Recently there have been several media presentations about the "Choking Game." Just this week there was another news report of a death directly related to the practice. For those of you unaware of what the "Choking Game" is, a quick definition is kids (primarily middle-school aged) participating in self-asphyxiation-choking each other or themselves to feel a brief high or euphoric state. Sometimes children choke each other until the person being choked passes out. Pressure on the arteries is then released and blood flow to the brain resumes, causing a "rush" as consciousness returns. It is a very dangerous play where a person deprives his/her brain of oxygen. Playing the game causes the permanent and cumulative death of large numbers of brain cells. Variations in blood pressure may cause strokes, heart attacks, seizures, retinal damage, permanent brain damage, and even death. Dr. Phil McGraw reports that "Between 400 to 500 kids a year die from this game."

This activity has actually been going on for generations. Most adults will know someone who played this game in some form or another when they were children. Modern modifications that make it so much more dangerous is the use of ligatures such as belts, ties or ropes, bags and playing the game alone. If the child playing alone and using a ligature loses consciousness, he/she is unable to help him/herself. Without someone to immediately release the pressure, the child will suffer brain damage and death certainly after three minutes. Some of those who have died were alone for as long as 15 minutes before someone found them and it was already too late. It doesn't take repeated experience with the game either, this activity can cause a child's death the first time it is played.

Parents looking for symptoms of this activity may be very disappointed. There is no "test" for it and it is chemically undetectable. Some signs that should raise concern, however, include: inexplicable marks or bruises on the throat, frequent severe headaches, blood shot eyes, belts, leashes, ropes, shoelaces and etc. tied in strange knots or found in unusual locations, unexplained cuts or bruises from falling, disorientation after spending time alone and locked bedroom doors. Not all signs may be present, but if you think your child is doing this, you must supervise the child closely, dispose of items that could be used for this purpose, warn your child about the dangers of the activity, alert school officials so that they can monitor your child, check that siblings are not involved, consider alerting parents of your child's friends and consider professional counseling and support for your child. Insist that the school districts in your area provide education about this activity as part of the risky behavior curriculum (drugs, alcohol and etc.). Education should start as early as elementary school as older children may pass this activity to younger ones. Take away the mystery. Talk about the dangers of the practice and teach your children that this is no game!

More information on the "Choking Game" can be found on several web sites. You may want to start with the Connect with Kids Network: http://www.connectwithkids.com/tipsheet/2005/235_jun29/choke.htm., the Stop the Choking Game web site at http://www.stop-the-choking-game.com, or the Montana Department of Human Services web site at: http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/newsevents/newslreleases2005july/faintinggame/shtml. If you don't have internet access, you can contact the Connect with Kids Network by calling (888) 891-6020.

Teresa Adams, Health Promotion Coordinator

As spring progresses and thunderstorms become more of a concern, we turn our eyes to the skies. Lightning reportedly kills an average of 67 people each year in the United States.

There are several considerations for protection from a lightning strike.

·When you see lightning, count the time until you hear thunder. If that time is 30 seconds or less, the thunderstorm is within six miles of you and is dangerous. Seek shelter immediately.

·Do not stand under or next to a tree. If you cannot get to an indoor location, crouch in the open, keeping twice as far from a tree as it is tall.

·If there is a group of people outdoors, keep several yards distance from each other. Unless well grounded, open pavilions or other small shelters will not provide adequate protection.

·Lightning can enter a building through a direct strike, through wires or pipes that extend outside the structure or through electrical, phone, plumbing and radio/television antennas. If you are indoors, avoid contact with corded phones or contact with electrical equipment. Also avoid contact with plumbing, and do not lie or lean on concrete floors and walls. Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off of porches.

·Typical surge protectors will not protect equipment from a strike. During a storm, appliances and electronic equipment, including antenna connections should be unplugged to the extent possible.

If someone is struck by lightning, call 911 or other emergency services. Check the victim's breathing and pulse, and begin CPR if necessary and you are trained to do so.

Where lightning entered and left the body, burns may be present. In addition, other problems such as broken bones, loss of hearing or eyesight and other nervous system damage may be present. After being struck, the victim does not carry any residual charge, so a rescue person should not be afraid of being shocked.

For more information on lightning and lightning safety, go to the NOAA lightning web site at

www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/overview/html

University of Illinois Extension

With spring and summer months come fresh vegetables from the garden. According to Jananne Finck, University of Illinois Extension nutrition and wellness educator, including vegetables in the diet is a good practice for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

The 2005 Dietary Guidelines promotes consuming a sufficient amount of vegetables while staying within energy needs. Two and a half cups of vegetables per day are recommended for a reference 2,000 calorie intake, with higher or lower amounts depending on the calorie level.

The guidelines recommend choosing a variety of vegetables each day. In particular, select from five vegetable subgroups (dark green, orange, legumes, starchy vegetables and other vegetables) several times a week.

To eat more vegetables–add lettuce, tomato, green pepper and onion slices to sandwiches. One may eat raw vegetables at meals or with low-fat dip as a snack too. Adding chopped vegetables to your salads also increases intake.

Add soup to your menu. Use vegetables or tomato soups to boost your vegetable intake. Another suggestion is to add vegetables to your casseroles.

Vegetable salads such as coleslaw, 3-bean, or potato salad with low-fat dressing are excellent additions to dinner and supper plans–especially in the summer months.

For more information on vegetables and the 2005 Dietary Guidelines, visit

www.healthierus.gov

University of Illinois Extension

Spring on the farm was a beautiful season with the planting of crops being the main order of business. Spring also meant getting the seeds to plant the family garden. Of course, we all got to help plant, which really was a great memory from living on the farm.

In our central Illinois area, the first vegetable to come up was usually rhubarb. While our horticulture friends consider it a vegetable, for purposes of home food preservation and preparation, rhubarb is handled like a fruit. It has a pH value below 4.5, which is considered a "high acid" food when canning.

When picking or buying rhubarb, select crisp, tender, deep red stalks. For best quality, pick rhubarb early in the spring for preserving and cooking. Storage time of fresh rhubarb is about one month in the refrigerator and storing in the crisper compartment is recommended.

For more information on freezing and preserving rhubarb, visit the National Center for Home Food Preservation with the University of Georgia Extension Service at www.homefoodpreservation.com.

University of Illinois Extension

Newly diagnosed with diabetes? Take comfort in the fact that the outcome of your disease will have a lot to do with how you manage it.

"Self-management of diabetes is the cornerstone of optimal care. The patient has a lot to do with how the disease progresses," said Karen Chapman-Novakofski, co-creator of University of Illinois Extension's new diabetes website:

http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/diabetes2.

At this website address, you'll find interactive meal-planning tools that will allow you to fill a plate to your nutritionist's specifications, practice working with the exchange method and carbohydrate counting, and learn to recognize a healthy portion size.

"If you've developed diabetes partly because you've been unsuccessful at controlling your weight, it can be very challenging to suddenly have to learn to control your diet – or face the consequences," said the U of I associate professor of nutrition.

But the cost of not keeping their blood glucose down should be strong motivation for people with diabetes to learn to eat differently. The complications of diabetes, including increased risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, blindness, vascular disease, and ulceration and possible amputation of the feet, can be devastating, said Chapman-Novakofski.

"The key to avoiding those outcomes is managing your diet," she said. "Meal planning has to be part of everyday life."

Another strong motivator for overweight people with Type 2 diabetes is that changes in diet and exercise may turn the disease around, "bringing blood glucose under control to the point that the person no longer needs medication," she said.
Persons who have just learned they have diabetes may find the stress of being diagnosed with a chronic disease so great and the many recommendations they're receiving so overwhelming, they may not be able to comprehend a lot of the information they're given and be able to use it right away.

"The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends a lot of follow-up care after diagnosis, but that's difficult for both the health-care system and the patient," she said.

Medical treatment should include being referred to a dietitian or going to nutrition classes, but many people don't get into those classes, she added.

"That's one of the reasons the website was created–so people can go back and check the information their doctor or dietitian has given them, refresh their memories on what foods have carbohydrates, and go back over other information they've received from health-care professionals."

It's also important to keep on top of new research findings and developments in treatment of the disease, the specialist said.

"If you have diabetes and think you know everything there is to know about the disease, you probably don't," she said. "There's new information almost daily–another good reason to visit the website frequently."

In fact, myths and misinformation about diabetes abound–one of the most prevalent being that if you stay away from sugar, you're controlling your diet. "It's not sugar that's the problem; it's the number of carbohydrates and total calories you consume. People who have diabetes can have sugar as long as it's part of their total meal plan," she said.

And the ADA estimates that up to 30 percent of diabetes cases are undiagnosed, partly because the onset of Type 2 diabetes can be gradual. "Symptoms for Type 2 diabetes aren't always as noticeable as you'd hope they would be. If you're not being tested for fasting blood glucose annually, you should be," she said.

Chapman-Novakofski recommends that people who have diabetes, along with their families, should call their Extension office and try to get into one of the very successful Dining with Diabetes programs offered in Illinois.

"Once you have the diet prescription from your physician, we can help you build the skills to succeed. The sooner you're diagnosed, the less likely it will be that you'll develop complications," she said.

University of Illinois Extension

Mother's Day is May 14. We want to take this opportunity to wish all mothers a "Happy Mother's Day." Raising children is not easy, and much of your work goes unnoticed.

A recent mini-poster read, "Mothers are not paid for their work, because it is priceless."

Thank you, mothers, for all your hard work and dedication!

University of Illinois Extension

There's Hope for

Thunder-Phobic Dogs

Zeus Barger and Belle Carpenter were two dogs who shared a common problem. Like many dogs, they were deathly afraid of thunderstorms. Fortunately, Zeus, Belle, and their owners have found ways to manage their thunder phobia.

Dogs can sense subtle changes in barometric pressure, so they may sense a thunderstorm an hour or more before it hits. Dogs who suffer thunder anxiety may pant, pace, salivate, and paw at doors excessively before a storm, and when thunder sounds, they may shiver, whimper, or even become destructive, scratching at doors and floors, possibly to the point that they hurt themselves. This was the case with Zeus.

Zeus was a golden retriever who found a simple way to deal with his fear of thunder. He belonged to Dr. Anne Barger, a veterinary pathologist and assistant professor at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana.

"Zeus was a sensitive soul," explains Barger, who would put Zeus in a kennel while she was away at work. One day when it started to storm, she worried about Zeus and went home to check on him.

"By the time I got there, he had gotten out of the kennel. He was so afraid, he was able to bend the metal bars and squeeze out." Not only did Zeus destroy his kennel, but he also hurt himself getting out–his face was swollen and cut from the ordeal. During another incident, Zeus was outside during a storm and trying to get inside, he scratched at the door so violently he demolished the door and wore his toenails down until his paws were bleeding.

The solution to Zeus' problem was surprisingly simple. Dr. Barber explains, "Zeus and I came to an understanding: I told him I wouldn't put him in the cage anymore if he found a place in the house where he could go to feel safe during thunderstorms." Eventually Zeus found that lying in the upstairs bathtub made him feel more secure during thunderstorms.

"I knew an hour ahead of time that a storm was coming, because Zeus would head upstairs and look at me as if to say 'I'll be in the tub if you need me.' In the tub, Zeus calmed down, his breathing and heart rates became normal, and he wasn't hurting himself."

When asked to theorize why Zeus chose the bathtub, Barger says, "The bathtub is such a strong, solid appliance that when the thunder shakes the house a little, the tub may muffle the vibrations." Barger also notes that the bathtub is a cool, quiet place, and that her bathroom doesn't have any windows, keeping Zeus from seeing the lightning, which also triggers anxiety in some dogs.

Dr. Rachael Carpenter, a veterinary anesthesiologist at the teaching hospital, also has a thunderstorm phobic dog named Belle. For years, veterinarians have prescribed sedatives to calm dogs during storms, but Carpenter explains that these medications may sedate a dog, but the dog may still feel anxious, even though it doesn't show signs of agitation. "Of course, you can't ask the dog if it still feels anxious, but now there are drugs on the market that are specifically made to treat anxiety, not hyperactivity."

Aside from medical treatment, behaviorists recommend counter-conditioning and desensitization "To counter-condition your dog, teach her to settle and relax on command. Train her to go to her bed and lay down on command when it's not thundering, so when the thunder comes, she already understands that command."

Carpenter explains that often pet owners do the opposite; by offering a pet treats, praise, and consolation petting when the animal is panting, pacing, and whimpering, they are essentially rewarding the pet for acting anxious.

Carpenter also recommends playing CDs or audio tapes of thunderstorms to desensitize a pet to the noise. "Start it out quietly, and then play it a little louder. At the same time, tell the dog to go to its bed and relax, and reward them for lying down and relaxing."

A novel solution that Carpenter has tried with Belle is a Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) diffuser, an over-the-counter product available at most pet stores. "It looks just like a Glade Plug-In®," she says. The diffuser releases a pheromone that is similar to the one that mother dogs release when their puppies are nursing.

"It's supposed to be very calming, and you simply plug it into the wall and keep one around during storm season." Carpenter recommends combining a DAP diffuser with behavioral training and drug therapy.

Pet owners can learn from Zeus and Belle that there are several options for dealing with a thunder-phobic pet, from medications and pheromones to training, or simply letting the pet seek out its own hide-out. As Dr. Barger notes, "Often dogs will let us know what they need if we just give them the opportunity."

For more information on thunder phobia, behavior, anti-anxiety medications, or DAP diffusers and your pet, consult your veterinarian.

University of Illinois Extension

Asparagus, a member of the lily family is native to eastern Mediterranean countries. According to Jananne Finck, University of Illinois Extension nutrition and wellness educator, some say during the Greek and Roman Empire, it was called the food of the gods.

Today, asparagus is appreciated not only for its delicious taste, but also for its nutritional benefits. About one-half cup of cooked asparagus contains about 20 calories, is a very good source of Vitamin A and has 26 milligrams of Vitamin C and fair amounts of riboflavin, thiamin and niacin (b Vitamins).

When preparing asparagus, be careful not to overcook. Lightly steam it for five minutes or so, depending on the amount to be cooked. It should be just tender, not "mushy".

Cooked asparagus is very versatile. It makes tasty appetizers, soups, salads, hot or cold entrees, side vegetable dishes and sandwiches. It's also scrumptious when used in quiche, scrambled eggs, omelets, casseroles or used as a garnish. For variety, try asparagus jellied in aspic salads, marinated or stir-fried. If you are watching salt intake, consider seasoning asparagus with chives, marjoram, mustard seed, parsley, pepper, tarragon, thyme or tumeric.

Cream of Asparagus Soup

In blender, combine/blend until smooth:

2-1/2 cups small asparagus pieces, cooked

2-1/2 cups nonfat milk

2 tbsp butter or margarine

1 tsp snipped, green onions

2 tbsp flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp snipped parsley

Pour contents into saucepan and cook until soup thickens and gently bubbles. Serve in heated bowls, May garnish with seasoned croutons, asparagus tips or snipped parsley. Serves 4-6.

Nutrient Analysis Per Serving (for 6 servings): 97 calories, 6 gm protein, 1-gm carbohydrate, 4 gm fat, 12 mg cholesterol, 488 mg sodium.

Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 milk, 1 fat.

University of Illinois Extension

Do you need a weightier workout than walking? You're well entrenched in your walking program, logging three hours a week. But you've heard talk about training with weights. And, you haven't seen all the results you hoped for when you started walking. Is walking really enough?

Walking and weights go together. Walking is great exercise. Three to four hours of walking every week conditions your cardiovascular system, reduces body fat and preserves bone strength. These effects translate to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and obesity. Walking, however, has little effect on building muscle mass and strength.

Each year between the age of 30 and 70, you lose about 1% of your muscle strength. The loss is most noticeable about age 60. By age 70, you may have lost up to 40% of your peak muscle strength. Weaker muscles mean your joints are not as well-supported, your balance is compromised and you have less protection against falls and fractures.

Total fitness takes strength. In addition to improving your health, your ultimate exercise goal is to enhance your ability to do daily activities by staying strong. To build strength, incorporate resistance exercises into your aerobic exercise program. Even though aerobic activities such as walking help maintain muscle, resistance exercises generally increase it.

You can create resistance by working your muscles against your own body weight, large elastic bands or weighted objects. The amount of resistance needed to build muscle depends on your current strength. A physical therapist can help determine the amount of weight or resistance to start with by figuring a percentage of the maximum you can handle. Or, you can use your perceived exertion as a rule of thumb. Choose resistance that makes you feel as though you are working "somewhat hard."

At the start, light weights or low resistance and a high number of repetitions to help build muscle endurance. To build strength, gradually increase weight or resistance and the number of repetitions. The more resistance you create, the greater your muscle gain.

What can you expect? Resistance exercises can help you build muscle. A greater percentage of muscle vs. fat increases the number of calories you use daily. As a result, you may have improved blood sugar control and a lower risk of noninsulin-dependent diabetes. Stronger muscles, tendons and ligaments around your joints, especially your knees, reduce stress, friction and the pain of osteoarthritis. High-resistance exercises may help protect against falls and fractures.

Overall, becoming stronger means daily activities require less physical effort. And if you feel less tired, you might enjoy everyday life a little more.

University of Illinois Extension

Learning Styles

Learning is reflected in the way we respond to environmental, social, emotional and physical stimuli, to understand new information. Learning style is defined as the way that information is processed. It focuses on strengths, not weaknesses. There is no right or wrong learning style. Most children show a preference for one of the following basic learning styles: visual, auditory, kinesthetic/manipulative. It is not uncommon to combine the primary and secondary learning styles.

(Introductory Activity –Ask yourself and your child what comes to mind when you hear the word dog. Some people see a picture of the animal, hear a bark, while others visualize the animal dog. Those who see a picture of a dog in their mind's eye or see the letters are probably visual. While those who hear the bark are probably auditory learners. Those who feel the soft fur of a dog are probably kinesthetic.)

Parents also show a preference for one of these learning styles. It is not unusual for parents to prefer a different style of learning than their child. In order to work effectively with your child, it is important to understand your own learning style. (Take inventory at this point.)

Visual learners learn by watching. They call up images from the past when trying to remember. They picture the way things look in their heads. Forty percent of secondary students fall into this category.

Auditory learners tend to spell phonetically. They can sometimes have trouble reading, because they don't visualize well. These students learn by listening and remember facts when they are presented in the form of a poem, song or melody.

Kinesthetic learners learn best through movement and manipulation. They like to find out how things work and are often successful in the practical arts, such as carpentry or design. These students make up 50 percent of secondary students and have difficulty learning in a traditional setting.

Knowing your child's preferred learning style can help you interest a child in new material. With this information you can also learn which style your child needs to strengthen because of the way most information is presented in school. Only 10 percent of secondary students learn best auditorily, but 80 percent of instructional delivery is auditory.

You may have found that you use different learning styles in different situations. Your child does the same. If your child is having difficulty in school you might want to explore the way that information is being presented in school and approach the subject with your child at home using a different learning style. It may also be advisable to discuss this with his/her teacher.

Another consideration is the environment in which people learn best. While tradition tells us to have a quiet room, well lit with a straight back chair, some children learn best in a more chaotic environment. Loud music, laying on the bed, and a dimly lit environment may be the best study situation for others.

Trying different methods of learning may prevent children from feeling frustrated and inadequate when they are not able to work up to their potential. Experimenting with different learning styles and environments may improve the child's accomplishments and feelings of achievement.

Activity–Spell words suitable to your child's reading level. After spelling the word(s), write the answer(s) and check your dictionary for the spelling and spell the word(s) out loud.

Example–If new spelling words are presented by calling out the letter, visual learners would not be able to picture the word. If, however, they are printed on a blackboard in addition to being said out loud, visuals would see the way the word looks so they could remember it more easily. Kinesthetic learners might remember better by manipulating letter blocks to make the word as for the primary student. Creating a word poem or crossword puzzle could be used for the secondary student.

University of Illinois Extension

Adding chopped cilantro to your salsa could help keep illness-causing bacteria to a minimum.

Cilantro contains antibacterial compounds that may help inhibit Salmonella choleraesuis, a common culprit in food poisoning. The best safeguards against food-borne illness are still frequent hand washing and safe food handling practices. However, serving meals with a side of cilantro-seasoned salsa may be both a nutritious and protective bonus.

Using a Lawn Care Business

Lawns are big business. Each year, billions of dollars are spent on weed killers, grass seed, mowing equipment and insect control. Time is an important consideration. As recent as the late 1990s, 2.5 billion hours were spent just mowing lawns.

"Lawn care companies have exploded since 1980 to cut down the amount of time homeowners spend taking care of their lawns," according to David Robson, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. Most companies take over some or all of the chores that homeowners previously left for the weekend.

It's important to remember that lawn care companies provide a service to their customers. The degree of service varies from company to company. Many lawn care companies have the expertise to identify and diagnose problems and recommend appropriate steps much faster than most homeowners. The knowledge that company personnel may have can save customers hours of searching through books or contacting others for solutions.

Companies apply most chemicals more safely. Employees are familiar with safety precautions and application techniques and are more appropriately dressed to handle fertilizers and pesticides.

Robson points out that LAWN CARE COMPANIES CANNOT PERFORM MIRACLES. In fact, any company that claims to perform miracles should be avoided.

Less than 10 years ago, there was a 33 percent turnover rate of customers due to a variety of reasons, but mainly customer dissatisfaction. Usually, the problem laid with the customer's expectations and the lack of communication between the customer and company over the results of the service. More often than not, a homeowner set unrealistic goals that the company couldn't meet. These may have included a picture perfect lawn that resembled a golf green or a picture on a seed or fertilizer package.

Lawn care companies don't have total control over a lawn. When a company is involved, lawn care is composed of three equal parts: the homeowner, the lawn care company and nature. All the care can be provided by the homeowner and lawn care company, but nature can thwart everything.

Lawn care companies expect homeowners to assume a major responsibility for the lawn. This may include mowing, watering and contacting the company in the event of problems.

Service isn't free. The average do-it-yourself homeowner spends close to $75 yearly for basic lawn maintenance including seed, fertilizer, weed killers and insecticides. The cost of water and equipment is additional. Lawn care companies contract for their service differently. Some ask for a flat fee for a certain amount of work to be performed. Other companies contract for specific work. Lawn care companies are also able to offer service most homeowners can't provide. These would include dethatching, lawn aeration, and slit seeding. So one can expect to pay between $150 and $300 for basic yearly service.

One of the biggest differences between companies is cost. Home owners should shop around for prices. "However," Robson adds, "The cheapest isn't always the best." Companies use different products; fertilizer formulations may be a reason for price variation. Good service with a reputable company may be worth the added cost.

Check with the local Better Business Bureau, Illinois Attorney General's office, Illinois Department of Agriculture and other consumer agencies for complaints against local companies.

Ask the lawn care company for references. The company's manager should be able to provide the names and addresses of satisfied clients. Reputation and length of community service are also important.

All companies that apply pesticides must be licensed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Ask to see the license, check the date to make sure it's current.

Companies should also carry liability insurance. Again, ask to see the current certificate.

University of Illinois Extension

A new electronic newsletter is available for our home gardening clientele–Gardener's Corner. This quarterly newsletter is written by horticulture educators Jim Schuster, Maurice Ogutu, Greg Stack, Susan Grupp , Ron Wolford, Sharon Yiesia, and Barbara Bates.

It is found on the state Extension website under state newsletters. You can see the latest issue, as well as back issues, at:

http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/gardeneerscorner/

University of Illinois Extension

How should I answer questions my child has about physical differences between boys and girls? Is it normal for my son to pull down his pants at day care to show others his private parts? When is something more than normal development going on? Are there things I can do to help protect my child from sexual abuse?

Preschoolers are curious about body parts, gender differences and identity. They watch adults to learn about gender roles, meanings of words or adult behaviors they see. They blurt out questions or engage in behaviors they see, behaviors that can make us uncomfortable.

University of Illinois Extension has produced a series of six "Nibbles Ideas for Families" fact sheets for parents of preschoolers which answer many questions parents have about healthy sexual identity and young children. Topics include:

·Talking With Children About Their Bodies

·Where do Babies Come From?

·Exploring Body Parts

·High Heels and Pick-Up Trucks

·Let's Play Doctor. . .Sexual Games and Young Children

·Preventing Child Sexual Abuse

In addition, a fact sheet for child care professionals has been developed on "Handling Sexually Inappropriate Behaviors in Children at Child Care Programs."

If you are interested in receiving this free series of Nibbles fact sheets, please send your name, address, and phone number to Sherry Rocha, Family Life Educator at University of Illinois Extension, Macon County, 2535 Millikin Parkway, Decatur, IL 62526. You may also call Sherry at 217/877-6042.

University of Illinois Extension

During the past couple of weeks, an email about garden mulch has been circulating and is causing concern among homeowners. Essentially the email warns that mulch sold at home improvement stores is infested with termites that can cause severe damage to your home. The email also states the mulch is from wood debris from the Louisiana area due to Hurricane Katrina. Some of the messages that have been forwarded for the original email state that the mulch is from downed trees. Other forwarded messages state the debris is from any wood product, including homes.

To compound the problem, these messages claim to be from Louisiana State University, which makes the email seem credible. Yet the links to LSU simply talk about the potential problem in that area.

"This email and potential problem is another one of those urban legends," says David Robson, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. "Don't worry about what you saw this spring. Bagged wood chips and shredded bark mulch are safe to use."

The termite in question is the Formosan termite, imported years ago from China. Robson says this termite does cause severe devastation to homes in the southern United States. However, the pest doesn't have the ability to survive Illinois winters.

Termites can't reproduce and cause massive problems in one year. It's an on-going problem as colonies build up over the years. Since they die during the winter, the colony never gets a chance to get established.

In addition, termites feed below ground–they are subterranean creatures. So, they won't be in the materials as they are pulverized into mulch. The biggest problem may occur when the ground-up wood material is allowed to sit on the ground for months. At that point, it may be colonized by the termites. But, the termites probably will be using it more for feeding than for nesting.

"Termites won't likely survive a chipping and Bagging process. Termites prefer cool, moist conditions that are seldom found in bagged mulch," says Robson. "And if for some reason the termites did survive the chipping, there is a strong possibility that few termites would be packaged together, also limiting the chance that termites would colonize quickly up north."

The LSU link correctly states that plant material, living or dead, has been quarantined in the Gulf Coast states, eliminating shipments to other parts of Louisiana and the rest of the country until the state and federal agriculture departments rescind the quarantines. That has yet to happen. This quarantine has been in effect for months and probably will continue.

Homeowners can limit termite activity, even with the ones present in Illinois, by mulching properly.

"Apply no more than 3 inches of mulch to any area," advises Robson. "This allows the mulch to dry out regularly, creating a dry environment that termites dislike. You can even mulch up to the foundation of your home if you limit the depth to less than 3 inches."

Each spring, use a rake to move the mulch around. This "fluffing" not only helps improve air circulation, but it also keeps the mulch on the dry side. Avoid keeping mulch wet. Instead water plants individually or use a drip irrigation system.

University of Illinois Extension

Most people today want a marriage that will last a lifetime. Unfortunately, couples entering their first marriage have approximately a 50% chance of getting divorced. Remarriage carries an even greater risk–nearly a 60% divorce rate, with the greatest risk of divorce for remarried couples with stepchildren.

It doesn't have to be all doom and gloom though. Couples need to keep in mind that any marriage takes work. It's not just about love, but how they communicate and handle conflicts and disagreements. Although problems will most certainly arise, it's important to remember that remarriages need the same effective and consistent nurturing as first marriages.

Characteristics of Successful Remarried Families

·Successful remarried couples have mourned their losses. When couples remarry, they may have already dealt with many changes. Adults may grieve the loss of a previous marriage, the loss of a partner, the loss of a dream, or the loss involved by changes that happen because of death or divorce. When grief is resolved, there is less hostility with former partners, and children are more likely to be encouraged to build a strong relationship with a stepparent.

·Successful remarried couples have realistic expectations. When couples remarry, they may know more about what to expect from marriage. Many partners make a stronger commitment to this new marriage and work harder to make sure it works. They know it takes time and patience to build new relationships.

·Successful remarried couples have a strong couple bond. Couples realize that love alone is not enough. They nurture their relationship by taking care of their own needs for fun and relaxation as a couple.

·Successful remarried couples establish new family traditions. When two families come together, it's hard not to feel that one way of doing something is right and the other way is wrong. Successful remarried families compare notes about traditions, rituals, and routines and recognize that each person's preferences are just different, not better or worse. Family meetings are used for discussions and problem solving. Starting new traditions from both households to meet everyone's needs can enrich the new family.

·Successful remarried couples deal positively with past relationships. Research has shown that most people do not have extremely positive feelings toward a former spouse. When couples work to reduce hostilities between former spouses, it may also enhance the marital quality of the remarriage.

·Successful remarried families accept the changes in their household composition. Getting used to stepchildren can take time. Remarried stepfamilies acknowledge that relationships with stepchildren are just forming and shouldn't be rushed or forced.

·Successful remarried couples are flexible. They take time for themselves, but work around kids' needs as well as their own. They talk about their expectations and work together on discipline.

Remarriage doesn't guarantee "happily ever after." Just like any marriage, a remarriage takes time, communication, and commitment. If children are involved, there are additional challenges, complications, and potential stresses that families must deal with. Couples in successful remarriages make sure they communicate well and show their love daily to each other, keeping their commitment fresh and strong.

University of Illinois Extension

And HEA Bake Sale

Saturday, May 6, 2006

9:00 a.m.–noon

Macon County Extension Office

2535 Millikin Parkway

Decatur, Illinois 62526

Garden Walk

Sunday, June 11, 2006

11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

$8.00 In Advance

$10.00 Day of Walk

There isn't anything quite as tasty as picking fresh fruit from your backyard garden on a summer day. But with the average home lot filled with shrubs, trees, a lawn and flowerbeds, where can you possibly find space for a fruit planting? If space is a problem, why not integrate small fruits into your landscape plan. Several of the small fruits lend themselves nicely to landscape use.

Of all the small fruits, strawberries are the best landscape subjects. They have shining green leaves throughout the growing season, attractive white flowers, red berries; and they add a little fall color.

Strawberries are easily tucked into a corner of the flowerbed or shrub border, used as ground cover or as edging for flower border or walk. They may also be grown for specimen value in pyramids or barrels, or even grown singly in pots to be placed in selected garden spots.

Next in preference for landscape use are blueberries. They are one of the most attractive shrubs available when properly placed and cared for. The blueberry plant has dainty white blossom clusters in the spring, beautiful glossy green foliage and attractive blue fruit. The foliage also has splendid fall coloration. After the leaves fall, the graceful lines of the bright green or reddish branches provide color interest that lasts throughout the winter. Blueberry plants grow quickly to maximum size and, if properly maintained, remain about the same size and shape for years. They rarely outgrow their original location and function. Furnish about the same acid soil and growing conditions as for rhododendrons and azaleas and you can grow blueberries in shrub borders, as specimens, in corner plantings or with other shrub groupings.

Grapes are excellent home garden fruits that easily fit into the landscape. The vines grow rapidly to produce an abundance of attractive dense foliage and fruit that may vary from green to red to dark purple, depending upon variety and season. The shredding bark on an old trunk and the bright tan color of previous season's canes also add winter interest. Grapes can cover an unsightly fence or screen an undesirable view on a standard arbor. You can put grapes on a semi-arbor against an expanse of blank wall, or on a standard trellis as a natural fence or boundary planting.

Raspberries are more difficult to fit into the average landscape plan. The thorns on many varieties and the suckering (spreading) habit of some species make confinement in the original location difficult. Home gardeners who enjoy the raspberries will find they can make attractive summer hedges or screens when trained along a fence. You may also support them by a trellis or a single post in a group of plants.

Currants and gooseberries are fine landscape subjects, but are rarely planted in Illinois. They deserve the attention of home gardeners who enjoy their fruits because production is practically the only way to obtain them. The bushes do not spread beyond their allocated space–growing three to four feet high and about as wide. They have small, attractive leaves, providing a variation in texture in home landscape, and make excellent conversation pieces when heavily laden with their yellow or red fruit.

Elderberries, serviceberries, and highbush cranberries are other small fruits of dual purpose that deserve consideration as landscape subjects.

University of Illinois Extension

Several products are available for sewage system treatment. The question is whether they are effective.

"In general, research has shown little benefit from these products," says Duane Friend, University of Illinois Extension natural resources management educator. "In some cases, they can even harm the system."

One line of products is called "starters." These products are supposed to add beneficial bacteria to a new system. These starters will not harm the system. But, since bacteria is added to the system every time a flush occurs, it is not necessary to add more bacteria from a commercial source.

Some products are marketed as "supplying nutrients" to aid bacterial growth in septic systems. Since there is already a plentiful nutrient source, there is no need to add additional nutrients, yeast preparations, or other home remedies. However, when large amounts of chlorine bleach and antibacterial products are introduced into the septic system, many bacteria are killed.

"Reduce the amount of these cleaners and disinfectants to allow bacterial activity in the system to resume by itself," advises Friend.

Septic system cleaners are sold to clean the pipes and tank. If the cleaning action is done by enzymes, the product is the same as a starter or nutrient supplier. If the product acts as a de-greaser, it will disperse grease and oil that normally float to the top or settle in the bottom of the septic tank. This dispersion can cause the oils and grease to move into the drain field. As these solids move into the drain field, they will clog the soil absorption system, causing failure. Some of these products are very powerful and may also be dangerous to handle. These cleaning products do not replace the need to have a tank periodically pumped out, which should be done every one to three years.

"The best insurance against costly septic system repairs is to reduce the amount of cleaners and disinfectants you use, conserve water, and regularly pump the tank," says Friend.

For more information, contact your local University of Illinois Extension office for the publication, Septic Systems, a Homeowner's Guide.

University of Illinois Extension

A scone is most fondly remembered as a biscuit delight served with the English afternoon tea. Originally, "scone" was the name given for this Scottish bread that was prepared from oats and cooked on a griddle or open fire. The outside was golden in color and usually was triangular shaped. Today, scones are showing up at many coffee shops.

Scones are often prepared with milk; you can use yogurt, buttermilk, cream or sour cream. Dried or fresh fruit, chocolate, herbs, cheese and vegetables are a few of the ingredients added to this quick bread. Flours used include oats, whole wheat, cornmeal and regular all-purpose white flour.

When eating scones, some add jam or Devonshire cream (clotted cream). This is more the traditional English way. Many of us just like them fresh from the oven.

When mixing scones, it's best if the butter or margarine is firm, to make a flakier crumb. The mixture should resemble coarse crumbs before adding the liquid ingredients. As with any quick bread, just mix liquid and dry ingredients until combined. This results in a tender scone.

After the batter is mixed, shape into a circle and cut into wedges. Some brush the tops of scones with a glaze made from egg or milk before baking.

When baking scones, note the oven should be hot to yield a nice flaky scone. Be sure to cool scones a few minutes on a wire rack after removing from the oven. Scones freeze very nicely if not eaten the day they are baked.

Do follow the directions carefully when preparing scones. I have tried different substitutions to make a "healthier" scone, but have found the following recipe from USDA works as is and only has 155 calories per serving.

Fruit Scones

2 cups flour

1/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup butter or margarine

2 eggs

1/3 cup sour milk*

1/2 cup dried raisins, dried cranberries or chopped dates

*To make sour milk, mix 1 teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice with enough milk to make 1/3 cup. Let stand 5 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a baking sheet. Mix dry ingredients thoroughly. Mix in butter or margarine only until mixture is crumbly. A pastry blender, two table knives or a fork may be used. Beat eggs; add milk and dried fruit. Stir into dry ingredients. Mix just until moistened. Divide dough in half. Place on baking sheet. Shape each half of the dough into a 7-inch circle about 1/2-inch thick. Cut each circle of dough into six wedges. Prick with a fork. Bake 12 minutes or until lightly browned.

Makes 12 scones

Nutrient Analysis Per Scone (using 2% milk and dried, sweetened cranberries): 155 calories, 3 grams protein, 24 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 5 grams fat, 46 milligrams cholesterol, 259 milligrams sodium.

Exchanges: 1/2 fruit, 1 starch, 1 fat.

Source: USDA Food pamphlet

University of Illinois Extension

Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread

Ingredients:

Nonstick cooking spray

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp ground cinnamon

4 tbsp margarine

2 pop-cans refrigerated dinner rolls

Parent Prep:

Spray a 9"x5" pan with the nonstick cooking spray. In a small shallow bowl, blend the sugar with the cinnamon. Melt the margarine. Open the pop-cans and pull the rolls apart and place on a cutting board.

Call the Kids:

Show your children how to cut each of the rolls in half using a plastic knife. Then show them how to dip each piece of dough into the margarine, then roll in the sugar mixture to coat all sides. Place the coated pieces of dough on top of each other in the prepared pan. Sprinkle any remaining sugar mixture over the top. Bake at 375°F for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown. Let cool slightly, remove from the pan and place on a serving dish or plate.

Serve the rolls to Mother with a cup of her favorite tea and watch her smile..

University of Illinois Extension

Health Update

Food, Fitness and Health Quiz Your "Picture of Health" is about how you do the things you do or your lifestyle. Everything from eating, exercise and precautions you take, such as wearing your seat belt to food handling, food safety and food storage is included. See how well you do on the following set of questions.

Food Safety

1.The unpleasant symptoms of food poisoning include diarrhea, nausea, chills and/or fever. More serious effects may include:

A. Temporary or permanent arthritis

B. Meningitis

C. Death

D. All of the above

2.The bacteria that causes food poisoning does not cause food spoilage (spoiled taste, smell or look bad.)

A. True B. False

3.Proper cooking and/or heating of foods will prevent all foodborne illness.

A. True B. False

4.Freezing kills any bacteria that may be in food.

A. True B. False

Health/Fitness

5.Your cholesterol level is considered normal if it is 200 or less.

A. True B. False

6.Normal blood pressure is 140/85.

A. True B. False

7.If your height and weight are within the numbers listed on standardized height/weight charts, your fitness level is probably good.

A. True B. False

Food and Nutrition

8.Which piece of chicken contains the most fat (assuming all pieces are prepared in the same manner and each contains the same amount of meat?)

A. Breast

B. Thigh

C. Wing

9.Ready-to-eat breakfast cereal is a great way to boost your fiber intake. Rank these cereals from most to least according to their fiber content in a one ounce serving.

A. Kellogg's Corn Flakes

B. Post Grape-Nuts

C. Kellogg's Bran Flakes

D. General Mills Wheaties

10.Which kind of fat can raise your cholesterol level?

A. Saturated fat

B. Monounsaturated fat

C. Polyunsaturated fat

D. All of the above

University of Illinois Extension

(answers below)

1.d. Diarrhea and resulting dehydration may require hospitalization and diarrhea can lead to temporary or permanent arthritic conditions in come people. Bacteria can invade the blood stream or the membranes of the brain and spinal cord which is meningitis. At worst, the human costs include grief and death.

2.True. When spoilage organisms invade food, there are usually sensory signs of spoilage such as the visible mold on bread, slimy ham or sour fermented orange juice. However, the result of bacteria causing foodborne illness is no change in odor or taste. That's why people eat it. There are two ways illness can occur, 1) is when a person ingests live bacteria which survives digestion and reproduces in the small intestine to numbers large enough to cause symptoms, 2) is when bacteria multiply and form toxins or poisons in cooked food or the intestinal tract. In some cases, it is a combination of both.

3.False. High cooking and reheating temperatures (above 140°F) will kill disease-causing bacteria, but some bacteria produce toxins or poisons in food. Some toxins are not destroyed by high cooking temperatures. Still others produce bacterial spores in food, which are only destroyed at very high steam pressure (240°F) temperature. Since water boils at 212°F it would take more than 6 hours of boiling to kill some spores.

4.False. Freezing slows or stops the growth of some bacteria, but they are not killed. Some bacteria continue to grow even at freezer temperatures. After defrosting, contaminated food becomes more dangerous than ever. Make sure you cook frozen-prepared food thoroughly after defrosting.

5.True. Although some doctors and dietitians recommend 180 to further reduce the risk of heart disease.

6.False. Normal blood pressure is 130/85 or less. The top number, systolic pressure, is a measure of the amount of pressure on your heart when it is pumping blood out through your arteries. The bottom number, diastolic pressure, is the amount of pressure on your heart and arteries between beats when your heart is at rest. If the top or bottom number are higher than normal, it could lead to heart and blood vessel damage even when you are resting. Check it out!

7.False. The information on the height/weight charts should only be used as a guideline. Healthy weight also involves the amount of body fat you carry. Contact a certified exercise specialist, registered dietitian or registered nutrition counselor for help in making this determination.

8.c. The white meat of chicken wings are much more fatty than the dark meat of the thigh. In fact, the wing and leg represent the most fatty parts of a chicken.

9.c. 5 grams

d. 3 grams

b. 2.5 grams

a. 0 grams

Select a cereal that provides at least 4 grams of fiber per serving. Be sure to read cereal labels and check the Nutrition Facts information under dietary fiber. The recommendation is 20-35 grams of fiber per day. Adequate intake of fiber helps prevent cardiovascular disease, diabetes and certain forms of cancer.

10.a. High levels of artery clogging saturated fats, which is fat that is a solid at room temperature are found in foods like butter, margarine, meat, cheese, whole milk, vegetable shortening and premium ice cream. High levels of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are found in olive oil, corn oil, sunflower oil and peanut oil. They can actually help to lower cholesterol levels when consumed in the recommended amounts.

For more information about food safety, visit the Consumer Information and Education web site developed by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The FSIS Home Page can be accessed at: http://www.usda.gov./fsis or call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555.

University of Illinois Extension