Brauns Law August 2019

404-418-8244 August 2019 WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM 3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330, DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096

BOILED OR STEAMED? Why I Don’t Eat Crabs Outside Maryland

One of the most surprising things I learned after moving to the South is how people prepare their crabs. Down here, everyone boils everything from crabs to crawfish! That blew my mind. I grew up just outside of Baltimore, Maryland. Up north, we steam our crabs. That way, the flavor doesn’t get lost in the water. Bay. I grew up eating these crabs, and honestly, no other blue crab can compare. They have this sweet, firm crab meat that crabs from any other waters just don’t live up to. I’ll admit, it’s not just where the crabs come from that makes them delicious. Great crab is all about the way it’s prepared. The Maryland way to prepare crab is to get a steamer pot with a big wooden rack at the bottom and fill the pot with half water, half beer. Then we put the crabs on the rack, toss in a handful of rock salt and a generous helping of Old Bay seasoning, and put the lid on top. Once the crabs are done, we line a picnic table with newspaper and dump the pile of steamed crabs out of the pot onto the middle of the table. That’s when the family gathers around with mallets and starts picking crabs. In my family, one of the rites of passage is learning the right way to pick a crab. We would even have a competition to see who could get the biggest back fin without it breaking. It’s really tricky to get the meat out of the shell just right Maryland is well-known for the blue crabs that come out of the Chesapeake

without it breaking into bits. My family has handed down the crab-picking strategy for generations. This isn’t a technique you can pick up on by reading about it online; it’s something you can only learn by doing it. I learned how to pick crab when I was pretty young, but I kept my skills a secret for years because my aunts and uncles would always just give me big pieces of picked-out crab meat. “In my family, one of the rites of passage is learning the right way to pick a crab.” To this day, I will never eat crab meat outside of Maryland. Plenty of restaurants claim to have “Maryland-style” crab cakes, but they’re never the same. I’ve learned through years of disappointment that there’s no good blue crab outside of Maryland. My wife doesn’t agree with me. She grew up in New Orleans with big crawfish boils where the family would gather together to break bread — or, in this case, crawfish. There’s an ongoing debate in my house in regard to which food is better: steamed crab or boiled crawfish. I think the answer is pretty clear. Looking back on it, I realize it’s the community aspect that makes those memories stand out for me. Yes, blue

crab steamed the Maryland way is a culinary masterpiece, but these events were about more than food. Summer cookouts were a time for the whole family to get together to laugh, connect, and really enjoy each other’s company. No matter what’s on the menu, food has a way of bringing people together. As we close out the summer, whether you prefer your crabs boiled or steamed, I hope everyone is able to create some memories at one more summer cookout.

-David Brauns

WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM | 1

Which Workout Will Help You Meet Your Goals? Sweat Smart

With hot yoga, barre, Pilates, weightlifting, kickboxing, and more, personal fitness companies offer every workout you need to stay in shape. But sometimes, having dozens of choices can be more anxiety- inducing than having just a few. When it comes to finding the right workout to help you reach your goal, whether it’s weight loss, better balance, or more muscle, it’s best to seek advice from the experts. Drop It Like a Pound When it comes to weight loss, full-body workouts, like swimming, running, and cycling, are the most effective. “The more muscles you have to incorporate, the more calories you’re going to burn because those muscles all require energy in order to work,” Nike Master Trainer Holly Rilinger told SELF magazine. Regardless of the activity you choose, Rilinger recommends interval training as the best method. By combining bursts of intense effort with periods of active rest, you can keep your heart rate jumping and those calories burning. Wax On, Wax Off The words “balance” and “workout” are generally associated with yoga, and

while it’s true that yogis are champions of standing on one foot, so are martial artists. According to an article published by the martial arts academy chain Evolve MMA, “Martial arts works out the entire body, from the base, to the upper torso, to the all-important core ... Practicing martial arts will improve your balance, which then, of course, improves the quality of your life.” By incorporating martial arts and yoga into your workout regimen, you’ll be able to perform impressive party tricks and stay on your feet if you lose your balance. Do You Even Lift, Bro? For building muscle and increasing your strength, nothing beats weightlifting, whether you’re using dumbbells at home or machines at the gym. Lifting weights also helps burn fat. Speaking with SELF, Rilinger called the practice “the mother of all weight loss techniques, the highest in the workout food chain, the top of the totem pole.” Of course, the most important thing to consider when choosing a workout is whether you enjoy it enough to squeeze

it into your schedule. If you resent every drop of sweat, it will undoubtedly take you longer to reach your goal than if you look forward to the challenge.

Testimonials DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT

“They did everything they could to help me and treated me like I was family. This is the best lawyer I have ever been in contact with. Thank you!” –Patty Carlisle “I was treated with great care and compassion by David Brauns and his team. Both David and Nick Connelly were in constant communication with me throughout the process. Highly recommend.” –Pam Banda

2 | 404-418-8244

Watch for Red Flags

The Dangers of Heatstroke in Student Sports

Though there are still several weeks left of summer, many young athletes are already gearing up for fall sports. Long hours of practice in the hot sun lead to an increased risk of heat-related illnesses, like heatstroke. Heatstroke is a condition where the body creates more heat than it can release. If left untreated, this sudden increase in core temperature can lead to permanent disability or, in extreme cases, death. All athletes, from football players to long-distance runners, face a risk of heatstroke. Here are what parents and coaches can do to decrease this risk. Practice Heat Acclimation Slowly getting used to the heat is a much safer strategy than going all-in on day one of practice. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association suggests a 14-day period for preseason heat acclimatization, where athletes gradually increase the duration and intensity of their activity. That said, it’s important to remember that heatstroke isn’t isolated to hot days. Athletes can also suffer heat illness on days with moderate temperature and high humidity. Stay Hydrated It’s incredibly important that athletes drink plenty of water before they start exercising and that athletes have constant access to water while working out. Additionally, athletes should also have a sports drink on hand. While pure water is a better source of hydration, sports drinks

help replenish the sodium lost through sweating, which helps prevent muscle cramps.

WORD SEARCH August Heatstroke is a risk for all athletes, so it’s important that parents and coaches be proactive about avoiding heat-related illness, no matter what sport their athlete is involved in. August Word Search • Increased core temperature, usually above 104 degrees • Increase heart rate or fast breathing • Dehydration • Irritating, confusion, or irrational behavior Require Breaks It’s important for kids to learn how to persevere, but parents, coaches, and fellow team members shouldn’t make athletes feel ashamed for taking a break. The Georgia High School Association released activity and rest break guidelines specifically to address high temperatures, which include mandatory breaks and limited practice times. Watch for Red Flags The best way to treat heat-related illnesses is to avoid them altogether. But accidents can happen, so it’s important to know the signs of heatstroke so you can act fast. • • Headache, dizziness, or undue fatigue Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

SENEGALESE LAMB SKEWERS

L C K S C J Y C S

J

A P

J B P

Adapted from a recipe by famed Southern chef Sean Brock, these skewers are seasoned in a Senegalese style and served alongside mustard-flavored onions.

S

X N O C N V U Z J

C W Q K D

L R O X S H P N E R D L I

H C

F L E M N P O K C A B R B X N Z B D H L A Z O N A E Q C R M L S N I C N S P L M W Z T E I I L E S K A H P M L E A V E S W S A T J L E U H U J A Y W I V R K F U C S T W T U E F H O U Q J Q T H N B Z A D U F J T D A A S E I E F J U T K G V S R W M R Y L O W D Q M J G X U F X O J V L F O Y W K J K S G D U Y F R Y H E K Q T Y T Q U Y I H G M N I L F M F Y O I A

Ingredients For the lamb: • 2 lbs trimmed leg of lamb, cut into 1-inch cubes • 1 tbsp peanut oil, plus more for grilling • Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the onions: • 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar • 1/2 cup Dijon mustard • 1/2 tbsp agave nectar • 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced • Salt and white pepper, to taste Equipment • Bamboo skewers

Directions 1. In a bowl, coat lamb with 1 tbsp oil and generously season with salt and pepper. 2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together vinegar, mustard, and agave nectar. Toss in onions and season with salt and pepper.

AUGUST CHILLY

BACK COOL

CHILDREN

END

UGUST

BACK COOL LEAVES SUPPLIES

CHILDREN END SCHOOL TEACHERS

FALL

LEAVES SUPPLIES

SCHOOL

SUMMER

TEACHERS

CHILLY FALL SUMMER

3. Heat a grill or grill pan to medium and oil the grates. 4. Thread lamb on skewers and grill for 6–8 minutes. 5. Serve alongside onions.

Inspired by Food & Wine magazine

WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM | 3

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

404-418-8244 | WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM 3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330 DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096

Page 1

The BEST Way to Prepare Blue Crab

Page 2

Find the Right Workout for You

Page 2

What Some of Our Clients Are Saying

Page 3

Are Your Kids at Risk for Heatstroke?

Page 3

Senegalese Lamb Skewers

Page 4

Not Your Average Vacation Lodgings

crashing wave with a living space in its undertow, combines the rustic charm of truly getting away from it all with modern amenities like Wi-Fi and in-home laundry. It’s a truly unique living space surrounded by pristine nature and not far from the historic Taos Pueblo.

This Ain’t Motel 6!

ManCave Apartment/Airplane Hangar Geneva, Florida

Airbnb super hosts Dan and Deborah have no shortage of quirky properties for rent — including yurts and treehouses — but their apartment fashioned out of an airplane hangar surely takes the cake. You’d be forgiven for thinking it was a theme restaurant featuring eclectic aviation. Memorabilia lines the walls with a bar front and center, and the bed is in a loft high above the ground.

America’s Weirdest Airbnbs

When Airbnb was founded a little over a decade ago, the developers hoped to provide an alternative to traditional travel accommodations. Today, with annual revenue in the billions, the service is an industry unto itself. While most people use Airbnb to “live like a local” while traveling, you can find some truly wacky lodging options if you spend some time searching the platform. Here are just a few of the many contenders for the title of “Weirdest Airbnb in the U.S.” For ease of searching, the listings here have the same titles as they do on Airbnb.

Dog Bark Park Inn B&B Cottonwood, Idaho

As you approach the Dog Bark Park Inn, you won’t have to guess if you’re in the right place. After all, how many buildings are shaped like beagles? When describing the space on Airbnb, the hosts make no bones about who this rental is aimed for. “Stay in a giant dog!” they say. In addition to being inside a massive wooden dog, you’ll find canine-themed games, books, and more. Talk about ruffing it.

Brand New Studio Earthship Taos, New Mexico

Earthships, houses run by clean energy and featuring reused materials, are a fixture of the Taos area. This one, which looks almost like a

4 | 404-418-8244