Travis & Tyler Swift of Cedar Springs age 8

Rebeckah Ann Funk of Sand Lake age 6

Sierra Ada Fifield of Cedar Springs age 3 3/4

Congratulations to all our winners! And thank you to all who entered! It was a very tough decision. Winners can pick up their Easter Baskets full of goodies at The POST, 36 E. Maple St., Cedar Springs, on or after Friday, April 6, 2012. 

From Livingonadime.com

Traditional Method

Hard boil eggs. Fill several mugs with boiling water and add 1-2 tsp. vinegar. Place a few drops of desired food coloring in each mug. Place eggs in mugs for several minutes until eggs reach desired shades.

Remove with a spoon. Place on paper towel to dry. When dry, polish with a small amount of shortening on a paper towel. Buff until glossy.

You can draw or write on the eggs with a light colored or white crayon before dipping. The drawing will remain white after the egg is dipped.

To clean out mugs, put a little bleach water in the cups and soak for a few minutes.

Natural Easter egg dyes

If you would like to try decorating Easter eggs with natural dyes, try the following:

• Yellow–yellow onion skins, turmeric (1/2 tsp. per cup water) celery leaves

• Orange–any yellow dye plus beet juice

• Red–beets, paprika, red onion skins

• Pink–cranberry juice

• Blue–blackberries, grape juice concentrate, red cabbage

• Brown–black tea, white oak, juniper berry, coffee, barberry

• Light purple–blackberries, grapes, violets

• Green–alfalfa, spinach, kale, violet blossom plus 1/4 tsp. baking soda, tansy, nettle, chervil, sorrel, parsley, carrot tops, beet tops or dip yellow egg in blue dye

Hard boil eggs with 1 tsp. vinegar in the water. Place dying ingredients in non-aluminum pans, cover with water and boil 5 minutes to 1 hour until desired color is achieved. Use enough material to make at least 1-cup dye. Crush ingredients as they boil to extract as much dye as possible. Strain the dye. Most dyes should be used hot. Let each egg sit in the dye until it reaches the desired color. Some dyes will take longer than others to make the desired colored on the egg. Remove the egg and let dry.

Glitter Eggs Place 1 tablespoon each of glue and water in a cup. Stir the mixture and then paint the eggs with it. Sprinkle with glitter. This can also add sparkle to already dyed eggs!

Decoupaged Eggs Tear small pieces of wrapping paper, napkins, stickers, or clip art. Mix equal amounts of glue and water. Paint egg with glue mixture. Place paper on top and then cover with more glue mixture. Let dry.

Spotted Eggs Place 1 tsp. of cooking oil in dye. Dip the egg. The oil will cause the dye to make an irregular pattern on the egg.

Waxed Eggs Dip a portion of the eggs in melted paraffin or candle wax. Then dip them in the dye. Remove from dye. Dry and peel off the wax. The egg will be white on one half and colored on the other half. You can also dip in dye before waxing to get two colors.

Hollow Eggs Poke a hole in one end of an egg with a very small needle. Poke another slightly larger hole in the other end. Then blow on the small end and the egg will come out the other side. Decorate Easter eggs as desired.

For more tips on saving money, visit Livingonadime.com.

LANSING – Many Michigan families celebrate Easter by decorating eggs and hosting Easter egg hunts.  The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) recommends following these quick handling tips to ensure a safe Easter holiday and meal:

Purchase eggs from refrigerated cases.

Check egg cartons before buying; do not buy cracked eggs.

Separate eggs and foods from raw meat, seafood and poultry in grocery carts and in your refrigerator.

Wash hands for in warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after each step of preparation from cooking to hiding.

Keep hard-boiled eggs, peeled or in the shell, in the refrigerator below 40 degrees Fahrenheit for no more than one week and store eggs in the refrigerator, not in the door.

Cook two sets of eggs—one to eat and one for the Easter egg hunt (which should be discarded).

For more information about food safety and proper food handling, visit www.michigan.gov/foodsafety or contact your local Michigan State University Extension agent.

God wants a relationship with you. Take time to worship at one of the following churches during Holy Week next week and let God prepare your heart to celebrate the joy of Easter!

Community Good Friday Service

April 6: Come worship with your family and neighbors at a community Good Friday service titled “Done,” at 7 p.m. April 6, at the Springs Church, 135 N. Grant Street, Cedar Springs. Nursery is provided for children ages 3 and under, and kids church will be provided for ages 4 years through 4^th grade. This program is being sponsored by the Cedar Springs Ministerial Association.

The Springs

135 N. Grant St, Cedar Springs

April 6: Community Good Friday Service 7 p.m.

April 8: Easter Worship Celebration, 9:15 and 11 a.m.

Join us this Easter at The Springs Church and explore what we believe about the keys to the Christian faith like the Resurrection, the Bible, God, people, and eternity. Kids ages 1 yr.-6th grade are invited to pick up an Easter surprise after the service at the Kid’s Check-in Table! For more information visit our website www.thespringschurch.info or call 616.696.2970.

Solon Center Wesleyan

15671 Algoma Ave., Cedar Springs

April 7: Easter Egg-Stravaganza  (for kids up to 10 yrs.) 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

April 8: Easter Sunday Free Breakfast at 9:45 a.m.

Resurrection Celebration Service at 11 a.m.

Cedar Springs United Methodist Church 

140 South Main St., Cedar Springs

April 5: Holy Thursday worship at 6:00 p.m. We will celebrate Holy Communion and have an opportunity for foot washing or hand washing remembering Jesus’ call to serve.

April 6: Community Good Friday worship at 7 p.m. at the Springs Church.

April 7: Holy Saturday Prayer stations in our sanctuary from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

April 8: Jesus is risen! Sunrise worship service on lawn at 7:45 a.m. 8:30-9:45 a.m. Breakfast served in fellowship hall 8-8:45 a.m.

Worship service at 9:00 and 11:30 a.m.

Calvary Assembly of God 

810 17 Mile, Cedar Springs

April 24: Easter breakfast drama at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. called “Where’s God?” Breakfast will be served at both 9 and 11, no charge. All 696-8708 for more info.

East Nelson United Methodist Church

9024-18 Mile Rd

April 8: Easter Service at 9:30 a.m. followed by an Easter Brunch.

First Baptist Church

233 S. Main, Cedar Springs

April 6: Good Friday Service  6:30 p.m.

April 8: Easter Sonrise Service 8:30 a.m.

Easter breakfast at 9:15 a.m. (approximate—please come to service)

Easter Worship Service   10:45 a.m.

Grace Evangelical Free Church

4714 13 Mile Rd, Rockford

April 8: Sunrise service – 8:30 a.m.

Free Easter breakfast – 9:30

Resurrection Service – 10:30

Hillcrest Church of God

5994 18 Mile Rd. Cedar Springs

April 8: Easter sunrise service at 8:00 a.m. with breakfast following.

Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.

Easter Sunday service at 10:45 a.m.

North Kent Community

1480 Indian Lakes Rd. NE, Sparta

April 8: Easter Sunrise Breakfast at 8:30am

Easter Service 10 a.m.

Will have nursery for newborn-4 yrs old, and children’s church for grades 1-5. Questions? Call Pastor Craig Carter 616.550.6398.

Resurrection Lutheran

180 Northland Drive, Sand Lake

April 6: Good Friday service 7 p.m.

April 8: Easter breakfast at 8:30 a.m.

Easter Sunday worship service 9:30 a.m.

Pioneer Christian Reformed Church

3110 17 Mile, Cedar Springs (1 block west of US131)

April 8: Easter Breakfast at 9 a.m.

Easter Sunday service at 10:30 a.m.

Cedar Creek Community Church

2969 14 Mile Road, Sparta

April 8: Easter service at 11 am

Courtland-Oakfield United Methodist Church

10295 Myers Lake Ave., Rockford (just north of 12 Mile)

April 5: Maundy Thursday 9:30 a.m. with light breakfast and open communion with meditation 7:00 p.m.

April 7: Saturday Egg hunt with lunch and Easter story – noon-2:00 p.m.

April 8: Easter morning worship at 10:00 a.m.

(Family Features)

Go beyond store-bought marshmallow chicks and chocolate rabbits this year. Perfect for some-bunny special – or as a dessert to brighten any holiday table – A Tisket, A Tasket, A Cupcake Easter Basket cupcakes prove that it can be a good idea to put all your eggs in one basket.

“These cupcakes look impressive,” says Nancy Siler, vice president of consumer affairs at Wilton, “yet they require just a few easy steps. Simply bake cupcakes and use your favorite cake mix to help speed up prep time. Cool completely, place into Picket Fence Cupcake Wraps or Basket Cupcake Wraps and pipe with green-tinted icing to create grass. If piping isn’t possible, simply spatula ice the cupcakes; either way, they will impress.”

Wilton has a basketful of ideas for finishing these little cakes. Perch miniature nest decorations filled with jelly beans on the icing grass for a playful take on a robin’s springtime roost. Or, top cupcakes with pre-made icing flowers to echo the cheery hues of spring’s first blossoms. These treats will be the perfect end to any Easter hop-pening.

For more Easter or other holiday recipes and ideas, or to order decorating supplies, visit www.wilton.com.

A Tisket, A Tasket, A Cupcake Easter Basket

Yield: Each cupcake serves 1

White Standard Baking Cups

1 package (about 18 ounces) cake mix, any flavor

Water, vegetable oil and eggs to prepare cake mix

Picket Fence Cupcake Wraps or Basket Cupcake Wraps

1 can (16 ounces) White Decorator Icing

Leaf Green Icing Color

Royal Icing Nests with Jelly Beans, Pink and Purple Posies or Multi-Colored Flower Icing Decorations

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place baking cups in standard muffin pan.

Prepare cake mix following package instructions; place batter in prepared pan.

Bake 18-20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean; cool completely. Insert cooled cupcakes into cupcake wraps. Tint icing green; pipe tip 233 “grass” over tops of cooled cupcakes. Arrange icing decorations on icing.

You be the Judge – Vote online for your favorite lips!

Vote for who you think has the most luscious lips! The Post staff has chosen this year’s top ten entries, but you get to pick the winner. Voting starts Thursday, February 9. You can vote once per day. Contest closes Tuesday, February 14, at 5 p.m. The person who has the most votes at that time will be the grand prize winner, and will receive a dinner for two (up to a $20 value) at Main Street Restaurant in Cedar Springs; a $15 gift card for Bay Leaf Books in Sand Lake; a large pizza (up to 6 toppings) or two subs, and breadsticks from Mr. Pizza in Sand Lake; and a haircut from Corner Hair Design in Sand Lake (a $15 value). There will also be prizes for second and third place. So get your family and friends and start voting! Winners will be featured in next week’s issue, February 16th edition.

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.