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Your medical identity is at risk too
MARSHALL, Mo. – Medical insurance identity theft is a twist on financial identity theft. Thieves steal your personal and health information and use it to get medical treatment, prescriptions and even surgical procedures.If someone steals your medical insurance information, you may get bills for medical services you didn’t receive, collection agencies may pursue you for debt you don't owe, and insurers may refuse your legitimate claims…
For a healthier heart, balance potassium and sodium
Support heart health by balancing potassium and sodium through fruits, vegetables, and lower-sodium foods.
8 reasons young children misbehave
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.–You're in the middle of a crowded grocery story and your 3-year-old grabs a candy bar from the shelf. You quietly tell him to put it back. He screams at the top of his lungs and throws himself on the floor. You feel that all eyes are on you and you want to become invisible. Most parents probably remember moments like that.
Avoid a holiday meltdown
Columbia, Mo. – We expect the winter holidays to be full of happiness and good will. Just like Charles Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol," we want a fairytale ending where troubles disappear and everyone basks in the glow of holiday spirit. But, "A Tale of Two Cities" might better represent typical holiday madness for many.
Up and down ladder safety
MARSHFIELD, Mo. – Holiday decorating season is here, and that means hauling out ladders to place holiday cheer throughout the home and yard. A ladder seems like such a simple tool, but ladder accidents are far too common and can happen in the blink of an eye.
Venison is a healthy choice but should be handled with care
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.–The deer-hunting season brings venison to the table in many households. From a nutritional perspective, it’s a good choice, says a University of Missouri Extension nutrition specialist. Three ounces of deer meat contains 134 calories and only 3 grams of fat, said Tammy Roberts. The same amount of beef can contain 259 calories and 18 grams of fat; 3 ounces of pork has about 214 calories and 13 grams of fat.
The poor, maligned poinsettia
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Every year, some well-meaning person will warn of the dangers of the poinsettia. This is an urban legend that simply will not die.Its reputation as a toxic plant is undeserved. It’s been tested for toxicity and passed as safe.
The good and bad news about holiday weight gain
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Contrary to popular belief, the average American only gains about a pound over the holiday season. But that extra pound usually stays with us. Year after year, those pounds add up, increasing the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Instead of making a resolution on Dec. 31 to hit the gym, it might be a better idea to avoid that pound in the first place with an ounce of prevention.
MU guides explain managing white-tailed deer on private land
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As the 2011 deer season comes to a close, hunters and landowners can learn about managing white-tailed deer from a new series of publications currently being developed by University of Missouri Extension and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).
Winter car care can keep your vehicle running through the cold
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Winter can wear on cars and trucks, but a little preparation will keep vehicles running well throughout its coldest days.A simple checklist starts with the battery. A cold car battery can’t deliver as much current. If your car has an aging battery, you might want to see if it will be up to the job by having it load tested.
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Sucker gigging: A 200-year-old Ozark tradition endures
Discover the 200-year-old Ozark tradition of sucker gigging—nighttime spearing of fish in clear waters, blending fishing, family, and food.
Tips for maintaining lost weight
Learn practical tips to keep off lost weight through consistent meals, regular activity, and healthy daily routines.
Don’t sell your timber short
Maximize timber sales by consulting a professional forester and understanding value, harvest, and legal aspects of your woodland.
Keep the heat in your house, but keep out the radon
Seal your home to save energy but test for radon to protect against harmful exposure and lung cancer risk.
The ugly G's: Guilt and grudge
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Holding a grudge or feeling guilty can keep you from enjoying all that life has to offer.“Guilt is something we impose on ourselves,” said Vera Massey, nutrition and health education specialist for University of Missouri Extension. “We get into the ‘I should have done that,’ and the ‘shoulds’ keep us tethered to the past.”
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MU Extension teaches kids that cooking matters
Kids learn healthy cooking and nutrition skills through hands-on lessons, building confidence and smart eating habits.
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New documentary on Eliot Battle previews Feb. 25 on MU campus
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Local civil rights pioneer Eliot Battle is the subject of a new documentary that chronicles his pivotal role in desegregating schools, housing and the Columbia community. On Feb. 25 at 7 p.m., University of Missouri Extension will hold a preview screening of “Battle: Change From Within” at Bush Auditorium in Cornell Hall on the MU campus. The screening is free and open to the public.
Paying for college
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Many students have the desire to go to college, but not the funds to pay for it. Fortunately, there are options available to help students afford higher education.
Record-keeping for income taxes
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Do-it-yourself tax preparation, for complicated returns, means shuffling though statements, receipts and other records. Your record-keeping system for tax-related documents can be as simple or complex as you want.While color-coded, alphabetized records may be appealing to some, it isn’t really necessary to overcomplicate record keeping.
Start seeds indoors to jump-start spring gardening
Start seeds indoors in late winter to get a head start on spring gardening. Choose unique varieties and ensure strong seedlings for transplanting.
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Managing your garden's soil moisture doesn't have to be difficult
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Managing soil moisture is an important part of successful vegetable gardening in the Midwest, says a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist.
Spring pruning: Subtraction with a plus
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Trees, hedges and bushes…. When spring comes, the impulse is to hand out haircuts. Correct pruning can help keep your plants’ size in check, remove undesirable growth and stimulate desirable growth. Spring is a good time for tree and shrub pruning for several reasons, says Chris Starbuck, horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension.
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Lending a helping paw
KINGSTON, Mo. – He’s a different kind of dog for a different sort of farmer.Bruce Trammell hopes that dog soon will help him get up to speed on his farm.Thanks to PHARM Dog, the brainchild of University of Missouri Extension AgrAbility specialist Jackie Allenbrand, Trammell now has Odie, a yellow Labrador retriever whose job is to help the farmer regain his independence despite his disability.
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Lesser-known plants that deserve a place in the Midwest vegetable garden
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.–There are a lot of vegetables out there for home gardeners in the Midwest to try beyond the standard offerings at the garden center, says a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist.Marlin Bates suggests gardeners look into some of the lesser-known members of the Apiaceae (ay-pee-AY-see-ee) family.
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Get into a two-week planting schedule
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — Too many gardeners go all in when it comes to planting a vegetable garden by planting the entire garden at once, says a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist.