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BRAUNSLAW.COM 404-418-8244 Chop, Cook, Conquer
LIFE LESSONS FROM THE LINE Some of the most significant moments of my life were spent standing over a deep fryer.
and uncle were all lawyers, I ultimately switched directions and began studying law in my early 30s. In many ways, my career as a lawyer would not have been possible without Alaska Stand. Sure, it gave me zits, but it also gave me a work ethic I’ve never abandoned. Most days, I’m up at 4 a.m. and at the office by 6:30 a.m. Nobody succeeds working in a restaurant setting without time management skills. This is especially true in the kitchen, where you need to prep things a certain way and have everything in order before the rush comes in. If your station isn’t set up in time, you’re headed for a nightmare. The same scenario applies to law. If a lawyer isn’t prepared to represent you in court, your case will likely fall apart. Whether you’re chopping onions or filing motions, setting goals and preparing for what comes next is the only way to succeed. Although I never became a full-time chef, I still love working in the kitchen. I love cooking things from scratch, so creating most of my meals is a 2–3-hour project. I usually cook a couple of times a week when my daughter’s home from college. I’m all about big meals with lots of sides, and there’s nothing better than making food others enjoy. As far as favorites, I love a good slow-roasted chicken. It’s basic, but when it’s done right, it’s done right. And I’ll always have time for seafood and fresh vegetables. Hopefully, reading this article has made you hungry for something delicious. I also hope it reminds you how important it is to hunger for knowledge and new experiences. Take a minute and think back to your first summer job. You may be surprised by how much the values you carry with you today were shaped by what you did to earn your first paycheck. One more thing: Don’t ruin your nice knives by running them in the dishwasher! The edges will get banged up, and the blade will dull! As in life, you must keep your edge as sharp as possible . That’s probably the best advice — legal or otherwise — I can ever share in this newsletter.
I’ve worked since I was 15, shortly after my family moved to the beach from Baltimore. True to its name, Ocean City, Maryland, is a summer town — complete with a boardwalk and plenty of opportunities to have fun in great weather. It also boasted my favorite restaurant: Alaska Stand. If you’ve never heard of it, think of a traditional beachy grill that serves hot dogs, burgers, fries, and ice-cold lemonade. I started there as a fry cook, which was a big deal for me, as the place was famous for its fries, and I had to get them right. Naturally, working over the fryers ruined my face, filling it with acne in no time. After mastering the fryer, I worked my way up to handling the griddle and eventually moved on to expediting orders.
“Whether you’re chopping onions or filing motions, setting goals and preparing for what comes next is the only way to succeed.”
The job wasn’t the best for my complexion, but did wonders for my confidence. I realized I could work my way through various positions at a job with no prior experience — all it took was dedication, repetition, and perseverance. (Of course, learning to make the perfect cheesesteak was a definite bonus!) It also inspired my lifelong love of cooking, and I worked in restaurants for the next seven years. I considered attending culinary school, but ended up starting a career in software that eventually burned me out. Inspired by the fact that my grandfather, aunt,
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From Farm to Freezer Freezing Food Locks in Freshness and Nutrients
Need Help? Call Brauns “I chose Brauns Law because my mom worked with them a few years ago. I must say, this is by far the most communicative law firm. I would choose them 100x again! My case was taken immediately, explained to me, and settled very quickly. Any questions I had were answered thoroughly, and I got more than what I asked for in the settlement. Thank you so much, Brauns Law! I will definitely use you again if I have to use a lawyer for an accident!” —Samaria T. “I loved working with them; they helped me understand my case. I will be recommending them for any car accident to all my friends.” —Jazzie C. Freezing food — what’s not to love about it? Not only does it save time and reduce food waste, it also retains nutrients and keeps your favorites on hand and ready to use. Let’s dive into the many benefits of freezing your food and how it stacks up nutritionally. Understand the cold, hard facts of nutrient retention. Did you know that, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, freezing food doesn’t change its nutritional value? Instead, it’s like hitting the pause button, especially for fruits and vegetables. The moment these foods are picked, they start losing nutrients. However, freezing them shortly after harvest (often done at the peak of ripeness) helps lock in vitamins and minerals. According to a study published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, frozen fruits and vegetables can be just as nutritious as their fresh counterparts, and, in some cases, they might even retain nutrients better than fresh foods stored for several days. What happens to food in the freezing process? When you freeze food, tiny ice crystals form. The quicker the freezing process, the smaller these crystals, which is important because smaller ice crystals cause less damage to cell
structures. This helps to preserve the food’s texture, flavor, and nutritional content. Fast freezing processes like those used commercially minimize nutrient losses and help preserve food close to its original state. Which foods freeze best? Almost any food can be frozen, but some handle the process better than others. Fruits and vegetables with high water content, such as watermelon and lettuce, can become mushy when thawed because the large ice crystals rupture cells. However, berries, peas, corn, carrots, and greens like spinach freeze well. Meats and fish are also great options for freezing. Are there any nutritional downsides? While freezing does an excellent job at preserving nutrients, water-soluble vitamins like B and C can be slightly reduced during the blanching process (a quick boil used primarily for vegetables before commercial freezing to inactivate enzymes that degrade quality). However, this loss is often minor compared to the losses during refrigeration over several days.
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NK
Keep on Track
From Prison, With Love
A HOT DOG HISTORY LESSON
A Delicious Disagreement While Americans’ obsession with hot dogs is indisputable, the treat’s definitive origin is controversial among meat connoisseurs. Several experts on the subject (yes, those also exist) insist that frankfurters were introduced in Frankfurt, Germany (get it?) in the 1400s. That may be true, but is that the true first chapter of the small sausage saga? Not necessarily, as legions of sausage skeptics claim that Johann Georghehner — a butcher in Coburg, Germany, in the 1600s — was the true inventor of what we know today as a “hot dog.” Why? Because, in a stroke of marketing genius, he sold the small meat snacks he was producing (presumably heated up) as “Dachshund” or “tiny dog” sausages to draw attention to their diminutive size compared to more traditional links. And where these dueling factions stand on the equally contentious ketchup-versus-mustard debate is anyone’s guess. Take a Break
From ballgames to backyard barbecues, no food gets more love this time of year than hot dogs — but how much we enjoy them may surprise you. Here are a few facts about franks that will blow you away as you reach for the next bun. Sizzling Stats According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (yes, that’s a thing), Americans consume 150 million hot dogs every Independence Day. To give you an idea of how many that is, lining them up tip to tip would provide enough processed meat to run from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles — five times . Speaking of L.A., people eat more hot dogs there than any other city — 30 million pounds annually. Unsurprisingly, summer is the most popular season for hot dogs, but get this: More than 800 hot dogs are consumed in America every second from Memorial Day to Labor Day. That’s about 7 billion dogs down the hatch in 98 days.
GARLIC PARMESAN SHRIMP
Inspired by CooktopCove.com
INGREDIENTS •
3 tbsp olive oil
• • • •
1/2 tsp black pepper 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• • • •
4 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 tsp salt
DIRECTIONS 1.
Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. In a bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. 3. Add shrimp to the bowl and toss until fully coated. 4. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet. 5. Roast in the oven for 7–9 minutes or until the shrimp are pink and slightly golden. 6. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley and fresh lemon juice before serving.
AMERICAN BICYCLE CHERRY FIREWORKS
FLAG INDEPENDENCE PADDLEBOARD PICNIC
RUBY STARS SHERBET TRAMPOLINE
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Inside This Issue 1 From Burgers to Briefs
2 3 4
The Science Behind Frozen Food
What Our Clients Are Saying
Weiner Wonders
Garlic Parmesan Shrimp
The Path to a Happier You
We all want to live long, happy, and fulfilling lives, but doing so can be challenging. We must intentionally reduce stress and bring more balance to our lives. This doesn’t necessarily mean we must overhaul our lives and find new jobs and friends while removing anything that doesn’t bring us joy. Instead, we can make simple changes to our day-to-day routine that can significantly impact our perspective, happiness, and overall well-being. Want to improve your outlook and get more enjoyment from life? Try incorporating the following behaviors into your routine! Spend more time in nature. You’ve probably heard countless times how beneficial spending time in the great outdoors can be for your mental health and overall well-being, but that just shows how valuable it is. You don’t have to take up hiking or visit a national park to get your fill of nature. Simply taking a walk through your neighborhood or enjoying some time in the backyard will help you boost your health and connect with the world around you. Practice gratitude. Stress and difficult situations can overshadow so much good in our lives. Take some time each day to reflect on the blessings in your life and show your appreciation for those who matter most to you. If you have a hard time finding things to focus on, consider picking up journaling. Keeping a gratitude journal is a great way to boost your mental well-being and gain more appreciation for life. Don’t be afraid to say no. One of the most difficult things in life is telling others “No,” especially to your friends and family. However, failing to say no can negatively affect your mood and perspective. Make time for yourself, and don’t be afraid to turn down invites or requests if they impede your personal time or ask you to do something overwhelming or stressful.
Small Changes, Big Impact 3 HABITS THAT LEAD TO A MORE FULFILLING LIFE
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