- Healthy Tomato Bisque Recipe
- Texas Weather: Preparing for Winter Storms
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Cervical Health Awareness Month
- Health Tip: Winter Hydration
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Are you interested in volunteering? Hunt County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office has several areas (health, homemaking, horticulture, youth, etc.) that may appeal to you. For additional information, please email:
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Healthy Tomato Bisque
Tomato Bisque is one of my very favorite soups. While looking for a healthy dinner option, I ran across this recipe. It is delicious and I recommend it to all of my fellow tomato lovers.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 28-oz. can of diced tomatoes
1 28-oz. can whole, peeled tomatoes
1 teaspoon garlic powder
5 large basil leaves, fresh
1/2 cup vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
1/2 cup 2% Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1.5 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oilve oil in a large stock pot over medium/high heat.
- When the olive oil is fragrant, add onion, garlic, salt, and pepper, and sautee for around 5 minutes or until the onion becomes translucent.
- Meanwhile, place tomato paste, diced tomatoes, whole peeled tomatoes, basil leaves, and garlic powder into a high-speed blender.
- Once the onions are translucent, add that mixture to the blender as well.
- Blend on high for 1-2 minutes or until everything is pureed.
- Transfer mixture back into the stockpot and turn to medium/high heat.
- Once the soup is boiling, turn heat down to low and add vegetable broth, cream, Greek yogurt, and apple cider vinegar.
- Mix soup until everything is combined and creamy.
- Option to serve immediately, or to continue to let simmer for 10-20 minutes for more depth of flavor.
- Taste soup before serving and add salt and pepper, to taste.
Photo property of AllRecipies.com
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Texas Weather: Preparing for Winter Storms
In many parts of Texas, severe winter weather can threaten your safety and the safety of your property. Blizzards, heavy snow, freezing rain, ice, and freezing temperatures occasionally cause havoc in parts of Texas. Winter storms are known as deceptive killers because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. Some causes of injury and death include hypothermia from prolonged exposure to the cold, carbon monoxide poisoning from defective heating units and/or poor ventilation, and automobile accidents. According to the National Weather Service, about half of people who die from hypothermia are over the age of 60. The majority of fatalities that occur due to ice and snow happen in automobile accidents; other fatalities occur because people are caught out in the storm. Even if you think you are safe and warm at home, a winter storm can become dangerous if the power goes off. With a little planning, you can protect yourself and your family and keep your property losses to a minimum.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the Texas Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) have a informative library of resources to help Texans prepare,
click here
to view.
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Seasonal Affective Disorder
Do you feel down during the winter or like your always out of energy? You may suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a form of depression that is related to season changes. For most, SAD occurs in the winter months when days are short and available sunlight is limited.
Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder include (but are not limited to):
- Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
- Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Having low energy
- Having problems with sleeping
- Experiencing changes in your appetite or weight
- Feeling sluggish or agitated
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
- Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide
Although Seasonal Affective Disorder is most common in the winter months, some do experience symptoms during the spring and summer and symptoms slightly differ. SAD can disrupt your life and through things off track.
Psychology Today
estimates roughly 10 million Americans are affected by SAD. However, there is good news, treatments are available to help ease the symptoms. Contact your medical professional for additional information.
If you would like to read more on Seasonal Affective Disorder,
click here
to view an article from the Mayo Clinic.
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Cervical Health Awareness Month
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. Cervical cancer is highly preventable and treatable. Whether you're looking for ways to prevent cervical cancer, want to find out about screening options, were diagnosed with this cancer, or have questions about living as a survivor, the American Cancer Society can help,
click here
for additional information.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2020) explains Cervical Health Awareness Month is a chance to raise awareness about how women can protect themselves from HPV (human papillomavirus) and cervical cancer. HPV is a very common infection that spreads through sexual activity, and it causes almost all cases of cervical cancer.
About 79 million Americans currently have HPV. Many people with HPV don’t know they are infected. And each year, more than 11,000 women in the United States get cervical cancer.
The good news?
- The HPV vaccine (shots) can prevent HPV.
- Cervical cancer can often be prevented with regular screening tests and follow-up care.
Cervical cancer screenings can help detect abnormal (changed) cells early, before they turn into cancer. Most deaths from cervical cancer could be prevented by regular screenings and follow-up care.
Wondering what you can do? Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Encourage women to get their well-woman visit this year.
- Let women know that most insurance plans must cover well-woman visits and cervical cancer screening. This means that, depending on their insurance, women can get these services at no cost to them.
- Talk to parents about how important it is for their pre-teens to get the HPV vaccine. Both boys and girls need the vaccine.
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Winter Hydration
In Texas, dehydration is usually associated with hot summer days, but winter dehydration can be just as serious. As temperatures drop, it is easier to put down the glass of water in exchange for something a bit warmer, but I am here to remind you how important proper hydration is ALL YEAR.
Hydration is tricky in the winter time because your body is less likely to send signals letting you know it's time to drink. Just
because you aren't a sweaty mess, it doesn't mean you aren't losing water.
Tips on Staying Hydrated in the Winter
- Get a water bottle that you love. It may seem silly, but spend a little more and purchase a bottle that you really love. If you love your bottle you'll be more likely to fill it and carry it with you throughout the day.
- Set a reminder. Smart phones are terrific gadgets and almost all of us have them. Use your smart phone to help you drink at regular intervals.
- Download a Hydration app to your smart phone. There are a wide variety of hydration apps available to help you chug-a-lug.
- Add lemon. If you don't like plain water or if you are stuck on carbonated sodas, adding lemon to your water can help. I don't know why, just trust me, it helps.
- Monitor your urine. Monitoring the color of your urine is one of the best ways to gauge your hydration level. Dark colored urine tells you to drink up and clear urine lets you know you are right on track.
Do you have a trick that helps you stay hydrated? I'd love to hear from you. Send me an email with your hydration tip(s),
sarah.latham@ag.tamu.edu
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Sarah Latham-Staton
County Extension Agent, FCH
Hunt County
(903) 455-9885
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