Author: Ann Henderson

Grilling season is here! I like the charcoal grill okay, but it takes a long time for the coals to heat up, so I don’t use it very often. But I received a propane grill as a gift, and that seems to be the answer for me, so now I’m ready to start grilling! If you are ready like me, you may want to check out the factsheet I found on barbecuing and food safety. It has some great tips about marinating, precooking foods to reduce grilling time, final cooking temperatures for different meats and how to keep foods hot until you are ready to serve them. There are 15 topic areas with all the information you’ll need for each. If you are looking for some similar tips at a glance, check out our recently shared “How to Keep You and Your Food Safe this Summer” post.

There is also a postcard you can print out that provides a quick refresher. Happy grilling!

 Ann Henderson is an Extension Associate Professor for Utah State University in Box Elder County.  She loves teaching and helping adults and youth find practical solutions to everyday problems  related to financial management, nutrition and health, food safety, preservation and storage, and family relationships.  She believes that when you strengthen families you strengthens communities.

Author – Joanne Roueche

“Spring has sprung” and the kids are out of school, or soon will be. It is a time of year that comes with new beginnings — the beginning of summer sports, more family time and a more relaxed routine. It also comes with new challenges, including, “Hey Mom, I’m bored!”

As parents, we want to provide a memorable summer filled with fun and educational opportunities for our children. The following positive parenting techniques have been used by the Child Welfare League of America to provide parents with information needed to make parenting more enjoyable and effective.

1. Appreciate the value of play. Play is a child’s work. It is a valuable tool that teaches children about the world around them. Creative, unstructured play is being lost in our society.

2. Talk with and listen to your child. Be aware of the verbal and non-verbal messages you send to your child.

3. Build your child’s brain and body. Enjoy the summer’s harvest with fresh, healthy snacks and family meals. Enjoy the out of doors while providing educational opportunities visiting state parks, museums, libraries and zoos.

4. Be your child’s first source of information. Encourage your child to ask questions and provide him or her with an honest answer. Your openness and honesty will create a relationship of mutual trust and respect.

5. Learn how children develop, and know your unique child. No one knows your child like you do. Support all areas or your child’s development, including physical, intellectual, social, emotional and moral.

6. Cherish your child’s individuality. Spend time alone every day with your child sup-porting his or her interests and talents.

7. Organize your home for success. Teach good safety habits and establish daily routines. Enforce family rules, for example, everyone putting their dishes in the dishwasher after dinner.

8. Take care of yourself. If you are not feeling well, you cannot be an effective parent. Eat healthy, get enough sleep and take an occasional break from parenting.

9. Make time for family activities. Enjoying family activities creates a sense of belonging.

10. Teach your child right from wrong. Lay the groundwork for your child to develop a strong moral code.

We created a fun summer journal by covering a composition notebook with scrapbook paper, adding embellishments and inserting the “Ten Tips for Positive Parenting” on the inside cover. Our goal is to create memories from each area throughout the summer.

“If you want your child to turn out well, spend twice as much time with them and half as much money.”

~Abigail Van Buren~

Joanne Roeche – Associate Professor, USU Extension

Author: Naomi Brower

Families often spend more time together doing things in the summer. While this time together is wonderful, it can also mean more opportunities for potential frustration and unmet expectations that can lead to anger. Anger is a part of life, and it can often be a signal of problems that need to be addressed. But if left unchecked, it can lead to damaged relationships, work problems, health concerns and other negative outcomes. When anger arises, the following four steps can help individuals cool down before doing something they may later regret.

Stop. When signs of anger arise (feeling hot, shaking, tightness in muscles, etc.), stop and take a step back from the situation before saying or doing anything else.

 Consider: What are some of the warning signs that you are getting angry?

Pause. Take a break from the situation to calm down. When we are angry we often are so full of emotions that we cannot think clearly. Taking time to step away from the situation (at least 20 minutes) gives our bodies time to calm down so we can think more rationally about the situation. Consider doing something during this time to help calm down such as going for a walk, listening to calming music, taking deep breaths, etc.

Consider: What is something I can do while I’m taking a break that will help me calm down?

1. Anger is often referred to as a secondary emotion, which means there is another feeling (i.e., frustration, hurt, fear, etc.) that comes before it. By taking time to focus on the root issue, it is more likely that the source of negative emotions can get resolved.

Once the root issue is discovered, consider the possible ways to resolve the situation and the potential outcomes that may come from each. Weighing consequences often leads to the best course of action.

Consider: What are the underlying feelings and issues in the situation? What are the possible ways of dealing with this issue and potential outcomes of these approaches?

Act. After deciding on the course of action, act on the situation. This often includes problem solving with others who are part of the situation in order to find a solution that works for everyone. The goal is not to just express anger, but to understand and deal with the source of it so negative feelings can be resolved.

Consider: How will I choose to act so that the situation can be improved or resolved?

Remember, anger is a choice. No one can force us to become angry—we have a choice in how we feel and how we respond to situations. While we may have developed a tendency to respond in a certain way to certain events or situations, we CAN change.

By following these steps, we take control of our anger. We choose how we will act instead of reacting and letting our emotions control us.

(stop.pause.think.act)

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.

Summer time is here! It is a great time to relax and enjoy those “lazy” days! But before you know it, the kids’ boredom will set in, and you will begin hearing, “There’s nothing to do!” We have a few resources for you to put up your parenthood sleeve so you are prepared for those moments.

PLAN NOW!

Summer camps are a GREAT way to keep your kids learning, exploring and creating in the summer time. Whether it’s a one-day camp or a week long, it gives the kids something to look forward to and be excited about.

Aggie Adventure Camps are offered all over the state of Utah. Click here  to find one in your area and get more details.

If you are in the Davis County area, one of the Aggie Adventure Camps offered is at the USU Botanical Center in Kaysville.  There are day camp options for kids as young as 5 years old all the way up to 11.

Wayne Country residents can get creative each Tuesday at Craft and Create! Contact the USU Extension office in Wayne County or check out their Facebook page for project details and prices. They meet every Tuesday –-the sewing group meets at 10 a.m. and the crafting group meets at 4:30 p.m.

USU Extension offers many classes, camps and events all summer long around the state. Here’s a handy calendar of summer events – click over – with the events broken out by day. It gets updated all the time too!

SPUR of the MOMENT!

A quick way to cool off is to head to a splash pad! Enjoy Utah has a GREAT list of Splash pads around the state. Most are free, but check their list before heading out. Splash pads can be a day of fun, so pack a picnic and the sunscreen!

Summer reading and adventure go hand in hand with the Public Libraries Summer Reading Program. Based on a theme with special classes, attractions, hands-on crafts and more, your little ones will be entertained for free while sneaking in some of that good ol’ education. Check your local library to see what it is offering and when the special events are.

Weekend FUN!

Utah Sweet Savings has compiled a big list of FREE OUTDOOR movies to enjoy this summer! Some of the cities offer them regularly and some only offer a few. Check out the list for outdoor movies from Northern to Southern Utah.

Weber County offers free admission to several of its museums, recreation parks, swimming pools and more through the RAMP program. Check the schedule here to see what events are free on Saturdays throughout the summer.

What other free activities are available in your city/county for the summer? What can we add to our list to round out our summer fun? Let us know!

author: SuzAnne Jorgensen

Does the thought of losing weight make you feel like you’re going to lose your mind? Here are 10 tips to help.

1. Eat appropriate portions. Our society suffers from “portion distortion” and “biggie sizing” many things. By eating the right amounts and not over-eating, you can maintain a healthier weight. Larger plate sizes also tend to encourage overeating, so watch your plate size.

2. Don’t skip meals. Skipping meals causes the body to think it is in starvation mode and it actually tries to store food in the form of fat on the body. Smaller meals and healthy snacks throughout the day can help you lose weight or help maintain the proper weight.

3. Don’t cut out a food group. All food groups (even sweets) have a purpose in your diet in helping maintain the proper weight. Cutting out a food or food group (unless you have allergies or other health concerns) can cause you to be less healthy, or even heavier, and possibly not able to lose weight. Choosing foods with healthy fats (mono- and polyunsaturated and Omega-3 fatty acids) are important to body functions rather than unhealthy fats (saturated and trans-fats), which can increase health risks.

4. Focus on what you can have rather than what you can’t have. Follow the new dietary guidelines by increasing fruits and vegetables to fill half of your plate at mealtime. Include whole grains (half of 6 oz. should be whole grains), lean protein (5.5 oz.) and don’t forget the dairy each day. For more information, visit http://choosemyplate.gov.

5. It is okay to occasionally have sweets. Eating a small portion of dessert rather than none at all will likely keep you from eating the whole pie later.

6. Reduce stress and don’t become sleep deprived. Studies show that stress and tiredness can cause unhealthiness and weight gain. Also, being in a hurry while eating can make you not feel full when you really are. Slow down and savor your food.

7. Avoid drastic changes that will cause the yo-yo effect. Small changes over a lifetime are more effective than trying to do it all at once. Fad diets also have a tendency to cause weight gain later, and you can end up having more weight to lose than when you started. Notice how you’re feeling when you eat. Emotions can contribute to overeating as well.

8. Lose fat, not muscle. Gradual weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week, eating right and increasing activity levels will help. Remember that muscle is leaner than fat, so when exercising, you may be trimming down and losing fat but still may weigh the same because you are gaining muscle.

9. Drink plenty of water. Water helps curb the appetite and sometimes when you think you are hungry, you are actually thirsty. When you feel thirsty, you are probably already dehydrated. If you don’t like tap water, try drinking filtered or bottled water.

 Visit http://choosemyplate.gov for more information. The site includes information on weight management, daily food plans, SuperTracker, tips, resources and more.

One of the main reasons for not meeting goals is not having a doable plan. A goal should be SMART — specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely with a plan to achieve it. Consider these ideas when setting weight loss goals.

What’s one of your go-to tips for losing weight and keeping your sanity?

Author bio :  SuzAnne Jorgensen works with adult and youth groups and individuals to educate them in the areas of canning, food safety, nutrition, finances, small business and many other topics related to home, family and business through Utah State University Extension in Garfield County.

As we spend time outdoors in the summer at family reunions and picnics, foodborne illnesses increase. When working with food outdoors, the ability to wash hands and keep food refrigerated is often limited. Following a few simple tips can keep you and your food safe.

-Pack the ice cooler correctly. It seems simple, but there are some things you can do to keep foods colder, and therefore, safer.  A full cooler will keep food cold longer than one that is partially filled. If you don’t have enough food to completely fill a cooler, fill up the rest of the space with ice. Place meats in a separate cooler or on the bottom of the cooler in plastic bags. Put ready-to-eat foods, fruits and vegetables and drinks on top away from meat. Keep the cooler in your air-conditioned car as long as you can and when you reach your destination, place it in the shade.  If you are on an extended camping trip, consider placing frozen meat in the cooler. It will stay cold longer and be thawed by the time you are ready to use it.

-When grilling, use a meat thermometer to determine if you have cooked the meat to a safe minimum internal temperature. This will destroy harmful bacteria. Meat cooked on a grill often browns very fast on the outside, but has not reached a safe temperature on the inside. Remember these important numbers: Cook ground beef to 160 degrees, poultry breasts and ground poultry to 165 degrees and beef, pork, lamb or veal steaks or chops to 145 degrees and allow to rest for 3 minutes.

-Don’t cross-contaminate. Cross contamination happens when raw food comes in contact with cooked food. This can cause foodborne illness. One example is when grilling, raw meat is taken to the grill, cooked and then placed back on the same plate where the raw meat was. Another example is when cutting meat on a cutting board, and the knife and board are not washed. The next item might be watermelon to be sliced. Bacteria from the meat is then transferred to the watermelon, which can cause illness.

-When you are outdoors, it can be difficult to wash your hands before preparing food or eating. Make an effort to wash your hands. Especially after handling raw meat. Consider bringing water if the picnic spot or campground doesn’t have any running water. Try to wash all fruits and vegetables before cutting so bacteria is not introduced into the product. For example, melons grow on the ground, allowing harmful bacteria to deposit on the rind.  When it is cut, the bacteria is carried into the inside of the melon unless it is washed.

-It is tough enough to deal with leftovers when you are in your own home. When you are outside, it can be more difficult, but it has never been more important. Remember to put leftovers away within 2 hours, unless it is higher than 90 degrees. Since bacteria grow fastest at high temperatures, put away perishable foods within 1 hour.

-Don’t re-use marinades. If marinades are to be used after cooking, reserve some before putting the raw meat in and contaminating it.

-Remember that you can’t see, taste or smell most foodborne bacteria. You may not know it is there until you feel ill.

References:

United States Department of Agriculture.  Food Safety and Inspection Service. Handling Food Safely on the Road.  Available at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/safe-food-handling/handling-food-safely-on-the-road/CT_Index

United States Department of Agriculture.  Food Safety and Inspection Service. Safe Food Handling: Barbeque Safety.  

Utah State University. Marinating Meat Safely. Christensen, D. Available at: http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/FN_FoodSafety_2009-01pr.pdf

Darlene Christensen, Extension Associate Professor and Family & Consumer Sciences Faculty

Utah State University Extension, Tooele County

Janet Smith, former Extension Assistant Professor and
Family & Consumer Sciences Faculty
Utah State University Extension, Uintah County

Author – Amanda Christensen

Don’t you love long weekends?  There’s something about that extra day off that has me itching to get out and go somewhere! Yellowstone National Park is my go-to spot. Driving through that pristine park with no cell phone service is my preferred method to “get away” for a while. However, those long Memorial/Labor Day weekend get-a-ways always end up costing a little more than expected. Help prevent those budget busters with these three fool-proof tips:

1)    Tip: Automate 1%

•  i.    Automate 1% of your income into a separate account. This won’t seem like a huge cut on your income but will add up over time. You can draw on this money as needed to supplement extra costs on those long weekend trips.

2)    Tip: Use the Step-Down Principle

•   i.    Envision a staircase with multiple steps. Now think of an area where you could cut back your spending (eating out, entertainment, etc.) what can you do to take 1 step down to spend less in that area? Put the money you would have spent into the separate account.
•   ii.    Examples: Go out to eat 1 time less. Stay in 1 night for free fun instead of going out for paid fun. Share 1 dessert, soda or entree instead of ordering two.
•   iii.    Does it really add up? Yes! Saving just $2.50 a day adds up to $17.50 in a week and $70 in a month! That’s a tank of gas!

3)    Tip: Tax Return Time!

•  i.    It’s the time of year when we’re making decisions about what to do with that tax return money. While paying down debt or saving for retirement are key, it’s smart to take a bit of money and reward yourself. You may choose to put some money into your separate account for summer get-a-way expenses.

What other tips and tricks do you use to quickly stash some cash?

 Amanda is an Extension Assistant Professor for Utah State University. She has a master’s degree in consumer sciences from Utah State and is proud to  call herself an Aggie! Amanda loves teaching and enabling individuals and families to make smart money decisions. @FamFinPro.

Fuel-efficient driving is a challenge during the summer months when both fuel prices and temperatures are high. The best way to reduce fuel consumption is to drive fewer miles, but that is not always an option. Drivers who commute to work, transport family members to summer activities and complete numerous errands should combine trips, plan stops for efficient travel and, where possible, carpool.

Smart summer driving strategies include planning routes that avoid traffic congestion, leaving early when temperatures are cool and staying off the road during the hottest part of the day. When combined with the following suggestions, these strategies can reduce fuel costs.

• Avoid “jackrabbit” starts and hard braking. These can increase fuel use by up to 40 percent and significantly increase wear on the car’s engine and brakes. Gradual accelerating and stopping are easy ways to save money in fuel costs when driving in town.
• Reduce the amount of time the car is stationary and the engine is idle when driving in town. Getting stuck in traffic, waiting in line at the drive-through or running the engine to power the air conditioner are examples of fuel use that can be reduced and/or eliminated.
• For efficient highway and distance driving, stay at or below the speed limit, utilize the cruise control and minimize quick accelerations when passing other vehicles. Aggressive driving that includes frequent accelerations, lane changing and braking decreases fuel efficiency.
• Reduce unnecessary weight in the vehicle and remove exterior racks used to transport bicycles and other gear. Each additional 100 pounds of weight in a medium-sized vehicle can reduce fuel efficiency by 2 percent. Exterior racks alter the aerodynamics of a vehicle and when not in use, should be removed.
• Inflate tires to the appropriate pressure. Under-inflated tires increase the rolling resistance of a vehicle. Radial tires that are operated with low pressure can reduce fuel efficiency by 5 percent or more.
• Reduce power accessories in vans and other multipurpose vehicles. Reducing the use of such electrical equipment, specifically the air conditioner, will contribute significantly to improved fuel efficiency.
• Regularly maintain your vehicle. Regular maintenance is a worthwhile investment. Engines that are not serviced properly can use 50 percent more fuel than those that are properly maintained. Clean air filters and properly adjusted fuel injectors/carburetors are essential requirements for efficient fuel consumption.
• Eliminate one or more longer trips common to summer travel. The weekly out-of-town shopping trip, the vacation that requires long distance driving or the repeated daily trips to town are examples of fuel use that can be reduced or eliminated. The one sure way to reduce fuel costs is to drive fewer miles.

You can find more tips and even join in a challenge with the Clear the Air Campaign
Richard Beard is an Extension agricultural engineer and pesticide safety specialist.  His is also a Certified Energy Auditor with the Association of Energy Engineers and has worked with agricultural safety and energy conservation and efficiency for the past 37 years.

Author – Amanda Christensen

April is the perfect time of year for the 52 Week Money Challenge! It’s simple. There are 52 weeks in a year. Starting on week one save $1. On week two save $2. On week three save $3. On week 20 save $20 and so on until the final week (52) when you’ll put $52 in savings. By the end of the 52 Week Money Challenge you’ll have saved over $1,300 to put towards debt, start an emergency or retirement fund or use for a fabulous summer vacation! Here are some simple steps to get started:

• Tip: Create a Separate Savings Account
  • Open a separate savings account just for the money you’ll be saving with the 52 Week Money Challenge. This way you can easily transfer money into the account from your checking but you’ll still have separated the funds so you’re not tempted to spend them.
• Tip: Involve the entire family
  • If you have kids at home, bring them together for a family meeting and explain how the $52 week money challenge works.
  • Explain what the money will be used for. This helps everyone have motivation to make the sacrifices necessary to save the money each week.
• Tip: Create a 52 Week Money Challenge Chart
  • Help family members feel a part of the challenge by creating a chart to track each of your 52 weeks.
  • You can use poster board or even just a piece of paper. Draw lines to make 52 boxes, decorate, hang where the family can see and watch the check marks fill up as you save each week!
• Tip: Variation
  • Have you ever played Phase 10? At my house we pick our phase according to the cards we are dealt instead of going from phase 1-10 in order. This gives each player the freedom to tackle whichever phase they have the best hand for. You can tweak the 52 Week Money Challenge to best suit your needs in the same way! As you begin your challenge, some weeks you may be able to save $30, $40 or $50 a little easier than others. When that happens, put the money in your account and put an “X” through the square with the corresponding dollar amount on your chart. This gives you  little flexibility on weeks where funds are a little tight.

Show us a picture of your 52-Week Money Challenge chart! Tweet and tag on Instagram @livewellutah.

 Amanda is an Extension Assistant Professor for Utah State University. She has a master’s degree in consumer sciences from Utah State and is proud to  call herself an Aggie! Amanda loves teaching and enabling individuals and families to make smart money decisions. @FamFinPro.

Author – Teresa Hunsaker

Spring cleaning is great for your house, but does your cleaning supply closet or cupboard need a little attention too? Now is a great time to simplify and ‘clean out’ the cleaning closet. What should you toss and what should you keep? I’m sharing just a few of my favorite cleaning products and how to use them, plus a couple of recipes you may want to try for yourself, if you haven’t already.

Here’s my go-to list of the cleaners I like to use:

All Purpose Cleaner
In my opinion, every home should have one good all-purpose cleaner. The intent of the all-purpose cleaner is to clean most surfaces and tackle many tasks. While they have their limitations, a good one will serve many functions in cleaning. They can clean floors when damp mopping, walls and counters, cupboard shelves and windows. The trick in their use may be in the strength and cleaning rag or scrubber, as well as the rinse. I have even been known to use them on a laundry stain or two.

Commercial favorites: Greased Lightening, Simple Green, Seventh Generation Free and Clear, Lysol All Purpose Cleaner, Fantastik Orange Action and 409.

Note: You can make your own cleaners with a few basic ingredients mixed with water. Here is one I like:

2 cups warm water

1 cup vinegar

1 TBS borax

1 TBS liquid Castile soap (or 1 TBS liquid dish detergent)

Mix all ingredients and put in a spray bottle.

Soft Scrubbing Cleanser
It is possible to make your own scrubbing cleansers, and they work pretty well, but for a few cents extra, it is nice to have one handy and ready to go for those tough spots and stains on porcelain, some tile and even on pots and pans.

Natural Soft Scrub
½ cup baking soda
½ cup liquid soap
5 – 10 drops pure antiseptic essential oil (lavender, tea tree or rosemary)

Place the baking soda in a bowl. Slowly pour in liquid soap, stirring constantly, until frosting-like. Add oil.

Dish Detergent
Dish detergent is a basic staple in any cleaning cupboard. It can be used to clean many surfaces and lift many stains.

Commercial Favorites: Dawn Liquid Hand Dish Detergent, Palmolive and Ivory—especially the formulas for de-greasing.

Vinegar
Vinegar is a great addition to a cleaning cupboard. Because of its acidity, it is also a pretty good disinfectant and mold inhibitor. Use it to dissolve mineral deposits, grease, remove traces of soap remove mildew or wax buildup, polish some metals and deodorize. Vinegar can clean brick or stone, and is an ingredient in some natural carpet cleaning recipes. Use it with baking soda to clean a toilet bowl, or mix it with salt to clean a tub. For a hundred other uses, go to www.vinegartips.com. It is amazing how many uses it has!

Lemon
Like vinegar, lemon juice has many options for your cleaning arsenal. In fact, many of the same uses for vinegar can be interchanged with lemon juice. No all, but many. Remember, nothing acidic can go on marble! Lemon juice can be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits. Lemon juice is a great substance to clean and shine brass and copper. It can be mixed with vinegar and/or baking soda to make cleaning pastes. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section. Use the lemon to scrub dishes, surfaces and stains.

Homemade Furniture Polish using Lemon:

Mix 1 cup olive oil with ½ cup lemon juice and you have a furniture polish for hardwood furniture.

Borax
Borax is a naturally occurring mineral, soluble in water. It can deodorize, inhibit the growth of mildew and mold, boost the cleaning power of soap or detergent, remove stains and can be used with attractants such as sugar to kill cockroaches. One great use for Borax is to kill odor-producing mold and bacteria in garbage cans: sprinkle 1/2 cup Borax in the bottom of the garbage can.

Note: Borax is toxic if ingested.

Rubbing Alcohol or Isopropyl Alcohol
This is an excellent disinfectant, and can be used on most home surfaces without damaging them. It is especially nice for cleaning keyboards. It cleans dry-erase boards very well and other unwanted ink-related marks. Don’t buy special cleaners to get out baby formula stains, use a little isopropyl alcohol on the stain, then a regular detergent worked in. Works like a charm. Use an isopropyl alcohol/water solution for cleaning mirrors or chrome: 1 part alcohol to 4 parts water.

Many of our homes have “special” surfaces (travertine, marble, stainless steel, solid surface counters, brass and chrome) that we may need to be sure we know how to properly care for — but even many of these surfaces can be cared for with at least one or two of the above products. While there may be “special” cleaners to go with these “special” surfaces, checking to see if other options will do can save you some cash and some cupboard space.

Teresa Hunsaker

Family and Consumer Science Educator, CFCS

USU Extension, Weber County

Teresa was raised in Arizona. She received a B.S. degree from BYU in family resource management and family finance, and a second major in nutrition and food science. She has worked for USU Extension since 1980 and has served on many state, regional and local boards—including the County Fair Board for 18 years—and has served as president of her two state associations. She has written many bulletins and publications for USU Extension and appears regularly on KSL Studio 5. She is the supervisor of the Food Stamp Nutrition program for Weber County and teaches classes on finance, home management, food storage, food preservation and food safety throughout Weber County. She is married and has two grown children. She loves to cook, sew, scrapbook, work in the garden, read, camp, hike and be involved in her community.