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THE SILVER LINING To Your Life & Health
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THROUGH THICK AND THIN
The Strength of Family Unity
For many of us, no set of people is more important or influential to our lives than our families. A famous saying states, “You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family,” and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My family consists of some of the most supportive, encouraging, and kind people I’ve ever met, and they continually push me to be the best version of myself. Although there are times when we may frustrate each other, I wouldn’t trade my family for anything. Throughout the next few months, we’ll get many opportunities to connect and appreciate our families as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, National Family Day, Christmas, and New Year’s. My family is incredibly close, and we’re in constant communication with one another. We’re in a group chat together, and it’s not uncommon for someone to wish everyone a good morning or send their love every single day. We’ll also regularly meet for dinner, but getting everyone together is proving to be more difficult since my children and niece started college. My son is at Howard University in Washington, D.C., my daughter is at Duke University in North Carolina, and my niece just started her first semester at Spelman College here in Atlanta.
We had a nice sendoff dinner for my niece at Rumi’s Kitchen before she began her semester. Everyone came and had a great time together! One thing I love about my family is
attend Mardi Gras. Once my sister and I started talking, we had a great time reminiscing. Although my family has shared plenty of good times together, it’s not always giggles and laughter. If we see someone making the wrong decisions or going down a troubled path, we speak up and try to set them straight. It’s helped on countless occasions. If your friends and family are watching you do detrimental things, they’re probably not in your corner. Another thing that I want you to know is that I consider each and every one of you part of my extended family. I care about your well-being and want to put you in the best position going forward, just as if we were blood-related. In turn, you all have placed your trust in me and helped me provide for my immediate family. We should treasure the memories and relationships we have built with our families. In many instances, family members have helped shape us into the people we are today! –Duane Hamilton
how willing everyone is to pitch in and help. When I broke my wrist and ankle last year, my dad stepped up and helped me immensely. When the kids were younger,
everyone offered to drive them to school or other events. My mom retired from the school system last year and decided to travel to visit her grandchildren while they were away at college, ensuring they were okay and had everything they needed. It feels great knowing that I have these amazing people to rely on and that they can depend on me for anything they need. While many people can pinpoint the moments they felt closest to their family, such as childhood or the birth of the first child in a new generation, I’ve always felt close to my family, especially my siblings. In early August, I had dinner with my youngest sister for her birthday, and we talked about our different experiences. She told me about visiting our other sister at college in New Orleans, which I didn’t even realize she did! I also went to New Orleans to visit my sister and
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Small Joys, Big Difference:
Overcoming Depression
In the U.S., 21 million people report having at least one major depressive episode, while 17.3 million adults live with major depressive disorders.
No. 2: Take a walk — literally! Research shows that for some people, even a little bit of exercise (like a short walk) not only
reduces their current symptoms but can also prevent future depressive episodes. Even if you can only walk around the block, it will still help your mind and body. No. 3: Do things YOU enjoy. The fatigue that depression brings can feel more powerful than your desire to enjoy your do something enjoyable, even if it seems minor. This will boost your mood and motivate you to continue engaging in activities. hobbies. Push back against this as much as possible and
When someone feels depressed, there isn’t much anyone can do to help them. However, someone suffering from depression can do a few things to help
ease their symptoms. No. 1: Be gentle with yourself. When you feel depressed,
you’re not going to accomplish the same number of tasks or be as productive as you usually would — and that’s okay! Be open and accepting of your current state, and take pride in your progress that day, no matter how small.
Ensure a Safe Journey
Top Ride-Share Safety Measures to Adopt
Ride-share services have become more prevalent than ever before. Services like Uber and Lyft are available nationwide and have made travel more convenient for millions of individuals. We commonly use ride-shares to get around town, for airport pickup in unfamiliar cities, and to take us home after a few too many drinks. While ride-share services have provided convenience and helped keep intoxicated drivers off the road, there are still some safety concerns you should be aware of whenever ordering this service. Here are some tips to protect you the next time you call a Lyft or Uber. Identify your driver before getting in their vehicle. When you call a ride-share service to take you someplace, they give you plenty of information about your driver. They’ll provide the make and model of the vehicle picking you up, the license plate number, a picture of your driver, and their name. When they arrive at your location, verify all of this information. Make sure the license plate matches and the make and model are correct. Ask the driver for their name
instead of saying, “Are you blank ?” Occasionally,
people who failed the background check will drive under a friend’s or relative’s account. If anything doesn’t match their account on the app, cancel the ride and reorder. Stay aware of your surroundings. Once you get in the vehicle, don’t bury your head in your phone. Stay aware to ensure everything goes according to plan. Pull up a map on your phone to confirm that your driver is going to the correct location. Also, pay close attention to any abnormalities with your driver. If you’re riding alone and they try to pressure you into sitting in the front seat, it might be best to find another driver (especially if you’re a female). If your driver is talkative and begins asking personal questions, don’t give them anything they can use to find you on social media or track down your physical address. You won’t need to worry about these situations on most ride-share trips, but knowing what to watch for will help you stay protected.
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How to Stay Safe From Internet Scammers H oliday S hopping H azards
A few months back, we discussed some common financial scams criminals use to dupe unsuspecting individuals. As the holiday season approaches and people begin buying presents for their loved ones, these scammers will up their tactics. Many will use the internet to swindle good-hearted people out of their hard-earned money. We don’t want you to fall into their traps, so we are sharing two of the most common internet scams and how to avoid them! Phishing Phishing attacks have been around since the mid-1990s and have become more elaborate and convincing over the years. Phishing occurs when a cybercriminal sends a fraudulent email, text message, or social media message claiming to be from a reputable company to obtain personal information from an individual. You might get a text from a bank (not necessarily your bank) saying they need information because there’s an issue with your account or an email from Amazon claiming to have a problem with delivery.
Usually, these messages will come from fake email addresses or phone numbers not tied to the “business” messaging you. Never open the link they send or provide them with any personal information. These businesses will likely never contact you, and if you’re questioning whether a message is from a particular company, call their customer service line and ask directly. Fake Sales While scrolling through a website, you might notice an advertisement for an item you’ve previously viewed. Often, these advertisements show sales that are too good to be true. And that’s exactly what they are. While these advertisements are often for marketplace websites like eBay and Mercari, some are much more questionable. These links are often scams designed to steal credit card and personal information. Avoid clicking on these links. If you’re truly compelled to make a purchase through one of these advertisements, conduct additional research to ensure you don’t get scammed.
We are doing something new ... to update you on your 2024 plan benefits, we will be conducting virtual benefit reviews. Be on the lookout for emails and texts for the times and dates for your plan review. If you don’t have access to join virtually you can also dial in. Be on the lookout. I mportant M essage for M edicare C lients
B eet S alad
Inspired by EatingWell.com
Known for their earthy yet sweet flavor, beets are the perfect main ingredient for a delicious fall salad.
INGREDIENTS • 5–6 medium beets
• 1/2 tsp honey • 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 2 tbsp sherry or white-wine vinegar • 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste • 1 large shallot, finely chopped • 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Separate beets between 2 pieces of foil; bring edges together and crimp to make packets. Roast until beets are just tender when pierced with a knife, about 1 1/4 hours. Unwrap beets and let cool. 2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper to make dressing. 3. When beets are cool enough to handle, peel off skins. Cut into 1/2-inch cubes and place in a large bowl. Add celery, shallot, and dressing, then toss to coat well. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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How Family Shapes Our Identity and Values Walking Toward Happiness: Depression’s Antidote How To Stay Safe While Using Rideshare Services Internet Scams You Want to Avoid Beet Salad Use Your Garden’s Fall Bounty for Home Decor!
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TRANSFORM YOUR FALL HARVEST INTO STUNNING INDOOR DECORATIONS!
If you have a backyard garden, you may find yourself looking for new ways to use all the crops you’ve grown. After all, there are only so many pumpkins you can carve, seeds you can roast, or squash you can spaghetti. So, instead of looking up “squash recipes” for the hundredth time this week, consider these indoor decor tips that utilize your garden’s bountiful harvest! A Centerpiece Fall fruits and vegetables make great centerpiece arrangements because they have both seasonal colors and unique textures. Consider arranging a few squash or pumpkins in a bowl or basket and topping them with a
bouquet of festive flowers. You can also mix herbs like basil, parsley, thyme, or rosemary into the bouquet for fragrance and a fuller appearance. Play with the different shapes and sizes of your gourds. Have them lean against each other or stack them for variation and depth in your display. A Natural Wreath Fresh herbs, flowers, or leaves from your fall harvest are perfect for an autumn wreath. All you need is a wreath form, which you can buy from your local craft store or online, and some floral U-pins. Use large leaves as a base (pumpkin leaves are great), then layer on
smaller seasonal herbs such as sage, rosemary, or oregano. Finally, attach some flowers to it! Squash or pumpkin blossoms work beautifully, but you can use any seasonal flower you have growing. An Autumnal Herb Swag A “door swag” is a traditional holiday decoration, and it’s an easy way to add some color to your door without creating an entire wreath. To make a swag, grab a few bundles of your favorite herbs, secure the stems with a rubber band, wrap them with twine, and tie them off, leaving a few inches of twine on both sides. Then, tie those ends together to form a loop and hang the swag on your door!
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