August 4, 2008

Robin's March 2008 Update

1) Fit Kids Recipes

1) and 1 hour interview w/ Paul Swiech about "FIT KIDS…Eating Out"

2) offered at Theresa's request…. 4-H… GET UP & MOVE

2) Hunger Awareness in McLean County Event April 14-19

1) Sunday, April 13….Churches begin to promote Hunger Awareness Week

2) Monday, April 14… Employers begin to promote Hunger Awareness Week among employees and customers. Set up time for booths is 12pm-5pm

3) Tuesday, April 15…Open House at Midwest Food Bank…morning sessions 7:30am-12:00pm. Afternoon sessions---open to public---1:30-6:00p.m. Skip lunch to Fight Hunger

4) Thursday, April 17… Dine Out to Fight Hunger….Supporting Restaurants will donate 10% of proceeds on this night to Midwest Food Bank.

5) Friday, April 18…Caring Together: Center of Hope 7:00-9:00p.m.

6) Saturday, April 19… Volunteer Appreciation Night… Praize Celebration: Celebrating past, present, and future MFB volunteers! Special performance by : ReZound

3) Intern. ISU Nutrition Student

a. This past month she has…

b. Attended a professional inservice …. on Broccoli & Tomatoes…Eat Them Together Life will be Better.

c. She led an activity at Healthy Kids night for McLean County Family Child Care Providers.

d. She prepared an interactive display on the Mediterranean Food Pyramid for Catholic Charities parents and children who attended the ISU International Family Fest at ISU Bone Student Center Circus Room.

e. She attended our office Family and Consumer Sciences team meeting.

f. As well as the Hunger Awareness Event planning.

g. She will do a demo in April for the Normal Public Library.

4) Column in paper

a. Promoting Money Smart Week

b. & Hunger Awareness Week

5) Blues, Blahs, and Bouncing Back

a. Presented to Parkinsons Support group

b. Presented to Alzheimers Early On-Set group.

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 11:43 AM | Permalink |

February 12, 2008

Robin's February 2008 Update

Direct Teaching

1. Picky Eaters for Children's Foundation parents

2. Month of January...Blues, Blahs and Bouncing Back programs. Well received.

Pantagraph/ Community News "In the Kitchen" columns

  1. January ... New Year Food and Exercise Promises
  2. Car...Leftovers and Car Temperatures
  3. Kitchen Psychology and Marketing. It Works.
  4. Cast Iron Cooking
  5. Fasting
  6. Chocolate Thoughts to Savor Valentines Day
  7. Citrus Fruits All Year
  8. Work Now...Eat Later
  9. Food Science and Yeast Dough

Web work

  1. Updated the Nutrition In-service Telenet announcement as information came in...also a home page feature
  2. Added FAQ...Frozen Canned Goods
  3. New Year– What are Your Food and Exercise Promises to Yourself? (In the Kitchen Column update)
  4. Updated the Welcome to the Kitchen teaser and column.
  5. Fasting Does Not Promote Good Health
  6. Updated Nutrition Page features.
  7. Added Front Page Feature... Diet Resolve Fading? Science Supports Making Small Changes.
  8. Your Guide to Diet and Diabetes link posted as a feature on home page.
  9. Happiness...Researchers Seek Routes to Happier Life
  10. Blues, Blahs and Bouncing Back Feature on home page.

Coordination in General Nutrition and Food Safety

Coordination

  1. Chuck Blystone from the Pantagraph newspaper called about putting my column in the Pantagraph. The first column was on Dec. 19, my birthday! This is a big increase in exposure. I'm excited! For the past 13 years I have had a column in the Community News with a shrinking circulation.
  2. Coordinated the set up of the Jan. Nutrition for Professionals inservice.
  3. Jan 29 & Feb 7...Attended planning meetings for the first Hungar Awareness Day in McLean County in April 2008.
  4. Interviewed by Mary Ann Ford from the Pantagraph for their year long endeavor on "Fit Kids"
    1. They will feature U of I Extension Healthy Snacks with Nutrient Analysis with each recipe.
    2. They are also featuring Healthy Meals for Kids. I sent her information on my Picky Eaters program
    3. I also sent her information on how to get to the MyPyramid Blast off Game from our web site.
    4. During the interview we spoke of "peer influence" and how to control "out of control" portion sizes. 5) The recipes will be posted on Pantagraph.com

Sampling of Questions on Nutrition and Food Safety

  1. Q: I have a recipe that calls for a food processor but I was wondering if the functions of the food processor and a blender are interchangable. Would it work if I used the blender as a food processor? A: The blender is for liquids & the food processor is used for solid foods. They work best when used for the purpose intended.
  2. Q: Once a year elderly regular visited with canning questions. Rhubarb, pears etc. He's looking forward to the 3 digit birthday in a number of years.
  3. Q: I was trying to find out what the name of the wax used on rutabagas. I was just wondering if you could what kind and where you could buy it?
  4. Q: I have a turkey I didn't use last year at Thanksgiving. It's been frozen all this time. Is it safe to use? A: Yes, but you don't want to keep it any longer for quality reasons.
  5. Q: When I buy eggs on sale sometimes the expiration date is within just a few days. Are they safe to use after that date? A: Yes, the packer allows 4-5 weeks beyond the date for maximum freshness and you may keep them longer if you wish. Just keep them refrigerated.
  6. Q: Do you have a good illustration picturing the proper and improper temperature taking for food service? I need it to train my workers in one region of my organization. A: I e-mailed the nutrition team while checking my files. I also left a message at the Health Department and contacted Food Talk newsletter. None of them had such an illustration.
  7. Q: I've had my peanut oil for a year stored in the basement. We used it last Thanksgiving. Is it ok to use it this year? A: BASICS....Strain it with cheesecloth. Do not mix it with other oils. Combining different types of oils also lowers the smoke point. Store it in a cool dark place. Smell for rancidity. Use a thermometer to get it to 375F. If it smokes before it reaches 375... it has lost it's quality beyond what you should use.
  8. Q: (Tuesday)... How long will it take to thaw a 17 lb. turkey? A: about 4 days. Are you planning on serving it for Thanksgiving? If so you can use the cool running water the day you serve to finish the thawing. (she is serving it on Sunday so she will have ample time to thaw it afterall.)
  9. Q: Do you have the recipe for sanitizing solution with bleach? My basement flooded and I want to treat it before mold & mildew set in. I've gone through this before but lost the recipe proportions of bleach to water.
  10. Q: I want to use bleach in limited amounts and have questions about laundry, refrigerators, and septic tanks.
  11. Q: I found a smoked fully cooked ham that had been in my freezer for 6 years. Is it safe to eat?
  12. Q: I left a roast to thaw and decided not to use it. Can I refreeze it? A: If it still has ice crystals. Some of the quality will be lost but it will be safe.
  13. Q: I have sugar cookie dough in my refrigerator since before Christmas. Is it still ok to use? A: No, it has raw eggs in it and should only be kept in the refrigerator for a few days.
  14. Q: I have canned Salmon I left in the car for two days. Is it ok to use? A: No, it has frozen and can seams are not stable as foods freeze and thaw. Don't use it.
  15. Q: I have a Kitchen Aid Mixer and need to find which screw to turn to adjust the beaters. They are too high. A: Fortunately I just bought one about a year ago and also needed to adjust mine so I could tell her.
  16. Q: How do I prepare spaghetti squash? A: I referred them to our Solutions web site and put a search in for our fact sheet. Also went over boiling, baking, preparing like spaghetti with tomato sauce.
  17. Q: Kudos for Cast Iron Cooking article in Pantagraph. Further questions on preparing OLD cast iron cookware. Also a question on avoiding stringy beef in a cast iron dutch oven. I had Lodge Mfg. send her an e-mail as well as an acquaintance who does classes using cast iron cookware.
  18. Q: Can you freeze cottage cheese? A: no, the liquid separates from the cheese... not recommended.
  19. Q: What is the shelf life of home canned foods? A: About 12 months is longest recommendation. For commercially canned foods... 2-3 years.

Coordination in Caregiving Relationships Programs

  1. Wrap up meeting for CDO, Caregivers Day OUT.
  2. Request... "I work part time for the YWCA Homebased services, have a mother and brother-in-law with Huntington's Disease and have working with others who are caregivers. Would you send me a set of Caregiving Relationships so I may make copies to have on hand?"
  3. Arranged Blues, Blahs, and Bouncing Back program for Parkinson's Support Group with Sondra Knobloch for March 18.

Coordination in Healthy Family Relationships programs

  1. Assisting a mother with parenting classes for her daughter. A judge ordered she attend classes before Jan. 31. I also suggested Children's Foundation, Health Dept., and Partners in Parenting.
  2. Assisted a financial office with obtaining a replacement copy of Grandma's Yellow Pie Plate. Their original had worn out!
  3. Attended training for "Blue's, Blahs, and Bouncing Back"
  4. Attended training for "Finding Your Get Up and Go!"
  5. H.C.E. coordination with meetings, 90th Anniversary Celebration plans, and their big Brighten Your Holidays program.

Working with Volunteers...ISU Nutrition intern

Stephanie attended...

  1. FCS meeting
  2. Staff meeting
  3. Nutrition Telenet in-service
  4. 2 Hunger Awareness meetings

She helped with a Healthy Kids programs for Child Care Providers.

Professional Development

Nutrition Team Meeting face to face in Galena. Each team member took 3 examples to share of what other teams are doing. Bob Reber talked on Metabolic Syndrome. Cheryl Reidenauer talked on the Arthritis, Nutrition and Wellness program. We spoke on Jennifer's survey for all Nutrition audiences to start in the spring. Powerpoint on Consumer handling of fresh produce: Are we placing ourselves at risk? (from Rutgers University Dept. of Food Science.) Another Powerpoint on Food: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Outbreaks in Illinois. Brenda Derrick spoke on locally grown food.

Nutrition and Aging Conference at Decatur Conference Center.

Teen Diabetes Telenet in-service

Developing Local Food Systems...Supporting Locally Grown Foods

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 3:11 PM | Permalink |

November 12, 2007

Pat's November 2007 Update

Update for November

The theme for November was "What Should your Plate Look like?".

We drew a place setting including the dinner plate, a small plate for fruit and a glass. Then, step by step we broke down how this meal should look. I had the kids share their favorites in each food group and wrote them on the "dinner plate". Then I showed them how they had planned a menu and encouraged them to go home and share their ideas with the main grocery shopper in the family.

I also did a consumerism lesson for a BHA evening group. I did the Peach taste/price lesson where participants taste peach samples to try to determine which brand is which. We talk about cost vs. taste.

We also had staff and FCS meetings, and a training in Champaign.

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 3:23 PM | Permalink |

November 6, 2007

Robin's October 2007 Update

Direct Teaching

  • Presented Train the Trainer on Food and Fitness to be later presented to 350 program participants.

Marketing

  • Food Safety Display for ISU students and staff on the quad.... Luckily prepared everything to be water proof. We got rained out just as it was to begin!

News releases sent to media

  1. Unsafe Canning Methods
  2. Canning, Acidifying Tomatoes, Recommendations for Green Beans
  3. Extension nutrition ed. Programs planned for fall
  4. Food Preservation Industry Contacts
  5. Pears
  6. Pumpkin Blossoms
  7. Healthy Halloween Treats
  8. Cranberries...Year Round
  9. Pumpkin Delights
  10. Promo. for Dec. 4 program on Brighten Your Holidays
  11. Cranberries Year Round
  12. Web links promo. for Turkey for the Holidays
  13. Teens Can Handle Their Emotions
  14. Promo for Nov. 9 Caregivers Day OUT!
  15. Serving Safe Holiday Food

Interviewed by newspaper

  • Interviewed by Sun Times about the "We Should Eat Cranberries Year Round" article I put on our web site.
  • Bob Holliday from the Pantagraph interviewed me about the FDA working on a possible mandated food packaging label for the "front" of packages. I shared with him about the 5 star system that one supermarket tried and succeeded. Article appeared on the Front page of the Pantagraph on 09/11/07!

added to the Web site

  1. Homemade Noodles
  2. Diabetes: Dealing with the Holidays
  3. Kids as Helpers in the Kitchen

Coordination in General Nutrition

  1. Prep for Food and Fitness Community Education Workshop
  2. Many additions to FAQ on county web site in Nutrition & Food Safety.
  3. 3. I was contacted by Hope Danielson, new Health and Wellness Advisor for Niemann Foods (County Market, Cubs, etc.) in central Illinois. She met with Carrie Edgar at the U of I extension office in Quincy and was told me to introduce herself to me. She indicated she would be interested in any group meetings we might have in regards to health and wellness.
  4. Met with Dr. Jim Painter from EIU about nutrition program in general.
  5. Made contact with internship director at EIU, Dr. Mary Lou Hubbard, about sending EIU nutrition interns to our office.
  6. Prepared online job recommendation for former intern to Michigan State University Extension.
  7. Coordinating with ISU for spring semester intern.
  8. Helping Vermillion county secretary access the Healthy Desserts program materials for H.C.E.
  9. Sampling of Questions......
  10. Q: Gluten-free flour leaves my baked product flat. How can I make it puff up more and stay that way. A: I referred them to a Gluten-Free Expert.
  11. Q: I have a vacuum sealer for my green beans. Do I still have to blanch them before I prepare them for the freezer?
  12. Q: "I want to substitute applesauce for oil in a cake recipe. How do I do that?"

Coordination in Food Safety

  1. Added 30+ FAQ in Food Safety and Nutrition to county web site in a new area of the site. Easier to find for me than the Blog.
  2. Worked on creating and updating Food Safety Handouts for ISU Wellness Fair.
  3. Sampling of typical canning questions on tomatoes..."How much lemon juice do I put in?" ---"Can I pour the hot liquid into the jars and just let them seal?"--- "I've been using my own recipes for canning & I saw somewhere that isn't recommended."
  4. Q: "I just put the hot liquid in the jars and let them seal. It just seemed too easy. So I called you. The sad thing is...everyone I know cans like this!"
  5. Q: "I have lots of green peppers. How do I freeze them, such as stuffed green peppers?"
  6. Q: "I can spaghetti sauce with meat, then I heard you shouldn't use your own recipes. Is that right?"
  7. Q: "As far as you know, do all Chinese Restaurants use MSG in their food? Is that approved by the FDA? Have you heard of people who have bad reactions to it?"
  8. Q: 'Who do I contact to get a food handlers certification?"

Coordination in Healthy Family Relationships Programs

  1. Consumer question on how to make your laundry smell fresher when you already have allergies to dyes and perfumes. Referred to Kathy Sweedler.
  2. After fair / pre-planning next year for Young at Heart Day.
  3. Belinda Kennedy called from FCRC ...inquiring about the Home Management Instruction/ Parenting Instruction Seminar. I forwarded to Pat.
  4. Cammy Seguin presented "Stories From Your Past--Legacies For The Future" to 18 member of the McLean County Genealogical Society at the courthouse museum in downtown Bloomington.
  5. Searching and discussing speaker possibilities for Caregivers Day OUT.
  6. Consumer Question: "All these toy items made in China have been recalled. How about the dishes that we buy that are made in China?"

Coordination in Caregiving Relationships Programs

  • Caregivers Day Out...Caregivers Day Out meeting and coordination.

Working with Volunteers

  1. Coordinating dates, location & directions to Young at Heart Committee meeting at the new Luther Oaks senior living.

Professional Development

  1. Elizabeth Andress, specialist Univ. of Georgia Extension, gave in depth update on preservation for the Nutrition Team. Excellent!
  2. Teen Brain...NEAFCS pre-conference intensive all day... Excellent!
  3. Boomer Educators and Net Gen clients... Technology past, present and future...also Excellent.
  4. Creating Effective Boards and Committees ... pretty good... speaker had driven through a tornado to get there late and was a little flustered. Came home with a great manual to read.
  5. Toured the Federal Reserve Bank in Minneapolis. They served lunch and gave us several sit-down presentations. Very well done.
  6. Our state hosted the Friendship Event with Wisconsin and Minnesota at the Science Museum.
  7. I attended several General Sessions, State's Night Out, and helped at our Illinois National President's, Carol Schlitt, reception before the Awards banquet.
  8. McLean County FCS dept. meeting w/ Don, Pat, and Judy.
  9. State Nutrition Team meeting
  10. IEAFCS PDO on workplace violence and a visit from the Attorney General's office.
  11. IEAFCS spring meeting
  12. Staff meeting...1 hour affirmative action

National Committees

  • I was on a National Committee for Tri-State Hosting of National Conference in Minnesota in Sept... I'm gathering volunteers from Illinois for various positions prior and during the Friendship Event.

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 4:02 PM | Permalink |

October 12, 2007

Pat's October 2007 Update

Update for October

The theme for October was "What is a serving?". I took several examples of single servings vs. multiple servings to my programs and we talked about what a serving is. Examples of what I took included a 20 oz. bottle of pop, a 12 oz. can of pop and an 8 oz. glass that I poured pop into so the kids could see the difference; a 99 cent bag of chips you find at the checkout and a 30 cent individual bag; and a huge apple and a medium apple. I took about a dozen items total. One of the things I also touched on was instead of eating just pizza, eat a serving of pizza and have a salad or veggies and dip with it.

I took this program to my school, after school and senior programs.

I think the most surprising item for the kids was the larger bag of chips and that it served 2.5 people. One kindergartener wondered where you find a half person. I suggested he find a whole person and the three of them could share the bag of chips. He thought that sounded like a good idea.

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 3:15 PM | Permalink |

September 12, 2007

Pat's September 2007 Update

September brought an increase in activities!

Because Parent Expo was getting closer, we stepped up our meetings to work on final details. I also had additional work outside the meetings to confirm and gather information from the speakers.

I got started on another year with the Pepper Ridge students in K – 2. For 1st and 2nd grades I am expanding on what I taught last year. For the kindergartners, I am starting this month with information on what the Food Pyramid is. I did also review with 1st and 2nd graders this month the things we talked about last year. We also talked about the challenges I gave them at the end of school in May. . . which were get activity into your day every day and drink water. Students shared how they did with those challenges.

Another program that started back up is the BHA Afterschool program on Hinshaw. We also did a review and introduced the idea of taking home newsletters to the parents. We are challenging the kids to take the newsletters home, show them to the adult in their home and have the adult sign a slip saying they have seen the newsletter. The kids can then earn points for bringing the slip back. At the end of the semester they can shop for prizes with their points.

Miller Park Seniors are continuing but the group has been dwindling, so I am waiting to see what next month brings.

Finally, BHA is starting a new program for families and it deals with learning money management. I was scheduled to be a guest for this program with a consumerism lesson. Unfortunately, it got canceled due to low RSVP numbers. We have another program scheduled for October.

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 3:34 PM | Permalink |

September 6, 2007

Pat's August 2007 Update

I enjoyed starting the month off with YAH Day at the McLean County fair. It seemed to be well attended! Although I did not give away as many samples as I had hoped (stiff competition with popcorn next door!), I was able to share a lot of information and recipes.

This has been a big meeting month. I attended staff on the 14th, FCS departmental meeting on the 21 and had a couple of meetings with the Parent Enrichment Committee preparing for the Parent Expo.

I also attended a training in Champaign with Judy. The lesson was on consumerism and we came away with some great materials!

Additionally, I had some program meetings. I met with Stacey Wiggins and her associate from BHA and we scheduled the fall semester at Holten. Because they have received new grant money, Stacey was able to hire an additional person and is going to be offering additional programming. We scheduled a couple of events that will be for families.

I also met with Vicky Hightower of the YWCA and we successfully scheduled an inservice event in December, then I will also be doing an event in the beginning of 2008. Additionally, we talked about offering programming for their summer camps at three different locations! I am looking forward to the new opportunities that exist here.

I have been in contact with Pepper Ridge and will get them scheduled for this year soon. Teri needed a few days to get things rolling.

Coming up!

September will bring:

The start of the BHA after school program

Continuation of the senior program at Miller Park

The start of Pepper Ridge school program

Training in Champaign

New programming for BHA families

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 4:13 PM | Permalink |

August 22, 2007

Robin's August 2007 Update

Direct Teaching

  1. Judged a Cooking/Baking contest for Miller Park Seniors...Some really great cooks!
  2. Nutrition and It's Effect on the Sense of Well Being in the Elderly...presentation for the Aging Coalition. This is a great group I really enjoy being involved with.

Coordination in Healthy Family Relationships Programs

  1. Young at Heart Day --- went great. 620 in attendance. We again had our Healthy Foods booth but can't seem to compete with the donuts and pastries! A new entertainment group...Pop 'n' I did very well. Seniors were singing along and dancing. A visit from the King and Queen followed by the Dynamics duo. New added this year was the opportunity for seniors to display their hobby collections. Prior coordination---Exhibitor display organization mailing converted to e-mail distribution list; calls and coordination directly to additional organizations.

Coordination in Caregiving Relationships Programs

  1. Caregivers Day Out...Our planning committee had their first meeting on July 12. Looking for motivational/ inspirational speakers. Event will be November 9, 2007. Site has been secured.
  2. We discussed location; date; duration; motivational speakers; pampering businesses (chair massage, manicures, hot wax hand dips etc)
  3. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren run through at St. Pat's church was June 27; set up June 29; actual conference June 30. Session one-- "Legal Issues Grandparents Face Raising a New Generation of Children" by Stacey Tutt, Prairie State Legal Services; Session Two--"Love & Logic" by Bess Desch, Partners in Parenting; Lunch with Keynote speaker and inspirational singer, Evelyn Young. Evelyn is director of local Boys and Girls Club. She spoke on "Grand Love"; after noon features were a Caring and Sharing Panel Discussion with grandparents and other professionals in the community. Heart-wrenching personal stories and sharing of resources were very well guided by our "panel mediator", Mike O'Donnel, with the ECIAAA--(East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging).
  4. Site for next year's GRG conference may be in Macon County. Theresa Adams, Macon County Extension Community Worker, has already agreed to work with the ECIAAA on that event if it is held there.

Coordination in General Nutrition & Food Safety

  1. Developed 4 Fact Sheets complete with clip art and recipes for Food Pantries. Topic: Vegetables people need help with---Turnips, Zucchini, Eggplant, and Cabbage.
  2. It's canning time! Many consumers questions on canning and freezing especially in the past month.
  3. Children's Discovery Museum...Local committee met July 13 for updates on revisions. I am the liaison from the community for the revising of the nutrition portion of the museum exhibit. There is also a paid consultant for the entire museum revisions.
  4. H.C.E. (Home and Community Education) annual meeting and program...July 10... Ewing Scholarship and Esposito Scholarships were presented.
  5. Healthy Kids program planned for a group of Family Child Care Providers scheduled in Feb.. Did some pre-planning afterward scheduling. They would like it centered on topic of childhood obesity and presented in terms of what they as child care providers can do, not necessarily what they can take back to the parents.
  6. Assisted University of Alabama Extension in accessing our materials on Healthy Moves for Healthy Kids.

National Committees

  • I'm on a National Committee for Tri-State Hosting of National Conference in Minnesota in Sept... I'm gathering volunteers from Illinois for various positions prior and during the Friendship Event.

Sampling of inquiries---

Q: I have a recipe that calls for 1/2 Kg of Mango. How much is that? It also calls for 250 mg ginger. The rest of the ingredients are in ounces. Why is that?

A: 1/2 kg= 1.1 lb and 250 mg = 8.8 oz. The recipe must have been written by someone not born in the U.S. is my guess.

Q: "I have a recipe for Molasses Cookies that calls for unsulfered molasses. What is the difference?

A: Sulfur is used as a preservative in molasses. Sometimes people prefer to use unsulfered molasses instead of sulfured in cookies and breads because the flavor is stronger. Unsulfered is more difficult to find--- may have to go to a specialty store.

Q: "Do I have to blanch rhubarb before I freeze?"

A: It is recommended to do so to help preserve the flavor and color.

Q: "Looking for a replacement gasket for my canner. Where can I find one?"

Q: "Can you can grape tomatoes?"

A: You can, some people don't like to deal with all the seeds and skins. Some actually dry them. Others don't mind the seeds or the skins and put them in a food processor and can or freeze them.

Q: How do you microwave corn on the cob?

Q: Can you slice larger cucumbers for dill pickles?

Q: I have an old crock that is pitted & some glazing is gone. Can I use that for pickling?

Q: We took salsa to the fair as a project, brought it home, opened it, ate some but left it out on the counter. In the meantime several of my family has eaten some too. I found it still out this a.m. (Mon.) My family won't get botulism will they?

A: If it was processed properly, probably not. But if anyone gets any of the common symptoms of eating spoiled food, diarrhea, vomiting, aching, see your doctor.

Q: I bake cookies for church. How long can they be kept in the freezer before they are too old?

A: 3 months is the recommended maximum.

Q: I'm seeing here that it is recommended to use Lemon Juice or citric acid to can tomatoes. I've never done that and I don't have either one way out here in rural McLean County.

A: To prevent botulism we need to can tomatoes with acid. There are so many varieties of tomatoes we want to be sure they are all acid enough to can. You may use vinegar if you don't have lemon juice or citric acid. 2T per pint or 4 T per quart.

Q: Does the steam have to visible while you are exhausting your canner?

Q: "I'm looking for locally grown Tilapia fish. Can you help me locate any?"

A: Our country director directed us to a business in Flanagan IL... AquaRanch.com

Q: I have a recipe I've used before for Eggplant and can't remember whether I need to peel the eggplant or not.

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 5:07 PM | Permalink |

August 7, 2007

Judy's August 2007 Update

The summer months have been much slower paced than during the spring. Without the kids' programs, things have slowed down considerably. I still faithfully visit the BHA seniors, the Western Avenue seniors, and the seniors at BroMenn Adult Day Service. I'm excited that Normal Parks has also added me to their list. We have covered such topics as food safety, cool summer cooking, and serving sizes.

Earlier in the summer, I participated in the Health Fair at BHA. My focus was on how to pack a safe picnic meal for your family. My picnic basket included many items that would not spoil quickly if left out of the cooler. It held such things as crackers, peanut butter, juice boxes, carrots, celery, and fresh fruits.

I enjoyed and benefited from the Outlook and Excel classes and the MyExtension training we had during the last couple months. These classes are always helpful.

School will be starting very soon, so I will be contacting Bent and Ridgeview Schools to see if they are interested in continuing the nutrition education classes we started last year. I expect to get a positive response from both of them.

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 4:17 PM | Permalink |

June 15, 2007

Robin's Update

DIRECT TEACHING---

1/2 day COLORS Personality Program for students referred by Bloomington Housing Authority, Bloomington Township and/or those seeking a G.E.D. Great group. They worked hard to put what they learned to use... June 6

NEWSLETTERS--- average monthly 2,614 total mailed and e-mailed

  1. Food for Thought Newsletter...healthy ideas for preschoolers
  2. Wellness Ways Newsletter... feeding your family on a budget
  3. Your Health and You Newsletter...for seniors
  4. Parenting Again Newsletter...Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Coordinating General Nutrition

  1. Q: I've just been told I am high cholesterol and borderline diabetes. Can you help me with a diet I can eat? A: I told her she needs to talk with her doctor or his nurse and have them check to see if her insurance will pay for a dietitian. I told her about our Your Health and You newsletter and our Diabetes Lifelines newsletter.
  2. Q: I want to prepare a meal for a friend who is on a low sodium diet. What does that mean? I'm thinking of meatloaf or grilled chicken with a vegetable dish. A: A low sodium diet is generally 2gm sodium, which means 2000 mg/ day. Need to look for each item to be < 200 mg sodium.
  3. Westminster Village... Judging for their "Mock County Fair Activity". I judged 4-H Brownies & Rice Krispie Treats the seniors has entered into the competition. I even used the 4-H judging sheets!
  4. Nutrition's Effect on the Sense of Well Being in the Elderly presentation to the Aging Coalition.
  5. Helped Summer 4-H staff, Jen, with Tasty Holiday Mixes recipes for a cookie in the jar recipe.

Coordinating Food Safety

  1. Q: Saw something in the paper about you shouldn't freeze asparagus. Is that correct?
  2. Q: We are under a boil order. Can we use our ice cubes from our ice maker?
  3. Q: Unplugged freezer for 13 hours. What food is still safe? I sent them my fact sheet on power outages.
  4. Q: How can I preserve a bridal bouquet?
  5. Q: I just opened a package of dried apricots I have had for almost a year. The apricots are very dark and taste a little sour. Are they ok to eat? A: I asked her to look for a date on the package or a customer service #. She found the date.
  6. Q: . I put a partially thawed roast in a roaster & forgot to turn it on for an hour. I turned it on Is it still safe?
  7. Q: My youth group is having a bake sale. What foods am I allowed to have for sale? A: I gave them my fact sheet prepared in coordination with Extension and the McLean County Health Dept.
  8. Q: Could I have a fact sheet with letterhead on the "Safely Thawing of Meats" to take home to my wife?
  9. Worked with 4-H summer staff, Jen, on Glo Germ/Handwashing/ Jelly Bean Activities...06/07
  10. Q: etc.

Coordination of Healthy Relationships Programming

  1. Planning Young at Heart Day for Seniors at the fair
  2. Continued mentoring of a former Job Partners mentee. Office meetings and writing letters of reference while she attends and finishes ISU.
  3. YAH... Young at Heart / Senior Day at the Fair coordination.
  4. YAH... Mailed 2,600 Young at Heart Flyers with newsletter mailings.
  5. YAH...Organized list for name badges.
  6. YAH...Organized June meeting.
  7. Responded to Family Community Resource Center about Illinois Extension's Hispanic/Latino programs
  8. Finished H.C.E. distribution list for e-mailing
  9. WEB...updated June KIOSK...Calendar of EVents for Families with Young Children
  10. Q: Stored baby clothes in suitcases. How do I get the mildew smell out?

Coordination for Caregiving Relationships

  1. GRG... Grandparents Raising Grandchildren conference coordination. Made notes of to-do list after meeting. a) brochures mailing b) contact Kate Arthur at Pantagraph c) mediating plans for guiding the panel discussion d) June 11th teleconference of committee @ 11:30 a.m.- 12:00p.m. e)will meet at 2pm wed. June 27th @ St. Pats f) Will also be preping on Thurs the 28th and Friday the 29th g)Master G's...table favors for Conference?
  2. GRG...Mailed 200 Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Conference brochures.
  3. GRG...Conference Call for planning conference
  4. GRG...Contacted Pantagraph for coverage
  5. Caregivers Day Out planning has begun for November. Vicki Hightower from YWCA and Kathryn Johnson from PATH will help plan.

Various Professional Development

  1. State Nutrition Team face to face 2 days at Allerton Park

................Discussed Current Topics Inservice Telenets for next year. System will be changing in future so the world can access online. Pod-cast? Possible partnering with Purdue in this endeavor.

...............Also discussedthe Good Samaritan acts for Food Pantries

..............Arthritis and Senior Wellness Exercise training. Cheryl Reidenaurer and Lynnette can train us.

..............Evaluations of FNP programs

..............Women's Heart Health... #1 killer for women. The NEXT day Martin Luther King Jr's daughter, Yolanda, died at age 51 of possible heart disease!

..............4-H level 1 manuals will not be in publication form anymore. Notebook &/or DVD so can be easily updated. > Skill-a-thons discussed too.

2. EC IEAFCS meeting in Urbana. I volunteered to be secretary for next year. Excellent Tour and time spent at the Family Resiliency Center ---Doris Christopher Hall...June 8, 2007

3. Computer Training on Outlook and Access...June 13 & 14

Upcoming .....

Nutrition's Effect on the Sense of Well Being in the Elderly...June 18

Nutrition Team Telenet...June 19

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren conference ...June 30

Society for Nutrition Education Training...Chicago... July 27

Food And Fitness Community Workshop...August 20

Illinois is one of 3 host states for NEAFCS (National Extension Association for Family & Consumer Sciences)...Sept. 17-20

IEAFCS PDO...here...Topic TBA...Oct. 4

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 4:16 PM | Permalink |

June 15, 2007

Robin's Coordination

Recent Programs

  • Trans Fats...Expanding Your Horizons in Math, Science, and Technology Conference...ISU
  • Barbeque Safety (Picnics & Outdoor Grilling)...For Delta Kappa Gamma Teacher's Sorority
  • Food and Fitness...for State Farm's 50 Million Pound Challenge Walk-a-Thon
  • Speakers Bureau Panel on Parenting...at Little Jewels Day Care... "How to talk so kids will listen/ Positive Parenting/ Discipline.

Upcoming Programs

  • Nutrition and It's Relationship to a Sense of Well-Being in the Elderly...for the Mental Health and Aging Coalition.... June 18
  • Health Literacy ...Future Aging Coalition Program
  • Food and Fitness...Community Workshops

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 1:55 PM | Permalink |

May 18, 2007

Pat's programs

Update for week of May 7 and May 14, 2007

Tuesday -

This was my BIG FINISH with Pepper Ridge elementary! We did a nutrition walk and finished with a quick discussion on bacteria (jelly bean jars) and how we should refrigerate unfinished food and drinks. Not sure the littlest ones got it as they were hoping that I would 'share' my "bacteria" (jelly beans) with them. I didn't take a food snack that day . . . .

The teachers were great about working with us and changing their schedules so we could have each group for 40 minutes. We had parent volunteers and that was a great help! Will have pics to show soon.

One note I wanted to make . . .

I had a lot of time into the posters we used for the walk but felt it was worth it because we will be able to use them over and over.

In the afternoon I had the Miller Seniors. We also talked about water and physical activity. Specifically, we talked about the fact the physical activity doesn't just mean going for a run or that it's only for those who are young or in shape. Any activity will help and they can start small and build up.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were the PDO "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" (so now I'm trying to be highly effective and bring my updates up to date!). It was a very good PDO. I am trying to implement some of the things that I have learned but it will take some time as I have to think about things differently than the way I've habitually done them (paradigm shift : ). I'm trying!

Week of May 14, 2007

I had a Parent Expo meeting this week and we had our staff retreat (very fun!).

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 3:58 PM | Permalink |

April 30, 2007

Pat's programs

Update for week of April 23 and April 30, 2007

Tuesday was a busy day! I started with Pepper Ridge in the morning where we discussed the importance of water and physical activity. I had the kids brainstorm about activities they could do over the summer that would help them meet the '60 minutes of activity a day' guideline given in My Pyramid. We also talked about poor beverage and snack choices and what would be some better choices. Included in suggestions were adding a little lemon, lime or orange to the water to give it flavor or eating snacks high in water content such as watermelon or cantaloupe.

Tuesday's activities continued with a luncheon with Dean Easter. It was an interesting conversation and a great meal!

Wednesday was staff meeting.

Friday was the Health Fair out at Ridgeview Elementary school. I did the prep and the 1-3pm shift. Judy came in to do the 3 – 5pm shift and did the booth tear down. I thought we had a good crowd for the first year. I believe the school was also happy with the turnout as it exceeded their attendance expectations.

The week of April 30th:

Tuesday was my last visit to BHA's tutoring program for the semester. We did a review and a craft. The kids really have retained the information they were given and I was excited to hear them elaborate on answers!

Wednesday was the last visit for the Wood Street BHA program. Although Judy usually does this program, I did the wrap-up since she was on her way to California! Since I wasn't familiar with the kids I can't evaluate retention but we reviewed and talked about some ideas for physical activity this summer and healthy snack and beverage choices.

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 4:01 PM | Permalink |

April 17, 2007

Pat's programs

Update for Week of April 9 and April 16, 2007

I had Miller Park Seniors on Tuesday. We talked about calcium (especially the importance for menopausal women), played the Calcium Hi/Low game and enjoyed the snack of cheese sticks and calcium enriched orange juice. We then took our new information and talked about how to incorporate more calcium into our diet by making good snack and meal choices.

Most of the rest of my time this week has been spent preparing for upcoming programs.

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 4:05 PM | Permalink |

April 15, 2007

Robin's Update

Direct Teaching

1... March 24...Trans Fats...Expanding Your Horizons, through Math Science & Technology Conference. Prepared a display on Trans Fats with examples of good choices.

The conference at ISU is designed for grades 5-10, with an emphasis on girls to seek careers in math, science and technology. Parents and educators also attend.

2... April 9...Picnic Safety Program... here at the extension office for a teacher's sorority

News Releases

Cholesterol Numbers.../Community News/

Fiesta of Flavors Diabetes Web Site.../Community News/ County Newsletter/ Web site

Buying Hams for Spring Dinners.../web

Figuring Out the Holiday Ham.../web

Easter...All About Eggs.../Community News/ Web

E-Coli for Consumers.../Community News/ Web

Food Safety When the Power Out.../web

Barbeque Food Safety...Marinating Meat.../web

Newsletters

Many people subscribe to several newsletters...Continue to encourage e-newsletters

These numbers doesn't include newsletters used by program assistants in their programming!

Food for Thought Newsletter... = 664

Wellness Ways Newsletter... = 1080 Your Health and You Newsletter... = 440

Parenting Again Newsletter... = 68

Coordination

  1. Coordinating with ISU FCS intern, Lauren Rusk; Pat and Judy, nutrition program assistants
  2. Sampling of inquiries---

Q: Do you have a list of foods high in Vitamin K?

Q: How do you roast pecans? I have a recipe that says they need to be roasted for this coffee cake.

Q: Stinky refrigerator after power out.

Q: What type of wax one can put on citrus fruit to extend the fruits usefulness. I would also like to know where the wax can be purchased. I winter in AZ. and would like to take fruit with me when I return to my home

Q: Where to find sealing rings for pressure cookers

Q: Where can I go to enroll one of my food service workers in the food

sanitation certification program?

Q: Does vinegar expire? The date on my bottle says 2000.

Q: Our Girl Scouts use a Hobo Stove for outdoor cooking with cardboard and paraffin. It smokes a lot and I heard paraffin is toxic. Can you tell me more?

  1. H.C.E. program planning/ Lessons for Living
  2. Host site for telenet in service on Nutrition and Dementia Preparation...Registration forms, certificates, copies of power point
  3. Nutrition & It's Relationship to a Sense of Well Being in the Elderly...Sara Wilham...at ECIAAA... requested a nutrition speaker for Aging Coalition.
  4. Health Literacy... I also ordered Health Literacy DVD from the AMA...so will do a couple of programs for the Aging Coalition !
  5. Babies and Butterflies... organized in an effort to get mothers in their first trimester of pregnancy to get prenatal care.
  6. Food and Fitness...Mike Harrison @ 735-9835 called from State Farm to coordinate speakers in conjunction with a Walk-a-Thon. It will be held at State Farm Park. I will speak May 5 about Health & Nutrition. Plan to use the Fitness and Food program I will be delivering in August as a community leaders workshop.

7. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren conference meeting ...conference to be held June 30.

8. Young at Heart Day (also in volunteer & committee sections)

9. Little Jewels Day Care... Speakers Bureau Panel on Parenting. "How to talk so kids will listen/ Positive Parenting/ Discipline/ Q & A. Coordinated with Cammy Seguin, family life educator, to present on a speakers bureau panel. Cammy may pull in Gigi Grumbaugh. Will probably be May 22. They hope to do a panel about 3 times a year. Contact info. Angela Puloosy (?) H- 661-3424 and W- 662-0303. I also connected Angela with Sheila Diaz and Bess Desch, Partners in Parenting; and Mendy Smith, Children's Foundation. She thanked me profusely for my great connections in the community ! Nice.

Professional Development

  1. Apr. 3...U of I Global Extension Initiative via telenet
  2. Mar. 19...Public Forum on Self Neglect...Aging Coalition...
  3. Mar. 16... Northern Cluster Meeting

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 4:26 PM | Permalink |

April 6, 2007

Pat's Programs

Update for Week of March 26 and April 2, 2007

I supposed to have my last Heartland Headstart presentation but it was canceled. Because this is the third cancel, I didn't work to reschedule but told her she could call and if I was available, I would reschedule with her.

Worked on final programs for this semester as well as some collaboration with Judy.

Week of April 2, 2007

I had no programs this week.

I attended staff on Tuesday and worked in the office on Tuesday and Thursday.

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 4:10 PM | Permalink |

March 19, 2007

Pat's Programs

Update for Week of March 19

Monday started with the Meats and Beans Group at Pepper Ridge! Before I introduced the Meat and Beans Group, I reviewed the groups we'd already learned about by placing food pictures on the wall and having the kids tell me which group each food item belonged to.

At the Bloomington Housing Authority Tutor program, the Milk Group was introduced with a game called Calcium Hi/Low. The group broke down into teams and worked together to place several food items in order of their %DV of calcium. They had fun and thought they had learned a lot!

I also had the Parent Enrichment meeting this week. We are primarily working getting the Parent Expo planned for this year.

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 4:08 PM | Permalink |

March 15, 2007

Robin's Update

Marketing Presentations

March 6... ISU FND (Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics) club...Careers in Extension

News Releases .

Community News /County Newsletter/ Web/ articles and news releases

  • Program Updates.../ Web
  • Nat. Nut. Month...Community News/ Web /
  • Pizza w/ Veggies ...County Newsletter/ posted on Web/ Community News/
  • When Your Grandchild is a Picky Eater....Newsletter/ Web / Community News
  • A Fiesta of Flavors Diabetic Web Site.../Community News/ County Newsletter/ Web
  • FAQ's... How do you make buttermilk at home? How do you make sour milk at home? Can I substitute oil for margarine? .../ web
  • Nutrition Information You Can Trust...includes Am. Dietetic Assoc, Am. Diabetes Assoc, Find a Dietitian, Nutrition Extension Team.../ web
  • McLean County Museum Food History Exhibit.../ web
  • Nutrition In-Service –Biofilms Food Safety... Newsletter / Web /Community News
  • Skill-a-Thon...Newsletter/ Community News
  • 5 state's stain removal guides.../web
  • Youth Activities Help Teens Gain Independence with Less Family Conflict...posted on Web
  • KIOSK...March Calendar of Events for Families with Young Children...posted on Web
  • Rainbow Families Parenting Conference.../Web

Television

On air w/ Jim Browne for Insight Focus... U.S. Overweight/ Choices, Choices, Choices. Taping will probably air 10 times/ 15 min. each.

Newsletters

= 2,614 per Rosie

Many people subscribe to several newsletters...Continue to encourage e-newsletters. Ones with "x's" went out this month.

X... Food for Thought Newsletter

X...Wellness Ways Newsletter

...Diabetes Lifelines Newsletter

X...Your Health and You Newsletter

X...Parenting Again Newsletter

.... Connecting with Kids Quarterly Newsletter

... Nibbles Quarterly Newsletter

... Strengthening Families Quarterly

... Working Families Quarterly Newsletter

Coordination

General Nutrition

1...Coordinating Pat and Judy, nutrition program assistants

2...Sampling of inquiries---General Nutrition

Q: Can I heat partially gelled gelatin to add more gelatin?

Q: How do you make different colored layers of gelatin?

Q: Would you add our diabetes web site link to your site?

Q: How do you make buttermilk?

3... Coordination for Extension Council Meeting

4... Time spent researching a Diabetes web site that wanted to link with our site. Dr. Karen Chapman Novakofski and I sited it wouldn't be recommended. She is sending more information we can put on our web site advising against people relying on these types of sites for all their information.

5... Gathering Diabetes Information for Mental Health and Aging Coalition.

6... Coordination for FND presentation (ISU students Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics club)

7... Planning for Insight taping !

Food Safety

1... Sampling of Customer inquiries--Food Safety

Q: Stinky refrigerator after power out.

Q: What type of wax one can put on citrus fruit to extend the fruits usefulness?

Q: Where do I find sealing rings for pressure cookers?

2. Host site for Biofilm Telenet in service with Scott Martin...for March 15

a. Preparation...Registration forms, certificates, copies of Power point

3. Gathering Egg program materials for Kathy J.

Caregiving Relationships

1... Mar 5...Preparing materials for Chamber Fair

Healthy Family Relationships

1... IEAFCS...awards telenet...2-23

2... NEAFCS...Welcome Event...2-24

3... Mar. 20...work on GRG

Working with Volunteers

General Nutrition

Intern Lauren Rusk...

o Her article on her Skill-a-thon Teaching experience at Learn and Fun Day will be in the newsletter coming out early March.

o She has also been instructed to contact Judy Rollins to shadow a program and teach one as well.

o I gave her my file on Summer Picnic Safety and she will do a program on April 9.

o She attended the WebEx Nutrition in-service telenet in Feb. One of her professors attended as well.

o I have worked with her on planning display on "Trans Fats" at the Expanding Your Horizons" conference at ISU. She will also do a workshop on "Careers in Dietetics."

Healthy Family Relationships

Coordinating YAH meeting & Hobby Collection Displays

Professional Development

(Trainings., staff meetings, regional meetings, telenets etc.)

General Nutrition

1...School Wellness Policy Update in Urbana...2-28

Food Safety

2...Nutrition Team Telenet...2-20

Caregiving Relationships

3...Feb. 26...Aging Coalition... Stacey Phan D.O. from Bro-Menn Family Health Clinic spoke on Alzheimer's/ Early Loss of memory Prevention.

4... Mar. 19...Public Forum on Self Neglect...Mental Health & Aging Coalition sponsored.

Healthy Family Relationships

5...Mar. 16... Northern Cluster Meeting

6...Mar. 13... Staff meeting

7... Feb. 22...Council Meeting

8... Feb. 20...Staff Meeting

Committees

local, regional, state, national (Baby Steps too)

Healthy Family Relationships

1... Mar. 20...Grandparents Raising Grandchildren conference committee.

2...Feb. 22...NEAFCS...Welcome Event Telenet planning for national meeting in Minnesota

3... Feb. 23...NEAFCS...Awards Committee Telenet


Upcoming .....

Expanding Your Horizons...Mar 24

H.C.E. program planning...Mar 26

Towanda 4-H...Fun & Fitness...Apr 2

Summertime Grilling Safety... Apr 9

Nutrition Telenet... Apr 19

Nutrition Telenet... May 17

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren conference ...June 30

One of 3 host states for NEAFCS (National Extension Association for Family & Consumer Sciences)...Sept. 17-20

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 4:39 PM | Permalink |

March 13, 2007

Pat's Programs

Update for Week of March 12

I went to the Food Network for inspiration this week!

The program I presented to the Miller Park Seniors was Semi-Homemade Cooking for 1 or 2 in the Microwave. I demonstrated how to make Quick Chicken Enchilada Supper and everyone got the chance to try a sample.

I also attended the staff meeting and the Northern Cluster meeting in Champaign.

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 4:06 PM | Permalink |

March 2, 2007

Pat's Update

Update week of February 5-9, 2007

Met with Wendy Corbly, 3rd grade teacher at Heyworth Elementary and will be providing materials to teach unit on nutrition and the My Pyramid food / activity guidelines. We connected as a referral from Randy Lloyd and she is very excited for the help.

...Pat

Update for week of February 12-16, 2007

I had programming scheduled for Miller Seniors but it got canceled due to snow storm. I have mostly been doing Contact Reporting (smile . . . . .) Did I mention I LOVE our new system?!?!?

Next week I will have Pepper Ridge and Heartland Headstart programs, council meeting, staff meeting and Parent Enrichment meeting.

...Pat

Update for the week of February 12-16, 2007

This was our snowstorm week so not too much progress at the office. The office was closed Tuesday all day and Wednesday until noon.

I was supposed to be at Miller Park seniors on Tuesday but they closed their programs.

I did spend time working on contact reporting

...Pat

Update for the week of February 19-23, 2007

This week much of my programming was revised due to last week's snowstorm.

I had staff and the Parent Enrichment committee meeting.

I was supposed to be at Pepper Ridge all morning on Wednesday and at Heartland Headstart on Wednesday night. Both of these programs were rescheduled.

I participated in the Council meeting on Thursday evening.

...Pat

Update week of February 26-March 2, 2007

Monday was a prep day for the week's programs. I also worked on contact reports

Tuesday was Pepper Ridge, the Grain Group, and a Grain Education Fitness course. We started with a Spaghetti Swing and changed activity with each check point. Children learned that the Grains Group keeps your body's energy going strong all day long so you can cross the finish line (of your day's activities)!

In the afternoon, I participated as a Poverty Simulation helper.

Wednesday I had a training in Champaign where we tested recipes from the website for accuracy. We prepared and tasted 16 recipes. We made recommendations for adjustments on several of the recipes and the corrections have already been made.

Thursday I attended (along with Judy) a "Yes, Illinois Can!" workshop, a workshop helping to provide resources to those involved with education of wellness lifestyles and the new food pyramid, as well as those planning and executing school lunch program choices. This workshop was full of information and ideas that Judy and I feel we can use. We were really excited about all the information and resources we received!

Whew! It was a busy week!

...Pat

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 4:35 PM | Permalink |

February 15, 2007

Robin's Update

Web work...Lots!

Check out the Nutrition Page for.....

o Letters from Your Unborn Baby. I posted this in response to an expectant mom's questions about folic acid food sources.

o New news releases...1)Winter Warmers; 2) Pizza with Veggies; 3) Using Herbs; 4) Healthy Eating

o "Major New Food Ways Exhibit Planned at the McLean County Museum of History"

o New FAQ's in Food and Nutrition

o Program updates for Pat and Judy's programs

Check out the Children, Families and Seniors Page for...

o Strengthening Families and Connecting with Kids articles

o Save the Date Feature for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren conference

o KIOSK ...Calendar of Events for Families with Young Children

o Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Save the Date in Several places on our site.

Check out the Front page...Today's Features for...

o Developing Emotionally Skilled Children

o interactive game for Food Labeling

o Posted a Today's Feature for WebEx in-service for dietitians.

Newsletters for February...Rosemarie sent out these FCS newsletters (2,614 copies ) to subscribing customers.

  • Connecting with Kids...Topic: Developing Emotionally Skilled Children; Diabetes Lifelines; Parenting Again...Grandparents Raising Grandchildren; Strengthening Families; Wellness Ways... Healthy Meal Ideas on a Budget; Your Health and You... newsletter for senior citizens

Professional Development

  • Feb. 1...Pardon, Expungement & Sealed Seminar...at Mt. Pisgah...assistant Defender, Christie Fischer spoke on options for clearing a criminal record, petitioning for clemency, and understanding the standards for sealed records.
  • Feb 15... WebEx Nutrition in service Telenet on "the Role of the Food Industry in Overweight Obesity Issues"

Volunteer Development

Intern Lauren Rusk...

o Wrote an article on her Skill-a-thon teaching experience.

o She has also been instructed to contact Judy Rollins to shadow a program and teach one as well.

o She will also work on a Summer Picnic Safety program

Committee Meetings...

  1. Feb. 13...Baby Steps Steering Committee... going to a clearing house idea
  2. Jan. 26 and Feb. 9...GRG–Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 4:30 PM | Permalink |

February 15, 2007

Jan / Feb 2007

Coordinating...

  • Judy going to Chicago for training (by train) in July.
  • Programs, schedules and meetings!
  • Working on long range planning sheet for council.
  • Seems as though the fact sheets, "Connecting with Kids Developing Emotionally Skilled Kids", I promoted are a hot topic... People keep calling about them.
  • Starting to coordinate Young at Heart 2007
  • Coordinating the set up for Feb 15... WebEx Nutrition in service Telenet on "the Role of the Food Industry in Overweight Obesity Issues"

Web work...Lots! Check out the Nutrition Page for.....

  • Posted the Kiosk...Calendar of Events for Families with Young Children
  • Letters from Your Unborn Baby. I posted this in response to an expectant mom's questions about folic acid food sources.
  • New news releases...1)Winter Warmers; 2) Pizza with Veggies; 3) Using Herbs; 4) Healthy Eating
  • "Major New Food Ways Exhibit Planned at the McLean County Museum of History"
  • New FAQ's in Food and Nutrition
  • Program updates for Pat and Judy's programs

Check out the Children, Families and Seniors Page for...

  • Strengthening Families and Connecting with Kids articles
  • Save the Date Feature for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren conference
  • KIOSK ...Calendar of Events for Families with Young Children
  • Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Save the Date in Several places on our site.
  • Parenting in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year

Check out the Front page...Today's Features for...

  • Developing Emotionally Skilled Children
  • Interactive game for Food Labeling
  • Posted a Today's Feature for WebEx in-service for dietitians.
  • Didn't reach a caller in person about a food safety/ power outage issue...left message that I had moved the FAQ on our web page to the top listing so it would be easy for her to find! Good way to get people to our site, aye?

Inquiries

  • Q: What to you think of the silicone bake ware?
  • Q: How do I melt Butterscotch Chips? Is it different than Chocolate Chips?
  • Q: How do I fix chocolate that has seized or hardened while trying to melt it?
  • Q: Do you know a contact for the FHA in schools?
  • Q: Do you know of any shuttle tatting teachers? I want to learn.
  • Q: Is it safe to use Olive Oil to cook popcorn?

Newsletters for February...Rosemarie sent out these FCS newsletters (2,614 copies )to subscribing customers. I have started distribution lists for e-mail as well.

  • Connecting with Kids...Topic: Developing Emotionally Skilled Children
  • Diabetes Lifelines
  • Parenting Again...Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
  • Strengthening Families
  • Wellness Ways... Healthy Meal Ideas on a Budget
  • Your Health and You... newsletter for senior citizens

Professional Development

  • Jan. 18...Health Literacy...Nutrition Telenet for professionals
  • Jan. 16....Nutrition Team Telenet
  • Jan. 18 ...Brittany...ISU dietetics intern on rotation.
  • Jan. 29...4-H Leader picked up fat tubes, fat glob and muscle for a program
  • Feb. 1...FCRC...Pardon, Expungement & Sealed Seminar...at Mt. Pisgah...assistant Defender, Christie Fischer spoke on options for clearing a criminal record, petitioning for clemency, and understanding the standards for sealed records.
  • Jan. 30...Staff meeting with Kathy Reiser, Amy Zilco, and Rick Atterbery
  • Feb. 7...NFCS dept. meeting... worked on "Council Futuring"
  • Feb 15... WebEx Nutrition in service Telenet on "the Role of the Food Industry in Overweight Obesity Issues"

Volunteer Development...Intern Lauren Rusk...

  • Will write an article on her Skill-a-thon Teaching experience.
  • She has also been instructed to contact Judy Rollins to shadow a program and teach one as well. I invited her to attend a program at Mt. Pisgah.
  • She will also work on a Summer Picnic Safety program

Council Develoment...

  • NFCS... met to plan Council Development for 02/22

Committees...

  • Jan. 17...Children's Discovery Museum... Revising Children's Supermarket and Pizza CafĂ©.
  • Jan. 19...NEAFCS... Welcome Event Telenet
  • Jan. 26...Grandparents Raising Grandchildren planning committee
  • Feb. 13...Baby Steps Steering Committee... going to a clearing house idea
  • Jan. 26 and Feb. 9...GRG.

Upcoming .....

  • Nutrition Telenet... Feb 15
  • Nutrition Team Telenet...Feb 20
  • Meet with Brianne, dietetics rotation graduate student...Feb. 27
  • School Wellness Policy update...Springfield...Feb. 28
  • Pat & Judy at School Wellness Policy update...Mar 1
  • CHD (IPLAN...Heart Disease Task Force) meets...Mar 2
  • Insight TV taping...Mar 6
  • Nutrition Telenet... Mar 15
  • State Nutrition Team meets...Mar 20 & 21
  • Expanding Your Horizons...Mar 24
  • Summertime Grilling Safety... Apr 9
  • Nutrition Telenet... Apr 19
  • Nutrition Telenet... May 17
  • Grandparents Raising Grandchildren conference ...June 30
  • One of 3 host states for NEAFCS (National Extension Association for Family & Consumer Sciences)...Sept. 17-20

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 1:43 PM | Permalink |

February 11, 2007

Let's Stir Things Up!

"Let's Stir Things Up" is an introductory cooking class for a 4-H project titled Skill-a-Thon. During a recent workshop U of I Extension's spring dietetics intern, Lauren Rusk, taught children between the ages eight and ten to practice basic cooking skills, learn how to use basic kitchen tools, and review some cooking vocabulary while making no-bake chocolate cookies.

The cookies were made without eggs so that no baking was involved and most importantly, the 4-Her's could safely lick the cookie dough off their spoons! With this activity they learned the importance of a clean work space, how to read a recipe, and how to measure using dry and liquid measuring cups. Another activity was Lingo and it incorporated kitchen terminology. Lingo stemmed off the word bingo. Instead of having numbers we had kitchen terms on the Lingo sheets. A definition was read and the participants had to put a marker on the term that corresponded to the definition. It became a group activity with this particular game. The children worked as a team to figure out the definitions which proved to be enjoyable and exciting for them. The final activity was Jeopardy which had a kitchen safety twist. This involved principle knowledge about knife safety, food poisoning prevention, stove top protocol, and other kitchen safety trivia. Two teams of ten were formed and a "captain" was designated for each team who was responsible for saying their teams answer after consulting with their fellow members. This activity incorporated team work as well as kitchen safety knowledge. The question that proved to be the most difficult was, "How long is it okay to leave food out on a table after cooking?" Two hours is the maximum time food should be left out because of bacterial growth. When food sits at room temperature bacteria is at optimal growth potential. Keep food out of the temperature danger zone, 40°F-140°F.

At the end of the workshop the 4-Hers walked out with a kitchen education foundation that will help prepare them for future workshops and skill-a-thons as well as cooking at home. Leaving with chocolate cookies sure helped too!

There are five skill-a-thon station competitions at the 4-H fair.

  1. Let's Start cooking
  2. Learn to Bake
  3. Dairy Foods
  4. Meat & Other Protein Sources
  5. Preservation of Foods

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 3:24 PM | Permalink |

January 15, 2007

from Robin Bagwell, Program Coordinator

Living Well Walk Program---Working on certificates, cards, log sheets, encouragement.

Children's Discovery Museum--- Appointed to the team to create the nutrition center at the museum!

1-12... Dietetics Intern Rotation...

Lining up two interns from the Cancer Center to do their dietetics rotation. One will come in to talk about extension and attend the Nutrition PDO telenet on Jan. 18 !County Web Page...

Web Page work

Added Food Pantry Question to the FAQ...Food and Nutrition Blog

Updated Welcome Column

Added FAQ...Can I Leave my Leftovers from Lunch in the Car?

Added to the Nutrition Education Page...program updates

Added a feature the news release for upcoming Health Literacy Telenet

Sampling of inquiries---

1-12...Responded to a materials request...to use materials for program for 3 year olds. Past several years has borrowed pyramid, handouts, food models and shared any innovative ideas.

Q: I have a recipe for a pie that calls for heavy cream in the bottom portion and whipping cream on the top. I have looked in the store and located heavy cream...but, the whipping cream container says "heavy whipping cream"..are these the same thing?? Or is there a difference?? I can't find a container that just says whipping cream. Also, can half and half be whipped??

A: Refer to FAQ Blog to find the answer I gave this caller

1-12...Handled mailings to dietitians forupcoming Nutrition Telenets

Q: Starting a Food Bank and need guidelines for shelf life of canned goods.

A: I checked with the state nutrition team and researched food pantry guidelines on the web. Check our FAQ blog for the answer.

Q: New in town and looking for parenting classes

A: Shared what we have and also shared FCRC (Family Community Resource Center), WIC at the Health Dept., Partners in Parenting, Project oz

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 11:15 AM | Permalink |

December 31, 2006

from Robin Bagwell, Program Coordinator

Chocolate Fantasy Event...12-4

Check our nutrition web site news releases for details!

Seasonal Inquiries

Q: I am making soup and it calls for 1 T minced onion. How much is that in fresh onion

Q: Power Outages galore and food safety questions!

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 11:41 AM | Permalink |

December 2, 2006

from Robin Bagwell, Program Coordinator

Program

How to Make Your Holidays Run Smoothly and Happily...11.28...for Head Start Parent Advisory Council

December newsletters were sent out to subscribing members

Diabetes Lifelines

Wellness Ways...(feeding your family on less) Topic: Dry & Liquid Measures

Your Health and You...(for seniors)

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables for the Holidays

Area Newspaper columns sent

Christmas... Mailing Food Gifts

Cranberries for the Holidays

FFT...Holiday Baking with Preschoolers

Home made Noodles...Media version (4th week in Dec. after Christmas)

Posted by Robin Bagwell at 1:04 PM | Permalink |

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