Marks Law Group, LLC - August 2019

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AUGUST 2019

150 E. PONCE DE LEON AVENUE, SUITE 200, DECATUR, GEORGIA 30030 // WWW.MARKSLAWGROUP.COM // 678-210-3954 ON THE MARK 24/7

GETTING TO KNOW DEBBIE ISBITTS LITIGATION PARALEGAL AND SCRAPBOOKING EXPERT!

I ’ve only worked at Marks Law Group for about seven months, but I can already say this office is a great fit for me. I’ve been doing paralegal work for years, and, even though I’ve tried jobs in other career fields, it’s something I’ve been able to do regardless of the stage of life I’m in. For a long time, I did paralegal work part time from home while I raised my kids. Now that I’m a litigation paralegal with Marks Law Group, I appreciate the level of independence I have in my position. I initially applied to be a paralegal with the Marks Law Group because I was looking to transition from part-time to full-time paralegal work. When I first started my career, I worked for a big law

Fortunately, the only real challenge I’ve faced since starting has been acclimating to a new work environment. Every time I encounter a new situation, I have to take time away from other things to find out how to handle it. But learning curves come with every new position, and I’m confident I’ll soon become familiar with all aspects of my work. Outside of my role as a litigation paralegal, I am married and have three daughters. My oldest is at UGA, my next oldest is in high school, and my youngest is in middle school. Creating and recording memories with family is a passion of mine which truly shines in my love of scrapbooking.

firm in downtown Atlanta, but, without a law degree, I hit a ceiling. I didn’t want to become a lawyer, so I earned my MBA and worked in Investor Relations for a while. But, once I had kids, the desire for more flexible work brought me back to being a paralegal. Most of my day-to-day responsibilities involve coordinating communications about cases in litigation. My favorite part of working at Marks Law Group is the independence I have

In 2008, I made a New Year’s resolution to create a scrapbook for each year’s worth of memories. I’ve kept to that resolution pretty consistently, although I am a year behind. I used to do it all by hand, but in recent years I’ve gone digital, and they’ve turned out really nice. Since my mother-in-law developed Alzheimer’s, and my own mother is getting older, showing

“CREATING AND RECORDING MEMORIES WITH FAMILY IS A PASSION OF MINE WHICH TRULY SHINES IN MY LOVE OF SCRAPBOOKING.”

them pictures of family has been really helpful in

connecting with them.

when working and managing cases. The cases feel like they’re mine. I also love the opportunities to connect with clients. I try to develop genuine relationships with them whenever I call them or respond to their requests. It helps me see the faces and stories behind the cases.

If I haven’t gotten a chance to meet you yet, say hello if you’re in the office! –Debbie Isbitts

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PERFECT PAIRINGS INGREDIENTS FOR BETTER BODY BALANCE

AN INSPIRING AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM

Clarkston, Georgia, is a major location for refugee resettlement in the United States. Refugees from Syria, Rwanda, Myanmar, and many other countries have found their way to the small Georgia town wedged along Interstate 285 and Highway 78. In fact, the city takes in 1,500 refugees a year. With this influx have come hundreds of children, all trying to balance a new language, education system, and culture. Many of these students seem destined to struggle their way through school, but Inspire: A Shalom Afterschool Initiative is seeking to change that. In response to the high number of refugee children in the Clarkston community, Shalom International Ministry created this program as a way to provide them with a safe environment where they can learn, grow, and create positive relationships. Students who attend Inspire can get help studying and completing their homework and participate in different enrichment activities such as soccer, gardening, or tai chi. But what Inspire provides doesn’t stop there. Teachers also periodically visit students’ homes to help students and their families become more successful in their education. HOW THIS PROGRAM IS CHANGING THE LIVES OF REFUGEE CHILDREN IN GEORGIA

We seek balance through many methods, like morning yoga poses and guided meditations before bed. But another important part of a balanced, holistic lifestyle is diet. When your body is missing nutrients, you suffer from all kinds of physical and mental ailments. Based on a holistic nutrition perspective, here are some foods you can pair together to promote better body balance from the inside out. CITRUS FRUITS AND DARK, LEAFY GREENS The vitamin C in citrus fruits helps your body absorb the iron in kale, spinach, and other leafy greens. Unlike the iron found in animal proteins, the iron in leafy vegetables isn’t as easy to absorb. Get the most out of those greens by tossing your spinach salad with a lemon vinaigrette or brush some lemon or orange juice onto your grilled kale. families is prevalent for a reason. Together, beans and rice make a nutritious and protein-packed meal to fuel your body. Keep this dish interesting by creating new combinations with avocado, zesty sauces, cilantro, and radishes. Peas and quinoa is another pairing that completes the essential amino acid profile, and the two work well together in a salad or scramble. CHERRIES AND SPIRULINA You may not always think about your blood health, but you should because your blood distributes crucial nutrients throughout your body and floods toxins out. Iron, folic acid, vitamin B-12, and protein are the building blocks for better blood. You can find these nutrients in dark red foods, such as cherries, raspberries, beets, and kidney beans, and in dark green foods, like spinach, spirulina, and wheatgrass. Holistic nutritionist Sarah Britton, author of “My New Roots: Inspired Plant-Based Recipes,” suggests starting the day with a refreshing smoothie made with some of these foods. These ingredient combinations bring out the best in each other, so your body can function at its best. Pair them together and enjoy! BEANS AND RICE This simple staple meal for many Latin American

Last April, Aaron and Tunica got the chance to attend one of Shalom’s afterschool programs. Aaron created a mock trial to help the kids understand every step of the legal process and his responsibilities as a personal injury attorney. “What stayed with me most about spending time with the kids was their energy,” Tunica said. She loved that they all had a desire to learn about Aaron’s job. Aaron said he was glad to support Clarkston, and he hoped to work with Inspire again in the future. “It’s a very special community,” he said. Moving to a new country where you don’t know the language or the culture is hard. It can take years to fully adjust to unfamiliar surroundings, but thankfully, programs like Inspire, and organizations like Shalom International Ministry, make the transition a little easier.

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PREVENT THE ACCIDENT BEFORE IT HAPPENS 3 STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTING DRUNK DRIVING

Labor Day, which falls on Sept. 2 this year, is the fourth deadliest holiday to be out on the road. And, while it’s good to be extra vigilant on days when people are more likely to be drinking, accidents with drunk drivers can happen any time. Even though it’s illegal, drunk driving kills almost 30 people every day due to auto accidents. Here are a few ways you can stay safe.

drive home under the influence, offer to call them a cab or a ride-share service. STAY WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY If you’re out of options for getting home safely at night, see if you can stay the night with friends or family, depending on where you’re drinking. Similarly, if you’re the one hosting the party, it might be wise to prepare accommodations for party-goers without an option to safely get home. EDUCATE YOUR KIDS Kids and teens are introduced to alcohol at younger and younger ages. Some organizations call the days between Memorial Day and Labor Day “The Deadliest Days of Summer”

because teens are more likely to be involved in drunk driving accidents. If you’re a parent, be honest with your child about the dangers of drinking and driving, and prevent the accident before it happens. Soon, the seasons will change, and holiday season will be upon us. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve all increase the likelihood of accidents involving drunk driving. But, if you are aware of the dangers of drunk driving and do your part to help others make good decisions, you can help make the roads a little bit safer.

PLAN YOUR TRANSPORTATION AHEAD OF TIME

Don’t go out drinking without a way to get home safely. Moreover, don’t wait until after you’ve already started drinking to plan your exit strategy. If you see someone who looks like they’re trying to get into their car and

TAKE A BREAK

AVOCADO AND MANGO SALSA

www.ChopChopFamily.org/Recipe/Avocado-and-mango-salsa

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, and cubed • 1 ripe mango, peeled, pitted, and cubed • 12 cherry tomatoes, cut in half

• 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 tbsp fresh lemon or lime juice • 1⁄4 tsp salt • 1⁄4 tsp black pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, place the avocado, mango, and tomatoes and gently stir with the large spoon. 2. Drizzle with the oil and lemon or lime juice. Add salt and pepper to taste. 3. Cover and refrigerate up to 4 hours, or serve right away over grains or greens.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

150 E. PONCE DE LEON AVENUE, SUITE 200 DECATUR, GEORGIA 30030

WWW.247LAW.COM 678-210-3954

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1

Getting to Know Debbie Isbitts

2

The Ingredients for Holistic Health

2

Inside Inspire: A Shalom Afterschool Initiative

3

Strategies for Preventing Drunk Driving

3

Avocado and Mango Salsa

4

Find the Right Workout for You

SWEAT SMART WHICH WORKOUT WILL HELP YOU MEET YOUR GOALS?

With hot yoga, barre, Pilates, weightlifting, kickboxing, and more, personal fitness companies offer every workout you need to stay in shape. But sometimes, having dozens of choices can be more anxiety-inducing than having just a few. When it comes to finding the right workout to help you reach your goal, whether it’s weight loss, better balance, or more muscle, it’s best to seek advice from the experts. DROP IT LIKE A POUND When it comes to weight loss, full-body workouts, like swimming, running, and cycling, are the most effective. "The more muscles you have to incorporate, the more calories you're going to burn because those muscles all require energy in order to work," Nike Master Trainer Holly Rilinger told SELF magazine. Regardless

of the activity you choose, Rilinger recommends interval training as the best method. By combining bursts of intense effort with periods of active rest, you can keep your heart rate jumping and those calories burning. WAX ON, WAX OFF The words “balance” and “workout” are generally associated with yoga, and while it’s true that yogis are champions of standing on one foot, so are martial artists. According to an article published by the martial arts academy chain Evolve MMA, “Martial arts works out the entire body, from the base, to the upper torso, to the all- important core ... Practicing martial arts will improve your balance, which then, of course, improves the quality of your life.” By incorporating martial arts and yoga into your workout regimen, you’ll be able

to perform impressive party tricks and stay on your feet if you lose your balance.

DO YOU EVEN LIFT, BRO? For building muscle and increasing your strength, nothing beats weightlifting, whether you’re using dumbbells at home or machines at the gym. Lifting weights also helps burn fat. Speaking with SELF, Rilinger called the practice "the mother of all weight loss techniques, the highest in the workout food chain, the top of the totem pole.” Of course, the most important thing to consider when choosing a workout is whether you enjoy it enough to squeeze it into your schedule. If you resent every drop of sweat, it will undoubtedly take you longer to reach your goal than if you look forward to the challenge.

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