Summer Safety Tips

17 Austin South Asian | May 2021 Summer Safety Tips For Your Pet

From heat waves to fireworks, summer can take a toll on pets’ emotional and physical wellness. According to some pet experts, the heart of relief for a number of common seasonal pet woes is CBD. Here are some insights into how to use it, plus additional measures you can take for a safe, healthy summer with pets.

• Fireworks and Thunder: Unexpected noises can be extremely frightening for pets, causing what’s known as situational stress. If possible, try administering Calming CBD-infused Edibites, which contains soothing and relaxing properties, about an hour before you expect fireworks or thunderstorms to occur. (Helpful hint: it can also be used to relieve situational stress associated with travel, guests, etc.) a good chance your pet is too.

Exercise also helps. Whether you take an extra long walk or play fetch, wearing your pet out earlier in the day might help them stay calm or even sleep through noise disruptions. Additionally, you can prepare by setting up a quiet space for your pet, full of their favorite blankets and toys. Finally, be mindful that pets often react to loud noises by running away. According to the ASPCA, one-in-five pets that go missing run off after hearing loud noises like fireworks. Bring cats indoors during storms and fireworks. If you must take a dog outside, keep them securely leashed. Microchips and up-to-date ID tags can help you safely reunite with your pet should they go missing.

• Heat: If you’re sweating, there’s day. On scorchers, avoid paw-to-

Keep pets hydrated by constantly refilling their bowls with fresh, clean water. Choose mornings or evenings for exercising with dogs to avoid the hottest part of the pavement contact, letting your dog walk in the grass instead. If your pup’s paws do get affected by the hot pavement, applying a topical CBD solution such as Canna Care

Do You Believe In These Three Common 401(k) Misconceptions?

If you contribute a portion of your income to a 401(k), you may think you’re all set for a comfortable retirement. Experts say it’s important to take a closer look at these savings.

To help you get started, Lincoln Financial Group is breaking down three common misconceptions about saving for retirement revealed in a recent survey of U.S. employees by Lincoln Financial and CivicScience:

• True or False: “Saving enough to meet the employer match is enough to keep me on track for a comfortable retirement.” This one is (most likely) false! An employer match (if offered) is a good place to start, but if you really want to make sure you have enough of a nest egg to retire when and how you want, a good rule of thumb is to save at least 10 to 15 percent of your salary.

• True or False: “Paying down my student loan debt as quickly as possible is more important than saving for my retirement.” This can be true…or false, depending on your situation. While you should not delay saving for retirement, it’s a good idea to speak with a financial professional to determine how to strategize paying off debt while also planning for your future. You can also use free tools like the debt

calculator found at LincolnFinancial.com to help you make a plan for paying off debt.

• True or False: “I’ve thought about moving money from an old employer’s 401(k) into my current employer’s 401(k), but it seems like it would be too much of a hassle.” This one is false! While it is important to consider all options of your 401(k) platform prior to making a decision, the process for a rollover is typically very easy and brings multiple benefits. ments for multiple accounts, for example, you’ll only have to monitor a single account.

“While there are certainly still some misconceptions when it comes to saving for the future, the majority of those surveyed understand the importance of not delaying saving for later in their careers,” said Aaron Moore, senior vice president, Retirement Plan Client Engagement, Lincoln Financial Group.

“This is cause for celebration, as delaying saving for retirement can have a significant impact on future savings. This is another reason why we are focused on working with employers to educate their employees so they can achieve the retirement they envision.” If you’re looking for more ways to help set yourself up for a financially secure future – here are three tips to keep in mind:

1. Check your account. It might sound simple, but logging in regularly (try for at least once a quarter) can help ensure you’re on track with your savings goal. Be sure to use the calculators and projection tools your retirement plan offers.

2. Update (or create) a goal. When you have a goal to work towards, research shows you’ll be more likely to increase your contributions, and therefore, increase your savings.

3. Meet with a professional. If your employer offers retirement consultants, schedule a meeting, or consider speaking with a financial professional, who can help you understand the full picture of your savings and where to focus your efforts.

For more resources, tools and calculators, visit LincolnFinancial. com/retirement. A comfortable financial future is achievable with a strategy. To take stock of your retirement savings, start with your 401(k). (StatePoint) from Pet Releaf can help relieve the burn. Finally, beat the heat with regular grooming -- however, don’t shave your pet’s fur -- their coat protects them from sunburn.

• Allergies: Allergies can wear pets down in numerous ways, including weakening their immune system. CBD hemp oil however can offer an immunity boost by activating the body’s two-way communication system between the brain and the immune system.

A common allergy symptom is rash, which can cause pets to scratch and bite their skin, only worsening irritation. To treat rash, consider using CBD hemp oil to support a healthy inflammatory response and ease stress, along with a topical CBD product to soothe skin irritations.

• Hip and Joint Discomfort: Summer may mean an uptick in nature hikes and long days at the dog park. As a result, your dog may experience hip or joint discomfort. Consider adding a beneficial supplement to their everyday regimen, like Hip & Joint Edibites, which contains full-spectrum hemp extract with naturally occurring CBD, along with glucosamine and chondroitin, a combination known to help maintain normal healthy cartilage and joint function, as well as support joint flexibility and mobility. Depending on your pet’s health needs, you may want to upgrade to a higher potency pet CBD product like a hemp oil that you can massage onto their joints.

Unsure which CBD solution will work best for your pet? Check out Pet Releaf’s Product Finder tool at petreleaf.com/product-finder, which factors in age, weight, level of discomfort and wellness needs. Use the code RELEAF25 through July 31, 2021 to receive 25% off and free shipping.

With the right tools and knowledge, you can support your pet’s wellness this summer and protect them from common seasonal health and safety hazards. (StatePoint)

18 Austin South Asian | May 2021 Kids Corner

Vasundhara Varadarajan Abhiveer Annoji

By Anushka

Recently, I’ve been watching the news with my dad on CNBC. The headline news is that a man named Beeple sold NFT for $69 million! I was so surprised and did some research on my own and I learned so much, and think it would be nice to share some of my knowledge with you! Nft stands for non fungible token.

NFTS

Akbar’s Challenge

That means there can only be one of that item. For example, you have five one dollar bills you can exchange for one five dollar bill. For nfts that is not possible, it is difficult to find good equivalents. Nfts are a type of really absurd crypto currency.

They are built on a blockchain network. That means who’s selling it and how much it costs is all listed on a blockchain network. Making it an nft is basically giving it a badge of uniqueness. Another thing I mentioned earlier was this man named “beeple” who sold an nft for 69 million dollars! Selling that Nft was no easy feat though. He worked 15 years on that project! He sold a digital art piece. He actually put it on auction.

I bet he was surprised as the prices went higher and higher it was truly unbelievable.It eventually sold for 69 million dollars. Also it is very odd how a woman bought one of beeple’s nfts for 1 dollar! Before he was that popular. She was offered 50 million dollars for the nft, but she didn’t sell it to anyone. Anyway wrapping it up nfts can be anything digitized a movie clip or a piece of art. That is basically it. I hope you learned something new! Akbar was once greeted by a consortium of nobles from different parts of the kingdom. They told the emperor that they had come for head to toe with my waistband cloth. The one who succeeds in doing so becomes my advisor.”

The nobles tried their best, but the cloth was too short to cover the entire body.

If they moved the cloth up, the feet left uncovered, and if they pulled it a bit below, the head came into the open.

Akbar presented Birbal with the challenge. Birbal took a look at the cloth and told Akbar, “Your majesty, please fold your knees.”

The emperor did as said.

Birbal spread the cloth and this time it covered Akbar from head to toe.

The nobles apologized to Akbar and Birbal, and left the court never to challenge Birbal’s position again.

the position of royal advisor, which has been with Birbal since years. the consortium.

Akbar thought for a moment and agreed.

“Alright. I have a test for all of you,” Akbar said removing his waistband.

Asian American Complete Count Committee Honored At 2021 CAN Butler Awards

By Sumaiya Malik @SumaiyaSaidThis

Community Advancement Network, a partnership that leverages mutual resources for success, recognized Asian American Complete Count Committee, AACCC, in this year’s CAN Annual Celebration and Butler Awards for outstanding work in ensuring Asians are counted during Census 2020.

A 2019 Census Bureau prediction showed that Asian population would be the hardest to count.

As a result, a group of community leaders came together to form AACCC to ensure that maximum number of Asian Americans in Greater Austin area fill out the census 2020 form.

Organized effort towards outreach through social media and community partnerships made Asian populations the highest in count nationwide, state-wide, county-wide. The committee chaired by Alice Yi and co-chaired by Sumit Das Gupwhere we are from and we have shown we are from here,” Gururaj said.

According to Ashwin Ghatalia, co-chair AACCC the committee worked through imaginative work using media to reach people through a large number of Asian organizations as partners.

Other core team members at AACCC included Anaami PandiHaji, Quynhanh Tran, Hannah Roh, Fang Fang, and Saatvik Ahluwalia.

The team included seniors as well as young, creative innovators and relied on volunteers within the community.

Covid-19 restricted face-to-face contact, but they worked across jurisdiction, religion, geography so that everyone is counted, Gururaj said.

ta and Ashwin Ghatalia worked to not only connect the South Asian communities to the census but also VP at Division of Diversity and Community engagement at the University of Texas at Austin in a

reached out to all Asian groups. virtual ceremony this March.

AACCC also made connections with the African American and Hispanic organizations.

“Butler Awards are a celebration of collaboration. We are more impactful together,” said Dr. Suchitra Gururaj, CAN Chair and Assistant Gururaj recognized the work of all the organizations that worked together advocating for census and racial justice. Aside from being the Chair, she was also a part of AACCC.

“We are the group which is asked She gave credit to Alice Yi, a stalwart in community building, for getting AACCC off the ground. Co-Chair Sumit Das Gupta shared some slides to show how the team planned out the organized effort.

Funding for the work was provided by City of Austin, Travis County, United Way and the Coulter Foundation.

In September 2020, once the Census outreach was complete, AACCC reorganized and became Austin Asian Communities Civic Coalition keeping the acronym, to ensure that Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), the fastestgrowing population in Central Texas, were accurately counted during the 2020 Census and a voice during the 2020 General Election.

Recent success of “Stop Asian Hate” attests to that, Ghatalia said. https://www.aaccc-atx.org/

“This is our new incarnation but since we carry the same heritage, the new name still identifies with the work on the census. It is a continuum,” Gupta said.

Life Lessons From Rizwan Shuja, Entrepreneur, Author And Motivational Speaker

By Sumaiya Malik

Entrepreneur, author and longtime Austin resident Rizwan Shuja, 48, came to understand life through hard work and an inner wisdom.

Self-made Shuja shares his secret to happiness and how to live a content life in two books he coauthored with his brother Dr. Imran Khwaja, Following is his conversation with Austin South Asian about his first book Cycle of Fulfilment (available on Amazon). The self-help book offers a unique perspective on what is real success.

“I came to America with a few hundred dollars and now own 14 gas stations,” Shuja said. Shuja shared his story of how he hard he worked in his first gas station and also was its manager. He worked day and night in his first investment and made it grow. His diligence at work and efforts towards community building and alliances were some of the reasons of his success, but he gave more credit to his state of mind.

Initially his goal was to be successful in his career. Along with that he continued to understand what others thought was the meaning of success.

“I listened to inspirational speakers who talked about money, health and relationships,” Shuja said. “I came to the conclusion that success is mental fulfilment, physical health, relationship with god and people, career/job/business and financial wealth,” he said.

Shuja went on to explain what he means. “If you have a positive state of mind your relationships will improve,” he said. To him the goal is to get rid of negative emotions. They come back to hurt you, he said. “If you want to love, give it,” he said. Our minds are designed to keep us away from painful emotions, Shuja said. The real goal behind any kind of financial success was to feel better. Focus and productivity goes up when we are feeling positive.

He suggests that one should focus on achieving mental and emotional fulfillment as a primary goal in life. He asked himself, why not cultivate love, empathy, kindness and need of giving.

Instead of being at the right place at the right time, he suggests that being the right person is more important. He also suggests writing down goals and evaluating one’s achievements.

As a motivational speaker, Shuja has a following because his earnestness and passion shines through. Shuja’s books are available on Amazon. He can be reached on his Facebook.