Did you know that hand washing is a simple habit that is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick? According to Mayo Clinic, infectious diseases spread through hand-to-hand contact include the common cold, flu, and several gastrointestinal disorders, such as infectious diarrhea. Inadequate hand washing also contributes to food related illnesses, such as salmonella and E. coli infection. The CDC reports that as many as 76 million Americans contract a food-borne illness every year. Of these, about 5,000 die because of their illness.

Good hand washing techniques include washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Antimicrobial wipes or towelettes are just as effective as soap and water in cleaning your hands, but are not as good as alcohol-based sanitizers. Antibacterial soaps are no more effective than regular soap and water and using these soaps can actually lead to the development of bacteria that are resistant to the products' antimicrobial agents. Over time, it can be even harder to kill the germs.

Hand washing doesn't take much time or effort, but it offers great rewards in terms of preventing illness. Protect your health, the health of your family and those around you. Resolve today to adopt this simple habit and don't forget to teach the kids!

(Submitted by Teresa Adams, Community Worker for Consumer and Family Sciences, University of Illinois Extension Macon County)

What do we do when all of us are to be laid-off but we still have to work together?

When the whole group has been laid-off but must work for another month or longer it is harder to keep tempers in check, gossip runs rampant and morale begins an early dive. This is also the most dangerous time in the workplace. The loss of employment can bring about desperate measures or worse...those that believe all is lost. Not only should the supervisor be looking for those signs of depression and desperation, but the other workers as well. Keep your mind on what is truly going on in the workplace and when you feel that anger or hostility or even open displays of volatility brewing...GET HELP... knowing that employment is about to be lost, can bring on the worst kinds of depression and desperation; this is a time when all should remain connected to each other. There is truly safety in numbers and caring for each other is the best way to keep the workplace safe.

(Rex Nicole is with Community and Economic Development, University of Illinois Extension Macon County.)

Handling Other Housing Costs When You are Laid-Off

As we have previously established, keeping a roof over your head during unemployment is a priority. The rent or mortgage payment is not the only cost associated with housing that one must manage.

Insurance Payments

In case of loss or damage to your property, homeowner or renter's insurance protects you. If you are laid- off from your job, it is still very

important to have your property insured. (Not paying insurance on your mortgaged home is considered defaulting on the mortgage.) If you are unable to pay the premium:

·contact your agent about a different payment plan.

·look into changing the deductible.

·check that you are receiving all possible discounts.

·change to a more basic coverage.

Real Estate Taxes

If you are unable to pay your property taxes, contact your local county treasurer. Eventually, unpaid taxes will result in the sale of your property through an auction.

Utility Payments

Failure to pay your utility bill will result in a utility cut-off. Before this occurs:

·contact the company right away-before the due date.

·check into a new payment plan. based on your ability to pay.

·ask about any local programs that can assist you.

·talk with your family about ways to reduce your utility use.

You have an obligation to pay your bills. Failure to do so will affect your credit record and may involve court action. So take charge and plan ahead to protect you and your family.

(Rhonda Birmingham, Community Worker for Displaced Workers Program, University of Illinois Extension Macon County)

Sweet Potato Pone

Sweet potato pone is often called sweet potato pudding and it is served along with the regular meal in a Soul Food kitchen. It can be used as dessert, although Southerners often eat sweets along with the meal. There are many variations to this recipe. This version is popular in New Orleans and the Carolinas where sweet potatoes are a major crop.

4 cups grated sweet potatoes (3 medium)

½ cup light brown sugar

¾ cup evaporated skim milk

4 Tbsp butter or margarine, melted

¼ cup dark corn syrup

1 egg plus 2 egg whites, beaten

1 tsp grated orange rind

½ tsp cinnamon

½ tsp ground nutmeg

1.Preheat oven to 350°.

2.In a large bowl combine all the ingredients. Mix together until well blended.

3.Pour the batter into a greased (spray with vegetable oil) 9 x 5 x 2 ½ inch loaf pan. Place on the middle oven rack and bake for 2 hours or until the top is browned and the pone shrinks from the sides of the pan.

4. Cool in the pan for 20 minutes before turning out on a plate. Serve warm or cold, cut into slices. For dessert, top with nonfat whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Nutrition Facts (per serving) – Calories 270 ~fat 7 g ~ calories from fat 60 ~ sodium 160 mg ~ total carbohydrate 50 g

Respiratory Therapists

Nature of the Work

Under the direction of a physician, respiratory therapists assume the main responsibility of respiratory care for patients with breathing disorders. They evaluate and treat all kinds of patients, ranging from premature infants with undeveloped lungs, to elderly people with lungs that are diseased. Some of the job duties of a respiratory therapist include; performing limited physical exams, conducting tests, connecting ventilators and administering liquid medications.

Working Conditions

Respiratory therapists usually work between 35 and 40 hours a week and can be scheduled to work evenings, nights or weekends. They spend much of their day standing or walking between patient's rooms. They are faced with emergency situations and thus deal with lots of stress. Therapists that work in home health care face frequent travel to the home of patients. As in other health occupations, therapists run the risk of catching infectious disease, however proper precautions minimize the risk.

Education and Training

To enter this field, formal training is required. Programs are offered at colleges, technical institutes and the Armed Forces. Most states require respiratory therapists to obtain a license. Areas of study include; anatomy, chemistry, physics, math and microbiology. Therapists need to be detail and team oriented, and sensitive to the needs of their patients.

Job Outlook

Job opportunities are expected to be very good for respiratory therapists, especially those with experience working with infants. Due to an aging population, employment in this area is expected to increase faster than average (21 to 35 %) for all occupations through the year 2014.

Earnings

In May 2004, the median annual earnings of respiratory therapists were $43,140. The lowest 10% earned $32,000, while the highest 10% earned more than $57,580.

(Rhonda Birmingham, Community Worker for Displaced Workers Program, University of Illinois Extension Macon County)

Small Business DevelopmentCenter (SBDC)

2525 Federal Dr.

Decatur, IL 62526

217/875-4004

Upcoming Classes:

Starting Your Own Business

March 14, 2007

9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Quick Books Basics

March 21, 2007

9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Decatur Technical Academy

300 E. Eldorado St.

Decatur, IL 62523

217-424-3070

Upcoming Classes:

Certified Nursing Assistant

March 5, 2007

7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

There's a lot to celebrate during February. We often think of Valentine's and/or Presidents' Day but, February is also known as Black American History Month and Heart Health Month. In recognition of these two celebrations we'll share the story of George Washington Carver

Dr. George Washington Carver is one of our nation's most famous agricultural scientists. He was an African American who was born a slave in 1864. During his lifetime he became a renowned teacher and researcher from the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. In an effort to help African American farmers, he developed over 300 products made from peanuts and over 100 products made from sweet potatoes.

Sweet potatoes are high in Vitamin A and fiber which makes them a nutritious food that's good for your heart. So in honor Dr. Carver's work and Heart Health Month, on page 2 there is a delicious recipe using the sweet potato.

(Phyllis Herring, Extension Educator EFNEP/FNP, University of Illinois Extension Macon County)

Leadership Skills:

How good are you at leading others? Do you know? Have you tried? When looking at leadership skills many of the previous skills that we talked about are important. Critical thinking should be a well developed skill that you possess. Others tend to listen to someone who can think through difficult situations and not panic. Listening skills are even more important in a good leader. Knowing when someone else has a great idea and capitalizing on it with a team effort will always go a long way in being a good leader and a good team member. Problem solving and decision making are two strong and important tools to have developed and knowing how and when to use them to the best of your team is also very skillful. Knowing and applying logic and good reasoning as well as being able to lay out good planning will carry you and your team to a well established platform of production. Self esteem building in yourself and in others will always be a skill that unites a team to its leader in a strong and profitable venue. Developing and using good goal setting measures is also a strong skill that will move your team as well as your leadership into a positive role for your company as well as for your own well being.

(Rex Nicole is with Community and Economic Development, University of Illinois Extension Macon County)

Hope seems to spring eternal most likely in Spring...so keep your eyes open for your opportunity! It is out there waiting...