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
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Kendra Zamojski
Family and Consumer Sciences Agent
Walton County
hughson@ufl.edu
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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.
by John Wells | Jul 1, 2011
Those potatoes should be done by now. As a matter of fact, it took longer to bake the brownies last night, too. I need to check to see if the oven is baking at the temperature it says. There is the problem! It is 20 degrees under what it should be.
Use an oven thermometer to check the temperature of your oven. Photo Credits: Amanda Griffin, Jackson County
If you have run into this problem before, it is fairly easy to fix. First, you need to turn on the oven to any temperature. Once your oven reaches the desired temperature, place an oven thermometer inside. The thermometer will show you the actual oven temperature. Turn the oven off. Now you can calibrate (adjust) the settings to achieve an accurate temperature.
Most ovens can be calibrated by removing the temperature knob. Note the current setting then, depending on whether it is under-cooking or over-cooking, move the directional arrow in either direction to adjust the temperature up or down. It may be necessary to remove a few screws in order to do this. One notch usually equals 10 degrees. Once you have made the adjustment, replace the knob and turn the oven on again. Use the oven thermometer to check the temperature. Now you should be on the mark. If your oven has touchpad controls, refer to the owner’s manual for calibration instructions. Happy baking!
by John Wells | Jul 1, 2011
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Melanie G. Taylor
Family and Consumer Sciences/4-H Agent
Gulf County
metaylor@ufl.edu
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The importance of volunteerism has always been strong, but in these tough times of economic hardship, natural disasters, and wartime, the number of volunteers helping those in need are not only helping others, but themselves, too. Upon entering office, President Obama began a campaign-United We Serve. This program is managed by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service and leads President Obama’s national call to service initiative.
Gulf County 4-H volunteer assists with a 4-H lesson on healthy ocean life. Photo Credits: Melanie Taylor, Gulf County
An unexpected benefit through this initiative is that volunteers are helping themselves to better health while helping others. According to the CNCS, over the past 20 years, there has been more and more research showing that volunteering provides health benefits in addition to social benefits. The reports show that volunteers have greater longevity, higher functional ability, lower rates of depression, and less incidence of heart disease. “Volunteering makes the heart grow stronger,” said David Eisner, CEO of the CNCS. “More than 61 million Americans volunteer to improve conditions for people in need and to unselfishly give of themselves. While the motivation is altruistic, it is gratifying to learn that their efforts are returning considerable health benefits.”
The studies, which were controlled for other factors, found that volunteering leads to improved physical and mental health. The research suggests that volunteering is particularly beneficial to the health of older adults and those serving 100 hours annually.
The rewards go beyond better health. Other benefits reported by volunteers:
- Being happier
- Having better self esteem
- Having a sense of control over their life
When questioned, some of the more common reasons that people give for giving of their time include:
- It makes them feel better about themselves.
- It helps them gain a better understanding of other people, places, and cultures.
- It helps them meet new people, make new friends, or further their careers.
- It is a good means of giving back to their communities and to supporting humanitarian causes.
So, if you have thought about volunteering, but have not, here is your reason to begin; if you already are, keep up the dedication. With so many stressors in our lives these days, it’s important for us to find healthy ways to cope. Volunteerism may be just the remedy you’re looking for. Aim to make positive changes in your life and health today – VOLUNTEER and feel the benefits of giving to others.
To find local volunteer programs in your community, be sure to contact your local Extension Office, non-profit agencies, and other local community organizations. For more information on the CNCS, visit http://www.nationalservice.gov.
Sources: Corporation for National and Community Service (http://www.nationalservice.gov) and Diabetes Education Voices Blog by American Association of Diabetes Educators (http://www.diabeteseducationblog.org/).
by John Wells | Jul 1, 2011
How can I encourage my children to be healthy eaters? When parents ask for parenting advice, my response usually starts like this, “Well, it depends…..” However, my reply to the healthy eating question is straightforward. Set a good example, have healthy foods available, and make mealtimes fun.
Make snack time fun and healthy. Photo Credits: Heidi Copeland, Leon County
Set a good example for healthy eating. What we do seems to carry a stronger message to our children than what we say. Our actions do speak louder than our words. Let your children see you eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains with meals or as snacks. Try new foods and describe how they taste, the texture, and the smell. Only offer one new food at a time and serve something your child likes along with the new food. Offer a small serving of the new food at the beginning of the meal, when your child is very hungry. Avoid forcing your child to eat and realize that the new food may need to be offered at several different meals before your child acquires a taste for it.
Have healthy foods available in your home. Cut raw vegetables into fun and easy shapes with cookie cutters. Back to setting a good example, let your children see that you like to munch on raw vegetables. Make your own trail mixes from dry whole-grain, low-sugar cereal and dried fruit. Prepare healthy snacks in advance before everyone is starving and ready to grab the first thing they see. Then store those snacks in small see-through packages that are handy to grab and go.
Dr. Karla P. Shelnutt, a Registered Dietitian with University of Florida IFAS Extension, reminds us that healthy snacks are an important part of a child’s diet because children have small stomachs and it is difficult for them to meet all their nutritional needs in three meals. Snacking can be part of a well-balanced diet if the foods selected for snacks are healthy and nutritious rather than high in fat and added sugar.
Make mealtime fun. The next time tacos are on the menu, gather everyone in the kitchen. Divide up the responsibilities for preparation. Put on some Mariachi music and encourage everyone to get moving. Dance, enjoy, and the laughter will come naturally. Turn the music volume down during the meal to encourage conversation and then plan your family’s next theme night. Following the meal, turn up the music and dance the night away while everyone helps with the clean up.
Trying to get everyone together for a meal can be a challenge. However, it is a challenge worth accepting. Families benefit from sitting down with one another over food to discuss the events of the day, relax, and nourish their bodies. Our attitudes and traditions concerning food are based on family experiences. Make meals enjoyable and help your children become healthy eaters while creating cherished family memories.
