Check out our November newsletter!
November 2022
AaronMillerLaw.com 214.292.4225
DON’T TOUCH THAT DIAL The TV Shows That Made Us
Sesame Street Day is coming up on Nov. 10, and like many Dallas residents my age, my best memories of the show didn’t involve the television at all. I didn’t watch much of “Sesame Street,” but I loved Sesame Street Place, the amusement park. It only stayed open for a couple of years, but I thought it was a blast. They had this netting you could climb that felt like 3–4 stories high to a kid my age. The spray park was also a lot of fun, and I loved playing with the water cannons that probably wouldn’t pass muster with today’s safety standards because you could basically mow down your friends (and unsuspecting strangers) with water – so much fun for a third grader! My favorite part was the giant blank wall with a flashing strobe light. It would freeze your shadow for a moment and was a blast making different “statues.” I don’t watch much television these days and mostly stick to hockey games and Formula 1 races. But I spent countless hours in front of the TV as a kid. During the summer, my parents would go to work, and my sister and I sat in front of the TV until they came home. We had one job to do all day — the dishes. If those dishes weren’t done, my parents were not happy, and we often found ourselves scrambling to finish them at the end of the day (like when we heard their car pull up in the
driveway). When my dad got home, he would put his hand on the TV to see if it was still warm from us watching it; it almost always was.
We watched whatever was on, whether we liked it or not. I enjoyed “Gilligan’s Island” and “Hogan’s Heroes.” I didn’t care for “The Brady Bunch,” but that was my sister’s favorite. The midday game shows tended to be a lot of fun, though. I spent many hours watching “The Price is Right” and “Press Your Luck.” Then there were the afternoon cartoons. “Speed Racer” was my absolute favorite, but it didn’t air for long. My other favorite was a Japanese anime show called “G-Force.” It was about a five-member team that joined together to form a giant machine that fought bad guys. It wasn’t a very original concept, but it was the first time I saw it, and my best friend and I spent many afternoons in third grade pretending we were G-Force members. Watching children’s television as an adult is an entirely different ball game. Some of those songs really stick in your head and grate on your nerves. “Barney” was the worst offender. But Grace also loved a pair of Australian kids’ shows, “The Wiggles” and “Bananas in Pajamas.” The Wiggles were weird, but I kind of liked the Bananas. Once when I was in law school, I took a couple of breaks from studying to take Grace to see Barney and Dora the Explorer. It turned out that Barney is quite terrifying in person! Grace spent most of the time hiding behind me. Thankfully, she thought Dora was a little less intimidating. Television may not mean as much to us as adults, but the shows we watch as kids become touchstones for a reason. They’re one of the ways children learn to make sense of the world — and, as anyone who has ever played make-believe as their favorite TV character knows, they fuel imaginations. Many people see children’s TV as disposable, but our memories prove that the shows we watched were built to last — at least in our hearts.
-Aaron Miller
AaronMillerLaw.com | 1
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
‘COCO’ EDUCATES AND ENTERTAINS A 12-year-old boy accidentally banished to the land of the dead befriends a skeleton at risk of being forgotten by his living relatives. Together, they travel through a vibrant, musical, and sometimes bittersweet afterlife in search of a way to solve both their problems. Welcome to the magical world of Disney Pixar’s film “Coco.” “Coco” takes place in Mexico on Día de Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead. The Nov. 2 celebration is a time to honor deceased ancestors, but the festivities are at least as joyful as they are somber. Though American awareness of this holiday bubbled under the surface for decades, it exploded when “Coco” hit theaters in 2017. Five years later, the film hasn’t lost its charm and manages to be slightly morbid and uplifting at the same time. It’s also a fascinating peek into a culture many American viewers don’t know well. Beyond Sugar Skulls
Most parents want their kids to view Thanksgiving as a meaningful event — not just an opportunity to indulge in turkey and mashed potatoes. Unfortunately, most kids’ eyes will glaze over when their parents launch into a lecture about thankfulness. You will likely find better success by emphasizing the value of gratitude all year long. “What do you say?” It’s a question we all ask our young children after someone does something nice for them. This practice instills good manners, but it shouldn’t be confused with teaching gratitude. Imparting the meaning behind the words “thank you” takes something more. If you want grateful children, you need to be grateful parents. Consider how you can incorporate gratitude more into your everyday life. Are you as thankful as you should be? Do you repay favors and write thank-you notes? Do you regularly talk about why you’re so fortunate or what you’re thankful for? Cultivating gratitude in your life sets a good example, and many studies show it benefits your mental health as well. Next, consider how you can encourage your child to reflect on who they’re grateful for. Acts of kindness and returning the favor to those who have been good to us can inspire kids to put their gratitude into action. Doing some yardwork, sharing a toy, or making a painting as a gift can help children understand how powerful it can be to outwardly show our gratitude for the people who are in our lives. Consistency is the most crucial factor, so try to find ways you can incorporate gratitude into your everyday routine. Children of any age can keep a gratitude journal with their parents’ help. Some families also use a gratitude jar where each family member can write what they’re grateful for on a slip of paper and add something different to the jar each week. It’s the perfect way to keep gratitude front and center. These lessons may not sink in immediately, but by cultivating these positive habits in our everyday lives, you will see a big difference in the long run. RAISING THANKFUL CHILDREN A Daily Dose of Gratitude
The film follows Miguel, a child with a passion for music. Unfortunately, his family has sworn off music after
a musician relative brought tragedy to his family many years ago. A series of mishaps whisks him off to the land of the dead, where he meets a down-on-his-luck skeleton named Hector. They set off on an adventure to help each other and learn that they have more in common than they first suspected.
Despite its fanciful nature, most experts agree that “Coco” accurately represents how people celebrate Día de
Muertos. It shows how families use an ofrenda (altar) to remember their dead relatives, travel to the cemetery to visit their graves with offerings, and take time to remember them. The film also portrays the belief that death is not the end of life but rather a new phase. If your family is unfamiliar with Día de Muertos, viewing “Coco” is an excellent way to learn more about the holiday. It’s also an opportunity to discuss some weighty topics together as a family. Children may feel more comfortable approaching the scary subject of death after watching the movie, and it could be the perfect chance to discuss your family’s beliefs. You might also consider how you can better remember your relatives. Any parent looking to pass down their family’s history without their children’s eyes glazing over might never find a better moment. So, sit down together this November to enjoy the family-friendly tale of “Coco” and see what else you might discover.
2 | 214.292.4225
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
A SOFT TOUCH PREVENTING DRY WINTER SKIN
Winter seems specifically designed to make your skin dry and flaky. You must contend with cold air, low humidity levels, and dry furnace heat. Fortunately, there are things you can do to fight back. Here are some expert tips on having the softest skin possible during the upcoming cold months — without spending a fortune. Our skin consists of several layers, but we can only see the stratum corneum. It has to be tough to protect the other layers against outside threats. The stratum corneum also acts as a barrier, preventing the 60% of our bodies that is water from evaporating into thin air. But when skin is damaged or overwashed, or when the air is insufficiently humid, moisture escapes and causes dry skin. So, increasing the humidity around you is one of the best ways to keep your skin from turning into sandpaper. An inexpensive humidifier will do wonders, particularly at night while you sleep.
It won’t completely solve the problem, but it’s a good start. It also has the bonus of keeping your eyes, nose, and mouth less dry. Moisturizer is crucial to reducing itchy and flaky dry skin, but it’s also essential to moisturize correctly. Thicker lotions work better on dry skin, so find one that doesn’t come in a pump bottle. Ideally, you should be able to hold the jar upside down without the moisturizing cream falling out. Additionally, try to apply lotion immediately after your shower; it’s the best way to seal in the moisture. Speaking of showers, it might be time to give up the long, hot kind. They might feel great, but they strip away the natural oil in your skin that prevents it from drying out. Keep your showers short and use warm water instead of hot. You also don’t want to overdo it with scrubbing or soaps. Treat your skin gently and use moisturizing shower products.
Finally, if dry skin does catch up with you, stay calm and avoid scratching. Resisting instant relief is difficult, but scratching will only damage and dry the skin more. Further, research shows scratching doesn’t even work — it only makes you itchier. Applying a thick moisturizer should do the trick for most itches, and you can use a cold pack for the most persistent ones. This step will take willpower, but your skin will thank you later.
TAKE A BREAK
Roasted Pork Loin With Apples Inspired by MomFoodie.com Ingredients
• 4 lbs pork loin • 2 tsp garlic powder • 2 tsp salt, divided • 1 tsp black pepper
• 8 apples • 2 red onions • 3 garlic cloves • 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 tsp cinnamon • 3 tbsp butter, softened
Directions
1. In a large bowl, season pork loin with garlic powder, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and pepper, then cover and place in refrigerator for 30 minutes. 2. Preheat oven to 425 F. 3. Slice apples and onions, then chop garlic cloves. Season with brown sugar, olive oil, remaining salt, and cinnamon. 4. In a 9x13-inch baking dish, place a layer of apples and onions in the pan, put pork loin on top, then place remaining apples and onions around it. 5. Break butter into small pieces and place them on the pork loin and apples. Place dish in oven and let it bake for 15 minutes. 6. Reduce the heat to 350 F, then continue to bake for 60 minutes. 7. Remove dish and stir apples and onions. 8. Increase heat to 450 F, put dish in oven, and roast for an additional 8–10 minutes.
AaronMillerLaw.com | 3
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
214.292.4225 www.AaronMillerLaw.com 1400 Preston Road, Suite 118 Plano, Texas 75093 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Aaron Remembers His Childhood TV Faves
2
A Daily Dose of Gratitude
Learn About Día de Muertos From ‘Coco’
3
Keeping Skin Soft in Cold Weather
Roasted Pork Loin With Apples
4
What Your Heart Rate Means
UNDERSTANDING YOUR ACTIVITY TRACKER’S HEART RATE DATA Don’t Miss a Beat
About 20% of Americans wear fitness trackers — and if you’re one of them, your watch of choice probably has a function to track your heart rate. Those who take a more relaxed approach to physical activity might also hear a nurse announce the pulse rate during a doctor’s visit. But do you know what those numbers mean? We’ve got the answers. There are three heart rate metrics: resting, target, and maximum. Resting heart rate is calculated when a person is not engaged in any activity. A target heart rate indicates the ideal heart rate to reach during exercise. Finally, your maximum heart rate reflects the number you should never exceed.
that range are better for a person’s health. Elite athletes may have heart rates below 60, but tell your doctor if you’re a marathon runner, or they will be very concerned when they take your pulse! Your resting heart rate can vary based on your stress, activity level, hormones, or medication, and your doctor can help with tips on improving it. Maximum heart rate is calculated by subtracting your age from 220. So, a 40-year-old would have a maximum heart rate of 180. Even then, you shouldn’t go beyond approximately 95% of your maximum heart rate — meaning you shouldn’t exceed a heart rate of 171. If you do, it means the exercise you’re doing is putting more strain on your heart than the potential benefit is worth.
you should aim for when performing moderate to intense exercise, and it’s how your fitness tracker is most helpful. You can use the tracker to determine if you’re exercising hard enough, and many will also alert you once you’ve hit your target heart rate zone. Finally, while fitness trackers can be helpful, it’s important to remember that they’re not medical devices. If your heart rate is abnormally high or low, it’s not necessarily indicative of a problem — but you should mention it to your doctor for safety’s sake. Additionally, different fitness trackers calculate your heart rate with different formulas. So, if you switch and notice a change in your heart rate, rest assured that you didn’t magically become less (or, unfortunately, more) healthy overnight.
An adult’s average resting heart rate is between 60–100 beats per minute. Lower numbers within
Finally, your target heart rate reflects 50%–80% of your maximum heart rate. It is the range
4 | 214.292.4225
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator