The Good Life Report 6/19/19
You've gotten all of the financial questions you had answered in our office. Now you can read about the things you love. From gardening to golf, each week we will post content that interests you and tips to help you live the good life.
East Coast Crab Cakes
Ingredients:
Crab Cakes
- 2 eggs
- 2 to 3 Tbsp. mayonnaise
- 1 to 2 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp. Old Bay seasoning
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. freshly ground pepper
- ¼ cup celery, finely diced
- 2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 lb. lump crab meat
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- Canola oil (use enough to cook the crab cakes)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1½ Tbsp. sweet pickle relish
- 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp. red onion, finely chopped
- 1 to 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Crab Cakes
- Use a baking sheet and line with aluminum foil.
- Make the crab cake mix by combining the eggs, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire, Old Bay seasoning, salt, celery, and parsley in a large bowl, and mix well.
- Before you add the crab meat, inspect it for any shells or sharp bits, then combine into the mixture. Add the crab meat and panko with a rubber spatula; gently fold the mixture as to not to shred the crab meat. Mix just until the ingredients come together - be sure that you don't overwork the mixture.
- Shape the crab mixture into 6 crab cakes (each about ½ cup) and place on the prepared baking sheet. Allow the cakes to set in the refrigerator for an hour.
- Bring a large nonstick pan to medium heat and add canola oil. Once the oil is hot, add the cakes and cook each side until golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes per side. Be careful as oil may splatter. Season the cakes with salt right when they come out of the pan and serve right away with tartar sauce and a squeeze of lemon.
- Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and mix until it comes together. Keep chilled until ready to serve.
Letter From IRS? What to Do (or Don't Do).
If you receive a letter from the IRS, don't panic. Millions of letters are sent to taxpayers every year for a myriad of reasons. If you receive a letter from the IRS, here's some advice:Don't panic. Read the letter carefully. There will usually be an action that is requested of you and a corresponding phone number for you to call. Follow the directions carefully.
Be aware of dates and timeframes. The notice you receive will probably have a dated deadline by which to respond with the appropriate action. Be sure to take note of the dates and not miss any deadlines that may be stipulated by the IRS. Know when to respond. Sometimes the IRS sends a notice or other communication that may not require a response. Again, read carefully, and if needed, respond according to the instructions on the letter. If a payment is required, reply with a payment or visit www.IRS.gov for information about payment options.
You may need to dispute. If you don't agree with the IRS notice, write a letter explaining why you are disputing the matter and mail it to the address on the contact stub at the bottom of the notice. *This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.
Tip adapted from IRS.gov[2]
Bend the Ball
If you find yourself close enough to a tree or water hazard that you need to curve the ball around it, a good setup is essential.
Begin by pointing your feet, knees, and shoulders where you want your ball to start. Typically, this will be pointing slightly away from the obstacle.
Then, aim the face of your club where you want your ball to land. Finally, swing along the line of your body and watch the ball curve around the obstacle to end up at the target.
Don't try and aim the ball with your arms; instead, use the line of your body to guide the swing.Tip adapted from Golf Tips Magazine[3]
Unplug to a New Activity
Constantly being wired up, plugged in, and online can actually cause stress. It can also be hard to put down your smartphone or similar device. By doing so, you might be missing out on time spent cultivating other interests and participating in other activities that can enrich you, relax you, and help you to be more mindful and present. Here are a few ideas:
Get outside and get some steps in. Walking and fresh air can work wonders on regrouping and resetting to an unplugged state. You can start in your own neighborhood or visit a local park or beach.
Take a staycation. Explore your town as if you were visiting. There may be some hidden gems like restaurants or museums you never knew existed.
Class is in session. Take a class in something you're interested in, like art, music, history, or literature. Many cities have community colleges and adult education programs.
Read. Read a book. Real paper, with words, a spine, and covers. Make an outing of going to the bookstore to see what's out there, and pick up a book, magazine, or journal.
Tip adapted from HuffPost[4]
Steps to a Better "Foodprint"
The food you eat has a carbon foodprint; it's the greenhouse gas emissions produced by growing, farming, processing, transporting, and storing food. The biggest culprit: raising livestock for food. It produces about half of all man-made emissions. This includes the emissions produced on the farm, on the road, getting the goods to the store, and getting them home.
Meat, cheese, and eggs have the highest carbon foodprint. Fruits, veggies, beans, and nuts have the lowest, so a vegetarian diet or one lower in meat consumption, is the way to go if you want to reduce your foodprint. Reduce your meat consumptions with these tips:
- Up your intake of protein with beans, lentils, tofu, and tempeh
- Eat whole grains, beans, and a variety of vegetables
- Search for interesting vegetarian recipes online or invest in some vegetarian cookbooks
- Eat raw salads, fruits, and veggies when you can
- Eat organic when possible
- Try to avoid processed foods of all types
[2] www.irs.gov/newsroom/dos-and-donts-for-taxpayers-who-get-a-letter-from-the-irs
[3] www.youtube.com/watch?list=UUPLAYER_GolfTipsMag&v=R5RzutKGLtM
[4] www.huffpost.com/entry/unplug-from-technology_n_2762116
[5] www.greeneatz.com/foods-carbon-footprint.html
By clicking on these links, you will leave our server, as the links are located on another server. We have not independently verified the information available through this link. The link is provided to you as a matter of interest. Please click on the links below to leave and proceed to the selected site.
