Baby Sensory Play
In the early childhood years there are key experiences that are essential to development. Babies and toddlers benefit from sensory activities and it is important for overall health and well-being. When does sensory development start? The answer is before we are born....
Masks Work
Can you believe it? Here we go, again! The Covid-19 delta variant case surge is an unwelcome visitor for sure! What works? What doesn’t work? I have always liked to err on the side of caution. Sound science is both prudent and responsible. Sound science says masks are...
Meet Your FCS Agent: Julie McMillian
Julie McMillan is the Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development and Family and Consumer Science in Gulf County. She started in March 2020 around the same time the pandemic went into full effect for many of us. It didn’t matter, though, because she couldn’t be more...
The Expanded, Advance Child Tax Credit is NOT Stimulus Money
Yes, that’s right, the expanded, Advance Child Tax Credit is NOT stimulus money. The Child Tax Credit is an ADVANCE payment of next year’s Child Tax Credit. Taxpayers with qualifying children are entitled to claim qualifying children for an income tax credit. With...
Probiotics: Good Bugs or Bad Bugs?
What do you think of when you hear the word bacteria? If you are like most people, you probably think of those teeny, tiny germs that are invisible to the naked eye, but have the potential to cause serious illness. And while you would not be wrong to think that way,...
Nutrition Misinformation
If you’ve tried to find nutrition information in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, you probably got more than you bargained for. Recently, I searched “nutrition and COVID-19” and in less than one second, I got 590,000,000 hits. That’s a lot of information! With so...
Cucumber / Watermelon Salad
July in National Watermelon Month. Watermelon is a sweet, low-calorie summer treat. The taste and fragrance of a cool, juicy slice of watermelon can't be beat. Celebrate by trying this different recipe using nutritious, delicious watermelon....
Preparing for the Storm – What’s for Dinner?
Now that we are officially in Hurricane Season (June1-November 30) and named storms are paying a call to the Sunshine State, it’s time to make sure we are prepared. At the top of the list is planning meals for you and your family. Many people grab snack-type foods,...
DIG IN for your Mental Health
As July begins, one mental health topic we repeatedly hear or read about is how stress is negatively affecting so many Americans right now. In these unprecedented times, many people are reaching out for guidance from their doctors, therapists, friends, and family....
Kids in the Kitchen
I have just wrapped up my three-day Kitchen Creations camp and am happy to report that it was a big hit with the campers. Each day had a different country theme. Day 1 was Italian, Day 2 was Mexican, and Day 3 was American. All the dishes the kids made, including...