Morris Holiday Guide 2026 Final - Flipbook - Page 19
Green Resolutions
Peppermint Chocolate Gooey
Butter Cookies
for the New Year
by Carrie Taylor
SMALL HABITS. HOLIDAY SPIRIT.
Ingredients:
1 egg
1 triple chocolate fudge
1-2 tsp peppermint
cake mix
extract (depending on
1 8oz block cream cheese
taste)
softened
1-2 cups powdered sugar
1 stick unsalted butter
for dusting
Directions:
Beat together cream cheese, butter, egg and extract until
combined.
Mix in cake mix until smooth thick batter forms. Cover and
refrigerate overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Roll dough into 1-inch balls, roll into powdered sugar, place
on parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 12 minutes.
Cool 10 minutes on pan then transfer to cooling rack.
Once cool, sprinkle with more powdered sugar and serve.
Carry the holiday spirit into the year ahead with simple, earth-friendly
habits that are good for your home, your wallet and your community.
1 PACK A ZERO-WASTE KIT
Keep a reusable shopping bag, water bottle, travel mug and set of
utensils in your car or bag so you’re never caught reaching for single-use
plastic on the go.
2 LOVE YOUR LEFTOVERS
Make one night a week “clean out the fridge” night, freeze extras before
they spoil, and start a backyard compost bin for peels and co昀昀ee grounds.
3 EAT LOCAL, EAT IN SEASON
Fill your plate with fresh 昀椀nds from area farmers markets, roadside stands
and local farms. Food grown nearby travels fewer miles and supports
neighbors who grow it.
4 FIX IT FIRST
Before replacing something, try repairing it. Sew on a button, glue a
broken handle or look up a quick how-to video. Many communities also
host free repair events.
5 SHOP SECONDHAND FIRST
Check thrift stores, resale shops and online neighborhood swap groups
before buying new. Pass along what you no longer need so it gets a
second life, too.
6 GO PAPERLESS
Sign up for e-bills and digital receipts, and unsubscribe from catalogs and
junk mail you never read. Less paper in the mailbox means less in the
recycling bin.
SPONSORED BY:
These freeze well. Can be made with any combination
of cake mix and extracts. Other of our favorites:
Lemon cake and almond extract | Spice cake with vanilla
Strawberry cake and vanilla | Chocolate with vanilla extract
7 TURN IT DOWN A NOTCH
Lower the thermostat a couple of degrees, seal drafty windows and
doors, and wash clothes in cold water. Small changes add up on your
energy bill.
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MORRIS, IL 60450
GENERAL: 815-941-1000
CONTEST LINE: 815-941-1031
NEWS: GRUNDYNEWS@GMAIL.COM
WEST FLOORING
COMPANY
8 PLANT FOR POLLINATORS
Come spring, add native 昀氀owers and shrubs to your yard, skip the
pesticides and leave a few fallen leaves in garden beds for overwintering
bees and butter昀氀ies.
Trivia Contest
9 DRIVE LESS, EXPLORE MORE
Bundle errands into one trip, carpool to work or games, and walk or bike
to nearby spots when the weather warms up. You’ll save gas and get
some fresh air.
10 MAKE IT A GROUP EFFORT
Turn green goals into a family or o昀케ce challenge, join a community
cleanup or tree planting, and share what’s working with friends. Good
habits are contagious!
Here’s to a happy, healthy – and greener – New Year!
You can
85 N. Daley St., Diamond, IL
815-634-3600
The Nightmare Before
Christmas
Clarence
Arnold Schwarzenegger
SERVING THE GRUNDY COUNTY AREA
Morris, IL • Channahon, IL • Minooka, IL • Coal City, IL • Seneca, IL • Marseilles, IL • Ottawa, IL • Joliet, IL
11
Come to Jimmy D’s for all
your quick lube needs!
Brake Services
Free Air
Oil Changes
Towing
Tire Services
And More!
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