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October 2022
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BACK TO NATURE Celebrating Our National Parks
We’re extremely fortunate to have a robust national park system in the United States, which helps us preserve our natural and historic sites. According to many experts, this is the perfect time of year to see most of them because it’s not too crowded, hot, or cold — and my oldest daughter has a goal of visiting every one of them. I’m not quite that ambitious, but I have experienced a fair share of natural wonders over the years. One of my favorite destinations in the national park system is the San Juan Historic Site in Puerto Rico. It’s actually where a significant portion of the Spanish-American War was fought. Twenty years ago, Wendy, Grace, Elissa, and I (Kaitlin wasn’t born yet) went to Puerto Rico right after I graduated from law school and before I took the bar exam. We had a blast on the island — Elissa particularly (who was 2 at the time), because she wouldn’t eat anything other than flan and McDonald’s the whole trip! But San Juan National Park was one of the highlights. It has a couple of castles and fort structures that were originally built to defend the island. They stand on different levels, letting people see over the ocean or view the city. It’s where Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders helped make their name, and I found the history incredibly interesting. Another favorite national park is Denali National Park in Alaska (with the mountain formerly known as Mount McKinley). My family went on a trip there when I was in the 11th grade and had a wonderful time seeing the beavers, bears, moose, and other animals in their natural surroundings.
We were with my grandparents in their RV and my mom and dad had a tent that my grandparents borrowed from my aunt. Unfortunately, no one thought to check it before we set off on our adventure. The first time we set up the tent we discovered that the tentpoles weren’t shock-corded together. That meant that each segment of the pole keeping the tent up was separate and we had to put them together to put up the tent. The real “fun” part is that when we tried to put the tent together (after a several-hour flight and several-hour drive to our first campsite) we realized that a few segments were missing! Despite that, we managed to figure something out. Granddad had a blast watching us try to put up the tent with too few poles. I’m pretty sure he even filmed it all for posterity. A lot of our family vacations were like that. My parents didn’t make reservations in advance, and we figured it out along the way. We stayed in many iffy roadside motels over the years, but at least we got a lot of stories out of the experience. I’ll never forget seeing a lamp with a harsh, bare bulb in the middle of the room one time — and Dad used tin foil to make an impromptu lampshade. I saw Denali again when I helped my parents move out of Alaska. During the later visit, I could actually see the mountain, which is unusual because it creates its own weather system and is more often than not covered in clouds. My parents and I had a great time driving around and reminiscing. Now that Mom has passed, Dad’s plan is to go back and spread some of her ashes around the park, if possible. I’ve had the opportunity to visit several other parks as well. Another family trip was to Mesa Verde National Park in the southwest corner of Colorado. We got to climb ladders to see the homes Native Americans had built into the rock. Another trip that we took with Wendy’s folks was to Mount Rushmore. While I was a little skeptical — after all, I thought, it’s just a sculpture — I ended up loving the experience. The Black Hills are gorgeous, we saw herds of buffalo running around, and Mount Rushmore itself was actually really impressive. It’s nice to stop and remember how much natural beauty surrounds us. Though I have no intention of camping out on the ground these days, I hope to see several more national parks over the years. Feel free to email me your favorite park destinations — they might end up on a future vacation itinerary.
-Aaron Miller
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A TERRIFYING TALL TALE Halloween Candy Myths That Won’t Die
Halloween has many rituals: hanging up spooky decorations, choosing costumes, and going trick-or-treating. And one nearly universal routine is parents checking their children’s candy stash and throwing out anything deemed suspicious. People consider it an unfortunate but necessary part of life, and the danger seems vast. There are supposedly razor blades in apples, candy laced with drugs, and sweet treats made with poison. But the fear is almost entirely unfounded. Stories of poisoned Halloween candy trace back to at least the 1960s, and the New Jersey legislature passed a law against tampering with apples in 1968. It seemed prudent since 13 people reported finding razor blades in apples that year. However, at least 75% of those cases were hoaxes, and there was insufficient information about the others to determine their veracity. Several prominent op-eds warned against tainted candy in the 1970s, and fear increased after a 1982 incident where multiple people died in Chicago from cyanide-laced Tylenol. If a maniac could poison consumers like that, people asked, why wouldn’t they target Halloween candy? Meanwhile, the stories have kept coming: a child who died of a heroin overdose, Pixy Stix filled with cyanide, and childhood sweets substituted with cannabis candy. Some stories had a kernel of truth but did not match the original news reports. The heroin overdose originated with a family member’s stash; they blamed candy as a coverup. One father tragically murdered his son with poisoned candy and blamed it on trick-or-treating. And while it’s true that some edible THC products look like regular candy, they’re also far more expensive, and users are unlikely to give them away for free. Sociologist Joel Best has studied claims of contaminated Halloween candy since 1985 and has never once confirmed an intentional poisoning or injury by a non-family member. He speculates that people circulate the legends each year almost as a tradition. Further, examining potentially dangerous candy makes parents feel in control compared to many other dangers their children face. So, inspect your child’s trick-or-treat haul if you must. After all, it’s tradition. But rest assured that the risk is only as authentic as the fake cobwebs on your front porch.
BEHIND THE CLASSIC KIDS’ BOOK SERIES ‘GOOSEBUMPS’
Children of the ’90s (and those who raised them) will likely remember the spooky preteen book series “Goosebumps.” Over 62 volumes, author R.L. Stine terrified and delighted young thrill-seekers, and the expanded series continues to do so today. The first book was released 30 years ago in 1992, and the year’s scariest month is the perfect time to revisit its origins and legacy. Though more than 400 million “Goosebumps” books have been printed internationally, the series was anything but a surefire hit. Author R.L. Stine didn’t even want to write the series, but his wife/editor convinced him that horror stories for 7–11-year-olds would do well. The series started as four books, beginning with “Welcome to the Dead House,” a tale about zombie children. In retrospect, Stine conceded that this first volume was too scary and didn’t inject enough humor. By the second book, “Stay Out of the Basement,” he believed he had his winning formula. But the series didn’t take off right away. There was no marketing budget, so “Goosebumps” relied on word of mouth to find kids who wanted to read them. Eventually, children learned about the series from friends, and it became a runaway smash beloved for its creepy tales, light jokes, and twisty endings. Stine mined his own childhood fears for story ideas, and kids gobbled them up, begging their parents for each new release. When Stine ran out of stories, he resorted to creating book titles and inventing plots around them. Most books took him three weeks to write, while the illustrator spent an average of 35 hours on the covers. “Goosebumps” soon became too popular to stay on the page alone, and a TV series began airing in 1995. In 2012, a live-action film starring Jack Black hit theaters. And there are now seven unique “Goosebumps” book series. Even countless library challenges from concerned parents in the 1990s couldn’t hold the franchise back. Adults looking to relive their youth through the series will find brisk reading and likely some amusement at what used to make their skin crawl. But if you have a child who is up for something slightly scary, it would be much more fun to enjoy them together as a family. Try reading aloud to each other or starting a family book club. It’s the perfect way to get into a family-friendly Halloween state of mind.
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Hungry for Health THE SHIFT TOWARD PLANT-BASED EATING
Plant-based may reduce your risk of cancer.
The appetite for plant-based foods isn’t slowing down — in fact, it’s rising. According to a 2021 Bloomberg report, by 2030, the plant-based food industry is projected to hit $162 billion! Eating plant-based means finding food sources that originate mainly from plants, inherently focusing on fresh produce, whole grains, beans, legumes, seeds, and nuts. Let’s explore the benefits of eating plant-based!
The nutrients present in plant-based foods reduce the risk of getting several types of cancer. Plant-based foods contain phytochemicals, which shield the cells in your body from damage and have awesome anti-inflammatory properties. So, load up on those legumes, whole grains, fruits, and veggies — your body will thank you!
Plant-based keeps your heart healthy.
According to studies posted in the Journal of the American Heart Association, consuming a diet high in plant-based foods may lower the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular disease. Meat contains saturated fat, which studies show increases the risk of heart problems. But, it’s also important to make sure that your plant-based choices are heart friendly too! Load up on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and legumes and avoid refined grains, fatty foods, and sugary beverages!
Plant-based can help you lose weight.
Typically, plant-based foods are lower in calorie density than meats and other animal products, thus, you can fill up on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains without the same calorie burden you may experience from other sources of food. With all of the health-based advantages of shifting toward a plant-based diet, more people are catching on and making the switch or reducing their meat intake. What’s on your plate?
Plant-based lowers your blood pressure.
Plant-based diets are linked to lower blood pressure, which greatly reduces the risk for strokes, cardiovascular disease, and Type 2 diabetes. The risk of hypertension, or high blood pressure, increases in people who consume large amounts of animal products such as meat and dairy. Even just limiting the amount of meat and dairy in your diet is proven to make a difference!
TAKE A BREAK
Nothing highlights fall quite like pumpkin-inspired dishes. Grab your blankets, turn on your favorite movie, and enjoy a delicious meal. Creamy Baked Pumpkin Risotto Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
Ingredients
Directions
• 5 cups of low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth • 2 cups Arborio rice • 2 cups of pumpkin, diced • 1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin purée • 1/2 yellow onion, minced • Salt, to taste • Pepper, to taste • 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 2 tbsp mascarpone cheese • 2 tbsp olive oil
1. Heat the oven to 400 F and arrange a rack in the middle. 2. In a 3-quart baking dish, combine broth, rice, diced and puréed pumpkin, and onion. 3. Season with salt and pepper, then stir until evenly combined. 4. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake until water has been absorbed and rice granules are puffed. 5. Remove from the oven and stir in basil, grated Parmesan cheese, mascarpone cheese, and olive oil.
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
214.292.4225 www.AaronMillerLaw.com 1400 Preston Road, Suite 118 Plano, Texas 75093 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Aaron Shares His Favorite National Parks
2
The Truth Behind Poisoned Halloween Candy
‘Goosebumps’ Still Thrills 30 Years Later
3
The Benefits of Plant-Based Eating
Creamy Baked Pumpkin Risotto
4
Forget Sitting — Squat Instead!
POP A SQUAT The Healthy
Alternative to Sitting
Many experts say sitting is the new smoking, but many of us spend a large portion of our waking hours doing it. That’s not true for every country, though — instead of sitting to relax, people in many places squat. Most Americans who try the same thing will probably find it an uncomfortable experience. But research shows the benefits of squatting and learning how to do it right. Squatting was once common everywhere. People squatted to give birth, use the bathroom, eat, and read. Our bodies were designed for it, which is why young children do it naturally. But our muscles lose strength and definition when we don’t use them. So, most American adults cannot squat properly for even a few minutes, let alone long periods. Multiple studies, however, show that we’re worse off for trading squats for chairs. Experts argue that lower back pain and hip problems are far less common in nations where squatting remains popular. By placing our back in an unnatural position, sitting has made us comfortable to the point of injury. Meanwhile, a proper squat involves perfect posture, stretches your back, creates additional mobility in your hips, and improves flexibility.
Deep squatting also improves digestive health. Our colons can’t fully straighten when we sit, making it harder to relieve ourselves. While most Americans are unlikely to replace their commodes with squatting toilets, squatting throughout the day still reduces the risk of constipation. And devices like the Squatty Potty allow you to mimic a squatting position while sitting on your regular toilet. But healthy squatting requires proper technique. Start by placing your heels at hip distance and leave them firmly planted on the ground. Then, engage your core and keep your back straight while lowering your hips until they’re below your knees and your bottom is slightly above the floor. If you struggle to adopt this pose, you’re not alone. Try using a piece of furniture to steady yourself as you get used to it and start with short periods of squatting. You might never end up binging Netflix in a squat, but even the version of squats people do at the gym will help improve strength and flexibility. It only takes a few minutes out of your day and could dramatically impact your health. So, get out of that chair! Squatting comes to us naturally — most of us just need a refresher course.
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