‘Chili’ in two forms flavors these simple appetizers

culinary repertoire. All I can tell you is that they are good.

Chili Cheese Log is a mixture of cream cheese, seasonings, and nuts. The mixture is then shaped into a log and rolled in chili powder. It is served with round unflavored crackers. Our choice for the crackers is the classic water crackers or Melba rounds. Most people say “yum” after their first serving…and as they are teeing up their second one. Enjoy.

Chili Cheese Log

Ingredients:

Judith Bell

Food Editor

Recipes that stand the test of time are what I call “keepers.”

Two “keepers” in our family are different and delicious. Interestingly they incorporate “chili” in two different forms. One recipe uses bottled chili sauce, another chili powder.

When I consider our parties over the years, I can hear my husband Bob asking, “Are we having…” and he’d often name one or the other recipe shared with you today. Often as not, the answer was, “yes.”

And, while most of the recipes I have can be given their origin in a story or experience, these are simply good recipes that came my way. I have no recollection of who might have given me the recipes nor how they were added to my

• 2 (3-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 Teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

• Few drops Tabasco sauce

• 1 clove garlic, crushed or very finely chopped

• 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

• 2-4 Tablespoons chili powder

• Unflavored round crackers

Directions:

Beat cream cheese until soft and smooth. Blend in Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce and garlic. When well mixed, add pecans and blend in thoroughly. If the mixture is quite soft, refriger- ate before shaping into a log. When mixture is firm, turn out onto waxed paper and shape into a log about 7 inches long and 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Sprinkle 2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder on a fresh length of waxed paper. Roll log in chili powder to coat evenly, adding additional chili powder if necessary. Wrap chili-coated log in waxed paper or plastic wrap. Chill at least four hours or until the log is firm. When ready to serve, unwrap the log and turn out onto a serving dish accompanied with crackers.

Slice into the log to prepare the first serving so guests will see how to serve themselves.

Chili sauce is the key ingredient in this spreadable appetizer.

Chili, Cheese and Seafood Appetizer

Ingredients:

• 1 (12-ounce) bottle chili sauce

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 cup finely chopped parsley

Peripheral Neuropathy Breakthrough!

“My feet feel like they’re on re.” “Each step feels like I’m walking through wet paint.”

“I live in constant fear that I’ll fall.” “I can’t sleep, my hands and feet tingle all night.”

What do all of these people have in common? ey su er from peripheral neuropathy. It’s estimated that more than 20 million people in the United States have peripheral neuropathy. Unfortunately this gure may be signi cantly higher as the disease is o en misdiagnosed because of its wide array of symptoms.

Sarika Connor, L.Ac, of Soma Acupuncture & Wellness in Temecula shares this belief. “I’ve been treating neuropathy, in all its various forms, for about a decade now and so o en my patients come to me because of the symptoms, not because of a diagnosis. ey see me on television, or read the testimonial of another patient and say to themselves ‘hey, I feel the same thing’.”

Frankie M. of Murrieta testi ed to this. “I remember my husband driving me to my consultation and I saw a woman running just outside our neighborhood. I was so envious - I just kept thinking ‘I would give anything just to walk again’. My primary care doctor told me my troubles with pain and balance were just symptoms of old age and gave me a prescription. I was so depressed.”

Fortunately Frankie would eventually see Sarika on the local news talking about similar symptoms and how she o ers a real solution at Soma Acupuncture. “I just knew I had to see her. She was my last hope.” ey’ve been everywhere else. ey’ve been told there’s no hope. ey’ve been told ‘it’s just part of getting older’.” shares Amanda, a Patient Care Technician at Soma Acupuncture. “It just breaks my heart but I know how much we can help people like Frankie so I’m always so happy when they walk through our door.” ose diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy o en face a very grim reality; Western medicine declares that there is no solution while most alternative therapies carry large price tags and o er little to no resolve. Which is why Sarika and the sta at Soma Acupuncture pride themselves on being ‘the last resort with the best results.’

“Almost all of our patients come to us with a story similar to Frankie’s.

Peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves and this damage is commonly caused by lack of blood ow in the hands and feet. A lack of blood ow results in a lack of nutrients; the nerves then begin to degenerate and die which causes pain ranging from discomfort to debilitation. Because neuropathy is a degenerative condition, once those nerves begin to deteriorate they will continue to do so until they are completely expired, leaving those su ering with crippling balance issues. “In this case, the absence of pain is not necessarily a good thing,” shares Sarika. “ is usually indicates that your nerves are hanging on by a fragile thread.”

So how exactly is Sarika able to reverse the e ects of this degenerative disease? “Acupuncture has been used to increase blood ow for thousands of years which helps to get the necessary nutrients to the a ected nerves. But the real magic happens when I integrate ATP Resonance Bio erapy™. is is tech that was originally developed by NASA to expedite recovering and healing.”

“I just can’t say enough about Soma Acupuncture,” Frankie shared through tears of joy. “My husband and I moved here 3 years ago and he’s gone hiking almost every day. I always stayed home because of the pain and discomfort. Yesterday I walked the trail with him! And next week we’re starting ballroom dancing lessons. I am truly living life these days.”

“According to Frankie’s test results, she has seen a 74% improvement in pain and functionality, which is on par with a majority of our patients.” shares Amanda. “But more important than those test results is the joy she’s expressed being here and hearing about all the amazing things she’s able to do because she feels great!”

By seamlessly blending the ancient science of acupuncture with modern medical solutions Sarika has achieved a 90% success rate in reversing the e ects of neuropathy. She starts each patient with an initial consultation during which a sensory exam is performed. “ is not only aids in making a proper diagnosis but it helps to de ne just how much nerve damage has occurred” tells the practitioner. “ is is important because if a patient has su ered more than 95% damage, there is little that I can do to help them. I’m familiar with the medical miracle but I know my limits as a practitioner and the limits of my medicine.”

When it comes to treating peripheral neuropathy, regardless of its origin, early detection greatly improves your chances of a full recovery.

If you or someone you love are su ering with chronic pain that presents as burning, tingling or ‘pins and needles’ or you’ve recently been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, it’s important to know that there are options. ere is hope.

Call (951) 597–0488 to schedule an initial consultation or visit SomaAcuWellness.com to read more incredible success stories.

Valley News/Adobe Stock photos

• 1 cup minced cooked shrimp, canned crab, rinsed and drained, or other cooked seafood

• Melba toast rounds or other unflavored crackers

Directions: Spread softened cream cheese in a shallow serving dish. Reserve 2 tablespoons chili sauce for garnish. Spread the remainder of chili sauce over cream cheese. Sprinkle with parsley. Sprinkle seafood on top of parsley.

Garnish with reserved chili sauce. Serve with unflavored crackers. It is helpful if one serving can be beside the appetizer so guests realize there are layers and “dig” deeply to capture all of the layers.

Temecula unveils a new temporary mural celebrating parents as part of the Emerging Artist Mural Program at Sam Hicks

Monument Park

The City of Temecula, its Community Services Department and the Temecula Valley Museum announced a new Emerging Artist Mural in Sam Hicks Monument Park at 28300 Mercedes Street.

This temporary public art piece celebrates both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. The mural features a fun, cartoon portrayal of parents and children, created by artist Sarah Ozolins of Bigfoot Art Classes.

The Emerging Artist Mural Project seeks to support emerging artists by providing a space to showcase their craft. Artists paint a large-scale mural on varying topics, facilitated by Bigfoot Graphics.

This new mural celebrates Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Ozolins said. “In honor of parents, I made these cute childlike characters to represent the love of parents and their children. I wanted to showcase all parents, even those who might not get as much appreciation.” This mural celebrates what parents provide to their children to help them thrive, it will be on display during the months of May and June.

The museum will also celebrate mothers and fathers through facts and free crafts in the museum’s Art & Education Room. All are welcome. For more information, please call 951-694-6450.