Brew Your Business Celebrates First Anniversary with Yellowstone River Beef
BARBARA PETERSON
City of Williston | Economic Development
Brew Your Business Williston marked its first anniversary on Jan. 8, with a celebration at Williston State College. Attendees enjoyed complimentary coffee, cupcakes, networking bingo and a behindthe-scenes look at the meat processing industry.
Founded in late 2023 by volunteers from Williston Economic Development, Tri-County Regional Development Council, the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Development Center and the North Dakota Women's Business Center, BYB held its inaugural meeting in January 2024. The anniversary event showcased Calli Thorne and Luke Taylor, co-owners of Yellowstone River Beef, along with co-owner CJ Thorne, who was also present to answer questions. Anna Nelson, the executive director of Williston Economic Development, led the discussion.
The Thorne and Taylor families purchased YRB in fall 2024, and when they sought financing, they found support through the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives’ Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program. This program, which offers low-interest loans funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant, is designed to enhance the quality of life in rural areas.
“The (original) business looked a lot different from what we do now. When we took over, there was a building, employees, and a little bit of business,” said Taylor. “For financing, we worked with
LUKE TAYLOR, CALLI THORNE, CJ THORNE, COOWNERS OF YELLOWSTONE RIVER BEEF | SUBMITTED PHOTO
Keith Olson (Small Business Development Center regional director) on the business plan and discovered the MILP program. We were the first-ever business to borrow money from them. It made a lot of sense for us.”
Calli Thorne emphasized the significance of the program.
“It was pretty unique that MILP lined up for us, offering a lower interest loan. That made a big difference for us,” she said.
Yellowstone River Beef provides USDA-certified beef sourced from North Dakota and Montana, with much of the meat coming from the Thorne family’s Triangle M Ranch and Feedlot in Watford City. YRB operates a retail section, open Monday through Friday, where customers can purchase anything from a single ribeye steak to a 40-foot
container of custom-cut beef.
Looking to the future, YRB plans to expand its offerings to include jerky, sausage, snack sticks and more. The company has already purchased a stateof-the-art smoker and is currently searching for the right employee to manage that part of their operation.
BYB meets monthly and is open to anyone interested in supporting local entrepreneurs and small businesses. The meetings provide a space for entrepreneurs, business owners, lenders and resource providers to network, learn and grow. High school and college students are also encouraged to attend.
The next BYB meeting will be held on Feb. 12 at 9 a.m. at the Teton Lounge at Williston State College. All are welcome to attend.
Youth Ice Fishing Derby Presented by Williams County Parks Returns for 5th Year
Location: Blacktail Dam: 6983 141st Ave NW, Williston, ND
Williams County Parks, in collaboration with the United Sportsmen of Williston and the Blacktail Dam Association, is gearing up for the fifth Annual Youth Ice Fishing Derby to be held Saturday, Feb. 22 at Blacktail Dam.
The County Parks Department is particularly excited to host youth ages 15 and under, but all are welcome to join in on the family-friendly festivities. Although participants are encouraged to bring their own fishing pole and tackle, bait will be provided at this free event.
Eventgoers can stop by the fire hall for a giveaway registration bag, and a complimentary lunch will be available, thanks to the generosity of Grondahl Recreation and O.K. Distributing Company.
Event Details: Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025 Time: 10 am – 4 pm Central
Rules:
Open to youth ages 15 and under; all youth must be accompanied by an adult Fish houses, tents/clams, and sonar are allowed
A fishing license is required for all participants aged 16 and older
Any non-resident under age 16 may take and possess a limit of fish without a non-resident fishing license if accompanied by an individual possessing a valid fishing license. Residents under age 16 may take and possess a limit of fish without a fishing license
Please refer to North Dakota Game and Fish website for further details on fishing licensing requirement and to purchase a license online: https:// gf.nd.gov/fishing/licensing.
For more information on the event, visit 2025 Youth Ice Fishing Derby at williamsnd.com.
WILLIAMS COUNTY
Discover the New Frontier in Local Advertising!
We’re combining the power of a weekly print paper, The Shopper; a monthly, full-color publication delivered to every home and business in Williston, The Williston Graphic; a dynamic, member-driven online platform, WillistonGraphic.com; and one of the largest social media groups in the Bakken, Williston Connections. Each platform brings something unique:
The Shopper — Keeping it local with SHOP LOCAL deals and promotions.
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Williston Connections — Join over 47,000 other members and share it all on the original Facebook group connecting buyers and sellers in the Bakken.
It’s a whole new world of advertising — reaching new heights while staying firmly rooted right here in Williston.
New steps are needed for the safety of patrons. Our goal is to raise $350,000 to replace the iconic front steps of the Old Armory.
To donate, and help us reach our $350,000 goal, please call Diane at 701.577.0278 or mail checks to:
Veterans and Friends of the Old Armory PO Box 352
Williston, ND 58802
Your support is vital in preserving this iconic piece of Williston’s history. Together, let’s step up to restore the Old Armory!
Why So Expensive? Did You Know?
The Old Armory is a treasure of Williston, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and preserving it requires a meticulous approach.
• Precision Demolition: To protect the structure from further damage, demolition must be carried out with surgical precision, ensuring the integrity of the historic building remains intact.
• Sandy Foundations: The building sits on sand, requiring the installation of durable pylons to prevent the new steps from sinking over time.
• State Guidelines: Renovations must meet strict state preservation guidelines and be approved to align with the building’s original design, ensuring its historic charm and significance are maintained for future generations.
• A Generous Matching Gift: A donor has pledged an incredible $100,000 match to the Step Up Campaign, doubling the impact of your contribution.
AIRPORT
Williston Basin International (XWA) 14127 Jensen Ln
Williston (701) 875-8594
APARTMENTS
Williston Housing Authority 1801 8th Ave. W
Williston (701) 572-2006
APPLIANCES
Ekblad Appliance 22 W Broadway
Williston (701) 572-3769
AUTO DEALERSHIPS
Red Rock Ford 410 32nd Ave W
Williston (701) 577-2142
BOOK STORES
Books on Broadway 121/2 West Broadway
Williston (701) 572-1433
BOUTIQUES
Dakota Dreamin' Williston (701) 641-2913
The TRUNK 4315 9th Ave W St 426 Badlands Town Center Williston
CONSTRUCTION
Williston Roofing 904 2nd St. W Williston (701) 339-2345
COURIER SERVICES
Tony's Transfer Minot/Williston (701) 721-7930
DRY CLEANERS & LAUNDRY
Model Cleaners 1129 2nd Ave W
Williston (701) 572-3734
FINANCIAL
American State Bank & Trust 223 Main St
Williston (701) 774-4165
First State Bank & Trust 22 4th St E
Williston (701) 577-2113
Stifel Nicolaus 322 Main St.
Williston (701) 572-4527
Western Cooperative Credit Union 1300 Bison Drive
Williston (701) 572-4000
FUNERAL HOMES
Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home 112 4th St E
Williston (701) 577-3738
Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home 218 W Highlan Drive
Williston (701) 572-6329
GARDEN/GREENHOUSES
Handy Andy's Nursery 3515 W Front St.
Williston (701) 572-6083
HEALTHCARE
CHI St. Alexius 1301 15th Ave W
Williston (701) 572-7651
McKenzie Health 3-4th St. E
Williston (701) 577-6377
HEATING & PLUMBING
Braaten Plumbing 5237C 134th Ave NW
Williston (701) 774-0070
Haskin Heating & Cooling 2407 2nd Ave W, Suite D Williston (701) 770-4516
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Williston Home & Lumber 320 26th St E
Williston (701) 572-8356
HYDRO-VAC TRUCK SERVICE
VAC-U-JET 5979 US - 85
Williston (701) 572-0826
INDUSTRIAL SERVICES
IESS
314 42nd St West
Williston (701) 572-2393
JEWELRY
Ritter Brothers 319 Main St
Williston (701) 572-2051
LAND SURVEYORS
49th Latitude Land Survey 1411 West Dakota Pkwy, Unit 111 & 112, Suite 2b, Williston (701) 580-2651
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Williams County Williston (701) 577-4500 (Auditor)
OILS & LUBRICANTS
Advanced Filtration 4502 139th Ave W Alexander, ND (701) 770-2275
PAINT
Finesse Painting Williston (205) 441-0009
Etch Your Sketch Williston (701) 609-0839
PEST CONTROL
Pro Safe Services 725 8th Ave W Williston (701) 774-3167
PORTABLE
TOILET RENTAL
VAC-U-JET 5979 US - 85 Williston (701) 572-0826
RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
Rugby Homes & RV Center 321 Gate Ave Williston (701) 572-2250
Arnie's Powersports & Cycle 413 2nd St W Williston (701) 572-3382
RETAIL
Second Opportunity ReStore 2124 2nd Ave W Williston (701) 774-2537
Talon Smoke Shop 1804 W Trenton, ND (701) 572-5110
The TRUNK 4315 9th Ave W St 426 Badlands Town Center Williston
SEPTIC
Braaten Plumbing 5237C 134th Ave NW Williston (701) 774-0070
VAC-U-JET 5979 US - 85 Williston (701) 572-0826
TRAILER SERVICES
MLD Trailer 1909 44th St. West Williston (701) 651-9742
TRANSPORTATION
Northwest Dakota Public Transit Williston (701) 577-6753 Watford City (701) 842-3440
UTILITIES
Mountrail-Williams Electric Coop Williston, ND (701) 577-3765
Sheridan Electric Co-op Medicine Lake, MT (406) 789-2231
WATER TRUCK SERVICE
VAC-U-JET 5979 US - 85 Williston (701) 572-0826
Must Have Items For Your Next Game Watch Party
The popularity of professional and college sports is undeniable. Various metrics, from ticket sales to data on how much is spent on team apparel, underscore that popularity. But there may be no greater measuring stick than television viewership, which tends to rise as the games grow more meaningful. In fact, the National Football League reported that international viewership of the Super Bowl totaled 62.5 million people in 2024. When added to the estimated 123.4 million domestic viewers who tuned in to watch the league's championship game, it's evident that watching the big game is a big deal.
Game watches have become a go-to way for fans to get together and take in the big game. The best game watches feature an assortment of variables that combine to make the viewing experience comfortable and engaging.
Seating: Guests will need a comfortable place to sit during the game. Make sure the primary viewing space has enough seating to accommodate everyone on the guest list. If necessary, rearrange furniture so the most comfortable seats, including couches and upholstered armchairs, are positioned so guests can see the television without having to crane their necks or sit awkwardly. Some padded folding chairs can then be brought in to provide additional seating.
Multiple viewing areas: If lots of young children will be coming, consider creating a separate viewing space for youngsters, such as a playroom, basement or another living space that can accommodate the younger fans. In addition, consider setting up an outdoor viewing space if the weather allows. A firepit and some comfortable outdoor furniture situated around an outdoor television or projector screen can accommodate guests who want to watch the game under an open sky.
Snacks: It's not uncommon to order in for a game watch, and pizza and chicken wings are popular items to serve during the big game. But it's equally important to provide fellow fans with plenty of snacking options. Chips and dip, homemade nachos with salsa, pretzels, and snacks for children should be part of the game day offerings. But don't discount nutritious snacks, either. A vegetable tray with hummus can be offered to guests who want to enjoy the big game without overindulging in less nutritious fare.
Drinks: Viewers who watch football regularly can be forgiven if they assume beer is an integral component of the game day viewing ex-
perience. While it's common to provide some adult beverages for guests at the game watch, hosts must recognize that local laws may consider it their responsibility to ensure guests are not overserved. So while it's alright to provide alcoholic beverages to guests, it's important that nonalcoholic alternatives, including water, soda and juice, be made available as well.
Tech: Of course, the viewing experience will be that much more enjoyable for hosts and guests with the latest technology. A new television with fast response times and a wide viewing angle can ensure the competitors on the field are viewed as clearly as possible and visible from all angles in the rooms where the game will be shown. Hosts who plan to set up outdoor viewing areas should take every step to reduce glare, particularly if the television outside is not designed for outdoor viewing. In addition to the television, new sound systems can make the game watch that much more impressive.
Before inviting guests over for the big game, hosts can consider these variables to ensure the viewing experience is one fans won't soon forget.
How To Allocate Funds When Planning A Wedding Finance
cent
· Videography: 7 percent
· Couples' attire: 7 percent
Whether it's a lavish, black-tie affair or a laid back gathering in the backyard, a couple's wedding day is a momentous, and often costly, occasion. According to the online wedding planning resource Zola, the average cost of a wedding in 2023 was $33,000. That's a significant sum for couples to spend, and it's understandable if couples aren't sure how to allocate funds for their big day. It's important that couples recognize what's most important to them when planning their weddings. Recognition of those priorities can help couples determine how to allocate their funds. Equally helpful can be how past couples have spent on their weddings. Utilizing data from its The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study, the wedding experts at The Knot (theknot.com) have calculated general percentages of a wedding budget couples can devote to various components.
· Venue: 37 percent
· Catering: 28 percent
· Band: 12 percent
· Wedding rings: 9 percent
· Photography: 8 percent
· Flowers: 8 percent
· Alcohol: 8 percent
· Rehearsal dinner: 8 per-
· Rentals: 6 percent
· DJ: 5 percent
· Wedding party attire: 4 percent
· Guest entertainment: 3 percent
· Transportation: 3 percent
· Ceremony music: 3 percent
· Cake and desserts: 2 percent
· Stationery: 2 percent
· Officiant: 1 percent
· Favors and gifts: 1 percent
· Additional jewelry: 1 percent
Couples with a keen eye might notice these percentages add up to significantly more than 100 percent. That's because the budgetary breakdown reflects personal preferences, individual couples' budgets and what couples can expect to spend on certain components. For example, The Knot data indicates a couple that prefers a band for their reception instead of a DJ may need to allocate roughly twice as much of their budget to accommodate that preference. In addition, couples who do not intend to pay for wedding party members' attire can find other ways to allocate those funds, which The Knot data indicates typically accounts for roughly 4 percent of a wedding budget.
Another variable to con-
sider is family. According to The Knot data, couples allocated an average of 8 percent of their budgets to their rehearsal dinner. However, couples' parents may offer to pay for that meal, which can leave more room in the budget for other expenses. In addition, The Knot reported that the percentage of couples asking a friend or family member to serve as their wedding officiant rose from 37 percent in 2015 to 51 percent in 2020. Wedding officiants do not often eat up a significant portion of a couple's wedding budget (1 percent), but this is another expense that modern couples may not need to account for.
Weddings can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Couples who determine how best to allocate their wedding budgets may find it far simpler to plan their big day.
Health & Wellness
3 Short-Term Fitness Goals That Can Lead To Long-Term Success
MetroCreative Connection
As New Year's Day 2024 approached, millions of individuals were preparing to make changes they hoped would improve their fitness. In a Forbes Health/One Poll survey of 1,000 adults in the months leading up to the start of 2024, nearly half (48 percent) of respondents indicated improving their physical fitness would be a top priority over the course of the new year.
Fitness-based resolutions are popular every year, but people who aspire to make such changes recognize how difficult it can be to achieve them. In fact, the Forbes Health/One Poll survey found that roughly 44 percent of respondents indicated their resolutions flamed out at the two- or three-month marker. Though there's no one-size-fits-all strategy for sticking with and ultimately achieving a resolu-
tion, identifying short-term goals that can help people stay motivated can lead to long-term progress. Individuals who want to improve their physical fitness can consider these three short-term goals and use them as measuring sticks as they pursue more long-term objectives.
1. Aspire for incremental weight loss. Weight loss goals were the fourth most popular New Year's resolution for 2024 among participants in the Forbes Health/One Poll survey. Though that survey separated fitness goals from weight loss goals, the two are certainly linked. Individuals who aspire to lose 10 pounds undoubtedly recognize that such a goal cannot be achieved overnight, so why not aspire to lose small amounts of weight at predetermined intervals? For example, if the end goal is losing 10 lbs., aim to lose two pounds by the end of January. Incremental progress can motivate individuals to stay the course and ulti-
mately propel them toward achieving a more substantial, long-term goal.
2. Exercise for a predetermined number of days each week. Another way to gradually build toward achieving long-term fitness goals is to establish monthly minimum exercise sessions. Individuals accustomed to a sedentary lifestyle can resolve to exercise three days per week in the first month of their resolution, and then increase that by a day in the second month. A consistent schedule when designing this goal is imperative, which is
why it can make more sense to plan for three days per week as opposed to 12 days per month.
3. Resolve to walk a mile per day. Walking is an accessible cardiovascular activity that can have a profound effect on overall health. Walking also can help condition sedentary individuals' bodies for more strenuous activity, which is a transition many people aspire to make when setting long-term fitness goals. A daily one-mile walk won't require a significant commitment of time, but it can help acclimate the
body to routine exercise. As the effects of a daily walk begin to take hold, individuals may find it easier to engage in more strenuous physical activities, making this an ideal stepping stone on the way to achieving long-term fitness goals.
Short-term goals can help people remain motivated as they pursue more substantial goals that take longer to achieve. Such an approach can be especially useful for individuals resolving to improve their physical fitness at the start of a new year.
Through a Lutheran Lens
WHEN THE KINGDOM COMES: NEW BARDS AND NEW HEROES
PASTOR ZACH HARRIS FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH
Late last spring, I experienced an odd confluence of events. First, in listening to a podcast, a stray comment reminded me of the graphic novel “Kingdom Come.”
Considered one of the classic great stories of comic book literature by Mark Waid, it combines a unique look at a world where metahumans (both heroic and villainous) have overrun the earth causing long retired heroes such as Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman to come back into active status to save the world. The art is also uniquely almost photo-realistic. And the kicker at the time is that the narrator in the story is a protestant minister, Pastor McCay, who is based on the father of the artist. Not only does Pastor McCay look like the artist’s father, but he has the same occupation, because the artist grew up as a pastor’s son!
As I had a couple of my comic book buddies coming into town to help lead a Superhero themed VBS, I ordered a new copy of “Kingdom Come” on a whim. At the same time, I was told that there was an art exhibit in Bismarck by some comic book artist who was supposedly famous. So, when I looked into it, weirdly enough, the display at the N.D. Heritage Center was of the artist Alex Ross, the very artist who did “Kingdom Come!”
Now, as I have been ruminating on the power of story in recent times, this whole coincidental daisy-chain came to mind, not so much because of any of the above, but because of the great introduction to this story written by Elliot S. Maggin (one of comic’s greats from my earliest days reading) in 1997. He makes some great assertions, but it is the following section
that has the most resonance:
“As I write this, I am completing a novel - about a hundred thousand words, one strung after the other without pictures other than the occasional new free-standing illustration by Alex Rosscalled “Kingdom Come.” It is an elaboration in prose of the story that follows. In order to write it, I, like Mark and Alex, have to believe in heroes. I do. I believe in Superman. For real. I really believe in Wonder Woman, so help me. I believe in Santa Claus. I believe that men have walked on the moon. I believe that every Passover Elijah the prophet comes over for a sip of wine. I believe in metaphors. Metaphors are real. That is why the Scriptures are composed not only of the proverbs and prophecies that Pastor McCay, in the pages that follow, spouts in involuntary reflex; but that is why those Scriptures surround and embrace those pronouncements in
stories - the allegories and metaphors - that teach us our values. Here before you is a clash of good against evil, of course, but more than that. There are clashes of judgement, clashes among different interpretations of what is good and of what is justice, and clashes over who is to suffer the wages of the evil born of our best intentions. This is a love story. This is a story of hatred and rage. This is the Iliad. This is the story of how we - we ourselves; you and I - choose to use whatever special powers and abilities we have, when even those powers and abilities are only a little bit beyond those of mortal men. This is a story about truth obscured, justice deferred and the American way distorted in the hands of petty semanticists.
Super-hero storieswhether their vehicle is though comic books or otherwise - are today the most coherent manifestation of the
popular unconscious. They're stories not about gods, but about the way humans wish themselves to be; ought, in fact, to be. They're the successors to the stories that once came from the hoe-down and the campfire and the wandering bard. We - all of uscome up with these stories all the time around dorms and carpools and along cafeteria lines at work and at school.”
Elliot’s assertion starts to bring full circle my emphasis on the connection between Truth and story that is my focus for this first month of 2025. For as the ancient bards used the myths of ancient deities to cradle truths within the images of lyrical poetry, the modern bard does the same in worlds such as Mandalore or Tatooine. They use vehicles such as Starships and Battlestars and characters of races and realms that push and pull our imaginations to the point where physics and faith are so inter-
twined can they be anything but the crucible of the Truth? And in all this, are we not moving closer to that Kingdom’s come foretold in promise and in prayer, in truth and in heart? And are we not closer than ever to making the ultimate connection when we begin to realize that the adages of the ancients, the Scriptures of the Saints, and the myths of the moderns are all vessels which transport us to understand ourselves and our world more fully by revealing not just surface perception, but the undergirding reality?
Pastor Zach Harris has been an ordained minister for 33 years and currently serves First Lutheran Church in Williston. His column, “Through a Lutheran Lens: A Pastor’s Perspective,” will appear regularly in The Shopper.
Bowling. Dining. Relaxing. VOTED BEST BRICK-OVEN PIZZA IN WILLISTON!
How To Organize A Home's Interior
MetroCreative Connection
The dawn of a new year marks a convenient time to turn over a new leaf. Much attention is paid to individuals' intentions to eat healthier and exercise more at the start of a new year, but those goals are not the only ways to embrace positive change come January.
A quick look around a home's interior may lead some to conclude that their home environments could benefit from a little less clutter and some improved organization. A more organized home may be easier to navigate and can even have a positive impact on residents' mental health. In fact, a 2021 study published in the journal Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology found that women who cared for infants in cluttered homes experienced higher levels of physical stress than those whose homes were more organized. That study suggests an organized home is a less stressful environment, which itself can pay numerous dividends, as the Mayo Clinic notes chronic stress increases a person's risk for various health problems, including
anxiety, depression, digestive issues, heart disease, and weight gain, among others. With so much to gain from an organized home, individuals can consider these strategies to make interior spaces around the house less cluttered.
Avoid procrastinating.
A weekly, if not daily, routine that involves cleaning up spaces like the kitchen and living room can ensure a home is not overtaken by clutter before residents even realize it. Each day, go through the mail and discard papers like grocery store circulars and junk mail so they don't pile up. Parents of school-aged children can organize papers kids return home with each day so all that homework and event announcements does not create clutter.
Purchase an entryway shoe rack. It might seem simple, but an entryway shoe rack can set an organized tone in a home. Whether the primary entryway is through the front door or a side door, a shoe rack just inside the door can ensure shoes are not strewn about and reduces the chances that floors are muddied.
Consider furniture that doubles as storage.
Many people utilize storage furniture so common spaces like living rooms are not overwhelmed by clutter. For example, a storage ottoman can hold blankets, pillows and other creature comforts so these rooms project a clutter-free vibe when not in use. Similarly, storage benches at the end of beds in each bedroom can help to establish a serene, clutter-free vibe, which can
promote a better night's sleep. Discard older items.
Clutter can pile up when storage areas like closets, dressers, nightstands, and home offices fill up with items people tend to accumulate over the years. For example, a linen closet can be overrun by bath towels that are rarely used, while nightstands can become junk drawers over the years. Periodically go through these ar-
eas and discard older items that are no longer used. These tasks won't take long, but can free up ample space throughout the home.
These are just a handful of the many ways individuals can effectively organize their home interiors and reap all the rewards that such efforts produce.
Job Listings & Classifieds
The Housing Authority Of the City of Williston
When you support local businesses, you’re helping our community grow, creating jobs, and investing in the people and places we all care about. So next time you’re inspired by an ad in The Shopper—whether it’s a new boutique, a favorite restaurant, or a trusted service provider—be sure to let them know where you saw it!
Sharing that simple phrase, “I saw your ad in The Shopper,” goes a long way. It tells local businesses that their outreach is working and lets them know their neighbors appreciate their role in our vibrant community.
The Housing Authority of the City of Williston is now accepting applications for 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, 3 bedroom, and 4 bedroom units. *Income, eligibility, and admission preferences apply. Applications are available at The Housing Authority of the City of Williston located at 1801 8th Ave West Williston, ND 58801 Monday-Friday 9am - 4pm (701) 572-2006
In the Kitchen
Tips To Reduce Nutrient Loss While Cooking
MetroCreative Connection
It's not unheard of for people to turn over a healthy leaf at the start of a new year. After a holiday season filled with social engagements and diet-busting meals, it's no surprise many celebrants view January as a time to right the dietary ship.
Home cooking provides an opportunity for people to gain greater control over what they eat, and it's well known that certain methods of cooking are healthier than others. But Healthline notes that nutrient content is often altered during cooking. For example, a 2017 study published in the journal Food Science and Biotechnology noted that vitamin C is a water-soluble and temperature-sensitive vitamin, which means it is easily degraded during cooking. As a result, researchers behind the study noted that elevated temperatures and long cooking times have been found to cause substantial losses of vitamin C.
Such knowledge is undoubtedly useful, but individuals may wonder what they can do to ensure the meals they prepare remain as nutritious as possible, even after they've been cooked. When preparing meals, individuals looking to maximize the nutritional value of each meal can consider these tips.
Consume the liquid left after cooking vegetables. It's commonplace to drain pots and pans of water after using them to cook vegetables. However, when doing so, individuals might literally be pouring nutrients down the drain. In a 2016 interview with CNN, registered dietitian and author Elaine Magee noted that boiling vegetables causes water soluble vitamins like vitamin C, B1 and folate to leach into the water, thus denying people some of the nutritional content of these healthy foods. Though it might seem unusual, consuming the water that vegetables are cooked in can ensure no nutrients are poured down the drain of a kitchen sink.
Consume cooked vegetables within a day or
two. Healthline notes that exposure to air after cooking can decrease the vitamin C content of vegetables. This is something for people to keep in mind, particularly if they like to prepare meals in advance due to hectic schedules that leave little time for daily cooking. Consume cooked vegetables within a day or so of preparing them to avoid losing out on nutrients. Avoid pre-cut fruits
and vegetables. Some grocery store produce aisles feature an array of pre-cut fruits and vegetables. Though such offerings are undeniably convenient for time-pressed individuals who want to eat healthy, they also might not be as nutritious as shoppers hope. According to Verywell Fit, heat, oxygen and light are the three factors that lead to nutrient loss. When produce is uncut, the interiors are of
the food are protected from oxygen and light. Once cuts are made, such as when apples are sliced, then nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin E might be lost. Healthy eating is a common New Year's resolution. It's important individuals aspiring to eat healthy recognize that how foods are cooked and cut may affect their nutritional value.
Feed your game day crowd with smoked chicken wings
Sports fans across the globe tune in when the National Football League hosts its annual championship game each winter. And that already robust viewership is growing, as figures from Nielsen Fast National and Adobe Analytics indicated Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers garnered 123.4 million viewers who tuned in to watch Patrick Mahomes orchestrate a 25-22 overtime victory over Kyle Shanahan and the Niners.
Super Bowl Sunday has become an unofficial holiday in the United States, where fans ranging from the diehard to the casual to those simply tuning in for the commercials and halftime show gather to enjoy a few fun-filled hours. Seasoned party hosts know that food features as prominently as football and fun come Super Bowl Sunday. Guests may expect a few staples, including chicken wings. With that in mind, hosts can impress their guests by serving up
this recipe for "Virgil's Smoked Chicken Wings With Blue Cheese Dip" from Neal Corman's "Virgil's Barbecue Road Trip Cookbook" (St. Martin's Press).
Virgil's Smoked Chicken Wings With Blue Cheese Dip Serves 4
Blue Cheese Dip
2 cups blue cheese crumbles, divided
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons hot sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup finely chopped scallions
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
Marinade
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup hot sauce
4 tablespoons Virgil's Dry Rub (see below)
4 tablespoons granulated garlic
4 tablespoons granulated onion
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Wings
8 large chicken wings
1/2 cup Virgil's Dry Rub (see below)
Sauce
10 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon cornstarch
4 tablespoons white vinegar
3/4 cup hot sauce
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1. To make the dip, combine 1 cup of the blue cheese, mayonnaise, buttermilk, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and blend on low until smooth.
2. Remove to a medium mixing bowl and fold in the rest of the blue cheese, scallions and celery, being sure to break up the larger blue cheese crumbles. Place in a covered container and refrigerate overnight.
3. Mix all the marinade ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Place the wings in a large container with a lid and pour the mixture over the wings. Toss until the wings are thoroughly coated. Cover and refrigerate for 2 days.
4. Preheat the grill or smoker to 245 F. 5. Spread out the wings on a sheet pan and wipe away any excess marinade. Sprinkle liberally with the dry rub, coating the wings all over.
6. Position the wings on the grill away from the direct heat of the coals or burners, and add hickory to the smoker or hickory chips on the coals or gas burners.
7. Cook the wings for about 3 hours, flipping every 30 minutes (their internal temperature should be about 165 F when cooked).
8. While the wings are cooking, cut the butter for the sauce into 1-inch cubes and refrigerate. Whisk the cornstarch into the white vinegar in a small bowl.
9. In a medium sauté pan over medium heat, bring the hot sauce to a simmer and whisk in the thickened vinegar. Return to a simmer, cook for 1 minute, and remove from the heat.
10. Add the cayenne and slowly whisk in the cold butter. Keep warm until serving.
11. Remove the wings from the smoker or grill and put half of them into a bowl, cover with the sauce, and toss. Repeat with the remaining wings and serve on a platter, with the blue cheese dip on the side.
Virgil's Dry Rub
Makes 5 to 51/2 cups
21/2 cups sweet paprika
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup Texas-style chili powder
1/2 cup minced onion
1/2 cup granulated garlic
1/4 cup dried parsley flakes
6 tablespoons kosher salt
Combine all of the ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk together until completely incorporated. Transfer to a covered bowl with a tight-fitting lid. Store in a cool, dry place.
Calendar & Events
JANUARY
Bakken Area Communities
RAY
Friday January 17th & Saturday January 18th
- Rugby Wrestling Tournament
Friday January 17th - Gymnastics at Mandan
Friday January 17th - JH (Red & Black) BBB at Stanley 4:30pm
Friday January 17th - JV/V GBB at Parshall
5:45pm
Saturday January 18th - Girls Wrestling at Hazen
Saturday January 18th - JH (Black), V BBB at Alexander 1:15pm, 4:00pm
Saturday January 18th - JH, V GBB at Alexander 12:00pm, 2:30pm
Sunday January 19th - 4H Boots and Clovers Club in Ray Public School Cafeteria 12:00 - 2:00pm
Monday January 19th - No School (MLK Day)
Tuesday January 21st - JH (Red), JV, V BBB vs WTCS 4:30pm, 6:00pm, 7:30pm
Tuesday January 21st - JH GBB vs WTCS
3:30 - 4:30pm
Wednesday January 22nd - Municipal Court at Ray City Hall 1:30 - 3:00pm
Wednesday January 22nd - School Board
Meeting 6:00 - 7:00pm
Thursday January 23rd - JH GBB @ Divide County 4:00 - 5:00p
CROSBY
Thursday January 16th - GBB at Tioga
4:30pm
Friday January 17th - BBB at Trenton 4:30pm
Saturday January 18th - Mini Maroons BB 10:00am - 12:00pm
Saturday January 18th - DCE GBB Round
Robin 1:00 - 6:00pm
Tuesday January 21st - GBB at Parshall 4:30pm
Tuesday January 21st - Upper Missouri
District Health Unit-Monthly Vaccination Clinic 9:00am - 5:00pm at Divide County Courthouse
Tuesday January 21st - Divide County Food Pantry at Concordia Lutheran Church 10:00am - 1:00pm
Tuesday January 21st - Burger Night at Crosby Moose Lodge 5:30 - 7:30pm
Thursday January 23rd - BBB at Tioga 4:30pm
Wednesdays: Storytime at the Divide County Library 10:00am - 10:45am Fridays: Cards & Games at Divide County Senior Citizens Center 1:30-2:30pm Movie at Dakota Theater 7:30pm: FridaySunday TIOGA Thursday January 16th - Saturday January 18th - HS Cyber Madness Virtual Plain 8:00
Tuesday, January 21
Thursday, January 23
Rise
