Lehigh Valley PA 5

INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS FOR 2023

In life there are constant changes, so too in the world of interior design. Trends are always shifting. The themes for 2023 seem to be: Sustainable living and health & wellness designs. There has been a move away from minimalism to individualism which has created more personalized and decorative styles. In this new, post-Covid world, there have been many changes to the way we live, both inside and outside of the home. Many of us spend much more time in the house, so people have adjusted their priorities in the way the home is used.

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Kitchens are central to this new lifestyle and the open kitchen is an important aspect of this new trend. Most desirable are large islands that seat the family comfortably and provide lots of workspace. Upper and lower cabinets of different colors are in fashion as are stainless steel cabinetry and fixtures. To update a kitchen, a coat of paint can completely change the feel and be extremely cost effective. Lighting is also a key component, particularly if natural light is not available. A growing number of homeowners are installing led lights underneath their cabinets to illuminate the kitchen counter top.

With so many people still working at home, a designated office is often a necessity and needs to be incorporated into the design of your home. First of all, it should be comfortable and functional. It is desirable to have natural light and natural materials wherever possible. Try colors that are inspired by nature for a calming environment. For a more dramatic approach, an interesting background wall color can be useful for

With a new focus on wellness and healthy living, more attention is paid to comfort and overall well-being. (.

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all of your zoom meetings.

Furnishings will feel more organic with the use of cotton, wool, and velvet fabrics. Of course fabric decisions can depend on the location within the home; it’s recommended that the home match its natural environment. There is still a movement toward coordinating the indoor and outdoor environments. Arches and architectural details are in as are soft edges, curved sofas, and personal pieces.

Multi-function rooms that cater to entertainment and exercise are in vogue. More people will want media rooms for movies and games as well as gyms and saunas.

Mud rooms and laundry rooms are no longer just utilitarian spaces. Today, homeowners want these spaces to coordinate with the rest of the home. Sometimes they even want to accommodate a pet with a special tub. Think about maximizing natural light throughout your home. Big open

The focus of home design in 2023 is a calm, comfortable environment in harmony with nature that incorporates work, entertainment and relaxation spaces.

windows which bring in natural light can improve mood, focus and sleep patterns which will improve one’s health.

It looks like 2023 may bring with it the end of the white wall trend. Currently, designers are reporting

clients wanting jewel tones in blues, greens and even rust, which creates a cozier environment. This is part of the eco-friendly trend of the last few years which incorporates elements of nature. Gold will also be popular as an accent color.

It is important to revisit one’s estate planning periodically, as both circumstances and laws can change without notice. If you do not have an estate plan, it is time to create one. You probably have more assets than you think.

First of all, estate planning is an opportunity to designate who will receive your assets upon death or incapacitation. It will also allow you to designate a guardian for your children. With the advice of counsel, your plan will manage assets to minimize estate

taxes, gift taxes and any other tax issues. And most importantly, a good estate plan will avoid disagreements between heirs and probate which can be time consuming and expensive.

Begin with an assessment of all your assets, including your home and other real estate, art, collections, vehicles, and jewelry. List your checking and savings accounts, investment accounts, life insurance policies, IRA or 401 accounts and ownership interests in any businesses. Estimate the value in order to divide among your heirs.

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SEVERAL DOCUMENTS:

A COMPLETE ESTATE PLAN INCLUDES

POWER OF ATTORNEY

A durable power of attorney allows a person of your choosing to handle financial, legal and other matters if you are otherwise incapacitated. It remains in effect until death or revocation.

REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST

A revocable living trust is an instrument that allows the owner (grantor) of assets to establish a trust for beneficiaries with the help of a trustee. You can be your own trustee with an alternate upon death or incapacity. This document can be amended or revoked as needed. The most important aspect of a consuming and expensive probate.

MEDICAL CARE DIRECTIVE

A living will specifies your wishes for medical care. A medical power of attorney gives authority to a trusted person to make decisions if you are unable.

WILL

A will, though desirable, is not essential if you have a revocable trust. The main reason to write a will is to include assets which may not be included in one’s trust. A will is meant to simplify things. You can designate child custody and also the recipients of your most valuable possession, such as cars, jewelry or other personal items.

2023 PGA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

DATESTOURNAMENT

* Schedule subject to change

FEB 23 - 26, 2023 The Honda Classic PGA National Resort (The Champion), Palm Beach Gardens, FL

MAR 2 - 5, 2023

MAR 2 - 5, 2023

MAR 9 - 12, 2023

MAR 16 - 19, 2023

MAR 22 - 26, 2023

MAR 23 - 26, 2023

MAR 30 - APR 2, 2023

APR 6 - 9, 2023

APR 13 - 16, 2023

APR 20 - 23, 2023

Puerto Rico Open Grand Reserve Golf Club, Rio Grande, PUR

Brehm $666,000

Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando, FL Scottie Scheffler $2,160,000

THE PLAYERS Championship The Country Club of Jackson, Jackson, MS Cameron Smith $3,600,000

Valspar Championship Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course), Palm Harbor, FL

World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play Austin Country Club, Austin, TX

Corales Puntacana Championship Puntacana Resort & Club (Corales Golf Course), Punta Cana, DOM

Valero Texas Open TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course), San Antonio, TX

Burns $1,404,000

Ramey $ 666,000

Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, GA Scottie Scheffler $2,700,000

Masters Tournament

RBC Heritage Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island, SC

Spieth $1,440,000

Zurich Classic of New Orleans Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island, SC P. Cantlay/X. Schauffele $1,199,350

2023 PGA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

DATESTOURNAMENT

APR 27 - 30, 2023

Mexico Open at Vidanta Vidanta Vallarta, Vallarta, MEX

MAY 4 - 7, 2023 Wells Fargo Championship Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, NC

MAY 11 - 14, 2023 AT&T Byron Nelson TPC Craig Ranch, McKinney, TX

MAY 18 - 21, 2023 PGA Championship Q Oak HIll Country Club, Rochester, NY

MAY 25 - 28, 2023 Charles Schwab Challenge Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, TX

JUN 1 - 4, 2023

JUN 8 - 11, 2023

The Memorial Tournament presented by Workday Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, OH

* Schedule subject to change

RBC Canadian Open Oakdale Golf & Country Club, Toronto, Ontario, CAN

JUN 15 - 18, 2023 U.S. Open The Los Angeles Country Club (North Course), Los Angeles, CA

JUN 22 - 25, 2023

Travelers Championship TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, CT

Burns $1,512,000

Horschel $2,160,000

Fitzpatrick $3,150,000

Schauffele $1,494,000

JUN 29 - JUL 2, 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic. Detroit Golf Club, Detroit, MI Tony Finau $1,512,000

JUL 6 - 9, 2023

JUL 13 - 16, 2023

JUL 13 - 16, 2023

JUL 20 - 23, 2023

JUL 20 - 23, 2023

JUL 27 - 30, 2023

AUG 3 - 6, 2023

AUG 10 - 13, 2023

AUG 17 - 20, 2023

John Deere Classic PC Deere Run, Silvis, IL J.T. Posto $1,278,000

Barbasol Championship Keene Trace Golf Club (Champions Course), Nicholasville, KY Trey Mullinax $666,000

Genesis Scottish Open The Renaissance Club, North Berwick, SCO Xander Schauffele $1,400,000

Barracuda Championship Tahoe Mountain Club (Old Greenwood), Truckee, CA Chez Reavie $666,000

The Open Championship Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, Wirral, ENG

Cameron Smith $2,500,000

3M Open TPC Twin Cities, Blaine, MN Tony Finau $1,350,000

Wyndham Championship Sedgefield Country Club, Greensboro, NC

Tom Kim $1,314,000

TPC Southwind, Memphis, TN Will Zalatoris $2,700,000

FedEx St. Jude Championship

BMW Championship Olympia Fields Country Club (North Course), Olympia Fields, IL Patrick Cantlay Patrick Cantlay

2023 LPGA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

2023 LPGA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE LEHIGH VALLEY

PLEASE NOTE: WE’RE AWARE THAT THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES ARE LIMITING MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE AS WE ALL PRACTICE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING. DUE TO THE CURRENT OUTBREAK, MANY EVENTS HAVE EITHER BEEN CANCELLED, RESCHEDULED, OR CHANGED TO VIRTUAL EVENTS. PLEASE VERIFY ALL EVENTS PRIOR TO ATTENDING. THANK YOU.

MAY

JUNE 8 - 11 | BLUEGRASS FEST

MAY 26 - 28 | FESTIVAL OF

THE ARTS

Mayfair Festival of The Arts is a multidisciplinary arts festival like visual arts, performing arts, garden arts, children’s art, and arts education. The event is planned to be held on Cedar Crest’s campus and to feature food and craft vendors, artists, music, and live performances. For more info visit: https://bit.ly/37HEVUD

JUNE

JUNE 2 | FOOD & WINE GALA

We’re thrilled to welcome Emmy award-winning public television host, best-selling cookbook author, and restaurateur, Lidia Bastianich, as our celebrity chef at this year’s gala! Join us for an evening with Lidia, featuring a reception, four-course Lidia inspired dinner, fine wines, open bar, and opportunity to meet Lidia.For more info visit: https://bit.ly/3aNvRiX

In the southeastern frontier of Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountain Range lies the small town of Wind Gap. Live music will be enjoyed all weekend alongside camping, jamming around campfires, Bluegrass Academy for Kids, workshops for all ages. For more info visit: windgapbluegrass.com

JUNE 17 | SUMMER

COCKTAIL CRAWL

Sip & Slide is an afternoon cocktail crawl where pass holders aged 21 and older will enjoy specialty sample sized cocktails from some of our favorite SouthSide restaurants and businesses. Choose any 10 of the 12 featured drinks to sample! For more info visit: https://bit.ly/3PMhg8S

JULY

JULY 1 - 9 | FOLK FESTIVAL

One of America’s most celebrated festivals, the Kutztown Folk Festival is the oldest folklife event in the nation. The festival

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LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE LEHIGH VALLEY

PLEASE NOTE: WE’RE AWARE THAT THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES ARE LIMITING MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE AS WE ALL PRACTICE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING. DUE TO THE CURRENT OUTBREAK, MANY EVENTS HAVE EITHER BEEN CANCELLED, RESCHEDULED, OR CHANGED TO VIRTUAL EVENTS. PLEASE VERIFY ALL EVENTS PRIOR TO ATTENDING. THANK YOU.

features over 200 folk artists and craftsmen, as well six stages of entertainment, folklore and folklife programs, and the best Pennsylvania Dutch food found anywhere. It truly is fun for everyone! For more info visit: kutztownfestival.com

JULY 4 | INDEPENDENCE DAY

It’s time to break out the red, white and blue for Independence Day. It’s hard to pick what’s best about the Fourth of July – is it the picnic food, All-American spirit, or the fireworks? No matter what your favorite part is, fireworks are a classic. For more info visit:

https://bit.ly/3uw0bGM

JULY 17 - 23 | RESTAURANT WEEK

Get ready to treat your tastebuds because it’s time explore the flavor profiles of South Bethlehem! Select SouthSide restaurants will be serving up delicious special features and carefully curated prefixe menus for Winter Restaurant Week. Restaurant hopping is encouraged, so plan ahead and bring your family and friends to enjoy

the flavors of the season and chow down on some amazing food! For more info visit:

https://tinyurl.com/mr8h79ar

AUGUST

AUG 5 - 7 | DAS AWKSCHT FESCHT

With more than 2,500 cars, Lehigh Valley’s Das Awkscht Fescht is one of the country’s largest antique and classic car shows held at Macungie Memorial Park each summer. Celebrating more than 50 years, it has become a family tradition for all ages offering three fun-packed days in the great outdoors. It’s fun for the whole family! For more info visit: awkscht.com

AUG 19 - 20 | CORN FESTIVAL

The Museum of Indian Culture invites you to Pennsylvania’s oldest Native American Indian festival on the grounds of the museum.The festival includes various opportunities for people of all ages to learn more about Native American cultures. Activities include

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LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE LEHIGH VALLEY

PLEASE NOTE: WE’RE AWARE THAT THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES ARE LIMITING MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE AS WE ALL PRACTICE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING. DUE TO THE CURRENT OUTBREAK, MANY EVENTS HAVE EITHER BEEN CANCELLED, RESCHEDULED, OR CHANGED TO VIRTUAL EVENTS. PLEASE VERIFY ALL EVENTS PRIOR TO ATTENDING. THANK YOU.

Native American style crafts, life skills demonstrations including Atlatl and Tomahawk throwing, fire making, flute making, Native Cooking demonstrations, and so much more! For more info visit: museumofindianculture.org

SEPTEMBER

SEPT

8 - 9 | CHILE PEPPER FEST

The Chile Pepper Festival is held each year the weekend after Labor Day. This event is the largest of its kind anywhere in the United States and is host to chili pepper food, crafts, a Jalapeno eating contest, a salsa contest, a chile pepper field excursion and much more. Lots of variety in heat and food for everyone, expect fiery fun! For more info visit: pepperfestival.com

SEPT 22 - 24 | HIGHLAND GAMES

Since 1988 Celtic Cultural Alliance has been hosting the Celtic Classic Highland Games and Festival in Bethlehem each September. The goal of this dedicated group was

to create an event that symbolized the Celtic spirit and history, and to provide the impetus for an organization that focused on promoting the Celtic culture. So come on down and enjoy a weekend full of Celtic Culture! For more info visit: celticfest.org

SEPT 29 - 30 | HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL

The Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival will feature more than a dozen hot air balloons creating a spooktacular night glow. The hot air balloon pilots will inflate their balloons and light the fire underneath. The result is picturesque and definitely something you don’t want to miss. For more info visit: balloonfestpa.com

OCTOBER

OCT 7 - 8 |

GARLIC FESTIVAL

This festival is dedicated to one of the best flavors in all of foodgarlic. Try all of our Garlic infused foods and other seasonal favorites. Eat, drink, and stink!. For more

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LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE LEHIGH VALLEY

PLEASE NOTE: WE’RE AWARE THAT THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES ARE LIMITING MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE AS WE ALL PRACTICE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING. DUE TO THE CURRENT OUTBREAK, MANY EVENTS HAVE EITHER BEEN CANCELLED, RESCHEDULED, OR CHANGED TO VIRTUAL EVENTS. PLEASE VERIFY ALL EVENTS PRIOR TO ATTENDING. THANK YOU.

info visit: eastongarlicfest.com

OCT 14 | COUNTY FESTIVAL

A county celebration featuring live entertainment, awards ceremony, vendors, crafters, non profits, and food trucks. Stop on by for a fun filled day! For more info visit:

https://bit.ly/3kibCgH

OCT 21 | CHILI FEST

Bringing food, music, and fun to the SouthSide for over 20 years, ChiliFest is a cook-off challenge in which our local restaurants and businesses make delicious chilis and battle for the titles of “People’s Choice Best Chili” and “Celebrity Judge’s Top Choice.”

For more info visit:

https://tinyurl.com/22r282ua

NOVEMBER

NOV 4 - 5 | BACON FEST

PA Bacon Fest Restaurant Week will feature over 14 restaurants, sweet shops and bakeries offering bacon menus and sweets and

goodies all week long. The fest features dozens of treats featuring bacon and even crafts paying homage to the delectable, savory breakfast staple. Check out all the participating restaurants! For more info visit: pabaconfest.com

DECEMBER

DEC 14 | ASH & SNOW

Ash & Snow is an acoustic duo highlighting warm sultry tones and playing a wide variety of pop/ rock hits from the 50’s through today.For more info visit:

https://tinyurl.com/54ee3vk9

JANUARY

JAN 1 | NEW YEAR’S CHASER: HALF MARATHON, 10K AND 5K

A great way to kick off your New Year and get started on the right foot. This fun, flat, fast course is sure to please every runner, not to mention, we have wonderful post-race celebration and bling to please any runner. For more info visit: https://tinyurl.com/yccyar2s

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LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE LEHIGH VALLEY

PLEASE NOTE: WE’RE AWARE THAT THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES ARE LIMITING MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE AS WE ALL PRACTICE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING. DUE TO THE CURRENT OUTBREAK, MANY EVENTS HAVE EITHER BEEN CANCELLED, RESCHEDULED, OR CHANGED TO VIRTUAL EVENTS. PLEASE VERIFY ALL EVENTS PRIOR TO ATTENDING. THANK YOU.

FEBRUARY

FEB TBA | RESTAURANT WEEK

Eat your way through the East Penn community as restaurants put together a prix fixe menu the first week in March for guests to get a sampling of the best from each eatery. So many amazing restaurants are taking placeyou’re going to wish you had more than a week to sample them all! For more info visit: https://bit.ly/3aNDshA

MARCH

MARCH TBA | ST. PATRICK’S DAY 5K

The West End St. Patrick’s Day 5K is a Running race in Allentown, Pennsylvania consisting of a 5K. You’ll run the same course as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and get cheered on by hundreds of people lining the streets and partying in their front yards. Then hang around after the awards for the Allentown St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the largest in the Lehigh Valley. For more info visit: westendstpats5k.com

APRIL

APRIL TBA | HALF MARATHON

The St. Luke’s Half Marathon has grown tremendously since our first race in 1977. The Half Marathon & 5K is one of the nation’s most runner-friendly races. We are dedicated to offering a memorable, rewarding experience for runners of all ages and speeds. For more info visit: stlukeshalfmarathon.com

2023 GRAND SLAM TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

1Mon,January16,202311:00amMen'sandWomen's1stRound

2Mon,January16,20237:00pmMen'sandWomen's1stRound

3Tue,January17,202311:00amMen’sandWomen’s1stRound

4Tue,January17,20237:00pmMen’sandWomen’s1stRound

5Wed,January18,202311:00amMen’sandWomen’s2ndRound

6Wed,January18,20237:00pmMen’sandWomen’s2ndRound

7Thu,January19,202311:00amMen’sandWomen’s2ndRound

8Thu,January19,20237:00pmMen’sandWomen’s2ndRound

9Fri,January20,202311:00amMen’sandWomen’s3rdRound

10Fri,January20,20237:00pmMen’sandWomen’s3rdRound

11Sat,January21,202311:00amMen’sandWomen’s3rdRound

12Sat,January21,20237:00pmMen’sandWomen’s3rdRound

13Sun,January22,202311:00amMen’sandWomen’s4thRound

14Sun,January22,20237:00pmMen’sandWomen’s4thRound

15Mon,January23,202311:00amMen’sandWomen’s4thRound

16Mon,January23,20237:00pmMen’sandWomen’s4thRound

2023 GRAND SLAM TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

2023 GRAND SLAM TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

2023 GRAND SLAM TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

- TRAVEL TO -

If you haven’t been to Africa and are looking for an amazing experience, consider a safari. The only question is where to start, as there are many African countries with amazing national parks and various wildlife, all of which can provide a once-in-alifetime vacation. The top countries for safaris are Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.

MASAI MARA

JUNE - OCTOBER

Masai Mara National Reserve is the most famous. It is known for its herds of plains’ game which include Masai lions, African leopards and Tanzanian cheetahs. The park is also home to the annual migration of zebra, gazelle and wildebeest to and from the Serengeti in Tanzania.

Lake Nakuru National Park is known for pink flamingos flocking along the shore of the lake. Also notable are the park’s white rhinos, warthogs, giraffes, zebras, hippos, ostriches and lions.

Amboseli National Park is best known for its view of Mount Kilimanjaro and over 300 species of birds. You will also see zebras, wildebeests, hyenas, lions, cheetahs, buffalo, jackals, giraffes and leopards.

Tsavo National Park, which is made up of two smaller parks, is the largest in Kenya and also the most remote. Famous for elephants playing in the Galana River, you will also find 500 species of birds and also giraffes, gazelles, lions, antelopes, impalas, hyenas and oryx.

Samburu Game Reserve is known for rare species such as Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, and the Beisa Oryx. It is also home to around 900 elephants as well as lions, leopards, cheetahs and over 450 bird species. It is also famous for Kamunyak, the lioness that adopted 6 baby oryx.

Tanzania

There are 22 national parks in Tanzania, making it difficult to decide where to go. Serengeti, which is a UNESCO world heritage site, and Ngorongoro are the largest and most popular destinations and are often toured together along with Lake Manyara National Park. You will spot the big five mammals - buffaloes, elephants, rhinos, leopards and lions as well as giraffes, zebras, hippos and 500 species of birds on your nature walk, game drive, or in a hot air balloon.

LAKE MANYARA

JUNE - OCTOBER

Lake Manyara Park was established to protect large herds of elephants and is also famous for tree-climbing lions. With its beautiful setting on the lake, it is perfect for viewing pink flamingos and over 400 species of birds.

NGORONGORO

APRIL - MAY

The Ngorongoro Conservation Centre (world heritage site) is known for the Crater which was formed when an ancient volcano exploded and collapsed on itself, creating vast plains that attracted wild life. The big five can be viewed here as well as black rhino. The Massai tribe still grazes their livestock here. Also, the Olduval Gorge is found here. This is where the Leakeys, in 1959, discovered evidence of human origins, fossilized bones, and stone tools dating back millions of years.

TRENDS FOR 2023 Health Food

Rarely do we think about what is trending in the world of food and drink, but there are organizations that study this issue constantly, including Whole Foods, Innova Market Insights and even Martha Stewart herself. The current trend seems to be towards a focus on healthier eating due to an interest in sustainable agriculture, climate change and possibly as a result of correcting those bad habits acquired during Covid lock down.

In the drink space, mocktails, or virgin cocktails, have become more and more popular for health reasons, even spawning a number of new establishments devoted exclusively to alcohol-free night life. This trend expands well beyond Shirley Temples and there is an emphasis on alcohol free cosmopolitans, margaritas, mojitos

and other more original creative drinks. As an example, Whole Foods points to yaupon, a caffeinated plant, to be brewed for tea and also used in new mocktail creations. Also growing in popularity are milk substitutes like oat, soy, almond, and even potato. They are typically lower in fat, sugar and are also cholesterol free.

In the world of foods, there has been significant and growing interest in nutrition and sustainability. We will be interested in more natural less processed foods as well as more traditional ethnic menus. Plant based foods will be a growth area as the number of vegans has increased significantly and most of us have cut down on meat consumption for health and environmental concerns. We will want more locally produced ingredients due to interest in climate change. There is actually a new word for this - glocal. Think global and eat local!

Plant based pasta made from chickpeas, cauliflower and zucchini are already popular but new ones made from hearts of palm and green

bananas are coming. And of course there is spaghetti squash which is the true vegetable pasta. Plant based meats have been available for quite some time but expect to see more plant based chicken and cheese.

Interestingly, mushrooms are of particular interest as they are actually a super-food and contain so many necessary nutrients such as vitamins B and D, potassium, and antioxidants that can reduce signs of aging. With over 400 species, there is always a new one to try and the latest trend is toward oyster and trumpet mushrooms. What makes mushrooms such a versatile substitute is they are naturally chewy, crisp up when cooked, and absorb a variety of sauces. Don’t forget the portobello, which is a great meat replacement or even king oyster mushrooms as a replacement for scallops.

Not many people stumble into financial security through sheer luck: a lottery win, big inheritance, or huge stock winnings.

For most of us the only way to financial security is a long term plan of saving and investing.

Consistency is key to reaching long term goals no matter your income. The sooner you start saving and investing, the longer your money has to compound and grow.

Set goals for how much of your income you will invest monthly and stick to it. Keep investment money and cash reserves separate so you won’t dip into your investment account when the market is down. Keep expenses low and spend on what is really important to you whether it is experiences or material things.

Try to avoid the big mistakes, like buying a home that is more than you really need or creating a heavy debt load.

If your employer offers a matching 401(k) contribution, be sure to take advantage of that option

and contribute at least enough to receive it. It is essentially extra income that will grow and compound and is not taxed until you withdraw it.

You can do it yourself but it probably makes more sense to work with a financial advisor who is more knowledgeable about financial markets. An advisor will help analyze short term vs long term needs, separate emotions from objectives as well as help with devising a portfolio and strategy suitable for your needs.

Investing consistently over the long term is the best way to grow your wealth as there is no way to time the market.

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