Be Sure to Follow These Steps!
YOUR MONTHLY NEED-TO-KNOWS WHEN DID THEY PUT ABRAHAM LINCOLN ON THE PENNY? When the United States Mint first made the one-cent coin in 1792, it had an image of a woman with flowing hair who stood for liberty. It wasn’t until 1909 that the image of President Abraham Lincoln was placed on the penny. This would actually be the first circulating U.S. coin to have a real person portrayed on it! WHAT AM I DUSTING? If you’re participating in spring-cleaning this month, you might be surprised to learn that skin cells constitute a majority of dust. Humans shed about 200 million skin cells an hour, and those cells don’t just vanish. Instead, they’re carried by the air and hide in every corner of your home. WHY ARE ALL CALICO CATS FEMALE? These black, white, and orange cats are all ladies except for a few sterile gentlemen. This is due to the origin of cat coat colors. The gene dictating a calico’s signature fur is on the X chromosome (females have two). If they have a Y chromosome like males do, they don’t have enough genes to allow for three colors. If a male cat is calico, they have an extremely rare condition that results in an XXY chromosome set in their DNA. GROW YOUR GREEN THUMB THIS SPRING A SPRING GARDENING GUIDE Spring is in the air; the chirping birds and warm air call you outdoors. It’s the perfect time to start your garden. Even as a beginning gardener, you can find plants and flowers to bring you joy throughout the summer. Carrots and radishes are quick, easy, and grow well in most areas. Carrots are versatile veggies great for snacking and cooking; even your dogs will love them! They need to be planted early, though, as they take about three months to germinate. Radishes are cool-season vegetables you can start indoors and plant outside after the last frost. Other vegetables can be started from seed indoors in late February to early March. Try cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, leeks, endive, and lettuce. Later, in mid to late March, you can start peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, Swiss chard, and tomatillos indoors. Wait to plant your seeds and seedlings in the ground until two weeks after the last frost. Some early cold-tolerant vegetables, like cabbage, broccoli, and head lettuce, can go in the ground early to mid-March. Heat-loving
plants like peppers, okra, and eggplant that grow slowly can also be planted in March. Tomatoes are the stars of many gardens. It is best to wait until early April to plant them, though. They are like Goldilocks and prefer everything just right — not too cold or hot. We can’t talk about gardening without giving a few helpful tips for adding color. Plant hydrangea, aster, pansy, sweet peas, garden mums, and Oriental lilies in the spring to invite pollinators and provide blooming color throughout the summer. Spring bulbs, like crocus and daffodils, are the first to bloom. Sometimes, they will even bloom when there is a bit of snow on the ground. But it is best to plant bulbs in the fall so they have time to settle in their roots. A gardener’s best friend is the USDA Hardiness Zone Map. Since most states include three different growing zones, it is a handy resource to choose the best plants for your area. The website at PlantHardiness.ars.usda.gov has a wealth of information, including tips for easy maintenance. So, grab your gloves, get your seeds, and enjoy watching your garden grow!
CHIPOTLE-INSPIRED CHICKEN BURRITO BOWL
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
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2 boneless chicken breasts
1. Cut chicken into bite-size pieces. In a medium-size bowl, add chicken, olive oil, paprika, cumin, chili pepper, salt, and pepper. Mix until chicken is evenly coated. 2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook chicken for 7 minutes or until cooked through. Set aside on a plate. 3. In a large bowl, layer the rice, lettuce, corn, beans, and cooked chicken. 4. In a separate bowl, mix together salsa ingredients, then pour over the chicken mixture. 5. Top with avocado, sour cream, and cheddar cheese. Enjoy!
2 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp paprika
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup white or brown rice, cooked 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
1 cup canned corn
1 cup canned black beans
1 avocado, cubed 1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup shredded cheese
For Salsa •
1 tbsp chopped cilantro 1/2 tomato, chopped 1/2 onion, chopped 2 tbsp white vinegar
• • • • •
4 tbsp lime juice
Salt, to taste
513-231-7755 • 3
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