National Popcorn Day
Many years before movies were around, there was popcorn! Archeologist have made us believe that popcorn is actually a “stone age snack”.
Researchers found 80,000-year-old corn pollen below Mexico City. These corn pollens are exactly the same as modern corn pollen, meaning cave people most likely had popcorn.
The oldest corn pollen ever found was discovered in the “Bat Cave” of central New Mexico. This pollen is believed to be 5,600 years old. Archaeologists have found prehistoric kernels of popcorn that are so well preserved that they can still pop!
In fact, popcorn only became popular to Americans in the 19th century. It became a well-known snack food which is why you can now find it in parks, movie theaters, at sporting events, and even street vendors.
During World War II, when sugar was rationed, Americans were forced to change their snacking habits. Americans were now eating three times as much popcorn as they had before compared to other sugary treats.
Today, the perfect place to eat popcorn is at the movies. Back in the 1930’s and 1940’s, it was the exact same scenario. However, when television took off in the 1950s, popcorn sales dropped for a while.
Americans now consume more popcorn than could fill the Empire State Building. That is more than fifty popped quarts per person, per year. That’s a lot of popcorn!
Celebrate National Popcorn Day, today, and get popping.
Written By: Amanda Haase
January is Eye Care Awareness Month
January is Eye Care Awareness month. Many think that eye exams and checkups are not as important as annual physicals from your primary doctor. That is not always the case.
It’s generally not necessary to see an eye doctor every 6 months for an eye exam, however, it is important to know when you should get your eyes checked. Age and medical conditions are two things to consider when making this choice.
Here are some other signs and symptoms that will let you know when it is time for an eye exam:
Sudden blurry vision or focus problems can be a sign of a larger health issue and should always be taken seriously. Even if it is happening in just one eye, play it safe and get it checked out.
Sudden appearances of visual disturbances such as floaters can be a sign of a retinal detachment, a retinal tear, or a retinal hole. If you experience this symptom, be sure to seek medical attention to avoid future vision loss or damage.
Gradual Blurring of Vision usually occurs over time or as we get older. If you have to move closer or further away from objects to have a better focus, it’s time to get a checkup.
Frequent or recurring headaches can be a closely related sign of a vision problem as well.
Having some infrequent eye pain or eye strain isn’t usually a big problem. However, if you are experiencing frequent eye pains or need to strain your eyes to focus, this could very well be a sign of a vision problem.
It is important that you and your family to get eyes checked today. Schedule an appointment with your eye care specialist for the New Year to avoid any future problems.
If you don’t have an eye doctor, find one at www.allaboutvision.com. This sight will help you locate an eye doctor in your area.
For more informational blogs like this one, visit our website at www.chedwards.net
Written by: Amanda Haase
A Little History Behind The Celebration of the New Year and New Year’s Resolutions
2016 is here! The holidays are over. Winter has arrived with shorter days and dark and colder nights. The tendency to review the prior year and create a plan for the year ahead is on most to-do lists. This kind of thinking leads to the dreaded New Year’s resolution. It could be to resolve to exercise more, eat better, or kick the habits that are preventing us from enhancing our lives as we choose. All too often, these practices are short lived. We fall back into the ways of the previous year within a few short months or even weeks. Have you ever wondered where or why the idea of the New Year’s Resolution came from in the first place or why the New Year was decided to take place on January 1st?
Looking into this subject, I learned that the celebration of the New Year is one of the oldest holidays on record. It observance dates back to Babylon about 4,000 years ago. At that time the New Year was celebrated in late March and the celebration lasted 11 days. January 1st became the New Year in 46 B.C. by Julius Caesar in Rome. This was only true in cultures that used the 365 day solar calendar. The Romans named the first month of the year after Janus, the God of beginnings and ends and the protector of doorways, arches and gates. Janus had two faces, one on the front and one on the back of his head so he could simultaneously look into the past and the future. After a few changes, by the sixteenth century January 1st. was again decided on by Pope Gregory the XIII after his revision of the Julian Calendar.
Now that we know the origin of why the New Year is celebrated on January 1, let’s look at the concept of the New Year’s resolution. The tradition of New Year’s resolutions began in Rome and had mostly to do with seeking forgiveness from their enemies and doing good for others in the new year. The Romans also exchanged gifts on New Year’s Eve, usually gifting items that were believed to bring good fortune to the recipients. As early as the 17thcentury, the Puritans would skip the festivities of the holiday, but participated in the practice of reflection over the past year and contemplation of the year ahead. They then made resolutions like making better use of their talents, being charitable and avoiding sin.
The making of New Year’s resolutions today is one of personal choice. The historic reason behind them is far removed from the early days but nonetheless meaningful. I like to resolve to grow in the next year, to educate myself to become more knowledgeable, to continue my quest for good health and to support my husband and children on their journey to achieve personal happiness. What might yours be? Whatever it is, make it meaningful and lasting. A fresh start is offered to us at the beginning of every year. Make the most of it!
If considering Life Insurance or making sure you are receiving the most insurance at a price that you can afford is on your list of resolutions, give C.H. Edwards, Inc. a call and let us assist you on this path to growth. Call us at 516-249-5200. View our website at www.chedwards.net learn about us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/chedwardsinsurance.
Happy New Year from your friends at C.H. Edwards, Inc., a family owned and operated Independent Insurance Agency in Farmingdale, New York.
Written by: Denise A. Visco
Make Safe Travel #1 on your Holiday List
Fact, the United States Department of Transportation says the Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year’s holiday periods are among the busiest long-distance travel periods of the year.
Approximately 90 percent of holiday travel takes place by personal vehicle, followed by air, bus and train. With so many people on the move, the risk for accidents and other incidents increases.
Keep the holidays enjoyable and safe, be sure to exercise caution and keep these few tips in mind:
Schedule a tune-up. Make sure your vehicle is in good working condition. Check the air pressure in tires and get an oil change your car is due. Other cars on the road may kick up salt and other debris from the road. Be sure to top off windshield washer fluid to maintain visibility.
Schedule plenty of time for travel. Expect traffic and leave extra time to get to your destination. Rushing may cause you to increase your speed or make risky choices behind the wheel of your car that may result in an accident or injury. Leave extra time for traveling through hazardous conditions like snow, sleet or heavy rain. Schedule time for bathroom and stretch breaks.
Know multiple routes to your destination. The increased volume or accidents on the roadways can result in detours. Make sure your navigation is up to date and a map in your glove box.
Leave room for emergency supplies. Make available room in your car for a change of clothes, a blanket, snacks and water, jumper cables and a flashlight. Drivers should be prepared for a breakdown. If you are a AAA member, remember the holidays are a time when the local companies have crews on holiday schedule and response time may be increased.
Keep the family entertained. A long trip can seem longer without proper planning. Plan for some activities ahead of time. Games, books, videos/dvds and music can help fill the time. Make frequent stops for bathroom and stretch breaks. Don’t forget to pack food and drinks to keep rest break times to a minimum. “Are we there yet” is not a phrase only used by children.
Take turns driving. If you are fortunate enough to travel with multiple drivers, take turns driving. Spending long periods of time behind the wheel can cause fatigue. If you are driving alone, plan for breaks to rest. Drowsy driving is a major cause of accidents on the roadways.
Secure packages and Luggage. Tie down items on roof racks and in rear cargo areas of SUV’s and vans so they are not moving around freely. In the event of an accident, items that are not secured can be dangerous.
Pack gifts and other items so that the driver’s line of sight is not impeded.
Last but certainly not least, review your insurance coverage. During an emergency you want to be assured that you have rental reimbursement, full glass coverage, towing, medical reimbursement and your course collision. A call to your insurance agent can never hurt. If you are unable to reach them or feel it is time for an insurance review, feel free to call C.H. Edwards, Inc. at 516-249-5200 and we would be happy to assist you.
If holiday travel is on your to do list, remember to make safety a priority.
Happy Holidays from your friends at C.H. Edwards, Inc.!
Written by: Denise Visco
The Tradition behind Milk and Cookies for Santa
Leaving milk and cookies for Santa Claus is a Christmas Eve tradition that goes as far back as any of us can remember. For generations, children regularly left a glass of milk and a plate of cookies for Santa so that he would have enough energy to complete his journey of gift giving before kids wake up on Christmas morning. Do you know the story behind this tradition?
The tradition of leaving cookies out on Christmas Eve may trace its origins to Saint Nicholas. On the feast of St. Nicholas (the patron saint of children) on December 6th, children would leave food and drink for the saint and any attendants. The treats would be exchanged for gifts.
That’s one theory behind the tradition. Others think the tradition is linked to the history of the Christmas tree and the edible decorations on it. Santa would snack on the ornaments. Even after edible decorations disappeared and inedible ornaments became popular, the tradition of leaving a snack for Santa remained.
Whatever the origins behind the tradition, millions of children leave milk and cookies For Santa on Christmas Eve like it’s a responsibility or simply the insurance that Santa will leave the gifts they asked for.
Just in case, don’t forget to leave milk and cookies for Santa this year. For all of your other Insurance needs, give C.H. Edwards, Inc. a call at 516-249-5200 and let one of Santa’s helpers assist you. If you happen to be up late waiting for Santa, our website is available to you at www.chedwards.net. On social media you can find us at www.facebook.com/chedwardsinsurance. Happy Holidays to all and to all a goodnight!
Written by: Denise Visco
