Published by Estrella Publishing LLC, PO Box 6962, Goodyear AZ 85338. Additional copies and article reproductions can be obtained for a fee by contacting info@EstrellaPublishing.com
Catherine Uretsky, Publisher and Editor
Talia Uretsky, Assistant Editor Al Uretsky, Publisher and Sales Executive 623.398.5541 info@EstrellaPublishing.com
Here’s a hard question many parents dodge: Do I have a favorite? In my case, absolutely. I’ve always been transparent with my children that the position of favorite is there to be earned at any time.
This philosophy tends to raise eyebrows, but I stand by it. Parenting isn’t a democracy; it’s a meritocracy with occasional bouts of benevolent dictatorship. The “favorite child” slot in our household operates like a prestigious but volatile stock—values can rise and fall based on performance, attitude, and whether someone remembered to take out the trash without being asked.
Last month, my youngest child held the coveted title after spending quality time with his grandfather, watching a football match on the internet together. Earlier in the year, one of my daughters reigned supreme after stepping in to help one of her siblings in a thoughtful and meaningful way without being asked.
My oldest claimed the throne recently, when she created a duck scavenger hunt in my house while I was away. Over 150 mini ducks were hidden all round the house and it has been so much fun looking for them. We are still looking for the last 5 ducks...
The beauty of this system is its transparency. There’s no whispering about who mom loves most—it’s announced at dinner like a quarterly earnings report. “Congratulations to Emma, who maintains her position as favorite for a second consecutive week after handling Grandma’s inappropriate comments at Sunday dinner with remarkable grace.”
Critics might suggest this approach fosters unhealthy competition. To them I say: have you seen the world these children are inheriting? Better they learn about performance reviews in the supportive confines of home than be blindsided later. The unexpected benefit? My children have developed an impressive array of skills in their quest for the top spot. One became a surprisingly competent travel agent, another mastered the art of making restaurant-quality pasta.
So yes, I have a favorite child. Check back later to see who holds the title next.
Catherine Uretsky Editor, CB Living Magazine info@estrellapublishing.com
623.398.5541
IT’S TIME TO GROW
Matza
The Bread of Humility
Passover is celebrated in early spring, from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan (April 12-20, 2025). This eight-day festival commemorates the liberation of the Jewish people from Egyptian slavery, marked by miraculous events including the Ten Plagues and the Splitting of the Red Sea.
After the final plague, Pharaoh urgently sent the Israelites away. They left so hastily that their bread didn’t have time to rise. This is why, during Passover, Jewish tradition prohibits eating leavened bread and instead requires eating Matza – a flat, cracker-like bread made by quickly baking a simple mixture of flour and water without allowing it to rise.
Throughout Passover, Jewish homes are thoroughly cleaned of all leavened products and crumbs. This practice carries deep symbolic meaning: leavened bread, with its height and expansion, represents ego and pride, while the flat, humble Matza symbolizes humility. Jewish tradition refers to Matza as “the bread of faith” because pride leaves little room for higher truths or faith in one’s life, whereas humility creates
openness to spiritual growth.
If Matza represents such virtue, why isn’t it eaten year-round? Both leavened and unleavened bread symbolize necessary qualities for a meaningful life. Self-confidence is essential for creating positive change, but excessive pride prevents growth beyond one’s comfort zone.
The Passover Seder, a fifteen-step traditional feast held on the first two evenings, includes several important elements:
• Eating Matza
• Consuming bitter herbs to remember the harshness of slavery
• Drinking four cups of wine or grape juice to celebrate freedom
• Reciting the Haggadah, which tells the Exodus story
This annual practice balances our year-round confidence with a season of humility, teaching us the paradoxical wisdom of both strength and openness in our development as human beings.
Happy and Kosher Passover!
Submitted by Rabbi Z
Cook With Zona
Crockpot Chicken Enchilada
I know we all love an easy weeknight meal! This dish is perfect for when you’re craving something tasty but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. The chicken gets slowcooked to perfection, and the blend of spices gives it just the right amount of flavor.
Once it’s ready, the possibilities are endless! You can top your tacos with jalapeños, sour cream, cilantro, or whatever you love. It’s a totally customizable meal that’s perfect for feeding the family or having a casual get-together with friends. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do!
Prep time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 6-8 hrs
Ingredients:
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 onion
1 can (15oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15oz) corn kernels, drained
1 can (10oz) red enchilada sauce
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup monterey jack cheese
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
Tortilla (for serving)
Sliced jalapenos (for garnish)
Steps:
1. Place the chicken breasts, diced onion, black beans, and corn in the crockpot.
2. Combine red enchilada sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded monterey jack cheese, chili powder, ground cumin, salt and pepper. Pour the mixture over the chicken and vegetables.
3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
4. Once cooked, shred the chicken using two forks and stir to combine with the sauce and vegetables.
5. Serve the chicken enchilada mix in a tortilla or over a bed of tortilla chips. Garnish with sliced jalapeños.
6. Enjoy!
If you have a recipe you’d like to share with your community email me at ArizonaCooks71@gmail.com to be featured in the magazine!
CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT?
guidance every step of the way.
Teen Lifeline
National Telephone Day, April 25:
Call or text a teen in yourr life to check in, say hello and let them know you care.
Strong, positive relationships with others can be protective and prevent suicidal thoughts and behaviors. These protective relationships can be especially important this time of year, as research indicates the number of suicides rises during the spring months.
“Whether it’s finals, graduation or friends moving on and moving away, the end of the school year is more stressful for our teens than we realize,” says Nikki Kontz, clinical director at Teen Lifeline. “Please use your phone on April 25th and throughout the next two months – to check in with a teen and see how they are doing. It could save a life. It’s important for teenagers to know that the adults in their lives care about them.”
A teen’s cell phone, as Kontz explains, can be an important relationship building tool for parents, caregivers, family members and friends. “Some teens who are nervous about opening up in person will be more likely to share their feelings through text messages, especially when they are struggling with something,” says Kontz.
On National Telephone Day, Kontz recommends reaching out with simple messages, which could include:
• Just checking in. How are you doing?
• Thinking about you today – how’s it going?
• Doing OK at school?
• Feeling good about finals or do you need some support?
• I miss you, let’s make plans to see each other soon!
• I love you! How are you today?
During the spring, and all year round, adults are encouraged to pay attention to common warning signs a teen may be considering suicide.
These can include:
• Talking about death, wanting to die or feelings of falling apart
• Changes in sleeping or eating habits
• Feeling depressed, sad or hopeless for more than two weeks
• Extreme mood swings
• Isolating or withdrawing from friends, family or usual social activities
Adults who suspect a teen may be having thoughts of suicide should ask the teen about it directly. Asking the question will not plant the idea of suicide and it can give them permission to speak freely. If a teen replies that they have been thinking about suicide, thank them for their honesty and then ask questions about how they’ve been feeling and why.
If a teen is in immediate danger call 911 or take the child to an emergency room.
If the teen is not in immediate danger, create a plan to get help by calling Teen Lifeline or seeking a referral to mental health services or counseling. Be sure to minimize suicide risks by locking up all medications, sharp objects and poisonous chemicals and securing all firearms.
For more information, visit TeenLifeline.org
It’s Hot!
As we head into the month of April, temperatures have already hit the 90s, and seasoned residents of Arizona know what’s in store: an inevitable climb into a brutally sweltering summer. Unlike other states that have the liberty to gradually adjust to summer temperatures, the Valley of the Sun requires preparation before we all face the dry, blistering heat.
* Get an early air conditioning check—you never want to be on a waitlist when temperatures soar above 100 degrees and your AC is broken.
* Install sunscreens, fix pool pumps, and test irrigation systems. To avoid price gouging, make an early trip to the hardware store for shade cloth and weather stripping.
* Examine your trees for early trimming to maximize shade coverage for your home. While you’re at it, assess dead plants and consider replacing them with more heat-resistant varieties before the intense summer heat arrives.
* Now is the time to shift your exercise routine to early mornings before the heat becomes unbearable.
* Small businesses should start planning for misting systems and shade structures. After all, few customers will linger outdoors without protection from the scorching heat.
* Prepare your vehicle for extreme temperatures by checking coolant levels, inspecting tire pressure, and installing a sunshade. Consider getting your battery tested, as high temperatures can accelerate battery failure.
* Stock up on hydration supplies and create a heat emergency kit with electrolyte drinks, cooling towels, and portable fans. Keep these items in your home, car, and workplace to stay prepared for unexpected heat waves.
The key to desert living is preparation. As temperatures inevitably skyrocket, Valley residents know that preparing now could mean the difference between merely surviving and actually thriving during Arizona’s notorious summer months.
The Doctor Is In
Set Your Intentions: Part 2
As promised, this month, we’re looking at SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound. Let’s unpack that:
A specific goal forces you to hone in on exactly what you’re after and focus your efforts:
• What needs to be accomplished? Be clear about exactly what it’s going to take to achieve your goal by asking yourself what specific steps need to be taken.
• Who is involved? Assess who else might be involved in your goal achievement and what you want or expect from them.
• Why do you want to accomplish this specific thing? Dig in and ask yourself why it’s important in your overall life and happiness to accomplish your goal.
• Where will the work toward your goal take place? Where are the resources you’ll need to reach your goal?
• That which is measured can be improved. Start with an initial evaluation of where you are and create periodic assessments that show your progress
toward your goals. Seeing your progress also encourages you to stay the course.
• An achievable goal is a realistic one. Take an honest look at what you can actually accomplish in the time you give yourself, lest you feel discouraged when you miss the mark.
• Your goal must have relevance to your daily life. Make sure your goal is something you truly care about. Ensure that the timing is realistic. If you’re about to leave on vacation, setting a goal to eat healthy, exercise daily or purge your cabinets isn’t realistic. Make sure your goal aligns with your overall life goals and desires.
• A time-bound goal involves a deadline and includes a plan of attack with a timeline. What needs to happen each day or week to help you stay on track toward goal achievement? Deadlines for smaller objectives within a bigger goal make things more manageable, which means less overwhelm.
Use these guidelines to set solid, realistic goals and increase your odds of success. For instance, saying you want to lose 50 pounds this year is very different than looking at what you can specifically do each week in terms of food intake and exercise to break that goal down into a loss of a pound or two per week.
Tune in next month for the final installment in this series. In Part 3, we’ll look at a better setup for success than setting new year’s resolutions.
Submitted by Dr. J. PaweleckBellingrodt, Psy.D.
DISCLAIMER: Material is for informational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for evaluation or treatment by a licensed professional. Material is copyrighted and may only be reproduced with written permission of Dr. Bellingrodt.
The Bug Guy
The Battle of April: Phoenix Valley’s War on Pests
As temperatures in the West Valley climb faster than property values, April marks the unofficial kickoff of the annual human-versus-pest Olympics. While winter visitors pack up their RVs and head north, local critters are unpacking their tiny suitcases and preparing for their summer invasion.
First on the scene are the scorpions, nature’s proof that evolution occasionally has a dark sense of humor. These prehistoric pincer-wielding nightmares glow under blacklight, creating what pest control veteran Bob Killinsect calls “the world’s least enjoyable rave.” Locals know the drill: shake out shoes, check toilet paper rolls, and maintain a blood pressure-raising vigilance that would impress military commanders.
By mid-April, the ant colonies begin their strategic operations. These industrious insects somehow communicate across vast distances to share the breaking news that you’ve dropped a single crumb in your kitchen.
“They move with military precision,” explains entomologist Dr. Maria Bugsworth. “One minute your counter is clean, the next it’s hosting the ant version of Woodstock.”
Not to be outdone, rats—the Valley’s unwanted gentrification experts—begin their springtime search for real estate. These rodents prefer high-end accommodations, often selecting homes in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. “They have expensive taste,” jokes local exterminator Vince Vermin. “They go for the citrus trees and swimming pools—basically looking for the same amenities as California transplants.”
April also welcomes the mosquito season, as these tiny vampires emerge from hibernation with the enthusiastic hunger of tourists at a casino buffet. Swimming pools left uncleaned transform into mosquito maternity wards faster than you can say
“West
Meanwhile, cockroaches maintain their year-round presence with the persistence of political campaign ads. These survivalists could outlast nuclear winter but somehow can’t resist the deadly allure of a roach motel.
Valley residents adapt with a distinctive pest control shuffle: the scorpion stomp, the frantic arm-wave mosquito dance, and the universal “something’scrawling-on-me” full-body shudder.
So as April unfolds in the West Valley, remember you’re not just a homeowner—you’re a defender of your domain in the desert’s ancient battle between humans and the creatures that refuse to acknowledge property lines.
Submitted by Larry Cash, of Estrella Mountain Pest Control
Nile Virus.”
Draft Day
Arizona’s Rising Stars
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, Arizona’s collegiate football programs have produced an impressive collection of talent. Four standout players were invited to the NFL Combine this year. Among this elite group, one prospect could potentially hear his name called within the first 15 picks.
Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona)
**Projection: 1st Round, Top 15**
McMillan has established himself as one of the premier wide receivers in this year’s draft class. His final collegiate season was nothing short of dominant, amassing 84 receptions, 1,319 yards, and 8 touchdowns en route to First Team All-Big 12 honors. Standing at 6-foot-5, McMillan combines exceptional ball control with precise route-running ability. His size, reliable hands, and skill at winning contested catches make him a defensive coordinator’s nightmare. ESPN’s Matt Miller projects McMillan to be selected ninth overall by the New Orleans Saints.
Jonah Savaiinaea (OL, Arizona)
**Projection: Late 1st Round**
Savaiinaea’s draft stock soared following an impressive performance at the Senior Bowl, where he showcased
remarkable versatility along the offensive line. His technical proficiency, powerful base, excellent hand placement, and awareness in pass protection have scouts viewing him as a potential day-one starter. Some analysts predict Savaiinaea could land with the Baltimore Ravens at pick 27.
Cam Skattebo (RB, Arizona State University)
**Projection: 3rd-4th Round**
Skattebo’s remarkable campaign included 1,711 rushing yards, 21 touchdowns, and 45 receptions for 605 yards and 4 additional scores. He may slide down draft boards due to the current running back market valuation and questions about how his skills will translate to the professional level. Nevertheless, his versatility makes him an intriguing mid-round prospect.
Tyler Loop (K, Arizona)
**Projection: Undrafted Free Agent**
Special teams prospects rarely hear their names called during the draft, but Loop’s versatility could make him an exception. Converting 18 of 23 field goal attempts while averaging 41.8 yards per punt last season demonstrates a flexibility that NFL teams increasingly value. This dual-threat capability could ultimately land him a spot on an active roster, even if he goes undrafted.
Puzzle Time
This samurai sudoku puzzle is a great way to engage the brain and help develop logic skills. To solve this Samurai puzzle use standard sudoku rules for every 9x9 grid: each digit from 1 to 9 can only appear once in every row, column and 3x3 box. Solutions are on our website www.EstrellaPublishing.com Difficulty: Easy
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