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April 2026 Jumbo, Fresh Air, and Lasting Change
SPRING MILES WITH A STUBBORN HOUND
As I was thinking through what to write about for this article, I thought about springtime and getting outside while riding down the road with my dog. His full name is Jumbo Wiener Ramey, but we just call him Jumbo for brevity’s sake. He is a dachshund and Jack Russell mix who looks like a wiener dog but bigger. He weighs 17 pounds instead of the usual 12, which is why I named him Jumbo. He is a big wiener dog. If you’ve been reading this newsletter, you’ve met Jumbo before. If you haven’t, here’s the short version. He is at once the most loving companion and a despicable tyrant. He does what he wants to do, when he wants to do it. Both his breeds are stubborn, so that shouldn’t surprise anyone. If he doesn’t want to come inside, you can’t catch him. The only time he is completely cooperative is when I ask if he wants to go for a ride. He loves to ride in the car. Most days, though, what he really gives me is an excuse to get outside. I walk him twice a day for about 30 minutes each time. I usually don’t carry my phone. Nobody can call me. We just walk at a brisk pace while he does the scent hound thing with his nose down, smelling everything in sight. It sounds simple, but those walks have changed a lot for me. When I got Jumbo, I weighed around 310 pounds. Today, I’m about 214. That’s 96 pounds gone in just the last couple of years, and walking him has been a big part of that. On top of the weight loss, the walks have done something else for me. They clear my head. Twice a day, I step outside, leave the phone at home, and let Jumbo set the pace. For half an hour, it’s just a man and his dog, and whatever we find along the way. That is one reason I often tell injured clients to think about walking — if they are physically able to do so. When someone gets hurt on the job or in a wreck, they are often out of work for a while, and money gets tight. Anxiety
shows up. A daily walk won’t fix everything, but it can give your body and mind a little room to breathe. A dog can help with that, too. Just being able to pet a dog or laugh at their antics can calm you down. And a stubborn little hound like Jumbo keeps you honest. If I don’t take him out twice a day, he comes and finds me and barks like he is dying until we put the leash on. He keeps me accountable in a way no gym membership ever has. So, this April, with Earth Day on the calendar and the weather turning nicer, I encourage you to claim a little piece of the outdoors for yourself. Walk around your block, circle your neighborhood, or head to a nearby park. Take the dog if you have one. It might start as simple exercise, but it can become a habit that carries you through even the most difficult times.
–Bryan Ramey
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Don’t Let Small Oversights Ruin Your Trip Top Hacks for Healthier Getaways
Few things are more frustrating than arriving at a vacation spot only to discover you failed to factor in an important detail that could now derail the entire experience. Let’s take a look at two commonly overlooked travel truths that could mean the difference between a trip to paradise and a journey to joylessness. An ideal hotel stay will support your health. The idea of travel is to enjoy yourself, not to be subjected to inconveniences that can harm your well-being. While many major hotels have adapted to various mobility needs, some older establishments may not offer the same level of accessibility. While booking your trip, confirm that the hotel’s layout can fulfill your specific physical needs. For example, you may need to request a first-floor room in advance if the hotel doesn’t offer wheelchair-accessible elevators. When traveling abroad, cash is always king. Debit and credit cards offer convenience when you’re at home, but reaching for plastic while overseas may not provide the same level of comfort. Unfortunately, card-
related fraud is common at many international destinations. Additionally, some U.S.-based credit cards charge foreign transaction fees that can quickly eat into your trip budget. For these reasons, using foreign cash at your overseas location is the safest and most economical option. Before an international trip, inform your bank and credit card providers to ensure you’re aware of any travel- specific charges and security measures (such as temporary deactivation if your provider suspects fraudulent activity) that may affect your available funds and to get guidance on the best ways to use your cards to access cash before or after your arrival on foreign soil.
The Connection Between Clothing and Class DYES OF DISTINCTION
A Dye Worth Dying For? For a captivating example of how much social importance certain cultures placed on the color of one’s attire over time, look to the Byzantine Empire, which reigned in Europe from 395 CE to 1453 CE. The upper classes of the era favored a color known as Tyrian purple (also known as royal purple or imperial purple), a dye derived from shellfish mucus, made using thousands of snails per gram in a laborious, smelly extraction process. It became so synonymous with wealth and nobility that Byzantine emperor Theodosius I is said to have threatened the lower classes with death if they used it for their clothing. Fortunately, by the 19th century, Tyrian purple had fallen out of favor and was replaced by a synthetic alternative that was far more accessible and acceptable to the general public.
Have you ever wondered why clothes are dyed different colors? According to historical and archaeological documentation, the trends stemmed from humans’ need to identify themselves and others. Ancient civilizations used dyes derived from minerals, plants, and insects to color their clothing according to gender, economic status, and social affiliation. Let’s take a look at two facts about how the colors people once wore served as more than a fashion statement. When Colored Clothing Defined Class In addition to being sourced organically, natural dyes played an essential role in societal stratification. Long before the 19th-century invention of synthetic dyes made various colors more accessible to all classes, brightly dyed colors were commonly reserved for the wealthy. People of lower social status and economic means, meanwhile, were readily identified by their brown, white, or otherwise dull wardrobes.
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Did you know that snacking on Cheetos is a pastime rooted in American patriotism? The link between the orange dust on your fingers and the preservation of our nation’s freedom began during World War I. Always looking for ways to feed soldiers during the global conflict, the U.S. military purchased 25 million quarter-pound tins of processed cheese from the National Dairy Products Corporation (now known as Kraft). The military’s use of cheese as more than a snack developed during World War II, with the dairy product being added to soldiers’ meals, including potatoes, pasta, and vegetables. By 1944, cheese sauces and spreads had become a standard part of wartime diets. In that year alone, 100 million pounds of cheese were purchased for service members. That said, there was just one problem: Due to its fat content, cheese cannot be dehydrated. This dilemma led to it occupying a larger portion of soldiers’ rations than other foods that could be dried to reduce their size and weight. However, U.S. Department of Agriculture scientist George Sanders remedied that issue toward the end of World War II, thanks to his invention of cheese powder. Finally, military masses could enjoy cheese while keeping rationing more economical. After the war ended, food manufacturers happily utilized the military’s surplus of powdered cheese. In 1948, the Frito Company added powdered cheese to its cornmeal sticks, creating what eventually became Cheetos. So, the next time you look at your orange-stained fingers after munching on this beloved snack, thank the U.S. military for turning its love for cheese into an American institution. The Military’s Connection to Cheetos CHEESE, CONFLICT, AND CRUNCH
TAKE A BREAK
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CHEESY ASPARAGUS ORZOTTO
Ingredients
• 2 tbsp plus 1/4 cup olive oil, divided • 1 bunch of asparagus, trimmed and peeled • 1 leek, halved and sliced • 1 1/2 cups orzo • 2 garlic cloves, chopped • 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 3 cups broth • 1/2 tsp salt • Black pepper, to taste • 1 cup frozen peas • 1 oz Parmesan, grated • 1/4 cup heavy cream • 2 tbsp butter • 1/4 cup basil leaves
Directions 1. In a pot over medium-high heat, heat 2 tbsp oil. Add asparagus, cover, and cook 4 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board to cool, then cut into 1-inch pieces. 2. Heat remaining oil. Add leek, season with salt, and cook 3 minutes. 3. Stir in orzo and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes. 4. Add wine and cook 2–3 minutes. 5. Stir in broth, 1/2 tsp salt, and pepper, then simmer, covered, on low heat for 12–15 minutes. 6. Add peas to orzo, cover, and cook 2 minutes. 7. Remove from heat, add Parmesan, cream, and butter, and stir until butter melts. Stir in asparagus and basil.
Inspired by Delish.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Getting Outside With Jumbo Ramey
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Travel Tools for Wellness Wins
The Social Hierarchy of Hues
Cheesy Asparagus Orzotto
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From Soldier Snack to Cheesy Sensation
The Science of Sunlight and Smiles
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RADIANCE AND RESILIENCE
The Sun’s Motivating Effect on Mood
If you’re feeling more mentally clear and optimistic this month than you have at previous times so far this year, the sun above you may have a lot to do with it. Scientists have long acknowledged the connection between natural light and positive mental health. However, studies have only recently uncovered the exact extent of this partnership’s impact on our overall well-being. Landmark research published in 2023 examined the effects of low light on 787 operating- room nurses in Shandong, China, who typically worked lengthy shifts in high-stress environments without regular access to natural light. The results showed an association between lower sunlight exposure and poorer self-reported mental health. Here are five other interesting facts and findings about sunlight exposure and our health:
• Research shows that light therapy may provide benefits to individuals experiencing nonseasonal depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD). • A study of hospitalized patients with mental health disorders found that those who had stayed in a room with better sunlight generally experienced shorter hospital stays. • A study in Taiwan suggested that moderate levels of ultraviolet sun rays may have contributed to lower symptoms of depression. • Additional research suggests that rates of self-reported suicidal thoughts were lower in areas where residents experienced higher and longer sunlight exposure. • Sunlight positively affects our circadian rhythms, helping reduce fatigue during time changes. The final takeaway? If you’re feeling down, spend time in the sun. Depending on your particular medical circumstances, you may be surprised by how readily nature provides us with ways to heal our minds.
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