National Apple Month

National Apple Month

Summer is coming to a close, and Fall is in the air. What better way to kick off the Fall season than by bobbing for a deep red, bright green, or yellow apple? Currently, there are over 2,500 varieties of apples grown in the United States, and 7,500 varieties grown throughout the world. Apples are also grown in all 50 states. That is a lot of apples to celebrate throughout the month of October!

Photo source: Claire Davis, UF/IFAS Extension

Have you ever heard the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”? This was something that I was told throughout my childhood. I did not believe that an apple a day would keep me healthy and away from the doctor’s office. Now I understand that the saying is a tribute to the apple’s nutritional value and its health benefits. Per the USDA, an apple is an excellent source of fiber and vitamin C!

Fiber affects the rate of digestion of foods, the absorption of nutrients, and the movement of waste products (stool) through the colon. It also provides a substrate for beneficial intestinal bacteria (Cornell). Vitamin C supports your body’s health by forming collagen used to make skin, tendons, and blood vessels. Vitamin C also helps heal wounds, repair or maintain bones and teeth, and helps absorb iron (Medline Plus). It is best to eat the apple with the skin on, because the skin contains fiber and right under it is most of the vitamin C. One medium sized apple, about 2.5 inches in diameter, has a total calorie count of about 80 calories.

Apples are a great fruit to add to our diet! Check out a few ideas below on easy ways to add them in.

Photo source: Claire Davis, UF/IFAS Extension
  • Apples chopped up into bite size pieces taste great mixed in with a salad.
  • Mix up a yogurt dip using yogurt, cinnamon, and vanilla, to dip apple slices in. Or try spreading peanut butter over apple slices.
  • Add a peeled apple into a smoothie for added nutrients.

If you are not convinced yet, consider this. Apples are delicious, easy to carry around for a snack, low in calories, and can be refreshing on a hot day! With the hundreds of varieties available, there is an apple to suit almost anyone’s taste. Apples can be sweet, tart, crisp, crunchy, soft, or mushy, however you like them. Try an apple today!  

Fiber, digestion, and health – Cornell University. (n.d.). https://health.cornell.edu/sites/health/files/pdf-library/fiber-digestion-health.pdf

Food data Central Search Results. FoodData Central. (2019, April 1). https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171688/nutrients

U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2023, January 19). Vitamin C: Medlineplus medical encyclopedia. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002404.htm

Don’t Get Scammed

Don’t Get Scammed

What is a scam? A scam is a deceitful attempt to gain something of value from you, such as your personal information or funds. Scammers often pose as a genuine business or acquaintance in order to trick people into trusting them. Scam attempts are made over the phone, via text, in person, or through email. Scams target individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and income levels. Though seniors have traditionally been targets of scams, everyone is vulnerable.

It is important to protect yourself by recognizing the signs of scams. These signs can help keep you, your loved ones, and your money safe.

The Consumer Financial Protection Board (CFPB) has lots of resources to help you identify and stop these scams.

Here are Some Basic Signs of a Scam:

  • Scammers often pretend to be a person/place you recognize, to win your trust.
  • Scammers often tell you that there is a problem, or you have won a prize.
  • Scammers often pressure you to take action immediately (time limited).
  • Scammers often request you to pay in a specific way (store gift card or cash apps).

Tips to Protect Yourself from Scams and Identity Theft:

  • Don’t share passwords or account numbers – especially your Social Security number.
  • Change your passwords frequently. Make them complex. Store all passwords in a safe location.
  • Do not open suspicious texts or click on links or attachments in an email. DELETE THEM!
  • Don’t ever pay ahead of time for a guaranteed prize. If they request payment for taxes or other fees before you can receive a prize or prize money, it is most likely a scam.  
  • Keep your personal information safe. Lock your mailbox and shred your bills and other important documents before throwing them in the trash.
  • Sound too good to be true?  If you are skeptical, and/or something doesn’t feel right, it probably is a scam.
  • Be skeptical of deals that are “good for only today.” If you are pressured to act immediately (or else!), it probably is a scam.
  • Make sure to register your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry or call (888) 382-1222.

Do You Think You’ve Been the Victim of a Scam? Now What?

Protect yourself from scams by following a few simple guidelines for protecting your personal information online and over the phone. (Photo source: Thomas Wright)

Report the Scam. Reporting scams can help protect others. Agencies can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of behaviors that can lead to criminal charges.

Contact Your Local Law Enforcement. Consumers can report scams to their local law enforcement office, particularly if their money or identity has been stolen.

Contact Florida’s Attorney General.  Florida citizens who have been victims of a scam can contact the Florida Attorney General’s Office of Citizen Services at 1-866-966-7226 or file a report on their website.

Reach out to the FBI. The FBI site offers some personal safety resources regarding scams and fraud.

For more information about keeping you and your family safe from scams, identity theft, and fraud, please contact the UF/IFAS Extension office in your county.

It’s Not Too Late to Get the Flu Vaccine

It’s Not Too Late to Get the Flu Vaccine

Protect your family and yourself against the flu with the flu vaccine and diligent personal hygiene. Photo credit: Melanie Taylor, UF/IFAS Extension.

The 2022 flu season is running at full speed and many of us will be spending more time inside due to colder temperatures, traveling, and gathering throughout the holiday season, which means we have a much better chance of coming in contact with people who may have the flu.

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. Flu viruses cause illness, hospital stays, and deaths in the U.S. each year. The flu can vary from mild to severe, so be sure to protect you and your family appropriately. Along with being vaccinated, other ways to avoid the flu include staying away from people who are sick, covering your coughs and sneezes by coughing and sneezing into your elbows, not your hands, washing your hands often with soap and water, and not touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Be Aware of Flu Symptoms:

  • Fever or feeling feverish/chills
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headaches
  • Tiredness
  • Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
  • It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

Let’s Talk Facts About the Flu Vaccine:

  • It can keep you from getting sick with flu.
  • It can reduce the severity of illness in people who get vaccinated but still get sick.
  • It can reduce the risk of flu-related hospitalization.
  • It is an important preventive tool for people with certain chronic health conditions.
  • During pregnancy, the flu vaccine can help protect pregnant women from the flu during and after pregnancy and helps protect their infants from flu in their first few months of life.
  • It can be lifesaving to children.
  • Getting yourself vaccinated may also protect people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and young children, senior adults, and persons with certain chronic health conditions.
  • It’s important to note it takes two weeks for the vaccine to become fully effective.

Only about 50% of Americans get an annual flu shot. There are so many more people that could prevent hospitalizations, severe flu illness, and even flu deaths if they would get vaccinated. The science is strong and the flu vaccine has been available to the public since 1945 after the U.S. government researched its safety and efficacy on the U.S. military. The flu vaccine is highly recommended by doctors for children, adults, and senior adults. If you have a chronic health condition, it is even more important for you to get your flu vaccine and protect yourself and your family from flu exposure. Let’s all consider getting the flu vaccine in 2022 and 2023 to prevent severe illness, save lives, and to have a happy, healthy New Year.

Reference: www.cdc.gov

Meet Gulf County’s New 4-H Youth Development and Family & Consumer Sciences Agent

My name is Anitra Mayhann, and I am excited to be Gulf County’s new 4-H Youth Development and Family & Consumer Sciences Agent. I started my position with UF/IFAS Extension Gulf County on August 8th.

I grew up in Monticello, Florida on an 80-acre horse & black angus farm.  I loved growing up in a rural area.  I spent a lot of time with animals and riding horses. I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications from Florida State University, and I will be pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Family, Youth & Community Sciences from the University of Florida.

I have lived in Gulf County for over 25 years and have a strong bond with this community. It is my desire to see youth and family enrichment programs continue to grow in our county.

As Gulf County’s new 4-H Agent, I have a desire to educate youth by highlighting both animal and natural sciences and the life skills that accompany these topics. I look forward to continuing our longstanding horse club and our livestock & beekeeping clubs. I am excited about establishing a new Archery & Shooting Club, as well as a Youth Naturalist Program in the future. I also plan to add/expand programming focused on leadership development, civic engagement, and healthy living, as I feel these are all crucial to prepare our youth to make a positive impact in their community and beyond.

Open enrollment for Gulf County 4-H clubs begins September 1. Volunteers are crucial to our 4-H program; if you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please let me know!

I look forward to working in the community.  Please feel free to reach out to me by email, amayhann@ufl.edu, or call our office, (850) 639-3200.  Please follow our Facebook page: UF/IFAS Extension Gulf County.

Meet Your FCS Agent: Laurie Osgood

Meet Your FCS Agent: Laurie Osgood

Laurie Osgood, UF/IFAS Extension Gadsden County

Hello, I am Laurie Osgood, the UF/IFAS Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension Agent in Gadsden County. I have worked in Extension for over 8 years, with seven of those years in the Gadsden County office. My FCS program areas include health and wellness and financial capability.

I hold a bachelor’s degree in Dietetics and have recently completed my master’s degree in Family, Youth and Community Sciences from the University of Florida.

As an Extension Agent, I enjoy working with families and youth across the state of Florida and in Gadsden County.  It is very rewarding to be able to offer health and wellness programs that benefit families in my community. Working as an Extension Agent has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my career.

I have been married to my husband, Gary, for over 25 years and we have three children, which includes a set of twins. All three of my children are currently seeking their college degrees. We have two rescue dogs that are as much work as children.

My hobbies include working in my garden, traveling, and visiting Florida breweries.

Laurie Osgood on a trip to Paris.