Christmas Symbols

Christmas Symbols: The Origin of Different Symbols of Christmas

Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25th of each year. It is the day Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The word "Christmas" means "Christ's Mass" - derived from the English term "Christes masse". American customs come from many places. Santa Claus has a Dutch origin. He was developed from St. Nicholas who was a real person. St. Nicholas was the patron saint of school boys. He brought gifts to the children. The idea that Santa Claus comes down the chimney originated in Norway, where children hang Christmas stockings on the fireplace mantel. Christmas trees have pagan origins. When pagans became Christian, they used evergreens (a sacred tree) for the holiday by decorating them with nuts and candles. They sang Christmas carols as they danced around the Christmas tree.

Advent Wreath: Four candles placed on a wreath. One candle is lit each Sunday before Christmas in anticipation of Christ's birthday.

Bells: Church Bells rang to announce the birth of Jesus. They still ring today.

Candles: Candles represent the light that Jesus brought to earth. Pagans who converted to Christianity used candles on the sacred evergreen tree.

Christmas Cards: For many years, private notes of good tidings were sent at Christmas time. In 1843, Sir Henry Cole had 1000 special designed cards printed. The custom of sending Christmas cards began.

Christmas Caroling: Caroling is a medieval custom of singing and dancing around a Christmas tree. Early carols weren't holy enough for singing inside a church, so caroling was done outside.

Christmas Cookies: Originated with pre-Christian Romans who gave sweet cakes to their senators.

Christmas Seals: A Danish postal clerk sold Christmas stamps (Christmas seals) to show that users had given to a worthy cause.

Christmas Stocking: There is a legend associated with the origin of Christmas Stockings. St. Nick, who wanted to remain anonymous and help a poor family, threw gold coins down their chimney. They fell into a stocking that was hanging there to dry.

Christmas Tree Lights: The lights represent Christ as being the "Light of the World." Lights also represent stars. Candles were first used as lights on the Christmas tree.

Donkeys, Lambs, and Cows: Donkeys, lambs, and cows were animals close to Jesus at the time of his birth.

Evergreen Tree: The evergreen tree was decorated by the pagans at the feast of the winter solstice. The evergreen tree was a sign that winter would end.

Gifts: The first Christmas gifts were given by the Wisemen to Baby Jesus.

Holly: Holly is a shrub with spiny leaves and red berries. The leaves remain green throughout the year. Pagans thought its greenness was a promise that the sun would return. Early French and English families hung holly over their doors to symbolize a home in which Christ's birth is celebrated.

Icicles: Icicles are sometimes used as a tree decoration. As per an old story, the Christ child took shelter for a night under a pine tree. When the tree realized that it was caring for Jesus, tears of happiness fell from its branches. The tears froze into icicles.

Manger: A cow's manger is the place where Baby Jesus slept.

Mince Meat Pie: Mince meat pie is full of spices and fruits. It represents the exotic treasures of the East that the Wisemen brought to Jesus.

Mistletoe: Was used by pre Christian Druids to celebrate the coming winter, often decorating their homes with it. Scandinavians also celebrated with mistletoe, associating with their goddess of love. Kissing under the mistletoe may have originated from this belief. Early Christians banned the use of mistletoe in Christmas celebrations, feeling it was inappropriate. Holly was substituted.

Plum Pudding: Plum pudding originated by an English king that was stranded in a blizzard one Christmas Eve. He used what he could find to make a special holiday dish.

Poinsettia: This flower was brought to the U.S. by Dr, J.R. Poinsett in 1825. He was the first United States ambassador to Mexico. Mexicans thought that the plants symbolized the Star of Bethlehem. There is a myth that the Christ-child turned a gift of weeds into a beautiful flower - the poinsettia.

Reindeer: Reindeer were the animals chosen by St. Nicholas to pull his sleigh. His reindeers' names are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. Rudolf the Red -nosed Reindeer is the most famous.

Saint Nicholas: Saint Nicholas was a real person. He was a kind bishop who brought presents to children and needy people.

Star: The Star of Bethlehem guided the Three Wisemen to Baby Jesus.

Tinsel: There is a legend associated with this thin metallic foil strip decoration. It tells about parents who trimmed a tree while their children were sleeping. Spiders came to see the tree, leaving cobwebs all over it. The Christ Child came to bless the tree and turned the cobwebs to silver.

Three Wisemen: Three Wiseman travelled far to see Jesus. They brought their best treasures for gifts. Gold - a precious metal associated with the power of kings Frankincense - A resin from a rare and sacred tree used as incense Myrrh - A resin from a shrub used in making perfume.

Wassail: A wassail is a salutation of good health or well wishes by means of a toast. The drink is a mixture of mulled eggs, curdled cream, apples, nuts, and spices. Usually poured from a punch bowl while exchanging Christmas greeings.

Xmas: Originated in Greece. In Greek, "Xristos" is the word for Christ. Europeans began using "X" as shorthand for Christ's name.

Yule Log: The word "yule" means "wheel," a symbol representing the sun. Before Jesus was born, pagans thought the sun stood still for 12 days at the end of the year. A log was cut large enough to burn for this time period to burn away last year's evil.

Change or Not??

I am not one to get political too often as I know the voice of America will always ring true, but I have to raise the awareness and consciousness of our recent election. Change is coming and I am truly happy that we will have a President, who seems to care about all Americans, and yes it will be a rough road ahead, but if we all do our part we will overcome as we always have. Corruption, greed, brute force, scare tactics, and a rush to judgment are a thing of the past. We need to all band together under one voice "America" and rejoice in a new age of reason and governing.

Has change come to all? Of course not and unfortunately the lies, financial backing of out of region power players, the marriage of church and state, and the morality police that don't want change (which is inevitable) have allowed the bigotry and self righteous ideology of yesterday to prevail. But change is coming and the truth will prevail and all of us one day will be treated equally under the law. One day I know we will be free.


The preceding was only the opinion of Mark Neely and not Windy Plum Farms.

Submitted by Mark Neely

Time to Reinvent not Give Up!

With the advent of economic down turn and customers spending decreasing everyday it is essential in business to reinvent your products and services tailored to what the client perceives as a necessity not a luxury.

Offering all levels of budgets an opportunity to purchase your services and creating new ones that save money and time to the customer. In catering, this means offering tiered level of services and with the holidays just around the corner it means offering products that become a time and money saver.

So the questions is "how do I accomplish this and not change my entire company"? Well, here are examples of what we are doing.

Catering Services: Three types of services- Express & Drop-Off, save 15% on set up and delivery. Full Service, from set up and delivery to staffing any event, and receive a discount based on number of guest attending.

Holiday Rush: Offer a product that your competition can't and is unique to your customers, but at a reasonable price and value, and also covers the entire holiday season. We started with Halloween and will be adding International Holiday Menu's in a few weeks offering traditional as well as menu options from around the world.

Gift Cards/Catalogs: For the shopper who wants to have a large variety of choices, at a reasonable price, and the receiver gets to choose what they want, and is also a unique way to give for all occasions.

Other parts of our company (Culinary Classes, In-Home Dining, and Prepared Meals) have seen a dramatic decline in popularity, and this is okay as this will come back later when the economy changes to a more productive state.

As you can see change can help redefine your company goals, create unique opportunities for your customers, expand your brand identity and services, fit any budget or need, and most important, keep you in business during the hard times.

Cooking with Herbs and Spices

One of our popular culinary classes has been the utilization of herbs and spices in cooking, so here are a few "unique" herbs and spices you can use to flavor food, and recipes on our website you can download on September 8th.

Allspice: Dried-add a pinch to green beans, carrots or spinach.

Caraway: Dried-add to cabbage dishes, toasted seeds to coleslaw and sprinkle on potatoes boiled in chicken stock.

Cardamon: Dried-use in cookies, cakes and many East Indian dishes.

Coriander Seeds (Seed of Cilantro Plant): Dried-add to carrots, green beans, add sachet of seeds to water when boiling potatoes for mashing and to sauces and salad dressing.

Fennel: Dried-add to fish dishes, use with marinades for pork or lamb, use in salad dressing and in cookies and cakes.

Juniper: Dried-add to cabbage and bean dishes, rub crushed berries on beef roasts, turkey, lamb or ham. And to pot roasts.

Nutmeg/Mace: Dried-use in spinach dishes, risotto, mashed potatoes, and tomato sauces.

Tarragon: Dried or Fresh-use with omelets, sauteed mushrooms, fish, shellfish (especially lobster), tuna, chicken and egg salads.

So the next time you feel creative pull out a "unique" spice and liven up your next dish with natures best, and be on your way to becoming a kitchen gourmet that is the envy of your friends and family.

Starting September 8th recipes for the above Herbs and Spices can be found our our website at www.windyplumfarms.com/recipes.asp

Food for Living

Science has finally uncovered the truth of what we should eat to have a healthy life and it is not surprising to note that indeed once again it is fruits and vegetables that win. Here are the surprising facts! Remember they are best eaten raw!
Carrots: Look like the human eye and greatly enhance blood flow to and function to the eye.
Tomatoe: Has four chambers and is red. Tomatoes are loaded with lycopine which is pure heart and blood food.
Grapes: Hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.
Walnuts: Looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere,
upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex and helps develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.
Kidney Beans: Heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.
Celery, Bok Choy, and Rhubarb: And many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.
Avacadoes,Eggplant, and Pears: Target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit.
There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of
these foods.
Figs: Are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to
overcome male sterility.
Sweet Potatoes: Look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.
Olives: Assist the health and function of the ovaries.
Citrus Fruits (Oranges, Grapefruits): Look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.
Onions: Look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic,also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.

July 4th, What Does it Mean to You?

I recently watched the show "the Patriot" with Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger for the third time and I have to say it is the most emotional portrait of our country's fight for independence and the beginning of the United States of America.
On the 4th of July this year stop and think of all that have suffered the cause for our freedom; our Soldiers (whether you agree or disagree with the war in Iraq and Afghanistan), our Founding Fathers, our Prisoners of War, our deceased Soldiers from past conflicts, and each of us who bravely try to make this country a better place for all individuals no matter your beliefs, ethnic background, sexuality, race, religion, or political affiliation.
Ask your self the following questions? Are we better off than other countries? Do we need a change in this country? Have we been mislead by our leaders? Do we need to keep our fundamental rights as Americans to speak our language? Do we as Americans have the right to say our Pledge to our Flag and National Anthem in English? Do we need to turn the eyes of the world to the United States and help our country recover from its problems and needs?
We are Americans and we have the right to freedom of speech, protest peacefully if we don't agree, but above all others is to cherish this nation born of immigrants who wanted a better life for themselves and learned our language, were governed by our laws, and gave to this country their unique cultural background from food, religions, and cultural heritage so we could become more diverse and connected to the world.
So this 4th of July let's think about all that has been given and unite under One Flag, One Spoken Language, and One Culture...America the land of the Free and Brave!

Kitchen Tips to No-Shrink Burgers

BBQ Season has arrived so get out the grill and get ready for some fun in the Sun!
Burger Mantra that works: Think wide. Think Thin. Don't Pack
1)Put a touch of oilive oil on both hands. To mix in flavorings, work gently.
2)Shape a loose ball and hold it in your fingers. Press gently with the balls of your hands to form a patty. Don't Pack!
3)With the patty cradled in your fingers, press edges gently with your other hand cupped, turning the burger like a dial.
4)Shaped patties should be half an inch thick. Beware thin burgers cook more evenly but cooks faster than a plump one so make sure the fire is medium-high and stay close to the grill. Nothiing beats good friends,sunshine, and a grilled meal.

Adjusting to Rising Food Cost

You hear it on the news everyday the cost of living is rising and now the cost has reached our local grocery stores. As a company we are starting to see these costs with our vendors for many food items we purchase and of course this cost has to be passed to the consumer so we can remain profitable with out gouging the consumer.
So what becomes important is quality versus quantity and pricing. This is the time to reinvent our Catering business plan but stay true to our over all goal of providing the highest level of quality to our customers. We are finding in this rising cost environment customers who are seeking quality but want options to keep costs lower.
Well, we have an answer without jeopardising our reputation and that is "Express Catering". We provide the same catered food items artfully presented on trays, ready for the chaffing dish, equipment rentals, and all the items to make a perfect event but the client picks it up at our store location and they take it home, set it up, do the clean up afterwards, and return the items back to us cleaned and ready for the next customer. The savings overall is over 15% of the acutal food and beverage cost.
So if you have the time to set up your event and clean up afterwards, want quality meal selection, and still want the event to be the talk of town then "Express Catering" helps keep the budget in check and the savings in your pocket.

How Green Are You??

Being "Green" today means saving our Planet right? Well of course but it also means becoming more of a Vegetarian. There are various degree's of being a Vegetarian from no meat, no eggs, and no dairy to adding more vegetables to a diet.If your not so strict to a Vegetarian diet then adding lean meats, poultry or fish is another alternative to healthy eating. Or you can substitute items for example meat can be substituted for beans and grilled vegetables, Milk for Soy or Rice Milk, and Butter for Vegetable or Olive oil. Tofu is a great substitute for Protein and is very versatile and easy to use. The new "Green" is to add more vegetables to the diet, eating leaner proteins such as chicken, turkey breast, or fish. In fact we will be introducing later this year a Chef who actually can "uncook" meals with nothing but vegetables and this new wave of Personal Chef is starting to catch on across our nation. So in a nutshell saving our Planet is "Green" but so is saving your health through reducing the risk of heart attack, obesity, and high blood pressure.
Celebrate National Earth Day...Plant a Tree...Eat from the Earth...Live Healthier.

Recession ????

Results from previous poll what do you give for Valentines? 100% say flowers.
Okay, we have all heard the news everywhere that we are possibly going into a recession right? Well I agree with a sign we have in our store window that was printed by Zap Printing that says " We have been invited to a recession but we respectfully Decline."
So what can you do to grow your business? Keep your goals insight, don't loose focus of what you want and GO FOR IT! I also offer that to stay at your desk and hope for the phone to ring or customers to come to you is a thing of the past. Get out there and talk to others build excitement around your products and services, market your best attribute...YOU. Your current clients love you and what you represent so talk to them and see what they want not what you think they need.Provide the highest level of service and products and follow up and allow yourself to be open to criticism (constructive)this is where you learn how to be the best.
Oh, when you answer the phone try it with a smile and genuine interest in what the other person is saying you will be amazed at what you will hear.
Use all the internet resources you can think of and be creative in getting your message out there to the public.
Utilize your strength in partnership with other businesses that can help you be the best. For example I utilize a flower shop, an equipment rental company, a gourmet cookie shop, a bakery, and other resources that my business needs to operate.
Lastly, if all of the above fails well close your eyes, take a deep breath, and vision what you want your business to look and feel like, open your eyes, and guess what your vision is about to come true because it always happens the way you have envisioned it to be. Remember...the RECESSION is in your mind not in your BUSINESS.

Valentine's Breakfst

Results from previous poll shows that we all eat at home.

Okay so Valentine's Day is fast approaching so what are you going to do for that special someone in your life? Well here is a recipe that is sure to wake up the cupid in all of us but please don't forget the roses.

Dark Chocolate Waffles with Strawberries
Ingredients :
1/2 c. butter, melted
1/4 c. sugar
2 eggs, separated
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 oz. bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled
1-1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt (optional)
1/2 c. milk or 3/4 c. buttermilk
Powdered sugar
Fresh strawberries, sliced and sweetened

Preparation :
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar. Add the egg yolks, vanilla and cooled chocolate. Mix well.
In separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt, if using.
Add the flour mixture to the chocolate mixture alternately with the milk, blending well with each addition. (If using buttermilk, which is thicker than milk, use a little more if necessary, to thin almost to a pouring consistency.) With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff. Fold them into the batter.
Place about 1/3 cup batter in a hot waffle iron, close the cover and bake until the steaming stops; these waffles are dark so don't judge doneness by the color. Serve sprinkled with powdered sugar and topped with strawberry slices. Makes 5 to 6 waffles.

Why a Personal Chef?

Results from previous poll: To make Christmas special you overwhelming prefer to spend time with family.

Personal Chef is a east cost concept that has changed over the years. First it started where a person with culinary skills went to a clients home cooked and packaged the meals and returned every other week with a new limited menu monthly and repeated the process.
Today, we have seen the Personal Chef move to the retail store front in the form of a person goes to the location puts the meal together and then takes the non-cooked frozen meal home to be eaten later. With this concept anyone can open this business and do not have to have a culinary background as the menu's are created by the corporate headquarters and changed monthly. Unfortunately, this concept even though it is affordable it lacks the balanced meal of protein, starch, and vegetable. And if you want the sides they are a lot higher price.
We at Windy Plum Farms have taken the next spin on the Personal Chef which is to prepare the meal completely, offer a balance meal including dietary restricted menu's and weight managed, and all the client has to do is reheat with instructions we provide. Everything is seasoned to perfection because our Executive Personal Chef has a trained and educated background in the culinary arts.
So whats the next phase in this changing industry? I would say it depends as always on clients need to have fast, healthy, and convenient meals.