Miller Law Office - June 2021

Miller Law Office - June 2021

June 2021

AaronMillerLaw.com 214.292.4225

In Praise of Chocolate Ice Cream (and Frozen Custard!)

huge machines on-site that were constantly churning up the fresh frozen custard. We just made two flavors as a base — chocolate and vanilla — but with the toppings and sauces we had, there were over 16,000 possible flavor combinations! Classics like chocolate chip and chocolate cookie dough were really popular flavors, and we used a blend of chocolate for our product that had several different types of chocolate in it. The shop I managed was a franchise originally out of Raleigh, North Carolina. Their frozen custard was fantastic, but the business never really found its footing in Austin. I think at least two locations that we used are now taco shops. One reason they didn’t seem to make it is that people didn’t know what frozen custard was. It didn’t have the reputation in Austin that it enjoyed in Raleigh, and the trend never quite caught on. People often confused it with flan. Plus, we only had outside seating with no drive through (we tried but the city wouldn’t allow it at the time), and of course, it is a hard sell eating outside in 100-degree Austin summer heat. I learned a lot at that job, though. I got to try my hand as the local face of the company doing a few radio and TV spots to get the word out about the company. I also learned a lot about managing and dealing with people. Our employees ran the gamut in terms of age and experience. Some were 15-year-olds working their first jobs, and others had years of restaurant or food service experience under their belt. Being a manager in the food service industry can be a wild ride. I definitely have some crazy stories from that time in my life. But one great thing about managing an ice cream shop is that your customers are pretty much always happy to be there. Who doesn’t want to go out for a delicious cone in the summertime? If you’re an ice cream fan and you see a frozen custard shop, don’t hesitate to give it a try. And no matter what, on June 7, be sure to enjoy your favorite chocolate ice cream treat to honor this long-loved summer tradition.

June marks the official start of summer, which means it’s time to fire up the grill and start enjoying some of our favorite summer treats. July is was designated by President Ronald Reagan as National Ice Cream Month, but there’s one particular ice cream flavor that’s so good it earned its own designated day of celebration on June 7: National Chocolate Ice Cream Day. As I celebrate with a cone this year, I’ll be thinking back fondly on the days I used to work in a frozen custard shop. I took the job managing the shop right after college, and after a few years, I decided to move on to law school. But in the meantime, I got to learn some neat things about this frozen treat, and I tried out plenty of chocolate-filled combinations. Frozen custard hasn’t reached the same level of popularity as ice cream in the U.S., but it’s a wonderful dessert. Whereas ice cream is made from cream and/or milk, frozen custard is made with cream, milk, and eggs. And the process is different too. Ice cream is often made soft then frozen hard, but frozen custard is made fresh and served while it is still soft (and no it isn’t soft serve!). We had these

-Aaron Miller

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The Super Benefits of Yoga

Multiple studies agree: Yoga can significantly decrease the secretion of cortisol, the primary stress hormone. In one study, 64 women with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) participated in a 10-week program, performing yoga at least once a week. By the end of the 10 weeks, 52% of participants no longer met the criteria for PTSD at all. As with starting any new hobby or regular exercise, it may help to set clear goals for yourself. By doing yoga regularly, there are several physical improvements you can look forward to, such as:

June 21 is International Yoga Day, which makes it a great time of year to talk about the unique benefits of yoga — the “superfood” of fitness. As a mixture of exercise and mindfulness, yoga is not only challenging but also has myriad health benefits. Many people assume yoga is mainly useful for increasing your flexibility. However, it’s also excellent for further developing your strength, mobility, and balance. These can be key benefits for living a healthier lifestyle, whether you’re an athlete or concerned about aging.

• Improved range of motion or ease of movement

Kaitlyn Hochart, a yoga instructor from San Diego, California, writes on Healthline, “During yoga, your body goes through a full range and variety of motion that can counteract aches and pains associated with tension or poor postural habits.” Yoga can help you become more aware of these habits, “[allowing] you to fix these imbalances and improve overall athleticism.” Many forms of exercise are useful against depression and cardiovascular disease, but in yoga’s case, you don’t have to break a sweat to start benefiting from its stress-relieving properties. “The breathing exercises you practice during yoga can help lower your heart rate and shift your nervous system into a more relaxed state. It also promotes better sleep and increased focus,” Hochart writes.

• A reduction in pain, discomfort, or other symptoms

• An increase in physical strength and endurance

• Less weight fluctuation

• Changes in the way your clothes fit

• Better-quality sleeping habits and increased or stabilized energy levels One of the best qualities of yoga is that you can be of any age or fitness level. So, pull up a YouTube video, find a soft surface, and give it a try!

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No. 2: A Comfortable Desk Chair or Standing Desk

With everyone spending more time indoors, a wonderful desk chair or standing desk might be just what your dad needs! Not only will he think about you while using it frequently, but he’ll also be very grateful for the added health benefits of an excellent chair or standing desk. (Standing desks, of course, aren’t for everyone, but they’re great gifts for health-conscious or active dads!)

No. 3: High-Quality Clothes

This is amazing for dads who aren’t particular about their clothes and really struggle spending time or money on clothing for themselves. So, do it for them! Picking out a comfortable, long-lasting clothing item — even if it’s something simple like a pair of socks — can be an unexpected quality-of-life improvement.

No. 5: Tickets to a Local Experience

Got an ax-throwing facility in town? What about a fishing charter? Sign him up and, better yet, join him! Creating new memories with your dad is one of the best ways to spend Father’s Day, in the same way that parents often try to make new memories while their kids are young. It’ll get him excited, and you’ll be supporting a local business at the same time. The key to a meaningful, successful Father’s Day gift is listening. How can you show your support for your father’s interests and well- being? There are always new ways to express your gratitude, but no matter what you give, it will be a hundred times better coming from you.

No. 4: A Delicious Meal

Most parents love when you’re able to spend time with them, so why not spend that time at his favorite restaurant? Even if you’re far apart from your dad, you can order DoorDash or UberEats for him as a gift! Then, do a video call while he waits for his food to arrive. It’ll help show just how serious you are about making him feel loved and wanted.

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TAKE A BREAK

ARE GROCERY SUBSCRIPTION BOXES WORTH IT?

June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, so let’s explore one popular way to get more fresh produce into our lives: subscription-based delivery services like Full Circle and Imperfect Food. Are these services actually worth it? Do they save money and provide what they promise? Here’s what the research turned up. Can they save you time? The Verdict: Yes, without a doubt. Subscription-based grocery delivery services appeal to consumers because they save time. With somebody else doing your grocery shopping, you don’t have to think about when you’re making a trip to the grocery store this week. Someone else is doing it for you! Plus, some services even offer meal kits if you can’t decide what to make. There’s no argument here — these services definitely save you time. Can they save you money? The Verdict: Sometimes, since it depends on your existing shopping habits. If you find yourself making impulsive purchases while strolling down the aisles at the grocery store, then a set (but customizable) weekly list of delivered groceries might be a great way to stick to your budget. Unfortunately, not many grocery subscription-box delivery services offer nonfood items like toilet paper or cleaning products, so you may still have to make a trip to the store every once in a while. Is the food quality great? The Verdict: Yes, but it depends on your area. You have a higher chance of getting better grocery items if you buy from an organic grocery box service, like Imperfect Foods or Farm Fresh to You, since these companies work closely with your local farms. Keep in mind that some services, like Imperfect Foods, are designed to deliver fresh foods that are a little “imperfect” in size, shape, or color to help prevent food waste — but, as a benefit, it’s more affordable! However, we’ve found some services, like Full Circle, will prepackage their boxes from warehouses that may not be local to you, so do a little research before picking one. All in all, we’ve been pleasantly surprised to find that these boxes aren’t such a bad idea. Consider looking into it if you’re tired of the weekly grocery store time crunch!

GRILLED CHICKEN SHAWARMA

Inspired by FeastingAtHome.com

A spice-filled marinade and time do all the work in this recipe that features Middle Eastern flavors.

Ingredients

• 2 tsp allspice • 8 garlic cloves, minced • 6 tbsp olive oil • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

• 2 tbsp ground coriander • 2 tsp kosher salt • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper • 2 tsp turmeric • 1 tsp ground ginger • 1 tsp ground black pepper

Directions 1. To create marinade, whisk all spices with the garlic and olive oil in a medium bowl. 2. Add chicken to the bowl, coat well with marinade, cover, and let sit in the fridge for at least 20 minutes — or up to 48 hours. Strain off excess marinade before cooking. 3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill thighs for 10–12 minutes

on each side, or until a meat thermometer reads 165 F. 4. Serve with rice, vegetables, or pita bread with tzatziki.

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214.292.4225 www.AaronMillerLaw.com 2301 Ohio Drive, Suite 200 Plano, Texas 75093 INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Aaron’s Day Slinging Ice Cream Cones

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The Super Benefits of Yoga

Grilled Chicken Shawarma Are Grocery Subscription Boxes Worth It?

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5 Awesome Ways to Treat Your Dad

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Struggling on Father’s Day? Try These 5 Awesome Ways to Treat Your Dad

Picking a meaningful gift can help express the depth of your gratitude if you’re at a loss for words. So, I’ve put together a small list of ways to treat your dad, near or far.

If you’re struggling to find something special for your dad on Father’s Day but don’t want to rely on cliche gifts like ties or mugs, I completely understand. Preparing for Father’s Day is tough because you want to make your gift personal. How do we thank dads for their sacrifices to support and guide us throughout our lives?

No. 1: A Unique Addition to His Hobby/Collection

If your dad is into certain hobbies or a collector of anything, you might think that he’s the only expert on what he needs. But there’s often still a lot you can do to support his interests! Try looking for a high-end basic tool you know he’ll use, or you can purchase subscription boxes related to his interests. Research unique items within his hobby, such as exotic spices for a dad who’s passionate about cooking or a sturdy card binder for a father who loves baseball trading cards. The best way to feel out your dad’s needs is to ask him about his hobby and what he’s been up to lately. It might give you some insight into what type of gift he’ll benefit most from.

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