In 2009, I called this blog “Living Well” because that’s what I hoped would be the outcome of the information I shared.   Here’s what I said in my very first post–

Together we’ll explore a variety of topics that will range from “what’s new” to “tried and true” and much more in between. We’ll look at seasonal items that are most meaningful at certain times of the year, we’ll dig into topics of current interest and we’ll review the basics that grandma may have known but which today’s generation may have missed. I’ll also keep you updated on local Extension educational classes and workshops that may help you connect with other learners.

It is my sincere hope that over the years I delivered on that original promise.   I hope that the information from K-State Research and Extension has helped to improve your life in some small way.  My goal has always been to link information with life experience to help people improve their lives, their families and their communities.

 I thank you for the support you’ve given “Living Well” over the years.  Good luck and many blessings to all of you.  Thanks and farewell!

The FDA advises making a cooked egg base for the drink.  To make a cooked egg base:

1. Combine eggs and half the milk as indicated in the recipe. (Other ingredients, such as sugar may be added at this step.)

2. Cook the mixture gently to an internal temperature of 160°F, stirring constantly. The cooking will destroy Salmonella, if present.  At this temperature, the mixture will firmly coat a metal spoon.

3. After cooking, chill the mixture before adding the rest of the milk and other ingredients.

PS- Don’t count on alcohol in spiked eggnog to kill the bacteria either!

Source:  K-State Research and Extension Rapid Response Center, “You Asked It” January 2012

“Knowledge for Life” provided by the Finney County Extension Office and K-State Research and Extension.

After all, mistletoe promotes wintertime fun — and perhaps a bit of romance.

In parts of Europe, stealing kisses “under the mistletoe” has been a tradition for 500 years. The harvested plant is now part of North Americans’ Christmas décor, too. It may be the ribboned sprig atop an entry door or the “kissing ball” under a chandelier.

“That’s probably one reason Americans have so few mistletoe problems,” said Jennifer Smith, K-State Research and Extension horticulturist. “Where it grows in the wild, mistletoe can literally suck the life out of a tree. It may pose a problem for livestock. You need to keep it under control.

“But, where mistletoe is holiday décor, its toxic leaves, berries and stems typically end up well beyond easy reach – particularly for our shortest family and friends.”

U.S. trend studies have found children and pets are at greatest risk for accidental poisoning, Smith said. Their body mass is small. Plus, a toddler or pup may chew on almost anything that attracts its attention.

“For safety’s sake, you need to sweep up and dispose of mistletoe pieces that happen to fall to the floor,” she said.

Fortunately, the same studies suggest U.S. mistletoe isn’t as hazardous as previously thought.

U.S. Poison Control Centers get more than 100 mistletoe-related calls each year (1-800-222-1222). North America’s varieties contain chemicals that can cause gastrointestinal distress, a slowed heartbeat and more serious reactions.

As likely as not, though, the great majority of U.S. reported cases will develop no symptoms. Extreme reactions will be rare. And, the death count will likely be zero.

“The two Americans known to have died from mistletoe poisoning since 1960 had used it to brew tea,” Smith said.

Source:  K-State Reseach and Extension

(NOTE: For more on mistletoe, see the related story: http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/news/story/mistletoe_stranger121411.aspx.)

“Knowledge for Life” provided by the Finney County Extension Office and K-State Research and Extension.

Linda’s farewell reception is set for Monday, December 19 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the Finney County Extension Office, 501 S. 9th Street in Garden City.  It’s open to anyone who would like to attend.

Linda has been the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent for the Finney County Extension Office in Garden City, KS  for nearly 16 years.   She is going to be deeply missed as she has worked closely with the community all those years.

She has accepted a similar Extension FCS Agent position in Ellis County and will begin her work in Hays, KS on January 23.

“Knowledge for Life” provided by the Finney County Extension Office and K-State Research and Extension.

1. Lighten ingredients in your desserts

• Use a sugar substitute in place of all or part of the sugar
• Use egg white or nonfat egg substitute in place of whole eggs.
• Use crunchy cereal nuggets in place of half the nuts.
• Reduce amount of chocolate chips and nuts by 25%.
• Use trans-free stick margarine in place of butter.

2. Cut everything into smaller pieces

• Cutting pies into 10 pieces vs 8 saves 20% of the calories. 
• Cut cakes and brownies into bite-sized pieces.

3. Make cookies smarter

• Make cookies smaller.
• Make just one or two varieties.
• Make dough and freeze it – bake just what you need, a little at a time, during the holiday season.

4. Make fewer high-calorie items, such as cakes and pies

• If you really like to bake, consider making inedible crafts as part of your holiday creations, instead of so many baked goods.
• Limit your choice to a few special treats.

5. Feature hot beverages with dessert

• Hot beverages can be a low-calorie highlight.
• Try hot herbal teas or sugar-free instant spiced cider.
• Make your own flavored coffees.
• Use lower-calorie condiments such as fat-free half and half, fat-free whipped cream, orange zest, cinnamon sticks and non-nutrative sweeteners.

6. Offer your guests a variety of fresh fruits with dessert.

• Serve grapes, oranges, pears or a variety of colorful fruits in season.
• Place whole items in a bowl and put sliced fruits on holiday platters.

Source:  Food and Health Communications

“Knowledge for Life” provided by the Finney County Extension Office and K-State Research and Extension.

Consider a recent Schwab 2011 Teens and Money Survey. A full 81 percent of teens aged 16 – 18 plan to choose a career either because they’re passionate about the work or they feel it will help them do good for others. And that’s great because we want our children to grow up and be happy in their professional lives. Besides, a happy workforce is a productive workforce!

But when it comes to the starting salary expectations of these teens, they’re a little out of touch with reality. These teens expect to begin their careers earning $73,000. This is interesting because these same teens believe their current family income to be $70,000. If we do the math, we see that their optimism puts them $3,000 ahead of what they think their parents are currently bringing in.

It would be interesting to ask them what they believe the median annual American household income is. Would they be surprised to find out that it’s $49,909? What makes them think that they can start off $23,000 higher than the median for established households?

It’s not about deflating their dreams. Rather, it’s important that we encourage our kids to do and be what they want while setting reasonable expectations.

How do we do this? We talk to them about what they want to be when they grow up.  From there, we can help them figure out the financial outcome of following their dreams. Search engines are an easy way to find out starting salaries of different professions. If they end up with sticker shock, reassure them that their dreams are not out of reach—they’re just going to require a bit more up-front planning. Tell them that by creating a budget and setting up an automatic savings plan, they’ll become better managers of their money, which will ultimately help them get more of the things they want in life.  It’s not so much the career they choose; it’s the money management choices they make along the way that will lead them toward financial security.

Enthusiasm can go a long way. But at the end of the day, without a solid financial plan and some realistic expectations, enthusiasm doesn’t pay the bills.

Source:  America Saves.org

 “Knowledge for Life” provided by the Finney County Extension Office and K-State Research and Extension.

It Happened to Us….

It happened last week in a local restaurant where my husband and I were enjoying a meal at the end of a long, busy day. The waiter had brought our bill and as we were finishing our meal, another server stopped and picked the bill up.  But when she didn’t return it, we asked her about our check. It was then that she told us that another customer had already paid for our supper.

We were amazed and confused– we hadn’t seen anyone we knew in the restaurant that night. We wondered if it was someone who somehow knew us– maybe from my work or our community activities? But no, the server told us the customer admitted she didn’t know us, but just wanted to share the holiday spirit by paying for our meal. What a wonderful and uplifting gift!

What a great way to get into the holiday spirit and spread it to others! My husband and I have marveled at how wonderful it felt to receive an anonymous gift of kindness when we were least expecting it. And, we’ve been inspired, too, to look for ways we can spread the joy and touch the lives of others with the holiday spirit this month.

Share the Holiday Spirit

How about you? You may be able to lift someone’s spirits with your own small act of kindness. It doesn’t even have to cost any money to surprise and delight someone with your thoughtfulness. If you need inspiration, the internet is full of ideas, stories and surprises that can jog your imagination and creativity.

A great place to get started is the list of kindness ideas at the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation website. Check it out at www.randomactsofkindness.org.

As we embark upon the Christmas season, I encourage you to look for ways to share kindness and love with others– those you know and those you don’t know. It will make our world a better place to live during this holiday season.

“Knowledge for Life” provided by the Finney County Extension Office and K-State Research and Extension.

1. Make better coffee choices.

Some coffee house beverages pack as many calories as a meal! Watch out for coffee options that are high in fat and sugar and drink your coffee black most often.

2. Choose whole fruit instead of smoothies or juice.

While most blended drinks do contain fruit, they also often include frozen yogurt, sherbet, cream, and/or added sugar, all of which add calories.  When you eat pieces of fruit you get the fiber which is missing in fruit juice, too.

3. Limit sodas or choose diet soda.

Super-sized or extra-large beverages may be a bargain per ounce, but they are a disaster for your waistline. Did you know that a ‘child-sized’ soda in a fast food restaurant contains the same amount of liquid as a 12-ounce can?

4.  Go easy on alcohol.

Drinks containing alcohol add lots of extra calories with few nutrients in return.  And, the alcohol may weaken your resolve to make other healthy choices.  At holiday parties, choose diet soda or water with a twist of lemon.

5. Drink skim milk instead of whole milk.

An eight-ounce serving of whole milk contains 160 calories (that’s like 8 ounces of skim milk with two pats of butter floating in it!) The same-size serving of skim milk contains just half as many calories with the same amount of calcium.

6. Make the best choices every day.

Make it a habit to choose unsweetened drinks most often– water, coffee, tea, diet sodas.  Stock the fridge with grab-and-go bottles of water and low-calorie beverages. Having the right foods and beverages on hand is key to controlling your calories. This helps keep you from making a bad ‘on the run’ choice when away from home.

“Knowledge for Life” provided by the Finney County Extension Office and K-State Research and Extension.

The State of Kansas is promoting the “Maintain Don’t Gain Challenge” in November and December for employees in the state employee health plan.  Even if you aren’t a Kansas state employee, you can challenge yourself with the same goals:

1. Eat a healthy breakfast
2. Complete 20 minutes or more of physical activity
3. Limit alcohol to 1 serving or less daily
4. Limit sweets to 1 serving or less daily

Using these strategies can help you to maintain a healthy weight and avoid the weight gain which can so easily happen at holiday time.

Here’s to a  happy, healthy  holiday season!

“Knowledge for Life” provided by the Finney County Extension Office and K-State Research and Extension.

Knowledge at Noon, sponsored by the Finney County Extension Office, will be Thursday, December 1, from 12:05-12:55 pm at the Finney County Public Library, 605 E. Walnut Street in Garden City, Kansas.

The public is invited to attend this program. Bring a lunch if you wish; coffee and tea will be provided. For more information on the Extension Knowledge at Noon programs, please contact the Finney County Extension Office at 620-272-3670.

“Knowledge for Life” provided by the Finney County Extension Office and K-State Research and Extension.