CAST IRON

article and photograph by HEATHER LAND

Timeless and classic, cast iron cannot only stand the test of time passed from one generation to the next; it rivals most cookware with its capabilities and even a few benefits. It is not just an old timer’s skillet; cast iron is an every day, every way cook’s staple.

KEEP IT REAL: Never let your cast iron soak in water for an extended period of time. Use a chain mail with a stiff bristle brush to clean with hot water and MINIMAL TO NO SOAP. Heat dry wet cast iron on the stove top. Keep a crock with an oiled cloth to wipe cast iron after washing, this will help prevent dryness and/or rust.

OVER EASY

{HIGH & FAST} Preheat a glug of olive oil,bacon drippings, etc. in skillet to medium-high heat. Roll oil around to coat bottom of pan. Crack two eggs. Flip eggs at about one minute - when whites begin to whiten. Cut heat off and cook additional 30 seconds. Remove and plate. Pierce and cut - season with flake salt and fresh cracked pepper.

SOFT SCRAMBLED

{LOW & SLOW} Preheat a little oil or butter in skillet on low heat. Whisk 3 eggs (per person) briskly until smooth and creamy yellow. Pour into pan. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt and fresh cracked pepper. Scramble continuously and gently with wooden spoon or rubber spatula just until they begin to look billowy and wetness begins to disappear. Remove from heat and plate immediately.

SOFT BOILED

{ROILING BOIL TO ICY COLD} Bring water to boil in saucepan. Add eggs. Boil for 8 minutes. Remove from heat, drain water and submerge eggs in bowl of ice water for 3 minutes. Peel under cold running water. Slice in half and serve with a pinch of flake salt and fresh cracked pepper.

INCREDIBLE EGGS

article and photograph by HEATHER LAND

Eggs are quite possibly one of the most overlooked powerhouse foods in the kitchen. Loaded with vitamins and minerals, even a “top dollar” organic, free range egg averages less than one dollar a piece. Most folks haven’t experienced the rich velvety flavor of a truly fresh egg; not all eggs are created equally. Seek out and source local fresh eggs and taste the difference for yourself. All you need is a little salt and pepper.

The Right Insurance

From the Right People

BY DARRYL TATE

DON’T YOU WANT A PERSONAL TOUCH WHEN looking for an insurance agent and company? Sometimes working with an independent insurance agent will get you the best value on the coverage you actually need. Shopping for insurance shouldn’t be a pain. One in three individuals don’t shop around when their insurance is up for renewal. Let Darryl Tate, independent insurance agent with Currency Insurance Agency, and Tyner Jeter do the hard work for you. Not all insurance agents are the same! Choosing the right one can make a big difference – in price, service, and value. With other agencies, you get one company that sells one brand of insurance. With an independent insurance agency like Currency Insurance Agency and Tyner Jeter Insurance, you get choices. Why? Because independent insurance agencies, like Tyner Jeter Insurance, represent a number of different insurance companies, and can compare coverage and prices to find the best possible value for your individual circumstances. As an independent insurance agent I am committed to doing business face-to-face and being your advocate in times of need. Here are a few reasons why Currency Insurance Agency/Tyner Jeter Insurance should be your first and last stop when looking for insurance: • I work for you when you have a claim. • I am not beholden to any one company. This means you don’t have to change agencies as your insurance and service needs change. • I am your consultant, working with you as you determine your needs. • I have value-hunters who look after your pocketbook in finding the best combination of price, coverage, and service. • I offer one-stop shopping for a full range of products, including home, renters, auto, business, life, medicare and more • I can periodically review your coverage to keep up with your changing insurance needs. • I am committed to customer satisfaction – it’s the key to our livelihood. • I treat you like a person, not a number. • I am a licensed professional with strong customer and community ties. Currency Insurance Agency/Tyner Jeter is an innovative and highly responsive regional insurance agency dedicated to trusted client relationships. We want to learn everything we can about our clients in order to serve them in a trusted advisor capacity.

At Currency Insurance Agency/Tyner Jeter Insurance, you are not a number. No matter what type of insurance coverage you need, Darryl Tate will spend the time with you to better understand and meet your specific needs.

Our obligation doesn’t end when the policy is in place. We know that change is a constant so we continually monitor the personal, surety and commercial insurance needs of our clients, adjusting their programs to serve them best. Here are just some of the insurance options we offer:

Personal Insurance

• Auto Insurance • Renters Insurance • Homeowner Insurance • Life Insurance • Motorcycle Insurance • Boat Insurance • Umbrella Policies • Health Insurance • Off-Road Vehicle Insurance • Flood Insurance

Business Insurance

• Business Insurance • Landlord Protection • Commercial Auto Insurance • General Liability Insurance • Commercial Property Insurance • Commercial Umbrella Insurance • Surety Bonds • Workers’ Comp Insurance

GET TO KNOW YOUR AGENT

Upon Darryl’s retirement in the United Methodist Church, he was looking for something that he could do to continue to serve people and help them be financially secure. A couple of his friends recommended that he look into the insurance industry. So in December 2019, he embarked on a career change in the insurance business and has never looked back. Darryl says, “Part of the industry that I like the most is working with senior adults when it comes to Medicare and helping them to select the best supplement that would meet their needs and bring them peace of mind.”

Because of a long history of working not only in religious organizations but the years spent as the Executive Director, President and CEO of a disaster recovery ministry from 2005 through 2015, has prepared him to ensure people‘s needs are met with their property, casualty life and health insurance.

There is a difference. To find out how our independent insurance agency can help you find the right insurance coverage, contact Darryl Tate today at 225.485.1909 or darryl@tynerjeterinsurance.com. Licensed in Property, Casualty, Health and Life (La. Tx. Ms. & Ark.)

Through All Maternity

At St. Francis Medical Center

IF YOU’RE PREGNANT OR PLANNING TO START A FAMILY soon, it’s an exciting time! We understand you may have many questions surrounding pregnancy health, support and your delivery options. At St. Francis Medical Center, you can feel confident that we will be with you through every step of your pregnancy, delivery and postpartum care. We are prepared for the health and well-being of you and your baby. Talk with your OB/GYN about which options are best for you. Here is a list of some of the delivery options and maternity services at St. Francis to consider: • Delivery options (vaginal, cesarean section) • Natural childbirth (minimal or no use of pain medication) • On-site anesthesia services 24/7 • Umbilical cord-cutting (saving cord allowed) • Delivery room filming and photography allowed for vaginal births (if previously arranged) • Instant skin-to-skin contact (even after c-section) • Private delivery room with a birthing mirror and light settings Sign up for prenatal classes. Our classes are taught by nurses with extensive experience in caring for expectant moms. All classes are FREE and are currently available virtually: ABCs of Baby Care, Breastfeeding and Childbirth Basics. Visit stfran.com to pre-register.

Schedule regular appointments throughout your pregnancy with

your OB/GYN. Be sure to keep the appointments. Prenatal care is vital to the health of you and your baby. If you don’t have an OB/GYN and need help finding one, visit the “Find a Doctor” link at stfran.com Schedule an in-person hospital tour. St. Francis Medical Center is a beautiful, comfortable place to experience the miracle of birth. Call (318) 966-4187 today to schedule a personalized tour of our labor and delivery area. Second trimester? It’s time to pre-register for delivery. We encourage all moms-to-be to pre-register for their stay with us during the second trimester of pregnancy. Providing your personal data and insurance information is the first step in our exciting journey together preparing for the arrival of your special delivery. To pre-register, stop in at 309 Jackson Street in Monroe, or call (318) 966-3328. Select a pediatrician. We encourage you to establish care with a pediatrician before your delivery. Use our “Find a Doctor” link to select a local pediatrician, and pre-register your baby with their clinic. If you do not make a decision before baby arrives, an on-call provider will see your baby during your hospital stay.

High-risk pregnancies. St. Francis offers the only Level 3 OB unit in this region, which means we can help with the unique challenges of high-risk births. Our Maternal-Fetal Medical Clinic team includes highly-trained OB/GYNs with additional formal education and clinical experience who understand you may need to make tough decisions. The team will walk you through options and help you weigh risks to yourself and your baby with the utmost compassion and patience.

Internationally-certified breastfeeding specialists. We are proud recipients of the Guided Infant Feeding Techniques (GIFT®) certification from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. Our certified, experienced lactation consultants are ready to help you make those important first steps on the road to successful breastfeeding for you and your baby. We offer a lactation support hotline to assist moms with breastfeeding that is available any time, day or night, seven days a week. Our Breastfeeding Hotline is (318) 966-4043.

Home to the only Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in

northeast Louisiana. St. Francis offers this area’s only Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The NICU team consists of highly trained medical professionals, including two neonatologists, who work closely with one another in planning appropriate care for development based on the needs of your baby and family. The NICU is just down the hall from the labor and delivery area should the need arise for a higher level of care for your newborn.

Offering the only dedicated acute care and intensive care

services for children in northeast Louisiana. Welcoming a new baby into your family is just the beginning. The years ahead will be filled with scraped knees, upset stomachs and other medical concerns. The St. Francis team is here to help you through. Pediatric experts on our medical staff provide inpatient and outpatient services to children from birth to age 17. We focus on the whole child, from promoting healthy living and preventive medicine to the treatment of disease and critical care. In fact, we offer the only dedicated inpatient unit for pediatric care and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in northeast Louisiana. Our healthcare professionals treat every child with respect in an atmosphere of safety and trust.

Delivering peace of mind. It’s a blessing to find out you’re going to be a new mom, but what can follow is worry, anxiety and all those “what ifs.” We get it. Thankfully, the St. Francis team has years of experience delivering babies. We hope you make St. Francis Medical Center your hospital of choice for this special time for you and your family.

GRILLED CORN

words by CASSIE LIVINGSTON, styled by TAYLOR BENNETT photograph by KELLY MOORE CLARK

Some of my favorite memories revolve around sweet corn. During those precious few days when the corn was at peak harvesting season, our family would gather beneath the carport at my Aunt Becky and Uncle David Rawls’ house and process each ear with care and laughter. Whether you like it on the cob or cut, this Southern staple is a favorite. Here’s a simple way to prepare these sweet kernels: Preheat grill to high and heat for around 10 minutes. Add shucked corn and turn often. Grill until the corn is well charred. Add butter and season with salt. Enjoy!

SIMPLE SHRIMP

article and photograph by HEATHER LAND

This summer staple can make any meal feel special in minutes. Source wild caught shrimp whenever possible. Whether you like them with or without the tails, deveined, butterflied or as is, the perfect shrimp are mere minutes from your plate.

Try this variation on *seasonings:

2 cloves fresh minced garlic 1 tsp coconut aminos 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp chili powder 1 tsp honey Pinch of sea salt Serve any way you like with fresh, crisp summer jalapeños

WHAT YOU NEED:

1 lb large shrimp Seasonings of choice* Fresh lemon Bowl Tongs

Preheat your griddle top, grill or skillet to medium-high. Peel and rinse your shrimp. Lay out on towel to absorb excess moisture. Toss in bowl with a light coat of olive oil, *seasonings of choice, and juice of 1/2 lemon. Throw your shrimp on the griddle and use tongs to separate and arrange shrimp flat. Once you get them arranged, immediately begin to flip each one. Turn off your heat. By the time you finish flipping them, remove them from the heat. They are done. Serve over a bed of fresh greens, in taco shells with all the extras, over a bowl of rice, or simply as a share.