Take a look at our April newsletter!
Plan today for peace of mind tomorrow. APRIL 2023
The modern-day workplace has evolved significantly in recent years, with employers around the country recognizing the importance of creating a positive work culture. At Shoup Legal, we’re no different. From the start, we set out to create a business where employees actually want to work. I want my team to feel supported and appreciated while giving them plenty of opportunities to have fun during their workday. Over the years, I think we’ve been successful, and our team has had a lot of fun together. As a law firm, there’s a general consensus that our work environment is slightly more uptight than other businesses. While we do our fair share of serious work, it’s important to unwind occasionally, and we do that through bonding experiences. Sometimes this takes the form of luncheons and themed parties, while other times, it’s a gathering over the weekend. One of the ways we encourage a positive culture at Shoup Legal is by knowing each other’s likes and dislikes. We find this out through colleague queries. For example, we may ask our team members if they like surprise parties. Those who do might get a surprise party on their birthday or special occasion. If a team member does not like surprise parties, they won’t have to worry because we know their preference. Sometimes these queries serve as icebreakers, like when we asked our team what time period in history they would like to go back to. It’s a great way to bond with our co-workers. We also have a team meeting every morning when we ask someone to give a quote, joke, or fun fact of the day. The other day someone informed us that the Earth has earthquakes, but the moon has moonquakes. It’s always great to start each day by learning something new. Our Secret to Fun and Fulfilling Workdays BRINGING JOY TO THE 9-TO-5
We invited everyone to bring their Nintendo Switches to work once, and we all played video games together. Sometimes, we’ll even put together internal challenges that pit the east side of the office against the west side in a friendly competition. For Christmas, we had one side of the office dressed in green and the other in red. Everyone had a great time! We spend so much time with our co-workers while we work. Adding fun into the mix puts everyone in a good mood, and everything seems to operate much more smoothly. It creates a more amicable atmosphere, and co-workers actually enjoy each other’s company. It helps to avoid uncomfortable office politics while improving our overall culture. And it has a direct effect on our clients. When you interact with someone who is happy, the feeling spreads, and you can have a much more enjoyable experience. Whereas, if you were to interact with someone who didn’t enjoy their job, it would show, and you probably wouldn’t have the best time working with them.
There’s no reason not to have fun at work. It makes the job more enjoyable for yourself and everyone around you. I’m already looking forward to our next quarterly event, and I know I’m not the only one!
–Andrea Shoup
Other activities that our team looks forward to are our quarterly events. We’ll invite the entire team to escape rooms, scavenger hunts, or other fun activities.
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Normalizing a Cheap Date INTRODUCING ‘INFLADATING’
Dating isn’t cheap! Dinner and a movie, along with the cost of gas, ride services, drinks, and flowers, can quickly burn a hole in your wallet, especially when you factor in inflation. Even though a steak or lobster dinner may be unrealistic during these uncertain times, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy a date! It’s called “infladating,” a term coined by the Plenty of Fish dating app, and it aims to save you money on date night. To avoid going broke while searching for love, here are five financially savvy infladating options! Have dinner in. Ordering takeout and cuddling up on the couch under a fuzzy blanket while watching a movie is a great way to bond and learn more about each other
— not to mention it’s romantic! You can pause the movie for bathroom and ice cream breaks, too!
great way to learn about someone. It reveals their passions, strengths, beliefs, and skills.
Go out for breakfast. Instead of a dinner date, why not make it a breakfast date? It’s usually less expensive than dinner and is a great way to start the day. After all, who doesn’t love pancakes, bacon, and eggs? Watch the sunset. Head to the local park, beach, or lake to watch the sunset. It’s free, romantic, and simple. Even if you just hold hands and take in the views, it’s a great way to connect and relax. Volunteer together. Volunteering is one of the best ways to help others and stay active in your community. It’s also a
Take a hike. Spending time in nature is a great way to bond. Whether it’s a relaxing walk on a flat trail or breaking a sweat on a more challenging route, hiking in the great outdoors is a perfect date idea to unleash your adventurous side. You may even see beautiful wildflowers or wildlife. Infladating allows you to become more creative, intentional, and thoughtful with your date ideas! So, think more carefully about how you can get creative with your date ideas and save money at the same time!
CRAFTING A BRIGHT FUTURE Diane’s Journey to Pursue a Career in Law
Employee growth is a focal point in our business. Whenever we hire someone new to the team, we want to be there to help them accomplish their goals, regardless of whether those goals involve the legal field or not. Some of our team members have dreams of being attorneys,
Diane even has goals beyond law school. She wants to work at the San Diego district attorney’s office, preferably on domestic violence cases. Diane feels that many people fail to understand the physical and mental aspects of domestic violence. She feels her generation is putting more focus on the mental health side of things, and she wants to ensure the legal system aligns with those values. Before Diane heads off to law school and continues her journey toward becoming a full-fledged attorney, she’ll be here to assist clients with their needs. She’s often the first person you’ll talk to when you call our office, and she’s always ready to help you get started with your estate plan or the probate process while providing you with directions for any other need. She keeps kindness at the forefront of every conversation and does everything she can to help our clients. Outside of work, you’ll likely find Diane at the gym, reading poetry, or traveling to San Diego for a food adventure. She loves trying new hot pot or Korean barbecue restaurants and never passes up an opportunity to get some ice cream from Somisomi. We’re so excited to see what the next few years will bring for Diane. We know she will continue to impress others as she progresses through school and starts the next chapter of her life. Until then, she’ll be here to assist you with whatever you need!
and working at our office is just one of the many steps they take on their journey. Diane, who works in client services, is one example of this,
and her future looks very bright.
Diane first started working with us in July of last year. She’s currently a third- year criminology student at California State University San Marcos and has a strong vision for her future. She wants to graduate with her bachelor’s degree this May as a third-year before enrolling at California Western School of Law to pursue a law degree.
Plan today for peace
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Cod and Asparagus Bake Inspired by TasteofHome.com
BIG BROTHER, BIG HEART REFLECTING ON SHARED EXPERIENCES WITH MY SIBLING Is there anything more special than the relationship between siblings? They’re often our first friends and closest confidants throughout our adult years. This April, we celebrate Siblings Day, which provides a great chance to shower our siblings with love and support. I have one older brother, and I have become incredibly grateful for the relationship we have cultivated as we’ve grown older. He’s six years older than me, meaning we were regularly at different stages in our lives throughout our youth. We grew closer as we grew older, and now he’s one of my best friends. We spend nearly every holiday together and often vacation with each other’s families. It doesn’t matter if we’re going hiking, playing soccer or Scrabble with our families, or spending time at our parents’ house, I know that when we’re together, we will have a great time. What makes our relationship even stronger is how well our families get along. My brother is a huge Raiders fan, while my husband is a big Packers fan. These teams are in different conferences, so they only play each other once every four years. Every eight years, the game takes place close to home. We know when that game is approaching and ensure we get tickets so everyone can go together. Some friendly teasing might be involved, especially since the Packers have won the past seven contests. The game should take place in Las Vegas this year, so we’re definitely planning to go. Another activity that I can’t wait to experience is hiking with our families in Yosemite. When we were growing up, my brother and I always made the hike up to Half Dome, and now his daughter is reaching an age where she’s ready to attempt it. We’re going to tackle it as a family, and everyone should have a great time!
This recipe is quick to make and perfect for busy weeknights when eating healthy seems impossible. The buttery cod is low-fat and a great way to include healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in your diet. Ingredients
• • • • • • •
Oil for baking pan 4 4-oz cod fillets
1 lb thin asparagus, trimmed 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest 1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. In a 15x10x1-inch baking pan brushed with oil, place cod, asparagus, and tomatoes. 2. Brush cod with lemon juice, then sprinkle with lemon zest. Sprinkle cod and vegetables with Romano cheese. Bake until fish flakes easily with a fork, about 12 minutes. 3. Remove pan from oven; preheat broiler. Broil cod mixture 3-4 inches from the heat source until vegetables are lightly browned, about 2-3 minutes.
My brother is a huge part of my life, and I wouldn’t trade him for anything. Hopefully, we can spend some time together on Siblings Day and reflect on our shared experiences.
TAKE A BREAK
–Andrea Shoup
e of mind tomorrow.
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Plan today for peace of mind tomorrow. 39755 Date St., Ste. 203 | Murrieta, CA 92563 (951) 445-4114 | www.shouplegal.com
Inside This Issue
1 | How We Make Work Fun for Our Employees 2 | New Trend Alert: ‘Infladating’ 2 | Get to Know Diane 3 | Siblings Day Is This Month! 3 | Cod and Asparagus Bake 4 | Combating Spring Allergies
Nipping Spring Allergies in the Bud WHEN POLLEN STRIKES
Remove pollen from indoor air. It’s inevitable that pollen will get inside your home and vehicle. To combat this, utilize your air conditioning or invest in a certified allergy air filter! A dehumidifier and/or an air purifier will help to lower the pollen spore count in the air. Rinse out your sinuses. When pollen overwhelms your sinus passages, one of the best things to do is to rinse out your airways. A sinus flush with a saline solution is one of the easiest and most effective ways to eliminate the pollen that irritates your respiratory system. Take over-the-counter medications. After checking with your doctor or health care provider, choose an over-the-counter medication that is right for your symptoms. Medications like oral antihistamines, oral decongestants, and corticosteroid nasal sprays are all beneficial in reducing the effects of seasonal allergies.
Spring has arrived! However, rebirth and renewal aren’t the only things in the air. During spring, trees, weeds, plants, and grasses release small grains of pollen into the air to fertilize other plants. Because the pollen is small and light, it travels through the wind and frequently causes allergic reactions. Symptoms of seasonal allergies include congestion, sneezing, coughing, a runny nose, an itchy throat, watering eyes, and irritation in the roof of your mouth. If you’re prone to experiencing allergies all spring long, here are some useful tips to keep them at bay. Reduce your exposure. During spring months, keep the windows in your home and car closed. On particularly windy or dry days, avoid spending time outdoors, and do not hang your clean laundry outside to dry. After you have been outdoors, remove your clothing and wash your hair and skin to remove any traces of pollen. Do not cut the grass, pull weeds, or do any gardening.
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