California Wildfire Awareness Week

Governor Brown Has Declared May 1-7 as Wildfire Awareness Week

Mercury Insurance Newsletter:

Our recent rainy season has produced unprecedented brush growth.  Are you prepared?  Here's what you need to know to prepare for the threat of wildfires.

First, create a defensible space around your property. This defensible space reduces the risk that fire will spread from the surroundings to the structure.  Firefighters sometimes do not attempt protecting structures without adequate defensible space, for safety of their teams and their effort is less likely to succeed.  30 feet clearance around the home is required by law.  An additional 70 feet is considered a Reduced Fuel Zone and may apply depending on the steepness of your property and the surrounding vegetation. 

To create a defensible space,

1.      Remove all buildup of needles and leaves from roof and gutters.

2.      Keep tree limbs cut back 10 feet from chimneys and remove dry limbs overhanging the home and garage.

3.      A screen over your chimney outlet of not more than ½ inch mesh is required by law.

Consult the Cal Fire web site for more details http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=8512865&msgid=101826&act=59YQ&c=808017&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fire.ca.gov%2F      

Second, in case of a fire it's helpful to have a household inventory.  Use a digital camera to photograph rooms and contents then take a few minutes to catalogue your possessions and note their values.  If you choose to use a video camera, comment as you go with as many details describing the item(s).  Store your inventory in different places. 

A free Home Inventory Guide is available at http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=8512865&msgid=101826&act=59YQ&c=808017&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insurance.ca.gov%2F

Now is a good time to review your homeowners' insurance policy with your agent to assure that you have sufficient coverage for your home and personal contents.  Your insurance professional is ready to assist with any questions that arise.

Easy Recipe: Speedy and Saucy Spring Chicken Veggies

Speedy and Saucy Spring Chicken Veggies Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 chicken breast halves, skin on
• 1 lb baby new potatoes, thinly sliced
• 36 oz lower-sodium chicken broth
• 18 oz mixed spring vegetables: broccoli, broad beans, peas and sliced zucchini
• 1/4 cup crème fraiche or sour cream
• Sea salt and coarsely ground pepper, to taste
• 1/3 cup chopped tarragon leaves or broad leaf parsley

 

Method
Heat the olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat and fry the chicken for 5 minutes on each side. Add the potatoes and stir to coat. Pour in the broth; cover and reduce heat, then cook 10 minutes, until the potatoes are almost cooked through. Remove lid and increase heat to high. Boil the stock down until it just coats the bottom of the pan, stirring occasionally. Scatter the vegetables into pan; cover again and cook about 3 minutes, just until tender. Stir in the crème fraiche or sour cream to make a cream sauce; season with salt and pepper, then add the herbs. Serve straight from the pan.

 

Notes:
Chicken thighs may be substituted for the chicken breasts. Double the number, using 8 thighs in place of the 4 breast halves to serve four.

 

Number of Servings: 4

http://www.easy.betterrecipes.com/

Monthly EASY Recipe: Date and Nutella Cupcakes with Meringue and Buttercream Frosting!

Ingredients [Date and Nutella Cupcakes]:

• 210g Self Raising Flour
• 135g Treacle Sugar (Muscovado)
• 125ml Milk
• 1 Jumbo Egg
• Few Drops Pure Vanilla Extract
• 45g Butter at room temperature
• Pinch of Salt
• 125g Dates - finely chopped
• 125ml Boiling Water
• 2.5ml Bicarbonate of Soda
• 1/2 Jar Nutella Spread with the zest of an orange (finely grated) mixed in

Ingredients [Meringue Buttercream Frosting]:

• 2 Jumbo Egg Whites - at room temperature
• 130g Treacle Sugar (Muscovado)
• 120g Butter - softened
• 1 Vanilla Bean - split and the seeds scraped out

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Directions:
Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Line a large muffin pan with large muffin cups.
Place the dates in a bowl and sprinkle on the bicarb of soda then add the boiling water. Allow to stand while you make the batter.
Using an electric mixer beat the butter till light and fluffy, add the egg and beat in. Add the milk and vanilla and beat all together till well beaten. Sift in the flour & salt and add the brown sugar and beat in gently. Drain the dates then add them to the batter and fold in gently.
Place small amounts of batter into each paper case. Place a large dollop of Nutella onto the batter in each case. Cover well with another amount of batter (each case must be about 2/3 full). Place into preheated oven and bake about 20 minutes. Allow to cool on wire racks then decorate when cold.
Make frosting: Whisk egg whites and sugar together over a bowl of simmering water until sugar has dissolved and the mixture is hot to the touch. Pour into the bowl of an electric mixer, add the vanilla seeds and beat on high speed for about 5 minutes until thick and fluffy. Start beating in little bits of butter at a time, incorporating well after each addition until the frosting is beautifully smooth and fluffy. Place in an icing bag and pipe onto the cold cupcakes.

Thank you dailycupcakereceipt.tumblr.com

WorldFest LA's largest earth day festival!

Green Alert! Mark WorldFest on your calendar. It's is a solar-powered celebration of music, the environment, animals and humanity @ Woodley Park in Lake Balboa, CA. May 22. www.worldfestevents.com

Autism Awareness

I think now more than ever, every one of us knows someone or a child of someone with Autism. Please visit http://www.autismlosangeles.ning.com/ and become more aware and involved.

Trident Insurance Commercial

Auto Insurance, Home Insurance, Commercial Insurance and much more!

http://thenala.com/content/trident-insurance-agency/?autoplay

Weekly SIMPLE Recipes-1 Pulled Pork Tacos

Making the pork roast in your slow-cooker means its simple to prepare and deliciously tender. Flavoring it with a bottled enchilada sauce or salsa gives it a rich Mexican flavor. Assemble a variety of toppings so everyone can build their own taco. If your family likes crisp corn taco shells, go ahead and substitute. A nice fresh fruite salad would be outstanding alongside.ingredients

• 1 2-1/2- to 3-pound boneless pork shoulder roast
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup enchilada sauce or bottled salsa
• 4 8-inch soft flour tortillas or taco shells
• Assorted toppers, such as shredded lettuce, finely shredded Mexican-blend cheese, chopped tomato, sliced pitted ripe olives, and/or chopped avocado
• Dairy sour cream (optional)

directions

1. Trim fat from pork. If necessary, cut pork to fit in a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker. Place pork in cooker. Add broth. Cover; cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4 to 5 hours. Remove meat from cooker; discard broth. Using two forks, shred meat, discarding any fat. Reserve 2 cups of the meat. (Place remaining meat in an airtight container for another use; refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.)
2. In a medium saucepan, combine reserved 2 cups meat and the enchilada sauce. Cover and cook over medium-low about 10 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, warm flour tortillas according to package directions.
3. To assemble tacos, place pork mixture in center of warm tortillas or in taco shells. Top as desired with lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, olives, and/or avocado. If desired, serve with sour cream. Makes 4 servings.

recipe source: BHG.com