Houston & Alexander - October/November 2020

Houston & Alexander - October/November 2020

HOUSTONALEXANDER.COM

OCT/NOV 2020

CALL US: 423-267-6715

CULTURAL HERITAGE: IT’S EVERY PART OF OUR LIVES CREATE A PASSION FOR UNDERSTANDING IN THE NEXT GENERATION

The culture you inherit is something to be treasured. No matter where you or your family came from, your culture can be with you every step of the way. Humans share an inherent desire to know where they come from, which is why learning about our ancestral legacy is so important. Parents, children, and even the community benefit when cultural heritage is taught and appreciated. It may seem like a huge responsibility to teach cultural heritage because it can be a broad, overwhelming topic, but there are many ways to make it fun, interesting, and meaningful for the next generation.

history and identities. The pride they feel in belonging to a significant cultural legacy can help inspire them to live up to the dignity and accomplishments of their ancestors. Not only can this lead them onto a productive path, but it can also build relationships with the people around them. Strong ties with friends or family members who share the same or similar cultural backgrounds create a sense of belonging and motivation, which can increase overall well-being.

WHAT ARE A FEW FUN TEACHING METHODS?

WHY IS UNDERSTANDING CULTURAL HERITAGE IMPORTANT?

Luckily, there are plenty of fun ways to teach cultural heritage to your kids, teens, and young adults. Apart from sitting down with your kids or grandkids to talk about your family’s past, it can be fun to get online and do some research. Dig deeper into your family traditions, family heirlooms, or even the country where your ancestors come from. Learn about what your ancestors’ lives may have been like when they were growing up and the environment they lived in. If conditions permit, you could also plan a trip to the country or community your family comes from. Even just sitting down to plan or start preparing for a trip can be a fun and

When you understand your heritage, you feel connected to it and most likely will aim to protect it and continue learning about it however you can. While this holds true for many areas of life, it’s especially true when learning and understanding heritage. When a parent or grandparent teaches their children or grandchildren about their family stories and traditions, they instill in the next generation that understanding and value, but it can do

much more than that. A young adult who learns more about the connections that tie them to a culture, country, or people is able to find a form of identity that can be applied in all aspects of their life. They appreciate how they came into the world and their unique place in a larger, interconnected group.

exciting pastime. However, if travel is out of the question, you and your family can also try recreating a few traditional dishes from your culture, drafting up a family tree chart, or looking into doing DNA tests. With a little thought and effort, you can encourage future generations to understand and treasure their cultural heritage and be proud of who they are and what they can contribute in the future. 1 423-267-6715 | HoustonAlexander.com

HOW DOES THAT CONNECTION IMPACT THEIR LIVES?

Connecting with their heritage allows younger generations to branch out and explore their own

How to Stop Procrastinating at Bedtime And Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Though there are very real medical conditions, such as insomnia and sleep apnea, that deprive people of sleep, the reason most of us probably don’t get enough sleep is simply because we put off our bedtime. Instead of getting into bed, we opt to check off another item on our to-do list or watch another episode of our favorite show. This is sometimes called “bedtime procrastination.” We all know a good night’s sleep is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, so how can we stop putting it off? A good place to start is by keeping track of your day. The human mind isn’t meant to internalize checklists and task reminders, so use your phone or journal as a scheduling assistant. However you decide to keep track, make sure to give yourself a set amount of time to accomplish your tasks, like letting yourself watch TV for just one hour or blocking out three hours to help your kids with their homework. It might even help to set alarms on your watch or on your phone to let you know when your time is up on any of your activities. Another big part is creating an environment that is conducive to a good night’s sleep, and that starts with turning your electronic devices off well before you get under the covers. Smartphone screens, computer screens, and even some energy-efficient

lightbulbs emit blue light, which reduces the production of melatonin, the hormone that tells your body it’s time to go to bed. Instead of looking at your phone, try reading a book before going to sleep. If your screens prove to be too big of a draw for you when bedtime comes, it might be a good idea to move your devices to another room so they’re out of sight and out of mind. Finally, don’t get discouraged if you don’t start getting better sleep right away. Setting up good bedtime routines takes time. But if you stick with it — and maybe have someone else in your house hold you accountable to your commitments — you’ll start to get better sleep and have more energy to take on the day in no time.

THE CATCH-ALL CURE OR JUST JUICE? Celery Juice, the Newest Fad

Every couple years, a new “healthy” food or drink makes its rounds through celebrity social media accounts. Some of them are okay and actually have health benefits, but others are outright dangerous. Over the past few years, it appears that celery

Celery is very nutritious and contains flavonoids, which aid against inflammation, and nitrates, which promote heart health. Celery is

already consume sodium excessively, like many Americans, drinking celery juice might not be good for you. In summation, drinking celery juice certainly isn’t dangerous and could even have some positive effects on your health, but it’s far from a miracle cure. It should also be noted that none of the claims made by the self-proclaimed celery juice creator, Anthony William, have any basis in science. William, who describes himself as a “medical medium,” holds no degree related to health care. The bottom line with celery juice, much like any purported single-food solution to all that ails a person, is that even if it’s healthy for you, the only ways to a truly healthier lifestyle are through a better overall diet and plenty of exercise. No one should expect celery juice to substitute for that.

also relatively low in calories (85 calories per 16 ounces of

juice), which means that if you drink it in place of another beverage, like soda or a sugary coffee drink, it could aid in weight loss. Some downsides to celery juice, however, are the loss of fiber and the high amounts of sodium. Celery stalks are rich in fiber, and juicing them removes this nutrient. A 16-ounce portion of celery juice also contains around 400 mg of sodium, which is roughly 17% of the recommended daily amount. If you

juice is one of the latest health fads purported to help with weight loss, skin health, digestive issues, and more. Some claims even border on the miraculous. So, how many of them are true? Celery juice is what the name suggests: celery stalks that are juiced into a drinkable liquid. Proponents of the trend suggest drinking 16 ounces every day to break down fat in the liver.

2

423-267-6715 | HoustonAlexander.com

seeing double CELEBRITY COUPLES ARE MATCHING MASKS AND STAYING SAFE

Celebrity trends have a way of influencing the public, and the latest spotlight is on face masks. Some go big and bold with rhinestones and glitter while others opt for muted simplicity, but the newest trend to hit the tabloids is couples wearing matching face masks. The attention these masks are drawing is proving to be another great way to get citizens aboard the health and safety train. Starting all the way back in May, Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez have been matching masks. They’ve been seen biking through their Miami neighborhood wearing neon-accented gray masks, and they often take to Instagram for a couples photoshoot in them. Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas have spent all of 2020 perfecting their synchronized couple stroll. They’re frequently spotted wearing masks to

complement their respective outfits, but they have also been seen wearing matching versions featuring pastel prints. Chris Pine and his girlfriend Annabelle Wallis like to stroll through Los Angeles together sporting flashy bandanas tied around the lower half of

themselves while staying safe and healthy isn’t just fun — it provides great examples for how others can do the same. Donning a mask doesn’t have to feel like a chore or a burden if it’s turned into an opportunity to get creative. As with these celebrities, standout matching sets of masks can garner attention, start conversations, and, most importantly of all, demonstrate that proper safety measures deserve extra dedication.

their faces. They may not match patterns, but their cowboy-style face covering still screams “couple.” Justin and Hailey Bieber got a little goofy with an Instagram photoshoot to showcase twinning blue masks with cartoon mouths, proving that proper health and safety can be both entertaining and artistic.

Make mask shopping fun with your significant other or your family by finding masks that you’ll all enjoy wearing in public together. It’s a great opportunity to show your personality as a collective unit and say “yes” to staying healthy!

This trend of celebrities finding ways to express

Dexter and Rita News

Client Testimony

When we ask people if they receive and like our newsletter, we often hear, “Thanks for the newsletter, how are Dexter and Rita?” Dexter turned 7 last June. He came from a person that many would consider a “backed breeder.” He has always had a great personality and very intelligent but has had

“I had an accident and was charged with leaving the scene. I know in the scheme of things that my case was not nearly as serious as most of the cases they handle, but Johnny and his team treated me well and got the dismissal I was looking for. When we went into the courtroom, it was obvious Johnny had the respect and friendship of the judge and the courtroom personnel, and I knew I was in

issues with his hips and one of his knees. He had hip surgery when he was a pup and had knee surgery a couple of years ago. His hip problems have resurfaced and replacement has been recommended. He has mostly good days but at times is in a bit of pain. He will likely have surgery after the first of the year. He is still a sweet, funny guy and loves to protect our house from bad guys, real or imagined. Rita is 100% healthy and loves running through the woods and chasing squirrels and even a skunk every now and then. They are constant companions and love being with me and my wife, whether on a walk or just laying around the house. We wouldn’t trade them for the world.

good hands.” –Anonymous

3

423-267-6715 | HoustonAlexander.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

HoustonAlexander.com CALL US: 423-267-6715

3417 Dayton Boulevard Chattanooga, TN 37415

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Getting to Know Cultural Heritage

PAGE 1 PAGE 2 PAGE 2 PAGE 3

How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Is Celery Juice All It Claims to Be?

Celebrity Couples Make Face Masks Look Good

PAGE 3 PAGE 4

Dexter and Rita News

Keep Your Face Masks Safe and Clean

Don’t Turn Your Face Masks Into Petri Dishes Tips for Proper Care and Cleaning

‘What’s the best way to clean my face mask?’

In the span of a few months, face masks went from being something Americans only saw in hospital settings to an item we can’t leave home without. Since everyday use of face masks is still relatively new in the United States, here are some answers from Johns Hopkins Medicine to common questions regarding the proper care and cleaning of your face mask. ‘How often should I clean my face mask?’ Disposable, surgical face masks cannot be cleaned. Johns Hopkins recommends throwing surgical masks away when they are “visibly soiled or damaged.” If you wear a reusable fabric face mask, then you should wash your mask after each day of use to help prevent bacterial growth.

yesterday. The Johns Hopkins Medicine website states that you can hand-wash your face masks if needed. Use hot, soapy water to wash your masks, scrub the mask for at least 20 seconds, and dry on high heat in your dryer. ‘Where should I store my cloth face masks when I’m not wearing them?’ Put used cloth face masks directly into the laundry basket when you arrive home to ensure they get cleaned in a timely manner and to prevent you from accidentally spreading germs. Have a sanitized place designated to store clean face masks only. Avoid putting face masks in your pocket or purse. Face masks are supposed to help keep us all healthy. Follow these tips to make sure your mask doesn’t become a petri dish.

Earlier this year, a video circulated on social media claiming that you could use a rice cooker to sanitize disposable face masks. This claim is untrue. As stated previously, disposable face masks cannot be cleaned. However, fabric face masks, especially those made of cotton, can be washed with the rest of your laundry. Run them through the washing machine with hot water, then tumble dry on high heat. If you are sensitive to perfumes, use an unscented laundry detergent. ‘Is it safe to hand-wash face masks?’ Since fabric face masks need to be washed after each use, running a wash cycle just to clean a couple of masks can feel pretty wasteful — like doing a load of laundry only to wash the socks you wore

4

423-267-6715 | HoustonAlexander.com