If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed with the environment around you, experiencing the world from a child’s point-of-view may be the breath of fresh air you need to rejuvenate. Plus, engaging with a child from his or her perspec
tive builds one’s self-concept, supports a strong relationship, and enhances learning. Enjoy!
1) Bend down to their height
2) Follow their lead
3) Use all 5 senses
4) Encourage curiosity and imagination
5) Model patience by not rushing
The holidays are a great time to donate food to food banks, food drives, and soup kitchens. Make the most out of your donations by following these guidelines.
For more information, please view the Donating Safe and Nutritious Food to Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens, Fact Sheet or Feeding American Healthy Food Drive Donation List.
By: Ashley Svaty
K-State Research and Extension is hosting a monthly webinar for gardeners. The K-State Garden Hour is held the first Wednesday of each month. On November 4th the topic will be trees
and shrubs for pollinators. Then on December 2nd I will be presenting a program on Holiday Plants! Make sure to register using the link below.
By: Cassie Homan
If you have newly planted fruit trees they need a little extra maintenance this time of year. Rabbits may begin to nibble on newly planted trees and shrubs through the winter. Protect your investment with at least 2-foot-tall cylinders of 1-inch-mesh, chicken wire, or similar barrier. Other control methods inclu
de plastic tree wraps and liquid rabbit repellents sprayed on the plants. Repellents will need to be reapplied each time it rains. It’s also a good idea to pick up fallen fruit in the fall. This will prevent diseases from overwintering and fungal spores will be destroyed.
By: Cassie Homan
Many families have experienced income loss this year and they may also be wondering how they are going to celebrate the holidays.
This year, the holidays may not be exactly like they have been in the past, but families can still get the essence of what’s important to them without spending as much money. You might think about what you might gain from these changes or adjustments. It may even lead to some new traditions.
Set a dollar amount limit of what you are spending. Think about how many people are involved and how much to spend on each person. Start early so you can spread out the cost.
Thanksgiving, is a food-heavy holiday, you should plan now to take advantage of sales. Try to eat out of your cupboards in late October and early November to clear out space and help you cut grocery spending in those weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.
For Christmas, keep a list of who you are buying for and what you are spending. Also, be sure to track the shipping information and make sure that you are getting all your purchases. If shipping directly to the home of someone on your list, be sure to track that the package arrives.
One way to save money is to start scouting prices for gifts you plan to buy. The earlier you start, the more you are aware of prices, and you don’t feel pressured to make purchases at the last minute. Last minute purchases may lead to spending more on the item or having to pay for expediated shipping costs. Be careful when doing online shopping and using credit. By going into the store and shopping you can pay with cash and have a better chance of sticking to your budget.
By: Brenda Langdon
A Positive, Optimistic Perspective: Greater overall optimism and positivity contribute to an individual’s health. Learning to be the positive voice inside of your head, instead of the negative one, can help you move beyond negative thinking.
Mindfulness: Rather than focusing on bad experiences from the past or stressors and concerns about the future, being mindful allows a person to put such thoughts aside and focus on the current moment. This increased mindfulness directly relates to an individual’s greater well-being.
Healthy Stress Management: Well-adjusted individuals use positive, rather than destructive, forms of stress management. Healthy ways to manage stress include physical exercise, relaxation, breathing techniques, and talking through issues with a friend or partner.
Medicine prescribed to you is for your use only. If your medicine cabinet is full of expired drugs or medications you no longer use, it’s time to properly dispose them. The best way to dispose of your expired, unwanted, or unused medicines is through a drug take back program — or you can do it at home through the following three ways according to the FDA.
By: Ashley Svaty
