Check out our January newsletter!
January 2025
AaronMillerLaw.com 214.292.4225
SPAGHETTI FOR THE SOUL MEALTIME MEMORIES OF MOM AND DAD
I warn you that the following words will likely make you hungry.
First, I hope you enjoyed festive holidays filled with fantastic meals and even greater company. Food has been a common theme in this newsletter lately, which makes perfect sense given the time of year. After learning that National Spaghetti Day is celebrated in early January, I was inspired to keep the theme going. There are a lot of made-up holidays throughout the year, but this one hit home for me — and made me think about my mother’s extraordinary cooking. Mom’s spaghetti was a mainstay of my childhood and a big hit in our household. Whenever she made it for us, she’d add a giant bay leaf for flavor. That bay leaf made it taste great, but she never removed it before serving — and my father got it 100% of the time! After a while, it became a joke in the family, as my dad thought she would leave the bay leaf in there on purpose. Besides inspiring some hearty laughs around the table, Mom’s spaghetti was the flavor of my youth. Years later, I discovered that her spaghetti recipe — and the one she followed for lasagna — came from “The Betty Crocker Cookbook,” which she loved . Later, we had to get our own copy because that’s the only spaghetti I know. ( Fun fact: “Betty Crocker” was not a real person. The name was created by the Washburn-Crosby Company — the predecessor to General Mills — to personalize staff-answered questions from consumers. “Crocker” was the last name of one of the company’s executives, and “Betty” was chosen because the company felt it had a friendly connotation.) Breakfast was another huge part of my early years. Mom made me eggs, bacon, and toast every day for a long time. Eventually, age led me to replace that morning tradition with a stadium-sized cup of coffee. Although I gave up coffee in 2015 and rarely eat breakfast anymore, I’ll never forget starting the day to the sound of sizzling. My mom was also gifted with the ability to make cakes and bread from scratch — mainly to help me avoid the effects of a milk allergy I had at the time. She was a natural at it, as my grandfather has been a baker. Other favorites in our home included chicken cacciatore and Wick Fowler’s chili. When I was in third grade, my list of favorite dishes grew thanks to a cookbook published by my school. (Mom, naturally, submitted a bunch of her recipes!) A classmate’s mother had submitted a recipe for chicken fajitas that included soy sauce — a bizarre choice that worked.
Of course, nothing happened in the kitchen without the best ingredients, and Mom’s frugality in that department was legendary. Every week, she would clip the sales ads from the Sunday paper and travel to three stores to get the best deals. My dad used to say, “Give Mom a penny, and she will make President Lincoln squeal!” Speaking of Dad, he had a few culinary talents of his own. He was good at making chipped beef gravy and oyster stew. However, he only seemed to prepare these dishes — staples of his bachelor days — whenever Mom wasn’t around! Although Dad’s creations weren’t popular with everyone , I enjoyed having them on the family’s menu and experiencing what he had to offer in the kitchen. As an adult, I enjoy looking back on family mealtime, as it makes me realize how much our food tells the stories of our lives. I hope my trip down memory lane has made you think about all those wonderful meals you had as a kid. And if you want to relive those memories but are having trouble getting those recipes just right, you can always turn to “Betty” …
AaronMillerLaw.com | 1 -Aaron Miller
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
The Silent Healer
At first glance, Sullivan is already a special dog. An adorable white boxer with a dark patch of fur around his right eye, he’s the kind of canine humans of all ages instantly fall in love with. If his cuteness wasn’t enough, he’s best known in his community for bringing people together in extraordinary ways. Originally found in a shelter in Coachella, California, Sullivan — who is deaf — lives in Oregon with his guardian, Allyson Ridling. A social worker and family therapist, Ridling has made Sullivan’s sweet temperament and calming presence a significant part of her practice. After bringing Sullivan to reading sessions with children (much to the delight of the little ones in attendance), she began including him in walking sessions with her clients. Fluent in sign language, Ridling has also introduced Sullivan to hard-of-hearing people worldwide via online video chats. Early last year, Sullivan and Ridling received a 2024 Oregon Humane Society (OHS) Diamond Collar Award for their compassionate work. Thrilled by the honor, Ridling credits her animal companion with helping her clients find greater joy and comfort. “Some of these people just needed to reconnect with love and feeling this undoubtable connection between the human and animal bond,” she says in a special OHS-produced YouTube video on the award. “That’s what they needed to help open up and take their next step moving forward in their life.” Meet the Boxer Who Changes Lives
High-Protein Grains That Can Transform Your Diet If you’re trying to build muscle or improve your overall health, you already know how vital ample protein is to your diet. Most people turn to lean meats, eggs, nuts, seeds, and even dairy to add protein to their diet, but many don’t consider grains a great protein source. However, a few excellent high-protein grains can provide the same benefits as other protein sources while supplying us with more fiber and other essential nutrients. Any grain with more than 4 grams of protein per cup is considered high- protein. You can find most high-protein grains at any supermarket, but you should head to the closest Whole Foods for the best selection. If you’re unsure where to start, here are three high-protein grains you can easily incorporate into your diet. Oats You likely already have oats in your pantry. This all-purpose grain is gluten-free and packs 6 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber per cup. You can add oats to breads, desserts, and various breakfast dishes. Quinoa This high-protein grain has grown in popularity significantly in recent years, and for good reason. One cup of cooked quinoa adds 8 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber to your diet. Most people use it as a substitute for rice in soups and salads, but its uses go far beyond that. Some might even enjoy it as a hot cereal to replace sugary breakfast options. Sorghum If you haven’t heard of sorghum, get ready because it’s taking the country by storm. Sorghum is a staple in many Indian and African dishes. A cup of cooked sorghum will have around 7 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, and all the B vitamins, iron, and magnesium you need to improve your overall health. Other high-protein grains worth investigating include millet, buckwheat, wild rice, and teff. Once you discover the power and magic of high-protein grains, you’ll wonder why you didn’t explore them sooner. GRAIN GAINS
The OHS was proud to honor Sullivan for his fantastic work with humans.
“As a therapy dog, Sullivan is a friendly presence for kids to practice their reading,” the organization says on its website. “His comfort helps those who are struggling to open up. [He] may not be able to hear, but his impact on the mental health of those around him speaks volumes.”
Proud of her furry friend’s loving nature and many achievements, Ridling believes that animals like Sullivan can work wonders for people’s therapeutic treatment.
“I think the human/animal bond works really well because animals don’t judge. They have unconditional love to give people. As [a] society, we could all work better to strive to be as loving and caring [and] as open-minded as a dog can be.”
2 | 214.292.4225
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Walt Disney World Without the Wallet Woes
YOUR GUIDE TO AFFORDABLE FAMILY FUN
For years, a visit to Walt Disney World felt like an essential part of the American upbringing. There’s nothing quite like taking a picture with Mickey Mouse, the unique water smell in the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, or the night-time fireworks spectacle over Cinderella Castle.
park, so consider taking advantage of that. Make a budget, research the restaurants beforehand, and have everyone pick out what they want to eat so you know exactly how much food will cost.
Avoid Disney hotels. Disney’s hotels have different price tiers. Deluxe resorts
However, the cost of a Disney vacation has increased significantly in recent years, and features that helped make the trip more magical, like free transportation to and from the airport, are a thing of the past.
like Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge usually cost around $500 a night. Moderate-tier resorts like
Disney’s Coronado Springs can run anywhere from $250–$500, depending on the season. And the value resorts usually stay under $250 a night. However, if you were to stay at a non-Disney hotel, you’d pay a fraction of the price while still being close to the parks.
Many families struggle to save enough money to travel to Orlando to visit Disney World. Thankfully, cost-saving strategies can help get you and your loved ones in front of the castle. Have a plan for snacks and meals before arriving at the park. Disney parks are well-known for their
Consider hiring a travel agent. This might sound counterproductive if you’re trying to save money, but Disney works closely with various travel agencies to help park-goers cut costs and reduce stress. They will help plan every aspect of your trip and ensure you get all meal reservations and Lightning Lanes your family wants. They’re also the first to know when discounts go live, so they can ensure you get resort and ticket prices at the best value.
world-class restaurants and food options, but with good quality comes a higher cost. A soft pretzel shaped like Mickey Mouse with cheese sauce costs more than $8; buying more than one adds up quickly. Disney allows you to bring your own snacks and nonalcoholic beverages into the
One-Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Ingredients
• 2 1/2 lbs skinless, bone-in chicken thighs • 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp pepper • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 large onion, chopped • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 10 cups chicken broth
• 4 celery ribs, chopped • 4 medium carrots, chopped • 2 bay leaves • 1 tsp dried thyme • 3 cups uncooked egg noodles (about 8 oz) • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley • 1 tbsp lemon juice
Directions
1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. In an 8-quart stockpot over medium-high heat, add oil and chicken and cook until golden brown, 3–4 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside. 2. Add onion to drippings; cook over medium-high heat for 4–5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add broth and bring to a boil. Return chicken to pot. Add celery, carrots, bay leaves, and thyme. Reduce heat and cover; simmer until chicken is tender, 25–30 minutes. 3. Turn off heat. Remove chicken to a plate. Add noodles and let stand, covered, until noodles are tender, 20–22 minutes. 4. Shred chicken meat into bite-size pieces, and return to pot. Stir in parsley and lemon juice, and discard bay leaves.
TAKE A BREAK
AaronMillerLaw.com | 3
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
214.292.4225 www.AaronMillerLaw.com 1400 Preston Road, Suite 118 Plano, Texas 75093
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Flavors of Family
2
A Deaf Dog’s Remarkable Journey Surprising High-Protein Options for a Healthier You Plan Your Perfect Disney Escape Without Breaking the Bank One-Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
3
4
Meaningful Mindsets for 2025 Resolutions
Rethinking ‘Big Goals’ for Lasting Change New Year, New Intentions
Let’s be honest about our New Year’s resolutions. Based on our 2024 goals, we should all be in the best shape of our lives. We would have beaten our smoking habit, have zero debt, and knocked two destinations off our bucket list by now! Unfortunately, many of us deviate from the commitments we set for ourselves in January. If you can truthfully say your life is better now than last year, then celebrate to your heart’s content. However, if your life hasn’t changed much since last year, it may be worthwhile to revisit your list and consider the following additions. Make an impact on someone else’s life. We’ve all got “stuff” going on in our lives, but maybe it’s time to pause and think about how to make someone else’s day. It can be as small
as smiling at a stranger at the grocery store or sending “thinking of you” cards to friends and family. You’ll be surprised how doing for others will impact your own life.
Adopt an attitude of gratitude. While we have so many things we could
complain about, think about everything we have to be thankful for. The next time you start to complain about your job, be grateful you have one. Of course, gratitude isn’t always easy, but is it supposed to be? Even the slightest effort to adopt this mindset will change your life forever. Embrace what’s meaningful to you. There’s no better time than the present to lean into what matters most to you. Tell someone you love them the moment you feel it, apologize quickly, and hug them often. The time is now; we don’t know how long we have on this Earth.
These resolutions aren’t exactly fitness-focused, but they center on self-improvement for the long game. Be intentional with your resolutions. Remember, if you don’t put much thought into them, you will just as easily neglect them. Let’s be intentional in 2025!
4 | 214.292.4225
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator