Council & Associates January 2019

Chronicles JANUARY 2019 COUNCIL

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W hen I think about starting a new year, I recall fond memories of my grandmother, Netha. She was a matriarchal figure in our family and the person everyone looked to for guidance and advice. She also had a laundry list of traditions and superstitions that needed to be performed GROWING UP, I WAS TOLD THAT STARTING THE YEAR FRESH REQUIRES MAKING SURE THERE’S NOTHING LEFT OVER FROM THE PREVIOUS ONE.

The New Year Is Here SO THE HOUSE BETTER BE SPOTLESS!

includes removing the Christmas tree. Though the kids protest against it, there’s no chance they’ll change my mind. The reason behind the frantic cleaning is symbolic. Growing up, I was told that starting the year fresh requires making sure there’s nothing left over from the previous one. It’s hard to begin 2019 with a clean slate if you still

Now that I’ve shared a couple straightforward traditions, I’ll recall one that’s a little foggier. I remember distinctly that we always wanted the first person to walk through the door in the new year to be a man. Why we were so adamant about it, I can’t recall. I’ve Googled this superstition and found varying reasons for why people do it, but none of them strike me as superstitions Grandma would’ve believed. Whatever the case, watching the door after midnight and in the morning of New Year’s was definitely a tradition in our household. While New Year’s is a time to look back on family traditions and cultural heritage, it’s also a time to look forward to a new year full of hope and adventure. I’m looking forward to traveling to new locales in 2019, as well as expanding my practice and focusing on my family. What are your goals for the next 12 months?

every New Year’s Eve before the calendar turned over. Many of these traditions have been

passed down through the generations and are still integral parts of our family’s end- of-year celebrations. The first of those — and the one that drives my husband and kids crazy — is that the house has to be pristine before the clock

have unwashed clothes or uncleaned cabinets from 2018. Makes sense, right?

Our New Year’s day meal also has significance beyond merely being delicious. Every year, we make collard greens, black-eyed peas, and hog jowls in hopes of a prosperous 12 months. The greens represent dollars, and the peas stand for cents. While hog jowls represent health, prosperity, and progress. New Year’s is about the only time I can get my kids to eat black-eyed peas. Hopefully their palates evolve over time and black-eyed peas become more than just an annual treat.

Happy New Year from everyone here at Council & Associates!

strikes 12. And I don’t just mean clean; I mean spotless. There can’t

be any unwashed laundry in the house or it will lead to a year of bad luck. As Netha’s granddaughter, I follow this rule every year. When we wake up on Dec. 31, no one rests until the house is up to her standards. This

–Lashonda Council- Rogers, Esq.

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IS YOUR AUTO INSURANCE READY FOR 2019? WHY YOU SHOULD LOOK AT YOUR POLICY Saying you should have auto insurance coverage is about as profound as saying the sky is blue. The fact of the matter is that you probably already know you need insurance, but you may not know just how important certain clauses in your policy can be. As a result, thoroughly reviewing your policy is one of the best things you can do at the start of the year. The most important clauses to look at are the uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) portions of your policy. UM/UIM coverage is designed to cover damages sustained in excess of the at-fault party’s insurance. In Georgia, the minimum liability amounts are $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 in property damage per accident. As such, you should never assume an at-fault driver has more coverage than these values. If you’re in a serious accident, you can blow past this amount in a hurry, which is why UM/UIM coverage is so important. Georgia law doesn’t mandate any UM/UIM coverage, but it does require insurance providers to make a “meaningful offer” of such policies. That means you may not know whether you have this coverage or not. To make matters even more confusing, there are two different types of UM/ UIM coverage available in the state.

During the winter, colds and flu viruses spread like wildfire. Getting sick can be hard to avoid, and once you are sick, you want nothing more than for it to be over. While there is no way to certainly avoid getting sick, there are ways to speed up your recovery. Next time you’re suffering from a cold, try these remedies to get back on your feet faster. Elderberry Syrup Also referred to as elderberry extract, this syrup is made from a plant called European elder. It can be purchased at many health food stores or made at home (but use caution when doing this, since raw or undercooked elderberries are toxic). Many people swear by the berries’ ability to ease congestion and relieve a number of other cold symptoms. Plus, elderberry syrup is known for having anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, making it an ideal tool for fighting the common cold. Some research even suggests that it can shorten flu symptoms by up to three days. Eucalyptus If you’re suffering from congestion or can’t stop coughing, eucalyptus may offer the relief you’re looking for. Available in several different forms, including syrup, oil, and dried leaves, eucalyptus can be used as an expectorant or to relieve a sore throat. Try adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the water in a humidifier. The results are remarkably soothing! Zinc While many people turn to vitamin C to hurry through a cold, that’s not the only supplement you should focus on. In fact, an overwhelming number of studies show that vitamin C does absolutely nothing to help shorten a cold. Instead, take zinc. You can find it as a nasal spray or lozenge, or even as part of a vitamin C supplement. One study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that those who took zinc reduced their cold recovery time by half. Cold symptoms among those taking a zinc supplement lasted about four days, while symptoms among those taking a placebo lasted about eight days. 3 EASY WAYS TO RECOVER QUICKLY FROM A COLD

The first, and usually preferable, type of UM/UIM insurance is known as “stacking” or “add-on” coverage. This type of UM/UIM is always available to you, regardless of the other driver’s coverage. The second option is

called “non-stacking” or “traditional” coverage. In this type of policy, only what’s left after subtracting the other driver’s policy coverage will be available to you. That means if you have $100,000 in non-stacking and the other driver has $25,000 in coverage, you only qualify for $75,000 in UM/UIM. This math is why “stacking” coverage is a better fit for most policies.

Regardless of the nature of your policy or the vehicle you drive, it makes sense to know exactly how much coverage you have and what it’s for. Take a look at your policy as 2019 begins to make sure there are no glaring holes.

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3 Ways

TO USE LEFTOVER CANDY DURING THE OH-SO-SWEET HOLIDAY SEASON

Sometimes we get a little too much of the sweet stuff. Between Halloween and New Year’s Day, candy is everywhere. It’s at home, at work, and on store shelves. Then, as the year comes to an end, many people start thinking about eating right and losing weight. When those are your New Year’s resolutions, you have to do something about all the leftover candy so it’s not around come Jan. 1.

wrapped and packaged candy to your local food bank or other nonprofits, including local homeless or women’s shelters. You can also look into donating candy to nearby schools. Many teachers will gladly take candy off your hands to reward students (or themselves) with treats throughout the rest of the school year. Bake with it. Whether you have an excess of candy corn or candy bars, you can bake with your sweet leftovers. The next time you make chocolate chip cookies, swap out the chocolate chips for candy corn. Or the next time you make brownies, chop up leftover candy bars and add them to the

batter. From peanut butter cups to mint patties, there are so many different types of candies that can take traditional baked goods to the next level. Store it. Although not great for you, candy is fine to eat in moderation. A good way to moderate your holiday treat intake is to store your leftover sweets in the freezer. That way, you can pull a little from your supply each month to make sure you aren’t overdoing it. That said, be sure to check the expiration dates on all candy you save.

Here are a few ways to get rid of your leftover candy ASAP.

Donate it. While you may have an abundance of sweets, not everyone does. Consider donating

Local Business Spotlight

GREENE’S FINE FOODS Delicious treats are always a great option for that hard-to-shop-for person on your holiday gift list. In our neck of the woods, you can find no better option for these confections than Greene’s Fine

Foods in Decatur. Managed by the mother-and-son team of Jane and Phil Greene, the shop creates delectable gift tins and other fun packages.

PHIL AND JANE GREENE

While their offerings are numerous, Greene’s is best known for their insanely tasty Georgia pecans. From simple-roasted nuts to glazed and praline varieties, you’ll find a gift tin that’s perfectly suited for the person you’re buying for. You can also order high-quality candies and chocolates from Greene’s, making it a one-stop shop for all things festive and flavorful. If you own a business or are hoping to buy gifts in bulk, Greene’s will also customize packaging with your logo and a greeting card. Their products are beyond compare, and their service is exceptional. You can go to www.GreenesFineFoods.com for more information and to order a box. Remember, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner!

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Inside

FAMILY TRADITIONS TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR 1 HAVE A COLD? RECOVER FASTER! THE VALUE OF READING YOUR INSURANCE POLICY 2 THE BEST WAYS TO USE LEFTOVER CANDY

THE BEST GEORGIA PECANS AND MORE 3 NEW YEAR’S TRADITIONS 4

New Year’s Superstitions

HOW DIFFERENT CULTURES CELEBRATE FromAround the Globe

In this month’s cover article, I share some of

the traditions and superstitions that my family associates with New Year’s. To help make us sound a little less out there, I thought it would be fun to compile a short list of other ways people around the globe conjure good luck at the changing of the calendar. PACKING FOR ADVENTURE It’s a traditional Latin American practice to leave an empty suitcase outside your door in hopes of bringing about a year full of travel. Some people even go so far as to walk around the block with their luggage for a little extra good fortune. DON’T CRY OVER SPILT ICE CREAM Given Switzerland’s reputation as a dessert hotspot, it’s no surprise the nation has a superstition involving sweet treats. Locals throw

a scoop of ice cream on the

ground as the clock strikes midnight in a gesture that’s believed to guarantee a year of abundance.

appliances by literally throwing them out

the window. They certainly take the phrase “out with the old, in with the new” seriously.

DANCIN’ THE EVIL SPIRITS AWAY In Romania, New Year’s Eve isn’t complete without participating in a “Bear Dance.” The tradition features locals dancing in bear costumes and it is thought to deter evil spirits for the entirety of the coming year. LOOK OUT BELOW! A practice that might cause a riot anywhere else on earth is a part of the New Year’s celebration in Johannesburg, South Africa. There, it’s customary to discard old furniture and

WELL, IT’S ALMOST CHAMPAGNE Most of us ring in the year with bubbles, but in Spain, they prefer the prefermented form. People put a single grape in their mouths with each strike of the clock. If you can manage to fit in a full 12, you’re destined for a great year. Does your family have any unique superstitions at New Year’s? If so, we’d love to hear about them. Just don’t throw a couch at us!

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