OCTOBER 2017

National Mental Illness Awareness Week is October 1-7, 2017

Mental Health First Aid USA has launched Be the Difference, a new campaign to encourage people to learn the skills to help people experiencing a mental health or substance abuse challenge. “Anyone, anywhere can be the one to make a difference in the life of someone with a mental health or substance abuse challenge – if they know what to do and what to say,” said Linda Rosenberg, president and CEO of the National Council for Behavioral Health. “The difference between someone contemplating suicide and one who goes through with the act could be a friend, teacher, coach, or parent who knows what to look for and how to engage people in open conversation. Those are the skills learned in Mental Health First Aid.” Organizations and interested parties can find out how to get involved in the campaign by visiting: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/cs/bethedifference/. Blog posts, infographics, merchandise, and more are available to help support and bring visibility to this national movement. Response to the Be the Difference initiative has been overwhelming. Already, more than 400 individuals and organizations have pledged their support to the campaign. “Mental Health First Aid teaches people that it’s okay to talk about mental health issues,” Rosenberg said. “It is our goal that by 2020, Mental Health First Aid will be as common as CPR and traditional first aid.”

References: National Alliance on Mental Illness (2017). Mental Health Month. Available at http://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Raise-Awareness/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Month

Source: Kerri Ashurst, Senior Extension Specialist for Family and Relationship Development, University of Kentucky; College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

A PUBLICATION OF NORTHERN KENTUCKY FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES AGENTS

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GRANT

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KENTON

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OWEN

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PENDLETON

859-654-3395 “Autumn is a second spring, where every leaf is a flower.”—Albert Camus

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TIMELY TIPS ................. 1

EATING RIGHT ............... 2

SPENDING SMART .......... 2

WHAT’S COOKING .......... 2

RAISING KIDS ................ 3

LIVING WELL ................. 3

COUNTY INFORMATION ... 4

Raising Kids, Eating Right, Spending Smart, Living

Cooperative Extension Service Owen County 265 Ellis Highway Owenton, KY 40359 Phone: (502) 484-5703 Fax: (502) 484-5704 www.ca.uky.edu/owen

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Autumn Apples

As summer comes to a close and fall approaches, farmers markets see a shift in fresh produce. Not only does fall bring corn mazes, squash, and pumpkins, it is also a perfect time to visit local orchards to pick the freshest apples. A medium size apple—about 2 to 2.5 inches in diameter—contains approximately 75 calories and provides bulk in the diet, helping the body digest food. Apples are low in sodium and high in potassium, making them a great natural snack.

When choosing an apple, look for firm, crisp, well-colored fruit. Avoid those with shriveled skins, worm holes and decayed spots. Use those with bruises or skin breaks as soon as possible. Store slightly

under-ripe apples in a cool place. Once ripe, apples will keep a week or longer stored in the refrigerator vegetable drawer or in a plastic bag.

As you prepare apples, remember raw ones will darken when the cut surface is exposed to air. Protect cut or peeled apples from darkening by mixing with ascorbic acid, such as lemon or orange juice. Working only with five apples at a time, mix one teaspoon of ascorbic acid with three tablespoons of water. Toss gently with the apples.

You can find more than 2,500 varieties of apples in the United States. The most popular varieties available in Kentucky are: Lodi, Red Delicious, Rome, Winesap, Gala, Jonathan, Cortland, and Golden Delicious. For more information, please contact your local extension office.

Of course, you can enjoy apples right after picking or purchasing, but they can also be part of a delicious end-of-summer recipe. This Plate It Up Kentucky Proud recipe is an example of a simple recipe that requires very little preparation. It will be a favorite all season long.

Source: Heather Norman-Burgdolf, Extension Specialist for Food and Nutrition, University of Kentucky; College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Apple Cranberry Waldorf Salad

Ingredients: 1 cup chopped Granny Smith apple 1 cup chopped Red Delicious apple 1 cup diced celery 1 cup halved seedless green grapes 1 cup halved seedless red grapes 1 ½ cups dried cranberries ½ cup chopped walnuts 8 ounces non-fat vanilla yogurt 2 tablespoons honey ¼ teaspoon cinnamon Directions: Combine chopped apples and diced celery in a medium sized bowl. Add grapes, cranberries, and walnuts to the mixture. Stir ingredients together. In a separate bowl, add the yogurt, honey, and cinnamon. Stir together and pour over the fruit mixture. Cover and chill before serving.

Yield: 8, 1 cup servings

Nutritional Analysis: 210 calories, 5 g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 35 mg sodium, 41 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 34 g sugar, 3 g protein

Equifax Security Breach

Equifax has reported a security breach. Whenever a security breach of personal information occurs, it is an all too important reminder of the need to protect our identity.

Equifax has reported a breach and the steps they will take to help you protect your personal data. For more information and to be vigilant, read more from the following website: www.equifaxsecurity2017.com

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Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween offers plenty of make-believe fun, but it also brings real safety risks, as children dart across dark streets with their minds more on candy than on cars. Kids are twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than on other nights of the year.

Burns and cuts are also common on Halloween. And then there's the candy: almost two-thirds of parents think their kids eat too much of it around Halloween. Halloween can be safely enjoyed — especially when parents put extra care into planning and supervision. Talk with your children every year about safety concerns unique to this holiday, and review do's and don'ts before heading out to trick or treat. Follow these tips to keep your family safe this spooky season:

Carve Safely Before you start carving pumpkins, consider these Halloween safety rules: • Decorate with markers, glitter glue, or paint. Let young

children draw faces on pumpkins with art supplies. Leave any carving to an adult.

• Use candles with care. Place candlelit pumpkins on a sturdy surface away from curtains and other flammable objects. Never leave candlelit pumpkins unattended. Better yet, light pumpkins with flashlights, battery-operated flameless candles or glow sticks instead.

Get Clever with Costumes From furry animals to princesses and superheroes, choosing costumes wisely is an important part of Halloween safety. Follow these tips:

• The brighter the better. Whether you buy a costume or make one yourself, choose bright colors and flame-retardant materials. If your child will be trick-or-treating outdoors after dark, attach reflective tape to his or her costume or treat bag.

• Size it right. In case it's chilly outdoors, make sure your child's costume is loose enough for warm clothing to be worn underneath — but not long enough to cause tripping. Avoid oversized shoes and high heels.

• Skip the masks. A mask can obstruct your child's vision, especially if it slips out of place. Use kid-friendly, nontoxic makeup instead.

• Limit accessories. Pointed props — such as wands, swords, and knives — might pose safety hazards. Carry flashlights or wear glowing wristbands instead.

Source: Mayo Clinic

Celebrate Extension Homemakers During KEHA Week

Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association Week is October 8-14, and the state’s more than 850 clubs are celebrating their accomplishments from the past year.

Extension Homemakers are firmly rooted in community service with more than 14,000 members contributing more than 300,000 volunteer hours for Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service-sponsored activities.

KEHA members are huge supporters of higher education and youth. During the 2015-2016 fiscal year, the organization awarded more than $58,000 in college scholarships to deserving students and gave more than $14,000 in 4-H Camp scholarships. Extension Homemakers also volunteered more than 90,000 hours to support youth development activities across the state.

The organization supports several international causes including the Kentucky Academy in Ghana. During the past nine years, Extension Homemakers have helped the academy, which is a kindergarten based in Adjeikrom, Ghana, with various projects. These efforts include building upgrades, new furniture and a new water well. Most recently, the group has raised money to fund the construction of a library in the village of Adjeikrom.

Joining Extension Homemakers is a great way to get involved with and to give back to your community. If you are interested in learning more, contact your local extension office.

Source: Kim Henken, Director of Communications and Strategic Partnerships for the School of Human Environmental Sciences

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NEWS. . .FROM OWEN COUNTY

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE

How to Save Money on Halloween

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spent $8.4 billion on Halloween in 2016. It is estimated that 117 million Americans will spend nearly $83 per person in 2017. Halloween is the third most expensive holiday, following Christmas and Valentines’ Day. Use the following tips for a more budget friendly Halloween experience.

Costumes

• Consider re-using or re-purposing old costumes. If you )or the kids) insist on new costumes, take last year’s costumes to a consignment shop or sell them online to offset the cost of the new ones.

• Swap costumes with friends so that you can have something new without spending money.

• Get crafty and make your own! You can find lots of ides online for fun and inexpensive do-it-yourself Halloween costumes.

Candy

• Wait to buy your candy. Stores will often start to lower prices on candy a few days before Halloween.

• Candy is often cheaper to buy at a warehouse club where items are sold in bulk.

• Instead of candy, consider buying inexpensive non-candy items such as erasers or spider rings.

Decorations

• Check dollar stores, consignment shops and thrift stores before purchasing new decorations.

• Craft your own decorations. You can still have great decorations if you make them yourself. Get the kids or friends involved and have some fun!

• Wait to buy a pumpkin until a couple days before Halloween when many pumpkin patches will have reduced their prices.

Resource: https://nrf.com/. National Retail Federation

Source: Jennifer L. Hunter, Extension Specialist for Family Financial Management and Caitlin Grasson, Masters Student, Department of Family Sciences, University of Kentucky; College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Does Honey Help a Sore Throat?

There are many over-the-counter products that help with coughs that typically occur during this time of year. It is not uncommon to hear the suggestion of drinking warm tea or warm water with lemon and honey when a person has a sore throat. A study has found that the honey may act as cough relief as well. For children in the study, 2 teaspoons of honey seemed to help reduce night coughing. The use of honey was compared to a common cough medicine ingredient. Because honey is so easily available it may be a good alternative for some people.

Please remember however, that honey should never be given to a child under the age of one. Children at this age risk very serious food poisoning from honey.

Remember that coughing is sometimes good for you. Your body needs to cough sometime to move any mucus that may be in the airway. For most people, there is usually no need to be concerned with coughing. The next time you have a cough and are considering what type to cough medicine to buy, perhaps you will consider trying a spoonful of honey.

Reference: Stecklberg, James. (2015). Is it true that honey calms coughs better than cough medicine does? Mayo Clinic. Accessed from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/honey/AN01799

Source: Nicole Peritore, Extension Specialist for Family Health; University of Kentucky; College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

JUDY HETTERMAN

OWEN COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT FOR

FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES

EDUCATION