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AUGUST 2019
A Nelson Family Vacation How to Escape the Summer Sun
I love Texas. I plan on never leaving the Lone Star State, save for a few weeks in July and August when we have to escape the sun.
which is always fun to check out. Even when there’s nothing going on in town, we still have a good time at the Airbnb, cooking meals and spending time together as a family.
Don’t get me wrong, after growing up in South Dakota with 40-below winters, I welcome the warm weather. But as my wife says, I have two kryptonites: traffic and heat. When it feels like the sun is trying to bake you every time you step outside, there’s nothing I enjoy more than escaping to Breckenridge, Colorado, a small town at the base of the Rocky Mountains. Before Tiffany and I met, we both vacationed in Breckenridge, and after we were married, this is where we spent our honeymoon. Today, we love bringing our girls up to Breckenridge during summer vacation. Breckenridge is a popular skiing destination in the winter, but the town offers plenty to do in the summer. For example, I love off-roading, and there’s plenty of places to go off-roading in Breckenridge. Tiffany and our youngest daughter, Charley, don’t care for off-roading, as we learned last year. Fortunately, Savannah, my oldest, is all about it. We’ll go off-roading together while Tiffany and Charley go hiking. If you’re like my wife and off-roading isn’t your thing, there’s plenty more to do in the Rockies during the summer. People visit Breckenridge to play golf, enjoy some horseback riding, go fly-fishing, whitewater rafting, paddleboarding, or even swing down a zip line. Basically, if it can be done outside, you can probably do it at Breckenridge. They even had summer dog sledding, which is exactly what it sounds like. Besides off-roading, our summer vacations to Breckenridge tend to be pretty relaxed. There’s this great little creek that flows right through town, where kids play all summer long. The girls like to splash around in the water while Tiffany and I browse the shops on Main Street. Some years, our trips overlap with a big art festival,
We don’t do a lot of planning before heading up to Breckenridge. There’s not a huge checklist of things we have to do in order for it to be a good vacation. Mostly, the goal is to enjoy each other’s company while also enjoying temperatures that are less than 100 degrees. I really cherish our trips to Breckenridge, and not just because it gets me out of the Texas summer sun. They say you only have 18 summers to spend with your kids while they’re still kids. After that, they’re off to college or starting their own lives. Savannah and Charley are growing up fast. Soon the day will come when getting the family to Breckenridge isn’t as simple as packing some bags and walking out the door.
I look forward to these summers and plan on holding onto them for as long as I can.
—Dr. Derrick Nelson
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What’s Next for Marvel Movies?
When Airbnb was founded a little over a decade ago, the developers hoped to provide an alternative to traditional travel accommodations. Today, with annual revenue in the billions, the service is an industry unto itself. While most people use Airbnb to “live like a local” while traveling, you can find some truly wacky lodging options if you spend some time searching the platform. Here are just a few of the many contenders for the title of “Weirdest Airbnb in the U.S.” For ease of searching, the listings here have the same titles as they do on Airbnb. America’s Weirdest Airbnbs This Ain’t Motel 6!
Brand New Studio Earthship Taos, New Mexico
Earthships, houses run by clean energy and featuring reused materials, are a fixture of the Taos area. This one, which looks almost like a crashing wave with a living space in its undertow, combines the rustic charm of truly getting away from it all with modern amenities like Wi-Fi and in-home laundry. It’s a truly unique living space surrounded by pristine nature and not far from the historic Taos Pueblo.
3 Marvel Movies to Watch Out For
For the past 10 years, Marvel movies have delighted families and comic book nerds alike with their memorable characters, incredible action scenes, and sprawling, interconnected storylines. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is the story of the Avengers so far, told through 23 movies. Even though this year marked the end of a massive arc that Marvel Studios dubbed “The Infinity Saga,” there are still more movies coming out that will feature everyone’s favorite heroes. Here are a few films coming up next in the MCU. A Black Widow Solo Movie International assassin Black Widow, played by Scarlett Johansson, was the first female member of the Avengers and made her debut appearance in “Iron Man 2.” She never got her own movie, but Marvel announced recently that a Black Widow movie is officially in the works for the next phase of Marvel movies. Besides the fact that they’ve started filming, there’s not much information about it yet. But for many excited fans, this movie has been a long time coming. ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Star-Lord, Rocket, Groot, and the gang are all back in the third installment of this smash-hit franchise. Without getting into too much detail, “Avengers: Endgame” and the post-credits scene of the second “Guardians” movie provided some clues about the plot and possible main villain. Though details are slim, “Vol. 3” is sure to be another rollicking ride through the cosmos. ‘Black Panther 2’ “Black Panther” was immensely popular (it earned nearly $700 billion domestically), and its success removed all doubt that there would be a sequel. Audiences will journey back to Wakanda and see the newest adventures of King T’Challa and crew, although not much is known about the plot or the release date as of now. But you can rest assured that the creative minds behind the sequel are taking their time to make it as good as the first.
ManCave Apartment/Airplane Hangar Geneva, Florida
Airbnb super hosts Dan and Deborah have no shortage of quirky properties for rent — including yurts and treehouses — but their apartment fashioned out of an airplane hangar surely takes the cake. You’d be forgiven for thinking it was a theme restaurant featuring eclectic aviation. Memorabilia lines the walls with a bar front and center, and the bed is in a loft high above the ground.
Dog Bark Park Inn B&B Cottonwood, Idaho
As you approach the Dog Bark Park Inn, you won’t have to guess if you’re in the right place. After all, how many buildings are shaped like beagles? When describing the space on Airbnb, the hosts make no bones about who this rental is aimed for. “Stay in a giant dog!” they say. In addition to being inside a massive wooden dog, you’ll find canine-themed games, books, and more. Talk about ruffing it.
The future storyline of the MCU is up in the air, but, if the previous movies are any indicator, families, fans, and audiences everywhere have a lot to look forward to.
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Do you brush your dog’s teeth? An Important Message for Pet Lovers Yes, You Need to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth!
Brush Your Pet’s Teeth Your dog or cat isn’t going to love having you mess around in their mouth, but brushing your pet’s teeth is crucial. To learn the basics and make brushing your pet’s teeth a little less stressful, visit Bit.ly/ToothBrushing101. This video focuses on cats, but the strategies will be effective for getting your dog comfortable with having their teeth brushed regularly, too. Keep in mind that if your pet is several years old and you’ve never brushed their teeth before, a toothbrush isn’t going to clean away hardened tartar. For that, you need a professional cleaning from your veterinarian. Schedule Regular Cleanings Humans brush their teeth twice a day, and they still need professional cleanings every six months to maintain good oral health. Can you imagine how much worst your teeth would be at those cleanings if you only brushed once a week or never at all? Even dogs and cats who have their teeth brushed daily need deep cleanings to clear away plaque under the gums. Taking the steps to clean your pet’s teeth today can help you avoid expensive medical emergencies, saving you and your pet a lot of stress and heartache down the road. Talk to your vet about how easy it is to start taking care of your pet’s oral health.
Over 90% of pet owners will say no. They’ve never consider brushing their dog or cat’s teeth, even after getting a face full of smelly dog breath. But bad breath is only the first sign that there’s something wrong inside your dog’s mouth — something that can damage their overall health and well-being. Poor oral care lets plaque and tartar build up on your pet’s teeth, leading to bad breath, tooth loss, and painful chewing. By the time they are 3 years old, 85% of dogs and cats have periodontal disease, better known as gum disease. Bacteria in the mouth have a straight path into the rest of your pet’s body, and gum disease is an early indicator of kidney failure or heart disease in pets. It’s up to pet lovers to make sure their dogs and cats have a fighting chance against gum disease. Special dental treats and water additives can help reduce tartar buildup, but they’re not enough to address the growing threat of gum disease in your pet. Here’s what you need to do to protect your pet’s health.
Food Hounds !
PAWSitively Hilarious !
HOMEMADE PEANUT BUTTER AND BACON DOG TREATS
Ingredients
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1 tbsp baking powder
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1 cup natural creamy peanut butter
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3/4 cup nonfat milk (replace with lactose- free milk or almond milk for lactose- intolerant pups)
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1/3 cup oats
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2–3 strips cooked bacon, chopped
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1 large egg
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2 cups whole wheat flour
Directions
1. Heat oven to 325 F. Line two baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. 2. Mix all ingredients into a large bowl. Dough will be thick, so you may need to work in the flour with your hands. 3. Use a rolling pin to roll dough out to 1/4-inch thick. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters, then transfer to baking sheets and bake for 18–20 minutes. When bottoms are lightly browned, remove from oven, flip treats to other side, and bake for another 10–12 minutes. 4. Remove from oven and let treats cool completely before serving to your dog. Treats can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Inspired by Sally’s Baking Addiction
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1 Inside 913 Robert’s Cut Off Rd. | River Oaks, TX 76114 Dr. Nelson’s Kryptonite
Not Your Average Vacation Lodgings
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The Next Phase of Marvel Movies
The 1 Mistake Endangering Your Pet’s Health
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Homemade Peanut Butter and Bacon Dog Treats
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How These Rats Save Lives
Heroism From an Unexpected Source Meet the Rats That Sniff Out Land Mines
When you think of animals that could be considered heroic, giant rats probably aren’t the first creatures that pop into your head. Many people still think of them as filthy, disease-ridden little thieves that deserve eradication rather than a medal. But one nongovernmental organization (NGO) has proven just how heroic rats can be by training them to detect land mines and, in turn, save lives. Over 60 countries worldwide still feel the effects of wars past every time someone steps on an unactivated land mine. Dogs and metal detectors have traditionally been used to find and safely detonate land mines in these countries, but both methods are costly and time-consuming. A human with a metal detector could take up to four days to clear a 2,000 square foot area of any land mines, and people knew there had to be a faster, safer way. Tanzania-based NGO APOPO found the answer: African giant pouched rats. These rats have several advantages over dogs and humans when it comes to detecting land mines. While they are bigger than your average pet rat — some can be as large as a cat — they’re still light enough that they won’t detonate a land mine if they stand on one. Though they have poor eyesight, they make up for that
deficiency with an incredible sense of smell. A fully trained rat can sniff amounts of TNT as small as 29 grams and distinguish it from other industrial substances like motor oil and battery acid.
Along with these innate qualities, pouched rats are easy and cheap to train.
While a dog can only bond with and work for one master, rats will sniff out land mines under any person’s direction, so long as they get a tasty treat afterward. They can search a 2,000 square foot area in 20 minutes, saving humans from days of dangerous, meticulous work. Between 1995 and 2015, APOPO’s rats found about 13,200 mines in Africa and Southeast Asia. Today, their programs are still going strong, proving that heroism can be found in even the most unlikely of animals.
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