Family & Consumer Sciences Newsletter February 2017

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Brittany Phelps
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1 Family & Consumer Sciences Newsletter February 2017 Cooperative Extension Service Russell County 2688 S. Hwy. 127 Russell Springs, KY (270) Fax: (270) extension.ca.uky.edu What You Need to Know About Using Tax Software With tax season fast approaching, you may be wondering about the best way to file your taxes. You will see many advertisements for local tax companies offering their expertise, as well as a number of television and online advertisements for online tax software. Some individuals filing their taxes prefer using tax software because of its convenience you can work on filing your taxes from home at your own pace. If you are considering using tax software this season, here are a few things to keep in mind: Shop around. Like any product, there are a number of tax software programs that are designed to assist you in filing your taxes. Shop around! Be sure to look at the software program s base price as well as any additional costs for options and upgrades. For instance, if you have state taxes to file, is the cost of doing so included in the base price? Know the program. Before beginning to work on your taxes, get used to the tax software program that you have chosen. Some programs will offer helpful hints throughout while other programs offer online assistance know what to expect from the program before beginning. Also, be sure to know how to save your progress, chances are that you will be completing your tax returns in several sessions. Always use the review feature. Before submitting your final tax return at either the federal or state level, be sure to look over your tax return. Most tax software programs will tell you to do so. Looking over your return will help you lessen the chances of submitting a return with an error. Source: Janet Kurzynske, Extension Specialist for Food and Nutrition and Jean Najor, Extension Associate, University of Kentucky; College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Announcements Lesson Leader Training Tackling Your Laundry February 16 12:00 noon Instructor: Audrey Myers Homemaker Council February 16 1:00 p.m. Members-at-Large Your February lesson is enclosed in this mailing. Creative Writing Contests Entries are due by March 1 to the KEHA Cultural Arts chairperson. Rules and information are available on our website and in your homemaker handbook. To file a complaint of discrimination, contact Tim West, UK College of Agriculture, ; Terry Allen or Patty Bender, UK Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity, ; or the USDA, Director Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W Whitten Bldg., 14 th & Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC ( ).

Upcoming Extension Events All events will be held at the Russell County Extension Office unless otherwise noted. January 30 - February 3 - Cultural Arts entries may be dropped off. February 2-4:30 p.

2 Upcoming Extension Events All events will be held at the Russell County Extension Office unless otherwise noted. January 30 - February 3 - Cultural Arts entries may be dropped off. February 2-4:30 p.m. - Guys & Gals Just Cooking Club February 6 - Cultural Arts Judging February 7-12:00 p.m. - Health & Wellness Club 6:00 p.m. - 4-H Sheep & Goat Club February 9-6:00 p.m. - Sheep & Goat Producers February 13-6:00 p.m. - R.C. Beekeepers February 14-6:00 p.m. - 4-H Livestock Club February 16-12:00 p.m. - Lesson Leader Training Tackling Your Laundry ; Instructor: Audrey Myers, Taylor Co. FCS Agent 1:00 p.m. - Homemaker Council February 23-5:30 p.m. - 4-H Horse Club Cultural Arts Contest Judging will take place on Monday, February 6th. Results will be posted on our website - Blue ribbon entries will go on to the area contest which will be held on March 7th in Cumberland County. Sweet Treats for Your Valentine Most of us want to treat a loved one to a special treat for Valentine s Day but we may not want to show our love with candy. Look for chocolate dipped strawberries or a fresh fruit bouquet to give your dearest some good nutrition. Homemade banana or pumpkin bread might be a good way to show that you care. If candy is a must, look for dark chocolate with a high percentage of cacao, which provides antioxidants. Some dark chocolate candies also have healthy fruits, like blueberries or cranberries, added. Spending some time walking and listening to your beloved is a sure way to please your sweetheart. Hitting the dance floor to a song that brings back memories will keep the romance alive. Sharing your life with someone you love can improve health and wellbeing, and may prolong the years you spend together. Be sure to share some Valentine s Day cheer with anyone who may be lonely this year. A healthy treat or card can let them know you are thinking of them. Source: Janet Mullins, Extension Specialist for Food and Nutrition, University Of Kentucky; College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Those entries not receiving blue ribbons may be picked up on Tuesday, February 7th.

Be Safe when Heating Your Home During the winter there are many different ways that you can keep your home warm. No matter the way you choose, do it safely!

3 Be Safe when Heating Your Home During the winter there are many different ways that you can keep your home warm. No matter the way you choose, do it safely! Here are some tips for staying safe all winter long: You should have your furnace examined by a qualified technician each year. If you use a fireplace or wood stove, make sure that there is ventilation which will guide the smoke outside and not leak gas into the home. You should not burn paper in the fireplace. If your heater uses a certain type of fuel, make sure that you use that fuel and do not substitute. Have a fire extinguisher nearby the area that has a heater. If you are using space heaters to warm your home, there are additional safety tips: You should not put the space heater within 3 feet of anything that could catch fire. This includes furniture, drapes, bedding or linens. A space heater should never be placed on top of furniture. A space heater should not be placed near water. Children should not be near a space heater without adult supervision. Watch out where you place the cord. You do not want it to trip someone but it should not be placed under a rug either. You should not to use extension cords with a space heater. 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 of 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: AN01799 Source: Nicole Peritore, Extension Specialist for Family Health; University of Kentucky; College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Stay warm this winter, but also stay safe! Reference: CDC. duringstorm/indoorsafety.html Source: Nicole Peritore, Extension Specialist for Family Health; University of Kentucky; College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

In December, the Russell Springs Piece Makers Quilt

Advocacy Center and ARC Pregnancy Center.

The Quilt Guild also made this quilt and donated it to

4 In December, the Russell Springs Piece Makers Quilt Guild donated quilts to the Lake Cumberland Children s Advocacy Center and ARC Pregnancy Center. Thank you, Russell Springs Piece Makers Quilt Guild! The Quilt Guild also made this quilt and donated it to the Russell County Extension Office. You can see it hanging in our meeting room.

penne pasta, Cooking spray cooked according to package directions 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 2. In a large skillet, sauté beef until it browns.

5 Easy Italian Ziti 1 pound lean ground beef 1 (24 oz.) jar low-sodium spaghetti sauce 2 cups low-fat cottage cheese 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 1 egg, beaten 2 teaspoons dried parsley 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 8 ounces whole wheat ziti or penne pasta, Cooking spray cooked according to package directions 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 2. In a large skillet, sauté beef until it browns. Drain off the excess fat. Add spaghetti sauce and heat through. 3. In a large mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, and garlic powder. Add cooked ziti and mix well. 4. Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spread 1 cup of spaghetti sauce in the bottom of the dish. Spoon ziti mixture into the pan and top with remaining sauce and Mozzarella cheese. 5. Bake for 30 minutes uncovered. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Yield: 8 servings Serving size: 1/8 of prepared recipe Cost per recipe: $14.10 Cost per serving: $1.69 Nutritional facts per serving: 310 calories; 9g fat; 3.5g saturated fat; 0g trans fat; 75mg cholesterol; 350mg sodium; 32g carbohydrate; 3g fiber; 9g sugar; 26g protein; 15% Daily Value of vitamin A; 4% Daily Value of vitamin C; 20% Daily Value of calcium; 15% Daily Value of iron. Source: Sarah Brandl, Extension Specialist for Kentucky Nutrition Education Program, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service This material was funded by the USDA s SNAP-Ed program through the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Thought for the Month: Love isn t something your find. Love is something that finds you. Loretta Young Roll Call: What is your favorite Valentine s Day gift you received or gave to someone? Dates to Remember February 20 - President s Day Pam York February 2 - Groundhog Day Russell County Family & Consumer Sciences Agent February 6 - County Cultural Arts Contest Judging February 14 - Valentine s Day February 16 - Lesson Leader Training - 12:00 Homemaker Council - 1:00

6 The Gluten Free Choice: Is it for Me? Dates: March 2, 9, 16, 23 Time: 5:00 p.m. Location: Russell County Extension Office (Kitchen) 2688 South Highway 127, Russell Springs, KY Call for additional information and/or to register. The gluten-free diet is emerging as one of the most popular trends on the market, but gluten seems to be widely misunderstood. This series will define gluten, a gluten-free diet, and who should follow this diet. Of course people who have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease should follow a strict gluten-free diet but is it possible that others who suffer from Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn s Disease as well as other diagnoses can greatly benefit from gluten-free as well? Each session will include an educational session and end with a sampling of a gluten-free food item. Resources and recipes will be shared with participants. Free incentives will be given out at each session. Attend all four sessions and be eligible to win a gift basket of gluten-free items with a $100 value.

FCS Newsletter JULY 2017 J Breckinridge County Fair July 12-15, 2017

FCS Newsletter JULY 2017 J Breckinridge County Fair July 12-15, 2017 J20 FCS Newsletter JULY 2017 Cooperative Extension Service Breckinridge County 1377 S. Hwy 261 Hardinsburg, KY 40143 (270) 756-2182 Fax: (270) 756-9016 https://breckinridge.ca.uky.edu INSIDE THIS ISSUE: