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Page 22 Senior Times - January 2025Call for a free initial consultation*.*Except Asset Protection Planning(269) 968-1101Offices in Battle Creek & Kalamazoowww.wallinglawoffice.comHelping seniors for over two decades.MICHAEL B. WALLING, PLCMICHAEL B. WALLINGElder Law Attorney Author of \Wills%u2022 Trusts%u2022 Powers of AttorneyLady Bird Deeds%u2022 Nursing Home PlanningDon't Lose Everything YouHave To the Nursing HomeI can help you save up to 100% of your assets.Michael B. Walling, J.D., LL.M.Let me help you properly draft and fund a trust before you or your spouse enter a nursing home; it could save you over $50,000!www.henryfuneralhome.org %u2022 269-962-5191Snowbirds...If death occurs 75 or more miles away from home, Sepio Guard will take care of all costs, logistics, and transportation needed to get your body back home.%u2022 Worldwide Coverage%u2022 Lifetime Protection%u2022 No Dollar Limits%u2022 No Age Limits%u2022 No Deductibles%u2022 Payment Options AvailableThe Senior Fitness and Fun program is funded by the Calhoun County Senior Millage.Senior Fitness & Fun!SIGN UP TODAY! CALL 269.441.0948Tai Chi ClassesSenior Health PartnersYour Partner in Health, Support, and Fun!Free & Open to the Public Age 60 & Older!ExercisesAnyone Can Do!Nurse Provided Health Screenings%u2022 Stretching and Flexibility%u2022 Balance and Strength Building%u2022 Homer Public Library%u2022 Leroy Township Hall%u2022 Marengo Township Hall%u2022 Kingdom Builders, Battle Creek%u2022 Heritage Commons, Marshall%u2022 Trinity Episcopal Church, Marshall(Must Preregister, Call 269.986.1583)%u2022 Blood Pressures%u2022 Blood Sugars%u2022 Pulse Ox%u2022 Medication Management%u2022 Wellness EducationSilver Sneakers Yoga %u2022 Kingdom Builders Worldwide(Call 269.441.0948 for more info )Locations%u2022 Albion Caring Community Church%u2022 Albion Forks Senior Center%u2022 Athens Lighthouse Event Center%u2022 Battle Creek Calvary Baptist Church%u2022 Battle Creek Kingdom Builder%u2022 Battle Creek Trinity Neighbor Center%u2022 Battle Creek Woodland Church%u2022 Convis Township Hall%u2022 Homer 1st Presbyterian Church%u2022 Hickory Hills Village, Battle Creek%u2022 Leroy Township Hall%u2022 Marshall Trinity Episcopal Church%u2022 Marshall VFW%u2022 Tekonsha Fire Dept%u2022 Urbandale Christ United MethodistNEWJoanna Stelloh Phelps, Special to Senior TimesFOR TWO CookingInstructions:For tortilla strips %u2013 Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spread tortilla strips evenly on rimmed baking sheet and spray with vegetable spray. Bake 5 minutes, shake, rotate pan, and return to oven for another 5 minutes. Season strips with salt and put on several layers of paper towel to cool.For soup %u2013 In a large stock pot, put chicken broth, chicken, 2 of the onion quarters, 2 of the garlic cloves, the cilantro, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook about 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate and when cool enough to handle, shred chicken and discard bones. Strain the broth through a strainer, discarding solids, and put broth in a bowl, and set aside. In a food processor, process remaining 2 quarters onion, 2 garlic cloves, tomato, chipotle chili and adobo sauce together until smooth, about 15-20 seconds. In now empty stock pot, heat the 1 teaspoon vegetable and add the onion-tomato mixture and %u00bd teaspoon salt; cook stirring often so as not to burn, and cook until mixture has darkened in color, about 10 minutes. Add the strained broth, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook about 15-20 minutes. Add the shredded chicken and cook another 5-10 minutes.To serve, fill bowl with soup, top with tortilla strips and your choice of toppings.CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUPThough I like to try to lighten up my eating habits after the holidays, I still want to make soups that are hearty and make you feel cozy on a winter%u2019s day. This recipe fits both. You may save time and serve it with purchased corn chips, but why not try to make your own? Happy New Year! Chicken Tortilla SoupTortilla Ingredients:%u2022 Tortilla Strips: 4 (6-inch round) corn tortillas, cut into %u00bd-inch strips%u2022 Vegetable spray%u2022 SaltSoup Ingredients:%u2022 4 cups chicken broth%u2022 1 bone-in split chicken breast with skin removed%u2022 1 medium onion, trimmed, peeled, and quartered%u2022 2 garlic cloves%u2022 4 sprigs of fresh cilantro (or about 1 tablespoon from tube cilantro)%u2022 %u00bd teaspoon dried oregano%u2022 Salt and pepper%u2022 1 medium tomato, cored and quartered%u2022 %u00bd can chipotle chili in adobo sauce plus %u00bd teaspoon of sauce%u2022 1 teaspoon vegetable oil%u2022 Toppings: Avocado slices, minced jalapeno, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, etc.and reliable.As $8 billion in federal infrastructure funding dries up and Gov. Whitmer%u2019s $3.5 billion debt-heavy plans fade away, Michigan%u2019s rural roads and local streets continue to crumble. Meanwhile, Democrats remain too distracted to tackle these urgent needs.It%u2019s time for leadership that puts people first. Investing in infrastructure isn%u2019t just smart governance %u2013 it%u2019s essential for the safety and success of Michigan families and businesses. Instead of wasting this unprecedented surplus, Michigan must refocus on what truly matters: fixing the roads.Road funding shouldn%u2019t be about endless tax hikes or political gamesmanship; it%u2019s about priorities. Responsible leadership means making every dollar count %u2013 achieving value for taxpayer dollars %u2013 and that starts by putting infrastructure first.Speaker-elect Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, is state representative for the 42nd House District, which includes portions of Kalamazoo and Allegan counties. You can contact his office at (517) 373-1784 or MattHall@house.mi.gov.LET%u2019S FIX OUR ROADSMichigan%u2019s crumbling roads and bridges demand immediate action, but instead of prioritizing infrastructure, Lansing Democrats squandered our $9 billion surplus on corporate giveaways and bloated, bureaucratic programs. This reckless spending occurred while local communities were left navigating deteriorating streets and unsafe bridges.Despite record-high state budgets, Michigan families are being squeezed harder than ever, with some of the highest gas taxes in the nation and looming proposals to hike them further. Instead of focusing on fixing our roads, Democrats have doubled down on corporate subsidies, like the SOAR Fund.It doesn%u2019t have to be this way. Infrastructure should be at the top of the priority list, not an afterthought. Michigan has the resources to fund significant road repairs without reaching further into taxpayers%u2019 wallets. By focusing on smarter spending and redirecting funds already in the budget, we can make sure the roads and bridges our families and businesses rely on every day are safe State Rep. Matt Hall, Special to Senior TimesSTATE HOUSE From District 42