Hello. I am Ashley Davis and I am so excited to be your new FCS Extension Educator for Adair County! I am originally from Dallas, TX, but have lived in Westville, OK since I was 6. So, I proudly consider Adair County my home. I am married and have 2 little girls. OSU Extension is going to be great for my family. I will gladly take this time to let you know that I am here to help you! Please call me at the office any time if I can assist you. I hope that you have all had a great holiday season, and are ready to get 2015 started! - Ashley
Are you Spring Cleaning? Below is a check list for easy and stress free cleaning!!! http://theglitterguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/gg-spring-cleaning-check-list-printable1-e1363910165787.jpg
It s right around the corner!! Seasonal Allergies: Nip them in the bud Spring means flower buds and blooming trees and if you're one of the millions of people who have seasonal allergies, it also means sneezing, congestion, runny nose and other bothersome symptoms. Seasonal allergies also called hay fever and allergic rhinitis can make you miserable. But before you settle for plastic flowers and artificial turf, try these simple strategies to keep seasonal allergies under control. Reduce your exposure to allergy triggers Take extra steps when pollen counts are high Keep indoor air clean Rinse your sinuses http://www.mayoclinic.org
O H C E News and Dates If your group has any members with perfect attendance please get those names into the Extension Office as soon as possible!! February 20 Names due for NED meeting February 27 Leader Lesson (Stilwell) March 13 Spring Council March 24 NED meeting (Miami) Upcoming Leader Lesson **Effects of Salt and Fats in the Diet** February 27, 2015 Come join us as we learn about how salt and fats do to our body! Lesson given by Heather Winn, Cherokee County Educator 10:00 a.m. at Armstrong Bank
Slow Cooker Pot Roast Prep time: 10 min Cook time: 8 hrs Ingredients: 2 (10 3/4 ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup 1 (1 ounce) pkg of dry onion soup mix 1 ¼ cups of water 5 ½ lb pot roast Directions: 1. In a slow cooker, mix cream of mushroom soup, dry onion soup mix and water. 2. Place pot roast in slow cooker and coat with soup mixture 3. Cook on High setting for 3 to 4 hours, or on Low setting for 8 to 9 hours. www.food.com
Strengthening Oklahoma Families Adair County Ashley Davis, Educator FCS/4-H YD 220 W. Division Courthouse Suite 1 Stilwell, OK 74960 ashley.nicole.davis@okstate.edu 918-636-2253 February/March 2015 Inside this issue: There s more than love in the air during February Meet Your Educator Spring Cleaning Allergy Season OHCE News and Dates Recipe For many Americans, the month of February is all about the heart and its symbolism of love for one another. However, it also is a time to show yourself some love by learning about the risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke, in an effort to stay healthy. February is American Heart Month and this is the perfect time to focus on what people can do to help prevent CVD, said Janice Hermann, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension nutrition specialist. CVD is the number one killer of women and men in the United States, with an estimated 83.6 million American adults having one or more types of CVD, Hermann said. It s the leading cause of disability and prevents people from working and enjoying family activities. In addition, CVD costs more than $300 billion each year, including the cost of health care services, medications and lost productivity. Having a close family member who has heart disease puts you at a higher risk for CVD. Geographical location also plays a role. Death rates due to heart disease were highest in the south and lowest in the west. Another contributing factor is race and ethnicity. Nearly 44 percent of African American men and 48 percent of African American women have a form of CVD. They also are more likely than any other racial or ethnic group to have high blood pressure and develop CVD earlier in life. Many CVD deaths could have been prevented through healthier habits, healthier living spaces and better management of conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, Hermann said. Fortunately there are steps you can take to help control the risk factors. There is no magic pill, so it s important to not become overwhelmed when trying to keep CVD under control. Some of the risk factors that you can control include diet, physical activity, tobacco use, obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes. As you look at the whole picture, keep in mind that every step you take in the right direction will bring you closer to a healthier heart. Hermann suggests taking a friend or family member on the journey with you. Find a partner to help you make good food choices and keep you on track for your exercise goals, she said. The journey is a lot more fun and usually more successful if you don t go it alone. And remember, it s important to not get discouraged. Take it one step at a time. You might want to start with changing your diet to incorporate healthier foods. After that, add in some exercise. This is a journey, not a race. Before making big changes in your lifestyle, it is important to get a health screening. A doctor, nurse or other health care professional can check for conditions that put you at risk for CVD. Surprisingly, some of the risk factors for CVD can go unnoticed for many years. This is why it is important to get a physical checkup before starting the journey. While many people focus on February as the month of love, focus on your heart health in an effort to become and stay healthy for years to come, Hermann said. Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services. This publication is printed and issued by Oklahoma State University as authorized by the Vice President, Dean, and Director of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and has been prepared and distributed at a cost of 000 cents per copy. The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Cooperative Extension Service is implied. This publication is printed and copied at a rate of 0.18 cents per copy. 012015.