OCTOBER 2019
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THE BEST BAKED TREAT I’LL EVER HAVE MY MOM’S AMAZING HOMEBAKED BROWNIES
I recently learned that Oct. 1 is National Homemade Cookies Day. While this holiday seems to be specifically aimed toward cookies, I immediately started thinking about homemade brownies, more specifically, the brownies my mom would make. When I was growing up, every baked good I had was homemade. My mother never made anything out of a box; everything was from scratch. Mom would bake cakes, pies, cookies, and the best brownies I have ever had in my entire life. My sister and I would bug Mom to make her signature brownies all the time, but she would only make them when she was feeling up to it. Mom’s brownie recipe wasn’t for a large batch; it would fit into a small 12-by-12-inch pan. The most extraordinary thing about her recipe was that you couldn’t tweak it in any way. You couldn’t even double it to make twice the amount because it just wouldn’t be the same when it came out of the oven. If anyone tried to make any sort of change “My mother never made anything out of a box; everything was from scratch. Mom would bake cakes, pies, cookies, and the best brownies I have ever had in my entire life.”
to her recipe, no matter how small, the brownies would be terrible.
The most excruciating part of the wait was when they finally came out. Mom would take the brownies out and set them on the counter to cool down enough for us to eat, and we’d just have to sit there and stare at them. Once they were cooled enough, we’d get them, still warm, with a cold glass of milk. Mom passed away years ago and, sadly, took her brownie recipe with her. A few years ago, I called my sister up and asked if she had mom’s recipe, but she thought I had it. It was a pretty big blow for us. Any brownies that we have now, whether they’re baked out of the box or prebaked at a store, don’t come anywhere close to Mom’s. While I might not be able to have Mom’s brownies again, I’ll still have those memories, and they’re great ones I’ll cherish forever. –Travis Black
Those brownies were one of the very first things my mom ever taught me to bake. Whenever she planned to whip them up, she’d call my sister and me over, and we’d watch and help her when we could. I’ll admit, being as young as we were, we were more excited about licking the mixing bowl when she was done. She always told us that if we ate it, we’d get worms, but we never minded. Despite the promise of brownie batter, I did learn how to make her brownies, and I made them for years before I forgot the recipe. Once mommade up the batter, she put the brownies in the oven. As they baked, the aroma filled the whole house; I don’t think I can begin to describe how amazing they smelled. Mom would take a toothpick and stick it into the batter until it came out clean. I can remember sitting in the kitchen, impatiently waiting and watching mom poke the brownies with that toothpick again and again.
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HALLOWEEN COSTUMES TO THINK TWICE ABOUT
HOW TO STEER CLEAR OF LOOKS THAT MIGHT OFFEND
While some costumes have their time and place, others are off- putting in any setting, and it’s never too early to explain that to your kids. Consider the case of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, who came under fire earlier this year for a 1981 yearbook photo that appeared under his name and showed two costumed figures, one wearing a KKK uniform and the other in blackface. Northam’s role in the photo was never clarified, but it caused permanent damage to his reputation and friendships. Make sure your family avoids similar strife this Halloween by steering clear of costumes associated with racist, sexist, or politically divisive groups. Teach your kids that it’s best to rule out costumes imitating another race or culture, particularly if they promote stereotypes, to avoid hurting anyone’s feelings — famous sports teams facing criticism for their Native American mascots are canaries in the coal mine on that point. Finally, encourage your kids to avoid hamming up symptoms of mental illness or addiction in their costumes. Dressing like a “mental patient” can hit too close to home for real-life sufferers, some of whom you likely know and love.
We can all agree that if you’re injured, you must get treatment. In fact, most insurance companies teach their claim adjusters that if a “plaintiff” (that’s someone hurt by the other driver) doesn’t get treatment on a regular basis, they’re not injured. Often, people involved in car accidents don’t even know they have been injured. The reason behind this is that people’s bodies respond to pain signals and the stress of the accidents in different ways; sometimes we’re in shock. In these situations, our bodies produce endorphins that tend to cover or mask an injury for several days or even weeks. Our team at Travis G. Black & Associates recommends receiving a medical consultation as soon as possible, and if you start to feel any discomfort or pain, seek medical attention immediately. You must explain to your medical provider in detail how you were injured. The doctor will record this and start a treatment program for you. Be sure to ask for a copy of this initial report and review it to ensure your doctor has all the correct facts. IF YOU’RE INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT YOU MUST GET TREATMENT If you’ve ever taken your kids trick-or-treating for Halloween, then there’s a good chance you’ve seen a costume that made you feel a bit uncomfortable. Perhaps it was something too sexual or gory for your 4-year-old’s eyes or a satirization of a political figure you admire. Odds are you didn’t say anything, but such encounters can be unsettling, even for the most laid-back among us. This Halloween, help others avoid that discomfort by thinking twice about the costumes you and your family choose. When dressing for Halloween, remember that it’s important to consider your audience. A skimpy Jessica Rabbit or Poison Ivy costume might be fun for an adults-only party, but it’s inappropriate for a family gathering. Similarly, you might not want to go the political route for an office party, where putting your opinions front and center could cause friction with your coworkers or boss. Instead, opt for a fictional character or a classic Halloween monster. No one is going to argue with you about your support or disdain for werewolves.
physical therapy. Doing so will help you heal faster, as well as help your insurance claim. If your doctor creates a treatment plan, don’t procrastinate; when you’re injured, you need treatment. In addition to treatment, you should also seek advice from an attorney that specializes in injury cases. They will know how to help you make the correct choices for medical treatment, but remember, you have the right to pick your own medical treatment. Don’t shy away from seeking medical treatment if you don’t have medical insurance. Your attorney can help you find a doctor who will put your treatment on lien, so you can pay it back at the end of your case. The person that caused the crash and injured you is ultimately responsible for your medical costs. Travis G. Black & Associates always offer free initial consultations for personal injury cases, so there’s no risk in speaking with us and receiving an honest and informed evaluation of your case. Our attorneys have years of experience representing clients in auto collision cases and for other personal injury claims. We’re prepared to fight aggressively in court to defend your rights.
It’s essential that you follow the treatment plan your doctor has prescribed to you, whether it calls for prescription medication or
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DIA DE LOS MUERTOS A CELEBRATION OF LIFE
FULL OF LIFE Though the name might lead you to believe differently, Dia de los Muertos is a joyous time. If you visit Mexico during the holiday, the air is filled with music, and the streets are full of dancing and color. Instead of a sorrowful mourning of the dead, it is a vibrant, joyous celebration of life. Intricate altar displays, called ofrendas, honor the spirits of relatives who’ve passed. Families fill them with photographs and the relatives’ favorite food and drinks. It’s believed that during Dia de los Muertos, the boundary between the living and the dead is lifted, and for one night only, spirits come back to visit and enjoy what their families have set out for them. Today, the multiday celebration takes place throughout Central and North America. As tiny Batmans and Skywalkers add the final adjustments to their costumes, other families clean their homes and prepare to honor the spirits of their loved ones. And in today’s beautiful blend of cultures, many families celebrate both holidays.
Despite the common misconception, Dia de los Muertos is not an offshoot of Halloween. While the two holidays often happen simultaneously, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday that originated with the indigenous people of Central America, including the Aztec and Mayan civilizations. Each year, they gathered and gave offerings to their dead. When the Spaniards came to Mexico, they fused the indigenous celebrations with their traditions of All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2). ANCIENT BEGINNINGS Ancient Mesoamerican civilizations viewed death as a beginning rather than an end. This was likely tied to agricultural practices and the seasons, with crops dying in the winter and being reborn in the spring. Dia de los Muertos evolved from those roots and is now observed throughout Mexico and the United States. It’s a time of remembering your loved ones by celebrating their lives.
BE INSPIRED
CHOCOLATE- DIPPED FRUIT
INGREDIENTS • 1 package melting chocolate • Assorted dried fruit, including apricots and mangoes This super easy and fun way to create homemade treats provides your kids with a healthier and more delicious alternative to packaged industrial candy. As a bonus, making it is an awesome Halloween activity for your family to enjoy. DIRECTIONS 1. In a large saucepan, bring 1 inch of water to a boil. 2. Place a large, heatproof mixing bowl on top of saucepan so that no steam can escape. Place melting chocolate in mixing bowl and double boil until melted. 3. Dip half of each piece of fruit in chocolate before transferring to a parchment-lined baking sheet to rest. 4. Let cool for 10 minutes until chocolate solidifies. 5. Place in school lunches, serve at parties, and indulge in a few for yourself.
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Inspired by Food Network
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Homemade Brownies Are the Best Brownies PAGE 1 Halloween Costumes to Think Twice About PAGE 2 Treat Your Injuries! PAGE 2 The Meaning of Dia de los Muertos PAGE 3 Chocolate-Dipped Fruit PAGE 3 PREPARE FOR AN EVENTFUL MONTH!
ENJOY FALL ACTIVITIES, FOOD, AND ART
Halloween isn’t the only event to be excited about this month. Be sure to check out these engaging activities for a lively October! PUMPKIN PATCH FLYER WHERE: Placerville & Sacramento Valley Railroad WHEN: Most weekends through October (see website for details)
SACRAMENTO’S VEGAN FOOD FESTIVAL WHERE: Cesar Chavez Plaza WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 19, 1–6 p.m. ADMISSION: $10–$15 WEBSITE: Facebook.com/ events/2307276029528488/?active_tab=about If you’re vegan or have always wanted to try vegan food, the Sacramento’s Vegan Food Festival is a perfect time to indulge yourself! This festival includes a variety of foods attendees can enjoy, including vegan street tacos and plant base hamburgers. In addition to all the great food, people can browse the wares of art vendors lining the plaza. For more information and tickets, visit their Facebook page above.
UPTOWN MARKET ON THE BOULEVARD
ADMISSION: $5–$12 WEBSITE: PSVRR.org
WHERE: 1409 Del Paso Boulevard WHEN: Oct. 26, Nov. 23, and Dec. 21 ADMISSION: Free! WEBSITE: Facebook.com/UptownMarket916 With 2019 flying by, December will be here before you know it! If you haven’t started working on your Christmas list yet, the Uptown Market is a perfect place to purchase unique gifts for family and friends. Guests can support local artisans while enjoying live music, drinks, food, and of course, browsing the fantastic artwork on display.
Just in time for pumpkin carving, families are welcome to immerse themselves in the spirit of the season. Kids can pick out their very own pumpkin and decorate it however they please, take it home, and put it on display! There will also be coloring books available and a cookie decorating area for kids to dress up and then eat their very own cookie creations.
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MY PERSONAL PROMISE TO YOU
As a valued client, I want you to be 100% SATISFIED with your decision to hire me as your lawyer. You should know within 90 days whether or not I am the right lawyer for you. So I offer you a RISK-FREE PROMISE, NO-QUESTIONS-ASKED GUARANTEE!
If you are NOT 100% SATISFIED with my services, you can fire me and NOT OWE ME ONE PENNY!
CALL NOW! 916.962.2896 -Travis Black
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