February 2024 Edition

Family & Consumer Sciences
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Thoughts from Ronda

Hello All,

    I hope everyone is doing well and managing the various winter temperatures. If you are like me, winter may not be your favorite time of year. This is why I make it my goal to do fun things to keep me motivated. My motivators are embroidery, cross stitch and sewing. I also love reading and coloring, yes, coloring. It helps to slow down and be in the moment and not have to make any decisions and just relax. Even though winter is not my favorite, I still love taking walks with my dogs during this time. We bundle up and enjoy nature. Before I know it, I am warmed up from the walk and guess what…my heart rate is up as well. A good cardiovascular walk is always good for the health.

    So, I challenge you to find your happy place and do what helps you to stay motivated. If you do not have a hobby, search one out. I am teaching Bingocize at the Gallatin County Senior Center, and a huge goal of the program is focusing on staying active even if you are sitting and watching TV. Chair exercises are great! Keeping your body moving is so important for your mental health, staying balanced and for the prevention of falls. Walking in place or from a sitting position is easy to do and vital for both the body and mind. So, add little movements into your day when you can. If you would like to join us at the Senior Center for Bingocize, please let me know. We would love to see you there!

    On another note, we have a Medicare Class coming up and our Chocolate Class is right around the corner (both flyers included in this newsletter). Registration is required for all classes.

    A huge Thank You to our District Board members who do so much for our office. Two of our members (Sallie Ingram-Brooks and Keith Crigger rotated off our board on January 12th and two new members joined us. Thank you, Sallie, and Keith, for years of work on our board, and thank you Debbie Plybon and Chris Schwab for agreeing to be a part of our board. I also want to Thank Judge Ryan Morris for conducting the installation process.

 

Upcoming Dates to Remember

 February 1—9 am—4 pm—The Embroidery Club will meet at the Extension Office.

February 7, 14, 21, 28—6:00-8:30 pm—Stitch & Lounge Beginning Sewing will meet at the Extension Office.

February 8—1:30 pm—The Basics of Chocolate—at the Extension Office. See Enclosed Flyer

February 13—9 am—4 pm—The Fun Time    Quilters Club will meet at the Extension Office.

February 13—12 pm—The Back to Basics    Homemakers will meet at the Extension Office

February 13—6:30 pm—The Napoleon Homemakers will meet at Zalla Lodge.

February 14—10:30 am—The Cross County Homemakers will meet at the Extension Office.

February 14—Happy Valentine’s Day!

 February 19—Presidents’ Day

 

Exercising the Brain Through Life Story

A life story is an account of the series of events and experiences that make up our life and represent who we are. Our life story is important because it helps explain who we are, where we have been, how we got there, and even where and what we will be doing in the future. Life story also contributes to brain health, as the process of documenting and sharing life story is a form of brain exercise.

Start Writing Your Life Story Today! Create a list of 10 significant life events and experiences and think about the different key life domains into which these experiences fall—family/friends, place/ home, education, work/volunteer, recreation/leisure, spirituality, historical contexts, and health. Expand your list with additional memories along the life domains. Look at old photos or memorabilia and talk to family and friends to help jog memories. Write about what your memories mean to you and how they make you feel. You may want to write about your family and the way that you see them, examine the good and bad in your life, or explore the role religion or a job has played. Organize your information into life chapters—childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, middle adulthood and old age. Share your story with others.

Source: Amy Hosier, Family Sciences; Brian Downer, Faika Zanjani, and John Watkins, Graduate Center for Gerontology

 

Cooking Through the Calendar - February-Everything Tuna Melts

Ingredients:

 3 cans (5 oz) tuna in water, drained
1 stalk celery, diced
1/2 small onion, diced
3 Tbsp. mayonnaise
5 whole wheat mini bags, cut in half
1 large or 2 small apples, cored and sliced thinly
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 tsp. everything bagel seasoning

Directions:

 1. Preheat the oven broiler on low.

2. Wash hands with warm water and soap, scrubbing at least 20 seconds.

3. Wash fresh produce under cool running water, using a vegetable brush to scrub veggies with a firm surface. Dry and cut to prepare for this recipe.

4. In a bowl, combine the tuna, celery, onion and mayonnaise; mix well.

5. On a baking sheet, toast each side of the bagels under the broiler.

6. Divide and spread the tuna mixture on each of 10 bagel halves. Top with apple slices and cheese. Sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning.

7. Return the pan under the broiler for 3 to 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

8. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Note: This recipe is very adaptable. If you do not have whole wheat bagels, you can substitute with English muffins, hamburger buns or whole wheat bread. Try everything flavored bags and skip the seasoning. Substitute canned chicken for tuna. Use tomato slices or pineapple slices instead of apples to add variety. You can usually find affordable everything bagel seasoning at dollar stores. If you cannot find everything bagel seasoning, try your favorite salt-free herb blend instead.

 Makes 5 servings—Serving Size: 2 bagel halves; Cost per  recipe: $7.52; Cost per serving: $1.50

Nutrition facts per serving: 320 calories; 13g total fat; 4g saturated fat; 0g trans fat; 50mg cholesterol; 700mg sodium; 27g total carbohydrate; 1g dietary fiber; 8g total sugars; 0g added sugars; 25g protein; 15% Daily Value of vitamin D; 25% Daily Value of calcium; 10% Daily Value of iron; 4% Daily Value of  potassium.

Source:  Brooke Jenkins, Specialist, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service