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Friday, November 3, 2017 9 Brooklin Town Crier Plant-Based Eating by Sheree Nicholson All Hail Kale! The fall is a great time of year to cook soups made with local vegetables. One of my favourite soups is Farm Boy's mushroom/kale (there's a low sodium version). After a trail run, I'll sometimes stop go to the store and grab a cup of this creamy soup, which is packed full of kale and other good-for-you veggies. One recent Sunday, I made this soup and its smell in the house reminded me of Sundays as a child when my mother would make soup or bread. I find there is a mindfulness in not being busy, chopping vegetables and just being in the kitchen. I've read that foods prepared with love taste better, so maybe that's why Mom's cooking seems to be the best you've ever eaten. Kale is a nutritional powerhouse. Some of its benefits can be found by visiting this site: mindbodygreen.com/0-4408/Top-10-Health-Benefits-of-Eating-Kale.html 1. Kale is high in iron. Per calorie, kale has more iron than beef. Iron is essential for good health, such as the formation of hemoglobin and enzymes, transporting oxygen to various parts of the body, cell growth, proper liver function and more. 2. Kale is high in Vitamin K. Eating a diet high in Vitamin K can help protect against various cancers. It is also necessary for a wide variety of bodily functions including normal bone health and blood clotting. 3. Kale is filled with powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants, such as carotenoids and flavonoids, help protect against various cancers. 4. Kale is a great anti-inflammatory food. One cup of kale is filled with 10% of the RDA of omega-3 fatty acids, which help fight arthritis, asthma and autoimmune disorders. Farm Boy's Mushroom/Kale Soup This recipe makes 4 to 6 servings and takes about 40 minutes to prepare. 2 tbsp (30 mL) extra-virgin olive oil 3/4 cup (180 mL) Spanish onion, peeled and chopped 3/4 cup (180 mL) carrots, peeled and chopped 3/4 cup (180 mL) celery, chopped 1 large Yukon gold potato, diced 1 tbsp (15 mL) garlic, minced 1 lb (454 g) button mushrooms, chopped 3 cups (750 mL) water One 14 oz/400 mL can coconut milk 1 bunch curly kale, stems removed and leaves chopped 2 tsp (10 mL) salt 1 tsp (5 mL) pepper 1. In a large pot, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add onions, carrots and celery and sauté for 5 minutes. 2. Add the potatoes, garlic and mushrooms to the pot and continue to sauté for another 5 minutes. 3. Turn heat to high and add the water and coconut milk. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer until all vegetables are tender. 4. Add in kale and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Use an immersion blender or regular blender to purée. Taste and adjust seasonings. Sheree's Hack: If you are in a hurry buy a bag of pre-chopped kale. Use the leftovers for fast morning smoothies. Durham Network Assisting In-Need Seniors For Xmas D.E.A.N. (Durham Elder Abuse Network) will again this season conduct its Secret Santa program in cooperation with many other Durham seniors organizations and Sutton Group-Heritage. If you wish to help, there are two available options: a gift that you purchase yourself or a monetary donation. All seniors identified by D.E.A.N. have indicated certain items they need. If you choose to get a "Tag," the senior's first name and area of residence will be indicated along with the items he/she needs. Tags will be distributed November 12-15 with a deadline of December 1 for the gift to be returned. Pickups can be arranged or the gifts can be dropped off at the Brooklin Sutton Group-Heritage office at 44 Baldwin St. If you would like to donate a monetary gift for others to do the shopping, we will provide a tax receipt for donations of greater than $25. Due to the sensitivity of the organization, D.E.A.N. will be responsible for delivering all gifts to the selected seniors. D.E.A.N. will also have area children make Christmas cards for the seniors. If your child would be interested in making one for the Senior you have been given a Tag for, please inform us se we can include some paper when you receive your "Tag". For more information, contact Angela Josch at ajosch@sutton.com. Durham Seeks Volunteers For Council On Aging The Regional Municipality of Durham is currently seeking three volunteers for Member-at-Large positions on the Durham Council on Aging. Two positions are reserved for older adults (aged 55 and over) and there is one "open" position available to any Durham resident, business owner or organization with an interest in the work of the council. The minimum time commitment required is three hours every three months. Interested volunteers are asked to complete the Expression of Interest form, outlining how you feel you can contribute to the council, by November 8. Submissions should be sent by email to: info@durhamcouncilonaging.ca or mailed to: Durham Council on Aging c/o Sonya Hardman 605 Rossland Road East P.O Box 623 Whitby, ON L1N 6A3 The Council on Aging was established to guide the implementation of the Age-Friendly Durham Strategy and Action Plan over the next five years. The council will establish cross-sectoral partnerships that engage numerous stakeholders in the work of advancing age-friendliness. It will act as a springboard to connect with other community initiatives and consolidate efforts, in a way that breaks down silos, reduces duplication, and increases collaboration and knowledge transfer. The Member-at-Large Expression of interest form and additional information about the Age-Friendly Durham Strategy and Action Plan is available on the Region of Durham's website at durham.ca/age-friendly. In Flanders Fields By Lieutenant Colonel John McRae Composed on May 3, 1915, during the Second Battle of Ypres In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields