Quality Plus Automotive Service - May 2022

Quality Plus Automotive Service - May 2022

May 2022

He MakeS Our Lives Whole Introducing Zeike: A True Blessing It’s often said that a dog is the only thing on earth that will love you more than he loves himself, and our new rescue dog Zeike has proven that to be absolutely true. My wife had been in search of a dog for some time, and when our daughter-in-law told her that someone she knew had a rescue dog that she was trying to find a home for, my wife was already sold. We had to have him. When she got to the home, there was no getting him out of the house. He was so scared, frantic, and skittish that the only way they could get him out was by placing the

certainly loves to love and to be loved and is a member of the family. It’s amazing to have this little guy waiting for us at home and see his excitement when we come through the door.

pet carrier on the floor and waiting for him to run inside it. We could tell he was in pretty bad shape, so we took him straight to the vet. The vet’s office said that it was obvious that Zeike hadn’t been washed in a couple years and was so matted that

It’s mind-boggling how people can abuse animals and fail to provide proper care and shelter. Since I grew up with cows, pigs, and chickens on the farm, animals hold a special place in my heart, and I know that many others feel the same. However, it breaks my heart that some people

”He certainly loves to love and to be loved and is a member of the family.”

he had to be completely shaved. He is certainly a mixed breed, and our best guess is a cross between a poodle and a Shih Tzu. Once we got him home, he stayed in the carrying case for the first two weeks and wouldn’t even come out to eat. After about 30 days, my wife was able to handle him a bit, but it took about 4–5 months before I was able to touch him. To this day, he’s still a little skittish but is certainly the dog of the house. Every two weeks or so, we take him to be groomed, but every time he gets in the car, he shakes uncontrollably. Overall, Zeike has made a massive turnaround and becomes a little less timid every day. He

mistreat them. They love us so much and when it comes down to it, you really don’t have to do much for them except love them in return. In honor of National Pet Week in the first week of May, I celebrate Zeike and all of the other pets out there who are truly part of the family. I encourage responsible pet care and hope that all animals are treated with love and kindness. I also urge everyone to be kind to animals —we don’t deserve them!

-Randy Bunn

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Wake Forest • 919.453.0345 — Raleigh • 919.231.6164

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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 sneaky enemy, depending on what you’re craving. An estimated 90% of people experience cravings, and, surprisingly, 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 come as a surprise to 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.

Proactivity Is Bette THE POWER OF A VEHICLE SE We’ve all heard it before: Proactivity is better than reactivity. In that sense, preventive maintenance is key to making sure you don’t wind up having to make time-consuming and costly repairs later down the road. Taking your car in for a service is similar to going to the doctor for a checkup. Your technician will check for leaks, blockages, misalignments, and tire issues. Just like visiting the doctor, the entire system of your vehicle is closely inspected. Sometimes, after a service, no issues may present themselves, and other times, only one or two small issues show up. Rarely, big, monumental problems may come up. No matter the severity, it is always important that the issue is corrected before it has the opportunity to fester and create a larger issue for your vehicle.

Taking your car in for a service can also yield some great benefits.

BETTER GAS MILEAGE When tiny problems that you had no idea existed are rectified, you may get more miles to the gallon. For example, issues with your vehicle’s brakes may cause your car to use up more gas than normal. If your brakes are sticking or squeaking and you replace the brake pads, you may leave the shop getting better gas mileage than when you arrived.

This p veggi even eaters

pump the brakes ... It’s puzzle time!

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.

Inspire

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

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The Heat Is On! How to Care for Your Car During Summer Months

er Than Reactivity ERVICE

SMOOTHER RIDE If your car has been shaking, pulling to one side, or running a little rough, it

may be indicative of an underlying issue. A service can help to diagnose the problem that is causing your car to run a little rough and, in turn, you’ll have a much smoother ride once the issue is corrected! NO MORE ENGINE LIGHTS If your dashboard is lit up like a Christmas tree, have a certified mechanic diagnoses all of the issues. Not only is this easier on the eyes, it also delivers peace of mind knowing that your car isn’t going to break down at the next red light. At Quality Plus Automotive, we encourage you to keep up with your vehicle maintenance to prevent surprise problems down the road! Call us today for an appointment!

While it’s exciting to be able to take part in summertime activities and travel, the impending heat will likely be tough on our vehicles. Performing regular checks on different parts of your vehicle can help you avoid small issues that could potentially turn into bigger ones. After all, you never want to be stranded on the side of the road in the summer heat! Here are the top three components of your car to keep an eye on.

COOLING SYSTEM During hotter months, your vehicle is working in overdrive to battle the heat and ensure that everything under the hood doesn’t overheat. Every so often, pop open the

hood and make sure that the radiator is topped off with coolant. If you need to replace the coolant or add more, check your owner’s manual for the correct manufacturer’s

pizza is so loaded with ies and goods that you won’t miss the cheese — meat s are sure to love it, too!

recommended coolant. As a word of caution, never touch the radiator cap on a hot vehicle, and only check coolant levels before starting up the engine.

ed by LoveAndLemons.com

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1 small head of broccoli, cut into small florets 1/3 cup cherry tomatoes, halved Kernels from 1 ear fresh corn 1/4 cup red onion, coarsely chopped 1/2 jalapeño, thinly sliced 4 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, diced

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Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling and brushing

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Sea salt, to taste

Ground black pepper, to taste 1 16-oz ball of pizza dough

BATTERY Extreme heat will shorten the lifespan of your car’s battery because heat can evaporate the battery fluid, which damages the battery itself. During the summer, have the electrical system checked to be sure that the battery is charging as it should. Also be sure to keep the top of your vehicle’s battery clean under the hood, as dirt can be a heat conductor and further drain your battery. TIRES When it’s hot outside, the pressure in a tire can rise. The heat places additional stress on the tires and may cause them to wear more quickly. To maximize the life of your tires, have them regularly rotated. During summer months, in the morning or evening when it’s cooler, check the tire pressure for an accurate reading. With a little extra TLC during summer months, you’ll be one step ahead of any potential vehicle problems. Take care of your vehicle so it can take care of you!

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Cashew cream

1/2 cup fresh basil leaves 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves A few pinches of red pepper flakes (optional)

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1. Preheat oven to 450 F. 2. In a medium bowl, combine the broccoli, tomatoes, corn, onion, jalapeño, and sun-dried tomatoes.

3. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper and toss. 4. On a pizza pan, stretch out the pizza dough.

5. Brush the outer edges of the dough lightly with olive oil and put a few scoops of cashew cream onto the center of the dough. Spread into a thin layer. 6. Distribute the vegetables evenly onto the dough. 7. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden. 8. Remove from oven and drizzle more cashew cream on top. 9. Top with fresh basil, fresh thyme, and pinches of red pepper flakes.

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Wake Forest 919.453.0345 Raleigh 919.231.6164

QualityPlusAutomotive.com 1601 Heritage Commerce Ct. Wake Forest, NC 27587

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INSIDE This Issue

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Celebrating National Pet Week Cravings — And How to Stop Them Auto Services Explained Delightful Vegan Pizza Summertime Vehicle Care Don’t Let Wednesday Get You Down

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Hump Day, Slump Day 3 FOOLPROOF WAYS TO OVERCOME THE MIDWEEK SLUMP

We know it all too well: Our week starts out strong, with a positive outlook and great aspirations for the work ahead, but by midweek, our momentum starts declining, and it’s difficult to bring back our enthusiasm when we still have two full days left. How can you harness positivity and productivity and power through the rest of the week? MONDAY AND TUESDAY DON’T DEFINE THE REST OF YOURWEEK. Sometimes, the beginning of the week takes such a toll on us that by Wednesday, we just hit a giant wall. To recharge and continue pushing forward, it’s important to start each day with a fresh beginning, letting go of the troubles and struggles from the day before. When you let one or two bad days get the best of you, this can snowball — turning into a bad week. It’s important to seize each day and start anew. SAVE FUN FOR MIDWEEK. Is there a certain exercise routine or class that you love? Have you discovered a hobby that always puts you in a better mood? Do you have a favorite restaurant in town? Scheduling things you love on Wednesday can give you something to look forward to as well as work to keep the funk away. Doing things that you love can completely

revitalize your positive mindset. Give it a try; it can be a hump day tradition!

TAKE SOME TIME FOR YOURSELF. Oftentimes, our weeks are so consumed with endless tasks for others — our boss, kids, spouses, neighbors, or friends — that we forget to do things for

ourselves. Find some time to decompress, take a break from the endless to-do list, and just breathe. It’s a great way to momentarily remove stress from your life! By tuning into these tips, the next time Wednesday rolls around, you’re guaranteed to feel much more prepared to take on the last few days of the week! Hump day horrors, be gone!

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