Family and Consumer Sciences

Live Smart Ohio

Ohio State University Extension

Use Your Senses

Have you ever been having a conversation with a friend or family member, yet unable to focus on what they were saying? Sometimes our minds work on overdrive, and it can be hard to silence thoughts about the past or worries about the future and simply focus on the present. In such instances, using a […]

WRITTEN BY: Jenny Lobb, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Franklin County

REVIEWED BY: Shannon Carter, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Fairfield County

SOURCES:

  • Bergstrom, C. (2017). Three Senses Mindfulness Activity for Kids, Teens and Grown-Ups. http://blissfulkids.com/three-senses-mindfulness-activity-kids-teens-grown-ups/
  • Powers-Barker, P. (2016). Introduction to Mindfulness. Ohioline. https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-5243-0

Why Laugh?

I recently got back from vacation and started to reflect on the wonderful opportunity to share time with family and friends. One thing that stood out for me was the amount of laughter experienced.  According to Merriam-Webster, laughter is a sound of laughing, a cause of merriment.  From the very beginning to the very end […]

WRITTEN BY: Lorrissa Dunfee, M.S., Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Belmont County.

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

SOURCES:

  • Recker, Nancy. Laughter Is Really Good Medicine. 2007, www.dartmouth.edu/~eap/library/Laughter_Good_Medicine.pdf.
  • “Stress Relief from Laughter? It's No Joke.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 21 Apr. 2016, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456.
  • Marano, Hara Estroff. “Laughter: The Best Medicine.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, Apr. 2005, www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200504/laughter-the-best-medicine.
  • “Laughter.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, 2018, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laughter.

Home Ownership? Closer Than You Think!

Want to buy a home? The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) has an assortment of amazing programs to assist potential buyers with financial support for their down payment and/or closing costs. As the state’s affordable housing leader, OHFA offers a variety of programs to help first-time homebuyers, renters, senior citizens and others find quality affordable […]

WRITTEN BY: Donna Green, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Erie County

REVIEWED BY: Candace J. Heer, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Morrow County

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • http://ohiohome.org/

Not so fast!

  So, you want to develop a committed, long term, intimate relationship with a special someone. Even though he or she might be quite the hottie, have a great sense of humor, and a love for others, you shouldn’t rush into things. Here are a couple activities that might help you decide if this is […]

WRITTEN BY: Joseph Maiorano, PHD, Family and Consumer Sciences, Harrison County Ohio, maiorano.2@osu.edu

REVIEWED BY: Misty Harmon, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Perry County, harmon.416@osu.edu

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • Misty Harmon

SOURCES:

  • Helping Hand Sock Locks. found at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Helping-Hand-Paired-Washer-Laundry/dp/B00SS1UFT4/ref=asc_df_B00SS1UFT4/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=193136497623&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9842937456833710078&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1023600&hvtargid=pla-314827111144&psc=1
  • http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/healthy-relationships.aspx

REFERENCES:

  • Bralich, C. (2017). Money and Relationships. Money $mart. Issue H. Downloaded on June 26, 2018 from https://washington.uwex.edu/files/2017/12/Issue-H-Money-and-Relationships-UW.pdf
  • Fletcher, C. N. (2008). Communication. Money Mechanics. Iowa State University Extension. Downloaded on June 21, 2018 from, https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/Communication-Money-Mechanics

Spring Salads

If you try to eat locally and by the season, you know that the bookends of the growing season in Ohio – spring and fall – bring an abundance of greens. Spinach, kale, lettuces, collards, cabbage and bok choy are all available locally this time of year. What can you do with all of those […]

WRITTEN BY: Jenny Lobb, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension Franklin County

REVIEWED BY: Candace J. Heer, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension-Morrow County

SOURCES:

  • Chop Chop Magazine. Your Own Salad Dressing. http://www.chopchopmag.org/recipe/your-own-salad-dressing
  • Meehan, A. (2017). Meal Prepping: How to plan for your week ahead. Live Smart Ohio. http://livesmartohio.osu.edu/food/meehan-89osu-edu/meal-prepping-how-to-plan-for-your-week-ahead/
  • Ohio Farm Bureau. What’s in season? https://ofbf.org/whats-in-season/
  • Oregon State University. Food Hero. http://foodhero.org/

Fathers: So Much More than Financial Backers

Post written by guest author, Cassandra Spaeth, Family and Consumer Sciences Program Coordinator This week we celebrate our fathers and recognize the influence they are in our lives. In an article titled “The Importance of Fathers: Is Father’s Day Real?” Dr. Ditta M. Oliker explains that until recently a father’s influence was “seen as minor, […]

WRITTEN BY: Cassandra Spaeth, Family and Consumer Sciences Program Coordinator

REVIEWED BY: Patrice Powers-Barker, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Lucas County

SOURCES:

  • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-long-reach-childhood/201106/the-importance-fathers
  • https://www.fatherhood.org/fatherhood/men-can-nurture-heres-how
  • https://www.fatherhood.org/fatherhood/fathers-eat-last
  • http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/the_many_ways_fathers_teach_their_children_about_values

REFERENCES:

  • Bates, J., Wilkinson, D., McCartan, J., Remley, D., Light, M., Crawford, D., and Dellifield, J. (2017). Strengthening families through a re-envisioned approach to fatherhood education. Journal of Extension [On-line] 55(2) Article 21AW2. Retrieved from https://www.joe.org/joe/2017april/pdf/JOE_v55_2iw2.pdf
  • McCumber, Josh. (April 7, 2014). Men Can Nurture: Here’s How! The Father Factor, National Fatherhood Initiative.
  • Oliker, Ditta. M. (June 23, 2011). The Importance of Fathers: Is Father’s Day Real? Psychology Today.
  • Steward, Melissa. (January 8, 2015). Fathers Eat Last: What Great Leaders Do That You Should, Too. The Father Factor, National Fatherhood Initiative.
  • Zoromski, Kevin. (February 28, 2018). The Many Ways Fathers Teach Their Children about Values. Michigan State University Extension.

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