FAMILY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH CONNECTIONS IN MCCULLOCH COUNTY

Off to a Healthy Start Volume , Issue January 2019 The start of the is the Extension Service. In addition perfect time to establish new to helping you feel better overall, goals, habits, and a healthy exercise has also been proven to Inside this issue: lifestyle. Texas A&M AgriLife reduce the risk of heart attack Extension Service recommends and stroke, while helping to

starting this year off on the right maintain or reduce high blood FAMILY AND COMMUNITY foot by getting active and eating pressure, cholesterol, and diabe- HEALTH “CONNECTIONS” IN Off to a Healthy 1 right! tes. MCCULLOCH COUNTY Start Lack of time or a busy life If you are new to the active doesn’t have to stand in the way lifestyle, remember to start slow of healthy habits. According to and set manageable goals for desserts that are low in calorie Real 2 AgriLife Extension’s Walk yourself. Reyes recommends and high in nutrition. Some- trees are recycla- Across Texas program, 30 those just beginning their fitness times even small changes in your ble minutes a day is all it takes to journey to follow these simple favorite recipes make tremen- start the journey of improving steps: dous differences in terms of your health. Physical activities Get out of your comfort zone New Year’s Eve 3 calories and fat. Eating healthy that increase your heart rate Establish specific, measureable, Traditions from doesn’t mean you have to give and get you moving can range attainable, relevant, and timely up flavor, which is why Dinner Around the anywhere from moderate to goals. Try different workout Tonight offers some substitu- World vigorous, depending on the level activities to minimize boredom tions for healthier ingredients: of intensity you want to achieve. Monthly Recipe 4 and increase muscle strength — Replace butter with Every-day activities such as Keep your body fueled properly unsweetened applesauce cleaning, gardening, or taking with healthy foods — Reduce sugar by 1/3 cup the stairs counts as exercise! — Stay hydrated — Use 2% or fat-free Greek County News 4 Additional exercises include: — Dress for comfort yogurt instead of sour cream — Walking — Learn proper form — Use whole grain flour instead — Mowing the lawn — Get up and stretch at work of all-purpose — Water aerobics to prevent being sore or stiff To find more recipes and recipe — Biking on level ground In order to achieve maximum substitutions, visit — Running or jogging results and become healthier, dinnertonight.tamu.edu. — Swimming laps supplementing your exercise with Besides aiding in weight loss, healthy and nutritious foods is Contact: Erica Reyes, Extension exercising regularly can increase key. AgriLife Extension Service’s Program Specialist I energy levels and strength, and Dinner Tonight offers a variety Phone: (956) 969-5656 reduce stress, says Erica Reyes, of delicious snacks, meals and Email: [email protected] health specialist with AgriLife

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides equal opportunities in its programs and employment to all persons, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating. Page 2 Family and Community Health Connections In McCulloch County

Real Christmas Trees are Recyclable

After the holidays, don’t throw two trees to a drop-off location at no charge. your real in the and sanctuary. Fresh orange

trash or set it on the curb. Real slices or strung popcorn will Yard waste: Cut the tree to fit Christmas trees are attract the birds and they can loosely into your yard waste sit in the branches for shelter. biodegradable, which means container. (Make sure all decorations, they can be easily reused or recycled for mulch and other Tree recycling/mulching pro- hooks, garland and tinsel purposes. Here are some grams: Tree recycling and strands are removed). recycling options and tips on mulching programs are a Eventually (within a year) the fast-growing trend in what to do with your tree after branches will become brittle and communities throughout the you can break the tree apart by the holidays. Every community nation. Check with your local hand or chip it in a chipper. is different, but in general, you department of public works for

have these options: information. They chip and shred the trees, then make the Mulch: A Christmas tree is Removing Your Tree mulch available for use in your biodegradable; its branches may garden. Your hauler will notify be removed, chipped, and used The best way to avoid a mess you of pick-up dates in your as mulch in the garden. removing your tree is to place a area. Be sure to check with your local hauler. plastic tree bag (available at Paths for hiking trails: Some hardware stores) underneath the Nonprofit pickup: Call for an counties use shredded trees as a stand when you set the tree up. appointment to have a free, renewable and natural You can hide it with a tree nonprofit organization in your path material that fits both the skirt. Then, when the holidays area pickup your tree. Some Boy environment and the needs of are done, pull the bag up Scout troops offer a pickup hikers. around the tree, stand and all, service for a small donation (often $5). and carry it outside. Obviously, Living, rooted trees: Get a root- Other Recycling Options you will want to remove the ed (ball and burlap or container- stand before recycling the tree. If Soil erosion barriers: Some com- ized) tree and plant it in your some needles do scatter inside, it munities use Christmas trees to yard. (It's a good idea to dig the is better to sweep them up; make effective sand and soil hole in the late fall while the needles can clog vacuum erosion barriers, especially for soil is still soft, then plant the cleaners. lake and river shoreline tree into that hole immediately after Christmas.) Living trees Curbside pick-up for recycling: stabilization and river delta have a better survival rate in Many providers will collect trees sedimentation management. mild climates. during regular pickup schedules Fish feeders: Sunk into private on the two weeks following Important: Never burn your fish ponds, trees make an excel- Christmas. There are often Christmas tree in a fireplace or lent refuge and feeding area for requirements for size, removing wood stove. ornaments, flocking, etc. fish. http://www.realchristmastrees. Take your tree to a drop-off Bird feeders: Place the Christ- org/dnn/All-About-Trees/How- recycling center: Most counties mas tree in the garden or back- to-Recycle have free drop-off locations. yard and use it as a bird feeder Usually, you may take up to Volume 6, Issue 1 Page 3

New Year’s Eve Traditions from Around the World

All over the world, people join home: Gather your gang to talk your door to invite positive home: Eating 12 grapes is a highly together on New Year’s Eve to about dream trips. Tuck growth in the months realistic New Year’s goal. Don’t forget share hope and good company. something that symbolizes a ahead. On the first day of the to cut those grapes in half for the little Most cultures have rituals special journey into your pocket new year, children are ones — and definitely buy seedless. intended to usher in positivity on New Year’s Eve. Or grab awakened with a ceremonial for the year to come. your suitcases (they can be tap on the head from that onion Post-Soviet Countries: Decorate A empty) and make it a family to bring them longevity and Different Kind Of Holiday Tree - These unique traditions, most of outing around the block. health. Why onions? Because Ukraine, and other former which involve spending time some of them keep growing even Soviet countries have a New Year tree with loved ones and setting Denmark: Break Dishes For when they’re removed from the tradition. Decorated with treats, tange- goals, also provide fun teachable Good Luck - In Denmark, soil, symbolizing the generative rines and special toys, these trees illu- moments for the kids — and people smash plates against instinct in the depths of winter. minate the long winter night and de- plenty of inspiration for the their friends’ doors to bring good light children of all ages. grown-ups. luck. Over the course of the How to bring this tradition year, any chipped dishware is set home: An onion is easy to find How to bring this tradition home: Japan: Ring A Bell 108 Times aside for the big day. Then, on wherever you are. (And be sure Haven’t taken your tree down yet? To Banish Unhappiness -The New Year’s Eve, families travel to tap the children gently.) That’s because it’s a New Year tree, of Japanese Buddhist tradition around scattering crockery Alternatively, you can buy a course. And if your family doesn’t do holds that there are 108 shards — and spreading nice, healthy onion plant and a Christmas tree, you might all enjoy obstacles to happiness. For the positivity. Having lots of bro- set it where it’s likely to be seen this secular tree-decorating activity. new year, a bell is rung 107 ken stuff on your doorstep in the by all. Either an edible version, times on Dec. 31, and then Brazil: Jump Over Seven Waves, morning is considered a great which you can use in the once — just after midnight — on Make Seven Wishes - In Rio, ocean- New Year’s omen. kitchen, or an ornamental one Jan. 1. The sound from one related New Year’s traditions abound. will do the trick. strike has to die down before you How to bring this tradition Millions of beachgoers throng the strike the bell again. Each home: Try paper plates — you Spain: Eat 12 Grapes To Bless shore on New Year’s Eve to make sounding of the bell symbolizes could even draw and write mes- The Whole Year - In Spain, offerings to the sea and wish upon getting rid of the problems asso- sages on them. Or plan a real people eat one grape for each waves, for example. You’re usually ciated with a given obstacle over plate-smashing — but with will- stroke of the midnight bell to supposed to jump seven waves, since the past year — and moving into ing friends and neighbors, so bless each month of the coming seven is considered a lucky number. the new year free and clear. that everyone’s in the loop be- year. Since the act of How to bring this tradition home: If fore the fun starts. swallowing the grapes is time- How to bring this tradition your family loves to splash around, sensitive, the tradition involves home: Spend a little time as a Greece: Use Onions To find a body of water (the tub works) a lot of messy eating, along with family reflecting on the past Symbolize New Growth - In and wish away. ribbing and laughter. year’s challenges. Try ringing a Greece, one New Year’s Everyone loves a good New Year’s Eve bell together to clear the air and tradition is to hang onions on How to bring this tradition celebration. Add a little something promote serenity. novel to your festivities this year — and Colombia: Carry A Suitcase To set the tone for a remarkable new Ensure A Year Full of Travel - year. At midnight on New Year’s —Jennifer Brunton Eve, the people of this South American country run around the block with a suitcase. The https://www.forbes.com/sites/capitalone/ idea is that this ushers in an 2018/12/19/new-years-eve-traditions- adventurous year to come. Plus, from-around-the-globe/#5ffa85bd7e06 it starts the year off with an energetic bang. How to bring this tradition Family and Community Health “Connections” is provided by the following Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Family and Community Health Agents: Courtney Parrott, Brown County Linda Wells, Burnet County Jacque Behrens, CEA-FCH Haley White, Assistant CEA-FCH & 4-H Vacant, Coke/Sterling Counties 114 W Main, Brady, TX Janet Nelson, Coleman County Phone: 325-597-1295 Milissa Wright, Concho County Fax: 325-597-3023 E-mail: [email protected] Vacant, Irion/Schleicher Counties [email protected] Kim Miles, Jones County Karen DeZarn, Lampasas County W E’ RE ON THE WEB Whitney Whitworth, Llano County HTTPS:// MCCULLOCH. AGRILIFE. ORG Vacant, Mason/Menard Counties Jacque Behrens, McCulloch County McCulloch County News Staci Winders, Nolan County Kandice Everett, Runnels County We are pleased to announce the addition of Haley White to our McCulloch County Extension staff! She will be the Kailey Miller, San Saba County Assistant County Agent for FCH and 4-H. Haley just Jane Rowan, Taylor County graduated from Tarleton State University in Stephenville. Courtney Redman, Tom Green County Please come by the office and give her a welcome hello! Mandi Seaton, D7 Regional Program Leader New classes will be offered in the Helping Hand meeting room at 9:30 every Thursday in January. The name of the class is Be Well, Live Well. At each lesson, participants will receive incentive prizes such as veggie peeler/brushes, measuring equipment, can open- ers, colanders, etc. Call the extension office for more information: Stewed Chicken with Andouille 325-597-1295 chicken in a single layer and cook undis- Ingredients: 1/2 inch pieces turbed until browned, about 4 min. Continue to 6 skinless, boneless chicken 1 10 oz package frozen whole cook, stirring occasionally, thighs (about 1 3/4 lbs), baby okra, thawed until the chick is golden trimmed brown all over, about 5 Juice of 1 lime more min. Sprinkle the Kosher salt flour over the chicken and 1/4 c fresh cilantro cook, stirring, 1 min. 1 tbsp vegetable oil Directions: Stir in the broth and pota- This hearty dish incorporates chicken thighs 1 link andouille sausage toes and bring to a boil. Cut each chicken thigh into with chunks of andouille (about 3 oz), chopped Reduce the heat and sim- quarters (or 1 1/2 in pieces sausage. Fill up on the stewed mer, covered, until the okra before you chow down on if large). Pat dry and season 1 tbsp all-purpose flour potatoes are just tender, the meat. with 1 tsp salt. Heat the about 10 min. Stir in the vegetable oil in large skillet 1 3/4 c low sodium chicken okra and cook, covered, over medium-high heat. broth until the chicken and pota- Add the sausage and cook, toes are cooked through, 5 3 medium potatoes, cut into stirring, 1 min. Add the to 10 more min. Remove from heat and stir in the lime juice and cilantro.