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AUGUST 2023
HEALTHY, WEALTHY,
& Wise
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HOW TO KNOW WHICH SHORTCUTS ARE TRULY FRUITFUL ARE YOU MAXIMIZING EFFICIENCY?
We all love a good shortcut. Of course I do but I’m not going to exert all my time and energy to reinvent the wheel. Some shortcuts allow you to learn from others so you can utilize your time and energy more efficiently. The key is identifying which shortcuts maximize efficiency and which simply enable you to take the easy way out. It begs the question “are shortcuts always beneficial?” In my journey to recount lessons I’ve learned throughout my career, identifying productive shortcuts is one I know can apply to everyone. Whether it is work, fitness, or personal growth, there are opportunities to simplify our efforts and times not to. Let’s say you’re going for a run and decide to take the shorter route heading home quicker and with less effort. Ultimately, you’re only cheating yourself when taking a shortcut in a workout routine. Yet, when working on a project and you discover a helpful resource that can organize or simplify your work, that’s an advantageous shortcut! So, what’s the difference between these two events? The growth each brings. Which works toward an improved result and which takes away from it? Cutting your workout short won’t lead you to the fitness goals you’ve set for yourself. Meanwhile, utilizing a new resource that can produce improved results and reduce work time is a win!
to achieve excellence, you’ll likely find out you can’t shorten the time it takes to become an expert. It took me 15 years to consider myself an expert in my field! Malcolm Gladwell once wrote that it takes 10,000 hours before you become an expert in your skill. No shortcuts there! Instead, what you can do is optimize your time and how you spend those 10,000 hours learning your craft. So next time you’re considering a shortcut, stop and reflect if it will help you achieve your goals.
“I ONLY WANT TO USE SHORTCUTS THAT HELP ME ACHIEVE MY GOALS, NOT ERODE THEM.”
I want to share with you a (not-so-profound) shortcut that can still save you time, likely money, and a whole lot of effort: store- cooked rotisserie chickens. Unexpected? I looked back and noticed I had spent years buying raw chicken, meal prepping and preparing it for different dishes when all this time I could’ve just bought it pre-made. It works just the same in many dishes, can be put in various recipes, still tastes delicious, and saves me time, effort and money. Speaking of recipes, I have a favor to ask. I would love to hear from you about your most beloved recipes! In future newsletters, I want to share all the incredible recipes my clients cherish. We might even feature yours. This is just another way we can uplift those around us and share techniques we’ve found successful. Shortcuts that don’t sacrifice flavor will also be appreciated! If you’d like to see your recipe in an upcoming newsletter, reach out to our team at Info@FederalBenefitsMadeSimple.com! –Ann Vanderslice
I only want to use shortcuts that help me
achieve my goals, not erode them. Taking the easy way out is often how we hold ourselves back. For those wishing
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CATHY’S REMARKABLE JOURNEY FROM FIELD BIOLOGIST TO WORLD TRAVELER
For nearly 22 years, Cathy Tate worked as a biologist for the U.S. Geological Survey, collecting and analyzing data from streams and rivers. As with most professions, she started her career in the field; gathering samples of different fish, other organisms, and the surrounding habitat. As her career progressed, Cathy joined the national synthesis team which analyzed data collected by biologists nationwide. She concluded her decades-long career as an executive secretary for the National Water Quality Monitoring Council.
WILDLANDS RESTORATION VOLUNTEERS AT DOLORES RIVER RESTORATION, COLORADO
Towards the end of a successful career, Cathy reviewed her retirement options and was able to retire comfortably in 2014 at the age of 60. With help, Cathy could figure out her finances and properly plan for the retirement she’s always dreamed of, and she’s
CATHY TATE AT MITCHELL FALLS, KIMBERLEY, AUSTRALIA
Verde, hiking and exploring among the country’s most stunning environments and natural landmarks.
Cathy firmly believes in giving back to the community and
volunteers for Wildlands Restoration Volunteers. This U.S. nonprofit’s mission is to build diverse communities that care for the land. Volunteers can help with restoration projects, revive habitats,
been busy ever since! She took her love for travel and dedicated her retirement to experiencing new destinations all over the world. When she first retired, Cathy and her husband moved to New Zealand for one month and Australia for eight! Next, she headed to Scotland where she could follow her passion for hiking in the country’s scenic landscape. Cathy completed six treks there and is already planning to return next year! Another adventurous pursuit led her to a National Geographic small ship tour to the Antarctic Peninsula, where
GLACIAL MELTWATER STREAM IN DRY VALLEYS OF ANTARCTICA
grow plants, build trails, and more. Meanwhile, Cathy volunteers for the nonprofit as a photographer; most recently photographing volunteers on a project near North Park in Colorado. When asked about her plans for the future, Cathy shared that she is indeed booked and busy! Besides the Scotland trip, she will do another National Geographic small ship tour to Norway’s fjords and the Arctic to glimpse majestic polar bears. She also plans on returning to Australia with her husband. We asked this endlessly fascinating retiree what advice she would give to those nearing retirement, and she simply said, “Follow your passion. Just do it!” Well, she sure does follow her own advice!
plenty of penguins waddled her way.
Cathy also treks here at home visiting all the national parks she can including: Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Mesa
MONTGOMERY REEF, KIMBERLEY REGION, AUSTRALIA
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A CAT’S NOSE KNOWS How Willow Saved Her Owner’s Life We all wish our pets would be there for us in an emergency. Dogs, cats, and other animals can accomplish amazing feats when provided with enough love and care, and a cat from Liverpool named Willow recently proved that many times over. A cat’s sense of smell is incredibly effective at detecting when something is abnormal, and Willow used her nose to save her owner in the nick of time. For many with diabetes, falling into a diabetic coma is a constant concern, and they regularly check their blood sugar levels and take insulin shots to avoid that scenario. Amanda Jameson, a 51-year-old woman from Liverpool, received a diabetes diagnosis years ago but had always stayed on top of it. In April 2023, she fell asleep while her blood sugar was dangerously low. Thankfully, her cat, Willow, noticed something was wrong and sprang into action. Willow went to the living room, where Amanda’s husband had fallen asleep watching television. Willow proceeded to bite his leg and jump on him until he woke up around 4 a.m. He could tell something was wrong, as this was abnormal behavior for Willow, so he followed her to the bedroom, where he spotted his wife. She was slumped over and unresponsive, and he immediately called her an ambulance. Doctors informed Amanda’s husband that she was moments away from slipping into a diabetic coma, but Willow had smelled something off and gotten help before it was too late.
Most pets would get a few extra treats for their heroism, but Willow’s feats earned her a more prestigious award. The National Cat Awards named Willow as a finalist for their “Moggy Marvels” category. If Willow wins, she’ll receive a trophy, a £200 pet store voucher, and a year subscription to Cats Protection’s “The Cat” magazine. Although Willow likely doesn’t care about the trophy or the subscription, she’ll be happy enough with £200 worth of goodies and her owner safely by her side.
Train Your
BRAIN!
Grilled Halibut With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
Inspired by FoodAndWine.com
INGREDIENTS
• 1 16-oz jar roasted red bell peppers, drained • 5 garlic cloves • 1 tbsp sherry vinegar • 2 tsp honey
• 1 tsp kosher salt • 1/4 tsp black pepper • 1/2 cup olive oil • 4 6-oz skin-on halibut fillets
DIRECTIONS
1. In a food processor or blender, mix bell peppers, garlic, vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Transfer sauce to a bowl; whisk in oil. 1. Into a large plastic zipper bag, pour 1 cup of sauce; add halibut fillets and seal bag; turn to coat fillets. Let marinate in refrigerator for 20 minutes. Reserve remaining sauce for serving. 1. Preheat a grill to medium-high (400–450 F). Remove halibut from marinade; scrape off excess. 1. On oiled grill grates, arrange fillets and grill, covered, until fish flakes easily, 4–5 minutes per side. 1. Transfer fillets to serving plates or a large platter. Drizzle with reserved sauce. Serve alongside preferred veggies and crusty bread.
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Enjoying a Retirement on the Road PAGE 2
A Guardian Angel Covered in Fur
Grilled Halibut With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce PAGE 3
Can You Solve This 18th-Century Cipher? PAGE 4
THIS ENIGMATIC INSCRIPTION REMAINS UNSOLVED Discover the Theories Behind Shepherd’s Monument
A mysterious 18th-century code has made even the most renowned geniuses lose sleep and continues to puzzle the world. On the grounds of Shugborough Hall in Staffordshire, England, lies the baffling code that refuses to be cracked. The Shepherd’s Monument was commissioned by British Parliament member Thomas Anson and sculpted by Peter Schee around the mid to late 1700s. But what makes this monument so mysterious? On the monument is an engraving of Nicolas Poussin’s painting “The Shepherds of Arcadia” and the inscription “OUOSVAVV” framed by the letters “DM,” which are placed slightly lower than the main eight letters. While the inscription has a long history of confusing the public (including Charles Dickens and Charles Darwin), the monument’s mystery was reignited after its appearance in the bestselling novel “The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown. Now, countless theories have been made, but no confirmed meaning exists.
• A tribute to Anson’s late wife with the letters standing for “Optimae Uxoris Optimae Sororis Viduus Amantissimus Vovit Virtutibus,” meaning, “Best of wives, best of sisters, a most devoted widower dedicates [this] to your virtues.” • The monument is a dead end with jumbled letters to taunt those who look too deeply into inscriptions. While these theories have been the predominantly believed meanings for centuries, one recent discovery may make the most sense. Linguistic expert Keith Massey utilized his expansive knowledge of Latin to develop the phrase “Oro Ut Omnes Sequantur Viam Ad Veram Vitam,” which translates to “I pray that all may follow the Way to True Life.” This phrase was common on ancient Christian tombs. The primary hint was the mysterious “DM,” which Massey determined was “Dis Manibus” or “for the Manes,” another phrase seen on ancient Christian tombs. Massey explained, “My solution provides a straightforward and grammatical sentence, all parts of which are attested in tomb inscriptions and texts predating or contemporary with the creation of the Shugborough inscription.” Do you agree? Is this finally the true meaning behind this riddle, or is there still more to be uncovered?
So, what are the conspiracy theories out there behind this vague inscription?
• Masonic symbols lead to the hidden location of the Holy Grail with the outside letters “DM,” meaning “Devout Mason.”
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