The Hamlet

Catherine Uretsky, Publisher and Editor 623.398.5541 info@EstrellaPublishing.com

Al Uretsky, Publisher and Sales Executive 623.398.5541 info@EstrellaPublishing.com

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From Me To You...

There is something mesmerizing about nature. I can watch waves crash on a beach or leaves blowing in the wind for hours. It is soothing and relaxing for me. I can watch the movement and let my thoughts drift. Many years ago I played an online multi-player game, and even though I had to concentrate on my quests (and honestly trying to remember how to move, jump, run and fight) it was equally relaxing. Stepping out of the world we live in and being in a space where your responsibilities fade away can be rejuvenating. Reading can accomplish the same thing but for that I need a quiet room and a comfortable chair - two things I cannot always guarantee in my house.

The game was fun, I eventually rose to become a level 74 Night Elf, which tells many of you exactly which game it was. The amount of detail in the world of gaming is incredible and allows

for the suspension of belief. I truly believed I could cast a spell and command my pet to help me fullfil my missions. I did avoid fighting as much as possible, partly because I don’t generally enjoy violence, but mostly because I would panic and forget how to use my sword at the same time as casting a spell and jumping out of the way of my opponent. My skirmishes usually involved pressing any combination of buttons I could imagine until I either won or was annihilated.

As I think about it, perhaps it was not as relaxing as looking at the wind blow gently through the trees, but it certainly allowed me to escape to another place, even for a short while. Games promise a world where if we follow the rules and try hard enough, anything can be overcome – a comforting idea that particularly resonates when we’re making our way through hard times. Whether your hard times are monetary, familial, or situational I can certainly see the appeal.

Now if I could just remember my username and password for that Night Elf, I suddenly have a hankering to cast a few spells.

Catherine Uretsky Editor, Estrella Publishing info@estrellapublishing.com 623-398-5541

Ask Dr Jen

I am new to Arizona, and I am finding it hard to meet people and make new friends. I had plenty of family and friends where I used to live, and I thought I would find it easy to meet people here but I am struggling to make connections. What am I doing wrong? ~ Shannon

I’m so glad you’re trying to connect, Shannon. In fact, social support is the best protection against mental health problems that is available to humans. I’m not sure what you’ve tried, but here are some suggestions I use with my patients who are looking to branch out socially:

1. Start close. Reach out to neighbors to get acquainted. Take over baked goods or a house plant or just go say hello. Get to know them and see what they’re interested in. Host a wine tasting, potluck or block party and invite them over.

2. Go to Meetup.com to search for gatherings in your area: book clubs, brunch, game night, hiking, meditation, stargazing, Bible study, football and so much more. You name it, there’s probably a free Meetup group for it.

3. Check out Groupon.com for offerings for discounted activities and events in your area. Even if you go alone, you’re putting yourself out there in your community, and this creates the opportunity to meet people.

4. Click on the Facebook “Events” tab for information about goings on in your area: concerts, festivals and gatherings of all kinds.

5. Find a local house of worship and attend services. I always tell patients to go 3 times before they make a decision to stay or move on to the next one.

6. Get outside of yourself by finding a place nearby at which you can volunteer and meet kindred spirits.

It’s normal to feel anxious about meeting new people or putting yourself out there socially. There’s no magic, though; you simply have to feel the fear and do it anyway. If you don’t have the confidence to go behind getting out there, act “as if” you do and give it a try. Success breeds confidence breeds success.

Have a question for Dr. Jen? Email it to AskTheDoc@EstrellaPublishing.com.

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.

Trick Or Treat

Halloween is a fun time for families and friends. Whether you’re shopping for costumes, planning a party or making a candy run to the store, are you ready to provide a safe and healthy Halloween?

Emergency Department doctors and nurses at Abrazo West Campus note that inexpensive healthy alternatives, such as stickers, bubbles, crayons and play dough can bring a fun twist to Halloween treats. Trick-or-treaters (and their parents) will appreciate staying hydrated mini bottles of water as they continue their candy quest, and waving glow sticks for visibility. Raisins and goldfish in factory-packaged snack bags are another option.

Your child’s health isn’t limited to the goodies they’re consuming, according to Abrazo West Campus Trauma Program Manager Tiffiny Strever, BSN, CEN, TCRN, FAEN.

• Carving pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns is a timehonored tradition. If you have small children in the house, consider having them draw faces with markers, then parents can do the carving. A glow stick or flashlight can be used instead of candle to light the pumpkin.

• When planning for costumes, avoid masks if possible. If your child must wear one, make sure it fits correctly, does not obstruct vision and is well-ventilated. Costume fabric, wigs and beards should be made of flame-resistant materials, and not pose a tripping hazard.

• Makeup can be an annual culprit of spoiled Halloweens. Be sure it is hypoallergenic as it could cause those with sensitive skin to break out with rashes and hives. Before going all-out, try testing the makeup on a small area of your child’s skin to determine if the makeup will be safe. And remove all the makeup before children go to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation.

• Cosmetic contact lenses are popular with costumes, but they can actually cause corneal abrasions, infection and even vision loss.

• Remind everyone to put down the electronic devices, keep their heads up and walk, don’t run, across streets.

“While out trick-or-treating, kids should stay in groups and smaller children need to be accompanied by an adult. Everyone should wear reflective tape on their costumes and carry glow sticks or flashlights so they are easily visible to drivers,” said Strever. “Of course, everyone should obey traffic signals and stay in cross walks when crossing streets. The National Safety Council warns drivers to watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs, enter and exit driveways carefully, and discourage new, inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween,” she added.

Once at home, all candy and treats should be sorted by parents or responsible adults. Be mindful of food allergies, and toss any candy or treats that are not in sealed, factory packaging. It’s a good idea to also dispose of homemade goodies. Halloween is one of the most exciting nights of the year for children. Make sure your kids don’t miss out due to an unnecessary injury or upset tummy!

Submitted by Abrazo Health

Grow Your Own

If you appreciate the taste and experience of fresh produce, it may be time to consider cultivating your own home garden. Whether you have a spacious backyard or a small balcony, you can grow your own fruits and vegetables and enjoy unparalleled taste, texture and freshness without driving to the grocery store. Here are the top five benefits of growing your own fruits and vegetables.

1. Freshness that can’t be beat

Produce can’t get fresher than what you grow and pick in your own backyard! Grocery store produce is chosen for its hardiness because it has to endure long journeys and handling before it reaches the store, where it may sit on display for days.

2. Nutritious and delicious

Homegrown fruits and vegetables are also more nutritious than their store-bought counterparts. That’s because crops begin to deteriorate as soon as they’re picked. The farther it needs to travel, the more nutritional content is lost.

3. Boosted taste and flavor

If you did a side-by-side taste test of a

homegrown tomato compared to a storebought one, chances are you’ll notice the one from your backyard tastes better and is more flavorful. You’ll enjoy a bolder flavor when fruit and vegetables are allowed to fully ripen on the vine.

4. A feast that won’t empty your wallet

By growing your own, you’ll save quite a bit of money. While there are initial expenses when setting up your garden for the first time, once you set up a garden, you’ll have the necessary tools to nurture it season after season, creating a self-sustaining food cycle.

5. Connect with nature and reap the rewards

Gardening is a fantastic stress reliever that allows you to connect with nature and discover the joy of maintaining your own little patch of Eden. You can escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, get your hands dirty and watch your plants grow into robust crops. Take in the soothing sights, sounds and scents of your home garden and reap the benefits to your well-being.

Planting and nurturing a garden is easier than you think and offers so many benefits to your palate, wallet and well-being. So grab your gardening gloves and spade and start your journey to a rewarding and nurturing harvest.

The Bug Guy

Ah, October in the West Valley! The weather is finally cooling down, pumpkin-spiced everything is in full swing, and oh yes, the pests are on the prowl. It seems like just when you’ve put away your shorts and brought out your cozy sweaters, the unwanted invaders decide it’s time to move in and crash on your couch. But fear not, for we have some hilarious tales and tips on how you can battle these unexpected house guests.

First up, we have the notorious spider invasion. Picture this: you’re sitting down to enjoy your favorite scary movie when suddenly, a spider rappels down from the ceiling and lands right on your popcorn. Talk about a jump scare! Make sure to keep your broom handy to send these uninvited guests back to where they belong –outside. And don’t forget the vacuum cleaner for those who decide to take up residence in your cozy corners.

Next on our list are the earwigs – those little critters that crawl out of the woodwork, literally. As soon as the temperature takes a dip, they slither their way inside and make themselves

comfortable. It’s like they have a radar for the coziest spots in the house. Remember that time you reached into your slipper to find a creepycrawly surprise? Yeah, that was them. Prevent these uninvited guests by sealing any cracks and crevices around your house. You don’t want them hiding in your underwear drawer!

Last but certainly not least, we have the surprising invasion of rats and mice. As if you needed any extra Halloween scares, these furry little devils decide it’s time to cozy up for the winter, right under your roof. Be prepared for unexplained rustling noises in the walls and the occasional nibble on your favorite sweater. Sealing any entry points and setting up traps should do the trick.

So there you have it, folks – the not-so-spooky tales of pest control in the West Valley in October. Remember, laughter is your best weapon against these unwanted house guests. Stay on top of your pest control game, and maybe, just maybe, you can turn these misadventures into hilarious stories to share at your next Halloween party. Happy pest hunting!

Submitted by Larry Cash, of Estrella Mountain Pest Control

Yum Yum

There’s no better way to welcome the crisp air and colorful leaves of fall than with a comforting bowl of homemade butternut squash soup. Earthy sage and rich browned butter infuse freshly harvested butternut squash in this easyto-make dish, creating a symphony of fall flavors.

Start by melting 2 tablespoons of butter with 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add onion and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 8 minutes to soften, but not brown. Stir in apples and butternut squash and cook until they begin to soften, about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to cook evenly.

Once the apples and butternut squash have softened, pour in chicken stock, bring to a boil, and reduce to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper; cover and cook for about 45 minutes, or until the squash is very tender. Use an immersion blender or pour the soup into a blender, working in batches if necessary, and blend until smooth. Return to the pot and stir in heavy cream.

While keeping your blended mixture warm, melt a stick of butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add sage leaves and pan fry for about 30 seconds or until crispy. Drain the sage leaves on a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt. Continue to cook the butter until browned and nutty, stirring to avoid burning. Transfer to a bowl after 1 to 2 minutes of cooking.

Once your soup is ready to serve, drizzle with browned butter and sprinkle with optional salted seeds and a few fried sage leaves and enjoy!

Money Matters

We all make mistakes in many areas of life. These mistakes are usually fairly harmless — we took a wrong turn while driving, used the wrong ingredients in a recipe and so on. But sometimes, our mistakes can be costly — especially those connected to investing.

Here are some of the most common investment mistakes:

• Too much buying and selling – Frequent trading can work against you in a couple of ways. First, it can be expensive — you could rack up taxes, fees and commissions. More important, though, excessive purchases and sales can make it difficult to follow a cohesive investment strategy. Such a strategy requires, among other things, careful construction and management of an investment portfolio that’s appropriate for your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.

• Failing to diversify – If you only owned one type of asset, such as growth-oriented stocks, your portfolio could take a hit when the financial markets go through a downturn. Not all investments will respond the same way to the same forces — for example, stocks and bonds can move in different directions at any given time. And that’s why it’s usually a good idea to own a mix of investments.

• Trying to “time” the market – “Buy low and sell high” might be the original piece of investment advice, but it’s pretty hard to follow — because

no one can really predict when an investment will reach “low” or “high” points. Trying to “time” the market in this way can lead to bad decisions, such as selling investments whose price has dropped, even if these same investments still have good business fundamentals and strong prospects.

• Not understanding what you’re investing in For example, some companies, by the very nature of their business and the type of industry they’re in, may consistently pay dividends to their investors even though their stock prices may only show relatively modest price gains over time. If you bought shares of this stock, thinking it had the potential to achieve quite substantial appreciation, you might end up disappointed.

Investing will always have its challenges — but you can help make it easier on yourself by staying away from as many mistakes as possible.

Submitted by Wayne Polk, AAMS, Financial Advisor, of Edward Jones

Aging Parents

If you have kids in school plus parents who need more help as they’re aging, you may be part of the population called the “sandwich generation.” Basically, your days are overflowing with tasks like making lunches, chauffeuring kids to activities and homework help - while also taking care of parents or other elderly relatives. While it can be rewarding to know you’re making a difference in the lives of those you love, it can also be a lot to manage.

Here are practical tips to help you support your parents.

• Stay connected with their healthcare providers

Whether your loved one has few medical needs or many, it’s vital to understand their health conditions and to ensure that you’re alerted whenever anything changes.

Take these important steps to get organized:

* Ask your parents to designate you as an approved contact with their healthcare providers.

* Help your parents complete a healthcare directive. This designates who would make

decisions about their health if they were unable to do so.

* List your parents’ prescription medications and confirm that they understand their medications and dosages.

* Set up a calendar for you and your parents to track appointments easily.

• Assess their living situation

If your parents still live in their home, look for tripping hazards and signs your parents have trouble caring for themselves, such as the house being less tidy or their appearance seeming unkempt. If you recognize issues around the house like a messy kitchen or dirty laundry piling up, you don’t have to do everything yourself. It’s important to know there is help, such as home aides for cleaning, cooking and personal care.

• Help your parents understand the ABCs of Medicare

Because Medicare can be confusing, it’s important to help them get coverage that suits their needs and budget. The plan that’s best for your parents may depend on how often they see doctors, how many prescriptions they have - and their budget. It can be helpful to talk to a knowledgeable Medicare agent to explore your parents’ Medicare options and to compare plans.

Samurai Sudoku

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. Good Luck!

Solutions are on our website www.EstrellaPublishing.com