Van Dyck Law - Q1 2021

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QUARTER 1 2021

Failing to Achieve Your Goals Isn’t Always as Bad as You Think

Even though I’m never one to make New Year’s resolutions, I’m a very goal-oriented person. Whenever there’s a goal I want to accomplish, I immediately set out to make a plan on how to get it done. Years ago, I found this article on goal-setting, and I grew especially attached to an excerpt from it that cited a scientist from Rutgers. I don’t remember the exact wording, but the gist of it was that in order to achieve the goals you create for yourself, you have to define them, define the resources you need to achieve them, and find the people who will encourage you and help you achieve that goal. For whatever reason, I was particularly struck by those ideas, and I stuck that part of the article on our family’s refrigerator, where it hung for a long time — to the point where it started to annoy my husband and kids. That article (and the refrigerator it hung on, for that matter) have long since vanished from my house, but I still very much try to live out that sentiment. I set defined goals, I find the resources I need, and I create a support network so I can then go forth and conquer. But this isn’t an article about my success in achieving one of my goals — it’s about what happened when I failed to achieve something through no fault of my own.

I arrived in Paris with my friend Meg. We got settled after our flight, met up with my daughter (who was going to school in France at the time), and then on the night before our race, we went to pick up our bibs — and found out the race had been canceled an hour earlier due to COVID-19 concerns. What luck, right? We left the sign-up table dejected, joining several other runners from all over the world who shared in our disappointment on the metro.

After all the work to achieve that goal, I still failed to achieve it. In the end though, we didn’t let that stop us from making the most of our trip. We were in Paris, after all, and we had our running shoes and the T-shirts they gave to all the would-be participants in the half- marathon. So, my daughter, Meg, and I laced up and donned our shirts for a run out on the town. We ran along the Seine and passed by the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower. We didn’t rush ourselves, and we always stopped to take photos when we could. In the end, it was one of the best runs of my life, made even better by the fact that we ate our weight in croissants when we were done. Along the way, we must have seen dozens of other people running while wearing our same race T-shirts all across the city. We weren’t alone in our disappointment or in failing to achieve our goal — that support network held steady, even when everything else fell down around us. And speaking of support, I still got to spend a quality run with my daughter and one of my best friends. In the end, it wasn’t the distance that mattered, but the quality of the run. -Fiona Van Dyck

“In the end, it wasn’t the distance that mattered, but the quality of the run.”

I’m an avid runner, so many of my goals are running-related. One of those goals is to run a half-marathon in all 50 states. In the midst of that goal, however, I decided earlier this year to sign up for a half- marathon in Paris. It might not have been a state, but what runner wouldn’t want to do a race in Paris? I was so excited to spend Sunday, March 1, 2020, running through one of the most iconic cities in the world — but for reasons you can probably guess, that didn’t happen.

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Essential Stretches Everyone Must Do! Exercise and diet are the foundation of any healthy routine, but there’s often a vital component to wellness many of us forget: stretching! Start your day off right with these essential stretches.

• Hamstring Hang to Downward Dog: Start with your feet shoulder- width apart and bend forward until you’re folded in half. Grab your elbows and lightly swing side to side. After a few moments, lay your hands on the floor and walk your hands forward until your body is in a triangular shape. Stay there for a few seconds and pedal your feet for a deeper stretch. To end, either lower your knees down or walk your hands back to your feet and stand up. BACK STRETCHES Your spine carries you all day long. Give it the proper foundation to avoid pain throughout the day. Here are two exercises to get you started. • Cat/Cow: Start on your hands and knees. Inhale and arch your back upward (cat) and as you exhale, lower your spine below neutral and look upward (cow). Repeat as necessary. • Child’s Pose: After cat/cow, lower down onto your forearms and keep your neck neutral, staring down at the floor. Sit your butt down onto your ankles and breathe deeply for a few moments. As with any form of exercise or stretching, always consult with a professional before you begin. In fact, a physical therapist can help you develop a routine that targets your troublesome areas!

NECK STRETCHES Neck pain or tightness can lead to chronic headaches and even difficulty concentrating, but in just two moves, you can loosen the muscles in your neck. • Neck Pull: Start by raising your right hand above your head. While looking forward, bend your arm down toward your head and place it near your left ear. Then pull your head toward your right shoulder, placing minimal force on your head. Repeat as needed on both sides. • Neck Push: Sit cross-legged on the floor. Place one hand flat on the ground, as if you were pushing the ground away. While looking forward, tilt your head in the opposite direction of that arm. Hold the position for 20 seconds and switch sides, repeating as needed. LEG AND HIP STRETCHES A tight torso can be painful, no matter what your daily activities are. Taking a few moments each morning to loosen your muscles after waking up can combat chronic pain and stiffness.

What ’s Coming Up AT THE VAN DYCK LAW EDUCATION CENTER

It’s the start of a new year, and as you begin your journey into 2021, we wanted to remind you of some important stops you can take on that journey in January, February, and March at the Van Dyck Education Center. We have events coming up for both health care professionals and the general public, so read on below and see if any of them interest you! ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA CARE SEMINAR Dates: Jan. 19, Feb. 16, and March 16 Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Registration begins at 8 a.m.) This seminar is required for health care workers who want to obtain their Certified Dementia Practitioner Designation. Attendance will count as CE hours for social workers, certified case managers, nurses, CALA, LNHA, and ADC. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Reach out to [email protected], our new director of life care resources, for more information. SENIOR LIVING OPTIONS — WHEN IS IT TIME TO MAKE THE MOVE? Date: Jan. 13 Time: 10 a.m.

time for the move, and the number and variety of senior living options can be overwhelming. We hope this seminar will help you make a more informed decision.

THE LOVE OF MUSIC IS GOOD FOR YOUR BRAIN Date: Feb. 10 Time: 10 a.m.

Research has shown that listening to music has several positive effects on the brain as people age. In this seminar, we’ll go over what those benefits are and how music can keep your brain young throughout your day.

A YEAR OF COVID-19 — WHAT’S TO COME? Date: March 10 Time: 10 a.m.

The pandemic has left us all a little uncertain about the future. Even though some vaccines are on the horizon, we still don’t fully know what the future holds or how COVID-19 will shape our society. We hope this seminar will give you a better idea of what to expect.

In this seminar, we’ll walk you through the process of finding senior housing for yourself or your loved one. It’s hard to discern the right

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Sometimes, Where There’s a Will ...

There Are Some Pretty Strange Objects of Inheritance!

AN OLD PAIR OF JEANS Now, it’s certainly not strange for the deceased to leave their clothes behind. However, this particular pair of Levi’s jeans had some pretty special qualities about them. They were passed down through the family of Solomon Warner, who purchased the jeans in 1893 and died in 1899, to his great-great-grandson, Jock Taylor. They had never been worn. Considering the popularity of Levi’s jeans today and the quality of the antique pair, it’s no surprise that the pants sold at auction for $100,000 in 2018. 13,000 PIECES OF CLOWN MEMORABILIA Depending on how you feel about clowns, you may have shuddered a bit when you read that headline. After Jack “Clown Jackey” Kline died in 2010, he left his massive collection of clown paintings, face masks, costumes, and dolls to his son-in- law Richard. While Richard reported that he didn’t care for the collection too much, two years after inheriting it, he remarked

that it was starting to grow on him, and that he might keep a few items and donate the rest to a museum. A WINERY (TO AN 8-YEAR-OLD) You have to be 21 or older to drink in the U.S. but only 8 to own a winery, apparently. Family businesses aren’t an uncommon object of inheritance, but the heir of this one certainly is. Pascal was named the sole owner of the business at just 8 years old, after his father Jimi’s untimely death. Since then, Pascal has grown, and he currently attends University of California, Santa Cruz, while working at Brooks Winery in the summers. He is still the owner. At Van Dyck Law, we understand that every person’s will and estate plan will be different. Our experienced legal team is here to help account for your plan’s unique qualities and help you give your family peace of mind after you’re gone. Give us a call today at 609-580-1044.

Most people probably hope to leave their family some money, property, or maybe the family business when they pass on. However, some inheritances have been decidedly … stranger. Unsurprisingly, eccentric people leave behind some pretty interesting items (and collections of items) to their heirs. These are a few of the most unique objects of inheritance. Korean Beef Rice Bowls

VAN DYCK LAW EDUCATION CENTER Certified Dementia Practitioner classes will be held on Jan. 19 , Feb. 16 , and March 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. These events are open to health care professionals only. Upcoming Events

Inspired by SkinnyTaste.com

This sweet and spicy rice bowl comes together in just 30 minutes and serves four.

INGREDIENTS • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce • 2 tsp light brown sugar • 1 tsp sesame oil • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes • 1 lb lean ground beef • 1/4 cup yellow onion, chopped • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated • 2 tbsp gochujang sauce, or more if desired • 3 cups cooked brown rice • 1 small cucumber, sliced • 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds, plus more for topping • 2 scallions, thinly sliced

DIRECTIONS 1. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, 2 tbsp water, brown sugar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. 2. Spray a deep, nonstick skillet with cooking oil and place over high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks. 3. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger to the meat and cook for 1 minute. 4. Pour sauce over the beef, then cover and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes. 5. Divide rice evenly into four serving bowls. Top each with scant 2/3 cup beef, cucumber slices, sesame seeds, scallions, and gochujang, to taste.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION TOPICS (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC):

Jan. 13, 10 a.m.: Senior Living Options — When is it time to make the move?

Feb. 10, 10 a.m.: Why a Love of Music is Good for Your Brain

March 10, 10 a.m.: A Year of COVID-19 — What’s to Come?

For a deeper summary of these events, see Page 2 of this newsletter!

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What Happened When My Race in Paris Got Canceled

Stretches Everyone Must Do! Upcoming Events at the Education Center

The World’s Strangest Objects of Inheritance Korean Beef Rice Bowls

Can Beet Juice Lower Your Blood Pressure?

By the ‘Beet ’ of Your Heart MANAGE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE WITH BEET JUICE

There’s an epidemic sweeping the United States, and, no, we aren’t talking about a virus. High blood pressure (aka hypertension) is a huge problem in America. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that nearly 45% of adults are living with high blood pressure, which can lead to numerous other problems if not treated, including heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Because of the extent of the problem, researchers have been searching for possible solutions. Many medications help reduce high blood pressure, and exercise also helps, but some studies are providing evidence of another solution you may not have heard of: beet juice. One major study published in the February 2015 issue of Hypertension looked into the effectiveness of beet juice in lowering elevated blood pressure. Going into the study, researchers knew beets were high in nitrates, which are converted into nitric oxide when digested. When nitric oxide enters your bloodstream, it relaxes and widens blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure. In the 2015 study, researchers monitored subjects who drank a cup of beet juice. They saw the subjects’ systolic blood pressure drop by an average of 7.7 points and their diastolic blood pressure drop

by an average of 2.4 points. On top of that, the study also found that beet juice is relatively quick in lowering blood pressure. It does so within a matter of hours, which is a lot faster than a

lot of common blood pressure medications, like Lisinopril. (Though Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, works very differently than beet juice.)

If you suffer from high blood pressure, should you incorporate beet juice into your daily diet? It may be worth considering, but before you do, consult with your primary health care provider, especially if you’re already taking blood pressure medication. You don’t want to consume anything that will impact your blood pressure further without professional guidance. If your blood pressure is moderately or occasionally high, beet juice may be a way to normalize it without medication. If you decide to drink beet juice, keep two things in mind: It will turn your feces and urine red — this is called beeturia and is perfectly normal — and it can stain your teeth over time. Always drink it with a straw and rinse your mouth afterward!

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