by Angela Hinkle | Jun 1, 2012
School’s out! One way to get creative with all this extra time and to eat nutritiously is to make and eat healthy snacks. Like an arts and crafts project, making a snack can be a great summertime activity. Bonus: the kids get to eat their artwork and you get to sneak nutritious foods into their day for a healthy diet.
Some works of art need the following elements:
- Foundation – slices of whole wheat bread, tortillas, English muffins, lettuce leaves, rice cakes, zucchini or cucumber rounds, apple or pineapple slices.
- Glue – peanut butter, low-fat cream cheese, cheese spread, hummus, refried beans, low-fat yogurt, jam, pizza sauce, or low-fat ranch dressing.
- Bling – seeds, nuts, grapes, raisins, match stick carrots, olives, beans, low-fat granola, diced fruits and veggies.
Start from the foundation and work up to the bling. Create faces, animals, or landscapes. Let the plate be your canvas. It’s a great way to try a new food or sample a food prepared in a totally different way.
For other works of art, use toothpicks, skewers, popsicle sticks, or edible pretzel rods to make shish kabobs. Cut out cheese shapes with small cookie cutters and add to the stick alternating with cut-up fruits and vegetables. Make a beautiful edible bouquet.
Kids also are more likely to enjoy new foods if they are served in fun containers. Try using mugs, champagne glasses, ice cream cones, or party hats.
Be sure to include nutritious foods from all the food groups as your artists create throughout the summer: load up on fruits and vegetables, incorporate whole grains, and go lean on the dairy and protein.
No sitting around loading up on unhealthy “junk” foods out of boredom this summer. The time for healthy edible snack art is now.
by Kendra Hughson | May 9, 2012
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgVG1Iz7WJw]
by Kendra Hughson | Apr 23, 2012
In the summer of 1997, Charles Moore of Long Beach, California, a furniture refinisher and seafarer was returning from a sailing trip through the seldom traveled Subtropical North Pacific only to realize his sailboat was encircled by a “plastic soup” for as far as he could see. In fact, Charles Moore had stumbled upon what is the largest garbage dump on the planet.
It is estimated that this discovery, now dubbed the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a huge stretch of floating waste is actually more like a soup of confetti-sized plastic bits, produced by our lifestyle of throw away consumerism. This discarded ‘stuff’ has made its way into every ocean.
This garbage patch is literally trash that gets stuck in storm drains and is washed into rivers and out to sea, the legal and illegal dumping of garbage and appliances, and plastic resin pellets inadvertently spilled and unloaded by plastic manufacturers. In fact, plastic marine debris is now found on the surface of every ocean on earth.
And, no matter where the plastic litter originates, once it reaches the ocean, it becomes a global problem. Garbage travels thousands of miles as it is carried by many large system of rotating ocean currents.
Moore’s discovery prompted him to take on a cause. Charles Moore founded Algalita Marine Research Foundation (AMRF) in hopes of raising awareness about the oceans – plastic litter in particular.
Moore’s action falls right into the ecological discussions concerning Handprints…you know those positive ecological aspects of action towards sustainability and the environment that can occur on any scale without compromise.
There is a great deal of information concerning carbon footprints circulating. … the frightening things each and everyone of us is doing to the earth each and every day. Perhaps, if each of us took time to emulate ‘a guy who cared’ and improve upon our own, individual handprint we could make this world a more sustainable place for everyone and everything.
This Earth Day, think about your handprint and the capacity you have to influence others.
See You Tube video: NOAA Marine Debris
Author: Heidi Copeland
by John Wells | Jul 1, 2011
Bay County
Food Safety and Quality Program
June 1– Bay County Extension Office
June 22 – Bay County Extension Office
Escambia County
May 3 – Don’t Eat Your Money
May 4 – Don’t Eat Your Money
May 5 – Hurricane Survival Kid’s Kit
Gadsden County
May 10,11,12- First time Homebuyers class
Wakulla County
May 9, 10, 16, 23, 24, 31 and June 6- Computer/Hypertension Classes
May 12 – Jam/Jelly Workshop
May 19 – 4-H Awards Banquet
June 6-9- 4-H Bug Day Camp
June 16 – Salsa Party (Food Preservation Workshop) at Camp Cherry Lake
June 27-30 – 4-H Culinary Day Camp
July 11-14- 4-H Spa Day Camp
July 18-21- 4-H Craft Day Camp
Walton County
May 3 and 10 – Homeownership Class
May 12 – Seafood for Your Health
May 24 – Seafood for Your Health
June 4 – Homeownership Class
June 14 – Managing Picky Eaters
June 16 – Managing Picky Eaters
June 21 – Seafood for Your Health
June 28 – Seafood for Your Health
by John Wells | Jul 1, 2011
The University of Florida IFAS Extension works towards agricultural, environmental, and economic sustainability in our rapidly growing state and communities. We accomplish this through research-based educational programs, publications, and opportunities provided to you locally. Please consider donating to the UF/IFAS County Extension office in your county. Your monetary gift is greatly appreciated and will be used to continue our efforts at providing information and education you want and need. To find out more about making donations and endowments to University of Florida IFAS Extension, please contact your County Extension office, or Joe Mandernach, IFAS Development Office at 352-392-5457 or jmandern@ufl.edu. Thank you!
by John Wells | Jul 1, 2011
 |
Kendra Zamojski
Family and Consumer Sciences Agent
Walton County
hughson@ufl.edu
|
University of Florida IFAS Extension is launching the Florida Master Money Mentor Program, a new statewide program to help Floridians get free one-on-one help with their finances. Funded in part by Bank of America, the goal of the program is to increase financial knowledge and to promote positive financial behaviors.
Volunteers complete an intensive Master Money Mentor training course. The volunteers are then matched with people in their local communities. Money Mentors help individuals track spending, create spending and savings plans, understand credit, and plan for the future. “We’re not calling this the Master Budgeteer Program, but that’s really kind of what we’re doing,” says Dr. Michael Gutter, UF/IFAS Assistant Professor and Family Financial Management Specialist. “We’re thrilled about being able to do this, because so many families need this help.”
Currently, more than 150 volunteers located in approximately 20 counties throughout Florida are helping more than 170 people increase savings and reduce debt. In the Northwest District, counties with Master Money Mentors include: Bay, Holmes, Okaloosa, Walton, and Washington.
The program targets low- to moderate-income families — especially those behind in mortgage payments or struggling to get beyond living paycheck-to-paycheck. According to Dr. Gutter, the Master Money Mentor program gives families a one-on-one adviser who will go beyond just doling out conceptual advice. Volunteer mentors must make a long-term commitment to the families they help. Mentors will not give investment advice but steer families to information that will help guide them.
While every family’s financial picture will be different, Dr. Gutter says he expects Money Mentors to help in three important areas: assisting families as they make spending and savings plans, helping them analyze their credit behavior and limit debt, and pushing families to be proactive with lenders when problems arise. “Getting a sense of control is critical for families who don’t have a lot of money,” Gutter explains. “The harder today is, the more important it is to know tomorrow is going to be better.”
For more information, contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Office.
