October Extension Connection Magazine 2022

Sullivan Fresh Market-goers proudly holding up their produce after a scavenger hunt in the last weeks of summer.

Welcome to the Issue! Table of Contents

WelcometotheIssue!TableofContents

Welcome to the Issue! Table of Contents

Page 3 Message from the Executive Director

Page 4 My Feed Dust is Moving?! Grain Mites and How to Manage Them

Page 6 August DHI Report

Page 7 Spotted Lanternfly: The Next Worst Thing

Page 8 Winter is Coming

Page 9 CCE Spotlights!

Page 10 Fast Facts!

Page 12 Physical Activity Access Success Story

Page 13 Fiesta Rice Salad Recipe

Page 14 4-H Projects: Learn Something New This Year

Page 15 How to Be More Active

Page 16 Aromatherapy

Page 18 4-H Hors’n Around Friday Night Fun

Page 19 Thanks, Sponsors!

Page 20 Save the Date: 108th Annual Meeting

The Extension Connection (USPS525100)is published monthlyf or $2500 enrollment by CornellCooperative Extension Sullivan

The Extension Connection (USPS-525-100) is published monthly for $25.00 enrollment by Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County, located at 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road, Suite 1, Liberty, NY 12754-2903. Entered at Liberty, New York, as a periodical class matter. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in section 412, Act of February 24, 1925. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Extension Connection, 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road, Suite 1, Liberty, NY 12754-2903.

OFFICE HOURS

Hours: Mon - Fri | 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Phone: 845-292-6180

E-mail: sullivan@cornell.edu

Website: www.sullivancce.org

Facebook.com/ccesullivanagfood

Instagram.com/ccesullivan

YouTube: bitly.com/ccesullivan

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dara Smith............................President

John “JP” Lang...............Vice President Denise Frangipane................Secretary John Kiefer............................Treasurer

Nadia Rajsz.................Legislative Rep. Adam Hughes..................Cornell Rep. Heather Berg

Marcie Ehrman

Freda Eisenberg Amanda Langseder

Dawn Parsons

Juanita Sarmiento

Gary Silver

Gary Silverman

PROGRAM COMMITTEE

Alex Alorro

Heather Brown

Roberta Chambers

Samara Ferris

Robert Kaplan

DeeDee Malloy Desmond Oxford McDaniel

Danielle Sykes Eugene Thalmann Deborah Worden

EXTENSION CONNECTION

Produced by: Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County

Edited by: Erin Denman, Nicole Slevin Nikolados & Colleen Monaghan

Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with DisAbilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.

NOTICE: Official endorsement of advertisers and their products is not intended by the acceptance of their sponsorships for the Extension Connection.

STAFF MEMBERS

Colleen Monaghan..............................................................................Executive Director

Patricia Avery......................................Caregiver Resource Center Program Coordinator

Thomas Bosket....................................................................SALT/DFC Program Manager

SueAnn Boyd.........................................................Healthy Schools Program Coordinator

Fabio Campanati............................Sullivan Fresh & Shop Taste NY Program Coordinator

Lynn Colavito..............................................................Sullivan Fresh Market Coordinator

Martin Colavito................................................Community Cupboard Program Manager

Wanda V. Cruz...............................................Healthy Communities Program Coordinator

Erin Denman...............................................................................Operations Coordinator

Katie Gasior.................................................................Horticulture Program Coordinator

Kaylin Klein..................................................Seasonal Sullivan Fresh Market Coordinator

Katie Rose Lugauer...................................................................4-H Program Coordinator

Erica Lynch..........................................................Catskills Kitchen Program Coordinator

Melinda Meddaugh.......................................................Ag & Food Systems Issue Leader

Vivian Monsanto...............................................................................Finance Coordinator

Barbara Moran................................................4-H Youth Development Program Manager

Bee Moser.........................................................................SNAP-Ed New York Nutritionist

Clarisse Owens..........................................Food Systems Program Manager, Local Foods Kendra Payne.............................................................................Digital Marketing Manager

Vanessa Petrossian..................................Director of State & Regional Ag Market Initiatives

Abyssinia Pla El...................................................................................Finance Coordinator

Michelle Proscia..............................................Agriculture Production Program Manager

John Mastrangelo............................................................................Assistant Ag Market Manager

Nicole A. Slevin Nikolados...............................................Administrator & Director of DEI

Ashley Tully...............................................Food Systems Program Manager, Ag Business

Tara VanHorn.........................................................................................Finance Manager

Malinda Ware........................................................................................Program Director

Sean Welsh..............................................................................Energy Resource Educator John Wilcox..........................................................................................Facilities Manager

Judy Arpadi, Cherene Audain, Christopher Jones, Kayla.......................Ag Market Coordinators

Happy harvest, friends of Extension!

I hope this note finds you well. On Wednesday, October 26 at 5:30pm at the Seminary Hill Cidery in Callicoon, CCE Sullivan will host its 108th Annual Meeting. There is currently a waiting list for attendance. If you are interested in being placed on the waiting list, please call Erin at 845-292-6180 or email sullivan@cornell.edu. As seats open up, we will contact folks on the waiting list in the order in which they were received. Our guest speaker is Director of New York State Integrated Pest Management at Cornell University, Dr. Alejandro Calixto. Dr. Calixto will give a talk about invasive species in the Hudson Valley Catskills region and what we can do as individuals and organizations to mitigate local agricultural and community impacts. We will also celebrate our annual Friends of Extension awardees.

This summer, CCE Sullivan hosted the fourth Sullivan Fresh Farmers’ Market on the Move season. Since it’s inception in 2019, the Sullivan Fresh markets have grown from three sites across the county, to eight stops, making local, fresh produce accessible and affordable to our friends and neighbors in Liberty, Fallsburg, Monticello, Loch Sheldrake, Harris, Woodridge, Wurtsboro, and Woodbourne. Thank you to our host sites, and local funders and partners including the Sullivan County Rural Health Network and Public Health Services, Sullivan County Office for the Aging, Sullivan Renaissance, Garnet Health, Hudson Valley SNAP-Ed, and all the local community-based organizations and market vendors who provided public outreach at the markets, for working with the Sullivan Fresh team to make it happen!

While our outward education and outreach efforts continue, during fall and winter the CCE Sullivan board and staff also take this time to look inward. Over the next few months, we’ll be working on annual reporting to our “mother ships”, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture, Cornell University, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, and Sullivan County Government. In addition, we’ll work to button up our next five-year strategic plan, and to develop 2023 plans of work across program areas.

As always, we’re here for you and are looking forward to continuing Extension work in Sullivan County as the new year approaches.

My very best,very best, Colleen Monaghan Executive Director, cm638@cornell.edu

MY FEED DUST IS MOVING?! GRAIN MITES AND HOW TO MANAGE THEM

Submitted by Michelle Proscia, Agriculture Production Program Manager

What are grain mites?

Grain mites are very small arachnids that live in processed grains, such as cracked corn, ground wheat, and finished feed pellets, crumbs, or mash. They live in very large populations, with females laying upwards of 800 eggs over their lifetimes, or 30 eggs per day.

Why are they a problem?

from a feed store, warehouse, mill, or from the environment. It’s also possible for these mites to come from contaminated grains in the home pantry, such as flour or cornmeal.

Grain mites are not particularly choosy about the grain they inhabit, so long as it’s processed. That means that they can transfer back-and-forth between the home pantry and the feed storage area.

Every summer, I get calls from folks wondering why there are nearly microscopic bugs covering the walls and floors of their feed storage areas and their feed buckets. Looking for a cause, many easily trace it back to their bags of grain. The dust on the exterior of the affected bags appears as if it’s moving in a gentle breeze, and there may be a thick layer of dust coating the inside of the feed bags.

On closer inspection, it’s apparent that the dust is actually hundreds of thousands of nearly microscopic grey-brown looking mites. These are grain mites.

Grain mites eat the most nutritious parts of the feed, such as the germ, prior to feeding on other parts of the seed and/or any mold growing on the grain. This consumption decreases the concentration and quality of nutrients in the feed for livestock, which may result in deficiencies. Additionally, they release disagreeable odors that may discourage feed consumption by animals. They are easily transmitted by insects, the wind, and people to other feed storage areas.

How did they get in the grain and what conditions do they need to survive?

The mites either transfer

The shred of good news is that these mites need specific temperature and humidity ranges to flourish. They thrive in conditions with high temperatures and high humidity (55% or more).

Under optimal conditions, the mites can complete their lifecycle in 9-11 days, infesting a feed storage quickly. Research indicates that their lifecycle is completed in 16 days at 71°F and 28 days at 50°F - 60°F.

How do you get rid of them?

If you find that your feed is infested, discard all feed that may have been in contact with the affected bags as well as the affected bags themselves.

Alternatively, you can feed out the less infested bags, but this is not recommended because the mites quickly destroy the nutritional value of the feed. If you have a small number of feed bags and the infestation is mild, you can freeze the feed for several days to kill off the mites.

Once the infested feed has been removed, clean the area with soap and water or use an miticide as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Eggs and juveniles can bear a protective coating that resists insecticides and soapy water washes. Therefore, repeated treatments may be needed to control an infestation. That all said, the best control strategy is prevention.

Cleaning and sanitizing grain bins prior to adding more feed can help reduce mite numbers. If grain is to be stored in bins or areas for more than 6 months, pre-treating the area with an arachnicide as a preventative can be helpful. The same goes for buildings where feed is stored in bags.

Check feed storage areas at two-week intervals during the warmer months and once a month during the cooler months to identify and treat early infestations. The colder winters of SWNY can act as a layer of control, so long as the grains are exposed to areas with cold temperatures and low humidities.

Another way to manage mite loads is to only purchase the amount of grain that you’ll use within 2 weeks in the warm, humid months and enough that you’ll use within a month during the cooler months at a time. Clean and sanitize between grain shipments for an added layer of prevention. In addition to keeping mites at bay, the shorter storage time helps to reduce natural nutrient degradation from environmental exposure over time.

Source: Barkley, Amy. “Cornell Cooperative Extension Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Program.” My Feed Dust Is Moving!? Grain Mites and How to Manage Them - Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Program - Cornell UniversityCornell Cooperative Extension, https:// swnydlfc.cce.cornell.edu/submission. php?id=1639&crumb=livestock%7C10.

SPOTTED

LANTERNFLY: THE NEXT WORST THING

Submitted by Katie Gasior, Horticulture Program Coordinator

Spotted lanternfly (SLF), a kind of invasive and unusually large (1” long) planthopper, is a non-native and damaging insect pest first discovered in the US in Berks County, PA in 2014. It has since spread and now appears to be established in several areas around NY, including Staten Is, Sloatsburg, Orangeburg, Port Jervis, Ithaca, and Queens. SLF has relatively few natural enemies; spiders, some predatory insects, and birds will feed on them but are not effective for controlling populations, which, unrestrained, can build to high levels. The adult stage resembles a kind of gray moth with small dark spots on the front wings. Immature stages (nymphs) are sometimes mistaken for stink bugs or ticks.

SLF is strictly a sap feeder on mostly trees and shrubs; it does not feed on leaves or fruit, and it does not attack humans, pets or other animals, damage structures or establish populations in homes. It has an unusually wide host range including

dozens of common trees, shrubs, vines and sometimes herbaceous (non-woody) plants. Some preferred plants include grape, tree-of-heaven, red and silver maple, black walnut, river birch, hops, willow and sumac. Plants can generally withstand some infestation but may be weakened or suffer dieback. Heavy infestations, however, have been known to kill grape vines by consuming large amounts of sap and depleting plant reserves. High numbers of SLF can also be an annoyance producing large amounts of sticky honeydew that falls on plants and other objects below and attracts other insects. Sooty mold grows on the honeydew, which spoils the appearance and with sap loss reduces plant vigor.

Invasive species can be transported to new locations in various ways. While the insect can walk, jump, or fly short distances, its long-distance spread is facilitated by people who move infested material or items containing egg masses. Spotted lanternflies are easiest to spot at dusk or at night as they migrate up and down the trunk of the plant. If you find an insect that you suspect is the spotted lanternfly, please take a specimen

or a photo and submit to spottedlanternfly@ agriculture.ny.gov or report to https://www. nyimapinvasives.org/slf.

There is work in progress to identify specific natural enemies that might be released and evaluating treatments for managing infestations. SLF is highly susceptible to some insecticides. Many options are available for commercial (agriculture and landscape professional) use with relative few labeled for home gardeners. More information and a map showing the current distribution of SLF can be found at:

https://nysipm.cornell. edu/environment/ invasive-speciesexotic-pests/ spotted-lanternfly/.

Source: Cornell Cooperative Extension Suffolk County. 2021. “Spotted Lanternfly: The next Worst Thing.” Cornell Cooperative Extension. October 1, 2021. https://ccesuffolk.org/agriculture/ spotted-lanternfly-the-next-worst-thing.

WINTER IS COMING.

Submitted by Sean Welsh, Energy Resource Educator

As the fall starts to settle in on the Sullivan County Catskills, my thoughts of preparing for the coldest months start to get more urgent. Looking back at the fuel and energy costs from last heating season, this year’s costs seem unpredictable. Both homeowners and renters can take some actions to try and save some on these costs proactively with some air sealing around the home, among other things.

DIY actions are the first step that renters and home owners can take to save, with the rise in energy costs. Focusing on what gaps are forming around doors and windows is a great first step to identifying areas of concern. If there are gaps around windows or old caulking that looks to be dried up and not providing a seal to the edges are signs old caulking could be removed and replaced. For exterior doors, when closed can you see light to the outside on a sunny day? If so, check out what type of weather stripping products are available at your local hardware store.

Gaskets around doors may need to be reinforced with weather stripping or new gaskets entirely. These actions will both lead to draft

reductions and money saved on fuel.

Renters can consider some DIY actions that consist of peel and seal type products that do not risk hurting painted or stained surfaces. Items such as rope caulk, and seal and peel caulking for around windows and doors can help seal up gaps and can be taken off without damaging finished surfaces. When looking for seal and peel products that will not damage finished surfaced make sure to read the label to identify the correct products.

• Caulk interior cracks especially around windows and doors.

• Make sure windows are securely closed

• Weather-strip or rope caulk drafty windows

• Regularly service your heating system (yearly for oil, about every 2 years for natural gas). Replace filters on warm air systems

• Install and use a programmable thermostat (Check your local electric utility online store for discounts)

• Install plastic sheeting on windows, exterior and interior products are on the market

• Use door sweeps or

weather-stripping on drafty doors

• Install gaskets and foam insulation on wall outlets and light plates, especially on exterior doors. (making sure the electric to these outlets has been turned off at the panel,

• Close fireplace flue when not in use and/ or purchase a chimney balloon

• Air Source and Ground Source heating equipment filters should be cleaned, follow maintenance instructions found in equipment manuals

The second step both homeowners and renter can undertake is connecting with an energy contractor to obtain an energy audit. Energy contractors are able to give you an idea of areas to focus on, and structure a plan to add more insulation to areas of the home to ensure a better barrier to the outside air. To learn about the NYS energy programs and energy audit process you can reach out to Sean Welsh, Community Energy Advisor at sw288@cornell. edu or call 845-292-6180.

CCE Sullivan Spotlights

ProgramSpotlight

SULLIVAN FRESH MARKET SCAVENGER HUNT

Can you think of something yellow you would find at a farmers’ market?

How about a vegetable you’ve never tried before?

This past month at the Sullivan Fresh Farmers’ Markets, kids and market staff had a blast working through scavenger hunts made specially for Sullivan County farmers’ markets. Prizes, crafts, and Sullivan Fresh Bucks were part of the fun, all while learning something new about the food our region grows.

Kids specials and activities will continue at markets all October!

Please know that the funding for this project was made possible in part by a Healthy Community Initiatives grant from Sullivan Renaissance!

October is Apple Month!

The worlds largest apple peel was created by Kathy Wafler Madison on October 16, 1976, in Rochester, NY. It was 172 feet, 4 inches long. (She was 16 years old at the time and grew up to be a sales manager for an apple tree nursery.)

The top apple producing statesare Washington, New Michigan,Pennsylvania,York,California, and Virginia.

“Even if I knew thattomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would stillplant my apple tree.”

-Martin Luther King Jr.

October Focus: Fast Facts, Cool Tools, & News to Use

In 2006/2007 thePeople’s Republic ofChina led the worldin commercial appleproduction 24,480,000withmetric tons followed by theUnited States with4,460,544 metrictons.

The crabapple is the only apple native to North America.

Archeologists have found evidence that humans have been enjoying apples since at least 6500 B.C.

America’s longest-lived apple tree was reportedly planted in 1647 by Peter Stuyvesant in his Manhattan orchard and was still bearing fruit when a derailed train struck it in 1866.

In 2005, United States consumers ate an average of 46.1 pounds of fresh apples and processed apple products. That’s a lot of applesauce!

Don’t peel yourapple. Two-thirdsof the ber and lots of antioxidants are found in the Antioxidantspeel. help toreduce damage tocells, which can triggersome diseases.

Source:

The science of applegrowing is called pomology.

“Apple Facts.” University of Illinois Extension. Accessed August 31, 2022. https://web.extension.illinois.edu/ apples/facts.cfm.

Physical Activity Access Success Story

Mamakating Fitness Trail connectionat Mamakating Town Park

Submitted by Wanda V. Cruz, Heathy Communities Coordinator

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County (CCESC)has worked with the Town of Mamakating on severalprojects. This one in particular isrelated tophysical activity access and connectivity.

Although at times some people have been able to cross over the trail without a bridge to access the opposite side of the park, that has not always been the situation for everyone. In two occasions the boy scouts were able to builda small bridge,but mother nature found the way to disconnect it.

Recently, in a partnership between the Town of Mamakating and CCESC Creating Healthy Schools and Communities a new bridge was built. It will provide access to individuals of all abilities and ages. Thebuilt-inbench will provide a place to rest for those in need with a beautiful view to the surrounding area.

New mulch is also being added to the trail as we speak. It should provide amuch better, accessible path for those walking on the trail.

A new access point on the trail will be includedin an area with a waterfallview and a dog station to accommodate those who bring our four leggedfriendly companions. Trial markers are expected to be installed at a later date.

Let’s not forget theoutdoor fitness equipment for those who rather workout right before walking the trail.

The Mamakating Fitness is a hidden trail behind the Town of Mamakating Park in Bloomingburg.

To learn more about our work: Visit: www.sullivancce.org Email: wvc22@cornell.edu

FiestaRiceSalad

Thiscoolandrefreshingsaladisagreatwaytouse leftoverriceandturnitintodinneronahotsummer night.

Makes:4servings

PrepTime:20minutes

Source:www.myplate.gov

Ingredients

1cupbrownrice(cooked)

1carrot(shredded)

1cupbroccoli(choppedfine)

1redonion(small,chopped)

1cuptomato(chopped)

1bellpepper(sweet,green,red,yellow)

1cankidneybeans(15oz,drained,rinsed)

2tablespoonscilantro(orotherfreshherbs) (choppedfine)

2tablespoonsredwinevinegar(orwhiteorcider)

1tablespoonvegetableoil saltandpepper(totaste,optional)

Directions

Washandchopvegetablesandmixwithcooked rice.

Inasmallbowl,addvinegar,oil,dill,saltand pepper.(Oruseyourfavoritedressing.)Pourover ricemixture.

Addbeansandtosswell.Servecoldandenjoy!

SmallChanges,

Clickimagetowatchtherecipevideo orvisitsnapedny.org

NutritionInformation

ServingSize:1cup

Nutrients Amount Calories: 210 TotalFat: 4g SaturatedFat: 1g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 26mg TotalCarbohydrates: 35g DietaryFiber: 9g TotalSugars: 4g AddedSugars: 0g Protein 9g

4-H PROJECTS: LEARN SOMETHING NEW THIS YEAR!

Submitted by Barbara Moran, 4-H Youth Development Program Manager

As the new 4-H year begins and you are planning your calendar, think about some new things you may want to learn. 4-H projects, which are a collection of experiences based around a specific topic, will vary in time and commitment.

4-H projects can also be activities with hands-on experience! For example: raise an animal, grow a garden, build furniture, create art or crafting, and more. Attend field trips or camp, participate in competitions such as fair, and present your knowledge at public presentations. If you are interested in a particular topic and need more information, please contact the 4-H office as there are many curriculum guides and activities available.

Did you know?y

Youth can choose a topic of interest from archery to horses to gardening to rockets. Then the fun begins; exploring, learning, and engaging in experiences all centered on that chosen topic. Youth can pursue projects in their club or individual experiences as well. But they must make sure to keep a record of their experiences, whether that be through calendar, pictures, or even first-hand accounts of the activities, to hand in at the end of the 4-H year to showcase accomplishments.

In 4-H, science is only the beginning. Throughout the years, the Sullivan Extension has seen some amazing 4-H projects ranging from show ribbon quilts and bone art to local newspaper articles, even scene acting! This goes to show that as a 4-H member, your project focus can be anything you set your mind to that helps you develop life skills! To learn more, visit our website sullivancce. org g or reach out to our office at 845-292-6180!

how to be more active

set goals1

schedule

Break your exercise into easy daily amounts! Try at least 30 minutes of activity 5 days a week, or 22 minutes every day.2

set goals

Set realistic goals and make small, lasting changes to set yourself up for success.

keep going

Once you reach these goals, don’t stop. Gradually increase your activity to gain even more health benefits.

Page 15Extension Connection October 2022 walk more

There are many ways to get active. You may find walking the easiest to stick with over time. Walking more is a simple, positive change you can make to improve your heart health.

AROMATHERAPY

Submitted by Patricia Avery, Caregiver Resource Center Program Coordinator

Fall is here and with it come the many scents of the season: pumpkin spice, apples, the crisp morning air after a frost, freshly raked leaves. Chances are, when we encounter one of these scents it immediately invokes memories of past experiences. Memories perhaps of our mom baking a pumpkin pie, or of bobbing for apples as a child, walking to the school bus on a chilly fall morning, or the fun of jumping into a pile of leaves. Scent is proven to be a strong evoker of memories. This is true for all of us, including those who have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Research has shown that using scent (aromatherapy) with individuals who have dementia can not only stimulate memory but also affect mood, sleep, and pain in a positive way.

Using scents can be a powerful tool for caregivers in dealing with the many facets of dementia. Essential oils are compounds extracted from plants. They capture the plant’s scent and flavor, or essence. Essential oils are a readily available

and relatively inexpensive way to supplement other more traditional means of addressing mood problems such as anxiety and depression, insomnia, inflammation, headaches, and pain. Each oil has been found to provide specific benefits. See below for some common oils and their uses.

Lavender Oil

Lavender can help with stress, pain, and sleep. Before the discovery of antiseptics, lavender was also used as a cleaning agent in hospitals.

Frankincense Oil

Known as the “king of oils,” frankincense can help with inflammation, mood and sleep. Studies have shown that it can also improve asthma and might prevent gum disease. Frankincense oil has a woody, spicy scent and can be used as aromatherapy and can be found in skin creams.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is known to: Be an anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antimicrobial, Ease headaches, fight fatigue, lift mood, support

digestion, and support memory. Peppermint tea can settle your stomach, too, if you have irritable bowel syndrome or gastric irritation.

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus is a great essential oil to have on hand during cold season. It soothes a stuffed-up nose by opening your nasal passages so you can breathe easier. (Peppermint oil can also help with this.) It can also relieve pain and fight against herpes simplex virus thanks to its antimicrobial and antiinflammatory properties.

Lemon Oil

Lemon oil is known to reduce anxiety and depression, reduce pain, ease nausea, and kill bacteria.

Lemongrass Oil

Lemongrass oil has a strong citrus scent and is known to help relieve stress, anxiety, and depression.

Orange Oil

Orange oil is known to kill bacteria, reduce anxiety, and reduce pain.

Rosemary Oil

You’ve probably reached for rosemary to add flavor to some of your recipes. But using rosemary oil also has some additional benefits like improving brain function, promoting hair growth, reducing pain and stress, lifting your mood, and reducing joint inflammation.

Bergamot Oil

What is bergamot? If you’re a fan of Earl Grey tea, then you have had bergamot. Bergamot oil is known to reduce anxiety, lift mood, and lower blood pressure. Essential oils have varying

routes of delivery such as diffusion, topical application, and ingestion. It is important to research and understand the proper method of usage and contraindications for each before using an essential oil.

Commercially available candles can also provide wonderful scents that help stimulate memory, promote relaxation, and relieve stress/anxiety. Candles with names such as Sugar Cookie, Apple Pie, and Leaves can invoke memories and opens the door to reminisce. Many assisted living centers and

nursing facilities are using aromatherapy to enhance traditional care (improve sleep, reduce anxiety, reduce pain, improve depression) and provide cognitive stimulation.

As an added benefit, care receivers are not the only ones who benefit from the therapeutic use of aromatherapy. Caregivers also experience the benefits. Is Mom having a challenging day and you both are feeling the stress? Take a few minutes, put on some soothing music and apply some lavender hand cream or lotion for Mom. Perhaps brew some Earl Grey tea, sip and enjoy. You may both benefit.

Source:

“11 Essential Oils: Their Benefits and How to Use Them.” Cleveland Clinic. December 14, 2021. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/ essential-oils-101-do-they-work-how-do-youuse-them/.

“Essential Oils Benefits and Uses Chart.” Performance Health. 2022. https://www. performancehealth.com/articles/essentialoils-benefits-and-uses-chart.

“Health Benefits of Essential Oils.” Nourish by WebMD. Reviewed by Dan Brennan, November 17, 2020. https://www.webmd.com/diet/ health-benefits-essential-oils#1.