Warren County Connection A Publication of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County
November 2019
Are the Germs in Your House Making You Sick? Germs surround us everywhere; that’s a fact of life. But there are some places—even in your own home—that are breeding grounds for bacteria. Let’s take a careful look at what the evidence says about where the germs live in your house.
In this issue:
cause a typical cleaning job—whether First, can you guess the worst offend- microwaving the sponge, dousing it in er for breeding germs? It’s not the a cleaner, or running it through the toilet seat or even the floor—it’s your laundry—gets rid of the weaker bactekitchen sponge. A study published ria, leading more space for the strongin Nature’s Scientific Reports investi- er bacteria to reproduce. gated which and how many bacteria typically live in a kitchen sponge, and Your best bet? Throw out your kitchthe best way to clean them. en sponge every week and start with a new one. The study found that as many as 362 different species of bacteria live inside Now that we’ve tackled the germyan average kitchen sponge, and there kitchen sponge, let’s move onto your are a lot of them—about 82 billion in kitchen floor. You’ve undoubtedly a cubic inch of space. In case you’re heard of the five-second rule, which counting, that’s about the same num- means if you pick up dropped food ber of bacteria found in a human within five seconds of it hitting the stool sample. Many of these bacteria floor, it’s still okay to eat. are harmless to people with normal A microbiologist at Rutgers University immune systems. But if you’ve used your sponge to wipe up a drip of raw led a study to find out if this rule is sciegg or some dirt from fruit and vege- entifically sound. His study team testtables, it can harbor bacteria that will ed four different foods—watermelon, bread, buttered bread and gummy make you sick. candy—on four different surfaces— Using a sponge to wipe down kitchen stainless steel, ceramic tile, wood and surfaces just spreads these bacteria— carpet—for four lengths of time—less to the inside of your microwave, your than one second, five seconds, 30 secrefrigerator’s handle, or your kitchen onds and five minutes. counter. Furthermore, the study found that trying to clean a sponge can actu- They found that food that touched ally lead to more bacteria. That’s be-
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Preparing Roses for Winter
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Winter Squash
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Growing Herbs Indoors
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Lives Intertwined” Pets, 7 People, and ‘One Health’ Helping Children Cope With a Death in the Family
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Tips to Help Keep Your 9 House Clean All Winter Are You Ready to Start Exercising?
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Orange Soup
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Special points of interest:
Calendar of Events
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Warren County Connection
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Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Warren County 377 Schroon River Road Warrensburg, NY 12885
Phone: (518) 623-3291 or (518) 668-4881 Fax: (518) 668-4912
Visit Our Web Site: www.cce.cornell.edu/warren
Who We Are Nation-wide, thousands of people in each state tap into their state’s land-grant university research and know-how to make sound confident decisions concerning family, home, business, finances, and the future. In New York State, the land-grant university is Cornell University.
The Cornell Cooperative Extension network brings you the expertise of Cornell University, other land-grant universities across the country and locally-based Extension Educators, volunteers, and other experts through such programs as: horticulture, youth and families, leadership, environment, food, nutrition & health, home environment, and financial management.
Staff Dr. James Seeley, Executive Director John Bowe, 4-H Team Coordinator Dan Carusone, 4-H Community Educator Marybeth Mitcham, Nutrition, Food Safety, and Healthy Living Educator Roxanne Westcott, Parent Educator/Energy Educator Anne Mills, Farm to School Coordinator Jessica Holmes, Master Gardener Coordinator Sharon Bellamy, Finance Manager Amy Sabattis, Public Relations/Publications Manager Michele Baker, Administrative Assistant Chris Dittus, Administrative Assistant Rand Fosdick, Maintenance
Board of Directors
William Mason - President Laura Conway- Vice President Julie Pearl - Secretary William Hamelin - Treasurer Aimee Azaert Daniel Bruno Peter Benoit Ed Griesmer Jim Kneeshaw David Strainer Michael White
Extension Service Committee Chair - Andrea Hogan Douglas Beaty Jack Diamond Ben Driscoll Cynthia Hyde William Loeb Brad Magowan Eugene Merlino Michael Wild
Warren County Connection
CALENDAR Please visit our website for more events www.cce.cornell.edu/warren 11/2/2019 (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM) Gifts in a Jar - It’s baking, cooking and gift-giving season again! “Gifts in a jar” are useful, healthy and sustainable. You’ll learn to make useful food mixes for soups and will layer the ingredients of those mixes in mason jars. Each participant will bring home one jar filled with a delicious, healthy soup mix to give as gifts or to keep and use themselves. For more information contact Marybeth Mitcham at 518-668-4881. Location: SUNY Adirondack, 640 Bay Rd Queensbury, NY 12804 11/3/2019 (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM) 4-H Basic Archery at Dunham’s Bay Fish & Game - This program will cover the parts and use of the compound bow, eye dominance, proper stance, and arrow release. All equipment is provided by CCE. Youth must be at least 8 years of age by the day of the class. There is a limit of 12 youth. Fee is $10 per youth or $15 for a family of 2 or more youth. The fee includes enrollment in Warren County 4-H. Pre-registration is required and can be accomplished by calling Michele Baker 518-623-3291 or email mlb222@cornell.edu. Location: Dunham’s Bay Fish & Game Club, 2080 Ridge Road Queensbury, NY 12804 11/5/2019 (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM) Gifts in a Jar - It’s baking, cooking and gift-giving season again! “Gifts in a jar” are useful, healthy and sustainable. You’ll learn to make useful food mixes for soups and will layer the ingredients of those mixes in mason jars. Each participant will bring home one jar filled with a delicious, healthy soup mix to give as gifts or to keep and use themselves. For more information contact Marybeth Mitcham at 518-668-4881. Location: Lake Luzerne Senior Center, 539 Lake Avenue Lake Luzerne, NY 12846 11/5/2019 (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM) Gifts in a Jar - It’s baking, cooking and gift-giving season again! “Gifts in a jar” are useful, healthy and sustainable. You’ll learn to make useful food mixes for soups and will layer the ingredients of those mixes in mason jars. Each participant will bring home one jar filled with a delicious, healthy soup mix to give as gifts or to keep and use themselves. For more information contact Marybeth Mitcham at 518-668-4881. Location: Greater Glens Falls Senior Center, 380 Glen Street Glens Falls, NY 12801 11/13/2019 (1:00 PM - 2:00 PM) Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP): Mammals for Homeschool Families - The program will cover common mammals of the Adirondack Region in the groups predators and prey species. The program will include a lot of hands on of pelts, skulls, and related materials of mammals. Class is limited to 35 youth and parents/caregivers combined. There is no fee for the program. Pre-registration is required and can be accomplished by calling Michele Baker 518-623-3291 or email mlb222@cornell.edu Location: Cornell Cooperative Extension, 377 Schroon River Road Warrensburg, NY 12885
If you have special needs as addressed by the Americans With Disabilities Act and need assistance with attending these workshops, please make your needs known by the registration deadline. Reasonable efforts will be made for accommodations.
Warren County Connection
Preparing Roses for Winter By Dr. Leonard Perry, Horticulture Professor Emeritus, University of Vermont While tea roses and a few other types usually don’t survive in cold climates, many of the new series, as well as some of the older shrub rose cultivars (cultivated varieties), can survive cold winters with some protection. While these methods don’t guarantee that your rose plants will survive, they’ll surely help those that are marginally hardy. Roses can be killed or injured during winter in several ways: direct injury to tops or roots from extreme cold; rapid temperature changes; root injury from drying out as a result of plants being heaved by alternate freezing and thawing; injury caused to stems by mice living under snow or in straw around plants; and snow or ice breakage.
Injury from extreme cold can be avoided only by selecting hardy cultivars. As a very general guide, roses with small blossoms tend to be hardier than the largest flowering types. Most hybrid tea roses are less hardy than the grandifloras or floribundas. In addition, some climbing roses and many old-fashioned shrub cultivars tend to be hardy as are some series such as the Explorer roses that were originally bred in Canada. Whether a rose survives, as with other perennials, depends in part on the microclimate—the immediate area where it is planted. Adjacent to the warm south-facing wall of a building, or a slope facing north and exposed to winds, are all examples of microclimates. Even with a cold climate, or microclimate, proper winter protection can help plants to survive. For shrub varieties, start by mounding soil or compost 10 to 12 inches around the base of the plants. Then, add another 12 to 16 inches of mulching material such as leaf mold, straw, or pine needles over the mound to help stabilize soil temperatures. This extra protection means less freezing, thawing, and subsequent heaving out of the soil. If you have many mice around, you may want to skip the mulch materials as they provide a winter home
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and ready food source in your rose stems. Ideally, mounding should be applied in mid to late November. Earlier application may slow development of stem maturity and hardiness. If you have rabbits living in your landscape or nearby, you may want to surround your rose bush with a wire cage, especially if canes will be exposed and above the usual snow depth. Smaller mesh chicken wire usually is sufficient, but can be chewed by a hungry rabbit. Heavier gauge rabbit fencing, or hardware cloth, provide better protection. You may want to install this first, then add your compost or soil within the cage frame. You may need to prune the canes back to the surface of the mulch for ease of covering, but don’t cut back any further. Wait until spring, so you can see which canes or parts of canes have died, then cut them back. If the winter is mild, or your mulching is thick, you may have to cut back very little. Climbing roses survive the winter best when you remove the canes from the fence or trellis and fasten them to the ground. Snow cover will protect them from extremely low temperatures. Where snow cover is undependable, mound snow or mulch over the canes on the ground. Remove the mulch as plants start to grow. Earlier removal may cause the rose stems to dry out. The common practice of wrapping stems and trellises with straw and paper or burlap provides, at most, a few degrees of protection on cold nights. It is less dependable than protecting stems with soil on the ground.
I prefer winter and Fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape — the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn’t show. ~Andrew Wyeth
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Winter Squash By Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor, University of Vermont
Acorn are one of the most common winter squashes, medium size with an acorn shape, ridges, and dull green rind. Acorn squashes that have turned orange will have tough and fibrous flesh inside. It has a mild flavor, good for soups, baking, and stuffing. Buttercup is similar in size to the acorn, only more squat with smooth dark green rind with some pale streaking. Some varieties may have a small bump on top, as it is a type of “turban” squash (see below). Its distinctive circular ridge on the bottom sets it apart from the similar “kabocha” squash (see below). Cooked, its flesh is mild and somewhat dry.
Versatile, variety, and nutritious are all adjectives that can be used for winter squash. Whether you grew your own, or buy them from local farmers and markets, consider putting some up for winter. With proper storage of squash, you'll benefit from their fresh flavors for months—often until next spring-- as well as the nutrition of these vegetables. Although winter squash has the same calories roughly as potatoes, it has more than twice the potassium. Winter squash provides various vitamins such as A, B6 and C, fiber, and minerals that may reduce the risk of certain cancers. These squash are a good source of antiinflammatory nutrients needed for a strong immune system, such as omega 3’s and beta-carotene. Winter squash store well, such as in a cool room or basement, which stays around 50 to 55 degrees (F). Acorn squash can store 3 to 4 months, other winter squashes can last up to 6 months or more. So just what are winter squash, and all the types you may find? They’re one of the two major group of squashes, the other being summer squashes like yellow and zucchini. They’re so named as they’re harvested later—early fall around the time of first frost—and last well into and through winter. They’re one of the few vegetables native to North America, and have been grown as one of the “three sisters” by native peoples along with corn and beans. Squashes are in the cucurbit family, related to cucumbers, melons, and gourds. Among the three main winter squash species, there are at least a dozen main types you may find.
Butternut is another of the more commonly seen and used winter squashes, having a distinctive elongated pear shape—long neck and bulbous base-- with tan rind. The flesh has a sweet and nutty flavor, and is bright yellow-orange. Similar to the acorn, roast it, mash it, or make into soup. It’s easier to deal with cutting the neck from the base, and handling each separately. To remove the hard rind, use a vegetable peeler once it is roasted. Carnival squash is a cross between Sweet Dumpling and acorn squashes, and is similar in size and shape. It is light in color, white and yellow, with ridges. Use it similar to acorn or butternut squash. Delicata is often called a “sweet potato squash” as it has a similar consistency when cooked, and similarly is sweet but more “earthy”. It is small, oblong, and pale yellow with green stripes. The thin skin makes it easily bruised, but also makes it edible. Use as you would a sweet potato, or simply cut in half, scoop out the seeds, and roast with olive oil and salt. Hubbard is one of the larger squashes, noted for its size, teardrop shape, blue-gray rind and bumpy surface. It is good roasted, and sometimes is used as a vegetarian turkey substitute at Thanksgiving. The flesh has a pumpkin flavor. Kabocha is a Japanese type of winter squash (this being the generic name for squash in Japanese), similar to the buttercup in appearance and coming in green or red. The deep yellow flesh is flaky but sweet, good roasted or baked with plenty of butter or oil. Pumpkins are well-known, and come in sizes from tiny decorative ones to the giant ones you see at fairs and competitions. Keep in mind the ones for carving general(Continued on page 5)
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ly lack flavor, while the Sugar Pie ones have the sweet, pumpkin flavor good in pies, soups, or roasted. The squat and colorful French heirlooms are both sweet and ornamental.
Growing Herbs Indoors
Red Kuri is another Japanese squash, similar to a small Hubbard only with a red-orange rind and so is sometimes called a red Hubbard. The yellow flesh has a flavor resembling chestnuts, and is good roasted or the squash split and stuffed. Spaghetti squash is light yellow, large, and oblong. Once the flesh is cooked, run a fork through it to make long “strings” that resemble spaghetti. In fact it makes a healthy alternative to pasta, with a mild flavor. This, as well as the Acorn and Delicata are very closely related to the summer squashes, just different varieties of the same species. Sweet Dumpling is one of the parents of Carnival squash, being compact, whitish-yellow with some green streaks, and pronounced ridges. Its taste resembles a sweet potato, and its flesh is edible. This could be used in place of sweet potato or pumpkin in recipes. Turban is the larger group of which Buttercup is a member, noted for its pronounced “bump” on top resembling a turban or turk’s cap—another name for it. Often these are quite colorful and can be used simply for decoration. Its sweet and mild flesh is good roasted, or in soup, and its outer rind can be used as the soup tureen. There are many more types and cultivars of winter squash, including heirlooms. Experiment with some in this winter’s cooking, and try growing some from seeds next year.
Winter Savory Herbs make a great addition to a garden, but they can also be grown indoors as year-round houseplants or just during the winter months to protect tender herbs such as rosemary or basil. Herbs grown indoors offer many benefits including fragrant foliage, various foliage colors and shapes, a constant supply of herb leaves for cooking, and continual leaf production after the outdoor growing season has ended. If you will be growing herbs for their leaves, make sure that enough are grown to supply ingredients for your favorite dishes. Not all herbs will grow well indoors because their root systems require rather large containers. Examples of herbs that grow well indoors include: chives (Allium spp.) horehound (Marrubium vulgare) winter savory (Satureja montana) Examples of herbs that do not grow well in containers include: horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) lovage (Levisticum officinale) Requirements for growing herbs indoors Herbs, like many houseplants have certain requirements to grow indoors. However, unlike common houseplants, herbs need conditions to be just right for optimum growth, or their health will rapidly decline. Most herbs need six hours of direct sunlight. Either place (Continued on page 6)
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herbs in a sunny location, for example, near a window with a southern exposure, or place herbs 6 to 12 inches from two 40 watt, cool white fluorescent bulbs for 14 to 16 hours. Herbs that can tolerate indirect sunlight include mint (Mentha spp.), bay (Laurus nobilis), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), and thyme (Thymus spp.). Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) will even grow well in very low light conditions. Herbs that are not exposed to prefer light conditions will become thin and spindly, produce smaller leaves, and have a reduced aroma. If plants are grown on windowsills, it will be necessary to rotate pots often so that each side gets enough light for uniform growth.
the solution and discontinue use if the leaves still look discolored or abnormal. Always wash leaves off before you use them in a recipe.
Keep herbs in rooms that have at least a 65 to 70°F day and 55 to 60°F night temperature regimes. Although most herbs can survive temperatures that are in the mid to low 40s, others cannot; for example, basil (Ocimum basilicum) cannot survive temperatures lower than 50°F.
Placing herbs outside during the warmer months If you would like to place your herbs in containers outside during the late spring and summer months, acclimate them to higher light levels and intensities produced by the sun. Start by placing pots outdoors in partial shade, and then slowly expose them to more and more light every few days. Continue to check the overall health of your plants to see if the fertilizer regiment or watering need to be increase. Also, look for any signs of insect infestation and damage.
Herbs also require a proper balance between a humid environment and adequate air circulation. Containers should be grouped together to create a humid environment, however, the closer containers are, the more likely air will not be able to properly circulate through the plants. Other options for increasing humidity including setting containers in a pan of moist pebbles or spraying plants with a misting bottle of water. Air circulation can be increased by slightly opening a window in an adjoining room, but prevent drafts during the late spring, summer, and fall months. A fan can be used to circulate air during the winter. Herbs should be grown in containers with a drainage hole and in a potting mix that will aid water drainage. Water the potting mix when it starts to dry out. Certain herbs such as bay (Laurus nobilis), marjoram and oregano (Origanum spp.), sage (Salvia officinalis), and thyme (Thymus spp.) should dry out slightly between waterings. When growing rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) in containers, never allow the potting mix to dry out completely. Fertilize herbs with a low dose of water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks. Fertilizing herbs more often may negatively affect the herb's aroma and taste. A soapy solution, 1 to 2 tablespoons of a mild soap such as dishwashing soap to one gallon of warm water, can be used to control most insect pests. Spray infested plants with the solution once a week while pests are visible. Check the plants often to make sure that the soap solution is not discoloring or otherwise affecting the leaves. If this does happen, decrease the amount of soap used in
Herbs should be repotted when roots grow through the drainage hole. The best time to repot is in the early spring so that herbs can grow into the new medium during the growing season. Perennial herbs can be repotted several times to accommodate new growth. Any herbs with a taproot, such as borage (Borago officinalis) and dill (Anethium graveolens), should be grown in deep pots. Herbs with a more trailing form can be grown in hanging baskets.
Prepared by Kathleen M. Kelley, assistant professor of consumer horticulture and Elsa S. Sánchez, assistant professor of horticultural systems management - PennState Extension
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Are any members of my household (i.e., the very old, young, immune-compromised, or pregnant) at increased risk of injury or illness due to exposure to this pet? If so, have I taken the appropriate steps to minimize this risk?
The take home message is this: “Pets and pet owners have a great potential to enhance each other’s lives. Each contributes to the physical, emotional, and social well-being of the other. As pet owners, we must act to minimize the risks so that we can enjoy the benefits that pet ownership brings to humans and animals alike.” If you have questions about the benefits and consequences of human-pet interactions, contact your local veterinarian. Source: College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign
Warren County Connection
Lives Intertwined: Pets, People, and ‘One Health’
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“Injuries from bites and scratches and trip and fall accidents must also be taken into consideration, as well as the risk of infectious disease transmission,” Dr. JohnsonWalker says. “Fortunately, pet owners can take steps to minimize these risks and ensure that the benefits of pet ownership far outweigh the risks.” People Are Responsible for Their Animals’ Well-Being Far less research has been devoted to humans’ impact on the health of companion animals, though some studies have shown that pets can benefit from their interactions with people. For example, petting has been demonstrated to reduce stress and stressful behavior in dogs.
Pet Ownership Benefits People “One Health” is a term used to convey the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health. In their recent book, Beyond One Health: From Recognition to Results, coeditors Drs. Jack Herrmann and Yvette Johnson-Walker, faculty members at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, devote an entire chapter to the ways humans and pets influence each other’s health status—in good ways and bad. “Pets are an integral part of the family,” says Dr. Johnson -Walker, a veterinary epidemiologist. “More than 65 percent of U.S. households have at least one pet, and 30 percent of dog owners and 61 percent of cat owners in the U.S. and Australia report sleeping with their pets. These close relationships present both risks and benefits to the humans involved.” Pets Improve Owner’s Physical and Mental Health The book’s chapter entitled “Reigning Cats and Dogs,” by Sandra L. Lefebvre and Robert V. Ellis, cites many studies documenting positive health changes, such as increased levels of physical activity and a decrease in the incidence of allergies and asthma, associated with pet ownership. Other studies have found an association between pet ownership and reduced blood pressure, lower triglycerides, and improved cardiovascular health. In addition, mental health benefits have been documented. Pet ownership is associated with reductions in loneliness and depression. These findings have contributed to the rising popularity of animal-assisted therapy for residents of nursing homes and patients with AIDS, heart failure, or other debilitating chronic illnesses. These benefits do not come without risks, however.
According to Lefebvre and Ellis, the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare provide a context for evaluating the needs of companion animals: Freedom from hunger and thirst Freedom from discomfort Freedom from pain, injury and disease Freedom to express normal behavior Freedom from fear and distress “When pet owners meet these needs, their pets enjoy an optimal quality and length of life,” says Dr. JohnsonWalker. While life expectancies for both dogs and cats in the U.S. have increased over the past decade, when these minimum requirements are not met, the household environment can result in health and behavioral problems and increased stress in the pets and their owners. Neglect, excessive confinement, social isolation, and animal hoarding may have negative impacts on the welfare of companion animals. Lack of physical activity and a calorie-dense diet often result in overweight and obesity in pets, with related chronic health problems and impaired animal welfare. Pet owners bear the responsibility for ensuring the wellbeing of their animals.
Anticipate, Minimize Health Risks Dr. Johnson-Walker offers this list of questions for people who are considering getting a pet, regardless of species: Do I have the time and resources to provide for the physical, psychological, and behavioral needs of this pet throughout its lifespan? Have I researched the nutritional, housing, exercise, social, and healthcare needs of this pet? Is there another species/breed/age/temperament of animal that will better meet the needs of my household? (Continued on page 6)
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Helping Children Cope With a Death in the Family
service, but cannot handle all of it. An adult must be there who can take the child where her behavior won't disturb others. Give children a factual description of the event beforehand so they know what to expect. For example, you may say, "Grownups will give long talks and you'll have to keep quiet. Many people will be crying. You may see Grandpa lying in a box but he won't be able to talk to you. Later, the box will be closed and put into the ground."
Children should go to funerals When someone close to the family dies, should children attend the funeral? Research shows that adults' wellintentioned attempts to shield children from sad experiences can be more harmful than encouraging their participation in the rituals surrounding death. Even very young children know that when a family member or friend dies, something traumatic has happened. It is very comforting to children when they are included in those events that the family has chosen to commemorate death. It teaches them a valuable lesson: sharing sadness with others is how we find solace. The rituals of death enable the mourners to say goodbye to someone they love. Children need to do this, too. Saying goodbye makes death less frightening and grief more acceptable. Doing this with other family members lets children feel the special closeness families often experience in times of loss. Keep in mind that children's greatest fear is not the loss of another person, but that they will be abandoned. Being excluded from the family group when something of such importance is happening is much more frightening to a child than witnessing grieving adults. In addition to feeling rejected and lonely, children who are left out have many questions about death that they have no chance to ask. Therefore, they may create their own fantasies about what is going on, which may be far more disturbing to them than the real thing. However, children should be invited, not forced, to participate in some, but not all, of the goings-on. For very young children, it is recommended that they be accompanied by an adult they know who is not deeply grieving. This should be someone who can attend to the child's needs and accept the child's actions whatever they may be. Sometimes young children want to attend part of the funeral
While funerals and burials can be anxiety producing for adults as well as children, they are important events that build closeness, love and trust among family members. It's this sense of belonging that is healing to all. Excluding children denies them the chance to be part of the family and to heal their own fears. Children will deal with death in curious ways When dealing with a death in the family, school-age children's behavior can be surprising. Some will cry and express sadness in ways that we, as adults, can readily understand. But other common reactions include: denial: "If I pretend it didn't happen, I won't hurt so much." bodily distress: "I can't breathe...I can't sleep...I can't eat..." anger at the deceased: "Didn't he love me enough to stay alive?" guilt: "She got sick because I was naughty." anger toward others: "It's the doctor's fault." replacement: "Uncle Ben, do you really love me?" taking on mannerisms of the deceased: "Do I look like Dad?" idealization: "Don't say that about my grandpa! He was perfect!" anxiety: "I feel like grandma before she died. I hurt right here." panic: "Who will take care of me? What if Mommy dies?" A child may appear unconcerned, even callous, and go about playing as usual after a death. Don't be alarmed. These are different ways children cope with an overwhelming loss. What's important is to allow children to have their feelings, to express them as they choose and at the pace they set. Sometimes when children don't appear sad it means that the loss seems so overwhelming that they have to protect themselves from facing it, to grieve in bits and piec(Continued on page 9)
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es over a long period. They may ask few questions at first, but these will come with time. Another reason children who are grieving may not appear to be doing so is that children have a short sadness span. It is common for children to act sad for a while and then get on with their regular interests and activities. When they can handle it, they'll come back to dealing with their feelings of sadness again. Extra hugs, reassurance that their changing moods and feelings are normal and acceptable, and providing direct answers to their questions are among the most helpful things adults can offer grieving children. Older children from nine years and up sometimes find it easier to talk to someone outside the immediate family. A trusted adult friend or member of the extended family can help them sort out the complex emotions that accompany a major loss. Support groups are also helpful, especially for teenagers. They provide a legitimate place to express feelings with other young people who understand what they are going through. Moving in and out of the various feelings that accompany death is typical for children. Adults are cautioned to watch children for prolonged denial. If refusing to accept the fact that the person has died is a consistent reaction, then consider seeking professional help for the child. Source: Sue West, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, NYS College of Human Ecology, Cornell University. Parent Pages was developed by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County. HD 43
May your stuffing be tasty May your turkey plump, May your potatoes and gravy Have nary a lump. May your yams be delicious And your pies take the prize, And may your Thanksgiving dinner Stay off your thighs! ~Grandpa Jones
Tips to Help Keep Your House Clean All Winter By Lorene Bartos, Extension Educator, Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County With the shorter, colder days of winter come added time spent indoors, extra jackets, blankets or comforters along with snow and mud tracked indoors. Follow these tips to help keep your home clean all winter: Encourage your family to leave their shoes at the door. You might consider placing a box or special mat by the door to help catch melting snow in shoe and boot soles. If you have pets that venture outdoors, consider keeping a towel by the door to give your pet a quick rubdown especially paws - before letting them in the house. Place throw-rugs in high-traffic areas - even over other carpets - to keep your wall-to-wall carpets from aging prematurely and make quick-cleaning as easy as shaking out a rug. Carpet and upholstery cleaners can help save your carpet and furniture! Most winter stains from snow or mud are easy to clean, but be sure to read the cleaning label carefully and follow directions closely. Using the wrong cleaner can ruin fabrics. Sand and grit tracked into your home can scratch tile floors. Regular cleaning will help keep your kitchen and bathroom floors safe and clean. Vacuum carpets often to remove tracked in sand & dirt. Vacuum upholstery regularly to catch small soil and food particles before they work their way into fabrics. Keep jackets, blankets and comforters clean all winter by washing them once a month. Since winter is "cold and flu season," keep a supply of hand soap at every sink. Encourage your family to wash their hands regularly. Don’t forget to clean these often forgotten places: Inside the bottom of the dishwasher door - spray a non -abrasive all-purpose cleaner and sponge clean it. Interior walls and shelves of the refrigerator, for health and cleanliness - always remember to wipe up spills immediately. This keeps your refrigerator looking its best and helps prevent the growth of bacteria. Use a non-abrasive, all-purpose cleaner or a solution of baking soda and water. Tops of the ceiling fan blades - capture dust with special dusting mitts or dusters designed for getting these hard-to-reach surfaces. (Continued on page 10)
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Are You Ready to Start Exercising?
By Kimberly Burke Director of the Adult Fitness Program at Colorado State University Many of us may have a goal to start being active or to become more active, but sometimes we are unsure of when or how to find a safe place to start. Some might be a nagging feeling of “Do I have to check with my doctor first”? Others may not want to discount their previous health history or former injuries that make them nervous to start again. If you’re thinking of starting an exercise program, there are a few quick questions you can ask yourself to see if you’re ready to get started, or to determine if you might need to seek further advice before beginning. What is your current level of physical activity? For this, use the “Rule of 3” to answer. Do you currently exercise for 3 or more days a week, for 30 minutes or more, for longer than 3 months? If the answer is yes, you are currently physical active. If the answer is no, you don’t participate in regular exercise, or do so to a lesser amount than outlined. Both answers are fine, and it’s important to recognize a starting point. If you’re currently not engaging in exercise, there might be a few more precautions to take, such as adjusting the intensity you start at, or talking with your doctor first to help create a routine. If you’re currently active, you have a little more room to continue or to engage in a higher volume of exercise. Do you have a known disease such as a cardiovascular disease, a metabolic disease, or a renal disease? And/or do you have any sign/symptoms suggestive of heart disease? If you have a known disease state of any cardiovascular, diabetes, or renal diseases, you’ll want to make sure it’s well managed and under control before starting to exercise or engaging in a new routine. Be sure to note when
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there is a change to side effects of your treatment and any signs or symptoms that may develop as you start your new routine. If you’re experiencing the classic warning signs of chest pain, racing heart rates, ankle swelling, shortness of breath with usual activities, and more, you’ll want to stop your routine and follow up with your doctor before starting to exercise again. If you begin experiencing new symptoms, they could be made worse by exercise, and these are the warning signs that you need to get things checked out before a major cardiovascular event happens. What’s your desired exercise intensity? This is an important question to ask because we don’t want to do too much too soon. That is a common mistake when starting a new exercise routine. We can often be excited or ready to start, but we end up exercising too hard and too much, only to pay for it later with increased soreness, an injury, or a cardiac event. It’s important to start low and go slow in length, intensity and progression of exercises. This question relates back to the previous two. If you are active, with no disease or sign/symptoms of cardiovascular disease, then you may be able to start a more moderate intensity of exercise. If you are not currently regularly active, or dealing with disease states or signs/ symptoms, it would be best to confirm with a doctor first and/or start at a low intensity routine. Exercise can be a great way to deal with stress and positively influence health, but it’s always good to be sure you’re ready to exercise and are taking the necessary steps to minimize your risk of injury. So, if you’re unsure, you can ask yourself these questions, and you can always follow up with medical professionals to be sure you’re maximizing your safety. (Continued from page 9)
Ovens - cleaning spills as you go will make this tough job easier. First allow surfaces to cool before cleaning. Use an oven cleaner; however, don’t use an oven cleaner on a self-cleaning or continuous cleaning oven because it may damage the surface. Always read the product label directions before using. Exterior of the range - allow cooking surfaces to cool before cleaning. Then use non-abrasive all-purpose cleaner. Telephone receivers, door handles, computer keyboards use disinfectant wipes on these surfaces to whisk away dirt and germs.
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Orange Soup By Marybeth Mitcham, MPH, Nutrition, Food Safety, and Healthy Living Educator, CCE of Warren County I love soup. There is something incredibly comforting about curling up with a big bowl of something healthy and warm, especially during the colder nights of fall and winter. I also love that soup is incredibly easy to make, allowing you to use whatever vegetables, meat, or other things that you have. Really, you can’t go wrong with soup! My current soup favorite is any combination of vegetables cooked in a little vegetable broth and then pureed. Rather than ladling the cooked vegetables to a blender for pureeing, I instead use an immersion blender. This very inexpensive tool allows you to bring the blender to your pot, as it were, enabling you to easily blend your food together. If you do not have an immersion blender, you can always use a blender, or instead use a potato masher to smoosh your cooked vegetables. This version of pureed soup is called orange soup for the richly orange fall color of the butternut squash, carrots, and sweet potato; vegetables which are rich in Vitamins A and C, and that are also fantastic sources of fiber. A traditional Jewish recipe, the spices are deliberately omitted here, so that you can tailor the flavor to your liking. If you want sweet, add in some honey, cinnamon, and ginger. If you want savory, why not add in some crushed red pepper, garlic, sea salt, and smoked paprika? Feel free to experiment with spices! Also, do not feel that you have to measure out exact amounts of these vegetables for this soup to come out delicious. I made a pot of this soup today, using frozen carrots, squash, potatoes, onions, sweet potato, and cauliflower. Nothing was measured, but the end product was delicious! “Orange” Soup Ingredients: • 1 butternut squash • 2 large sweet potatoes • 1 white potato • 1 large zucchini • 4 carrots • 2 onions • 3½ cups water • Salt to taste (I used 2 tbsp. kosher salt) Directions: 1. Cut the vegetables into chunks. 2. Place all ingredients in a strong-bottomed pot. 3. Bring to a boil. 4. Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are
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tender (approximately 1 hour). 5. Remove cover of pot, and allow vegetables to cool for at least 1 hour. 6. Blend until smooth. Yields: 4 servings Variation 1: Spice it! I prefer this soup plain, but feel free to play around with the flavors. Add some nutmeg and cinnamon to bring out the sweetness. Or, add some pepper and garlic. It’s soup—it’s hard to go wrong! Variation 2: Change the consistency. Do you prefer a thinner soup? Add an extra cup of water. Like it thicker? Drain some of the liquid before blending the vegetables. *Recipe adapted from Chabad (Continued from page 1)
the ground for any length of time—even less than one second—was contaminated. And the longer a piece of food stayed on the ground, the more bacteria it picked up. Watermelon picked up the most bacteria—most likely because it is wet—and gummy candy picked up the least. Carpet was the least likely surface to transmit bacteria, while steel and ceramic were the most likely. Again, many of these bacteria are harmless to people; and exposure to germs can even help to bolster your immune system, reducing the chance you’ll get sick later. But germs that make you sick, such as the viruses that cause colds and the flu, can survive on surfaces for days. The bottom line: The five-second rule doesn’t hold up; if you drop food on the floor, it’s best to throw it out. Finally, what about wearing shoes in the house? A study conducted by a microbiologist at the University of Arizona studied how much and which types of bacteria remained on shoes throughout the day. He found that shoes do pick up and track bacteria over long distances, but less than you might think. Compare shoes to your kitchen sponge: studies found 421,000 units of bacteria on the outside of a shoe versus 82 billion in a cubic inch of a sponge. While that’s still enough bacteria to warrant not eating off the floor (see the five-second rule above), wearing shoes in the house is not the biggest source of germs in most homes. Of course, there are exceptions. If you have been mucking horse stalls, for example, it’s probably best to take your shoes off at the door. If you have a crawling baby in your home, it’s also a good idea to take off your shoes in the house. And if you suffer from environmental allergies, taking off your shoes can reduce the number of allergens in your home. Overall, if you want to focus on reducing how many germs you are exposed to in your house, replace that kitchen sponge and don’t eat food that’s dropped on the floor. Source: Cornell University, EvidenceBased Living - http://evidencebasedliving.human.cornell.edu/
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