|
|
402 - 444 - 7804
December 2021
|
|
Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties News |
|
Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties, Making a Difference!
Javar first connected with Nebraska Extension while he was in rehabilitation at the Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition (NUIHC), where our Nutrition Education Program teaches residents how to eat healthy through hands-on cooking experiences.
Taking what he learned, Javar developed skills to make long-term changes and improved his health. Over 6 years, he lost 100 pounds, went from resident to employee, and now manages the kitchen at NUIHC. He uses his knowledge every day to create healthy meals for the center, impacting the health of every resident. Extension connects where it matters.
|
|
All About Poinsettias
- Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not poisonous.
- The most popular colors are red, pink and cream. Lots and lots of new cultivars are available each year due to vigorous breeding efforts in Europe and the U.S.
- According to the Greenhouse Product News, poinsettias account for nearly one-quarter of flowering potted plant sales each year. That is well over 30 million poinsettias sold every holiday season!
- Poinsettias prefer moist to slightly dry soils and full sunshine. If you can provide these indoor conditions, they will perform well for at least a month inside your home.
- Poinsettias are susceptible to pests such as whiteflies and mealybugs. Inspect for these and control as necessary.
|
|
Tips for Low-Cost Holiday Meals
Here are tips to help save money on holiday meals.
- Plan your menu carefully. Check what food and ingredients you already have and then make your shopping list. Look at online and print grocery store ads.
-
Use MyPlate as a guide to plan your holiday meals can be helpful.
- Prepare less. Think about having less food. This could include less of the expensive items and a smaller number of dishes served. While keeping the holiday foods important to your family traditions on the menu.
-
Trim protein costs. A whole turkey is less expensive per serving than a turkey breast. Lean roast beef, pork loin and some types of fish, such as cod or flounder are lower cost options. Consider serving soup or a casserole that can extend your protein dollar.
-
Serve it simple. Sometimes serving dishes with less ingredients can be healthier as well as save time and money. For example, this recipe for Lemony Green Beans might be a tasty alternative for a green bean casserole.
For more December food tips, click here.
|
|
Indigenous Food Sovereignty Program
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Native American Coalition is working with faculty on East Campus in Lincoln to begin an Indigenous Food Sovereignty Program. This program will welcome Native high school students onto UNL’s East Campus to engage with Native elders and UNL Extension Faculty to learn how to grow their own food for their families and communities. They will attend classes and work in the garden/greenhouse on Saturday mornings in harmony with the seasons to learn how to prepare, maintain, harvest, and preserve the food they grow. Native High School students may apply here to be part of this program.
|
|
2022 FCS Contest
Open to all 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders
Douglas-Sarpy Counties Family and Community Education Council is again sponsoring various contests for 2nd through 5th graders. These contests are open to public, private, parochial, and homeschooled students. Entries are due February 1, 2022 and can be sent to: Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties, Attn: Nancy Urbanec, 8015 West Center Road, Omaha, NE 68124-3175.
-
2nd grade Environmental Poster, focusing on “What My Family Recycles”
-
3rd grade Essay Contest, with the theme “How Can I Involve My Family to Go Green?”
-
4th grade “Character Counts” essay and artwork contest under the pillar of “Fairness”
-
5th grade creative writing contest, with the theme “My Favorite Native Nebraska Plant”
Each entry has specific rules and guideline to qualify for county, state, and national competitions. Click on the link for specific rules.
If you have questions please contact Sharon Huebert at 402-551-1258, or Nancy Urbanec at 402-444-3668, nurbanec1@unl.edu.
|
|
4-H 's Fun Ways to Connect With Loved Ones
-
Playing games together gives an opportunity to bond. Board games and playing cards can be played face to face or virtually. If you are not able to physically be together, search online games to play with family members. Google, “free online games” and many options will appear. Be aware that if you download an app, there might be add-ons that cost money and it might take some time to explore what will work for you and your family. You can even play card games online at https://playingcards.io/.
- Do an arts and crafts project. It is a fun way to spend time with people you care about, especially for children. Arts and crafts projects develop creativity, create memories, and can be gifts for others.
- During a holiday meal, have your child host “opening” and “closing” ceremonies. These “opening” and “closing” ceremonies could include sharing a poem, pausing for a time of reflection, singing a song, performing a dance or telling a joke.
- Baking and cooking together is a fun activity. Not only can you make some tasty treats, but the holiday goodies can be shared with family, friends, and neighbors. Sharing food with someone can brighten their day.
- Send care packages for family or friends to enjoy. For example, send hot cocoa packets and marshmallows, then enjoy hot chocolate while virtually watching a movie together.
- Practice gratitude by writing down things you are grateful for and sharing with your friends and family. Create a gratitude jar where everyone writes down something they are grateful for on a slip of paper then have each person take out a slip of paper and read the gratitude message aloud.
|
|
Quality Child Care
How does one know if their child is in a safe, healthy, and learning? Nebraska Extension has a check list available here.
|
|
Nebraska Extension named Community Partner of the Year |
The Ollie Webb Center, Inc. recognized Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties as their Community Partner of the Year.
Ollie Webb's newsletter highlighting Alyssa Wessling’s work saying:
With a virtual class format, Alyssa has facilitated activities emphasizing the importance of nutrition and introducing participants to “My Plate.” “My Plate” is a program sponsored by the USDA that discusses and teaches about healthful eating choices. Alyssa has shared a wealth of healthy recipes and has done live cooking demonstrations on zoom. Not only does she prepare the dish, she also discusses important facts about kitchen safety, including how to hold and cut vegetables safely, effective hand washing techniques after handling raw meat and eggs, kitchen surface sanitation and personal hygiene, and proper cook times, as well as how to know when food is cooked and what it should look like. She even discusses proper substitutions should you not readily have an ingredient available. Participant reaction to Alyssa has been overwhelming positive with participants completing surveys and sharing how much they’ve enjoyed having Alyssa in class as well as how much they have learned from her. Those who do not cook very frequently have made a point to try it more often and one participant was even quoted as saying, “I must have this recipe”!
|
|
|
|
8015 West Center Road
Omaha, NE 68124-3175
402-444-7804
go.unl.edu/douglassarpyext
Our south office is located at 1102 E. 1st St., Papillion, NE 68046.
Call 402-444-7804 to schedule an appointment at our Papillion Office.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
