DiBartolomeo Law Offices - September 2020

DiBartolomeo Law Offices - September 2020

Makin’ It Better NEWSLETTER

September 2020

Oregon Workers’ Compensation | Personal Injury | Social Security Disability

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

What Can I Use This Apple For? THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO APPLE SEASON

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but they never specified how to prepare the apple. From pies and tarts to sauces and marinades, there are many ways to consume apples and many varieties to choose from. In the U.S. alone, bakers, snackers, and wannabe cooks alike can choose from more than 100 varieties of apples. This September, as apple trees start to bear the freshest, fullest form of this popular fruit, consider this your go-to guide for some of the most popular varieties of apples. RED DELICIOUS You likely saw these popular apples in your sack lunch as a kid or have noticed them in nearly every supermarket produce section. Red Delicious apples are one of the most well-known varieties. They have a mild-tasting flesh and thick skin. Pick Red Delicious apples in the fall, and harvesters recommend adding this deep- red variety to your salads or sandwiches. Do not cook the Red Delicious, however. The apple’s skin can’t handle the pressure. FUJI Easily the most diverse apple, the Fuji is sweet and juicy, making it the perfect snack for those with a sweet tooth. This versatile fruit is also ideal for making

pies, salads, or applesauce. Fuji is a cross between the reliable Red Delicious and the less common variety known as Ralls Janet. Developed in the 1930s, it has a firm skin and sweet flavor that make it one of the most popular apple varieties today. GRANNY SMITH Some people love ‘em, others hate ‘em. But Granny Smith apples are the classic choice for making pies and applesauce, and they’ve been around for generations. The Granny Smith originated in Australia in 1868. With a tart, intense flavor, this apple pairs perfectly with cinnamon and can be used to bring balance to dishes that are overly sweet. The Granny Smith offers a balance that sweeter varieties like the Fuji or Gala (see below) cannot. In addition, it can add a zing to salads or a fresh crunch to any sandwich. GALA What are Gala apples good for? The better question is what can’t they do? The Gala is a cross between two sweet

varieties of apple, with a flavor that pairs well with many foods. It can accent soft cheese in a salad, sweeten a tart dish, bring out the juiciness of a roast, or serve as the perfect afternoon snack.

GOLDEN DELICIOUS Not to be confused with its red

counterpart, the Golden Delicious has a tender yellow skin that is easily bruised. This makes it perfect for baking, and its sweet nature only makes baked dishes better. Through its understated flavor, the Golden Delicious adds sweetness to any dish without the overwhelming sugary taste that can often ruin the most well- intentioned pie or applesauce. This guide is just a start! For more information on different varieties of apples and ideas for how to use them, check with growers at nearby orchards. They’re the experts on our local varieties and many have family secrets they just might be willing to share with fellow lovers of this crunchy fruit.

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

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FOODS FOR A FASTER RECOVERY

Attending your physical therapy appointments and doing your at-home exercises as instructed by your PT are crucial parts of your recovery process. However, they’re not the only important steps you should take. What you eat can affect how quickly and well you heal just as much as your dedication to your exercises. By incorporating a few of these foods into your diet, you can heal faster and come back stronger than ever before. OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS There are three phases to the healing process: inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. While you might think that inflammation is a bad thing, it’s actually a normal and necessary part of healing. That said, you should still try to reduce inflammation, as it can be harmful in excess. Foods containing omega-3 fatty acids do wonders to control inflammation. Plus, our bodies can’t make omega-3 fatty acids naturally, so we have to get them from what we consume. Foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids include fatty fish, olive oil, avocados, pecans, walnuts, and almonds. ANTIOXIDANT-RICH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Along with omega-3 fatty acids, the antioxidants from fruits and vegetables can also go a long way in reducing inflammation. Broccoli contains vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folic acid and several different minerals. ( Pro Tip : Cook your broccoli to maximize these nutrients!) Citrus fruits and peppers have high

levels of vitamin C, and peppers have high levels of beta-carotene as well. Additionally, turmeric and garlic work wonders during the healing process. PROTEIN-RICH MEATS, NUTS, AND DAIRY PRODUCTS When it comes to the proliferation and remodeling stages of healing, healthy sources of protein are the way to go. Lean meats like poultry and fish are easy sources of protein, but if you don’t eat meat, you can also get protein from beans, eggs, nuts, and dairy products. Protein-rich foods will help heal muscles and bones and prevent muscle atrophy. It’s incredible what the body can do with just a few intentionally consumed superfoods!

Seeking Medical Attention After an Accident WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT?

At the time of an accident, knowing the right decision to make can be difficult. Although motor-vehicle accidents vary depending on severity, a lot can be going on around you — it’s easy to miss something. In the chaos that follows, it’s not surprising that you might put your own well-being temporarily on pause. However, if you are involved in an accident, it is imperative that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. Here’s why. FOR YOUR HEALTH When an injury is severe, it’s obvious the injured person must go to the hospital to see a doctor — no questions asked. But what if your injuries are minor or you believe you weren’t injured at all? Simple: Go see a doctor. Seeking out medical attention in situations like these may seem unnecessary, but the minor symptoms you experience might actually be connected to a far more serious injury. If left untreated, it could grow worse and worse until a more significant problem develops. FOR YOUR CASE While seeing a doctor ensures your health, it also helps if you file a personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit. Going to a doctor creates

a record that you did see a doctor after the accident, and they recorded the injuries you sustained from it. In short, you are creating evidence, which will help your case significantly. The other party will want to see that you did go to a medical professional for your injuries. You also want to see a doctor as soon as possible. If you waited until three weeks after your accident to see a doctor, an insurance adjuster may

claim the injury occurred at a different time. Or, they may simply not believe your injury is or was serious enough because you waited so long to do anything about it. If you’re involved in an accident, don’t delay seeking medical treatment. The sooner you can get in, the better your chances will be in all aspects of your life.

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

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“Do you remember the 21st night of September?”

“I learned my greatest lesson ever in songwriting from him,” Willis recalled in a 2014 interview with NPR, “which was never let the lyric get in the way of the groove.” The groove is why “September” has stood the test of time, right from that very first lyric. For decades, people have asked Willis and members of the band about the significance of Sept. 21. As it turns out, there isn’t much beyond the sound. “We went through all the dates: ‘Do you remember the first, the second, the third, the fourth …’ and the one that just felt the best was the 21st,” Willis explained.

In 1978, Maurice White of the band Earth, Wind & Fire first asked this question in the song “September,” a funky disco song that quickly topped the charts. While disco may be dead today, “September” certainly isn’t. The song is still featured in movies, TV shows, and wedding playlists. On Sept. 21, 2019, the funk hit was streamed over 2.5 million times. It’s no wonder that the Los Angeles City Council declared Sept. 21 Earth, Wind & Fire Day. The story behind “September” is almost as enduring as the song itself. It was co-written by White and Allee Willis, who eventually became a Grammy-winning songwriter and Tony nominee. But before any of that, Willis was a struggling songwriter in Los Angeles living off food stamps. When White reached out and asked Willis to help write the next Earth, Wind & Fire hit, it was truly her big break. White and Willis proved to be excellent songwriting partners, but they clashed over one key element of the song: the nonsensical phrase “ba-dee-ya,” which White included in the chorus. Throughout the songwriting process, Willis begged to change the phrase to real words. At the final vocal session, Willis finally demanded to know what ba-dee-ya meant. White replied, “Who cares?”

The truth is that nothing happened on the 21st night of September — except a whole lot of dancing.

EASY STUFFED SWEET POTATOES Who says a loaded potato has to clog your arteries? In this healthy version that serves four, a sweet potato base is topped with fiber-rich bean salsa.

Inspired by EatingWell.com

Ingredients

• 4 medium sweet potatoes • 1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed • 2 medium tomatoes, diced • 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp cumin • 1 tsp coriander • 3/4 tsp salt • 1/4 cup sour cream • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions

1. With a fork, prick each sweet potato a few times. Microwave the potatoes on high 12–15 minutes, or until cooked through. 2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the beans, tomatoes, olive oil, cumin, coriander, and salt. When the potatoes are done, microwave the mixture on high for 2–3 minutes. 3. Cool potatoes slightly, then cut each potato open lengthwise. Pull the halves apart to create space to spoon the warm bean salsa inside. 4. Add a scoop of sour cream to each potato, garnish with cilantro, and serve!

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

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1139 Exchange St. Astoria, OR 97103

What’s Inside

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Don’t Let Your Apples Go to Waste With This Handy Guide

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Foods for a Faster Recovery Seeking Medical Attention After an Accident The Truth Behind the 21st Night of September Easy Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

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5 Ways to Improve Your Home’s Air Quality

5 Ways to Improve Your Home’s Air Quality AND PROTECT THE HEALTH OF YOUR FAMILY

Many people have been spending more time at home in the past several months, and it's felt more important than ever to have good indoor air quality. Air pollution isn’t limited to smog visibly affecting the air around us. More often than not, indoor air can be just as polluted, or even more polluted, than outdoor air. Microscopic dust mites, chemicals, and allergens can aggravate your family members’ allergies or asthma. Here are some easy ways to improve your home’s air quality and better protect your family today. First, vacuum and mop regularly. We recommend vacuuming twice a week or more. Letting dust accumulate will increase how much dust you breathe in. A vacuum that has both strong suction and a HEPA filter can ensure that dust and dirt won’t be blown back out. Floor mats outside your front and back doors can also really help keep contaminants out! Second, keep the humidity moderate. Too much humidity attracts dust mites and mold. Keeping the humidity in your home around 30%–50% can help keep dust mites and mold under control. Third, test your home for radon. No matter how new your home may be, it’s important to test for this colorless, odorless, and radioactive gas. Radon is one of the top indoor air pollutants, and

it’s the second-leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking. It occurs from the natural decay of uranium found in nearly all soils and tends to move up through the ground and into the cracks of a home’s foundation. Fourth, pick laundry products and air fresheners that don’t list ‘fragrance’ as an ingredient. The composition of synthetic “fragrances” is considered a trade secret, but most scents are derived from petroleum products. There hasn’t been enough testing done to know how inhaling synthetic fragrances affects us because most current testing focuses on skin irritation. Still, scented products may induce allergy symptoms, so if you have a sensitive family member, stick to unscented products. Fifth, replace your home’s air filters regularly. Talk to an expert about how frequently you should be replacing your filters. This can depend on several factors,

such as the number of pets in the household, the size and location of your home, what allergies you may be prone to, and seasonal changes.

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

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