MU FRTI names Fire Service Instructor of the Year
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension Fire and Rescue Training Institute (MU FRTI) presented the 2010-11 Fire Service Instructor of the Year awards at the Institute’s annual Instructor Conference on Oct. 15
Plant Dutch bulbs now for springtime surprise
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Now is the time to prepare for some of the earliest arrivals of spring: flowers borne by Dutch bulbs.These flowers include the likes of narcissus (daffodil), tulip, hyacinth and crocus.“We usually plant them in October or early November because the bulbs need about 12 weeks of soil temperatures below 38 degrees to bloom,” said David Trinklein, MU Extension state horticulturist.
Fighting moles is an uphill battle
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Moles have been extra busy this autumn, and you can almost see the resentment rise in homeowners as they survey their spoiled yards.
Your garden after the freeze
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - The growing season has ended and many gardeners are heading out to clean up what the frost has left behind. But some gardeners don't bother with fall cleanup. "This is because they planned for their gardens to seamlessly transition into the cold months," said a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist. "With a little extra preparation, your post-frost garden can also be an aesthetic asset with…
Success in wine starts on the vine
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Bacchus would be proud as Missourians use autumn as an excuse to revel in wine-filled times with good friends.While they celebrate, University of Missouri researchers work to improve vineyards and the fruits of their labor.
Nutrition information you can see
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – A new food-labeling system helps consumers make better-informed decisions as they shop, says a University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health education specialist.The “Nutrition Keys” system takes selected information from the familiar “Nutrition Facts” panel, required on most packaged food products sold in the U.S., and places it on the front of the package in a more prominent and easier-to-read format.
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
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.– Doctors and nutritionists often focus on reducing sodium in our diets to maintain heart health. That’s important, but don’t overlook the role of potassium, says Lynda Johnson, nutrition and health education specialist with University of Missouri Extension.
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.
Training program jump-starts entrepreneurship in Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Aspiring farmers from across Missouri will gather Sunday, Dec. 11, to network, celebrate successes from the season and share ideas at the first Entrepreneurship Project alumni event.
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.
Deck the halls with proper caution
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Ornamental plants are a great way to make your home festive for the holidays. Stealing a kiss under the mistletoe or hanging a holly wreath to welcome guests are both lovely traditions. What’s not so lovely is that both these plants are toxic.Four common holiday plants, which vary in degree of toxicity, include mistletoe, holly, English ivy and Japanese yew. These plants can cause harm if eaten, which is especially true…
Sucker gigging: A 200-year-old Ozark tradition endures
EMINENCE, Mo—Most fishermen call it a day when the sun goes down, but on this December evening Landon Howell and his friends are just getting started.
Tips for maintaining lost weight
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.–Many people start the year resolving to lose weight. A lot of those people succeed—at first. But the pounds we shed early in the year often find their way back to us by the following January.
Don’t sell your timber short
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Too many landowners sell their timber for only a fraction of what it’s really worth, notes a University of Missouri Extension state forestry specialist.“All too often a landowner accepts the first offer,” said Hank Stelzer. “This is usually because for most people selling timber is usually a one-time activity and they have no idea what the logs are worth.”
Keep the heat in your house, but keep out the radon
MARSHFIELD, Mo. –If you have made your home more energy efficient, or plan to do so, you might want to test for radon, says a University of Missouri Extension natural resource engineering specialist.
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.”
MU Extension teaches kids that cooking matters
MONTGOMERY CITY, Mo. – In a crowded kitchen in a church basement, nine elementary school kids are cooking lunch. You might think it’s a recipe for disaster—kids are using knives, handling raw meat, working at a big gas range, and there’s not much elbow room—but they know their jobs and the turkey tacos and fruit smoothies turn out fine, with no injuries and not too much of a mess in the kitchen.
Saving and investing go hand in hand
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Every family has its own unique financial goals. Those goals could be saving for retirement, putting money aside for a college education or buying a house. Whatever your goals, you should seriously consider investing, says a University of Missouri associate professor of personal financial planning.