We’re gearing up for game day with a winning lineup of Super Bowl snacks. From classic comfort food to delicious remakes of our favorites, we’re doing it all with a heart-healthy* twist. Needless to say, this is “nacho” average football party!
4 cups cauliflower florets, steamed (about 1/2 large cauliflower)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 cup shredded cheddar
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons freshly chopped chives
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons Sriracha
Preheat oven to 375°. Grease a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
In a food processor, pulse steamed cauliflower until riced.
Place riced cauliflower on a clean kitchen towel and squeeze to drain water.
Transfer cauliflower to a large bowl with egg, cheddar, Parmesan, Panko, and chives, and mix until combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a tater-tot shape with your hands. Place on prepared baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until tots are golden.
Meanwhile, make spicy ketchup by combining ketchup and Sriracha in a small serving bowl.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place an oven-safe wire rack on the prepared baking sheet; coat the rack with cooking spray.
Arrange the wings in an even layer on the prepared rack.
Bake, flipping once, until the skin is crispy, and a thermometer inserted into the thickest portion registers at least 165°F, about 1 hour.
Transfer the wings to a clean bowl. Add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon lemon zest and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; toss well. Transfer the wings to a platter. Serve with lemon wedges, if desired.
2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
2 avocados, mashed well
1 cup non-fat Greek yogurt
2/3 cup black beans
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Sliced black olives and scallions, to garnish
Spread chopped romaine lettuce at the bottom of a large bowl.
Add avocado layer on top, and smooth out with a spoon to even height.
Spoon Greek yogurt layer, and smooth if necessary.
2-3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Hummus, for serving
Tzatziki sauce, for serving
Preheat oven to 375°F. Line one baking sheet with parchment paper and spread pita triangles across. Drizzle olive oil lightly across the pita bread, along with salt and pepper, and toss to coat evenly.
On a second baking sheet, spread out the rinsed and dried chickpeas. Toss with 1 teaspoon olive oil, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Place both sheets in the oven and bake for 10 minutes, tossing each halfway through. Check for desired crispiness and remove from oven.
Meanwhile, prepare toppings and dips, if making homemade.
When the pita chips come out of the oven, transfer them to a serving tray/plate (or just leave them on the tray!). Top pita slices with olives, sun-dried tomatoes, banana peppers, shallot slices, and feta crumbles.
If desired, put the nachos back in the oven for 3-5 minutes if you want the toppings to be warm, too. Garnish with green onion and chopped parsley. Serve immediately with hummus and/or tzatziki sauce.
2 small (or 1 large) acorn squash, halved and seeded
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
1 ½ teaspoon sherry vinegar
1 (12-ounce) baguette, sliced and toasted
2 oz. blue cheese, crumbled (about 1/2 cup)
Fried sage leaves, for serving (optional)
Season squash with salt and pepper. Arrange cut sides down on a microwave-safe plate or baking dish. Microwave on HIGH until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. (Squash can also be roasted in a 425°F oven for 25 to 30 minutes.) Scoop flesh into a bowl; discard skins. Add 1 tablespoon oil and mash with a potato masher. Season with salt and pepper.
Meanwhile, heat remaining 1/4 cup oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and walnuts. Cook, stirring often, until the nuts are lightly toasted and fragrant and the garlic is golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vinegar.
Spread squash mixture on toasts, dividing evenly. Top with walnut mixture, blue cheese, and fried sage, if desired.
Place the chickpeas in the air fryer basket. Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking a few times.
Remove from air fryer. Add more salt and pepper to taste.
*These recipes contain salt. If you’re under the care of a cardiologist, please check with your physician for your specific heart-healthy dietary needs.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
We all know the basics: stop at red lights, obey the speed limit. What about laws about passing cars on the right, or restraining pets in your vehicle? We put together a list of the lesser-known traffic laws that potentially could land you in trouble if you break them. Not knowing about them – unfortunately – isn’t a defense if you get stopped.
Use your turn signal.
Most states require that you signal when you turn right or left and when you change lanes. In fact, you are supposed to signal 100 feet before you turn or move to a new lane. You could get flagged for a non-criminal moving violation if you fail to do this.
Don’t change lanes in the middle of an intersection.
In some states, it is illegal to change lanes in the middle of the intersection. You’re expected to stay in your lane as you cross through it. Even when it is legal, it might be unsafe, and you can be pulled over for that, too.
Come to a complete stop at a stop sign.
You may be tempted to pause rather than stop at a stop sign. The law clearly states that you must come to a complete stop. That means no forward momentum with the speedometer at 0. If you don’t come to a complete stop, you can be cited for running a stop sign. We suggest stopping for three seconds, which will be long enough for an observing police officer to see you have stopped. It’s also long enough for you to check for oncoming traffic, pedestrians, or road hazards.
Follow the rules at a four-way stop.
With a four-way intersection, every driver has a stop sign. That means each vehicle should come to a complete stop. The first vehicle to arrive has the right of way. If two cars arrive at the same time, the car to the right goes first. Bicycles must follow the same rules as cars at a four-way stop and yield to the vehicle who arrived first, or the one on the right. Pedestrians, however, have the right of way, and can cross before any vehicles proceed.
In New Jersey, you cannot pass a car on the right except in special circumstances. The car must be turning left or there must be at least two lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction. In Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Illinois, it’s illegal not to move to the right if a car is trying to pass you. In some states, the far left lane is only for passing.
Restrain your pets.
We want to keep our pets safe, and there are several states that have laws on the books to make sure we do. New Jersey has a law requiring you to secure your pet in a carrier or with a seatbelt. In Hawaii, you can be fined for having your pet on your lap or rolling down the windows without restraining your pet. Maine, Connecticut, and Arizona classify pets under distracted driving.
Know when to yield.
It may be obvious that you need to yield at a yield sign. But did you also know that in many states, you must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk? You also must yield to those who are blind and using a white cane or seeing eye dog. In a “T” intersection, where a road dead ends into another road, the car at the dead end must yield to the continuing road. Finally, if you’re making a turn onto a road, you must yield to traffic on that road.
When you see flashing lights, it’s time to slow down and move to the side of the road. This allows for the safe passage of emergency vehicles. Every state has a Move Over law except for Washington, DC. If you don’t move over or slow down, you could be subject to a fine, license suspension, or even jail time.
Put headlights on when it’s raining.
Visibility is down when it’s raining. That’s why several states require headlights to be on anytime your wipers are in use, even in daylight. Some states only require headlights in dense fog, low visibility, and at night. In these situations, your headlights can help other drivers see you better.
Don’t tailgate.
Tailgating is considered a traffic violation. While states aren’t consistent with how they define tailgating, often such tickets are issued after a rear-end collision. If you’re alert and focused on the road, it takes you about 2 seconds to react to a roadway hazard. That means a safe following distance is at least 3 seconds or more. Use the 3-second rule as a starting point. You can measure the distance in seconds this way: Find a landmark such as a mile marker or telephone pole. Start counting once the car in front of you passes that landmark. Count slowly until your car reaches the same landmark. That is the number of seconds that you are traveling behind the vehicle in front of you.
Wear your seat belt.
Most of the country has laws for seat belts. Some states require you to wear both front and back seat belts. Others just focus on front seat belts. If you’re caught without your seatbelt, you could be subject to fines.
Know your state’s cell phone laws.
Most states require cell phone use to be hands-free, and consider texting while driving as distracted driving. However, some states go further and penalize drivers for accessing, viewing, or reading non-navigation content on phones.
Most states require drivers to carry auto insurance. The state sets the minimum amount and type. Generally, this includes bodily injury liability and property damage liability. If you have a leased car, your lender will require you to have more extensive coverage.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
It’s easy to exercise in the spring and fall when the weather beckons you to come outside. It may take a bit more inspiration in the winter, but it’s worth it.
Getting outside in cold weather connects you with nature, lifts your mood, and gives you a beneficial dose of sunlight/vitamin D. It also boosts your immunity during cold and flu season. With no heat and humidity, you might even be inspired to work out longer.
However, there is a way to do it safely. Follow these winter fitness tips for the basics of exercising in cold weather.
Choose the right fabrics.
When you’re wet, you lose body heat and that makes you feel cold. The colder you are, the less likely you’ll want to work out. In addition, cold can put you at risk for frostbite or hypothermia. Avoid active wear made from cotton, which holds in moisture from sweat and rain/snow. Instead choose synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and polypropylene. They dry quickly and wick away moisture.
Layer your clothes.
Use layers to trap warm air next to your body. Start with a thin base layer of synthetic fabric, which will keep sweat away from your skin. Then add a middle layer such as a fleece. Your outer layer should be either a lightweight nylon windbreaker or if it’s cold, a heavyweight waterproof jacket. As you exercise and get warmer, remove a layer, and tie it around your waist. That will help you from getting hot and sweaty which can lead to feeling damp and cold.
Pro Tip: Wear bright colors. Visibility is more limited in winter from rain, snow, fog, or dark skies. Be seen by the people and vehicles in your immediate area.
Protect your hands and feet.
In cold weather, blood is circulated to the core of your body, leaving less heat funneled to your extremities – your fingers, ears, nose, and toes. That means these areas are less warm. To counter that effect, wear a hat or headband, gloves or mittens, and thick socks. Choose materials like wool or synthetic as cotton could get wet. If your toes get cold, consider your shoes. Running shoes are designed to let heat escape. You can buy shoe covers at skiing and hiking stores. There also are specialty running sneakers designed for winter.
Protect your skin.
Winter isn’t just cold; it’s dry, and that can affect your skin. Apply moisturizer or lotion regularly. When you’re going to be outdoors, also apply sunscreen. SPF rays can damage your skin even when it’s cloudy. Snow reflects up to 80 percent of UV rays, so you get doubly exposed. UV rays also increase with elevation. Every 1,000 meters (3,281 ft.) in altitude, UV radiation increases by 10 percent.
Make sure you have traction.
When you’re exercising on icy surfaces, it’s easy to slip. That can lead to injury. Make sure that you have footwear with good traction and stay on plowed surfaces or salted ones. Take care to remove ice from your own property. If you will be primarily on the ice and snow, consider adding snow or ice spikes to your footwear. Just note that while those spikes help on icy surfaces, they can affect your balance on dry ones.
Take the time to warm up.
It’s especially important to warm up for an exercise routine in cold weather. You want to
Increase your blood flow and temperature so you’re not at risk for sprains and strains. A good analogy is what happens when you stretch a cold rubber band. It can snap more easily than a warm one. That’s what could happen to your muscles. For your warm-up, choose low intensity moves that are like those in your workout. Lunges, squats, and arm swings, for example, are good for runners.
Pro Tip: Head into the wind at the beginning of your workout. When you’re on your way back and feeling sweaty, you won’t have to fight the wind chill as much. That will help keep you warmer.
Pay attention to your breathing.
Cold weather causes your airway passages to narrow. That’s why it can hurt to breathe when you’re exercising in cold weather. Breathing through your nose can help but isn’t always possible when you’re moving intensely. Try wrapping a scarf or some thin fabric around your mouth. It will help keep in the humidity.
Hydrate.
You may not feel as thirsty during cold weather workouts. However, you’re still losing fluids. Dehydration carries risks, including headaches and a drop in energy. Sip water while you’re exercising. If you’re going to be exercising for more than 90 minutes, choose a sports drink like Gatorade.
Cool down. Change clothes.
You can get chilled fast after a workout. Take the time to cool down, which helps reduce later muscle soreness. It also helps your heart transition from an exercise pace to a normal rhythm. Then get out of your damp clothes. Take a warm shower and change into clean, dry clothes.
Avoid severe weather.
While cold weather workouts are beneficial, there’s a limit to when you should exercise outside. Avoid the extreme cold. Don’t exercise outdoors during winter storms. Prolonged exposure to the cold can cause frostbite and hypothermia. The cold also can put a strain on your heart. If you have a chronic health condition such as asthma or a heart problem, talk to your doctor about whether cold weather exercise is right for you.
Know the signs of hypothermia.
Finally, be aware of the signs of hypothermia. That’s when your body temperature drops too low and affects other systems in your body. If you experience any of these signs, get medical help right away.
Shivering
Lack of coordination
Slow reactions
Slurred speech
Mental confusion
Exhaustion or sleepiness
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
It may be tempting to hide under the covers on the next cold winter day and binge movies. But it’s also a great time to get things done at home. In fact, it’s easier to be productive when you don’t want to be outside. Plus, checking off your “to do” list feels great. Follow this guide for some ideas of productive things that you can do at home on cold winter days.
Declutter
It’s time to pick your favorite waffle iron and set the rest free. Go through your home and collect items to donate. Include gently used bedding, warm clothing, shoes, books, and even canned goods for the food bank. Clean up and give back at the same time. Check out our guide on Easy Ways to Declutter Your Home for more tips.
Throw things out.
It goes without saying but you probably have single socks that you’re hoping will eventually find a mate. Now is the time to part with them, too. Go ahead and throw out your extra socks, your worn-out underwear, half-used candles, orphaned Tupperware (bottoms without lids or vice versa), expired food, and half-empty, fully expired beauty products.
Organize
When is the last time you took a good look at your closet? Or your kitchen cabinets? Now is a great time to go through them. Start with one space. Pull out everything and assess whether you use these items or not. For your closet, put together outfits for various occasions to determine what you will wear and what you probably won’t. For closets, cabinets, and other storage areas, it’s always helpful to put similar things together so that they’re easy to find for future use.
Listen to a book.
You can curl up on the couch and read the latest bestseller—or you can listen to the audio version while you’re cleaning, organizing, and decluttering. Not only will it provide the perfect soundtrack, but it will also engage your brain and you will feel extra productive.
Workout
Getting up and moving is just what you need on a cold winter’s day. Luckily you can do that right inside. Find an inspirational YouTube workout video or turn on your favorite tunes and have a private dance party. If you have a jump rope or hula hoop, channel your inner child and have some fun!
Try a new recipe.
Cold winter days are perfect times to bake cookies, make soup, make pet treats, and enjoy the time you might not otherwise have to try out new recipes. You can also take some time to cook and freeze meals so you’re ready for the week ahead. Tools like Recipe Radar help you find recipes based on ingredients that you already have on hand.
Do a craft project.
Indulge your creative side with an arts and crafts project. It’s a great way to relax. Choose something practical, like making birthday cards or holiday cards to have in stock for the future. Or try something whimsical such as a sock bunny. The Internet has lots of ideas; do a search based on your interests and the supplies at hand.
Explore a hobby; learn a skill.
Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn a second language or brush up on your knife skills in the kitchen. There’s so much free content online that it’s easy to find videos about your areas of interest. Take a makeup tutorial. Try meditation. Not sure where to start? Sites like Skillshare offer a free month of classes on a variety of topics.
Enjoy a spa day.
You don’t get a chance to pamper yourself nearly enough. Make time for a long, hot bath. Do a beauty treatment. Give yourself a manicure and pedicure. Don’t forget to hydrate. Make yourself a glass of cucumber water for that extra spa touch.
Organize your photos.
If you’re like most people, you have albums of photos – on your phone, in print, or both. You just don’t always have the time to cull through them. Organizing your photos is the perfect indoor activity for a cold winter’s day. Sort your digital photos into albums so you can more easily find them. Save them to the cloud to free up space on your phone. Delete any photos that you don’t want anymore. For printed photos, follow a similar process. Decide which ones you will keep and in what format (e.g. scan to digital, place in a photo album). Consider giving away or throwing out photos to keep your collection manageable.
Catch up with friends or family.
If you haven’t had a chance to chat with friends or family in a while, give them a call. Chances are that they’re stuck inside too and would love to hear from you. Not only can you catch up, but you can also plan your next get together. Don’t feel like talking? Write a letter. Everyone loves a handwritten note.
Plan your summer vacation.
What better time than a cold winter’s day to dream about summer? Do some research and plan your next vacation. You can often find a better selection of vacation rentals by planning so far in advance. You may find money-saving deals on flights, accommodations, rental cars, and activities. Plus, you’ll be able to set a budget with ample time to save up for your trip.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Get your gear ready. It may be winter, but it’s a great time to go camping. Not only will you find comfortable temperatures, but you’ll also enjoy spectacular scenery, lower costs, and fewer crowds. Here are some of our favorite destinations for winter camping.
Cost: Starting at $20 per night plus a $25 entry fee into the park
Average winter temperatures: Daytime highs in the 60’s to low-40’s at night
What you need to know: This is the main campground for the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. The area is surrounded by desert plants and cacti and has numerous hiking trails.
Average winter temperatures: Daytime temperatures average 60 degrees with freezing nights
What you need to know: There are several campsites at Joshua Tree National Park. The Jumbo Rocks is centrally located and offers beautiful views of the rock formations. The park is known for hiking, climbing, and stargazing. Pets are not allowed on trails. Make your reservation early; the park is busiest during February and March.
Average winter temperatures: Range from high 50’s to high 70’s
What you need to know: This park features towering Cyprus trees and an abundance of animals who call the Everglades home. Choose from front country and wilderness back country campsites, the latter reached mostly by canoe, kayak, or motorboat. Reserve early as this park is busiest from November through April.
What you need to know: This park features a 375-acre lake, and there are rentals for canoes and kayaks. Visitors also enjoy fishing, birding, and hiking. There is abundant wildlife, including tortoises, snakes, alligators, and nesting bald eagles. During the winter, thousands of black vultures and turkey vultures make their home here.
Cost: Starting at $18 per night plus $3 per person admission fee
Average winter temperatures: mid-40’s to mid-60’s
What you need to know: This park offers fishing, birding, crabbing, hiking, and boating throughout the lagoons and the Gulf shore. There is a toll bridge to get to this state park. While the park is open, the boardwalks are currently closed due to damage from Hurricane Ida and campsites are limited.
Cost: $20 per night for Nevada residents and $25 per night for non-Nevada vehicles, an additional $10 for utility hookups (WiFi for an additional fee)
Average winter temperatures: Can range from freezing to 75 degrees so pack accordingly
What you need to know: This 40,000-acre park is known for its bright red Aztec sandstone and its ancient, petrified trees and petroglyphs dating back more than 2,000 years.
Cost: Starting at $20 per night for residents (non-residents pay 25% more)
Average winter temperatures: Mid-50’s in the day to low-40’s at night
What you need to know: While winter is not beach weather, this park includes a beautiful beach for strolls, as well as walking paths and hiking trails. There are tent sites, RV sites, and yurts. Some of the campsites are closed during the winter so please check before you book.
Cost: Starting at $35 per night campgrounds and cottages are available
Average winter temperatures: Mid-40’s to low-60’s
What you need to know: The 643-acre park features open meadows and miles of paved trails for walking, biking, and skating. While the Splash Zone is not in operation during winter months, there is a climbing wall and disc golf course. Not only is the park pet-friendly, it also features a dog park.
Cost: Starting at $14 per night plus a day pass fee of $8 per person; no RV or vehicle camping
Average winter temperatures: Daytime highs of mid-60’s to nighttime lows of low-40’s
What you need to know: The park features a huge pink granite dome that gives it its name. There is 1,600 acres of desert landscape, including opportunities for hiking and rock climbing. Pets are limited to one trail, and there is no bike riding on any trails.
Cost: Camping starts at $0 in the backcountry and ranges from $6-$40 at other sites plus an entrance pass ranging from $15-$25
Average winter temperatures: Elevations in the park may influence temperatures which can fluctuate from 0 degrees to 30 degrees in January. Pack accordingly.
What you need to know: This is your chance to camp where dinosaurs once roamed. The park covers 210,000 acres at the intersection of Utah and Colorado, and offers hiking, river rafting, and petroglyph viewing. Six campgrounds provide a variety of options. Not all are open in the winter. There are places where pets are permitted and where they are not.
Do you have a favorite winter camping spot? Share it in the comments.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Your best friend wants to borrow your car. He wouldn’t ask unless he really needed it. So even though you know about his past fender benders, you give in. What happens if your friend gets into an accident in your car? Read on to find out.
Car insurance follows the car, not the driver.
You may assume that your friend’s insurance will cover him, since he got into the accident. That’s not the case. Car insurance covers the car rather than the driver. You don’t even have to be in the car. If your car is in an accident, and the driver is at fault, your insurance will be used to cover damages to the vehicles involved. If you carry collision coverage, it will take care of damage to your car, less your deductible. If your coverage isn’t enough to pay all the damages, your friend’s auto insurance may act as secondary coverage.
Interesting sidenote: While car insurance follows the driver, that’s not the case with tickets. If your friend gets a ticket while in your car, that only affects his record.
Permissive use vs. non-permissive use
The fact that you gave permission to your friend is important. Most auto policies allow you to lend your car to a person for occasional, short-term use. If they are driving your car on a more regular basis, you need to add them to your policy. It’s worth noting that coverage limits may vary under permissive use.
Sometimes a family member or friend borrows your car without permission. If they cause an accident, you are not responsible for the damage. However, it can be difficult to prove that you did not grant them permission. Plus, you will still need to get your car repaired and file a claim with your insurance company. A good tip is to keep your keys secured away from others if you have concerns with them taking your vehicle.
When insurance won’t pay
There are very few instances where insurance will deny coverage of an accident. These include:
If the person is specifically excluded from your policy
If the person was intentionally breaking the law
If the person borrowed your car to offer a commercial service, like a rideshare
How coverage works
For those times when insurance does pay, here is a breakdown of the coverages that typically apply in a car accident:
Collision: Your collision coverage will pay for repairs to your car minus the deductible. Collision coverage is not required unless you’re leasing a car or paying off a loan on a vehicle. However, it may be good to have, especially in the event of an accident.
Liability: Liability covers damages to the other vehicle. This coverage is required by law in most states. The two main types of liability coverage are bodily injury and property damage.
Bodily injury: This coverage helps pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering for the driver and passengers in the other In no-fault states, your own injuries are typically covered by your auto policy through a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claim. (It differs from state to state.)
Property damage: This coverage helps pay for repairs for the other vehicle or for repair/replacement of property, such as a fence, that is damaged or destroyed by the collision.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Property Damage: If the other driver is at fault and is not insured or is underinsured, UMPD coverage will help pay for repairs. These are optional coverages in most states. In some states, you are not allowed to carry collision and UMPD at the same time. Also, sometimes UMPD has a policy maximum, or cap on the amount it will pay.
Lending your car can be an expensive favor.
Think carefully before you lend your car to anyone. Even though you didn’t cause the accident, your insurance rates can go up at the next policy renewal.
Before you lend your car, it’s a good idea to review your auto policy and the policy of your friend or family member. Your insurance provider can help to answer any questions you may have.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
