s ’ y a d o T Vol.2 No.2
Auto Boom for Boomer Buyers Boomer Travel
Save Some $ and Spring for an Early Vacation
1 Year Anniversary Issue!
Tax Time Tips Best of Show 2014 Corvette Stingray & Retro Muscle picks from the Chicago Auto Show Today’s BoomeR
Featuring The Only B2B -Business 2 BoomeR Marketplace!
Up Coming CruisesBook Now! The Hawaii Islands Tropical Exploration 2013 “Credit Union Leadership & Growth Strategies Symposium” July 20-27, 2013 Paris to Prague River Cruise “Credit Union Leadership Exploration Symposium” August 16-27, 2013 Grand Mediterranean Odyssey 2013 “Credit Union Leadership Challenges Symposium” September 15-27, 2013
2 Today’s BoomeR
This Issue March / April 2013 Volume 2, Number 2
Boomer Fact or Fiction
5
Boomer Finance
6
New Taxes in 2013: What You’ll Pay
’s y a d To Founder John Vardallas & Alexandra Maragha Editor-In-Chief Alexandra Maragha Contributing Writers :
Living Better vs. Longer 8 Tips for Growing Like a Sage With Age
Boomer Travel
9
Spring for an Early Vacation
Social Security
11
Advertising: Team For Letters to the Editor, articles and feedback as well as advertising inquiries email Alexandra@TheAmericanBoomeR.com
The American BoomeR.com
Getting Down to Brass Tax
Auto Boom for Boomers 12 Muscle Makers Target Boomers
Boomer Healthy Eating 15 Spring Classics: Lamb n’ Ham
B2B Marketplace
Karyl Richson: Social Security Chef Eben Atwater: Healthy Eating
18
Business 2 Boomers Marketplace
John Vardallas CAE, CUDE CEO/Founder Professional Speaker Business/Lifestyle Strategist Boomer Sage and Blogger JohnVardallas@TheAmericanBoomeR.com (608) 577-8707 Alexandra Maragha Co-Founder, Editor-In-Chief Today’s BoomeR Alexandra@TheAmericanBoomeR.com Today’s BoomeR Vol.2 No.2 Today’s BoomeR is published six times (Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/ June, July/Aug, Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec) a year by The American BoomeR.com 769 North Star Drive (Suite 207) Madison, WI 53718 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
The American Boomer @American_Boomer Today’s BoomeR 3
EDITOR’S LETTER
’s y a d To
One Year Later...
(feature)
With this issue, we celebrate the one year anniversary of Today’s BoomeR Digital Magazine! It has been an amazing first year and we are proud to continue into our second year! We would like to first thank you; our readers, subscribers, and advertisers, who have motivated us to develop relevant content, information and resources and p.make 10 each issue better than the last. This issue we celebrate with fierce cars, flavorful food, fun travel and a few finance tips for tax time. The 2013 Chicago Auto Show once again displayed top muscle cars that are bringing boomers to buy retro muscle cars in 2013. Our Boomer Healthy Eating explores a variation of traditional lamb and the world of ham in time for spring. Planning a vacation any time soon? Your wallet will thank you to spring for an early vacation in Boomer Travel. Avoid the headache of tax time and become familiar with tax time tips, from p. 4apps that will help you get general questions to mobile through April 15. We look forward to the year ahead and will continue to provide interesting features, information and resources to enhance the boomer lifestyle and inspire you with each issue.
p. 12 Alexandra Maragha Editor-In-Chief Send Letters and Feedback to: Alexandra@theamericanboomer.com
4 Today’s BoomeR
Boomer Fact or Fiction? Tax Time Edition
There are only 4 tax income brackets. -FalseThere are
seven income
Brackets; 10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33%, 35% and 39.6% individual tax rates for 2013
Standard deductions were increased to $12,200 for those married filing jointly, $8,950 for those filing as head of household, and $6,100 for those filing as single .
-True-
Source: Internal Revenue Service
Source: Internal Revenue Service
$2,000:
The personal exemption amount. -False-
The personal exemption amount has been raised to $3,900. Source: Internal Revenue Service
Mileage rates for business and medical were increased to $0.565 and $0.24 respectively. The mileage rate for charity remains the same at $0.14.
-True-
Source: Internal Revenue Service
$17,500:
The amount
an individual can contribute to their 401(k) plan for 2013.
-True-
Source: Internal Revenue Service
The IRA contribution limit increased to $5,500 or $6,500 if the participant is 50 or older.
-TrueSource: Internal Revenue Service Today’s BoomeR 5
Boomer Finances: New Taxes in 2013: What You’ll Pay By The Motley Fool The New Year's Day compromise on the fiscal cliff was designed to prevent massive tax increases from taking effect that many feared would devastate the economy. Yet even with the compromise, several new taxes in 2013 will raise tax bills for millions of Americans, and the groups that are the most affected by the changing of the calendar may surprise you. Here's a list of new taxes that took effect as of Jan. 1:
Payroll Taxes: Returning to Old Levels For the past two years, just about everyone who has a job got a tax break of 2 percentage points on the Social Security taxes withheld from their paychecks. But on Jan. 1, the rate of tax withheld from employee paychecks rose from 4.2% to 6.2%, representing about a $1,000 tax increase for typical families earning $50,000. Already, anyone who's received a paycheck in 2013 has likely seen the impact of this tax, with those who get paid twice a month having about $40 extra taken out under the FICA on their paychecks. 6 Today’s BoomeR
?
Few analysts expected the fiscal cliff negotiations to extend this tax break further. But given that it hits at just about everyone, it could have the biggest impact of any of the new taxes in 2013.
Medicare Surcharge High-income earners will see a brand-new tax this year. Single filers earning more than $200,000 and joint filers with income over $250,000 could be subject to two new taxes. With one tax, if your earned income goes above the threshold, then you'll owe an extra 0.9% of your earnings in Medicare withholding. In some cases, this additional money may be taken directly out of your paycheck, although for joint filers, your employer may not be able to do so accurately because it doesn't know what your spouse earns in order to get the calculation correct. The second tax applies to investment income, including interest, dividends, and capital gains. For this income, you'll owe an extra tax of 3.8% for any amount that exceeds the threshold. The idea behind this part of the new tax is to treat investment income for high-income earners the same way as earned income, making both types of income subject to the same higher Medicare tax rate.
New Tax Brackets and Rates for HighIncome Earners The biggest news from the fiscal cliff compromise was the return of the 39.6% tax rate for singles earning more than $400,000 and joint filers with income above $450,000. This rate is a carryover from the old rate structure that existed before the
tax cuts of the early 2000s and represents a 4.6 percentage point rise from the old 35% rate.
you earn over those same thresholds, subject to a maximum reduction of 80% of your itemized deductions.
In addition, taxpayers whose earnings are above these thresholds will see their taxes on dividends and capital gain income rise from 15% to 20%. Given that dividend rates could have risen as high as the 39.6% ordinary income tax rate, investors were fairly pleased with the eventual outcome.
Those calculations are a bit complicated, but the net result is that you can end up paying thousands of extra dollars in taxes by losing the value of those deductions.
Disappearing Deductions and Other Hidden Taxes In addition to the explicit increases in taxes, some old provisions are back that will have the same tax-increasing impact. In particular, two separate rules that phase out certain deductions for high-income taxpayers came back this year after having been absent from tax law since 2009. The phase-outs target two areas: personal exemptions and itemized deductions. One rule, known as the PEP, reduces the value of your personal exemptions by 2% for every $2,500 in additional income you earn over thresholds of $250,000 for singles and $300,000 for joint filers. The other rule, called the Pease phaseout, cuts the amount you can claim in itemized deductions by 3% of the amount of additional income
Finally, the estate tax rate rose from 35% to 40% this year. With the $5 million exemption made permanent, however, the impact of the tax will be limited to far fewer families than would have paid tax without the fiscal cliff compromise.
Start Planning These new taxes for 2013 won't make anyone happy, but by knowing about them early on, you can start planning for them right away. Doing so may not let you reduce your tax bill too much, but it'll at least get you prepared for the hit to your paycheck and your tax refund next year. The article New Taxes in 2013: What You'll Pay originally appeared on Fool.com. For more tax information and advice, visit The Tax Center on DailyFinance. Fool contributor Dan Caplinger appreciates your comments. You can follow him on Twitter @DanCaplinger.
5 high-tech Free Apps to Help at Tax Time 1. TurboTax Snap Tax File your taxes right from your smartphone by uploading your w2’s via your mobile device. The program is available for iPhone and Android devices, but charges $24.99 to e-file finished returns (state filing included). 2. Expensify Get rid of all the paper clutter and paper receipts! Expensify allows you to take a picture of receipts and file them away for review and sort by expense category that you set up. 3. Bloomberg BNA Quick Tax Reference Have questions about any item in the tax code? This app is a great resource and is on iPhone, Android and BlackBerry. 4. IRS2Go This app allows access to your existing tax records on the go from the IRS and allows you to check the status of your 2012 return after it’s filed. 5. Ask A CPA Helps locate a CPA (certified public accountant) in your area to help answer tax questions and also has an archive of frequently asked tax questions and tips. Today’s BoomeR 7
Living Better versus Longer: “Tips for Growing Like A Sage With Age” By John A. Vardallas, Founder/CEO The American BoomeR
life. I want to pass along and few tips and lessons learned and heard during my life journey.
Greetings fellow Boomers! Now that spring is coming, which has always been a time of rebirth on earth, I want Staying Healthy and Aging Successfully may include to begin the season with some thoughts on how we can the following physical and mental mindset: live better, versus worrying about living longer. I cannot help but notice how much is being written and talked about our individual health this past year. In addition to our medical community, pundits and politicians have made healthcare a huge issue in America. Not that I don’t think its an important issue, on the contrary, I think it’s a priority that we have a national health care system that provides all citizens with quality care when needed. However, I think quality care begins with each of us being responsible in doing the best we can to take care of ourselves, loved ones and friends, both mentally and physically. I was reminded of this issue while on a Mediterranean cruise I took last fall. I was on a ship that had over 3000 persons on board who were mostly Europeans. I became friendly with a good number of passengers, many of who were in their 50s, 60s and 70 plus age group. What struck me most about them were their attitudes and behaviors while on the ship. They seemed to posses a carefree-ness about their eating and drinking habits, weight, and the activities they participated in, including just people watching, sleeping and meditating onboard. Regardless of how their bodies looked, they all had one common characteristic they shared with me— They truly enjoyed who they were as individuals and living! The result of my experience with these foreign cruisers really made me think that maybe, we as Americans, should focus more on quality versus quantity living. Many Boomers seem to be embracing this outlook on 8 Today’s BoomeR
Maintain A Sense of Purpose
Keep Connected with Family, Friends as well as a wider Community Circle
Stay Positive and Surround Yourself with Positive People
Stay Physically Active & Mentally Stimulated
Maintain a Sense of Spirituality
Eat a well balanced diet
Do for Others
Avoid anything in the Extreme (the old Greek Golden Mean applies here: Nothing in Excess!)
Plan for Your Future Security
Do things that Make You Happy
Learn to Adapt and be Flexible to the Changes Life Brings
And, as Deepak Chopra says, “take time to listen to what your body is telling you”. It is also important to age with grace and piece of mind. As a lover of good wine, I am reminded as wine ages, it can become better or bitter. We all have the power to make the choices that will set us on the path of living a more mellow and joyous life. May spring be a season of rebirth for you in remembering that life is a gift---so enjoy the present!
BOOMER TRAVEL
Destination Fun & Sun Beat the heat and cost of summer and spring for an early vacation! Destination360.com
Spring vacation destinations are appealing to more than just the college crowd. Savvy travelers know that the shoulder season is one of the best times to travel, and value for your money and lack of crowds are two of the top reasons to research spring travel. This season is known for getting back outdoors after a long winter and enjoying the pleasures of nature. If you’re more of a city person, many of the best spring vacation spots are cities, where you can easily walk between major attractions and even enjoy the first picnics of the season. Whatever your motivation is for traveling in the spring, there are many offers that will help you save money in comparison to a summer trip.
More Travel Resources: Cruise Critic.com Expedia.com Trivago.com Priceline.com Kayak.com
Today’s BoomeR 9
There is another whole type of trip that is taken in the spring as well. Every year, college students research spring break vacation packages to blow off some steam in the middle of a busy semester. Warm weather getaways are usually the trip of choice, and all inclusive vacations from Mexico to the Caribbean and beyond all design packages to lure masses of college students. Although students will consider these to be the best spring vacation spots, families should avoid these trips at all costs. Partying, drinking, and late nights are the ingredients for this kind of trip. There are many spring vacation destinations families can enjoy without crowds of col- rondacks to the Smoky Mountains to the Rockies, lege students. there are many national parks that are ideal for spring exploration. While there are travel agents and web sites that specialize in spring break vacation packages, there are The best spring vacation spots for cultural travelers also those that specialize in alternative forms of spring might be a little different. Europe is very popular in fun. Some of the top spring vacation destinations the springtime, as the cold weather of winter gives showcase Mother Nature, and allow families or way to sunny, longer days and the crowds still haven’t groups of friends to reconnect with nature. The arrived. Cities such as Paris or London have a real buzz in the spring as locals come out of winter hibernation, and the coastline from Spain to Italy to Croatia begins to wake from their winter slumber. You might find locals most welcoming during the spring months, when they are happy to have the business in hotels and restaurants. Many travelers who make the trip to Europe every year would only visit in the spring and fall, when crowds are smaller and the weather is most pleasant.
springtime is the perfect time to plan a hiking expedition, when the wildflowers are in bloom and trees are just coming back to life. Explore your local state park, go biking in the mountains, or rent a cabin on a lake where you can give fishing a try. From the Adi10 Today’s BoomeR
While some travelers might assume that spring break vacation packages are the only deal available in this season, that isn’t the case. Cruises for example have great packages in the spring, and are often excellent value for families. Between cruise vacations, resorts, and deals on vacation rentals from owners, there is not a single reason to avoid travel in the spring. Instead of waiting for the heat of summer to come around, plan a spring vacation. Whether you choose hiking, exploring culture and history, or kicking back on a cruise, your wallet will thank you.
Social Security: Getting Down to Brass Tax By Karyl Richson , Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
April’s showers bring more than just May’s flowers — they also bring the deadline day for filing taxes. Don’t wait until the showers arrive to prepare for tax season. Whether you are a small business owner, a retiree, or a new parent, here are some Social Security tax tips that may help you.
for any other reason, make sure you change your name with Social Security, as well as with your employer. If you change with one source but not the other, it could cause your earnings to be improperly recorded. That could result in you not getting all the benefits you earned when you become eligible for Social Security in the future. You can learn more about Are Social Security benefits taxable? They are for some your Social Security number and how to change your name at people. About one third of those receiving benefits must pay www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber. taxes on some of their Social Security. If your total income, including Social Security and all of your other taxable income, I own a small business. Can I report the W-2s of my is $25,000 or more and you file federal taxes as an individual, employees online to Social Security? Yes, and we encouryou’ll need to pay federal taxes on some of your benefits. age you to do so at www.socialsecurity.gov/bso. Filing your (That amount is $32,000 for married couples filing a joint re- W-2s electronically is free, fast, and secure! Plus there’s an turn.) added bonus: when you file electronically, you receive an
Will I get a tax form for my Social Security benefits?
extra month to file because electronically filed W-2s aren’t due until March 31st. You’ll also receive an electronic acknowledgement receipt. And when you file electronically, you can print out your W-2s for your employees.
Yes. In fact, you should have already received it. Social Security Benefit Statements (Form SSA-1099) for tax year 2012 were mailed to beneficiaries and should have been received by January 31, 2013. If you receive Social Security and Does Social Security have any advice to make tax filing haven’t received your 1099, you can request one online at and future benefit applications go smoothly? We enwww.socialsecurity.gov/1099. courage you to carefully check your name, Social Security number and all of the data on your W-2s, your online Social We had our first child in 2012. Does our baby need a Social Security Number? Yes. Most people apply for their Security Statement, and Social Security card to make sure they all match. If you don’t have access to your card or Statebaby’s Social Security number while they’re still in the hospiment but know your Social Security number, make sure the tal at the same time they apply for the birth certificate. But if number and information is correct on your W-2s. A mismatch you didn’t, you’ll need to apply for your child’s Social Security could delay your tax refund and cause problems with your number in order to claim the child as a dependent on your Social Security benefits in the future. Such errors are much tax return. You’ll also need it if you ever apply for governeasier to fix now. If you do notice an error, you should conment benefits on behalf of the child or your family. Learn tact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), more about Social Security cards and numbers at or if the information on the W-2 is incorrect, notify your emwww.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber. ployer.
I changed my name when I got married last year. Do I need to report it to Social Security? Yes. If you’ve legally changed your name due to marriage, divorce, court order, or
For more information about Social Security, visit www.socialsecurity.gov.
Today’s BoomeR 11
Efficiency
Lifestyle
Indulgence
Auto Boom for Boomer Buyers Top makers continue to perform and target Boomers at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show By Alexandra Maragha 12 Today’s BoomeR
The purr of the engine that makes your heart skip a beat. The grip of the wheel that lures you to become the ruler of the road with charging horsepower felt at your fingertips. The heavy body with sleek curves and gripping wheels take you to your destination while sending you back in time to a moment where the only thing to rival the adrenaline of a muscle car was the feeling of driving one. Combine these with lighter materials, a splice of technology (that now puts “Knight Rider” to shame) and added personal touches that are stock options and you have a new bread of muscle autos that are once again stealing the hearts of Boomers to buy in 2013.
tion. The nostalgia of the past has now offered new life to Detroit muscle over the past few years. The 2013 Chicago Auto Show displayed the top muscle machines that are now available as well as new 2014 models that will be out in a few months. Chevy, Ford and Dodge did not disappoint unveiling their most competitive additions and new models to date with each one trying to outdo the other. Take a look at the top performers. 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
Visually stunning, the '14 Corvette's sculptured, aerodynamic exterior and track-capabilities is worthy of the iconic "Stingray" designation. This marks the seventhA report by Edmunds Auto Observer placed Baby generation of "America's Sport Car," and as the C7, goes Boomers as “an extremely powerful force in the mar- farther than ever, thanks to today's advancements in deketplace” and they “account for a third of the driving sign, technology and engineering. Matching the dramatic population and almost half of all new vehicle purchas- two-door hatchback exterior is a new 6.2 liter (376 cubic es”. Car buying inch) LT1 V-8 engine that pumps out 450 horsepower and 450 lb.-ft. of torque to the rear wheels. Consumers have for Baby Boomtheir choice of a six-speed paddle-shift automatic or seven ers includes fac-speed manual gearbox with "Active Rev Match" that antors of efficienticipates gear selections and matches engine speed for cy, lifestyle and perfect shifts every time. Either way, we're talking 0-to-60 indulgence, almph in less than four seconds. For 2014, the latest Corlowing for the vette shares only two parts with the previous generation new generation model. Underneath is an all-new frame structure and chasof muscle cars to sis that helped shift weight rearward for an optimal 50/50 grab their attenweight balance. Lightweight features include a carbon fiToday’s BoomeR 13
enhanced structural rigidity. Updated wheel selection ranges from standard 17-inch wheels for the V-6 all the way up to 19-inch optional wheels on the GT and V-6 Performance Package. Visit the official site for more information
ber hood and removable roof panel; composite fenders, doors and rear quarter panels. Slide into the cockpit composed of premium materials, smaller-diameter steering wheel, standard dual, eight-inch configurable driver/infotainment screens and available color head-up display. You can see the 2014 Corvette Stingray roll into Chevrolet dealerships the third quarter of 2013. Visit the official site for more information
2013 Ford Mustang Continuing its evolution, the Ford Mustang enters the 2013 model year with a more prominent grille and splitter, redesigned front and rear fascias, standard high-intensity discharge headlamps, painted body-side rockers, LED tail lamps and a new
14 Today’s BoomeR
“Baby Boomers are an extremely powerful force in the marketplace. They account for a third of the driving population and almost half of all new vehicle purchases”
wheel lineup. Available as 2+2 coupe and convertible, the original pony car continues with rear-wheel drive and is offered in V-6, GT, Boss 302 and Shelby GT500 trim levels. Engine selections range from a 3.7-liter V-6 that delivers 305 horsepower, up to the Shelby with its supercharged 5.4L V-8, generating 550 hp. Engines are available with six-speed manual or new six-speed automatic transmissions. Two optional packages, the Reverse Sensing System and Security Package and HID Headlights and Security Package continue, as does a unique exterior paint shade called, Lava Red Metallic. The 2013 Mustang offers selectable steering that tailors the driving experience to fit the driver's needs, and on the convertible,
2013 Dodge Challenger Pony and muscle car fans have a lot to examine with the 2013 Dodge Challenger models. This year, the Challenger lineup starts with the SXT, SXT Plus and Rallye Redline with standard 305 horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, cold-air induction system, dual exhausts and a five-speed Auto Stick transmission. For the performance enthusiast, the '13 Challenger R/T, R/T Plus and R/T Classic models feature the legendary 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine that delivers up to 375 horsepower. The Hemi can be matched to a sixspeed manual shifter or optional fivespeed automatic transmission with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters and Sport Mode. With spirited driving, power, seating for five, coupled with bestin-class cargo space (16.2 cubic feet), Dodge Challenger is an authentic 21st century prodigy of its iconic 1970-74 ancestry. Visit the official site for more information
BOOMER HEALTHY EATING: Spring Classics: Lamb n’ Ham Recipes and Photos from Ahhhh, spring, when a young man's heart.... Oh, Chef Eben & Monica Atwater to hell with young men. Our sensible, experiwww.urbanmonique.com enced hearts and stomachs turn toward luscious nacle of things! In the midst of this season of rebirth great uses for cucumber. In Greek cooking comes Easter, a day not just for chocolate and it’s often served with lamb as we suggest, marshmallow, but for great dinners as well. but I’m here to tell you that Tzatziki is excellent on eggs, fantastic on flat bread, pleasant This time around, we're going to offer you a on poultry, and beautiful on burgers; in othfantastic Greek-style option for lamb served er words, like hot sauce, it’s good on everywith tzatziki sauce as a centerpiece for that thing. Build your Tzatziki first so it has plenmeal. For the Ham half of the equation, rather ty of time to blend. It wants at least 2 or 3 than just offering another recipe, we're going hours in the fridge, and 5 or 6 is even better. expand your culinary horizons a smidge. There's the agenda, so let's go! Ingredients: 1 8 oz container of Greek Yogurt, (You can use regular too) Tzatziki Sauce 1 med cucumber 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil If you’ve never had Tzatziki sauce before, you’ve 1 fresh lemon got a real treat in store. Tzatziki is, hands down, 1 teaspoon Dill, (You can also use mint) one of the finest condiments there is, and the pin2 cloves Garlic Salt to taste First off, check out your yoghurt. Nowadays, you can get really fine Greek style yoghurt that is firm and thick right out of the carton. If it's not like that, or if you decide to use regular yoghurt, you'll need to drain it first. To do that, line a colander or strainer with paper towel, plop your yoghurt into that and allow it to for about 30 minutes. Peel, seed and grate your cucumber; hold the skin side and grate from the inside out, that way, you'll avoid the stringiest parts. Eben Atwater is a Chef and writer who began cooking professionally in the 1970’s in Washington State and Idaho. In addition to a food blog he publishes with his wife and partner-in-crime Monica, Eben is an accomplished musician and instrument makToday’s BoomeR 15 er. He lives in western Washington State where he manages a bakery-café. Visit www.urbanmonique.com
Real Deal Greek Roast Leg of Lamb
2 tablespoons Oregano 2 tablespoons Rosemary 1/2 cup extra virgin Olive Oil 1 cup dry Red Wine 3/4 cup fresh Lemon Juice 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard 1/4 Cup plus 2 tablespoons extra virgin Olive Oil salt and Pepper to taste Wash the lamb thoroughly and pat dry with paper towel. Depending on the cut, you may want to tie yours as I did, to keep everything nice and neat. Peel and dice 8 cloves of the garlic and toss them into a non-reactive bowl large enough to hold all the ingredients. Add 4 teaspoons each of oregano and rosemary, a 1/4 cup of the olive oil, the wine, and the lemon zest and juice. Place lamb in the bowl, rubbing it in and turning to coat well on all sides; cover and refrigerate overnight.
Some folks in this country don’t care for lamb because they find it gamey. It can be, but we’re here to say that the rest of the meat eating world can’t be all wrong. Choosing great meat, along with proper preparation and cooking, will guarantee you a top shelf meal, so here, as with all good things, go as local as you can with your lamb. Be sure to trim the lion's share of the fat prior to roasting as well. When cooking, consider the advice of my Greek pals, who say that lamb is always cooked to well done; that's another key consideration in avoiding funky flavors. This recipe will provide a fine feast for 6 to 8. Ingredients: 5 lbs bone-in leg of lamb 16 – 24 small new potatoes, (Variety of your choice, or mix and match) 12 cloves garlic Zest of two lemons, grated
Remove lamb from marinade and reserve all the marinade. With the tip of a paring knife, poke a bunch of holes into the lamb on all surfaces. Preheat oven to 350º F. Crush remaining cloves of garlic and combine with the mustard and the rest of the oregano, rosemary and 2 Tablespoons of olive oil.
Juice the lemon and reserve. Peel and either crush or mince the garlic, the finer the better. Combine everything in a non-reactive bowl and mix well by hand, (Blending or processing makes your yogurt break down). Serve chilled.
16 Today’s BoomeR
Hand rub the garlic-herb-mustard mixture thoroughly over the lamb, pressing into incisions as much as you can. You may add salt and pepper at this point if you like. Place the lamb on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Toss potatoes in the reserved marinade from the lamb to coat thoroughly and set aside. Roast uncovered to an internal temperature of 100º F, about 90 minutes, then turn the lamb once so that it'll have a nice crust all around. Remove potatoes from the marinade and add them to the roasting pan after the lamb flip. Roast for about another 45 minutes, to a final internal meat temp of 155º F. Remove the roast and allow it to rest for 10 minutes. As our Greek pals insist, serve nice, thick slabs of lamb with plenty of fresh, crusty bread, a big ol’ salad, and plenty of red wine or nice light beers like a Pilsner or Lager. εύγεύστος! (Delicious!),
Part II - The Ham OK, now be honest, when we write 'Ham', y'all think of a big ol' hunk from the grocery store, right? Would it bum you out if we told you that this would be classified as an Urban ham, or at best, a Brine-Cured ham, styles described as mass produced, the end result of which is generally considered low quality and bland? If so, then good for you; it's time to expand our horizons and review the world of ham.
try, hams are aged for up to ten years; the results of all that time and care are meats of exceptional flavor, quality, (and cost).
From the French Bayonne ham, to the German Westphalian, the English York, Canadian Bacon or Italian Prosciutto, there are varieties from all corners of the world that are worth a try. And with gourmet food purveyors easy to find on the internet, world-wide sampling is a snap. So, instead of that same old ham next time around, why not make a nice smorgasbord of varieties, coupled with crusty, fresh bread, pickles, olives, cheese, and fresh fruit? Throw in a few bottles of decent vino and you've got a feast to remember and repeat, without a doubt.
Now, before we adjourn for dinner, might you wonder just how expensive 'expensive ham' is? Well, to our knowledge, the fabulous Jamon iberico from Spain would be the top of the heap, and in particular, the bellota paleta variety thereof; that heavenly stuff will set you back around $180 per pound. Could it possibly be worth it, you ask? In a word, yup. It's unbelievable. It melts on your tongue with an astounding myriad of flavor Every country has a ham tradition of some note and antiquity, and virtually everywhere, notes. It's the piggy equivalent of Beluga cavaged hams are king. Depending on the coun- iar. Are y'all ready for that? Today’s BoomeR 17
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B2B—BUSINESS 2 BOOMERS MARKETPLACE
Coming Soon...Mark Your Calendar!
3.0 “Preparing For the New Golden Years” (A Financial Fitness & Empowerment Day 4 Baby Boomers)
Saturday May 18 Madison, Wisconsin This community event will feature a day of learning and networking focusing on helping boomer generation consumers deal with the uncertain economic environment by strategizing for their retirement, maximizing their social security benefits and creating a Financial Road Map Plan. The program will emphasize helping men and women “Empower” themselves by increasing their Financial IQ in becoming more astute in managing their financial resources for making proper economic lifestyle changes to meet future income needs. *Boomer Bonus: Each participant will receive a Retirement Planning Tool Kit*
More information to come in the next issue of Today’s BoomeR. Visit www.TheAmericanBoomer.com to stay updated! The Marketplace for Everything Boomer! 22 Today’s BoomeR
Here is a Sneak Peak of the Next Issue of Today’s BoomeR BoomeR!! May / June 2013 Issue: Parents to Grandparents
Staying Fit After 50
Healthy Eating: Go Med
Boomer Travel: Summer Fun and Indoor Sun
Make your Garden Greener
Boomer Finances: Planning for the New Golden Years
Boomer Fact or Fiction
Summer Style: Retro is New
Preview BoomeR Fest 3.0
Do you have something to say? EE--mail Alexandra@TheAmericanBoomeR.com *All letters to the editor are reviewed before publication. The views expressed in such are not those of Today’s BoomeR, nor those of The AmericanBoomeR.com.
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