The Good Life Report - Men's Health Month, Healthy Salad Roll Recipe & Green Living Tips

"A surplus of effort could overcome a deficit of confidence."

 - Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States

Salad Rolls

Serves 8

Ingredients:

• 1 8-oz. package rice vermicelli
   
• 8 oz. shrimp; cooked, peeled, and cut in half, lengthwise
   
• 8 rice wrappers (6½ in.)
   
• 1 carrot, finely grated
   
• 1 cup lettuce, shredded
   
• ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
   
• Water

Directions:

1. Bring water to a boil in a medium-sized saucepan.
    
2. Remove saucepan from heat and add vermicelli to water. Let it soak for 3 to 5 minutes.
    
3. Drain and rinse with cold water.
    
4. Dip one rice wrapper in a large bowl of hot water to soften.
    
5. Lay the wrapper flat, then place noodles, shrimp, carrot, lettuce, and basil in the center.
    
6. Tightly wrap ingredients.
    
7. Repeat with remaining ingredients and wrappers.
    
8. Serve with chili sauce. 

Recipe adapted from AllRecipes.com[1]

Tips for the "Gig" Economy

Do you rent a spare room in your house or provide car rides for a fee? If so, you may be a part of the sharing or "gig" economy. If you made any income from such platforms, you have some key financial details to address when filing your taxes. 

Is the income taxable?

Yes. No matter whether you made money full or part time, the IRS taxes the income you make. 

Can you take deductions?

Some business-expenses deductions may apply for taxpayers who qualify. A deduction for a business expense could be an item, such as claiming the standard mileage rate if you use your car for business.

Do taxes apply if you rent a home you also live in?

You will generally have to account for specific tax rules if you rent a home that you live in at any point throughout the year. You can identify the status of taxable rental income using the IRS tax assistant tool.

* 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]

When to Putt with a Sand Wedge

Back in the 1970s, the great Lee Trevino introduced the sand wedge putt. Today, this unorthodox shot can rescue you from a pesky greenside lie.

When your ball is backed up against the fringe, or in some thick grass just off the edge of a slick putting surface, you may want or need to putt rather than chip, but you may also be worried about flubbing a putt. So, putt the ball onto the green using the thick leading edge of a sand wedge. This will give the ball a burst of initial topspin, more so than a typical putter, and the thick flange of the sand wedge has less chance of getting caught up in long grass or an outer cut of fringe.  

Tip adapted from Shark.com[3]

June is Men's Health Month

Today, June 1, marks the first day of Men's Health Month. This health initiative was created by a Congressional health education program in 1994, to further awareness of the importance of early intervention and prevention of common diseases that can affect men during all stages of life. Just keep in mind: a conversation with your doctor is always the best way to address any health concerns you may have; this tip isn't a substitute for medical advice.

Throughout the month, community outreach events, like health fairs, screenings, and educational seminars, bring awareness to concerns like prostate cancer, heart disease, and hypertension, among others. Information about healthy living, exercise, diet, smoking cessation, and other general wellness tips may be shared as well. Look out for men's health activities and functions in your area. You might just learn something new!

Tip adapted from MensHealthMonth.org[4]

Supplement Your Soil with Coffee Grounds

Does your yard have plants that thrive in acidic soil? Take your old, used coffee grounds, and mix them into the soil to give it a healthy boost. In fact, you can create a blend of up to 50% soil and 50% coffee grounds to help nourish plants that love acidic soil.

Before you go dumping your used coffee filters into your garden, note that "acidic" is the keyword. Types of plants that thrive in acidic soil and would love a coffee ground snack include azaleas, gardenias, blueberry bushes, dogwood trees, holly bushes, and roses. Other plants that require a more basic soil composition will die off with this mixture. 

Tip adapted from The Spruce[5]

[1] AllRecipes.com, May 29, 2020

[2] IRS.gov, February 25, 2020

[3] Shark.com, May 29, 2020

[4] MensHealthMonth.org, May 29, 2020

[5] TheSpruce.com, May 29, 2020