K-State Research and Extension

search

Category: 2022

Happy and Safe Holidays

Posted on by djbechard

Ghosts and goblins aren’t the only thing that can be scary now that Halloween has kicked off the fall holiday season. From fire hazards to online scams, following these tips can help you stay safe during the eventful time of year between Halloween and New Year’s Day.

  • Rather than a traditional candle, consider lighting up your décor with a small, battery operated flameless one. If you do choose to use traditional candles, remember to blow it out before going to bed or leaving home.
  • Use only non-flammable indoor decorations.
  • Whether you’re making Thanksgiving turkey or holiday cookies, practice cooking safely to avoid fires at home. Stay alert in the kitchen and turn off the stove when you leave the kitchen.
  • Water your Christmas tree regularly. Dry branches are a fire hazard. Turn off the tree’s lights overnight or when you are not at home.
  • Place your menorah on a sturdy, non-flammable surface out of the reach of small children and pets. Never leave lit candles unattended.
  • When you shop online for holiday gifts, be cautious and avoid scams by shopping with trusted retailers. Be on the look out for emails that seem too good to be true. Don’t click on suspicious links!
  • Learn the weather and climate risks for the area to which you are traveling.
  • Be sure to consider how COVID-19 may affect your holiday plans.

Have a wonderful holiday season!

By: Jamie Rathbun

Extending Financial Resources

Posted on by djbechard

When paying the monthly bills, it may feel like the paycheck just doesn’t go as far as it once did, and this is especially true in a time of price increases.  With some of the recent price increases, it can feel as if your income is dropping even though your paycheck remains the same.

It is important for people to realize that this is happening for reasons that are out of their control.  To combat that, it is important to take stock of the family’s resources. This is a time to look at our values and set some priorities for our spending.

Consider substituting goods and services. Buying things when they are on special or using coupons are ways to help reduce costs.

Transportation is a large expense and one that should be considered when budgeting.  It is also encouraged to keep up on car maintenance to avoid costly repairs.

Along with car maintenance, it’s important for people to winterize their homes. This can save on heating expenses.

Another small adjustment people can make to extend their financial resources is to minimize food waste.  If you don’t like leftovers and end up throwing them out, that is like putting money in the trash. Try cooking in smaller portions or freeze the excess food for a future meal.

By: Brenda Langdon

Go With Your Gut Bacteria

Posted on by djbechard

Your colon, a.k.a. your large intestine, is home to 100 trillion bacteria. They represent some 1,200 different species, which have evolved over millennia. In fact, your gut has about four pounds of bacteria that entered your system from food and the environment. This may sound like a bad thing. But, research shows that those bacteria are crucial to your health. Among other things, they:

  • Digest fiber, along with other parts of food that you couldn’t digest otherwise.
  • Produce and activate B vitamins and vitamin K.
  • Release beneficial chemicals in food – including ones that may prevent cancer.
  • Activate your immune system (especially important during the cold and flu season).
  • Prevent “bad” bacteria from taking over and making you sick.

Evidence shows that gut bacteria probably influence our risk for many health problems, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and certain autoimmune diseases. For example, lean people appear to have different gut bacteria than people who are obese, but scientists are only beginning to understand why. New research also shows that our personal bugs may affect mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety.

So, while scientists are busy examining bacteria in poop samples, we can engage in a more enjoyable task. Focus on feeding the good bacteria in your gut so they can thrive and you can, too. The best food for intestinal bugs comes from plant-based fiber. The more kinds the better, so eat a wide range of fiber-rich vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds. Diversify your diet, and get busy feeding those hardworking bugs.

By: Jamie Rathbun

Medicare Open Enrollment

Posted on by djbechard

It’s the time of year to begin thinking about Medicare Open Enrollment.  Open enrollment runs from October 15 – December 7, with coverage beginning January 1. This is the time of year when you should review your Medicare prescription drug coverage and make changes if your current plan no longer meets your needs or if you could lower your out-of-pocket expenses.

During your appointment we will make sure all your prescription medications are on the plan formulary in 2023, and that your pharmacy is still in the plan network. Costs such as deductibles and copays can change from year to year.  Using the plan finder, we can identify whether your current plan will best meet your needs for 2023 and compare it to other options that are available. The goal is to make sure you understand how your plan works and to make an informed decision.

The extension office will be helping beneficiaries with comparison, selection and enrollment in drug plans again this year. Email Brenda at bklangdon@ksu.edu or call 785-346-2521 to schedule an appointment. Brenda will be scheduling appointments in all five counties in the Post Rock District (Osborne, Smith, Jewell, Mitchell and Lincoln).

By: Brenda Langdon

Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs in the Fall

Posted on by djbechard

If you want beautiful, colorful tulips in the spring, now is the time to plant the bulbs! Spring flowering bulbs are often one of the first signs of spring in the landscape and a wonderful addition to any flower bed.

Planting bulbs can occur any time in the fall but should wrap up by mid to late November. Earlier in the fall is best, as it allows more time for root development. Fertilize when planting using a balanced fertilizer such as a 10-10-10.

Plant bulbs where they will receive full sun. Bulbs should be planted about twice as deep as the height of the bulb. 4-6 inches is a good depth for tulips. Make sure that the soil will drain well, as bulbs are prone to rotting.

Put a little extra effort into your flower beds now to have a beautiful show of color in the spring. For more information on spring flowering bulbs check out this K-State Garden Hour: https://mediasite.k-state.edu/mediasite/Play/bb82330923124f468402d0492fd79c7d1d

By: Cassie Thiessen

Check Your Credit

Posted on by djbechard

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission recently found that 1 in 5 Americans have an error on at least one of their credit reports.  Having an error on a credit report is not the problem for most people, but leaving it there can be.

A credit report affects a person’s ability to get a car or home loan, as well as the interest rate on that loan. An error on a report could indicate that someone was trying to steal your identity to apply for credit. People that aren’t currently looking at acquiring a loan think that they don’t need to check their credit, but often they can be some of the bigger victims of identity theft because they are not checking their credit report regularly.

K-State Research and Extension is offering the program, Check Your Credit, to encourage Kansans to take advantage of their access to free credit reports.

The program is email-based and focuses on reminders three times a year – Feb. 2 (2/2), June 6 (6/6) and Oct. 10 (10/10) – to encourage consumers to request a free report from one of the three primary reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. One credit report might reflect positive information and another may reflect negative. What you want to do is find the (entries) that are inaccurate.

The process to request a credit report is made simpler by accessing one website www.AnnualCreditReport.com.

In addition to reminding people to check their credit reports three times a year, the Check Your Credit program includes information on understanding your report, correcting errors, and using your credit report to your advantage. There is no cost to participate in the program.

By: Brenda Langdon