Check out our October newsletter!
October 2025
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A MAN AND HIS COOKBOOKS Recipes, Memories, and Good Food
October is National Cookbook Month, a fact I didn’t know until recently. When I found out, I had to laugh. My family already thinks I’ve got a problem. I buy so many cookbooks that I’ve switched to Kindle editions just to avoid the side-eye when another one shows up on the doorstep. Do I read them? Absolutely. Do I cook from every single one? Let’s just say some get more mileage than others. A few years ago, I went to one of those Friends of the Library sales where you could fill a grocery sack with books for a dollar. I came home with about 30 church and family cookbooks. Those are fun. You get the best kind of recipes — someone’s personal favorite passed down for generations — along with the occasional filler recipe that pops up in every other book. You can spot the repeats pretty quickly. Some cookbooks are more personal than others. I’ve got one put together as part of a fundraiser for the school I went to, and it’s filled with some of my mom’s best recipes. That one includes her beef fajitas, chicken cacciatore, and a few classics like popcorn balls made with Jell-O syrup. The popcorn balls taste great when fresh. Just don’t let them harden, or you might need dental work. My wife has her own family cookbook with a bunch of Polish recipes, and we always get it out around the holidays. Cookbooks like these aren’t just about the food. They’re family albums with ingredients. I’ve always liked cooking, even as a kid. I learned by watching my mom make chili, spaghetti, or whatever else we were having that night. We didn’t eat out much, so home-cooked meals were the norm. My dad pitched in every now and then with his bachelor recipes. His oyster stew was simple — milk, butter, and a can of oysters with a little salt and pepper — but it hit the spot. His other go-to was chipped beef gravy over torn-up toast. It may not have looked like much, but that stuff was gold when I was a kid. I suspect it’s still in his regular rotation.
In college, I watched cooking shows on PBS instead of studying and became more adventurous in the kitchen. Once, when my wife and I were dating, I found some quail and
decided to impress her with hollandaise sauce. I didn’t even know hollandaise sauce was supposed to be tricky to make. Mine turned out just fine, and she married me anyway.
These days, I still cook quite often. My go-to lately has been steak. I use a Cook’s Country method that gives it a nice crust. It’s not fancy, but it’s delicious. Every once in a while, I’ll smoke something — brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and even cream cheese. I’ve made chicken jerky for the dog. He approved. I’ve got a knockoff Popeye’s red bean and rice recipe that I like better than the original, especially with added sausage. I even have a holiday turkey method that cooks fast and stays juicy. It uses the Orion Cooker. The first time I made a turkey with it, I nearly got hit in the eye with the juice. With all that, you might say I’ve earned a place in the kitchen. And, yes, I collect cookbooks and cook from them, too. At this point, I may even have enough recipes to write my own. But let’s be honest. I’ll probably just buy another one instead.
-Aaron Miller
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EMPTY NEST, FRESH START Smart Housing Moves for Your Next Chapter Fall is a season of fresh starts for teenagers and young adults as they begin college or take a new job. But it brings different challenges for many parents, who may feel abandoned and forgotten in an empty house. A well-known clinical psychologist once said that your child’s life will be filled with fresh experiences, and it’s good if yours is, too! Figuring out what to do with all that space is a promising place to begin. Of course, there is no one right answer, but here are some factors to consider as you determine your best path forward. Lifestyle The letting-go stage often stirs deeper questions of personal identity for parents. How do you see your life as an empty-nester changing? Do you cherish the comfort and familiarity of your current home and community and enjoy having peace, quiet, and extra space to welcome guests? Or have you been yearning for the freedom to travel without the responsibility of maintaining your house? If so, moving to a smaller home or remodeling your current one may best serve your needs.
There’s something very special about the grandchild-grandparent relationship. While parents often must play the role of disciplinarian so their kids stay out of trouble and become the best version of themselves, grandparents get to spoil and pamper the grandchildren. Most grandparents want this relationship to be as strong as possible, but it’s easier said than done, especially if you only see your grandkids a few times each year. Here are three strategies you can implement to strengthen your relationship with your grandchildren while allowing you to make memories to last for the rest of their lives. MEANINGFUL WAYS TO CONNECT WITH YOUR GRANDKIDS Create Memories That Last
Health No one wants to think about potential declines in their health, but laying the groundwork now to meet changing needs can avert
untold hassles and expenses in the future. Is your current home easy to navigate? Is it free of stairs, narrow hallways, or small bathrooms? If such obstacles would make it difficult for you to live there as you grow older, renovating your home or moving to an age-appropriate residence may be wise. Finances Any decision about keeping, remodeling, or moving out of
Take advantage of holidays. The holiday season is a time for families to get together, participate in time-honored traditions, and share their love for one another. Make sure you set aside time for your grandkids. Show them your favorite holiday movies, encourage them to help cook a few dishes, and involve them in your traditions and activities. Once you establish these activities, pay attention to how your grandchildren react. If they enjoy them, do it again next year!
Prioritize outings over gifts. Take a second to think about the best gift you received during your childhood. Now, imagine the best trip, vacation, or family outing you had as a kid. Which memory is stronger? You likely can’t even remember a specific gift you received, but those memories of trips to the zoo, beach, or mall have remained strong. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on gifts, consider taking your grandchildren out for an evening together. Do what they want to do. To put it simply, your grandchildren will only get so much enjoyment participating in your favorite activities or regular routine. Figure out what they like and participate in those activities right alongside them. They’ll never forget the day they saw grandma ride around in a go-kart, grandpa win the big prize at the arcade, or their grandparents adding the finishing touches to an art masterpiece!
your present home involves financial tradeoffs. Staying in place allows you to build more equity in your home, but it bypasses the opportunity to cash out and invest
the money elsewhere. Remodeling or updating your home imposes upfront costs but could increase its future value. And while trading down to a smaller home may reduce your utility, insurance, tax, and mortgage payments, it also may impose other unforeseen costs, such as homeowners’ association fees. As these tradeoffs show, every empty-nester’s dreams and circumstances are different. Only you can decide the right moves for you!
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The Mental Shift Behind Better Eating
You Need a New Dialogue, Not a New Diet
A better spin? “I have habits I’m ready to upgrade.” Now you’re someone on a mission, not someone stuck in shame.
You’ve tossed the junk food. You’ve Googled “healthy recipes.” You’ve sworn off dessert … again. But despite your best intentions, your late-night snack turns into a secret sugar rendezvous. What gives? It’s not your willpower. It’s your mindset.
Then there’s the emotional trap: “Eating makes me happy.” Spoiler: It doesn’t. It gives you a sugar rush and a dopamine blip, but that’s not joy; it’s a high. Repeat this thought instead: “Food can comfort me in the moment, but real happiness comes from deeper places.” Now you’re seeking peace, not pie. Do you feel out of control and think, “I can’t stop eating” ? Yes, you can. You own your arms, your fork, and your next move. Remind yourself: “I may want more, but I choose when to stop.” That’s strength and autonomy. And when you slip? Don’t spiral. Instead of “I shouldn’t have,” ask: “What can I learn for next time?” Growth is always on the table; you just have to reach for it. So, yes, eating well starts with vegetables. But thriving? That starts with your thoughts. Flip your mindset, and you won’t just eat better; you’ll feel better, too.
Healthy eating has less to do with your stomach and more with what’s happening between your ears. The beliefs you carry about food, those quiet little thoughts that zip through your brain unconsciously, are the real drivers of your habits. Take this classic thought: “I have to eat healthy all the time.” Sounds noble, but it feels like a punishment or a need for perfection, which is exhausting and unsustainable. Every time you think this, try swapping it with: “I get to choose how I nourish myself.” That simple shift puts you back in the driver’s seat, steering you toward empowerment, not burnout.
Or maybe you’ve told yourself, “I have terrible eating habits.” That’s not a fact, it’s judgment.
Extra-Crispy Ranch Chicken Cutlets
Inspired by TheCookieRookie.com
Ingredients • Olive oil • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste • 3/4 cup flour • 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese • 1 oz ranch seasoning, store-bought (1 packet) or homemade • Cooking spray
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with olive oil and set aside. 2. Season both sides of chicken breasts with salt and pepper. 3. Set out three shallow bowls. In the first, combine flour and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the eggs to the second bowl. Mix panko, Parmesan, and ranch seasoning mix in the third bowl. 4. For coating, dip seasoned chicken breasts in flour, coating both sides. Then, dip the chicken in the beaten eggs and, finally, the panko mixture. 5. Place each coated chicken breast in the prepared baking dish. 6. Spray the tops of the chicken with cooking spray. 7. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165 F and is golden brown.
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
1
Confessions of a Cookbook Collector
2
Downsize, Redesign, or Stay Put? Housing Tips for Empty Nesters
Be the Grandparent They’ll Never Forget
3
Stop Sabotaging Your Plate and Start Rewriting Your Thoughts
Extra-Crispy Ranch Chicken Cutlets
4
Tasty Fixes for a Happier You
Food for Thought (and Feelings)
SWEET BITES THAT BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY
Fermented Foods A happy gut means a happy life, and fermented foods like kimchi, yogurt, and sauerkraut are excellent sources of good probiotics. Fermentation creates live microorganisms that ensure you have the right amount of healthy bacteria in your digestive system. They can also increase serotonin levels. Researchers are increasingly finding that the gut microbiome plays a significant role in regulating depression and overall wellness.
Do you ever get “hangry” when you miss a meal or feel like a warm bowl of something delicious would elevate your entire day? It turns out that food does more than just soothe a growling tummy; it can lift your spirits. Certain healthy foods contain natural mood boosters like dopamine, serotonin, and GABA, which can chase away stress in the most tasty way. Get ready to load your plate with feel-good ingredients that fuel the body and mind. You’re one delicious bite away from feeling calmer, more focused, and happier.
Berries Eating more fruits and veggies has long been linked to lower rates of depression, thanks to their inflammation-fighting antioxidants. Berries, in particular, are a sweet option for snacking your way to joy. These powerful little
Dark Chocolate If you have a sweet tooth, here’s your excuse to treat yourself to chocolate. Dark chocolate contains mood-elevating compounds like polyphenols, vitamins, and flavonoids. Its antioxidant properties are known to reduce stress and keep your cells healthy. Dark chocolate also supports the critical connection between gut health and mental health, changing the bacterial composition in the intestines, which studies have found can reduce negative emotions. Just be sure to eat it in moderation because it’s a high-calorie food.
fruits have many compounds known to combat stress. Blackberries, for example, are high in vitamin C, which can help lower anxiety, and fiber, which helps keep your energy levels up. So, next time you’re feeling stressed, reach for a snack that feeds your mood. Whether it’s a square of dark chocolate, a spoonful of yogurt, or a handful of berries, these foods prove happiness is just a meal away.
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