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WINTER 2011
Review today’s life insurance options– You may be surprised! Life insurance has changed drastically over the last several years. Many people either don’t have life insurance protection or they have an older policy that probably isn’t utilizing today’s cost factors. The advances in medical technology in the last 10-20 years may have reduce the cost of insurance policies. It’s a good idea to have your current life insurance policy reviewed regularly to be sure that you have the best protection for your family today and for your future needs. If you’ve shopped for life insurance you’ve probably noticed how many
Wine and Cheese Pairing Guide
different types of life insurance products are available. Instead of first trying to decide which type of protection to purchase, ask yourself “How much insurance do I need?” and “What do I need it for?” This may help in your decision as to what type of insurance to purchase. Start by thinking about the future. Consider how much insurance you’ll need for immediate obligations in the event of your or your spouse’s untimely death. What income will your family need to live on? Will you have enough investments at a later point in life so your family won’t need life insurance? Life insurance
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A classic pairing, wine and cheese have been consumed together for thousands of years. In fact, Ancient Greeks went as far as to grate cheese directly into their wine goblets! While we don’t go that far today, we do recognize that a great pairing not only enhances the flavor of the wine, but also improves the perception of the cheese itself. Continued on page 3...
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Choose the best wood for burning in fireplaces and wood stoves
Fireplaces provide a cozy, romantic atmosphere and can save you money on your heating bill. Though, there are many kinds of wood to burn in your fireplace or wood stove, not all wood performs equally. Some types provide longer, cleaner burning than others— and are, therefore, a better option than other kinds of wood.
Burning time frame: Oak and other hardwoods burn for longer periods (several hours, usually) than softwoods (pine and other needle-bearing trees, for example). When you burn hardwoods in the evening, you may have a few embers left in the morning. If you burn softer woods, this is rarely the case.
Wood types: Well-seasoned (two to three years) hardwoods are the best for fireplaces. These include oak, cherry, maple, walnut and ash. Of these, seasoned oak is usually considered the best for burning in fireplaces & woodstoves.
Choose wood wisely: Choose only hardwood that has been seasoned (aged) at least a year. Fresh wood has a lot of moisture content. Therefore, it will not burn as well and will create much more smoke. In addition to using hardwood, use
only wood intended for use in a fireplace–never use treated wood (construction lumber, for example) in your fireplace. This wood may give off toxic fumes and burn too hot. Creosote: Creosote is a residue that, if built-up inside chimneys, can cause chimney fires. Too much moisture in the wood you burn, whether it is softwood or hardwood, can lead to a quick build-up of creosote in your chimney. This is another reason to only use aged, dry wood. Considerations: It is fine to start a fire with softwoods (using these as kindling) and then add hardwoods to the mix. It may be tempting to buy only softwoods as these are much cheaper than hardwood. If tempted, keep in mind that you'll go through a lot more softwoods than you would hardwoods (due to burning times). Don't take someone's word on the age of firewood. If it looks heavy, solid and green, it probably is. Aged wood feels a little lighter and sounds more hollow because the moisture is gone.
Source: ehow.com
...Life insurance continued can provide you with the peace of mind to know that all of these issues will be covered. There are several insurance coverage options to consider based on your individual needs. One form of life insurance is individual term insurance. It offers protection for a set period of time; i.e., during a mortgage repayment or until your children are independent. It is affordable coverage with premiums that are based on your health verses being categorized with a group of individuals who are at a higher risk. You decide on the length of time (term) that you want the insurance coverage and if you decide to surrender the policy during the term, there are no surrender charges. An overlooked feature of term insurance policies is the Return of Premium Rider (ROP). ROP enables you, the policyholder, to receive the premiums that you paid back if you outlive the policy. The premiums returned are minus any outstanding loans and interest. This policy is
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for those individuals looking for term life insurance protection but also want a guaranteed return of the premiums they have paid throughout the policy term (generally 15-20-30 years). The return of premiums provides investment opportunities or the ability to purchase whole life insurance at the end of the term. Make a habit of meeting with your life insurance agent yearly to review your current policies and discuss life changes that affect your risk protection needs. Your agent can update you on changes in benefits, options, and premiums on current life insurance products. In today’s economy more than ever, life insurance is a way of assuring that your family will be taken care of if anything should happen to you. GreenStone FCS, through our partnership with First Resource Group, LTD., is ready to help its customers with their life insurance needs. Contact one of our branch offices if you have questions.
Tips to Avoid Colds and Flu this winter Scrub away germs- Using soap and water, rub hands together for 15 to 20 seconds several times per day. Can’t get to a sink? Keep gel hand sanitizer close by for a quick fix. Don’t touch!- Avoid touching your eyes and nose, these are the most common places for germs to get in. Think ahead- Find a flu shot provider and get one! Even though flu season has begun, it’s not too late to get vaccinated. Catch plenty of Z’s- When you are tired, your body isn’t fighting as hard to prevent sickness. Getting eight to ten hours of sleep during cold and flu season can help. Fight back with healthy foodsIncluding plenty of fruits and vegetables into your daily diet will help support your immune system by providing you with essential vitamins and antioxidants. Hit the gym- Exercising regularly enhances immune function and overall wellness.
...Wine and Cheese continued So how do you effectively pair these two robust tastes to create a savory experience? With overwhelming varieties of wines and cheese, adhering to a few principles can help make the decision easier. • White wines match best with soft cheeses and stronger flavors. • Red wines match best with hard cheeses and milder flavors. • Fruity and sweet white wines (not dry) and dessert wines work best with a wider range of cheeses. • The more pungent the cheese, the sweeter the wine should be. To get you started, we’ve listed a few popular pairings. But keep in mind these are just recommendations. When it comes down to it, it’s all about personal taste. Don’t be afraid to experiment, you may just find a duo that makes your taste buds sing!
• Cabernet Sauvignon: Camembert, Cheddar, Colby, Danish Blue, Gorgonzola, Gouda, Parmesan, Blue Cheese, Roquefort • Chardonnay: Brie, Camembert, Goat Cheese, Gouda, Gruyere, Parmesan, Provolone • Champagne: Beaufort, Brie, Camembert, Cheddar, Chevre, Colby, Edam, Gouda, Gruyere, Parmesan • Merlot: Brie, Camembert, Cheddar, Gorgonzola, Gouda, Gruyere, Jarlsberg, Parmesan • Pinot Noir: Brie, Camembert, Feta, Gruyere, Monterey Jack, Muenster, Port Salut, Swiss • Riesling: Brie, Blue, Colby, Edam, Gouda, Monterey Jack Learn a few favorite combinations and you’ll soon be the expert your friends turn to for chic party advice.
Source: health.com
What’s in your Trunk? You might think to throw a granola bar in your car to tame a sudden hunger attack, extra napkins in the glove box for the unexpected spill, or a pen in the console for jotting down a quick reminder…but how much thought have you put into what you keep in your trunk—especially during these winter months. Here are a few suggestions you might consider adding: • Flashlight • Pair of gloves • Windshield fluid/defroster • Roll of paper towels
• Jumper cables • Blanket • Bag of salt or kitty litter • Shovel
Drive carefully, be prepared, and enjoy traveling in the winter months!
Recipe Corner Whip up a batch of these this winter and you’ll stay extra toasty... Buffalo Chicken Wings
INGREDIENTS: 2 lbs of wing sections 12 oz. bottle of hot sauce 1/2 stick of salted butter 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder For more heat add cayenne powder to your liking. Cracked black pepper Salt
DIRECTIONS Season wings with cracked pepper and lightly salt. Place wings in a bowl with ice for about 30 minutes to get them ice cold before frying. The cold wings in hot oil will make them very crispy. Fry in peanut oil at 350°F until they float. If baking, broil each side until crispy and turn. Melt butter with remaining ingredients in pan or microwave and mix. Coat wings after cooked in sauce and serve with a side of extra hot sauce for dipping, and a bowl of Blue Cheese dressing or Ranch dip and celery sticks.
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Inside this issue: - Today’s Life Insurance Options - Choosing the Best Wood to Burn - Avoiding Colds and Flu
GreenStone Member notes...
Customers who receive The Country Minute do not receive GreenStone’s agricultural member publication, Partners. Therefore, the following is a snippet of news and feature stories found in the most recent issue of Partners. More information and complete articles can be viewed at www.GreenStoneFCS.com by selecting “Publications” found under the news and media drop down.
Patronage Checks Available March 15 For a sixth consecutive year, GreenStone is showing its strength and stability as a financial cooperative as it prepares once again to distribute patronage checks to its loyal customers. The GreenStone Board of Directors recently approved a payout in cash patronage for 2010 of $18.2 million. Each eligible customer’s patronage check will be available at their local GreenStone branch on Tuesday, March 15. Annual Report Notice This is official notice that the 2010 GreenStone Farm Credit Services Annual Report will be available for viewing online at www.greenstonefcs.com by Wednesday,
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March 16, 2011. In addition, the Annual Report will be mailed to all stockholders within 90 days of year-end. Election 2010…What Now? The November election was one for the history books with a swing of governmental power now underway. Lagging economies, unbalanced budgets, increasing unemployment…there is a lot on the “fixit” list. If you were part of this new state legislation, what would be the main issue on which you would focus? Find out what three GreenStone Directors had to say! CEO Comments GreenStone CEO, Dave Armstrong, takes a minute to underscore the many hallmarks of 2010.