Spicy tequila lime shrimp salad

Inspiring Recipes by Chef Candice Kumai

(Family Features)

Year after year, saving money and eating healthier rank high on the list of New Year’s resolutions, but as many know all too well, busy schedules can make it hard to keep these resolutions up.

“Pretty Delicious” author and “Top Chef” alum Candice Kumai has partnered with The Glad Products Company to create delicious recipes that help bring healthy food out of the kitchen, and in turn, help to save you both the cost and calories associated with eating lunch out.

Chef Kumai’s recipes are inspired by Glad To Go reusable lunch and snack containers, which feature a detachable 1.5-ounce “To Go” cup that snaps into the lid — allowing you to confidently transport foods that you haven’t been able to before. Just imagine — no more dressing leak disasters when bringing a salad to work.

“Now there’s no excuse for us to break our New Year’s resolutions,” says Kumai. “My recipes are not only healthy, delicious, convenient meal time options, but they fit into our everyday lives while helping to save money, time and calories and reduce waste.”

For additional recipes, lunchtime tips, coupon offerings and more, visit www.Facebook.com/Glad.

Spicy Tequila Lime Shrimp Salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 4
For the shrimp
2     tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1     garlic clove, minced
1/2     teaspoon ground cumin
Pinch red pepper flakes
1     pound medium shrimp, deveined
3     tablespoons high-quality tequila
Salt, to taste
1     teaspoon dried chipotle powder
2     to 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
For the salad
4     cups dark, leafy mixed greens
1/2     cup roasted red peppers, sliced thin
1/2     cup black beans, drained and rinsed
1     avocado, sliced thin
For the dressing
1/2     cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
3     tablespoons high-quality tequila
1     tablespoon grated lime zest
1     teaspoon hot sauce
2     tablespoons fresh lime juice
Pinch of sea salt to taste

Add olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Once oil is hot, add chopped garlic and cook for about 1 minute. Add cumin and red pepper flakes, and let flavors blend together.

Add shrimp and toss. Carefully add tequila and cook until alcohol burns off. Season with salt, and add dried chipotle powder. Once shrimp are cooked, add chopped cilantro, toss and put aside on a plate.

Toss mixed greens in a large salad bowl and add in roasted red peppers and black beans. In medium bowl, whisk all of the dressing ingredients together and alter to desired taste by adding additional hot sauce and salt. Top with avocado slices and sautéed shrimp.

Roasted Fig and Blue Cheese Salad

Roasted Fig and Blue Cheese Salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4
For the figs
2     cups fresh black mission figs, sliced in half
2     tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2     tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1     teaspoon honey
1/4     teaspoon sea salt
For the salad
1/2     cup blue cheese, cut into elegant wedges or thin slices
6     cups mixed salad greens with arugula
1/2     cup candied walnuts
Sea salt to taste
For the dressing
3     tablespoons honey
2     tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/4     cup balsamic vinegar
1/4     teaspoon sea salt

To roast figs, preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove stems off end of each fig, then slice fig in half. Roast for approximately 30 minutes or until a bit golden brown. Remove and cool slightly.

In small mixing bowl, mix 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, olive oil and honey. Add figs and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for 5 to 10 minutes.

Whisk honey, mustard, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar and sea salt together to create dressing.

Place greens in large salad bowl; toss in candied walnuts. Serve with two fig halves on top of each salad with a blue cheese wedge.

Spinach Salad with Walnuts, Strawberries and Goat Cheese

Spinach salad with walnuts, strawberries, and goat cheese

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 4
For the salad
1/2     cup walnuts
4     cups fresh spinach, stems
trimmed
8     large strawberries, hulled and
thinly sliced
1/4     cup crumbled goat cheese
For the dressing
3     tablespoons honey
2     tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/4     cup balsamic vinegar
1/4     teaspoon sea salt

Heat the oven to 375°F.

Place walnuts on rimmed baking sheet and bake until fragrant and toasted, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool.

Toss spinach with strawberries in a large bowl.

In small bowl, whisk together honey, mustard, vinegar and salt. Sprinkle walnuts on top of spinach and strawberries mix.

Serve sprinkled with goat cheese, with remaining dressing on the side.

(ARA) – As the old year comes to a close and the new year begins, many people evaluate their current situation and set goals for the future. For some, career goals top the list. If you’re looking for a new job or even a new career, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work, because getting on the path is going to take a lot of work.
If you were planning on scouring the want ads, you may have to adjust your thinking. “If you see an ad for a position posted, it’s almost too late,” says Becky Bates, director of career services at The Art Institutes International Minnesota. Bates suggests you tap into the “hidden job market” and get to that position before it’s posted. That means networking.
“Let anyone and everyone know you’re looking for a position,” advises Heidi Nolta, assistant director of career services at The Illinois Institute of Art – Schaumburg. “Even if it’s your Aunt Sally, you have no idea who knows whom, so don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family.”
“Go to networking functions that cater to your field and go alone, because you won’t be able to hide behind your friends,” adds Grace Shurley, career services advisor at The Art Institute of Las Vegas. Shurley suggests you stand or sit in the middle of the room and get out of your comfort zone, because you’re not likely to make new contacts within it. Nolta advises you to volunteer at those events, checking people in; it guarantees you’ll meet almost everyone who walks through the door. “Your goal should be to get a two-inch stack of business cards,” says Shurley.
Make sure to have business cards wherever you go. If you don’t currently have a job, have a simple business card made with your name, profession and contact information, says Shurley. And while you’re at it, make sure your LinkedIn profile is current and start Tweeting, suggests Nolta. “Follow the companies and industries you are interested in so you can get the latest information about them.”
If you’re not employed, be willing to take something that may not be an ideal fit but gets you out there, advises Shurley. “And don’t be afraid to start at the bottom if you’re launching a new career; that entry-level job can open up a lot of opportunities,” she adds.
Whether you’re employed or not, make sure you’re updating your skills, says Bates. If new software is introduced in your industry, learn that software. Find workshops and tutorials that can help. Nolta cautions that potential employers could test you on new software to make sure that you’re up to speed.
“A job seeker is self-employed and the biggest mistake you can make is not holding yourself accountable,” says Bates. She suggests you make a strategic plan and map out activities for every day of the week, whether it’s a job fair, sending out resumes, researching a company or calling potential employers. “Job seekers should consider getting that job, a job in itself.”

Get tips while shopping

From the Kent County Health Department

The holidays seem to catch up with us quickly. Eating, drinking and being merry can sometimes lead you to pack on the pounds. Statistics show nearly half of Americans will make a New Year’s resolution, but a third of those resolutions will be broken by the end of January!
The Kent County Health Department can help you with one of the top New Year’s Resolutions: developing healthy eating habits, through Individualized Nutrition Counseling and Grocery Store Tours. Our registered dietician, Sarah VanEerden, offers nutrition services to individuals, schools, community groups, and worksites. Sarah will take your concerns to the store–literally! She offers grocery store tours to teach healthy buying habits. The tour is free, lasts 90 minutes to two hours, and can be tailored to fit the specific dietary needs of you and your family.
For more information, call her at (616) 632-7286.

This week a security company’s computer was hacked and money stolen from many customer accounts.  It’s more important than ever to resolve to be a savvy internet user and wise consumer. Your Better Business Bureau offers the following New Year’s resolutions to become a safer and wiser consumer in 2012:

1.    Fight identity theft. Always shred paper documents that include sensitive financial data and dispose of computers, cell phones and digital data safely.  Don’t provide your social security number, credit card number, debit card pin, bank account information, or your driver’s license number to anyone on the phone unless you are certain they represent a legitimate business.  Don’t leave financial information in your mailbox that might be accessed by identity thieves.
2.    Keep criminals from stealing information on your computer and online.  Every password and every computer can be hacked with enough time and effort. Purchase virus software and keep it updated.  Don’t click through to links or websites you are unsure of.  The more difficult you make it for someone to get your password, the better.  Use at least 8 characters in your password, only do business online with reputable organizations on secure (https) websites.  Don’t use the same password on different important online accounts.
3.    Beware of job offers to make easy money. Scammers are targeting job hunters, so beware of offers, work-at-home schemes or business opportunities promising big money for little work and no experience.
4.    Never wire money to someone you don’t know. Many scammers request that you wire money back to them. Scammers know tracking money sent via MoneyGram or Western Union is extremely difficult. Even more troubling, it’s nearly impossible to get your money back.
5.    Fight fake check fraud. Educate yourself on the common types of check fraud and be wary of checks that come with claims you’ve won the lottery, are eligible for a government grant or have landed a job as a secret shopper.
6.    Get everything in writing. Don’t just take a business’ word for it. Get agreements in writing to limit miscommunication and misunderstandings between your expectations and what the business delivers.
7.    Look for the BBB seal and always check businesses out before buying. 400,000 businesses meet the BBB’s Standards for Trust and bear the BBB Accreditation Seal.   Your BBB doesn’t just report on Accredited Businesses, you can access BBB Business Reviews for nearly 4 million businesses by visiting www.bbb.org or calling (616)774-8230 or toll free (800)684-3222.
8.    Ask your BBB for help. File a complaint with your BBB if you have a disagreement with a business or been ripped off by a scammer.  The BBB will contact the business and ask for their explanation of the issue.  Often, the BBB can assist in reaching a resolution.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Understanding it could help your retirement nest egg grow

(Family Features)
More than 90 percent of people aged 44 to 75 feel the United States is facing a retirement crisis, yet most have a limited understanding of how much money they’ll need and fear they’ll outlive their income, according to a 2010 survey from Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life).
The study, “Reclaiming the Future: Challenging Retirement Income Perceptions,” found that although 61 percent of these people fear outliving their money in retirement more than death, nearly one third (31 percent) say they are not too clear about what their expenses will be in retirement, and 36 percent have no idea if their income will last.
“These results are troubling not only because people are fearful about retirement income, but also because of how little they know about how much money they’ll need,” said Gary C. Bhojwani, president and CEO of Allianz Life. “We hope that this study will shed some light on the issue and inspire Americans to take control of their retirement planning today.”

Your Financial Personality

Nearly half (47.2 percent) of baby boomers aged 56 to 62 could be at risk of not having sufficient retirement income to pay for basic retirement expenditures as well as uninsured health care costs, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute.
Understanding your financial personality can help you take the appropriate steps to start building a better financial future.

Overwhelmed

• Tends to be in financial survival mode.
• Has high credit card debt and meager assets.
• Feels unprepared for retirement.
The overwhelmed personality is unsure when — or if — they’ll be able to retire. And when they do, they expect to significantly reduce their living expenses and possibly to continue working.
What to do:
• Get control of spending.
Keep track of your spending during the next month — everything from rent or mortgage to your morning coffee at the café down the street. Looking at those expenses will show you how extra spending begins to add up. A $5 lunch every weekday can cost you nearly $1,300 over the course of a year. That $1,300 could help you get closer to your financial goals — if you stop spending it. You can find helpful expense tracking and spending worksheets at www.smartaboutmoney.org.
• Reduce debt.
The National Foundation for Credit Counseling recommends paying at least double the minimum required credit card payment. High interest rates and only paying the minimum due will cause you to pay more in interest and extend the term of your debt. For example, if you have a credit card balance of $3,000, with a 17 percent APR, it will take you 126 months to pay it off, and you will pay $2,241 in interest charges alone. Calculate the true cost of paying just the minimum at www.creditcard.com.
• Strategize savings and investment.
The National Endowment for Financial Education recommends saving money in three categories — money for an emergency fund, money for short-term purchases, and money for long-term goals, such as retirement. Emergency fund and short-term spending money should be kept in a savings or money market account that is easily accessible. Long-term funds can be invested in mutual funds, stocks or bonds. Paying yourself first — putting money aside before you spend any — is one of the best ways to start a strong retirement planning program.

Resilient

• Still working.
• Moderate income, moderate assets.
• Concerned about outliving income.
The resilient personality tends to be in their late 50s and is worried that the U.S. is entering a major economic depression. They know they need to invest for retirement, but might not have time to save enough.
What to do:
• Reduce spending.
Here again, examining your spending habits can pay off. Look at what you’re spending, particularly on bigger ticket items. Having that money automatically deducted from your paycheck and put into a retirement, savings or investment account now will help you build your nest egg for the future. The American Institute of CPAs has a Benefits of Spending Less Calculator that shows you how much your budget reductions could be worth (www.360financialliteracy.org).
• Delay Social Security benefits.
If you start receiving benefits before your full retirement age, your benefits will be reduced. For example, according to the Social Security Administration, if you choose to retire at age 62, it could result in a reduction as much as 30 percent. You’ll get your largest benefits at age 70. Calculate your benefits at www.ssa.gov.
• Invest now.
Are you contributing as much as you can to your 401(k) at work? Do you have an Individual Retirement Account (IRA)? If you are 50 or older before 2011, you can contribute up to $6,000 to your IRA account each year. Consulting with a financial planner is a good way to navigate your options and figure out a solid investment strategy. Get tips on choosing a financial planner from the Financial Planning Association at www.fpaforfinancialplanning.org.

Distracted

• Has the highest income, but net worth has dropped.
• Has cut back spending, but not changed retirement or investment strategies.
• Does not have a plan for growing savings.
This group is the youngest (40s to 50s), generally counts on receiving full Social Security benefits and is relying on 401(k)s more than any other group. While they are worried that their savings won’t be adequate for the future, they are content to live for today.
What to do:
• Evaluate your retirement plans.
Do you have realistic expectations for your retirement lifestyle? It’s time to get a better handle on how much you’ll really need to retire, especially if you don’t take inflation into account. Use the Ball Park Estimate at www.choosetosave.org to see if your plans fit your budget, or if you need to adjust your plans.
• Reexamine investments.
Give your 401(k) a checkup. Is it growing enough? The site www.morningstar.com tracks mutual fund growth and can show you how well yours are performing. Look at all your investments and make sure they are growing. If not, it may be time for a change.
• Make changes to secure retirement income.
Living longer than expected, unforeseen health problems, job loss, more market downturns, and inflation can all drain away retirement funds before you know it. Protecting your assets and guarding against outliving them needs to be a priority. “In our study,” said Bhojwani, “the majority of respondents said that the safety of their money matters more now than it did a few years ago. The attributes people are looking for now in investments are the ability to create a stable, predictable standard of living, and the ability to provide a guaranteed income stream for life — one that won’t lose value. Without realizing it, they described an annuity-like solution.”
An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company. In exchange for your purchase payment, the insurance company provides you income, either immediately or sometime in the future. To find out more about annuities and whether they are a good fit for you, visit www.allianzlife.com.
Whatever your age, whatever your financial personality, it’s time to give your retirement plans a checkup and take action to secure the nest egg you’ve worked so hard for.

Retirement Resources

• Retirement Nest Egg Calculator — www.aarp.org
• Guidebook to Help Late Savers Prepare for Retirement — National Endowment for Financial Education — www.smartaboutmoney.org
• Saving on a Tight Budget — www.americasaves.org
• Advice on Getting Out of Debt — National Foundation for Credit Counseling — www.debtadvice.org

(Family Features)

Tex Mex Stuffed Peppers

According to the National Pork Board’s “Healthy Habits 2011” survey, while 60 percent of dieters have made a health-related resolution, sticking to that goal will be harder than quitting smoking or even winning the lottery.
Luckily, finding nutritious foods, like pork, which taste great and can help you feel fuller longer, is a delicious recipe for long-term diet success. However, the survey also showed that seven out of ten people are not aware that incorporating lean pork into their diet can decrease distracting thoughts about food.
“One of the keys to weight management is managing hunger,” said Dr. Heather Leidy, currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology at the University of Missouri. “There is a growing body of evidence that suggests increasing the amount of lean protein, like pork, in your diet can help decrease distracting thoughts about food to help you achieve long-term healthy eating goals.”
Here are a handful of tips to help you control your appetite:
•    Choose cuts of pork that come from the loin – including chops and roasts – and 96 percent lean ground pork, which are the leanest cuts of pork available.
•    Think about meal frequency. A recent study, published in the journal “Obesity,” suggests that sitting down to eat a real meal three times a day may be a better strategy for weight loss than grazing on several smaller “mini-meals.”
•    In addition to protein, look for foods high in fiber like fruits, vegetables and whole grains to help keep you fuller.
For more information, including recipes to help you maintain a healthy diet year-round, visit www.TheOtherWhiteMeat.com or Facebook.com/TheOtherWhiteMeat.

Tex Mex Stuffed Peppers
12     ounces 96 percent lean ground pork
1/2     cup water
6     tablespoons couscous
4     large red, orange, or yellow bell peppers, or a
combination
3/4     cup prepared salsa, plus more for serving (optional)
1     cup frozen corn, thawed
2     teaspoons chili powder
Salt and pepper
1/4     cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar, Monterey jack, or         Mexican blend cheese

Preheat oven to 500°F.
In small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring water to a boil. Stir in couscous, cover, remove from heat, and set aside for at least 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, in large skillet over medium-high heat, cook pork, stirring occasionally and breaking it up, until no longer pink, about 4 minutes.
Also while couscous is softening, remove tops from peppers and scrape out seeds. Set aside.
In large bowl, combine couscous, pork, salsa, corn, and chili powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Fill peppers with pork mixture. Arrange peppers in a shallow baking pan and bake for 10 minutes.
Sprinkle cheese on top and continue baking until peppers are tender and stuffing is heated through, about 5 minutes.
Serve peppers with additional salsa on the side if you like.
Nutritional Information per Serving: Calories: 280; Fat: 6g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 55mg; Sodium: 470mg; Carbohydrates: 55g; Protein:  26g; Fiber: 5g

(ARA) – Although spring and summer are typically the seasons we focus on home improvement projects, there’s no reason to put off projects or planning throughout colder months. If anything, it’s the perfect way to spend time while hibernating indoors. From winterizing windows to laying new flooring, there are plenty of ways to keep improving your home year round.
When the seasons change, one of the best things a homeowner can do is an energy audit. Though it’s nice to keep the windows open all summer, drafty doors and windows can amount to hundreds of dollars wasted on home heating costs during winter. An energy audit will help you find and fix problem areas, letting you save money for other projects.
During an energy audit, a contractor may use blower door tests to measure the air tightness of your home, infrared scanners to pinpoint heat leaks or even a simple walk-through to find places to improve your home’s efficiency. Once problem spots have been identified, hanging plastic sheeting, caulking gaps and further insulating areas will translate to big savings on home heating costs.
While auditing the heat efficiency of each room of your house, keep an eye out for the quick fixes and small projects often put aside during the summer months. Though it is great to get outside and build a deck or retaining wall, big projects often overshadow simple tasks such as fixing outlets and sealing cracks. Use winter as time to knock the little things off the list.
For those who can’t wait to get started, there are plenty of projects that can completely change your home without removing walls or installing an addition.
Introducing new color to a space will help fine-tune an interior’s design or even completely reinvent a room. Winter is the perfect time to modernize your home’s feel with new window treatments, lighting or flooring. New flooring will add both color and character to a room, and is easy to install during any season. Lumber Liquidators offers contemporary and timeless patterns for hardwood floors like Dream Home Plymouth Plank or Bellawood Brazilian Redwood, which can be installed year round.
Because winter may limit a homeowner’s ability to complete some projects, it’s a great time to plan for spring and summer home improvement projects. There are online tools such as the Home Renovator Suite from BobVila.com and Lumber Liquidators’ Room Designer that allow homeowners to easily pull together their dream homes.
After all your projects, big or small, are completed, use the colder months to set a schedule for spring cleaning and home improvement. Setting an agenda will help you avoid having to rush through the summer to get projects done, and ensure you have the time to enjoy the rewards of your hard work.

(Grand Rapids, MI) – Radon gas is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. You can’t see, smell, or taste radon, so what can you do to protect your home? Get it tested. Test kits are inexpensive and can be purchased from local hardware stores or from the Environmental Health Division of the Kent County Health Department (KCHD). The Health Department is located at 700 Fuller NE, Grand Rapids.
“Protecting indoor air is a vital part of maintaining a healthy home,” said Cathy Raevsky, Administrative Health Officer for KCHD. “With 16 percent of homes tested in Kent County having an elevated radon level, it is important for homeowners to take action. Getting tested is a simple way to protect your family.”
Radon is created by the breakdown of uranium in soil. It finds its way into homes and other buildings through passages like cracks in the foundation, and is second only to smoking as the leading cause of lung cancer. It is estimated that one in eight Michigan homes has an elevated level of radon. January is National
Radon Action Month and is an ideal time to test your home, because chilly weather means windows are closed, air is stagnant, and if radon is present, it will be more concentrated.
The test kits are easy to use and include confirmatory testing and referrals to approved radon contractors if necessary. The kits cost $5. To date, KCHD has received nearly 8,000 test results from homes across the county. For more information, visit www.epa.gov/radon.

Here’s a cool idea: Be sure your car’s battery is in good condition before venturing out into the cold.

(NAPS)—Preventing a frozen battery in the winter is easier than you may think if you take some time to check out the situation before nasty weather sets in.
To ensure that your car battery starts dependably, no matter how outrageous the weather, Interstate Batteries cold weather expert Gale Kimbrough offers some simple tips to protect your car battery against severe cold conditions:
Test the starting power: The cold weather can dramatically reduce a battery’s available starting power, so have the vehicle’s starting and charging system tested every three months or every oil change.
Charge the battery: Use a battery charger to maintain charge levels and keep the battery in good condition. If the battery is more than three years old, it should be tested to make sure it can survive the coldest winter months.
Test the battery: Have the battery tested before taking a long trip or after it’s been recharged.
Inspect the battery cables, posts and fasteners: Preparing your car for the winter doesn’t end with the battery itself. You need to inspect your battery cables, posts and fasteners. Make sure the cables are in good shape and are secured firmly to the battery. Corrosion keeps power from flowing freely from the battery, reducing the power that is available to start the car.
Keep it clean: Clean the battery terminals with a wire brush or spray some battery cleaner on the terminals.
In just 30 seconds, Interstate All Battery Center locations can provide motorists with a free printout analysis of their vehicle’s battery condition—from projected battery life to cranking performance. It’s important to have the battery and electrical system checked by a professional. Sometimes the naked eye cannot detect the presence of corrosion because it is hidden under the metal between the connection and the post.
A fully charged battery is the best defense against cold weather and vehicle nonstarts because engines require more cranking amps in colder weather. The cold also reduces a battery’s efficiency, reducing its charge acceptance and ability to start an engine. An engine at 32 degrees Fahrenheit often demands more than 150 percent cranking power from the battery than it does at 80 degrees. At 0 degrees Fahrenheit, it can be 250 percent.
For more information, visit www.interstatebatteries.com.

(NewsUSA) – While we might slip up on our New Year’s resolutions at times, this year you can resolve to take better care of your car all year. Firestone Complete Auto Care offers the following tips for winter vehicle maintenance to get you started!
*Be proactive. Winter only magnifies existing problems like pings, hard starts,  sluggish performance or rough idling. Make sure your vehicle is mechanically sound before the temperature dips and the streets get icy. Make certain the engine is in peak condition. Also check the cooling system. Coolant should be replaced per the vehicle manufacturer’s maintenance schedule.
*Be on schedule. Have your motor oil changed regularly. Use the specified weight and grade of oil recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. Also make sure to check that the heating/defrosting system is working properly.
*Be prepared. Prepare for potential winter emergencies by using your trunk as a storage place for emergency items. Important items to have on hand include: a properly inflated spare tire; ice scraper; windshield de-icer; flashlight; blanket; extra clothes; bottled water; cell phone car charger and non-perishable snacks.
*Be on the defensive. Take a defensive position against winter driving conditions, and take care of your tires. Once it gets cold, tire tread and pressure should be checked weekly. A tire’s PSI measurement can drop one pound for every 10-degree drop in temperature. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider installing winter tires, which are specially designed to grip slick roads.
*Be diligent. Use common sense during adverse road conditions. Reduce your driving speed, and increase your following distance in hazardous winter weather. If you get stuck in the snow, don’t spin your tires — this can overheat them and possibly cause damage. Use sand, gravel, kitty litter, an asphalt shingle or other gritty items to help your tires gain traction when stuck.