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April 2023
Distracted Driving Puts Everyone in Danger HOW YOU CAN SAVE A WORKER’S LIFE
is even more dangerous. While distracted driving can include fumbling with the radio or navigation, phone use is the most common distraction. Shooting a text can seem like it only takes the blink of an eye, but it takes your focus off the road for 5 whole seconds. In reality, that’s like driving 55 mph down the entire length of a football field with your eyes closed. Terrifying, right? Distracted Driving Awareness month is the right time for you and me to start silencing our notifications whenever we’re in the driver’s seat. Not only for ourselves but for all the drivers we share the roads with. We can do our part to lower the number of those who lose their lives while driving, including people killed while working. Workers’ Memorial Day reminds us that transportation workers take serious risks whenever they clock in. The stakes are high for them nearly every day. Most workers who lost their lives were hard-working manual laborers. These jobs require immense physical effort, and when some are injured, they lose their livelihood. One of the cases I handled struck me strongly. A man with a wife and kids at home had worked for the same truck driving company for 32 years when he was killed in a collision. Cases like this one remind me of my deep respect for these folks — the hard workers, like my father, who use their hands. My dad was a preacher, but he also worked as a bricklayer to supplement this small wage. He did demanding work just to support us. Countless workers are out on the road doing just the same for their families. We have to respect workers on the road and challenge ourselves to stay off our phones whenever we’re in our cars. You can save a worker’s life with your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. It’s as simple as that! I hope you see this month as an opportunity to practice attentive driving and respect every driver out there making a living.
While I love (and sometimes loathe) April Fools’ Day, there are two observances this month that I would rather talk about: Distracted Driving Awareness Month and Workers’ Memorial Day. Yes, I know they’re not as fun, but they’re noteworthy issues dear to me, and they affect us all. April is dedicated to Distracted Driving Awareness and how dangerous it is to be unfocused behind the wheel. Meanwhile, April 28 is Workers’ Memorial Day, which honors all the workers who’ve lost their lives on the job. While these two observances might seem unrelated, you would be stunned at how often distracted driving impacts workers. In my 32 years of practice, I’ve handled at least 50 cases in which a person lost their life on the clock. Some of these deaths were directly caused by distracted driving. Most cases don’t even reach attorneys since insurance companies often settle easily when someone has passed away. As a result, so many of these fatal accidents are kept under the radar. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 5,190 employees died at work in 2021, an 8.9% increase from 2020. Fatal transportation accidents were responsible for the majority of these deaths. These numbers are likely to rise as distracted driving becomes even more prevalent. Distracted driving was the cause of death for 3,142 individuals in 2020. You probably already know how strongly I feel about drunk driving, and I can assure you that texting and driving
–Bryan Ramey
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outdoors, and do not hang your clean laundry outside to dry. After you have been outdoors, remove your clothing and wash your hair and skin to remove any traces of pollen. Do not cut the grass, pull weeds, or do any gardening. Remove pollen from indoor air. It’s inevitable that pollen will get inside your home and vehicle. To combat this, utilize your air conditioning or invest in a certified allergy air filter! A dehumidifier and/or an air purifier will help to lower the pollen spore count in the air. Rinse out your sinuses. When pollen overwhelms your sinus passages, one of the best things to do is to rinse out your airways. A sinus flush with a saline solution is one of the easiest and most effective ways to eliminate the pollen that irritates your respiratory system. Take over-the-counter medications. After checking with your doctor or health care provider, choose an over-the-counter medication that is right for your symptoms. Medications like oral antihistamines, oral decongestants, and corticosteroid nasal sprays are all beneficial in reducing the effects of seasonal allergies. When Pollen Strikes Nipping Spring Allergies in the Bud
Spring has arrived! However, rebirth and renewal aren’t the only things in the air. During spring, trees, weeds, plants, and grasses release small grains of pollen into the air to fertilize other plants. Because the pollen is small and light, it travels through the wind and frequently causes allergic reactions. Symptoms of seasonal allergies include congestion, sneezing, coughing, a runny nose, an itchy throat, watering eyes, and irritation in the roof of your mouth. If you’re prone to experiencing allergies all spring long, here are some useful tips to keep them at bay. Reduce your exposure. During spring months, keep the windows in your home and car closed. On particularly windy or dry days, avoid spending time
Hold the Cheese, Please! McDonald’s Customers Sue for Being Forced to Pay for Cheese
not receive cheese on their burger but were charged the same price as a Quarter Pounder with cheese. Their lawsuit states that they, and other customers who do not want cheese on their burgers, are forced to pay for two slices of cheese anyway, and they sued for damages as a result of being overcharged and required to pay for American cheese when they did not want or receive it on their burger.
In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, things got a little crazy! Two McDonald’s customers sued the fast-food chain for $5 million, alleging they were unfairly charged when they ordered Quarter Pounders without cheese. According to the lawsuit, the fast-food restaurant chain historically had four menu options: a Quarter Pounder with cheese, a Double Quarter Pounder with cheese, a Quarter Pounder, and a Double Quarter Pounder. The “with cheese” options were roughly between 30 cents and 90 cents more expensive than the “without cheese” burgers. At some point, McDonald’s discontinued the “without cheese” options.
According to USA Today, a McDonald’s spokesperson advised that the company does its best to allow customers to customize their food orders. If someone doesn’t want cheese as it is listed on the menu, the fast-food chain will not include cheese, thus they didn’t think the lawsuit has any merit.
Only a Quarter Pounder with cheese and a Double Quarter Pounder with cheese were available at the time these two customers visited the restaurant. The ingredients listed on McDonald’s website for these items include a sesame seed bun, quarter- pound 100% beef patty, ketchup, onions, pasteurized processed American cheese, and pickle slices.
And because the McDonald’s customers failed to prove they were damaged by an overcharge, the case was dismissed!
These customers ordered Quarter Pounders but asked for no cheese on their burger, and they did
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TAKE A BREAK
FIND MORE ‘YOU’ TIME Developing a Self-Care Routine
Life isn’t easy — when juggling a career, family, children, social obligations, and housework, finding time for yourself can be difficult. Studies show that roughly 59% of individuals only make time for self-care after they’ve become stressed out. Here are some ways to develop a healthy routine that suits your busy life. Become intentional. When developing a self-care ritual, it’s essential to identify your reasons behind taking better care of yourself and to pinpoint your needs. With a clear vision and motive behind your efforts, developing healthy habits to nurture and incorporate into your everyday routine becomes easier. Create large and small self-care options. You don’t need to do the same self-care ritual all the time, but make it a point to do something for yourself every day. On busier days, you may only have a moment to take a few deep breaths and mentally reset, but on other days, you may have time for a relaxing bath, massage, workout, or pedicure. Make time for hobbies. Most people find themselves constantly juggling countless tasks and obligations. With so much to do, making time for your least favorite activities likely won’t happen; instead, do something you enjoy. After all, self- care is about you! Yoga, reading, journaling, jogging, and meditating are just a few ways to get in some “you time.” If you like it, do it! Plan your self-care time. Without adding self-care to your schedule, your healthy behaviors may get placed on the back burner. Block off time for your favorite activities: Once it’s on your calendar, you’re more likely to work a routine into your day. Keep it simple. Complex rituals may create more stress or anxiety when you should be relaxing. Instead, keep it simple by focusing on relaxing, breathing, and recharging. Go for a walk in the park, take a nap, get a massage, stretch, or take a few moments to do absolutely nothing. Simplicity is the key.
ONE-PAN CHICKEN AND MUSHROOMS WITH EGG NOODLES
Inspired by MarthaStewart.com
Ingredients
• 8 oz shallots, peeled and halved
• 3 slices bacon, cut into 1/2- inch pieces • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts, halved • Salt and ground pepper • 3 tbsp butter, divided • 8 oz button mushrooms, trimmed
• 3 cups chicken broth • 1/2 cup heavy cream • 8 oz egg noodles • 1/3 cup chopped fresh dill
Directions 1. In a large pan over medium heat, cook bacon until browned, 7–9 minutes. Remove from heat, discard fat, and set aside. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Return pan to medium-high heat and melt 2 tbsp butter. Add chicken, skin-side down. Cook, turning a few times, for 10–12 minutes until browned. Transfer to a plate. 2. Place remaining 1 tbsp butter in pan to melt. Add mushrooms and shallots; cook 8–10 minutes. Add broth and cream; bring to a boil. Stir in noodles. 3. Add chicken (skin-side up), cover pan, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring once halfway through. Cook about 10–12 minutes. 4. Uncover and simmer until thickened. Stir in dill and top with bacon. Serve and enjoy!
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Workers Risk Their Lives on the Road
Combating Spring Allergies Hold the Cheese, Please!
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One-Pan Chicken and Mushrooms With Egg Noodles Putting Together a Self-Care Routine
Illinois’ Sip and Spit Law
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Sip … But You Must Spit Check Out This Strange Illinois Law!
unfortunately, virgin wines taste nothing like actual wines! This leaves a gap in many culinary students’ education and may even force them to relearn the skill once they turn 21 and sample alcoholic wines. According to CBS News, Emily Williams Knight, the president of Kendall College, a private Illinois university that focuses on culinary arts, says “taste training” is an integral part of culinary education for young students, which includes learning
By law, in the United States, the minimum legal drinking age is 21 years old. When an individual under 21 breaks the law and consumes alcohol, they are subject to arrest and hefty fines. However, there’s a loophole in Illinois. In 2012, the Illinois State Senate voted 48–6 in favor of passing a “sip and spit” law for Illinois culinary students over 18 but under the legal drinking age of 21. This strange law enabled these students to know their wine well without becoming intoxicated. The students can only sample the wines during their scheduled class times, and an adult that is 21 or older must supervise. Each sample of wine must be less than a shot’s worth in volume, and most importantly, they cannot swallow — they must just taste the wine, then spit it out. Culinary students nationwide rely on nonalcoholic wines to learn about the taste, color, and smell of wines and how to best pair them with their dishes, but
to pair dishes and meals with adult beverages. Understanding the different tastes and notes of various wines is essential to help these students succeed and prepare them for culinary arts and hospitality management careers. On Aug. 24, 2012, Governor Pat Quinn signed Senate Bill 758 into law so Kendall College students over 18 but younger than 21 could better develop their wine-tasting skills to enhance their culinary abilities. However, the rule is clear: Sip … but you must spit!
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