Bockman's Auto Care - April 2021

Bockman's Auto Care - April 2021

What’s The BUZZ? Take Me Out to Wrigley Looking Back on a Lifetime as a Baseball Fan APR 2021

There’s this powerful moment when you walk into Wrigley Field. It’s a moment unlike anything else as

the majors. Fritz worked for my dad while he was attending Northern Illinois University. I still have his signed New York Yankees jersey today! It was pretty cool to see a guy who used to be in our shop now playing on a professional ball diamond. I once had big aspirations of playing just like the very ballplayers I love today, but I was never very good at baseball. I played catcher in Little League, and while my talent was nonexistent, I enjoyed playing with my buddies and talking to the other team’s batters. I liked that as the catcher, I was involved in every play. I always had something to do, and my team relied on me. My boys, Austin and Owen, carried on the Little League tradition. Austin played until he was in eighth grade, while Owen stopped in fifth grade. That same year, I actually became the president of Sycamore Youth Baseball. While I would have loved for my boys to keep playing, not having them in the league was a godsend for my tenure as president. It meant I could make decisions without the question of my intentions looming over me. I was proud to serve in that position because it meant I was helping kids in our community receive foundational lessons that only team sports can teach. Baseball and other team sports teach children how to work together, even if they have a great talent. They could have a hot glove, but unless they have someone to throw to, that means nothing. Baseball has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, and there will always be moments that stand out. The Cubs winning the World Series just five years ago is one of them. I still relive Game 7 — a game that had it all. And much like the feeling I get walking out into Wrigley every year, there’s nothing else that can compare to that moment.

you walk through the tunnel toward your seat and see the wide expanse of the ball diamond laid out before you. The field is an indescribable green, unparalleled by every other version of green, and the excitement in the air is palpable. History lives there.

I get goosebumps every time.

Baseball is back, and that feeling is closer than ever. I can’t wait to experience ball games again in person and to cheer for the Chicago Cubs as they take another run at a World Series title. I’ve been a Cubs fan my whole life, and practically everyone in my family is the same way. Well,

everyone except my brother! He’s actually a Chicago White Sox fan, and I’m not sure if it’s because he just wanted to be defiant or if the Sox were just that good back in the 1970s when he started to choose them over the Cubs. Regardless of my brother’s poor taste — I’m kidding! — my whole family loves baseball. It’s something my parents passed onto me and a hobby I was proud to pass onto my own children. I share tickets with a group of friends, so my family tries to attend 4–10 games each year. It’s always a fun time. There’s the camaraderie of the fans around you and the quick-witted jabs by rival fans. Everyone sings along to the seventh inning stretch, even if it was better when we were singing with Harry Caray. The food is amazing, and you’re never bored. Before you know it, you’re on your feet clapping for the home team pitcher in the ninth inning as he tries to end the game with his fastball.

Here’s to hoping we can experience that again in 2021. Go, Cubs! — Jon Bockman

I remember one time when my dad took us to see his former employee, Fritz Peterson, play in

Sycamore 815.756.7413 • DeKalb 815.754.4200

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How Intuitive Eating Can Help You Quit Diet Culture

Tidying Up?

Don’t Miss Your Vehicle!

Spring has sprung, and you may feel the need to clean your home or organize your space. That’s natural! Spring-cleaning is a common phenomenon this time of the year, and at Bockman’s, we ask that you don’t forget your vehicle! Here’s a checklist to get you started. Begin With the Exterior From slush to mud, your vehicle’s exterior takes quite the beating. When dirt, salt, and grime cling to your vehicle’s exterior, they can begin to degrade it. This isn’t just aesthetically bad — it also diminishes your vehicle’s best defense against debris. Wash your vehicle every two weeks and don’t miss the undercarriage! Debris wedged into the nooks and crannies can wreak havoc. Move Inside Our vehicles accumulate everything from old fast- food french fries to invoices from errands. However, your vehicle is not a storage unit. Those added materials can hinder your vehicle’s functionality. With the change of each season, prioritize cleaning out the interior of your car.

The concept of mindfulness has fully saturated mainstream culture at this point. Though it’s more likely to conjure up an image of someone sitting cross-legged with closed eyes than sitting at a table looking wide-eyed at mealtime, it’ll serve you just as well on your dinner plate as it will on your yoga mat. What is intuitive eating? Eating mindfully, also known as intuitive eating, is trending in the health and wellness world. But it couldn’t be more different from fad diets or other trends like fasting and cleanses, which have restrictive lists of rules and foods to eat or avoid. Intuitive eating starts by simply tuning in to your body’s needs and cues, but it goes further than that. As a Harvard Medical School article put it, “In essence, mindful eating means being fully attentive to your food — as you buy, prepare, serve, and consume it.” And that includes focusing on how different foods and eating habits make you feel, both physically and mentally.

While this may feel … intuitive ... it’s easier said than done in a culture with consistent and often confusing messaging around what constitutes healthy eating. Even the tried-and-true method of calorie counting has raised doubts in recent years due to inaccuracies in calorie calculations for the nutrition labels and research on how calorie restriction can backfire by changing your hormone levels and even slowing down your metabolism. Kristen Smith, a registered dietitian and the spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, says it’s also linked to disordered eating habits. Intuitive eating may just be the antidote. Singer Demi Lovato, who has been open about her struggles with an eating disorder and body-image issues, credits a more mindful approach to eating with helping her overcome harmful eating patterns. How does it lead to better health outcomes? Having a regular exercise routine and eating well have long been known as the two pillars of physical health. When it comes to the latter, intuitive eating helps you create healthy and sustainable eating habits. The upshot is that when you eat better, you’ll feel better. Being attuned to that connection is the foundation of mindful eating. Most of us know that we should eat whole foods, including lots of fruits and vegetables, but feeling the outcome of increased consumption of these foods will help you stick with and build the habit.

Mud, Mud Home Cleaning

Is there anything as great as spring? The sun is shining (sometimes),

the birds are singing again, and — is that mud on the floor? As great as springtime is, let’s

be honest: The wet weather that makes the grass and trees green also makes for a few muddy months. And if your family likes to recreate outdoors, you’ll want some tips for keeping the outside, well, outside . The easiest way to prevent having mud tracked through your home is by simply taking off your shoes at the door and asking your family and guests to do the same. This is a custom in many cultures around the world, but here in the U.S., developing the habit might be an adjustment. It’ll pay dividends all year long, though, especially in spring. Failing that, you should at least keep an old towel by the door to deal with your dog’s muddy paws or your kids’ mud-caked shoes!

Outside of the house use a hose to wash off mud on pavers, flagstones, or patios; this will help prevent it from being tracked indoors. Other particularly

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Sycamore 815.756.7413 • DeKalb 815.754.4200

Brain Break!

Remove any trash you may have stashed inside of it and vacuum up dirt and sand. Dust your dashboard and radio and remove any items you no longer need. For example, you likely don’t need that ice scraper in June. (Let’s hope.) Add What You Need

As life changes, so do your needs. Consider the emergency supplies you have stashed in your vehicle. If you don’t already have one, create a preparedness kit to help you in the event that you become stranded. Store blankets, water bottles, granola bars, extra socks,

chargers, maps, road flares, a flashlight, jumper cables, a tire changing kit, and small tools to use in case of an emergency. This kit may look different depending on your situation. For example, parents may want to add small toys and diapers for their kids. Regardless, you should examine your kit at least twice a year to add or remove items.

Easy Way Out

ReciBEE of the Month

If spring-cleaning conjures up any concerns for your vehicle’s health, or if it’s time for a general inspection, call us today to schedule an appointment.

d Everywhere! g Tips for the Dirtiest Season of All

Rhubarb Oat Bars

Inspired by TasteOfHome.com

Ingredients

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1 1/2 cups fresh rhubarb, chopped 1 cup packed brown sugar, divided 1 tsp fresh lemon juice

• • •

1 cup old-fashioned oats 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

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1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut

• • •

• •

1/2 tsp salt

4 tbsp water, divided

1/3 cup butter, melted

tricky outdoor patches might benefit from a push-broom scrubbing or even a pressure washing.

4 tsp cornstarch

Directions

If someone does track mud inside onto a hard surface, such as a finished hardwood floor, you have two options to clean it up. The first is to wipe it up immediately with a paper towel, which you’ll have to do if it’s bad enough. But if the mud isn’t caked on too thick you might want to let it dry and then hit it with a dampened towel or scrubber. In either case, you’ll want to follow up with a cleaning product designed for use on that surface, whether it’s wood, stone, or linoleum. Of all surfaces, carpet presents the biggest challenge. Mud stains on carpet should always be left to dry completely — hard as it might be to look at! Once it’s dried, hit it with the vacuum then blot the area with a 1-to-2 mixture of laundry detergent and water. Repeat until the stain is gone, and flush with cold water to finish. You can follow a similar process for upholstery. Now you’re a mud cleanup master!

1. Preheat oven to 350 F and grease an 8-inch square baking dish. 2. In a medium saucepan, bring rhubarb, 1/2 cup brown sugar, lemon juice, and 3 tbsp water to a boil. 3. Reduce heat to medium and cook until rhubarb is tender (about 5 minutes). 4. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and remaining water, stirring until smooth. 5. Gradually add to the rhubarb mixture, return to a boil, and cook until thickened. Remove from heat and set aside. 6. In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, coconut, salt, and remaining brown sugar. Stir in butter until mixture is crumbly. 7. Press half of the oat mixture into the prepared baking dish, spread rhubarb mixture on top, then sprinkle with remaining oat mixture. 8. Bake 25–30 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely before enjoying!

Sycamore 815.756.7413 • DeKalb 815.754.4200

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Bockman’s Auto Care 2158 Oakland Dr. Sycamore, IL 60178 815.756.7413 Bockman’s Truck & Fleet 815.754.4200

Bockmans.com

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Why I Love Baseball (and the Cubs)

What Is Intuitive Eating? Your Checklist for Your Cleanest Vehicle Yet Home Cleaning Tips for Spring Mud

Rhubarb Oat Bars

Earn Money: Our Way of Saying Thanks!

Your Referrals Matter to Us!

That’s Why We Thank You With Our Customer Care Program

The reason why Bockman’s has been able to proudly serve this community for the past 55 years is in no small part because of our loyal customers. You have remained committed to our service as we’ve grown, moved, and adapted right alongside the very vehicles we work on every day. To say we’re grateful would be an understatement. But there’s another reason why we have remained a mainstay in this community: your referrals . When you refer Bockman’s to a friend, family member, or coworker, you’re doing so much more than offering a recommendation. You’re telling someone who trusts you why you trust this auto garage. Trust is so valuable in this industry. You have to know that we will do our best work to ensure your vehicle runs smoothly and protects you and your family.

Whenever you refer someone to us, you give us one of the greatest gifts a small business could ever receive. And that’s why we are adamant that we reward that loyalty with a perk in our Customer Care Program. Here’s how it works: The next time you refer someone to Bockman’s, hand them one of your referral cards. These are issued to our Customer Care Program members upon enrollment. If the person you refer comes in to see us for service, they will present us with that card, and we will reward you with dollars that can be used on your next visit! That means all you have to do to save money on your next auto appointment is simply tell those you love about our service and hand them a card. Just be sure they show us the card when they come in!

We could not be prouder to serve this community, and we are so appreciative to every longtime, new, or referred customer who trusts us with their vehicle. If you would like to learn more about this special perk of the Customer Care Program, please visit BockmansAutoCare.com/customer- care-program.

Thank you, again, for your referral!

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Sycamore 815.756.7413 • DeKalb 815.754.4200