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September is National Sewing Month!! It started in 1982 in recognition of the importance of home sewing to our Nation. Not that we should need it but anytime an excuse comes up to sew, I take it. However, more and more things seem to pile up and crowd out any extra time to do the things we enjoy. If you enjoy sewing or have been wanting to learn how to sew, make it happen in September as part of National Sewing Month. Even better—how about making something without sewing a single stitch? There are many blogs and videos that show you how to make...
Diet is one of the most powerful ways we can reduce the onset of disease. Healthy eating patterns can help prevent obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes. Healthy eating patterns don’t have to be boring or restricting. Healthy eating patterns can incorporate foods people enjoy and don’t have to be a strain on their budget. An eating pattern is the combination of all the foods and beverages a person eats and drinks over time. So it is important to consider the big picture because a person’s food and beverage choic...
People suffer heat-related illness when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded. The body normally cools itself by sweating. However, under some conditions, sweating just isn’t enough. In such cases, a person’s body temperature rises rapidly. Very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs. Most heat illnesses occur from staying out in the heat too long. Exercising too much for your age and physical condition are also factors. Anyone can succumb to the heat if one does not take appropriate precautions when exp...
Caregivers for patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia face special challenges. Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s or dementia often involves a team of people. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 16.1 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. In 2017, these caregivers provided an estimated 18.4 billion hours of care valued at over $232 billion. 5.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. By 2050, this number is projected to rise to nearly 14 million. Every 65 seconds, someone in the Un...
FLOOD CLEANUP When faced with a flooded basement, house or other buildings, the last thing you might think about is the indoor air quality. Failure to remove contaminated items/materials and reduce the moisture and humidity can present serious long-term health problems. Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria and mold. These can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions and continue to damage materials long after the flood. Here are some steps to take if you have experienced flooding...
Are you bothered by congestion or sinusitis due to season allergies? While drinking more fluids, increasing omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin C, and taking decongestants and antihistamines are some ways to cope with the symptoms, clearing your nasal passages with saline irrigation is also beneficial. Sinus rinsing removes dust, pollen, bacteria and other debris. It also loosens mucus. Nasal rinsing helps relieve sinus infections, allergies, colds and flu. Maybe you have heard of a little teapot with a long spout, called a neti pot that allows a s...
With the number of natural disasters happening currently and in the past year, have you thought about how prepared you are if your access to drinking water was cut off or contaminated? Here are some key points to consider for being prepared ahead of time, during and after the natural disaster. 1. A three day supply of one gallon per person per day should be stored for drinking and sanitation. Because individual needs vary depending on age, health, physical condition, activity, diet and climate, you might consider storing more than the...
Passed during the 2015 Montana Legislative session, a new law allowing a person with disabilities to save money without jeopardizing their Supplement Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid benefits was passed. It is called a Montana ABLE account which stands for Achieving a Better Life Experience. An individual who became disabled before his/her 26th birthday is eligible to have one ABLE account. Additional eligibility criteria include: the disability will last, or has lasted, at least a year; owner (beneficiary) of account lives in Montana;...
Chouteau County 4-H Youth Development Upcoming Events* June 1, 2018 4-H Project/Demonstration Day (all ages)—an opportunity for youth to participate in hands-on activities while learning and experiencing project areas that help them discover new interests or advance in those they have already found. 4-H members also develop their communication and leadership skills by presenting demonstrations, speeches and illustrated talks. The Senior division winners are eligible to compete at Montana 4-H Congress in July. June 11-13, 2018 4-H Camp Beaver C...
The nice weather has us all wanting to spend as much time outside as possible but we may forget what havoc it can cause. Whether you are working or recreating, long days in the sun can be a serious health hazard in the form of various skin cancers and other health concerns. Cumulative sun exposure is a major factor in the development of skin cancer. The sun’s rays are more damaging during the summer months and during the midday hours (10 am – 4 pm,) even when it is cloudy. In addition, exposure is increased when around bright surfaces such as s...
DESIGNATING BENEFICIARIES THROUGH CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS There are three methods people can transfer their property to beneficiaries when they pass away. The three methods are: contractual arrangements, written wills or Montana intestate succession statutes (laws for those who did not have a written will). For this article, we will look at contractual arrangements. Contractual arrangements that specifically provide for the passing of property to a beneficiary are considered as transfers taking effect at death. Some examples of assets which pr...
With the time constraints many families are under, the idea of making and enjoying a home cooked meal as a family may seem overwhelming or even an afterthought some, if not most days. Would you believe me if I told you that you could have a nutritious meal on the table in as little as 20 minutes? With a pressure cooker, it is possible! Cooking time is reduced by 50 percent or more when using a pressure cooker as compared to conventional cooking methods. Sound too good to be true? Here is why: A pressure cooker is a sealed pot in which pressure...
Mindful Eating How many times have you done something and cannot remember what happened or what was said? Have you even found that you cannot remember what you had to eat a few hours ago? Our minds wander due to deadlines, upcoming events and other pressures, which can lead to us doing things without paying attention. This even happens with eating. More and more research has found mindfulness to have a positive psychological well-being, and benefit individuals and their eating behaviors. Mindful eating is being aware of your eating habits, the...
The week of February 26-March 3, 2018 is America Saves Week. It is a national effort to promote good savings behavior and encourage individuals to assess their own saving status. It can be hard to put aside money for savings when we can be overwhelmed with our expenses. Savings can help you be better positioned when emergencies or unexpected costs arise. Or, maybe you have been hoping to purchase a new piece of furniture, take a family vacation or are planning ahead for college or retirement. Why not start now. It does not need to be a large am...
How would you rate your family relations? Not the greatest, could be better or great? Strong communication is the key to good family relations. We have all heard this but what does it really mean? Communication is how we send and receive messages in ways that create understanding between individuals. It is what we say and how we say it. A majority of our communication is nonverbal—our body language, facial expressions and the tone. Nonverbal communication gives us information about the sender’s mood or intent of the message, it helps to con...
Yes, you already know carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, deadly gas. But, a reminder never hurt, right?! When appliances are properly installed and maintained, they burn only small amounts of carbon monoxide. Anything that disrupts the burning process or results in a shortage of oxygen can increase carbon monoxide production. Wood, coal and charcoal fires always produce carbon monoxide, as do gasoline engines. There could be things that happen without you knowing that may cause the appliances or fireplaces not to vent...
Children learn from watching their parents or caregivers earn, shop, save and borrow. As the top influence in their financial lives, you do not need to be a money expert to help them start out strong. As adults, most see financial well-being as: having control over day-to-day, month-to-month finances, capacity to absorb a financial shock, being on track to meet financial goals and having the financial freedom to make the choices that allow them to enjoy life. By helping your children develop important behaviors, knowledge, skills and personal...
Free Annual Credit Reports There is one official site to get a free annual credit report. It is AnnualCreditReport.com and they can also be reached at (877)322-8228. It is Federal law that you are able to get a free credit report every twelve months from each of the three major consumer reporting companies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). Do not be fooled by the advertising of look-alike sites. In the end, the look-alike sites that claim to be free will end up charging you. Why should you check your credit report often? Monitoring your...
November is American Diabetes Month - PREDIABETES One in three American adults has prediabetes, but only 10 percent know they have it. Prediabetes is when blood glucose (sugar) level are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Prediabetes can be viewed as a warning sign from your body to make some lifestyle changes before your health worsens. Some prediabetes risks can be managed, like physical activity and weight, to help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. Other risks, like age and family history, you...
November is observed as American Diabetes Month. This is an opportunity to share information about diabetes, making people aware of what it is and why it is important to manage diabetes when diagnosed or even prevent it. What is diabetes? Simply put, it is a condition that causes the levels of glucose (blood sugar) in your blood to get too high. Over time, your organs cannot function properly due to the high levels of glucose. It just cannot keep up with the demand and then you begin to experience health problems. If diabetes is not diagnosed...
The 2017 Chouteau County Health Fair was recently held at three different sites and was sponsored and organized by the Big Sandy Medical Center, Missouri River Medical Center, Chouteau County Department of Public Health, Chouteau County Department of Emergency Services and Chouteau County MSU Extension. On October 10, 56 individuals had their blood drawn at Big Sandy. On October 11, 192 blood draws were taken in Fort Benton and on October 12, 54 people had their blood drawn in Geraldine. In addition, many agencies and businesses were present...
In sticking with the theme of National Sewing Month, how many of you have been discouraged from sewing because of the cost? With some time and a little research on the web, you can find a lot of free or low cost supplies to get you back into the fun and creative world of sewing. For a little extra motivation, ask a friend or get a group together to do similar projects or finish those projects that got stashed away years ago—even if it is a couple times a year or every other month. Let’s get back to finding those free and cheap supplies. If you...
September is National Sewing Month!! It started in 1982 in recognition of the importance of home sewing to our Nation. How many of you are saying you used to sew and just have not been able to get back to it, the sewing machine is buried or you do not have a spot to set it up, you have always wanted to sew but just did not ever take the time to learn or, the one I hear the most often, my mom made me sew and I hated it? If you really want to get back into sewing or want to learn, make it happen in September. Even if it is in the next few...
Does your child refuse to eat certain foods because of its color or texture, or, even, no reason at all? Not to worry. It is quite common for children ages 2-5 and is temporary. As long as he or she is growing and has plenty of energy, they are most likely eating enough to be healthy. If you have concerns, talk to your child’s doctor. Here are some tips to help with your child’s selective eating behaviors. *Let your child pick out fruits and vegetables at the store. *Have your child help you prepare meals. This helps them to learn about foo...
If it has not already happened, it is bound to at any time. That time when zucchinis start showing up in your vehicle or at your doorstep! Maybe you have made just about every dish and dessert you know of, but it still has not seemed to put a dent into your supply of the ever-producing summer squash. In addition to zucchini being a very cheap, if not free, vegetable during this time of year, it has some other beneficial qualities you might want to consider. Although zucchini does not offer a whole lot of nutritional value, its high water...
