Mennonite Insurance

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Jerry Linscheid

Summer Meals That Don’t Heat Up Your Kitchen

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By Lorie Ham

a basket of vegetables

Summer is here, and in much of the country, that can mean very hot temperatures. When it is that hot, no one wants to heat up the house even more by turning on the oven. So, what can you do? There are many options. You can use a crockpot, BBQ outdoors, make salads, or even use stovetop recipes.

Spoon University has a list of 21 recipes that don’t use the oven or stovetop. Some of the ones included are Yogurt Parfaits, Overnight Oats, Tuna Tartare, and a multitude of interesting and unusual salads.

Thrifty Frugal Mom offers 45 different no-oven dinner ideas and recipes for your summer eating. The article includes several crockpot recipes such as Creamy Crockpot Mexican Chicken and Slow Cooker Black Bean Enchiladas. They also include many Instant Pot recipes like Smothered Pork Chops with Mushroom Gravy, as well as stovetop and grill recipes, and ones for salads, sandwiches, and wraps.

If you want to do some BBQing this summer, Delish.com has a list of 45 BBQ recipes including ones for fish tacos, loaded grilled cauliflower, cabbage steaks, Balsamic Grilled Mushrooms, and more traditional grilling fair like burgers, chicken, and steak. Also on Delish.com, you can find 62 recipes for summer salads.

On Don’t Waste the Crumbs, they recommend cooking ahead before it gets really hot, and then heating the food up in the microwave at dinner time. They also suggest batch cooking, and approaching the idea of meals a bit differently.

If you are wondering how to pick the right slow cooker, the Food Network has a great list of product reviews. If you are looking to buy your first outdoor grill, cnet has some good advice. Picking the right grill for you means deciding on fuel type, size, price, style and extra features.

For some cool summer cooking suggestions that you won’t find by doing a Google search, we chatted with some mystery authors who feature cooking and recipes in their books to see what they would recommend.

Victoria Hamilton, who writes the Merry Muffin Mysteries, prefers cooking ahead of time in the cool of the morning or evening. “I usually have bean salad in the fridge (here’s where you can find Victoria’s recipe for bean salad). I loathed bean salad as a kid. Couldn’t even look at it. And now it’s my go-to vegetable side dish! And so simple. It will keep for up to three weeks in the fridge! I store it in glass Mason jars. Other make aheads can be a whole chicken cooked, or a ham, and a pasta or potato salad. Pasta salad—such as a tortellini salad with a lemon and olive oil dressing and cherry tomatoes—tastes even better the next day.”

Author Edith Maxwell, who writes the County Store Mysteries, likes to use a lot of fresh vegetables. “I like lots of salads, cold soups, and grilled foods.”

She also suggests using the microwave more. “Want potato salad? Cook the potatoes in the microwave. Steam corn on the cob in the microwave. Boil water in the microwave. You can even cook bacon for your BLT in the microwave.” You can find two of her favorite summer time recipes—Cucumber Dill Salad and Pell’s Yogurt-Honey Fruit Salad Dressing, here.

Peg Cochran, who writes the Farmer’s Daughter Mystery Series, prefers grilling. “I love grilling because there are no pans to wash afterwards and I get to stand outside on the deck in the nice weather! Also, everything tastes better grilled. Throw a steak, chicken, burgers, or fish on the grill, make a big salad, cook some corn on the cob in the microwave, and dinner is done without creating a heat wave in the kitchen.”

One of her favorite things to grill is Chicken Satay. “Thread strips of chicken breast on skewers and grill. Serve with peanut sauce, some basmati rice, and cucumber salad or Asian slaw. I also love to do shrimp on the grill—marinate in some olive oil, oregano, and garlic (lots!) for a few minutes, put on skewers and grill—they’re done in no time.”

Peg also suggests using an air fryer, or serving up a casual “antipasto” dinner of cheeses, dried salami, prosciutto, roasted peppers, olives and whatever else suits your fancy!

Here is Peg’s recipe for Peanut Dipping Sauce:

  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons red chili paste like sriracha 
  • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • ½ cup hot water.

Combine all of the above except for the hot water in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Add enough hot water to thin sauce to dipping consistency. Enjoy with grilled chicken.

If you are also a mystery reader, you can find even more recipes in the author’s books!

To find fresh fruit and vegetables for your summer meals, be sure to check out fruit stands and farmer’s markets. If you live in the Fresno County area of California, you can find a great list on the Fresno County Fruit Trail website. Wherever you live in the United States, check out Local Farm Markets to find a guide to your local farmer’s markets.

We would love it if you would share some of your summer beat-the-heat meals with us on our Facebook page!

Costs Going Up Since Pandemic

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By Lorie Ham

The cost of everything seems to have gone up during the pandemic. According to an NBC News Consumer article in March of 2021, Price Index data for the month of January found that the cost of food eaten at home rose 3.7 percent from a year ago — more than double the 1.4 percent year-over-year increase in the prices of all goods included in the Consumer Price Index.

a rising bar graph with an arrow following the stacks

Everywhere you go now you see higher prices—whether it be at the fast food drive through, picking up groceries and other supplies, or getting take-out from your local restaurant. A shortage in workers, a shortage in products due to temporary shutdowns of businesses, and a higher demand for some products due to a change in lifestyle caused by the pandemic, are just some of the many reasons for the spike in costs.

Another area that has seen a significant price hike is in building or repairing a home. The cost of lumber alone has gone up significantly. According to the Trading Economics website, since last spring lumber prices have risen more than 180% as the stay-at-home lifestyle has encouraged homeowners to expand or remodel their existing dwellings, and low mortgage rates exacerbated the home-building spree. The sustained rush of lumber buying caught sawmills and wholesalers by surprise at a time when Covid-19 restrained production, pushing prices up to record levels.

According to an article on the e2Value website, the pandemic has brought about an increased demand for home improvements/remodeling and a focus on outdoor areas of the home. Because people have been traveling less, they are spending less so they have more money to do these improvements. They also have more time to do the work themselves rather than bring contractors into their homes.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) produces a quarterly Remodeling Market Index to assess remodeling activity among its members. The 2020 Q4 results showed significant increases over the 2020 Q1 results.

Chuck Bohn, one of the owners of Reedley Lumber, has seen this all first hand. “The building material that by far has increased the most has been lumber. The price of lumber overall has tripled in about 14 months. Lumber prices are based on supply and demand and the pandemic hurt the supply side in several ways, mill shutdowns, trucking shortages, etc. The demand increased, more homes being built because of low inventories of existing homes, [and] do it yourself home and yard projects increased greatly.”

Other building supplies have gone up in price as well. “If you leave lumber out of the equation I would estimate a 15-20% increase on hardware and other building materials,” continues Bohn. “Steel products have gone up considerably but maybe not all pandemic related. We saw a lot of steel price increases due to trade issues before the pandemic started.”

Unfortunately, the rising costs aren’t a trend that will be changing any time soon, even though more things are opening up. To be prepared for the high costs of repairing your home due to an emergency, make sure you have the insurance coverage that you need. Give Mennonite Insurance a call and we will be glad to help 559-638-2327.  Or find out more information about what types of insurance you may need.

Mennonite Insurance Services Offers a Scholarship

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By Lorie Ham

Paying for college can be a challenge these days. While many students may qualify for financial aid, it doesn’t always cover everything, and some students don’t qualify even if they aren’t able to pay for college themselves. There are always school loans, but those can take a lifetime to pay off. Thankfully, there are scholarships out there to help.

One such scholarship is offered by Mennonite Insurance Services and was started in 2011. As to what inspired the creation of this scholarship, Mennonite Insurance Services General Manager Jerry Linscheid shared this, “Well before the scholarship program, we supported institutions that did work we agreed with. By its nature, there is not a personal connection between us and the people we helped. The scholarships allow a more personal connection. We see the applicants’ goals and dreams. In the early days, we even saw their handwriting on the applications. Sometimes a board or staff member will know them or their family. And it is entirely possible to see them several years down the road when their schooling is over and they are starting their careers.”

a woman carrying a stack of books

It is widely believed that a college education can make a difference in your quality of life. According to EducationCorner.com, studies show that college graduates earn significantly more throughout their lifetime than those with only a high school education. In an article in early 2020 in The Edge, Georgetown University Center on Education predicted that by 2027 seventy percent of all jobs will require some education beyond high school, with only thirty percent of jobs still available to those without it.

“A college education is important,” states Linscheid. “A well-educated person is prone to critical thinking. A well-educated person is likely to find a job that pays a living wage. An education is expensive. If we can help a few students along in that process, I think society will be better for it.”

The deadline to apply for the scholarship from Mennonite Insurance is July 1, 2021. To be eligible to apply you must meet the following criteria:

  1. A member or regular attender of a Mennonite, Mennonite Brethren, Brethren in Christ or Missionary church in AZ, CA, OR or WA (West Coast)
  2. Enrolled in a 4-year college, university or graduate school on the West Coast
  3. At least a college junior with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).

Scholarships of $1,000 will be awarded to up to five applicants each year. Applicants may apply multiple years. Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously received the scholarship. To obtain more information, and to apply, go to mennoniteinsurance.com/scholarships.

If you have received one of these scholarships in the past, Mennonite Insurance would love to hear how your college education helped you in your life. Please consider sharing on their Facebook page. “I think it would be great to hear the success in their careers after college,” says Claudia Fletes, who is in charge of the scholarships for Mennonite Insurance. “I sometimes wonder where their paths will lead them after reading their essays.”

Co-Insurance: What Does This Mean for Property Insurance

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Vic Alemania of Mennonite Aid Plan explains how coinsurance affects the settlement amount on a loss. Vic also notes that coinsurance for property policies is completely different from coinsurance in health insurance policies.

To obtain the full policy benefits, your policy coverage limits must be at least the percentage (typically 80%, 90% or 100%) of the full replacement cost required by the coinsurance clause of your policy. The example in the video below is the easiest way to understand coinsurance.

Fresno County Blossom Trail Celebrating 33 Years

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By Lorie Ham

cherry blossoms

The Fresno County Blossom Trail is one of the most beautiful sights you will find in the San Joaquin Valley of California, and this year it celebrates 33 years. According to the Blossom Trail website, blossom season begins in February and runs through March, or early April. When you travel this trail, you will find orchards full of fruit trees bursting with blossoms.

The Blossom Trail is a self-guided 60 mile long motor or bicycle tour organized by the Fresno County Blossom Trail Committee, a partnership between the County of Fresno and the Chambers of Commerce in Sanger, Kingsburg, Reedley, Orange Cove, Selma and Fowler, to celebrate and feature the beauty of Fresno County’s agriculture and a few historical points of interest.

cherry blossoms

The blossoms come in white and various shades of pink (some are almost red) and are found on almond, plum, apricot, peach, nectarine, apple, and citrus trees. The Blossom Trail has been named one of the top blossom attractions in the world by British Travel Magazine, and has been featured in many other magazines and newspapers through the years. It is estimated that this free showcase brings more than 20 thousand visitors to Fresno County during the concentrated 4-5 week period of beauty each year.

Each season starts off with an opening ceremony held at one of the cities involved. This year’s ceremony was hosted by Reedley, but due to Covid, it was done virtually. Some other events are up in the air as to whether they will still take place this year, including the Annual Blossom Days Festival and Car Show, and the Orange Cove Blossom Festival.

One of the events sadly not happening this year is the Annual Reedley Lions Club Blossom Trail Bike Ride, but they hope to be back in 2022. For the Bike Ride you can choose to take either the 60, 40, 20, or 10-mile route. The 10-mile one is considered the “family fun run.” The 60-mile route takes you up Elwood Road through Wonder Valley. Even though there isn’t an official event this year, you can still go out on your own, or with family, and enjoy riding through parts of the trail.

cherry blossoms

Another fun event each year is the Blossom Trail Train Ride, which takes place in early March, and this one is still happening! “The Blossom Trail Train will be running the first three weekends of March from 10-5, with Reedley Rail Fest on the third weekend,” shared Sean Batista from Hillcrest Farms in Reedley. You can find the details and purchase your tickets on the Hillcrest Farms website.

There is also a Blossom Trail Bus Tour put on by the Sanger Chamber of Commerce each year. According to Tammy Wolfe, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Sanger District Chamber of Commerce, it is an amazing day of wine tasting, shopping, and good food. While this event will sadly not be happening in 2021, Sanger also has the Blossom Trail Run that is a 10k run that will be held virtually this year from March 1-April 4. More information can be found on the chamber website.

While sadly many events are not taking place in 2021, it is never too early to plan to visit the Blossom Trail in 2022. In the meantime, you can enjoy the virtual events, and go out and enjoy the trail on your own, whether on your bike, driving, or walking parts of the trail. Check out the Blossom Trail website for a map of the trail, and to keep up to date on whether more of the events will be going virtual this year, and if others might still be happening in person. You can also follow them on Twitter @GoBlossomTrail.

If you do check out the trail, you are encouraged to share some of your blossom photos with the Fresno County Blossom Trail through their website, and you can share them with us on the Mennonite Insurance Facebook page.