February 2018

Hello, February 2018

Month of Love

February is universally known as the month of love. It's full of hearts, chocolates, cupids and roses.  I hope you all were able to spend Valentine's Day with people whom you love!  Do you know of a great way to show your love and care for someone else? By setting up a life insurance policy.  Not only is it a gift for your loved one, but it is a security blanket for when the inevitable happens.  Life insurance policies tend to get a bad wrap, but they truly do benefit families.  When unexpected costs incur after a death, sudden or not, life insurance money can help pay those debts down.  If you have a mortgage, or a child in college- life insurance money can help cover those costs as well.  You might have to take time off of work to deal with the death in your family, and the life insurance beneficiary money w
ill help keep you afloat during that tough time. Call our office today to set up a free life insurance consultation.  Remember, protect the ones you love.

State Street Farmers Market

If you love local organic produce, do not miss the Carlsbad State Street Farmers Market!  Every Wednesday from 3-6 pm you can expect Carlsbad Village to be a little bit more crowded than normal.  Several local farms are there selling their organic produce, some specialty craftsmen/women are usually there sharing their creative creations, and plenty of hot food vendors are on site too.  It is a smaller farmers market, so you can really take your time in getting to know the farmers or companies of your choice.  I've been going here for years and I love the fresh fruits and veggies!  Click this link to find out more information!

Restaurant Review

Lately my Dad and I have been really into this Netflix Original, Chef's Table. The show features several chef's who tell their story of how they rose to the top of the culinary world. Each person is unique, incredibly talented and highly respected.  After watching a few chef's famous Asian style cuisines, I began craving ramen and pho like no other.  I came across a pretty popular noodle spot in Ocean Beach, San Diego and have been hooked ever since.  No, it isn't a five star, 7 course meal that costs me hundreds of dollars. But it tastes pretty damn good and is reasonably priced.  Plus the have peanut butter whiskey shots, and have been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (Triple D for Food Network regulars)!!!

OB Noodle House : 2218 Cable St, San Diego, CA 92107

This place not only has great pho and even greater broth, they also have so many specials!  Happy hour goes on Monday-Friday from 3-6 pm. You'll find several half off drink options, sake included.  This noodle house also puts on Taco Tuesday's & Thursday's. They grill some Korean style pork belly and top it off with some house made papaya salad, aioli and cilantro. WOW.  Don't forget to try the PB Whiskey shot too! Perfect little treat to balance out all the flavors.

Recipe of the Month!

Super Simple Coconut Fudge

• 1/4 c honey or maple syrup
  
• 1/2 c cocoa powder unsweetened, or cacao powder if you have it handy 
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• pinch of sea sealy
• unsweetened coconut flakes to garnish (optional) 
• silicone mold (squares, shapes, whatever you have on hand or can buy off Amazon)

1.  Have your silicone mold ready! No need to grease or prep the mold, just make sure it is clean and can fit in your fridge/freezer
2. Next, whisk together all ingredients until smooth and pour into your lined container
3. Place in fridge until solid, probably about an hour and cut into small squares. (you can place in freezer for about half the time if you need a quick fix)

**This is a small batch. I suggest using a small container if you want your fudge pieces to be thick**

Cooking Hacks

Here I will share some of my current favorite cooking hacks for simpler, healthier meals.

• Cooking with lemon? Drinking lemon water? Making smoothies that require lemon juice?
• Peel 1-2 lemons, blend them together and pour into silicone molds. Place into freezer. When a recipe calls for lemon, pop one of those into your dish.  Instead of just using the juice of a lemon, you are using its whole body. Taking in all the nutrients a lemon has to offer.  Super simple and less clean up time!
• Coconut H2O Cubes

• Much like our lemon cubes above, these coconut water ice cubes will leave you feeling refreshed and hydrated.   Pour some pulp free coconut water into an ice tray, and add to your favorite smoothie recipes for a cool sweetness packed with vitamins and minerals.  Hydration station!
• Steamed Frozen Zucchini
• I am always on a smoothie hype, but don't always want all the sugars that come with them.  Yes, fruit has sugar in it. Even too much of the "good" sugar can take us on downward spiral.  If you're like me and love a nice thick smoothie, this fruit alternative is perfect for you.
• First, get some zucchini. Then slice it up, about 1/4 in. thick, steam (maybe 7-8 minutes) and set to cool.  Next, place the zucchini coins on a baking sheet, making sure they do not touch and place them in your freezer until frozen.  Go ahead and bag them up and store in freezer and add to smoothies.  They do not taste like fruit, so be sure to still add a small amount of your favorite fruits for sweetness, but they will bulk up the smoothie.

Below is some helpful information from one of our agency partners, The California Earthquake Authority

Turning Earthquake Hindsight into Foresight

Scientists predict there is more than a 99% chance of a devastating 6.7 magnitude earthquake in California within the next 30 years. It just makes good sense that all Californians take steps to prepare for an earthquake. Steps like:

• Understanding earthquake risk where they live
• Knowing the Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety
• Retrofitting their house if necessary
• Purchasing earthquake insurance.

There are millions of Californians who don’t have earthquake insurance coverage. Without it, many will find their lives changed for the worse after an earthquake. This heartache and financial stress could have been avoided with the right CEA earthquake insurance policy.

When the uninsured are affected by an earthquake, in hindsight, they’ll likely regret not having purchased earthquake insurance. But with your help, those with regrets could be few.

Why Earthquake Insurance?

Earthquake insurance helps your policyholders protect themselves. A CEA policy can:

• Protect your policyholders from bankruptcy
• Help your policyholders replace damaged or destroyed personal items
• Be the difference between having the money to rebuild/repair a home, or losing it
• Provide loss of use coverage if your policyholder can’t access their home due to an earthquake

That’s why it’s so important you share your knowledge about the many coverage options offered by CEA -- knowledge you can easily acquire with free CEA agent training.

Encourage your policyholders to invest in the peace of mind that earthquake coverage provides.
At the end of the day, it will be a box on your to-do list you’ll feel good about checking off.

Thanks again for allowing our family and agency to provide helpful restaurant reviews, health tips, and recipes.  Until March Madness Friends, Family and Clients.

Peace be with you all.

Kindly, Glenn and Alexandra Domingo