3 Tips To Prevent A Lawsuit Impacting Your Productive Time

 

Photo by Sora Shimazaki: https://www.pexels.com/photo/crop-asian-judge-working-on-laptop-in-office-5668772/

It’s not easy to be in the midst of a lawsuit, especially if there’s a fair amount riding on the outcome. No matter what it’s in, be that a personal injury claim against a prior employer, a divorce settlement you’re trying to come to, or a road accident claim you’re trying to handle, you can’t make your entire life about a singular disagreement. You have to live between the court dates and meetings with your attorney.

That’s not easy to do, however. It’s hard to be proactive when something like this is weighing you down or occupying much of your mental energy on a daily basis. Perhaps you’re not the kind of person who can easily brush off issues like this, and perhaps that is a strength, that you still care and want to do your best.

Well, don’t worry because (as is the theme of this blog), there’s always balance to be found, even in formalized disputes. With that in mind, let’s consider three tips to prevent a lawsuit from impacting your productive time:

Set Up Appropriate Meeting Points With Your Attorney

You'll find it helpful to ensure continual check-ins with your lawyer so you're not constantly wondering what's happening with your case or feeling like you need to call them every few days, and it works well to batch your questions and concerns between meetings so you can cover everything at once. This approach keeps you informed but you get to avoid turning every day into a legal strategy session.

Law firms like McCoy & Hiestand, PLC often work with clients to find a communication balance that keeps everyone on the same page but while keeping you updated when it’s most important to, this gives you time to focus better on other things when you know there's a specific time set aside to deal with lawsuit business.

Be Mindful Of Your Schedule

It helps if you can protect certain parts of your day or week from your lawsuit if that’s possible. Maybe mornings are when you handle work projects and legal planning gets pushed to afternoons, or perhaps you decide on one day a week for legal meetings and document review while keeping the other days clear for normal life activities. This will depend on the suit, but it can help.

You may also want to avoid scheduling important personal or work commitments right after legal meetings, since those conversations can leave you feeling drained or preoccupied. Give yourself some transition time to shift gears, so to speak.

Focus On The Joy In Your Life

It’s true that making time for activities that genuinely make you happy becomes more important when you're dealing with legal stress. Of course, spending time with family, hobbies, exercising, or just watching movies that make you laugh can help you realize life doesn’t stop because of a legal dispute.

You'll also find that staying connected to the parts of your life that bring satisfaction helps you maintain perspective about the lawsuit, which is very much necessary, but harder to achieve once you’re in it.

With this advice, we believe you’ll be better able to prevent a lawsuit impacting your productivity.

How to Deal Better with Bad Health Habits

 

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Whether it is not getting any exercise, eating too much unhealthy food or smoking, there are all sorts of habits out there which can be detrimental to your physical and mental wellbeing. Breaking a bad habit is not easy, but it can be done - you just need to know the best way to go about it. The cause of bad habits can generally be boiled down to a couple of main triggers. The first is stress. For example, you may well use drinking a couple of glasses of wine after a long day as a coping mechanism. Another one is boredom. You may well be looking for an escape from your regular life. Of course, these are only the surface problems, and there may well be some issues which go deeper that you need to address. Here are a few steps to help you deal better and even break your bad habits.

Choose a Substitute

Going cold turkey is rarely something that works, and most people need to choose some sort of substitute to replace their bad habit. If it is unhealthy snacking, you could look to snack at the same time but with healthier options. You need to have a clear plan of action for what you are going to do when the cravings start kicking in.

Cut Out the Common Triggers

The last thing that you want to do is put yourself in the way of temptation. For example, if you have an issue with drinking too much alcohol, you could avoid going to social events where you know it will be served or suggest an alternative activity. If you eat cookies or chocolate the moment you step through the front door, you should make sure that none of these substances are readily available. If your environment makes it easier to continue with bad habits, it is time to change that environment.

Join Forces with a Friend

The old saying: there’s strength in numbers is certainly the case when you are trying to beat a bad habit. When you are trying to do things all by yourself, you don’t have anyone else to hold you accountable. Ideally, you will know someone who is trying to deal with the same bad habit as yourself. This way, you can pick each other up when you are struggling and encourage the other one not to give up. Alternatively, you could always look to get the help and support of an interventionist. Having the expectations of someone else on your back can be a strong motivating factor. 

Visualise Yourself Succeeding

If you have never tried visualisation before, it can be a very powerful technique which you may well find to be beneficial. Basically, you need to envisage yourself kicking your bad habit for good and the benefits it will bring you in the future. Perhaps you want to live a less sedentary lifestyle and you eventually see yourself completing a marathon. It could be that you want to break your addiction to technology and you imagine all the things that you could do with all the time that you now have on your hands.

Remember You Don’t Need to Become a New Person

Just because you are wanting to break your bad habits, it doesn’t mean that you have to become an entirely new person. In the past, you have already been someone who doesn’t have your bad habits - you just need to return to being this person once again. Tell yourself that you have lived comfortably without this habit being in your life before and you can do it again.

Don’t Get Overcome by Negativity

When you are trying to battle bad habits, it is easy to become overly negative if you happen to slip up along the way. Being too hard on yourself is unlikely to be a technique which helps you to succeed in the long term. Pick yourself up off the ground and tell yourself that you have had a bump along the way, but that doesn’t mean that you are going to give up. You can always bounce back, and the quicker you do this, the better.

So, hopefully, the advice in this article makes you feel like you are ready to deal with bad health habits a little bit better. Ultimately, it is all about assessing the problem that you have and breaking it down into stages. Keep determined and strong along the way no matter what happens.

Pumpkin Streusel Cookies

 Pumpkin Streusel Cookies: A Cozy Fall Delight

When fall arrives, it brings with it the irresistible flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon, and warm spices. If you love pumpkin treats but want something a little different, pumpkin streusel cookies are the perfect solution. These cake-like cookies have a soft, tender crumb and are topped with a buttery streusel that adds a delicious crunch—making them a must-have for the season.

The Comfort of Pumpkin Treats

Pumpkin is the star of autumn baking, providing a naturally sweet and earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Not only does pumpkin add great taste, but it also brings moisture to baked goods, ensuring a soft and tender texture in every bite.

The Magic of Streusel Topping

The addition of a streusel topping takes these cookies to the next level. A simple mix of butter, sugar, and flour creates a crumbly, slightly crisp layer that contrasts beautifully with the soft, cake-like base. The result? A delightful combination of textures that makes these cookies extra special.

Let's get to the recipe!

Ingredients

Glaze

1 c brown sugar

2-4 tbsp milk

1 tsp vanilla

Topping:

6 tbsp melted butter

¾ c brown sugar sugar

¾ c flour

2 ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice

Cookies

1 ¾ c flour

1 c sugar

6 tbsp softened butter

1 egg

½ c pumpkin puree

1-2 tbsp pumpkin pie spice

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp baking powder

A pinch of salt

Make the topping by combining all of the ingredients and mixing together.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper

In a stand mixer, add the butter, sugar and pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and powder. 

Blend on low/medium  until combined. The mixture should look crumbly.

Add the egg and mix until smooth.

Before adding the pumpkin to the mix, you should pat it dry on a paper towel. Pumpkin puree holds a lot of liquid; skipping this step will lead to a runny dough. Simply place the puree on a paper towel and fold it over the top. Let it rest for a few moments, and scrape the puree off of the paper towel into the mixing bowl.

Blend the pumpkin into the batter by mixing on medium for 1 minute.

Add the flour and pinch of salt.

If you are a serious pumpkin spice fan, like I am, you might want to add a little more pumpkin pie spice to the batter at this time. 

Mix until well blended.

Place the dough in the fridge to allow it to rest for  10 minutes.

Scoop the dough with a cookie scoop or ice cream scoop if you want huge cookies.

Place the cookies on a cookie sheet 3” apart.

After placing the cookies on a baking sheet, use a spoon to make a little indentation on the top, then sprinkle the topping directly in that place.

Bake for 12-14 minutes for a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop or 18-22 for an ice cream scoop sized cookie.

Allow to cool for 30 minutes.

Mix the glaze by adding 2 tablespoons of milk, vanilla and brown sugar to a bowl and whisking it until it is smooth. If the glaze feels too thick to drizzle you can add the additional milk, a splash at a time until you achieve the desired consistency.

Perfect for Any Occasion

Pumpkin streusel cookies are great for sharing at fall gatherings, holiday parties, or simply enjoying with a cup of coffee on a chilly morning. They bring the cozy flavors of autumn to any occasion and are sure to become a favorite among family and friends.

So, if you're looking for a seasonal treat that’s as easy to make as it is delicious, these pumpkin streusel cookies are the way to go. Bake up a batch and savor the flavors of fall with every bite!

Find more favorite fall recipes here:

Rustic Recipes for Fall

Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Shrimp

Tasty Homemade Donuts

Hocus Pocus Snack Ideas

Foolproof Biscuits

Rediscovering Simple Pleasures in the Kitchen

 In a world that often rushes us from one task to the next, there’s something incredibly grounding about slowing down and returning to the kitchen—not for gourmet meals or trendy recipes, but for the simple, familiar foods that feel like home.

Tomato soup and grilled cheese. Creamy mac and cheese. Scrambled eggs with toast. Hearty casseroles that fill the whole house with the smell of comfort. These aren’t just meals—they’re memories, lifelines, and little moments of peace in the chaos.

Maybe you grew up with your mom stirring a pot of tomato soup while the grilled cheese sizzled in butter on the stove. Or maybe your “after a long day” comfort meal is a big bowl of mac and cheese shared around the table with your kids. These dishes remind us that food doesn’t have to be fancy to be good—it just has to be made with heart.

If you’ve found yourself longing for that cozy, soul-satisfying kind of cooking again, here are some simple ways to bring those classics back to life—and make them even better:

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🍅 Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese

• Upgrade your soup by sautéing garlic and onion before adding canned tomatoes. Stir in a splash of cream or coconut milk for richness.

• Boost the flavor with a pinch of smoked paprika or a handful of fresh basil.

• Level up your grilled cheese by using sourdough or rustic bread and mixing cheeses—try sharp cheddar, mozzarella, or gouda. Butter the outside and add a little mayo for the perfect crispy golden crust.

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🧀 Mac and Cheese

• Start with a roux (butter + flour) and build a creamy cheese sauce using whole milk and a mix of cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or gruyere.

• Add-ins like sautéed onions, garlic, or even a spoonful of Dijon mustard bring out depth.

• Toss in extras like broccoli, bacon, or peas to stretch it into a full meal.

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🍳 Scrambled Eggs

• Low and slow is the secret to soft, creamy scrambled eggs. Cook over low heat and stir constantly.

• Add a splash of milk or cream for richness, or a tiny pat of cream cheese while cooking for extra silkiness.

• Sprinkle in chopped herbs, cheese, or leftover veggies for variety.

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🥘 Hearty Casseroles

• Use what you have—pasta, rice, leftover chicken or veggies can become the foundation of something delicious.

• Layer flavor with sautéed aromatics like onion and garlic.

• Top it well: breadcrumbs mixed with butter, crushed crackers, or even fried onions add a perfect crunchy finish.

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These aren’t complicated meals—but they feed more than just your stomach. They feed your spirit. They bring comfort, nostalgia, and joy. So go ahead—pull out your favorite pot, toast the bread, stir the cheese, and remember that the simple things really are the best things.

Because sometimes, the most ordinary meals become the most extraordinary memories.

Find more favorite recipes here:

Hearty Family Breakfast Recipes

Chicken Bacon Gruyere Turnovers

Why You Might Not Be Able To Get Pregnant

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Not being able to get pregnant when you want a child can be a distressing experience. You’d love to be able to start a family, but for some reason, you can’t. 

That’s where this post comes into the picture. It looks at some of the challenges that you might be facing and what could be causing them. 

Ovulation Issues

One of the main reasons you might not be able to get pregnant is ovulation issues. You may have medical conditions that interrupt this process and prevent it from proceeding how you’d like. 

PCOS is the most common of these, but there are many others. Sometimes, you’ll need to go to your gynaecologist to treat the root cause so that you can figure out whether fertility is an option for you in the future. 

Endometriosis

Another issue related to the last one is endometriosis, where your fallopian tubes are actually blocked or damaged. This problem prevents the sperm from reaching the egg, preventing fertilisation from occurring. 

Sometimes, the symptoms of infertility are obvious in this case, but other times, they can be challenging to determine. As such, it’s critical to go through all the regular scans and get a proper diagnosis so you know what’s wrong. 

Uterine Issues

Another reason why you might not be fertile is uterine problems. Things like polyps and fibroids can prevent pregnancies by preventing implanting into the womb wall. 

Uterine issues can also cause additional symptoms, like pain in the lower abdomen and occasionally bleeding. Sometimes, you can get fibroids removed, but sometimes it isn’t possible because they are so extensive. 

Male Infertility

Of course, the problem might not have anything to do with you at all. It may be because your partner is infertile. 

Therefore, if you’re struggling with fertility, it is always worth bringing your partner with you to the clinic. Doctors can then examine you both and provide answers for why you might not be falling pregnant. Sometimes, both partners have issues, but cases like these are rare. Usually the problem is with one or another. 

Age-Related Factors

Of course, your age could come into play, even if you are in your early thirties. Fertility begins to decline quickly with age, and accelerates as the thirties ends. 

Moreover, this decline can occur for both men and women. For women, it is sharpest after age 35 and for men, the decline really gets going at 40.

Lifestyle Factors

Lastly, you might want to take a look at your lifestyle factors to ask whether they could be playing a role in your infertility. Sometimes, they can make a big difference. 

For example, weight management becomes critical if you want to fall pregnant. The closer you are to your ideal weight, the more likely it is that you’ll conceive and give birth to a healthy child. 

You also want to be careful with smoking and alcohol. These can make it substantially more challenging to get pregnant, especially if you continue to use them for a long time.