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Agents For Life
A TERRIFYING TRUE TALE OF CREATURES IN THE DARK A Monster in the Closet?
Have you ever been awoken in the middle of the night by a sharp elbow to the gut, and your wife saying the words, “There’s something in the closet?” Well, I have, and let me tell you, it’s unpleasant. This happened years ago when my kids still lived at home. Needless to say, I came to pretty quickly. Sure enough, there was a noise like someone crinkling a plastic shopping bag coming from the closet. I mustered all my courage and strength, then left the warm confines of my bed to confront who‑knows-what. What was in the closet? As I approached the closet, a highlight reel of every horror movie I’d seen played in the theater of my mind: An alien crawling in the vents, a monster banging against the door, a psycho killer prowling in the dark. Finally, I opened the closet door — but saw nothing. Just shirts on hangers,
Then we heard the noise again, like someone twisting tinfoil. I peered into the closet once more and saw it — a seven-foot-long ball python — judging my dated wardrobe. I’m not proud of this, but I immediately jumped back and screamed like a small girl at a Taylor Swift concert.
David Bennett (808) 392-7515 david@seniorhealth.pro
How we uncoiled the slithering mystery ...
The culprit was immediately clear. At the time, our boys, aged 7–13, were going through a “snake” phase. Once a week, my wife Irma would stop by the pet store to buy mice to feed their pet snake. Feeding time became a popular spectacle for the neighbor boys, who crowded around the snake’s cage, gawking at the display like little Romans peering down at gladiators in the Coliseum. Despite our boys’ enthusiasm for the legless reptile, I was not as fond
Irma Bennett (808) 799-0399 irma@seniorhealth.pro
pants neatly folded, and a thick blanket of darkness. I stepped back, relieved.
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of the snake and promptly fetched our oldest son to retrieve it from the closet.
by exotic lizards in containers, with books stacked atop their cages to keep them from getting out. The snakes were particularly strong and could lift four to five pounds worth of reading material to escape their cages’ confines. Needless to say, the gig was up. We put a stop to the breeding operation and ordered them to thin the herd. They could keep one or two snakes, but the rest had to go. Despite the horror of that night, I was proud that the boys were able to turn their hobby into a business and keep it under the radar for so long. However, my wife was less sympathetic. To this day, whenever she hears the sound of crinkling plastic, she freezes in terror!
The morning after the terror in the wardrobe, we sat the boys down to talk about their snake getting out. They seemed nervous — shaken by the prospect of having to answer for their reptile’s great escape. We sensed we were not getting the whole story, so we pressed further. Our oldest son, realizing the gig was up, confessed. As it turns out, there wasn’t just one snake to keep track of. In our oldest son’s closet, there was an entire illicit enterprise — a snake farm. He was breeding the cold- blooded creatures and selling them off for extra cash to buy more feed mice. Hidden in our oldest boy’s closet was not just one snake, but 22. They were accompanied
–David Bennett
STRATEGIES FOR FACING THE UNKNOWN DEALING WITH UNCERTAINTY
Time flies, and things change quickly. The unpredictability of life can be daunting, and no one can predict the future. When we were kids, we feared the dark; now that we’re older, we fear uncertainty. They both stem from the fear of the unknown. With modern technology making the world smaller than ever and the pace of innovation outpacing its efficacy, the future can seem frightening. However, we need not perceive ambiguity and uncertainty as a threat. The future holds challenges, true, but it also is filled with wonder. Here are two strategies to help you overcome your fear of the unknown and approach what life has in store with renewed strength and confidence. Learn to Accept It We all crave information about what’s next. When we don’t understand what life has in store for us, our first instinct may be to hunker down and resist any change. A great example happened during the pandemic when the world shared a moment of common unease and uncertainty. However, the only option was to roll with the punches and accept that some change was inevitable.
Rather than focusing on creating certainty through simple answers to complex problems, like astrology apps, fundamentalist religions, or conspiracy theories, it is better to accept the current circumstances and understand that some things are, for the time being, very nuanced or potentially unknowable. Accepting that we aren’t in control of all facets of our lives helps us be content. Treat the Present as a Gift Keep things fresh by keeping yourself engaged. Instead of worrying about things you cannot control, better yourself so you are prepared for whatever life throws at you. That doesn’t mean you must learn martial arts and survival skills, but even picking up a new hobby can help occupy our minds and settle ourselves down. Remember the many experiences and challenges that led up to this present moment. We all worked hard to get here, and we should take the time to enjoy it. Reconnect with friends and family, don’t be afraid to ask for help, and don’t dwell on things you can’t change. Enjoy the present moment, and live for today!
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Food is central to every culture. The what, why, and hows of culinary history are diverse and fascinating. From the forgotten Roman condiment to the short-lived hot soda, there’s no end to the depth of interesting food facts. No. 1: Double-Dip Faux Pas The nobility of the Ottoman Empire followed a complex but rational code of culinary conduct. After washing with soap and water, they ate primarily with their hands. Once the meal began, they followed rules much like ours. Double dipping and lip-smacking were frowned upon, and eating more than one bite of a 4 FASCINATING HISTORICAL FOOD FACTS
dish was rude, too. Luckily, meals had dozens of unique dishes.
and radio. The campaign was unsurprisingly unsuccessful. No. 4: Roaming Ramen Ramen is one of Japan’s most
No. 2: The Lost Condiment The Romans left behind a vibrant legacy. Aqueducts are still used throughout Europe, while their language is the basis of many other languages. One thing that hasn’t stood the test of time is garum. They poured this condiment on almost everything they ate. Made from fermented fish, garum’s salty, fishy flavor no longer appeals to the average Westerner’s palate. No. 3: Hot Beverage Fail Dr. Pepper, like most sodas, is best enjoyed cold. This means there are fewer soda sales during the winter when people opt for comforting, warm beverages. To remedy this, the soda company tried to push hot Dr. Pepper in the 1960s. Meant to be served warm with lemon, they marketed it to magazines, television,
iconic dishes, but it doesn’t actually originate from Japan. The noodle soup comes from China, where it is known as shina soba. It became popular in Japan after World War II. The country had undergone a food shortage for years but had finally started importing supplies. Chinese food was believed to be nourishing and filling, so street vendors offering cheap but delicious ramen became a mainstay. Once instant ramen was invented, the noodle soup became associated with Japan worldwide. Whenever you sit down for dinner, consider how you eat and the odd traditions you unconsciously observe. We’re all part of a marvelous culinary culture and should celebrate what makes us unique.
CITRUS BBQ CHICKEN
DIRECTIONS
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1. Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag. Combine all other ingredients in a small bowl. 2. Reserve 1 cup of the sauce and add the rest to the plastic bag. Toss to evenly coat the chicken and marinate overnight. 3. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, add remaining sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer to thicken sauce, about 10 minutes. Set aside. 4. On grill set for medium-high heat, arrange chicken skin side down. Cook until grill marks form, about 4 minutes. Flip chicken, cover grill, and cook until
releases electrical impulses to disrupt the flow of pain signals from the spinal cord to the brain. E-Stim consists of a broad range of possible treatments that provide various benefits, such as electrical stimulation for tissue repair and functional electrical stimulation to improve motor skills. While E-stim may not work for everyone, it is an attractive option for those suffering from debilitating pain. If you are interested in E-stim, speak to a pain specialist about possible treatment options that suit your needs.
INGREDIENTS
• 8 skin-on chicken leg and thigh pieces
• 1 1/3 cups ketchup • 2 tbsp brown sugar
• Juice and zest of 1 orange • Juice and zest of 1 lemon • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 2 tsp ground cumin • 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika • Salt and pepper to taste
a thermometer inserted into thighs reads 165 F, about 20–25 minutes.
5. Serve with remaining sauce.
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Inside This Issue 1 A Real Monster in the Closet Story 2 Managing Uncertainty With Confidence 3 Food History Facts That Will Amaze You 3 Citrus BBQ Chicken 4 Unlocking the Potential of Electric Muscle Stimulation
INNOVATIVE TREATMENT FOR YOUR NERVES AND MUSCLES ELECTRIC MUSCLE STIMULATION
them to contract, which in turn improves blood flow and helps repair and strengthen your muscle tissue. Spinal Cord Stimulation Another prolific form of E-stim is spinal cord stimulation. Rather than being applied outwardly, this treatment is provided from within your body. A device known as a spinal cord stimulator, which consists of electrodes and a generator, is implanted under the skin of your abdomen. The electrodes are placed between your spinal vertebrae, which can be used to release electrical impulses from the generator. You are provided a remote control to trigger your spinal cord stimulator when you feel pain, and the device, in turn,
If you are frustrated by an inability to manage your pain, you may want to consider electrotherapy, also known as E-stim. Whether you are suffering from painful bouts of fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, or are recovering from a serious injury or medical event, E-stim is a treatment option that may offer you welcome relief. How Does E-Stim Work? There are various forms of E-stim, the most common of which is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS. Utilizing
an E-stim device, electrodes are attached to the affected areas of your back, through which small electrical impulses are released to stimulate injured muscles and nerves. The treatment provides reprieve for your pain through various means simultaneously. Targeting your nervous system disrupts pain signals working their way up to your brain while stimulating your body’s production of endorphins — helpful hormones that provide natural pain relief. Additionally, E-stims send signals to your muscles, causing
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