Stratton & Reynolds - May/June 2022

Stratton & Reynolds - May/June 2022

Main Street Monthly 905 Old Cherokee Road, Lexington, SC 29072 • P: 803-358-7214 • www.strattonreynolds.com

MAY/JUNE 2022

Our Trip to New Orleans

With more and more COVID-19 restrictions lifting every day, our family decided to spend spring break in the beautiful city of New Orleans. When most people think of New Orleans, their first thoughts go to parties on Bourbon Street and Mardi Gras, but the city has so much more to offer. Honestly, we walked down Bourbon Street to say we did it, but if I ever go back, I would avoid Bourbon Street altogether.

to hold a baby alligator. Our tour guide was excellent. This was probably my daughter’s favorite part of the trip.

• Garden District Tour: If you can, take a historic streetcar to the Garden District and schedule a walking tour with a tour guide familiar with the area. We loved getting to hear the history of the area and all about the celebrities who currently own the homes. (Seriously, you need to look up John Goodman’s Garden District Mansion!)

Mardi Gras World: If you want to see the amazing Mardi Gras floats without the crowds and craziness of Mardi Gras, I would highly recommend a stop at Mardi Gras World. It was so interesting to see how they cut the decorations and parts out of Styrofoam, then paper mâché and paint them.

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Since we were traveling with my parents and our 8-year-old daughter, we needed to find activities and food that were enjoyable to multiple generations. Here are some of our favorite highlights and pictures: • World War II Museum: This museum does an incredible job of showing what was happening in both the Pacific and Europe during WWII. When you first enter the museum, there is an approximately 30-minute movie to watch that is narrated by Tom Hanks. Especially for older kids who don’t know much about WWII, the movie is great because it provides them with some introduction to the events leading up to the war and some perspective on U.S. involvement. I don’t know that I would recommend the museum for kids under 5 or 6. War is a tough topic, but my little history-

• Food: New Orleans has such great food. We enjoyed beignets from Café Du Monde. Mothers Restaurant had some good, old-fashioned Southern cooking, including some amazing red beans and rice. Our whole family enjoyed the Jazz Breakfast at the French Market and the food on the Creole Queen Riverboat, too. Even with a full week of fun activities, there is so much in New Orleans that we didn’t get to see and do. We can’t wait to go back in the future. Oh, and if you are a fan of the home restoration show “Home Town” on HGTV, we got to stop by Laurel, Mississippi, on the way back to South Carolina. My husband, who is a fan of Ben and his woodworking skills, was SO excited to see Ben and Erin as they wrapped up filming. They were nice enough to come out and greet the crowd. It was an unexpected, fun stop on the way home!

loving kid found the museum interesting and interactive.

• Air Boat Tour: We went out on a 16-person air boat in the Bayou. We got to see lots of gators, turtles, and birds. We even got

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WHAT ARE CRAVINGS? HOW DO I STOP THEM?

How Playing the Long Game Helps Overcome Cravings

Cravings — they can feel like a comforting friend or a gut- punching enemy, depending on what you’re craving. An estimated 90% of people experience cravings, and, believe it or not, not all cravings are bad. Leaning into our healthy cravings can help establish a healthy diet. Don’t worry, we’re thinking the same thing: “If that’s the case, why do we crave sugary snacks and fatty foods the most?!” It’s complicated, but understanding your brain is a great place to start. What are cravings, really? Decades of research have proven that cravings start in our brain, not our body. This might be shocking for some, since it was commonly believed for a long time that if you were craving a steak, you were probably low in iron. However, the brain connection makes way more sense. Think about it: Does your body love circulating excess sugar that can lead to health complications, or does your brain enjoy sugar more? After all, sugar releases the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine, which our brains love. A chocolate milkshake or lemon bar helps us feel good by literally triggering our brain’s pleasure centers.

operates. Instead, you might want to consider accepting your cravings, but make slow and deliberate changes to how you satisfy those cravings. For example, if you’re craving potato chips, why not try kale chips or another crunchy but healthier alternative that you already enjoy? If you’re craving soda, why not crush some fresh fruit into sparkling water instead? Make it a treat, make it special, but make it healthier. Eating more filling, nutrient-dense food and getting more sleep are also great ways to fight cravings. It leaves little time or room for binging on bad foods. However, a six-month 2018 study in the National Institutes of Health has shown that flexibility in your diet can make a difference for making real, meaningful changes to your lifestyle long term.

That means when we’re unhappy, stressed, or needing a pick-me- up, we might start craving foods that comfort us, such as ice cream.

How do I stop craving unhealthy things? One thing is for sure: Restrictive diets don’t always work. It’s hard to “rewire” the brain by completely rejecting how it currently

By overcoming shame and accepting your cravings, you won’t fear making a single mistake as much. It’s all about playing the long game.

POWERS OF ATTORNEY FOR COLLEGE KIDS

It is that time of year again: Many of our clients have kids and grandkids graduating from high school. What a wonderful and exciting time as these young adults look toward their future, but what many parents and grandparents don’t consider is that their kids are now legally considered adults. That means parents no longer have the right to, for example, access their child’s health care information due to HIPPA laws. It makes sense, since your “child” is no longer a child by law. But what if your child gets into an accident or has an emergency while they are off at college or on the job? If they are not able to give consent, parents often cannot even get information or talk to doctors. As such, we highly recommend that anyone over the age of 18 have a health care power of attorney and a general durable power of attorney. We can help young adults get these important documents in place before they head off to the next chapter of their lives.

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A Timeless and Influential Book It’s Time to Read or Reread This Classic

WE DO REAL ESTATE CLOSINGS!

“How to Win Friends & Influence People” by Dale Carnegie has stood the test of time. Published in 1936, this book has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. Relating to the key relationships of humans, the book embodies self-improvement, communication, relationship building, and compassion. Every working professional or individual rubbing elbows in their social group needs it in their toolbox! If you haven’t already experienced the influential and game-changing words of Dale Carnegie, it’s time

We are happy to assist our clients with all of their real estate needs. From new home purchases to refinances, we are eager to assist you, your friends, or your family at either our Lexington office or our Aiken office. If you or someone you know is looking to move in the next couple of months, or wants a lower interest rate with a refinance, please let us know. –Chasity, TC, and Jeff

TAKE A BREAK!

to pick up a copy. If you’ve already read it, it’s time to give it another read to review and remember because there is still much value to unfold. Embedded within each page of this easy-to-read book are recommendations for creating, building upon, and improving successful and positive relationships within your life, whether it be with friends, family members, coworkers, network professionals, or supervisors. Written and published more than 85 years ago, its life lessons and thought-provoking suggestions still apply today because, while technology, education, and infrastructure have all advanced, our basic human tendencies and the way we interact remain the same. “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you,” Dale Carnegie states. In “How to Win Friends & Influence People,” he explores the importance of putting the needs, interests, and values of others before your own and how to handle situations for the best possible outcome. It takes a deep dive into getting to know yourself before learning how to bond with others on a personal and/or professional level. This book, a brilliant study on human nature, will have you wondering why you didn’t read it sooner while reflecting on situations and interactions you could have handled differently. But most importantly, Carnegie’s pointers are sure to provide amazing insights while you learn to get along with just about anyone.

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The Highlights of Our New Orleans Trip PAGE 1 Cravings — And How to Stop Them PAGE 2 Powers of Attorney for Future College Students PAGE 2 Take a Break! PAGE 3 This Book Has Stood the Test of Time PAGE 3 Strengthen Your Entire Body! PAGE 4 Paddle Your Way to Better Health Inside this Issue

Big Benefits of Canoeing and Kayaking

Mental Benefits

The weather is getting warmer, which means you can do more activities in the water. Canoeing or kayaking is an excellent way to get outdoors and be active. Besides looking at the beautiful scenery around you, taking to the water confers several physical and mental health benefits.

• While canoeing or kayaking, your body releases serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins from neurotransmitters. This will help boost your mood and self-confidence and improve your focus. • These activities can enhance your memory and learning ability. This is because it exercises your hippocampus, one of the largest portions of your brain that is responsible for verbal memory and learning. • If you have trouble sleeping, this activity can improve your sleep . Exercising during the day can make you naturally tired, which helps you fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. • Since you’ll be in the sun, your body can produce more vitamin D . This vitamin is essential for strong bones and an effective immune system. Canoeing and kayaking are great outdoor activities to help you get your daily dose of physical activity and a mental health boost. So, enjoy the warm weather and be one with nature — this may be your new favorite summer hobby this year!

Physical Benefits

• Paddling can help improve your upper-body strength and muscle tone — because you’re using your arms to guide yourself through the water with the paddle. Paddling helps strengthen your arms, shoulders, chest, and back. • You use your legs to balance, maneuver, and change directions in the vessel. In turn, this movement helps strengthen your lower-body muscles. • While trying to stay centered and balanced on the water, you will develop more core strength . Paddling helps work your lower back, abs, and oblique muscles. • It’s a form of cardiac exercise that will help your heart circulate more blood throughout your body. It will also improve your endurance , enabling you to go longer distances faster.

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