It looks like spring has finally arrived! With the warmer temperatures, many people are probably anxious to be in their yards and gardens. With this comes the many plant sales and exchanges that commonly occur. However, this year everyone should be aware of a relatively new invasive species to the county, “jumping worms.” Unlike other […]
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Poultry (chicken, turkey, duck) and other meat should NOT be washed before cooking. Washing poultry and other meat spreads germs to other areas of the kitchen, and is not effective at removing bacteria that may be present. A study published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology illustrates why it’s a bad idea to wash meat and poultry. […]
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Make FAMILY PLAYTIME your “Real Happy Hour”! Take the SPRING CHALLENGE to discover and inspire fun ways for your family to spend time together during the spring season!
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The evidence-based Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14 (SFP 10-14) is a cost-effective substance use prevention and skills building program that brings parents and their youth ages 10-14 together in highly interactive sessions that improve parenting skills, build life skills in youth, and strengthen family bonds. In a series of research studies, the Mindfulness-enhanced Strengthening Families […]
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In 2017, live poultry was responsible for 10 Salmonella outbreaks in the United States, sickening more than 1,100 people across 48 states and killing one. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns individuals that contact with live poultry or their environment can make people sick with Salmonella infections. Live poultry can carry Salmonella bacteria while still appearing […]
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Popular financial New Year’s resolutions include goals like saving more money and paying down debt. If the idea of focusing on dollar signs does not sound motivating, consider a resolution to feel better about your overall financial situation. “Over the past few years, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has interviewed and surveyed adults across the […]
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European Union member countries recently released data on foodborne outbreaks in Europe in 2016. Results showed that 205 of the 521 “strong-evidence” outbreaks, or 39%, were caused by the consumption of food in private homes. The number of outbreaks linked to food consumed in homes far exceeded the number of outbreaks linked to food in restaurants, […]
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Several recent stories in the news media have reintroduced questions related to two chemicals which may be in our food, especially perchlorate and BPA. Perchlorate is a chemical used in fireworks, road flares, explosives, and rocket fuel. It is also sometimes present in bleach and in some fertilizers. Perchlorate forms naturally in the environment in small amounts. Perchlorate […]
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As we start a new year and look ahead to spring cleaning, there are three kitchen items that can help keep you and your family food-safe: 1. A digital thermometer. A tip-sensitive digital thermometer will make checking the internal temperature of meat, soups, and casseroles accurate and easy. These days, food thermometers aren’t just for your holiday roasts—they’re […]
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There’s been almost an explosion of products available in the grocery store containing coconut oil and other coconut by-products. Is coconut oil a healthy choice? Coconut oil is a plant-based fat that is about 90% saturated, higher than butter or the fat associated with meats, and much higher than other plant-based fats such as olive oil […]
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