My Favorite Recipes: June 13, 2019

Gina is the owner of the Rae Gina's Salon on Main Street in Colfax, Wash. This salon is unique for Colfax. It features a tanning bed available all hours, massages by Lynnea Vantrease, eye brow and lip waxing and haircuts for the entire family. Gina works all hours and weekends by appointment. She has been doing hair for many years. She is a genius of her trade when it comes to highlights.

Gina was born and raised in Selah. Her fiancé, Dan Yancey, was born in Memphis Tenn., and he moved to Selah in junior high, where they met. They spent their school years together and parted after high school.

They reunited in 2013 and have been together ever since. Gina bought her home and her salon in 2010, which was her dream. She had traveled with Dan the first three years when he was a supervisor for a staging company in the entertainment business for 17 years. Gina spent this time doing hair and wardrobe for many celebrities such as Bruno Mars, Aerosmith, Tom Petty and Boston.

Gina also had the huge opportunity to go on tour with Miley Cyrus, but just couldn't leave her family for 18 months.

After three years of traveling and trying to manage children and lives, they both decided they needed to be here for their family, so they quit the business to be with their kids.

"I will always cherish those memories and am thankful for the opportunities, but focusing on my family and business has always been my true love." She came back and put 100 percent into her salon, and Dan took a job at Rosauers Supermarket.

Gina has four children. Sierra and Jacob are now raised and away from home. David will be entering Eastern Washington University in the fall under the running start program and plans on becoming a scientist majoring in math and science. Hailee will start high school in the fall. She looks forward to playing basketball in high school.

Gina and Dan also have a three year old grandson, Blaze, who they are raising due to the, "terrible opioid crisis we face in America that has affected so many households." Gina spoke with great passion about the struggles her oldest daughter has faced as an addict and wishes there was more that could be done for the drug epidemic in the country. It is not only a drug epidemic, but also a mental health crisis that needs addressed.

"Blaze is our pride and joy and we are so blessed to have him," Gina relayed.

Gina also has brought her disabled mother to live with them and is her caregiver.

Gina has a business at home, Plexus Worldwide, which she started three years ago.

"I made the best decision for my health. Getting gut healthy has changed everything for me from weight, anxiety, allergies and stomach issues," Gina said.

Recipes:

Hot Spinach and Artichoke dip

1 package frozen chopped spinach, squeezed dry

1 8 ounce cream cheese, softened

¾ cup of mayo

1 and a half cups monterey jack cheese

1 can of artichoke hearts, drained

1 package Knorr veggie mix

1 can water chestnuts, drained

2 cloves garlic

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients reserving half a cup of cheese. Top with remaining cheese and bake for 35 minutes.

Grilled Burgers

2 lbs. hamburger

4 minced garlic cloves

2 tbsp. white minced onions

1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 ¾ tsp ground pepper

1 ½ tsp salt.

Mix ingredients and grill to temperature. Makes 6 burgers, or 4 giant burgers