Category: Life

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Life Links from other sources. Medicine Reprints from other. Science

AI Identifies Heart Valve Disease from Common Imaging Test.

Cedars-Sinai investigators are using AI to analyze images from a common heart test to identify signs of valve disease. Image by Getty.

Views: 14

AI Identifies Heart Valve Disease from Common Imaging Test.

Stephanie Cajigal
Senior Communications Specialist

An artificial intelligence (AI) program trained to review images from a common medical test can detect early signs of tricuspid heart valve disease and may help doctors diagnose and treat patients sooner, according to research from the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai.

The work builds upon research published last year showing that an AI program can detect disease in the heart’s mitral valve by analyzing ultrasound images of the heart. For this new study, published in JAMA Cardiology, investigators applied AI to identify tricuspid regurgitation, a condition in which the heart’s tricuspid valve doesn’t close fully when the heart contracts, causing blood to flow backward, which can result in heart failure.

David Ouyang, MD

David Ouyang, MD

“This AI program can augment cardiologists’ evaluation of echocardiograms, images from a screening and diagnostic test that many patients with heart disease symptoms would already be getting,” said David Ouyang, MD, a research scientist in the Smidt Heart Institute, an investigator in the Division of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and senior author of the study. “By applying AI to echocardiograms, we can help clinicians more easily detect the signs of heart valve disease so that patients get the care they need as soon as possible.”

Investigators trained a deep-learning program to flag patterns of tricuspid regurgitation in 47,312 echocardiograms done at Cedars-Sinai between 2011 and 2021.

The program detected tricuspid regurgitation in patients and categorized cases as mild, moderate or severe. They then tested the program on echocardiograms that the AI program never saw before from additional patients who underwent echocardiography at Cedars-Sinai in 2022 and patients from Stanford Healthcare. The program predicted severity of tricuspid regurgitation with similar accuracy as cardiologists who evaluated echocardiograms and when compared with results from MRI images.

Sumeet Chugh, MD

Sumeet Chugh, MD

“Future studies will focus on obtaining even more specific information about valve disease, such as the volume of blood flowing backward through a valve, and predicting outcomes if patients undergo treatment for heart valve disease,” said first author Amey Vrudhula, MD, a research fellow at Cedars-Sinai.

Investigators in the Smidt Heart Institute are applying AI to a variety of cardiac imaging tests.

“A major advantage of AI algorithms is that they never get fatigued and have the capacity to identify valve abnormalities from large populations of patients, taking personalized cardiology to a whole different level,” said Sumeet Chugh, MD, director of the Division of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and the Pauline and Harold Price Chair in Cardiac Electrophysiology Research.

Other Cedars-Sinai authors involved in the study include Amey Vrudhula, MD; Milos Vukadinovic, BS; Alan C. Kwan, MD; Daniel Berman, MD; Robert Siegel, MD; Susan Cheng, MD, MMSc, MPH.

Other authors include Christiane Haeffele, MD, and David Liang, MD, PhD.

 

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Food Life Links from other sources. Reprints from other.

You make the call. Recalls are Rising: The Top 10 Riskiest Foods.

Not healthy?

Views: 25

You make the call. Recalls are Rising: The Top 10 Riskiest Foods.

If you are concerned by the number of food recalls in the news, you’re not alone. There was a 41% increase in food recalls in 2024 due to contamination with salmonella, E. coli, and listeria, according to the U.S Public Interest Research Group Education Fund.

In addition, confirmed cases of foodborne illness rose by 20% and related hospitalizations and deaths more than doubled, says Consumer Reports. Tens of millions of Americans suffer illness from foodborne bacteria every year reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here are CR’s top 10 riskiest foods:

  1. Deli meat. The largest instance of foodborne illness caused by listeria in liverwurst in a Boar’s Head plant led to a recall of 7 million pounds of all types of cold cuts by the company. Boar’s Head announced it would no longer make liverwurst as a result. CR says that people at high risk for listeria infection — older people, pregnant women, or children under the age of 5 — should skip deli meat altogether unless it’s served piping hot to kill harmful bacteria. Prepacked cold cuts may be a safer option.
  2. Cucumbers. Whole cucumbers and sliced cucumbers were recalled in separate incidents in 2024. These vegetables can be contaminated by bacteria from animal waste in the soil or irrigation water. When buying any fruit or vegetables, select those with skins intact and not bruised or broken. Washing and peeling can reduce the bacteria but not eliminate it altogether, says CR.
  3. Raw milk and cheese. In 2024, unpasteurized products from Raw Farms were linked to salmonella and E. coli as well as bird flu. Raw milk tends to be at a higher risk for contamination due to the absence of pasteurization, which kills harmful bacteria. Consumers are advised to seek pasteurized alternatives to mitigate the risk of illness.
  4. Soft cheeses. A routine test detected listeria in cotija and queso fresco cheeses at Rizo-Lopez Foods. The company recalled these and other dairy products that were linked to illnesses across 11 states. Stick to hard cheeses unless you’re cooking the soft cheese in a recipe. Always wash your hands after handling soft cheese.
  5. Eggs. Several large recalls last year involved eggs contaminated with salmonella. Eggs were also in short supply because of fears of the spread of bird flu. According to the Food and Drug Administration, you should buy eggs only if sold from a refrigerator or refrigerated case. Open the carton and make sure that the eggs are clean and the shells are not cracked. Store promptly in a clean refrigerator at a temperature of 40°F or below. Cook eggs until both the yolk and the white are firm. For recipes that call for eggs that are raw or undercooked when the dish is served — like Caesar salad dressing and homemade ice cream — use either shell eggs that have been treated to destroy salmonella, by pasteurization or another approved method, or pasteurized egg products.
  6. Onions. Contaminated onions caused one death last year after many people were sickened by eating McDonald’s Quarter Pounders containing fresh, slivered onions. Buy fresh, whole onions and slice them yourself, discarding the first few layers that are most likely to be contaminated.
  7. Leafy greens. Many forms of produce in the U.S. are grown next to cattle farms where irrigation water can cause bacterial outbreaks. Last year, fresh spinach and romaine-iceberg mixes caused two E. coli outbreaks. Lower your risk of illness by buying hydroponic lettuce. When using whole heads discard outer leaves.
  8. Organic carrots. Grimmway Farms recalled organic bagged whole and baby carrots after they were connected to E. coli illnesses in 19 states. Here again, cooking is the safest way to protect yourself as washing and peeling can reduce bacteria but doesn’t remove all of it.
  9. Organic basil. Fresh herbs can also fall victim to soil contamination and packaged organic basil was linked to a salmonella outbreak in 14 states last year. Rinse herbs and use them in cooking rather than adding them raw to dishes.
  10. Cooked poultry and meat. Prepared foods go through a lot of processing before they hit the shelves, and each step increases the risk of contamination. Federal health officials found listeria in cooked poultry from BrucePac that lead to a massive recall of nearly 12 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry. Thoroughly heat all frozen foods and when buying packaged salads and sandwiches that contain meat make sure they’ve been refrigerated properly and keep them cold until you are ready to eat.

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Life Music

It’s been a while. Love songs.

Love themes

Views: 21

It’s been a while. Love songs.

Everyone loves a love song. Looking for the best love songs? Finding the perfect soundtrack for your love story can be a daunting (and fun) task, especially if you and your partner have different musical tastes.

The universal language of music has united generations of lovers since the beginning of time. Falling in and out of love, grasping at unrequited love, mourning love lost and succumbing to deep love are central to the human experience. Love peels back emotions, incorporating complex feelings that come across powerfully in the common language of music. With endless love songs to describe matters of the heart. So if you have a favorite or two, play it.

 

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Decorations Life Uncategorized

What changed in three weeks?

Nothing to see.

Views: 28

What changed in three weeks?

In just three short weeks, the daffodils took off.

In early spring, the landscape transitions from winter dormancy to signs of renewal, with temperatures gradually rising and snow and ice melting. Late spring sees a more vibrant and lush landscape as flowers bloom in abundance.

This involves bud swelling, leaf emergence, and the start of photosynthesis. Some plants also initiate flowering and seed production, while others prepare for summer growth.

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Life Links from other sources.

Pets May Boost Happiness as Much as Family, Friends.

Pets making you happy?

Views: 8

Pets May Boost Happiness as Much as Family, Friends.

Your cat might not do the dishes, and your dog probably can’t fix your Wi-Fi, but they could be making you just as happy as a spouse or best friend.

A new study found that having a furry friend may boost your overall life satisfaction as much as being married or regularly spending time with loved ones.

And it’s something researchers can actually put a price tag on. A team in the U.K. says the emotional value of owning a pet is worth as much £70,000, or about $90,000 a year in life satisfaction.

That’s a statistical measure they use to gauge the “implicit price” of otherwise intangible things — for example, the theoretical boost in income a person would get from having a spouse or regular meet-ups with friends.

The findings were published March 31 in the journal Social Indicators Research.

“First when I obtained the values I was surprised; I was thinking that is a lot of money even for me who loves (pets),” study co-author Adelina Gschwandtner, an economics professor at the University of Kent, told CNN.

“Most people claim that their pets are like friends or family members to them, so that is comparable,” she added.

“If pets are indeed like friends and family, why shouldn’t that measure be comparable to talking to friends and family once a week? You have your pet every day.”

Researchers compared their findings with other studies that used the same methods to calculate the value of being married or regularly meeting with loved ones.

The results? Pet ownership had a similar positive impact on overall well-being, CNN reported.

The team used data from a survey of 2,500 British households and a special tool called an “instrumental variables approach.”

This works by finding “a third variable which is correlated with … the pets but is not correlated with life satisfaction,” Gschwandtner said.

The findings suggest that pets may offer many of the same emotional benefits as human relationships. That’s why Gschwandtner believes policymakers should make it easier for people to have pets — for example by changing housing rules that limit them.

But not all experts agree that pets can fully replace human connections.

“We know that social support and emotional support are really key aspects of human-pet relationships that are also the same types of support we get from our human social connections. … While animals are connected to us in powerful ways, they are not the same as humans,” said Megan Mueller, a professor at Tufts University who studies human-animal relationships.

© HealthDay

 

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Life Links from other sources. Medicine Reprints from other.

You make the call. Medicare Advantage Squeezing Billions More From US Government.

Works for you or against you?

Views: 18

You make the call. Medicare Advantage Squeezing Billions More From US Government.

Medicare Advantage plans are squeezing billions out of the federal government by billing more for patient care, a new study says.

Medicare Advantage plans received an extra $33 billion in revenue from the feds in 2021 due to coding differences in billing compared to traditional Medicare, researchers reported April 7 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

About 42% of that excess revenue, nearly $14 billion, went to UnitedHealth Group alone – even though the Minneapolis-based insurer has a 27% share of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, researchers said.

“Medicare Advantage plans are paid more for sicker members and less for healthier members,” wrote the research team led by Richard Kronick, a professor in the School of Public Health & Human Longevity Science at  the University of California-San Diego.

This provides “a strong incentive for Medicare Advantage plans to find and report as many diagnoses as they can legitimately support,” researchers wrote.

For the study, researchers studied billing data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) from 2015 to 2021, including 697 Medicare Advantage contracts offered by 193 different insurers.

Medicare Advantage plans are operated by private health insurance companies, while traditional Medicare is run by CMS.

Advantage plans offer all-in-one coverage, while people on traditional Medicare must juggle several different plans that cover hospital care, doctor services and prescription drugs.

However, people on Medicare Advantage typically must receive care from a more limited network of providers and they might need pre-authorization to see specialists, according to Consumer Reports.

Results show Medicare Advantage plans billed more persistently for diagnoses, with about 78% of patients having year-after-year illnesses compared to 72% in traditional Medicare.

Medicare Advantage plans also billed more often for new diagnoses, about 46% of the time compared to 33% for traditional Medicare.

This billing led to an estimated $33 billion in additional payments to Medicare Advantage plans in 2021.

For UnitedHealth Group, this billing resulted in an estimated $1,863 increase in revenue per member, substantially greater than the industry average of $1,220, researchers wrote.

The research team did raise the possibility that Medicare Advantage (MA) plans actually might be billing more accurately than traditional Medicare (TM), explaining this difference.

“However, the MA payment system is calibrated on diagnostic patterns in TM, and regardless of whether MA is overcoding or TM is undercoding, differential coding in MA results in greater payment overall and widely different levels of greater payment across MA insurers,” researchers wrote.

An accompanying editorial agreed that “it is well documented that the system’s reliance on diagnosis codes that insurers can influence for gain is responsible for tens of billions of dollars in payments to MA plans above what would be spent in traditional Medicare, adding to Medicare’s fiscal challenges.”

Unfortunately, any reform efforts likely will increase out-of-pocket costs for people on Medicare Advantage, according to the editorial written by Dr. J. Michael McWilliams, a professor of health care policy at Harvard Medical School.

“To the extent it is socially desirable to provide seniors with better coverage than the traditional benefit, policymakers must grapple with this tradeoff,” McWilliams wrote.

© HealthDay

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Life Links from other sources. Medicine Reprints from other. Science

You make the call. Health Myths.

True or false.

Views: 20

You make the call. Health Myths.

doctor with surgical gloves holding sign that says "MYTHS"

By Lynn C. Allison

Old wives’ tales about health have been around for generations. Health myths persist because misinformation spreads easily, especially with the popularity of social media. Here is the truth about some of the most common health myths:

• Drink 8 glasses of water daily. According to WebMD, there is no need to count cups. People who drink when they are thirsty stay well-hydrated. In addition, fruit, vegetables, soup, and beverages such as juice, coffee, and tea all contribute to our daily hydration needs.

• Eggs cause heart disease. By now, it’s been pretty well established that eating eggs is good for you, as long as you don’t overdo it. According to Real Simple, all eggs are rich in protein, phosphorus, selenium, chlorine, iron, vitamin A and B vitamins. The B vitamins and choline found in eggs are beneficial to brain health. While eggs do contain cholesterol, experts say that dietary cholesterol does not significantly raise blood cholesterol levels enough to trigger heart disease in healthy people.

• You can catch a cold by being out in cold weather. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, contrary to popular belief, cold weather or feeling chilled doesn’t cause a cold. However, more colds do occur during the cold weather seasons because schools are in session, increasing the risk for exposure to the virus. People also stay indoors more when it’s cold and are in closer proximity to each other, making it easier to pass along germs. The low humidity of winter causes dry nasal passages, which are more susceptible to cold viruses.

• You need a daily multivitamin. You should get most of your daily nutrients from a well-rounded diet that includes lots of fruit, vegetables, nuts, healthy oils and whole grains. But if your doctor feels you are suffering from a deficiency, a vitamin supplement may be needed.

• You need to eat breakfast to lose weight. Not so, say experts from Cornell University who found that people who skipped breakfast didn’t overeat at lunch and dinner and, in fact, ate 400 fewer calories a day.

• Green mucus means infection. One study looked at green mucus samples from people with a cough and no other lung conditions. It found that only about 1 in 10 of those green mucus samples were caused by a bacterial infection. This means that most people with green mucus don’t have a bacterial infection. In short, mucus color alone isn’t a reliable way to say whether you need antibiotics, says GoodRx.

• Sugar makes kids hyper. While sugar isn’t good for children, research shows that it won’t cause them to act out or be unable to focus on their schoolwork.

• Toilet seats can pass along germs. According to WebMD, toilet seats are usually clean. It’s the doorknobs, handles and floors that can be covered with bacteria like E. coli, norovirus and the flu. Use paper towels to cover your hands when opening doors or touching handles and a hand sanitizer afterwards.

• Cracking joints triggers arthritis. While the sound of someone cracking their joints can be annoying, it does not cause arthritis. Experts at the Cleveland Clinic say one reason that your joints may make a cracking noise could be gas escaping from a synovial membrane, or a ligament or tendon passing over another ligament or tendon. However, if you feel regular or severe pain in your joints, seek medical help.

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Life Links from other sources. Music

Songs About Women.

Listen to the music.

Views: 24

Songs About Women.

Songs celebrating women have long been a staple in music, capturing the myriad experiences, qualities, and emotions that women inspire. Exploring the best songs about women offers a playlist that spans genres and generations, highlighting the power, beauty, and complexity of female figures in our lives. These tracks resonate deeply, not just for their melodies and lyrics, but for the emotions they evoke and the stories they tell.

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Life Links from other sources. Music Uncategorized

Musical Artists that flip your Bic.

Views: 31

Musical Artists that flip your BIC.

Joss Stone is someone who I just recently found. So play the songs of your favorites or someone you recently discovered.

 

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Food Life Links from other sources. Recipe

Cheese Filled Sausage Manicotti Noodles | Italian Casserole Recipe.

Good eating.

Views: 15

Cheese Filled Sausage Manicotti Noodles | Italian Casserole Recipe.

Whether you say “casserole” or a “hot dish,” there’s something comforting about a hot and homey meal. No weird ingredients, just simple, classic recipes the whole family will appreciate.

Ingredients.

  • 1/2 lb. bulk spicy Italian sausage
  • 1 15 oz. can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 1/2 cup marinara sauce
  • 1 egg (beaten)
  • 1 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 4 oz. can diced green chilies
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian sausage
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 12 uncooked manicotti shells
  • 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Directions.
  1. In a large pan or skillet, cook 1/2 lb. ground Italian sausage. Once it is done, place on a plate where it should drain over a paper towel.
  2. Add 1 (15 oz.) can crushed tomatoes to the same pan.
  3. Add 1 1/2 cup marinara sauce.
  4. Once it comes to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. In a large bowl, place 1 1/2 cup ricotta cheese.
  6. Add 1 beaten egg to ricotta cheese.
  7. Add 1 (4 oz.) can diced green chilies.
  8. Add 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
  9. Mix thoroughly.
  10. Chop 1 1/2 tablespoon fresh parsley. The Rada French Chef knife is incomparable when it comes to chopping parsley.
  11. Add parsley to mixture.
  12. Add 1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder. Mix.
  13. Take a 1 gallon size freezer bag and place the filling inside.
  14. With a pair of scissors, cut a quarter inch space in the bag. Have a 9″ x 13″ pan ready.
  15. Gently squeeze the freezer bag, pushing the filling into the manicotti. Try putting the filling in both sides of the manicotti for best results. Repeat until all manicotti are filled or filling is used up.
  16. In 9 x 13 pan, take 1 cup of prepared sauce and spread evenly across bottom of the pan.
  17. Place manicotti shells on top of the sauce.
  18. Sprinkle cooked sausage over shells.
  19. Pour remaining sauce over manicotti shells and sausage.
  20. Cover pan completely with aluminum foil. Bake in pre-heated 375 degree oven for 50 minutes.
  21. Remove manicotti from oven. Add 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese to top. Put back in oven uncovered for 10 minutes.
  22. Remove from heat. Allow a few moments to cool.

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Life Links from other sources. Music

Musical Artists who have died.

Listen to the music.

Views: 45

Musical Artists who have died. Below are songs by musical greats who have died before their time. Most shouldn’t have. They’re gone, but their music isn’t. Enjoy.

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Food Life Links from other sources. Recipe

Irish Beer Cheese Dip.

Irish Beer Cheese Dip. Author Sparkle Market.

Views: 22

Irish Beer Cheese Dip.

What’s better than Guinness beer on St. Patrick’s Day? Not much! We’re making a delicious dip with beer, Irish cheese, and cream cheese all mixed together for a delicious snack to eat on the holiday. Serve this with soft pretzels for a yummy treat!
 this dish is a guaranteed favorite!
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword beer, cheese, dip, guinness, irish
Prep Time 10 
Servings 6
Author Sparkle Markets

Ingredients

  • 1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
  • 1/3 cup Guinness beer
  • 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsp. brown mustard
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp. onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 6 oz. Irish Cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  • Soft pretzel bites for serving

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, whip together the softened cream cheese with beer, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic powder, and salt until smooth. Add cheese and stir until combined. Transfer to a serving bowl and refrigerate for at least two hours before serving. Top with green onions and enjoy with soft pretzels.

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Food Life Links from other sources. Recipe Reprints from other.

Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce.

Views: 13

Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce.

This dish is a guaranteed favorite!

Ingredients

  • 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
  • 1/2 freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 Tbsp. butter, divided
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup sun dried tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
  • 1/4 tsp. dried thyme
  • 1/4 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp. dried basil
  • 1/4 cup chopped basil leaves

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400º.
  2. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, skin-side down, and sear both sides for 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown; set aside.
  3. Melt remaining butter in the skillet. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook for 2 minutes or until fragrant. Stir in chicken broth, heavy cream, sun dried tomatoes, Parmesan, thyme, oregano and basil. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes or until slightly thickened. Return chicken to the skillet. Place into oven and roast for 25 to 30 minutes. Serve immediately and garnished with basil leaves.
  4. chicken to the skillet. Place into oven and roast for 25 to 30 minutes. Serve immediately and garnished with basil leaves.

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Food Life Recipe Reprints from other.

Steak Crostini

Steak Crostini

Views: 10

Steak Crostini

Make these amazing steak crostini for an appetizer that will impress and delight everyone! Featuring wonderful French bread topped with succulent steak, this is a fancy finger food hit that’s perfect for all occasions. It’s a delicious steak hors d’oeuvre that’s sure to impress! Check out our video and instructions below to learn how to make this delicious, easy party appetizer!

Ingredients.

  • 1 1/2 lbs. sirloin, cooked medium-rare
  • olive oil, extra virgin
  • 10 oz. blue cheese
  • 3 T. milk
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 French baguette, thinly sliced
  • rosemary, chopped
  • Salt and pepper
  • Directions.
  1. Season steaks with salt, pepper, and oil. Let rest for 45 minutes.
  2. In a pan, combine the garlic, milk, and blue cheese. Simmer on low, stirring occasionally.
  3. Slice French baguette into thin slices and brush with olive oil. Cook in 350 degree oven for 5-7 minutes or until lightly toasted.
  4. Cook the steaks to your liking. We prefer ours cooked medium-rare. Let the steaks rest for a few minutes after cooking. Then cut the steak into thin slices,
  5. Add the green onions to the sauce. Stir until combined.
  6. Spread the blue cheese sauce on the toasted bread. Then place a piece of steak on top of the sauce. Garnish with fresh rosemary. Serve and enjoy!

Did you know crostini means “little toasts” in Italian. Crostini are small, thin slices of toasted bread which can be topped with any combination of spreads and toppings.

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Food Life Recipe Reprints from other.

How about a chocolate treat? Chocolate Turtle Cake.

melted chocolate pouring into a piece of chocolate bars with green mint leaf on a table

Views: 16

How about a chocolate treat?

There’s nothing quite like chocolate. Indulge your taste buds with this decadent recipe.

Chocolate Turtle Cake.

Skip the bakery and make an incredible, opulent chocolate turtle cake at home. Layers of chocolate and frosting topped with caramel and turtle pieces make for a heavenly dessert that everyone will love. Take a look at the video or written instructions below to learn how to make this unbelievable chocolate cake for your friends and family!

Ingredients.

    • 1 box devils food cake mix

 

  • Unsweetened cocoa

 

  • 1 C. pecans, chopped

 

  • 1 pkg. devil’s food cake mix

 

  • 1 (16 oz.) container ready-to-spread cream cheese frosting

 

  • 3 large eggs

 

  • 1 1/4 C. milk

 

  • 1/2 C. canned dulce de leche

 

  • 1 C. vegetable oil

 

  • 2 (7 oz.) pkgs. turtle candies

 

  • 1 (3.9 OZ.) pkg. chocolate instant pudding mix

 

  • 1 (16 oz.) can ready-to-spread chocolate fudge frosting

 

  • 2 t. vanilla extract

 

  • 1 pkg. semi-sweet chocolate morsels

 

  • 1 jar caramel ice cream topping

 

  • 1/4 C. whole pecans, toasted

Directions.

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9″ cake pans and dust with cocoa.
  • In a mixing bowl, add the cake mix, eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract and beat for 1 minute.
  • Add instant pudding and beat again for 2 minutes.
  • Fold in chocolate morsels and chopped pecans.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Cool the pans on wire racks for 10 minutes, then remove from pans to wire racks and cool completely.
  • Wrap and chill the cake layers for at least 1 hour.
  • Whisk together cream cheese frosting and dulce de leche in a small bowl.
  • Take packages of turtle candies and cut 6 in half and set aside for the garnish. Dice the remaining turtle candies.
  • Using a serrated knife, slice cake layers in half horizontally and make 4 layers.
  • Place 1 layer cut side up on a cake plate. Spread with ½ cup of cream cheese frosting mixture and sprinkle with 1/3 of the diced turtle candies.
  • Repeat this twice.
  • Place the final cake layer on top of the cake cut side down.
  • Spread chocolate fudge frosting on the top and sides of the cake. Spread and chill in refrigerator until ready to serve.
  • Before serving, drizzle caramel ice cream topping over the top of the cake. Garnish with the remaining candies and pecan halves. Store in the refrigerator.

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Holidays Life Pictures Uncategorized

Valentines Day with Pictures.

Love the one you're with.

Views: 25

Valentines Day with Pictures.

It’s our yearly Valentines Day Pictures. We have a few of the decorations. Not much but you can post some if you wish.

Post even a song or two if you wish.

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Life Pictures Uncategorized

Amish go high tech.

Amish gone high tech.

Views: 43

Amish go high tech.

When you think of the Amish do you think high tech? I never did until I picked up a local magazine in Amish country in Middlefield, Ohio.

Middlefield is located in northeastern Ohio, just west of Mosquito Lake and borders neighboring town Burton. Middlefield is home to 2,710 people and continues to be a major location known for its Amish community. It is well regarded as the fourth largest Amish settlement in America.And they are more modern then you would think. High tech buggies?

Still horse and buggy, but what’s under the hood. How about heated seats. A dash console with LED components and switches for headlights, taillights and turn signals, all powered by a lithium battery.

And do you think that the horse drawn buggy when needed to stop is the horse doing that all by its self? No my friends they have hydraurlic brakes.

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Life Music

Heard it in a love song.

Heard it in a love song.

Views: 67

Heard it in a love song.

With love on everyone’s minds, chances are you’re looking for a playlist of love songs to embrace the romance in your life. We’ve got you covered! Whether you’re a rock-solid couple approaching a golden anniversary or just excited for a first date (or third—we see you!), these tracks capture the feelings of infatuation, falling in love and sticking it out through thick and thin, better or worse.

Listen to these love songs (we’ve listed ’em in no particular order) with whoever’s lucky enough to be in your heart.

So if you have a favorite, go and post it.

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Food Holidays Life Recipe

Christmas Chex Mix recipe

Views: 27

Source: https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a37758046/christmas-chex-mix-recipe/

Ingredients

 
  • 4 c. 

    cups corn and/or rice cereal squares (such as Chex)

  • 2 c. 

    mini pretzels

  • 1 c. 

    salted roasted almonds 

  • 4 Tbsp. 

    salted butter 

  • 1/4 c. 

    honey

  • 1/4 c. 

    sugar

  • 1 tsp. 

    ground cinnamon 

  • 1 tsp. 

    vanilla extract 

  • 1/2 c. 

    white chocolate chips 

  • 2 tsp. 

    coconut oil

  • 1 c. 

    red and green M&M’s 

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 250˚F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the cereal, pretzels, and almonds. 
  2. 2In a small saucepan, melt the butter with the honey and sugar over low heat until the mixture is bubbling and well combined, about 2 minutes. Add the cinnamon and vanilla and stir until well combined. Pour half of the butter mixture over the cereal mixture and toss until well coated. Add the remaining butter mixture and toss again until evenly coated. 
  3. 3Spread the mixture on the baking sheet in an even layer. Bake, stirring every 15 minutes, until toasted and just starting to dry out, about 1 hour. 
  4. 4Combine the white chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until melted and smooth. 
  5. 5Drizzle the white chocolate over the snack mix on the baking sheet, then immediately sprinkle with the M&M’s. Let cool completely so the white chocolate sets, about 30 minutes. Break into small clusters. 

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Categories
Food Life Recipe

One-Pot Pasta.

Just one pot.

Views: 42

One-Pot Pasta.

Start with one pot and a jumble of ingredients. Drizzle in the liquids and let it all simmer into an amazing collection of flavors. That’s the joy of one-pot pasta recipes!

What’s so Great About One-Pot Pasta Dishes?
  • No pre-boiling or draining. The pasta cooks in the sauce.
  • Fewer dirty dishes. Everything cooks in one pot.
  • Perfect anytime. Quick and easy–great for a weeknight or weekend.
  • Versatile. Use virtually any type of pasta.
  • Simply delicious. That’s what it’s all about!
  • Ingredients.

    Linguini noodles
    Frozen cooked shrimp
    Canned diced tomatoes
    Garlic
    Italian seasoning
    Fresh basil
    Lemon juice
    Salt & pepper
    Chicken broth
    Fresh baby spinach

  • Directions.
    • Dump all the ingredients except spinach into a big pot and bring to a boil.
    • Cook for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • Add spinach and cook 4 minutes

    Literally, that’s it! What are you waiting for? Get out the pasta!

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