When life gets busy, it’s easy to get into the routine of dinner and a movie. Here’s a reminder that it’s fun and easy to add something new and different to your dating scene!

No More Popcorn!

Author – Naomi Brower

Your challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to pick one fun date night and make it happen this month.Think outside of the movie theater and add some excitement to your dating life! Here are a few ideas for date nights that I think are pretty fun and inexpensive to get your creativity going:

• Have a romantic picnic. Give your taste buds a new experience as your try new varieties of cheese (yum!) paired with sparkling cider and fresh fruit. For extra fun, add a blindfold and try to guess the type of cheese your sweetheart is feeding you.

• Go on a “vacation” for the night. Pick a destination and then eat food and do activities that would be similar to what you’d do if you were there. Or, attend a travel expo and dream about places you want to go. For extra credit, make a collage of pictures from all of the travel books you pick up and put it somewhere in your house. (Yes, I really have this hanging in my house.)

• Play glow in the dark tennis, volleyball, Frisbee, or golf. You can buy many of these items at local stores for $20 or less.

• Cultivate your green thumb. Attend a class together at one of the local USU Extension offices or botanical gardens. Put your new knowledge to work in your yard.

• Look for “the best______” (fill in the blank) in the area. For example, spend time comparing places for creating “the best” echo or places that sell “the best” frozen yogurt (my favorite!).

• Take a hike. Explore a new hiking trail in your area and then enjoy snacks as you take in the view at your final destination.

• Have a fondue party. Melt chocolate or cheese and dip veggies, meat, bread and treats. (Fondue pots are helpful but small crock pots also work well.)

• Go window shopping. Check out the latest electronic gadgets. Get ideas for decorating your home. Try on a new clothing look. Take some goofy photos together. (This is the perfect opportunity to get gift ideas for your sweetheart for future occasions!)

• Have a progressive dinner for two. Go to several different restaurants, enjoying a yummy appetizer at one, your favorite main course at another and the dessert you’ve been craving at the last.

• Take a trip down memory lane. Watch your wedding video or look at your old photo album of when you first met. You might notice something that you missed the first time.

• Attend the Utah State University planned county date nights designed to provide inexpensive and fun dates for couples, while learning relationship tips that will keep your relationship strong.

Not only is playing with your sweetheart fun, but spending time playing as a couple can increase feelings of closeness, improve communication and help couples to unite, which can help them when overcoming differences and challenges.

For additional inexpensive date night tips, as well as tips, classes and resources on building healthy relationships, see www.strongermarriage.org.

What are your favorite fun and inexpensive date night ideas?

This article was written by Naomi Brower

Naomi Brower is an Extension Associate Professor for Utah State University. She has a Masters of Family and Human Development from Utah State University. Often called the relationship guru by friends, Naomi is passionate about helping others improve the quality of their lives through creating and strengthening their relationships with others.

References

http://strongermarriage.org/

Tips on how you can enjoy your garden veggies all year long!

Don’t Forget About Your Freezer

Summer gardens have been planted, and it won’t be long before it will be time to preserve the harvest. Canning and dehydrating are always options, but freezing is my favorite way to preserve vegetables.

I like freezing because it’s fast. Freezing also preserves the fresh flavor and bright color of the vegetables. And, because vegetables are harvested at their peak and prepared and frozen quickly, they keep their nutrients.

You can prepare excellent frozen vegetables at home by following these tips.

1. Find a good set of instructions. I recommend the National Center for Home Food Preservation, http://nchfp.uga.edu/. They have lots of great information about freezing, canning, dehydrating, pickling and making jams and jellies. You can find general information or instructions for preserving a specific food.

2. Harvest the vegetables when they are tender and fresh. The quality will not improve with freezing. Start with the best.

3. Blanch vegetables to preserve their quality and extend the time they can be stored in the freezer. Using a blancher (a pan with an insert that holds the vegetables and allows you to lower the vegetables into the boiling water and lift them out) makes this job easier. Chill the vegetables in ice water for the same amount of time they were blanched.

4. Package the vegetables in air-tight boxes, plastic containers or bags designed for the freezer. Remove as much of the air as possible. Using containers specially designed for the freezer will help preserve the quality of the vegetables for a longer time.

5. Label and date the containers so you know what is in them and how long they have been stored.

6. Store frozen vegetables in an upright or chest freezer at 0° F or colder. The quality of the vegetables won’t last as long if they are stored in the warmer temperatures of the refrigerator’s freezer compartment.
Start preparing now so you will be ready when the peas, spinach, corn and summer squash are ready to harvest.

This article was written by Ann Henderson

References:

National Center for Home Food Preservation

Wedding season is here! Amidst all the planning and excitement, it’s important for couples to be sure they know each other well.

Something Borrowed, Something Blue

How many weddings have you been to this summer? They are happening left and right!

Before tying the knot, here are some important questions to consider:

1. Do I get along well with my partner’s family?

2. Does my partner have a good conscience?

3. Do I have common interests with my partner?

4. Can I communicate well with my partner about tough topics?

5. Does my partner take time to understand my point of view, even if he/she disagrees with it?

6. How does my partner deal with conflict?

7. How does my partner handle money?

8. Are my family values similar to my partner’s?

9. Are my spiritual values and beliefs compatible with my partner’s?

10. What are other people’s perceptions of my partner?

For more information and class schedules on relationships, visit http://healthyrelationshipsutah.org/.

This article was written by Naomi Brower

Naomi Brower is an Extension Associate Professor for Utah State University. She has a Masters of Family and Human Development from Utah State University. Often called the relationship guru by friends, Naomi is passionate about helping others improve the quality of their lives through creating and strengthening their relationships with others.

References:

healthyrelationshipsutah.org

Summer is the time for outdoor picnics, barbecues and unfortunately, food poisoning. Avoid getting sick by following these suggestions!

Eating outdoors in warm weather can be a food safety challenge. Bacteria in food multiply faster at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F. Knowing these 7 basic food safety tips will keep you safe this summer.

1. Wash hands.
“Hand washing is THE single most effective way to prevent the spread of disease,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s really simple — make sure to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. To help kids learn this, try singing the ABC song with them while they wash. Cleaning up is especially important after using the bathroom and before cooking or eating. Oftentimes you find yourself outdoors with no bathroom in the summer. You can use a water jug, some soap and paper towels. Moist disposable towelettes are also good for cleaning your hands.

2. Keep raw food separate from cooked food.
You take the raw meat on a plate to the grill, right? But remember that you do not want to use that same plate to put the cooked meat on. This is known as cross contamination and can cause food-borne illness. Keep utensils and surfaces clean.

3. Marinate food in the refrigerator, not out on the counter.
Marinating can make meat tender and tasty. But if you want to use some of the marinade as a sauce on the cooked food, reserve a separate portion. Don’t reuse marinade that contained raw meat.

4. Cook food thoroughly.
A meat thermometer can really help in making sure meat is cooked to a safe temperature. Steaks should reach 145 degrees and then be allowed to rest for 3 minutes. Chicken should be cooked to at least 165°F. Hamburgers should be cooked to 160°F. If a thermometer is not available, make sure hamburgers are brown all the way through, not pink.

5. Refrigerate and freeze food right away.
It can be hard to remember while a party is going on, but food should not be left out of the cooler or off the grill for more than 2 hours. It’s especially important to remember NOT to leave food out for more than one hour when the temperature is above 90°F.

6. Keep hot food hot.
Hot food should be kept at or above 140°F. Hot food should be wrapped well and placed in an insulated container – this will keep the heat in. If you have purchased something like fried chicken at a deli, try to eat it within two hours. Bacteria multiply rapidly after that and can make you sick. Don’t forget to pack your meat thermometer.  When re-heating food, be sure it reaches 165°F.

7. Keep cold food cold.
Cold food should be held at or below 40°F. Think about potato salad and similar foods. Keep them on ice in a cooler and don’t set them out for long periods of time in the heat.
Those are the basic tips to remember. If you have ever suffered from food-borne illness, you know how miserable it is. Follow these simple steps to keep your food safe and enjoy your summer barbecues and camping trips.

This article was written by Darlene Christensen
Author Bio: Darlene Christensen is an Associate Extension Professor at Utah State University and serves as the family and consumer sciences/4H agent in Tooele County. She loves working with 4Hers and enjoys teaching adults.

References:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Barbecue Basics: Tips to Prevent Foodborne Illness.

With berries and other fruits in season, right now is the best time to start jamming!

Making Jam is Berry Easy

If you have berries from your garden coming out of your ears, making fruit spreads is a wonderful way to use them up. It might seem intimidating, but with the right recipes and tips, making jams and jellies is fun and simple.

Jam or Jelly?

First things first, do you know the difference between jam and jelly?

Jam is made by boiling fruit and sugar to a thick consistency and has fruit bits.

Jelly is made by boiling sugar, the juice of fruit with gelatin or pectin, and doesn’t have fruit bits.

There are also other delicious spreads made with fruit such as marmalade, fruit preserves, fruit compote and fruit butter!

Don’t know where to get started? Here is a fact sheet from USU Extension with more than 20 delicious recipes!

For a great way to enjoy your delicious garden strawberries all year long, try this simple freezer jam recipe. Not only is it easy, but this jam will last in your freezer for up to one year. Now that’s a good reason to get into a sticky situation!

Freezer Strawberry Jam

• 2 cups crushed fresh strawberries
• 4 cups sugar
• 1 (1.75 ounce) package dry pectin
• 3/4 cup water

Mix crushed strawberries with sugar, and let stand for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, stir the pectin into the water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and boil for 1 minute. Stir the boiling water into the strawberries. Allow to stand for 3 minutes before pouring into jars or other storage containers.
Place tops on the containers and leave for 24 hours. Place into freezer, and store frozen until ready to use.

Recipe courtesy of Carolyn Washburn, Extension professor.

References

Freezer Jams

While fireworks are beautiful and spectacular, loud fireworks can severely frighten pets. Keep them safe with these seven tips!

Don’t Forget About Balto!

Fireworks are an exciting way to celebrate during the summer, but loud fireworks displays are no fun for many pets.

Kerry Rood, USU Extension veterinary sciences specialist, said pets’ responses to loud noises can range from mild nervousness to more aggressive behaviors like barking, chewing on furniture, digging, chewing on fencing or running away. This can lead to your pets hurting themselves or destroying property. Noisy thunderstorms can also frighten pets.

If you are worried about noise bothering your pet, here are seven useful tips to help keep your pet safe and calm.

1.Make sure your pet gets plenty of exercise during the day. Pets are more likely to stay calm if they’ve already used up a lot of energy.

2. Create a safe place for your pet. Arrange to keep your pet somewhere dark and quiet. “House the pet deep inside the home where there is the least amount of noise,” Rood said. “Sometimes a basement bathroom or bedroom will suffice.”

3. Try not to leave your pet alone. Being alone will add to his or her fear and increase the likelihood of running away.

4. Distract your pet with an activity that captures their attention. Try to interest them in a favorite toy or game.

5. If your pet does start acting out, don’t yell or scold them. “Stay calm yourself and do not become agitated, as this fuels your pet’s reaction,” Rood said.

6. Make sure your pet has a collar with clearly marked ID tags. According to Pet Amber Alert, animal control services report a 30% increase in lost pets between July 4 and July 6. If you do lose a pet, contact your local animal control dispatch.

7. If your pet has extreme reactions to noise, ask a veterinarian for help. There are medications that will help calm a pet’s nerves.

Using these tips won’t stop the fireworks, but can make the holidays less stressful for you and your pets.

This article was written by Shelby Ruud
Contact: Kerry Rood Kerry.rood@usu.edu, (435) 797-1882

With this delicious smoothie guide, you’ll have no problem blending in with summer!

Blend in with Summer

Summer has officially started and the heat has definitely been invited to the party. With temperatures in the triple digits, hot summer days call for going to the pool, running through the sprinklers and eating refreshing treats.

Instead of going straight for the popsicles, consider making a delicious smoothie! Smoothies are a great way to enjoy a sweet treat in the summer heat while still being healthy. Since you can control the ingredients, you can make smoothies as healthy as you like!

With this smoothie guide, the possibilities are endless. The best part? You can make a delicious smoothie out of ingredients you already have in your kitchen.

But don’t worry, if you don’t have any fruit on hand, now is a wonderful time to find berries and other fruit on sale at your local grocery store. To enjoy your sweet savings all summer long, buy fruit in bulk and throw it in the freezer!

Click below for a printable version!
Create a Smoothie

Be Sneaky

Remember, if you can eat it, you can blend it. This means you can sneak all sorts of healthy stuff into your smoothies! Try adding a handful of spinach or kale to your next creation for an extra health boost. Your kids will love the sweet treat and you will love that they are drinking their greens. Being a magician has never tasted so good!

Try Me!

The Popeye Smoothie

6-8 ounces yogurt, any flavor
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 frozen banana
1/2 cup frozen fruit
1 cup packed spinach

Combine all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.

Yield: 1 big delicious smoothie

When you make your own Chinese food at home, you won’t have to rely on a fortune cookie to grant you with good health!

Don’t Walk the Wok

Who doesn’t love a good helping of Chinese food every once in a while? While going out for Chinese food is fast and delicious, it’s not necessarily the healthiest choice. Many Chinese dishes are prepared in woks and fried with lots of oil. In addition, restaurants often add high amounts of sodium and MSG to their food to enhance the flavor.

If you love Chinese but still want to be healthy, have you ever thought about making your own Chinese dishes at home?! This sweet and sour chicken recipe from eatwellutah.org is too good not to try. Not only is the chicken baked instead of fried, all of the ingredients are simple and low in sodium.

This recipe is a great way to get your Chinese fix without sacrificing your health. It’s a win-win for everyone!

Source

Eat Well Utah

Where is your next road trip destination? Wherever you are headed, ditch the chips and follow these tips to stay healthy on the road!

Summer time is often filled with road trips. Living in Utah, there are often wide and vast stretches of highway between destinations, and most breaks include gas stations and tourist attractions that are known to stock sugary drinks, candies, sweets and salty snacks. It’s not always easy to eat healthy foods while on the road, or any vacation for that matter, but it can be done.

Here are some ideas of how to be healthy on road trips and vacations:

1. Pack a small cooler with easy-to-eat healthy snacks (and wet wipes and garbage bags for easy clean up) such as:
• Apples (Be aware of Agriculture check points that won’t allow fruit to pass through the border into California or other locations. Buy fruit after passing through.)
• String cheese and whole-grain crackers
• Pre-packaged yogurt tubes
• Trail mix and dried fruit
• Hummus and pre-cut veggies, like carrots, radishes, snap peas, bell peppers and hummus
• Celery and small individual-sized containers of peanut butter (check the peanut butter aisle for the small 1-2 tablespoon packages); pretzels also can be dipped in peanut butter for an easy snack
• Whole-grain bread and peanut butter and jam or cheese and lunchmeat

2. Take refillable water bottles to save cooler space and to avoid purchasing sugary beverages. They can also help you save money on buying beverages. Refill each time you stop for gas and restroom breaks.

3. When eating out, seek healthier options on menus, such as fruit cups or slices, milk, wraps, salads, rice and veggie bowls and whole-grain options of breads, tortillas and rice.

4. Use a navigation app on your smartphone to look for restaurants near you beyond the ones connected to the gas station when stopping to refuel. Consider non-burger fast food restaurants for variety and possibly healthier options, such as:
• Sandwich restaurants where you could split a larger sandwich with a family member and load up on those veggies options.
• Chinese food places often have more choices of veggies than other fast food restaurants.
• Mexican food where you can look for beans, rice and veggie options, but remember to eat less of the high-fat fried foods.
• Pita and wrap restaurants also offer fresh veggie options, but beware of high-calorie sauces.

5. Make farmers markets a destination around meal times. This is a great way to literally taste some of the local foods and culture. Most markets have more than just produce, so enjoy many other vendors selling fresh breads, homemade tamales, side salads and more. Plus, you’ll get to move and stretch your legs after all that driving.

6. Visit grocery stores or local bakeries at your destination to buy meals and/or replenish your healthy snack cooler. Consider whole-grain muffins, fruit and small milk containers for breakfast or instant oatmeal packets you can make by using hot water from gas stations or hotel room coffee makers.

7. Plan moving time. Search for places along the way to discover by walking, hiking, biking or swimming adventures to break up driving time and get your body moving. It might take a little extra time, but together with choosing varieties of fruits and veggies, moving your body will help you feel more energized, help you sleep better and help keep you “regular,” if you know what I mean.

8. Make gas and restroom breaks a physical activity break—walk, run, do some yoga, stretches or dance. You could even have races with the family. Consider ordering your meals take-out and head to a picnic spot at a local park to enjoy fresh air and more opportunities to get up and move your body.

9. Save treats for the events and special destinations of your trip. This will save your car from sugary, sticky spills and melts, and also help reduce calories consumed.

10. Plan non-food activities in the car to pass time and to avoid the snacking-from-boredom syndrome. Listen to audio-books the whole car can enjoy, make videos of the family rocking out to a favorite song, sketch Picasso-like portraits of each other without looking at the paper, play “I Spy,” bingo or read books and articles about the history of places you’re heading to visit.

This article was written by Melanie Jewkes

Melanie Jewkes works part time in Salt Lake County and has worked for USU for 6 years. The best part of her job is learning and relearning some of the things that matter most–loving and caring for marriage and family, living within your means, and growing, cooking and eating delicious, nutritious food. She is married with two adorable children and lives in Taylorsville.

Don’t know what you’re doing yet this week? Let us help you! Here’s what’s going on in your neighborhood this week:

Cache County

Thursday 6/25

11am – 12:30 pm – Going Grain: Daytime Food Sense (SNAP-Ed)

Davis County

Monday 6/22

9 pm – 10 pm – Military Kids Camp

Tuesday 6/23

All Day – Master Food Preserver Course
9 pm – 10 pm – Military Kids Camp

Wednesday 6/24

11 am – 12:30 pm – Finding Meals in your Pantry- Food $ense (SNAP-Ed)
9 pm – 10 pm – Military Kids Camp

Thursday 6/25

All Day – Master Food Preserver Course
1 pm – 2 pm – Snacking For One – Food $ense (SNAP-Ed)
9 pm – 10 pm – Military Kids Camp

Friday 6/26

9 pm – 10 pm – Military Kids Camp

Salt Lake County

Monday 6/22

All Day – USU Free Water Check Program
6:15 pm – 8:45 pm – Smart Dating – SLC
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Horticulture Spotlight Lecture Series: Vermicomposting-Turning Scraps to Garden Gold

Tuesday 6/23

6 pm – 8:30 pm – Smart Dating – West Jordan
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Parenting the Love and Logic Way

Wednesday 6/24

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Parenting the Love and Logic Way
6:30 pm – Food $ense (SNAP-Ed) Murray
7 pm – 8 pm – Food $ense Quick Meals Class

Thursday 6/25

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Couple LINKS

Swaner EcoCenter

Wednesday 6/24

7 pm – 10 pm – Owl Prowl 2015

Saturday 6/27

1 pm – 3 pm – Climbing Wall

Uintah County

Tuesday 6/23

10 pm – Public Speaking, Demonstrations & Other Related Contests

Wednesday 6/24

9 pm – Food Preparation Contests

USU Botanical Center

Tuesday 6/23

6 pm – 8 pm – Youth Fishing Camp

Wednesday 6/24

9 am – 12 pm – Enchanted Garden Fairy Camp
6 pm – 8 pm – Youth Fishing Camp

Thursday 6/25

10 am – 2 pm – Trails, Treks and Treats

Friday 6/26

6:30 pm – 8 pm – Marriage…Not So Impossible: Scavenger Hunt Date Night

Utah County

Wednesday 6/24

7 pm – 9:15 pm – Couple Links

Washington County

Monday 6/22

10 am – 3 pm – 4-H Hero’s Guide Camp – Grades 5-8

For even more events and activities in Utah, click here!