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TRUE NORTH
BY
STEVE LINGENBRINK | CHRIS CAZARES
As the Irish blessing goes, “May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow. And may trouble avoid you wherever you go.” Every year, on St. Patrick’s Day, we all are a little bit Irish (even if we aren’t), right? Well, believe it or not, I have a bit of Irish in me, too, and I wear my green proudly on March 17. My entire life, friends have always been confused about my ethnicity and where my ancestors came from. Looking at me, I’m tough to pinpoint, and to be completely honest, it was a bit of a mystery to me too. My whole life, my mom always believed she was 100% Irish; if she wasn’t 100%, it had to be close to 95% — she was sure. My son, Jude, is now 5 years old. However, when my wife, Devin, was pregnant with him, along with the gender reveal, we thought it’d be a lot of fun to test my genetics and ancestry to find out where my ethnicity is derived from and, in turn, what Jude would be! So, we combined the ideas and threw a gender/DNA reveal party. In the weeks leading up to the event, everyone had tons of fun placing bets, making guesses, and putting some thought into what the results would reveal. When the day arrived, all of our family, friends, and loved ones showed up dressed as what they thought the DNA results would reveal. My mom wore an Irish dress, and my dad wore a sombrero. THE LUCK OF THE IRISH? HARD WORK AND PERSEVERANCE MAKE LUCK
only a quarter Irish instead of the half we all expected. My mom was floored! Instead, I had a bunch of European in me with traces from Wales, Senegal, Basque, Spain, Mexico, and Northern Africa. Despite this big shock, I still always carry my Irish heritage with me, near and dear to my heart — how could I not be proud with the luck of the Irish on my side? The high school I attended in my mid-teenage years was an all-boys Catholic school known as Cathedral High School. Our mascot was the Fighting Irish, and around St. Patrick’s Day, I am reminiscent of the many memories I have of playing football, teaching, and coaching at the school. You can say that the luck of the Irish certainly flows through my blood, but that’s not to say that I fully believe in luck. It’s often said that the harder you work, the luckier you get. I believe you can create your own luck. As this relates to my clients and their cases, it’s a hero’s journey. As they put in time, effort, and energy to return to their lives pre-injury, their capes fly high! My dedication, passion, and hard work create luck!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Of course, as we now know, we discovered that we were having a son, and we couldn’t have been more excited. Just as shocking, however, was that I was
CHRIS CAZARES
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CAN THIS LAWSUIT ELBOW ITS WAY TO A COURTROOM WIN? THE MAC AND CHEESE LEGAL DEBACLE
Here’s a fun fact for you: In the fall of 2022, a woman in Florida sued food giant Kraft Heinz — all because it took her a few extra minutes to prepare her mac and cheese. This may sound like a made-up plot straight out of “The Onion,” but it’s true! The woman’s name is Amanda Ramirez, and according to National Public Radio, she’s suing Kraft Heinz for $5 million over its “misleading advertising.” What exactly misled her? Well, Kraft’s cup of Velveeta Shells & Cheese claims it will be “ready in 3 1/2 minutes” — when in fact, that’s just the microwave time. Apparently, Ramirez felt betrayed when it took her slightly more than 3 1/2 minutes to peel the lid off the container and add water to the noodles. Her outrage only climbed as she waited for her pasta’s cheese sauce to thicken after 3 1/2 minutes of staring at the microwave
window. Before long, she was steaming over the notion that she’d been ripped off by a greedy manufacturer intent on selling false convenience.
Kraft to try to get the case dismissed, but the U.S. does have a history of successful lawsuits against misleading advertising by food companies. According to NBC News, a class-action lawsuit filed
NPR reports that Ramirez’s lawsuit reaches beyond her kitchen and even beyond the state of Florida. It “looks to cover consumers in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah, New Mexico, Alaska,
over a non-GMO advertising campaign cost Chipotle $6.5 million in 2020. And just last spring, a Florida attorney went to bat against Burger King, claiming its Whoppers were smaller than advertised.
Iowa, Tennessee, and Virginia who purchased the mac and cheese cups during the applicable statute of limitations period.” Over 100 people fall into that category, maybe including you!
As we write this, the mac and cheese fiasco is still unresolved —
but you can bet we’ll be watching the news. We may even chow down on a bowl of Velveeta Shells while we do it!
Does Ramirez stand a chance? It’s hard to say. NPR reports that her legal team expects
KEEP YOUR BRAIN IN MIND
TOP SIGNS OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES
According to the Brain Injury Association of America, brain injuries are one of the leading causes of disabilities and deaths in the U.S. Every year, roughly 2.8 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Surprisingly, trip and falls (48%) are the leading cause of TBIs. About 17% of TBIs result from striking an object, and 13% occur during car accidents. About 8% happen due to assaults by another individual, and the remaining 14% result from unknown or rare causes. This month is Brain Injury Awareness month, a time to raise awareness for this scary and potentially life-threatening injury. While TBIs and other brain injuries are relatively common, and most victims believe that after an accident, they are well aware of the injuries they sustained, sometimes a TBI can be overlooked until it’s too late. Their personal injury case is already settled. Injuries to bones and muscles may be repairable, but a brain injury can change a victim’s life forever and may impact relationships with spouses, children, and friends. It can even lead to difficulty continuing to work and may affect their overall quality of life. If you or a loved one has been in an accident, a victim of assault, or suffered a slip and fall and a TBI is suspected, here are some signs to be on the lookout for:
Mild TBIs •
Nausea
• • • •
Loss of smell
• • •
Excessive sleep
Sensitivity to bright lights
Depression
Seizures
Coordination difficulties
Memory loss
Moderate to Severe TBIs •
Clear fluid draining from ears or nose
•
Dilated pupils in one or both eyes Habitual vomiting Combative behavior
• • •
Severe depression Difficulty speaking Trouble walking
• •
It should be noted that sometimes, these symptoms may take weeks — or even months — to appear. That is why after any type of accident, injury, or fall, it’s essential to see a doctor immediately to be evaluated and screened accordingly. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Here at Polaris Injury Law, we are ready to step in and help — we just need you to ensure that you’re taking care of yourself and prioritizing your health right away! Contact us today to pursue your personal injury claim if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a brain injury.
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THE NBA CHANGES ITS AWARDS TO REPRESENT THEIR MOST ICONIC PLAYERS
Michael Jordan is now on the MVP Trophy. Widely considered the best NBA player of all time, Michael
Jordan is now the man in gold atop the NBA’s MVP Trophy. The trophy also reflects Jordan in other ways, such as being 23.6 inches tall and 23 pounds, an homage to Jordan’s jersey number and number of championships (6). The Defensive Player of the Year is now the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy. Hakeem Olajuwon is known for being an indomitable defensive force, holding the NBA record for blocked shots and coming in eighth for the most steals. This trophy showcases a gold player frozen in the classic defensive stance inside a crystal pillar. Rookie of the Year is now the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy. In the 1959-60 season, Wilt Chamberlain made history as a rookie. He averaged 37.6 points and 27 rebounds while playing just over 45 minutes each game for the Philadelphia Warriors, a record that remains unbeaten to this day. This trophy features a gold player, floating inside its crystal, palming two basketballs.
Over the years, the NBA hasn’t been one to shy away from changing its awards system. They’ve changed the All-Star Game MVP award to be named after Kobe Bryant, redesigned their championship trophy, and even added new awards. But the NBA recently changed five of its most prominent awards to honor some of its most iconic players.
The Sixth Man of the Year Trophy is now the John Havlicek Trophy. The sixth man undoubtedly is a force that carries his team, and being the first to come off the bench and give it his all is what John Havlicek excelled at. With 13 All-Star Selections and eight championships, Havlicek embodied that pivotal role player. This trophy features a player shooting a running jumper, a move that is symbolic of the boost the sixth man provides his team. The Most Improved Player award now honors George Mikan. George Mikan knew how to work hard to improve his game — so much so that since his time in the NBA, the “Mikan Drill” has been used by players worldwide to enhance their footwork. This trophy features a gold player jumping for a lay-up.
BAKED BEANS WITH GROUND MEAT
PUZZLE BREAK
INSPIRED BY EATINGWELL.COM
If you’re looking for a hearty comfort food this month, this recipe is for you! Use a lean meat of your choice to create this healthy dinner that will have your family begging for more.
INGREDIENTS •
1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped
• • • • •
1/4 cup molasses 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• • • • •
1 lb lean ground beef, turkey, or chicken 2 15-oz cans navy beans, rinsed
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup water 3/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives for garnish
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add oil, onion, and ground meat. Cook, stirring and crumbling meat with a wooden spoon until the onion has softened and the meat is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. 2. Add beans, water, ketchup, molasses, mustard, garlic powder, and salt, then bring to a simmer. 3. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring until bubbling and slightly thickened, 5–8 minutes. Garnish with chives.
(SOLUTION ON PG. 4)
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Embracing My Irish Luck and Heritage
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The Great Mac and Cheese Lawsuit of 2022
Brain Injury Awareness Month
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NBA Awards Now Honor GOATs
Baked Beans With Ground Meat
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Steve’s Corner: Building Up Endurance and Stamina
SUDOKU SOLUTION FROM PG. 3
STEVE’S CORNER
LOG LONGER MILES IN NO TIME HOW TO BUILD ENDURANCE LIKE A CHAMP
Embrace interval training. When your body powers through interval training, both your stamina capacity and ability to perform well aerobically (cardio) are increased. Instead of setting out on long runs all the time, break up that routine with some sprint sets! Just 10 sprints lasting 30 seconds once a week can work wonders! Switch it up. When it comes to where you get your exercise from, variety is paramount. It’s important to be constantly challenging your muscles in new ways and working different groups. Take a few steps out of your comfort zone to incorporate some new movements. Long after your workout is through or you’ve finished climbing the last flight of stairs, having strong endurance pays off. It boosts your metabolism and keeps you healthier for the long haul! Get started today!
Have you ever been so late to the office or a doctor’s appointment that you didn’t have time to wait for the elevator, so you took the stairs, and after just two flights, you found yourself winded and wheezing? Even if you’re lean, toned, and fit, endurance plays a big role in your health and fitness. Just because you can bench press like a champ doesn’t necessarily mean you can run a marathon. Just as it’s important to get in your pushups, situps, and squats, it’s essential to build your endurance. Here are some great tips on how to improve your stamina to improve all aspects of your life, whether doing some gardening, taking a morning jog, or just cleaning the house. Rest up. Building endurance relies heavily on making sure that you get enough hours of quality sleep. When your body is recharged, you can work your body harder and for longer periods, resulting in improved endurance.
Steve Lingenbrink is the founding partner of Polaris Injury Law, formerly Lingenbrink Law and Lingenbrink Cazares Injury Lawyers.
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