Getting By

SAVE THE DATE! April 27, 2017, we will be offering a Meals in a Jar canning class in Fort Benton in the evening. The class will be hands-on and will include jars of the finished product to take home with you and the recipes so you can make more at home.

If you are looking for quick nutritious meal ideas, you will not want to miss this class. It could not be simpler than pulling a jar off the shelf and reheating. Even if you were gone, family members/babysitters could decide on their own what they wanted and then, in the matter of minutes, be eating.

Another reason to can your own meals is that you know exactly what is going in your food without all the preservatives and other additives, especially if you use your own fresh meats, vegetables and herbs.

The options for different meals are quite extensive, keeping in mind, it is important to follow research-based, tested recipes for safety reasons. We will provide you with recipes and other resources.

Plan on joining us on April 27 for a tasty, fun learning experience. More details will follow.

Keep up to date on what is happening in Chouteau County Extension and 4-H, follow us on Facebook. Additional information is available by contacting Janell at the Chouteau County Extension Office at 622-3036, janellb@montana.edu or in the Chouteau County Courthouse at 1308 Franklin St in Fort Benton.

March 15- When was the last time you tested your fire alarm? With the “spring ahead” of the clocks, there are reminders all over the media to test our fire alarms. And, here is another reminder. When it comes to the safety of you and your family, it is worth the 10-15 minutes to do the testing. Right after you get done reading this, go to it! Get everyone in the household involved so they are aware of the importance of these tasks.

While testing the fire alarm with the test button is the first thing you should do, it is also important to check the date of manufacture and replace fire alarms if older than 10 years from the manufacture date. Even though the test button works, it is only confirming the battery and alarm alert system is functioning. But, that does not mean the smoke sensor is working and they do lose their sensitivity over a period of time.

Here are a few more tasks that likely get forgotten but are so important as well.

*Check or replace the battery in Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. CO detectors also expire. They typically only last 5-7 years. Be sure to check the expiration date and replace if the date has passed.

*Check and replace furnace filter(s).

*Clean exhaust fans and screens. Do not forgot the stove exhaust fan and screen.

*Check clothes dryer vent for build-up.

*Does your refrigerator have drip pan? Probably have forgotten about it, right?!

Keep up to date on what is happening in Chouteau County Extension and 4-H by following us on Facebook or checking our website at msuextension.org/chouteau.

Additional information is available by contacting Janell at the Chouteau County Extension Office at 622-3036, janellb@montana.edu or in the Chouteau County Courthouse at 1308 Franklin St in Fort Benton.

Montana State University, US Department of Agriculture and Montana Counties Cooperating. MSU Extension is an equal opportunity/affirmative action provider of educational outreach.