Houston & Alexander, PPLC - June July 2020

Houston & Alexander, PPLC - June July 2020

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JUNE/JULY 2020

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HOW TO BECOME THE ULTIMATE SUMMERTIME GRILL MASTER

There’s nothing quite like firing up the grill in the middle of summer. Whether you’re having a Fourth of July barbecue or just grilling up some dinner after work, you can’t beat the classic sizzle as meat and vegetables hit those hot grates. It’s a feast for all the senses. If you’re like most people, one thought has probably crossed your mind: “How can I be a better griller?” You might have your burger game down, but what about everything else? Do you get the most out of your grill and turn out unforgettable meals every time? It doesn’t matter if you use a charcoal, a gas, or even an electric grill. Anyone can unleash their inner grill master with a few easy tips. DON’T WALK AWAY When you’re grilling, you never want to walk away from your grill once you’ve put the food on the grates. When your attention is pulled elsewhere, you risk ruining the meat. All it takes is a few minutes of distraction to ruin a perfectly good steak. When the meat goes down and you watch it — and keep an eye on the internal temperature — the results will speak for themselves. Speaking of monitoring internal temperatures, TV chef and personality Alton Brown, best known for “Good Eats” and “Cutthroat Kitchen,” recommends keeping a digital instant- read probe thermometer on hand to check on those internal temperatures, which is a must for meats like chicken and pork. Chicken, for instance, should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F for dark meat and 160 degrees F for white meat. Pork should hit a minimum of 145 degrees F. BRANCH OUT If you really want to step up your grilling game, put away the burgers, hot dogs, and steak and say hello to … pizza! You can technically grill just about anything. Just think of your grill as an outdoor oven. While the primary heat source may be below the grates, when the lid is closed, heat circulates through the entire grill space, effectively cooking or baking whatever you have inside.

Pizza is a great example of what you can cook in a grill, and it’s very easy. Start with your own homemade dough or buy some at the grocery store. Roll it out to fit your grill space and add your favorite sauce, cheese, and other toppings. Then, take it to a grill heated to about 500 degrees F. You can put it directly on the grill or on a pan or pizza stone. If you do use a pizza stone, preheat the stone on the grill first. Keep in mind that if you put the pizza directly on the grill, you will get some char around the edges of the crust, so if you want a more golden-brown crust, a pizza stone is recommended. INCLUDE DESSERT Pizza isn’t the only type of pie you can grill. You can also grill dessert pie. If you’re feeling cobbler, you can do that, too. Grilling pie is relatively straightforward. Simply prepare your favorite pie recipe. Fruit pies are highly recommended for grilling, but you can also grill other types of pie you would normally bake. The challenge comes in determining when it’s done. A grill can be a little more finicky than an oven, but generally speaking, you want to keep temperatures about the same. If you would bake a pie at 375 degrees F for 40 minutes in the oven, try to hit that temperature and time in the grill. Just remember to keep a very close eye on it. Every 10 minutes, take a look and see how it’s coming along — but don’t let too much heat out. When it looks done, pull it out, let it rest, and get ready to serve up a delicious grilled pie.

Grilling is all about culinary freedom. Experiment, have fun, and dig in!

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Knock Knock! Who’s There?

THE WACKY EVOLUTION OF THE KNOCK-KNOCK JOKE

Knock knock! Who’s there? Theresa. Theresa who? Theresa crowd!

joke was popular in the early 1900s, and according to an Oakland Tribune article NPR dug up, this was a typical one: Do you know Arthur? Arthur who? Arthurmometer! Not very funny, is it? Well, over the years this style of back-and- forth jesting evolved into knock-knock jokes. The popularity of the “knock knock” bit of the joke could harken back to Shakespeare, who BestLife credits with “the first-known occurrence of a knock knock, who’s-there dialogue” in Act 2 of “Macbeth” (though it likely wasn’t intended to be funny), or it could be a reference to 1936 vice presidential hopeful Frank Knox, whose name made “knock knock” irresistible wordplay for the radio. Whatever the reason, knock knocks were all the rage in the 1930s, to the extent that people formed knock-knock clubs, businesses held knock-knock contests, and orchestras set them to music. However, the heyday was short-lived. In the following years, people started getting sick of knock knocks, and even psychologists turned against them. According to NPR, “people who loved knock-knock jokes were said to have social problems.”

Unless you’re living under a rock, odds are you’ve laughed, grumbled, or groaned in response to a knock-knock joke. You may have even told a few yourself before you realized knock-knock jokes had gone out of style in favor of sarcasm and memes. That’s because at their core, knock-knock jokes are a quintessential American experience — and the perfect homegrown fodder for International Joke Day, which falls on July 1. But where did they come from, and why do so many people knock the knock-knock joke today? Well, according to NPR, knock-knock jokes have had a roller coaster of a history. Near as we can tell, they actually evolved from another kind of joke: the “Do You Know” joke. This style of

A Meal for Every Member of the Family Meals on Wheels Goes the Extra Mile

disabilities — it also serves those people’s pets. In 2019, Meals on Wheels Atlanta realized there was a huge need in their community to feed the pets of senior citizens. It stands to reason that if an elderly individual is unable to shop or cook for themselves, their pets may be in a similar predicament. And when someone’s pet is their entire world, making sure the animal is fed and healthy means everything. In response to this need, Meals on Wheels Atlanta began stocking up on cat and dog food, creating their own pantry to serve the local pet community. When volunteers made their rounds delivering meals to seniors, they made sure to bring cat and dog food along, too.

experience delivering meals to Jeffery Jones and his dog, Grizzly. The volunteer told 11Alive News in Atlanta that Jeffery and Grizzly “have their own special relationship.” Larry loved Grizzly long before Meals on Wheels Atlanta started the pet pantry because he saw how much Grizzly’s companionship meant to Jeffery. Now, Larry enjoys his service that much more since he gets to provide for Jeffery’s beloved pet, as well. On top of delivering food to seniors and their pets, Meals on Wheels Atlanta also delivers pet toys and pet beds, and they are happy to take in any pet-related food or items for donation. The organization says this endeavor was done out of love, not only for the people they serve but also for the whole family — wagging tails, fuzzy whiskers, and all.

Meals on Wheels doesn’t often get the credit it deserves. The international nonprofit ensures those who are unable to buy or make their own meals get the food they need to survive. Of course, for many recipients, the efforts of the organization go far beyond “survival.” For those who receive food daily or weekly, those deliveries may be their only source of social interaction. And during times of social distancing, the program became more important than ever.

One volunteer with Meals on Wheels Atlanta, Larry Auberbach, had a unique

Meals on Wheels doesn’t just serve meals to the elderly and people with

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The Power of the Golden Spice AN INTRODUCTION TO TURMERIC’S HEALTH BENEFITS

People have raved about many superfoods over the past few decades, but one that’s garnered notable attention is turmeric. Fittingly known as the golden spice due to its orange-yellow hue, turmeric is famous for being a crucial part of Indian cuisine, ayurvedic medicine, and Chinese medicine. But does turmeric actually help people? And if so, how? Let’s start with the basics to find out. WHAT’S IN TURMERIC? First, it’s important to know what the spice contains and why researchers are so excited about it. Turmeric is packed with a chemical known as curcumin, which has been shown to provide anti-inflammatory effects, pain relief, antioxidants, and a decrease in the risk of cancer. Pro Tip: You should not consume excessive amounts of turmeric if you take medication that has blood-clotting effects, such as aspirin. However, a

moderate amount typically doesn’t react with these or other medications and has many other benefits. CAN IT IMPROVE JOINT HEALTH? In many cases, yes! The Arthritis Foundation recommends taking a 400–600-milligram tablet of turmeric up to three times daily. Multiple studies cite turmeric’s ability to reduce inflammation and relieve arthritis pain, and one study even notes that turmeric seemed to work just as well as ibuprofen (Advil) for people with arthritis in their knees. Participants in that study took 800 milligrams of turmeric every day. CAN IT HELP THE LIVER? Yes. One of the spice’s most notable characteristics is its powerful antioxidant abilities. Antioxidants play an important function in our bodies. The average person is exposed to refined and processed foods,

smoking, environmental pollution, and chemicals found in pesticides and drugs. Turmeric can protect the liver from damage due to these toxins, which also aids those who take strong medications known to cause long-term liver damage. CAN IT DECREASE SYMPTOMS OF HAY FEVER AND DEPRESSION? Some symptoms, yes. The curcumin in turmeric can help reduce hay fever symptoms like sneezing, itching, runny nose, and congestion. When used in tandem with antidepressants, turmeric may help reduce symptoms of depression. There are many benefits to using turmeric in your weekly meal routine. Try out some Indian or Chinese recipes or prepare some Instagram-worthy golden milk. In whatever you make, enjoy the rich flavor combinations turmeric offers!

Client Testimony

Breakfast Sausage Kebabs

Inspired by TasteOfHome.com

“I had hired another law firm, and they were getting nowhere with my case. I was charged with multiple offense DUIs and other charges. Not sure where to turn, I contacted Houston & Alexander. Johnny Houston went the EXTRA MILE! The other law firm negotiated a sentence that may have made me lose my house, my children, everything. Johnny was able to not only get my charges reduced but also ensure I was able to keep my family together. I have really turned my life around and things are going great! Johnny did not forget about me once the case was over, either. I needed help getting my license and help with the supervision, and Johnny jumped on it! He filed paperwork and contacted the DA and the judge, and everything worked out better than I could have ever imagined. If you need help, HIRE THIS FIRM!”

• 7 oz frozen, fully cooked breakfast sausage links, thawed • 20 oz pineapple chunks, drained • 10 medium-sized, fresh mushrooms Ingredients

• 2 tbsp butter, melted • Maple syrup, to taste Equipment • 5 metal or soaked wooden kebab skewers

Directions

1. Cut sausages in half. Thread alternating sausage halves, pineapple chunks, and mushrooms onto kebab skewers. Brush with butter and syrup. 2. Grill over medium heat, regularly turning and basting with syrup, until sausages are lightly browned, about 8 minutes.

–Colleen

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE Unleash Your Inner Grill Master

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The Wacky Evolution of the Knock-Knock Joke

How Meals on Wheels Atlanta Stepped Up for Its Community

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The Power of the Golden Spice

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Good Morning Breakfast Kebabs

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Harvard’s Tips to Keep Your Brain Young

Keep Your Brain Young 3 Tips for Good Brain Health From Harvard Medical School

As we age, our bodies change, including our mental functions. Cognitive decline is one of the biggest fears of aging, but it’s not inevitable. Though we’re still learning new things about how our brains work, there’s a lot of scientific research that shows how to keep your brain young. If you want to keep your mind sharp throughout your lifetime, then follow this advice from Harvard Medical School. 1. GET A GOOD WORKOUT. Exercising regularly helps all the muscles and organs in your body, even your brain! A good workout can lower your blood pressure and improve your cholesterol levels, which help your brain and your heart. Harvard Health Publishing, a website of Harvard Medical School, also notes that “animals who exercise regularly increase the number of tiny blood vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood to the region of the brain that is responsible for thought.”

exhaustion tend to cause low scores on cognitive function tests. But test scores aren’t necessarily a sign of future cognitive decline, and Harvard Health Publishing urges readers to maintain good mental health and get restful sleep, as they are “certainly important goals” for improving cognitive function and overall well-being. 3. STAY CONNECTED. It’s not enough to focus on yourself. In order to maintain your long-term cognitive health, you should also focus on your connections with other people. According to Harvard Health Publishing, “Strong social ties have been associated with a lower risk of dementia, as well as lower blood pressure and longer life expectancy.” Make new friends, stay in touch with family members, and maintain positive relationships in your life.

They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is certainly true when it comes to your brain health. Do what you can today to protect your mental functions tomorrow.

2. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR MENTAL HEALTH. Poor mental health can lead to impaired cognitive function. Chronic anxiety, depression, and

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