301.476.1020 • www.PEREZHALPERN.com
November 2019
FINDING MY SUNSHINE
Adjusting to the Seasonal Changes and Embracing the Cold
How do you feel about the time change? When daylight saving time ends this month, our family begins our countdown until it changes again in April. We’re more of a sunshine family as
windows in our house, where the warming afternoon sunlight streams through. I’ve noticed I go out of my way to find sunshine, whether that’s by taking a walk outside or sitting near a window. I have the luxury of having windows in my office, and I’m grateful for even the bit of winter light that comes through them. Jacob does love the sun, but he doesn’t care about the cold. He’s the kid who would rather go outside without a jacket and just wear a sweatshirt and hoodie. When he was little, his nanny was very concerned about making sure he was bundled up. I’m a mom who’s not afraid of old wives’ tales, and I know that not having a jacket isn’t going to give him a cold. I’d rather fight with him about screen time than whether or not he’s wearing a coat. Jacob has even made up a song about how he embraces the cold East Coast weather: “I can survive in 35,” he sings as he goes out to play in the winter. He’s a pretty great kid. I guess Jacob might take after me a little bit — while I’m not as impervious to the cold as he is, when I was in a running group, I was always the first one to start taking off layers in the winter. Still, I prefer warmer weather to the cold. That makes it pretty nice to have family who live in warmer places. We have our trip planned and ready this month to go to Florida and see my family for Thanksgiving, and I know we’re all excited to be somewhere sunny and warm. Jacob is excited to be somewhere where he gets to play with his uncle and cousins. While the weather isn’t my favorite this time of year, there is one thing I always look forward to this season: pumpkin everything. I’ll take the shorter days as long as I get to have a pumpkin spice latte and drink it in a sunny spot.
a whole, so as the days get shorter and we see the sun less, we patiently wait until the days grow longer. During the colder months, Jacob counts down the days until he can play baseball and ride his bike outside again. As for Josh and me, we just want to be able to go outside comfortably! While we’re not a super outdoorsy family, we do crave the sun.
The change of seasons here in Maryland is more marked than it is in Puerto Rico, and I’ve noticed how I adjust to the colder weather each day. On weekends in the fall and winter, even though it’s cold, we try to spend a lot of time close to the
Have a happy season and Thanksgiving with your family, and until next time,
–Meliha Perez Halp ern
www.PEREZHALPERN.com | 1
Published by The Newsletter Pro . www.NewsletterPro.com
Engage Your Kids on Thanksgiving WITH THESE GRATITUDE-THEMED GAMES
Thanksgiving is an excellent time to teach children about gratefulness. By planning some fun, gratitude-themed games, you
paper and put it in a bowl. Then, at the dinner table, have each person draw a random slip and read what it says without saying the name while everyone else tries to guess who wrote it. While Pictionary may get your kids talking about what they are thankful for, Guess Who? will tune them into what others around them are thankful for too.
can impart a valuable lesson and spend some quality family time together. Get your kids in the holiday spirit by adding a Thanksgiving twist to these classic games. PICTIONARY Want to bring out your kids’ creative sides? Pictionary is the perfect way to encourage artistic expression and grateful thinking. Try adding a rule where players have to draw something they’re grateful for. This will get your kids thinking beyond turkey and stuffing and give them an imaginative way to express their gratitude. Plus, who doesn’t love a good art contest?
PICK-UP STICKS Like regular pick-up sticks, the goal is to remove a stick from a haphazard pile without disturbing the others. However, by using colored sticks that represent different kinds of thankfulness — such as places, people, or food — you can make players think outside the box. This will ensure you get a wide range of creative, thoughtful answers whenever the kids pick up a stick.
These modified games are great for helping your kids realize how much they have to be thankful for. Use these to spend some fun, educational, quality time with your family this Thanksgiving.
GUESS WHO? To play gratitude-themed Guess Who?, have each participant write down their name and something they’re thankful for on a slip of
TITLE Text Pre-Road Trip Prep & Your Winter Driving Checklist STAY SAFE DURING HOLIDAY TRAVEL
Start the trip with a full tank of gas. Bring along a map of the area where you’re headed, just in case you don’t have service. Take fully charged cellphones with backup chargers. Keep an emergency pack in the car with extra water, nonperishable food, a blanket, a flashlight, and any other items you may need if you become stranded in a storm. Have clip-on chains handy, especially if you might travel through mountain passes or steep areas. Above all, remember that if road conditions are bad and driving is expected to be treacherous, you can always stay home. A visit to Grandma and Grandpa’s is not worth putting you and your family in danger, and there’s always FaceTime, so you can still see one another. If another driver doesn’t heed these warnings and you find yourself on the other side of a collision, we are here to help throughout the holiday season. Call the amazing legal team at Pérez Halpern, LLC. We help our clients navigate the confusing world of insurance and claims, and we will help you get the results you deserve.
As the holiday season approaches, many of us are heading to neighboring towns or states to spend time with loved ones. The joyous occasion can easily be derailed, though, when winter storms hit and you aren’t prepared. STAY SAFE AND ALERT ON THE ROAD When the weather conditions make driving more difficult, you need to be even more alert of what’s around you. Stay up to date on road conditions before you leave your house, and get any maintenance done before your trip to ensure everything is working properly. Some tire retailers and shops offer free pre-trip checks for vehicles, so consider visiting one to feel a little more confident in your car. WINTER DRIVING CHECKLIST Before you take off on your trip, double-check the following for your car: Check your tire pressure and tread. Ensure the car’s oil and other fluids are at a good level, and get an oil change if you’re due.
2 | 301.476.1020
ADJUSTING TO THE TIME CHANGE EASE YOUR FAMILY INTO THE NEXT SEASON
TURN IT OFF AT NIGHT Help you and your kids set your internal clocks by turning off screens at least an hour before bedtime. Blue light from these devices can disrupt your internal clock and make it difficult to fall asleep. STAY ACTIVE If you notice you or your kids aren’t tired at bedtime, try going for a walk or playing a game of tag in the hours before bedtime — just don’t do it right before bedtime, as this may actually stimulate you and make it harder to fall asleep. Physical activity helps the body sleep better by producing the hormones we need to keep everything running smoothly. HEAD OUTSIDE WHEN YOU CAN An afternoon walk on a sunny fall day can do wonders for your health. You’ll get a mood boost both from the sun’s rays and the chemicals you produce during exercise. Ask coworkers to join you or, if you’re with the kids, turn it into a leaf-finding adventure for a craft project when you get home.
While an hour may not seem like a lot of time — comprised of 3,600 seconds, if we’re breaking it down — having an hour taken away from you can mess with your circadian rhythm, the internal daily cycle of your body. Especially as you get older, you lose our ability to easily change your circadian rhythm. On Nov. 3, daylight saving time ends, and it can be tough on the whole family. With the change of seasons, the days will get shorter and there will be less sunlight. As we move into winter, here are some tips for making it a smooth transition for you and your family. USE LIGHT IN THE MORNING Ideally, this would be natural sunlight, but as the days grow shorter, it’s harder to come by. Help your body adjust to the change by turning the lights on in the morning. You might even use a light alarm clock that mimics the rising of the sun.
Here’s to a great transition into the season!
sudoku
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
Did you know you can make your own pumpkin pie spice with just five common spices? This recipe will save you money and time, as it only takes a few minutes to whip up.
Ingredients • 3 tbsp ground cinnamon • 2 tsp ground ginger • 2 tsp ground nutmeg
Inspired by LiveWellBakeOften.com
• 1 tsp ground allspice • 1 tsp ground cloves
Directions 1. Combine all of the spices in a mixing bowl and whisk until evenly mixed. Store in an airtight container until ready to use. This blend is perfect for pumpkin everything, including fall cookies, breads, pies, and so much more!
www.PEREZHALPERN.com | 3
301.476.1020 www.PEREZHALPERN.com To be removed from our mailing list, or if you prefer the Spanish version, call the office. Para ser removido de nuestra lista de correo o si prefiere la versión en español, llama la oficina.
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
200A Monroe Street, Suite 303 Rockville, MD 20850
inside Searching for Sunshine PAGE 1
Find us on Facebook! Pérez Halpern, LLC
Gratitude-Themed Games for Kids PAGE 2 Stay Safe During Holiday Travel PAGE 2 How to Ease Into the Time Change PAGE 3
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice PAGE 3
Simple Ways to Stay Active PAGE 4
Contact me for all of your auto accident and personal injury needs! Too Busy to Work Out?
Being active doesn’t have to mean going to the gym every single day. An active lifestyle can be as simple as going for a walk around the neighborhood for a few minutes a day. There are plenty of ways to exercise during daily activities like shopping, spending time with your kids, or hanging around the house. PARK FARTHER AWAY. A lot of people will spend several minutes trying to find a parking space as close as they can to the entrance of a store. However, parking a little farther away will help you score a better parking space and make sure you get your steps in for the day. DO SOME YOGA. You don’t have to push yourself to your absolute limit in order to stay active. There are other, gentler ways to exercise than running 5 miles a day. Tai chi or yoga are excellent low-impact alternatives to keep your body fit and healthy. REDUCE TV TIME. It can be tempting to plop down in front of the television after a long day at work or after dinner, but you can also use this time to be active. Get the family together for a walk around the neighborhood, take a few minutes to dance to some of your favorite tunes, or do some light cleaning around the house.
PUT A SPIN ON DATE NIGHT. Forget dinner and a movie. Instead, try taking your date out for a round of miniature golf, indoor rock climbing, an evening stroll, a bike ride, or dancing. You’ll have more fun while doing your body good. GRAB A LEASH. Having a dog gives you plenty of opportunities to stay active. If you don’t have a dog, try asking a neighbor or friend if they would like their dog walked, start a dog-walking service, or volunteer at a local animal shelter. There are plenty of ways to make staying active a part of your daily routine! With enough creativity and motivation, you can turn any activity into an active one.
4 | 301.476.1020
Published by The Newsletter Pro . www.NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog