Archives for October 2019

Boot up your creativity this Valentines Day with these adorable Valentine Love Bots! You and your little sweethearts can even create a whole Love Bot family together. Here’s how to make them.

Materials:
Googly eyes
Tape
Glue
Scissors
Marker
Pipe cleaners
Valentine’s Day decorations such as hearts
2-5 used 6.75-ounce Juicy Juice boxes
Valentine’s Day gift wrap

Step 1 – Wrap your empty juice box in Valentine’s Day gift wrap using glue or tape.
Step 2 – Use glue to adhere your robot’s eyes in place.
Step 3 – Now it’s time for the arms! Use glue or tape to adhere your robot’s arms (pipe cleaners) in place.
Step 4 – Continue to bring your robot to life by using tape or glue to add another pipe cleaner to the top of the robot’s head.
Step 5 – Use a marker to draw your robot’s mouth.
Step 6 – Decorate with the supplies of your choice! We used red, white and pink hearts.
Step 7 – Repeat Steps 1-6 at least once or twice to create a whole robot family!

Printed with permission from Juicy Juice. See more crafts at juicyjuice.com.

Read Next | Virtual Valentine Ideas for Kids

There’s nothing like a bowl of hearty soup to warm you up on a chilly night. But by February, you’ve probably made more pots of chicken soup or beef stew than you can count. Try something different before the winter is over and you might have a new cold weather go-to for soup night. Here are a few of our favorites:

Rich Potato Leek Soup

Ready Time: 45min
Serves 6

3 Tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, diced
3 leeks, white and light green parts sliced
3 carrots, peeled and diced
3 stalks celery, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
5 small or 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
salt and pepper, to taste
1 Tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
5 cups vegetable broth
Parmesan Croutons:
2 cups whole wheat bread cut into 1″ chunks
2 Tablespoons olive oil
¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper, to taste

1. In large soup pot, add olive oil over medium-high heat.
2. Add onion, leeks, carrots, celery, garlic, and potatoes, season with salt and pepper, and cook until softened, about 10-12 minutes.
3. Add thyme and vegetable broth, and bring to a simmer.
4. Reduce heat and let cook for 15 more minutes, until potatoes are softened.
5. Using an immersion blender or high-powered blender, puree until smooth.
For the Parmesan Croutons:
6. Preheat oven to 375 °F.
7. Add olive oil to a bowl, then add bread cubes, tossing to coat.
8. Toss with cheese and season with salt and pepper.
9. Place on baking sheet and bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, until golden.

potatogoodness.com

Smoky Turkey Lentil Chili

Ready time: 45 Minutes
Serves: 6-8

2 lbs ground turkey
1 1/2 cups whole green lentils
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, crushed
2 28 oz cans diced tomatoes
3 cups turkey or chicken broth
1 cup water
1 can black beans
1 can refried beans
1 cup fresh, frozen, or canned corn
1 package chili seasoning (or your own favorite blend)
½ can Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (optional)
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp sweet smoked paprika
to taste, salt and pepper

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot.
2. Add onions and cook until translucent, 5-7 minutes.
3. Add garlic and cook through, an additional 2 minutes.
4. Add turkey and cook through, 8–12 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Add tomatoes and stir thoroughly.
7. Add lentils, turkey broth, and water.
8. Add spices and Chipotle peppers (if using) and bring to a gentle simmer.
9. Cook for 25–35 minutes, until mixture thickens and lentils are cooked through (it might take longer to ensure lentils are fully cooked).
10. Add black beans and refried beans. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes, until flavors are thoroughly incorporated. If mixture is too thick, add additional water to desired consistency.
11. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.

lentils.org

Pear and Sweet Corn Soup with Basil- Macadamia Pesto 

Ready time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Serves 6

Pesto
2 cups lightly packed basil leaves
3 tablespoons macadamia nuts (about 10 nuts)
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
¼ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon canola oil
Soup
4 ripe USA Pears, such as Green Anjou, cut into quarters
3 cups corn kernels
1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger
4 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup coconut milk

For the pesto:
1. Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor and pulse several times.
2. Scrape down the sides once or twice and continue to pulse until you get a chunky, scoopable pesto. Set aside until the soup is ready.
For the soup:
1. In a medium pot, combine the pears, corn, ginger, and water.
2. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow the soup to cool for 15-20 minutes.
3. Once cooled slightly, puree the soup in a blender in batches until smooth. For a perfectly smooth soup, pass the liquid through a fine mesh strainer.
4. Return the soup to the pot over low heat and stir in the salt and coconut milk. Once warmed through, the soup is ready to serve.
5. To each bowl of soup, add a generous spoonful of the Basil-Macadamia Pesto.

usapears.org

On January 1, 2019 I was honored to take office as a member of the New York State Assembly. I now have the honor and privilege of representing the people of the South Shore’s 62nd Assembly District in the Capitol.

As I travel each week up the New York State Thruway towards Exit 23, I continually reflect on this new experience as a state legislator. I have made the trip up the thruway several times over the last decade as an education advocate and member of Community Education Council 31. Making this drive up to State Street, looking at the Capitol, and now being a part of New York State history is truly humbling.

Each day I walk the streets of Albany to my office in the Legislative Office building, embracing the rich history. From Eagle Street I look beyond the statue of Civil War Union General Philip Sheridan atop his horse and gaze at the towering front steps of the Capitol.

To the right of the Capitol across Washington Avenue stands the New York State Education Department building — a massive white building with columns that stretch from South Swan Street to Hawk Street. Not far off to the right, down Eagle Street at Pine St., is the Court of Appeals, the highest court in New York State. A white building with six pillars, representing justice.

As I enter the Capitol I stand in awe, admiring the military museum honoring the rich history and those who have served. As I make my way to the Assembly Chamber on the third floor I stare at the astounding architecture of the building. As I step on the “Million Dollar” staircase, I am overcome with nostalgia. It is inspiring to know that I now serve in the same chamber that Theodore Roosevelt served in as a member of Assembly.

Recently, I had the pleasure of joining our Mid-Island Little League heroes as they met the governor. I must admit I was like a tourist, consumed by the experience. We gathered in the “Red Room,” named for the red drapes and rug that originally adorned the room.

The Red Room originally served as the governor’s office until 1885. The room has been used for ceremonial functions ever since. There is even still a secret door that Franklin Delano Roosevelt had installed, which allowed him to travel privately in his wheel chair out of the public eye.

A humbling experience, indeed.

The Legislative Work

The main function of the New York State Senate and Assembly is to introduce and pass legislation. The legislation begins with a bill. The bill will describe the creation, change or amendment to an existing or newly proposed law. Each chamber, the Senate and Assembly, must have an exact copy of each bill introduced. The bills will then be referred to the Chamber Committees that have oversight regarding the specific section and part of the law being addressed.

The Committees will meet and discuss the bills. If it passes the committees in both Chambers it will move to a floor vote in both the Senate and Assembly. If the bill passes both Chambers it will then go to the Governor. The Governor will have the option of signing the bill into law or vetoing it. If The Governor signs, it will become law after a certain timeframe detailed in the bill. If the Governor vetoes the bill it is sent back to both the Senate and Assembly, who can override the Governor’s Veto if 2/3 of the members in each chamber vote to override. If they successfully override the veto the bill will become law.

This year’s session in Albany began in January with a change in the political landscape. For the first time in over a decade the Senate, Assembly and Governor’s Office are controlled by the same political party. This shift has resulted in a rapid legislative agenda. As we enter March, we will focus on passing legislation that will put in place the state budget to comply with the April 1^st deadline. The Albany legislative session will run through last week in June.

By Michael Reilly, NYS Assemblyman, former District 31 Community Education Council President and former NYPD Lieutenant.