YNERGY TIMES MAR | 2019

AUTHOR: BRITTNEY MORGAN

CONTRIBUTOR: MARKETING

Original article from https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/gardening/a26626305/popular-houseplants-spring-2019/

If you’re one of those people who can’t keep a plant happy and thriving to save your life, the key might actually lie in the types of plants you’re buying. You might want to fill your home with all the trendy plants you see on Instagram because you like the way they look, but that won’t matter unless you’re getting a plant that works well with you.

“Most people just need to find what kind of plant they’re best at taking care of, because for some people, a cactus is great because they are a neglectful plant parent and they love to just ignore their plants, and some people kill every single cactus they get because they want something to nurture,” plant expert Jen Stearns tells House Beautiful. Jen, owner of Urban Sprouts—a boutique plant shop in downtown Renton, WA—and author of The Inspired Houseplant: Transform Your Home with Indoor Plants shared some intel on the plants that are trending for this spring. But even more importantly, she shared what kind of maintenance each one requires, because before you bring one of these beauties home, you also need to make sure you can keep it thriving.

5 T R E N D Y H O U S E P L A N T S Y O U ’ L L B E

SEEING EVERYWHERE THIS SPRING

5 TRENDY HOUSEPLANTS YOU’LL BE SEEING THIS SPRING

CROCODILE FERNS

ALOCASIA

ORNAMENTAL FOLIAGE ORCHIDS

COFFEE PLANTS

SNAKE PLANTS

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The crocodile fern, a type of bird’s nest fern, is just one of the exotic ferns Jen says are becoming increasingly popular, and it’s also one of the most aptly named. “It’s got big glossy leaves, and it’s got a lot of texture in it, almost like alligator skin,” she explains. “There are a bunch of different ferns that are more interesting than your regular Boston or Dallas fern that everybody knows so well that seem to be trending right now.” “Those more interesting ferns do really well in temperate climates, and they’re good for somebody who wants something to take care of a couple times a week—something that they can nurture,” Jen says.

Jen has also noticed lately that people have become more and more drawn to Alocasias, which she describes as “really showy” plants. “They have really defined stems and each stem has one big leaf on it,” she explains. “There are some that have bright white veins, some with leaves shaped like stingrays, some with black trunks, even some that are 8-feet tall. They’re a medium-to-bright indirect light plant, and they really like to dry out between their waterings.”

Orchids are always a favorite, but there’s a huge variety out there beyond the ones you might typically see at the grocery store, Jen says, some of which are known for their ornamental foliage. “There are some really cool, cute tiny ones, and the actual plants themselves will look like they’re climbing up a tree, and the flowers aren’t the focus anymore,” Jen says. “People still want the flowers, obviously, but these orchids are more celebrated for their interesting shapes.”

Edible plants (think fruits!) are on the rise, Jen says, and coffee plants are certainly no exception. “Coffee trees, like the arabica bean ones, are actually really easy-to-grow, pretty forgiving houseplants, and they make arabica cherries—inside are coffee beans,” Jen explains. “You aren’t going to supplement your coffee habit by having one around, but once a year you’ll probably get enough beans where, if you wanted to, you could roast them and make your own cup of coffee, and that’s kind of fun.”

Sure, snake plants (AKA Sansiveria) have already been popular for a while now, but this trendy houseplant isn’t going anywhere. “They’re just a timeless classic because they’re so incredibly forgiving and easy to take care of,” Jen says. “No matter what list you’re making, it’s always going to be on there. Sure, you likely already know that snake plants are basically foolproof, but it’s worth repeating. “They don’t need a ton of light, and they can handle quite a bit,” Jen says. “And they like to get really dry between waterings.”

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Recipe of the Month:Breakfast Blondies

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for pan

1 cup chopped nuts, such as walnuts, hazelnuts, and/or pecans

¾ cup creamy unsweetened almond butter

½ cup pure maple syrup

2 tablespoons flaxseed meal

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon kosher salt

½ teaspoon baking powder

3 large eggs

INGREDIENTS:

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 350°. Line an 8x8” baking dish with a sheet of parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides. Grease parchment with butter.

Cook nuts and 6 Tbsp. butter in a medium skillet over medium heat, swirling pan often, until butter foams, then browns, 5–6 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl; set aside nuts. Add almond butter, maple syrup, flaxseed, vanilla, salt, and baking powder to hot brown butter and whisk until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, whisking to incorporate after each addition. Vigorously whisk batter until glossy and smooth, about 1 minute. Stir in all but about 3 Tbsp. reserved nuts. Scrape batter into prepared pan and spread in an even layer. Top with remaining nuts.

Bake blondies until top is puffed and lightly browned and a tester inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 18–22 minutes. Let cool.

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Original recipe from https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/breakfast-blondies

CONTRIBUTOR: MARKETING

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B A R S

AUTHOR: ANNA STOCKWELL

Remove blondies from pan using parchment overhang. Cut into squares.4

CROCODILE FERNS

ALOCASIA

ORNAMENTAL FOLIAGE ORCHIDS

COFFEE PLANTS

SNAKE PLANTS

Do Ahead: Blondies can be baked 3 days ahead. Store tightly wrapped in plastic at room temperature.*

Thawing snow, rousing animals, and bluebird skies have a way of beckoning us outdoors. When the temperature fi nally warms up, nature stirs from hibernation—but it feels the same for us, too. Spring reinvigorates. It makes you want to move and explore. If you’ve been itching to pay a visit to one of the country’s national parks, but haven’t discerned where you want to go or which is best this time of year, we’ve got some insider info.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

Visiting Yosemite is “absolutely mandatory” in the spring, says Marty Behr, founder and chief development offi cer of Revealed America. Not only do the country’s two tallest waterfalls, Yosemite and Sentinel

Falls, reside there, but peak fl ow takes place just as winter thaws, he says. Plus, you won’t have big crowds until early June. “This year, we’ve had immense snowfall in California, so the falls are going to be over-the-top unbelievable.”

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

Synchronous fi refl ies, just one of 19 species of fi refl ies that live in Great Smoky Mountains National Park between North Carolina and Tennessee, put on a unique annual event just before summer, says Michael Joseph Oswald, author of Your Guide to the National Parks, Available at eBay for $60, Jet.com for $62, and Macys.com for $79. “Each year, typically in mid-June, fi refl ies light the night in the park’s Elkmont Area,” he says. The park’s

popular campground, on the Tennessee side, goes dark besides the fl icker of their light. The spectacle runs on the fi refl ies’ biological clocks, he says, so to see it, you’ll have to monitor the park’s website. (Usually, it’s between the end of May and the end of June.)

BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK

Too hot in the summer, this far-west Texas national park is best seen in the springtime when hiking trails aren’t as crowded (watch out for spring break weeks, though) and the desert ecology (e.g. road runners, cactus) is on prime display, says Behr. You can also river raft on the Rio Grande, which boasts some of its best water fl ow in the spring, he says.

CONTRIBUTOR: MARKETINGFull article on https://www.mensjournal.com/travel/the-best-national-parks-to-visit-in-the-spring-according-to-experts/

AUTHOR: CASSIE SHORTSLEEVE

T H E B E S T N AT I O N A L PA R K S T O

VISIT IN THE SPRING

POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE

It might not be a national park, per se, but this protected stretch of California coast will beat your average left coast beach trip. “This year is great for wildfl owers in the midsection of California, all along the coast,” says Behr. Hiking (there are 150 miles of trails to explore) is always a draw at Point Reyes—The Earthquake Trail explores the San Andreas Fault Zone, for example. But the wildfl owers promise to be overwhelming (in a good way) this year; they’re the real draw. Chimney Rock Trail, overlooking Drakes Bay and the Pacifi c, is one of your best bets.

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK

While the North Rim doesn’t open until mid-June, by late March there’s no more snow at the open-year-round South Rim. Since summer can be unbearably hot, take advantage of cooler temperatures and hike down (or part of the way down) into the canyon, suggests Behr. Or let someone else do the hard work for you: Stay at a hotel, like the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell

Rock Opens a New Window. in the desert town of Sedona, about two hours away. They’ll plan an outing for you via tour group company Pink Adventure Tours. Luxe L’Auberge de Sedona takes things a step further to celebrate the Park’s centennial year, off ering an aerial adventure of the Grand Canyon for those who want to take in the sights from above.

GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK

Don’t skip Colorado after ski season. “In spring, snowmelt from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains fi lls Medano Creek, which runs right alongside the park’s impressive dunes,” says Oswald. “The creek’s seasonal fl ooding is a real treat, creating a beach-like atmosphere in the middle of the mountains.” It’s worth seeing now: The sand is often too hot to bear with bare feet in the summer, he says.

BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK

Utah is home to fi ve of the country’s most spectacular national parks, including popular Zion and Arches, which you

might recognize from the state’s license plates. Temperate weather makes spring a popular time to visit any of them, says Oswald, but Bryce Amphitheater, a series of hoodoos (tall, thin spires of rock) makes his list of top national park attractions. “It’s one of the most indescribable sites in the world.” Explore it on foot or via a horseback tour, he suggests.

ISLE ROYALE NATIONAL PARK

Want some solitude? You’ll likely fi nd it at Isle Royale, which opens in April. “Visitor transportation begins in May, but if you catch one of those fi rst boats over, you’ll pretty much have the island to yourself; there won’t be any bugs; and you’ll have a pretty good chance of spotting moose sheds—just leave them behind for others to see,” says Oswald. The downside: It can be cool and trails (other than the Greenstone) will be muddy, too, he says. Elevated boardwalks make for easier hiking.

Full article on https://www.kiplinger.com/article/college/T042-C032-S014-how-to-start-saving-for-your-child-s-college-educa.html

CONTRIBUTOR: MARKETING

AUTHOR: JAMIE LETCHER, CRPC | CUNA BROKERAGE SERVICES

H O W T O S TA R T S A V I N G F O R Y O U R

CHILD’S COLLEGE EDUCATION

W W W . S 1 L E N D I N G . C O M

Congratulations! You’re a new parent! You probably have a lot on your mind with all of the immediate challenges and rewards that come with this “job,” and you may not feel prepared to think 18 years into the future. However, it behooves all parents, first-time or otherwise, to start planning for their child’s college education from Day 1, even if it produces a lot of anxiety or seems like something you can put off for a bit.

As a financial adviser for 13 years, and a parent for 22, I have both seen and experienced the distress. I have said to many a client: “Kids — they suck the financial soul right out of us, but it’s all worth it!” The following are some crucial things to consider when it comes to college funding, which I hope will help ameliorate some anxiety and help prepare you for a conversation with your financial adviser.

START NOW

Do not wait until next month, because that becomes next year, and so on — until your child is 14 and you realize you simply may not have enough time to build a substantial fund for them. Procrastination is a powerful, insidious human tendency, and you need to commit to beginning this journey immediately.

START SMALL

Setting aside just $15 a month is a great start when you’re in the early days of parenthood. Even if you’re only using a savings account, the key is to automate the process so that you are routinely depositing that $15 every single month. While it may seem small, putting away $15 on a monthly basis into an account with 1.00% interest will yield $3,569.21 in 18 years. Invest in a manner that generates a 5% return, and that number grows to $5,839. Scale up the monthly contribution each year, and the number grows exponentially.

SCALE UP

Within the first six months of your child’s life, you should decide what type of dedicated account you will use for

college funding over the remainder of his or her formative years. These are your primary options:

529 Plans: Accounts that provide tax-free growth when the dollars are used for educational expenses, whether it be college or a private grade school/high school. The contributions go into the account after tax, but earnings accrue tax-free. Your individual state may also provide a tax break through a sponsored plan. It’s a compelling and effective way to save. However, 529s do not come without caveats. If the child chooses not to go to school, the account can be changed to another family member and used properly. If the account is used for non-educational expenses, the earnings are taxed and you could be susceptible to an IRS and state penalty, as well.

Custodial Accounts: A brokerage account opened by a parent (or grandparent) in which money is invested to provide long-term growth for the period until college. These accounts provide greater flexibility than 529 plans and can be used for any expense to benefit the child. The parent is simply funding the account, making decisions on how it is invested, and then taking out proceeds as needed to support their child – everything from college to new shoes to a car. Keep in mind, though, that when the child reaches the age of majority (depending on the state, age 18 to 21), he or she then technically “owns” the account and can do whatever they want with it. There are some tax advantages with a custodial account, but not nearly as favorable as with a 529 plan. For example, the first $1,050 of earnings in a custodial account are tax free, and the next $1,050 is taxed at the child’s tax rate (usually $0). Earnings beyond that $2,100 per year, however, are taxed at the parent’s tax rate, so amassing significant assets in a custodial account can lead to tax pain for the custodian.

Roth IRAs: Some parents hedge their bets. What if Junior decides not to go to college? What if he decides to surf in Oahu after high school instead? A Roth IRA funded over the formative years can be tapped to assist with college, but if that doesn’t happen, it is there for the parents’

retirement. Contributions to the Roth can be taken out tax- and penalty-free at any time for any reason. Any earnings that are used for college expenses can avoid IRS penalty as well, but they would be taxed as income. Earnings can come out tax-free once the Roth owner (the parent) is over 59½.

COMMIT

Now that you’ve started saving and have picked the account pony you are going to ride for the next 18 years, you must commit to the following:

1. Decide what your goal is. Do you want to fund 100% of a public college? Fifty percent of a private school? There are a multitude of calculators you can tap to tell you how much you need to save to accomplish your objective.

2. If you can’t immediately fund enough to get to your objective, save what you can and increase the amount each year. If you start at $15 per month and you increase it every year, the compound effect will add up.

3. Approach your savings with discipline and rigor. College is expensive (and is getting more expensive), and you may not be able to pay the entire bill, but having something is better than nothing. As with all major financial decisions, there will be healthy friction among college funding, retirement funding, home and car purchases, etc. There is a never-ending prioritization challenge, but it is possible to meet your goals if you dedicate meaningful energy to the process.

Make no mistake, saving for college can be challenging and stressful. Not only are you focused on making sure you set your child up for success, you also have to navigate myriad IRS rules and regulations governing whichever vehicle you ultimately use. That’s why it’s critical that you do your homework — preferably before your child is even born — and consult a financial and/or tax adviser to determine the right way forward for your family.