CELEBRATING & DISCOVERING HOUSTON’S FINEST
The Fall Classic Choosing the Right Nursing Home Find the Silver Linings in Life
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PUBLISHER
Juliet Hubbell
EDITOR Nancy Moreland
ASSISTANT EDITOR Tamara Abel
ART DIRECTOR Adra Stafford
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Ann Greer
CONTRIBUTORS Byron Barclay Audrey Boutros Newt Harlan Bobby McCallitt Anice Shelton Susan Scott Watts Reader correspondence, editorial submissions and advertising inquiries are welcome.
CONTENTS
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ads@UltraMagTexas.com
FOOD
Bon Appetit
7
Ragu?
editor@UltraMagTexas.com
SENIORS
Choosing the Right Nursing Home
8
Finding the right fit for your loved one HUMORIST
Honest Lies and Other Misguided Thoughts
12
Fixin’ the Roach Problem SPORTS
The Fall Classic
14
Let’s Go Astros! TRAVEL
Houston to Belize
16
Tropical island awaits with direct flights from Houston LIFESTYLE
Finding the Silver Linings in Life
20
Advice for Healthy Living LEGAL
Do You Have to be a Lawyer to Use Powers of Attorney? Understanding the concept of “legal capacity”
EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS
22
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PETS
Potty Training Your Pets
How to have a healthy, happy and potty trained pet
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HEALTH
Healthy Teeth at Any Age
Braces aren’t just for kids anymore
26
October 2015
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63rd Annual
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ThetaCharityAntiquesShow.com 2015 SHOW DATES AND TIMES Friday, November 13th - 10 AM to 6 PM Saturday, November 14th - 10 AM to 6 PM Sunday, November 15th - 11 AM to 5 PM
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MARY FRANCES BOWLES COUPER SPEAKER Robert Edsel, author of The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History
DESIGNER’S WALK HOW TO INCORPORATE ANTIQUES INTO YOUR LIFESTYLE Small group tours of the show led by a Design Professional. View the website for tour leaders and times.
2015 BENEFICIARIES OF THE THETA CHARITY ANTIQUES SHOW Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Child Advocates, Inc. Texas Children’s Cancer Center “Give to Lead, Give to Learn” Theta Foundation Endowment Campaign Bridges to Life CCSC - Martha’s Way Freedom Place The Harris School The HAY Center L.I.F.E. Houston TUTS - The River Performing and Visual Arts Program UltraMagTexas.com
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UltraMagTex 1-4pg_Layout 1 9/15/15 7:47 AM Page 1
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ULTRA FOOD
Bon Appetit RAGU? by Anice Shelton
If I said the word “ragu” to you what comes to mind? I’m betting your first thought is “that sauce in a jar that I use when I am in a hurry.” (There is nothing wrong with that... it’s a good time saver). I want to change your perception of ragu and teach you how to make a ragu in the Bolognese style. It will not only be a hit with your family but it is also a sneaky-good way to get some veggies in them without them fully knowing it. A ragu is an Italian meat-based sauce that is a combination of meats and vegetables braised together to make a sauce. A ragu Bolognese is a combination of
minced or ground meats with a mirepoix (a combination of carrots, celery, and onion) braised in wine and milk with a bit of tomato sauce. It is not as creamy as a vodka sauce nor as tomato-based as a marinara.
Pair this sauce with hearty pasta like a tagliatelle, papparadelle, or rigatoni. You can use spaghetti but this is best served with a nice wide noodle or tube pasta that will support the meaty sauce.
It takes a bit of time to make... mostly because you have to let it simmer for several hours but the beauty of this is it freezes well and you can also use it to make a delicious lasagna. If you set aside a bit of time, I promise it is well worth the effort and my veggiehating son loves it and didn’t even notice it had carrots in it until he had eaten it about 10 times. He even THANKS me when I cook it... right there is reason enough to do all the chopping...
I’m going to give you the recipe for a single recipe but I always double it so I have enough left over to freeze or make lasagna with. This recipe is based on one from Mario Batali but I tweaked it a bit to add in more veggies while keeping the great flavor. The traditional recipe calls for ground veal but we prefer ground sirloin... feel free to use the veal because it is also delicious. You can substitute bacon for the pancetta but it will lend a smokier taste to it. I usually find diced pancetta is available at most grocery stores.
RAGU BOLOGNESE 4 TBS olive oil 4 TBS butter 2 medium onions, finely diced 6 carrots, finely diced 4 ribs celery, finely diced 5 cloves garlic, finely minced 4 ounces diced pancetta 1 lb ground pork 1 lb ground lean sirloin 1 4 oz tube of tomato paste 1 ¼ cup whole milk 1 ¼ cup dry white wine
You have to start with the hard part... chopping the veggies. DO NOT USE A FOOD PROCESSOR! There are some handy little choppers that are about $15 that do a square dice and can easily be found online if you don’t feel like playing Iron Chef. What you want is a nice square dice that is about ¼”. Heat the oil and butter in the pan and add in the veggies. Add in the minced garlic (you can also grate it in if you prefer). Cook until the veggies are starting to soften and the onion is beginning to get translucent but not browned. This will take 5-7 minutes over medium-high heat. Stir frequently! continued on page 10 UltraMagTexas.com
7
CHOOSING
THE RIGHT NURSING HOME
By: Mitchell Franz Reaching the decision to move your loved one into the nursing home setting is never an easy one. Feelings of abandonment, shame, guilt and betrayal cloud your mind. However, perhaps the tougher choice is which nursing home is the right fit. Which nursing center will meet the needs of your loved one while providing a safe, caring 8
environment – that is less of a healthcare institution and more like a home?
Before committing to a particular center, investigate for yourself the care, environment and services that are offered.
Finding the appropriate nursing center for you or your loved one’s needs is as important if not more than the decision whether to move at all. A successful location should feel like a home with meal options, a clean environment, friendly staff and a variety of activities. Prior to your visit, research the center through the nursing home compare tool on the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare’s website at
1.
www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare/.
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Staff and Resident Interaction
Observe the interaction and relationships between the staff and residents. Staff should acknowledge you, be smiling and express friendliness.
2.
Cleanliness & Odors
Are the common rooms clean and orderly? Beds should be made, floors clean and the overall appearance of the rooms maintained. Although you may smell unpleasant odors occasionally, there should not be lingering odors.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT NURSING HOME continued from page 8
3.
Activities
What are the residents doing? A resident’s day at a nursing center should include many activities from morning exercises to religious services to afternoon games and socials. Ask to see an activity calendar for the month, which will give insight on different happenings available.
4.
Staffing
What is the tenure of the staff? A location with tenured staff conveys that continuity of care is provided and is evident that the building is being managed effectively.
5.
Finances
Most nursing centers will provide assistance in completing Medicaid applications as well as pursuing other payment options like Managed Care and Medicare.
6. Stability of the Management Company How long have they been in business? How often has the building been sold? Usually the status of the management company will play
a large indicating role on how well the center is operating. If a building is troubled, it might have been sold often or have gone through many management companies.
7.
Services
Besides the normal care provided, does the nursing center offer rehabilitation services such as physical, occupational or speech therapy? Are wound care services provided? How will your loved one be transported to medical appointments? Is there transportation available for field trips and external activities? These different amenities should be fairly prevalent and are important benefits to your loved one’s care.
8.
Competitors
How are they different from their competitor? Ask what differentiates them. This could include services and benefits previously described, their operations track record or even their state survey.
9.
Doctor Involvement
What is the participation of physicians? Doctors should come regularly to make rounds and provide direction on a resident’s care plan.
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10.
Meals
What are the meal choices? A growing standard in the industry is to provide enhanced dining programs with more of a selection of food. Instead of dictating what is for breakfast, lunch or dinner, the resident should be provided with options on what they would like to eat. After all, this will be their new home and proper nutrition is very important.
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ULTRA FOOD
Bon Appetit RAGU? by Anice Shelton
continued from page 7 Once the veggies have started to soften up add in the meats. I start with the pancetta and once it is mixed in I add in the pork and then the beef making sure I break up the chunks. Brown on high heat, stirring frequently, until the meat has turned brown and the fat is rendered out. Make a small “pool” of fat in the center and squirt in the tomato paste then stir it into the meat and continue to cook until the sauce turns a brick red color (about 2-3 min). Add the milk and cook until almost reduced (about 4 min) then add in the wine and bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low and let slowly simmer for 3-5 hours. Be sure your heat is low and it is a very low simmer. Season with salt and serve over pasta with a little freshly grated parmesan. This will keep up to a week in the fridge and 6 months in the freezer. If you make a double batch you will have enough leftover to make a lasagne Bolognese... it’s very simple to make and also freezes well.
10
C
M
Y
CM
LASAGNE BOLOGNESE
MY
CY
Lasagne Bolognese is a delicious and different take on lasagna that has less cheese and instead of the traditional ricotta it has a bechamel sauce. Most traditional recipes just have the pasta, the bolognese sauce and the bechamel but we like to add in a bit of mozzarella and parmesan. You can leave it out but I think it just makes it a tad tastier… The hardest part of this recipe is dealing with the lasagne noodles. There’s no way around it... you have to boil them. No-boil lasagne noodles are very convenient but there is not enough liquid in the sauce to fully soften them when you bake. So boil your noodles and spread them out on a cookie sheet so they don’t stick. Be sure to season the cooking water with salt for the best flavor...the water should be as salty as seawater. The bechamel sauce sounds fancy but it is basically a blonde roux with milk. I make a double batch so I know I have enough. Bonus: the leftover bechamel can be turned into other sauces like a Mornay sauce or use it to thicken up a sauce or as a gravy base. If you know you have enough bolognese to make a large pan or two loaf pans (I like a loaf pan) then go ahead and double or do one and a half of the recipe. I make my bechamel while I cook the noodles. Boil about 7 noodles at a time and remove with a tong to prevent them from all sticking together.
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ULTRA HUMORIST
Honest Lies and Other Misguided Thoughts FIXIN’ THE ROACH PROBLEM By Newt Harlan
Billy Ray Timmons, the proprietor of our local barbershop, “The Clip Joint” made the six o’clock news on TV last week, although his notoriety had nothing to do with cutting hair.
Billy Ray, being a bachelor, isn’t overly fond of washing dishes, taking out trash and doing those other household chores necessary to maintain a house relatively free from these pests. He figured since the clutter didn’t really bother him, his once a week visit from the cleaning lady was sufficient. This line of thinking, combined with the natural attraction for roaches of the remnants from his brewing created a Billy Ray, a bachelor resident nirvana for bull cockroaches and Billy soon found of Bracero Villas, has the himself overrun with the critters. The last straw was fairly uncommon hobby when they started eating the Milky Way candy bars he of brewing homekept for snacking during the wrestling matches. brew beer and making The very next Monday morning when his barbershop moonshine was closed, he went down to “Hubert’s Hardware” to whiskey. Billy’s load up on exterminating supplies. Hubert told Billy products are that it wasn’t necessary to buy a bunch of chemicals, excellent, his prices that there was a new “Bug Bomb” on the market that reasonable and he counts many would get rid of all his roaches in one easy application. of our local officials, politicians, lawyers and judges among his Together they read the directions that said one aficionados. Even Rev. Deacon container would do 700 square feet. Doing a little Floyd is an occasional customer quick calculating, they determined that Billy’s 14x70 for Billy’s moonshine--for mobile home would need two bombs. After giving it a medicinal purposes only, of minute or two of thought, Bill decided that since he course. However, none of this had an extra heavy infestation and really hated those had anything to do with Billy damned bugs, he’d just take a dozen cans and do a making the news either. really good job. The reason Billy Ray was on television is because he was the victim of an unfortunate incident here in our community the other morning. Here’s how it came about... As we all know, this is the time of year we are visited by those pesky tree roaches a lot refer to as “bull of us cockroaches”.
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Billy went home and spent the rest of the day moving furniture, sealing windows with duct tape, opening cabinets and drawers, and getting everything ready for the big extermination day. After finishing all the preparations, he took a shower, ordered in an extra-large, super-deluxe pizza and spent the evening watching the wrestling matches. He was up bright and early the following morning, and after eating a quick breakfast, strategically placed the bombs, set them off and quickly exited the house. He
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picked up his morning coffee and newspaper at the corner store, then continued on and opened the barbershop. Judge Dennis Parker, the regular first customer every Tuesday morning, had just settled into the barber’s chair and Billy Ray was lathering him up for a shave when all the sudden there was a tremendous explosion. The barber shop’s plate glass windows rattled and the hair tonic bottles clinked together. The judge jumped from the chair and ran to the door saying, “Ohmigod it’s the terrorists.” Billy Ray followed closely and they got outside just in time to see a mushroom-shaped cloud rising over in the direction of Bracero Villas. Directly, all the area’s emergency equipment came roaring by with red lights flashing and sirens wailing. Billy Ray and the judge jumped into the judge’s Lincoln, put the magnetic emergency light on top and started to pull out and follow. Just as they were pulling out two news trucks roared by. The judge pulled in behind them with the Lincoln’s tires squealing. They headed down Camino del Jefe through Basura Blanca Estates and just as they were approaching the railroad track separating Basura Blanca Estates from Bracero Villas, the signal lights began flashing and the crossing gates started down. The two news trucks sped past the gates just ahead of the train, but the judge wasn’t quite in time and was forced to stop.
The judge wasn’t real familiar with the emergency band radio in his car, but he and Billy fiddled with it while they waited for the train to pass. They heard snippets of conversation between the emergency crews-”everything’s gone”--”hope no one was home”--”man look at all that stuff hanging from the trees.”
The fire chief, sheriff, and county arson investigator trailed by the usual cadre of newsmen and cameramen walked up to Billy and the judge. The officials questioned Billy about the blast and he told them about setting off the “Bug Bombs” before he left that morning. That was all the arson man needed to hear. He asked Billy, “Did you remember to turn off the pilot light on your water heater?”
After what seemed an eternity, the eighty-seven cars of the freight train, moving at 30 miles per hour, finally passed. As soon as the last car passed by, the judge had the car in gear and they drove around the gates and were on their way again. They could see all the red lights flashing up ahead and Billy Ray remarked, “That’s mighty close to my place,” and as they pulled up to the scene he said, “Hell’s bells judge it looks like that there’s my place.” As they jumped from the car and rushed to the perimeter of the scene, Billy Ray discovered that it was his place. Where his mobile home formerly stood was an area of scorched ground about 30x80 feet, surrounded by smoking remnants of things that faintly resembled refrigerators, washing machines, TV sets and other appliances. There were items of clothing and bedding, along with insulation, siding and trailer parts hanging from the limbs of
surrounding trees. The storage shed containing the brewing and spirits operations had completely disappeared with only smoldering piles of rubble, shards of broken crockery, mazes of twisted copper lines and heaps of crumpled sheet metal remaining to mark its location.
The interview with Billy and the judge was the lead story on the six o’clock news on both stations that evening. As they stood facing the cameras, the judge still had the barber’s cape around his shoulders and traces of shaving lather here and there on his face and Billy Ray looked completely shellshocked. The talking heads stuck their microphones in Billy’s face and asked the standard question, “How does it feel to lose everything like this?” Billy Ray scuffed his toe in the dirt, spat a little snuff juice, and said, “well I hate like hell losing my place and all, but it’s insured and at least I’m rid of them damned roaches.”
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ULTRA SPORTS
The Fall Classic by Bobby McCallitt
Let ’ s Go Astros ! October baseball can mean
West, Central, and East – and each division winner automatically qualifies for the post-season, along with two
only one thing – your team has wild-card teams. The wild-card teams are the two teams with the highest win total among non-division winners. qualified for the post-season. After several seasons with no
The two wild card teams play in a one-game playoff after the end of the regular season, with the winner
real chance to qualify for the
advancing to the Division Series. The three divisional champions qualify for the Division Series. The winner
playoffs, the 2015 Houston
of the one-game wild-card playoff faces the top-seeded divisional champion in the Division Series, regardless
Astros are right in the thick of
of whether the two teams are in the same division, while the second and third seeded divisional champions
the baseball pennant race.
play each other in the other Division Series. The winners advance to the League Championship Series and
In Major League Baseball,
play for the right to advance to the World Series.
there are two leagues – the
14
American and the National
The Houston Astros play in the American League, West Division, along with the Oakland Athletics, Los
– and as of 2012, each league
Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners, and Texas Rangers. By winning the West, the Astros will qualify for the
sends five teams to the post-
Divisional Series and based on the record of the three division winners, will be seeded 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. The
season. There are three
number 2 seed will play the number 3 seed, while the number 1 seed will play the team advancing from the
divisions in each league –
wild-card game. So the Astros will soon know their play-off slot.
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to BELIZE HOUSTON
by Susan Scott Watts Close your eyes and imagine you’re on a tropical island; waves lap at the shore, not a cloud in the sky…. cannot get any better, you think. Then BAM! Southwest Airlines now flies there directly from Houston! It’s true! Southwest Airlines announced back in May, that beginning October 15th, they would begin services to my (and soon to be your) favorite place --- Belize! “We’re seeing a great response by local Houston customers, booking our new daily nonstop flight to Belize City,” said Andrew Pierini, Southwest Airlines Senior Analyst Network Planning. Belize is a small county in Central America, due east of Nicaragua and south of Mexico. It was formed as a British colony in 1862. Formerly known as British Honduras, Belize was renamed 16
Belize is like two vacations in one: the islands and the jungle.
in 1973 and gained full independence in 1981. “Through this exciting new partnership, we look forward to welcoming many more visitors to experience the unique culture and beauty of our country,” said Karen Bevans, Director of Tourism at the Belize Tourism Board.
loving Texans like us! No longer does it have to be a rustic or remote vacation, but of course it can, if that’s what you like.
When I first went to Belize, back in the late 80’s, it was rustic and, mostly un-air conditioned! At my generator-powered “jungle resort,” there were no screens on the windows, so I didn’t know if I should shut the large wooden window blinds to keep the jaguars out, or open them for a chance at a faint breeze! Bats flew in my teepee adobe, monkey howling kept me awake at night, and showers had only cold water. Best time ever! We didn’t have the phrase, “off the grid” back then. It was a wilder, more gypsy time!
The island is easy…very easy…no cars, just golf carts and bicycles with miles of beaches and lots of hammocks! San Pedro is the only town on the island and it has shopping, hotels, bars, restaurants with great food and local music. I believe the original sign “no shoes, no shirt, no problem,” hung at a restaurant near the ferry boat dock.
Now, Belize is accommodating to kings, princesses, sailors, fishermen, and adventure-
continued on page 23
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Belize is like two vacations in one: the islands and the jungle.
We have enjoyed staying at Texan-owned Victoria House where we can fish all day and dine on our catch, cooked by their chef, for dinner. Also, we enjoy staying at Texas-owned Pelican Reef Villas, which has kitchenettes.
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ULTRA FOOD continued from page 10 BECHAMEL SAUCE 1 stick (½ cup) of butter (unsalted if you prefer to control the salt) ½ cup flour 4 cups milk (have an extra cup on hand just in case) salt, pepper, nutmeg Heat 4 cups of milk in a pot until hot (but not boiling). In a separate saucepan melt the butter over low heat and once melted quickly whisk in the flour all at once and keep stirring until you have a smooth blonde roux. This roux does not need to brown or darken but rather just come together. Slowly add in the hot milk (I use a ladle) and stir it in with a whisk until each addition of milk is absorbed. It will be a very thick paste but will eventually smooth out into a sauce once all the milk is added. If you are still left with a very thick paste add in a bit more milk. You want something slightly thicker than a cream gravy but not as thick as that paste you had in school that “little Johnny” always ate… season with salt (go easy if you used salted butter...in fact I rarely do), pepper, and just a tiny pinch of nutmeg.
Bon Appetit RAGU? by Anice Shelton
I like to use loaf pans for my lasagne but you can also use a deep square or rectangular pan. Spray your pan with a bit of non-stick spray and add a very thin layer of sauce to the bottom. Add in a layer of the cooked lasagne noodles. Top the noodles with a layer of bolognese and then a layer of the bechamel sauce and then a sprinkling of shredded mozzarella and a bit of shredded parmesan (not the stuff in the green can)! Then do it all again until you get several layers...in a large loaf pan I can usually get 3 layers. Just be sure you top it with some of the cheese. Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes (longer if it has been refrigerated). Once it is warm and bubbly, remove from the oven and let it sit for about 15 minutes before cutting into it so it doesn’t ooze. Trust me, I know it’s hard to wait but letting it “tighten up” a bit before serving will keep it together. This all takes a bit of work but I promise that it is worth it! The best part is that you can spend a Sunday chopping and cooking but if you double and even triple the recipes you can have some pasta sauce and lasagnes to put away in the freezer for your busy nights. And you can sneak some veggies into your family--that’s always a good thing! I hope now when you hear the word “ragu” what comes to mind is this delicious sauce and that you now have a wonderful recipe for your family to enjoy the way mine does… And if you are wondering what to do with that leftover bechamel sauce, simply warm it up and throw in some cheese and you have a lovely sauce for veggies...
Now let’s assemble this delicious Buon Appetito! lasagne: 18
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FIND THE SILVER LININGS IN LIFE
Bestselling author, nurse and breast cancer survivor shares advice for healthy living.
Every year, approximately 250,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer. As a vegan-eating, marathon-running, mother in her 30s with no family history of breast cancer, Hollye Jacobs was unexpectedly diagnosed with the disease. Now, the nurse turned New York Times bestselling author of “The Silver Lining: A Supportive and Insightful Guide to Breast Cancer” has partnered with Allstate to help everyone impacted by cancer receive a free guide with practical tips, important information and inspiration to inform and support people from diagnosis, through treatment and recovery, and into life after cancer. Exercise: Pace yourself and set reasonable goals to take control of a healthy lifestyle. Begin slowly but consistently to establish a positive habit on which you can build; even a slow stroll can be transformative for your health.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images, Source Allstate
“I am honored to partner with Allstate to empower women with knowledge to take control of their health and encourage each other along the way,” said Jacobs. “I hope we can all be there for each other and find the silver linings in life.” As a follow-up to her successful book, Jacobs offers this inspiring advice on how to find the silver lining and feel your best in any situation: Dress the part: Dress to feel your best no matter where your day takes you, from school to work to chemotherapy. Invest in pieces that make you feel comfortable and confident. During her chemotherapy experience, Jacobs found that cotton scarves were the easiest to tie and most effective at staying comfortably on her head when out and about. 20
Healthy eating: Like exercise, good nutrition helps offset exhaustion that comes with the weight of daily stresses and fatigue. A balanced and healthy diet doesn’t have to be expensive. Incorporate nutrient-dense foods like avocados and nuts, and drink plenty of water. Whenever possible, avoid alcohol, sugar and processed foods. Encourage each other: Jacobs’ biggest life lesson from her experience with cancer was that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. If you think that you could benefit from professional or spiritual support, pursue it. Celebrate positive thinking and remember that everyone reacts to life’s unexpected struggles and pain differently. Be kind and patient with others and, most importantly, yourself. UltraMagTexas.com
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Messina
Express yourself: For Jacobs, writing was cathartic. Her book evolved from her blog, www.TheSilverPen.com, which unexpectedly reached audiences far beyond her circle of friends and family. She encourages people to write down at least three silver linings each day, from noticing the color of a flower to petting an animal. Educate yourself: Be an active participant in your health by learning from trusted sources and resisting the urge to blindly search online for information. When learning anything new, be patient, open, flexible and assertive to find what works best and most comfortably for your routine. The free Silver Lining Companion Guide is available for download or for pick up at participating distribution centers and select Allstate agencies nationwide. Download or find the nearest participating distribution center at www.Allstate.com/SilverLining. Family Features
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ULTRA LEGAL As a young almost lawyer, I was working my last semester in law school for a law firm of about fifteen lawyers. The senior name partner (who will rename nameless, to keep her from embarrassment) came to me and said “One of my clients needs a Power of Attorney to allow him to sell a car for his son. Can you do that?” Eager to help, I replied “sure, no problem. I’ll just call them, get their names, and pound it out.” She then said, “one question – Does the client need to be an attorney to use a Power of Attorney?” Being a tactful guy, I did not laugh at this lawyer, who had been practicing law while I was in junior high. Instead, I smiled and told her that a valid Power of Attorney allows any person to act, in a legal capacity, for another person. There are two specific Powers of Attorney that are the most common, and both are very useful documents that will allow another person to take actions on your behalf without you actually being present. To understand how to use a Power of Attorney however, we first must understand the concept of “legal capacity.” Any competent adult (i.e. over 18 years old, without a mental disability or a communication 22
Do you have to be a Lawyer to use Powers of Attorney? Courtesy of Byron K. Barclay
disability) has the ability (i.e. legal capacity) to enter into a contract to buy, sell or transfer goods, services or property, or consent to medical treatment. A person under eighteen years old, or a person who is mentally or physically incapacitated lacks the ability, (i.e. the legal capacity) to make legal decisions or enter contracts. A signed and dated Power of Attorney that has been prepared to comply with the law will have the same effect as if you had signed the contract or other document yourself. A Power of Attorney, (sometime called a Statutory or Durable Power of Attorney), is particularly useful in the Estate Planning area, where you can designate a spouse or another trusted friend or adult child to take care of your legal affairs should you be unavailable or more importantly, should you become disabled. You could be injured and in a coma or could develop dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and no longer have the legal capacity to sell property, enter contracts or make decisions about your own affairs. The key here is discussing your wishes and preferences with the person UltraMagTexas.com
you intend to designate and making sure that the person you have chosen will make those decisions for you in the way and in the manner you have instructed. Similarly, you can execute a Medical Power of Attorney to allow someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf, such as consenting to surgery, or withholding medical care if that designee chosen by you believes withholding care is in your best interests. Like the Statutory Power of Attorney, the key is discussing your healthcare wishes and preferences with the person you intend to designate and ensuring the person you have chosen will carry out those instructions in the manner you have instructed. While you can grant these powers to anyone, even if your designee is not an attorney, you will be best served though if you have your Powers of Attorney prepared by an attorney, because the law is very specific about the requirements for a Power of Attorney to be effective. If there is any question about the validity or wording, the bank or a title company or your doctor’s office may not accept the document.
BIOGRAPHY AND DISCLAIMER
HOUSTON TO BELIZE continued from page 16 Both places have amazing beaches, pools and other cool people as their guests. Just off the coast, is the world’s second largest barrier reef and heaven for divers, snorkelers and those who like to swim with the sharks and rays. There’s also plenty of large sport fishing, bone fishing in the flats of Turneffe, and even kid fishing with a Barbie Zebco rod, if that is what suits you.
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.
Belize has other amazing islands off the coast, but, if you are a diver, you have to go to the Blue Hole, which measures 480 ft. deep and 330 ft. wide. A half day excursion is not to be missed! To get to the islands, I like the adventure of the local ferry riding along with the chickens and laundry, for a 75 minute ride. There is also 30 minute air service. Some people just go to the islands, but I have to say, they are missing the best part of Belize: The jungle and Mayan ruins. The accommodations are excellent these days and the air conditioning works just fine at Ka’ana Lodge and Cha Creek Resort, or you can find other places with no air conditioning and possibly dirt floors. We always use Kimberlee Chanona of Up Close Belize, to arrange our excursions to the jungle for zip lining, horseback and our favorite, cave tubing. Please know, I am a huge sissy, scared of the dark, have a heart attack when I spot a spider, yet cave tubing was relaxing, enjoyable and not once did I freak out. I highly recommend this descent from the sunny, pristine and cool river waters to the dark, pitch-black, cave to learn of the importance of these waters to ancient cultures, as your guide floats alongside overflowing with local knowledge. The Butterfly Farm, Medicinal Plant Trial and Belize Zoo are three stops you must do while there. Two of the reasons I was first attracted to Belize many years ago, remain: the currency is not complicated: two Belize dollars make one US dollar (it doesn’t fluctuate) and they speak English! There’s no bad time of year to go to Belize, but, lobster season starts June 15th and ends Feb 15th. You can get delicious, fresh lobster, cooked to your liking, fried, barbequed, or sautéed for around $10 US. Belize is a country where you can have two vacations in one: the beach and jungle. I don’t think bats fly in the guest rooms now, so it’s safe for even sissies like me! UltraMagTexas.com
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ULTRA PETS
Potty Training for Pets College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University
Bringing home a new pet is an exciting time for a family. Playing with a sweet little puppy or kitten and watching them explore their new home can be rewarding and fun. Unfortunately, cleaning up messes your pet makes in your home is a part of pet ownership that can quickly become tiresome. For this reason, it is important to have a potty training plan for your new pets and start them on it as soon as you bring them home. “It’s important to start young with potty training, because what we don’t want to do is establish bad habits in our pets,” explains Dr. Mark Stickney, Director of General Surgery Services at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. “Once they learn one way to do something it’s hard for them to unlearn it, and any change can confuse them.” Potty training is a significantly different process for cats than for dogs. While dogs require a good deal of attention and time to train, cats are quite a bit easier. “Litter training is instinctive for cats,” notes Stickney. “All you really need to do is put your kitten in the room with the litter pan and keep it in there when you are 24
not playing with it or paying attention to it.” While there are a variety of litter boxes available, Stickney suggests that you make sure you get one, at least initially, that your kitten can easily get in and out of. “You have to remember that when you bring home a kitten it is just a little baby and if you get a really high box it may have trouble getting into the box and therefore will not use it,” says Stickney. “It’s also good to remove anything in the room that may resemble litter such as potted plants or they may become your pet’s bathroom.” When choosing your litter it is good to know that while there are many different kinds and varieties, they are mostly marketed for human preference. Find one that your cat will use and that works for you. “Although all cat litter brands are ok to use, it may helpful if you know what kind of litter your kitten was using before it came to live with you and start with that if possible,” notes Stickney. “Cats can be texture and odor specific with their litter so if you can at least start with that you can gradually transition them to another litter later if you prefer.”
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As previously mentioned, potty training puppies is a completely different process and quite a bit trickier than training kittens. The process is slow and can take up to a year for some dogs to get the hang of it. “Begin training your dog as soon as you bring it home,” urges Stickney. “Take it straight outside and give it plenty of time to go potty. Stay out there with it, but ignore it until it goes. Then, as soon as it goes, give it a treat and ‘ooh and ahh’ all over it.” While this process may be time consuming, it will be worthwhile in the end when you don’t have to pick up messes in your house. When your pet is inside the house, Stickney advises that most effective way to train it is by crate training. “When you are not at home you should keep your pet in a crate inside your house,” says Stickney. “This becomes their safe place (or their den) and thus crate training takes advantage of their natural instinct not to make a mess in their own den.” As soon as you get home immediately take your pet out of its kennel and take it outside to go to the bathroom. “It’s not realistic to leave a puppy in a carrier for eight hours straight and not have an accident,” explains Stickney. “If at all
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POTTY TRAINING FOR PETS continued from page 24
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possible you should try to come home or arrange for someone to come by and give it a potty break in the middle of the day if you work full-time.” Because the cage is your animal’s safe place it is important to never use it as a punishment. If you put them in it for punishment it will have a negative view of it and will no longer see it as their den. “This also goes for punishment of accidents. Never negatively reinforce their behavior,” warns Stickney. “If you hit them when they have an accident they not only don’t connect their accident to the punishment, but it can cause anxiety and lead to slower potty training.” If you have followed all these training guidelines and you are still unsuccessful there are professional dog trainers who can help with the process. You may also want to consult your veterinarian to make sure the animal doesn’t have an underlying problem. “If your dog or cat is already housebroken and suddenly starts having accidents this is also a sign that it may have a health problem,” states Stickney. “In this case you should definitely take the pet to its veterinarian for a check-up.” While our pets are a great addition to our families and a wonderful source of enjoyment, nobody wants to deal with pet messes in the home. If you have a potty-training plan in place and are diligent about sticking to it, you can have a healthy, happy and potty-trained animal.
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ULTRA HEALTH
Healthy Teeth at Any Age Courtesy of Dr. Audrey M. Boutros, DDS, MS
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and Invisalign. Ceramic braces or “clear braces” are
Other adults get braces because they’ve always had
made out of ceramic alloys and blend in with the teeth
crooked teeth, but they weren’t able to have braces when
making them less noticeable. Invisalign is a series of
they were growing up. Finally, some people say they’re just
clear plastic aligners that are removable which allows
finally getting around to it, or that they want straighter
you to continue to brush and floss as normal. These
teeth for a new career. A great looking smile can boost
newer appliance options no doubt have contributed to
self-confidence and studies have shown that orthodontic
the increase in adults seeking treatment. So remember
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that when it comes to straightening teeth, there is
and social life. There is also a potential health benefit, as
no age cutoff. If a better smile is something you really
misaligned teeth can be harder to clean, which can lead
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