Category: Uncategorized

Ingredients

Whole green beans trimmed (you be the judge on how many beans you will need depending on how many people you are feeding)

Small container of Portabella mushrooms (sliced)

Olive oil (drizzle)

½ stick of butter

¼ cup of all-purpose flour

1 cup chicken broth

Container of garden herb feta cheese crumbles

Frenches fried onions

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Wash & trim the green beans and place them in a large pan. Clean and slice the Portabella mushrooms if you can’t buy them already sliced and add them to the green beans (remove and discard the dark gills). Drizzle the beans and mushrooms with olive oil and toss together adding salt & pepper to taste. Place them on a baking sheet pan and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven until the liquid from the mushrooms has wicked out and they have turned dark and beans are tender. While the beans are baking make the cheese sauce as follows:

Cheese Sauce:

Melt ½ stick of butter in a pan
Add ¼ cup of flour and stir to combine
Add chicken broth slowly constantly stirring until the roux starts to thicken
Add ½ the container of feta cheese and stir until it is melted
Add a tsp. of black pepper

Pour the cheese roux onto a serving platter. Pour the baked green beans and mushrooms on top of the cheese roux (Don’t let any residual juices that might be left in the baking sheet pour out because that will make the cheese sauce runny).  Top the green beans and mushrooms with the rest of the Feta cheese and as many of the fried onions as you like. You have all of the ingredients that you are accustomed to in a traditional green bean casserole, but each guest has the option of how much of any part of the dish they want to eat.

Ingredients

2 tbsp reduced fat mayonnaise

2 tsp lemon zest

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp lime juice

1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained, rinsed, patted dry and chopped

1 cup chopped baby spinach firmly packed (stems removed)

2 tbsp fresh chopped mint

2 tbsp chopped parsley

1 fine chopped scallion

2 tbsp finely grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts

Sliced baguettes or favorite crackers

Instructions

Whisk together mayonnaise, lemon zest with juices. Add ¼ tsp pepper and ¼ tsp salt to taste. Fold in the spinach, mint, parsley, scallions, parmesan and walnuts. Serve chilled on baguette slices or crackers.

For a creamier option try this:

Place artichoke hearts, spinach, ½ cup rinsed canned white beans, scallion, lemon zest with juices, parmesan cheese, ¼ tsp pepper and ¼ tsp salt, to taste, all in a blender until finely chopped.  Serve cold or warm.

Water claims are the second most frequently filed homeowners claim. The national average cost per claim is about $10,900. In addition to the cost to repair, often your personal property is significantly damaged and your home can take months to repair.  But, there is good news!  Technology has made lots of advances in preventing and avoiding water claims.

A newer device on the market – FLO by Moen – can independently detect a leak in your home and turn off the water to your home when a leak is detected. If you travel often, or have a second home, this becomes even more valuable considering undetected leaks can cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages.

To use the device, it must be professionally installed and needs an electric outlet nearby. The cost is $499 + installation, but use of the product does often times come with a discount on your homeowners insurance.  Safeco Insurance even offers a deductible waiver of up to $2,500 in case FLO does not stop a water loss from occurring.

To learn more about the device and coordinating mobile app – check out the 3 minute video below. Really interesting technology that has the potential to offer significant peace of mind!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLdCoFjWcr0&feature=youtu.be&cm_ven=ExactTarget&cm_cat=ROB_FLOEmail1_092820&cm_pla=All+Subscribers&cm_ite=overview+video&cm_lm=cate.robertson@whiteandassociates.net

Kristal Carpenter
Partner
The W&A Kristal Carpenter Agency

Ingredients

2 tbsp. olive oil
1 medium diced onion
1 medium diced bell pepper
2 diced celery stalks
1 lb. ground lamb or buffalo
2 tsp. dried parsley
1 tsp. dried rosemary
1 tsp. dried thyme
½ tsp. black pepper
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves of minced garlic
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 tbsp. tomato paste
1 cup beef or chicken broth
½ cup frozen English peas
½ cup of frozen carrots
½ cup frozen corn kernels
2 containers of mashed cauliflower

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Prepare the frozen mashed cauliflower per the directions on the box. Set aside so that it can thicken before adding to the meat mixture. Add oil to a large skillet then add diced onion, bell pepper and celery. Cook over medium heat until the mixture is tender. Add the meat of your choice and cook until browned. Be sure to break up any chunks when combining with the vegetables. Add the parsley, rosemary, thyme and pepper.

Mix well for about 10 minutes on medium heat to hydrate the herbs. Add the Worcestershire sauce and garlic with the meat mixture and cook for a few more minutes.
Add the flour and tomato paste and combine with the meat mixture, making sure that everything is well combined. The meat mixture will start to thicken at this point. Add the broth, frozen peas, carrots and corn.

Combine everything together and bring mixture to a boil.Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally as the broth thickens. Pour the meat mixture into a 9X9 inch baking dish and set aside to cool. Spoon the cooked mashed cauliflower over the meat mixture and carefully spread to cover the meat.

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes. This dish sets up better for cutting into serving squares after it has been refrigerated, but it is great right out of the oven.

Medicare is confusing. Add annual enrollment into the mix and it easily starts to feel like you are walking through a maze blindfolded.  I know that if you are Medicare eligible, you are currently receiving countless calls at mealtimes, mail from everywhere and multiple promises that any and all your Medicare problems can be solved during this Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP).

The truth is there is no “one size fits all” solution when it comes to Medicare. It is important to talk one-on-one with a credentialed individual that will get to know you and your specific situation. Only then, can a plan be customized that is right for you and your family.

Throughout the year, I am asked all kinds of questions about Medicare Part A & Part B, Medicare Supplements, Part D Prescription Drug Plans, Advantage Plans and Enrollment Periods.  The opportunity to help others navigate all the questions surrounding Medicare is the favorite part of my job. So, I thought I would share answers to the three most common questions I am asked during AEP.

Question 1:  Why would I need anything other than Medicare Part A, Part B & Part D (prescription drugs)? 

The simple answer is this:  If you have Medicare Part A & B only, then you will be responsible for the 20% of your healthcare costs that Medicare Part A & B does not pay.  Medicare will be faithful to pay their 80%, but that 20% will follow you the entire year with no out-of-pocket maximum.  The 2020 Medicare & You Handbook tells us on Page 7 in bold letters “there’s no yearly limit on what you pay out-of-pocket, unless you have supplemental coverage.”   This means that your potential financial exposure could be significant if you were to have a major medical event.  Having supplemental coverage protects you and your family financially.

Question 2:  What if I cannot afford a Medicare Supplement? What can I do? 

There are a wide variety of plans and Medicare options available to fit all budget sizes, whether you are still working or living on a fixed income. Which brings me back to the importance of what I said earlier. Speaking with an individual that specializes in Medicare is so important. Good agents will take the time to meet with you in person (if desired), walk you through all your available options, answer your questions and ensure that the choices or changes you make go as smoothly as possible.

Question 3:  What can I do during this year’s AEP (Annual Enrollment Period) of October 15 – December 7, 2022? 

 First and foremost:  Remember, any changes you make during AEP become effective January 1st of the following year. They do not go into effect immediately or the following month.

Second:  If you make a change during this time, and then decide you want to make a different choice, you can do that. But, remember the last choice you make by December 7th is the choice that will go into effect on January 1, 2023. So make sure that the decision you make during AEP is one you are willing to live with for the coming year.

Third. There are many things you can do during AEP:

1. If you are on original Medicare Part A & Part B only, you can change to an Advantage Plan.
2. If you are on an Advantage Plan, you can change and go back to original Medicare.
3. If you are on an Advantage Plan, you can change to a different Advantage Plan.
4. If you are on a Supplement, you can change to an Advantage Plan.
5. If you are on an Advantage plan, you can change to a Supplement.
6. If you are on original Medicare and do not have a Part D prescription drug plan, you can select one.
7. If you are on a Part D prescription drug plan and want to change to a different Part D plan, you can do that.
8. If you are on a Part D prescription drug plan and do not want it any longer, you can cancel it.  Be careful here. If you go without a Part D prescription drug plan, you may incur a penalty based on the months you do not have one.

If you have any questions or would like to get together for a review, my door is open and phone readily available to help. It is so important to make good decisions over the next couple of months. The goal of all our White & Associates agents to is ensure you can sleep soundly knowing you had your questions answered by a credentialed professional.

Rick Brubaker, Senior Specialist
731-288-1604

Have you thought about all the “service lines” running under and around your house lately? Those things that give you access to water, electricity, gas, internet connection and more.  If you are like me, you usually only think about them when Netflix stops working. It is about that time when we all think about who to call to get all these things back up and working, but did you know that homeowners are the ones responsible for the maintenance, repair, and replacement of service lines connected to your house?

Energy companies and other service providers are only responsible for the infrastructure up to where it connects to your property. That means that if one of your pipes freezes or your sewer line backs up into your house, you have to pay to fix it.

Think about this: You have a beautiful old oak tree in front of your house. All its rustic elegance has disguised the fact that its roots are growing closer and closer to penetrating your main water line. What began as a small, unnoticed crack eventually expands and causes your pipe to rupture. To fix it, you’ll have to dig up your yard and replace the pipe. That could be a big mess — and an even bigger bill. This type of job can easily run to $5,000 or more.

Good news, if you have service line coverage, it could pay for the excavation, the new pipe, labor, and even the costs of any outdoor property damaged because of the leak. Certainly, better than paying the full cost out of pocket!

The typical types of lines covered include:

• Water
• Waste disposal
• Electrical power
• Drainage
• Compressed air
• Communications
• Heating

Many of our home insurance carriers now offer an endorsement to provide coverage for residential service lines for just a few dollars a month. Call your W&A agent today to learn more!

Kelly McCormack
The Kristal Carpenter Agency 
Jackson, Tennessee

Ingredients

2 cups almond flour
1/3 cup + 1 tbsp. polenta (fine cornmeal)
1 ¼ cup of Swerve sweetener
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. fine sea salt
4 large free range eggs
1/2 cup and 2 tbsp. liquid coconut oil
2 tsp. almond extract
Zest of 1 lemon
16 ounces fresh pitted cherries (halved)
1/2 cup flaked almonds

Instructions

Place almond flour, polenta, sweetener, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl. Combine all ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix together the eggs, coconut oil, almond extract and lemon zest until smooth. Pour the wet ingredients into the center of the bowl of dry ingredients and stir until well combined. Do not use an electric mixer. The batter will be thick.

Fold 2/3 of the pitted cherry halves into the batter. Pour the batter into a prepared 9” cake pan lined with parchment paper. Make sure that the cherries are distributed as evenly as possible throughout the batter. Place the remaining cherry halves over the top and scatter flaked almonds over that. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 50 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

Cool for about 30 minutes before trying to remove the cake from the pan.
The cake is great served hot or cold.

DYERSBURG, TENNESSEE, September 21, 2020  – White & Associates Insurance (www.whiteandassociates.net) today announced that two agents, Shelia Gurien and Tommie Hudson, have been recognized for their hard work and expertise in helping consumers enroll in and manage qualified health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

This achievement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as a member of the 2020 Marketplace Circle of Champions highlights both Gurien and Hudson’s success in each actively enrolling over 100 consumers during the 2020 Medicare Open Enrollment Season. The Marketplace Circle of Champions program recognizes the hard work, expertise, and service of Marketplace-registered agents and brokers. Agents and brokers who assist 100 or more consumers qualify for the Elite Status of the Marketplace Circle of Champions.

“Agents and brokers play a vital role in helping consumers access qualified health coverage and navigate their new health insurance plans throughout the year,” said Randy Pate, Director of the Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight within CMS, which oversees the Marketplace. “We thank both Shelia and Tommie for their dedication to providing exceptional service in helping Americans get coverage.”

“White & Associates Insurance is proud to help Tennesseans with their Medicare and health insurance questions,” said Larry White, chief executive officer of White & Associates Insurance. “We are especially thankful for the care and dedication Tommie and Shelia provide to each individual they encounter. The two have a combined 54 years of knowledge in the health insurance field and, more importantly, a special passion for serving others.”

Eligible consumers can enroll in Marketplace coverage during this year’s Medicare annual Open Enrollment Period, which runs October 15 – December 7, 2020 for coverage effective in 2021. Consumers with questions about their coverage or who would like help enrolling, can reach Shelia Gurien or Tommie Hudson at 731-288-3540.

Ingredients

1 head of red cabbage- cored and thinly sliced

1 medium purple onion- peeled, halved and thinly sliced

1 medium Honeycrisp apple- peeled, cored and thinly sliced

2 tbsp. coconut oil

½ tsp. ground allspice

3 tbsp. balsamic vinegar

½ cup of vegetable broth or water

Salt & pepper (optional)

Instructions

Add coconut oil to large pot over medium heat. Add onion and apple. Cook until softened (about 6 to 8 minutes), stirring often.  Add cabbage and vegetable broth (or water) to the pot and combine with the apple and onion. Bring to a boil, stirring often. Reduce heat to simmer and cover the pot. Continue cooking until the cabbage is tender for about 30 mins. Stir in the balsamic vinegar, ground allspice and (optional) salt and pepper to taste. Bring heat back up to medium-high, stirring often, until liquid almost completely evaporates. Enjoy!

I hear this question all the time, “Do I really need life insurance?” A loaded question but the answer really is not that complicated.  If someone will suffer financially when you die, chances are you need life insurance. Life insurance provides cash, also called a “death benefit”, that can replace your income and help your family meet many important financial needs like funeral costs, daily living expenses and college funding. An added advantage of the “death benefit” is that there is not a federal income tax allocated on life insurance benefits.

Below are a few scenarios I have seen during my time with W&A.

YOU’RE MARRIED

Many people make the mistake of not taking out a life insurance policy until they have children. If both spouses work, consider if the surviving spouse’s income is enough to pay off debts like credit card balances, student loans, car loans, your monthly mortgage/rent and utility bills?  INSURANCE TIP: If you are planning on having children, you will want to buy life insurance before waiting until pregnancy – some companies will not issue a policy while pregnant.

YOU’RE MARRIED WITH KIDS

Most families depend on two incomes. If something suddenly happened to you, could your family continue to meet all your financial obligations? Could your family continue your current standard of living? Would the plans for the future – like college – stay intact?  If one parent is able to stay home with young children, how would you cover the added expense of childcare costs while the surviving spouse goes to work? Life insurance ensures that your family’s plans do not leave when you do.

YOU’RE A SINGLE PARENT

As a single parent, you are the caregiver, breadwinner, cook, coach, tutor, chauffeur and so much more! Yet almost 60% of single parents have no life insurance on themselves, and many with existing coverage (maybe through their employer) say they do not have enough coverage.  With so much resting solely on your shoulders, you need to make double sure that you have enough life insurance to safeguard your children’s financial future.  INSURANCE TIP: Life insurance can be as affordable as your weekly stop for a cup of coffee!

YOU’RE A STAY-AT-HOME PARENT

Just because you do not get a paycheck does not mean you do not make a significant financial contribution to your family. Childcare, transportation, cleaning, cooking and all the other household activities that pop up in a day are all equally important and the replacement value of them is severely underestimated. With life insurance, your family can afford to make choices that best preserve their quality of life as they cope with the loss of a parent and spouse.

YOU HAVE GROWN CHILDREN

Your kids have graduated college, the mortgage is paid off and you are getting ready for retirement…still need life insurance?  Answer this question: “If you died today, would your surviving spouse be able to stay on your current retirement track?” Would your financial plan, without life insurance, enable your spouse to maintain the lifestyle you both worked so hard to achieve?

YOU’RE RETIRED

Depending on the size of your estate, your heirs could be hit with an estate-tax payment. The proceeds of a life insurance policy are payable immediately, allowing heirs to take care of these taxes, funeral costs and other debts without having to hastily liquidate other assets, often at a fraction of their true value. Life insurance proceeds are also generally income tax free and will not add to your estate tax liability, if properly structured.

YOU’RE A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER

Life insurance can also serve as protection for your life’s work. What would happen to your business if you, one of your fellow owners or a key employee died tomorrow? Life insurance can help mitigate this risk. For example, a life insurance policy can be structured to fund a buy-sell agreement. This would ensure that the remaining business owners have the funds to buy the company interests of a deceased owner at a previously agreed upon price.  That way, the owners get the business and the family gets the money.  To protect a business in the case of a death of a key employee, key person life insurance, payable to a company, provides the owners with the financial flexibility needed to either hire a replacement or work out an alternative arrangement.

YOU’RE SINGLE

A lot of single people do not have a big need for a life insurance policy, but there are exceptions. For example, some singles provide financial support for aging parents or a sibling with special needs. Others may be carrying significant debt that they would not want to pass on to family members who survive them. Insurability is another reason to consider life insurance when you are single. INSURACNCE TIP: If you are young, healthy and have a good family health history, your insurability is at its PEAK and you will be rewarded with the best rates on life insurance that you get to carry with you for many years to come.

The most important thing life insurance can provide anyone, in my opinion, is peace of mind. Something I know we could all use a little more of these days!  Never hesitate to give us a call and ask questions. We are here to help!
-Jennifer Cheatham, Wife, Mom, Life Insurance Agent and W&A Account Manager