January 24, 2024 Pinch Rosauers by Cowles Publishing

JANUARY 24, 2024

Better-for-You Making Snowflakes Meals from Breakfast Sunny-Side Up to Dinner BY DONNA ERICKSON

Put “Snowflakes Sunny-Side Up” on your

breakfast menu this month, and the nutritious surprise will brighten even the darkest of

FAMILY FEATURES

wintry mornings.

Whether you’re encouraging loved ones to start a new wellness kick or looking to add new ideas to an alreadynutritious menu, families at any stage of a journey toward better health can use newfound favorites to bring fresh flavors to the table. These dishes from Milk Means More provide an all-day assortment of deliciousness from breakfast to lunch and dinner so you can bring everyone together for tasty, nutritious meals no matter the occasion. Dairy foods, like the low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt and cheese found in these recipes, are fundamental to good nutrition. Constructing a better-for-you menu calls for a balanced diet with a variety of foods to get essential nutrients. This balance is important for maintaining healthy gut and immune function while optimizing overall wellness. Start by ramping up your family’s breakfast with these slightly sweet Mini Greek Yogurt Pancakes with Cinnamon-Maple Topping for a protein-packed way to start the day with a healthy addition of fresh berries. Fusion cooking is on the menu at lunchtime with the spicy-sweet combo of Cajunseasoned chicken mingling with mango and pungent blue cheese in these Chicken, Mango and Blue Cheese Pitas. Finally, finish the day with Feta Roasted Salmon and Tomatoes – an easy-to-make family meal ready in 30 minutes. Find additional better-for-you recipe inspiration at MilkMeansMore.org.

MINI GREEK YOGURT PANCAKES WITH CINNAMON-MAPLE TOPPING Recipe courtesy of Marcia Stanley, MS, RDN, culinary dietitian, on behalf of Milk Means More Total time: 25 minutes Servings:6 Topping: 1 3/4 cups plain Greek yogurt (fat free, 2% or 5%) 1/3 cup maple syrup 1/2 teaspoon ground

halibut fillets, cut into 4 serving-size pieces Pancakes: 1 cup (4 ounces) crumbled 1 cup all-purpose flour feta cheese 2 tablespoons sugar Preheat oven to 425 F. Line 1 teaspoon baking powder 18-by-13-by-1-inch (half sheet) 1/4 teaspoon baking soda baking pan with foil. Lightly 1/8 teaspoon salt spray foil with nonstick cooking 1 egg, lightly beaten spray. Set aside. 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt In medium bowl, toss (fat free, 2% or 5%) tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, 1/2 cup milk (skim, 2% or oregano, salt and 1/4 teaspoon whole) pepper. 3 tablespoons melted butter Place fish pieces, skin side 1 teaspoon vanilla oil down, on one side of prepared 1 cup fresh blueberries or pan. Sprinkle with remaining chopped fresh strawberries pepper. Lightly press feta To make topping: Stir cheese on top of fish. Pour yogurt, syrup and cinnamon. tomato mixture on other side of Cover and refrigerate. prepared pan. Bake, uncovered, To make pancakes: In 12-15 minutes, or until fish mixing bowl, stir flour, sugar, flakes easily with fork. baking powder, baking soda Place salmon on serving and salt. In separate bowl, plates. Spoon tomato mixture whisk egg, yogurt, milk, butter over top. and vanilla. Add yogurt mixture to flour mixture. Stir just until CHICKEN, MANGO AND combined (batter should be BLUE CHEESE PITAS slightly lumpy). Recipe by Marcia Stanley, Scrape batter into large MS, RDN, culinary dietitian, on plastic food storage bag. Oil behalf of Milk Means More nonstick griddle or large Total time: 25 minutes nonstick skillet. Heat over Servings: 6 medium heat. Cut off about 1/2 Sauce: inch from corner of plastic bag. 1 cup low-fat plain yogurt Squeeze batter, about 1 1 tablespoon honey tablespoon at a time, onto hot 1 tablespoon orange juice or griddle. Cook 1-2 minutes per lime juice side, or until pancakes are Filling: golden brown, turning to 1 tablespoon vegetable oil second sides when bubbles 1 pound boneless, skinless form on surface of pancakes chicken breast halves, cut and edges are slightly dry. into bite-size pieces Serve warm pancakes topped 1 tablespoon Cajun or Creole with cinnamon-maple yogurt seasoning and sprinkled with berries. 1 large fresh mango, seeded, peeled and chopped FETA ROASTED SALMON 3 large whole-wheat pita AND TOMATOES rounds (or 6 small), halved Recipe courtesy of Marcia 1 1/2 cups spring greens Stanley, MS, RDN, culinary 3/4 cup crumbled blue dietitian, on behalf of Milk cheese (3 ounces) Means More To make sauce: In small Prep time: 15 minutes bowl, stir yogurt, honey and Cook time: 15 minutes juice. Cover and refrigerate. Servings: 4 To make filling: In large Nonstick cooking spray nonstick skillet over medium3 cups halved cherry high heat, heat oil. Cook and tomatoes stir chicken with seasoning in 2 teaspoons olive oil hot oil 4-6 minutes, or until 1 teaspoon minced garlic chicken is no longer pink in 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano center. Remove from heat. Stir or dried dill weed in mango. 1/4 teaspoon salt Fill pita pockets with greens, 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper, chicken mixture and blue divided cheese. Spoon yogurt sauce on 1 1/2 pounds salmon or top. cinnamon

Made with colorful slices of sweet red pepper in shapes that resemble snowflakes, this whimsical meal adds fun to the start of the day. The curvy rings frame an egg as it fries into deliciousness for about 5 minutes. Top with a dusting of Parmesan or feta cheese, and serve with toast or an English muffin and fruit juice. For a special weekend breakfast, let the snowflakes land on servings of hashbrowns, bacon or sausage. Let’s get crackin’ ...

SNOWFLAKES SUNNY-SIDE UP Makes 6 2 large, firm red bell peppers with contours Butter 6 medium eggs Salt and pepper Grated Parmesan cheese or crumbled feta Slice peppers into six 1/3-inch-thick rounds, keeping the cut edges smooth and even. Remove seeds and core pieces. Melt some butter on a flat skillet. On one side, cook the pepper slices on medium heat for about 1 minute, then flip. Carefully crack an egg into the center of each ring. Immediately press down on the ring with a spatula if the egg white seeps through. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the yolks are firm. (Place a lid on the pan during the last minute, if you wish.) Serve with salt and pepper, and sprinkle cheese on top. Extra Idea: For a springtime twist, set a strip of cooked bacon upright under the pepper on the plate. Your winter snowflake instantly transforms into a blooming flower with a stem. Donna Erickson creates relationships and community through food and fun. Find more to nourish and delight you at www.donnaerickson.com. © 2024 Donna Erickson Distributed by King Features Synd.

To unsubscribe to the Pinch please call (509) 747-4422 DELI SLICED

MAUI MARINATED

ARMOUR

PROGRESSO BROTH

JUANITAS

OVEN ROAST TURKEY TRI TIP STEAK SUMMER SAUSAGE BEEF OR CHICKEN TORTILLA CHIPS BARGAIN GIANT FOODS

489-2148

2103 E. EMPIRE

CRESTLINE AT GARLAND 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. DAILY, CLOSED SUNDAYS WE ACCEPT QUEST, DEBIT & CREDIT CARDS SALE DAYS JANUARY 24 THROUGH JANUARY 30, 2024 www.bargaingiantfoods.com “ORIGINAL HAWAIIAN RECIPE”

MARINATED SIRLOIN

MAUI STEAKS MAUI RIBS 99 8.99 LB.

MAUI FRYER BREASTS 5.99 LB.

LB.

™

SLICED TO ORDER

299LB. 699LB.

JOHN MORRELL

HOT DOGS

12 OZ. PKG

99 EA. ¢

MAUI MARINATED

PORK RIBLETS

199LB.

USDA CHOICE BEEF

399LB.

PETITE SIRLOIN STEAK CROSS RIB ROAST

20 OZ. STICK

499EA.

USDA CHOICE BEEF

T-BONE STEAK

8 LB. 99

FRESH FRYER

HIND QUARTERS

99¢LB.

32 OZ. CARTONS

139EA.

FOOD CLUB

24 OZ. BAG

ENGLISH

TEXAS RUBY

CALIFORNIA

CUCUMBERS

GRAPEFRUIT

GREEN CABBAGE

NEW CROP

CALIFORNIA

2/500 99¢EA. 99¢EA. 69¢LB.

CAMPBELL’S

ONION SOUP MIX

TOMATO SOUP HONEYCRISP APPLES BRUSSELS SPROUTS NAVEL ORANGES

2 COUNT BOX

10.7 OZ. CAN

79¢EA. 99¢EA. 99¢LB. 149LB. 99¢LB. BUNDLED

FIREWOOD

499EA.

CAMPBELL’S

CHICKEN NOODLE 10.7 OZ. CAN

BLACK HASS

AVOCADOS

FRESH

GREEN BEANS

99¢EA. 99¢EA. 199LB.

YUKON GOLD &

RED POTATOES 15 LB. BAG

599EA.

Page M2 • January 24, 2024 • Wednesday

Pinch

pinch

Celebrity Extra By Cindy Elavsky

is “Law and Order.” Does he have another show on the horizon? - Janet Y., via email

A: Jeremy has a new show premiering this Federal Bureau of Investigation. The series

Mr. Wolf has the procedural magic touch). Missy Peregrym and Zeeko Zaki also star.

Q: find it anywhere. Is it still on? And can you refresh my memory of what it’s called and where I can see it? - Paul T., via Facebook

A: You are referring toSPORTS “StartUp,” a drama

QUIZ

series on Crackle (which is a free online

it). It follows “the emergence of GenCoin, a BY RYAN A. BERENZ

on digital currency – 1. anSportscaster idea thatRoy gets Firestone hosted the 1995 “Al Bundy’s Sports

mold of ‘tech entrepreneurs.’”

Spectacular” special

episode premiere of what FOX this third season, which should September. sitcom?

Eric Berger, GM of Crackle and chief digital 2. What Eastern Michigan Eagles

Jeremy Sisto Depositphotos

quarterback did the Detroit Lions select in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft? 3. The North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball team retired jersey No. 50 in honor of what former star? 4. Gerry DiNardo compiled an 8-27 record as head coach of what Big Ten football team from 2002-04? 5. The Overall Distance Standard (ODS) and Actual Launch Conditions (ALC) are used in testing the rules conformance of what sports equipment? 6. Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins and Judd Trump are among the elite players in what sport? 7. Who is the NHL’s all-time leader in games played with 1,779 over 23 seasons from 19972001? © 2024 King Features Syndicate, Inc.

5. Golf balls. 4. The Indiana Hoosiers.

BY JOANN DERSON

6. Snooker.

A TIP

7. Patrick Marleau.

Now Here’s

3. Tyler Hansbrough. 2. Charlie Batch. 1. “Married ... With Children.” • Sources who know say that if you drop a marble (clean glass) in your tea kettle, it will prevent it from scaling. • Like to use paper towels to dry your clean hands? Set them aside to dry, then you can use them for cleaning with glass cleaner or other solutions. • Use a shower curtain cut or folded in half under baby’s highchair to make cleaning up the floor easier. • Air-popped popcorn is better for you and healthier. If you have an air popper, you’ll also have a jar of popcorn kernels. Keep them in the refrigerator or even the freezer. You can use them straight from the fridge, and the bonus is that you’ll have less unpopped kernels and bigger, fluffier popcorn. -E.M. in Wisconsin • Stuck at school with a sticky zipper? Just rub it with a pencil lead and zip back and forth a few times. It totally works. -- W.K., a middle-school student, in Georgia Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. (c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc. © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

Answers

• Here’s a fun afternoon of play just waiting to happen: Check with your local grocery store or big box store to see if it has uncrushed cardboard boxes. Get several to create a cardboard city in your living room or child’s bedroom. They can be decorated to look like anything, or cut, trimmed and taped into most any shape. Kids even like to stock them with pillows and blankets for a cozy sleepover. When you’re done, break them down and recycle until the next adventure. -- J.J. in Florida

A Free Weekly for Spokane

To advertise in pinch Call (509) 459-5005 W. Stacey Cowles President & Publisher Copyright 2024, Cowles Publishing Company All rights reserved. No part of this publication ma y be reproduced in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical (including photocopying, recording or information storage and retrieval) without permission in writing from the publisher. Copying for purposes other than personal use or internal reference, or reproduction of articles or columns not owned by pinch (including comic strips and syndicated columns) without written permission from pinch, or the copyright owner is expressly forbidden. The word “pinch” and the proprietary typeface and design in which it appears at the top of Page One of this weekly is a registered trademark of Cowles Publishing Company. The pinch trademark may not be reproduced or used for any purpose without the express written permission of pinch. Permission to reproduce pinch articles or other intellectual property may require payment of fee. Address all inquiries and requests concerning use or reproduction of pinch’s copyrighted or trademarked material to: Rights and Permissions, pinch, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210.

Sudoku Answers

Pinch

January 24, 2024 • Wednesday • Page M3

BY DANA JACKSON

Joel McHale (“Animal Control” and “Community”)” Courtesy of Depositphotos

Q: Is “Animal Control” with Joel McHale returning soon, or did it get canceled? Also, what’s the latest on the “Community” movie? -- F.L. A: Joel McHale has had no trouble finding employment since he first appeared on screens two decades ago to host the weekly TV clip show “The Soup” on E! He’s easily alternated between hosting duties, acting in sitcoms, and appearing as a judge on competitive reality shows. His quick wit has served him well, especially in his latest comedy series “Animal Control,” which returns to Fox for its second season on March 6. “Community,” the critically acclaimed series created by Dan Harmon, introduced “Soup” fans to McHale,

Trivia Test BY FIFI RODRIGUEZ

1. MOVIES: What state is the setting for the 1990s movie “Twister”?

7. GAMES: What is the destination in the board game Candy Land?

2. GEOGRAPHY: Lake Okeechobee is in which U.S. state?

8. TELEVISION: Who was the long-running host of “American Bandstand”?

3. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president 9. U.S. STATES: What is adopted the expression, the capital of Alaska? “Speak softly and carry 10. LITERATURE: Who a big stick”? is the author of the 4. MUSIC: Actor/singer autobiographical work “I Know Why the Caged Jared Leto also is the front man for which rock Bird Sings”? music band? © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

5. HISTORY: The U.S. Civil War ended in 1865 when Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union forces in which Virginia town?

the actor. Never a big ratings hit, it was wildly original and amassed a cult following. A movie was in the preproduction stage before the writers’ and actors’ strikes, but now Harmon is worried that they won’t be able to coordinate all of the actors’ schedules. If and when it does happen, “Community” the movie will air on the Peacock streaming service, although a short run at local theaters isn’t out of the question. *** Q: Whatever happened to Michael Bolton? I haven’t heard any new music from him in years. Did he retire? -- K.W. A: Michael Bolton had two No. 1 Billboard singles in the early 1990s -- “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” and “When a Man Loves a Woman.” Those two big power ballads, along with five other Top 10 hits, made him a household name, but he hasn’t topped the charts in quite some time. However, he had been touring as recently as last year, until he had to suspend future dates due to a health issue. At the age of 70, Bolton recently underwent surgery for a brain tumor, but has been alert and posting on social media, assuring his fans that he’s recovering. He wrote in an Instagram post: “Just before the holidays, it was discovered that I had a brain tumor,

10. Maya Angelou. 9. Juneau. 8. Dick Clark. 7. Candy Castle. 6. Lead. 5. Appomattox. 4. Thirty Seconds to Mars.

BY FREDDY GROVES

PSYCHEDELICS FOR OUR MILITARY The $883.7 billion National Defense Authorization Act for 2024 makes for some interesting reading, not only for what it left out, but what it included. What you won’t find is the medical cannabis pilot program for veterans promoted by many, but you will find a treatment program using psychedelics for veterans and active duty with traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. Specifically, it calls for clinical trials with the Department of Defense to create a system wherein they can spend up to $10 million on psychedelics research. It only gives them 180 days to get started. Covered conditions, besides TBI and PTSD, include depression and insomnia. Some of the drugs to be used are psychedelic drugs psilocybin (magic mushrooms), MDMA (ecstacy) and 5-MeO-DMT (from toad glands). There are some reported successes from using psychedelics. The Food and Drug Administration said in 2017 that they’d had positive results using LSD and the magic mushrooms. The amounts given are small and are called “microdoses.” A short report with a lengthy list of citations in the Marine Corps Gazette in 2019 describes the use of LSD, mushrooms and more to attempt to gain an edge in efficiency and productivity when it comes to attention to detail, mental processing and reasoning. The report points to the way LSD changes the brain’s method of problem solving. Maybe this explains why it might be useful in helping veterans who suffer from PTSD. By creating new ways to think about things? Yet another study, documented in the Lancet Psychiatry journal, found that the magic mushrooms reduced PTSD symptoms. The trial combined three doses of the mushrooms with psychotherapy. After Phase 2 of the trial, 56% of participants no longer had PTSD when checked 12 months later, after having suffered for many years. If you want to learn more, listen to a podcast on the topic that includes a veteran who participated in a psychedelics study nine years ago: news.va.gov/124415/exploring-psychedelics-treatmentof-veterans. © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

SENIOR NEWS LINE By Matilda Charles

2. Florida. 1. Oklahoma.

Answers

Here We Go Again

BY LUCIE WINBOURNE • From 1953 to 1959, the Cincinnati Reds baseball team went by a different moniker, the Cincinnati Redlegs, in response to America’s fear of communism during the McCarthy era, when the term “Reds” could be problematic. • The word “whisky” comes from the Gaelic phrase “uisge beatha,” or “water of life.” • According to researchers at Japan’s Nagoya University, electric eels can use their shock to transfer genetic material to nearby fish larvae, altering the larva’s genes in the process. • An AI program using merely 10 seconds of human speech has been able to identify whether someone has diabetes with 89% accuracy.

PAW’S CORNER

3. Theodore Roosevelt.

6. SCIENCE: Which element has the symbol Pb?

which required immediate surgery.” He added that he’s working hard to accelerate his recovery and get back to performing soon. Last July, he released “Spark of Light,” his first album of original songs in 14 years, and also appeared on “The Masked Singer.” *** Q: Is Snoop Dogg really going to be one of the commentators for the Summer Olympics? Will his friend Martha Stewart join him? -- S.S. A: I don’t know about Martha Stewart, but Calvin Broadus Jr., best known as Snoop Dogg, will be providing commentary alongside Mike Tirico during primetime on NBC, as well as on Peacock. He’ll also tour historic landmarks and talk with the athletes. You might remember that Snoop Dogg and movie star Kevin Hart teamed up during the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo to provide hilarious commentary for Peacock. According to USA Today, the two “generated tens of millions of views” with their highlights, no doubt leading to the decision from NBC to bring Snoop Dogg on in a bigger role this summer. The opening ceremony kicks off on Friday, July 26.

I’m not the only one who has opted, once again, to stay home. Both the rec center and the senior center are cutting back on classes and hours because of the lack of participation, again, but mostly because of the sudden increase in cases of Covid, again. Of course this could include the flu and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), but no one is specifying. It’s just clear that more and more people here are getting sick. At the rec center, the number of exercise classes has been halved, and so has the number of people who can sign up for them. They’re going back to spaces outlined in blue painter’s tape on the floor, giving a spot for each person to work out. No more walking with pals in a group around the indoor track. Instead, they’re going back to single walkers staying a minimum of 10 feet apart. The senior center has been hit the hardest, I think, because

so many of their classes involved sitting around a large table learning a new language, doing painting or fiber art, or sharing a meal. The local weekly sightseeing events are stopped because they no longer want to fit 20 seniors into the bus. For some seniors those social events were the highlight of their week. Now it looks like they’ll be back to Zoom meetings. The good news is that the food bank is still up and running with no sign (yet) of slowing down what they do. Participants will pull up and stay in their vehicles while volunteers bring out the bags and boxes. And bless their hearts, the drivers are still out there, picking up seniors to take them to appointments. Rumor says they vowed, as a group, not to stop what they’re doing.

KENNEL OR SITTER? TRAVELING OWNER CAN’T DECIDE DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I am traveling for business in a few days and will be gone for just over a week. Because I can’t bring my dog Jasper with me, I’m trying to decide whether to board him at a nearby kennel or hire a dog-sitter instead. I’m worried about him contracting that respiratory illness that has been affecting dogs lately. What’s your recommendation? -- Todd G., via email DEAR TODD: Both of those options are fine -- as long as you take a few minutes to investigate both the kennel and interview the dog-sitter. Schedule a tour of the kennel facility so you can see the conditions Jasper will live in and talk to the staff. Has the kennel had any dogs develop kennel cough or other transmitted viruses recently? How often do they disinfect the kennels and play areas? How much exercise do the dogs get? Likewise, interview the dog-sitter in person, or over Zoom. How often will they visit Jasper -- once or twice a day? How often will Jasper get walks and play time? Will Jasper be the only dog being walked, or will he be part of a group of dogs? Is the dog-sitter insured, in case of accidents? Once you’ve decided which caregiver to place Jasper with, be sure they have your contact information in case of emergencies, and details about Jasper’s diet, type of food and medications. Place an article of clothing that has your scent on it in Jasper’s bag so that he is more comfortable whether staying at home or sleeping at the kennel. After you return, keep an eye on Jasper to make sure he’s healthy. If he is coughing or sneezing frequently, has a lot of nasal or eye discharge, and seems lethargic or uninterested in food, take him to the vet for an evaluation. Send your tips, comments or questions to ask@pawscorner.com. © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

THE HISTORY CHANNEL

Time

• On Jan. 29, 1845, Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “The Raven” was published in The Evening Mirror in New York. The eerie work, which earned its author the sum of $9, was both panned and praised by critics and parodied soon after its publication, but remains one of the most popular poems in literary history. • On Jan. 30, 1862, the first American ironclad warship, the USS Monitor, was launched into the East River. Construction of the vessel was inspired by talk of the Confederate Navy’s building an impenetrable ironclad that could break the Union’s blockade of the port city of Hampton Roads, Virginia. • On Jan. 31, 1747, the first clinic for treatment of venereal diseases opened at London Lock Hospital. Unfortunately, its cure methods were ineffectual, with mercury (and its highly debilitating side effects) being the most common. • On Feb. 1, 1587, England’s Queen Elizabeth I signed the death warrant for her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots, after Mary was found guilty of being “not only accessory and privy to the conspiracy, but also an imaginer and compass of her majesty’s destruction.” In her final days, Elizabeth admitted to regret about the order. • On Feb. 2, 1970, British mathematician, logician and philosopher Bertrand Russell, who is considered the founder of analytic philosophy and won the Nobel Prize in Literature for his idealismand humanitarianism-themed writings, died at his home in Wales at the age of 97. • On Feb. 3, 1994, President Bill Clinton lifted the trade embargo that had been in place on the Republic of Vietnam for 19 years, following the capture of Saigon by North Vietnamese troops during the Vietnam War.

Have we really been doing this for four years?

• On Feb. 4, 2010, Barack Obama’s 57-year-old Kenyan aunt, Zeituni Onyango, appeared at a court in Boston for a second attempt to gain political asylum in the U.S., but the hearing ended without an immediate decision. Ms. Onyango had moved to America in 2000, and her first asylum application was rejected four years later, with an order for her deportation. Her immigration status would become an issue during Obama’s election campaign.

• Workers at an Akron, Ohio, auto wrecking company creatively stopped a potential car thief by using a forklift to raise him, while inside the vehicle, 20 feet into the air until (no doubt amused) police arrived on the scene. • If you make a visit to Iceland, you might run across a tiny, intricately designed house known as an alfhol. But it wasn’t built for a family of dolls. Rather, such structures are created for the “hidden folk” of Icelandic folklore, creatures often invisible to humans but who are believed to lead lives similar to ours. • Smokers with better math skills are more inclined to quit smoking. • When Reza Baluchi, a 44-year-old man from Florida, aspired to cross the Atlantic on a visit to London, he didn’t take a plane or boat, but a floating contraption much like a giant hamster wheel! Unfortunately, his mode of transportation was deemed “manifestly unsafe” by the Coast Guard off the coast of Georgia’s Tybee Island, and after a three-day standoff, Baluchi’s mission was aborted. ••• Thought for the Day: “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” -- Zig Ziglar © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

BY SAM MAZOTTA

EST. MAY 19, 1883

EARN EX TRA MONE Y BY DELIVERING Only a Few Hours Each Morning

www.spokesman.com/carriers 509.927.2150

Spokane, Washington

Page M4 • January 24, 2024 • Wednesday

Pinch

We’ve got your number

AT PENNIES PER SERVING, POPCORN IS A FRUGAL AND FABULOUS SNACK!

Popcorn Palooza:

Elevate Your Snacking Game With 10 DIY Gourmet Flavors

159

a month for food, OTC products and utilities

PATTI DIAMOND

DIVAS ON A DIME Photo credit: www.JasonCoblentz.com This Friday, Jan. 19, marks National Popcorn Day, a celebration of America’s favorite frugal and fabulous snack! Popcorn isn’t just a guilt-free treat; it’s a canvas for culinary creativity. Forget the store-bought microwave versions. I’ve got the scoop on making your popcorn gourmet. Popcorn is so easy to make. A healthier alternative to packaged processed microwave popcorn is to use an air popper or make popcorn on the stove, with a clever twist from my mom’s playbook. MOM’S PERFECT POPCORN Rule of thumb: Each third of a cup of kernels yields approximately 8 cups of popped corn. Yield: 16 cups Time: 10 minutes 4 tablespoons oil -- vegetable oil, olive oil, peanut oil, ghee or coconut oil 2/3 cup popcorn kernels In a medium saucepan, on medium heat, warm 4 tablespoons of oil. My current favorite oil to use is coconut oil for the subtle sweetness it brings. Add four popcorn kernels. When they pop, the oil is hot. Add 2/3 cup kernels to the pan and cover. Here’s where my mom got clever; remove the pan from the heat for 1 minute to let all the kernels warm up evenly. Then place the pan back on the heat and let the popcorn cook until it’s all popped. Hardly any old maids! To kick off the festivities, here are 10 DIY gourmet flavored popcorns that turn this humble snack into a symphony of flavors. Let the popping begin! All these recipes use 16 cups of freshly popped popcorn. Ranch: Melt half a stick of butter with 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast, 2 teaspoons dried dill weed, 2 teaspoons dried parsley, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon lemon pepper and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Mediterranean: Toss popcorn with 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 2 teaspoons kosher salt. Green Goddess: Melt 6 tablespoons of butter with 1 teaspoon minced dried onion, 1 teaspoon granulated garlic and 1 tablespoon mixed dried green herbs such as parsley, chives, basil, green onion and tarragon, and 2 teaspoons kosher salt. Honey Mustard Pretzel: Blend 4 tablespoons melted butter with 2 tablespoons brown deli or Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon honey and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Drizzle over popcorn and toss with 4 cups mini pretzels. Chesapeake Bay: Melt 4 tablespoons butter with 2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning. Drizzle over popcorn and mix with 4 cups oyster crackers. Sriracha with Lime: Blend 4 tablespoons melted butter with 1/4 cup Sriracha, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lime zest and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Drizzle over popcorn and toss. Buffalo Blue: Melt 6 tablespoons butter with 1/3 cup Buffalo hot sauce. Toss with popcorn, sprinkle with 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese and 1/2 teaspoon celery salt. Tropical: Melt 4 tablespoons butter with 3 tablespoons powdered sugar. Toss with hot “OLDEST MEAT MARKET IN TOWN” popcorn and add a (10 ounce) package of dried tropical fruit mix. Season with salt. LB. LB. Cinnamon Toast: Melt 6 4 TO 5 LB. AVG. IN THE BAG CUT-N-WRAP FREE tablespoons butter, drizzle over popcorn. EXTRA LEAN Mix together 1/3 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons LB. LB. cinnamon and 1 BONELESS $8.99 LB. 95% FAT FREE teaspoon kosher salt. Toss with popcorn and FRYER PORK add 4 cups of your BREAST STEAK favorite cinnamon LB. LB. OR THIGHS OR ROAST cereal. BONELESS SKINLESS S’mores Popcorn: Toss HICKORY OR popcorn with 4 PEPPERED tablespoons melted LB. LB. butter. Place popcorn on IN THE BAG CUT-N-WRAP FREE THICK SLICED a large parchmentcovered baking sheet. Sprinkle 2 cups mini marshmallows, 2 cups THICK CUT crumbled graham crackers and 2 cups chocolate chips over LB. LB. LB. popcorn, and bake at 300 F for 5 minutes. Toss to coat. COSMIC At mere pennies per CRISP EA. LB. NW GROWN, WASHINGTON EX FANCY serving, if there ever was a frugal and fabulous snack, this WHOLE OR would be it! Whether it’s movie night, game SLICED LB. 8 OZ PKG. EA. night, after-school snack or you just want some crunch with your lunch, celebrate Popcorn Day with a POP! EA. FRESH EXPRESS 9-11 OZ VARIETIES EA. EXTRA LARGE Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the

Get more benefits at no extra cost to you If you have Medicare and Medicaid, a UnitedHealthcare Dual Complete® plan can help take care of more of the things that matter. You can use your UnitedHealthcare UCard® to buy healthy foods and over-the-counter (OTC) products and to pay your utility bills — all for a $0 plan premium.

With $159 a month on your UnitedHealthcare UCard, you can: Buy healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, meat, seafood, dairy products and water Choose from thousands of OTC products, like toothpaste, first aid necessities, cough drops, bladder control pads and more Pay utility bills like electricity, gas, water and internet

SONNENBERG’S MARKET & DELI

1 1 $ 99 $ 99 7 4 $ 99 $ 99 1 1 $ 49 4 BACON $499

WHOLE CHICKEN $ FRYERS

BONE-IN RIB STEAKS

PETITE SIRLOIN STEAK

SMOKED KIELBASA

NEW YORK STEAKS

3 7 APPLES ENGLISH ¢ CUCUMBERS $ 49 79 1 MUSHROOMS BROCCOLI CROWNS $ 29 $ 29 1 2 GREEN PREMIUM BELL ¢ GARDEN PEPPERS 99 SALAD $389 $ 49

penny-pinching, party-planning, recipe developer and content creator of the website Divas On A Dime -Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Visit Patti at www.divasonadime.com and join the conversation on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom. Email Patti at divapatti@divasonadime.com © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.,

LOINS

GROUND BEEF

BEEF POT ROAST

$ 99 49 BONELESS PORK

MON. - SAT. 7AM - 7PM SUNDAY 9AM - 6PM

WE ACCEPT EBT CARDS

$ 99

SONNENBERG’S MARKET & DELI NOW AVAILABLE ON LINE SHOPPING 1-24-2024 THRU 1-30-2024 Check out our website: www.sonnenbergsmarket.com

WE’VE G LOTTO OT

CORNER OF SPRAGUE & HELENA

535-4932

UnitedHealthcare Dual Complete is a health plan for people who: • Have both Medicare and Medicaid • Could use more help to cover more care and costs • Want more benefits for a $0 plan premium

There’s more for you. Call today. 1-855-817-5641, TTY 711 uhccp.com/WAdual

Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a contract with the State Medicaid Program. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. Food, OTC, and utility benefits have expiration timeframes. Call the plan or refer to your Evidence of Coverage (EOC) for more information. Benefits, features and/or devices vary by plan/area. Limitations, exclusions and/or network restrictions may apply. © 2023 United HealthCare Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Y0066_230724_051504_M

H0271-044