UPCOMING EVENTS Flower Buds December 21, 2017 CCES 10:00 a.m.

Diabetes Support Group meeting resumes in January, 2018

Campbell County Homemaker Council January 4, 2018 CCES 10:00 a.m.

Homemaker Area Council Meeting January 18, 2018 CCES 1:30 p.m.

Healthy Living: From the Inside Out January 25, 2018 Boone County Extension 10:00 a.m.

Heroin Awareness & Education February 15, 2018 CCES 6:30 p.m.

Mommy and Me-in the Garden and Kitchen 4th Thursday every month, February—September 2018 ~ see flyer CCES 5:30 p.m.

ping budget. Make a list of everyone you plan to buy for and then determine how much money you are able to spend. No matter how small the gift you intend to give, it is important to include it in your budget.

Use cash. When doing your holiday shopping, use either cash or a debit card and avoid using your credit card whenever possible. Using cash or debit forces you to avoid spending money that you don’t have.

Do not open department store credit cards. When you are at the cash register this holiday season, the sales associate will most likely offer you an attractive discount on your purchase in exchange for opening a department store credit card. However, that discount will quickly dis-appear if you are not able to pay your credit card balance in full. Keep in mind that these credit cards often come with annual percentage rates of 20 percent or higher.

Track your spending. Be sure that you keep track of your spending so that you know how much money you have already spent before making additional purchases. This is particularly important for shoppers who like to spread out their holiday shopping over the course of the year.

Free gift wrap. During the holiday shopping season, many retailers offer free gift wrap. Taking advantage of these services will save you time and money on gift wrapping supplies at home.

Do it yourself! If you are feeling creative, consider mak-ing do-it-yourself gifts for family and friends. Do-it-yourself gift wrap using supplies such as newspaper or paper grocery bags is also a great way to save money during the holiday season.

Keep these tips in mind before your next holiday shop-ping outing. Remember that it is important to budget and prioritize your holiday spending. Take a moment to think about what is really important to you during the holiday season and enjoy your family and friends!

References: http://www2.ca.uky.edu/moneywise/agents/downloads/moneywise-

newsletters/volume7/v7-i10-MoneyWise-newsletter.pdf Source: Alex Elswick, Extension Associate for Family Resource Management; University

of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Cooperative Extension Service

Campbell County

3500 Alexandria Pike

Highland Heights, KY 41076

(859) 572-2600

Fax: (859) 572-2619

Campbell County

Seasonal

2017

Family and Consumer Sciences

Holiday Shopping

Holiday shopping can be both a rewarding and stressful experience. Every year, millions of Ameri-cans flock to retail and online stores to buy gifts for their family and friends. Unfortunately, poor planning and the pressure to buy the perfect gift often leave many families in debt in the months following the shopping season. If you are worried about over-spending this year, the following tips will help you to develop a plan for buying gifts for everyone on your list without breaking the bank.

Establish a budget. Before you even think about stepping foot in a store, prepare your holiday shop-

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To ensure that foodborne illness isn’t a guest at your holiday table, follow these tips from USDA when buying and preparing your turkey.

When buying a turkey, allow one pound per person. If you buy a fresh turkey, check the “sell by” or “use by” date to make sure that it really is fresh, and buy it only 1 or 2 days be-fore you cook it.

If you buy a frozen turkey, keep it frozen until you are ready to thaw it for cooking. The USDA recommends that you thaw a frozen turkey in the refrigerator. Leave the turkey in its original wrapping and place it in a pan to catch any juices that leak. Allow about one day to thaw for each four pounds of bird (for example, four days for a 16-pound turkey). After thawing, it’s safe to store the turkey in the refrigerator for up to two more days. To thaw a frozen turkey more quickly, you can use the cold water method. Cover the bird in its original wrapping in cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Allow about 30 minutes per pound of tur-key and cook the turkey immediately after thawing. You can also use a microwave oven to thaw your turkey. Be sure to follow the oven manufac-turer’s instructions. If you use this method, plan to cook the turkey im-mediately after thawing because some parts of the bird may become warm and begin to cook during mi-crowaving.

When the big day comes and it’s time to prepare your feast, wash your hands but don’t wash the turkey. Washing poultry can spread bacteria around the sink and kitchen and lead to the contamination of other foods. Likewise, keep the raw turkey sepa-rate from the other foods you will be serving, using separate cutting boards and utensils to avoid spread-ing bacteria.

For optimum safety, cook stuffing in a casserole dish, separate from the

turkey. If you are planning to stuff the turkey, mix the stuffing ingredients and stuff the bird just before cooking. Whether inside the bird or out, stuff-ing should be cooked to a tempera-ture of 165 degrees F as measured with a food thermometer.

To roast the turkey, set the oven temperature to no lower than 325 degrees F. Place the turkey breast-side up on a rack in a shallow roast-ing pan. The time that it takes to roast a turkey depends on the size of the bird, whether or not it is stuffed, the type of pan and the oven itself. Breasts may take from 1½ to 3¼ hours; unstuffed birds will take 2¾ to 5 hours; and stuffed birds 3 to 5¼ hours. The only way to be sure the turkey is safely cooked is to use a food thermometer, checking the tem-perature at three locations: the inner-most part of the thigh, the innermost part of the wing and the thickest part of the breast. All parts of the turkey must reach 165 degrees F to ensure that harmful bacteria are killed. Once cooked, remove the bird from the oven and let it stand for 20 minutes before carving. After the feast, be sure to refrigerate leftovers within two hours. Store the meat and stuff-ing separately and use or freeze within three or four days.

For more information on holiday food safety, contact the Campbell County Extension Office.

Reference: Foodsafe-ty.gov. Turkey. Retrieved June 26, 2015, from http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/types/turkey/

Source: Debbie Clouthier, Extension Associate for Food Safety and Preservation, University of Kentucky; College of Agriculture, Food and En-vironment

Talking Turkey

Recipe

Cheesy Spinach and Rice 2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach 2/3 cup chopped onion 4 cups cooked brown rice 2 cups low-fat shredded cheddar cheese 4 eggs, beaten

2/3 cup skim milk 3 tablespoons butter, melted 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon ground thyme

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.Spray a 13-by-9-inch baking dish

with cooking spray and set aside.

2. In a medium size saucepan,steam spinach and chopped onionin 1 inch of water until onion isclear, about 3 minutes. Drain in acolander, pressing out the liquid

with the back of a spoon.

3. In a large bowl, combine spin-ach, rice, cheese, eggs, milk, butter,salt, Worcestershire and thyme.

Pour into baking dish.

4. Bake for 40 minutes, or until the

top is slightly browned.

Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 40 minutes Makes 16 servings Serving size: 1/is of prepared recipe Cost per recipe: $7.67

Cost per serving: $0.48

Nutritional facts per serving: 130 calories; 5g fat; 2.5g saturated fat; 0g trans fat; 65mg cholesterol; 310mg sodium; 15g carbohydrate; 2g fiber; lg sugar; 8g protein; 25% Daily Value of vitamin A; 15% Daily Value of vitamin C; 15% Daily Value of calcium; 6% Daily Value of iron.

Source: Sarah Brandl, Extension Special-ist for Kentucky Nutrition Education Program, University of Kentucky Cooper-ative Extension Service

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Around the holidays, people tend to spend more time in the kitchen whether it is making seasonal baked goods or preparing large meals to feed the family. With children out of school and fami-lies gathered together, it is an excellent oppor-tunity to get children involved in the kitchen. Not only is it a learning experience for the child, it is also a bonding experience for the family.

There are many benefits of getting kids involved in the kitchen. Immediately, kids develop confi-dence because they are contributing positively to the family and they are more likely to try a new food they helped prepare. Allowing kids to help in the kitchen develops their cooking skills

which could carry into adulthood and may lead to healthier eating styles long term. Finally, kids are able to spend quality time with family mem-bers which we know is beneficial for their devel-opment.

Below are suggested tasks and activities for get-ting kids involved in the kitchen. All children de-velop at different rates, so make sure responsi-bilities are appropriate for your child regardless of the age.

2-5 year olds: tasks that don’t have to be pre-cise; tearing up lettuce or herbs; washing pro-duce in the sink; sprinkling ingredients; stirring;mashing; finding ingredients for a recipe; press-ing on and off buttons

6-9 year olds: more advanced tasks; measuring

Cooking with Kids during the Holidays

dry ingredients; pouring ingredients into bat-ter; using table knife to cut soft fruits and vegetables; grating ingredients; using pizza cutters or can openers; setting timers

10+ year olds: more advanced and inde-pendent activities; stirring ingredients at the stove; using sharper knives; working with electric kitchen appliances; learning basic cooking concepts like how to boil water and microwave foods; following recipes

As the supervisor in the kitchen, it is im-portant to be patient with children when they are learning a new skill. It may take some practice before it is done just right. Always supervise and do not leave children unat-tended, especially if a task could be danger-ous like using kitchen utensils or hot surfac-es.

Finally, don’t forget about food safety in the kitchen. It is important to show taking care of yourself (by washing hands and proper handling of utensils) as well as taking care of the kitchen (by cleaning up spills and messes) keeps everyone safe and makes the food taste better!

Source: Heather L. Norman, Extension Specialist for Food and Nutrition; University of Kentucky, College of Food, Agriculture and Environ-ment

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HEALTH AND WELLNESS

HAPPY AND HEALTHY HOLIDAYS

It is common to pack on 5-1O pounds dur-

ing the holiday season, but there are

ways you can eat both healthy and well!

The holidays are a great opportunity to

enjoy time with family and friends, cele-

brate life, be grateful and reflect on

what is important. They are also a time

to appreciate the gift of health.

Stay active

Physical activity is just as important

during the holidays as any other time of

the year. You should be active at least

four to five times a week for 30 minutes.

Exercise will help you deal with added

stress and give you energy for all you

need to accomplish this holiday season.

It will also help you manage your weight

through the parties and gatherings. Make

it a family affair and have quality bond-

ing time. Walk around the neighborhood to

look at holiday decorations, play a game

of charades or dance to your favorite

holiday music. It may be cold outside,

but winter offers different fun like ice

skating, sledding or snowball fights. All

of which are great ways to get moving.

Eat well

With all the delicious foods available,

eating too much may seem expected during

the holidays. However, moderation is a

great mantra for the holiday season. Have

a mindful approach towards eating by con-

trolling portions, slowing down to enjoy

your meal and paying attention while you

eat. Make it a priority to eat five or

more fruits and vegetables a day. With

balance and moderation, you can enjoy the

holidays the healthy way.

Manage stress

Holidays do not have to be stressful. Be

realistic, plan ahead and take time for

yourself. Handling stress can be done by

getting adequate amounts of sleep, com-

mitting to fewer gatherings or setting

a budget for the holidays. Do not feel

guilty about taking time to breathe

during the holidays. You have to take

care of yourself before you can take

care of others.

Prevent injuries

Many common holiday activities can

cause injuries that put a damper on the

holiday cheer. Watch young ones and as-

sist the elderly who are at increased

risk of falls and other injuries during

this time. For holiday safety, remem-

ber: stand on a step stool or ladder

instead of furniture while putting up

decorations; ask for help; sprinkle

sand or salt on icy patches; never

drink and drive; and be aware of ex-

treme weather conditions. Most residen-

tial fires also occur in the winter;

never leave fireplaces, stoves or can-

dles unattended.

Have a joyous holiday and hope that

some of these tips will keep you safe

and healthy well into the New Year!

Source: Adult Health Bulletin, August 2017; University of Kentucky; College of Agriculture, Food and Envi-

ronment

One of the easiest ways to prevent getting sick or

spreading germs is keeping your hands clean.

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Plan ahead

Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other holiday rituals. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. That will help prevent last-

minute scrambling to buy overlooked ingredients.

Stick to a budget

It is easy to be swept up in the holiday shopping mad-ness. Before you go shopping, know how much you can

afford for gifts and food. Then stick to your budget.

Learn to say no

Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Do not try to squeeze in more holiday than you can handle. Friends and family will understand if you cannot join in for every party or gather-

ing.

Take care of yourself

Prioritize your needs and feelings. Maybe that means spending just 15 minutes alone without distractions to reduce stress and clear your mind. Physical activity can also help boost energy levels, leaving us feeling better

and improving sleep.

Do not dread the holidays. Instead, use these tips to pre-

vent the stress. Learn to recognize your holiday triggers, such as financial pressures or family demands, so you can prepare for them and avoid a meltdown. With a little planning and some positive thinking, you can find peace

and joy during the holidays.

REFERENCES: htt ps:// w ww.mayoclinic.org/healthy-Iifestyle / st ress-ma nagement/in-depth/st ress/ art-200475 44?pg= 1 http:// www.apa.o rg/helpcenter/parents-holiday.aspx

Ronda Rex

Kate Vaught Thompson

Campbell County Extension Agents for

Family and Consumer Sciences

KEEPING STRESS OUT OF THE HOLIDAYS

For many, the holiday season brings an increased sense of family responsibility and additional feelings of stress. It may seem like the holidays are more work than enjoy-ment with numerous family gatherings and long lists to

be done. This is not uncommon.

Handling holiday stress is hard. However, if you follow these healthy stress techniques you can minimize the

stress that accompanies the holidays. You may even

find yourself relaxed and enjoying the holiday season.

Forget perfection

The holidays do not have to be perfect or the same as

last year. It is OK if you have a little clutter in the house or dinner on the table a few minutes late. Before you go shopping, know how much you can afford for gifts

and food. Then stick to your budget.

You cannot do it all. As families grow, traditions often change as well. Do not sweat it. Instead, focus your

energy on enjoying the time spent with loved ones.

Reach out

If you feel overwhelmed, ask for help. Accepting help and support from those who care about you can help

ease stress. You may just need to ask.

Helping others and volunteering your time is always a good way to lift your spirits as well. Nothing shows the

spirit of the holidays better than helping others.

Set aside differences

Try to accept family members and friends for who they are. Set aside past matters for a later time. Understand, others may say things or get upset if something goes wrong, but chances are they are feeling holiday stress

too.

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Important Homemaker Dates

December 5, 2017, 9:30 a.m. Claryville

Plum Creek Christian Church—South

December 6, 2017, 10:00 a.m. Wannabees (please

bring a $2 donation)

December 11, 2017, 11:30 a.m. Crazy Quilters &

Crafty Ladies meeting at O’Charley’s in Cold Spring

December 12, 2017, 11:30 a.m. Valley meeting at

Dominic’s in Alexandria

January 4, 2018, 10:00 a.m. Campbell County

Homemaker Council

January 18, 2018, 1:30 p.m. Homemaker Area Coun-

cil Meeting in Campbell County

February 2—3, 2018, 4th Annual Homemaker Crop

Everyone is welcome at events and council meetings!

Looking for volunteers to make homemade soup, chili and/or desserts for

the area meeting on January 18, 2018.

Please contact Betty Duvall at

859-441-3582

Family Layout — vacation, Scrapbook-

ing, Miscellaneous Layout — 4th grade,

Scrapbooking, Collage Layout — Ma-

yan Ruins

Kathy Vickers — Quilts, Machine Pieced

(hand quilted) — Scrappy quilt

Congratulations!

Congratulations to the Area Cultural Arts

winners. The winners will be competing

at the state level in May.

Juanita Mitchell — Novelty — purse,

Pieced — tote bag, Quilts, Hand Applique

(hand quilted) — table topper

Jennifer Duvall—Basic Embroidery —

canvas /tree, Spring holiday decorations

— eggs, Miscellaneous — picture with

embroidery

Kimberly Baker—Felting, wet method

—purse, Photography, Color (mounted &

framed) — flower/beads, Recycled Art,

Household — wine bottle, Scrapbooking,

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Holiday Treasures was a

great success!

Thanks to all of you who attended the Holiday Treasures Program. We

hope you enjoyed yourselves, and that you learned new holiday craft

ideas!

This year Campbell County submitted

more items than any previous years!

A special thanks to all the homemak-

ers who submitted items, presented

items, made food, and setup and

cleaned up after the event! Thanks to

you the program was a success!

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Holiday Treasures

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Registration for each session is required

by calling the Campbell County

Cooperative Extension Service at

859-572-2600 or online at

https://campbell.ca.uky.edu/

Campbell County Diabetes

Support Group Campbell County Extension Service

3500 Alexandria Pike, Highland Heights, KY

Second Thursday of each month

Diabetes education and management is an ongoing process.

Come learn about:

Diabetes education

Diabetes management for self, loved one or friend

Overall health and wellness

Nutrition education

Food demonstrations

A collaboration between the Northern

Kentucky Health Department and the

Campbell County Cooperative

Extension Service.

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

(each month)

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Campbell County Extension Service

3500 Alexandria Pike, Highland Heights, Kentucky

Family Time for preschooler (age 3-5) and caregiver! Older children are also welcome with prior notification.

Flower Buds will meet for story time, tours of educational gar-

dens, an engaging activity for the child and caregiver to make

together, and a light snack.

Space is limited to 12 children plus 1 caregiver per child. Regis-

ter for each class by calling 859-572-2600 or online at https://

campbell.ca.uky.edu/

2017-2018 Flower Buds Schedule: 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m

Wednesday, October 25 Wednesday, February 28

Wednesday, November 29 Wednesday, March 28

*Thursday, December 21 Wednesday, April 25

Wednesday, January 31 Wednesday, May 30

CONTACT KATE THOMPSON OR TERRI TURNER with questions.

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