Shop Local Rhody - January 2022 by Rhode Island Small Business Journal

January 2022 | FREE | ShopLocalRhody.com

Ocean State Jewelers

LOVE IS A GIFT Cherish it with a thoughtful Valentine’s Day Gift Get your loved ones something special for Valentine’s Day at Ocean State Jewelers! 1395 Atwood Avenue Suite 101, Johnston, RI | (401) 751-8105

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

YOUR PAVING NEEDS. OUR EXPERTISE.

We Are Professionals In

Asphalt And Concrete Paving, Construction And Repairs.

Family Owned & Operated For Over

Call us today at 401-942-8857 or visit

40 Years

www.HartfordPaving.com for more info!

ASPHALT PAVING • New Concrete and Asphalt Construction • Concrete and Asphalt Repairs

UTILITY RESTORATION

COMMERCIAL

• Drainage Improvements

• Commercial Striping

• Complete Parking Lot Renovations

• Seal Coats

SITE CONSTRUCTION • Sidewalk /Curb Repairs • ADA Compliance

• Concrete Saw Cutting • Crack Seal

WHY CHOOSE US?

Our goal at Hartford Paving & Site Construction is to provide lasting quality, a superior value, and professional service while building long-term relationships with our customers. Not only are our owners and employees experienced in all degrees of pavement construction & materials applications, but the company is operated with the highest degree of ethical standards ensuring you the finest quality of work at a price that is competitive.

112 OLD POCASSET RD. JOHNSTON, RI | 401-942-8857 | HARTFORDPAVING.COM | ESTIMATING@HARTFORDPAVING.COM

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

| PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS OWNERS WOMEN | FINANCIAL STEWARDS CREATE A GREATER RETURN ON LIFE

Create a Greater Return on Life

Dream Builders is dedicated to helping everyone—including blue-collar business owners, professional women, and family stewards—unlock their potential and realize their dreams. your dreams and get aputs return That’s why Realize our Life-Centered Planning process your life goals, not on yourlife money, at the center the conversation. From so you can liveofmore confidently, retirement strategies to succession planning, we’ll strengthen build wealth, and leave a legacy. your financial performance and turn it into a foundation for achieving your dreams.

SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION

Our goal is to help you enjoy the life you have today and build the life you wantwww.DreamBuilder-RI.com for tomorrow.

401.241.6693 | hello@dreambuilder-ri.com | hello@dreambuilder-ri.com 401.241.6693 BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

(401) 825-6062 | www.PedoDentalCareofRI.com 1775 Bald Hill Rd #4 Warwick, Rhode Island 02886

D I D Y O U K N O W?

MAKE PEDIATRIC DENTAL CARE OF RHODE ISLAND Your Child’s Dental Home

Kids should come in by their first birthday

We take pride in being the dentist that your children can’t wait to visit.

What sets Pediatric Dental Care of Rhode Island apart from the rest?

Sé Habla Español

• Focus is on preventative care: oral hygiene, sealants & nutrition • Specialize in treating children ages 0-18 years old, including those with special healthcare needs • Accept most insurance, including Rite Smiles

We Are Accepting New Patients!

1087 Newman Avenue, Seekonk, MA 02771

www.platinumc21.com 401-383-8873 C21platinumRI@gmail.com

THE MERCURIO GROUP

Looking to move up to your dream home? Now is the time, the market is on fire!

Warwick Incredible opportunity to own a multi family and live in a separate property! 2 properties on over 1/2 acre lot! Single family cottage has 1 bedroom and a full bathroom with a brand new heating system. 2-family has 2 bedrooms on each floor with full bathrooms. First floor unit has an additional half bathroom. Multi has 2 separate heating systems, oil tanks and hot water tanks for convenience. Both the cottage and the multi have 100amp electrical service. Best of all there is a 6 car garage with a brand new roof to house cars, construction equipment or create additional income. $429,900

Scituate Single level Ranch in the Heart of Desirable Scituate!! Situated

on a 2.76 acre lot, this home is cozy and quaint. Property features Cathedral Ceilings, open kitchen/living room, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath and an oversized 2 car garage. Home has vinyl siding and great parking. Final touches are needed to make this home perfect. Pre Home Inspection report available upon request. No FHA buyers. Seller has obtained estimates of work needing to be performed and is willing to rectify prior to closing, or provide buyer credit. $249,900

Pawtucket Awesome 2 family in desirable Darlington. This house is

perfect for an investor or owner occupied. Both units have 3 bedrooms on each floor. 1st floor has been updated with a new kitchen and countertops and nice tile backsplash. Bathroom has been updated with new vanity and light fixture. Large open floor plan with plenty of space for a dining room table. Large living room and hardwoods throughout. Second floor has been well maintained. Bedrooms have hardwood floors as well as the large front to back living room. $389,900

Attention Real Estate Agents! Looking for a change? We are hiring new agents. Call today for more info! Century 21 Platinum has all of the training and systems in place to ensure your success! New or experienced agents, we have it all.

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

Integrated Media Group Publications:

Founders Gil Lantini Ralph Coppolino Senior Design Manager Mike Casale Design Team Kristin Darcy Luciano Mesiti Social Media/Shop Local TV Cassandra Remillard For Advertising Info: Call 401-831-7779 x102 ralph@growwithimg.com Photography Provided By: Michelle Lee Photography RI Facebook.com/ MichelleLeePhotographyRI Call 401-451-9916

facebook.com/growwithimg twitter.com/growwithimg 401 831 7779 www.growwithimg.com

• • • • •

Full Bar for Both The Public & Members Largest Walk-in Humidor in the State Fresh Air Cycles 14x Per Hour Card Tournaments and Events Cigar Nights, Scotch Tastings and Much More Memberships Available. Ask For Details!

1145 Reservoir Ave #300 Cranston, RI 02920 ©2022 Integrated Media Group D/B/A Rhode Island Small Business Journal D/B/A Shop Local Rhody ©MMXIII Rhode Island Small Business Journal ©MMXIII Shop Local Rhody

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

Michelle Lee

SMALL BUSINESS SPECIALISTS

LUCIER

CPA INC

Photography RI

Make a statement without saying a word!

We Guarantee Success Tax Services

Bookkeeping | Payroll Service Business Consulting 1308 Atwood Avenue, Johnston RI 02919 401 946 1900 david@luciercpa.com

James Hall REALTOR® Century 21, Premier Agency 401-639-9953 james@c21premieragency.com

[401] 451-9916

MichelleLeePhotographyRI

Joseph Anthony, NMLS #705336 Mortgage Loan Originator Sierra Pacific Mortgage 401.374.7906 joseph.anthony@spmc.com

We helped these happy homeowners find their home, let us help you too contact us to start your homebuying journey today! ©2021 Sierra Pacific Mortgage Company, Inc. NMLS # 1788. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org) Equal Housing Lender. Sierra Pacific Mortgage Company, Inc. is not affiliated with the Real Estate Agent and/or Brokerage identified in this advertisement, you are not required to use Sierra Pacific Mortgage Company, Inc. to obtain mortgage financing. This advertisement is provided for informational purpose only. Rhode Island Licensed Lender/Broker 20072187LL and 20072185LB. Massachusetts Mortgage Company MC1788. We arrange but do not make loans. Not Licensed in New York. Not all borrowers will qualify. This is not a commitment to lend.

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O’Gara attorneys are innovators and collaborators with a record of achievement representing clients with the highest level of legal services in a wide range of disciplines and industries. Our firm’s success is rooted in its cutting edge approach to modern legal representation, commitment to teamwork and providing superior service for clients built on respect, urgency and efficiency that results in long-lasting relationships.

Great legal teams working for YOU. Northwoods Office Park 1301 Atwood Avenue, Suite 215 N Johnston, RI 02919

401-824-5100 pldolaw.com

FROM MAIN STREET TO YOUR STREET | Call 401-310-0630 Sal Savastano - Executive Vice President, Ext. 101, NMLS# 201878 John Savastano - Area Manager, Ext. 102, NMLS# 202774 David Travers - Branch Sales Manager, Ext. 103, NMLS# 41681 Vivian Garcia - Branch Ops Manager, Ext. 106 David Campagnone - Branch Manager, Ext. 116, NMLS# 202619 Jennifer Richetelli - Loan Officer, Ext. 107, NMLS# 1721491 Patricia Vargas - Loan officer, Ext. 109, NMLS# 1433663 Waldy Ripoll - Loan Officer, Ext. 113, NMLS# 1450474 Mike Plummer - Loan Officer, Ext. 114, NMLS# 1606301 Ramon Feliz - Loan Officer, Ext. 117, NMLS# 721887 John Caliri - Underwriter, Ext. 108 Brianna Cunningham - Processor, Ext. 104 Caitlin Barone - Processor Lucy Togher - Processor, Ext. 105 Chacety Lezcano - Processor, Ext. 110 Seana Petrangelo - Closer, Ext. 115 Cristina Costa - Closer

Located At: 400 Reservoir Avenue Providence, RI This is not a guarantee to extend consumer credit. Main Street Home Loans NMLS ID #2893 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). MA Mortgage Lender and Broker. RI Licensed Lender and Broker.

Licensed in RI, CT, NH and NJ BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

HELPING YOU FIND QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS IN YOUR AREA! We offer directory listings searchable based on your location, provider specializations and certifications, treatment of specific disorders, virtual/in-person services, insurance coverage, and many more! Types of therapies we can connect you with: • Speech-Language Pathology

• Music Therapy

• Physical Therapy

• Audiology

• Occupational Therapy

• Play Therapy

Get started today at www.TherapyConnectNow.com If you have any questions, please email info@therapyconnectnow.com

info@therapyconnectnow.com

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

RONNIE’S PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Taking Care of All Your Septic Needs Since 1980!

Complete Septic Services SEPTIC SYSTEMS DESIGNED, INSTALLED & MAINTAINED

BOOK TODAY!

Schedule an Appointment With Us! SAVE SOME TIME, BOOK ONLINE! Visit PumpItOutRI.com to get started today!

Your Local Jewelry Experts Featuring the desired brands Sarah Yo, Dora Rings and BlackJack.

We are here for all of your Jewelry and Watch needs including repairs. Also featuring an Expert Watchmaker on site. Open Tuesday thru Friday 10am to 5pm. Open Saturday 9am-1pm.

Stop in to see our inventory.

1395 Atwood Avenue Suite 101, Johnston, RI Call (401) 751-8105 BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

The Field Team

Buying or Selling, call our team of experts today!

Michael Field 401-741-1582

Sharon Field 401-741-1338

ADVANTAGE GROUP

Laura Kavanagh 401-741-0528

If you are looking to buy or sell, we offer some important real estate market advantages!

• Advanced Marketing • Strong Negotiating • Superior Communication

www.viewhomesinrhodeisland.com

ASPHALT & PAVING EXPERTS

Trust The Professionals Residential & Commercial Services

Get A FREE quote: 401-267-4638 10

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

Treat Your Sweetheart to the

e c n e i r e p x g E n i n i t D s Be in Rhode Island! Rhode Island has a slight advantage when it comes to finding a phenomenal restaurant. Although there are hundreds of tasty spots throughout our tiny Ocean State, we all need a little help when it comes to finding the perfect restaurant that can really impress a date. You can never go wrong with these Rhode Island favorites!

Spain

Pasta Beach

1144 Ocean Rd. | Narragansett, RI 02882

138 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840

(401) 783-9770 | $$$

(401) 847-2222 | $$

Al Forno

Iron Works Tavern

577 S Main St. | Providence, RI 02903

697 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI 02886

(401) 273-9760 | $$

(401) 739-5111 | $$

La Messeria

Matunuck Oyster Bar

223 Main St, East Greenwich, RI 02818

629 Succotash Rd, Wakefield, RI 02879

(401) 398-0693 | $$$

(401) 783-4202 | $$

The Tree House Tavern & Bistro 1094 Centerville Rd, Warwick, RI 02886 (401) 821-1105 | $$

Gracie’s 194 Washington St. | Providence, RI 02903 (401) 272-7811 | $$$

Be sure to book your reservation ahead of time!

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

The Kimberly Group is now merging with HomeSmart Professionals

Buying or Selling?

Our team of professionals can cover all of your real estate needs. Contact

Kimberly Teves The Kimberly Group (401) 996-6799

Call our team today at 401-396-5255

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

clientcare@thekimberlygroup.net

! e H R m o s e w A e l t t i l

Y D O

o s IS

by Dr. Ronald G. Shapiro

Lauren Giammarco, a professional organizer, is a life long resident of Rhode Island. Lauren has enjoyed organizing things from the time she was a little girl to the present time. She attributes this to the strong influence by her grandmother and mother who took so much pride in their homes. Home was always a gathering place for family and friends to laugh, enjoy a meal, and be themselves. This allowed her to understand the strong connection between the spaces we live in and the way that we feel. When Lauren was just eight years old, she wrote “I want to organize closets someday” in her journal. Lauren spent years organizing closets for her friends as a hobby while working in sales and account management for a consumer goods company. About 10 years ago, she began her business Mindful Spaces, providing organization services throughout the state of Rhode Island. When Lauren is not organizing, she is finishing her book titled The Unbecoming which will be published on May 24,2022 and helping people suffering from Lyme Disease, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and long CoViD. Lauren’s book will detail her recent illness, physical and mental recovery. She helps others by discussing recovery and the decision-making process to lead a more satisfying life. This process led her to move from sales and account management to working in organizing, what she loves to do. Lauren also enjoys hiking, nature and camping. Her favorite place to hike is Joshua Tree in California. Locally she likes to hike in Acadia as well as the East Bay Bike Path. Lauren offers some suggestions to help you simplify your home, clean your clothes closet for good, and be organized forever: •

To guide you in the organizing process, decide who you are. Consider writing and editing a description of yourself until it really represents who you are today.

•

Organizing Your Home

Make space in your closet for where things will go by decluttering. Remember, your objective is to utilize your space, not to find a space for everything you own. Remove all of the clothing you have not worn for 2 seasons or more, as well as everything that doesn’t represent who you are today. Put everything that remains in your closet in categories (for example, home clothes, work clothes, special occasion) based upon your daily routines. Aim to do a good, but not a perfect job categorizing. Incorporate systems to improve functionality and help you to stay organized. For example, you might buy plastic shoe boxes or non-slip hangers or little cubbies. You might color code your hangars to make it easier to stay organized. When you are finished, your space should be an extension of how you feel. While you are working, Lauren reminds you to remember that just because you made a mess does not mean that you are a mess. Once you finish sorting your clothes, apply the same principles as you organize your guest closet, linen closed, kitchen, pantry, bathroom, basement garage, etc.

Contact Lauren if you have the motivation to be organized but it just isn’t happening. Lauren will be your unbiased expert and voice of reason to guide you in your path to becoming organized. Also, be sure to contact Lauren if she can be of support in your recovery from ME/CFS or Long CoViD. Lauren may be reached by mobile phone at 401.369.4476, on Instagram at MindfulSpaces_ Organization or at her website OrganizedForLife.Net.

I would like to thank Industrial Consultant Dr. Margarita Posada Cossuto for helpful comments.

Dr. Ronald G. Shapiro Independent Consultant in Human Factors, Learning and Human Resources

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

OUTDOOR

ESCAPES OF NEW ENGLAND BY HARTFORD

Featuring Products By

Outdoor Escapes RI is a one-stop shop for all contractors and homeowners, offering a complete line of landscaping and masonry materials, as well as the tools and equipment needed to get the job done.

Lighting • Pavers • Veneer • Walls • Fireplaces and Pits • Ovens and Grills • Materials • Mulch and More

112 Old Pocasset Rd. Johnston, RI | 401-942-8857 | outdoorescapesne.com

INSPECT & DETECT HOME INSPECTIONS, LLC Thinking About Waiving Your Home Inspection?

Call Us First!

Electronic Reporting Within 24 Hours Best Price Guaranteed! We Will Beat Any Competitors Price!

Fully Licensed and Serving Rhode Island 7 Days a Week Additional Discounts

For Military and 1st Responders

Mention This Ad For A Discount

Contact Jim at 401-480-8842 | Jim@InspectandDetect.net 14

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

Let New England Bridge Crane

Do The Heavy Lifting For You Is your business searching for help with some extra heavy lifting? Look no further than New England Bridge Crane! A local, family-owned business based right out of Norton, MA, New England Bridge Crane is New England’s exclusive dealer of Kundel overhead bridge cranes. We know what you’re thinking - what exactly is an overhead bridge crane, and how can it help your business? Overhead bridge cranes are not the cranes that build sky-high buildings. Instead, overhead bridge cranes are used to transport extra heavy materials from one area to another safely and efficiently. With these cranes, you can ensure your employees are not injured by lifting incredibly heavy equipment. Bridge cranes are used in a variety of industries - including but not limited to the construction, automotive, manufacturing, storage, and shipbuilding

industries. New England Bridge Crane supplies a number of different Kundel cranes that can be used for different purposes - all depending on the customer. For example, if you are searching for a method of lighter material handling, the Kundel

“

Overhead bridge cranes are used to transport extra heavy materials from one area to another safely and efficiently.

SnapTrac, which can hold up to a 1/2 ton, might be your best fit. If you are looking to transport extra heavy materials, the 10-ton TTrac is your go-to crane. New England Bridge Crane prides itself on being the #1 provider of Kundel cranes in the New England region - and for good reason! Kundel cranes are incredibly well-known within the material handling world, with likes of Jay Leno (“The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”, “Jay Leno’s Garage”) and West Coast Customs CEO Ryan Freidlinghaus (“Pimp My Ride”, “Street Customs”) using them in their garages. Dave Pateuk, the owner of New England Bridge Crane, has over 20 years of experience in the construction industry, which provides him and his employees with a unique perspective that can assist you in finding the best material handling solution for your business. If you’re interested in working with New England Bridge Crane, give Dave Pateuk a call now - 617-440-4035.

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

Put Purpose in Your Financial Planning One of the most important questions we help our clients answer is, *“What’s the money for?”* After all, if the purpose of your financial plan was just to keep growing your nest egg, then the best financial strategy would be to keep working and growing that nest egg as long as you physically could. Our happiest retirees have improved their Return on Life not by earning as much money as possible, but by using that money in ways that make every day meaningful. Here are three ways you can start planning to build that same sense of purpose into your own financial plan.

1. PUT YOUR GIFTS TO THEIR HIGHEST USES.

3. HAVE SOME FUN!

A financially independent retiree might consider time to be their most valuable resource. Now that you don’t have to spend 40+ hours every week at a job, you can organize your days around using your personal and professional skills to do work that’s important to you.

Some retirees embrace an ‘endless weekend’ mentality about their retirement. That can be a negative if your typical weekend involves lots of time on the sofa watching television.

So, what do you do best? And, just as importantly, what do you enjoy doing? Somewhere there’s a community organization that could benefit from your pro accounting skills or graphic design background. You could volunteer as a tutor at a local school or adult education center. If you’d like to maintain some ties to your old professional world, you could start your own consulting firm or serve as a mentor to the next generation. Or perhaps your favorite part of the workweek was the spare hours you could focus on exciting new initiatives. Could you grow one of those unrealized ideas into your own company?

2. CREATE A CHARITABLE GIVING STRATEGY. Do you feel an extra bit of joy around the holidays when you donate to families in need? With proper planning, you can make giving back a part of your year-round routine. The most effective giving strategies usually focus on making regular contributions to a couple of core causes that are personally meaningful. When you have a special relationship with a particular organization, it’s that’s much more fulfilling to see your generosity in action. You might even feel inspired to start your own charitable organization and work on building a legacy that could impact your community for generations.

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

But if you’re the kind of person who packs as much fun as possible into your off days, you might really enjoy filling out a new daily retirement schedule. Set a few weekly tee times with your retired friends and family and see how low you can get that handicap. Take your spouse out for date nights at your favorite restaurants – and between courses, start planning that dream vacation you never found time for when you were both working. Try a new exercise routine. Schedule some extra trips to visit your grandkids and catch their soccer games and dance recitals. Perhaps most importantly, give yourself some space to experiment. Very few seniors get retirement right on their first try. It’s possible that some things that made you feel purposeful when you were working don’t excite you as much at this new stage of your life. Be open to new experiences. Follow your curiosity. And if you ever feel your financial plan and your sense of purpose drifting apart, schedule some time to talk to one of our advisors (https://www.dreambuilder-ri. com/contact). We can review your plan and work through some of our interactive Life-Centered Planning tools to reestablish that connection and make sure you’re getting the best life possible with the money you have. Call us 401.241.6693 or Email Us hello@dreambuilder-ri.com Visit Us Online - www.dreambuilder-ri.com

Plant-Based Eating Article by Donna Savage

You’ve tried all the fad diets only to see temporary results after weeks or months of hunger and deprivation. Sound familiar? What if there was a natural way to lose weight without being hungry or fighting cravings?

SAY HELLO TO THE POWER OF PLANTS!

PLANT-BASED EATING IS PROVEN TO HELP YOU... — Lose weight — Improve digestion — Strengthen immunity — Manage menopause symptoms

After cutting out the “convenient” processed foods in my life, I’VE NEVER FELT BETTER! I used to struggle with digestive and inflammatory issues and always felt run down. After transitioning to a plant-based diet, my energy levels are through the roof, my digestion couldn’t be better, and my weight maintenance has become effortless!

— Gain energy — Sleep better — Get clear skin — Feel BETTER

Research-based science proves that eating more plants will help you take control of your health. My Plant-Powered Weight Loss Course is a 6-week program that will provide you with the knowledge, confidence, and support to not give up on your dreams of losing weight & enjoying your best health.

Learn more on how plants can help you kickstart your health: empowerfitness.com

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

Stay Healthy This Winter With heavy snow comes potential injuries! When you’re out shoveling or snow blowing this winter, it is important to follow protocol to avoid slips, falls, and other harm. To help you out, here are some ways to protect yourself this winter!

Proper Posture Proper shoveling posture can really help minimize aches, pains, and other more serious issues — especially with back pain! Keep the shovel close to your body, using your legs for pushing the snow instead of throwing it. Throwing it requires heavy lifting, and the goal is to make sure you aren’t over-flexing your spine! To do this, keep your back straight.

Warm Up Stretching prior to shoveling is important! While shoveling is not a sport, it does require physical endurance. Loosening up your body will help protect you from serious injuries. Even taking an anti-inflammatory before shoveling can help ease any soreness!

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

Start Early Choose the best time to begin shoveling. People most commonly shovel after the snow has built up. This can cause the snow to become heavy, and heavy lifting can make you more prone to injury! If you can help it, try to shovel when the snow is at its lightest. This, of course, means you will have to shovel more times during the day, but your body will thank you!

Take care of your body Keeping your body warm is essential to avoiding injuries. Be sure to bundle up before taking on the cold air. Stay hydrated as well, drinking plenty of water prior to taking your first few steps outside.

Make this a memorable

! y a D s ’ e n i t n e l a V

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, which means reservations will be quickly filling up. Get ahead of the last-minute booking rush by planning out your special day in advance! Running low on ideas? You can never go wrong with these Rhode Island favorites!

Rooftop at Providence G Rooftop at the Providence G is Downtown Providence’s premier rooftop restaurant and lounge that is weatherized and open year-round. Guests can enjoy stunning and unobstructed views of Providence’s famous skyline perfectly paired with a distinct food and drink menu, and live entertainment. 100 Dorrance St. | Providence, RI | (401) 632-4904

Go Skating At The Providence Rink Skate into a romantic evening by visiting The Providence Rink! Make fun memories with your loved one by having a memorable Valentine’s Day this year! Maybe even grab some hot chocolate after. For more information, visit their website. 2 Kennedy Plaza | Providence, RI | theprovidencerink.com

B.Y.O.H.C. B.Y.O.H.C. or “Bring Your Own Hot Cocoa,” is a fun and creative date idea that won’t break your wallet! Wear your warmest hats and scarves and pack a thermos full of hot cocoa and head over to Prospect Park, India Point Park, Waterplace Park, or one of the many other beautiful spots our state has to offer and enjoy a romantic stroll in the park New England style with your date this Valentine’s Day.

Spoil him/her with fine jewelry! Ocean State Jewelers is conveniently located in Johnston and carries so many beautiful collections. Some top designer names that OSJ carries are Stuller and Gold Charms! Planning on making this the most memorable Valentine’s Day yet? Customers may also be interested in the very popular Dora Rings, starting at $299, they are perfect for wedding/engagement bands! Veronica, Alicja and the Ocean State family highly recommend gold. You can never go wrong with a classic! Come visit them today and see their many cases of fine jewelry for yourself, and gift it to your special someone! 1395 Atwood Ave. | Johnston, RI 02919 | (401) 751-8105

Fun date ideass for couples of all ages!

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

Are you looking to sell your home? My experience in the market will help you maximize your home value!

Are you looking to buy a home?

PREFERRED

My expertise and market connections will help guide you to the perfect home!

Contact Placido Olivo Today at 401-419-5211

Pen Savings is a New England based company that is committed to Pen Savings is a family-run NewatEngland based company that is providing the very best writing products price points that will add value committed to providing very best writing productsrefills at price points to your writing experience. Theythe specialize in offering high-quality thatthat contain inksto at your unbeatable savings. willsuperior add value writing experience.

Choose the “Write” Pen!

They carry brands suchsuch as: as: They carry brands  Monteverde • Monteverde  Benu • Benu  Pineider • Pineider  Conklin • Conklin  Cross • Cross  Montegrappa  Domani • Montegrappa & so • much and somore! many more!

They also have a large of: They also haveselection a large selection of:  Ink bottles • Ink bottles  Cartridges • Cartridges  Converters • Converters  Refills • Refills  Notebooks • Notebooks  Journals • Journals • and so many more!

Service@pensavings.com | 401-268-5183 7456 Post Road, North Kingstown RI 02852 | Pensavings.com Service@pensavings.com 1-401-268-5183 Pen Savings,| 7456 Post Road, North Kingstown RI 02852 Pensavings.com 20

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

Show SShow Y Furry Shhoow w Your Your Yoouurr Furry Frriieenndd Some Soom me Love Friend FFriend SSome Love

Thhiiss Valentine’ Day! This TThis Valentine’s Day! y! Valentine’sDay Dayisisa atime timefor forshowing showingthe the people people we we love love just that Valentine’s just how howmuch muchwe wecare. care.ItItisisnot nota asurprise surprise that our pets make the top of that list! Our furry friends are always up for a snuggle, they know when to be our pets make the top of that list! Our furry friends are always up for a snuggle, they know when to be there for you at the worst and best of times and you can see how much they adore you every day! there for you at the worst and best of times and you can see how much they adore you every day! Here are some ways that you can share your appreciation for your four-legged companion:

1. Buy them a new toy. If your pet’s toys are looking chewed and ripped, this is the best time to go out and spoil them rotten! Replace their old toys with new ones that can easily entertain them.

2. Spa day! After letting them enjoy the outdoors, give your pet a little TLC. Give them a grooming session (with lots of treats of course!). Give them a refreshing bath, a loving comb-out and maybe even sneak in a massage or two! Your pet will look fresh and feel fabulous, with a healthy coat!

3. Bring them on a long walk. 3. Bring them on a long walk.

If your pet’s version of an ideal day Ifinvolves your pet’s version of an ball ideal chasing a tennis atday your involves chasing a tennis ball your local park, take him! Enjoy thisatquality local park, take him! Enjoy this quality time together! time together!

4. Give them all the scratches & 4.belly Giverubs them allwant. the scratches & they belly rubs they want.

We can all agree that our pet has We can allspot agree petbeing has a special thatthat theyour love Whether that love is onbeing their ascratched. special spot that they belly or under their chin, give scratched. Whether that is onthem their all the scratches today to keep them belly or under their chin, give them extra happy! all the scratches today to keep them extra happy!

7. Always remember to keep your 7. Always remember to keep your house pet safe! house pet safe!

As many of us know, Valentine’s Day is a As filled manywith of us know, Valentine’s Day is a day chocolates, candy, flowers day filled with chocolates, candy, flowers and candles. Make sure your own treats andout candles. sure your are of your Make pets reach, makeown suretreats arecheck out oftoyour reach, sure you seepets if your plantmake or bouquet check see your and plantdon’t or bouquet ofyou flowers is to safe forif pets, of flowers is safe for candles pets, and don’t forget to blow out any before forget to out any candles before leaving theblow house! leaving the house!

5. Bake them a healthy treat. 5.Valentine’s Bake them Day aishealthy filled withtreat. sweet treats from your loved one, so with why sweet not cook Valentine’s Day is filled treats up something forwhy yournot pet? from your lovedspecial one, so cook Gosomething out and purchase up special aforcheap your heart pet? shaped cookie cutter, and look up an Go out and purchase a cheap heart easy peanut butter or pumpkin dog treat shaped cookie cutter, and look up an recipe! There is nothing quite like a easy peanut butter or pumpkin dog treat homemade treat made with love. recipe! There is nothing quite like a homemade with love.year! 6. Set themtreat up made for a flea-free Fleas ticks the dayyear! off, 6. Set and them updon’t for atake flea-free

unfortunately, and February into spring Fleas and ticks don’ttime takeofthe dayMake off, can be their busiest year. unfortunately, and February into spring sure your pet is protected. Diamond Hill can be their year. Make Animal Clinicbusiest offers atime wideofvariety of sure your pet is protected. Diamond safe flea & tick preventatives for your Hill Animal Clinicthem offersata401-658-0751 wide variety of pet. Contact if safe flea & tick preventatives fortheir your you have any questions or visit pet. Contact them at 401-658-0751 if website diamondhillanimalclinic.com you have any to learn more.questions or visit their website diamondhillanimalclinic.com to learn more.

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

Meet The Envoy Team! Doug Doug Iannuccilli Iannuccilli Branch Manager

Jamieson Jamieson S. S. Toulan Toulan Jim Jim Delprete Delprete Operations Manager/Loan Originator

Loan Originator

Hugo Hugo Rego Rego Loan Originator

Susan Susan Males Males Loan Originator

Tom Tom Holman Holman

NMLS ID #19741

Operations Manager/Loan Originator NMLS ID #1624089

Phone: (401) 474-4760

NMLS ID #4361

Phone: (401) 932-1878

NMLS ID #1825184

NMLS ID #24320

NMLS ID #29152

Branch Manager

NMLS ID #19741

Phone: (401) 499-3684

NMLS ID #1624089

Phone: (401) 499-3684 Phone: (401) 474-4760 diannuccilli@envoymortgage.com jtoulan@envoymortgage.com diannuccilli@envoymortgage.com

jtoulan@envoymortgage.com

Loan Originator

NMLS ID #4361

Phone: (401) 932-1878 jdelprete@envoymortgage.com jdelprete@envoymortgage.com

Loan Originator

NMLS ID #1825184

Phone: (774) 992-3306

Phone: (774) 992-3306 hrego@envoymortgage.com hrego@envoymortgage.com

Loan Originator

NMLS ID #24320

Phone: (401) 243-5758

Loan Originator

NMLS ID #29152

Phone: (508) 243-9026

Phone: (401) 243-5758 Phone: (508) 243-9026 susan.males@envoymortgage.com tholman@envoymortgage.com susan.males@envoymortgage.com

tholman@envoymortgage.com

100% 100% F FINANCING INANCING A AVAILABLE VAILABLE FOR USDA AND VA LOANS

FOR USDA AND VA LOANS

Building Customers For Life

• Purchases and Refinance

•• Purchases andLoans Refinance Conventional • First Time Home Buyer Conventional Loans

•• Renovations LoansBuyer & More First Time Home

notice and may not be available in all states. All products are subject to credit & property approval. Envoy Mortgage, L.P. – Rhode Island Licensed Lender – License # 20092627LL; Rhode Island Licensed Loan Broker – License # 20122861LB; Third Party Loan Servicer License# 20163198LS

Copyright © 2021. This is not an offer to enter into an agreement. Information, rates, & programs are subject to change without prior notice and may not be available in all states. All products are subject to credit & property approval. Envoy Mortgage, L.P. – Rhode Island Licensed Lender – License # 20092627LL; Rhode Island Licensed Loan Broker – License # 20122861LB; Third Party Loan Servicer Visit our location at 231 Quaker Lane, Suite A, West Warwick RI 02893 License# 20163198LS

Call Today to Get Started! (401) 499-3684 | envoymortgage.com 22

Visit our location at 231 Quaker Lane, Suite A, West Warwick RI 02893

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

Call Today to Get Started! (401) 499-3684 | envoymortgage.com

Lil’ Rhody’s List of...

Winter Fun Activities To Keep You And The Family Busy This Season! Holiday Lights Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo

Celebrate the Holidays at the Newport Mansions

1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI www.rwpzoo.org/events

424 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI www.newportmansions.org/events

Ice Skating at Bank Newport City Center

Skiing, Snowboarding, Tubing

2 Kennedy Plaza, Providence, RI www.theprovidencerink.com

160 Yawgoo Valley Road, Exeter, RI www.yawgoo.com

Sledding 4097 Diamond Hill Rd, Cumberland, RI www.cumberlandri.org

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

Rooting for Lincoln Lions since 2015. Putting the needs of local communities first isn’t just key to our success; it’s at the heart of everything we do. At The Lawrence Agency , we’re committed to being your trusted advisor so you can feel confident in making important decisions about your future. Go, Lincoln!

We’re on a quest to help support the Rhode Island business community.

LET’S TALK TODAY. Lawrence Agency 872 SMITHFIELD AVE LINCOLN, RI 02865 401-726-3210 www.lawrenceagencyinc.com

We’ve designed our Quest Business Suite with that goal in mind, choose from— • Business focused deposit, lending and saving products • Customized account management tools Learn more at navigantcu.org or by calling 401-233-4700. HOME

AUTO

BUSINESS

LIFE

Products are underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and affiliated companies, Columbus, Ohio. Not all Nationwide affiliated companies are mutual companies, and not all Nationwide members are insured by a mutual company. Life insurance issued by Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company, Columbus, Ohio. Nationwide and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2021 Nationwide CPC-0662AO 14057537 (03/21)

THE SEYBOTH TEAM

ARE YOU LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL?

My expertise is ready to help you!

5-STAR REVIEW I am very Fortunate to have found Tyler as my realtor. Thanks to him we were able to find the perfect home for our family! He is so hard working and was very supportive in every step of the process. He made us feel secure on our first home purchase. He is highly recommended. - Glenda N.

Specializing in.....Buying, Selling, Relocation and Foreclosures

Tyler Cote | 617.320.9584 | tylercote.c21limitless.com 24

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

o r e R t

t s a l B

Red Parrot NewporT 3 4 8

T h ame s

S t r e E T ,

The Red Parrot building is a historical building located in Newport. Listed on the National Register of Historical Places Built in 1898 by John Alton Barker, it originally served as a meatpacking house, having employed hundreds of people during the era known as “The Gilded Age”. Through the years, this building has served high-profile heads of state, diplomats, royalty, movie stars, and the thousands of people

N e w p o r t ,

R h o d e

I s l an D

visiting historical Newport each year. Trading from the Caribbean and South Seas has always been a key part of Newport history and the pineapple, displayed throughout the city, has been a symbol of hospitality in Newport since the colonial era. Sea captains returning home after months at sea would bring exotic fruits back from the Caribbean. A pineapple would be placed in front of the captain’s home to signal his return and to welcome friends in to share his good fortune. The scenic atmosphere is just one of the reasons, besides the delicious food, why Red Parrot is so popular. Authentic wood and brass finishes are found throughout the restaurant. Their menu itself is diverse with fresh seafood, Caribbean flare, and innovative dishes. Some of the hit dishes are the Lobster Nachos, Mediterranean Swordfish, Blackened Filet, Rasta Pasta, and Shark Bites. They serve all functions! Whether you are celebrating with friends before you tie the knot, graduating college, or want to enjoy a nice meal, we will have you leaving here with a sense of comfort. Before heading out, try one of their award-winning drinks! Dining in is come first serve for some delicious food. You can also Spread the Red Parrot spirit by purchasing a Red Parrot Gift Card for a loved one. Purchase your gift card over the phone or through email! What could be a better gift than giving someone the experience of a lifetime!

To view additional Retro Blast articles visit our website,

shoplocalrhody.com/retro-blast

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

Products Local Rhode Island TO

The Lazy K Ranch Alan and Ann Kinsley, owners of the Lazy K have a small farm in West Kingston that produces quality alpaca fiber products. About twenty alpacas call the twelve-acre farm home, along with assorted chickens, turkeys, honeybees and goats. Natures Finest Fiber, Alpaca Fiber, contains no lanolin, and therefor is hypo-allergenic, and is an environmentally friendly way to keep warm and in fashion. The Alpaca Fiber is the source of the yarn, socks, shawls, scarves, hats and other items sold at the pastureside store and farmers markets. The goats and honeybees also contribute, providing the raw materials for the goat milk soap and honey that the farm sells. The Lazy K farm is also open to visit and shop every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 71 Beaver River Rd., West Kingston www.thelazykri.com

Rhody Craft Rhody Craft is a fun, colorful shop that sells an eclectic mix of locally handmade art and craft, as well as carefully curated national brands. They have unique cards, prints, fine art, glass, wood, baby bibs and booties, onesies, journals and paper goods. They carry handbags and ceramics, t-shirts, home goods, vintage jewelry, art jewelry, and silver jewelry. They also have teacher gifts, gifts for grads and dads, moms, friends, pretty much everyone. Rhody Craft is a colorful emporium that can satisfy all your gift buying needs and they are a Rhode Island gift shop located on Hope Street in Providence. www.rhodycraft.com |

Woof! Woof! Pet Boutique & Biscuit Bar WOOF! WOOF! Pet Boutique & Biscuit Bar was established in November of 2011 when owner and animal lover Sherri DeChaine, a former veterinary technician, realized that many pet stores lacked focus on much needed nutrition. Sherri utilized her many years of experience as a veterinary technician coupled with her human nutrition background to choose WOOF! WOOF!’s food & supplement lines. All of their products are hand picked, researched and tested by their staff. They support LOCAL vendors from RI & around New England as much as possible! They do not jump on the new product bandwagon just because something looks cute or promises to do this or that. The pet industry offers so many items and is growing by the day, so WOOF! WOOF! wanst to make sure that your pets get only the best from the vast ocean of pet products on the market. www.woofwoofboutique.com

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

White Electric Coffee Co-Op T H E

F I R ST

CO F F E E

S H O P

I N

by Josh Daly

White Electric Coffee opened their doors 21 years ago in Providence’s West Side. Since then, this coffee shop has become a favorite spot for teachers, students, workers, and cafe enthusiasts, leading to a strong and loyal customer base. As the business grew, a group of workers saw avenues for change. In 2020 their call for more diverse hiring practices, paid time off, and racial sensitivity training led to the formation of a union, operated under the Collaborative Union of Providence Service-workers (CUPS). With a union in place, the founders announced their intention to sell the business. The CUPS workers seized the opportunity and pursued purchasing the cafe and turning it into a workers cooperative. The idea of a worker’s co-op, where employees have ownership and utilize a democratic decision-making process, stemmed from loving the concept of having an overarching meaning behind control of the workplace. Co-op member Danny Cordova said the worker view was, “If we succeed, that would be awesome and would be a huge win for workplace democracy, and if we failed, then at least we tried.” Co-op members researched, applied for loans, and raised money from locals who supported the union all along. The passionate community donated $52,000 toward realizing the dream of a worker-owned cafe. After the business was acquired, the members of the co-op turned to the RISBDC, working with business consultants Josh Daly and Maggie Longo, who directed the members towards the appropriate licenses

R H O D E

I S L A N D

U N I O N I Z E

and trained them on the payroll and banking processes necessary to properly reopen the cafe. White Electric met their goal timeline, reopening on May 1st, 2021 with their loyal customers standing by. In 2020, White Electric Coffee was the first coffee shop in Rhode Island to unionize. Future plans include hopes to bring back indoor dining, add new creative drinks and gluten-free options to the menu, engage with the local causes to support their community, and expand and continue working for CUPS. Cordova recommends to anyone looking to start a worker-owned co-op, “Find a group of people who are reliable and you can trust. Go around and ask questions and for help… it’s always reassuring knowing that if we ever need help, we have some folks to turn to.” To learn more about White Electric Coffee Co-Op, visit their website at http://whiteelectriccoffee.com/#thebestcoffee The Rhode Island Small Business Development Center at URI is part of a national network of nearly 1,000 business assistance centers that provide counseling and training to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Partially funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, we help businesses to succeed from start-up to maturity.

Josh Daly is the Southern RI Regional Director of the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center.

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

Accepting New Patients!

A Brighter Dental Experience Looking for a new dentist? Look no further! DentalRI is a mother and son dental office located in Cranston, RI. Whether you are in need of a checkup, cleaning, or procedure - we’re here to help!

Our Services

• Brighter Cleanings A Dental Experience • Digital X-Rays

• Fillings Looking for a new dentist? Look no further! • Porcelain Crowns DentalRI is a mother and son dental office located in Cranston, RI. Whether • Implant Crowns you•are in need of&aPartial checkup, cleaning, or procedure - we’re here to help! Complete Dentures • Teeth Whitening • Cleanings • Porcelain Crowns • Teeth Whitening • Full Mouth Rehabilitations • Digital X-Rays • Implant Crowns • Full Mouth Rehabilitations • And Much More! • Fillings

• Complete & Partial Dentures

Call The Office (401) 463-8000

Accepting New Patients!

• And Much More!

Office Location 1249 Oaklawn Ave, Cranston, RI

Email Us dentalrhodeisland@gmail.com

20+ Years of Real Estate Experience

I am a dedicated full-time agent applying my experience as an Operations & Facilities professional to the world of Residential and Commercial Real Estate to help you find or sell your home!

Lorena Childress 401-632-7623

My experience managing Corporate Real Estate functions, Interior Design, Renovations and Construction, Building Occupancies, Relocations, Contracts, Projects, Space Planning and more makes me a knowledgeable resource for my clients - as well as an extremely capable agent to list and market properties or help my clients find their new home.

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

Email: lorenaslistings@gmail.com

How To Avoid Winter Autobody Damage PRESENTED BY RELIABLE COLLISION REPAIR In Rhode Island weather, it’s easy to see why winter is one of the harshest times of year for your vehicle. Icy roads and a buildup of snow make up just a few of the many hazards that come with the colder temps - and there are many more factors that could leave your vehicle in need of bodywork this winter. To help you and your vehicle brave the colder months, Reliable Collision put together this guide to avoid body damage.

Driving Tips

Road Salt & Sand

Driving tips for winter may sound like common sense, but they can be easy to forget. Avoid driving in snowstorms unless it’s absolutely necessary and drive slowly with windshield wipers and lights on if you do have to venture out in the snow. If you have a choice, leave the sports car or other two-wheel-drive vehicle at home and opt to use a vehicle with all-wheel drive. Even if you do have allwheel drive, DO NOT overestimate the power of your all-wheel-drive system.

While salt and sand can help melt ice and provide more traction when you need it most, these road maintenance products can corrode your paint and even cause your vehicle’s body to rust prematurely. Cleaning the salt off of your vehicle can be helpful, but applying wax can be your best defense against corrosion. If you do visit a car wash, look for one with an under-carriage spray to help prevent your frame from rusting.

No matter what you drive, when temperatures drop, you should accelerate and decelerate slowly and leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the next. Tailgating is even more dangerous when you need all the time you can get to stop safely.

Check Those Brakes

Take Care of Your Tires Not only does the cold cause tire pressure to drop, but it also causes the rubber to stiffen and sometimes crack. Make sure your tires are inflated properly to give you the best contact and handling possible and make sure your tire tread is in good shape. When testing tire treads, you can use the penny test to give yourself an idea of whether you need new tires. If you do need new tires, winter tires may very well be worth your while to give you some extra traction.

Get your brakes inspected to make sure all of the components are in good shape. As we mentioned earlier, you need all of the stopping ability you can get in winter conditions and worn brakes can be the difference between avoiding an accident and winding up in a collision.

Parking Smarter One major cause of body damage that is easy to miss is not a driving tip or maintenance tip - but practicing the art of smart parking. You won’t always get to pick the perfect spot, but being selective about your parking spots can go a long way in preventing damage. Avoid parking towards the bottom of icy hills on city streets or in parking lots and opt to park farther away from other cars whenever it is safe to do so.

No plan to avoid damage is perfect. Be prepared to call Reliable Collision Repair. The team at Reliable Collision Repair understands that no matter how careful drivers try to be, accidents will always happen. When your vehicle needs repairs, even for a parking lot fender-bender, it can feel like your life has been turned upside down. That’s why they do everything we can to get you back on the road. From handling the appraisal to dealing with your insurance company and even providing rental vehicles or helping to tow your vehicle to our shop in some cases – we can help you at every step of the way. As a class-A autobody shop, when you use Reliable Collision, you can rest assured that your vehicle is in good hands. If you give us a call at (401) 823-4770 or schedule an appointment with us through Carwise, we’ll be happy to help get your vehicle back on the road in tip-top shape.

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

Easy At-Home Recipes Are you looking to change up your weekly meal routine with some new recipes? Check out these delicious dinner ideas that are super easy to make for the family! These recipes are fast and yummy that the whole family young and old are bound to enjoy!

Appetizer: Caprese

Skewers

Total Time: 45 minutes | Yields: 12 people

Ingredients:

- ½ tsp salt - ½ tsp pepper - 10 ounce grape or cherry tomatoes (1 package) - 8 ounces mini mozzarella cheese balls - Fresh basil leaves

- ½ cup balsamic vinegar - ¼ cup olive oil - 1½ tsp Italian seasoning - ¾ tsp garlic powder - ½ tsp onion powder

Directions: 1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, heat the balsamic vinegar for about 10-15 minutes until it has reduced into more of a glaze, stirring occasionally. The volume of liquid will have reduced as well. You should be able to dip a spoon into the glaze, run your finger through the glaze along the back of the spoon, and see a solid line. Take off heat to cool. 2. In a separate, small bowl, combine the olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. 3. Assemble skewers by alternating between one cherry tomato, one mini mozzarella cheese ball, and a basil leaf. 4. Once all skewers are filled and assembled, brush the olive oil mixture over the top, followed by the balsamic glaze over all the skewers. Plate and serve.

Main Entree:

Sesame Beef and Noodle Stir Fry Total time: 1 hour 25 minutes | Serves: 6

Ingredients:

Cooking Instructions:

- 1 lb flank steak

1. In a large ziplock bag combine minced garlic, minced ginger, marinade, apple juice, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Shake really well. Then add the flank steaks. Marinade 1 hour or overnight if possible.

- 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic - 2 teaspoons minced ginger - 1 cup toasted sesame dressing and marinade - 1/3 cup apple juice - 2 Tablespoons soy sauce - 1 teaspoon red peper flakes - 1 teaspoon black pepper - 16 ounces frozen stir fry veggies - 2 (7 ounce) packages of Udon Noodles (seasoning sauce packets discarded) -these are found in the refrigerated section at the grocery store - 2 Tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

2. In a skillet cook the steaks. Discard the remaining marinade. Cook steaks for a few minutes on each side. Then remove steaks and place on a plate and let sit for a few minutes while you finish cooking the rest. 3. Throw in the stir fry vegetables into the remaining steak juices. Cook according to the back of the package. Once they are cooked toss in the udon noodles. Cook for a few minutes. While they are cooking slice up the steak into strips. Once the vegetables and noodles are all combined add in the steaks and mix. Top with sesame seeds and serve! After a long day of work, the last thing you want to do is spend hours cooking an elaborate dinner. So we rounded up dinner ideas you can make in jiffy!

Dessert: Oreo

Truffles

Total Time: 1 hour 5 min | Serves: 12

Ingredients: - 1 (14 oz.) package Oreos - 8 oz. cream cheese, softened - 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

- 2 c. white chocolate chips, melted - 2 tbsp. coconut oil - ½ c. semisweet chocolate chips

Directions: 1. Use a food processor to crush cookies into fine crumbs. Add all but 2 tablespoons crushed cookies to a medium bowl. Add cream cheese and vanilla and stir until evenly combined. 2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a small cookie scoop, form mixture into small balls. Place on prepared baking sheet and freeze until slightly hardened, about 30 minutes. 3. A few minutes before taking the frozen balls out of the freezer, melt the white chocolate and coconut oil: Add the white chocolate and coconut oil to a microwavable bowl, and microwave for 1 minute. Give it a stir. It may be melted at this point, if not, return to microwave in 30-second intervals. 4. Dip the frozen balls in melted white chocolate/coconut oil until coated, and return to baking sheet. Drizzle with semisweet chocolate. Freeze until chocolate hardens, about 15 minutes.

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

THE RIGHT CHOICE IN COLLISION REPAIR Collision Repair | Reliable Towing | Reliable Rentals

If you’ve had an accident, you’re going to need a body shop that you can trust, one that gives discounts to you, not your insurance company.

- Full Service Collision Repair Center - Rhode Island Class A Certified - Brand New State-of-the-Art Facility

31 Providence Street West Warwick, RI 02893 | (401) 823-4770 | www.reliablecollision.com

BUY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL