Senior Living Jan 2017 Nashville TN

®

January 2017

Learn the Story Behind the Movie

We talk with the Executive Producer of 2016’s “I’m Not Ashamed”, a powerful story behind the Columbine Shootings,

Proffitt Benny

page 8

Keeping Your Resolutions for 2017?

Fun Facts and Word Search for the New Year page 4

TM

®

January 2017

Learn the Story Behind the Movie

We talk with the Executive Producer of 2016’s “I am Not Ashamed”, a powerful story behind the Columbine Shootings,

Proffitt Benny

On the cover: Benny Proffitt, Executive Director of “I am Not Ashamed”.

page 8

Keeping Your Resolutions for 2017?

January 2017 • Volume 1/Issue 1

Fun Facts and Word Search for the New Year page 4

Welcome to the first edition of Senior Living Magazine!

Read more on his life and the story behind the movie on page 8.

Article by Mary Bounds.

Table of Contents Notes & News /Page 4 Word Search /Page 5 The Bucket List /Page 6

by Michelle Carollo

Senior Living Magazine is a monthly publication that provides important information both locally, and nationally to people age fifty-five and over.

Products and services are presented in a manner that is valuable to the active lifestyle in the fifty-five plus generation. In a little over a decade one in every five people is expected to be aged 65 and older according to the United States Census Bureau. This is a rate of about eleven thousand people each day. Our goal is to become the most read and talked about senior publication in our areas of distribution.

Senior Living Magazine is comprised of first class editorials from experts in our community.

You will enjoy beautiful photography, articles and columns on topics that range from travel, entertainment, civic/charitable involvement, shopping,

TM

for advertising information, please contact:

Greg Bounds (615) 571-7437

email:

greg@seniorlivingtn.com

Want the Right Audience?

The Right Advertising Prices?

ADVERTISE WITH US – CALL OR E-MAIL TODAY!

Pg. 2

dining, health/wellness, and social events that are pertinent to senior in our community.

Senior Living Magazine is designed to help page the way to an enlightened society where the word “senior” is spoken with pride, and citizens of senior age are treated with respect and dignity. Through inspirational content, Senior Living celebrates senior in our communities and invites readers and viewers to applaud the lives and achievements of this mature generation of people.

Meet Benny Proffitt, Executive Producer of “I’m Not Ashamed” /Page 8 by Mary Bounds Nutrition: Butcher Breakdown /Page 12 Senior Sampler /Page 14

–Greg Bounds & Garrett Epps Publishers

Meet the Staff of Senior Living Publishers Greg Bounds Garrett Epps

Editor Lana Walgamotte

Designer Dan Sause

Photographer Bach Imagery

Contributing Writers Jessica Valenzuela, Dr. Liza Ledet, DVM, Mary Bounds, Michelle Carollo, and Dr. Frank Marghella

Senior Living is published monthly P.O. Box 1904 Spring Hill, TN 37174 Copyright 2017 by Senior Living. No part of this publication can be reproduced without the written, expressed consent of the publisher. Reproduction of editorial content or graphics in any manner or in any medium is prohibited. Opinions of staff & contributing writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Contact the publishers of Senior Living via e-mail at greg@seniorlivingtn.com, or call (615) 571-7437

Letters to the Editor are Welcome – send signed letters to: Senior Living Magazine P.O. Box1904 Spring Hill, TN 37174.

Please include a phone number for verification (it will not be published).

E-mail letters to greg@seniorlivingtn.com.

The Editor reserves the right to edit for length, style and spelling.

Postmaster : Send address changes to Senior Living P.O. Box 1904 Spring Hill, TN 37174

TM

Notes & News January 2017

New Year's Eve Ball Time Square New Year's Eve Ball was first dropped in 1907 after there was a fireworks ban. Back then, a 700-pound ball embellished with 25-watt bulbs made of iron and wood was dropped. Now, however, it weighs 11,875 pounds, is 12 feet in diameter and is adorned with 2,668 Waterford crystals. The tradition has continued in Times Square, except for in 1942 and 1943. The ball was not lowered because of wartime restrictions.

Interesting New Years Facts Hide Your Cars; Hide Your Wife, Because They’re Robbing Everybody Out Here!

Keep your car locked up tonight as the National Insurance Crime Bureau revealed that New Year’s Eve is the day that more cars are stolen in the United States than any other day of the year.

Make sure to park in a populated area tonight and take your keys with you.

Unless you drive a 1994 Honda Accord.

If you do, you might as well just leave your car unlocked with the keys on the driver’s seat. The 1994 Honda Accord is the most stolen car on New Year’s Eve, more than any other vehicle.

Green Coffee Extract Green coffee is simply unroasted coffee beans from the plant that gives us so many of our morning brews. Coffee contains hundreds of compounds, many of which may have healthful benefits. There’s some data in green coffee research to support the idea that chlorogenic acid in the green coffee bean can have an effect on bodies weight and fat loss,” said

Pg. Pg. 44

Lona Sandon, R.D., assistant professor of clinical nutrition at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas.

A study in India found that people taking pills with green coffee bean extract lost an average of 18 pounds— 10 percent of their body weight—over 22 weeks. The study, published in Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity.

New Year is the oldest of all holidays, as it was first observed in ancient Babylon as many as 4000 years ago. The tradition of making New Year resolution dates back to the early Babylonians.

The Roman senate declared January 1 as the New Year in 153 BC. Though even this date saw major tampering, it was Julius Caesar who again declared January 1 in Julian calendar as the New Year, in 46 BC. Noisemaking and fireworks on New Year's Eve are believed to have originated in ancient times when noise and fire were thought to dispel evil spirits and bring good luck.

Traditionally, it was thought that people could alter the luck they would have throughout the coming year by what they did or ate on the first day of the year. It has, therefore, become important to celebrate the first day of the New Year in the company of family and friends.

Word Search Happy New Year from Senior Living Magazine! Hope y’all have some great memories of 2016 to celebrate and things to look forward to in the New Year 2017!

FIREWORKS FRIENDS HATS MIDNIGHT CELEBRATION COUNTDOWN

NOISEMAKERS PARTY RESOLUTION TIMES SQUARE TOAST CONFETTI

MM S P C P O S X H L C E F K M V Z W J U QQ A U N V G Z A H N L B L A G P P M F X NN G F R I E N D S B P S M J E C N N I O TT N I K U B E C X C F X G J S W O F R M AA J C C E L E B R A T I O N Z O O W E B VV L J N O Y A W V D O Y B J Q Y Z D W B M M Z K N O N H S T D R E S O L U T I O N CC I S U M I F T E I V Q I K N Z N O R F O O Q D H E F S E D K K H A T S S Z M K P UU P L N C Q R E T H D I V T N I M I S Z NN A M M I V G K M T V F E Y O T O A S T TT R E W Z G B Q P A I G V O V Q I G L Q DD T V H F D H M A C K P C Y T D T D Y I O Y B B O E N T T I M E S S Q U A R E S O W E Y V Q S A Z R L S M R Y A I B F M W W NN B T Z O R T D M Y Z L Q S V N O W T P DD W E C Y Q C D B S T N F I C K X Z S R

Want the Right

Audience?

Want the Right

Advertising

Prices?

ADVERTISE WITH US

CALL OR E-MAIL NOW!

Greg Bounds (615) 571-7437 email:

greg@seniorlivingtn.com

the races for multiple generations. They are in

the races for multiple generations. They are in thesituated races forinmultiple generations.

They are in bantents and RVs festooned with the races in fortents multiple They are in situated and generations.

RVs festooned with bansituated in tents and RVs festooned with banners, eat crawfish andfestooned shrimp, and situated in tents and RVs withplay ban- beer ners, eat crawfish and shrimp, and play beer ners, eat crawfish and shrimp, and play beer ners, eatand crawfish and shrimp, and play beer pong corn hole. pongand andcorn cornhole. hole. pong pong and corn hole.

Meeta aGrizzly GrizzlyininAlaska Alaska Meet Meet aa Grizzly in Alaska Meet Grizzly in Alaska Coming face face with a grizzly Coming face to to face with a grizzly cancan be be in- in-

Coming face to face with a grizzly can be inComing face toAface with a grizzly can beways in- to vigorating. place that offers many vigorating. place that offers many ways vigorating.

AAplace that offers many ways to to vigorating.

AAlaska. place that offers many ways toElias do that is A visit to Wrangell-St. dothat thatisisAlaska.

Alaska.AAvisit visittotoWrangell-St. Wrangell-St. Elias do Elias do that is Alaska. A visit to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, the country’s by: Michelle Carollo National Park Park && Preserve, Preserve,the thecountry’s country’s by: National by: Michelle Michelle Carollo Carollo National Park & Preserve, the country’s by: Michelle Carollo largest national park will almost ensure largest national park will almost ensure you a a largest national park will almost ensure you ayou largest national park will almost ensure you a sighting.

Take a run a bush plane that sighting.

Take run abush bush plane that willwill Take a arun ononaon plane that will start the year off with ourNew NewYear’s Year’sResolutions Resolutionsbut butfor formany many eeall many ofof usus itsitssighting. eall allstart startthe theyear yearoff offwith withour our New Year’s Resolutions of us its Take a run on a bush plane that will e all start the year off with our New Year’s Resolutions but for many of us its sighting. put you high above the land to view the specbad habits we trying give up.

Thisyear yearIIIam amworking workingon mybucket bucket list.

Do youput putyou youhigh highabove abovethe theland landtotoview view the specthe specbad habitswe wetrying tryingtoto togive giveup. up.This This year am working ononmy list.

Do you bad habits list.

Do you bad habits we trying to give up. This year I am working on my bucket list. Do you put you high above the land to view the spectacular and breathtaking view a land have list?

Websites in bucket bucketlists. lists.You You canview view other people’stacular and breathtaking view ofof a land that isthat tacular and breathtaking view aofland that is is have abucket bucketlist? list?Websites Websites specialize specializein in other people’s have aabucket have a bucket list? Websitesspecialize specialize inbucket bucketlists. lists.You Youcan can view other other people’s people’s tacular and breathtaking view of a land that is lists and start your own even post postphotos photosand andtell tellyour yourstory. story. Togetget started, visit basically lists and startyour yourown own–––even photos started, visit You’ll travel basically untouched by humans. lists and start You’ll travel untouched bybyhumans.

You’ll travel untouched humans. lists and start your own – evenpost post photosand andtell tellyour yourstory. story. To To get started, started, visit visit basically You’ll travel basically untouched by humans. the original bucket list at http://bucketlist.org or Google “bucket lists.” the original bucket list at http://bucketlist.org or Google “bucket lists.” thethe original bucket list atathttp://bucketlist.org over unnamed passes giant glaciers, over unnamed passes and giant glaciers, byby by over unnamed passes andand giant glaciers, original bucket list http://bucketlist.orgor orGoogle Google“bucket “bucket lists.” over unnamed passes and giant glaciers, by

W W W W

How get started, pick your passions.

How toto get started, well your passions.

How Howto toget getstarted, started,well wellpick pickyour yourpassions. passions.

Start with these categoriesbelow belowand letyour yourimagination imaginationrun run wild.

Start with these categories runwild. wild.

Start with these categories Start with these categoriesbelow belowand andletlet let your your imagination imagination run wild.

• Fun: Learn play bridge,play playroulette rouletteinin Las Vegas, join local theFun: Learn bridge, Las Vegas, joinaaaalocal localthethe••Fun: Learn tototo play bridge, • Fun: Learn toplay play bridge,play playroulette roulette in inLas LasVegas, Vegas,join join local theater, and get a makeover. ater, and get a makeover. ater,ater, andand getget a makeover. a makeover.

• Travel:Take Takeaacruise, cruise,take take aa road road trip trip to the Grand Canyon, gogowine Travel: the GrandCanyon, Canyon,go wine ••Travel: Take a cruise, take a road trip toto • Travel: Take a cruise, take a road trip tothe theGrand Canyon, gowine wine tasting in Napa Valley, visit the falls in Niagara Falls. tasting ininNapa Valley, visit the falls ininin Niagara tasting in Napa Valley, visit the falls NiagaraFalls. tasting Napa Valley, visit the falls Niagara Falls.

• Educational: Take a computer class, finally learn how to work that new • Educational: Take acomputer computer class, finallylearn how work that new ••Educational: Take aacomputer class, finally Educational: Take class, finally learnhow howtoto towork workthat thatnew new IPad, take a photography class. Learn a new language. Finish College.

IPad, take aphotography photography class.

Learn a new newlanguage.

Finish College.

IPad, take aaphotography class.

Learn a anew IPad, take class.

Learn language.Finish FinishCollege.

College.

• Health: Learn Yoga, get a massage, run a 10K, learn to line dance run a 10K, learn to line dance • Health: Learn Yoga, get a massage, ••Health: Yoga,get getaamassage, massage,run runa a10K, 10K,learn learntotoline linedance dance Health:Learn LearnYoga, Whether it is easy (send a message in a bottle) or difficult (meet the Whether iteasy iseasy easy (send amessage message a bottle) bottle)oror ordifficult difficult (meet the Whether ititisis (send aamessage ininin a abottle) Whether (send difficult(meet (meetthe the President), accomplishing items on your bucket list gives you a sense of President), accomplishing items on your bucket list gives you a sense President), President),accomplishing accomplishingitems itemsononyour yourbucket bucketlistlistgives givesyou youa asense senseofofof satisfaction, helps you make new friends and is just darned good fun. satisfaction, helps you make new friendsand andisis isjust justdarned darned good fun. satisfaction, helps you make new friends satisfaction, helps you make new friends and just darnedgood goodfun. fun.

Don’t just dream it or think it – add it to your bucket list and do Don’t just dream it or think – addit ittotoyour yourbucket bucketlist listand anddo do Don’t just it or itit–it–add Don’t justisdream dream orthink thinkList add itfrom to your bucket list andare dofun it!Here a list ofitBucket Items our readers.

These it!Here is a list of Bucket List Items from our readers.

These are fun it!Here isisaalist List from our readers.

These are fun it!Here listofofBucket Bucket ListItems Items ouryour readers. filled adventures which one will youfrom add to bucketThese list? are fun filled adventures which one will you add to your bucket list? filled filledadventures adventureswhich whichone onewill willyou youadd addtotoyour yourbucket bucketlist? list?

peaks that rise 9,000 feet from valley to summit, and through ice-melt peaks that that rise rise 9,000 9,000 feet from to peaks feet from valley valley tosummit, summit,and andthrough throughice-melt ice-melt peaks that rise sweep 9,000 feet valley rivers that could you from off your feet.to summit, and through ice-melt rivers that could sweep you off your feet. rivers that could sweep you offoff your feet. rivers that could sweep you your feet.

Learn and visit the Florida Keys Learn to to Scuba Scuba Dive Dive and visit the Florida Keys Visit Talladega Learn to Scuba Dive and visit the Florida Keys Visit Talladega Learn to Scuba Dive and visit the Florida Keys Scuba diving is a exciting sport.

To be completely suspended in the Visit Talladega Scuba diving is a exciting sport.

To be completely suspended Visit Talladega Even if you’re not into mo- Scuba diving is a exciting sport. To be completely suspendedininthe the

Even if you’re not into moEven torized sports, gointo to TalEvenififyou’re you’renot not intomomotorized sports, go to Taltorized sports, go to Talladega.

It’s truly a go site to see. torized sports, Talladega. It’s truly a site to see. ladega.

It’s truly a site to see.

Over 100,000 fansa gather to ladega.

It’s truly to see.

Over 100,000 fans site gather to Over 100,000 fans gather to watch cars racefans fourgather acrossto Over 100,000 watch cars race four across watch race across at 200cars miles perfour hour.

The watch at 200 cars milesrace per four hour.across The atreal 200 miles per hour.

The party is camping next to at miles per hour. real200 party is camping nextThe to real party is camping next to families who have come real partywho is camping nexttoto families have come families who have come to families who have come to

Pg. Pg. 66

Scuba is aseeexciting sport. completely suspended deep bluediving ocean to beautiful reefsTo andbefish.

The Florida Keys willin the deep blue ocean to see beautiful reefs and fish. The Florida Keys will deep blue ocean to see beautiful reefs and fish.

The Florida will systemKeys in the offer this experience. has thereefs third-largest deep blue ocean to Florida see beautiful and fish. reef The reef Florida system inKeys the will offer this experience.

Florida has the third-largest system in the offer this experience.

Florida hashas the third-largest world, stretching 221 miles between Key Biscayne toreef the Dry Tortureef system offer this experience.

Florida the third-largest world, stretching 221 miles between Key Biscayne to the Dry Tortu-in the world, 221 miles between Key Biscayne to the Dry Tortugas, andstretching it world, 221 miles between Key Biscayne to the Dry Tortugas, and stretching it gas, and it just might be the world’s most easily accessible.

Highway 1 threads gas,might and itbe the world’s most easily accessible. Highway 1 threads just just mightall bethe theway world’s easily accessible.

Highway threads 120 miles downmost the Florida through towns1dotted justmiles might most easilyKeys, accessible.

Highway 1 threads 120 all be thethe wayworld’s down the Florida Keys, through towns dotted 120 miles all the way down the Florida Keys, through towns dotted with dive shops like Islamorada, Tavernier, and Key Largo.

The dive 120dive miles all the down the Florida and Keys, through dotted with shops likeway Islamorada, Tavernier, Key Largo. towns The dive with dive shops like Islamorada, Tavernier, and Key Largo. The dive with dive shops like Islamorada, Tavernier, and Key Largo. The dive

conditions are world-class: The water is about 80 degrees, perfect for beginners or experienced explorers.

Leaf Peeping in New Hampshire The White Mountains are the only alpine areas in the Northeast, these mountains harbor unique endemic species, wild ridgelines, healthy forests, and some of the wildest weather in the world. They also see one of the greatest shows of natural brilliance around: fall foliage. The colors will literally take your breath away. As you travel along you will see the vibrant colors of birch, maple, and beech trees.

Live on a Sailboat There are two sure things you need for a week of great sailing: consistent ocean breezes and interesting spots to weigh anchor. Many locations offer this type of experience. If you want a more tropical atmosphere you can go to the US Virgin Islands bareboat sailing charters are abundant. Rhode Island also offers many sailing charters as well. Newport is the center of sailing in the Northeast. Whichever one you choose check for special offers on weeklong sailboat charters with a captain and cook included.

Meet Benny Proffitt

Executive Producer of “I’m Not Ashamed” article by Mary Bounds

It was April 20, 1999, as Tennessee native Benny Proffitt headed toward metropolitan Denver with forty college students. Traveling to all fifty states, as part of the “What’s Up America” tour, these young enthusiasts were eager to learn more about their next stop, a high school named Columbine in the quiet suburb of Littleton, Colorado. Yet on that fateful day as Proffitt’s buses stopped to refuel, the horror in nearby Littleton became apparent, and the shocking events unfolding at Columbine would weigh on the hearts and minds of Americans for years to come. • Benny Proffitt never believed the timing of their scheduled stop in Littleton was merely a coincidence. He admits, “I knew God had us there for a reason.” Yet even Proffitt could not have imagined how events would play out over the next seventeen years. Certainly this educator/coach/youth pastor by trade never envisioned himself as the executive producer of a major motion picture; a film based on the journals of Columbine’s first victim, Rachel Joy Scott. Yet life is often stranger than fiction, and Benny Proffitt’s life is no exception to that rule.

I’m Not Ashamed, released in 2016, will be available on DVD, January 2017

James Benjamin Proffitt was born on April 4, 1950, to Joe and Wilma Faye Proffitt of Newport, Tennessee.

Proffitt describes a modest upbringing in which he and his three siblings were raised on solid Christian principles and taught to “first serve Jesus and then serve humanity.” Proffitt refers to his parents (a World War II veteran and a kindergarten teacher) as true role models and maintains his family’s heritage was built by serving others. Moreover, Proffitt and his three siblings continued the family legacy, choosing careers and vocations surrounding service: education, law enforcement, medicine and ministry.

After high school, Proffitt attended Belmont University on a basketball scholarship from 1968-1972. It was there where he met the love of this life, Marilou Griffin, a devout Christian who like Proffitt had been praying “to find the right one.” Proffitt fondly recalls meeting Marilou, the cute cheerleader who caught his eye, and he grins as he adds, “After chasing her for a few months, she finally caught me!” Today after 43 years of marriage, the Proffitts reside in Thompson Station and are immensely proud of their three children and nine grandchildren. In 2015, Marilou retired after thirty years in the Pg. 9

help make this dream a reality.”

As a first-time executive producer, Proffitt could not say enough about the production team, the cast, crew and countless others who gave it their all. Not to be forgotten were the gracious people of Tennessee who opened their homes, cooked meals and filled in as extras throughout filming. Some members of the cast are well-known in the entertainment industry, such as reality stars, Sadie Benny “found the right one”, when he met his wife Marilou at Belmont University. and Korie Robertson, but local talent can be spotted sharing the limelight as well. Proffitt explains, “Finding the teaching profession, having worked in the journals of Rachel Joy Scott, right person to play Rachel was the Columbine’s first victim. Beth Nimmo, biggest decision of all. God answered Texas, Alabama and Tennessee.

In the early years of Proffitt’s career, Rachel Scott’s mother, co-produced that prayer by the discovery of Masey the film which details Rachel’s personal McLain who beautifully and powerfully his role was that of an educator writings, revealing her journey of and basketball coach. His energetic portrayed Rachel’s life.” Finally, Proffitt faith and real life struggles she faced enthusiasm for his work was only couldn’t be prouder that the movie was along the way. A deeply inspiring matched by his genuine dedication filmed in his home state of Tennessee, movie which transcends time, “I’m to his students. It was this dedication which once again proved its volunteer along with his innate spiritual compass Not Ashamed” delivers the powerful spirit is alive and well. message of Rachel Scott’s life and which led Proffitt to also serve as With the movie’s release complete reflects the depth of commitment from and DVD sales set to begin on January a youth minister in his church. the Proffitt/Nimmo team.

Remarkably, working with youth in 24, 2017, Proffitt was asked, “What Proffitt first met Nimmo in 2000, both the church and school settings next?” As the 66 year-old multi-tasker when her family needed buses to travel, gave his response, it was not surprising would set the stage for Proffitt’s future sharing in churches and schools about in ways he never expected. that the word “Retirement” never the life of Rachel Scott who had been In the mid 1970’s, Proffitt attended passed his lips. In fact, Proffitt spoke killed at Columbine. After listening to Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Ft. of several plans he has for the future, their story, Proffitt remarked, “It just Worth, Texas. Having seen the effects plans to expand his global ministry so happens I have my own Columbine to additional foreign locations and a of our nation’s moral decline on the story. I was driving toward Littleton family and particularly the youth, desire to spread “the hope of Christ the day of the shootings, and the buses in the next generation.” In an entry Proffitt drew from his experience in you’re inquiring about were there, schools and churches, developing a in her journal, Rachel Scott wrote, too!” Some will call it coincidence, but “Tomorrow is not a promise, but a Christian youth ministry later known as First Priority of America. Since that Proffitt calls it divine providence that chance.” It looks like Benny Proffitt first brought him to Columbine, and time, Proffitt has visited more than plans to take that chance and use 1000 cities and appeared on numerous then together with Beth Nimmo. it to first serve Jesus and then serve Proffitt worked tirelessly for several television and radio programs, sharing humanity. years in the movie’s pre-production the First Priority vision: “The Hope phase, studying every aspect of the of Christ in Every Student.” More movie industry. Talking to producers, recently, as President and Founder I’m Not Ashamed casting directors and script writers, of First Priority Global, Proffitt has DVD Release he gained invaluable insight into the taken his message of hope to four January 24th, 2017 filmmaking process. After a decade of other continents, launching Christian Starring: preparation and prayer the movie was youth ministries in developing and Masey McLain filmed near Nashville in 2015, and has underdeveloped countries including Ben Davies received glowing reviews from notables Kenya, Uganda, and Liberia.

Cameron McKendry such as Governor Mike Huckabee and The latest entry on Proffitt’s everTerri Minton Christian evangelist and writer, Josh growing resume, is that of executive Based on the inspiring and powerful producer of the newly released motion McDowell. As the production phase true story and journal entries of Rachel concluded, Proffitt announced, “Rachel picture, “I’m Not Ashamed.” The Joy Scott–the first student killed in the wrote that she would one day touch the movie, which opened in theaters Columbine high school shooting in 1999. lives of millions, and we’re honored to on October 21, 2016, is based on Pg. 10

Pg. 12

TM

Senior Sampler January 2017

Italian Baked Eggs INGREDIENTS 1 cup marinara sauce 4 large eggs ¼ cup milk or half & half ¼ cup shredded gruyere or shredded Parmesan cheese Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste ¼ cup basil leaves chiffonade Crusty Bread

Saturday night’s leftover marinara is Sunday’s Brunch PREPARATION

1. Preheat oven to 425˚. Lightly spray two 10-ounce ramekins or other small oven safe dishes with cooking spray.

2. Divide marinara sauce evenly between ramekins. Top with eggs, milk, and cheese. Season with salt and pepper. 3. Bake until egg whites are cooked through, about 10 minutes.

4. Garnish with basil leaves, serve immediately with crusty bread for dipping.

Strawberry Grapefruit Mimosa INGREDIENTS 5 whole large ripe strawberries 1 whole large grapefruit, juiced 1 tablespoon sugar 2 ounces tequila of choice 1 cup ice 1 ½ bottle chilled pink Moscato

PREPARATION 1. In a blender combine strawberries, grapefruit juice and sugar. Blend until smooth. 2. Strain juice into a cocktail shaker add Tequila and ice. Shake. 3.

Strain mixture into champagne flutes.

4. Top with champagne and garnish with strawberries.

Lentil, Kale, & Mushroom Soup INGREDIENTS ¾ cup French green lentils, rinsed 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium shallot, fine dice (roughly 1/3 cup diced shallot) 1 lb (454 grams) mushrooms 1-2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, minced 2 tablespoons white wine 2 teaspoons soy sauce 1 ½ cups vegetable stock 1/3 cup unsweetened coconut milk.

3-4 kale stalks, stems removed, leaves sliced (1 ½ packed cups of sliced kale) PREPARATION 1. Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add the lentils to the water along with pinch of salt. Simmer the lentils until they’re just-tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and set aside. 2. In a medium soup pot, heat olive oil over

Pg. 14

medium heat. Add shallots to the pot and stir. Cook the shallots until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add sliced mushrooms to the pot and let them sit for 1 minute. Season with pepper and stir. Let the mushrooms sit in the pot for another 1 minute. 3. Stir the mushrooms and season with salt. Add the garlic and thyme to the pot and stir. Add white wine and soy sauce and stir. Add the drained lentils, vegetable stock and coconut milk to the pot. Stir and bring the mixture to a boil. 4. Remove half of this mixture and place into your blender, ensuring that you include enough of the liquid. Blend on high until completely smooth. Scrape the creamy blended mushroom mixture back into the pot.

Add the kale and stir. Bring the mixture to a boil and check it for seasoning.

The texture should be like a thick and creamy stew.

(Serves 2) Recipe by Ann Mannella