new, more convenient way.
Cranberry Sauce
YIELD: Serves 8
INGREDIENTS:
1 package (12 ounces) fresh or frozen cranberries
2/3 cup sugar
1 seedless orange, peeled and sectioned
2 McCormick Bay Leaves
1 McCormick Cinnamon Stick
DIRECTIONS: Place all ingredients in 4-quart slow cooker. Cover. Cook 3 hours on high, stirring every hour. Uncover. Stir well. Cook, uncovered, 30 to 45 minutes longer on high or until slightly thickened.
Oatmeal Apple Cobbler
YIELD: Serves 10
INGREDIENTS:
Apple Filling:
5 medium Gala apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose baking mix, such as Bisquick
1 teaspoon McCormick Ground Cinnamon Oatmeal
Cobbler Topping:
1 cup all-purpose baking mix, such as Bisquick
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon McCormick Ground Cinnamon
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter, cut into pieces
DIRECTIONS: Spray inside of slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. For the Apple Filling, toss apple slices, brown sugar, baking mix and cinnamon in large bowl. Place in slow cooker. For the Cobbler Topping, mix all ingredients, except butter, in medium bowl. Cut in butter with fork until crumbly. Sprinkle over Apple Filling. Cover. Cook 3 hours on high. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Sausage Stuffing
YIELD: Serves 12
INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
2 cups chopped celery
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 pound mild (sweet) Italian sausage, casing removed
1 cup Kitchen Basics Original Chicken Stock
2 teaspoons McCormick Rubbed Sage
1 teaspoon McCormick Crushed Rosemary
10 cups cubed French bread (1-inch pieces)
DIRECTIONS: Melt butter in large skillet on medium heat. Add celery and onion; cook and stir until softened, about 5 minutes. Add sausage; cook and stir until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Spray inside of slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Add stock and herbs; stir to blend. Stir in bread cubes and sausage-vegetable mixture. Cover. Cook 45 minutes on high. Uncover and stir. Cook, uncovered, 30 minutes longer. Source: McCormick
YIELD: Serves 8 to 10
YIELD: Serves 10.
YIELD: Serves 8
YIELD: Serves 8
YIELD: Serves 10
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