1. Sear the pork chops first. Giving the pork chops a quick sear in the skillet before adding to the crock-pot isn't just for the color. It helps trap in some juices and gives it a nice almost caramelized crust which adds tons of flavor.  2. Don...

Spoonful of Positive: Sunday Thoughts!  Growing up in the 1960s and 1970s I had a lot of messages about Love & Peace. Yes, we were in Vietnam, reminded on evening news, having a brother serving there ... a paratrooper, my parents not knowing...

Spring Into New Snack Recipes! Lime Avocado Hummus Recipe  Ingredients1 teaspoon whole peppercorns1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and pitted1/2 cup fresh parsley sprigs1/2 cup olive ...

Spring Into New Recipes! Springtime Crockpot Minestrone!

Now, when we think of springtime, usually a crockpot doesn't come to mind. Hey, it's easy, yummy and healthy! Giving you time to get out and enjoy Spring! Springtime Crockpot  Minestrone  INGREDIENTS 1 sweet onion, diced3 garlic cloves, min...

​Kids and learning online, What? So many times parents worry about the time their kids spend online.  PBS offers a safe environment where kids can learn while playing entertaining games! Clifford the Big Red Dog is an interactive game that ...

 Once you get the hang of container gardening you might find yourself growing more and more pots each year.  Here are some of our best tips for successful container gardens. Don't Skimp on DrainageWhile this may sound like an odd first tip,...

So, up until about five years ago, I didn't really consider myself a "Boomer." I have older brothers and a sister that I did think of as a different generation from me.  My oldest brother was 14 when The Beatles first appeared on live ...

Spring It On! Hey, Healthy can be tasty!  Strawberry Oatmeal Bars are a healthier fruit dessert made with fresh strawberries, whole grain butter crumb topping, and a lightly sweetened vanilla glaze. This healthier oatmeal bars recipe is a favori...

Spring is just around the corner! Time to get some yummy, easy, healthy recipes together! Grilled Salmon with Greek Salad You can whip up this light and refreshing dish in just 20 minutes. It doesn't get easier than that! Grilled salmon pairs perfect...

We, the People, recognize that we have responsibilities as well as rights; that our destinies are bound together; that a freedom which only asks what's in it for me, a freedom without a commitment to others, a freedom without love or charity or duty ...

Science Daily: Citizen science discovers a new form of the northern lights Date:January 29, 2020Source:University of Helsinki Summary:Working together with space researchers, amateur photographers have discovered a new auroral form. Named 'dunes' by ...

Stem cell study finds malfunctioning brain cells in patients who were diagnosed before age 50; researchers test potential new treatment Science Daily  Date:January 27, 2020Source: Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterSummary: People who develop Parkinson'...

WNC Nature Center Director Chris Gentile attributes the growth in attendance to a combination of planning and partnership. "When I first started at the Nature Center in 2010, we created a '2020 Vision' master plan to shape the future of the center. &...

Spring Into New Recipes!  Wow, is Spring really just around the corner? It is, so let's get ready with yummy recipes! This recipe is tasty and since it's all in one pan,  easy to clean up! Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil, plus a litt...

Spring is just around the corner! Time to get recipes ready, set, go! Soups for Spring? Sure Thing! French Onion Soup Gratinee Recipe Recipe by:Jersey Tomato "About as good as it gets! This is the version of French Onion Soup that people seek when th...

Saturday's WNCTIMES "Mind Your Head" Of ants and men: Ant behavior might mirror political polarization  January 8, 2020 Source:Princeton University Summary:Division of labor and political polarization may be driven by the same processes, sa...

So, by now people who made New Year's Resolutions may have either given up or are weary at this point. Time to hit the reset button? For so many of us who want to lose weight or just eat healthier, it's a real struggle. We decided to take a look...

It's snuggle season! The winter months of January, February and March are the most serene of the year in Asheville and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.  So it's the perfect time for a North Carolina mountain romantic getaway, including a Va...

Western North Carolina, well know for white water rafting, hiking in the mountains and friendly people! Here are a few oddities and fun facts about WNC!  Brevard - specifically, is home to white squirrels — not albino squirrels, but white s...

NEW YORK (AP) — When the family-friendly Hallmark Channel recently pulled, under pressure from a conservative group, a set of ads featuring a kiss between two happy brides at the altar, backlash was swift — to say the least.  Within hours, stars...