January 2024 Edition

Family & Consumer Sciences
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FCS Newsletter January 2024

DATES
January 1 - Happy New Year!
January 1 - Office closed
January 15 - Office closed
January 16 - Homemaker Lesson Training - Owensboro
January 16 - Homemaker Council
January 17 - Homemaker Lesson Training - Henderson
January 31 - Ag Expo
February 6 - Soups and Stews Program
February 14 - Happy Valentine’s Day

The Daviess County Extension Office will reopen for the New Year on Tuesday, January 2 at 8:00 am.

 Save the date for the 50^th Annual Ag Expo.  January 31, 2024 at the Owensboro Convention Center. The most updated Ag Expo information including Sponsorships and booth reservations can be found on our website at https://daviess.ca.uky.edu/Ag-Expo-2024

2024 Food and Nutrition Recipe Calendars are here! Stop by the office to pick yours up.

Soups and Stews Class February 6, 2024 at 5:30 pm.  Class registration will open January 10.

Prevent Dry Skin in the Winter
Source: Katherine Jury, Extension Specialist for Family Health

Cold temperatures, gusting wind, and limited exposure to sunlight can be the perfect storm for producing dry skin and itching in the winter months. If you are prone to dry, itchy skin, there are some things you can do to prevent its onset.

· Use creams instead of lotion, particularly on skin that is commonly exposed to the outdoor elements such your face or hands. Creams are thicker and provide a better barrier between skin and harsh weather conditions.

· Avoid skin and hair products with fragrance. Many products that include synthetic fragrance can cause irritation and make itching worse when skin is already raw or inflamed.

· Avoid long, hot showers. As tempting as a steamy shower can be to remedy cold weather blues, extreme heat can be additionally drying to your skin, compounding the problem.

· Seek professional help for persistent problems. If over-the-counter attempts to resolve itching and irritated skin are not working, see a dermatologist. Sometimes winter weather can trigger underlying skin conditions that need professional care and prescription treatment.

Reference:https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/winter-skin-survival-kit

 Start the New Year with a Clean Fridge
Source: Annhall Norris, Extension Specialist, Food Preservation and Food Safety

 When it comes to food safety, one of the most important items in your kitchen is the refrigerator. Unfortunately, it is the least likely for you to clean. Refrigerators keep food cold to prevent harmful bacteria from growing. It only makes sense that you should clean it regularly to keep food safe.

Start cleaning your refrigerator by removing all food items and placing them in a cooler with ice or gel packs to keep them cold while you’re cleaning. During the removal phase, throw out anything that is visibly spoiled, leaking, or has an unpleasant odor. This is also a good time to check dates on dairy products and condiments and replace them if necessary.    

If you can remove any drawers or shelves, do so and wash with hot, soapy water. Allow anything glass or ceramic to come up to room temperature before washing to avoid breakage. Clean all inside surfaces, including the doors and rubber gaskets, with hot, soapy water. Wipe with clean water to rinse off soap and dry with a clean towel. If you need to sanitize your refrigerator, wipe down with a diluted bleach solution made from 1 tablespoon unscented bleach in 1 gallon of water.   

Place clean shelves and drawers back in the refrigerator along with any food items you removed. Wipe all containers and bottles with a warm cloth to remove any stickiness or residue before returning to the clean fridge. Put a thermometer inside the refrigerator to make sure the temperature is at or below 40 degrees F to prevent bacteria from growing.

Keep your refrigerator clean throughout the year by cleaning up spills as soon as they occur and keeping track of leftovers. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends storing leftovers for no more than three to four days. It is also a good practice to wipe down door handles and control dispensers with a disinfecting wipe daily in order to remove bacteria left by hands. 

Reference: CDC https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/communication/clean-refrigerator-steps.html

 HOMEMAKER HAPPENINGS
Lesson for the Month
KEHA Plays Pickleball—A Family and Individual Development Lesson
Roll Call
January rings in the new year. Share one goal you have for your new year’s “journey.
Thought of the Month
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”  —Lao Tzu

Lesson Leader Training
The February and March Homemaker Lesson leader training will be Tuesday, January 16 at the Daviess County Extension Office and Wednesday, January 17 at the Henderson County Extension Office.
February Lesson at 10:00am: Self-Care and Self-Pampering
March Lesson at 11:00am: Healthy Eating Around the World

The Daviess County Extension Homemaker Council will meet following the lesson trainings at 12:15pm on January 16.

Cultural Arts and Heritage Exhibits will be due to the Extension Office by March 15.  Guidelines and categories will be included in February’s newsletter or are available in the KEHA handbook.

Creative Writing submissions are due March 1.  These must be submitted to the state level by the homemaker.  Guidelines follow in this newsletter, are available in the KEHA  handbook, or by calling the Extension office.