The Bledsoe Firm - September 2020

The Bledsoe Firm - September 2020

The Bledsoe Firm JustFamilyLaw.com | 949.363.5551 SEPTEMBER | 2020

GRANNY SMITH W hat C an I U se T his A pple F or ? The Ultimate Guide to Apple Season T hey say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but they never specified how to prepare the apple. From pies and tarts to sauces and marinades, there are many ways to consume

Some people love ‘em, others hate ‘em. But Granny Smith apples are the classic choice for making pies and applesauce, and they’ve been around for generations. The Granny Smith originated in Australia in 1868. With a tart, intense flavor, this apple pairs perfectly with cinnamon and can be used to bring balance to dishes that are overly sweet. The Granny Smith offers a balance that sweeter varieties like the Fuji or Gala (see below) cannot. In addition, it can add a zing to salads or a fresh crunch to any sandwich.

apples and many varieties to choose from. In the U.S. alone, bakers, snackers, and wannabe cooks alike can choose from more than 100 varieties of apples. This September, as apple trees start to bear the freshest, fullest form of this popular fruit, consider this your go-to guide for some of the most popular varieties of apples.

RED DELICIOUS

GALA

You likely saw these popular apples in your sack lunch as a kid or have noticed them in nearly every supermarket produce section. Red Delicious apples are one of the most well-known varieties. They have a mild-tasting flesh and thick skin. Pick Red Delicious apples in the fall, and harvesters recommend adding this deep-red variety to your salads or sandwiches. Do not cook the Red Delicious, however. The apple’s skin can’t handle the pressure.

What are Gala apples good for? The better question is what can’t they do? The Gala is a cross between two sweet varieties of apple, with a flavor that pairs well with many foods. It can accent soft cheese in a salad, sweeten a tart dish, bring out the juiciness of a roast, or serve as the perfect afternoon snack.

GOLDEN DELICIOUS

Not to be confused with its red counterpart, the Golden Delicious has a tender yellow skin that is easily bruised. This makes it perfect for baking, and its sweet nature only makes baked dishes better. Through its understated flavor, the Golden Delicious adds sweetness to any dish without the overwhelming sugary taste that can often ruin the most well- intentioned pie or applesauce. This guide is just a start! For more information on different varieties of apples and ideas for how to use them, check with growers at nearby orchards. They’re the experts on our local varieties and many have family secrets they just might be willing to share with fellow lovers of this crunchy fruit. —John Bledsoe

FUJI

Easily the most diverse apple, the Fuji is sweet and juicy, making it the perfect snack for those with a sweet tooth. This versatile fruit is also ideal for making pies, salads, or applesauce. Fuji is a cross between the reliable Red Delicious and the less common variety known as Ralls Janet. Developed in the 1930s, it has a firm skin and sweet flavor that make it one of the most popular apple varieties today.

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11 DAYS DELETED FROM HISTORY How the British Changed Their Calendar System and Caused Chaos

For centuries, Europeans used the Julian calendar, created by Julius Caesar in 46 B.C. It was based on the solar calendar, so most of Europe thought it was the most accurate calendar. However, over the centuries, dates had “drifted,” and many important days, like Easter and the spring equinox, were no longer falling on the dates they were supposed to. To compensate, the new Gregorian calendar was developed and put to use by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. It helped put things back in order and eliminated the extra day every 128 years. However, not everyone adopted the Gregorian calendar right away, such as the British. That meant that Europeans were using two diverging calendars for over 200 years. Talk about confusing! People realized that as the world started to expand and as countries became more connected, having a single calendar system was critical.

Finally, the British chose the year 1752 to make the change. But, in order to make it work, they had to “jump” forward. For instance, 1751 could only be 10 months long — starting with March and ending with Dec. 31, 1751. But even that adjustment didn’t quite bring the English up to speed in time to make the shift. They also had to cut 11 days from 1752. The unlucky dates that were cut were Sept. 2–14, 1752. The people were not happy. English historians found research that British citizens chanted “Give us our 11 days!” in the streets. The phrase became so popular that some politicians even campaigned with that as their slogan. Several other historical accounts state that many people were worried that by cutting the calendar, their own lives would be cut 11 days shorter. There was a lot of confusion and chaos, but over time, dates fell where they were supposed to, and everyone lived their full lives, those 11 days included.

BIPOLAR DISORDER, DIVORCE, AND CO-PARENTING 5 Tips for Improved Outcomes

Learning to co-parent with an ex who has a mental illness can be difficult, but there are steps you can take to help ease the challenge. Here’s what you can do: Educate Yourself Get insight into your partner’s mental illness and any emotions or outbursts they’re likely to have. The more you learn, the better. If you believe outbursts are going to negatively impact your children, don’t waste time — consult with a professional. Talk with your children and educate them about what they should expect from their parents. Explain why their mom or dad is acting a little differently. This way they’ll have clarity and find it easier to talk to you if anything is on their mind. Prepare Yourself Getting a divorce isn’t easy for anyone, especially when your ex has bipolar disorder. Mood swings are likely and these make the prospect of divorce more daunting. Be ready to face obstacles and learn how to respond to them. While you cannot control your ex’s moods, you can control your own. Find some time to breathe and respond to each obstacle the best way you can.

can be broken. Let the professionals determine

what should happen rather than taking matters into your own hands. You don’t want your ex to become too reliant on you for anything or vice versa.

Set Emotions Aside In order to successfully co-parent, both you and your ex need to set any past anger and hurt aside. Successfully managing your emotions ensures you put your children’s feelings first and make their happiness a priority. Again, a professional may be able to help, if needed. Communicate Both you and your ex-partner have one main goal and that’s to co-parent your children. You need to communicate, whether that’s over the phone or with a professional present. Work out how you want to move forward and find what works best for your situation. Doing this when your ex’s symptoms are stable will make it easier to come to a mutual agreement.

Establish Boundaries This is a difficult time for you, your ex-partner, and the children. Many emotions are up in the air and boundaries

For more informative articles like this one, be sure to visit our blog at JustFamilyLaw.com/family-law-expert-blog!

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W ord S earch Aster Autumn Chilly Colorful Education Football Harvest Labor Libra Sapphire September Squash

MAKING A PARENTING PLAN 2 T hings to K eep in M ind

s we often discuss, your child or children’s future should be high priority when you and your spouse decide to divorce. It's always important that minor children receive care and attention from the parent or parents who are best suited to provide it. Putting together a parenting plan, or a custody or visitation agreement, can ensure the child's needs are prioritized.

A parenting plan can define all kinds of details, including you and your ex- spouse's parenting responsibilities. The plan also incorporates a visitation schedule, your child's schedule (school, activities, etc.), child-related expenses, and even ways to solve parental disputes that may come up. Basically, it's a way for you to minimize potential issues and legal expenses. Here are two major things to consider when creating a parenting plan: YOUR CHILD'S AGE As your child grows, their needs change. You need to factor their physical, emotional, social, and academic needs into your plan. For example, their academic needs will become more complex as they reach higher grade levels and then prepare for college. Keep in mind, because the needs of your child change as they age, the parenting plan you make now isn't necessarily final. You may need to adapt as circumstances change. DISTANCE The physical distance between your home and your ex's home can impact the time and care you give your child. If there is considerable distance involved, you will need to agree on the most practical visitation schedule, along with responsibilities associated with travel arrangements and expenses. Another thing to note is that moving from one parent's home to the other (and back again) can be stressful for children. It also has the potential to interfere with their education, extracurricular activities, and social life. It's always important to think about these issues when developing a parenting plan.

MINTY CARROT TOP PESTO

Inspired by YupItsVegan.com

Pesto may sound like a fancy ingredient on restaurant menus, but you can make it at home in minutes! This vegan recipe is a great way to use spare carrots tops, and it tastes delicious as a pasta sauce (thinned with water) or a cracker spread.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar • Salt and pepper to taste • 3 tbsp olive oil

• 1 large bunch carrot tops • 1 clove garlic, chopped

• 1/4 cup fresh mint • 4 chives, chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. To blanch the carrot tops, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, prepare a large bowl of ice water. Remove the stems from the carrot tops and add the greens to the water. Boil for 3 minutes, then drain the water and dunk the tops in ice water. When they’re cool, wring out the extra liquid. 2. Use a food processor to blend the carrot tops and all other ingredients except olive oil. Add 1 tbsp of olive oil at a time to the food processor and blend until the pesto is smooth. Taste and serve!

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Inside

Don’t Let Your Apples Go to Waste With This Handy Guide

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How 11 Days Were Deleted From History

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Bipolar Disorder, Divorce, and Co- Parenting

Do You Have a Parenting Plan? 2 Things to Know

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Minty Carrot Top Pesto

Streaming Services Change Entertainment

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ENJOY YOUR FAVORITE FILMS EARLIER S treaming S ervices C hange the F ace of E ntertainment

The way we watch our favorite shows and movies has changed drastically in recent years and even more so this year. With the pandemic impacting the world, people found themselves stuck inside their homes looking for new sources of entertainment, and many found exactly what they were looking for through the numerous streaming services available to us. The pandemic made time for people to watch their favorite shows again and again, and it also changed the way businesses, such as Disney and Universal Studios, release their movies. Throughout the spring, many movies were released early and some skipped theater showings all together. “Trolls: World Tour” was released through video-on-demand and earned nearly $100 million in rental fees on its April 10 debut, grossing far more than the first “Trolls” movie debut in 2016. Other movies, such as “Onward” and “Frozen II,” were released early on different digital platforms for purchase or rent. One of the most anticipated early releases under this new system is “Hamilton.” This hit Broadway show has drawn thousands of people to the theater since its debut in 2015. A stage performance of “Hamilton” was filmed in 2016 in just over three days. The resulting movie creates

an opportunity for everyone to see the show, whether or not they were able to catch it live on stage. Disney bought the rights to the film last year and announced this February that it would be released on Oct. 15, 2021 in theaters. However, due to the pandemic, Disney decided that what people needed most was something they could enjoy, even if they couldn't leave their homes. On May 12, the studio announced the film would be available to stream on Disney+ starting on the July Fourth holiday. “Hamilton” fans and those who’ve never seen the play are thrilled to watch the film 16 months in advance of the originally scheduled release. Streaming services have changed how people consume their entertainment, and the pandemic has changed how streaming services offer it. Both changes are helping people get through these difficult times.

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