PEARLAND
CELEBRATING & DISCOVERING LIFE’S FINEST
Stocks and Bone Broths Visit Rio de Janerio Is Your Pet Obese? UltraMagTexas.com
UltraMagTexas.com
PUBLISHER Juliet Hubbell
EDITOR Tamara Abel
ASSISTANT EDITOR Nancy Moreland January 2018
ART DIRECTOR Adra Staord
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Ann Greer
CONTRIBUTORS Byron Barclay Karen Bunch Newt Harlan Stephanie Brown Howaniec Ahmad Khan Bobby McCallitt Anice Shelton Susan Scott Watts Reader correspondence, editorial submissions and advertising inquiries are welcome.
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ads@UltraMagTexas.com
Let Us Hear From You! editor@UltraMagTexas.com Have an event that you would like to let ULTRA readers know about? To be considered for publication, the information must be received two months prior to the issue date. Please email the 100-word write up to editor@ UltraMagTexas.com. Be sure to include the event name, date, time, venue, cost and website information. Please send high-resolution jpeg photos in a separate email.
CONTENTS CALENDAR
HEALTH
TRAVEL
PETS
BABY BOOMER
FOOD
LEGAL
2
Local Happenings
4
Fun Family Events and Activities
Cold and Flu Prevention
6
Rio de Janeiro
8
Is Your Pet Obese?
11
Living with Diabetes
13
Bon Appetit
14
Seven Ways to Plan for Cold and Flu Season
A Trip to Remember
Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University
Tips for Managing Diabetes
Healthy Stocks and Bone Broths
Ultra Magazine Texas
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@UltraMagTexas
ULTRA Magazine is published monthly. All rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced by any means whatsoever without written permission from the publisher. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. The magazine is not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented. Advertisers and their agencies assume all liability for advertising content. We encourage our readers to support our advertisers.
DEED Upon Death in Texas
20
New law in Effect
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Ready to address your knee pain? See how this high-precision technology makes these results possible. Call 713-436-3488 or visit DrBurkeOrtho.com to learn more.
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Repicci, JA, et al., “Minimally invasive surgical technique for unicondylar knee arthroplasty,” J South Orthopedic Association, 1999 Spring; 8(1): 20 -7. Brown, NM, et al., “Total Knee Arthroplasty Has Higher Postoperative Morbidity Than Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty: A Multicenter Analysis,” The Journal of Arthroplasty, 2012. 3 Hall et al., “Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty (Alias Uni-Knee): An Overview With Nursing Implications,” Orthopaedic Nursing, 2004; 23(3): 163 -171. 1 2
Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure including Navio-enabled partial knee replacement. Navio is not for everyone. Children, pregnant women, patients who have mental or neuromuscular disorders that do not allow control of the knee joint, and morbidly obese patients should not undergo a Navio procedure. Consult your physician for details and to help determine if Navio surgery is right for you.
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3
H
ULTRA CALENDAR
appenings
By Tamara Abel Greer
features a 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Run. High School students receive a discount with school ID. Visit www.dawsoneagleband.com for more information, race route and registration.
2018 TAAF Winter Games of Texas January 12th -14th TAAF.com
Pearland Farmer’s Market Photo courtesy of Houston Zoo
Zoo Lights
The Winter Games of Texas are coming to Pearland after a 12-year run in Frisco, Texas. Sanctioned by the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation (TAAF), the 3-day event debuts in Pearland January 12-14, 2018. The TAAF Winter Games of Texas is a sports festival created for Texas amateur athletes of all ages and skill levels patterned after the Olympics. Amateur athletes are invited to register for 15 different competitions: archery, youth basketball, football, golf, gymnastics, kickball, lacrosse, martial arts, pickleball, powerlifting, youth soccer, softball, swimming, tennis and wheelchair rugby. “We’re very excited to host this prestigious event in Pearland and look forward to welcoming athletes from across the state to our City,” says Kim Sinistore, executive director of the Pearland Convention & Visitors Bureau. “TAAF is extremely excited about the confirmation of the City of Pearland hosting the 2018-2019 TAAF Winter Games of Texas. The location, quality of sport venues, along with the “South Texas” welcoming attitude are the perfect ingredients for an awesome event,” according to Mark Lord, executive director of TAAF. Register www. TAAF.com. Events will play out at various venues throughout Pearland. 4
Through January 14th Houston Zoo 6200 Hermann Park Drive Houstonzoo.org/lights TXU Energy Presents Zoo Lights, which takes you on a journey throughout the zoo to see all the holiday displays and lights. The zoo will be illuminated with more than 2 million lights. Stroll through the front plaza and around the Reflection Pool, where musical performances and the majestic oak trees covered in lights set to holiday tunes will delight your senses. Next, follow the trail through the Enchanted Forest, the African Forest, the Watering Hole and all the magical displays. You’ll wind up back at the Reflection Pool for another chance to enjoy this majestic area. There’s so much to discover along the way, including plenty of photo opportunities! The zoo is closed December 24th and 25th. Check the website for “Family Value Nights” with reduced ticket prices.
Dawson High School Winter Dash Saturday, January 27th 8:00 a.m. Turner High School Track 401 Bailey Road
The Winter Dash is a fundraising effort in support of the Dawson High School Eagle Band and Catalyst Color Guard and is organized by the DHS Band Booster Club, a registered 501 (3)(c) organization. The event UltraMagTexas.com
January 13th and February 10th 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Pearland Town Square www.pearlandtowncenter.com FREE
Shop for fresh, locally sourced items at the Pearland Farmer’s Market in its new location. Hosted monthly, the Pearland Farmer’s Market includes an assortment of vendors selling items such as fresh vegetables, handmade soaps, baked goods, honey and plants.
Waugh Drive Bat Colony
January 19th and February 9th Waugh Drive Bridge between Memorial Drive and Allen Parkway houstontx.gov/parks/batpage FREE The Houston Area Bat Team offers free, educational “Bat Chats” at the Waugh Street Bridge Observation Deck the first and third Fridays of every month. The Waugh Bridge Bat Colony lives in Houston year round. Every evening at sunset, 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats emerge
from underneath the bridge as a group to feed on area insects creating an impressive sight. The cloud of bats is so immense that when they emerge, the Waugh Drive Bat Colony can often be seen on weather radar. Located in Buffalo Bayou Park, the bat colony can be seen by crowds from a variety of good vantage points. The bats prefer to emerge from the east side of the bridge, often in a whirling vortex to gain height, speed, and as a group to deter predators. The bats tend to emerge after sunset but as a natural event, it isn’t always predictable. Temperatures below 50° or rain sometimes delay or prevent the emergence.
Kids learn to express their thoughts and develop language skills. Presented by Houston Public Library/HPL Express and Discovery Green. Houston's only free and open writing workshop for kids conducted by Writers In The Schools. Limited to 25 students, first come first serve. For more information please call 832-393-1375. Families and Children Series presented by Shell.
King’s Biergarten at 1329
Broadway offers authentic German/Austrian cuisine in a casual, inviting setting. The relaxed atmosphere is family friendly and includes live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
Floyd’s Cajun Seafood at 1300
Broadway is a local favorite that offers a great selection of Cajun inspired dishes with a touch of Texas. A variety of genres are featured with live bands performing weekly on the patio every Friday and Saturday night.
Big Horn BBQ at 2300 Smith Ranch
Road is a locally owned Pearland restaurant with a fun western vibe, smoked-to-perfection meats and a variety of genres playing live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
Hosting an event in 2018?
Young Writers Workshop
January 27th, February 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. Discovery Green 1500 McKinney Street FREE but Limited Admission
LIVE MUSIC IN PEARLAND
Wondering where you can go to catch some live music in Pearland? Here are three good options:
Let our readers know about it! To be considered for publication, the information must be received two months prior to the issue date. Please email a 100-word-maximium synopsis to editor@ UltraMagTexas.com. Be sure to include the event name, date, time, venue, cost and website. Please send high-resolution jpeg photos in a separate email.
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5
7 Ways
TO PLAN FOR
&
COLD Flu Season ULTRA HEALTH
Declining temperatures can bring fun, cool-weather activities, but they also mean cold and flu season is lurking. While everyone hopes to stay healthy, it can be difficult to completely avoid viruses and bugs. Dr. Deborah Gilboa, a board-certified family physician and Braun spokesperson, offers some simple suggestions to help your family plan for cold and flu season.
1
Dispose of Expired Medicine Spend some time checking the medications you already
4
have at home. Review the expiration dates and if any need
Use a Reliable Thermometer Reading the temperature of a person who feels ill can help provide confidence and peace of mind. Make sure you have
to be thrown out, research how to properly dispose of them according
a reliable thermometer like the Braun ThermoScan 5 Ear thermometer,
to local government guidelines.
which takes professionally accurate temperature readings via the ear
2
canal and, based on a survey, is the number 1 brand recommended by
Stock Up
pediatricians who recommend a brand of thermometers.
Before cold and flu season, make sure to stockpile musthaves like ginger ale, ice pops and recommended cough
“It’s important to carefully monitor potential
suppressants. Thinking ahead means you won’t have to rush out when
illnesses to make sure children get and stay well,
you or a family member comes down with something.
and taking an accurate temperature reading
3
is a necessary part of this process, which is
Practice Healthy Habits
why I trust my Braun thermometer,” Gilboa
Encourage the entire family to maintain healthy habits
said. “As a doctor and a mom to four boys, it
such as regular hand washing, following a nutritious diet,
gives me the confidence to know that I’m
drinking plenty of water, and coughing or sneezing into a tissue to help minimize the spread of cold and flu viruses.
accurately taking my child’s temperature before I take any next steps, like administering medication.”
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UltraMagTexas.com
5
Have Important Information on Hand
7
Keep Contact Information Accessible
To save time when your child is ill, keep a reference of your
Keep a list of important phone numbers and addresses inside
child’s allergies, prescribed medications, dosage amounts and current
your medicine cabinet door or on the fridge so they’re easily accessible
weight handy. Health care providers typically need this information
to family members, babysitters and caretakers. Include your family
to correctly prescribe and dose most medications. Other items to keep
doctor or local clinic, schools, pharmacists and anyone else you may
on-hand include school sick day policies, operating manuals for medical
need to reach in an emergency.
devices and a reference of temperature readings that classify a fever.
6
If cold or flu reach your household this winter, it’s always important to
Manage Humidity Levels
consult a doctor if you have any questions regarding the health of your
Control your home’s humidity levels with a humidifier to help
family members. (Family Features)
prevent the survival of flu viruses on surfaces and in the air.
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7
Rio de Janeiro
BRAZIL ULTRA TRAVEL By Bobby McCallitt
8
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If you’re looking for an exciting yet affordable travel destination and you want it to be both exotic and beautiful, Rio de Janeiro may be just your spot.
conditions may vary, we went in July and the weather was perfect. Now let’s talk accommodations. Airbnb is the way to go! (At least it was for us.) If you’re not familiar with this service and their products, ask your kids. Basically, locals rent out their homes to vacationers. The process is amazingly simple, extremely effective, and unbelievably affordable – especially compared to hotel prices. You are afforded the opportunity to spread out, cook your own meals if so desired, and actually have a home-away-fromhome. I’m the most skeptical guy around, so believe me when I say it couldn’t have been easier and more convenient. With lots to choose from, we settled on a 3-bedroom condo that slept 8, located one block off of Copacabana Beach, for just over $100 per night. It was perfect! There are other similar home-rental services, but we used Airbnb with fantastic results.
Rio de Janeiro is one of the most visited cities in the Southern Hemisphere and is known for its beautiful beaches and Carnival celebration. The Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is a festival held every year before Lent and is the biggest celebration in the world, with 2 million people per day in the streets. By comparison, Mardi Gras in New Orleans draws 1.2 million people over 12 days. (I’d love to hear from someone who has gone to Carnival and lived to tell about it!) Carnival in Rio dates back to 1723 so they have had plenty of practice. Needless to say, we planned our trip so as to avoid Carnival although if you are of the adventuresome variety, knock yourself out... Rio de Janeiro has a couple of really nice things going for it from a travel perspective: although far away, it’s not much of a time difference, and for the most part, speaking English will get you by.
And the things to do once there! Oh my, where to begin. Let’s start with the one single most iconic landmark in Rio – the statue of Christ the Redeemer. If ever the phrase “you’d have to see it to believe it” applied, it would be to this breath-taking monument. Sitting atop Corcovado Mountain in the Tijuca tropical rain forest, this 700-ton colossal sculpture literally overlooks the city. Even after reading about the construction, its sheer size and location alone beg the question “How did they do this?” Going to see it multiple times should be strongly considered as it is both breathtaking and spiritual.
Rio is only a 2-hour time difference from us, so other than the 10-hour plane ride, jet-lag isn’t really an issue. Your stomach will want food at the appropriate times. And if you plan ahead, really cheap airfares can be found. Although the official language of Rio is Portuguese, most everyone there speaks, or at least understands, English. And Portuguese is very similar to Spanish so that is a nice bonus – particularly when said stomach is ready for food.
Sugarloaf Mountain is another of Rio’s many famous attractions. Situated at the mouth of Guanabara Bay on a peninsula that sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean, it rises straight up from the water’s edge 1,299 feet and offers spectacular views of the harbor. To reach the summit, passengers take a short 3 minute, glass-walled cable car ride, offering a 360-degree glimpse of the surrounding city. (James Bond fans will remember the 1979 film Moonraker, in which the villainous henchman Jaws attempts to kill 007 on this cable car. Thankfully Bond survives.) continued on page 18
Since it is located in the Southern Hemisphere, Rio’s climate is the opposite of what we’re used to. Summer is winter and winter is summer! February is their hottest month with temperatures averaging 81 degrees, although it’s not unusual for the beach temps to reach triple digits. July is their coldest time of year, relatively speaking. Average temperatures in July are a pleasant 70 degrees – sort of like a Houston winter. This works quite nicely if you are looking to travel in the summer and at the same time get away from the Texas heat. Although UltraMagTexas.com
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Is Your Pet Obese? College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University
Like humans, pets can develop excess body fat that can lead to serious health problems such as diabetes or degenerative joint disease. But how can you tell if your pet is obese? ULTRA PETS "It can be hard for owners to determine if their pet is at an ideal weight, so ask your veterinarian for their opinion," Cook said. "In addition, you can check your pet's weight regularly at home to catch weight gain early." Obesity is a serious health condition that can directly impact a pet's lifespan and quality of life. For instance, an obese pet may have difficulty breathing, become fatigued with routine exercise, and be unable to groom itself effectively. Although obesity is treatable, in most cases, it takes time and dedication to create and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
"In general, feeding the appropriate amount of a high-quality diet, combined with regular exercise and limited treats, is the best way to keep your pet in good shape," Cook said. With so many different brands of pet food available, creating a high-quality diet can be confusing or even challenging. Cook advises that consulting with your veterinarian about the ingredients in your pet's food can ensure that your furry friend is getting the nutrients they need. As far as exercise, aim to give Fido a daily walk and encourage indoor Fluffy to play, chase toys, and "hunt" for food.
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Besides diet and exercise, there are other factors that may contribute to the development of obesity, including orthopedic disease, which can limit an animal's mobility, or an under-active thyroid gland (more common in dogs), which can cause substantial weight gain. In addition, Cook said that some medications—particularly steroids—could increase appetites and encourage weight gain. To provide your pet with a healthy and happy life, consult your veterinarian about keeping a balanced lifestyle and choosing the right food for your pet's nutritional needs. 11
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7 TIPS
for Managing Diabetes
to connect with others living with diabetes in person or on social media. Connecting with the diabetes community can be a powerful way to help ease the burden of living with diabetes.
KEEP DOING WHAT YOU LOVE.
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ULTRA BABY BOOMERS Staying healthy can be a challenge, especially for those living with diabetes. Everyone can have conflicts finding the right balance of partaking in healthy habits, such as exercise, eating well and even keeping your teeth and gums clean. From stress to self-care, life can be up and down when you're living with diabetes. These seven tips from Dr. Natalie Strand, the winner of season 17 of "The Amazing Race" who lives with diabetes herself, can help you stay healthy and lead a balanced life while managing your diabetes.
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COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR CARE TEAM. Make sure you connect with your nurse educator, endocrinologist and dietician. Reach out to them with your questions as they can often help you implement subtle changes to avoid completely overhauling your lifestyle and routine because of diabetes.
GET INVOLVED. Get a local group together to fundraise, vent or just understand each other. Groups such as Diabetes Sisters, JDRF, TuDiabetes and BeyondType1 offer ways UltraMagTexas.com
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Just because you have diabetes doesn't mean you have to give up doing what you love. Make efforts to continue sports, travel and other hobbies, even if there is a learning curve to adapting with diabetes at first.
MAINTAIN GOOD ORAL HEALTH. People living with diabetes are two times more likely to develop gum disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Colgate Total toothpaste is FDA-approved to help reverse and prevent gingivitis, an early form of gum disease.
GET INTO A ROUTINE. Find a routine that works and stick with it. This way you don't have to make new decisions each day. Anything that can ease the mental burden of diabetes can help. For example, pick a time each year for your annual visits: eye doctor, endocrinologist, renew prescriptions, etc. Picking the same time of year every year can help ensure you don't forget to take care of yourself.
MAKE SELF-CARE A PRIORITY. It can be hard to keep diabetes care in the forefront. It can be boring, exhausting and also fade into the background. Remind yourself that one of the best things you can do for yourself, and for your loved ones, is stay healthy. Use your family as motivation to exercise daily, eat better-for-you foods and maintain a healthy weight.
MANAGE STRESS. Diabetes can be a big stressor. Add jobs, kids, relationships and it can become overwhelming. Find an easy and effective tool for stress relief and do it often. Even 5-10 minutes of guided meditation daily can have a big impact on stress management. For more information and ways to lead a balanced life with diabetes, visit OralHealthandDiabetes.com. (Family Features) 13
ULTRA FOOD
´ Bon Appetit STOCKS AND BONE BROTHS by Anice Shelton
Happy 2018 Y’all! Did you eat a lot over the holidays and then make all kinds of resolutions about how you are going to clean up your eating and exercise every day and make 2018 the year you become healthier than the coaches on “The Biggest Loser?” Yeah, me too…
a week doing cardio and yoga. I will choose to spend my money on fresh, local, organic food and less on pre-packaged meals and prepared foods that I have no control over how they are prepared.” With that being said, one of the best and easiest ways I have found to have a good healthy meal is with a soup and the secret to a really good soup is a good fresh homemade stock.
Mine usually goes something like this: “This year I will eat nothing but fresh, clean, natural, un-processed, organic, locally sourced food. I will try and have a meatless day. I will exercise every… single…day, and I will do cardio at least 6 times a week, yoga at least 4, and lift weights at least 2. I will get 7-8 hours of sleep. I will take the stairs and park far away so I have to walk.” And then 2 hours later I am stuffing blue-box mac and cheese in my mouth and I am lifting “plates” not “weights”... After years of unrealistic resolutions, I decided this year I was going to set attainable goals: “During 2018, I will strive to exercise 5 days
HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
A well-made stock (or as they are so fashionably called these days a “bone broth” when you let it simmer for even longer) is a thing of beauty and will elevate not just your soups and gumbos and stews, but your casseroles and pasta dishes. Stocks are well worth the bit of effort to make. You truly will taste a difference in your dishes. I keep zip-top bags in my freezer to collect bones and veggies. I keep a bag for chicken, veggies, and a bag for beef. Fish stocks are also tasty so if you like to cook with them, keep a bag for that. I usually just throw my starting-to-go-bad vegetables and scraps into a bag and add bones to the bone bags whenever I have them.
I almost never use a fresh chicken for stock because once the bird has gone through all of that simmering it loses flavor. If you want to start with a fresh bird, remove the meat from the breasts and thighs and legs and set it aside to use for soup. You will get a lot of flavor from the meat left on the bird and the wings. I like taking the meat from a grocery store rotisserie chicken and save the meat for the soup or serve the chicken as dinner...the roasting adds extra flavor to the bones that adds a depth of flavor to the stock. For beef stock, I usually use the bones from short ribs or a rib roast...but you can also buy oxtails and use them...brown or roast them first before adding the vegetables. Oxtails have marrow and they yield a lot of collagen and nutrients...they are an inexpensive excellent choice for a good beef stock. You can also get marrowbones or soup bones from the butcher.
(note that there are no measurements because this is truly a “throw it in if you have it” recipe
Large heavy pot Bones Onion (quartered) Garlic (whole bulbs) Carrot Celery (and tops) Peppercorns Thyme (10 stems or so) Parsley (handful) Bay leaves (2-3) Wine (just a splash maybe ½ cup) Water Chicken or beef base if you want a very rich stock
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I set aside a Saturday when I am going to stay at home all day to tend to my stock. You can make a stock in your crockpot but I find most crockpots don’t hold as much as my stockpot does so I usually only do that if I am doing it from one chicken carcass and a bit of onion.
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BON APPETIT continued from page 15 No need to peel the veggies...just wash them well and throw them in ...same with the garlic. Throw all the veggies and bones in the pot and cover with water until you have about an inch of water above the pot contents. Add in the peppercorns, thyme, parsley, and bay leaves and about ½ cup of wine for richness. I use red wine for beef and white for chicken or turkey. If you want a very rich stock add a few tablespoons of the chicken or beef base but I usually save that step for when I make the soup because it can add a lot of saltiness. Turn your heat on high under your pot and bring to just starting to boil, then turn the heat way back and keep it at a gentle simmer. Simmer for a minimum of 4 hours but for the best stock I find that if I simmer it for at least 8 hours I get great flavor. Add extra water as you go but not too much or your stock will be weak. I prefer to start the stock on one day, simmer it long and slow, let it cool and then put it in the fridge overnight then take it out the next day and remove the fat that has hardened on the top. (If you wait on that step until after you have strained the stock you will be left with a nice chicken fat to cook with if you are so inclined.) I put it back on the stove and let it simmer another hour or two before straining. I find that the extra step of refrigerating overnight, while not necessary, does seem to make it just a little tastier. For a clear stock you need to strain it twice. First remove all the meat, bones, and veggie matter with a slotted spoon. Then line a fine mesh strainer with some cheesecloth and further strain it so you have a nice clear stock. I prefer to freeze my stock without any fat so put the stock in the fridge to allow the fat to rise and solidify on the top and remove the fat cap before pouring the liquid into zip top bags or freezer containers. You might notice that your stock has a gelatin-like texture---this is excellent! It means that the bones and tendons yielded their collagen and you have a rich good quality stock. Use immediately in a soup or freeze for up to 3 months. 16
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HERE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE SOUPS:
MEXICAN CHICKEN SOUP
BASIC CHICKEN SOUP Dice onions, celery, and carrots and sauté in 2 tbsp. butter until softened. Add in 4-6 cups of stock. Simmer slowly for ½ hour. Add in diced, cooked chicken. Simmer 15 more minutes. Adjust seasonings...I like pepper and thyme… and a ½ cup of wine seems to add richness.
Variation #2 on Basic Chicken Soup
CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP Variation #1 on Basic Chicken Soup Make the basic chicken soup recipe but add home-style noodles after letting the chicken simmer a bit. I prefer the home-style thicker cut noodles or Amish-style noodles to a basic egg noodle. I boil the noodles in the broth.
To the basic chicken soup recipe add a bit of grated or minced garlic to the veggie sauté. When you add in the chicken, add about ¾ bottle of Mexican beer (you can use less or skip). Add a few sprigs of cilantro (leave whole so you can fish it out before serving). I like to also add a few thin slices of jalapeno. If you like tomato, add in some chopped tomato or serve it fresh on top. I also add corn (fresh or frozen) and Mexican squash. Adjust seasonings and add some chili powder. Simmer another 30 minutes. Before serving remove the cilantro stems and top each bowl with chopped cilantro, a jalapeno slice, diced avocado and a few tortilla strips and a drizzle of crema.
FRENCH ONION SOUP
WINTER BEEF SOUP Sauté diced onion, celery, carrot and parsnips in some butter until soft. Add in 5 cups of beef stock. Add in diced potato (I like a white or gold potato for this), a few sprigs of thyme, ½ cup red wine and a couple of bay leaves. Simmer until potatoes are soft. Add in leftover beef from a chuck roast or short ribs and corn (fresh or frozen) if you like. Sometimes I add noodles for a very hearty meal.
Sauté thinly sliced onions (about 1 per person) and a few sprigs of thyme in a few TBS of butter... do it slowly (about 45 min) over low heat. Add in a few pinches of sugar and then add in 2 TBS of flour and sauté 2 minutes. Add in ½-1 cup wine and about 4 cups of beef stock (red wine with beef, white wine with chicken). Simmer for about 30 min, stirring occasionally. Top with baguettes topped with melted Gruyere cheese.
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17
RIO DE JANEIRO continued from page 9 Oh baby, those beaches though! The beaches in Rio are really something. Marked by numbered lifeguard watch towers, both Copacabana Beach and Ipanema Beach are not to be missed. Copacabana is a 2.5 mile stretch of the most famous beach in the world – and for good reason. Hotels, restaurants, bars, and night clubs dot the promenade facing the beach. And speaking of the promenade – it’s a huge black and white paved landscape of a geometric wave, running the length of the beach. Imagine the Galveston seawall, only down on beach level, and a million times hipper. In addition to Carnival, Copacabana
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Beach plays host to millions of revelers during the annual New Year’s Eve celebration. With lots of fireworks. I can only imagine….. As you reach the south end of Copacabana, the beach turns back to the west, and there you will find Ipanema Beach. Separated only by Fort Copacabana, a military base which is open to the public, Ipanema Beach is just as beautiful. Distinctive by its neighborhood, Ipanema is one of the most expensive places to live in all of Rio. Sporting art galleries, theatres, and cafes on its promenade, Ipanema is known for its elegant development and social life. The Travel Channel listed Ipanema Beach as the sexiest beach in the world. Here, here! At both beaches you will find locals walking
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along the beach selling beer, soft drinks, and snacks, along with various trinkets, beachwear, towels, and random souvenirs. There are always people playing soccer, volleyball, and foot-volley, a locally invented sport that is a combination of volleyball and soccer. The things the locals can do to a volleyball using only their feet is quite impressive. The whole Rio beach experience is tons of fun! For some non-beach action, visit the Santa Teresa district and climb the “Selaron Steps”, a set of world-famous tile-painted steps in Rio. They are the work of Chilean-born artist Jorge Selaron and should not be missed. Although we did not partake, I understand the neighborhood showcases vibrant street life and a charming atmosphere.
For the animal lover (or gambler) in the group, Jockey Club Brasileiro is right across the street from the botanical garden and is quite nice. Its architecture is old-world elegant and the track provides a great view of the mountains. Pick a winner and you might even win some money.
a doubt the most popular game in town. Maracana Stadium opened in 1950 to host the World Cup. Since opening, it is mainly used for major soccer matches while also hosting concerts and other sporting events. And let me tell you, a local soccer match in Rio is a major event, and a far cry from what we are used to seeing. To say the games often mean life-or-death would not be overstating it. These folks are serious – chain -link fencing surrounding the visitor’s section serious. Armed guards around said visitor section serious. Opposing fans not allowed to leave the stadium until 45 minutes after the match has concluded serious. It was hard to imagine yet a sight to behold.
And speaking of sports, soccer (or football as they more appropriately refer to it) is without
Like with any large city, this paradise has its ugly side. While most of the residents
If flowers are your thing, the Jardim Botanico, a more than 340-acre botanical garden, is just the ticket. This botanical paradise awes with over 6000 indigenous and exotic species of flora. This serene garden hosts everything from orchids to carnivorous plants. The park also contains over 140 species of birds and if you’re lucky, you just might see some monkeys!
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are wonderful people, you can always find small-time criminals, drug lords, and even street-smart youngsters who have turned to petty theft as their primary source of income. (Sounds a bit like traveling to New York, LA, Chicago, or even Houston.) Wide-eyed tourists can be prime targets if not careful. So plan to be cautious and responsible – just as you would in any large urban area. But please don’t let fear keep you from visiting this wonderful city. I’m not much of a “foreign country travel” guy, but I’d go back to Rio de Janeiro any time. So if you want something that goes beyond Mexico or the Caribbean, and are looking to plan a vacation that will make lifetime memories, Rio is your spot!
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DEED
The Texas Legislature passed a recent law allowing owners of real estate to deed their real estate to their heirs outside the probate process (i.e. without a Will), by creating a Transfer on Death Deed. The effect of this new law is similar to a bank account or life insurance policy that transfers the proceeds of an account after the death of the owner. The owner may even designate a primary beneficiary or multiple primary beneficiaries, as well as naming an alternate beneficiary if they so desire to ensure that the property can be transferred according to their wishes.
UPON DEATH
in Texas
To be effective, the Transfer on Death Deed must comply with all of the existing requirements for a deed in Texas (i.e. in writing, with legal description of property and duly signed, with notary acknowledgment by the Grantor/property owner), but must also include the name and address of the designee (the one who will receive the property after the Grantor’s death) and the deed must be recorded in the deed records of the county clerk where the property is located. Finally the deed must explicitly and clearly state that the deed is not effective until after the death of the Grantor/owner.
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There are some important things to consider before choosing this type of deed as an estate planning tool. The statute specifically states that notice, delivery or acceptance of the deed by the beneficiary is required. One may effectively file/record the deed in the real property records without advising or delivering the recorded Transfer on Death Deed to the beneficiary. Further, if multiple beneficiaries are listed, each beneficiary will share the property in equal shares, meaning it is not possible with this type of deed to transfer fifty percent to a
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spouse and splitting the remaining percent between multiple children. Further, because most property in Texas owned by spouses is considered community property, each spouse owns his/her share as “tenants in common.” To effectively transfer a community share of the property to your spouse without a Will, you must in fact list your spouse as the primary or sole beneficiary on the Transfer on Death Deed. After the death of the property owner, the beneficiary files a certified copy of the death certificate in the county property records where the Transfer on Death Deed was recorded, proving the title to the property was effectively transferred to the beneficiary. Should there be a mortgage or a lien however, the new owner would only have title to the property subject to those pre-existing mortgages or liens. Further, should the assets of the deceased property owner’s Estate be insufficient to pay the debts of the Estate, the Executor or Administrator for the Estate may be able to use the real property to pay those debts, through the administration process. Finally, a Transfer on Death Deed is no substitute for a Will, or the advice of an experienced attorney. One should always seek out and carefully consider this advice before proceeding with such a plan.
BIOGRAPHY & DISCLAIMER
BYRON K. BARCLAY BKBarclay@lawyer.com www.BarclayLawFirm.com 713.224.2334 Byron K. Barclay is a Houston, Texas attorney and Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury Trial Law. In addition, Mr. Barclay handles estate planning matters and is regularly appointed to serve various courts in Harris County as an Attorney Ad Litem for the estates of persons who have
died without a will. Mr. Barclay also handles commercial litigation, divorces, family law and child custody issues. The foregoing article is offered only as a public service to this community and does not constitute solicitation or provision of legal advice. This site and column should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney licensed or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. You should always consult a suitably qualified attorney regarding any specific legal problem or matter. The comments and opinions expressed on this site are of the individual author. Nothing in this column or on any website where it may be published is intended to create an attorneyclient relationship and nothing posted by Mr. Barclay constitutes legal advice. Should you have questions, you may forward them via email to Mr. Barclay at BKBarclay@ lawyer.com. Questions may be edited for length or clarity. Mr. Barclay will choose questions submitted for brief answers and possible publication. Mr. Barclay reserves the right to choose which questions to answer, and submission of a question does not guarantee that he will provide an answer.
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