Relationship

Mint Cookies – Recipe for Creme De Menthe Cookies

admin

I remember when I was a girl scout. She wanted Thin Mints more than any other cookie she sold. My mom used to buy us several boxes. Even as an adult, Thin Mints are often the first box I buy. In fact, I love to freeze them, making them even tougher and crispier. There have been years where I have had enough Thin Mint cookies that we have been able to enjoy them all year long. I would like to share a cookie recipe that tastes similar to Girl Scout Thin Mints cookies.

2 2/3 cups flour

1/2 cup of white sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened at room temperature

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 teaspoon of baking soda

1 teaspoon of baking powder

1 package of Andean mint baking chips

I use a brand of vanilla that is quite strong, so I usually only use a teaspoon of vanilla. I’ve also used light and dark brown sugar in this recipe, and they both came out great.

Mix the butter and sugars. Add the baking soda, baking powder, vanilla, and eggs. Mix well. Add the flour and mix well. Gently stir in the mint baking chips. Cover and chill about an hour. It’s also fine to leave the dough overnight in the fridge.

Remove from the refrigerator and shape into a small ball. Then flatten the ball with the palms of your hands. Place it on a cookie sheet and repeat until your cooking sheet is full. Bake 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool just a minute before placing on cooling rack.

I can’t always find the mint chips for baking, so I also have a recipe using the Crème De Menthe wafers:

2 cups flour

1/2 cup butter, softened at room temperature

3/4 cup white sugar

1 egg

3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

20-25 Creme De Menthe wafers, cut in half

Mix butter and sugar. Add the egg and mix well. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the butter mixture and mix well. Add the vanilla and mix again. Cut the dough in half. Shape the dough so that you can cut it the next day to bake it. Wrap each half in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Cut slices about 3/8-inch thick. Place the slices on a cookie sheet. Place a piece of caramel on top of each slice. Now place another 3/8 inch slice on top of the candy. Seal the best you can. The cookies are now ready to bake. Bake about 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

Health Fitness

Joy without Girth: 5 Healthy Diet Tips for the Christmas Chef

admin

Christmas parties can be fabulously festive without getting fat.
With a little creativity and positive intention you can improve
its festive gastronomic traditions by serving sumptuous and healthy meals.
As a Christmas chef, you have the power to be selective and create a
Menu to delight and alleviate the guilt of the traditional festive table. Simple
Changes in cooking techniques lighten your favorite food with professionals.
ease. This year, create your own holiday traditions by changing
habits and help recipes evolve, adding your own health claim
legacy to the family.

These 5 tips will help you get started… health!

  • 1. Choose your “must haves” and make a plan; choose the dishes and foods that you like the most, they are important and symbolic for you and your family. These are the things that are most worth spending calories on. Edit what you can without feeling deprived. Consider whether another (healthier) option might qualify. For example, would baked sweet potatoes work instead of candied yams? If the answer is no, set your original recipe aside for possible modifications (see tip #3).
  • 2. Choose your menus differently and wisely. After your “must haves,” balance and fill out your menu with healthy, whole food options. Avoid more dishes with sauces and sauces. Look for vegetable and whole grain based dishes, lean meats, beans and green salads. Consider more fresh fruit, low-fat yogurt, and ice cream for dessert. Pumpkin or fruit pies have half the calories of pecan pie. In general, think high fiber and low fat.
  • 3. Select your ingredients differently. Low-fat (and some fat-free) dairy products can be substituted for full-fat dairy without any noticeable change. Evaporated skim milk is the classic cream substitute for dieters. Low sodium salt is a great way to cut down on a common holiday culprit. Choose whole grain breads and rolls, brown rice, and multigrain pasta (tastes better than whole wheat). Chicken, ground turkey (without skin), lean beef, and pork are better choices than fattier meats like short rib, ribeye, sausage, bacon, and ham. Low-fat and fat-free mayonnaise works wonders in recipes. Don’t forget the nonstick cooking spray to reduce excess calories and fat. To ensure your feast is as flavorful, nutritious, and visually appealing as possible (without excess calories), use as many fresh, whole foods and herbs as possible.
  • 4. Simple cooking techniques lighten up your menu the way spa chefs have become famous. In addition to making choices like those described above, spa chefs use techniques like braising, roasting, and steaming to prepare tender, flavorful meat, fish, poultry, and vegetables without added oil or fat. Baking and grilling are also considered key low-fat cooking techniques. Always trim visible fat and remove skin from poultry before cooking. Basting with fat-free broth or fruit juice is essential for a moist but low-fat roast. Steaming is an amazing and underrated technique that can produce quite delicate results. Substitute two egg whites or an egg substitute for every egg in recipes and applesauce can replace up to 1/3 of the oil when baking.
  • 5. Consider positive handling. Plan meetings where food is not the sole and central focus. Have a soup or salad buffet for lunch instead of normal afternoon or evening feasts. Arrange food on tables in decreasing order of importance. Place healthy, high-fiber, low-fat options at the front of the buffet table and higher-calorie options toward the end of the table. Serve dessert only after the meal.

Don’t wait…create your own healthy Christmas traditions this year. Lighten up
Prepare your Christmas party without compromising an iota of enjoyment.
Savor
your food and I appreciate your intelligence in celebrating with joy
without adding extra circumference. Raise a toast to the Christmas chef!

© 2005 Karen B. Cohen. All rights reserved.

Legal Law

CoronaVirus (CoVid-19) Crisis and Bankruptcy: What You Need to Know

admin

To say that the CoronaVirus (CoVid-19) pandemic has changed everything is an understatement. An estimated 1/3 of business and rental unit tenants did not pay their rent on time in March or April. That number is expected to rise as the closure of our businesses and people continues amid the risks of infection and severe illness from CoVid-19, in some cases death. Fortunately, in Ventura County, we haven’t had the level of carnage that Americans are having in New York City. Still, our county next door, Los Angeles County, isn’t seeing exactly the same stellar results that we’re enjoying in Ventura County.

With financial worries on the rise and everything changing week by week, you may be wondering how all of this will affect you if you file for bankruptcy or are already in bankruptcy proceedings. There are law firms out there to help. They are carefully monitoring all changes as they appear, and are here to help you through the bankruptcy process during these incredibly challenging times. Discuss some of the changes you will face and answer some of your most important questions.

Are bankruptcy courts still open?

Yes, however most court hearings will be held over the phone, not in person. Anything you say will be recorded and entered into the official record as if you were in person. If you can’t make yourself available in the prescribed time, you can and most likely will be entered on the record as ‘absent’ and that’s a big no-no with the court.

Can I still file for bankruptcy during the Corona virus shutdown?

Yes, the courts are still allowing bankruptcy cases and motions to be filed during the coronavirus crisis. The only real difference is bankruptcy and court appearances will observe these new CoronaVirus pandemic protocols.

Will my 341 bankruptcy meeting be postponed?

All pending 341(a) creditors’ meetings (initially scheduled for March 25, 2020 through April 10, 2020) have continued to a later date, most to be determined. This order will likely be extended. Everything is still fluid right now.

In a Chapter 13 case, continuing meetings of creditors does not relieve debtors of their obligation to begin making plan payments to the Trustee no later than 30 days after the petition is filed. Debtors can make these payments electronically at TFS (dot) com.

Can I keep the financial aid payments I receive during the Covid-19 economic crisis?

The bankruptcy trustee will not seek billing of any financial assistance payments related to the coronavirus economic crisis. You can use that money for your most immediate financial needs.

Do I still need to make my mortgage payments during the Corona virus shutdown?

Yes. You will still have to continue making payments as promised. Under certain circumstances, a law firm may be able to obtain some relief from the court.

If you haven’t filed yet, a law firm may be able to get some relief from your creditor under new laws passed by Congress. Of course, your bank that holds your mortgage should be notified of your financial challenges or job loss before you default on payments.

Will my bankruptcy discharge be delayed due to the Corona virus crisis?

Your final bankruptcy discharge may be postponed if your 341 meeting is rescheduled or continued until further notice. Stay informed with updates from your court or trustee. Updates can also be mailed to you, even after your meeting has taken place. It is important that you follow all the requirements that have been communicated to you, there are no excuses for missing hearings, or short dates.

Will my automatic stay of bankruptcy be affected by these changes due to Covid-19?

Not unless your bankruptcy case has been dismissed. Otherwise, the automatic stay will remain in effect unless certain exceptions are met, such as your creditor requests a waiver of the stay. Debtors who file multiple bankruptcy cases in a short period of time may also be denied an automatic stay and not allowed to use the CoronaVirus as an excuse.

Should I contact my creditors during this coronavirus crisis?

The court will notify creditors in accordance with the law, so you do not need to contact your creditors.

Do you need help with your bankruptcy during the CoronaVirus pandemic?

Law firms are there to help you through this challenging crisis. Filing bankruptcy can seem overwhelming and complicated, especially with all the changes underway and uncertainty, but they can help you navigate your way to help you complete your bankruptcy. Let them know how they can help you.