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The Must-Read, Change-Your-Life Newsletter helping seriously injured people for over 30 years
JANUARY 2019
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HOW SMART GOALS CAN HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR NEW YEAR’S OBJECTIVES
For many, January holds new possibilities for the future. As a new year rolls in, you may be dreaming up ways to make your life better. Maybe you want to eat cleaner, lose weight, keep a cleaner house, or be better with your finances. Regardless of what your goals are, the first day of the year is often met with blind ambition. Yet, for all the enthusiasm that you have in January, your eagerness often starts to fade by February. The person who was ready to dominate the scales and get out of debt seems like a stranger. It’s almost as if New Year’s resolutions are more related to failure than success. But it doesn’t have to be that way. SMART goals are a way to ditch the shortcomings of ill-defined resolutions and put your plans into action. The acronym stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-sensitive. Say you have a goal to lose 15 pounds. Before you even start with the SMART goal method, you need to figure out your “why.” Do you want to lose weight just because that’s what everyone resolves, or is there a deeper meaning behind the objective? From there, you can evaluate how your goal relates to the acronym.
married. A measurable goal should give you a clear picture to aim for. For instance, maybe you want to lose 15 pounds of fat with regular exercise so that when you take your kids to the beach, you can look like your college self again. Attainable Making a goal practical often becomes a stumbling block for many individuals trying to reach a goal. Is losing 15 pounds even possible? If it is, you’re not going to do it all in one swoop, and that’s why setting smaller goals that are also SMART is a great way to ensure you’re always heading in a positive direction. An attainable goal should reasonably fit your needs and may look like, “I want to lose 2 pounds of fat this week by doing cardio so that I can reach my larger goal.” Relevant Relevance is where the “why?” question comes back into play. Why does this goal matter to you, and why are you pursuing it? You need a solid foundation to overcome adversity and meet your objective. Time-Sensitive When are you going to achieve this goal? Without a precise time stamp, your goal holds no value. When you delay a goal or fail to set a specific time frame, you prevent it from being accomplished. If you want to lose 15 pounds, when are you going to do it by? Time-sensitive goals require you to take regular action. For instance, you might say, “I want to lose 15 pounds of fat by exercising three times a week for 12 weeks. When I take my kids to the beach for spring break, I want them to see me and be proud of how I look. Each week, I am going to aim to lose at least 1 pound and go to the gym a minimum of three times a week.” The last layer to goal setting is accountability. Who is going to help you through this? Will you only be accountable to yourself? Will family or friends hold you accountable? A spouse? Without multiple layers of accountability, a goal is just a nice thought. Set your target high this year, and don’t settle for empty words.
“MAKING A GOAL PRACTICAL OFTEN BECOMES A STUMBLING BLOCK FOR MANY INDIVIDUALS TRYING TO REACH A RESOLUTION.”
Specific Simply stating you want to lose weight is not specific enough. How are you going to do it? How much weight are you looking to lose? Do you want to build more muscle to change your shape? A more specific objective with a clear reason would look something like, “I want to lose 15 pounds of fat by exercising regularly so that I can take my kids to the beach.” Measurable How are you going to define success for this goal? 15 pounds is a great quantifiable goal to start with, but it’s also vague. Maybe you want to get back to the figure you had in college or before you got
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Sgt. Fieldy Comes Home
REUNITING BROTHERS IN ARMS
There are around 2,500 military working dogs currently in service, and their efforts help save the lives of countless soldiers and civilians every day. One of these brave military dogs is Sgt. Fieldy, an 11-year-old black lab who was trained to locate the No. 1 threat in Afghanistan: IEDs. Sgt. Fieldy was deployed to Afghanistan with his handler, Cpl. Nicolas Caceres, in 2011. Early in their deployment, their vehicle struck a pressure plate while they were on patrol. Fieldy and Caceres were all right, but one of the other Marines in their company was badly injured in the explosion. The injured Marine could not be evacuated by helicopter until the landing zone was secured. Fieldy found another IED in the area and alerted Caceres. The bomb was quickly disarmed, and the injured soldier was taken to safety. This wasn’t the only IED Fieldy found. His sharp nose and dedication helped save thousands of lives. After his deployment, Caceres returned home, but Sgt. Fieldy served several more tours without him. While Fieldy continued to protect soldiers and civilians by tracking down IEDs, Caceres worked tirelessly to make sure he could bring Fieldy home when his service was over. Military working dogs can be adopted by former handlers, law enforcement, or qualified civilians when they retire. After three years apart and a total of four tours served, Sgt. Fieldy
was reunited with Caceres. In 2016, Fieldy received the K9 Medal of Courage Award, and in 2018, he won the American Humane Hero Dog Award for his service. “These dogs are out there with us,” said Caceres when he and Fieldy accepted the Hero Dog Award. “The dangers we face, they face them too. They deserve to be recognized. We ask so much of them, and all they want is to get petted or play with a toy. They’re amazing animals, and Fieldy is just an amazing dog. I can’t begin to express the gratitude I have for him.” If you are interested in supporting our nation’s working dogs or would like to adopt a retired working dog yourself, you can learn more at Missionk9rescue.org.
READY FOR A NEW WINTER ADVENTURE?
Louisiana doesn’t see much snow, but the barbeques, boating, and other summertime activities slow to a crawl during the cold of winter. Many people hunker down in brisk temperatures, rarely leaving the warm confines of their homes, but just because the weather is dreary doesn’t mean your sense of adventure needs to diminish. There are plenty of winter activities in the Ozark and Appalachian Mountains, and one of the best is snowshoeing. Hiking appeals to the masses because of how accessible it is — you don’t need expensive gear to start, just a good pair of shoes and a willingness to explore. When winter rolls in and popular hiking loops lose their luster, avid trail blazers have to look elsewhere to fill their thrill-seeking needs. Snowshoeing is the most common transition for outdoor enthusiasts because the principles are the same. With TRY SNOWSHOEING!
just a specialty pair of snowshoes, you can experience the same joy of hiking, only in a winter wonderland. If you’re concerned about unpredictable terrain, many mountain resorts with Nordic centers offer snowshoeing excursions alongside cross-country skiing. These groomed trails give you the opportunity to explore at your own pace while enjoying the scenery. Of course, those looking for a little more excitement can head into the wilderness and carve their own path. Beginners be warned: If you’re going off- trail into deep snow, poles are a must! Don’t let the cold temperatures or expensive costs of winter sports hold you back from the joys of the outdoors.Get outside and try snowshoeing this season!
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Winter road conditions can lead to some of the most complicated accidents, especially at a high speed. Snow, ice, rain, and cold don’t blend well with 2-ton vehicles barreling down highways at 70 mph. Most of us in the South avoid driving when the roads are compromised. But for long-haul drivers and others forced to travel for work, there is no eluding the dangers of the elements. That’s why we want to offer some safe driving suggestions for your winter commute. Don’t Slam on the Brakes on Black Ice The probability of black ice is at its highest just before dawn. As the sun is rising, the temperature drops, and any dew or water on the road will freeze. Unfortunately for motorists, this is the prime time for their commutes. If you encounter black ice, don’t slam on the brakes, as it could cause your vehicle to spin. Ease off the gas and gently pump the brakes as you try minor corrections. Significant turning will cause just as many problems as slamming on the brakes. Avoid Cruise Control While your vehicle has many luxury features, cruise control is not one to be used during adverse weather conditions. As a matter of fact, it 2 Tips for Driving on Winter Roads HAVE YOU BEEN INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT?
might be more dangerous to use it when the roads are wet. The National Safety Commission warns that your car’s tires may lose contact with the pavement or hydroplane when using cruise control. In addition, braking to release cruise control creates more unnecessary potential for harm. Whenever possible, let off the accelerator to slow down in wet weather. These are just a couple ways you can stay safe on the roads this season. Bad weather won’t remove liability in an auto accident, so if you’ve been hurt in an automobile collision, you should contact us today. We fight for legal rights in a variety of situations, and we want to help you.
TAKE A BREAK
Winter is the height of citrus season, so it’s a perfect time to experiment with oranges and lemons. Roasting the fruits concentrates their flavor and makes the skins edible, creating a blast of flavor for this winter salad. Citrus and Avocado Salad
Ingredients
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1 blood, cara cara, or navel orange, sliced 1/8-inch thick and deseeded 1 Meyer or regular lemon, sliced 1/8- inch thick and deseeded 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
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2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 bunch arugula
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1/2 cup fresh mint leaves 1 avocado, cut into wedges Salt and pepper, to taste
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Directions
1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. In a rimmed baking sheet, toss citrus slices with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast citrus until lightly charred and caramelized, about 10–15 minutes. Let cool. 3. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine onion and lemon juice. Season with salt and let sit for 5 minutes. 4. Add citrus, arugula, and mint to onion mixture. Drizzle with remaining oil, season with salt and pepper to taste, and toss thoroughly. 5. Add avocado, combing very gently to not crush avocado.
Inspired by Bon Appétit
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Phone: (888) 481-1333 Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. www.joneshilllaw.com
Jones & Hill Injury Lawyers 131 Highway 165 South Oakdale, LA 71463
3 EASY WAYS TO RECOVER QUICKLY FROM A COLD
During the winter months, colds and the flu can spread like wildfire. Getting sick at least once during the season can be hard to avoid, and once you are sick, you want nothing more than for it to be over and done. While there is no way to completely avoid getting sick, there are ways to speed up your recovery. Next time you’re suffering from a cold, try these remedies to get back on your feet a little bit faster. Elderberry Syrup Also referred to as elderberry extract, this syrup is made from a plant called European elder. It can be purchased at many health food stores or made at home (but use caution when doing this, since raw and undercooked elderberries are toxic). Many people swear by the berries’ ability to ease congestion and relieve a number of other cold symptoms. Plus, elderberry syrup is known for having anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, making it an ideal tool for fighting the common cold. Some research even suggests that it can shorten flu symptoms by up to three days. Eucalyptus If you’re suffering from congestion or can’t stop coughing, eucalyptus may offer the relief you’re looking for. Available in several different forms, including syrup, oil, and dried leaves, eucalyptus can be
used as an expectorant or as a way to relieve a sore throat. When you’re at home and sick, try adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the water in a humidifier. The results are remarkably soothing! Zinc While many people turn to vitamin C to hurry through a cold, that’s not the supplement you
should be focusing on. In fact, an overwhelming number of studies show that vitamin C does absolutely nothing to help shorten a cold. Instead, take zinc. You can find it as a nasal spray or lozenge, or even as part of a vitamin C supplement. One study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that those who took zinc reduced their recovery time from a cold by half. Cold symptoms among those taking a zinc supplement lasted about four days, while symptoms among those taking a placebo lasted about eight days.
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