Di Bartolomeo Law Office - April 2022

Di Bartolomeo Law Office - April 2022

Makin’ It Better NEWSLETTER

April 2022

Oregon Workers’ Compensation | Personal Injury | Social Security Disability

1139 Exchange St., Astoria, OR 97103 • 503-325-8600 • JoeDiBartolomeo.com

THE LAND OF THE FREE — AND WEIRD FOOD-RELATED PRANKS! 7 BEST PRANKS BY US FOOD BRANDS

GUACAMOLE TOOTHPASTE BY CHOSEN FOODS

I’ve heard my fair share of weird April Fools’ pranks, but now that I’ve looked into it, I can’t deny it: Food brands take it to a whole new level. You wouldn’t expect Peeps to get into the April Fools’ spirit … until they announced cauliflower-flavored Peeps. Gross, right? Maybe not as gross as guacamole toothpaste. Here are seven of the weirdest pranks pulled off by America’s favorite food brands. ‘CREAMY’ SKINCARE BY KRAFT In 2021, Kraft Food announced a brand- new, cheese-inspired skincare line with an unforgettable motto: “Discover your skin’s natural, creamy complexion.” The line, named V by Velveeta, has its own website for customers to “be added to the product waitlist.” The website, however, reveals it’s a prank, calling the line the “hottest skincare line to never drop.”

Heinz announced “Smoup” (smoothie plus soup), a drink that combines their popular tomato soup and Innocent’s strawberry banana smoothie. Given that Campbell’s Tomato Soup Cake recipe was trending during the pandemic, this prank tricked a surprising number of people. LIP BALM BY PRINGLES You know the odd tingling sensation on your lips from eating sea salt and vinegar chips? Don’t you wish that you could experience that discomfort on a daily basis? If you said yes, then we’re afraid you’ll have to rely on the old-fashioned method. Pringles Tingles by Pringles, a lip balm flavored like Pringles’ Sea Salt and Vinegar chips, was announced in April 2021 but didn’t make it into the real world. CEREAL MAC & CHEESE BY BANZA Known for their protein-filled chickpea pasta, Banza could’ve made another name for itself as the first brand to introduce cereal- flavored mac and cheese! Thankfully, they didn’t — and the colorful image of rainbow cereal in a bowl of mac and cheese didn’t entice me to wish otherwise. I’ve mentioned the few that stuck out the most to me, but do you have any favorite brand pranks? I’d love to hear yours!

You may recognize Chosen Foods if you shop for avocado products. They produce a variety of guacamoles, salsas, oils, dressings, mayos, and more. But on April 1, 2021, they tweeted about a new addition to their lineup: guacamole toothpaste. The announcement says that their guacamole paste is “guaranteed to brighten your smile, enlighten your taste buds and freshen your breath with aromatic #savory flavors.” No thanks! CAULIFLOWER BUNNIES BY GREEN GIANT AND PEEPS Would two giant food brands collaborate just to pull off a prank? Apparently, yes! Green Giant and Peeps decided to team up and announce cauliflower-flavored Peeps. Believe it or not, some people were hopeful about cauliflower Peeps being real! Unfortunately, in the fictional world where these actually exist, these Peeps would be flavored cauliflower instead of made with them. That means you’d still be eating the same amount of carbs (6.5 grams) per marshmallow chicken with all the savory flavor of cauliflower. ‘SMOUP’ BY HEINZ There are few American food brands more iconic than Heinz, but thankfully, this April Fools’ product is no runner-up in their most iconic offerings. For 2021’s April Fools’ Day,

SOURDOUGH CAMPAIGN BY BURGER KING

Creating a sourdough starter was all the rage during the pandemic, so it made sense that big fast-food chains like Burger King would want to get in on the action, right? Burger King put out an ad campaign that announced a new menu full of sourdough sandwiches, including sourdough Hershey Pies and Mini Shakes. They even changed their Twitter bio to “puttin’ everything on sourdough since 2021,” even though it was all a prank.

–Joe Di Bartolomeo | 1

The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com

JUST LIKE RIDING A BIKE Cycling Is the Perfect Activity for All Ages

You likely learned how to ride a bike as a kid — according to a 2013 survey, about 94% of American adults did. Even if it has been a while since your last ride, most people agree you never forget how, and you don’t have to be in great shape to get started. Outside of walking, biking might be the most accessible exercise for all ages and ability levels. The beauty of biking is that it can be as relaxing or challenging as you want. The average kid learns to ride at around 5 years old, so the basics aren’t complicated. Biking helps young children get outside and gives them a taste of being a “big kid.” As a result, it’s excellent for their self- esteem as well as their fitness. Cycling is also perfect for adults who are new to exercise or need a low-impact activity. A short ride on a flat surface will get the heart rate up without feeling too strenuous, making it optimal for beginners. Older adults and people with knee problems also use biking as an alternative

to other forms of exercise because it’s easier on their joints.

Meanwhile, those looking for a challenge can easily find one. If you want a strenuous workout, it’s easy to ride farther, increase the resistance on your bike, or pick a steeper bike trail to explore. Biking is only a cakewalk if you choose to make it one. Since it’s perfect for all ages, cycling is the ideal outdoor activity to do with your family, allowing everyone to be involved in quality time together while promoting their health. To get started, make sure everyone has a bike they can use comfortably and a helmet that fits, plus understands bike safety. Once the basics are taken care of, you’re ready to hit the trails or explore the neighborhood. Even if you never learned how to ride, there’s no time like the present. You might feel a little silly at first, but the benefits of cycling will serve you — and your family — well for the rest of your life.

Defining Disability

in your favor. Include responsibilities directly affected by your disability, or they may not be considered. What the claimant can and cannot do is frequently the basis of SSDI decisions about benefits, and it’s often the most contentious part of a hearing. If SSDI denies your claim because it thinks you can do your prior work, you need an attorney to determine how to prove otherwise. Judges will often ask vocational experts for their opinions, so it’s vital to be prepared and clear about why you cannot return to your previous work. If you are struggling with paperwork or have been denied SSDI based on your work history, the team at Di Bartolomeo Law is here to help. We will be glad to review your file and let you know where you stand. With an experienced attorney by your side, you improve your chances of a successful claim — and best of all, we don’t get paid unless we win. WHY YOUR WORK HISTORY MATTERS

When you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits in Oregon, the state will send you a form asking about your work history. It can feel a bit like completing a job application. So, what’s the point of this step, and what should you know before completing the form?

SSDI must decide whether each applicant is disabled as defined by the law. Once they determine whether or not someone has a severe impairment, they turn to the question of the person’s “residual functional capacity.” In other words, they want to know how much of your previous work you can and cannot still perform. SSDI will look at your work history for the past 15 years to make that judgment. Some disabilities will affect certain types of work more than others, and SSDI will decide whether a person can complete any of their past job functions. The more of your previous work they think you can still successfully perform, the more likely you are to have your claim denied. So, when completing this paperwork, it’s crucial to be specific about the physical requirements of your previous work. Without this information, SSDI will probably make assumptions — and they probably won’t be

2 |

The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com

HONORINGWORKPLACE INJURIES ON WORKERS’ MEMORIAL DAY Remembering the Fallen

Every April 28, Workers’ Memorial Day is commemorated across the globe to honor those who have lost their lives, been injured, or become disabled on the job. Despite centuries’ worth of advancement in technology and safety, workers still die and are injured daily, leaving us with a long way to go. In 2019, the Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 5,333 worker deaths in the United States — that’s one every 99 minutes. Roadway accidents accounted for 1,270 deaths, while falls claimed 880 lives, and homicides killed 454. Contact with equipment and exposure to harmful substances also caused many fatalities. The deadliest sectors per worker are agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting. But people working in positions that require driving account for 24% of the deaths. These deaths are not only among truckers — delivery drivers, salespeople, and others who regularly travel by vehicle for their occupation are also at risk. Most workplace injuries are not fatal, but they create a significant impact all their own. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2.4 million workers sustained injuries that required a trip to the emergency room in 2019. In total, 888,220 non-fatal work injuries required workers to miss days from work. Many of those workers incurred hospital bills and lost wages. Some of them also acquired a permanent disability. Crostini With Ricotta, Peas, and Mint Inspired by AheadOfThyme.com

Perhaps surprisingly, nursing assistants are most at risk for non-

fatal workplace injuries, followed by heavy truck drivers, laborers, light truck drivers, and construction workers. But the highest total number of injuries

came from the health care and social assistance sector, followed by the retail trade. It’s a sobering reminder that workplace threats can loom in unexpected places, and we all need to take care to stay safe at work. When someone is injured on the job, workers’ compensation exists to help them pick up the pieces, and in the event of a death, survivor benefits help families of the deceased worker stay afloat. But it’s far better to avoid needing those benefits in the first place. We must continue pushing for workplace safety in all occupations to prevent tragedies before they occur. It is the only proper way to honor those we’ve lost.

PUZZLE

Ingredients

Directions

• 1 French baguette, sliced • 4 tbsp olive oil, divided • 1 tbsp and 1 tsp salt, divided • 1 lb English peas, fresh or frozen • 2 garlic cloves, smashed • 1 lb fresh ricotta cheese • Fresh mint leaves, sliced • Sea salt, to taste • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. On a large baking sheet, place baguette slices. Drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle with 1 tbsp of salt. Bake for about 7 minutes, but do not brown. 3. In a medium pot, add water and 1 tsp salt, then bring to a boil. Add peas and cook for 3 minutes. Drain peas and place them in ice bath. Cool for several minutes before draining. 4. In a medium skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté drained peas with garlic until cooked through. The peas should still be firm, not mushy. 5. On a large platter, layer crostini with ricotta, peas, and a few slices of fresh mint. 6. Season each crostini with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com

| 3

503-325-8600 JoeDiBartolomeo.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1139 Exchange St. Astoria, OR 97103

What’s Inside

1

American Food Brands Pull Some of the Best Pranks

2

Get Outdoors With the FamilyThrough Cycling Why Does SSDI Ask About My Work History?

3

Commemorating Workers’ Memorial Day Crostini With Ricotta, Peas, and Mint

4

Quick Personal Training App Buyer’s Guide

Is a Personal Trainer App Worth It? THE YEAR OF VIRTUAL WORKOUTS According to Sensor Tower, health and fitness apps experienced a 45% download increase year- over-year in 2021. If you’re joining the virtual fitness craze, but want to learn from an expert, a personal coaching app might be your best fit — but there are almost too many options! How do you tell whether or not a personal training app is for you? Here’s our brief buying guide.

FOR ALL WALKS OF LIFE: 99 WALKS Want to join a group while still taking things at your own pace? All 99 Walks classes are group walking-focused classes where coaches engage individually with members via email, social media, and on the app. For $16 a month, you’ll get access to a constant source of fitness advice, support, and wisdom within their responsive social channels and in-app coaching teams! Although many gyms and workout programs are returning to in-person classes, sometimes, you might want to exercise in the comfort and privacy of your own home. If you’re in that mood, give these a try!

LOW BUDGET, LOW WEIGHT LOSS MOTIVATION: TEAM RH APP

MAKE IT PERSONAL: FLEXIT If you want a more personal connection with your workout coach, FlexIt is an excellent virtual, one-on-one training app that lets you exercise live with personal trainers. You can choose from HIIT, boxing, Pilates, barre, and many more. Join challenges, mix and match trainers, and even receive physical therapy, nutrition coaching, meditation and mindfulness, and pre- and post-natal support. Although sessions vary in length (30–60 minutes) and packages, you’ll often spend around $40 per session.

If your goal is to lose weight, and you have no idea where to start, this app just might be your perfect fit. For $82 a year, you can get personal training with an expert fitness coach — that’s right, there’s no charge per session, like most apps. With Team RH, you’re in complete control of how much you want to move as well as diet limitations. Your coach allows full personalization of your weight-loss journey. The app will calculate your calories, macros, and daily steps for fat loss; your coach will guide you from there.

4 |

The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com