10 Health recommendations for the new year

Ready to quit smoking in 2025? Ask your doctor for resources and guidance for quitting tobacco and nicotine.
Photo: Lil Artsy/PEXELS

StatePoint - Looking to improve your health in 2025 and beyond? Check out these recommendations from the American Medical Association:

Make nutritional tweaks: Reduce your intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and processed foods, especially those with added sodium and sugar. Drinking sugary beverages, even 100% fruit juices, is associated with a higher mortality risk, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. Drink water and choose nutritious, whole foods including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, low-fat dairy products, and lean meats and poultry.

Get active: A recent study published in JAMA found that putting down the TV remote and going for a walk can improve healthy aging—highlighting the importance of small everyday habits. Adults should get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity.

Get up-to-date: Get your vaccines in advance of respiratory virus season—including the annual flu vaccine and the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine for everyone six months and older, as well as pregnant people. People 65 and older and those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should receive a second dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine six months later.

RSV can be dangerous for older adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend those 75 and older, and 60 and older at high risk for severe RSV, get vaccinated. Immunizations are also available to protect babies from getting very sick from RSV. This is important because RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization nationwide.

If you have questions, speak with your physician and review trusted resources, including GetMyFluShot.org. You can also reduce the spread of respiratory viruses by covering coughs and sneezes, frequently washing your hands, wearing masks, improving air quality, and staying home if you are sick.

Get screened: Make an appointment for preventive care, tests and screenings to help your doctor spot certain conditions before they become more serious.

Know your blood pressure numbers: Visit ManageYourBP.org to understand your blood pressure numbers and take necessary steps to get hypertension under control. Doing so will reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. If checking your blood pressure at home, visit ValidateBP.org to see if your device has been tested for accuracy.

Learn your type 2 diabetes risk: Take a 2-minute self-screening test at DoIHavePrediabetes.org. Steps you take now can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes, which carries a higher risk of heart disease, kidney disease and vision loss.

Drink only in moderation: If consuming alcohol, do so in moderation as defined by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans—up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, and only by adults of legal drinking age.

Quit tobacco and nicotine: Ask your doctor for resources and guidance for quitting tobacco and nicotine. Declare your home and car smoke-free to eliminate secondhand smoke exposure.

Follow dosage instructions: When taking prescription opioids or other medications, store them safely to prevent diversion or misuse, and properly dispose of any leftover medication. If you’re prescribed antibiotics, take the full course to prevent antibiotic resistance—a serious public health problem.

Manage stress: Good mental health is part of good overall health. Get sufficient sleep (at least 7.5 hours per night), exercise and ask for help from a mental health professional when you need it.

More health resources and tips can be found by visiting ama-assn.org.

“The best way to address the post-holiday doldrums is to do something good for your health,” said Bruce A. Scott, M.D., president of the AMA. “Even small, positive choices you make now can have a big impact on your long-term wellbeing.”


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

Culinary.net - If you're looking for a new dip for your next get-together and tired of the same boring salsas and layered dips, this Cowboy Caviar may quickly become a family favorite.

Also known as Texas Caviar, this bean salad can be a hit with loved ones at birthdays, holidays, graduations, reunions and more. It serves well with tortilla chips but can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Plus, it's a breeze to make and can be even simpler when prepared the night before your big event.

Visit Culinary.net to find more quick and simple appetizer recipes. Here is how you lasso this together in just a few minutes.

Cowboy Caviar

What you will need:

  • 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

Dressing:

  • 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

Photo: Sabuzak Kim/Pixabay

by Tim Ditman
OSF Healthcare

DANVILLE - Pumpkin spice lattes, apple crisp macchiatos and chai lattes are staples of fall and winter. The drinks can boost your mood and energy and liven up social gatherings.

But drinker beware, says Caroline Brundage, a dietetic intern with OSF HealthCare. She says the concoctions contain more added sugar (sugar not naturally occurring in an ingredient) than you’d think. Some drinks have 50 grams or more of added sugar, she says. And Brundage has noticed more coffee shop drinks with higher levels of saturated fat.

“The biggest risk [of overconsuming these drinks] would be weight gain,” Brundage says. “That can lead to heart disease, diabetes and obesity.”

Her advice to enjoy fall drinks but stay healthy: modify the drinks, and consume them in moderation.

Ingredient swaps
Brundage suggests you do your research before getting hooked on a sugary drink. Look at the nutritional facts for high levels of added sugar, carbohydrates or saturated fat. If you’re purchasing on a coffee shop app, see how you can customize the drink. She points out a couple examples at Starbucks:
  • 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.

“That will probably cut your sugar intake by over half,” compared to a regular pumpkin spice latte, Brundage says. “So you can still enjoy that pumpkin spice flavor. You’re just not consuming all that added sugar.”

You can also ask your coffee shop if they have a sugar free syrup to use in your drink.

Another option is to make the drinks at home. A plus, Brundage says, is you know exactly how much of each ingredient is in the drink.

“There’s sugar free pumpkin spice creamer [at stores]. If you have an espresso machine, you could do two shots of espresso. Pour some creamer and unsweetened almond milk over that. Add in cinnamon,” Brundage suggests. She says cinnamon adds fall flavor without adding calories.

“You can also do your own pumpkin spice latte. Get canned pumpkin puree, and whisk it up with one tablespoon of maple syrup,” she adds.

Skip the whipped cream or other sugary toppings on these homemade drinks, too.

When and how we drink
Brundage says if you commit to a healthy diet and exercise then want a once-a-week sugary drink reward, the health concerns are not huge. But if you swing through the Dunkin’ drive through a few times per week, you need to keep her advice at the forefront. Consider swapping ingredients, purchasing a smaller size, making the drink at home or cutting back on the number of drinks.

Brundage also likes to pair these drinks with a protein-rich food to make her feel fuller and help prevent blood sugar spikes.


Read our latest health and medical news

UIUC studies link between toddler food access and development

by Terri Dee
    Illinois News Connection



CHICAGO - Parents wanting to ensure their children have nutritious meals can serve as their best example, according to new data.

Research from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign involved looking at study participants' amount and availability of unhealthy beverages and food in their households. A Home Food Inventory -- a checklist of 190 items in 13 food categories used to monitor the food environment -- found processed foods, candy and microwaveable items were more attainable.

Jenny Barton, assistant research professor for the Center for Childhood Obesity Research at Pennsylvania State University, said the study focused on the physical development of toddlers.


Children often imitate their parents when it comes to food choices.

"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

Family Feature - If you’re looking for an easy dessert to make this week, this Whoopie Pie recipe below is the perfect way to cap off weeknight meals. These won't last long, so you will probably want to make a couple of batches at a time. Whoopie Pies are also an awesome midday snack with a cup of hot chocolate or afternoon cup of coffee.

Find more dessert recipes at Culinary.net.


Whoopie Pies

Ingredients

  • 1 box spice cake mix
  • 1 1/2 cups apple butter
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • How to put them together

    Heat oven to 350 F.

    Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

    In large bowl, whisk spice cake mix, apple butter, oil and eggs.

    With ice cream scoop or large tablespoon, spoon batter into rounded heaps, about 2-3 inches in diameter, onto parchment paper. Space spooned batter 2 inches apart.

    Bake 14 minutes. Let cool.

    In large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Add milk and vanilla; beat until blended.

    Frost flat sides of pie halves and place halves together.

    Refrigerate and store in sealed container.


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    Make cooking dinner a family activity: A pair of recipes for you and the kids

    Family Features - Busy fall schedules often leave little time for the things that matter most – sharing special moments with those you love. This year, as time seems to speed up during another school year, making family bonding a priority in your household can start with a few simple tricks.

    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.

    Find more inspiration for family bonding with delicious meals and snacks by visiting KingsHawaiian.com.

    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
    1. Heat oven to 350 F. Melt butter and set aside.
    2. Cut entire pack of rolls in half horizontally, keeping all top and bottom halves intact.
    3. In 9-by-13-inch pan, place bottom halves of rolls and cover with ham and cheese.
    4. Cover ham and cheese stacks with top halves of rolls. Drizzle butter mixture over tops of rolls.
    5. 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
    1. Cut entire pack of rolls in half horizontally, keeping all top and bottom halves intact.
    2. Spread peanut butter on bottom halves followed by strawberry jam. Top with banana slices then top halves of rolls.

     

    Recipe | Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken

    Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken

    Photo provided

    Family Features - As you plan your summer fun, think also about adopting healthy habits that can help keep your blood pressure under control. When your blood pressure is consistently high - a condition called hypertension - blood flows through arteries at higher-than-normal pressures. This can cause serious health problems not just for your heart, but also for your blood vessels, kidneys, eyes and brain.

    Hypertension affects women and men of all ages but making small lifestyle changes can go a long way toward prevention. Start with updating your summer menu with delicious, heart-healthy recipes, like Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken.

    Following a heart-healthy eating plan, such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), which emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, poultry, beans, nuts, low-fat dairy and healthy oils, can help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range. Developed through research by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), DASH focuses on reducing sodium and limiting foods that are high in saturated fat, including fatty meats, full-fat dairy and tropical oils.

    Along with adding healthy recipes to your summer menu, NHLBI's The Heart Truth program encourages these healthy habits that can help you control blood pressure:

    Move more: Aim for at least 150 minutes (2 1/2 hours) of physical activity each week. Try keeping yourself on pace each week by shooting for 30 daily minutes of activity over five days.

    Aim for a healthy weight: Research shows adults with overweight and obesity can lower their blood pressure by losing just 3-5% of their weight. Ask a friend or family member to join a weight loss program with you; social support can help you both stay motivated.

    Manage stress: Reduce stress - which can increase blood pressure - with meditation, relaxing activities or support from a counselor or online group.

    Quit smoking: Smoking damages your heart and blood vessels. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or find other resources available online.

    Get your summer off to a heart-healthy start by talking to your health care provider about your blood pressure numbers and what they mean. To learn more about heart health and blood pressure, visit hearttruth.gov and find DASH-friendly recipes at healthyeating.nhlbi.nih.gov.

    Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken

    Recipe courtesy of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

    Prep time: 10 minutes
    Cook time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 4

    Sauce:
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 teaspoons orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic (about 1 clove), minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
  • -

  • 12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 2 large breasts), cut into 1-inch cubes (about 24 cubes)
  • 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced (about 24 pieces)
  • 8 wooden skewers (6 inches each), soaked in water

  • 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

    wine in the country
    Photo: Chelsea Pridham/Unsplash
    News USA -- "Wine and food pairings don't have to be complicated," says Riana Mondavi, a member of the fourth generation of the Mondavi wine family from Napa and an ambassador for her family's CK Mondavi and Family wines. "It's really about what you taste and smell in the wine and how you feel the wine brings out and compliments the food you are eating."

    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

    Family Features - Pairing an easy, delicious appetizer with the perfect wine doesn’t have to be as difficult as it sounds. When you’re ready to elevate your home entertaining, turn to a simplistic recipe featuring fresh, bold flavors.
    Whipped Goat Cheese Salsa
    Photo provided

    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
    1. 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.
    2. Spread whipped goat cheese into shallow serving dish or onto board.
    3. Top with salsa.
    4. Garnish with toasted pine nuts and fresh parsley, if desired.
    5. 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

    Photo provided

    NAPSI —- While Fat Tuesday this year was back on March 1, Jambalaya is an excellent savory recipe that can be enjoyed any time of the year. You can try your hand at the classic New Orleans dish, using the "trinity" (onions, bell pepper, and celery), tomatoes, chicken' and Zatarain’s Smoked Sausage available at Walmart and Kroger food stores. Crunched for time? Use the quick and easy Zatarain’s Jambalaya mix instead.

    "Many people outside of New Orleans don’t realize that Mardi Gras is really a family holiday," said Claude Davis, Principal Scientist for Zatarain’s and a native of New Orleans’s Tremé neighborhood. "This time of year is as much about the food as it is about anything else and Zatarain’s Smoked Sausage is the perfect ingredient to bring home the flavor of New Orleans, no matter where you live."

    Jambalaya is inspired by paella from Spain and West African Jollof. You can even add other cuts of pork, rabbit, and/or seafood, such as shrimp or crawfish, to this dish to give it your own signature flavor.


    Smoked Sausage Classic Jambalaya

    Prep Time: 15 minutes / Cook Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 8

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 pound of Zatarain’s Andouille or Cajun Smoked Sausage, cut into 1/4-inch slices
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 rib celery, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
  • 1 medium tomato, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons Zatarain’s Creole Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup extra Long Grain Rice
  • 1 3/4cups Kitchen Basics Original Chicken Stock

  • 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

    Photo provided
    (Family Features) - Finding time for a family meal during fall means navigating busy schedules full of school, demanding jobs, fun social events, sports practices to pick up the kids from, girls' nights out, and side-hustles to explore. Squeezing in filling dinner together calls for an easy dish that takes less than an hour so you can catch up with loved ones or do the things to help you live life to the fullest.

    Let your oven do the work for you with this Build-Your-Own Sausage Foil Packet Dinner recipe that requires just 10 minutes of prep before 30 minutes of baking, leaving you plenty of time to help little ones with homework. It all starts with Coleman Natural Uncured Polish Kielbasa, a traditional Polish sausage rope smoked and fully cooked so all you need to do is slice into 1/2-inch pieces and toss together with veggies and seasonings. You can feel good you are serving pork sourced from American family farms that raise their animals crate-free with no antibiotics or added hormones ever.

    An added benefit of this simple recipe is that it’s customizable, allowing you to substitute your family’s favorite flavors to satisfy everyone at the table. Or, if your loved ones are easily pleased and open to a variety of ingredients, you can try different veggies each time so it tastes like a new dish over and over again.

    Build-Your-Own Sausage Foil Packet Dinner
    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

    In the United States, more than half of all adults have in our country suffer from one or more chronic diseases that would be preventable proper eating habits and regular exercise. Every five years since 1980, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has published the Dietary Guideline for Americans to help citizens adopt and maintain a healthier diet and lifestyle.

    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

    Diageo, one of the world's largest beverage alcohol distributor, plans to introduce Roe & Co Blended Irish Whiskey, in Illinois in 2021.

    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."

    Roe&Guiness
    Photo Provided
    Last year, Roe & Co converted the Guinness Power Station into a new urban distillery in the heart of Dublin's whiskey district adjacent to where the old George Roe and Co distillery was originally located. The company has teamed up with Guinness in a new advertising campaign highlighting the importance of being good neighbors.
    Named after George Roe, regarded as a pioneer in the distillery and export business during the golden era of Irish whiskey in the 19th century, his distillery was located on Thomas Street in Dublin and was a neighbor to the well-known Guinness brewery. Now a historic landmark, Roe's operation covered nearly 17 acres of ground.

    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


    by Jake Pence, Guest Columnist

    As St. Joseph and small towns across the country face stagnation (lack of growth) it is important that they prioritize their local economy.

    St. Joseph is a desirable place to live for many reasons. We have a great school system, small town values, a low crime rate, proximity to jobs and everyday necessities, the best El Toro in Champaign County and numerous local businesses. I could go on and on. However, if population growth isn’t a desired outcome then population retention is pivotal to the long-term livelihood of the community.

    What’s the best way to improve the desirability and longevity of a small town? Create a thriving local economy that isn’t too dependent upon one industry.

    That said, this article is dedicated to three businesses I believe would improve resident retention and add a welcomed vitality to the local economy in St. Joseph.

    BUSINESS IDEA #1:
    BBQ & Craft Beer Restaurant
    Location: East of Jack Flash

    Yes, we already have a great selection of restaurants in St. Joseph and this is by no means a knock against any of them. I thoroughly enjoy a burrito loco from El Toro, the frisco melt from Roch’s and anything on the menu at The Wheelhouse. I’ve also eaten my fair share of China King, Padano's, Scratch, Subway, Monical's, and Dairy Queen over the years.

    Despite all of these options, what we're missing is delicious portions of pulled pork, beef brisket, burnt ends, cornbread, potato salad, coleslaw, and craft beer.

    To scratch that itch, residents of St. Joseph and surrounding communities have to drive to Urbana or Champaign.

    Have you heard of Burgers & Beer in Gibson City? How about Gross’ Burgers in Westville? I’m guessing you have heard of one if not both. What do those restaurants have in common? First, when my family drives past them we stop and eat. Second, they are demand drivers for their local economy.

    I firmly believe that a BBQ and beer focused restaurant would develop into a staple of the St. Joseph food scene and drive demand to the rest of the local economy. For proof of concept, visit Edley’s next time you’re down in Nashville, TN.

    BUSINESS IDEA #2:
    Boutique Assisted Living Facility and Memory Care Center
    Location: Southwest of the middle school or a new residential development

    Based on the recent traffic I’ve seen at my proposed location, this could very well be in the works.

    Why do most people live in St. Joseph? They grew up here and this is where their family lives; therefore, we should prioritize the health, housing, and livelihood of all residents from newborns to great grandparents.

    One of the hottest trends in real estate is assisted living facilities because the baby boomer generation is approaching the age where this assistance may be necessary. Additionally, Alzheimer’s rates are rising and quality memory care facilities are becoming more important than ever.

    The addition of a boutique assisted living facility and memory care center to the community would be ideal to provide a much needed service to the older generations of St. Joseph. Instead of having to drive to Champaign, Urbana or to other facilities in the surrounding area, families and caretakers could make a five minute drive across town to check-in and visit loved ones.

    For proof of concept, check out my colleague Loe Hornbuckle at Sage Oak Assisted Living based in Texas - https://thesageoak.com/.

    BUSINESS IDEA #3:
    Home Remodeling General Contractor
    Location: Vacant lot on 2nd Street south of the Kickapoo Rail Trail or your garage

    How many of you have completed a home remodeling project during COVID-19? My guess is 50% of the people reading this article have done one or more improvements to their home. How many of you ENJOYED the process of completing your home remodeling project? I’m going to say 10% - and if you’re in that 10% then pay close attention.

    In my opinion, St. Joseph has a housing situation that is bottle-necked by supply and demand issues. That has resulted in the village not experiencing the population growth many once thought it would thanks to stagnation. If we aren’t going to develop new housing – a topic for another day, then we must continue to revitalize and renovate the current housing supply.

    There are already businesses in town that do this and do it well – a shoutout to Roger Beals - but these businesses are always booked out weeks, sometimes months in advance. There is a shortage in supply and a surplus in demand for contractors; therefore, there is an opportunity for a new company to balance out the market with a much needed service.

    With minimal overhead costs, diligent customer service, and an active social media presence, I don’t think it would take long to create a thriving business with many opportunities to expand into nearby markets.

    All of these businesses will take a certain level of industry specific knowledge and access to capital to start, but that can be acquired through partnerships, research, and over time. Entrepreneurship isn’t about reinventing the wheel or coming up with a Shark Tank-esque idea. It is about finding opportunities in the marketplace and taking action to meet an unfulfilled demand.

    As an investor and entrepreneur, I am personally very interested in exploring all three ideas. There may be others in your circle who feel the same way. Start a conversation. Discuss the possibilities and the opportunities. Quite frankly, I think conversations about entrepreneurship and taking calculated risks aren’t talked about enough in our community, yet we are home to some of the brightest minds and hardest workers in the area.

    It is time to make entrepreneurship a priority in St. Joseph. So let’s get to it!



    About the author:
    • Jake Pence is the President of Blue Chip Real Estate and a consultant for Fairlawn Capital, Inc.. A 2019 graduate from the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois, he is a 2016 graduate from St. Joseph-Ogden High School where he was a three-sport athlete for the Spartans. You can view his latest acquisitions and advice on his YouTube channel here.

    Oyster stuffing for Thanksgiving, it's not too popular around here

    Stuffing, infused with turkey drippings and a healthy dose of butter, is one of my favorite Thanksgiving dishes.

    My grams would make two batches for our family dinner, one batched baked inside the turkey and the other on one of the burners of her gas stove. Ripping up pieces of toasted bread and leaving out overnight, even as she aged, was her preferred method of preparation. If it was in a box, can or package, it wasn't good enough for my grandmother and especially so for the family's Thanksgiving meals.

    Occasionally observing the holiday at the homes of others many years ago, a few families made their dressing/stuffing with oysters.

    Curious as to how popular this variation was with our readers, I created a poll a little more than a week ago asking, "Do you put oysters in your stuffing?"

    Six days and 171 votes later, we learned that 86% of those who responded said "no" to adding chunks of the shellfish when they make their version of the holiday dish.


    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

    Before you chow down on those sausage patties in the morning you might want to look at the label first.

    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

    Clark's 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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