The holidays are on everyone's mind right now, but spring isn't far behind. This is your last chance to take advantage of great tips on growing sweet corn & melons. Call 439-3178 on Monday or Tuesday to let us know you'll be here for the 6:30 p.m. program on Tuesday evening, December 9. This could be a way to make some extra money in 2009!

Eating Healthy with Fruits and Vegetables

There is much research that shows fruits and vegetables are critical to promoting good health. To get the amount that's recommended, most people need to increase the servings of fruits and vegetables they currently eat every day. University of Illinois Extension is offering a program, Eating Healthy with Fruits and Vegetables on Wednesday, December 10, at 1:30 p.m. in the Extension Building. This workshop will focus on planning and preparing healthy meals using more fruits and vegetables.

Fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that may help protect you from chronic diseases. Compared with people who consume a diet with only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts as part of a healthful diet are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke and perhaps other cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers.

Martha Winter MS, RD, University of Illinois Extension educator in nutrition and wellness, will be the instructor. To register or find out more information about the program, please call us at 439-3178. There is no fee.

Beef Producers to Meet December 11

The Franklin Area Cowboy Club will meet in the Extension Building west of Benton at 6:30 p.m. to hear a presentation by Teresa Steckler, University of Illinois Extension beef specialist from Mt. Vernon. Her topic is Improving Reproductive Efficiency in Beef Cattle. A complimentary meal will be provided by Fort Dodge Animal Health, and their representative will also share information on products and services. Any interested person is encouraged to attend. It is important to register no later than December 8, so that we can have an accurate meal count. Call 618-439-3178, and let us know when registering if you need a reasonable accommodation to attend.

Saving Money when Shopping

Can you really save money at the grocery store? Yes you can, according to Shirley Camp, University of Illinois nutrition and wellness educator. The first step in saving money is planning your menus ahead of time.

Take advantage of food items that are on sale when planning your menus, Camp says. For example, if you had planned to serve roast, and chicken breasts are a better value, change your menu plan from beef to chicken.

Grocery stores typically begin new sales on Wednesday of each week and publish specials in their ads in the newspapers. When planning your menus, use the ads to make the most economical menus that you can.

After you plan your menus, get out your recipes and make a list of the foods you will need to have in order to follow your plan. Next, check your pantry and freezer to see which of these food items you already have on hand.

Rewrite your shopping list following the layout of the grocery store in which you shop. That way, you can make one trip through the store and pick up the items you need. If you use coupons, make sure to organize them, check their expiration dates and take them with you. Some manufacturers have coupons that you can print online—if you have a computer, check that source also.

Now for the shopping. It is best to shop when you are NOT hungry. Shop alone if at all possible—children and other adults can add things to the grocery cart that you had not intended to buy—and the total bill goes up.

Shop in one store. The days of going from store to store to get the best buy on every item are gone. Gas costs too much, it takes more time and you end up buying more if you visit more than one store. Go to the store that has most of the items you want and shop there. If they have a customer card, use it—sometimes these cards are used to give discounts or specials.

One store—one trip. If you know what foods you will be serving for an entire week, you can plan to shop only once during the week. That will also help you save money. If for example, you will be using ground beef to make several different meals, you can buy family-size packages, divide it up when you get home, freeze it in recipe-size portions and you have saved money.

When can you break the one store, one trip rule? When you need items like bread or milk in the middle of the week, make a list of what you need, and get only those items.

When you get home, put the groceries away. Remember to label foods with the date of purchase and store new foods behind older foods. This will help reduce waste. If you throw food out, you are throwing money out!

For more information on shopping for food and menu planning, contact your local University of Illinois Extension office.

A Solution for Your Holiday Meal Planning

The Franklin County 4-H Federation has a project that will help you get through the holidays a little easier. If you would like to have a delicious smoked pork loin, they are making it possible. Mike Thomas, who cooks the loins for the 4-H Barbecue every summer, has graciously agreed to volunteer his time to help the Federation with a fundraiser. With Mike as the chef, we know they will be wonderful! The smoked loins will be available for $20 (half loin) and $35 (whole loin) and may be picked up at the Extension office after 12:00 noon on December 19. Orders, along with payment, must be made by December 15. Call 439-3178 or see a 4-H member to place your order.