April 3, 2024 Pinch Rosauers Super One

Indulge Taste Buds with Better-for-You

acid, and only 2 grams of unsaturated fat – to help keep you full and energized throughout the day.

As an added bonus, their versatility and easy-to-pair profile makes them a perfect ingredient in recipes you can prepare in a cinch. For bite-sized treats that are packed with flavor and perfect for snack time, these Pecan Chickpea

Cookie Dough Bites swap out flour and sugar in favor of blended pecans, chickpeas, vanilla extract, cinnamon and sea salt with dark chocolate chips folded in for a sweet finishing touch.

salt 3-5 minutes, scraping down sides occasionally, until smooth and creamy.

Fold in dark chocolate chips.

Form into 24 cookie dough balls. Eat as-is; no baking required.

Note: Store leftovers in airtight container in refrigerator 5 days or freeze

Roasted

Recipe

Prep

to on the couch, from sunrise to after bedtime.

Nearly a third (30%) of respondents are munching on snacks while in bed, calling it their favorite snacking spot. However, only 35% of their snack choices are considered healthy.

Fueling busy days can be easy with an option like pecans.

According to the survey, 66% of snackers enjoy pecans on their own with 58% eating them as part of a trail mix. If you’re among the 50% who reach for a snack in the late afternoon, you can turn to nutritious, satisfying solutions to indulge afternoon cravings without the guilt. With pleasing crunch, comforting creaminess and a satisfying chew, pecans are the “no sacrifice” nut that can punch up your routine with both delicious taste and plant-based nutrition.

Just a handful of pecans –about 19 halves – provides a good source of fiber, thiamin and zinc and an excellent source of copper and manganese, a mineral that’s essential for metabolism and bone health. They also provide a mix of protein and good fats – 18 grams of unsaturated fat, including oleic

Or you can simply toss warm pecans with olive oil and sea salt in this Roasted Pecans recipe for a grab-and-go snack that can be prepared in advance without worrying about spoiling. Another benefit of pecans: They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 9 months or frozen up to 2 years, giving them a longer shelf life than many pantry favorites. Plus, they can be thawed and refrozen without losing flavor or texture.

To find more surprisingly delicious nutritional facts or recipe inspiration, visit EatPecans.com.

Pecan Chickpea Cookie

Dough Bites

Recipe courtesy of Dawn Jackson Blatner, RDN, on behalf of the American Pecan Promotion

Board

Prep time: 10 minutes

Servings: 24

1 cup raw pecan pieces

1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

In blender or food processor, blend pecan pieces, chickpeas, vanilla extract, cinnamon and sea

Popovers Make Spring Meals Special

BY DONNA ERICKSON

The first signs of spring include yard and garage sales sprouting up in our communities. Maybe you and your kids are tempted, like me, to scout these out for our neighbors’ castoffs and enticing bargains.

I’m not advocating for accumulating more stuff to add to cupboards and storage closets that are already full, but I’m aware that the decluttering craze has opened up opportunities for bargain shoppers like me. I’m always on the hunt for an unexpected surprise.

This season is a good time to snag a buy on a gently used product that you can enjoy with your kids and grandkids. Be on the lookout for an item that you usually wouldn’t purchase in a store, like an electric Panini pan for yummy lunch-making this summer, a waffle iron for extended Saturday morning breakfasts, or my latest find -- a never-been-used, nonstick popover pan.

Popovers are easy to prepare, and they’ll make any springtime brunch or supper extra special. When it’s time for popovers at our house, my granddaughter helps me push the button on the blender, and then I “pop” the batter-filled cups in the oven. When baking (no peeking!), they puff up so high that when they are done, there is always a collective “wow” or “whoa” when we open the oven door and see the spectacle.

POPOVERS

Makes 6

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted, plus softened butter for greasing the popover or muffin pan

3 eggs at room temperature

1 cup milk at room temperature

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Grease aluminum popover pan (or 6 compartments of a muffin pan) with butter. Place the pan in the preheated oven while you prepare the batter.

Whisk or whirl butter, eggs, milk, flour and salt in a blender for a minute on medium speed until smooth.

An adult should fill the hot popover cups with batter until half full. If using a muffin pan, fill cups 2/3 full.

Place in the oven for 20 minutes, then reduce temperature to 325 F and bake 20 minutes longer. (No peeking while they bake!)

Remove from the oven and immediately poke the side of each popover with the tip of a knife or a wooden skewer to release the steam trapped inside. This keeps them from collapsing. Remove from the pan and arrange in a serving basket. Serve hot.

Extra Tasty Ideas:

-- Add 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest to the batter to add a refreshing spring taste.

-- Popovers make tasty edible containers for a main course of crab, shrimp or tuna salad. Just cut 1/3 off of the top of the popover and scoop out a space in the lower portion. Fill with salad and top with popover piece. Serve. ***

Donna Erickson creates relationships and community through food and fun.

Find more to nourish and delight you at www.donnaerickson.com. (c) 2024 Donna Erickson Distributed by King Features Synd.

Q: is

-

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

•

1. Pitcher Masanori Murakami, the first Japanese player to play on Major League Baseball club, debuted in 1964 with what team?

2. The Cresta Run is a natural toboggan track located in what Swiss mountain resort town? (Hint: It hosted Winter Olympics in 1928 and 1948.)

3. George “Punch” Imlach won four Stanley Cups (1962-64, ‘67) as head coach of what NHL team?

4. In 2021, Formula 1 held its first race on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit located in what country?

5. Who was the first three-time winner of golf’s Masters tournament?

6. Warren Beatty starred as Joe Pendleton, backup quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, in what 1978 film?

7. In 2014, thieves stole nine World Series rings, two MVP plaques and other memorabilia worth over $1 million from a Little Falls, New Jersey, museum dedicated to what Baseball Hall of Famer?

(c) 2024 King Features

Q: When is “Virgin River” coming back? Will there be another season? I’ve seen all of the episodes and hope it returns. -- M.C.

A: Filming has already begun for season six of the Netflix series “Virgin River,” but don’t expect to see it on your screen for a while, possibly not until 2025. Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith confirmed at Netflix’s Tudum event that Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack (Martin Henderson) “will advance on their path to parenthood while also turning Lilly’s farm into their ultimate dream home.” Smith further hinted that in the new season, viewers will “be surprised by some returning favorites from

Trivia Test

BY FIFI RODRIGUEZ

1. GEOGRAPHY: Where are the Seychelles islands located?

2. TELEVISION: In which sitcom is the catchphrase “Hello, Newman” used often?

3. FOOD & DRINK: What is a cornichon?

4. HISTORY: According to a WWII government slogan, what should citizens do after they “Keep calm ...”?

5. MOVIES: What is the name of John Wayne’s character in “True Grit”?

6. LANGUAGE: The Latin word “genu” refers to which part of the human body?

7. U.S. STATES: How many states begin with the letter “R”?

8. MEDICAL: The first vaccine was created to protect against which disease?

9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What is the name of Helen Keller’s teacher, who taught the blind and deaf girl how to communicate?

10. ANATONY: What is the smallest organ in the human body?

(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

BY LUCIE WINBOURNE

• Residents of the Galapagos island of Floreana use a barrel of disorganized mail in place of a formal postal system. Tourists are responsible for sorting through the mail and grabbing any parcels they can deliver on the way to their destination.

• In curling, good sportsmanship and politeness are essential. Congratulating opponents on plays and abstaining from trash talk are part of what’s known as the “Spirit of Curling.”

• Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison Schmitt was allergic to moon dust.

• According to the record-holder for tallest waffle stack, Guinness World Records has a 40-page document defining what a waffle is. (Frankly, we think we could have managed it in just 30.)

• Alaska is simultaneously the westernmost and easternmost state.

• High schools and universities in New Zealand are allowed to keep up to a pound of uranium on the premises for educational purposes.

• Marie Curie’s notebooks are still radioactive.

• In 2010, rock band Nickelback approached Dark Horse Brewery about having their beer featured in a video, which would have provided great exposure for the small Michigan company. They declined, however, as “none of us at the brewery really care for the band.”

• The German version of the term “Average Joe” is Otto Normalverbraucher, which translates to “Otto normal consumer.”

• An ordinance in Gainesville, GA, states that everyone must eat fried chicken, “a culinary delicacy sacred to this municipality, this county, this state, the Southland and this republic,” with their hands. The tongue-in-cheek law began as a publicity stunt aimed at getting folks to think of Gainesville as the fried chicken capital of the world.

• Polar bears gain more than 400 pounds during pregnancy. ***

Thought for the Day: “If you’re going to do something tonight that you’ll be sorry for tomorrow morning, sleep late.” -- Henny Youngman (c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

the past” and also get introduced to a new character -- Mel’s biological father, played by actor John Allen Nelson (“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”). ***

Q: Is there going to be another season of “Heartland”? I was so sad when Ty died in the ending chapter and wondered if Amy found love again. -- T.A.

A: I’m assuming that you’re watching “Heartland” via Netflix because only seasons 1-15 are currently available to watch on the streaming service. Fortunately, the Canadian series is on season 17 on the CBC network, but here in the United States, you’ll have to wait a bit. While no official statement has been released, there are reliable sources on the internet saying that season 16 will most likely be available on Netflix beginning in September, possibly earlier. This is because another streaming service, called UP Faith & Family, has first dibs on the show here in the U.S.. Once their customers have had enough time to watch season 16, Netflix viewers will then have their chance, likely starting this September, as mentioned above.

If you can’t wait that long, visit UPFaithandFamily. com and learn how you can subscribe to the streaming platform, which calls itself “the leading streaming service for uplifting entertainment.” They

BY DANA JACKSON

offer a monthly subscription plan for just $5.99 month, but as always, be sure to read the fine print. ***

Q: What is the latest on Richard Simmons? He hasn’t been seen in years, and now there’s a rumor that he died. But fortunately, it was just a rumor, right? --

E.C.

A: American fitness personality Richard Simmons, now age 75, has been reclusive for about a decade now. There were rumors that he was being held against his will, but in 2022, he issued a statement to the New York Post that he was happy and healthy. Recently, however, he worried his fans again when he posted a message on X (formerly Twitter) that he was dying. He went on to explain, “The truth is we all are dying.”

He went on to give some tips on eating better, getting enough sleep and exercising. Several hours later, he posted again to apologize for the confusion and clarify that he isn’t dying anytime soon. He said he simply wanted to remind everyone to embrace every day that they have.

You can follow Simmons on his official page on X: @TheWeightSaint.

Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.

(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

PAW’S CORNER

BY SAM MAZOTTA

BY FREDDY GROVES

HELP FOR FINANCIAL STRESSES

If your debts are so bad the stress of it is making you physically ill, you’re not alone. And if the weight of it all is stressing you mentally, you’re not alone there either. The past several years, with the economy and Covid and everything else, have made many of us wonder if there’s hope.

But yes ... there is

And

(c)

SENIOR NEWS LINE

By Matilda Charles

Staying Safe

I never thought this kind of thing would happen where I live: A woman was kidnapped in

FLEA ONSLAUGHT STRIKES EARLY

IN THE SEASON DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I can’t believe it -- it’s only March, and my cat Flicker is already scratching himself silly with fleas! He has terrible skin reactions to flea bites. How can I get rid of them? -- Jesse B., Oak Ridge, Tennessee DEAR JESSE: Flea infestations are awful, aren’t they? As the seasons change and the weather warms up, flea activity rises, and pet owners start seeing more evidence of fleas on their pets and around their homes. Fleas aren’t just annoying. They can carry diseases that are transmissible to pets and humans. Tapeworms and cat scratch disease are just two of the potential ills that a flea infestation can bring into your home. Tackle a flea problem head-on, and don’t wait -- because it will continue to get worse as the summer approaches.

Because of Flicker’s allergic reaction to flea bites, he needs direct treatment to repel fleas and prevent them from latching on to his fur again. Talk to his veterinarian about the most effective flea treatments. For example, a monthly or quarterly topical flea treatment may be a good option. Oral medication -- as pills or chewables -- is also very effective. The vet may also recommend medication to clear up his current skin issues.

Reduce the risk of another flea infestation by making your home difficult for fleas to exist in.

--Have your home treated for fleas by a pest control service.

--Pick up clutter from the floor and replace any plush or felted toys with new ones.

--Vacuum twice a week to pick up fleas and their eggs.

--Repair or replace damaged window and door screens.

--Remove any debris piles near your home, and shift wood piles farther away. Send your tips, comments or questions to ask@pawscorner.com.

(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

Time

• On April 8, 1930, baseball legend Babe Ruth signed a two-year contract for a then enormous sum of $160,000 with the New York Yankees, prompting the team’s general manager, Ed Barrow, to predict (with, of course, now laughable inaccuracy) that “No one will ever be paid more than Ruth.”

• On April 9, 1860, French inventor Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville used his phonautograph, the earliest known sound recording device, to capture himself singing the French folk song “Au Clair de la Lune.”

• On April 10, 2001, mercy killings became legal in the Netherlands following the Dutch senate’s controversial approval of a bill legalizing euthanasia for patients with unbearable terminal illness.

• On April 11, 1951, President Harry Truman fired Gen. Douglas MacArthur as commander of the United Nations and U.S. forces in the Far East after he made public statements calling for an attack on mainland China if Communist forces failed to lay down their arms in Korea.

• On April 12, 1877, with a well-justified fear of ricocheting foul balls (not to mention being hit by a bat), Harvard’s Alexander Tyng wore a converted fencer’s mask for a baseball game in Lynn, MA, becoming the first-known player to don a catcher’s mask. While the new gear initially drew taunts from fans, designer Fred Thayer’s patent for the device was approved the following January.

• On April 13, 1964, Sidney Poitier became the first Black actor to win the coveted Best Actor Oscar for his role as laborer Homer Smith, who assists a group of poor East German nuns with building a church, in “Lilies of the Field.” Three years later, he was Hollywood’s top box office draw.

• On April 14, 2010, Neil Armstrong criticized the Barack Obama administration’s stripped-down space plans in an open letter co-signed by Apollo commanders James Lovell and Eugene Cernan, describing the president’s proposals as “devastating.” Supporters, however, insisted that the accelerated rocket program would set new goals for American efforts in outer space. (c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

Hollywood

BY TONY RIZZO

Best Actress winner Emma Stone (“Poor Things”) Depositphotos

HOLLYWOOD -- I wonder if Al Pacino’s upcoming memoir, “Sonny Boy,” will include his recent incident at the Oscars? Apparently, minutes before he took the stage, the producers told Pacino not to read the list of 10 Best Picture nominees. It was such a last-minute decision that they didn’t even tell host Jimmy Kimmel they’d decided to do so. Pacino was his usual scattered self, and Kimmel remarked, “I guess he’s never watched an awards show before. It seems everyone in America knows the rhythm of how it’s supposed to go!”

Pacino admitted, “It was not my intention to omit them, rather a choice by the producers not to have them said again.” The 83-year-old actor has been nominated nine times for an Oscar and won in 1993 for “Scent of a Woman.”

“I wrote ‘Sonny Boy’ to express what I’ve seen and been through in my life,” Pacino confessed. “It’s been an incredibly personal and revealing experience to reflect on this journey and what acting allowed me to do and the worlds it has opened up.”

***

Best Actor winner Cillian Murphy (“Oppenheimer”) has already completed his next film -- “Small Things like These” with Emily Watson. It premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in February. ***

Best Actress winner Emma Stone is going from “Poor Things” to “Kinds of Kindness,” a contemporary anthology film that consists of three different stories set in the United States. Jesse Plemons and Willem Dafoe will co-star, with the three stars playing a different role in each of the three stories.

***

Best Supporting Actor winner Robert Downey Jr. (“Oppenheimer”) is one of the producers of the upcoming HBO historical black-comedy television series “The Sympathizer.” He will also appear in the miniseries in several antagonist roles.

***

37-year-old Da’Vine Joy Randolph, who starred on Broadway in “Ghost: The Musical” (in the role that gave Whoopi Goldberg an Oscar), has two films in the can after her recent Oscar win: “Shadow Force” with Kerry Washington and “Bride Hard” with Rebel Wilson, Justin Hartley, Anna Chlumsky and Stephen Dorff.

***

Christopher Nolan took home more than one Oscar for Best Director and Best Picture. His pay for directing “Oppenheimer” was just south of $100 million, from the combination of his salary, back-end compensation from the billion-dollar box-office grosses, and the bonus from winning two Oscars. His next project looks to be his screenplay for a film based on the 1960s TV series “The Prisoner,” which starred Patrick McGoohan.

***

Ironically, last year’s Best Actress, Michelle Yeoh, has a few upcoming films with release dates, from “Wicked” on Nov. 27, 2024 and “Wicked Part Two” on Nov. 26, 2025 to “Avatar 3” on Dec. 19, 2025 and “Avatar 4” on Dec. 21, 2029. But the poor girl’s still looking for work because these films have already been completed, so expect to see this Best Actress winner “Everywhere All at Once” as she tries to fill the gap between now and 2029.

(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

PATTI DIAMOND DIVAS ON A DIME

Photo credit: www.JasonCoblentz.com

Welcome to spring, where zest meets zing! As we bid adieu to winter’s chill, ready to embrace the warmth of spring, it’s time to infuse our kitchens with the vibrant flavors of the season. And what better way to welcome the sunshine than with a delightful, unexpected treat? Introducing the Lemon Polenta Cake -- a delectable twist on the Italian classic. It’s perfect for your Easter celebration, too!

Now, I know what you’re thinking. Polenta in a dessert? Trust me, I’ve been there. But once you experience the harmonious marriage of sweet and tart, brought to life by the humble cornmeal, you’ll be singing a different tune.

Picture this: a buttery, moist, tender crumb, slightly chewy, infused with the zesty brightness of freshly squeezed lemons. It’s like indulging in a slice of sunshine itself.

This Lemon Polenta Cake traces its roots back to the rustic kitchens of the northern regions of Italy, where polenta is a staple ingredient. Inspired by the abundance of lemons in the Mediterranean climate, bakers sought to infuse cornmeal with the bright, tangy zest of citrus.

In a world of dietary restrictions, this Lemon Polenta Cake comes to the rescue, proudly sporting its glutenfree badge thanks to the absence of traditional flour. And let’s not forget that light, fruity olive oil can substitute for butter for our dairy-free friends.

LEMON POLENTA CAKE

Yield: 12 servings

Total Time: 55 minutes

For the cake:

1 3/4 cups almond meal/almond flour

3/4 cup fine cornmeal polenta

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 cups butter (softened)

1 cup granulated sugar

Zest of 2 large lemons (save juice for syrup)

3 eggs

For the syrup:

Juice of 2 lemons, about 1/2 cup 3/4 cup powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper and grease sides with butter. In a mixing bowl, combine almond meal, cornmeal and baking powder (dry ingredients), and set aside. In another bowl, using a hand mixer, beat butter, sugar and lemon zest until pale (wet ingredients).

You’re going to mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in three stages. To the wet ingredients, add roughly one third of the almond/cornmeal mixture, followed by 1 egg, and continue to beat. Alternate dry ingredients and eggs until it’s all incorporated, beating the whole time.

Scoop the batter into the prepared pan. Bake the cake on the center rack until it’s golden brown, and a cake tester or toothpick comes out relatively clean, about 35-38 minutes. Although the cake will be done, it might seem a bit soft in the center, that’s alright. Leaving the cake in the pan, place it on a rack and let it cool for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the syrup by boiling together the lemon juice and powdered sugar in a small saucepan until the sugar is dissolved.

Pearce the top of the cake all over with a cake tester or toothpick. Pour the warm syrup over the top of the cake, then let the cake cool completely in the pan.

To serve, run a thin knife or small spatula along the edges, then remove the springform sides. If desired, garnish with powdered sugar and blueberries. Slice and enjoy! Refrigerate any leftovers.

As you slice into this lemony masterpiece, let its