Seniors Holiday Survival Guide - Looking for ways to stay busy and entertained over the holidays? - Coquitlam.Ca
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Seniors Holiday Survival Guide
Looking for ways to stay busy and entertained over the holidays?
This free Seniors Holiday Survival Guide is packed with brain teasers and games, wellness tips, a
colouring page, recipes, craft ideas and fun trivia to keep you busy into January and beyond. You’ll
also find information about the City’s services for seniors and facility holiday hours.
Extra copies of this guide can be downloaded from the 50 Plus section at coquitlam.ca/spirit, the
free library designed to help residents of all ages have fun, learn something, stay active and connect
to resources. Explore this guide and our online activities to keep the winter blues away!
CoquitlamSPIRIT: Bringing the Community Together
CoquitlamSPIRIT, part of the City’s pandemic response, provides a free online library at
coquitlam.ca/spirit to help residents of all ages have fun, learn something, work up a sweat,
support local businesses, engage with others and connect to resources. New content and activities
are continually added.
CoquitlamSPIRIT centres around the themes of caring, connections and community to support
residents and businesses through these difficult times. The underlying goals are to support
community well-being, create new bonds and build lasting civic spirit and pride.
1
Winter Wellness
This is the perfect time to kick those COVID-19 blues and start preparing for the colder
months ahead. Between the pandemic, the weather and the short days, this season will
be more challenging than most. Here’s a checklist of some things you can do now to get
yourself ready:
Physical Health: Social and Emotional Health:
Due for a dentist, doctor or optometry Create a weekly schedule for social activities and
appointment? Make the appointment invite your friends, connecting on the phone or
now and get it out of the way. by Zoom.
Remember to wash your hands, and then wash Write down the name and number of a family
them again. Or have hand sanitizer handy member or friend you know you can call on a
(pun intended). tough day. Keep their name and phone number
near your phone.
Eat a balanced diet. T’is the season for all things
yummy, but make sure you’re including your fruits, Stay in touch. Reach out to friends and family,
vegetables, proteins and healthy fats every day. rather than waiting for someone to call you.
Get moving. Plan for a simple 20 minutes of Take some time for yourself. Learn to meditate,
low-impact activity every day. Here are some ideas: read a book or practice yoga—the options are
endless!
• Sign up for a fun fitness class—we have virtual
and in-person options and classes for all
abilities and interests. Call 604-927-4386 to
register.
• Enjoy free CoquitlamSPIRIT workout videos.
Visit coquitlam.ca/spirit and click on the
Fitness at Home tile to get started.
• Plan a route for a daily 20 minute walk.
2Winterize Yourself: Stock Up:
Be prepared for the winter weather. Get Winter Do an inventory of your toiletries/medicine
Wise —visit coquitlam.ca/winterwise to cabinet and pick up essentials: prescriptions,
learn about snow removal priorities, resident tissue, toilet paper, masks, hand soap, hand
responsibilities, parking restrictions and waste sanitizer, hand cream, toothpaste, vitamins, etc.
collection during a snow or ice event.
Re-stock your pantry with soups, beans, pastas and
If you are a Coquitlam resident and unable to sauces (aim for low sodium).
shovel your sidewalk, sign up now for our Snow
Angels Program. For more information or to sign Stock up on greeting cards/Christmas cards and
up go to coquitlam.ca/snowangels. buy a small roll of stamps.
Connect with a neighbour/family member/friend Electric candles are great to have to light up the
to help with salting and shoveling your driveway dark winter evenings
when the winter weather hits.
Grab some spare batteries—AA and AAA are most
Avoid the rush and put snow tires on your car often needed.
before the snow hits. Call your local tire shop
to book an appointment. If you haven't already arranged for grocery
deliveries, this is a good time to set something up.
Take advantage of the Pavilion Meals for Seniors
Program. Call our registration line 604-927-4386 Treat yourself to a nice new cozy pair of socks or
to purchase delicious and nutritious frozen slippers.
homemade meals and your dinner is served…
how easy is that? Pick up a Sudoku or Crossword book, a puzzle or a
novel.
Layer up! Make sure you have a weatherproof
jacket, scarf, toque and gloves (be sure you have
both gloves, in our house one always seems to
disappear) so that you’re toasty warm when
venturing outdoors.
Have flashlights and candles (LED candles are
great) on hand in case of a power outage. Store
them in a spot that’s easy to access.
3Prep Some Activities: Holidays:
Tackle that “thing” you’ve been meaning to do. For Recipe Swap. Share your favorite holiday recipes
example, clean out your closet or junk drawer, or with family and friends. This is a great way to
oil your squeaky hinges. update your recipe book or get reacquainted with
favourite recipes of the past.
Connect with technology and try out that tablet,
laptop or iPad. It can be set up for quick and easy Talk about the holidays with family and friends.
access to Zoom, game websites or virtual visits What will it look like this year? Will some be
to museums, cities and countries (virtual safari attending virtually? Maybe you want to order a
anyone?). pre-cooked holiday meal? Now’s the time to start
planning.
If you’re unsure how to use a device or would like
a refresher, sign up for a how-to class at one of our Get decorating. Now more than ever we need
Pavilions. Call 604-927-4386 to register. some joy and brightness in our lives. Dig out all of
your holiday décor or browse some local shops and
Start a new hobby. If you’ve always thought you’d get into the holiday spirit.
like to knit, paint, draw or learn a new language,
there’s no better time to try it. If you’re mailing cards, get them in the mail
ASAP. Canada Post is asking customers to
Make big batches of stews, chilies and soups. send their parcels as early as possible to avoid
Freeze some for quick and easy meals any time. disappointment.
Pull out the big fluffy duvet and cozy blankets. Curl REST! This has been a bizarre and unexpected
up with a good book or watch your favourite show. year. This holiday season take some time to rest
and unwind. Think about some ways you can help
Do you have knitting or sewing skills? This could be yourself rest and recoup so that you’re ready to
a great time to make blankets, mittens, masks… take on 2021.
Start or renew a magazine subscription (call or
subscribe online). Cooking, travel, history, culture,
cars… the topics are endless.
Write a card (if you stocked up on greeting cards
from the last section) or a letter to someone and
pop it into the mail. They’ll love receiving a nice
surprise.
Why not update your first aid and earthquake
preparedness kits? Visit coquitlam.ca and search
under public safety for tips on emergency
preparedness.
4Art Works
5Cranium Crunch
Suduko
Puzzle #1 / Easy Puzzle # 2 / Medium
Secret Files
Can you determine what the categories are? Sort the sixteen words below based on their similarities.
Label each category based on the files that it holds.
salsa flamenco underskirt rupee poppy dogrose
shilling dahlia cardigan overalls waistcoat
drachma ballroom dandelion euro hip-hop
Category: Category: Category: Category:
___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________
___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________
___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________
___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________
*Adapted from Happy Neuron Pro: happyneuronpro.com/en
Answers are at the back.
6Let’s head to the Grocery Store!
In this exercise, you will be memorizing a grocery list and then answering questions regarding the
grocery list. Spend up to one minute and thrirty seconds viewing the list and rehearsing, rewriting and
reorganizing it however you choose. After the time is up, cover up the list and proceed to the next section.
Shopping List
Spinach Garlic Cheese Coffee
Carrots Eggs Onions Tomatoes
Chicken Salt Yogurt Nutella
Jam Peanut Butter Beef
Milk Bread Salmon
Questions:
How many items were on the list? What type of butter was on the list?
.................................................................................................................. ......................................................................................................................
What type of protein was on the list? Was pumpkin pie on the list?
.................................................................................................................. ......................................................................................................................
Could you make a grilled cheese with the How many vegetables were on the list?
ingredients on the list? ......................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................
*Adapted from Happy Neuron Pro: happyneuronpro.com/en
Think About This…
Divergent thinking = generating ideas. Is that book sitting beside you really just a book?
Follow these steps to test your divergent thinking skills:
1. Set a timer for three minutes. Now evaluate your ideas based on the three aspects
2. Look around and find the object that is closest to you. of divergent thinking:
3. Start the timer. 1. How many ideas did you come up with? Did you
struggle to come up with uses, or did ideas flow quickly?
4. Write down as many uses for that object as you can
think of. 2. How diverse were the ideas? Did they tend to be
similar to one another, or did you come across many
• Be as silly or “out there” as you would like.
different uses?
• Write down every idea, there are only great ones!
3. How novel were the ideas? How did the uses you
5. When the three minutes are up, take a look at your wrote down compare to the typical use of that object?
list to see how many creative, or novel uses, you were Were they similar to the typical use or completely
able to come up with for the object. different? Did you come up with some completely
unorthodox uses?
*Adapted from Psychology Compass: psychologycompass.com/blog/creative/ 7Holiday Crossword 8
Holiday Maze
9Word Scramble –Funny Mix-up
Unscramble the letters to reveal funny words.
1. IVJOLA _____________________________________ 10. UNMISAG _________________________________
2. USILORAHI _______________________________ 11. HTEAGURL ________________________________
3. DNCIONEEME ____________________________ 12. OINGHLTRC ______________________________
4. UUSORHMO ______________________________ 13. GUCNICHKL ______________________________
5. RLCUA JO __________________________________ 14. ROOIRASUPU ___________________________
6. FSEUOTACI ________________________________ 15. CIA MLCO _________________________________
7. ICKSTPSAL ________________________________ 16. ODLRL _____________________________________
8. CWNLO NDAROU ________________________ 17. IRUTOOS __________________________________
9. SRJTEE _____________________________________ 18. AYEITCRLSH ______________________________
*Adapted from Activity Connection activityconnection.com
1012 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
COOKIE EDITION
**Warning: You will be singing the ‘12 Days of Christmas’ Carol from here
on out but these goodies are DEFINITELY worth it!
A Dash of Yum—12 Days of Christmas Goodies
Until we (m)eat again, enjoy a taste of the Pavilions right from your very own kitchen.
This year more than ever, we need to keep the holiday spirit alive and what better way to do that than
through baking. While we aren’t able to get together in person to exchange our wonderful homemade
treats it doesn’t mean we can’t still eat them. This year we’ve polled our Pavilion staff for their favourite
holiday goodies and we’ve come up with a whole list for you to indulge in. So get baking and enjoy!
Email us and let us know what recipes you tried at: pavilions@coquitlam.ca.
On the first day of Christmas Charlene gave to us…
Fool-Proof Whipped Shortbread
w h at yo u n e e d directions
I 1 cup butter 1. Preheat oven to 325F.
I ¼ cup cornstarch 2. Cream butter.
I ½ cup icing sugar 3. Sift dry ingredients into butter and mix at low speed until blended.
I 1 ½ cups sifted flour 4. Then mix at high until whipped. Drop on ungreased sheet by spoon.
5. Bake for 18 – 20 minutes.
11On the second day of Christmas Kelly gave to us …
Ginger Cookies
w h at yo u n e e d directions
I 1 ½ cups butter 1. Preheat the oven to 350F and line baking sheet with
parchment paper.
I 2 cups white sugar
2. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
I 2 eggs, beaten
3. Add eggs to mixture and combine.
I 4 cups flour
4. Mix dry ingredients together (flour, baking soda, salt, ginger,
I 4 tsp baking soda cinnamon and cloves).
I ½ tsp salt 5. Combine wet and dry ingredients together. Add molasses and stir.
I 1 ½ tsp ginger 6. Grease hands with butter and roll all dough into balls.
I 2 tsp cinnamon 7. Roll balls in sugar.
I ½ tsp cloves 8. Place balls on greased sheet and bake for 12 – 15 minutes. Let stand
for a few minutes until the cookies firm up, then transfer to a wire rack.
I 6 tbsp molasses
Your cookies should be chewy (not hard).
12On the third day of Christmas Geri gave to us …
White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies
w h at yo u n e e d directions
I ½ cup unsalted 1. Preheat the oven to 350F and line cookie sheets with
butter softened parchment paper.
I ½ cup shortening 2. In a large bowl beat together the butter, shortening, white sugar and
I 1 cup white sugar brown sugar until fluffy (about two minutes).
I 3/4 cup brown sugar 3. Add in the vanilla extract and peppermint extract, then mix in the
eggs one at a time.
I 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla
extract 4. Turn the mixer down to low speed and mix in the flour, baking soda
and salt. If the dough sticks to your fingers when you squeeze it be-
I 1 teaspoon tween them - add in a little more flour 1 tablespoon at a time.
peppermint extract
5. Mix in the crushed candy canes and white chocolate chips.
I 2 large eggs
6. Form the dough into balls about 1 – 1.5 tablespoons in size and place
I 3 cups all-purpose 2 inches apart on the lined cookie sheets.
flour
7. Bake for eight to 10 minutes, or until the tops look just set. Remove
I 1 teaspoon baking from the oven and place a few white chocolate chips on the top of each
soda cookie (optional).
I ½ teaspoon salt 8. Cool on the cookie sheet for 10 minutes, then continue cooling on a
wire rack.
I 3/4 cup crushed
candy canes
I 1 cup white chocolate
chips plus more for
dotting on the tops
13On the fourth day of Christmas Lesley gave to us …
No Bake Mars Bar Rice Krispie Squares
Adapted from: https://www.food.com/recipe/mars-bars-rice-krispies-squares-no-bake-72608?nl=email_share
w h at yo u n e e d directions
I 4 regular-size 1. Melt butter and Mars bars over med-low heat in a large saucepan
Mars bars until smooth.
I ½ cup butter 2. Remove from heat; stir in crispy rice cereal, and nuts, (if using).
I 2 cups crispy rice 3. Press into a greased 8 x 8 pan.
I 1 cup milk chocolate 4. Top with chocolate chips, and place under broiler for 30 seconds
chips Remove from oven and spread chocolate evenly over squares.
I chopped nuts 5. Store in fridge.
(optional)
6. Cut into squares, and serve.
On the fifth day of Christmas Dustin gave to us …
Eggnog Loaf
*Adapted from: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/15913/eggnog-quick-bread/
w h at yo u n e e d directions
I 2 eggs, beaten 1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease bottom only of a
I 1 cup eggnog 9 x 5-inch loaf pan, or three 3 x 5-inch loaf pans.
I 2 tsp rum flavored 2. Blend together the eggs, eggnog, rum extract, sugar, vanilla and
extract butter.
I 1 cup white sugar 3. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. Add to
eggnog mixture and stir just enough to moisten; pour into prepared
I 1 tsp vanilla extract pan or pans.
I ½ cup butter, 4. Bake large loaf for 40 to 60 minutes, or until a tester inserted in
softened the center comes out clean. Breads baked in the smaller pans require
35 to 40 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes, and remove from pan.
I 2 ¼ cups all-purpose
Cool completely, wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil, and store in
flour
refrigerator.
I 2 tsp baking powder
I ½ tsp salt
I ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
14On the sixth day of Christmas Lorraine gave to us …
Snowballs
w h at yo u n e e d directions
I 1 ¾ cups of flour 1. Combine all ingredients together.
I ¾ cups chopped 2. Roll the dough into balls.
pecans
3. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 20 – 25 minutes.
I 1 cup small
chocolate chips 4. Let cool slightly, but while still warm, roll the balls in icing sugar
and enjoy!
I ¾ cups butter
I ¼ tsp salt
I ½ cup sifted icing
sugar
I ¾ tsp rum extract
On the seventh day of Christmas Jill gave to us …
Homemade Marshmallows
Adapted from: https://cookidoo.ca/recipes/recipe/en-CA/r89696
w h at yo u n e e d directions
I 2 cups sugar 1. Toast the coconut if you are using.
I ¾ cup boiling water 2. Boil water and add sugar. Boil together until syrup tests thread
I 2 envelopes of stage. Remove from stove.
gelatine 3. In a bowl soften gelatine in ½ cup cold water. Beat the gelatine
I ½ tsp salt mixture to combine.
I 1 tsp vanilla 4. Slowly pour the hot syrup sugar mixture into the gelatine mixture
and continue to beat.
I Toasted coconut
(optional) 5. Add ½ tsp salt and 1 tsp vanilla.
I Melted chocolate 6. Beat until mixture becomes thick, fluffy and cold (about 8 minutes).
(optional) 7. Spread coconut on bottom of a 9 x 12 pan, cover so you don’t see
the bottom.
8. Pour marshmallow mixture on top of coconut and let stand
overnight.
9. Run a knife around the edge of the pan and flip onto wax paper and
cut your marshmallows!
15On the eighth day of Christmas Kayla gave to us …
Great Aunt’s Dream Cake
w h at yo u n e e d directions
I Bottom Layer: I Bottom Layer:
I ½ cup butter 1. Mix well and place in square pan.
I 1 cup shifted flour 2. Bake at 325F for 10 minutes.
I 2 tbsp of icing sugar
I Top Layer: I Top Layer:
I 2 eggs 1. Bake at 325F for 20 minutes after placing
I 1 cup sugar on bottom layer.
I 1/4 cup of flour
I 1/8 tsp of salt
I 1 tsp baking powder
I 1 tsp vanilla
I 1 cup chopped nuts
I ½ cup shredded coconut
I Cherries (optional)—green/red maraschino
16On the ninth day of Christmas Laura gave to us …
Christmas Chocolate Bark
Adapted from: https://cookidoo.ca/recipes/recipe/en-CA/r89696
w h at yo u n e e d directions
I 300 g dark chocolate 1. Chop dark chocolate and place in a glass bowl.
I 1/4 cup finely 2. Mix ginger, dried cranberries and hazelnuts in another bowl.
chopped crystallized
ginger 3. Melt chocolate slowly in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds.
I 3/4 cup dried 4. When chocolate is melted, add 3/4 of the nut mixture and mix well.
cranberries
5. Spread onto silicone mat and sprinkle the rest of the nut mixture
I 3/4 cup hazelnuts on top.
I coarse sea salt 6. Sprinkle lightly with coarse salt.
I Equipment:
I Cutting board
I Knife
I Cookie sheet
I Silicone mat
I Microwave
17On the tenth day of Christmas Kim gave to us …
Peanut Butter Balls
Adapted from: https://cookidoo.ca/recipes/recipe/en-CA/r89696
w h at yo u n e e d directions
I 1 cup powdered sugar
1. Mix peanut butter and melted butter together in a large bowl.
I 2 Tbsp melted butter
2. Add powdered sugar and rice cereal.
I 1 cup creamy peanut
butter 3. Mix until combined. Form into one inch balls.
I 1½ cup crushed 4. Place the formed balls on a wax paper lined cookie tray and chill in
crisped rice cereal the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
(measure out then 5. Melt chocolate in pot, stirring frequently. Make sure the chocolate
crush) doesn’t burn.
I 1½ cup semi-sweet 6. Using a toothpick, dip each peanut butter ball into the chocolate and
chocolate chips (or roll around until coated.
baking squares)
7. Place the chocolate coated ball on a separate cookie sheet lined with
I Toothpicks wax paper.
8. If you wish you can sprinkle some green or red sprinkles (or a topping
of your choice) on top.
9. Place the balls in the fridge or freezer to let the chocolate set.
It should take an hour or two.
10. Store the balls in the fridge or freezer.
18On the eleventh day of Christmas Monica gave to us …
WALNUT & BLUE CHEESE SHORTBREAD
Adapted from: https://cookidoo.ca/recipes/recipe/en-CA/r89696
w h at yo u n e e d directions
I 100g butter, cut into 1. Place all ingredients into mixing bowl and blend for 15 seconds, or until a dough is
cubes and frozen formed. If you do not have a kitchen mixer you can do this by hand.
I 200g self-rising flour 2. Divide dough into equal halves, then place one half onto a piece of baking paper.
Roll into a sausage, then wrap dough in baking paper. Repeat process with remaining
I 100g walnuts half of dough, then freeze both portions for a minimum 1 hour.
I 150g blue cheese, cut 3. Preheat oven to 200°C. Line a baking tray (30 x 40 cm) with baking paper and set
into pieces aside. Slice dough into rounds (approx. 1 cm thick) and place onto prepared baking
tray.
I 2 egg yolks
4. Bake for 10 – 12 minutes (200°C) or until golden and edges are crisp. Transfer onto
I 1 pinch ground black a wire rack and allow to cool completely before serving.
pepper
On the twelfth day of Christmas Erin gave to us …
Classic Short Bread Cookies
Adapted from:https://www.jocooks.com/baking/cookies/classic-shortbread-cookies/
w h at yo u n e e d directions
I 1 ½ cups butter salted 1. Preheat oven to 325F.
and softened at room
temperature (three 2. Add the butter to a large bowl and blend it until smooth using an
sticks or 12oz) electric mixer set at medium speed for about 30 seconds.
I 1 cup icing sugar 3. Add the icing sugar and continue mixing until well incorporated.
I 3 cups all-purpose 4. Add flour and mix at low speed until well blended. The mixture will
flour be crumbled and soft.
5. Pat dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet, lined with parchment paper,
with the parchment paper hanging off the sides to make it easy to lift out
the cookies. Roll your dough out and cut into your desired shape.
6. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until slightly golden color. Do not let
them get brown. Remove from the oven and let cool.
7. Transfer to a cookie rack.
19Did You Know… Holiday Edition
Here’s some holiday trivia you may not know….
H Hallmark introduced their first Christmas card in 1915!
• Hallmark has produced approximately 253 Holiday movies since 2002.
• Candace Cameron Bure has graced the Hallmark Christmas movie scene
the most with 18 movies under her belt.
H Every year, Nova Scotia gives a Christmas tree to Boston in appreciation for
help given by Boston residents after a ship exploded in Halifax in 1917.
H Santa has a lot of Canadian Elves. Since 1982, Santa’s Post Office has employed
mailroom elves from Canada and has received more than 20 million letters from
children around the world. Canada Post volunteers donate over 200,000 hours of their
time each year to help Santa respond to every letter that arrives on his doorstep.
H Canadians love the Nutcracker
• Dreaming of sugar plum fairies, mice and soldiers dancing through your holiday
season? Since 1995, the National Ballet of Canada’s “The Nutcracker”, has been
wowing audiences from coast to coast. Over one million people have watched the
annual play since its premiere, and as of 2018, 6,722 pairs of pointe shoes have
been used by “The Nutcrackers” ballerinas.
H Shop ‘Til You Drop
• $549 million—The value of consumer electronics, such as televisions and audio and
video equipment purchased at large retailers in Canada in December, with a 127%
spike compared to average monthly sales.
• $435 million—The value of toys, games and hobby supplies, including video games,
purchased at large retailers in Canada in December, up 184% from average monthly
sales .
H Bottoms up!
• 6.7 million liters—Of eggnog is sold in Canada over the Holiday Season.
• $449 million—The amount spent on candy, Christmas chocolate and snack foods at
large retailers over the holiday season.
H O Christmas tree, O Christmas Tree
• 2,381—That’s how many Christmas Tree Farms there are in Canada. Ontario leads
the way with 647 farms.
Adapted from: http://www.chiff.com/christmas/christmas-canada.htm
20City News – Services for Seniors
Check out some of the City’s support services geared towards seniors!
The Snow Angels program attempts to unite people who
Glen Pine and Dogwood Pavilions offer a need help clearing their adjacent City sidewalks of snow,
frozen meal delivery and pick-up program with eager volunteers from our community who want to
for Coquitlam residents 50+ yrs. help.
The meals are $7.50 each and payment by
The program is available to residents of Coquitlam
credit card is taken over the phone by calling
at 604-927-4386. who are:
• Unable to shovel their own adjacent city sidewalk
Frozen meal orders are delivered for free in (excluding personal walkways/driveways)
Coquitlam by 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays
• Over the age of 65
(schedule may change with civic holidays).
• Concerned that the physical exertion from a
Contactless pick-up orders are available between heavy snowfall is too much.
1:30 – 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays at Glen
Pine or Dogwood Pavilions. For more information on the Snow Angels program
please visit coquitlam.ca/snowangels
For more information or to order a meal,
visit coquitlam.ca/meals or call 604-927-4386 **While we do our best, we cannot guarantee that
during pavilion hours. volunteers will be dispatched to clear your sidewalks in
the event of a snowfall**
21Get Creative!
Peppermint Candy Bowls
These adorable DIY Peppermint Candy Bowls make a festive addition to your holiday décor or
wrap them up to give as a great holiday gift. And the best part…they are really easy to make.
w h at yo u n e e d directions
I 19 peppermint 1. Preheat oven to 300F. Place silicone baking mat on the
starlight mints baking sheet.
(19 per small bowl)
2. Place the glass bowl upside down and grease slightly—you will use this to
I Silicone baking mat mold the candy.
(or parchment paper)
3. Lay one mint in the center of the baking liner. Take six more mints and lay
I Baking sheet the mints around the center mint (like a flower type of shape). The mints
should be touching and as close together as possible. Take the remaining 12
I Glass bowl
mints and make another circle around the center circles.
I Vegetable oil
4. Place in the oven for seven to eight minutes. Because all ovens are different
keep your eye on the candies. When they start to get shiny and just begin to
spread out and melt—they are done. You do not want them so melted that
they are bubbling.
5. Take them out and let them sit for about 30 seconds—you want them cool
enough to handle, but not too cool that they are set.
6. The candy will be very hot so you may want to wear oven mitts for this step.
Carefully flip the silicon liner with the mints in place, on top of the upside
down glass bowl. Try to place the center mint as close to the center of the
glass bowl as possible and form the mints to the bowl. You will have under a
minute before the mints start to harden again.
7. Let it sit on the bowl until it sets.
8. Remove it from the glass bowl and let cool completely. It should slide right
off but if not let it cool for a few more minutes and give it a slight twist when
pulling off. If your bowl feels sticky you can lightly dust it with a bit
of cornstarch.
9. Fill with candy and enjoy.
Adapted from Princess Pinky Girl: https://princesspinkygirl.com/diy-peppermint-candy-bowls/
22Relaxation Station
There are a few key things that can help keep our stress levels low (ok well manageable at least).
Deep breathing, exercise, stay connected with family and friends and get plenty of rest. Here are a
few more healthy habits to help combat some of that stress that the winter months can bring.
Positive Self Talk
Self-talk is something you do naturally throughout Control What You Can
your waking hours. Positive self-talk means that you During this time of uncertainty, take the opportunity
approach things in a more positive, supportive and to focus on YOU and what is in your control, rather
nurturing way. It can help you develop a healthier than exhausting your energy on things you can’t
outlook, better cope with situations. An optimistic change.
and compassionate conversation can help you
manage your emotions and take positive action. H Look at your home environment. Do some deep
Adapted from www.verywellmind.com
cleaning and de-cluttering, sort through your
clothing or things you don’t use any more and
H The way you talk to yourself matters. set them aside for donation (two birds, help
Self-criticism, self-doubt, and catastrophic others while helping yourself). Do some cleanup
predictions aren’t helpful. If you’re constantly outdoors if you can do so in a safe way.
thinking things like, “I can’t do this,” and “I can’t
stand this,” or “what a disaster”, you’ll stress H Personally—you can control your efforts, your
yourself out. reactions, how you prepare for things, your
attitude.
H Negative = Positive (lemons = lemonade). Talk
to yourself as you would your loved ones. Be Laughter
compassionate, kind and forgiving. When you
When was the last time you had a good belly laugh,
call yourself names or doubt your ability to
where you laughed so hard you couldn’t breathe?
succeed, reply with a kinder inner dialogue.
“Of course I can do this”, “I’ll take things one H Studies have shown that laughter has both
step at a time”, “today is a great day”. short and long term benefits on our physical
and mental health. Laughing can improve your
Express Gratitude mood, strengthen your immune system, alleviate
With all that’s going on around us we might not be tension, it even increases “your intake of oxygen
feeling very gracious these days. Well, remember the rich air” helping to stimulate the major organs
positive self-talk from above?? Do that. like the heart, lungs and your muscles”.
H Gratitude helps you recognize all the things you H Laughter increases endorphins—those feel
have to be thankful for. Whether you’re grateful good hormones, but also helps reduce levels
for a sunny day (or a cozy, blustery day—we are of hormones linked to stress like cortisol,
in November after all) or thankful for technology epinephrine (adrenaline) and dopamine.
so you can connect with family and friends and So go ahead and laugh it up. Laughter is the best
of course good health, think about all the good medicine of them all.
things you have in life. Adapted from the Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/
healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-
H Gratitude also reminds you of all of the resources 20044456
you have to cope with stress, which can be quite
empowering.
Adapted from Very Well Mind: https://www.verywellmind.com/
how-to-use-positive-self-talk-for-stress-relief-3144816
23Practice Progressive Muscle Relaxation Progressive Relaxation Exercise
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) is all about General Guidelines to follow:
recognizing muscle tension and tightness and **Always consult with your doctor before trying
learning techniques that can help relieve that tension something new.
so that you can feel relaxed and hopefully stress free.
Do not strain when you tense a muscle and
It is a quick two-step process that involves tensing
remember not to tense too hard. Hold the tension for
and relaxing each muscle group from the top to
five to 10 seconds (or less if it feels better).
bottom, section by section.
Maintain focus on the muscle and remember to
Step 1:
breathe. Holding the position/tension does not mean
First concentrate on a particular muscle group (e.g.: hold your breath.
neck and shoulders). You will gently tense each
If any movement causes pain, stop immediately. Be
muscle in that group gently by flexing or squeezing
cautious if you are tensing a part of your body that is
for five to 10 seconds.
or previously has been injured.
Step 2:
Here We Go, Head To Toe
Release the tension that you just built. Stay relaxed
1. Find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed.
for 15 – 20 seconds, pay attention to how your
Sit in a comfortable position.
muscles feel now that you’ve relaxed them.
2. Take three long, slow, deep breaths—inhale
There are so many benefits to practicing PMR, one of
through your nose, holding the breath for just a
the best being you can do this anywhere, anytime.
moment, then exhale through your mouth.
You can take as little or as long as you like. But overall,
these exercises can help reduce stress and anxiety 3. Tense the muscles in your forehead by raising
levels and can keep you feeling in a relaxed state your eyebrows as far as you can. Hold for a count
more often. As an added bonus Anxiety Canada has of five and then relax. Imagine your forehead
also mentioned that PRM can help with things like muscles becoming smooth and limp as they
stomachaches, headaches and can even help improve relax.
our sleep! 4. Tense the muscles around your eyes by squeezing
See the attached sheets for a guided step by step your eyelids shut. Hold and then relax.
exercise. 5. Tighten your jaw by smiling widely so that you
Adapted from Anxiety Canada: http://www.anxietycanada.com stretch the muscles around the hinges of your
jaw. Hold and then relax. Let your lips part and
Before participating in a new workout, please complete allow your jaw to hang loose.
the Par-Q+ Form. This is a Physical Activity Readiness 6. Tighten the muscles in the back of your neck by
Questionnaire that helps determine if you are able to pulling your chin back as far as you can. Focus
participate in fitness activities, and to avoid injury you only on tensing the muscles in your neck. Hold
may be required to consult with your doctor first. You and then relax. Taka a few deep breaths.
should complete the Par-Q form at least once a year. To 7. Tighten your shoulders by raising them up as if
complete the form, visit coquitlam.ca/fitness and look you were going to touch your ears. Hold and then
for waiver forms at the bottom of the web page. relax.
8. Tighten the muscles around your shoulder blades
by pushing your shoulder blades back as if you
were going to touch them together. Hold the
tension in your shoulder blades and then relax.
24Progressive Relaxation Exercise cont… 17. Tighten your calf muscles by pulling your toes
9. Clench your fists. Hold and then relax. toward you. Hold and then relax.
10. Tighten your biceps by drawing your forearms 18. Tighten your feet by curling your toes downward.
up toward your shoulders and “make a muscle”. Hold and then relax.
Hold and then relax. 19. Do a quick scan of your body to see if there are
11. Tighten your triceps (the muscles along the back any areas that are still feeling tense and repeat
of your upper arm) by extending your arms out the tense-relax cycle for that area.
straight and locking your elbows. Hold and then 20. Imagine a wave of relaxation slowly spreading
relax. throughout your body.
12. Tighten the muscles of your chest by taking in a 21. Conclude by sitting quietly with your eyes closed
deep breath and then release slowly. for a moment or two.
13. Tighten your stomach muscles by sucking in your Adapted from Activity Connection: https://www.
activityconnection.com/account/monthly/8/2018/health-
stomach. Hold and then release. fitness/
14. Tighten your lower back by arching it up. Hold
and then relax. *Omit this exercise if you have
back pain.
15. Tighten your buttocks. Hold and then relax.
Imagine the muscles in your hips going loose
and limp.
16. Tighten your thighs by pressing your knees
together as if you were holding a penny between
them. Hold and release. Tighten your calf
muscles by pulling your toes toward you. Hold
and relax.
25Answers…
NO PEEKING!
Suduko
Puzzle #1 / Easy Puzzle # 2 / Medium
Secret Files
26Holiday Crossword Holiday Maze
Word Scramble –Funny Mix-up
1. jovial 10. amusing
2. hilarious 11. laughter
3. comedienne 12. chortling
4. humorous 13. chuckling
5. jocular 14. uproarious
6. facetious 15. comical
7. slapstick 16. droll
8. clown around 17. riotous
9. jester 18. hysterical
27Facility Service Hours for December 2020
Many of Coquitlam’s facilities have special operating hours or may be closed over the holidays.
If you require emergency assistance regarding water, sewer or roads, please call 604-927-3500.
H City Centre Aquatic Complex H Poirier Forum
• Dec. 24: 6:30 – 11:30 a.m. • Dec. 25 to Jan. 3: Rentals only
• Dec. 25: Closed
H Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex
• Dec. 26: Closed
• Dec. 24: 6:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• Dec. 27 to 30: 6:30 – 8:30 a.m.
• Dec. 25: Closed
and 3:30 – 8:30 p.m.
• Dec. 26: Closed
• Dec. 31: 6:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• Dec. 27 to 30: 6:30 – 8:30 a.m.
• Jan. 1: Closed
and 3:30 – 8:30 p.m.
H Coquitlam Animal Shelter • Dec. 31: 6:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• Dec. 24: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. • Jan. 1: Closed
• Dec. 25: Closed
H Town Centre Recycling Depot
• Dec. 26: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Dec. 24: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Dec. 27 to 30: Regular hours
• Dec. 25: Closed
• Dec. 31: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Dec. 26: Closed
• Jan. 1: Closed
• Dec. 27: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Jan. 2: Regular hours
• Dec. 28: Closed
H Coquitlam City Hall • Dec. 29: Closed
• Dec. 24: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. • Dec. 31: 6:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• Dec. 25 to Jan. 3: Closed • Jan. 1: Closed
• Jan. 4: Regular hours • Jan. 2: Regular hours
H Dogwood Pavilion H Centennial Activity Centre,
• Dec. 24: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Summit Community Centre,
• Dec. 25 to Jan. 3: Closed Smiling Creek Activity Centre
• Jan. 4: Regular hours and Victoria Community Hall
H Glen Pine Pavilion • Closed until further notice.
• Dec. 24: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
H Customer Service Hours
• Dec. 25 to Jan. 3: Closed
Registration Line: 604-927-4386
• Jan. 4: Regular hours
• Dec. 24: 6:30 – 8:30 a.m.
H Pinetree Community Centre • Dec. 25: Closed
• Dec. 24: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. • Dec. 26: Closed
• Dec. 25 to Jan. 3: Closed • Dec. 27: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Jan. 4: Regular hours • Dec. 28 to 30: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Dec. 31: 6:30 – 8:30 a.m.
H Poirier Community Centre • Jan. 1: Closed
• Dec. 24: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Jan. 2: Regular hours
• Dec. 25 to Jan. 3: Closed
• Jan. 4: Regular hours
For more information about City facilities, hours of operation and COVID-19 protocols,
visit coquitlam.ca/covid19You can also read
