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602-677-4130 • DLJonesHomes.com September/October 2022 North Valley Pride
The Path to a Better YOU — Begins With YOU! You Are the Secret Ingredient to Self-Improvement
Have you noticed a commemorative day exists for just about everything? For example, July 1 was National Drive Your Corvette to Work Day and Sept. 29 is National Coffee Day. I do not need a special day for either of those because I drive my Corvette to work with a fresh cup of coffee in the cup holder every day! Lisa and I chose to highlight a few of these celebratory days in this edition of our newsletter by sharing stories about Better Breakfast Month (September), the first day of fall (Sept. 23), Cookbook Month (October), Pizza Month (October), and World Teachers’ Day (Oct. 5). You will find these stories on the pages that follow.
My personal favorite is Self-Improvement Month (September).
want to improve, and YOU are in charge of the starting date. In other words, if you want to give up late-night snacking, all that is stopping you from doing that is … YOU . According to a recent survey, the top 5 areas people seek self-improvement are to lose weight, eat healthier, stop drinking, be more positive, and find their purpose in life. Now that I have set the stage, I would like to share my own personal journey of self‑improvement.
I was first introduced to the idea of self- improvement as a young teenager, when my dad gave me a copy of Zig Ziglar’s classic book from 1974 titled “See You at the Top.” The book explains his time-tested formula for personal development and success. I remember reading the book and being filled with unbridled inspiration that I could do anything to which I set my mind. I still have that book on display in my office today. By definition, self-improvement is “the act of improving oneself by one’s own actions.” That means YOU are in control of what you
My journey started last March, when I stepped on the bathroom scale and I saw 208 pounds. For a man who liked to think he was in relatively good shape and healthy, my weight was totally out of control. Right then, I made a vow to myself that I would never weigh 208 pounds again for the rest of my life. Fast forward three months, and in June, I stepped on the exact same scale at 178 pounds. That’s right … I lost 30 pounds in 90 days!
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I am sure many of you are wondering how I lost the weight. The truth is that losing the weight was actually pretty simple, but that does not mean the path was easy. First, I became extremely disciplined about mealtime portion control. I stopped overloading my plate and I stopped going back for seconds. My portions became much smaller. Today, I only eat what I need to eat. When my stomach is full, I am done. Second, I cut out in-between meal snacks. This was hard, and I did not succeed 100% of the time. I would say I cut out 90% of my in- between meal snacks. I still enjoy an occasional homemade cookie (or two) when Lisa bakes a batch to give to someone. I know cutting most of my snacks made a huge difference. Third, I monitored my Fitbit daily. My goal was to walk at least 10,000 steps (approximately 5 miles) every day. If I fell short of the goal one day, I just walked longer the next day to make up the shortfall. As a “I learned a long time ago the importance of surrounding myself with people who would believe and support my goals. While I was laser-focused on my personal mission to lose weight, I only shared my target of ‘below 180’ with my wife, my daughter, and my son.”
result, I was able to maintain a 10,000 step per day average over the three-month period. Fourth, I gave up alcohol for a couple of reasons. One was to cut out the caloric intake and the other was to commit to a heathier lifestyle. I have never felt better in my life. I am more energetic and creative, and I sleep like a baby. There you go. My personal formula for how to lose 30 pounds in 90 days. My pants fall off me now and my shirts are a lot baggier. But I am enjoying wearing loose clothing in the Arizona summer! I learned a long time ago the importance of surrounding myself with people who would believe and support my goals. While I was laser-focused on my personal mission to lose weight, I only shared my target of “below 180” with my wife, my daughter, and my son. They each knew how much this goal meant to me and positively reinforced my efforts. Any self-improvement goal that matters to you can be accomplished if you are determined. Just remember that if your goal is to achieve drastic results, you must be willing to make drastic changes. Changing habits and actions is what creates the result. Now that I have shared my personal story, I would love to hear yours. Please email me at Dennis@DLJonesHomes.com and share your self- improvement goals with me.
I promise to believe and support you all the way!
–Dennis Jones
The holidays are around the corner, the time of year many of us spend extra time in the kitchen. Since October is Cookbook Month, what a great time to pick up a helpful cookbook! You might be surprised to know that cookbooks have a long, ancient history. The very first recorded cookbook is written on four clay tablets from 1700 B.C. in ancient Mesopotamia. By the 1300s, cookbooks became a norm for kings and nobles. Many of the titles may even seem similar to modern cookbooks, except they often referenced social class, such as “Fifteen-Cent Dinners For Working-Men’s Families” and “La Cuisinière Bourgeoise.” Luckily, we do not have to be a king or nobility to learn how to cook fancy, comforting, delicious meals! Many people fall in love with cooking long before buying their first cookbook. I also fall in that category. I learned to cook when I was growing up watching my mom in the kitchen and also in 4-H. I even learned cake decorating in 4-H and somehow won some purple ribbons along the way! We ate at home a lot, we entertained quite a bit, and growing up in the Midwest, we attended a lot of potlucks. We always seemed to be making something to take somewhere.
How Lisa Came to Love Cooking (And Cookbooks!) Over 200 Cookbooks Later …
Lisa in her kitchen with her 200-cookbook collection!
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Pizza was once a well-kept secret in Naples, Italy. Today, pizza is a worldwide phenomenon! But while its Italian origins are certain, the modern pizza obsession did not begin in Italy, but rather started in America. In the 1940s, while looking for new opportunities, immigrants from Naples were sailing across the Atlantic to become American citizens. Many moved to New York, while others moved into other booming cities like Trenton, New Haven, Boston, Chicago, and St. Louis. Like many Europeans of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Neopolitans came to work in factories. Although the Naples natives had not intended to make a culinary statement, money was tight for many immigrants — and pizza was always an affordable favorite. THE AMERICAN DREAM IN EDIBLE FORM A Quick, Fascinating History of Pizza
The Best Pizza Dough LISA’S KITCHEN
Truly one of the best pizza crust recipes I have ever had, courtesy of “Taste of Home.”
INGREDIENTS
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1 1/4 cups warm water (110–115 F)
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1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp each dried basil, oregano, and marjoram (optional, but awesome!) 1 package (1/4 oz) active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp)
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2 tsp sugar
1/3 cup vegetable or olive oil
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4 cups all-purpose, 00, or bread flour
DIRECTIONS
1. Using bread machine on dough setting, add wet ingredients to machine first, dry ingredients next, and yeast last. Mix according to your machine’s instructions. (Dough keeps in refrigerator for several days but needs to be punched down several times per day. Allow dough to come to room temperature before rolling, about 30 minutes.) Split dough in half and roll into 2 crusts. 2. Top with favorite pizza sauce and toppings. Bake at 400 F for 10-12 minutes until crust browns slightly.
The flavors and aromas of pizza did not take long to entice the rest of America.
After World War II, Italian Americans (and their food) migrated from the city and into suburbs, east to west. The popularity of pizza quickly boomed, and pizza was no longer considered a foreign dish! Many regional non-Neapolitan pizzas began to emerge, from Chicago deep dish pizza to California-gourmet pizza with anything for toppings, like barbecued chicken and smoked salmon.
Once I was out on my own and actually making a living, I started buying cookbooks at used bookstores, receiving them as gifts, and inheriting them from my grandmother. Dennis has certainly played a part in expanding my cookbook collection. I have cookbooks for pretty much everything from international foods to cakes, candies, and cookies to entertaining to holidays to special diets like diabetic and gluten-free. Next to real estate, cooking is my passion. I love to cook for others and entertain! If you are shopping for a new cookbook for yourself, my favorite cookbooks include Susan Branch’s cookbooks (all with her own drawings), and the Williams Sonoma cookbook collection. Or, try a cookbook from a cuisine you are curious to learn! A cookbook will often provide a lot of context and techniques for the cuisine, whereas a mere internet recipe might not give you all that information. If you need more recommendations, do not hesitate to reach out to me! I am always more than happy to talk about cooking with you.
Soon, postwar pizza became part of the American image. Food critic John Mariani, author of “How Italian Food Conquered the World,” told the History Channel: “Like blue jeans and rock and roll, the rest of the world, including the Italians, picked up on pizza just because it was American.” In ancient times, many Italians looked down on pizza as an unrefined, fast food for the poor. That has completely changed in the modern day. Pizza is now welcome at every type of event, even weddings! But when you feel lazy, pizza is still there to be your best friend. Just give a local pizzeria a call, and you will have a piping hot pie in no time. An even easier solution? Try out my best pizza dough recipe ever! If you make extra in advance, you will not have to pay for delivery — your pizza can be thrown together just as quickly and easily. Remember October is Pizza Month!
–Lisa Jones
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Have you stepped into your kitchen in the last few weeks and thought you could use more color? If so, you are not alone. Colorfully painted kitchen cabinets are a hot trend right now in home decor, to the point that HGTV released a step-by-step guide to the painting process this winter! However, just because you want to paint your kitchen cabinets does not mean you should — at least not before reading the argument for each side and getting painting tips from the pros. 2 Reasons to Paint Your Cabinets — And 2 Reasons Not To Paint WANT TO PAINT YOUR KITCHEN CABINETS? Read This Crash Course First
Every day, teachers learn the ins and outs of our children’s curiosity and how to best guide them as role models and educators. Imagining just how much pressure a teacher can feel at times seems impossible. How do you know you are setting the right example? When are you working too hard, or not hard enough? Not surprisingly, we have a worldwide shortage of well-trained teachers — yet, what would happen if children had no access to primary or secondary education? According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 69 million teachers must be recruited to achieve worldwide primary and secondary education by 2030. We feel very thankful our daughter went through the Deer Valley school system and was able to attend very good (A+) schools. She enjoyed the gifted (SAGE) program, Mandarin immersion, and her school’s “looping” structure — where they had the same teacher for
The Pros:
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You could increase your home’s value. Painted cabinets are hot, and buyers may be willing to pay a premium for them (unless they dislike your color choice). Plus, light-colored cabinets may make your kitchen seem bigger. If you are unhappy with your cabinets, you will save money. Painting cabinets yourself is time-consuming but much cheaper than springing for brand-new wood.
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The Cons:
• Painting cabinets is a total pain. Painting your cabinets yourself means disassembling them, making your kitchen unusable for days, and doing hours of manual labor. You can avoid some of this hassle by hiring a professional, but the price of the job will increase. • Your mistakes might haunt you or you will regret your color choice. Maybe your paint job will be uneven, or maybe that primer spill just will not come out of your grout. These are risks if you choose to paint. Painting Tips and Tricks 1. Deep-clean before you paint. According to HGTV, cleaning your cabinets before you sand them is NOT a waste of effort. In fact, cleaning your cabinets is a vital step to remove grease that could ruin your paint job. 2. Label every panel and draw a cabinet map. Trust us — numbering all of your drawers and doors makes reassembly easy. If you do not label, you will end up crying on the kitchen floor in a cabinet puzzle. 3. Get scientific about your finishes. According to Remodelista, you should “forget matte and eggshell finishes and opt for semi-gloss, gloss, or satin instead — hardy finishes that are easy to clean.”
TAKE A APPLES BOOKBAG CIDER
FOOTBALL HERITAGE HONEY
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When was the last time you flushed your water heater? If we had to guess your answer, our money would be on “I do not know” or “never!” You should flush your water heater once a year to extend the life and keep functioning properly — but most people do not. What is ‘flushing’? Flushing your water heater is not as simple as flushing the toilet, but the principle is the same. You need to drain the tank of your water heater to get rid of lime and other sediments. Otherwise, the gunk can harden over time and potentially destroy the unit. To flush or not to flush? If you have been in your home for more than a year and have not flushed your water heater, the answer to this question is easy: Time to flush. If you are a new homeowner, knowing when to do your first flush can be trickier. Fortunately, your water heater has ways of telling you maintenance is overdue. To find out whether your water heater needs flushing, stand next to the tank for a while and listen. If you hear what experts describe as “popping,” “banging,” or “rumbling” sounds, sediment is clogging your unit. How do you flush a water heater? First, grab a gardening hose and a shop vac. Then, turn off your water heater’s thermostat and the breaker (for an electric heater) or gas (for a gas heater). Turn off the cold Time to Flush Your Water Heater!
A Special Thanks to Our Teacher Superheroes
1st/2nd, 3rd/4th and 5th/6th grades — and dual enrollment and AP high school and college courses. Ashley had some truly amazing teachers who shaped the person she is today. Her high school anatomy teacher whispered in her ear one day that she believed Ashley had a great future as a doctor or a career in the medical field. That whisper put Ashley on a focused path to become a physician assistant, from which she has not veered or wavered. Fast forward eight years and Ashley is now in her year of clinical rotations for PA school. We could not be more thankful for the teachers, professors, and clinicians who have poured their knowledge, guidance, and love into her education. Please take a moment to thank a teacher on Oct. 5, World Teachers’ Day. We have many to thank!
water supply to the water heater. When everything is off, head to a sink and switch on the hot water. Leave the water running and go back to your water heater.
–Dennis & Lisa Jones
BREAK LABOR LITERACY MUSHROOM
Open the pressure release valve and screw your hose onto the spigot at the bottom of the water tank. Put the other end of the hose near a drain, into a bucket, or outside. Then, open the spigot to start draining your water heater. (You may need to vacuum out sediment if your hose clogs.) Finally, turn the cold water back on and run it through your water heater until the water leaving the hose runs clear. You are done! You are safe to return the pressure valve, thermostat, and breaker/gas to their original states. You may need to relight the pilot on a gas water heater. If this process seems too intimidating or your system is different from what is described here, call your plumber and schedule a professional draining. You can always rely on the experts!
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START THE DAY BETTER THAN EVER BY CELEBRATING BETTER BREAKFAST MONTH!
Hey, friends: October is Better Breakfast Month! Between my love for coffee and mornings, I live and breathe breakfast. I love a good steak dinner and I love barbecue chicken sandwiches, but without a doubt, breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and always gives me enough energy to push through my entire day. There has been a surprising amount of controversy about breakfast in recent years. Is breakfast really the most important meal of the day? Maybe not for everybody. But for me, a big breakfast is the key to a great day.
breakfast should start with including at least three food groups: dairy, protein, fruits, vegetables, and grains (specifically whole grains). Why whole grains? Compared to other sources, researchers find that oatmeal, quinoa, and whole wheat bread are packed with fiber and other important nutrients, such as B vitamins, iron, folate, selenium, potassium, and magnesium. In other words, per bite, you are getting an incredible nutritional value for your body. If you are like me, though, you design your breakfast to fit your needs. My perfect breakfast gives me enough food to skip lunch! As far as I am concerned, there is no better way to start the day than two scrambled eggs, two slices of bacon, a side of hash browns, and two slices of sourdough toast with strawberry jam. Sprinkle some Arizona Gunslinger Chipotle Habanero Pepper Sauce on the eggs and hash browns, add a glass of orange juice and a bottomless cup of black coffee, and I am good to go all the way until dinner. My son, Dan, loves breakfast, too, and we have breakfast together at least once a week at the Two Brothers Kitchen right here in Anthem. We both order the exact same plate every single time. The apple did not fall far from the tree!
Studies show that skipping breakfast can throw off your body’s rhythm of fasting and eating. Upon waking up, your body demands blood sugar to operate your muscles and brain. By providing your body with essential vitamins and nutrients, you give your body enough resources to keep going — without a craving for unhealthy snacking or fast-food later. You might have read my weight loss story on the cover of this newsletter. According to nutritionists, there are lots of ways to have a delicious, healthy, complete breakfast, and
–Dennis Jones
Clear Container Storage THE RIGHT ORGANIZATION STRATEGY FOR YOU?
According to TikTok trends, people are using clear bins to organize their homes, especially their kitchens. To help you decide if this trend would work in your spaces, here are some answers to common questions about how to use clear containers in your home. What do you need? You only need three items to organize using this method — clear containers in sizes that work for your spaces, labels, and contents to go into the containers. All of these items can be found online or at your local big-box store and supermarket. How do you start organizing? After you purchase your containers and have items/food to store, move them to transparent containers and label them as you go to easily remember what you put into which bin. You can buy premade labels with the names of your items, or you can make your own. You can organize your drawers, shelves, or even toiletries with smaller containers if you are ambitious. What are the benefits? Neatly placed and labeled clear containers make your area look less cluttered, and finding what you are seeking will be easier.
They also prevent you from over-buying items because you can see how much you have left. And in a pantry or kitchen, the airtight lids on the containers will ensure no unwanted insects and bugs find their way into your food. Are there any cons?
If you toss out original packages with instructions or expiration dates, you may lose track of preparation instructions or risk food going stale. Also, if all the product does not fit into one bin, you have to figure out what to do with the rest. Sometimes, transferring products from one container to another is overwhelming or time-consuming. If these drawbacks do not seem worthwhile, then do not adopt the clear container storage trend. If transparent bins sound like a good choice for your home, search “clear container organizers” on TikTok for more tips and strategies. Even if you are not looking to reorganize your home, you still may get some good ideas from the videos!
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When the weather starts getting cooler, more people spend time indoors — which is when the sneezing starts. But the problem is not always the season. Sometimes, your home air quality is the problem. Let us break down the worst threats, plus some potential solutions. First, biological pollutants love homes . According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), up to half of all structures have damp conditions that may encourage molds and bacteria to grow, which can cause major allergic reactions, including asthma. Other biological pollutants include animal dander (minute scales from hair, feathers, or skin), dust mites, cockroach parts, and pollen. The solution: Remove or relocate air quality threats. Dust and construction materials (wood, wallboard, or insulation) contain nutrients that allow bio pollutants to grow. Firewood can also be a source of moisture, fungi, and bugs. Make sure your appliances (humidifiers, kerosene and gas heaters, and gas stoves) are not adding too much moisture into the air. You will be able to tell from musty odors, moisture on hard surfaces, or even water stains. Second, your home’s air circulation probably is not good enough . Most heating and cooling systems (including forced air heating systems) do not bring fresh air into your house. Although cooking can smell delicious, cooking can introduce more smoke or air contaminants indoors. Hobbies like painting or welding can also add air contaminants. 3 REASONS WHY INDOOR AIR AFFECTS YOUR HEALTH ALLERGIES OR POOR AIR QUALITY?
Technology was created to make our lives easier, and though technology simplifies our daily routines, the cords can be a hassle to maintain. Keeping the power flowing to multiple devices requires a plethora of cords that can become tangled and annoying. Also, as time passes, cords may break or simply stop working. Organizing and preserving the quality of your electronics is the best way to extend their longevity, and with these tips, you can save a few headaches along with some money. Tidy up your cords. When you have tons of cords and cables attached to your desk and power strips, they can become a tangled mess. You end up pulling the wrong cord because they all look the same, and figuring out which is which is a pain. A great way to fix this mess is to use binder clips! 3 Tips to Maintain Your Electronics Tangled Up in Cords?
The solution: Because outdoor air tends to be cleaner, cracking open a window can do wonders to improve your air quality. Bathroom or kitchen fans that exhaust outdoors can bring outdoor air into your home. Third, test for radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas. The EPA estimates that radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. Radon gas is inert, colorless, and odorless, and comes from the natural decay of uranium found in nearly all soils. While rising out of the ground, radon can become trapped in your home. The solution: If your home has alarming levels of radon, installing a radon reduction system can pull the radon from the soil beneath your house and release the gas outside. You can also seal cracks in the floor and walls and improve air circulation with the steps above. According to the EPA, indoor air quality is almost always 2–5 times worse than outdoors. With the right steps however, you will not sneeze as much this fall. Great air quality will make your home feel like a healthy paradise.
You can clip them onto your desk to keep cords separate and in one place. Take it up a notch by using colored/patterned binder clips. Assigning specific colors to certain cords lets you find the one you need at any moment. Protect your cords. Smartphone and laptop chargers are not cheap by any means. Since we use them so often, the cord that attaches to the device is susceptible to fraying and breaking. If you have some painter’s tape lying around, take a small piece and wrap it around the cord close to the connectors on both sides! The tape acts as a brace and keeps your charger cord sturdy. Organize extra cables and cords. If you are like most people, you probably have a bag or box of tangled wires and cables somewhere, which can become an organizer’s worst nightmare, but a better way exists. First, find an old shoe box and several empty toilet paper rolls. Then, place the rolls upright in a shoebox, wrap each cord up separately, and place them inside the rolls (one per roll) to keep them separate but together. Maintaining our electronics, especially the cords, allows our technology to continue working for us without worry or breaking the bank. Try these hacks and watch how untangled your cords and life can be!
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You Are the Secret Ingredient to Self‑Improvement Inside
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Lisa’s Cooking Story
Lisa & Dennis Jones
Lisa’s Kitchen: The Best Pizza Dough
3668 W. Anthem Way, Ste. B-158 • Anthem, AZ 85086 602-677-4130 • DLJonesHomes.com
The Delicious History of Pizza
The Pros and Cons of Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets
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Why Teachers Are Truly Essential
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Your Water Heater Needs Attention
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Start the Day Better Than Ever
Is Clear Container Storage Right for You?
Don’t Cross Your Cords!
Allergies or Poor Air Quality?
A Warm Welcome for Fall
Hi, everyone! I am sure you are super busy while reading this newsletter, whether due to the middle of back-to-school madness or preparation for the final quarter of the year. But do not forget to take a breath and look outside — fall is finally here! Fall is one of my favorite seasons, although fall is not quite the same in Phoenix as my hometown. As you may know, I grew up in Kansas, while Dennis grew up in Ohio. Our mind’s image of fall includes blazing red and yellow leaves, cold breezes, and pumpkin spice lattes. Plus, I always loved putting on my fall wardrobe of flannel, jeans, and boots. You would think that we would often find ourselves homesick during fall. Pumpkin spice lattes are, thankfully, universal — but cactus does not change color, and the fall temperature only “falls” by a few degrees. The truth is that I still love fall in Arizona, even if I can only wear my fall flannel, jeans, and boots a couple weeks out of the year. Fall is different here than almost everywhere else in the U.S. Between the gorgeous running and hiking weather, the Arizona State Fair, Flagstaff Oktoberfest (where you will even see fall leaves!), and driving with the windows down, fall is when Phoenix feels in full bloom for me. I would love to hear about your favorite season in Arizona. Do not hesitate to let me know at Lisa@dljoneshomes.com . Thanks for reading, friends — I hope you enjoy fall wherever you are!
WHY I LOVE FALL IN PHOENIX
–Lisa Jones
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