Estrella Publishing - It’s A Grand Life magazine
December 2018
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December 2018
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December 2018
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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 623.594.9283 info@EstrellaPublishing.com Al Uretsky, Publisher and Sales Executive 623.594.9283 info@EstrellaPublishing.com All contents Š 2010-present day Estrella Publishing LLC. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in any form, in whole or part, without written permission from Estrella Publishing LLC is prohibited. Estrella Publishing accepts freelance contributions, there is no guarantee that materials will be used or returned. Some content is provided by Brandpointe and Family Features. Estrella Publishing is not responsible for the views of contributing writers and assumes no responsibility for errors appearing within. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Publisher or Advertisers. Estrella Publishing reserves the right to restrict all advertisement to their proper classification and to edit or reject any copy at its sole discretion. Neither this publication nor Estrella Publishing is an agent of or in any way affiliated with the associated Developer nor Homeowners Association, or any of their respective affiliates. This publication has not been approved by, sponsored by, or endorsed by the associated Developer nor Homeowners Association in any way.
Catherine Uretsky Publisher & Editor
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Al Uretsky Publisher & Sales Exec
December 2018
From Me To You... All my childhood I had long hair. Very long hair. I would sit on the ends by mistake sometimes and jerk my head backwards. Not fun. To this day I don’t know why I kept it like that. It was not required in my family and it certainly made my life more complicated. Perhaps it was because I did so much ballet, I had to tie it up anyway, might as well have a big bun as a little one. Anyway there was a day in my late teens when I decided enough was enough and I went to get it cut. All of it. Buzzed up the back and short on top.
away from the Joneses whom I would never be able to keep up with. My children were not enrolled in Mandarin at age 3, I would rather they played with their toys and friends - well the ones who were not taking so many classes that they had time to play. We also hoped that by taking them away from many temptations and the easy access to those temptations, that we could protect them from themselves when those teenage years struck. And to a certain extent we did. I am sure they could get illegal substances if they tried but to my knowledge they did not.
One of my children certainly followed in my footsteps, travelling to the northern border of After that came about 5 years of dramatic hair India to help displaced children. The fact that styles. Whether it was buzzed on one side and she was based only 150 miles from the border of chin length on the other, or varying shades of Afghanistan made those 3 weeks the longest of blue and purple - I made a statement with my my life. It did give me a new found understanding head. That was also the time when I became of what I put my parents through, and a strong somewhat reckless in life too, living in places that belief in karma. I can’t wait until my children’s as a parent I shudder at ( I am talking war zones), children pass that blessing along to them. and taking risks just to push the boundaries. To see how far I could go and survive.
Catherine Uretsky
This is not an uncommon thing in a teenager, taking risks, testing ourselves and our place in the world. I admittedly went to some extremes and as an adult I am amazed that I am still here. But I think we all went through some measure of this in our lives.
Editor, It’s A Grand Life Magazine info@estrellapublishing.com 623.594.9283
The Amish have a well documented time called Rumspringa when their teenagers are allowed to go out into the world and be as crazy as they like. Getting experience in all the worldly things that they turn away from in their home life. I used to think it was bizarre that a society so regimented would encourage a ‘get out of jail free’ experience, but I understand it better now. If the young adults can see what is out there it is no longer forbidden fruit, it is something they can knowledgably decide to leave behind. As parents my husband and I decided to move here partly to give our children more of a ‘normal’ childhood. One with less stress and expectation, Estrella Publishing - It’s A Grand Life magazine
December 2018
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Charity Scams Charitable giving is a significant part of many people’s lives and budgets, and individuals are often eager to give back and lend a helping hand to those in need. Unfortunately, not every organization seeking a donation is exactly what it claims to be. If you’re not careful, you could wind up losing your well-intentioned money to a scam. While scams and other ploys can arise at any time, they often increase while emotions are running high - like near the holidays or following a natural disaster - when people let their guard down and are eager to support those in need. Such scams may request donations from you over the phone, through the mail, via email or even on social media. They might include charity names that are very similar to legitimate charities, or even mention recent genuine emergency relief efforts. Some of them are very convincing, but you can protect yourself with these fraud awareness tips from Western Union. Be wary of any sense of urgency to donate. Scammers will try to work quickly, urging you to donate before you find any holes in their story.
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“If you get a phone call where someone is wanting a donation, don’t act right away. Do your research and donate to a recognized charity,” advised Western Union Senior Manager of Anti-Fraud Operations John Skoglund. Remember, authentic charities won’t push you for an immediate response, and will be happy to accept a donation at any time. Some donation requests may come through emails that house fraudulent links taking you to look-a-like websites. These websites have phony donation pages where fraudsters can capture your personal and financial information. Instead of clicking on links in a donation request email, open a new browser window to navigate to the charity’s official website and donate there. Don’t ignore your own concerns regarding a charity’s legitimacy and never assume you’re “just being paranoid.” If you notice any red flags or feel uncertain about the situation, don’t donate. You may just be right after all.
To learn more about scams and how to protect yourself, visit the Western Union Consumer Protection Center at www.westernunion.com/fraudawareness.
December 2018
Peace On Earth Keeping the Peace
Thanksgiving has passed, and the next holidays are upon us. Often these celebrations include gatherings of family and friends. They should be wonderful. We look forward to these festive events, right? Sadly, many find themselves dreading the celebrations. Too often there is discord. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. “As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18) We can contribute greatly to the peace of our gatherings. Here’s my key message, it is not necessary for us to impose our behavior code or opinions on others. Families and friends are diverse. We are of mixed cultures, mixed faith backgrounds, mixed political views, and mixed generations. Everyone of these has codes of behaviors and stances – and they all differ. This is where conflict arises.
present, and pray, and pray more, for our own heart and the hearts of the others.
What about the one who drinks too much and acts poorly, or the one who insists on pushing their agenda – political, doctrine, or the new cure they want the whole family to jump on? We can’t control the behavior of everyone else, but we can take charge of our own and how we respond. May God bless your gatherings! Practicing our faith helps us be better peacemakers. May God’s peace flow through you. Submitted by Valerie Fairchild, pastor of Spirit Song church meeting in Vistancia
It is important for us to look past the differences and find what we appreciate. Choose to keep the peace. My husband was taught to remove his hat indoors. Our son-in-law doesn’t. This is a generational difference and it’s ok. A hat is not a critical matter! He loves our daughter and he is a great dad. We are grateful! Every generation has heard from the prior generation that children are not being raised ‘right.’ None of our parents, regardless of your age, felt we raised our children as they did. And we didn’t. We do not need to impose our behavior code. My husband and I decided to observe how our children parented their kiddos and try to ‘blend in’ with their approaches. This differs from our son’s home to our daughter’s home. It’s ok. As a pastor, I hear about family challenges. Too often I hear that someone felt it necessary to tell someone else what they were doing wrong. The other walked away. They find themselves estranged and the ‘corrected’ one avoids contact. Was the conversation necessary? Let’s take time to consider our attitudes about those who will be Estrella Publishing - It’s A Grand Life magazine
December 2018
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December 2018
It’s Puzzling
Wrestling yourself away from screens, devices, even the television can be a nearly impossible task, but it’s vital to our mental and even physical health. A jigsaw puzzle requires your full attention and therein lies the magic. Here are some benefits of puzzling that might surprise you. Jigsaw puzzles exercise the left and right sides of your brain at once. Your left brain is logical and works in a linear fashion, while your right brain is creative and intuitive. When you’re doing a jigsaw puzzle, both sides are engaged. Think of it as a mental workout that improves your problem-solving skills and attention span. Jigsaw puzzles improve your short-term memory. Can’t remember what you had for lunch yesterday? Doing a puzzle reinforces connections between brain cells, improves mental speed and is an especially effective way to improve short-
term memory. Jigsaw puzzles improve your visual-spatial reasoning. When you do a jigsaw puzzle, you need to look at individual pieces and figure out where they’ll fit into the big picture. If you do it regularly, you’ll improve visual-spatial reasoning, which helps with driving a car, packing, using a map, and a whole host of other things. Jigsaw puzzles are a great meditation tool and stress reliever. Focusing on one image for a long period of time, without extraneous thoughts entering your mind, is in itself meditation. By doing a jigsaw puzzle, you’re getting the same benefits as if you meditated. The stress of everyday life evaporates and is replaced by a sense of peace and tranquility that lowers your blood pressure and heart rate. You’ll live longer, better if you puzzle regularly. Studies show that people who do jigsaw and crossword puzzles have longer life spans with less chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss or dementia. Puzzling stimulates the brain and actually wards off the plaque that is the marker of Alzheimer’s, according to a recent study. The study compared brain scans of 75-year-olds to 25-year-olds. The elderly people who did puzzles regularly had brain scans comparable to the 25-year-olds. Doing jigsaw puzzles is good for your mind, body and spirit. So, on your next lazy Sunday, unplug, and get swept away by a puzzle.
Estrella Publishing - It’s A Grand Life magazine
December 2018
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Cold Defense If you’re hearing the people around you start to sniffle and hack, you may feel a sense of impending doom about your chances of avoiding a cough or cold. Unfortunately, since the average American contracts two to three colds every year, according to the CDC, you may be right.
sprays so you can clean up any areas that may have been exposed to germs, like common areas in the workplace. Be sure to also wash your hands several times a day and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your fingers. * Fuel your body. This will boost the immune system’s ability to fight off germs. Eating quality foods helps the body thrive and assists in removing toxins and chemicals that can be harmful to the body, so a healthy diet will help your body feel its best. * Relax and recharge. One of the best things you can do to help your body get back to health is to relax. Staying home to rest will not only give your body the care it needs, but will help you avoid spreading germs to friends and co-workers. Take a steamy shower, turn on a humidifier filled with water and a little eucalyptus oil, drink herbal tea with honey and lay low until you’re feeling your best.
But if you do come under the weather, there’s no reason to suffer needlessly. When it comes to anticipating cough and cold season, consider the following care tips from author and health and wellness expert Cassie Sobelton.
Entirely avoiding colds or coughs during the cold months of winter may be nearly impossible, but such illnesses can be easier to tolerate if you take steps to reduce their severity and stock up on comforting supplies.
* Stock up. When you’re sick, the last thing you want to do is shop for supplies you need for relief. From tea and honey for soothing comfort to tissues and sanitizers for clearing away germs, having it on-hand now will give you the first sense of relief when sickness strikes. * Clean out the cabinet. Always check your medicine cabinet for expired products and purchase new products at the beginning of the season. * Fight germs. Make a habit of carrying disinfectant wipes or 10 Estrella Publishing - It’s A Grand Life magazine
December 2018
Holiday Travel Follow these tips to save time, money and your sanity this holiday season.
1. Avoid busy travel days If you’re willing to be flexible, there are a few ways to avoid the madness of popular holiday travel days. If your plans permit, take a red-eye, which is the last flight out each night. Red-eye flights are typically cheaper and less crowded. Traveling on the actual day of the holiday can also help you avoid airport congestion. 2. Clear your browser history, cookies and cache before searching flights Are you waiting for flight prices to drop and they just won’t budge? Make sure to clear your browser history, cookies and cache before searching. Airlines and travel websites can track how many times you’ve visited their website and change their prices accordingly. Make sure you’re starting fresh every time you browse to get the best prices. 3. Join loyalty and rewards programs to save money
Estrella Publishing - It’s A Grand Life magazine
There are so many loyalty and rewards programs to help save you money while traveling. Most airlines have a free rewards program where you can earn miles toward free flights. For example, with Delta SkyMiles, every trip can earn you more miles toward travel on any Delta Air Lines flight. And SkyMiles members can link their SkyMiles and Lyft accounts via delta.com/lyft to earn even more miles with the Delta SkyMiles program. You can earn one mile per every dollar spent on Lyft rides. 4. Travel light If you plan on giving out holiday gifts at your destination, it’s best to mail them before you fly. Not only will that save you packing room, but airport security can open gifts in checked and carry-on luggage, ruining your hard work. If you must bring gifts with you, pack the wrapping paper and presents separately to avoid security snafus. 5. Check in online If you don’t have luggage to check, save a step at the airport by checking in online before you arrive. You’ll skip the check-in line and spend less time waiting at the airport.
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Cataract Surgery
Betty White, 65, is no stranger to poor vision. She has worn glasses for much of her life. But recently, her glasses weren’t helping.
“My vision began to limit everything I did,” said White (no relation to the actress). She knew she needed to see an ophthalmologist to find out what was wrong. But she didn’t have the money to pay for an exam. She found EyeCare America, a national public service program that provides access to medical eye exams for underserved older Americans. After completing an online questionnaire, she was matched with an ophthalmologist near her hometown of Beggs, Oklahoma. Dr. Ryan P. Conley diagnosed White with cataracts. Being diagnosed with cataracts does not always mean that surgery is immediately required. In the early stages, cataracts may not change vision significantly and minor changes may be improved with prescription glasses. But they may cause vision loss that can interfere with daily life, just like White experienced.
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Nearly 25.7 million Americans over age 40 have cataracts and the number is projected to increase to 45.6 million by 2050. While the only way to remove cataracts is with surgery, the right time to have surgery depends on the individual. Although the prospect of cataract surgery can be intimidating, multiple studies have shown that it can improve quality of life, reduce the risk of falling and the risk of car crashes. Getting a medical eye exam can be costly, which is why the American Academy of Ophthalmology launched EyeCare America. More than 5,000 volunteer ophthalmologists fuel this program, which provides a comprehensive eye exam and care for up to one year to eligible patients. The program serves U.S. citizens or legal residents who do not belong to an HMO. Seniors are eligible if they: * Are age 65 or older * Have not seen an ophthalmologist in three or more years For more information, visit aao.org/ eyecareamerica.
December 2018
Fracture Prevention
Loss of balance, dehydration, attention deficits and loss of cognition are symptoms of hyponatremia, a condition characterized by low salt levels in the blood. The symptoms can occur with just slight hyponatremia and can have particularly harmful effects for the elderly as the condition is difficult to diagnose. A study presented at an American Society of Nephrology meeting suggests that low-salt diets may be a contributing factor. Falls are one of the most serious problems for the elderly and about a third of people over 65 fall at least once every year. Fall-related injuries in the elderly are associated with numerous psychological and physical consequences and are a leading cause of bone breakage and hip fractures, which can lead to complications and permanent disability or death. Seniors in assisted living centers are routinely placed on low-salt diets, often without an individual assessment, according to a report published by the Pioneer Network titled “New Dining Practice Standards.” They concluded
Estrella Publishing - It’s A Grand Life magazine
that low-salt diets were contributing to malnutrition and weight loss among a significant percentage of seniors in assisted living facilities. According to Dr. Ewout J. Hoorn, PhD, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, “Although the complications of hyponatremia are well-recognized in hospitalized patients, this is one of the first studies to show that mild hyponatremia also has important complications in the general population.” He added, “Screening for a low sodium concentration in the blood, and treating it when present, may be a new strategy to prevent fractures.” Americans are now living longer than ever before. In fact, one of the fastest-growing segments is people over the age of 85 who will represent 20 percent of the population by the year 2040. These elderly Americans deserve to be able to enjoy a high quality of life, and while some seniors do need a low-salt diet, many others may not. Without an individual medical assessment, it should not be assumed that all seniors will benefit from this intervention.
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Yum Yum
Creating a cheeseboard like the ones you see in food magazines might seem intimidating, but it’s actually surprisingly simple. Just follow these five steps to a delicious holiday cheeseboard that’s guaranteed to get rave reviews. 1. Select a serving tray: A wood cutting board is timeless, but feel free to get creative with your serving vessel. You can choose your grandmother’s crystal platter, that festive holiday tray or repurpose a favorite cake plate. The only rule is the tray must be large enough to hold all your cheese plus accompaniments without being overcrowded. 2. Choose cheese wisely: Select three to five varieties of cheese for your board. This provides nice variation without overwhelming guests with too many options. When in doubt, remember this rhyme when shopping: Something old, something new, something stinky and something blue. 3. Get the right amounts: You want enough cheese to satisfy everyone but you don’t wants loads of leftovers. Typically 4-6 ounces of cheese per person is a good estimate, but increase or decrease that amount based on time of day and other foods being served. 4. Add accompaniments and garnishes: For a well-rounded cheeseboard, extras are essential.
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Crackers, crostini and bread as well as nuts, dried fruit, olives and meats can be customized to your tastes. For a festive take on your cheeseboard, add quintessential holiday-themed foods such as cranberry jam, roasted chestnuts, fresh figs and even pumpkin butter. For pops of color, add in fresh berries and sprigs of rosemary. 5. Consider proper preparation: One of the best parts of a cheeseboard is it can be prepared ahead of time. This means less work and more time to spend with loved ones during holiday events. To get started, organize your cheeseboard in an eye-appealing manner with cheeses from mildest to strongest flavor as that’s the best way to sample them. Then add extras to fill in the spaces on the board, placing garnishes like jams and honey in the middle. Whether you’re hosting a casual neighborhood gathering, a festive celebration with family or a formal get-together with business partners, a delectable cheeseboard is ideal for guests to nosh on.
December 2018
Puzzles & Games
3 Sudokus for December - Breezy, Medium & Expert
Numbers from 1-9 must appear only once in each row, column and box. Good Luck! Solutions are on our website www.EstrellaPublishing.com
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December 2018
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December 2018
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December 2018
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