Cooperative Extension Service Meade County 1041 Old Ekron Road Brandenburg KY 40108 (270) 422-4958 www.meade.ca.uky.edu

Meade County Extension

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017

Active Aging

September 24- 30 is Active Aging Week. Active aging is embracing life and living

as fully as possible. Active aging applies to everyone looking for ways to

optimize health and enhance quality of life. The active aging campaign’s goal is

to share with older adults the possibility of experiencing wellness by

participating in activities and exercise. Active aging allows people to realize

their potential for physical, social and mental well-being throughout their life

and to participate in society. Everyone functions better when adding wellness

activities thorough the day. This can be as simple as taking a walk, visiting

friends or family, working a crossword or singing and dancing. Here are a few

tips to stay active and independent in life:

1. Have fun being active. Finding enjoyable ways to add

exercise to your life can be the ticket to success. Do things

you enjoy and pick up the pace a bit. If you love the

outdoors, try biking, fishing, jogging or hiking. Listen to

music or a book while walking, gardening or raking.

2. Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is a way to remain

present and focused through connectedness and

relaxation. Taking time to include mindfulness in your daily

routine can lead to greater quality of life and positivity

while reducing anxiety and stress.

3. Make connections. Social connections are good for your

emotional well-being. Studies have shown that friendships

and the social support network developed at senior

centers, places of worship and neighborhoods not only

prevent loneliness, but also provide a source of

intellectual, physical and volunteer activities. Keep your

social life active. Go out with friends to see a movie or

enjoy a coffee.

4. Laugh more. A healthy life is generally a life filled with joy

and laughter. Laughing increases circulation, immune

system defenses and mental functioning while decreasing

stress hormones. So do what you need to do to kick up

your heels and have a good time.

5. Keep learning. Keep your mind and body active and

engaged. Learning adds a needed dimension to life,

whether it involves staying in touch with what is

happening in the world or keeping the brain stimulated.

The best news is that you can start learning new subjects

or physical activities at any age.

Resources: http://www.landofsky.org/index.html ; http://www.servingseniors.org/ ; http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/67215/1/WHO_NMH_NPH_02.8.pdf

Source: Natalie Jones, Extension Program Coordinator II for Physical Activity

Meade County Cultural Arts Contest

Deadline to enter items: Monday, October 2 @ 4 P.M. (When you bring in your item(s), please have the following information on an index card)

1. Name 2. Address 3. Category # and Subcategory #

Judging will take place: Tuesday, October 3 @ 10 A.M.

NEW MEMBER:

Mary Sue Foushee—Garrett

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Upcoming Events Page 3

Kids’ Fest - November 4, 9-11 , Brandenburg Primary

Ovarian Cancer Screening

We have scheduled the Ovarian

Cancer Screening at the UK

Markey Cancer Center in Lexington on

January 29 at 11:00 a.m. We have a

limited number of slots, so R.S.V.P. as soon

as possible. This program is free and open

to women ages 50 and older and those

older than 25 who have a family history of

ovarian cancer. If interested in going,

please contact the Extension Office at 270-

422-4958.

Roll Call

Name your favorite type of

pizza.

“I cannot endure to waste

anything as precious as

autumn sunshine by

staying in the house”

~~ Nathaniel Hawthorn

Mailbox Members:

Cheryl Pence, Dawn Hurt, Kathy Vessels, Judy Hicks

Garrett Club:

Mary Sue Foushee

Doe Valley:

Donna Wood, Erin Clinkscales

Nite Owls:

Donna Stith

Thursday, October 19, 6:30 p.m.

The deadline to submit information to the

Extension Office for the booklet is October

11th. If you or a friend are interested in

attending, contact the Extension Office to

pre-register.

MEADE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

HOMEMAKER DISPLAY

Honoring Homemaker Week, October 9-13

If you happen to be in Brandenburg sometime during

the month of October, please take a minute or two

to stop by the library and take a look at the display

case in the lobby. Thanks to the Homemaker Week

Committee for their creativity and the volunteers

who assisted in getting the display case setup. The

display case depicts some of the activities and

community projects Extension Homemakers are

involved with in our community and county. Great

job ladies!!

Activities planned for Homemaker Week:

October 3, 6:30 p.m., Extension Office.

Pat Carlson will be demonstrating how to create a fairy

garden (and it will be given away to a lucky winner).

October 5, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Extension Office

Mary Pike, Garrett Club, will demonstrate how to create

a glass bird bath.

October 5, (following Mary’s demo), Extension Office

Jennie Cooper will demonstrate how to make a clothes

line basket.

If interested in attending any of these sessions, call the

Extension Office at 270-422-4958 to register.

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Sincerely,

Jennifer Bridge,

Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences

Education ~ Meade County

Hard to believe it almost that time of year…….

September is….

Meade County is no stranger to natural

disasters. Maybe that’s why we have

compassion and quickly reach out to others

who experience devastating loss in a few short

minutes. But what are we doing to prepare

for a disaster in the event one were to occur

here again?

Do you have a basic emergency

preparedness kit to help you and your family

in time of need? If not, a list of basic supply

ideas are included with this newsletter. If you

do, this would be a great time to restock or

replace older items as needed. Being

organized and placing supplies in a safe

location is a great step towards being

prepared. Are you READY?

For additional information, please review

the information on Page 6, “FEMA Emergency

Supply List.”

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HAITI PROJECT

Mary Jones is returning to Haiti this fall to teach

sewing skills and work with the people of the

community that she will be visiting. If you have

excess cotton or cotton blend fabric or basic

sewing supplies you would like to donate, please

drop off at the Extension Office no later than

OCTOBER 4th. All donations appreciated.

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Sweet potatoes are a favorite fall food. They are savory, sweet and nutritious -versatile too. Sweet potatoes are a native

American plant and was the main source of nourishment for early homesteaders and soldiers during the Revolutionary

War. These tuberous roots are among the most nutritious foods in the vegetable kingdom. They are excellent sources of

vitamins A and C.

Kentucky grows two kinds of sweet potatoes. They are divided by color-dark orange and pale yellow or white -and have either moist or dry flesh. Choose firm, dark, smooth sweet potatoes, without wrinkles, bruises, sprouts or decay. Even if cut away, a decayed spot may have already caused the whole potato to take on an unpleasant flavor.

Sweet potatoes spoil rapidly.To keep them fresh, store in a dry,cool (55-60 degrees F) place such as a cellar, pantry or garage.

Do not store in the refrigerator, where they will develop a hard core and an “off” taste. If stored properly, sweet potatoes

will keep for a month or longer. At normal room temperature, they should be used within a week of purchase. You may

brush off any excess dirt before storing, but do not wash them until you are ready to cook them. It is the moisture from

washing that will increase their spoilage.

Wash sweet potatoes well. Cook them whole whenever possible, as most of the nutrients are next to the skin, and skins

are easier to remove after they have been cooked. Pierce skin with a fork. Place potatoes in a pan and cook in an oven

heated to 375 degrees F for about 45 minutes or until tender. Cool potatoes slightly before removing skins. Sweet

potatoes can be cooked in a microwave oven. Wash and pierce potatoes, then place them on a paper towel. For two

potatoes cook on high 5-9 minutes; cook four potatoes 10-13 minutes. Yellow and dark orange sweet potatoes can be

used interchangeably in recipes. Try not to mix the two types in a single dish, because the different textures and cooking

times may affect the outcome of the recipe. The yellow variety takes longer to cook than the orange variety and will be

done at the upper range of cooking times.

Sweet potatoes have gained popularity in recent years. They are now served more often than just during the holidays.

Restaurants now offer baked sweet potatoes as a side dish option, instead of an Irish potato.

Mashed sweet potatoes can also be used interchangeably in recipes calling for cooked pumpkin. These may include bread,

pies, soups, cakes and casseroles, to name a few.

For a different addition to the family meal try this delicious recipe for grilling fresh sweet potatoes. A serving ofthis

recipe contains 380% ofthe vitamin C Daily Value required for a 2000 calorie diet.

Grilled Sweet Potatoes - Yield: 6 servings

6 medium sweet potatoes

3 tablespoons olive oil

Dressing:

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Prepare grill for hot, direct heat.

2. Peel sweet potatoes and cut lengthwise or on a

diagonal into 1/2-inch slices.

3. Coat each slice with olive oil. Lay sweet potato

slices on hot grill. Cook about 5 minutes on each

side until slices are tender and crisp, being careful

not to char.

4. Baste sweet potato slices with dressing and

serve hot.

Nutritional analysis: 200 calories, 9 g fat; 1.5 g saturated fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 170 mg sodium; 26 g carbohydrates; 4 g fiber; 5 g sugars; 2 g protein

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BRANDENBURG, KY PERMIT #49

Meade County Cooperative Extension Service

1041 Old Ekron Rd

Brandenburg, KY 40108

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS

3 - Brittani Spink

6 - Millie McAfee

9 - Karen Hofmann

12 - Terry Allen

13 - Laverne Boteler

13 - Margaret McCoy

13 - Renee Robinson

17 - Veronica Buckler

22 - Georgia Hager

23 - Alison Allen

25 - Kristen Barr

28 - Aleah Foushee

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

3 - Margaret Davis

9 - Rachel Otto

11 - Virginia Smiley

16 - Donna Libby

20 - Brenda Dattilo

24 - Stephanie Boyken

24 - Janet M Hobbs

25 - Pauline Bramer

26 - Melody Dodson

28 - Latisha Hardesty

30 - Terri Wathen

30 - Carol Mohler

Happy Birthday