Take a look at our latest newsletter!
APRIL/MAY 2023
HOUSTONALEXANDER.COM
CALL US: 423-267-6715
STRATEGIES TO LIVE SIMPLY IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE
Today, our lives are filled with distractions. You may hear the ping of your phone when an incoming call or text hits your inbox or feel it buzz and vibrate in your purse or pocket daily. You might surf the web and scroll social media to pass the time. It’s like we’re living in a virtual reality — and I’m not talking about the headset or gaming equipment! No matter where you are — the grocery store, a restaurant, a concert, a family and friends gathering, or other social events — you see people’s faces lit up by the screen of their phones. Living in a world full of distractions and constant entertainment can sometimes cause us to lose sight of the people around us and the good things in our lives. Other times, you may feel pressure to portray a particular lifestyle on social media, which creates unwanted stress.
down your values, goals, and who and what you care about. Be sure to keep this list someplace where you can view it often. When important things are front and center, it’s easier to align your habits and behavior with your values. Once you’ve outlined your values, create a routine and invest your time in meaningful things to help you grow and achieve your goals. So, the next time you feel the urge to scroll aimlessly on your phone in the presence of your friends and family, ask yourself: “Does this support or diminish my values?” Hopefully, your answer will help you participate more in activities that benefit you. Finally, carve out time to practice gratitude. It’s an easy trap to compare your life to those you see online. Instead, take a step back and think about all the unique life experiences and people you have. Each day, write down a few things you’re grateful for. These can be as simple as getting out of bed in the morning or as complex as you’d like. When you reflect on your life and the good things in it, you develop a deeper appreciation for what you have.
Is there anything we can do instead? Or are we destined to live in an online world disconnected from the real one we’re standing in?
Living simply is one of the best ways to stay present in the moment and live a happier and more fulfilling life. I’m not talking about throwing out your electronic devices and not using technology altogether. Going back to the Stone Age won’t help us! Instead, simple living is adjusting your
Once we pull ourselves out of our phones and look at the world around us, we start living in the present more
completely! Living a simple life allows us to disconnect from our smartphones and other devices and enjoy more time to do what we love. We become more grateful and experience less stress and anxiety.
lifestyle, being mindful of what you pay attention to and purchase, and changing your thinking.
How do you live a simple life? The first thing you want to do is evaluate the lifestyle you have now. What is your everyday routine? What do you look at on your phone? Understand your routine and habits so that you can modify them.
So, take some time this month to reflect on your daily routine and find ways to incorporate a simpler way of life into your schedule. When you first start, it will be challenging to change your habits. But with patience, dedication, and time, you will reap the benefits of living simply.
After reviewing your daily routine, create a list of everything important to you. Write
1
423-267-6715 | HoustonAlexander.com
GIVE YOUR SIDING A SPRING SCRUB! 3 Tips for Washing Your Home’s Outside Walls
You might not have noticed it, but winter conditions or general wear and tear have built up on your home’s siding. From layers of dirt to clumps of pollen, dirty siding not only ruins your home’s curb appeal, but it can also ruin your home. So, as the weather begins to warm and you have more time in your days, give that siding a good wash with the following tips in mind.
against this method because, depending on the angle of the spray, water can get behind the siding and cause damage to your home. Not only that, but high water pressure can damage the siding if you’re not careful. Grab that soft-bristled brush! Instead of a high-powered blast-off, the best way to wash your siding is with a garden hose and soft brush. Many home improvement stores sell siding cleaning solutions in spray bottles that attach directly to your hose. Pre-spray and spray often. Before cleaning a section, spray it with water to allow dirt or debris to soften
and release its hold on your home. Start with small areas at the bottom of the wall. Gently scrub away dirt with solution and a brush. As you clean from the bottom to the top, re-spray each section beneath it because soapy water from the siding above will trail down and may leave a residue. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the wall to avoid streaking. And finally, enjoy your clean house! By scrubbing your siding just once a year, you can increase its longevity and your home’s curb appeal!
Leave the powerwasher in the garage.
A common way for people to clean the siding on their house is to take out the old pressure washer and blast that dirt away. However, experts recommend
MCDONALD’S CUSTOMERS SUE FOR BEING FORCED TO PAY FOR CHEESE Cheese and Desist
In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, things got a little crazy!
seed bun, quarter-pound 100% beef patty, ketchup, onions, pasteurized processed American cheese, and pickle slices.
Two McDonald’s customers sued the fast-food chain for $5 million, alleging they were unfairly charged when they ordered Quarter Pounders without cheese.
These customers ordered Quarter Pounders but asked for no cheese on their burger, and they did 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. 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.
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. 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
And because the McDonald’s customers failed to prove they were damaged by an overcharge, the case was dismissed!
2
423-267-6715 | HoustonAlexander.com
SIP … BUT YOU MUST SPIT Check Out This Strange Illinois Law!
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 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 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!
Cod and Asparagus Bake
“I am an out-of-towner and ran into some trouble in Tennessee. I found Johnny Houston online and I could not be more satisfied with the outcome of my case. Johnny was honest, stayed in contact, and I believe could not have done a better job. I highly recommend Johnny Houston and I thank him and his team for everything they did for me! I can breathe again!” –Samantha Nothing Short of Amazing
• Oil for baking pan • 4 4-oz cod fillets Ingredients
• 1 lb thin asparagus, trimmed • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved • 2 tbsp lemon juice • 1 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest • 1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. In a 15x10x1-inch baking pan brushed with oil, place cod, asparagus, and tomatoes. 2. Brush cod with lemon juice, then sprinkle with lemon zest. Sprinkle cod and vegetables with Romano cheese. Bake until fish flakes easily with a fork, about 12 minutes. 3. Remove pan from oven; preheat broiler. Broil cod mixture 3-4 inches from the heat source until vegetables are lightly browned, about 2-3 minutes.
423-267-6715 | HoustonAlexander.com 3
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
HoustonAlexander.com CALL US: 423-267-6715
3417 Dayton Boulevard Chattanooga, TN 37415
INSIDE THIS ISSUE How Can You Live a Simple Life? PAGE 1
How to Wash Your Siding to Keep Your Home Clean
PAGE 2
Hold the Cheese, Please!
PAGE 2
Illinois’ Sip and Spit Law
PAGE 3
Cod and Asparagus Bake
PAGE 3
Testimonial
PAGE 3
Putting Together a Self-Care Routine
PAGE 4
FIND MORE ‘YOU’ TIME Developing a Self-Care Routine
vision and motive behind your efforts, developing healthy habits to nurture and incorporate into your everyday routine becomes easier.
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!
Create large and small self- care options.
Plan your self-care time. Without adding self-care to your
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
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.
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
4
423-267-6715 | HoustonAlexander.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator