THE LEGAL NAVIGATOR JUNE 2018
FROM THE DESK OF
Mike Bryan
Welcome to the new and improved Stubbins, Watson, Bryan & Witucky Co., L.P.A. newsletter! You will see some changes to our website over the next few months, as well as upgrades to the outside of our office building. We hope that all of these improvements together will make for a fresh new look for our firm. With this newsletter we hope to provide articles for you each month, some of which are educational in nature and others that are, well … hopefully entertaining! If you have friends or family who you think could benefit from reading our newsletter, feel free to pass it along to them as well. As always, if you have questions or suggestions for any upcoming newsletters please let us know. Soon, you will see that our new website refers to our office as “Navigators of Law”. We will be charting you through the legal complexities of life and focusing on planning for individuals, families and businesses. We look forward to working with you!
If you’re like most Americans, you probably refer to your summer cookouts as barbecues. Despite this common shorthand, slapping some burgers and dogs on a scorching-hot grill doesn’t resemble actual barbecue at all. What“true”barbecue means varies from region to region, but at its core, barbecue is about cookingmeat slowly over woodsmoke. Celebrated food author Michael Pollan explores the origin of this American cuisine in his book,“Cooked.” After years of research and hundreds of meals, he favors the definition of barbecue provided to himby an Alabama pitmaster named Sy Erskine:“The mystic communion of fire, smoke, andmeat in the total absence of water.” When you begin researching different styles of barbecue, however, you realize that nearly everything else surrounding barbecue is a matter of debate. Barbecue, like the country that created it, is influenced by multiple nations and cultures. It exists in various forms across the country, particularly in the South, its spiritual homeland. Wherever you go, you’ll find pitmasters and eaters arguing over the merits of beef versus pork, vinegar versus tomato, andmany other characteristics. While it would take countless hours to become a barbecue expert, familiarizing yourself with the major styles will certainly make you the voice of wisdom at your next summer get-together. North Carolina Perhaps the most stringent school of barbecue is found in eastern North Carolina. Here, barbecue does not somuch describe a style of cooking as it does one particular item: a slow- smoked, chopped whole hog, seasoned with a sauce of vinegar and pepper. The pork here is not pulled, and it contains none of the sweeter, tomato-based sauces you’ll find on grocery store shelves. The traditional side is a finely chopped coleslaw. WHAT IS BARBECUE, REALLY? Exploring America’s Favorite Cuisine
- Mike Bryan
Continued on page 2 ...
740-452-8484 • 1
Cover story, continued ...
The Skylight Inn in Ayden, NC, is perhaps America’s most famous restaurant serving this uber-traditional style of barbecue, but its pitmaster, Sam Jones, is not the type to venerate one style of cooking above all others.“I believe there’s a place for all types of barbecues,”he says. Even with such an inclusive mindset, don’t expect beef brisket to show up on his menus anytime soon. Texas In the Lone Star State, on the other hand, beef predominates pork, and brisket is the most iconic cut. Central Texas barbecue is primal and unabashedly smoky. It owes its heritage in part to Germanmeat markets of the 1800s, but it’s a creation all its own. Sauce is often frowned upon here, as it obscures the flavor of the smoke. Dry rub is the only addition to the potent mixture of fire, wood, smoke, and meat. As the rub caramelizes, it creates a crust, known as bark, around the meat. In addition to brisket, you’ll also find beef sausage and short ribs on traditional Texas
here, but a few dishes and techniques are worthy of a brief mention. In St. Louis, the deckle or point of the brisket is smoked longer than the rest, creating burnt ends. South Carolina pitmasters are fond of a mustard-based sauce known as“Carolina gold.”For eaters withmore adventurous palates, Kentucky barbecue, which often features mutton, is worth trying. At its heart, barbecue reflects the nation that created it. It’s diverse, creative, and simultaneously humble and sophisticated. While American barbecue is fundamentally its own thing, you can find cuisines from every corner of the globe that take advantage of the unique deliciousness of smokedmeat. If you’re curious about the ways people from Korea to Denmark are making this ancient method of cooking their own, check out the “BBQ”episode of“Ugly Delicious”on Netflix. Nomatter which style you believe reigns supreme, barbecue is the perfect food for summer.
barbecue menus. These are humble cuts, widely available and inexpensive. The magic results come from a combination of technique and time. Aaron Franklin, proprietor of Austin’s legendary Franklin Barbecue, writes, “The fact that inTexas barbecue you’re taking one of the worst pieces of the animal and converting it into one of the best is a miracle itself.” Tennessee Memphis-style is the closest representation of what most people think of as barbecue. Pork ribs and pulled pork are the stars here. Memphis is also the birthplace of the tomato- based barbecue sauces you’re probably familiar with. That sauce covers pulled pork shoulder and is also slathered on“wet”ribs. “Dry”ribs, as youmight expect, feature only a dry rub of salt, sugar, and spices. Other Regions There are far more regional specialties and characteristics than we have space to cover
bed. RVs are also able to provide electricity, which gives you air conditioning, a stove, and a hot shower. And let’s not forget about private flushable toilets. An RV is also a must when camping in bear country. Some areas require campers to use hard-sided shelters for safety reasons. For many people, camping promises an escape from the business of modern life. If you really want to get away from it all and immerse yourself in nature, there’s no substitute for tent camping. An RV is like a miniature portable house. You can bring the comfort of your home with you, but you might not feel as close to nature. It all boils down to preference. You may be someone who enjoys being surrounded by nature in a tent, or you may prefer to have a toilet that flushes. Whichever camping experience you choose, remember to enjoy yourself and relax! RVs vs. Tents Which Is Better for Your Camping Trip?
Are you Team RV or Team Tent? Die-hard tent campers swear you’re not “roughing it” unless you sleep on the ground with nothing but canvas and the stars above you. On the other hand, RV lovers will point out that there’s nothing heroic about freezing to death at night (or going to the woods without a TV). Neither camping method is better than the other, but each has its pros and cons. Tent camping is generally the less expensive option; two-person tents start at $40. The price of an RV can range up to $50,000 or more. Site fees for tents are also cheaper (or free) because they’re smaller and don’t require electricity or septic tank services. You just need a flat spot for your gear. A folded tent will fit into nearly any vehicle, and you can stow it in a closet when you get home. An RV will require dedicated parking space between trips. When it comes to comfort, RVs have it made. Air mattresses or foam sleeping mats are never going to be as comfortable as a real
2 • swbwlawfirm.com
IMPROVE COGNITIVE FUNCTION INMINUTES How Meditation Helps You Maintain Brain Health
The Hippocampus Your hippocampus helps you process and form new memories, and it’s very sensitive to stress. In fact, research shows that your hippocampus will shrink in response to stressful situations and chronic stress. The remedy? Meditation. Dr. Lazar’s study showed a positive correlation between meditation and a higher concentration of gray matter in the
Meditation has often been touted by New Age gurus as a way to find inner peace and stillness. But what if meditating could reduce the effects of aging on your brain? According to research, taking a few minutes out of your day to meditate may improve cognitive function. As meditation’s popularity has spread, so have studies of the practice. The results of 100 studies examining the cognitive effects of meditation all show evidence of improvements in psychological and cognitive functions. Some of the results are intuitive, such as how meditation helps us deal with stress. But other results are incontrovertible, such as scans showing that meditation causes structural changes in the brain. For people facing age-related changes like memory loss, the results of these tests are especially relevant. The studies point to evidence that meditation can strengthen certain areas of the brain — the prefrontal cortex, the hippocampus, and the amygdala — that weaken as we age. The Prefrontal Cortex Your prefrontal cortex thins with age, which is associated with decreased cognitive function in your later years. However, meditation may reduce this age-related thinning. Dr. Sara Lazar, a neuroscientist specializing in the effects of yoga and meditation on cognitive and behavioral function, reports that long-time meditators don’t show a decline in the thickness of the prefrontal cortex.
left hippocampus. The Amygdala
Often called the fear center of the brain, the amygdala is triggered by stressful situations. But unlike the hippocampus, which shrinks in response to stress, the amygdala has been shown to become denser. In one study, people who attended mindfulness meditation classes showed a smaller stress response in brain scans compared to those who did not attend the classes. Meditation may help to decrease the density of the amygdala and therefore increase your ability to handle stress. Of course, in addition to these benefits, there’s a good chance that five minutes of meditation each day will simply make you feel better. People who meditate report an increase in overall well-being. Why not give it a try?
Take a Break!
ICE CREAM SANDWICHES Oatmeal Cookie
Ingredients
• •
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
• • • • •
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 ounces store-bought waffle cones, lightly crushed
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 large egg yolk
• •
1 1/2 cups oats
2 teaspoons vanilla extract 4 pints ice cream (any flavor)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 F. While oven is heating, cook butter in saucepan over mediumheat until browned, 5–8 minutes. Scrape browned butter into a heatproof measuring glass. 2. Pulse waffle cones, oats, flour, and salt in a food processor or blender. Once cones are finely ground, add brown sugar and pulse again. tablespoons water in a small bowl. 4. Add egg mixture to food processor while spinning on low. Once integrated, slowly add browned 3. Whisk egg yolk, vanilla, and 2
butter; blend until dough forms a solid mass around blades. 5. Form dough into 26 balls and place 2 inches apart on a parchment- lined baking sheet. Flatten balls and bake 12–15 minutes or until edges begin to brown. 6. Let cool, then spread ice cream between cookies to make sandwiches. 7. Freeze for up to 5 days —or enjoy today!
Inspired by BonAppetit
740-452-8484 • 3
Stubbins Watson Bryan & Witucky Co., L.P.A.
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
59 N. 4th St., Zanesville, Ohio 43701
M–Th: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fri: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
740-452-8484 swbwlawfirm.com
INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of Mike PAGE 1 The Great Barbecue Debate PAGE 1 RV vs. Tent Camping PAGE 2 HowMeditation Can Help the Aging Brain PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches PAGE 3 Cut Down on Flight Costs WithThis Simple Rule PAGE 4
THE BEST TIME TO BOOK A FLIGHT Save Big on Airfare With This Simple Rule
In case you haven’t noticed, traveling is expensive . It can feel like you’re signing away your soul when you sit down to plan a vacation. But when it comes to flights, there’s good news: They’re getting cheaper! According to a 2017 report published by online travel company ODIGEO, long- distance trips across Europe fell 7 percent last year. Luckily, the same trend is reflected in North American airlines as they engage in a price war to woo a growing base of ultrafrugal travelers. Still, a $600 summer flight to Honolulu isn’t exactly pocket change. What’s worse, flight prices are slippery; CheapAir. com’s 2017 Annual Airfare Study determined that the fares for any given trip go up or down an average of 71 times, about $33 each shift.
When you purchase your flight is nearly as important as where you’re going. But how do you choose a booking window that will maximize your savings? According to the CheapAir.com study, in which they evaluated 921 million airfares, the best time to book is 21–105 days in advance of your flight, on average. If you want to get even more specific, try to book 55–75 days out, and book on a Sunday. Many travelers swear by Tuesday and Wednesday bookings, but as Condé Nast Traveler reports, Expedia and the Airlines Reporting
Corporation say that Sunday is the way to go, based on data from billions of flights. Tuesday andWednesday are usually the cheapest days to actually fly, though. The CheapAir.com study also pinpoints the absolute best windows for specific seasons: 54 days for winter trips, 75 days for spring, 76 days for summer, and 45 days for fall. Of course, these are averages, but if you stick to these rules and check fares regularly on sites like Kayak. com, SkyScanner.com, Momondo.com, and on the handy app Hopper, you can
rest easy knowing you’re getting close to the best price possible.
4 • swbwlawfirm.com
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker