CalCPA ProtectPlus

Figs have several health benefits that many people may not be aware of. Dried figs are available year round and the peak season for fresh figs is June through October. They are a great source of potassium which is a mineral that helps to regulate your blood pressure. Figs also contain good levels of calcium, magnesium, iron, copper and manganese. In fact, dried figs contain 250mg of calcium per 100g which is amazing when compared to whole milk that only has 118mg. Figs help balance the pH of the body and the high amounts of fiber can help manage your weight. 

With these health benefits in mind,  you may want to try this delicious fig recipe below from www.eatingwell.com. Enjoy!

From EatingWell:  March/April 2007

Pork Medallions with Fig & Port Wine Sauce

This dish showcases how deliciously pork complements the sweet and tart tastes of fruit.

4 servings | Active Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 16 small dried Mission figs, stemmed
• 1 cup tawny port, (see Note)
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus 1 tablespoon, divided
• 1 cup onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar, or more to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 1 pork tenderloin, (1-1 1/4 pounds), trimmed and sliced into 1-inch-thick medallions
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Preparation

1. Place figs in a small microwavable bowl and cover with port. Cover the bowl and microwave on High for 3 minutes.
2. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until soft and translucent, 4 to 6 minutes. Add broth, thyme, bay leaf and the fig-port mixture. Bring to a boil and cook until reduced by half, 10 to 12 minutes. Season with vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Set aside.
3. Sprinkle both sides of pork medallions with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper and dredge lightly with flour, shaking off the excess.
4. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the medallions and cook until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Add the reserved fig-port sauce; bring to a simmer and cook until the pork is cooked, but still a little pink in the center, about 2 minutes. The sauce should be syrupy. If not, remove the medallions with a slotted spoon to a platter and tent with foil to keep warm. Boil the sauce until it’s reduced and syrupy. Discard the bay leaf. Serve the sauce over the medallions.

Nutrition

Per serving : 394 Calories; 10 g Fat; 2 g Sat; 6 g Mono; 64 mg Cholesterol; 34 g Carbohydrates; 26 g Protein; 4 g Fiber; 230 mg Sodium; 618 mg Potassium

2 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1 other carbohydrate, 3 1/2 lean meat

Tips & Notes

• Note: What differentiates tawny from ruby port is that tawny is aged in oak, turning its ruby color toward brown.

[Information Source, Image Source]

The following information is from the United States Department of Labor’s web site. Since this COBRA article (or booklet, as the article refers to it) from dol.gov has an abundance of information, we will break the article up into sections over the next several weeks. We hope that you find the information valuable.

An Employee’s Guide to Health Benefits Under COBRA -The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act 

 Note: This publication contains information about the COBRA premium reduction provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). This publication has not been updated for recent amendments made to ARRA. For updated information on ARRA and its amendments, please see the COBRA Premium Reduction Fact Sheet.

Introduction

Health insurance programs help workers and their families take care of their essential medical needs. These programs can be one of the most important benefits provided by an employer.

There was a time when employer-provided group health coverage was at risk if an employee was fired, changed jobs, or got divorced. That substantially changed in 1986 with the passage of the health benefit provisions in the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). Now, many employees and their families who would lose group health coverage because of serious life events are able to continue their coverage under the employer’s group health plan, at least for limited periods of time.

This booklet explains your rights under COBRA to a temporary extension of employer-provided group health coverage, called COBRA continuation coverage.

This booklet is designed to:

• Provide a general explanation of your COBRA rights and responsibilities;
• Outline the COBRA rules that group health plans must follow;
• Highlight your rights to benefits while you are receiving COBRA continuation coverage. (continue reading…)

The following information is from the Department of Labor’s website and is full of valuable information for all of us!

The Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) administers several important health benefit laws covering employer-based health plans. They govern your basic rights to information about how your health plan works, how to qualify for benefits, and how to make claims for benefits. In addition, there are specific laws protecting your right to health benefits when you lose coverage or change jobs. EBSA oversees health care laws covering special medical conditions. For more information on the laws that protect your benefits, see EBSA’s Web site at www.dol.gov/ebsa. Or, call the agency’s toll-free help line at 1.866.444.3272 to reach a regional office near you. These 10 tips can help make your health benefits work better for you.

Realize that Your Options are Important

There are many different types of health benefit plans. Find out which one your employer offers, then check out the plan, or plans, offered. Your employer’s human resource office, the health plan administrator, or your union can provide information to help you match your needs and preferences with the available plans. If your employer offers a high deductible health plan, look into setting up a Health Savings Account to save money for future medical expenses on a tax-free basis. The more information you have, the better your health care decisions will be.

Review the Benefits Available

Do the plans offered cover preventive care, well-baby care, vision or dental care? Are there deductibles? Answers to these questions can help determine the out-of-pocket expenses you may face. Matching your needs and those of your family members will result in the best possible benefits. Cheapest may not always be best. Your goal is high quality health benefits.

Read Your Plan’s Summary Plan Description (SPD) for the Wealth of Information It Provides

Your health plan administrator should provide a copy. It outlines your benefits and your legal rights under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the federal law that protects your health benefits. It should contain information about the coverage of dependents, what services will require a co-pay, and the circumstances under which your employer can change or terminate a health benefits plan. Save the SPD and all other health plan brochures and documents, along with memos or correspondence from your employer relating to health benefits. (continue reading…)