December 2021

We have reached the end of the year! It is really hard for me to wrap my head around that....the last couple of years have been a whirlwind. But there have been some great things come from this time. I hope you were able to reflect during November and find those things to be thankful for.

As we wrap up 2021, I hope you will join me in my excitement for the next year. Fresh start. New beginnings. Greater focus on goals and outcomes. This month we look at things you can do now to be successful in the next year.

I hope to see you all soon- Tristin

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FACS in Crawford County
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Walk Across Arkansas Update
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FACS in Crawford County

Farm to School Month activities spilled over into November. I was able to visit with students at Tate Elementary and Cedarville Elementary.

We also offered a ServSafe Managers Course in November. We had seven attendees! The next class will be in January. There is more information later in the newsletter.

I also attended serval trainings on new programs we will be offering next year!

Presenting the lesson on Spinach!

Teaching ServSafe.

Student using pedal power!

Walk Across Arkansas Fall Results

Congratulations to all the participants in the Fall 2021 Walk Across Arkansas Program! Here in Crawford County, we had two teams from the Mulberry Pleasant View Bi-County School District. One of their teams, Girls on Fire, placed 3rd in the Ozark District and 8th overall in the state. Way to go!

Be on the lookout for Walk Across Arkansas in the spring.

Holiday Home Safety for Pets

The holidays can be disastrous for our pets. There are ways to make your home safer for your favorite non-humans:

*Decorations/Ornaments

Many pets love to chew on electrical cords. Make sure cords are out of reach or get some flexible plastic tubing to encase wires.

The furs may try to chew or swallow decorations which could cause an intestinal blockage. Close supervision or confinement away from decorations may be necessary. Even something like spray snow can prove to be mildly toxic to pets.

Sharp or breakable ornaments, figurines, and even aluminum foil should be kept out of reach. String objects, especially tinsel and ribbons, are irresistible to some critters are playthings but they are thing and sharp and can wrap around intestines or ball up in an animal’s stomach.

*Trees

Preservatives are often used in the water of a tree stand base. These can cause gastric upsets in animals so keep the base inaccessible or don’t use the preservative; the same goes for aspirin and sugar.

*Candles

One twitch of a tail or the swipe of a paw close to a candle can create disaster.

*Plants/Leaves/Berries

Caution is needed when plants are added in the home. Poinsettias are not highly toxic but DO have a substance in the leaves that can cause irritation on the skin and in the stomach and intestines. Ingestion of the plant may cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Mistletoe is quite toxic, especially the berries, and should always be out of reach of pets and children. Holly berries are also toxic, and the foliage of pine, fir, and cedar can also cause irritation and problems if ingested.

*Human Food/”Treats”

Do not share chocolate, bones, and fat from leftover gravies and poultry skin with your pets.

The holidays are a joyous time of year! Let’s ensure the joy and happiness for all of our “family members” by being conscious of hidden dangers.

By Jane Newton, CEA/FCS/Lincoln County, At Home Newsletter

Grown Up U Podcast

Do you or a young person in your life need a little help with learning how to "adult"? Have you ever asked yourself "Why didn't anyone teach me this in school?"

Join Arkansas Extension Family and Consumer Science agents as they talk us through the latest in research-based advice suitable to all of us who never learned critical information about topics such as banking, time management, hiring (and more).

Weekly Podcast episodes are posted on Wednesdays, we are now on Apple and Spodify! You can find more information about the podcast here.

Extension Homemakers Club Update

There are lots of activities happening with EHC here in Crawford County. December 3rd is the Annual Christmas Council Meeting. Please make sure you call and RSVP for the meeting, as space is limited.

Tracy Hudson is bringing back craft classes in December, January, and February! More details about each of those classes is below and will be shared at the Council Meeting.

Please make sure you are submitting your efforts and your club efforts for the state wide Food Insecurity Project. Those hours, dollars spent, and pounds donated, are all reported to Roberta to be added to the state impact.

Club Secretaries, please make sure you are sending the meeting minutes and/or recap sheets to the Extension Office.

Crawford County EHC Upcoming Events

December 3rd- County Council Meeting
December 8^th- 10 a.m.- Terra Cotta Pot- Candy Jar - $5
January 12^th- 10 a.m. – Painted Board with Embellishments - $13
February 9^th- 10 a.m. – Gnomes -$12

Skillet Lasagna

Ingredients

8 ounces lasagna noodles (or 4 cups of any other type of pasta, uncooked)
1 ricotta cheese, part-skim 15 ounces (or cottage cheese)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
1 1/4 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 jar spaghetti sauce, low-sodium (24 ounces)
1 package frozen spinach, thawed & squeezed dry (10 ounces, or chopped broccoli)
2 cups mozzarella cheese, part-skim shredded

Directions

Cook the noodles as directed on the package. Drain and set aside.
In a small bowl, mix the ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese), 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning.
Spray a large skillet well with cooking spray. Do NOT place skillet on heat until all ingredients are in skillet.
Spread half of the jar of sauce in skillet. Top with half the cooked noodles (4 lasagna noodles).
Spread half of the cheese mixture over the noodles. Top with half the spinach or broccoli.
Sprinkle half the mozzarella cheese over the vegetables.
Repeat with the remaining noodles, the remaining cheese mixture, the remaining vegetables, the remaining sauce, and the remaining mozzarella cheese.
Sprinkle with the rest of the Parmesan cheese. Cover.
Turn on the stove top to medium-low until the cheese is melted (approximately 20 minutes). Allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Eat within 3 to 5 days.

Source: What's Cooking? USDA Mixing Bowl.

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