Happy Fall Y'all !
Officially starting to get colder (sort of)! School is in full swing, the leaves are changing, and we are preparing to fall back here very soon. We hope you guys enjoy your Halloween and are ready for the rest of the year to just fly by. Thanksgiving will be here before you know it and then Christmas is just around the corner. A perfect time with the season changing to check back in with your 2022 goals. Reflect and assess how far you have come and what changes you need to make as this year comes to a close to achieve them or get yourself one step closer to them. We hope you are all staying healthy and well and look forward to seeing you throughout the holidays!
Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice
It is officially the season of pumpkin spice. Wether you are a pumpkin spice fan or not, these recipes will put you right in the fall mood.
Pumkin Spice Latte
- 2 C milk of your choice
- 2 TBSP pumpkin puree
- 1 to 3 TBSP sugar
- 1 TBSP vanilla extract
- 1/2 TSP pumpkin spice
- 1/2 C strong coffee
- Add whipped cream on top!
- Add milk, pumpkin puree, and sugar to a saucepan over medium heat. Heat until hot, but do not boil. Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and the coffee.
- Divide the mixture between two mugs. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.
Pumpkin Bread
- 1 and 3/4 cups (219g) all-purpose flour
- - 1 teaspoon baking soda
- - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg*
- - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves*
- - 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger*
- - 3/4 teaspoon salt
- - 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- - 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- - 3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- - 1 and 1/2 cups (340g) pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)
- - 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil, canola oil, or melted coconut oil
- - 1/4 cup (60ml) orange juice*
- - 2/3 cup (120g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Adjust the oven rack to the lower third position and preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Lowering the oven rack prevents the top of your bread from browning too much, too soon. Grease a metal 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and salt together until combined. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until combined. Whisk in the pumpkin, oil, and orange juice. Pour these wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix together using a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon. There will be a few lumps. Do not over-mix. Gently fold in the chocolate chips, if including.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 60–65 minutes, making sure to loosely cover the bread with aluminum foil halfway through to prevent the top from getting too brown. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with only a few small moist crumbs. This may be before or after 60–65 minutes depending on your oven, so begin checking every 5 minutes around the 55-minute mark.
- Allow the bread to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before removing and slicing. Cover and store leftover pumpkin bread at room temperature for up to 3–4 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Restaurant Review
The mediterranean Chipotle, but better. Cava is a DIY quick and healthy meal that is so affordable and won't leave you hungry. You get to choose your base, greens or grains or both, then add a protein and all the veggies and topping of your choice. You can choose to make your own bowl or try one of their pre-designed tasty bowls. Next time you are looking for a quick healthy meal to feed the family after a long day, or need something to take on the go, give Cava a try!
Workout of the Month
Boo! Burpees!
Between each exercise, perform 10 reps of a full burpee.
- Alternating Reverse Lunge
- 10 Burpees
- Push Ups
- 10 Burpees
- Squat Jump
- 10 Burpees
- Lateral Lunge
- 10 Burpees
- Superman
- 10 Burpees
Beginner aim for 3 rounds, intermediate aim for 4 rounds, and advanced aim for 5 rounds.
Take rest when needed and try to complete as quickly as possible!
Healthy Halloween
Sometimes it can be tricky with Halloween candy everywhere in the store and having your kids candy around all month long. Here are a couple tips and tricks to keep you on track with your health and fitness goals.
1. Balance. The more you tell yourself you aren't allowed to have any candy the more your body is going to crave it and the more likely you will over indulge when you do give in to the craving. Allow yourself to have your favorite and enjoy it guilt free!
2. Don't buy a whole bag of candy. If you aren't giving the candy away to the neighborhood kids or bringing it to a Halloween party, then keep it our of sight to keep unnecessary temptations out of the way.
3. Healthier alternatives or candy options are ones that have a little full fat and protein rather than full of a bunch of artificial sweeteners. For example, a fun sized Snickers will probably satisfy you and make you feel fuller for longer than a bag of Skittles.
The biggest thing is to enjoy what you want in moderation!
A Note from the Agency Owner
How did 2022 turn out for you and your family ?
Did you pay for any upgrades to your home ?
Did you add solar to your home ?
Has an estate attorney advised on purchasing a personal umbrella policy ?
Have you reviewed your life insurance portfolio ?
Do you have any IRA rollovers still at your old company ?
Do you have a new driver that needs to be listed on your auto policy ?
Life changes happen constantly, sometimes we forget to update our records, insurance policy's and or accounting. Please keep in touch and if any of the above questions are a yes, please give us a call for your Free Farmers Friendly Review. Have a wonderful Holiday Season and talk soon.
Your Agency for LIFE, Glenn and Amanda Domingo
