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Author: Marci Metz

Shopping for an Individual Retirement Account (IRA)

Posted on by Marci Metz

An IRA is a tax-advantaged retirement savings option available to help Americans achieve their retirement goals. K-State Research and Extension has guides available to help you understand the two basic types, Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs. The guides explain how to evaluate different IRAs before investing, and a worksheet is provided to help compare options.

By:  Nora Rhodes

Storing Fresh Produce

Posted on by Marci Metz

Have you found yourself wondering where or how to store fresh produce?  Some fruits can lose color and nutrients if they are stored improperly.  Use this handy chart to assist you with fresh produce storage.

Storing Fresh Produce

For more information on storing fresh produce visit: http://bit.ly/1bbgw3u

Chart Source: Produce for Better Health Foundation and www.FruitsAndVeggiesMoreMatters.org

By: Ashley Goudey

Age Appropriate Kitchen Activities

Posted on by Marci Metz

Cooking with your children or grandchildren can teach them basic skills that they will use for a lifetime. When children help to make food they are less likely to reject it.  Allow your child to help out with the following tasks:

 2 Years:

  • Rinse fresh produceAge Appropriate Kitchen Activities
  • Throw away trash
  • Turn pages of a cookbook

3 Years:

All that a 2 year old can do, plus:

  • Add ingredients
  • Talk about cooking
  • Name and count ingredients
  • Help assemble a pizza

4 Years:

All that a 3 year old can do, plus:

  • Crack an egg
  • Set the table
  • Help measure dry ingredients

5 Years:

All that a 4 year old can do, plus:

  • Measure liquids
  • Use an egg beater
  • Cut soft fruits with a dull knife

http://www.choosemyplate.gov/sites/default/files/audiences/KitchenHelperActivities.pdf

By:  Ashley Goudey

Helping Children Cope with Tragedy

Posted on by Marci Metz

Natural disasters, family changes such as divorce, death, serious injury, or community violence can be traumatic for both children and adults. Everyone needs time to process traumatic events. Children often experience disasters differently than adults and they need to have developmentally appropriate explanations of them. Engage with children to help them process tragic events, practice coping skills, and build resiliency. Here are some helpful resources:

By:  Nora Rhoades

 

You Asked It!

Posted on by Marci Metz

The August issue of You Asked It! is out and features the following topics:

  • Peach Season
  • Wonderful Watermelon
  • Back to School (Packing healthy lunches)
  • Wheat Foods for Kids
  • Shishito Peppers
  • Keeping Food Safe During Power Outages
  • Chewy Chicken
  • Starting with Good Food when Canning
  • Disposable WipesYou asked it
  • Kids Eat Right Month

Interested in a topic?  Click here to access the You Asked It!

By:  Ashley Goudey

Summer Squash Medley

Posted on by Marci Metz

Do you have an abundance of squash in your gardens? This is a simple recipe to put them to good use without turning on your oven!

Makes: 6 Servings

Ingredients

1 onion, small
1 tablespoon olive oil (or canola oil)
1 1/2 yellow summer squash, small and sliced (can use 1-2 squash)
1 1/2 zucchini, small and sliced (can use 1-2 zucchini)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper (to taste, optional)
1 can diced Italian tomatoes (14.5 ounces)
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (grated)

Directions

1. In large skillet, heat oil.
2. To heated oil, add squash and onion. Cook on medium heat until tender, about 10 minutes, stirring often.
3. Add tomatoes and simmer 5 minutes.
4. Season with garlic powder to taste. Add salt and pepper (optional), if desired.
5. Serve warm, topped with Parmesan cheese.

Source: University of Maryland Extension. Food Supplement Nutrition Education Program

By:  Ashley Goudey

Stain Removal

Posted on by Marci Metz
Nora Rhoades Family and Youth Development Agent nrhoades@ksu.edu
Nora Rhoades
Family and Youth
Development Agent
nrhoades@ksu.edu

Do you have a stain you are struggling to remove? Check out these resources for recommended stain removal strategies.

By:  Nora Rhoades