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May 2020 Living Well in

Webster County

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE DURING COVID-19

2020 will certainly be a year that we won’t soon forget. For me, it started out with a two week “bucket list” vacation to Hawaii. Natalie Green and her husband Brant, welcomed their first child, a bouncing baby boy, into this world on February 26

th, 2020. We had both been looking forward to 2020 for many months.

The one thing neither of us ever thought about was a global pandemic in 2020! Thankfully, my vacation was in late January and there were no travel restrictions and Natalie and her family were safely at home before COVID-19. These unprecedented times have certainly changed how we all live. From preparing our grocery lists and arranging grocery pickup to learning new skills; we have all had to make changes.

On March 20th, 2020 all UK facilities and buildings, including county extension offices, closed to the public (excluding UK medical center and Livestock Diagnostic Lab). Most employees are working from home and only coming to office to take care of task that can’t be attended to from home. All hiring for UK has been suspended until COVID-19 guidelines have been lifted. This includes summer interns, area program directors, agent positions and support staff.

We are in our 5th week of working from home. We have all adjusted pretty well, but like everyone else ready for some kind of normal. Even being closed to the public, we have been able to help our clients, keep our bills paid, and conduct trainings and more. Wade Raymer, 4H and Youth Development Agent, has been preparing 4-H project kits for parents to pick up and 4Her’s work on at home. He has put several kits together and the response has been tremendous. I have gotten many request for gardening information. Families are planning to have a garden after being in the situation we are in now. Technology has made it easier to get information to clients. “Education from a Distance” Garden bags were assembled and placed outside clients to pick up. The bags had various gardening publications, a gardening calendar, gardening gloves, and vegetable and flower seed packets. We have also promoted the WC barn quilt trail as an activity families can do together and get out of the house yet still adhere to social distancing. According to Facebook stats, that program has reached over 1330 people. We are working on more programs to offer in the near future. It has been a challenge to keep programs going, but we have been able to find ways to get the job done. .

4H camp has been a topic of discussion for many. Alternative options are being discussed at the state level with an official announcement coming out over the next few days.

The Farmers’ Market will open in the next few weeks. We are finalizing our plans for how the market will operate. Customers will be able to purchase fresh, locally grown produce, meats and value added products. The market will offer “curbside service” and also “limited shoppers” option. We realize that most customers like to pick out their own produce. When opening day is announced, the operating plan will also be announced. We will all have to work together and be patient as we work through following CDC guidelines to do our part in keeping everyone safe.

Stay safe, stay active and stay positive!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Extension Service Update……….....1

Mixing Chemicals……………………..2

Dates on Food………...……………....2

Your Immune System……………....3

Food Facts……………………………....4

Recipe………………………...………….4

ROLL CALL

What is your favorite memory of your mother?

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

“A Mother hold her children’s hand for a little while, their heart forever.”

Cooperative Extension Service Webster County

1118 US Hwy 41-A South

Dixon, KY 42409-9492

(270) 639-9011

Fax: (270) 639-6592

www.ca.uky.edu/ces

Webster County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources

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Do not mix these chemicals or products

Many effective cleaning products get rid of dirt, grime, and germs. Although these products claim to work, and if used properly, they should work — some of us feel the need to give our cleaners a “boost” by adding other ingredients to increase cleaning power. This can be a problem because, often, mixing cleaners and chemicals produces toxic fumes or vapors. Here is a list of chemicals you should not mix, nor add to other products. Most importantly BLEACH should only be mixed with water.

Bleach + Ammonia = TOXIC Vapors

Bleach + Rubbing Alcohol = Chloroform (No need to create this!)

Bleach + Toilet Bowl Cleaners = TOXIC Fumes

Bleach + Vinegar = TOXIC Vapors

Hydrogen Peroxide + Vinegar = Corrosive Irritant

2 Different Types of Drain Cleaners = Explosive Chlorine Gas

Reference: https://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/cleaning-products-never-mix Source: Jeanne Badgett, Senior Extension Associate for Clothing, Textiles, and Household Equipment

What Do Dates on Food Products Mean?Almost every product you pick up in the grocery store has some kind of date on it. Unfortunately, there isn’t a universally accepted food-dating system in the United States, so there is tremendous confusion about what these dates mean. What is the difference between “use by,” “sell by,” and “best by”? Is the food still safe to eat if it is past the date listed? The government does not require food manufacturers to print use by dates, sell by dates, and best by dates on food labels. The only exception is infant formula, which must have a “Use by” date based on nutrient content testing. Manufacturers voluntarily print these dates on packages of other foods because consumers want to see them. They are freshness and quality dates, not food safety dates. The Food and Drug Administration supports “Best if Used By” dates, which indicate the date the food will retain top quality and flavor. It is a freshness date. The food is not necessarily spoiled or unsafe after this date but may have lost some of its freshness and nutritional value. Packaged foods like cereals, snack foods, canned foods, and frozen entrees often have “Use By” or “Best By” dates. You may safely eat foods after these dates if they show no signs of spoilage and you have stored, handled, and prepared them properly. A “Sell by” date indicates the last recommended day of sale. Fresh meats, dairy products, and breads often have sell by dates. Retail stores should pull products after the sell by date; however, it is legal to sell food after this date. Most food is safe to eat after the sell by date as long as there are no signs of spoilage and the food has been stored, handled, and prepared properly. You

should cook fresh meat, fish, and poultry within one to two days after you buy and refrigerate it. You could also freeze the product because once frozen, the date doesn’t matter.

Reference: FDA https://www.fda.gov/news-events/fda-voices-perspectives-fda-leadership-and-experts/working-food-industry-reduce-confusion-over-date

-labels Source: Annhall Norris, Extension Specialist for Food Safety and Food Preservation

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Everyone seems to be asking what foods are best to “boost” the immune system. Are there foods that will help your body fight sickness better than others? Our immune system is complex so there isn’t a specific food or a certain amount of food you can eat to boost it. Instead, we want to focus on a balanced diet that includes at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Some nutritionists even encourage seven servings a day. Adding fruits and vegetables of any kind will help ensure your body receives the nutrients — vitamins, minerals, and fiber — it needs to work properly. Vitamins A, C, E, and zinc are nutrients that will help support the immune system when it needs to work hard. Choosing a variety of fruits and vegetables that match the rainbow will be the best source of these nutrients. By getting enough nutrients, you improve your body’s ability to fight sickness. In reality, we don’t want to “boost” our immune system because it will overreact. This can actually put more stress on the body. Instead, we want to choose foods and healthy lifestyle behaviors that support the immune system to respond appropriately when under stress. As we age, our immune system function declines. However, there are steps you can take to support a healthy immune system so that it can respond appropriately when faced with seasonal illness. Keys to staying healthy for people of any age are much broader than nutrition and include: Choose brightly colored plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables.

Choose lean proteins.

Stay hydrated with water.

Be physically active on a regular basis.

Get an adequate amount of sleep.

Find ways to reduce stress.

Practice good hygiene, and wash hands often.

Reference: https://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/preventing-illness/support-your-health-with-nutrition#:~:text=Get%20this%20immune-boosting%20vitamin,of%

20antibodies%20and%20boosting%20immunity. Sources: Heather Norman-Burgdolf, Extension Specialist for Nutrition and Health; Emily DeWitt, Extension Associate for FCS Extension

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.

~Unknown

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Fiber is a type of carbohydrate from the structural part of plants that cannot be digested by the body. It does not provide energy to the body but it does play an important role in a healthy diet. There are many benefits of fiber:

Helps with blood glucose control by slowing the pace at which your body breaks down and releases blood glucose into the bloodstream following a meal.

Reduces cholesterol levels and reduces heart disease risk.

Aids in weight management by giving the feeling of fullness by slowing down the pace food travels through the digestive system.

Helps regulate bowel movements.

Might reduce the risk for certain cancers.

Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, peas, and whole grains. Your fiber needs vary based on your specific energy needs. Most adults should strive for a minimum of 25 grams of fiber every day. It’s important to increase your fiber intake gradually over time and drink plenty of water to enjoy all the benefits of fiber.

Source: Kentucky Nutrition Education Program: Healthy Choices for Every Body

FOOD FACTS Fiber