Family and Consumer Sciences

Live Smart Ohio

Ohio State University Extension

Lisa Barlage

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Make Your Fall Tailgate or Harvest Party Healthier!

Fall is a wonderful time for football or soccer tailgates, bonfires, harvest parties, and those last family picnics. The problem with these wonderful gatherings is they are often accompanied with high fat, sodium, sugar, and calorie – and low nutrient dense foods. With a little planning you can still have fun at your next gathering, […]

WRITTEN BY: Lisa Barlage, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ross County.

REVIEWED BY: Misty Harmon, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Perry County.

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • Lisa Barlage

SOURCES:

  • Oklahoma State University, Department of Wellness, https://wellness.okstate.edu/nutrition-and-cooking/healthy-tailgating.
  • West Virginia University Extension, http://fh.ext.wvu.edu/food/healthy-eating/healthy-tailgating.
  • Live Healthy Live Well, Ohio State University Extension, https://livehealthyosu.com/2015/10/30/slow-cooker-season/.

Asparagus Season is Here!

Spring brings about the growth of gardens and the opening of many Farmer’s Markets in Middle America. One of the first vegetables that we typically see available in Ohio, locally grown, is asparagus. If you plan to purchase this tasty treat, look for asparagus that is nearly all green with medium size and firm stalks. […]

WRITTEN BY: Lisa Barlage, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Ross County.

REVIEWED BY: Liz Smith, Regional Program Specialist, SNAP-ED, Ohio State University Extension.

SOURCES:

  • National Center for Home Food Preservation: http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/store/ksu_refrig_freeze.pdf, http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/freeze/blanching.html
  • Penn State Extension: http://extension.psu.edu/health/nutrition-links/pennsylvania-produce/produce-buying-guide/asparagus
  • Fruits and Veggies More Matters: http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/asparagus
  • Penn State Extension: http://extension.psu.edu/health/nutrition-links/pennsylvania-produce/produce-buying-guide/asparagus

Food Safety 5

It seems that the number of foodborne illness outbreaks is growing lately. Is that due to a more global food supply? Resistant strains of bacteria or microbes? Do we just hear about the cases more than we did in the past because of the growing social media avenues available? Regardless of which or even if […]

WRITTEN BY: Lisa Barlage, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Ross County.

REVIEWED BY: Jennifer Even, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, EFNEP, Ohio State University Extension, Hamilton County.

SOURCES:

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Foodsafety.gov
  • The University of Maine, Cooperative Extension

Not all Pumpkin Foods are Created Equal

Pumpkin is great; it is filled with the wonderful antioxidant beta-carotene. Research studies have found that eating a diet rich in foods containing beta-carotene may protect against heart disease and cancers like breast and ovarian. Pumpkin also contains fiber, more potassium than a banana, protein, vitamin C, and numerous minerals – all while being fairly […]

WRITTEN BY: Lisa Barlage, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Ross County.

REVIEWED BY: Michelle Treber, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Pickaway County.

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • Jennifer Driesbach, Office Associate, Ohio State University Extenison, Pickaway County,

SOURCES:

  • University of Illinois Extension, https://extension.illinois.edu/pumpkins/nutrition.cfm
  • University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, http://www.uwgb.edu/hr/benefits/wellness/newsletter/November2013.pdf
  • Tufts University, Nutrition & Health Letter, October 2012. http://www.nutritionletter.tufts.edu/

Be Food Safe at Your Tailgate

Football season is in full swing and many of us are headed off to a tailgate party before the game or a big viewing party at a friend’s home. While we typically plan ahead to make sure we have enough food, do we always plan to keep the risk of foodborne illness at a minimum? […]

Help Your Child Sleep Their Way to Success

For much of America school is either already back in session or will be very soon. So, are you children getting the sleep they need to be energetic and have academic success? Some experts suggest that sleep is as important for youth as food, drink, and safety. Many children are chronically sleep-deprived resulting in everything […]

WRITTEN BY: Lisa Barlage, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Ross County.

REVIEWED BY: Daniel Remley, Field Specialist, Food Nutrition and Wellness, Ohio State University Extension.

SOURCES:

  • Web MD, Good Sound Sleep for Your Child,
  • National Health Services - UK, How Much Sleep do Kids Need?
  • National Sleep Foundation, What Happens When You Sleep
  • Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement, University of Minnesota, Teens and Later School Start Times

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