Law Office of Kevin Jensen - July 2021

Law Office of Kevin Jensen - July 2021

July 2021 480.632.7373 jensenlawaz.com

A Lifelong Patriot What I Want You to Remember This Fourth of July

N ext to Christmas, the Fourth of July is my second favorite holiday. I just love everything about American history, and some of my greatest childhood memories are tied to the Fourth. As we approach America’s 245th birthday, I can’t help but think that this particular Independence Day can offer us an important reminder. When I think back on the Fourth, I think about fireworks, of course. But growing up in Wyoming, fireworks were more than just those wimpy sparklers and fountains you can find at Walmart. I probably deprived my kids, who would beg my wife and me to buy the sparklers and fountains, but I just could never admit those were true fireworks. They are nothing compared to the professional- grade fireworks we could buy and set off in Wyoming! In fact, I can remember people from Utah driving into our small Wyoming town just to buy better fireworks — that’s how good they are! When I was a kid, my family would pack a big picnic, and we would all trek up into the mountains. We would spend the day together, gorging ourselves on food while the adults talked and the kids shot off bottle rockets and entertained ourselves in the woods. Then, at night, we would shoot off all the fireworks we had bought, creating one huge impressive show.

River. Of course, we had to cancel this trip due to the pandemic, but it is still on my bucket list. I've always wanted to visit our nation’s capital, and I can’t think of any better time of the year to visit it! I’ve had a fascination with the Founding Fathers and the American Revolution ever since I was a little kid. I loved reading about Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, and I even earned a degree in history before attending law school. I’m a sucker for Americana and the traditions that make this country the greatest on the planet. (And I really believe it is the greatest.) There’s a lot of tension surrounding our political beliefs these days, but despite where we land on the political spectrum, I think we can all agree that we are lucky to live in a place like the U.S., where we can express our ideas and work toward our dreams openly and freely. I think about that often throughout the course of my work in the family court system and with juvenile court cases. This country protects citizens of all kinds, offering an opportunistic, albeit sometimes imperfect, justice system to honor and uphold our freedoms.

I’m honored to protect those rights through my legal work.

It was hard not to feel patriotic in those moments.

This Fourth of July, as the fireworks fly over your head, I hope you take a moment to appreciate the strength, history, and even the blemishes of this country. We’ve grown a lot in our 245 years, and I have no doubt we will keep doing just that.

This past summer, my family and I had hoped to finally achieve one of my Fourth of July dreams! We were going to spend the holiday in Washington, D.C. We wanted to watch a Major League Baseball game — another Independence Day tradition we started — and attend the huge celebration near the Potomac

Stay safe, and happy Fourth of July!

480.632.7373 1 -Kevin Jensen

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Want to Save Money and Improve Your Diet?

Grow Your Own Sprouts!

Y ou’ve probably crunched down on a mouthful of bean sprouts in a sandwich or stir-fry, but those delicate white stalks are just one part of the massive, super-healthy sprout family. Almost any seed, bean, nut, or grain can be sprouted, including black beans, broccoli, sunflower seeds, and quinoa! Sprouts offer tons of health benefits, including essential vitamins and minerals, digestion-easing fiber, and age- fighting antioxidants. Sprouts will level up your diet, but they can be expensive and come in non-recyclable plastic containers. To get the benefits without the hit to the wallet or the planet, grow your own with this handy five-step guide. 1. Decide how many types of sprouts you’d like to grow. Then buy your seeds at a local garden center or online at TrueLeafMarket.com or SproutPeople.org. 2. Purchase a seed-sprouting jar kit OR a corresponding number of quart- sized glass canning jars, wide-mouthed canning rings, and stainless-steel sprouting screens (these will replace the metal jar lids). If you have jars and rings at home, use those and save another buck.

3. Add 3 tablespoons of sprouting seeds and 2 cups of water to the bottom of each clean jar. Screw on the lids and sprouting screens, then swirl the seeds, pour out the water, and replace it another 2–4 cups of water. Leave the jars on the counter to soak overnight. (These measurements may vary from seed to seed. Check your seed packaging or ask your local gardening store for guidance.) 4. In the morning, dump out the water and repeat Step 3. Then, place each jar upside down or at an angle (in a bowl or on a stand) and leave it there to fully drain. Toss your sprouts and start over if they start to smell rancid or turn brown.

5. Repeat Step 4 several times a day for 3–5 days, until your seeds sprout. Then, dry the sprouts and store them in the fridge.

When it’s time to eat your homegrown sprouts, be careful! Seeds can be contaminated with bacteria, so The Cleveland Clinic recommends boiling, roasting, or steaming your sprouts, just in case. To learn more about growing your own sprouts, pick up “The Sprout Book,” “The Sprouting Book,” or “Homegrown Sprouts” at your local library.

Explore Arizona This Summer!

4 Affordable Destinations You Need to See

boasts a wide variety of outdoor adventures. Start on one of the parks’ numerous hiking trails or paddle around the various lakes in a kayak or canoe. You can finish the day cooling off at the beach! Just be mindful to bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and watch out for bears. Tombstone, Arizona If you’re a fan of American westerns, you have to visit Tombstone, Arizona. This small Arizona town embraces its Wild West history by preserving the history of one the most historic gunfights to ever happen: the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral on Oct. 26, 1881. Tombstone visitors can learn more about the history of the development of the American Southwest by touring storefronts, saloons, courthouses, and graveyards, which are the final resting places of some of the most well-known Western players in American history. You may even be lucky enough to catch a reenactment! The Grand Canyon or Red Rock State Park Perhaps the most affordable way to travel is to enjoy the great outdoors, and lucky for us, Arizona has some of the best outdoor experiences in the U.S. Start by heading northeast to visit the Grand Canyon. You can explore various rims, plan hiking adventures, or explore the local history. If the canyon has already been marked off your bucket list, then go north to Sedona, where richly colored rock features offer prime hiking views and gorgeous backdrops for family photos at Red Rock State Park. It’s also the perfect place to learn more about Native American culture, which is abundant here in Arizona.

As cities across the U.S. reopen and welcome visitors, again, you and your family may be itching to hit the road for a classic, all-American road trip. The best part? You can do just that without breaking the bank or leaving Arizona! Check out these budget-friendly day trips to escape everyday life affordably! Tonto National Forest Grab your swimsuit and your field guide and head over to Tonto National Forest. Located less than two hours from Mesa, the Tonto National Forest

No matter where adventure takes you this summer, travel safely and enjoy!

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5 Steps to Better Stepsibling Relationships

Did you know that it is possible to foster healthy, loving stepsibling relationships? It will take time, and they may not become close. But you can create a happily blended family with a little dedication. Start by understanding the complexity of this situation from your children’s perspective. You may be happy and in love, but children who were tasked with adjusting to their parents’ separation or divorce may also struggle to accept more children or a new adult. They may lash out, become reserved, or provoke conflict among the new members. Likewise, children expected to move or spend time with a new family may be uncooperative. As you blend your families together, start slow. Don’t anticipate an immediate bond or acceptance — although, it could happen — and set some ground rules and boundaries. What is expected of everyone in the house, and what is off-limits? Discuss this with your partner first, then share it with your children.

A big component of this is to establish a routine with compromises. For example, you and your children may watch movies on Friday nights, but your new partner’s family prefers reality TV. Could you establish a schedule that rotates these special Friday events? Then, encourage privacy and space. Children and teens need time to themselves, and it’s important that they feel safe in their own home. If possible, ensure everyone has their own room. If that’s not possible, try building privacy into your schedule. Maybe the 30 minutes before bedtime are for reading, journaling, or coloring. Or, build space into your home by providing each child with their own desk. They can do their homework there and personalize it!

Create positive family experiences. It’s going to be awkward at first, and there may be some tension, but family memories are valuable. Go for a hike, take a vacation, host a backyard barbecue, or schedule regular family movie and game nights. Soon, your children will create new memories that will bond them together. It may not make them best friends, but it will make them siblings. And finally, remember not to force it. It will take time, but if the resistance and anger continues, seek professional guidance. Therapists and counselors may have the tools your child or teen needs to process this change. Our team at the Law Office of Kevin Jensen has additional resources that can help your family thrive after divorce. Contact us today to learn more.

Easy Zucchini Enchiladas

LAUGH BREAK

This healthy summer dish is the perfect way to use up extra zucchini!

Ingredients

• • • • • • •

1 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, chopped

•

1 1/3 cups red enchilada sauce, divided 4 large zucchini, sliced very thin lengthwise and dried

2 cloves garlic, minced

•

2 tsp cumin

2 tsp chili powder

• •

2 cups shredded cheese

Salt, to taste

Sour cream and cilantro, for garnish

3 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded

480.632.7373 On a cutting board, lay out three slices of zucchini side by side. Top each with a scoop of chicken mixture, then roll into a tube. Repeat with remaining zucchini slices. 4. Add the rolls to a baking dish. 5. Top the rolls with the remaining enchilada sauce and cheese. Bake for 20 minutes. Top with garnishes! 3 Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring for 5 minutes. 2. Add garlic, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Cook for 1 minute, then add chicken and 1 cup enchilada sauce. Stir to combine. 3. Inspired by Delish.com

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Happy 4th! 3740 E. Southern Ave. #201 Mesa, AZ 85206

An Important Reminder as We Hit America’s 245th Birthday

Save Money and Improve Your Diet by Growing Sprouts at Home

4 Budget-Friendly Destinations for All Families

Improve Stepsibling Relationships in 5 Steps

Easy Zucchini Enchiladas

5 New Sports Join the Olympic Roster in Tokyo After a year delay, the Tokyo Olympics are once again gearing up for two weeks of action and excitement. Athletes from around the world are descending on Japan to give it their all and, hopefully, walk away with gold. This year, however, the games will be folding five new sports into the mix. Four of these sports have never been part of the Olympics, while one sport hasn’t been part of the games in over a decade. Here’s what to expect: Sport Climbing This event combines three different disciplines on an artificial climbing wall: bouldering, lead climbing, and speed climbing. In the bouldering competition, climbers will navigate a fixed route to be completed within a specified time. In lead climbing, climbers aim to reach the high point within a specified time. Finally, in speed climbing, two climbers

race against one another. Men and women, 20 per gender, will compete against each other, with the top eight advancing to the final round. Karate This martial art was developed in Japan in 1868,

Surfing Both men’s and women’s competitions will be held on Tsurigasaki Beach in Chiba Prefecture. Officials say due to the nature of the competition (being in open water), they’ll be generous with the scheduling. Depending on weather and waves, the preliminary round heats and head-to-head competitions may shift around as necessary.

so it’s only appropriate to make its debut during the Tokyo Olympics. On top of that, the competitions will be held in Nippon Budokan, the site of the very first World Karate

Championships in 1970. The Games will test two disciplines: kata (forms) and kumite (sparring). The sport will also be separated into men’s and women’s categories with three weight classes for each. Baseball and Softball These aren't new sports to the Olympics, but they were removed from the Games after Beijing in 2008. Baseball is hugely popular in Japan. This year, only six countries will take part in the baseball and softball competitions.

Skateboarding There are two categories: park and street. The street competition takes place on a linear course featuring “real world” elements like stairs and handrails, benches, planter boxes, and curbs. The park competition takes place within a more structured environment with a variety of slopes, curves, and other obstacles that will test skaters.

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