Older adults are primary targets in romance scams due to social isolation, trusting nature, financial stability and limited digital literacy. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, more than 100,000 older adults, over the age of 60, submitted reports of internet fraud in 2023. These scams amounted to a loss of over $3.4 billion. Source ElderLawAnswers.com
Romance scams can harm the victim beyond the financial loss. It turns out that the emotional trauma from a romance scam can have lasting effects on the victim’s mental health (via LifePaths Counseling). Source OZHelp.org.au
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Butter a small tart pan or a 9-inch cake pan.
Mix pear slices and amaretto liqueur together in a bowl.
Process almonds and 2 tablespoons sugar together in a food processor until the mixture is a fine almond meal.
Beat 1/4 cup sugar and butter together in a bowl using an electric mixer until light and fluffy; add eggs and vanilla extract and beat until well combined. Mix almond meal mixture, flour, and salt into creamed butter mixture to make a smooth batter.
Drain pears, reserving the amaretto liqueur. Stir drained liqueur into batter just until incorporated.
Pour batter into the prepared pan, smoothing batter if uneven. Arrange pear slices in a decorative pattern atop batter.
Bake in the preheated oven until cake is starting to pull away from the edges, about 25 minutes. Allow cake to cool in pan for at least 15 minutes before serving.
A pear is a small to medium-sized fruit that grows on trees and shrubs in Europe, Asia and North Africa. American pear farms are found in California, Oregon, Washington, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania. Worldwide there are about 3,000 varieties of pears. Some are edible as fruit or juice, while others are cultivated as trees.
Health Benefits
Pears provide a healthy and nutritious snack. They satisfy a sweet tooth and are a superior alternative to candy. Pears are a low glycemic food with a rating of 30 for a medium sized pear.
Nutritious source of vitamins and minerals
Pears contain vitamins C, K, B6, and Potassium
Helps to manage blood sugar
High in fiber
Lowers risk for Type 2 Diabetes
Low glycemic
Improves digestive health
Lowers inflammation
Antioxidants
Promotes heart health
Lowers risk of stroke
How To Prepare
Pears have a core that contains seeds. Remove the core and wash before eating. Dry them using a paper towel.
Eat the pear in your hand as you would an apple.
Slice into rounds and eat with cheese and crackers.
Remove the skin. Slice into rounds.
Poach the pears.
Bake pear pie or cake.
Make a pear parfait with yogurt and granola.
Use raw pears for juice.
Most Common Varieties of Edible Pears
Pears come in different shapes, colors, textures and flavors. It’s best to wait for pears to become soft and ripe before eating them. Placing pears in a paper bag and leaving them on the counter, will help to speed up the ripening process.
Betsey Johnson is an American fashion designer born in Connecticut in 1942. Her fashion career started in the 1960s and by 1978 she established her own fashion line.
Betsey Johnson developed an edgy, offbeat style during the new wave/punk era of the late 1970s. Her designs are typified by fun, but rule-breaking clothing at an accessible price point.
Today, at 82 she continues to design clothing, shoes, and accessories. Her website is BetseyJohnson.com.
Irene Pastore Fitness.com 