• ---------BETTER JUDGEMENTS--------- Better Judgements eZine Terria Judge, Realtor CRS, ABR, GRI, Broker Associate Better Judgements is a newsletter on home matters, from Terria Judge, your Garden City, KS real estate agent! Contact Terria Judge at 620-271-2129! Terria Judge Coldwell Banker, The Real Estate Shoppe, Inc. John P. Judge, Broker 1135 College Dr. Suite E Garden City, KS 67846 620-275-7421 x 223 http://terriajudge.com tjudge@gcnet.com Subscription Management at end of newsletter. Thanks for your subscription to Better Judgements, the newsletter from your Garden City Kansas Realtor, Terria Judge. ---------BETTER JUDGEMENTS--------- In this Issue ============= 1. Recipes: Black Bean Jicama Salad, Aztec Platter 2. Great Listings 3. Factors to consider when buying a second home, article 4. Spring Cleaning the Frugal, Natural Way! article ---------BETTER JUDGEMENTS--------- Recipes ======== As you know, yesterday was Cinco de Mayo, so in honor of this celebrated day, here are a few festive recipes! Ole! Black Bean Jicama Salad http://www.fabulousfoods.com/recipes/salads/bean/blkbeanjicama.html 3 C cooked black beans (from scratch or canned, rinsed and drained) 2 tomatoes, chopped 1 C diced jicama 2 red peppers, finely chopped 1 C yellow corn (off the cob or frozen) 3 jalapeno peppers, chopped (for less heat, remove the seeds) 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro 1 tablespoon cumin 1 tablespoon olive oil 3 tablespoons lime juice 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar Makes 8 Servings, 1 Cup Each Prep Time: 25 Minutes Chill: 2 Hours In a large salad bowl, combine all the ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Exchanges: 2 1/2 starch; 1 vegetable Total Calories Per Serving 146; Calories from fat 20; Total fat 2g; Saturated fat 0; Cholesterol 0 mg; Sodium 90 mg; Carbohydrate 27 g; Dietary fiber 8 g; sugars 5g; Protein 7g --->^..^<--- Aztec Platter http://www.fabulousfoods.com/recipes/salads/bean/aztecplatter.html Quinoa-Corn Salad: 1 cup raw quinoa*, well rinsed 1 cup thawed frozen corn kernels juice of 1 lemon 1 tablspoon olive oil 2 or 3 scallions, minced salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste Bean Salad: 1 can (16 oz.) pinto, pink, or kidney beans, drained and rinsed 1 heaping cup finely diced ripe tomatoes 1 tablespoon apple cider or balsamic vinegar 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, more or less to taste Garnishes: pumpkin seeds black olives 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into strips Makes 6 Servings Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a heavy saucepan. Add the quinoa and simmer gently, covered, for 15 minutes. When the quinoa is done, remove it from the heat, fluff it with a fork and transfer it to a mixing bowl. Combine the quinoa with the remaining ingredients for the quinoa-corn salad and toss well. While the quinoa is cooking, combine all the ingredients for the bean salad in another bowl and toss together. To assemble the Aztec Platter, transfer the quinoa-corn salad onto a large platter and spread evenly to within an inch or so from the edge. Pushing the salad outward from the center, make a well in the center of the platter, about 5-inches in diameter. Mound the bean salad into the well, and sprinkle it with a handful of pumpkin seeds. Arrange olives and pepper strips around the edge of the platter. Per Serving: 233 Cal; 4 g Fat; 40 g Carbo; 0 mg Cholesterol; 9 mg Sodium; 9 g Protein Exchanges: 1 Very Lean Meat; 2 Bread/Starch; 1 Veg; 1 Fat *About Quinoa Probably the most nutritious grain available, quinoa is considered a complete protein as it supplies all eight essential amino acids as well as other essential nutrients. Quinoa is also lower in carbohydrates than most other grains. The small bead-like grains cook in half the time of regular rice. The grains expand to 4 times their original volume when cooked. Use quinoa as a more nutritious alternative to rice or couscous or add to soups, side dishes, main dishes, casseroles or anywhere else you'd use grains like rice or couscous. You can easily find quinoa in most any healthfood store and most supermarkets. ---------BETTER JUDGEMENTS--------- View all Terria's listings at http://gardencityksrealestate.com View her listings in detail at http://terriajudge.com View rental information at http://gardencityrentals.com Great Listings ================== 1. 303 Nth Kearny http://terriajudge.com/303nkearny.html Large detached garage 24x36. New Siding Master bedroom on main level, 2 bedrooms Up New carpet, vinyl, and exterior siding New stove and vent hood New paint thru out the main floor 2. 1201 N 3rd http://terriajudge.com/1201third.html 3 plus bedrooms One and a half baths Extra room for up laundry/office/hobby room Large Living room Updated Kitchen, AC/FA 3. 1409 Walker http://terriajudge.com/1409walker.html 2 bedrooms 1 Bath Central Gas Heat Single garage with opener Nice fenced yard with sprinkler system --See all of Terria's listings at http://terriajudge.com! ---------BETTER JUDGEMENTS--------- Factors to consider when buying a second home. By Martin Lukac As the economy gains steam again, a second home purchase is a natural investment for a nation wary of terrorism alerts and stock market doldrums as buyers look for a secure home away from it all. "Most people end up living and retiring in their second home, which makes it a great value because if they end up selling their primary residence, the value (of the first home) typically exceeds the cost of the second home and they can pay off the second home and live off any extra money. Current market conditions of reduced demand, but low mortgage rates make it a relatively good time to buy -- for now. Limited inventories in all housing sectors will likely drive up prices as second home buyers return to market with the strengthening economy. To get the most bang for your buck in a second home, there are some specific considerations. That includes not forgetting that you likely aren't in it just for the money. A second home is also a lifestyle choice. Choose one based on your personal desires, for starters. Other, important factors to consider include: Financing. Shop around for the best deal on a second home loan, which are just as competitive as primary home loans, though with tougher qualifiers. Lenders know you'll have two mortgages and, if you get into financial difficulties, you'll likely let the second one go first. Shop real estate brokers located in the area of the second home or who are familiar with the community. They know the market and can price competitively. Timing. Virtually every real estate market has a seasonal ebb and flow when buyers are scarce and purchase costs drop. Paying as little as possible on real estate investments is key to profitability. In many areas, the slow market begins when schools open and families want to stay put for continuity in education, friendships and community. Other areas slow to a crawl when the winter's snows arrive, while in sunny climes that could be the start of buying binges. Location. Obviously, location is as important to a second home's value as it is for any home. If you aren't choosing a new home in a resort or development where prices are relatively fixed, shop for a second home much in the same way you shop for your first home. For value, buy the cheapest home in the best block or buy into the cheapest neighborhood in the best community. Also look for the potential for appreciation, typically found in areas where demand eventually will exceed supply E-mail: info@1LoansUSA.com Author's URL: http://www.1LoansUSA.com #1 Loans USA publishes mortgage information newsletter including mortgage rate predictions. ---------BETTER JUDGEMENTS--------- Spring Cleaning the Frugal, Natural Way! By Cyndi Roberts Spring Cleaning the Frugal, Natural Way! Remember the days when Spring meant cleaning the house from top to bottom? Well, actually, I don't either, but I have read about it and seen it done in old movies! Still, there comes a time when we all must do at least a little cleaning. Maybe you prefer to start in one room and work your way through the house a little at a time. Some people might like to clean all the walls at one sitting and the next time wash all the window coverings. Whatever routine you use when you clean, using these hints for natural cleaning products can save you money. Other advantages are: no extra packaging to dispose of and fewer toxic chemicals in your home. 1. To clean windows and mirrors, mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray on windows and wipe off with crumpled up newspapers. 2. To remove stains from carpet and upholstered furniture, mix equal parts of white vinegar, liquid dish detergent and water. Spray on stains and scrub with a brush and rinse with water. Another trick is to use shaving cream to clean carpet stains. Just scrub it in and rinse and let dry. 3. For a natural carpet deodorizer, sprinkle carpet with baking soda. Let sit for a few minutes; then vacuum as usual. 4. Mix equal parts olive oil and lemon juice for a natural furniture polish. Just apply with a soft cloth and buff to a shine. You can also use this on wood paneling. 5. When you have cleaned out your kitchen drawers, a bay leaf placed in the bottom will discourage bugs. 6. For a general all-purpose cleaner (instead of cleaners like Fantastik, etc.) mix 2 teaspoons each of borax and baking soda in 1 quart water. Put in a spray bottle. 7. Put an old sock on your hand, dampen it a little, and dust the leaves of your houseplants. Add a dab of mayonnaise and your plants' leaves will shine! 8. To clean the toilet, sprinkle in baking soda and scrub with a brush. 9. If you have rust stains in your bathtub or sink, pour on hydrogen peroxide and sprinkle on a little cream of tartar. Let it sit for a half hour or so, then wipe clean. 10. For cleaning bathroom tile and fixtures, mix 1/2 cup vinegar with 2 cups rubbing alcohol and about 1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap. Add this to a gallon of water. 11. Pour a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar down your drain followed by a quart of boiling water, to deodorize it and keep it flowing freely. By using ordinary household products to clean, you can save money and at the same time do something positive for our environment! Housework won't kill you, but then again, why take the chance! --Phyllis Diller E-mail: editor@cynroberts.com Author's URL: http://www.cynroberts.com Cyndi Roberts is the editor of the bi-weekly newsletter "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another", bringing you practical, money-saving tips, recipes and ideas. Visit her website to subscribe and receive the Free e-course, "Taming the Monster Grocery Bill". ---------BETTER JUDGEMENTS--------- This newsletter is compiled and published by Mitone Cooke, http://drbusinesscards.com, http://funkyfranks.com

  May 6th, 2004 at 11:55 am

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