May - June 2018

Health and Happiness:

The Surprising Benefits of Volunteering This is the program I shared during the Spring Council Appreciation Dinner in April.

Adapted from Helpguide.org/ Jeanne Segal and Lawrence Robinson

The Happiness Effect

A study from the London School of Economics found that the

more that people volunteered, the happier they were.

Compared with people who never volunteered at all:

Monthly volunteers are 7% happier

Every 2-4 week volunteers are 12% happier

Weekly volunteers are 16% happier

Benefit 1: Volunteering connects you to others

Volunteers, such as Extension Homemakers, give their time and

talents to impact the lives of people in our community and

beyond. Even so, when we give of ourselves to help others, we

too will benefit--it is a two-way street. When we find ourselves

involved in service projects, we are also making new friends

and boosting our own social skills. So it naturally follows that we

end up strengthening our own ties to the community.

Benefit 2: Volunteering is good for your mind and body

Nothing relieves stress better than a meaningful connection to

another person--it counteracts the effects of stress, anger,

anxiety. Volunteering helps combat depression by helping us

focus on others. That makes us happy--the more we give, the

happier we feel. Surprisingly, this leads to an increase in self-

confidence because we know we have helped others.

Volunteering also provides a sense of purpose –especially for

those who may have had a recent major life adjustment, i.e.

lost a spouse or recently retired.

Giving of yourself helps you stay physically healthy. Those who

volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not

volunteer—more normal blood pressure, less chronic pain, clearer

thinking, and a reduced risk of heart disease. (Continued on page 2) For more information, contact the Cleveland County Extension office at 870-325-6321. You may

also email Diane Clement at dclement@uaex.edu.

In This Issue:

Health and Happiness

EHC Reminders

AEHC State Meeting

County Events

Watermelon Tomato Salad

Cleveland County Office 501 East Magnolia PO Box 386 Rison, AR 71665 Phone: (870) 325-6321 Diane Clement County Extension Agent- Family and Consumer Sciences E-mail: dclement@uaex.edu Facebook: UAEX Cleveland County Twitter: @ClementDiane

May 15 Leader Training, 9:30 a.m.,

fairgrounds. The lesson will be

How Long to Store Frozen Foods

and What If Your Freezer Stops?

The Health/Wellness leader of

each club should attend.

EHC Board Meeting 10:00 a.m.

May 29 EHC Reorganization packets

sent to each club president.

June 5-7 AEHC State Meeting, Hot Springs

June 29 EH Club Reorganization forms

due at county Extension office

July 20 Club Secretary Books due at the

Extension office

EHC Reminders

AEHC State Meeting

-Karen Bell Fox to Be Installed as

AEHC President

Representatives from Cleveland County

will be attending the AEHC State

Conference at the Hot Springs

Convention Center June 5 through June

7. The theme this year is Growing

Through Communication.

A special event that will take place at

this year’s conference is the installation

of new officers. Karen Bell Fox, Friendship

Club and Council Treasurer, will be

installed as the new AEHC President on

Thursday, June 7. You are invited to

attend the installation program that

morning to show support for Karen.

Congratulations Karen Bell Fox

(Continued from page 1)

Benefit 3: Volunteering can advance your

career

If you are looking to advance in your line of

work or relocate, volunteering is a great

way to learn new skills and make new

contacts in your network.

Benefit 4: Volunteering brings fun and

fulfillment to your life

Volunteering can be relaxing, or

energizing, or an escape from your day-to-

day routine. It provides renewed creativity,

motivation, and vision.

May is AEHC Month

During the month of May we

want to promote Cleveland County

Extension Homemakers and the leadership,

continuing education, and service

opportunities they bring to communities.

Some of the organizations and events

helped by Extension Homemaker Clubs are:

Fair board, Monticello Children’s Home,

Single Parent Scholarship Fund, Pioneer

Village, Community Action Groups from

Kickstart Cleveland County, Local Fire

Departments, CASA, Junk Hunt,

Greenhouse Cottages, Quilts of Valor,

Homesteading Conference, Rison

Veteran’s Park, New Edinburg Veteran’s

Park, and Marks Mill Clean Up.

Last year, EH Club members volunteered

13,757 hours at an estimated value to the

community of $332,094.

Thank you EHC for making our county and

our state even better by the selfless ways

you give.

Horticulture Field Day Southwest Arkansas Research Center

Hope

Ouachita District Family and Consumer

Sciences Agents presented The Fruits of

Summer recipe workshop at the Horticulture

Field Day on May 17. Visitors to the Research

Center attended sessions on Tomato

Production, Tomato Diseases and Pests,

Blackberry Production, Controlling Squash Bugs

and Other Garden Pests, Fruit Breeding and

Genetics, and Watermelon Production.

Look for the surprisingly delicious and refreshing

Watermelon Tomato Salad recipe on page 4.

MyPlate Relay,

Rison Elementary Fun Day

New Edinburg, Farm to Market 5K

2

Fruit-infused Water

For a healthy alternative to juices or soda, try

infusing water with fresh fruit. No added sugar. You can also try some

fresh herbs and veggies. Place washed herbs, fruit, and veggies in a large jar, fill with cold water. Allow

to sit several hours or overnight. Remove citrus peels after 30 minutes or they may become bitter.

Combinations to try:

Blueberry Citrus Basil Apple Raspberry

Rosemary Pineapple Cucumber Mint

Melon Basil Peach Ginger

Melon Cucumber Mint

Watermelon Tomato Salad

Serves 6

5 cups watermelon, ¾ inch cubes, seeds removed

3 cups cubed tomatoes, ¾ inch cubes

¼ teaspoon salt

1 small red onion, quartered and thinly sliced

¼ cup red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon black pepper

6 lettuce leaves

1. Combine watermelon and tomatoes in a large bowl.

2. Sprinkle with salt; toss to coat. Let stand 15 minutes.

3. Stir in onions, vinegar, and oil.

4. Cover and chill for 2 hours.

5. Serve chilled on lettuce leaves if desired.

6. Sprinkle with black pepper to taste.

Calories 100, Fat 5g, Protein 2g, Carbohydrates 18g, Cholesterol 0mg,

Sodium 105mg