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Review Brooks & Crowley
March 2024
781-251-0555
www.brooksandcrowley.com
439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026
*Services Throughout Massachusetts
LAWYER TURNED FAMILY CHEF Keeping Food Nutritious and Delicious
Sometimes, being a parent can feel like being a private chef for some discerning and particular clients —
adventurous than pizza and chicken fingers, we have been making some progress lately. I’m happy that my boys aren’t too intimidated to get near the stove and cook themselves a simple meal, but now
with dietary restrictions, preferences, and a hankering for the usual favorites. When I learned March was National Nutrition Month, I got to reminiscing about my childhood and my parents’ passion for great food. Growing up, my parents were excellent cooks, and their love for the kitchen rubbed off on me — so much so that throughout high school and college, I worked at an Italian bakery, where we made just about anything you could think of. Some of my favorite memories from those days were when I worked holidays or late shifts, and we would treat ourselves by swapping out the usual bread or cake dough for some home-cooked meals, which we would bake in the oven and share with the whole crew.
I want them to work on healthier, more complex recipes so they can continue to become more self-dependent. Trying to keep the food we serve at our house healthy while also making it delicious is a challenge. We have to consider the sodium, fat content, and what’s in this or that when we are planning our meals. One of my biggest triumphs has been getting my boys into seafood. When we first introduced them to salmon, their reaction was a collective groan. But now, it’s become a household staple, and we try to have seafood at the house at least two or three times a week.
Whatever we baked in those ovens for ourselves always ended up tasting great, which taught me that making yourself a good meal after a long day of work is definitely worth it. Mimicking that tradition, my mom — who works with us at the firm — always brings in all sorts of great treats for everyone to enjoy. While my daughter is away at college, my boys are still at home, and I am trying to share my love of the kitchen with them — but I haven’t always been totally successful. Our kids’ responses range from “Sure, I’ll give it a try” to “No way” (complete with fake gagging), so it’s important to strike a fine balance between offering familiar foods alongside some new ones. While the challenge initially was getting any of my kids to try foods more
Getting my sons to eat their vegetables has been more difficult, but I feel getting some green in your diet is a key part of staying healthy, so I’m keeping at it. I am trying to wear them down by serving more vegetable-based meals, and am hoping they completely surrender to the strong gravitational pull of my deliciously cooked Brussels sprouts and cauliflower before too long. But on occasion, as a reward for eating (sorta) well, we all like to put nutrition aside for a tried and true classic: pizza night. –Steve Brooks
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Some of History’s Quirkiest Moments
Grab your time travel hats! We are peeling back the layers of the past to reveal a few stories you won’t find in the history books, though history class would have been much more fun if they were! When Stillness Created History Imagine a bustling Parisian street filled with life and
on train car wheels responded to their axles. In 1879, Mary Elizabeth Walton held two patents for reducing smokestack emissions. Tale of the Tallest Buildings The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and last
remaining of the original seven wonders of the world. For 4,000 years, this architectural marvel was the tallest building in the world. But all reigns must end, and in 1311, the
activity. A photographer is there, about to take the first known photograph of a person. But the only person still enough to photograph was a man getting his shoes shined — the exposure time then was several hours, almost a whole day’s work! So, the shoe- shining duo became unexpected celebrities in history as the subject of the first known photograph of humans in 1838. A Whistle Stop for Women’s Contributions When trains first thundered across the American landscape, some women wouldn’t ride them — a bizarre myth emerged claiming that traveling at speeds of 50 mph would cause their uteruses to fly out of their
Lincoln Cathedral in England claimed the crown. It was the tallest building for 237 years until its spire collapsed in 1548. However, it was still the tallest building ever built until the Ulm Minster in Germany set a new record in 1890 — it’s still the tallest church in the world. Shorts Shook the World In the sizzling summer of 1937, something extraordinary happened on the streets of Toronto that changed fashion forever. Two daring women went out in public wearing shorts. Yes, shorts! The sight was so unusual that it drew overwhelming attention and even caused a car wreck! While this moment caused quite a stir, it wasn’t until after World War II that shorts gained popularity.
bodies! Thankfully, at least two women saw past the strange notion to propose genuine improvements in the iron horses. In 1870, Eliza Murfey held 16 patents for her inventions to improve how bearings
Rules and Laws to Follow Keeping Your Airbnb Legal
Whether it’s only for a weekend when you’re out-of-town, or it serves as a more permanent source of secondary income, many property owners in the Boston area have decided to be hosts on Airbnb. With nearly 20,000 available Airbnbs in the Boston area, the business is relevant and booming. However, while this can be a great way to earn some extra cash, there are factors you need to consider and laws you must follow to ensure you are legally qualified to host an Airbnb on your property. Register With the City In Boston, those hosting short-term rentals (28 days or less) are required to register with the city. Boston’s short-term rental program allows for rentals to take place in owner- occupied condominiums or single-family, two-family, and three-family dwellings. But for two-family buildings and above, the host
must own all of the units. Bed and breakfasts, executive suites, and corporate apartments are not exempt from this rule, and all must be registered as well. If you meet the city’s requirements, you can register on the Boston city website by paying a $200 fee. Get Your License In addition to registering your property with the city, you will also need a short-term rental license, which can also be obtained from the Boston city website. Your license must be renewed yearly, and licenses do not transfer with the sale of your property. No Disorderly Conduct After your paperwork is sorted, you still need to make sure everyone renting from you is behaving themselves. If your unit is subject to three or more of the following violations
within a six-month period, your short-term rental license will be suspended:
• • •
Excessive Noise
Improper Trash Disposal
Disorderly Conduct
If you are currently hosting an Airbnb and do not currently meet the licensure and registration requirements, you will want to remedy that immediately. And for those looking to host an Airbnb in the future, it’s important that you follow these rules so your rental does not fall afoul of city law. Once you meet the requirements and register with the city, you are ready to host!
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PASS THE SLIME! A VISCOUS GAME FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
The Rules Once you have your slime, have the participants sit in chairs arranged in a row just a few feet apart. Everyone should have something over their eyes (disposable masks work perfectly) and a wide bin in front of them. Make sure to have a lot of slime. It can be any color — but the more, the better. 1. The rules are simple, but they need some coordination. 2. The person in front starts things off with their bin filled with slime. 3. They pull their bin over their heads, attempting to spill its contents onto the bin in front of the person behind them (without looking to see where the bin actually is).
Make memories and have fun passing the slime! What makes this game so great? You only need people, chairs, bins, and masks or eye coverings for an unforgettable experience. Slime is the latest and greatest fad among children, and it’s easy to see why: Its unique texture and bright colors keep kids engaged. How to Create Slime Before you can play, you have to make the slime. There are many approaches, but the simplest recipe requires only three ingredients. You can customize it with food coloring and scale up the ingredients for larger quantities.
• • •
8-ounce bottle of Elmer’s white school glue
That person pulls their bin over their head similarly, and so on until the end of the line. Directing the slime is the messy part since participants are blindfolded.
Food coloring of choice
1 1/2–2 tablespoons of contact saline solution or lens cleaner (make sure it contains boric acid or sodium borate)
•
1 tablespoon of baking soda
That’s how you play pass the slime! Hint: If it gets stuck in your hair, try coconut oil. While pass the slime is particularly unique and fun, it’s just one of many ways to play with slime. You can also make art, form bubbles, and more. Children are imaginative and constantly invent new and exhilarating slime activities. The family who slimes together stays together.
To begin, mix the glue and food coloring into a bowl. Stir in 1 1/2 tablespoons of contact solution.
If you want a thicker consistency, add another 1/2 tablespoon. Knead the slime. It will be liquid at first, but it’ll thicken as you work it. After a while, the concoction turns into slime.
Have a Laugh!
Chipotle-Inspired Chicken Burrito Bowl Inspired by EasyChickenRecipes.com
Ingredients
• 2 boneless chicken breasts • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp paprika • 1 tsp cumin • 1/2 tsp chili pepper • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/2 tsp pepper • 1 cup white or brown rice, cooked • 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce • 1 cup canned corn
• 1 cup canned black beans • 1 avocado, cubed • 1/4 cup sour cream • 1/4 cup shredded cheese For Salsa • 1 tbsp chopped cilantro • 1/2 tomato, chopped • 1/2 onion, chopped • 2 tbsp white vinegar • 4 tbsp lime juice • Salt, to taste
directions
1. Cut chicken into bite-size pieces. In a medium-size bowl, add chicken, olive oil, paprika, cumin, chili pepper, salt, and pepper. Mix until chicken is evenly coated. 2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook chicken for 7 minutes or until cooked through. Set aside on a plate. 3. In a large bowl, layer the rice, lettuce, corn, beans, and cooked chicken. 4. In a separate bowl, mix together salsa ingredients, then pour over the chicken mixture. 5. Top with avocado, sour cream, and cheddar cheese. Enjoy!
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439 Washington St. • Dedham, MA 02026
Inside THIS ISSUE
1 How to Keep Family Meals Nutritious and Delicious 2 A Few of History’s Hilarious Quirks How to Make Sure Your Airbnb Is Legal 3 How to Make and Play With Slime Chipotle-Inspired Chicken Burrito Bowl 4 Discover Can’t Miss Events in Dedham
What’s Going On, Boston? See What Dedham Has to Offer
Looking for something new, fun, and interesting to do in the coming months? Luckily, there is no shortage of events coming up to fill your calendar and keep you entertained! Read on to learn more. Dedham Farmers Market Want to taste fresh produce grown by local farmers? Then the Dedham Farmers Market is the right place for you! While the event was held indoors during the winter season, as of March 30, the Dedham Farmers Market is going to be located outside Dedham First Church & Parish on 670 High St., taking place every Saturday from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. From Ackermann Maple Farm, which offers maple syrup, cream, and sugar, to the Wild Robbins Farm, which serves up pork, poultry, and pot pies, there is something to satisfy
everyone’s tastebuds. Aside from produce, the farmers market features a number of handmade items, including porcelain jewelry, kids’ crafts, and candles. Speaker Series If you are interested in learning more about history or current affairs, consider attending one of Dedham’s speaker series events, held at the Dedham Museum & Archive at 612 High St.
Have an interest in politics and current affairs? On March 20, there will be a speaker series about the U.S. vice presidency and the importance of the position leading into the upcoming presidential election. The talk will shed light on past vice presidents who have ascended to the presidency, either through the president’s death or resignation. On April 17, the Historic Jails and Prison Reform in Norfolk County speaker series will detail the past, present, and future of our county jails. Salem Arts Festival On the weekend of June 7–9 in downtown Salem, the Salem Arts Festival brings live music, dance, and theater shows, as well as pop-up art shops and exhibits for everyone to enjoy! Admission is free, and there will be entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.
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