Finding Control in Uncertain Times...

Cooperative Extension Service

Campbell County

3500 Alexandria Pike

Highland Heights, KY 41076

(859) 572-2600

Fax: (859) 572-2619

www.campbell.ca.uky.edu AUGUST 2020

S e a s o n a l

W ith COVID-19, so much is

happening and changing so

quickly that it can be hard to make

sense of the world around you. To

complicate things, the unknown

creates anxiety, uneasiness, stress, and

fear. To help you manage uncertain

times, it is important to remind

yourself that “uncertainty is a certain

thing.” According psychiatrist, Dr.

Abigail Brenner (2019), circumstances

change, and things do not always stay

as they are as a result. The more open

and flexible you are to change, the

more resilient you’ll be when things

happen. When you feel lost in

uncertainty, Brenner suggests several

coping mechanisms.

Focus on what you can control. Rely

on the things in your life that you can

count on to stay stable, and build your

life around this. Habits and familiarity

may bring peace when other aspects of

life are “off.” Maintaining or creating a

routine can better help you navigate

your day. Find ways to conquer the

unknown or your fears by choosing to

be positive, choosing to have some

fun, and choosing to find joy.

Keep expectations at bay. If you

dwell on what you think should

happen or on a certain outcome, you

may become frustrated and upset if

things go another way.

Look for opportunities. Sometimes

difficult times introduce possibilities

that you did not know existed.

Take a mental inventory. Both

positive and negative thoughts or

emotions influence the way in which

you interpret and therefore react to

events. If you catch yourself thinking

negatively or in terms of worse-case

scenarios, try to turn negative thinking

into a positive. For example, what is it

that you CAN do? How can you best

manage a bad situation?

Don’t let fear paralyze you. While

fear and the unknown can be protective,

it can also negatively affect your mind,

body, and spirit if you let it take charge

and prevent you from living.

Manage stress. There are many

ways to manage anxiety and stress

including physical activity, healthy

eating, proper sleep hygiene,

engaging creativity, and meditation.

Surround yourself with support.

Family and close friends contribute to

emotional support, self-esteem, and

self-confidence. The people closest to

you will also listen and demonstrate

empathy. They can also help you sort

and make sense of evidenced-based

information so that you can be more

educated about what is going on. Source: Amy F. Kostelic, Extension

Specialist for Adult Development and Aging

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Effective immediately, our

building will not have access to

the public. Call us to schedule a

meeting, we are still here to

answer your questions, call us at

(859) 572-2600 or email us at

[email protected] This

decision was made in response to

recommendations from the

University of Kentucky and the

CDC to keep our employees and

clientele safe.

Finding Control in Uncertain Times

Homemaker

Council Meeting

August 26 at 10 a.m.

Everyone is Welcome, if you would

like to join us for the meeting,

contact Kate Thompson at

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

- August 2020 Family & Consumer Sciences

Homemaker W S N E

What have you been up to…

Good beginner sewing

project from Pam Fields: It

was not too difficult and

anyone should be able to do

it — something that my

kitchen needed; hanging tee

towels!

Feeding the University and Enriching Lives

FUEL NKU is Northern Kentucky University ’s on-campus food pantry run by students, for

students.

FUEL NKU is asking for donations of non-perishable individual wrapped snacks, cracker packs, and

cases of water. These donations can be dropped off at the Campbell County Extension Office’s

lobby Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Homemaker

Council Meeting

August 26 at 10 a.m.

Everyone is Welcome, if you would

like to join us for the meeting,

contact Kate Thompson at

[email protected]

Keeping us informed... If there are any Cultural Arts classes or other Family & Consumer Sciences

classes you are interested in, please email your suggestions to Kate Thompson

at [email protected]

Keeping in contact, Electronically... If you have not already done so,

please send an email to our staff

support. Their email address is

[email protected] We would

like your email address to keep in

better contact with you.

http://campbell.ca.uky.edu

859-572-3500



Family & Consumer Sciences August 2020 -


H e a lt h & W e l l n e s s

CDC on Homemade Masks CDC recommends that you wear

masks in public settings when around

people who don’t live in your

household, especially when

other social distancing measures are

difficult to maintain.

Masks are most likely to reduce the

spread of COVID-19 when they are

widely used by people in public

settings.

Simple masks can be made at home

and may help prevent the spread of

COVID-19.

Who should NOT use masks: children under age 2, or anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

Masks are NOT surgical masks or N95 respirators. Currently, surgical masks and N95 respirators are critical supplies that should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders.

How to Make Masks

1. Cut out two 10-by-6-inch

rectangles of cotton fabric.

Use tightly woven cotton,

such as quilting fabric or

cotton sheets. T-shirt fabric

will work in a pinch. Stack the

two rectangles; you will sew

the mask as if it was a single

piece of fabric.

Materials Two 10”x6” rectangles of cotton fabric

Two 6” pieces of elastic (or rubber bands, string, cloth strips, or hair ties)

Needle and thread (or bobby pin)

Scissors

Sewing machine

Adult Sewn Mask

3. Run a 6-inch length of

1/8-inch wide elastic

through the wider hem

on each side of the mask.

These will be the ear

loops. Use a large needle

or a bobby pin to thread

it through. Tie the ends

tight.

Don’t have elastic? Use hair ties or elastic head bands. If

you only have string, you can make the ties longer and tie

the mask behind your head.

2. Fold over the

long sides ¼ inch

and hem. Then

fold the double

layer of fabric

over ½ inch along

the short sides

and stitch down.

4. Gently pull on the elastic so that the knots are

tucked inside the hem.

Gather the sides of the

mask on the elastic

and adjust so the

mask fits your face.

Then securely stitch

the elastic in place to

keep it from slipping.

We have a request from Campbell County Schools for sewn masks or

fabric to be donated to make masks for students (Kindergarten-12th

grade) by August 17, 2020 I have included the CDC recommended

guidelines for making masks. You can drop off your made masks or

fabric at the Campbell County Extension Office’s lobby Monday-Friday

8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Tutorial

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html


Make sure your mask: Fits snugly but comfortably against the side of the face

Completely covers the nose and mouth

Is secured with ties or ear loops

Includes multiple layers of fabric

Allows for breathing without restriction

Can be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape

Adult Non-Sewn Mask

Materials Bandana, old t-shirt, or square cotton cloth (cut approximately 20”x20”)

Rubber bands (or hair ties)

Scissors (if you are cutting your own cloth)

Washing machine

You can include your mask with your regular laundry.

Use regular laundry detergent and the warmest

appropriate water setting for the cloth used to make the

mask.

Washing by hand Prepare a bleach solution by mixing: 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) household bleach per gallon of room temperature water or 4 teaspoons household bleach per quart of room temperature water Check the label to see if your bleach is intended for

disinfection. Some bleach products, such as those designed for safe use on colored clothing, may not be suitable for disinfection. Ensure the bleach product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.

Soak the mask in the bleach solution for 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cool or room temperature water.

Dryer

Use the highest heat

setting and leave in

the dryer until

completely dry.

Air dry

Lay flat and allow to

completely dry. If

possible, place the

mask in direct sunlight.

Important things to consider about your mask...

Tutorial

How to Wash and Dry your Mask


H e a lt h y R e l at i o n s h i p s

Talking to Your Child about Race

T here are more 7.5

billion people in the

world of all different

shapes, sizes, and colors.

While we may live in a

community in which all of

the people look similar to

us, you don’t have to travel

far to see someone who

may look different from

you. Differences should be

explored and celebrated as

an opportunity to grow in

our understanding of

others making it important

to talk with our children

about race. Race is a term

used to describe each of

the major divisions of

humankind, having distinct

characteristics such as skin

color. Here are some ideas to

consider when preparing for this

important conversation.

What do you think? Take a few

moments to stop and ponder your

own beliefs and curiosities about

race. Do you talk about race in your

home? What races do you and your

child see? What does your child hear

about race at school and at home?

Understanding what messages you

believe and share concerning race

can help you determine if you too

need to learn more about different

perspectives.

Use history. It can be helpful when

talking to your child about race to

use historical accounts of how others

have been treated differently and

often mistreated because of their

race. Discuss the importance of

growing in understanding of others

in order to reduce fear of the

unknown. Let children know that

when we get to know people, we

often find that they share our same

feelings and interests.

Don’t stop the Conversation.

Children often speak their minds

unaware of social miscues which can

lead to them saying things that are

insensitive, embarrassing, or

downright racist. If this happens in

your home or in public, don’t shut

the conversation down, but rather

explore why they said what they said.

Ask them, “Where did you hear

that?” Give them a chance to explain

what they mean, as children often

don’t clearly communicate what they

mean the first time they try. Engage

their curious minds and help them

navigate their social encounters.

Allow this conversation to organically

lead to healthy conversations about

race and the importance of being

kind. Keep in mind that this is not a

one-time conversation, but rather an

ever-evolving one in which we learn

throughout our lifetime. This

conversation has no easy tips or

tricks.

Be the example. If you are urging

your child to have diverse friend

networks, then you too should be

growing a diverse social group.

Young children need

caring adults to help them

identify a positive self-

image and a respectful

understanding of others.

By diversifying your friend

group, your child will

automatically be exposed

to different races and see

the beauty and enrichment

they bring to our life

experience.

It is important to

remember that while these

conversations may not be

easy, they are necessary

and well worth our effort.

Reference:

Lythcott-Haims, J., Wiseman, R., & Coleman-Mortley,

A. (n.d.). How to talk to kids about race and

racism. Parent Toolkit. Retrieved from https://

www.parenttoolkit.com/social-and-emotional-

development/advice/social-awareness/how-to-talk-to

-kids-about-race-and-racism

Source: David Weisenhorn, Ph.D.,

Senior Specialist for Parenting and

Child Development

Ronda Rex

Campbell County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences

Kate Vaught Thompson Campbell County Extension Agent for

Family and Consumer Sciences

The Cooperative Extension Service prohibits discrimination in its programs and employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin. To file a complaint of discrimination, contact Tim West, UK College of Agriculture, 859-257-3879; Terry Allen or Martha Alexander, UK Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity, 859-257-8927; or the USDA, Director Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W Whitten Bldg., 14th & Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, 202-720-5964.

https://www.parenttoolkit.com/social-and-emotional-development/advice/social-awareness/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-race-and-racism





F o o d & N u t r i t i o n

T he dog days of summer are here.

The combination of the heat and

efforts to keep kids occupied and fed

may have you feeling like you are

headed for a meltdown. Fortunately,

we have several no-heat or low-heat

ideas to help you keep cool

(physically and mentally), keep your

kids active, and feed your family.

Keeping cool in the kitchen.

Depending on the time and

temperature required for baking or

cooking, your oven could be a

contributing source of heat in your

house. Limit how many times a week

you use the oven, and instead opt for

the microwave, an outdoor grill, or

quick stovetop methods. You may

even save on your electric bill by

using larger appliances less and

putting less stress on your air

conditioner.

- For recipes in which you need

cooked vegetables, substitute with

low- or no-sodium canned options

instead. This will eliminate the need

to dirty another pan or use an

additional heat source for the recipe.

- Repurpose leftovers into new

creations. This will reduce the amount

of “new” cooking you will have to do.

You can use leftover corn-on-the-cob

easily in recipes like the Plate It Up!

Kentucky Proud Cucumber, Corn, and

Bean Salsa.

Involve kids in the creation

process. Make snack and meal prep

a family activity. You can involve

children of all ages in

developmentally appropriate ways.

Children as young as 1 can watch and

listen to what you are doing.

Preschool-aged children can help

with basic prep like washing fruit and

vegetables or mixing ingredients.

School-aged children can read the

recipe to you or even take the lead

prepping a dish.

Have healthy appetizers on hand.

Does it seem like children need to eat

before dinner is ready? Avoid hangry

meltdowns by serving fruit and

vegetable appetizers while you finish

prepping meals. When children are

hungry, they may be less skeptical

and more willing to eat these less

familiar foods. Calling them

appetizers or offering a dip will feel

more special and fun.

Frozen treats. Repurpose your

favorite Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud

recipes to make homemade frozen

treats. You can freeze the Melon

Berry Smoothie in Popsicle molds or

ice cube trays with Popsicle sticks.

You also can freeze your family’s

favorite fruit. Just wash, freeze, and

enjoy. Frozen grapes and blueberries

are an easy, inexpensive way to make

fruit fun for a hot day. References:

McLeod, K. (2019, July 17). Ice cream in a bag. The

Best Ideas for Kids. https://

www.thebestideasforkids.com/ice-cream-in-a-bag/

https://fcs-hes.ca.uky.edu/piukp-recipes

Sources: Courtney Luecking, Extension

Specialist for Nutrition and Health, and

Heather Norman-Burgdolf, Extension

Specialist for Nutrition and Health

Summer Melt


The Mommy & Me Program has met by

Zoom the past couple months. We continue

to enjoyed some fun activities and learn

some new recipes to prepare and enjoy.

Participants did a flower arrangement with

our Horticulture technician Terri and we

focused on Family Meal Time with table

talk. Julie Geiman, Mommy & Me and

Master Gardener Volunteer talked about

finding treasures while gardening, being

outdoors and getting in some physical

activity. We also made Yummy Smoothies

for a cool Summer treat.


L i f e S k i l l s

W hen

summertime heats

up, it can be costly

to keep things

cool. The following

are some tips for

making the most

of your energy

dollar, so you can

keep cool on a

budget this

summer.

Quick fixes You can make

several small-scale

changes to save

money on cooling

your home.

Ceiling fans create a wind-chill

effect on your skin. Running them

when you are in the room will allow

you to raise the thermostat up to 4

degrees and keep the same

comfort level. Turn fans off when

you are not in the room to save

energy.

Other ways to use fans include

using a fan in a window to blow hot

air out of your home. Keep

windows near the fan closed, and

open windows on the far side of

your house from the fan. If you

have a whole-house fan, run it in

the early morning or night, then

turn it off and shut the windows

during the day.

Use window treatments to regulate

your home’s temperature. Close

blinds and curtains receiving direct

sunlight to reduce heat gain. Get

your natural light by opening the

coverings over the windows that

don’t get direct sunlight. The type

of material, fit, and reflective quality

may all impact effectiveness.

Switch your light bulbs. LED light

bulbs use less energy and last

longer – and they also produce less

heat. Incandescent bulbs turn 90%

of the energy they use into heat,

according to the Department of

Energy.

Keep the kitchen and laundry cool

by running the dishwasher and

laundry at night. Consider air

drying your dishes or clothes rather

than using heat.

Prepare foods that don’t need the

oven. Grill outside or use

countertop appliances such as a

microwave.

If you are running an air

conditioner, maintain it for best

operation. Clean or replace filters,

vacuum air intake vents, and ensure

that furniture or other items are not

blocking registers.

The big picture If you want a bigger impact on your

overall budget, a more costly project

now might reap savings long term.

Installing a programmable

thermostat allows you to change

your temperature automatically

when you are away or asleep. If you

adjust it up 10 degrees for eight

hours a day, the

Department of

Energy estimates

you may save as

much as 10% per

year on heating

and cooling. Find

out more at

www.energy.gov/

energysaver/

thermostats.

Seal your home

against air leaks to

keep hot air out

and cool air in.

Use caulk or

weather-stripping

around windows

and doors to seal

any cracks.

Proper home insulation lowers

heating and cooling costs by

reducing heat flow.

Strategic placement of trees and

shrubs can reduce your energy

costs. Landscaping can affect

shade, windbreaks, water

conservation, and more.

When replacing appliances and

electronics, consider purchasing

energy efficient models.

References:

Casey, A. (2017, July 24). Stay cool and save

money all summer long. Energy Saver.

Retrieved June 23, 2020, from https://

www.energy.gov/energysaver/articles/stay-cool

-and-save-money-all-summer-long

U.S. Department of Energy. (n.d.) Spring and

summer energy-saving tips. Energy Saver.

Retrieved June 23, 2020, from https://

www.energy.gov/energysaver/spring-and-

summer-energy-saving-tips

Source: Kelly May, Senior Extension

Associate for Family Finance and Resource

Management

Keeping Cool on a Budget


D ebts can pile up quickly.

Sometimes making payments

can feel like you are only chipping

away at the tip of the iceberg.

However, there are a couple of

effective methods for paying down

your debts over time.

The first step in making a debt

repayment plan is to take stock of all

that you owe. While you are

responsible for paying all the debts

that you owe, it may help to prioritize

the most important expenses.

Prioritizing is setting an order of

importance for dealing with items or

tasks.

If possible, adjust your budget to

allow for extra money specifically for

debt repayment. Paying a little extra

each month will eventually free you

from your debts long term.

When paying extra, you could use

two different strategies. With either

method, you will choose one debt to

focus on first. Continue making

regular minimum payments on all

your debts. While doing so, you will

apply extra money toward the

principal of the debt you choose to

start with. Once you’ve paid off the

first debt, you should work on the

next debt on your priority list,

applying extra money. With the first

debt paid off, you will now have extra

money to apply to the next payment.

Starting the avalanche Choosing to pay on the highest-cost

debt first may save you the most

money in the long run. This is

sometimes referred to the “avalanche

method.” Look at the interest rates

and total costs of your debts. Target

the most expensive debt to pay down

first. Since larger interest rates add up

more quickly over time, paying extra

will save you more money over the

life of the loan. The earlier you start

applying extra, the more money you

may save.

Picking a snowball fight While it may not save the most

money, paying off the smallest debt

first might provide the most

satisfaction. Paying the lowest-cost

debt is sometimes called the

“snowball method.” Smaller debts get

resolved faster using this method,

and you find yourself with fewer

payments to juggle each month.

Target the lowest-cost debt to apply

extra payments to first until you pay it

off. Then apply that payment, plus

any extra, to the next debt in line.

No matter which method you use, be

aware of any prepayment penalties.

Some lenders charge fees for paying

off debt early. If you’re not sure if

there is a prepayment penalty, review

your credit paperwork or contact the

creditor. The size of the penalty may

help you determine whether you

should prioritize the debt higher or

lower on your list.

Pick your preferred method and get

started. This is your chance to keep

your cool and melt away your

financial troubles.

Source: Kelly May, Senior Extension

Associate for Family Finance and Resource

Management

Keep cool this summer

while feeding your

creativity. This easy to prep

painting activity is

appropriate for all ages will

help.

What do you need? Ice cube tray with individual wells

for each cube

Water

Liquid food coloring or paint

Clothes pins, popsicle sticks, straws

or anything that could serve as a

handle

Freezer

Paint, cardboard, newspaper

How to create ice cube paint: 1. Partially fill the ice cube trays with

water.

2. Add 3 – 10 drops of food coloring

or paint to each well. More food

coloring or paint will make brighter

or darker colors. Use this as a fun

opportunity to explore creating

new colors by combining different

colors or making various hues of

the same colors.

3. Add “handle” to each well of the

ice cube tray.

4. Place ice cube tray in the freezer

and wait until frozen.

5. Remove frozen ice cubes and use

to create masterpieces on paper,

cardboard or newspaper. To

minimize mess, place a baking

sheet, old towel, or several pieces

of newspaper under the painting

paper. Take this activity outdoors

for more fun and even less mess.

6. Have fun while creating cool works

of art!

Source: Heather Norman-Burgdolf and

Courtney Leucking, Extension Specialists

for Food and Nutrition Reference: Roux N. Powerful Mothering website. Easy

and Colorful Ice Painting Art for Toddlers and

Preschoolers. https://www.powerfulmothering.com/

ice-painting/

Ice Painting

Melt Your Debt


H e a lt h & W e l l n e s s

H as someone you live with been

diagnosed with COVID-19, or

are they displaying symptoms of the

virus and are self-isolating? When this

happens, your first job is to reduce

the spread and survival of the virus in

your home.

The Centers for Disease Control has a

home care guide to teach household

members how best to interact with

the sick person. Please see the link in

the resources section at the bottom

of this document.

Containing the germs

Dedicate one room for rest, recovery,

and isolation of the sick person(s)

away from other members of the

household. If possible, dedicate a

bathroom to their sole use. If you

only have one bathroom, it should be

cleaned and disinfected after every

use by the sick person.

Give the sick person (only if they are

an able-bodied adult) personal

cleaning supplies such as facial

tissues, sanitizers, cleaners, paper

towels, disinfectants, and a lined trash

can for their isolation area.

The sick person should eat (or be fed)

in the isolation area.

How to clean and disinfect items in

the home

When cleaning hard or nonporous

surfaces, you should use disposable

gloves, if available. You can also use

reusable cleaning gloves, if you

have a pair dedicated for COVID-19

virus cleaning and disinfections

only. Gloves or no gloves, wash

your hands promptly after touching

and cleaning contaminated items.

Read the instructions on your

cleaning and disinfecting

products. Be sure to follow all

the directions about whether to

dilute, how to apply, necessary

drying time, and ventilation

requirements.

Before disinfecting, you should

look for dirt or grime. Use a

soap or detergent plus water to

clean off the dirt before you

disinfect.

Refer to the list of EPA-approved

products that will disinfect a

surface contaminated with

COVID-19.

A bleach solution can be used if

you do not have access to the

items on the EPA list.

Use 1/3 cup (5 tablespoons)

of bleach per gallon of water

or 4 teaspoons of bleach per

one quart of water.

Have proper ventilation

during and after using

bleach.

Do not mix bleach with other

cleaners or ammonia.

Check the expiration date of

the bleach. Only unexpired

bleach, when properly

diluted, will disinfect surfaces

contaminated with

coronavirus.

Bleach may not be

appropriate for all surfaces or

could damage a surface.

Please read the bottle for

manufacturer’s instructions.

Soft, porous surfaces should be

treated according to manufacturer’s

instructions.

Remove dirt using cleaners

designed for the surface.

If possible, launder using the

warmest water temperature

allowable by the item’s

manufacturer.

If not possible to launder, use

the EPA-approved products list

to identify what can be used on

the surface.

You should also disinfect

electronics that are frequently

touched. Read and follow the

instructions provided by your

device’s manufacturer. If no

guidance is available, you could use

alcohol-based products that

contain 70% alcohol to disinfect.

You do not want liquid to pool, so

dry thoroughly.

Items that can go in the laundry

(towels, washcloths, clothes, sheets)

should be handled with disposable

gloves or reusable gloves that are

dedicated to use for COVID-19

virus contaminated items.

Do not shake dirty laundry. This

can spread the virus in the air.

Launder in the warmest water

possible for the item according

to the washing instructions on

the tag.

Clean and disinfect clothes

hampers used to gather and

move clothes in between uses.

You could also use a trash bag

to line the hamper, and then

throw it away.

All members of the household should

wash their hands frequently, and

avoid touching their face, eyes, nose,

and mouth.

Resources

List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2

https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-

disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

Preventing the Spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in

Homes and Residential Communities https://

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-

prevent-spread.html

Caring for someone at home https://www.cdc.gov/

coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/care-for-

someone.html

Cleaning and Disinfection for Households https://

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting

-sick/cleaning-disinfection.html?CDC_

AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%

2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fprepare%

2Fcleaningdisinfection.html

Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home https://

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting

-sick/disinfecting-your-home.html

Source: Sarah Lovett Hanks, Healthy

Homes and Communities Extension

Associate, University of Kentucky, College

of Agriculture, Food and Environment.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Your COVID-19 Infected Home

Finding Control in Uncertain Times...

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