Family and Consumer Sciences Newsletter

Transcription

1 Family and Consumer Sciences Newsletter Preparing for Tax Time The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays have come and gone leaving many people exhausted and overspent. January is a month to start fresh, but with the approaching tax season, managing both your money and stresses are important. Not all stress is bad. Working hard to complete a deadline or skiing down a slope can cause a type of stress that is exciting and vital, called eustress. Chronic stress, which can be experienced by long-term money worries or an unsatisfactory job; however, have many negative effects on the body. These effects may include: depression, hair loss, ulcers, and heart disease. Beaufort County Cooperative Extension 155-A Airport Rd Washington, NC January, February, and March 2009 Stress Management Tips: Breathing exercises Meditation Exercise/ Yoga Journaling Eating healthy Getting plenty of rest Being optimistic Maintain sense of humor Smart Finances Letting go of stressful thoughts/ anger Keeping your finances in order is important in reducing stress. Here are a few simple suggestions that anyone can apply to achieve smart finances: Create a spending diary Evaluate your spending habits Create a budget and stick with it Be realistic Limit your debt Shop wisely North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age or disability. In addition, the two universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation.

2 2 Healthy Shopping on a Budget With rising grocery prices, eating healthy can be costly. These are some ways to shop for healthy options and save money: Bread- Choose 100% whole grain and stock up and freeze when on sale. Canned goods Choose items that say no-added-salt or reduced sodium. Store brands, when on sale, are a great value, so stock up when you see them. Cereal Oatmeal is one of the healthiest Happy Healthy Heart choices because it is a whole grain and has no added salt, fat or sugar. Pasta Rice is a very inexpensive option that is also low in calorie density when cooked. Produce My Pyramid calls for most people to eat about 4.5 cups of fruits and veggies each day. Look for sales and in season to get the best value. Protein Choose lean and look for sales. Beans are the cheapest option and are high in fiber. People usually associate February with Valentine s Day, a day to remember special loved ones in your life. Billions of U.S. dollars are spent each year on candies, flowers, and other gifts during this holiday. This is also a time to think about the symbol of Valentine s, the heart. Each year in the U.S., almost 700,000 people die of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death. Heart disease is a term that includes several more specific heart conditions. The most common in the U.S. is coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and a leading cause of serious disability. It is important to reduce risk factors, know the warning signs, and know how to respond quickly and properly if warning signs occur. Heart attack warning signs: Chest discomfort Discomfort in other areas of the upperbody Shortness of breath Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

3 3 Stroke warning signs: Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding Sudden trouble seeing in one eye or both eyes Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination Sudden severe headache with no known cause Risk Reduction Checklist for Heart Attack and Stroke What you can do on your own: Don t use tobacco Be physically active Eat healthy foods Watch your weight Avoid excessive alcohol What you can do with your doctor s help: Have regular checkups Control your cholesterol Keep tabs on your blood pressure Keep diabetes in check March Madness From season-ending basketball tournaments to St. Patrick s Day, March is a month known for its parties. Millions gather at home parties to cheer on their teams. Even rivers are dyed green for the St. Patrick s Day festivities. With all this celebration, it is important to know the % and calorie count in alcoholic beverages. One drink= 12oz regular beer, 5oz wine, 1.5oz 80- proof liquor 12oz beer (regular, light, ice)= 4-6% alcohol, calories per serving 5oz wine= 10-13% alcohol, calories per serving 1.5oz liquor= 40% alcohol, calories per serving

4 4 New Faces Beaufort County Cooperative Extension welcomes 3 students interning with Susan Chase, Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences. L Quisha Gardner, a native of Washington, is a Beaufort County Community College Human Services student. Wendy Sessoms, a native of Ahoskie, is an East Carolina University Worksite Health Promotion student. Brian Holliday, a native of Williamston, is a Senior at East Carolina University majoring in Community Health Education. Upcoming FCS Programs January: Eat Smart Move More Weigh Less is a 12-week weight management program and support group that starts Tuesday, January 20 th. This program uses a 3 part approach to weight management; choosing a healthy diet, moving more, and making lifelong behavior changes. The program starts at 12:15pm and lasts approximately 30 minutes. Eat Smart Move More Weigh Less will be held at the Beaufort County Cooperative Extension center. There is a $30 program fee. Pre-registration is required. Eat Smart Move More Weigh Less for Senior Adults will be held at Grace Martin Harwell Senior Center starting Wednesday, January 28 th at 3:00pm. The program will last 10 weeks and will cost $20 per person. February: Digital Money on Monday, February 9, 11:30am, at Grace Martin Harwell Senior Center. This program is for NC retired school personnel. Priceless Parenting Moments class on Monday, February 9th, from 6:30-7:30pm located at the Department of Social Services

5 5 Digital Money Lunch and Learn on Friday, February 27th, starting at 11:30am located at Grace Martin Harwell Senior Center. March: ECA District Day will be Thursday, March 26th, at the Vernon James Research Center in Plymouth. Upcoming ECA Meetings January 12th 12:00pm at the home of Polly Cox, hostess Sandi Evans February 2nd 12:00pm at the home of Emileene Lilley, hostess Beth Allender March 2nd 12:00pm at the home of Laura Sullivan, hostess Carolyn Strickland Brian Holliday, a senior at East Carolina University, provided this information. Brian is majoring in Health Education and Promotion with a concentration in Community Health and is interning with the Beaufort County Cooperative Extension this semester. A native eastern North Carolinian, Brian is a member of the national honor Health Education society, Eta Sigma Gamma. Respectfully Submitted, Susan Chase Extension Agent Family & Consumer Sciences Brian Holliday East Carolina University Intern