Cooperative Extension Service Owen County 265 Ellis Highway Owenton, KY 40359- Owen County (502) 484-5703 Fax: (502) 484-574 Extension Homemakers extension.ca.uky.edu

Volume 1 Issue 2 February 2021

Inside Dear Owen County Homemakers, this issue: It is starting to get cold outside, hopefully you all are well and warm. I encourage you all to sign up for the lessons that are still taking place via Zoom. Stay healthy and hopefully we will be able to be together soon! Office Updates 2 In Memory of Owen County’s Longest Dues Paying Homemaker KEHA Contest 2 Member 2021 Calendars 2 On December 26, 2020, the Owen County Homemakers Wise Health-Care 2 and community lost a beloved lady. Lenora Kelly Olds, Consumer Month age 98 passed away. She was the longest running dues “White Sales” 3 paying member of Owen County Extension Homemakers. She got her start in the organization in 1947 as a member 4-7 Flyers of the Gratz Homemaker Club, making her a member for a little over 73 years. During her membership she served for a time as County Secretary, she led the singing for her local club, she attended the Annual Homemaker Meeting every year and she enjoyed going on the Homemaker trips. Judy Hetterman reminisced about a trip she went on with Ms. Lenora in 1992. They toured the entire state of Kentucky in celebration of the state’s Bicentennial. Ms. Lenora kept a journal of the entire trip. Everywhere she went she could make a friend and she kept up with many that she met on her travels with the Homemakers. Her smile was infectious, and she will be greatly missed by many.

Homemakers Book List Kendal Bowman We will be putting a few of the books in the Owen Co. newsletter that the Owen County Public Library has Extension Agent for you to out. Remember to keep track of For Ag & Natural how many books you read so you can be recognized Resources for them. Education “The Hobbit; or There and Back Again” by: J.R.R. Tolkien (2012) “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by: Marie Kondo (2014) P a g e 2

Office Updates Our office is open, but with limited access. You are able to enter our doors, but we ask you to stay in the front foyer and we will come and help you. If you have any questions, please call us at 502- 484-5703. We miss seeing our clientele, we hope that we can see you soon. We are not able to host any meetings or gatherings in our office at this time. With that no clubs are able to use our meeting rooms. If you have any questions, please give us a call.

KEHA Creative Writing Contest Submissions The deadline for submitting entries into the Creative Arts competition is March 1, 2021. Infor- mation and submission details are available at www.keha.org or by calling our office at 502-484- 5703. Categories include: Poetry; Memoirs; and Short Story. Share your talents and stories by entering the competition. Award winners are announced at the state annual conference.

2021 Food + Nutrition Calendars We have the 2021 Food + Nutrition Calendars available at the Extension Office for pick up. You don’t want to miss out on getting a calendar for the new year and miss out on the delicious recipes and nutritional information for each month. Stop by or give us a call to get yours today! On the last page of the newsletter you will find the recipe for January.

February is National Wise Health-Care Consumer Month Americans spend more time researching car purchases and new appliances than they do choosing doctors and health plans, according to the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. February is National Wise Health-Care Consumer Month. There is no better time to take control of your health by becoming an informed health-care consumer. Use this month to make sure you understand your options, know how to communicate with your care providers, and can make educated decisions about your health. Here are five tips to help you become a wiser health-care consumer. •Choose your health-care provider: Take your time choosing the right health-care providers for you and your family. It is important to do the research, ask questions, and establish a primary care provider. Be sure to keep a list of your family’s health-care providers and medications. •Understand your coverage plan: Whether you get your medical insurance coverage through Medicare/Medicaid, your employer, or another source, make sure you understand your health-care plan and who is in your network. This will save you time and money in the future. •Get annual screenings and checkups: The most common diseases are preventable. Do not ig- nore symptoms. Be sure to eat well, move your body, and keep up with your yearly checkups, screenings, and immunizations. •Prepare for appointments: Before an appointment, write a list of questions you have for your health-care provider, and take it with you. Do not hesitate to clarify or ask questions if something is unclear to you. Similarly, bring a list of any medications you take and your dosage. •Ask about generic medications: Generic medications can be more affordable and just as effec- tive. Always consult your medical provider if a generic option is appropriate for you. References https://www.westhealth.org/how-to-become-a-wise-healthcare-consumer/ https://www.cchwyo.org/news/2020/february/10-ways-you-can-be-a-wise-healthcare-consumer/ Source: Natalie Jones, MPH, Family Health Extension Specialist

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What to look for when shopping the winter “White Sales” It was almost 150 years ago when the Philadelphia department store Wanamaker’s held the first “White Sale.” Store owner John Wanamaker chose to discount his inventory of sheets in January 1878 to increase business in the months following the holidays. Since then, the tradition of the “Winter” or “January White Sale” has been an annual event. Sheets were traditionally only available in white, hence the name “White Sale,” but now, sheets and other are made in countless colors and patterns. With today’s retail trends of discount stores, outlet malls, online overstock suppliers, and frequent promotions and coupons, consumers can find sheets on sale almost any time of the year. But it is during traditional “White Sales” when most deep discounts are offered. This is when we can take advantage of better prices and replace worn or old sheets and refresh our beds. Below are a few concepts to consider when purchasing sheets. Thread count, content, and fabric construction •Thread count refers to the number of that are woven (or interlaced) up and down and side to side within a square inch. For example, sheets with a 300 Thread Count may have an average of 180 yarns per inch in the up and down (warp) direction, and 120 yarns per inch in the side to side (weft) direction. Most consider that a higher thread count equates to a softer, nicer set of sheets. However, this is not always the case. •The quality of yarns that make up the thread count can affect the feel of the sheets. Yarns made from that are smoother and longer may feel more luxurious, creating sheets that may feel better even if the thread count is lower. • fibers known for their smooth, longer length are grown from the seed type Pima. And even manmade fibers like can be blended with natural cotton fibers to make comfortable sheets as long as the polyester fibers are manufactured in a way that produces long, smooth fibers. •Words like percale, , , , and will often appear on the packaging. These generally refer to how the sheets are woven or constructed and are not always related to the fiber con- tent of the sheets. For example, the question, “Do you prefer cotton sheets or flannel sheets?” is mis- leading, because flannel sheets are cotton (usually). Flannel is actually the name for a with a napped or brushed surface, creating that cozy feel. •Percale fabrics are woven with a “one-over-one-under” pattern, creating a tight structure that is durable and feels crisp to the touch. Percale sheets are usually woven with 100% cotton fibers but can also be made with fibers blended with polyester or /bamboo. •Sateen sheets can be constructed from cotton or cotton/polyester/rayon blended yarns. The silky ap- pearance of this sheet is a result of the yarns in the side to side (weft) direction “floating” over the up and down (warp) yarns. Sateen sheets feel smooth and are less likely to wrinkle, however, their looser weave structure makes them more prone to snags. •Microfiber refers to fibers like rayon (bamboo) or polyester that have been manmade to be finer than human hair. The yarns made from can be woven in several different ways – including a percale weave or a sateen weave. Reference https://kenton.ca.uky.edu/files/fcs_-_buying_sheets_home_and_clothing_care.pdf Source: Jeanne Badgett, Senior Extension Associate for Clothing, , and Household Equipment

Owen County Extension Homemakers

Owen County 265 Ellis Highway Owenton, KY 40359

In small bowl, stir together all ingredients. Set aside. Salad 2 heads of romaine lettuce This institution is an equal opportunity provider. This 1 pound extra lean ground beef material was partially funded by USDA’s 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt Supplemental Nutrition 1/2 thinly sliced red onion Assistance Program – 2 ounces shredded cheddar cheese Nutrition facts per serving:250 calories; 1 large sliced tomato 10g total fat; 3g saturated fat; 0g trans Chop romaine lettuce and set aside. fat; 60mg cholesterol; 710mg sodium; 17g Place ground beef and seasoning salt in carbohydrate; 6g fiber;8g sugar; 3g medium bowl. Mix and divide the ground added sugar; 26g beef into15 mini burger patties. protein; 0% Daily Value Dressing of vitamin D;10% Daily 1/3 cup low-fat mayonnaise Heat a medium-sized skillet over medium- Value of calcium; 30% Daily Value of iron; 1/4 cup ketchup high heat. Add the burgers (cooking them in 25% Daily Valueof 1 tablespoon olive oil batches if needed), and cook about4 minutes potassium. on each side, or until well-browned. 1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar Source: Katie Shoultz, Extension Specialist, 1/4 teaspoon sugar Makes 5 servings To make the salad, place lettuce in 5 salad University of Kentucky Serving size: 1 cup bowls and top with 3 mini burgers, red onion Cooperative Extension 1/4 teaspoon salt Cost per recipe: $10.98 Service Cost per serving: $2.20 slices, cheese, and tomato slices. Drizzle with dressing.