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Show . —• - T , ' •• •. ' ' ' '~T '-• •• t i _'-.'t""J;- -;.v.:-.i The Beaver Press - January 20, 2011 - Page 4 Bird Feeding is Fun to Do. And it Helps Wildlife Too! , _ , , , . , » Finding food in the winter can be a tough prospect for Utah's wild birds. During the late summer and (all, most birds leave Utah for warmer climes. Those that stay find a food supply that snow, long nights, below zero temperatures, storms and frost-forming inversion layers have severely reduced. Only birds capable of finding seeds, berries, dormant insects and other limited food sources can survive Utah's tough winters. During the cold months of winter, birds need to eat regularly to maintain their body heat. And that's where you come in. Unlike deer - which artificial feeding can actually harm feeding stations can play a pivotal role in helping wild birds survive. Bird feeding can also bring a host of small, colorful, fascinating characters right into your backyard. Sound like fun? It is. But once you get started, you have to stay committed to providing food to your birds every day. You have to stayed committed Most birds develop feeding patterns, moving from food source to food source along a regular daily route. The birds that visit your yard will start to rely on your feeding stations, especially during winter storms, cold snaps and other critical times. If you don't feed the birds, the birds may not have time to find other sources to last them through the emergency. If you start feeding birds, it's very important that you feed them every day through the winter and well into the spring. Feeding stations Feeding stations can be simple or complex. Simply scattering food on the ground or hanging a bird feeder in a tree are examples of simple stations. Providing multiple feeders wtth different seeds, types'bT'^e'rcfteS'aftfl' different sized openings, and varying how high you place each feeder, is an example of a complex feeding station. Different types of food attract different types of birds, so setting up a complex feeding station should increase the variety of birds you see. Wild birds have the easiest time finding food when the food is placed in an area where the birds would naturally look for it. For example, a spotted townee, which feeds on the ground, is more likely to find food if you leave the food on the ground. A goldfinch, on the other hand, will be looking for food higher up in a tree. Four basic feeding locations wil accommodate most of the birds that eat seeds: ground, tabletop, hanging and tree trunk. Quail, juncos and most sparrows and townees are ground-level feeders. Because they usually search for food in tree branches, chickadees, finches, grosbeaks, siskins and jays are quick to find food in tabletop and hanging feeders. Nuthatches, creepers and woodpeckers prefer tree trunk stations. Type* of food Most winter birds like sunflower seeds. They especially like the little, black, oily type of sunflower seed and the greystriped ones. White and red proso millet, canary seed and thistle or niger seeds are good for attracting smaller birds such gs finches, sparrows, chickadees and siskins. Suet and fruit will also attract birds. Suet, which is another name for fat Is a rich source of energy that some birds can use. Simply stuffing the suet into cracks in the bark of a tree can tum that tree into a good suet feeder. Fortunately, birds are more interested in the food than the cost of your feeder or the look of it. Feeders made at home or bought in a store can both work equally well. Just make sure your feeder keeps the seeds In it dry and has enough openings so the birds can reach the food. Feeder placement As you set up your feeding station, keep two things In mind - variety and safety. Providing a variety of foods and feeders, Kplaced a different heights, will attract a greater variety of birds. Spread your feeders out to avoid concentrating a large number of birds in one area, and find or create areas where it's easy to clean up spilled seeds and other messes. This will help control the spread of disease and food poisoning from moldy or sported seeds. In addition to a constant, reliable source of food, the birds you attract need something else - a safe, protected place to perch. A natural setting that birds normally use is a great place to put a feeder. These natural settings hot only block the wind and the weather, they also offer escape cover from housecats and other predators. Another good place to put a feeder Is in a protected yard. If you place a feeder in a protected yard, place the feeder in the open, away from any cover that cats might use to sneak up on feeding birds. Also, remember to place your feeders where you can easily see them. A good place is near a window, a balcony or another place where you can see the birds without disturbing them. Placing a feeder dose to a window will actually cut down on birds flying into the window because, after leaving the feeder, the birds donft have time to build up much speed. Everyone wins Bird feeding can supply hours of entertainment and enjoyment to people of all ages. It can also help supplement resources the birds need in an era when natural habitats are dwindling. IRS e-file Launches today; Most Taxpayers Can File Immediately PHOENIX - - The Internal Revenue Service opened its 21st season of electronic filing today with a reminder to taxpayers that e-file remains the best way to get fast refunds and ensure accurate tax returns, particularly following several tax law changes in December. IRS e-file is approaching the milestone of 1 billion returns processed. The electronic transmission system, which has revolutionized the way the IRS processes tax returns and made speedy refunds possible, has safely and securely processed 892 million tax returns since its national debut in 1990. In 2010, nearly 100 million people - 70 percent of the taxpayers - used IRS e-file. "IRS e-file is the best option for everyone, especially for people impacted by recent tax law changes," said Doug Shulman, IRS commissioner. "E-file ensures people can file accurately and get refunds quickly. With a new legislative e-file mandate for tax preparers, we anticipate that-more tax return preparers will be using e-file this year, and we urge people who prepare their own taxes to give It a try. IRS e-file is now the norm, not the exception." The IRS also announced today it anticipates starting to process tax returns Impacted by December's tax law changes by mid-February. The IRS continues working to reprogram its computers to reflect new tax law changes enacted by Congress and signed by the President in December. The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act extended a number of tax deductions and credits for 2011 and 2012 such as the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the modified Child Tax Credit, which help families pay for college and other childrelated expenses, t h e Act also provides various job creation and investment incentives including 100 percent expensing and a two-percent payroll tax reduction for 2011. Those changes have no effect on the 2011 filing season. Generally, taxpayers who itemize their deductions by using Schedule A, who claim the higher education tuition and fees deduction or who claim the educator expense deduction must wait a few more weeks to file their returns. Based on historical filing patterns, the IRS anticipates the delay Impacts about 9 million taxpayers; i n . 2010, the IRS received more than 141 million tax returns. While the delay impacts both paper and electronic tax returns, most taxpayers can fife immediately. More details are available on IRS.gov. * Although the IRS has not announced a specific midFebruary start date for accept* ing the delayed tax returns, many people using e-file can get a head start. Many major software providers have announced they will accept these impacted returns immediately. The software providers will hold onto the returns and then electronically submit them after the IRS systems open in mid-February for the delayed forms. Taxpayers using commercial software can check with their providers for specific instructions. Taxpayers should check with their tax return pre-. parers, who also may be holding prepared returns until the updates are complete. Even with the delay, IRS efile remains the fastest option for taxpayers, and e-file returns wilt be processed and refunds issued much faster than paper returns. It will take less than two weeks to process an e-flled return, but as many as four to six weeks to process a paper return. In general, for people concerned about security, e-file has proven itself year in and year out as a safe and secure method of filing a tax return. Efile has a proven track record. Software vendors and preparers use the latest encryption technology. Plus, within 48 hours, taxpayers receive an electronic acknowledgement that their return has been received by the IRS and either accepted or rejected. With most people receiving a refund, the fastest way to get a refund is by e-filing and using direct deposit. Taxpayers can get their money automatically in as few as 10 days. For people who owe taxes, e-file offers payment alternatives such as filing now and paying prior to the April tax deadline. Taxpayers who still want to pay by check can do so by e-filing and then mailing a payment voucher. Taxpayers can e-file their tax returns one of three ways: through a tax return preparer, through commercial software or through IRS Free File. The IRS does not charge for e-ffle. Many tax return preparers and software products also offer free efiling with their services. Free File offers free tax preparation and free electronic filing. As people become more comfortable using computers and the Internet for financial transactions, the IRS has seen a huge growth In the number of people who are preparing their own tax returns with the help of software. Last year, more than onethird of all e-fHed returns were done by. people preparing and e-filing their own tax returns with software. For people seeking free electronic options to do their own taxes, IRS Free File offers something for almost everyone through two formats: brandname software or online tillable • forms. People must access Free File through the IRS Web site at www.IRS.gov and click on Free File or Frqp File Home - Your Link to Free Federal Online Filing. People can read more about Free File at www.freefile.irs.gov or IR-20115 - People looking for a tax return preparer who files electronically and for more information on e-file can review IRS efile^or Individuals. Taxpayers also can locate an e-file authorized tax professional nearest to them by doing a zip code search. When using e-file, you also must use an e-signature. The IRS no longer accepts the paper signature document. If you prepare your own return using software you must use the selfselect PIN method. If you have a third-party prepare your . return, you can use either the self-select PIN rnethod or the practitioner PIN method. See Fact Sheet 2011-07 for more - details. A recently passed law requires certain paid tax return, preparers to electronically file federal income tax returns that . they prepare and file for individuals, trusts and estates. Those are Forms 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ and 1041. A person must be 35 years old to be president, 30 to be U.S. senator, 25 to be a U.S. House member. •*• Humor is...despair refusing to take itself seriously. —Arland Ussher *•# ; ^ ; ; : -.^, ;£rv '.:•& Let "Go-To" Recipes GetiY Your Party Started (NAPS)—From New Year's.to tailgating parties to any occasion throughout the year, pass on the pre-parfcy frenzy and gear up with your favorite "go-to" recipes. You know those recipes that require minimal ingredients and prep time but always steal the show? Keep a party-ready pantry and your "go-to's" will make it easier to get to what's really important: Tips for a Party-Ready Pantry • Keep a list of "go-to" recipes handy. Looking for more? Visit www.oceanspray.com to create your very own stash of "go-to" Marvelous meatballs made with recipes, or ask friends and family. cranberry and chill sauce add a • Be ready for last-minute sweet and spicy touch to your guests. Stock up your pantry with get-togethers. :: ingredients like mustard, brown sugar and chili to perk up sauces Combine sauces in a large and add a sweet or savory kick to saucepan. Cook over medium any recipe you chose. low heat, stirring until • Presentation is everything— smooth. Add meatballs. Cover keep colorful plates, napkins, hors and cook for 15 minutes or d'oeuvre picks and platter decora- until meatballs are heated tions at the ready. through, stirring occasionally. • Customize your "go-to" recipes for different events and Slow-cooker preparation: party themes. Dream up fun servPlace meatballs in a slow ing suggestions like fancy glass- cooker. Combine sauces and ware and garnishes or minivaria- pour over meatballs. Cover tions for each recipe. and cook 4 hours on HIGH. • Keep extra copies of your "goto" recipes on hand to give to CHICKEN FINGERS WITH guests. Here are two you might CRANBERRY MUSTARD like to try: DIPPING SAUCE : (Makes'A cup) * ULTIMATE PARTY MEATBALLS % cup Ocean Spray" Jellied' (Makes 30 appetizer servings) Cranberry Sauce .• VA tablespoons grainy Dijon ' 1 14-ounce can Ocean mustard :' Spray* Jellied Cranberry 1 tablespoon brown sugar .. Sauce i 12-ounce bottlti Heinz* Combine ingredients in a Chili Sauce small mixing bowl, whisking 1 2-pound bag frozen, until smooth. Serve hot or at precooked, cocktail-size room temperature as a d i p meatballs with chicken fingers. The Romantic Allure Of Figs (NAPS)—Figs' sweet reputation as a symbol of love dates back to ancient times. Cleopatra's favorite fruit was figs and Greeks considered figs a sacred fruit associated with love. Chocolate Fig Bon Boris is a modern-day romantic offering full of ingredients possessing what many consider aphrodisiac powers. Chocolate, like figs, has long been associated with passion, romance and love. The Aztecs believed chocolate was a source of spiritual wisdom and incredible energy. Figs, and .chocolate form, a perfect partnership in Chocolate Fig Bon Bons, bringing out,the best in each other. The simple list of ingredients and preparation-—no baking— make it easy for you to add your personal touch to these bon bons. You can use walnuts instead of hazelnuts or almonds, crystallized ginger instead of orange peel, brandy or orange juice instead of rum, and dark chocolate instead of aemisweet. Let your imagination (and romance) run wild. Throughout history, many foods have had a reputation-for making romance more pleasurable. The word "aphrodisiac" conies from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sensuality. Some of the more popular foods believed to be aphrodisiacs include: figs, apples, ginger, arugula, carrots, chocolate, cinna- Chocolate Fig Bon Bons Makes about 25 bon bons 8 ounces Blue Ribbon ,*• Orchard Choice or SunMaid Figs, stems removed % cup (3 oz.) toasted hazelnuts or almonds 8 vanilla wafer cookies, . crushed *A cup powdered sugar • l A cup rum : 1 teaspoon grated orange peel 3 ounces (or more) .. semisweet-or white '.{l\. chocolate Vegetable oil Beautffui bon bons you've created yourself with figs and chocolate can be a delicious part of a romantic evening. mon, fennel, hone}', oysters, garlic, almonds, rosemary and vanilla. For your next romantic dinner, choose from these delicious recipes featuring figs plus other ingredients thought of as aphrodisiacs, available at www.valleyfig.com: California Fig and Arugula Salad, Pork Medallions with Honeyed Figs and Apples, Rosemary Chicken with Fig Orange Sauce, Braised Chicken with Fennel and Dried Figs, Fig-Honey Nests, Chocolate Fig Ganache Tart, Chocolate-Dipped Stuffed Figs and Warm Chocolate Fig Cakes. Process figs, hazelnuts and vanilla wafers in food processor until finely ground. Add powdered sugar, rum and orange peel; process until mixed. Dampen hands and shape mixture into I1/*-inch balls. Arrange close together on a baking sheet or wire rack. In small, deep, microwave-safe bowl, heat chocolate on HIGH 1-2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute. Add a few drops of vegetable oil if needed to make chocolate thin enough to drizzle. Dip the tips of a fork in the chocolate and quickly drizzle over the fig balls, or dip each ball in chocolate. Refrigerate until chocolate is set. Store in airtight container up to 1 week. "Superfood" In A Snap* (NAPS)—There are plenty of delicious convenience foods to reach for at mealtime. Make the smart choice by swapping empty, highcalorie foods for quick, satisfying foods that promote good health. Tom Rifai, M.D., a nationally recognized wellness expert in disease prevention, management and weight loss, reminds patients of an ancient and now scientifically validated secret for health and longevity. "Most Americans don't realize that-fish has been recognized as a 'life extender' since the early origins of man," says Dr. Rifoi. "In addition to being a lean, vitaminpacked protein source, fish and seafood like salmon, tilapia and shrimp also have natural omega3 fatty acids and vitamin D, which can benefit our health in many ways, including helping manage weight and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Regular fish intake is also linked to reducing insulin resistance, lowering blood pressure, lowering blood fats and improving blood glucose levels." * Based on the best scientific evidence, the U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee released dietary recommendations, which include eating at least two servings of seafood a week. Registered dietitian Sylvia Melendez-Klinger offers the following tips to help meet this nutrition recommendation: • Look for easy swaps—Add more fish and shrimp to your diet Grilled Salmon with Garden Vegetables and Linguine Serves 6 This quick-fix salmon dish is perfect for busy weeknlghis and a great way to add natural omega-3s to your family's diet by preparing one of your family's favorite recipes and swapping the protein for fish or shrimp. Seafood is great on salads, in pasta, tacos or in a stir-fry. • Stock your freezer—Avoid high-calorie, high-fat food temptations by stocking your freezer with a variety of options. With frozen seafood, like Gorton's flamegrilled fish and shrimp, you can prepare a nutritious, delicious recipe in minutes. • Make colorful, healthy toppings available—For a quick-andeasy lunch or dinner, serve whole wheat tortillas or sandwich thins with prepared grilled tilapia or salmon. Then present a host of toppings, like avocado, tomato, cucumber, or spicy or dilled yogurt, so everyone can add their personal favorite. Here's a delicious, quick-fix recipe that uses flame-grilled salmon fillets bursting with flavor, plus 4$00 mg of DHA per serving: ". Ingredients: 6 Gorton's Grilled Salmon . Fillets : 1 lb. uncooked whole wheat linguine 1 cupjfresh basil leaves Vi cup chicken broth 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 cup broccoli florets 1 small red onion, sliced 1 medium bell pepper, thinly sliced : 1 cup zucchini, sliced : 2 cups fresh spinach ; 16 cup grape tomatoes, halved Cook salmon and pasta according to package directions. In blender, combine basil; chicken broth and 1 Tbsp. olive oil and blend until; smooth. Set aside. '•'•:]:' Add 1 Tbsp. olive oil, broccoli, onion, bell pepper and zucchini to large skil|j& Saute1 over medium-high hear until tender crisp (about 2 minutes). Add spinach, basil saube and cooked pasta to the sauteed vegetables and cook until spinach is wilted. : Spoon pasta .mixture into a serving bowl and toss with tomatoes and cooked, flaked salmon. -. For more information, visit www.gortons.com. |