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November 2025
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The Things We Do for Pugs DOG TREATS AND OTHER CRIMES OF LOVE
Nov. 1 is National Cook for Your Pets Day. That’s another holiday I didn’t know about until recently, but I’ve been preparing for it my whole life. At least, Oliver thinks so. Oliver is our pug and easily the most spoiled dog I’ve ever had. He’s the kind of dog who sleeps in the bed, begs from both sides of the table, and acts personally offended if you give him the wrong type of treat. He’s also the only dog I’ve ever made homemade chicken jerky for. And yes, he loved it. I don’t remember exactly where I found the recipe, but it involved chicken, a peanut butter glaze, and a smoker set to low. I think I was just trying to do something nice for him one weekend. He went nuts for it. Completely addicted. I only made it once, but it seems like he now holds everything to that standard. He still gets store-bought chicken jerky, but I’m not sure it measures up.
Things get a little more complicated these days because we occasionally dog-sit for my daughter’s dog, Clark. Clark is allergic to regular meat and has to eat something called hydrolyzed protein. I don’t really understand it, but it means when Clark is around, I can’t give Oliver any of his usual snacks. Oliver, of course, doesn’t care why he can’t have his snacks. He thinks it’s a crime and gives me this look like, “Why are we being punished?” But Clark always gains weight when he stays here, and somehow I’m the one who gets blamed. Between you and me, though, I think it’s because he sneaks Oliver’s food when nobody’s watching. Oliver gets serious about his snacks and has big opinions about them. He’ll beg for a treat, sniff at my offer, and look at me like I somehow insulted his lineage. Then I’ll bring out other options, and he makes me guess what he’s in the mood for. Sometimes, I get it right on the first try, but I’ll often cycle through several options before he agrees to anything. He’s not picky exactly, just particular. And he’s crafty. Oliver uses this slick move when we’re at the dinner table. He’ll come up to one side of the table to beg, and if we don’t give him any food, he’ll hop down and come up to the other side like he’s another dog. We call this alter ego Revilo (Oliver spelled backward). Revilo has a clean slate and hopes the new face will get a bite to eat from us. It rarely works, but you’ve got to love the effort. If Oliver had to pick a last meal, I’m sure it would be people food. Sourdough pancakes would probably be at the top of the list. Every dog I’ve had has loved them, and he’s no exception. He also licks the ice cream lid when I’m done, which feels like the least I can do for the little guy.
So, yes, I’ve cooked for my dog. And honestly, I’d probably do it again. Just don’t tell Clark.
-Aaron Miller
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THANKFULNESS JARS AND TURKEY TRIVIA Fill Your Holiday With Gratitude and Games The holidays are a magical time that brings together loved ones and a little chaos. Between the pie-making and travel plans, it can be easy to forget what we’re gathering to celebrate. This Thanksgiving, let’s not just carve the turkey, but also carve out time for mindful traditions the whole family can enjoy. From sharing what you’re thankful for to hosting a family Thanksgiving talent show, this year is the perfect chance to create new traditions that deepen connections and spark laughter. Get ready to gobble up the fun together. GATHER FOR GRATITUDE Thanksgiving is all about honoring what we are grateful for in life, and it can be a fun activity for you and your children to share. You can gamify gratitude in several ways, like creating a thankfulness jar where everybody adds slips of paper describing what they most appreciate. You can take turns reading them after dinner and even make a guessing game out of who wrote what. It could be as simple as gathering around the table for breakfast and everyone saying one thing they’re grateful for. TURKEY DAY TRIVIA There’s no better way to digest after the big Thanksgiving feast than having fun. Pick out some of your favorite board games or a deck of cards for a post-meal game night. You
Beauty Balancing Act
KEEP YOUR SKIN’S PH IN CHECK AND SHINE ON
If you’re still breaking out even with a great glow-up routine, the pH of your products could be the sneaky culprit. Your skin has a natural sweet spot on the pH scale. When beauty products push it too far off balance, irritation, acne, and dryness can all flare up. So, what’s the science behind your skin care, and could your beauty aids be more foe than glow? UNDERSTANDING YOUR SKIN’S NATURAL PH Everyone’s pH is unique, and knowing what it takes to bring yours back into balance could be the key to healthier, clearer, and more radiant skin. The pH scale goes from 0 to 14, and 5.5 is ideal for most adults. It provides enough acidity to balance your skin’s naturally occurring oils and protect you from harmful bacteria. If your pH levels become too high or too low, it throws everything off in your skin barrier. SIGNS YOUR PH IS OFF Common signs that your skin is too acidic or too basic are dryness, flakiness, acne, sensitivity, and chronic skin issues like eczema. If your skin is extra dry, unusually dull, frequently irritated, or has uneven or rough patches, it likely means your pH has gotten too high. If the balance has dipped too low, you might see excessive oil, stickiness, more breakouts, and extra sensitivity to beauty products. CHOOSING THE RIGHT PRODUCTS Not all skin care products are created equal, but thankfully, most rinse-off and leave-on skin care products are already pH-balanced. Products labeled as such are formulated with a pH between 4 and 7, the range of healthy, normal skin. As you look for new beauty aids, read the labels, looking for bottles marked “pH balanced” or products designed for sensitive skin. You always want to opt for cleansers made for the face because bar soap or other body soaps usually have a higher pH level and can strip your skin of its helpful oils. OTHER TIPS Along with pH-balanced products, eat a healthy diet with alkaline foods like kale, cayenne pepper, garlic, carrots, cabbage, and apple cider vinegar. If you have hard water, which can damage your skin, try using filtered or distilled water when you wash your face.
could test everyone’s knowledge with a holiday-themed trivia competition or create a scavenger hunt around the house. No matter the game, ensure everyone from
grandparents to kids can join in. Keep it focused on connection, not just winning. If you want to go all out, challenge all your guests to be ready with their best skills for a family talent show. A SOUNDTRACK TO THE STUFFING Create a perfect soundtrack you can play while everyone helps with
the cooking or winds down after dessert. Before the big day, ask everyone in the family to add one or two
songs to a Thanksgiving playlist. Prompt them to pick tunes that remind them of the season, happy memories, the joys of being together, or even their favorite dishes. You can keep adding to this list in subsequent years, turning the songs into a playable family history.
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PILOXING, PROTEIN, AND POSITIVITY
MELISSA MCCARTHY’S NO-FAD FORMULA FOR WEIGHT LOSS
Actress Melissa McCarthy has turned heads again, but it wasn’t for her comedic chops or a scene-stealing role. The Hollywood star had an incredible transformation in 2015, shedding 50 pounds and gaining a new level of energy and confidence. Her inspiring weight loss wasn’t the result of a crash diet or workout fad, but a mindset shift, healthy dietary swaps, and a powerful mix of exercise styles. Ready to walk the red carpet using this celeb’s secrets to success? PILOXING When the star was preparing for an action comedy, she learned how effective a mix of Pilates and boxing, or “piloxing,” could be in losing weight. This blend of workouts addresses flexibility, core strength, and calories, keeping the heart rate up and engaging different muscle groups. Boxing will help you drop pounds, while Pilates will help build lean muscle and improve your overall posture. If you’re not interested in boxing, other activities can elevate your heart rate, like biking or playing pickleball. HIGH-PROTEIN DIET The actress changed up her diet, focusing on high- protein meals. Protein is essential for reducing cravings, Pumpkin Dump Cake
maintaining muscle, and helping your body burn calories. If you don’t have enough protein, your body may start chipping away at your muscles for energy, and you may want to snack more. As you revamp your menu, choose a variety of plant and animal proteins like yogurt, chickpeas, chicken, and fish to incorporate into your recipes. You can use simple, ready-to-go options, like hard-boiled eggs or protein shakes, to get a good dose of fuel no matter how short on time you may be. MINDSET MATTERS One of McCarthy’s biggest game-changers was letting go of the quest for perfection and celebrating small wins. When she stopped stressing about the outcome, she started noticing improvements. You can do the same. Instead of extreme diets, you can focus on realistic adjustments and giving yourself grace. Your weight may fluctuate, and you may have days when you have a cheat meal or you are too busy to do a complete workout. That’s okay; it doesn’t mean you have failed. Be flexible. Even a short walk or adding a small salad to your more indulgent meal will make a difference.
Inspired by CookiesAndCups.com
Ingredients • 1 (15 oz) can pure pumpkin • 1 (10 oz) can evaporated milk • 1 cup light brown sugar • 3 eggs • 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 box yellow cake mix • 1 cup coarsely crushed graham crackers or pecans • 1/2 cup toffee bits (optional) • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Coat a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside. 2. In a large bowl, add pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice. 3. Stir to combine and pour into the prepared pan. 4. Sprinkle the entire box of cake mix on top, followed by nuts or graham crackers and toffee bits. 5. Pour melted butter evenly on top. 6. Bake for 45–50 minutes, until the center is set and edges are lightly browned. 7. Serve warm or at room temperature. Directions
TAKE A BREAK
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214.292.4225 AaronMillerLaw.com 1400 Preston Road, Suite 118 Plano, Texas 75093
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Notes From a Devoted Dog Dad
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Whisking Up New Traditions This Thanksgiving Cracking the Code to Clear, Happy Skin The Celebrity Routine That’s Actually Sustainable Pumpkin Dump Cake
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Want to Know Your Grandkids Better?
Small Questions, Big Connections
The Interview That Builds a Grand Relationship Most grandparents want nothing more than to spend time with their grandchildren, get to know them, and foster a close and positive relationship. But it’s not always
The questions should reflect the kids’ ages. You don’t want to ask anything too complicated of a 5-year-old or dig too deeply with a teenager, as they will get uncomfortable. The goal is to learn more about them and their interests, not their deepest, darkest secrets. Younger kids will enjoy answering questions about their favorite colors, games, animals, movies, school subjects, and more. Older kids can handle more detailed questions, relating to their passions, ideal careers, favorite family stories, and values. Keep in mind that you are not there to judge or even comment on their responses or views. You just want to gather information to establish a stronger relationship. Once you’ve made it through your list, or they’ve grown tired of answering questions, it’s time to flip roles. Encourage your grandchildren to ask questions about your career, your childhood, their parents as kids, family history, your favorite vacations, and life experiences. They might already have questions in mind that they want to ask you! Focusing on stories and things they can relate to will capture their attention best.
easy to carve out time, especially if the grandchild is shy or lives on the other side of the country. So, how can grandparents better connect with their grandchildren while learning more about them and their interests? Have an interview! The first thing to do is determine the best interview method. It depends on the children’s ages, preferred methods of communication, and the distance between them and their grandparents. Some can sit together in the same room, while others will need to use video calls,
phone calls, or letters sent by mail or email. Once you determine the best mode of communication, it’s time to put the questions together.
Learning more about each other will lead to a stronger, more loving grandparent-grandchild relationship!
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