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JULY 2020
THE BEST FRIEND A KID COULD HAVE Celebrating National Gorgeous Grandma Day
id you know that July 23 is Gorgeous Grandma Day? I’d never heard of this holiday before, but I’m so glad it exists, and I’m going to take this opportunity to tell you all about my amazing grandma, Clara Sherman.
Grandma Clara is my maternal grandmother, and she’s been an integral part of my life since I was born. We lived with Grandma and Grandpa Sherman at several points in my life, so I spent a great deal of time with my grandma. For the longest time, I called her my best friend. She showed tremendous interest in me and was always so kind to me. Grandma was someone I could run to when my sister and I were bickering or (of course) if I wanted to get away with something my parents wouldn’t let me do. One thing Grandma really helped me with was my education. Even before I started formal school, she would write down math problems for me to solve and play different brain-training games with me. I loved to leaf through her encyclopedia set (our “internet” back then!) and find interesting topics to quiz her on. I specifically remember quizzing her about where tornadoes came from, which turned into asking why we didn’t have tornadoes where we lived (Chicago) and what we would do if a tornado ever came along. She always took the time to listen patiently and answer each of my questions until I had no more. There is a story my awesome Grandpa Sherman loves to tell about how one day, when I first started school, I came home in tears. I ran straight to Grandma and said, “My teacher told me that when you’re older than 50, you’re old enough to die. You and Grandpa are older than 50! I don’t want you to die!” Now, I have no idea why this conversation took place at school, or even if my teacher really said this, but that’s certainly how I interpreted it. While my feelings were serious to me at the time, my grandparents thought it was hilarious and — after calming me down — they used it as an opportunity to explain what death is and how it was nothing to fear.
Grandma celebrated her 79th birthday on May 30, and she is nowhere close to slowing down. She spends most of her time visiting Georgia, where my mom, sister, my sister's two children, and my uncles live. My sister’s son, Tyler, is 11 now, and it is special to see how close he is with Grandma. Amazingly, his relationship with Grandma is similar to the relationship I had with her when I was his age. She’s certainly his best friend now. In fact, every time Tyler comes out to Colorado to visit us, Grandma flies out here with him. And when she comes to visit us alone, Tyler calls her every morning and night to share what he is up to, tell her how much he misses her, and ask when she is coming back to him in Georgia. It says so much about Grandma that she’s been able to have close relationships like this three times: first with her own three children, then with me and my sister, and now with her four great-grandchildren. She is a remarkable woman bursting with love, and she never lets a day pass without finding something to laugh about and making others laugh, too.
Grandma, my family and I thank you for everything. You're gorgeous inside and out, and we love you!.
–Myles Johnson
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Find Your Family’s Next Crafting Project
DIYS FROM ACROSS THE ENTERTAINMENT SPHERE
Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or brand-new to crafting, there are lots of ways to get your kids creating. For example, why buy merchandise from their favorite video game or TV show if they can make it themselves? Check out these resources for free crafting ideas to keep your kids connected to their favorite characters when they’re not looking at a screen. Disney-Themed Crafts From “Star Wars” to all things Mickey Mouse, entire fictional universes can come to life inside your home and make your family time feel a little more magical. Family.Disney.com offers projects for every difficulty level. Many require glue guns and adult supervision, but that’s what makes them fun and interactive for both you and your children. Who knows, you might just find inspiration for other decorations in your home after a few Disney-inspired crafting sessions. Nickelodeon-Themed Crafts Whether it’s “Blue’s Clues,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” or “SpongeBob SquarePants,” there’s no doubt that your little one is familiar with some of Nickelodeon's most iconic children’s shows. NickelodeonParents.com offers DIY crafts that’ll
encourage your kids to get busy and creative while decorating their play areas and beyond. The site also filters crafts by categories like Big Kids, Educational, and Noggin, so you even have options if you want your child to learn something while they play. Geeky Crafts If your kids are huge gamers, GeekCrafts.com is a great website for finding DIYs that they can get invested in. Not everything is designed for small kids, but there’s a large archive to choose from, and it’s not difficult at all to recognize what crafts will be best for your family. From Minecraft-themed building blocks to Pokemon felt hats, you’ll find lots of fun projects that’ll get your kids excited and asking, “What’s the next step?”
We hope these free resources help you and your family spend a little more creative time together! Have fun!
An Introduction to Turmeric’s Health Benefits
People have raved about many superfoods over the past few decades, but one that has garnered notable attention is turmeric. Fittingly known as the golden spice due to its orange-yellow hue, turmeric is famous for being a crucial part of Indian cuisine, ayurvedic medicine, and Chinese medicine. But does turmeric actually help people? And if so, how? Let’s start with the basics to find out. What’s in turmeric? First, it’s important to knowwhat the spice contains and why researchers are so excited about it. Turmeric is packed with a chemical known as curcumin, which has been shown to provide anti- inflammatory effects, pain relief, antioxidants, and a decrease in the risk of cancer. Pro Tip: You should not consume excessive amounts of turmeric if you take medication that has blood-clotting effects, such as aspirin. However, a moderate amount typically doesn’t react with these or other medications and has many other benefits. Can it improve joint health? In many cases, yes! The Arthritis Foundation recommends taking a 400–600-milligram tablet of turmeric up to three times daily. Multiple studies cite turmeric’s ability to reduce inflammation and relieve arthritis pain, and one study
even notes that turmeric seemed to work just as well as ibuprofen (Advil) for people with arthritis in their knees. Participants in that study took 800 milligrams of turmeric every day. Can it help the liver? Yes. One of the spice’s most notable characteristics is its powerful antioxidant abilities. Antioxidants play an important function in our bodies. The average person is exposed to refined and processed foods, smoking, environmental pollution, and chemicals found in pesticides and drugs. Turmeric can protect the liver from damage due to these toxins, which also aids those who take strong medications known to cause long- term liver damage. Can it decrease symptoms of hay fever and depression? Some symptoms, yes. The curcumin in turmeric can help reduce hay fever symptoms like sneezing, itching, runny nose, and congestion. When used in tandem with antidepressants, turmeric may help reduce symptoms of depression. There are many benefits to using turmeric in your weekly meal routine. Try out some Indian or Chinese recipes or prepare some Instagram-worthy golden milk. In whatever you make, enjoy the rich flavor combinations turmeric offers!
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I n light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the future is more uncertain than ever. In an effort to support vulnerable members of our community, attorney Jereme Baker, of Baker Law Group, is offering free estate planning to individuals over the age of 75 and discounts on estate planning for all other clients, as well.. Baker has been a mentor to Myles for many years, and the Baker Law Group team is dedicated to serving our community. “I know there are many people in our community who can’t necessarily afford an estate plan,” says Baker. “At Baker Law Group, we’re prepared to conduct virtual meetings so those taking advantage of this offer don’t have to come into the office and risk exposure.” Since 2011, Baker Law Group has served individuals and families facing times of crisis through trust and estate planning law. Baker was introduced to this area of law when his own grandmother passed away. When his family asked him to assist with the probate process, Baker found that he enjoyed the balance of litigation and transactional law. He was also glad to be there for his family during a hard time. “In college, I took a course called Law and Society,” Baker explains. “It really opened my eyes to how much lawyers impact our society and helped me decide to become a lawyer. By practicing law, I’m able to help shape our society and the experiences of individuals within our society.” The areas of law practiced at Baker Law Group reflect Baker's vision. In addition to offering families trust and estate planning, Baker Law Group also works with small businesses in our community to address their legal needs. When going through a major life event, the legal process you experience to resolve it shapes the next steps in your future. A smooth legal process can greatly impact your ability to cope with that major change. This applies to both families going through probate after losing a loved one and couples who may need to downsize their small business after filing for divorce. Baker Law Group works hard to help our community. If you or someone you know is over the age of 75 and needs help with estate planning, then don’t hesitate to take advantage of Baker Law Group’s offer. Call 303.862.4564 now to learn more.
THE BEST GRILLED SUMMER VEGETABLES Inspired by DinnerAtTheZoo.com
This summer, revolutionize your cookout with a serving of delicious, colorful veggies.
Ingredients
• • • • •
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1 1/2 tsp garlic, minced
2 lbs assorted vegetables, trimmed and halved (asparagus, mushrooms, red onion, red bell peppers, baby carrots, and yellow squash are great on the grill)
• • •
5 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup parsley leaves, chopped
Directions
1.
In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic. Brush vegetables with olive oil and place in a large bowl. Top with lemon juice and seasoning mixture. Toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes but no longer than 2 hours.
2.
3. Prepare the grill at medium-high heat. 4. Grill vegetables in batches, cooking 3–5 minutes on each side until browned and tender. (Carrots will cook longer, 6–9 minutes per side.) 5. Remove from the grill, sprinkle with parsley, and serve hot.
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720.452.2540
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
JohnsonLGroup.com 720.452.2540
13599 East 104th Avenue, Suite 300 • Commerce City, CO 80022
INSIDE
Meet My Amazing Grandma, Clara
Find Your Family’s Next Crafting Project
The Power of the Golden Spice
Estate Planning for People Over 75
The Good News!
The Secret to Delicious Grilled Veggies
Find a Beautiful, Local Hike for theWhole Family
FIND A BEAUTIFUL, LOCAL HIKE FOR THEWHOLE FAMILY
The Bluffs Loop Where: The Bluffs Regional Park Denver Drive Time: 30 min Distance: 2.7 miles, plus spurs Difficulty: Easy
One of the best things we can do for ourselves is exercise regularly outdoors — and, lucky for us, Colorado has some of the most beautiful nature in the world. Let’s look at a few local hiking trails within easy driving distance from Denver.
has plenty of shade, a mostly level path, a few great places to picnic, and follows the creek in both directions — making it ideal for enjoying the gorgeous canyon and riparian landscape.
Castle Rock Trail Where: Castle Rock Denver Drive Time: 35 min Distance: 1.4 miles, plus spurs Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Bear Creek Trail Where: Lair o’ The Bear Park Denver Drive Time: 30 min Distance: 1.6 miles Difficulty: Easy
This loop trail offers incredible views of Denver, whether you hike in the morning or at night. Two spurs lead to panoramic viewpoints, and hiking there while the sun is setting is a local favorite. Both horseback riding and mountain biking are allowed on this trail, so you may share the trail during your hike. We hope these suggestions allow you and your family to have some fun on the trails this summer!
It’s easy to find the trailhead in downtown Castle Rock and see the historic natural landmark for which the town was named. This trail can get difficult and rocky, but you’ll find that there are plenty of tables and a beautiful panoramic view of Castle Rock at the top. If your family is active, then it’s more than worth the effort!
Not only is the canyon drive into Lair o’ The Bear beautiful, but it’s also one of the best places for a family hike near Denver. There are great hiking trail options, the freshwater of Bear Creek, easy parking, picnicking opportunities, and both wide- open areas and shady spots. This particular trail
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