About Melissa Young

A Little about me: My name is Melissa Young and I am Senior Director of Mission Delivery, Client Services/MRI. I have my MSW from the University of Pennsylvania. In my spare time I enjoy playing golf and tennis, cooking, and spending time with my family and friends.

Avocado Taco

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Melissa Young

Cinco De Mayo is on Thursday, May 5th, 2022. It is a celebration that commemorates the anniversary of Mexico’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Wouldn’t it be fun to enjoy and share this avocado-based recipe with loved ones to celebrate this special day? This creative recipe is a clever way to put a spin on the classic taco. Adding the use of avocados for the shell is a healthier option too.

Ingredients

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Shaping the MS Experience: Facing Change

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Melissa Young

Let’s face it, change is hard, and you may feel MS causes you to be in a constant state of flux. Where you are always having to modify, adapt, adjust and shift. No two days are ever the same.

That got me thinking about the word CHANGE and how we accept change in our lives. Changes in your life require faith, dedication, and perseverance. Did you know that the true test of intelligence is not how much we know, but how we behave when we don’t know what to do?

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Rainbow Fruit Cups

Posted on February 18, 2022 by Melissa Young

As we are looking ahead to the Spring, I wanted to share a neat idea. This is fun and delicious to eat!!

The great thing about fruit is that it comes in so many beautiful colors, you have choices for each color of the rainbow with fruit.

Here are some fruit suggestions for you below:

Grapes
Blueberries
Pineapples
Clementine’s
Strawberries

First, you’ll need to wash your fruit. Some fruit will require additional preparation such as slicing or peeling.

After all the fruit has been prepped, now it’s time to assemble your fruit cups. If you use clear cups the colorful fruit will be more visually appealing.

Layer the fruit in their cups, one row of color at a time. You can add yogurt or whipped topping as the final step on top.

Enjoy!

ABC Yummy Muffins

Posted on January 19, 2022 by Melissa Young

Happy New Year! So many of us are trying to kick of the New Year focusing on health and wellness. What better way to incorporate a healthy option. These ABC Muffins (Apple, Banana and Carrot) are moist and delicious and are full of fruits and vegetables. Perfect as a little snack or pair it with a hot beverage of your choice.

Ingredients

½ cup butter slightly melted
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 apple, coarsely grated
1 carrot, coarsely grated
1 banana, mashed
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ cup milk
½ salt

Instructions

Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees.
Cream together the butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
Add the eggs, one at a time.
Stir in the vanilla extract.
Stir in the apple, banana and carrot.
In a separate bowl mix together the flour, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt.
Fold in half the dry flour mixture, followed by the milk and add remaining dry flour mixture.
Divide mixture into a muffin pan. Fill each space 2/3 full.
Bake at 375 for about 20-25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Holiday Pear Bread

Posted on December 17, 2021 by Melissa Young

If you are a fan of banana bread, you may love this too! It’s as a new twist on an old recipe. It may come in handy especially at this time of year when many get holiday fruit baskets and you often do not know what to do with the beautiful pears you may receive. This holiday pear bread became a quick new favorite in my house. It is moist and full of flavor.

Yummy with morning coffee and tea!!

Ingredients

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 cups grated fresh pears
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Dash of lemon juice

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly use cooking spray in a loaf pan.
Combine oil, sugar, dash of lemon juice and eggs in a mixing bowl. Beat well. Stir in grated pears, pecans and vanilla.
In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Stir dry ingredients into pear mixture.
Pour into loaf pan.
Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow bread to cool for about 10 minutes

Lemon Garlic Broccoli

Posted on November 10, 2021 by Melissa Young

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I wanted to share a side dish that I love.

The lemon and garlic combination are such delicious flavors. This dish is vegan and only take a few ingredients to make.

Ingredients

1 medium bunch of broccoli
2 cloves garlic, chopped or crushed
juice of 1 lemon
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 F.
Divide broccoli into individual florets, keeping stems on if you would like. Rinse under cold water and drain well. Once drained place in a medium bowl.
Combine broccoli florets, garlic, lemon juice and salt and pepper.
Place on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes until fork tender.

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Spooky Ice Cream Float

Posted on October 29, 2021 by Melissa Young

With Halloween in just a few days, we all need a little something to help us get in the spooky Halloween spirit.

This sweet treat is sure to be a hit for the young and old. It’s time to treat yourself to something delicious!

Happy Halloween!!!

Ingredients

1 cup red soda of choice
2 cups Vanilla Ice Cream
1/2 cup strawberry syrup
1 Can Whipped Cream
Spooky Halloween candy of choice, such as spiders, eye ball gum or vampire teeth

Instructions

Fill a cup 3/4 full of vanilla ice cream.
Slowly pour red soda over your ice cream.
Top with whipped cream and drizzle with strawberry syrup.
Add Halloween candy garnish.

Cinnamon Apples

Posted on September 20, 2021 by Melissa Young

What a perfect side dish to make in September! Maybe you could even go apple picking.

These Cinnamon Apples are a quick and a terrific way to add a fruit to your table this fall season. Great to top on ice cream, waffles, and granola.

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons of butter
5 Medium apples peeled and diced
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 Tablespoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

In a large skillet melt butter.
Add in medium apples and coat with butter.
Sprinkle in the sugar and cinnamon and stir.

Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes until the apples become soft.

Pumpkin Coffee Cake

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Melissa Young

I love fall baking. This cake is made with pumpkin puree and lots of spices. I also added in sour cream to add a bit more flavor and moistness to the coffee cake.

Adding streusel kicks it up a notch and tastes so delicious. This recipe will satisfy your cravings for fall while also making your kitchen smell amazing. Hands down scrumptious!

Ingredients

For the streusel:

1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For the cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 ounces sour cream, at room temperature
¼ cup applesauce
2 large eggs

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray the bottom of an 8-inch square pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Make the streusel:

In a small bowl, combine all the streusel ingredients with a fork until crumbly.

Make the cake:

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, brown sugar, and granulated sugar.
In a small bowl, stir together the pumpkin puree, oil, sour cream, applesauce, and eggs. Mix well.
Spoon half of the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with half of the streusel. Spread the remaining batter over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining streusel.
Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Happy Baking

Baked Parmesan Zucchini Rounds

Posted on July 26, 2021 by Melissa Young

Baked Parmesan Zucchini Rounds are a great way to use delicious summer zucchini! I have a gardening plot in my hometown community garden and my zucchini are thriving.

This simple side dish is quick and easy and requires only 2 ingredients!

Ingredients

2 medium-sized zucchinis.
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Garlic salt and freshly ground black pepper, optional.

Instructions

Place oven rack in center position of oven. Preheat to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray like PAM.
Wash and dry zucchini and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange zucchini rounds on prepared pan, with little to no space between them. If desired, lightly sprinkle zucchini with garlic salt and freshly ground black pepper. Use a small spoon to spread a thin layer of Parmesan cheese on each slice of zucchini.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until Parmesan turns a light golden brown. Serve immediately.

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