The Foster Firm - April/May 2024

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TheFosterFirmWins.com • 404-559-8325 • April/May 2024

Create New Memories While Preserving the Old BOOGIE DOWN MEMORY LANE THIS MOTHER’S DAY

My mother filled our lives with dance. One of my most treasured memories from childhood is playing our music in the living room, the central hub of activity in our home, and watching Mom show off her best moves. As we got older, we put on our new teenage tunes to see if she could pick up on the latest dance trends. Now, as a mother, I dance with my kids and hope they will turn up the tunes with their children in the future. I’ve learned so much from my mother over the years and continue to be amazed by all her talents. Mom is still really with it as a 92-year-old, but her memory isn’t quite

what it used to be. As of July 2023, my mother moved in with us. She was living on her own when she caught COVID-19. Though Mom recovered, at her age, that’s not something you bounce back from. Living with an elderly parent isn’t always easy, but it is one of the greatest blessings to be able to spend that valuable time caring for a loved one. May 12 is Mother’s Day, a time to celebrate the matriarchs in our families and all the amazing lessons they’ve passed on to us. The month is a great time to spend extra time with your mother and focus on the beautiful memories that will add to your family history. Hear their stories. Talk to your mom and gather up all the stories you can from her while you can. Ask her about her parents, her grandparents, her childhood, her favorite teachers, and her hidden talents, and strive to learn something new about her. Your mom’s family, such as an uncle or aunt, could be a great source of history, so ask them to share too. Do things that will stimulate her mind and keep her sharp. I try to add Spanish to my conversations with my mom because she took the language in school. Share music. Music can lift someone’s spirits and trigger happy memories, like group dance parties in the living room. I can’t think of a better gift than a handcrafted playlist, just for Mom, filled with songs from her generation. Music

taps into something deep inside us, and sharing those favorite tunes with your mom can spark so much joy. Preserve those moments. You can never take too many family photos. Not only can you preserve fun moments to reflect on later, but you can also treat your mom to an extraordinary presentation of those images. Restore old photos, create a collage of precious memories, and make digital copies of older photos. You won’t lose those images forever if anything happens, like a fire or robbery. My sister-in-law bought my mom an amazing digital photo frame that we can all load with images whenever we want. We make sure to add photos of the grandkids so she can stay connected to us. Get the family involved. Include your children in activities with their grandparents. Kids are curious, and it’s beneficial to let them ask questions. When children can speak openly with their grandparents, it makes aging less frightening for them. It’s also so life-affirming for older people. It could be fun to cook together or play a game Grandma loves. From our family to yours, Happy Mother’s Day. Now, go turn on Mom’s favorite song and cut a rug together!

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EARTH’S GEOTHERMAL WONDER The Allure of Hot Springs

Soaking in the heated waters of a hot spring is an experience you’ll want again and again

skin, cardiovascular system, and more. Every spring has a unique mineral makeup and varied health effects, but here are four of the most common. • Improved Blood Circulation: Minerals like calcium, iron, and sodium bicarbonate are great for blood circulation, as they promote oxygen flow. • Radiant Skin: Nitrogen, silica, and other minerals are excellent for exfoliating skin. • Less Stress: As the warm water melts stress away, the magnesium and lithium improve your mood. • Pain Reduction: Sulfate helps reduce pain, while hot water soothes muscles and reduces inflammation. Where You Can Find Hot Springs The western part of the U.S. has a higher concentration of hot springs, but if you look hard enough, you can find one anywhere. Some hot springs are deep in the mountains, so you’ll have to hike in. They often have specular views and are worth the journey. If you don’t want to trek up a mountain, you’ll find many spas built around hot springs that offer amenities besides the spring, such as restaurants and saunas. So, the next time you’re traveling, locate the hot springs in your area and put a visit on your itinerary!

once you try it. And there is much more to this geothermal wonder than meets the eye.

The naturally heated, mineral-rich water nourishes the body and mind, allowing you to shed stress as you easily float on the surface. How Hot Springs Work

Hot springs are heated by geothermal energy. Water meets volcanic hot rocks, resulting in boiling mineral-rich water. Regions far away from volcanic activity can also have hot springs; those occur when a spring runs so deep that it hits rocks close to the Earth’s crust. These rocks are naturally very hot, which then heats the water.

How Minerals and Heat Improve Your Health The water in hot springs contains a plethora of minerals, so the water can be healthy and rejuvenating, providing benefits for your

Your Crash Course in Accident Response Don’t Fool Around This April

The month kicked off with April Fools’ Day, and while everyone enjoys a fun prank now and then, you never want to find yourself wearing the dunce’s hat when it comes to vehicle accidents. In the stress and fear of the moment, it’s easy to forget the basic steps you should take if you are involved in a crash. Here are the most important things you must do if you are in a wreck. Call 911 It may seem like a given, but the first thing to do in any accident is call 911. This lets police know where you are located and the situation at hand, and it gets the ball rolling on getting you to safety. Make sure you and everyone else involved is free from danger. You need to ensure you are pulled over, out of the road, and in a place where no additional harm can reach you. Take Photos Photograph everything, including damage to your vehicle and the other person’s vehicle.

If you have sustained injuries, make sure to document that as well. It’s equally valuable to take photos if no damage was done to you, your vehicle, or the other party. If someone attempts to claim you caused them injury or harmed their car, photographic evidence can protect you in court. Photos can paint a larger picture of the incident and support your case. If someone rear-ends you, the person who hit you will likely have a minor injury due to their airbags deploying, helping to prove they were at fault. Try to get photos of the intersection at which this occurred. Communicate Get the names and phone numbers of potential witnesses, the others involved in the accident, and the police officers who responded to the scene. Be sure law enforcement hears your side of the story, and avoid arguments. You can record the exchange on your phone or another device. As tempting as it may be to share

photos or comment on your experience on social media, stop yourself before hitting that send button. After an accident, focus on getting any medical care you may need and obtain a lawyer. We are here to walk you through the process at The Foster Firm. Give us a call today!

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5 Tips for Sustaining Your Exercise Routine

4. Enlist a workout buddy. Journeys are more enjoyable when shared. Find a workout buddy who shares similar fitness goals and schedules. Exercising with a friend will establish accountability and bring a fun social element that encourages staying on track. 5. Be kind to yourself. Understand that setbacks are natural. If you miss a workout or face setbacks in your fitness journey, that’s okay! Be kind to yourself and avoid self-criticism and just focus on recommitting to your

Beginning a journey toward a healthier, more active lifestyle is commendable; one key to success is a consistent commitment to exercise. Here are five tips to ensure you’re consistent in your journey. 1. Set realistic goals. Establishing realistic goals is the foundation of a consistent exercise routine. Instead of aiming for dramatic changes overnight, focus on incremental milestones. Celebrate these little wins to foster a sense of achievement that will fuel your motivation to continue. 2. Create a schedule. Just as you schedule appointments and meetings, prioritize scheduling your workout sessions. Designate specific days and times for exercise, treating them with the same importance as any other commitment. This structured schedule helps integrate exercise into your routine seamlessly. 3. Find exercises you enjoy. Exercise shouldn’t be a monotonous chore. Exploring various activities to find those you genuinely enjoy will help you remain consistent. Whether it’s rock climbing, hiking, cycling, Zumba, or aerobics, you need to find engaging activities you love. This will increase the likelihood of long-term commitment as the exercise is something you want to do.

routine. Consistency is built over time, and resilience is crucial in maintaining it. You can’t

be resilient without assuring yourself you can do it despite the challenges.

Hearty Lentil Soup

Warm, hearty, and brimming with flavor, this lentil soup is the ultimate comfort food.

INGREDIENTS

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2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, diced

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2 cups dry lentils

6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp dried thyme

2 carrots, diced

1 bay leaf

2 celery stalks, diced

Salt and pepper, to taste

Look out for the Fosters in the latest edition of People You Need to Know Atlanta. Since 1993, we have been the premier branding publication for Black businesses in Metro Atlanta. Our most popular featured businesses are attorneys, physicians, chiropractors, and dentists. Contact us at SparkPlugPR.com to learn more.

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. 2. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, and cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. 3. Stir in lentils, vegetable broth, thyme, and bay leaf, and bring to a simmer. 4. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. 5. Discard the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot and enjoy!

Business Spotlight

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE A Tribute to Mom’s Moves and Memories page 1 Discover the Healing Wonders of Hot Springs page 2 No Jokes on the Side of the Road page 2 Unlocking the Power of Consistency page 3 Business Spotlight page 3 Hearty Lentil Soup page 3 April Escapes page 4 ESCAPE APRIL SHOWERS THIS SPRING 3 Vacations Spots to Avoid Seasonal Gloom

April showers bring May flowers, but you don’t have to stick around to wait for them to bloom. Escape to these three destinations and enjoy the new life of spring without the rain. Amsterdam, Holland, Netherlands Why wait for May to see spring flowers? All April long, Holland sports the most beautiful colors in the world, and people from all over the globe go enjoy the Keukenhof Garden Festival. This festival has occurred for 75 years, and as it’s only 30 minutes away from Amsterdam proper, you can experience the best of both worlds. Explore the thousands of tulips during the day and then spend time in the city, exploring the beautiful canals and shopping districts in the evening. Don’t worry if you miss the beautiful flowers; most of the city’s museums and hotels have tulips, too. Seville, Spain Embark on an enchanting journey to Seville, where vibrant culture and passion come alive.

Picture yourself strolling through cobblestone streets where you can immerse yourself in the parades that travel through the city during Holy Week. Brass bands build up to a beautiful celebration on Easter, and just two weeks later, the Feria de Abril begins. This fiesta is full of lively parties, even more music, and colorful costumes. Sevillanos on horseback and the clacking footwork of flamenco dancers are captivating to watch, so don’t miss out by getting rained in. Malta

photographers alike can explore the rocky coastlines, impressive rock formations, and dazzling sea caves, such as the Blue Grotto (Malta), plus beautiful beaches like Ramia Bay (Gozo) and Ghajn Tuffieha Bay (Malta). However, the biggest advantage of traveling in Malta is that everything is in full bloom: green fields, blooming citrus trees, and beautiful flowers. If you go in spring, you’ll beat the tourists, too, as summer is peak season.

Located to the south of mainland Europe in the Mediterranean Sea, Malta is part of an archipelago consisting of several islands, including Gozo and Comino. Because of its diverse cultures, you’ll hear Arab accents in the language as you pass Baroque architecture. Nature lovers, hikers, and landscape

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