Big Soft Ginger Cookies

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

Ingredients 3/4 cup butter, softened 1 cup sugar 1 large egg, room temperature 1/4 cup molasses 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon salt Additional sugar Directions In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and molasses. Combine …

2021 Halloween Spooktacular Costume Contest

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

Ghouls, goblins, and all things that go bump in the night! At The Insurance Store, we had a spooktacular competition of fabulous, scary, creative, and funny costumes.  Who would take the prize?  As it turns out, Fast Food Junkies, consisting of Jack-in-the-Box, Wendy’s, McDonalds, Chick-Fil-A, and Burger King, heading to In N Out for a burger was too funny and …

Client of the Month: ABC Child Care Center

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

In 1991, Malinda Margiotta recognized the need for major changes in the way children were cared for in the US, and she rose to the challenge. She designed and built a state-of-the-art facility, compiled a staff of quality professionals led by a fabulous management team, and ABC Childcare Center was born. Ms. Malinda built a lasting legacy in the childcare …

What is so Important About Employee Benefits?

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

Employee benefits are common in most businesses, but why is that so? I suspect a lot of employees are looking for more than just taxable income. If you have a small business and a tight budget, you might ask yourself if employee benefits are worth the cost and hassle. In a one-word answer to the question – yes, benefits do …

Staff Spotlight: Kate Maavich

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

Growing up as a Navy brat had many positive effects on Kate Maavich. After making her grand entrance as the very last baby born in the Groton, Connecticut Naval Hospital before it was decommissioned, she began making her mark on all who knew her. She, along with her sister Kim, spent most of their young childhood in New England; however, …

Client of the Month: Orizon Trucking

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

Josh Sardina is the proud owner of Orizon Trucking based out of San Diego, CA. Josh was born into a racing family, so the love of cars started early. He has driven everything from a go-kart, limo, bus, motorcycle, and a semi. The family joke is that Josh is always on the road whether he is working, driving with the …

Pumpkin Cake Recipe

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

Ingredients 1 can (15 ounces) or 1-3/4 cups solid-packed pumpkin 1 and 1/2 cups white granulated sugar 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed 4 large eggs 1 cup vegetable oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose white flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon …

Cauliflower Soup Recipe

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

Ingredients 1 medium head cauliflower, broken into florets 1 medium carrot, shredded 1/4 cup chopped celery 2-1/2 cups water 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon or 1 vegetable bouillon cube 3 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 2 cups 2% milk 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 to 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, optional Directions In …

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Michelle’s Place Charity Event

In Featured, Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

In October, The Insurance Store participated in our “Friday, We Wear Pink Events” to support the ongoing effort of those seeking help at Michelle’s Place. As a company, we donated $5 to the foundation for each staff member who participated by wearing pink. Bringing awareness to those struggling with diseases such as breast cancer is a small act of service …

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How do I understand the declarations page of my insurance policy?

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

One of the most important pages in any insurance policy is commonly referred to as the “declarations page” (or “dec page” for short).  There is not always just one, so your “dec page” may actually have multiple pages.  Within these key pages, you will find critical information that will let you know if your policy has been written properly and …

Chocolate Mousse Recipe

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

Ingredients for 4 servings 5 oz marshmallow 1 ½ cups milk 1 cup dark chocolate Optional Garnishes whipped cream chocolate, grated Preparation In a medium pot, combine the marshmallows and milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the marshmallows are completely melted, 5-7 minutes. Pour the marshmallow mixture over the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Let sit for …

Mango Salsa Recipe

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

Fresh mango and strawberries mix with avocado, cilantro, red onion, and jalapeño in this easy to make zesty salsa that’s sweetened with lime and honey. Ingredients 1½ cups mango* cut into a large dice ½ cup strawberries cut into a large dice ½ cup avocados cut into a large dice ⅛ cup red onion minced 1 teaspoon garlic minced 1 …

What is Trucker’s Arm?

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

No matter who we are or what we do, our whole lives revolve around the sun.  Despite being such a large influence in our lives, the sun certainly does not share the same affection. Being out too long in the sun can lead to various forms of skin damage, ranging from sunburns and wrinkles to premature aging of the skin …

Insurance Basics When Starting a New Business

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

If you are about to start a new business or have been thinking about doing so, one of the most important steps in the process is preparing to obtain the proper insurance coverage.  Here are three important points to keep in mind as you do so. 1. Plan for the added expense of insurance Fulfilling mandatory legal requirements and being …

Cauliflower Hash Brown Egg Cups

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

Ingredients: 1 Medium head cauliflower, cut into florets and steamed 2 c. Shredded cheddar 14 Large eggs, divided 1 tsp. Garlic powder 1 tsp. Kosher salt 3 Slices cooked bacon, crumbled Finely chopped chives (optional), for serving Freshly ground black pepper, for serving Directions: Preheat oven to 375°. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin and set aside. Drop steamed cauliflower …

California Harvest Bowls

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

Ingredients: 1/2 lb. Sweet potatoes, scrubbed and cut into rounds 1/2 lb. Brussels sprouts, halved or quartered if large 3 tbsp. Extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 2 Boneless skinless chicken breasts 1/2 tsp. Paprika 4 c. Cooked wild rice 4 oz. Tuscan kale leaves, chopped 1 c. Whole cranberry sauce 1 c. California walnuts 1/2 tsp. …