September 2022

Fall Back, Florida Exit Just In Time

The sun is starting to go down a little bit sooner, the weather is cooling down (kinda), and you may be getting a couple hours of peace and quiet now with the kids back to school. Fall is officially here, and for some of you, you couldn't wait one more second for that over-priced Pumpkin Spice Latte. Mom and Dad took their first visit to Addison's new place in Vero Beach, Florida, just before the hurricane hit! I have officially started nursing school and I'm already done with midterms. Lex got a job promotion in New York and has been enjoying the new challenge. New seasons and new prayers being answered everyday. We are so very grateful. We hope you have found your back to school routine by now and haven't had too many tantrums trying to get everyone to school on time. 

Recipe of the Month - Warm Chocolate Chip Banana Bread 

My boyfriend claims this recipe is the "most moist banana bread he's ever had!" One secret ingredient besides extra love... greek yogurt! 

1. Pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees. 

2. Have 2 separate mixing bowls for wet and dry ingredients. 

3. Combine: 

    1/2 c brown sugar

    1/2 c granulated sugar

    1/2 c melted buter 

Mix until a paste like consistency. Then add in: 

    3-4 mashed ripe bananas 

    1/2 c greek yogurt 

    1 tsp vanilla 

    2 large eggs 

4. In another bowl combine: 

    1 1/3 c flour

    1 tsp baking soda 

    1/2 tsp salt 

5. Fold in the dry ingredients to the wet bowl. 

6. Fold in 3/4 c chocolate chips. 

7. Pour ingredients into a 9x5 loaf and sprinkle with extra chocolate on top. 

8. Bake for 1 hour and 15 min. 

9. The best part, ENJOY! 

Workout of the Month 

This one is a burner! For time, so you are trying to finish as quickly as you possibly can. 

.5 mile RUN/JOG/WALK (personal choice) 

Start with each exercise at 30 reps, then 20, then 10. 

Reverse Lunge (RIGHT) 

Reverse Lunge (LEFT) 

Full Thruster 

Bicep Curl 

.5 mile RUN/JOG/WALK 

How quickly can you get done?! 

Restaurant Review

South of Nicks 

If you are looking for a little staycation or restaurant a little further away for a fun night out, I highly recommend Nick's on State! Food is amazing, drinks (look) amazing, and the service is top notch. The chef even brought our dinner out to us and we were just eating at the bar. There are a ton of other things to do in downtown San Clemente so feel free to make a day out of it! 

Hurricane Ian 

What is a hurricane? 

Hurricane Ian formed over the central Caribbean Sea late Friday, September 23, 2022, as a tropical storm, the ninth tropical storm of the 2022 season. Hurricane Ian made landfall at 150 mph on Wednesday off the shore of Fort Myers on the Gulf Coast of the state. Ian’s top maximum sustained winds of 155 mph had been recorded hours before landfall, when the Category 4 hurricane was 2 mph shy of reaching Category 5 classification.

How are they measured?

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane's sustained wind speed. This scale estimates potential property damage. Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss of life and damage.

Statistics 

Fast facts: Hurricane Ian

• More than 2.5 million people in Florida were under evacuation orders before the storm hit.
• Hurricane Ian knocked out power to more than 1.5 million residents across Florida, according to PowerOutage.us.
• New tropical storm watches and warnings have been issued for North and South Carolina.
• Hurricane Ian made landfall as a Category 3 storm Tuesday in Cuba, knocking out the electricity grid and leaving the entire island without power.
• Ian strengthened to a powerful Category 4 storm, bringing severe flooding to Cuba and the Florida Keys.
• Only four Category 5 storms have made landfall in the U.S. with maximum sustained winds greater than 155 mph.
• Heavy, potentially flooding rain is expected to affect central Florida, southern Georgia, North Carolina, and the South Carolina coast, well beyond the hurricane’s path.
• Hurricane Ian follows Hurricane Fiona, a Category 1 storm that made landfall in Puerto Rico on Sunday, September 18, 2022.

How we can help! 

Prayers and donations to relief funds are always helpful and appreciated. I have left a link to World Vision where you can donate directly to the Hurricane Ian Relief Fund. 

Donate to Hurricane Ian

What is World Vision?

Dodgers vs. Padres - A Split House 

    The final series of the regular season of America's Pastime. My parents have always been die hard Dodger fans, and growing up here in San Diego I've always loved the Padres! They finally took me up to Dodger Stadium for the first time and we saw the Padres     lose. Last series of the two as they battle it out is tonight, and I        can't wait to go! Who are you rooting for? GOOOOO PADRES! 

                                                             

A Note from the Agency Owner

      

The Farmers^® organization and our agency are operating in unusual times. In fact, the current marketplace is unlike anything we’ve seen before. As you know, the global impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic set off a chain reaction in our economy, with some of the downstream impacts being labor shortages, supply chain disruption, and inflation. Compounded, these issues are increasing the costs of claims, particularly in the Auto line of business, which in turn drives down profitability.

• In Auto, we’re seeing increases to used car prices and elevated rental car prices due to lower supplies.
• In Home, housing prices are increasing, and inventory supply and demand, lumber prices, and costs of labor are contributing to the increase.
• Catastrophe costs are at historically high levels, with 2021 being one of the costliest catastrophe years on record.

We recognize these are challenging times for the industry, and for our agency. We believe that together, we’ll emerge from this much stronger, and pave a new path forward.  It is times like this that allows our agency to stand out with claims management, customer service and assist in making changes to your policy for premium management.  As always, our Farmers Friendly Review is offered each year to our clients.  This offer is also available by asking our agency to review your personal insurance portfolio.  Wishing you all a great 4th quarter of 2022 and look forward to connecting soon.  

Kindly, Glenn & Amanda Domingo

August 2022

Back to the GRIND

It's always a bit sad around this time of year because summer is coming to an end. We have thoroughly enjoyed our last month of summer time with some travel and a long visit from Lex. We celebrated mine and my sisters birthdays, my parents took a much needed vacation to Hawaii, I left for a week in Cabo and began nursing school. As the season of summer comes to a close, get in those final few beach days (locals summer is September), finish your back to school shopping, and get organized and prepared for the upcoming school year. We hope you and your families enjoyed your summer vacation and able to take some time for yourself to reflect, regroup, and reorganize for the school year ahead. 

Back to School - Healthy Lunches to Pack 

Going back to school can sometimes be a drag, but make sure that your kiddos are properly fueled for all the new material they are going to be learning. We always brought our lunches to from home to school and eating at school was always a treat. It was something that reflecting on now, I am very grateful for. Below are a few ideas of quick, nutritious lunches to pack for your little ones. It's always a nice idea to leave a little fun sized treat, or a little encouraging note goes a long way! 

The Ultimate Planner - Stay Organized ALL Year 

I have to write everything down so I don't forget and then put reminders everywhere as well. With a constantly full schedule and plans always changing I used a ton of white out prior to my boyfriend finding The Rocket Fusion Smart Planner.  Write, reuse, organize, and scan. You can download an app and directly scan your calendar, notes, and goals sheets directly into your phone, to the cloud, or share scanned documents easily! 

Tips & Tricks for Getting Back Into a Routine 

1. Start early. The week or two leading up to a new routine start practicing your habits early. For example of you plan to start working out prior to work or taking the kids to school, start setting your alarm 30 minutes early and going to bed a little earlier each night to prepare your body for the early morning wake up. 

2. Setting yourself up for success starts the night before. My sister and I would always call it "setting up for success." Every night that we lived in New York together, we would make sure we both had our bags packed for the next day, our clothes out, and the coffee pot set and ready to brew. It takes less stress off all the morning of things you have to worry about and saves some extra time you can spend sleeping. 

3. Keep a planner/calendar. Having all your activities, meetings, and to-do's in one spot keeps yourself organized and you don't have to worry about cramming for things last minute. One of the biggest things that you don't want to forget is setting aside and making time for yourself as well. 

4. Don't try to do it all at once. Taking on new things is stressful. Don't try to start a new routine and a million other things at once. Maybe focus on 1-2 things at a time, like waking up earlier and meal prepping breakfast. Once you feel like you can manage those things, you then can start adding in more. 

5. Stay positive. It can be frustrating and overwhelming starting something new. Give yourself some grace if you fall off track a day or two, don't worry it is a process. Some days will be easier than others, on those harder days, love yourself a little extra. 

Restaurant Review - HOOKED ON SUSHI 

Always quality and one of our favorite places to go.  They have multiple locations and I recommend planning ahead to wait at least 10-15 minutes. The service is great and I have never been disappointed with any roll I get. This pick was inspired by my sister, Lex as her last meal before she heads back to NYC. We always love to tart with the garlic edamame and a miso soup! 

Hooked on Sushi

Tips from a Teacher - Prepare Your Students for the Classroom 

1. Get back on a "School Time" sleeping schedule. Summer is meant for many late nights and adventures, for students and teachers, but be sure you are properly fueling your body before the school year begins. This brings me to #2!

2. Fuel yourself with breakfast for the day ahead. Whether that be the meals provided at school, or something from home- it is essential for parents and children to encourage and maintain proper nutrition as we settle back into the school routine. 

3. You don't need the coolest supplies, I promise they don't determine how smart you are.

4. Get to know your teacher! Ask questions if you are curious about your teacher. From my experience, being able to trust and know your teacher as a person creates an inclusive classroom where everyone's opinion matters. 

5. Get involved. After a few years of remote learning, getting involved in regular school groups or activities can be beneficial for our social emotional health- it's not all about academics.

Workout of the Month 

With the school year starting up again and many of us having busy schedules, sometimes running on just a few hours of sleep; the last thing we want to do is workout. This month I bring you guys a quick HIIT workout that you can do whenever you find those extra 20 minutes to get it in. 

40 seconds of work, 20 seconds of recovery then start the next exercise. 

- Squat 

- Push Ups 

- Forward Lunge 

- Alt. Superman 

- Lateral Lunge 

- Bicycle Crunch 

Complete 3 - 6 rounds. Make sure to warm up and cool down properly! Enjoy a quick fat burning sweat whenever and wherever! 

A Word from the Agency Owner

With the 4th quarter nearing, this year has gone as fast as 2020 and 2021, the lost years.  With more cars back on the road, the cost to repair and the time to repair cars at an all time high, inflation and increased losses and increased severity of accidents, auto insurance rates will increase.  Along with soaring cost to repair homes as well as the increased cost of supplies, and wild fire projections and past pay outs, home insurance is also on the rise.  This is the time to call in for your Farmers Friendly Review.  Even if you are not our client, we will advise you on the best possible coverages for the fairest amount of premium.  Being in the business for 26 years does give our agency the knowledge and experience to best serve our clients and community.  Please reach out and stay safe.  Kindly, Glenn P Domingo, agency owner