
10 Health recommendations for the new year

Recipe |Cowboy Caviar; impress everyone with this quick appetizer for your next family gathering

- 1 can (15 ounces) sweet corn
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans
- 1 bunch cilantro
- 3 Roma tomatoes
- 2 jalapenos
- 1/2 red onion
- bell peppers (mix of green, red, orange and yellow, as desired)
- tortilla chips, for serving
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 lime, juice only
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
Step by step preparation: Drain and rinse corn and black beans; dry well. Finely chop and dice cilantro, tomatoes, jalapenos, onion and bell peppers. To make dressing: Combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, paprika and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Mix vegetables with dressing. Serve with tortilla chips.
Your guide to enjoying the pumpkin spice season


OSF Healthcare
- A 16-ounce apple crisp oat milk macchiato typically has four pumps of apple brown sugar syrup and a spiced apple drizzle topping. Ask the barista for two pumps and to skip the topping.
- A 16-ounce pumpkin spice latte also has flavor pumps (four pumps of pumpkin sauce) and a topping (whipped cream), plus whole milk. Reduce it to two pumps, skip the topping and go with almond milk for fewer calories.
UIUC studies link between toddler food access and development
Illinois News Connection
"The two-year-olds in this study are gaining mobility -- they're gaining autonomy -- to be able to walk around the house," Barton pointed out. "And then I think by age four, they are starting to be able to reach for things in the home, in the kitchen." The home food inventory further examined how the location of fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator, freezer and inside cabinets can hinder a toddler's access to them, how often foods in the household are consumed, and how parents' interaction with their children during a meal affects a child's food habits. Children often imitate their parents when it comes to food choices. A U.S. Department of Health report said it can take up to 10 attempts before children accept a new food. Barton noted her work followed the consumption of whole grains and refined grains. She concluded refined grains are eaten more often by children because parents tend to buy it more often. "They're just not purchasing them, to the degree that we would like to see people purchasing whole grains," Barton emphasized. "That's probably helping explain some of that phenomenon in terms of children having similar diets as their parents." The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 report showed unhealthy dietary patterns starting at age 2-18 may lead to obesity and a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease in later life. The publication also advised parents to reduce or eliminate cereals with added sugar, switch from fried to roasted vegetables and substitute high-sodium meats with ground lean meats.
Recipe |
Make your St. Patrick’s Day spread green with envy

Culinary.net - Freshen up your St. Patrick’s Day menu with easy, light sandwiches inspired by the traditional color of the festivities. These open-faced noshes can be perfect for lunch, snack time or even as an appetizer for get-togethers with friends and family. Layered with a smooth cream cheese and mozzarella mixture then topped with crisp cucumber and a stem of green bell pepper, these St. Patrick’s Day Sandwiches are easy and cute, which makes them a fan favorite at nearly any green gathering. They’re also sprinkled with lemon juice to add a little acidity and create a nice, light bite. Plus, this recipe is quick to make. When you’re in a rush to get everything on the table for the party, it’s easy to throw together and get on the platter in next to no time. The sandwiches pop off the plate with their bright, seasonal garnishes. While sure to attract attention and have your loved ones asking “Where did you get this idea?” they’re also an easy way to sneak a few vegetables into your kids’ diets. For more festive recipes and ideas at Culinary.net.
St. Patrick’s Day Sandwiches
Yield: 8 sandwiches 8 ounces plain cream cheese spread, softened
1 cup finely shredded mozzarella cheese
salt
4 English muffins
24 slices cucumber
8 thin slices green pepper
fresh cilantro leaves
lemon juice
lemon slices, for garnish (optional)
In bowl, mix cream cheese spread, mozzarella cheese and salt well. Split English muffins in half. Cut each muffin half into shamrock shape. Spread cheese mixture over each muffin half. Place three cucumbers on each “shamrock,” one on each “leaf.” Use green pepper slice as stem. Place cilantro leaf on top of each sandwich. Sprinkle sandwiches with lemon juice and add lemon slices, for garnish, if desired.
For a quickie dessert this week, make a batch of Whoopie Pies

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Make cooking dinner a family activity: A pair of recipes for you and the kids
Connect with your loved ones this fall while juggling hectic routines with this advice:
Schedule Family Nights
Desiring evenings spent with your nearest and dearest and actually making them happen are two separate things entirely. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season with days that feel too long and evenings that are often too short. Putting dedicated family nights on the calendar is a good way to avoid last-minute commitments that take away from important bonding time. Incorporate some favorite activities, whether your loved ones are board game enthusiasts or movie buffs, to give everyone something exciting to look forward to.
Make Cooking Together a Family Activity
Making dinner for the family shouldn’t take up valuable time that could be used for quality moments together. Seeking out quick and easy recipes leaves more hours in the day to spend with family members – or you can even make preparing dinner a family activity.
Teaching kids how to make your favorite recipes creates great memories and can maximize time spent together. From making kid-approved lunchbox sliders together to preparing time-saving, weeknight-friendly sliders as a family after school, King’s Hawaiian Rolls and Slider Buns have the power to help unite busy parents and picky kids. Plus, they’re soft and fluffy with the right touch of sweetness, and sliders are customizable, easy, fun and always a crowd pleaser. These Ham and Swiss Sliders or Peanut Butter, Jelly and Banana Sliders offer ways kids can help, from layering meats and cheeses to spreading peanut butter. Everyone can lend a hand in the kitchen while enjoying quality time together.
Encourage Extracurricular Participation
Beyond those special moments at home, there are plenty of ways to connect with your kiddos. Encouraging them to participate in extracurriculars, like sports, band, theater, dance, choir or other activities, provides a great way to enjoy something together as you watch your children branch out and try new things. If they happen to try an activity you used to (or still do) participate in, it’s an easy way to make a unique connection by sharing your own memories, offering helpful tips or even passing down old equipment like sports gear or an instrument.
Ham and Swiss Sliders
Total time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4-6
- 1 stick butter
- 1 package (12 rolls) King's Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
- 1 pound shaved deli ham
- 1 pound thinly sliced Swiss cheese
- Heat oven to 350 F. Melt butter and set aside.
- Cut entire pack of rolls in half horizontally, keeping all top and bottom halves intact.
- In 9-by-13-inch pan, place bottom halves of rolls and cover with ham and cheese.
- Cover ham and cheese stacks with top halves of rolls. Drizzle butter mixture over tops of rolls.
- Bake, uncovered, 15-20 minutes. Separate rolls for serving.
Peanut Butter, Jelly and Banana Sliders
Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4-6
- 1 package (12 rolls) King's Hawaiian Original Sweet Rolls
- 4 tablespoons salted peanut butter
- 4 tablespoons strawberry jam
- 2 bananas, sliced
- Cut entire pack of rolls in half horizontally, keeping all top and bottom halves intact.
- Spread peanut butter on bottom halves followed by strawberry jam. Top with banana slices then top halves of rolls.
Recipe | Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken

Photo provided
Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken
Recipe courtesy of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Prep time: 10 minutesCook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
To make sauce: Combine ketchup, soy sauce, honey, orange juice, garlic and ginger; mix well. Separate into two bowls and set aside. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Preheat oven to 350 F. Alternately thread three chicken cubes and three pineapple chunks on each skewer. Grill skewers 3-5 minutes on each side. Brush or spoon sauce from one bowl onto chicken and pineapple every other minute. Discard remaining sauce from first bowl. To prevent chicken from drying out, finish cooking to minimum internal temperature of 165 F in oven. Using clean brush or spoon, coat with sauce from remaining bowl before serving.
Wine pairing ideas for this summer's fun and friendship
If done correctly, a proper pairing can enhance the flavors of both the food and your chosen bottle of wine. The intensity of a specific food or wine depends on a lot of things such as sugar, acid, salt and spice. The food should not overpower the wine (and vice versa). By matching a light wine with light fare or a heavy dish with a heavier wine, the food and wine balance each other out and their intensities line up for a perfect pairing.
For example, if you have a dish that has a lot of citrus in it, it's great to pair with a Chardonnay, as it also has hints of citrus in it. The two enhance each other and balance out the flavors. A lighter white wine, such as a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, pairs well with summer vegetables, as it brings out the crisp, light flavor profiles. Red wines typically pair best with richer food such as steak and sweets, but there's no set rule. Many people pair a Merlot with seafood.
CK Mondavi and Family has made wine pairing easy for everyone, and this summer they invite you to play around with pairings. They've created a downloadable "Wine pairing made simple" guide on their website: https://www.ckmondavi.com/ckm-pairings. They also added flavor descriptors to each bottle of CK Mondavi and Family. With descriptors such as "Rich & Velvety" for Cabernet Sauvignon and "Bright & Fresh" for Chardonnay, anyone can quickly decide on a wine.
Riana Mondavi also recommends impromptu wine pairings with friends. "It's fun to get together with a group to see what everyone tastes or smells in the wine," she adds. "Everyone has a different opinion and it's fun to see what we all come up with."
So, this summer, have some fun pairing wines with your favorite foods. And while doing it, enter CK Mondavi and Family's monthly #pairNpost drawing, where you can enter to win a prize. Just snap a photo of your favorite pairing and tag it with #pairNpost on Twitter or Instagram.
It's all part of a new, fun approach to wine. After all, summer is about enjoying yourself and what better way to enjoy life than at the table with friends and family?
Recipe | Impress guests at your next wine party with this tasty tapas
Developed by sommelier and founder of “The Lush Life,” Sarah Tracey, this Whipped Goat Cheese Salsa Dip is part of her “Dips and Sips” partnership with Fresh Cravings, makers of authentic-tasting chilled salsas offering a vibrant alternative to soft, dull blends of jarred salsa, flavor-filled hummus, plant-based vegan dips and veggie-packed creamy dips.
“When I entertain at home, I’m always looking for ways to impress my friends with fresh, creative bites I can pair with wine,” Tracey said. “My favorite hack is finding great products with high-quality ingredients then creating simple, elevated ways to serve them. The less time I spend in the kitchen, the more time I get to spend with my guests.”
Ready in just 15 minutes and paired with a rosé, this savory recipe provides an ideal way to satisfy guests without spending too much time in the kitchen. Plus, with goat cheese at the heart of the dip, it’s a delicious way to capitalize on trendy butter boards with an approachable main ingredient.
Watch how to make this recipe
Whipped Goat Cheese Salsa Dip
Recipe courtesy of Sarah Tracey
Total time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6
- 1 goat cheese log (8 ounces), softened at room temperature
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Fresh Cravings Chunky Salsa, Mild
- 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts (optional)
- 1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- crackers, chips or vegetables
- 19 Crimes Snoop Dogg Rosé
- In food processor or blender, blend goat cheese with sea salt and 2 tablespoons heavy cream. If mixture is too firm, add cream little by little while pulsing blender until light, fluffy consistency is reached.
- Spread whipped goat cheese into shallow serving dish or onto board.
- Top with salsa.
- Garnish with toasted pine nuts and fresh parsley, if desired.
- Serve with crackers, chips or veggies. Pair with rosé.
Visit FreshCravings.com to discover more entertaining-worthy recipes and pairing ideas.
Recipe: Smoked Sausage Jambalaya

Servings: 8
Heat oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken and sausage; cook and stir 5 minutes. Remove from skillet. Add onion, bell pepper, celery and garlic; cook and stir on medium heat until onion is softened. Stir in tomato, Creole Seasoning and cayenne pepper. Return chicken and sausage to skillet. Add rice and stock; bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 25 minutes or until rice is tender, stirring occasionally.
What's for dinner? Try BYO sausage foil packs
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
1 package Coleman Natural Uncured Polish Kielbasa, sliced 1/2-inch thick
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 ears corn, each cut crosswise into four pieces
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, chopped into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
Preheat oven to 425 F. Cut foil into four sheets about 12 inches long. Divide kielbasa, garlic, corn, tomatoes, onion and potatoes evenly over foil sheets. Drizzle with oil then season with salt and pepper, to taste. Toss gently to combine. Top each packet with parsley and fold crosswise over kielbasa and vegetable mixture to completely cover food. Roll top and bottom edges to seal. Place foil packets on baking sheet and bake 30 minutes. Variations: Customize ingredients for personal preferences. Use broccoli in place of corn or substitute peppers for onions. Visit ColemanNatural.com/Recipes to find more fall meal inspiration.
Latest diet guidelines features new guidance for infants and toddlers

Primarily intended for policymakers, nutrition educators and healthcare providers, the report outlines steps to help people improve their overall eating habits.
In the latest report, there are now new national guidelines designed for the unique nutrition needs of pregnant women, lactating moms, infants and toddlers.
One of the key takeaway in the report is how important eggs are as a first food for infants and toddlers, as well as for pregnant women and lactating moms. As a vital source of nutrients for people of all ages, eggs provide several key nutrients important for babies during the time in which their brains are most rapidly developing.
Choline, a nutrient found in large quantities in eggs and now a recommended first food for babies to reduce risk for an egg allergy, has now been recognized as important for brain health.
"Understanding the importance of nutrition in the first years of life builds a foundation for lifelong health and prevent chronic disease."According to the American Egg Board, just one large egg provides the daily choline needs for babies and toddlers, and two large eggs provide more than half of daily choline needs for pregnant moms.
The report notes that between 4-6 months of age and when a baby is developmentally ready introducing "potentially allergenic foods" like eggs, peanuts, shellfish and soy products with other complementary foods is a good idea. Authors say there is "no evidence that delaying" adding allergenic foods to an infant's diet will prevent the development of a food allergy. In fact, it may also help reduce the risk of one.
"The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans confirm what the science has shown: eggs provide critical nutritional support for brain health, and they play a crucial role in infant development and prenatal health," said Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board. The AEB is the U.S. egg industry's national commodity marketing board whose mission is to increase demand for eggs and egg products through research, education and promotion. "With 90% of brain growth happening before kindergarten, eggs help make every bite count, especially when babies are just being introduced to solid foods."
Gerber Products Company, a leading company in infant nutrition founded in 1928, says understanding the importance of nutrition in the first years of life builds a foundation for lifelong health and prevent chronic disease.
"These new Dietary Guidelines are a tremendous step in the right direction to set up moms and babies for long-term success in their health," said Dr. Erin Quann, Registered Dietitian, head of Medical Affairs at Gerber/Nestlé Nutrition. "At Gerber, research such as our Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) informs everything we do – from the products we make, the nutrition education we deliver and the services we offer. We are thrilled to see this science-based approach to baby's nutrition take a more prominent place within the Dietary Guidelines for Americans."
One of the recommendations is for approximately the first 6 months of life, infants should feed exclusively on breast milk and continue to feed on mother's milk through at least the first year or longer, if desired. When human milk is not available an iron-fortified infant formula is the next best thing.
The diets of infants and toddlers should avoid foods with little nutritional value and large amounts of added sugar. Sugar-sweetened beverages like fruity drinks for babies and toddlers should be avoided.
The report also points out that during the second year of life children continue to have high nutrient needs from small amounts of foods. Toddlers should consume a variety of nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy products like cheese, milk and yogurt. High protein foods, including lean meats, poultry, eggs, seafood, nuts, and seeds are also recommend to promote healthy early development.
"From Gerber infant cereals fortified with iron, to nutritious meal and snack options with fruits, veggies and whole grains, and even beverages made without added sweeteners, Gerber has long been developing products that make every bite count," said Sarah Smith-Simpson, principal scientist at Gerber. "The release of these new Dietary Guidelines reinforces our mission to establish healthy eating habits right from the start. Gerber will continue our work to advance research and high-quality products that further support baby's dietary needs."
Roe & Co making its way to Illinois next year
Made from the finest hand-selected stocks of Irish malt and grain whiskies and aged in bourbon casks, the Irish Whiskey is a contemporary blend, non-chill filtered and bottled at an ABV of 45 percent (90 proof). According to Diageo, "It has the signature smoothness of Irish Whiskey with remarkable depth of flavor – a luxuriously smooth blend, with a perfect harmony between the intense fruitiness of the malt and the mellow creaminess of the grain whiskies."

Currently, Roe & Co is available in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Washington, D.C. and one of several major brands, including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness, distributed by Diageo.
The distillery is located at 92 James's Street in Dublin, Ireland where tours and tasting events are held Thursday through Saturday from 3p-8p.
Money Matters: Three businesses that would be great to have in St. Joseph

BBQ & Craft Beer Restaurant
Location: East of Jack Flash
Boutique Assisted Living Facility and Memory Care Center
Location: Southwest of the middle school or a new residential development
Home Remodeling General Contractor
Location: Vacant lot on 2nd Street south of the Kickapoo Rail Trail or your garage
Oyster stuffing for Thanksgiving, it's not too popular around here
The majority of the stuffing I've tried - my grandmother's included - were made with traditional ingredients such as onions, celery, spices, butter, broth, and bread. For the record, I'm not a fan of oyster stuffing/dressing or recipes that use mushrooms. However, the thought of using dried fruit and nuts, cranberries or bits of bacon does sound delicious. Do you have a unique, delicious recipe you would like to share? We would love to hear it and share it with our readers. Email us at editor@oursentinel.com and we may feature it in The Sentinel next week.
Great Value products recalled
Last Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) released a statement that more than six thousand pounds of ready-to-eat pork sausage and turkey patty products produced in George's Prepared Foods' Caryville, Tennessee facility is subject to recall after a small quantity tested positive for Salmonella.
The contaminated product packaged under the Great Value brand name may have been distributed to Walmart Stores after their third-party cold storage facility inadvertently shipped the meat products.
If you purchased these items you are urged not to eat them and return it to the place of purchase for a refund or exchange, or thrown away immediately.
"FSIS is concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers' refrigerators or freezers or both," the agency announced in Friday'statement. "Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase." Here are the packaged goods recalled :
Product Name: Great Value Original Breakfast Turkey Patties 24.92oz
UPC: 0007874212373 Best If used By Date: 10/24/2019 EST Number: 2260T
Product Name: Great Value Fully Cooked Original Pork Sausage Patties 35.6oz
UPC: 0007874203062 Best If used By Date: 11/05/19 EST Number: 2260T
Product Name: Great Value Fully Cooked Original Pork Sausage Patties 35.6oz
UPC: 0007874203062 Best If used By Date: 11/03/19 EST Number: 2260T
Product Name: Great Value Original Pork Sausage Patties 24.9oz
UPC: 0007874202095 Best If used By Date: 10/16/19 EST Number: 2260T
Salmonella symptoms usually start 12 to 72 hours after the contaminate food has been eaten. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever. While most people recover in four to seven days without treatment, death may occur with older people, infants, or those with compromised immune systems.
As of today there has not been any reported illness attributed to the listed products. George's issued a statement on their website confirming the recall.
Game day gyros nachos
Using Greek gyros meat offers a unique, spicy tasting version of this popular bar appetizer and gameday snack. According to Wikipedia, Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya is credited with creating the dish in about 1943.
Gyros, originally made from lamb in Greece, is a delicious mixture of ground beef and lamb or lamb and chicken. The meat is high in calories and fat, and may not be idea if you're dieting. But, probably the three beers you have with this dish won't either.
A pan of takes about 15 minutes to make. Here's what you need to put together this awesome platter.
Ingredients
1 bag of Tortilla Chips
8 oz. of Cheese
1/2 to 1-lb Gyros Meat
2 Jalapenos Peppers
1 Large Tomato
1/2 Onion
1 Green Pepper
1/2 cup of Shredded Spinach
1 teaspoon of Olive Oil
Pinch of Black Pepper
Pinch of Salt
Directions
1. Pre-heat oven to 300º.
2. Spread tortilla chips on a cookie sheet or in a baking pan. Line sheet or pan with aluminum foil for easy clean up later.
3. Chop/shred spinach in a small bowl, stir in olive oil and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Set aside for later.
4. Chop tomato, jalapenos, green pepper and onion. Mix all three vegetables into a single bowl.
5. Shred gyros meat and place a layer on top of the tortilla chips.
6. Next, add a generous layer of shredded cheese over the meat and chips.
7. Spread vegetables from the bowl on top of the pile.
8. Then, sprinkle a light layer of cheese over the vegetables.
9. Finally, sprinkle clumps of spinach evenly spaced around the pan or in the center of the pile of chips and veggies.
10. Put the pan in the oven and bake at 300º for 10 to 12 minutes or until cheese has melted.
11. Remove from oven and serve with sour cream or salsa.
Expert tip
1. You can get Kronos Authentic Gyros slices in a 2-pound box at Sam's Club. There are two bags in each box. One bag makes two to three trays. Use a sharp knife to shred meat.
2. Add black or green olives; black beans or re-fried; or Pico de Gallo for a tasty alternative.
Do you have a favorite recipe you would like to share with our readers? Contact our editor at editor@oursentinel.com.
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I worked hard my whole career and retired feeling secure. Then I lost every last dime in a scam. I was left with $1,300 a month in Social Security benefits to live on in an area where monthly expenses run about $3,700.
I’m a smart woman, but scams against older Americans are increasing in number and sophistication. Whether through scams, strained savings, or costs of living going up, half of older Americans — that’s 27 million households — can’t afford their basic needs.
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Renovating your home can be affordable with the right approach. Simple changes, like repainting walls or updating fixtures, can create a fresh, modern look without a high price tag. Whether you’re improving outdated spaces or enhancing functionality, these budget-friendly renovation ideas to modernize your home will help you achieve a stylish, updated space while staying within your budget.


Death, taxes and body odor.
They’re things we can all expect in life, no matter how clean you are. But health care providers want you to know when body odor is a sign of a more serious health problem.
B.O. basics
Luis Garcia, MD, an OSF HealthCare pediatrician, says sweat and bacteria are the main culprits behind body odor. Warmth and moisture in parts of the body (like your armpits and feet), plus going through puberty and general poor hygiene, can make the smell worse.