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The Bledsoe Firm JustFamilyLaw.com | 949.363.5551 JANUARY | 2025
FRESH START When you are married, your social circle is often inextricably linked to your spouse. Now that you are divorced, all those dinners with your ex-spouse’s family and time spent with shared friends may seem like a distant, painful memory. It is easy to feel
BUILDING NEW FRIENDSHIPS THAT LAST
Develop a New Skill Whether it’s time to pick up a paintbrush or journal and exercise yourself creatively,
or roll out your yoga mat and strike a pose, there are plenty of new skills you can develop
disconnected following a divorce. In the aftermath, common friends are sometimes forced to choose sides, and many strong connections have slipped away entirely. That once beautifully kept social landscape feels emptier than before, and it is in need of planting. Even though it may seem uncomfortable initially, it is important and empowering to make new friends and connections after your divorce. PARENTING GROUPS If you have kids, then there are countless other parents out there with a shared connection and built-in empathy for your situation. Parenting groups, like Mocha Moms and City Dads Group, have chapters designed to get parents involved and communicate with one another. Together, you can share experiences, learn new lessons, and better yourselves and your parenting skills. TAKE ON NEW HOBBIES One of the best ways to make new friends after divorce is by immersing yourself in new hobbies and interests. After all, this is a fresh start and the perfect time to try something new! Try a New Sport One great way to get your endorphins pumping is to take on a new sport. There are individual sports, like rock climbing, pickleball, and archery, that have their own clubs you can join, with established groups ready to lend others a helping hand as they get acquainted with their new hobby. Team sports, like soccer, present a natural environment to build connections and strive toward a common goal with new friends.
that help you make new social connections. For example, painting and writing classes help
you connect with others looking to
develop their artistic prowess, and yoga courses help you exercise and relax with others looking to develop a new mindset and better health. Whether you are looking to improve your skills with a group or on your own, having
friends with similar passions can help you enormously.
SELF-CARE TAKES PRIORITY Before making new connections, make sure you have taken the time you need to heal. Post-divorce recovery is challenging enough without
making it harder. The heartache, regret, and guilt may weigh heavily on your heart and mind. It can all feel overwhelming, and it may even manifest itself in negative thoughts. However, it is important to remember that millions of people have been where you are now, and they managed to pick up the pieces and continue their lives successfully. You are not at the end of a chapter; you are at the beginning of a new one. Don’t rush yourself through your healing process, but once you feel ready, it is important to find new connections and rebuild your social circle. —John Bledsoe
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INJURY-FREE RUNNING AVOID THE NEW YEAR SLUMP
HOW TO STICK WITH YOUR RESOLUTIONS
Every new year feels like a new chapter in our lives; it’s a time to begin crafting a new direction for our story, to commit to better habits, improve
ourselves, and strive toward accomplishing our dreams. There is no better example of this than New Year’s resolutions. While these are noble ambitions, they can be difficult to stick to. In fact, according to research published in the journal PLOS ONE, only around half of those who made New Year’s resolutions were still plugging away at those goals after just one month. Here are some tips on how to make sustainable resolutions that you can stick with and accomplish! SET A GOAL YOU CAN REACH Traditionally, resolutions are long-term goals we set for ourselves. They tend to be both ambitious and ambiguous. It could be that we want to exercise more regularly, lose weight, read more, or do a better job of saving money. However, when we set out to accomplish a goal with vague parameters and no definitive end goal, it can be easier for us to give up on them.
Instead of setting out to lose weight, have a specific weight loss goal in mind. Maybe you want to lose 15 pounds by July and 30 pounds by December, for example. Rather than setting a goal to read more, set a weekly page count. This way, you can build up a routine and have parameters in mind to stick to. COMMIT FULLY I don’t know about you, but if an event is not on my calendar, chances are I am going to have a hard time remembering it. But calendars are not just for remembering work meetings and friends’ birthdays. They can also be used to help you work toward your New Year’s resolutions. For example, you can have reminders on your calendar to head to the gym every Monday, Wednesday, or Friday morning. The easier it is to stick with your resolution, the more likely you are to accomplish it.
About 40% of Americans consider themselves overweight, driving rapid growth in both prescription and non-prescription weight-loss drugs and supplements. However, the best route to lasting weight loss for many people is more straightforward and costs less. Here are four natural ways to manage your appetite and shed pounds without pricey prescription meds or supplements. EAT MORE PROTEIN. High-protein foods make you feel fuller for longer and help you consume fewer calories overall without the sugar rebound you get from carb-heavy snacks. Protein also helps maintain muscle mass while losing weight; muscle burns more calories than fat! Enjoy high-protein Greek yogurt, eggs, chicken, turkey, and fish to feel satisfied on less. DRINK MORE LIQUIDS. Many people neglect hydration and mistake thirst for hunger. While there is no one-size-fits-all rule, according to the National Academy of Medicine, men need about 13 cups of water a day, and women need about nine, including the water and juices in fruits and vegetables. Staying well-hydrated will help keep your energy level high, your skin moist and radiant, and your mood upbeat. Grain Gains High-Protein Grains That Can Transform Your Diet
EAT, DON’T DRINK, YOUR CALORIES. An 8-ounce glass of Coke has the same 100 calories as four medium- size carrots, but the Coke won’t sate your hunger. The high-fiber carrots, however, will ease that hollow feeling for a while. To help you feel satisfied throughout the day, add fiber-rich foods such as whole grains like oatmeal and brown rice, veggies, fruits like apples and oranges, and potatoes to your diet. FIND ENJOYABLE WAYS TO EXERCISE. Sustaining physical activity is important in maintaining a healthy weight, but your workouts don’t have to be a forced march. Find ways to reward yourself as you move, such as walking in your favorite park or listening to great music or podcasts on the treadmill. If finding an excellent personal trainer motivates you to get to the gym, then budget for that. Whatever it takes, your health is worth the effort!
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W ord S earch
Cherishing Your Time
Beginnings
Blankets
Carnation
Capricorn
Garnet
Healthy
HOW TO MAKE VISITATION SPECIAL FOR YOU AND YOUR KIDS Being divorced with children can be difficult. You have less time than before to spend with your kids, and you are co-parenting with someone you previously thought would be your partner for life. However, that also means the time you do have with your children — for both them and you — is more precious and meaningful than ever before. That is why those immortal Latin words carpe diem — Latin for “seize the day” — are more poignant and important to remember than ever. Here are two ways to get the most out of your parenting time and make enjoyable, lasting memories for both you and your children. QUALITY MEALS DURING QUALITY TIME One of your most important responsibilities as a parent is taking care of the nutritional needs of your children. Providing quality meals during your parenting time can help take care of your children’s physical needs and show you care enough about them to prioritize their needs. Find foods your children enjoy without allowing them to overindulge in unhealthy snacks. PLAN AHEAD Just like everything else that’s important, to get the most out of your parenting time, you need to plan ahead. Think of places you would like to go and experiences you would like to share with your little ones. Incorporate engaging activities that are of interest to you and your children, like going to the museum, playing board games, or working together on a creative project. Even spending time reading together can help you all learn while enjoying one another’s company. You should also query your children about what they want to do and how they would like to spend their time with you. Once you have the time planned out, it’s easier to spend fulfilling days together.
Icicle
Penguin
Planning
Resolution
Snowboard
Soupy
Inspired by BowlsAreTheNewPlates.com
Vegan Taco Bowl With Tofu Crumbles
INGREDIENTS •
2 garlic cloves, minced
•
2 tbsp adobo sauce
•
1 tsp onion powder
•
16 oz extra firm tofu
•
1 tsp ground cumin
•
2 tbsp olive oil
•
1 tsp black pepper
•
1 cup diced yellow onion
•
1 tsp dried oregano or epazote
•
2 cups cooked quinoa
•
1/2 tsp salt
•
1/2 cup salsa of choice
•
2 chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, chopped
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine garlic, cumin, black pepper, oregano, salt, chipotle chilies, and adobo sauce. 2. Drain the block of tofu and gently squeeze out the extra liquid using paper towels. Then, crumble tofu using your hands, add to mixing bowl, and toss to coat with spices. 3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes. 4. Add tofu crumbles and cook for 6 minutes. Add salsa and cook for 1–2 minutes. 5. Fill serving bowls with quinoa. Layer tofu taco meat over the quinoa, then top with extra salsa and other garnishes like lime juice, jalapeños, cilantro, avocado, and sliced radishes.
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Inside
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Build New Connections This Year
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How to Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Last
Shed Pounds Without Dieting
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Building Strong Bonds During Visitation Time
Vegan Taco Bowl With Tofu Crumbles
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Outdoor Play Power-Ups
Winter Wonders for Children’s Health GET OUTSIDE, FEEL FANTASTIC!
Building a snowman outside in the cold air is much better than sitting in a warm room with a cellphone for maintaining a child’s physical and mental health in the wintertime.
Getting outside in winter also puts a child’s mind in motion. Although the sight of icicles and one’s breath in winter are old hat for adults, these seasonal events could inspire wonder and curiosity
in young people, allowing them to learn new things about the world. Encouraging your child to design and build the ultimate snowman also stimulates
Although most people tend to stay indoors during winter, spending time outside on snowy days can give people of all ages a needed boost. Here are a few interesting facts that show how a winter wonderland can enhance our well-being.
their imaginations far more than watching TV indoors. Winter play also helps keep children’s senses sharp when inclement weather disrupts their usual routines like school and sports.
THE PERKS OF OUTDOOR PLAY Did you know you’re more likely to
THE DYNAMIC BENEFITS OF VITAMIN D
catch a winter cold if you stay indoors? Although we instinctively huddle in close quarters when temperatures drop, hiding inside makes us more susceptible to germs that thrive in stagnant air. Studies have shown that being cold may trigger our immune systems, which means playing outside in the fresh winter air is often better for a child’s body than snuggling up in a warm living room.
Sunlight is one of nature’s greatest gifts to our health, as it provides us with vitamin D. Getting outside when the sun appears on a winter’s day can do wonders for our
mood, as increasing our vitamin D levels reduces anxiety and stress. Instead of letting our kids hide in dark rooms on snow days, let them venture outside and receive one of Mother Nature’s easiest cures for the winter blues!
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