Category: May 2017

Smith Center and Osborne Stay Strong, Stay Healthy

Ashley Svaty
Nutrition, Food Safety
and Health Agent

There’s still time to register for the Smith Center and Osborne Stay Strong, Stay Healthy Sessions. Stay Strong Stay Healthy is an older adult strength training program designed to improve strength, balance, flexibility and quality of life for participants.  Sessions will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10-11am at the Smith County Courthouse and 2-3pm at the Osborne Library.  Cost for this 8-week program is $20. Classes will begin May 9th and run through June 29th.  Please call or visit the Smith Center (785) 282-6823 or Osborne office (785) 346-2521 to register by May 4th.

By:  Ashley Svaty

Keys to Embracing Aging – Join us in Downs!

Nora Rhoades
Family and Youth
Development Agent

Downs Senior Center
11:00 – 11:45am
Spring/Summer Dates:

May 10 ● June 14 ● July 12 ● August 9

Keys to Embracing Aging is an interactive self-care program that will help you meet your personal goals! Throughout the program, participants will explore strategies to embrace aging and practice habits that will help you get the most out of each stage in life! Adults – individuals, couples, families, and caregivers – are encouraged to participate in the year-long program with a 45 minute session once each month. No need to RSVP, but participation in the entire series is highly encouraged! More information at: http://www.postrock.k-state.edu/events/

By:  Nora Rhoades

Safe Summer BBQ’s and Picnics

Summer is a great time to enjoy outdoor meals with family and friends.  Bacteria also loves warmer temperatures so be sure to follow these food safety guidelines when eating outdoors during barbeques and picnics.

  • Cold food should not be left out of the cooler for more than 2 hours.
  • Cook meat and poultry thoroughly to their safe minimum internal temperature.
  • Serve small portions and keep the rest in the cooler.
  • Pack only what you plan to use during your meal.
  • Use separate coolers for drinks so your food cooler is kept closed.

For more tips on how to keep your summer picnics and barbeques safe from foodborne illness, view our Building Strong Families insert here.

By:  Ashley Svaty

Can I Sell My Canned Goods?

Has anyone ever told you that your homemade jelly or salsa or other canned food is so delicious that you should sell it?  In some cases, this is legal, but in other cases, it is not. In Kansas any canned goods sold to grocery stores or other distributors, or products sold across state lines, require a food processor’s license and cannot be produced in a regular home kitchen.

In Kansas, fruit jams, jellies and canned fruits sold directly to consumers, such as a farmers market or at a craft show, do not require a license and can be made in a home kitchen.  Selling other canned products, such as sauerkraut, pickles, canned vegetable and most salsas, does require a license and cannot be made at home.  For more information on Kansas regulations for selling canned foods is available at http://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3138.pdf

By:  Ashley Svaty

Household Products Database

Assortment of means for cleaning isolated

What’s under your kitchen sink, in your garage, in your bathroom, and on the shelves in your laundry room? The Household Products Database is an online resource from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and it will help you learn more about what’s in these products, about potential health effects, and about safety and handling. The Database can be accessed at: https://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/

By:  Nora Rhoades

You Asked It!

The May issue of You Asked It! is now available here or by clicking any of the articles below.  Karen Blakeslee from the Rapid Response Center develops You Asked It! each month to keep readers up to date on current food related topics.

By:  Ashley Svaty