APPLE CIDER BRINED TURKEY

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE BRINE

2 qt. apple cider

6 c. water

1 c. kosher salt

1/4 c. packed brown sugar

4 cinnamon sticks

3 sprigs fresh rosemary

1 orange, quartered

1 tsp. whole cloves

1 tsp. whole peppercorns

1 (8-lb.) whole turkey, giblets removed

FOR ROASTING Continue reading →

by J.D. Schramm

(NAPSI)—The first time I heard about Crisis Text Line was when one of my students shared information about this mental health support service in one of my classes on strategic storytelling. I was doubtful that a text messaging service, provided entirely by trained volunteers, could make a difference in people’s lives. Yet, I was intrigued and curious. The first time I contacted Crisis Text Line, by texting 741741 from my iPhone, was Thanksgiving of 2019. I had just lost one of my best friends to a brain tumor. My husband and I had decided it was too costly for me to return home for the funeral. This is when my grief started to set in. I was truly struggling. My own depression, which I’d faced since my teens, was “‘nudging at me” again. Then, add in holiday pressures, bickering over the trivial with my family, and trying to keep the kids engaged and off their devices–I was at the end of my rope that day. Without anybody else in the house knowing, I reached out and a complete stranger helped me to a place of calm. It was all I needed at that moment. I felt sheepish “taking up their time” when others had more pressing problems. The volunteer assured me that my needs mattered too.  Continue reading →