MAY 2008

National Employee Health and Fitness Day

National Employee Health and Fitness Day™ is the 3rd Wednesday in May which this year, is Wednesday May 21. This observance, administered annually by the National Association for Health & Fitness, was created to promote the benefits of physical activity for individuals through their work site health promotion activities.

Worksite health promotion programs enhance the overall health and productivity of the organization by providing: Read More

As of Friday, April 18, 2008, the following Phase II water restrictions went into effect.

• Odd street addresses may irrigate lawns and landscapes on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 12:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and/or 4:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
• Even street addresses may irrigate lawns and landscapes on Thursdays and Sundays from 12:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and/or 4:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Hand-watering with one hose fitted with an automatic shut-off nozzle is allowed 10 minutes per day for landscape stress relief and to prevent plant die-off.

No restrictions apply to other outside water uses, such as for car and boat washing or for pressure cleaning of paved surfaces.

Reverse mortgages can be helpful to homeowners who want to stay in their homes but are having trouble keeping up with their mortgage payments, or who have no other source of funds to pay bills or meet unexpected expenses. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is urging homeowners who are thinking about reverse mortgages to make informed decisions and carefully weigh all their options before proceeding. If you decide a reverse mortgage is right for you, be sure to make the wisest use of your loan. Read more...

Those High Gas Prices! What Can You Do?

Gas prices keep climbing higher and higher and there might not be much relief any time soon. It’s time to think of some things we can do to help ease the “pain at the pump.”

Decoding Food Labels: Information for People with Food Allergies

True food allergies are immune-mediated systemic allergic reactions to certain foods. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), true food allergies affect less than 2% of the adult population and 2-8% of children. However, the impact of true allergies can be quite severe. Most childhood food allergies are found in young infants and children under 3 years old. Food allergies have a genetic component and may be more common among those with asthma. Read More ...

On February 17, 2009 , television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting. At that time, you can watch TV using one of the following options:
• Keep your existing analog TV and purchase a converter box.
• Keep your existing analog TV and use cable, satellite, or another pay service (if you already have pay TV services, your TV viewing will be uninterrupted).
• Use a TV with a digital tuner.

If you plan to continue using analog televisions without any pay TV services, you can apply for up to two coupons per household, to use towards the purchase of converter boxes. The coupons, which are being provided by the federal government, are worth $40 each. Visit USA.gov’s link to DTV2009.gov to apply for coupons.  

How do I request a coupon?

Between January 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009 , you can request a coupon while supplies last in one of four ways:

1. Apply online
2. Call the Coupon Program 24-hour hotline 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), TTY 1-877-530-2634
3. Mail a coupon application to: PO BOX 2000 , Portland , OR 97208-2000 . Download a Coupon Application DTV2009.gov
4. Fax a coupon application to 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632)

Source: DTV2009.gov, USA.gov

Bullying is a serious matter. One of every seven school children is either a bully or someone who gets bullied. Bullying can be verbal, like name-calling and teasing; physical, such as hitting and damaging possessions; or emotional as in spreading rumors and making someone feel uncomfortable or scared.  Both boys and girls can bully. Boys usually prefer swift and effective physical aggression, while girls tend to favor verbal and emotional intimidation or humiliation as bullying tools.

A few signs that your child might be bullied

• feeling ill in the morning
• not wanting to go to school
• not wanting to ride the school bus
• unexplained bruises
• drop in school performance
• lack of confidence

If your child is the target of a bully…..

• Discuss the problem with your child. Help him identify his feelings and explore what he can do.
• Teach him the assertive responses that deprive bullies of the “reward” of humiliating others.
• Encourage your child to make friends and socialize at school. The most severe bullying is directed at loners.
• Inform school officials immediately about any bullying.

Source: Bullying: What Parents Can DO. Sunburst Visual Media

Current research has shown that there is a 33% lower divorce rate among couples who attend a premarital preparation class.

The Palm Beach County Extension Service has been approved by the 15 th Judicial Circuit to teach the Premarital Preparation class, Before You Tie the Knot. Couples who take this 6-hour class receive a discount on their marriage license and a waiver of the 3-day waiting period to get married.

The next premarital class will be held on May 6 & 8, 2008 from 6pm to 9pm. The cost is $20.00 per couple. For more information and to register call the Extension Service at (561) 233-1742. Couples must attend both sessions in order to receive credit

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, handwashing is the single most important practice that will keep us all from getting sick and spreading illness. People with colds usually carry the virus on their hands, and unless proper handwashing intervenes, the virus can stay alive for at least two hours. The live viruses can also be transmitted from hands to other surfaces, such as cafeteria tables, doorknobs, telephone receivers, computer keyboards toys, games and other items where they stay alive for several hours. Here are handwashing techniques using different cleansers.

Bar or hand soaps

• Wet hands with warm, running water. Apply soap.
• Rub hands together vigorously to make a lather and scrub all surfaces. Continue this action for 20 seconds (equivalent to singing Happy Birthday twice).
• Rinse well under warm, running water.
• Dry hands thoroughly using paper towels or an air dryer. Avoid using community hand towels that are used by everyone else. Use the paper towel to turn off the faucet.

Hand Sanitizers: Apply one or two squirts of the product in your hands. Rub them together briskly. Rub the front, back, between your fingers, and around and under the nails, until your hands are dry.

Hand wipes: Wipe all areas of your hands until they are visibly clean. This might require more than one hand wipe, based on how dirty or sticky your hands are. When finished, through the wipes in the trash and allow your hands to air-dry.

Source: The Soap and Detergent Cleaning Matters Newsletter, Sept/Oct. 2007

• Family & Human Development
• Economics
• Money Management
• Food Safety
• Housing
• Food, Nutrition and Wellness
• Community Nutrition - FNP and EFNEP

• Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service
• National Health Observances
• Food and Health Calendar Months

May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, increases one’s risk of getting heart or kidney disease, or of having a stroke. Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the U.S. Stroke is the third most common cause of death in this country.

Danger Of Couples Credit Only In One Name

Many couples, especially that are well established, may have followed the traditional route of having all credit accounts in one person's name. In most situations, both would have been able to use the credit. The account-holder would have established his or her spouse as an authorized User, thus giving permission to use the card. Historically, account information such as payment history would influence the credit report and score of both the accountholder and authorized user.

This could both help and hurt an authorized user. If the accountholder managed the account well, this could benefit the authorized user. However, if the accountholder mismanaged the account, this negative information could hurt an authorized user of the account.

Read more

Maintaining A Healthy Weight

Here are seven things you can do as you try to focus on the importance of maintaining a healthy weight.

1. Eat normally. Free yourself from dieting and weight-obsessed thinking. Eat 3 meals each day during Healthy Weight Week, with one or two healthy snacks to satisfy hunger.
2. Live actively. Each day of Healthy Weight Week, try to be a little more physically active than usual. Find an easy level with activities you enjoy. Strive to get at least the recommended minimum 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity above usual activity most days of the week.
3. Eat nutritiously. Choose balance, variety, and moderation. Eat a variety from all food groups, choose low-fat dairy and dairy products, make half of your grains whole grains, and limit your intake of salt and sugar.
4. Feel good about yourself. Take time respect, cherish, and nurture your special talents and abilities. You are one of a kind.
5. Relieve stress. Practice stress reducing techniques such as, deep breathing, meditating, taking an imaginary vacation, or just emptying your mind and allowing your body to go limp.
6. Feel good about and appreciate others. Respect and accept people for whom they are. Avoid comparing yourself to others.
7. Strengthen social support. Maintain healthy, supportive relationships with family and friends. Avoid negative influences as they will “drain you of your happiness.”

Source: Celebrating Healthy Weight Week. Francie M. Berg. http://www.healthyweight.net/

Thinking About Borrowing From Your 401(k)?

As times get more difficult financially, there might be the temptation to borrow from one’s 401(k). Before taking out a loan, here are some pros and cons to consider.

On the positive side:

• You usually do not have to give an explanation of why you need the money or how you will spend it. READ MORE

Savings Strategies

• Pay off high-cost debt.  The best investment most borrowers can make is to pay off consumer debt with double digit interest rates. For example, if you have a $3,000 credit card balance at 19.8% interest, and you pay the minimum amount each month, it will cost more than $10,000 in interest charges. Read more

Simply Florida – A new innovative cookbook

Known as the Sunshine State, Florida offers unique flavors from the seashore to the panhandle.

Simply Florida a new cookbook offered by the Florida Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and the University of Florida/IFAS, celebrates all that is Florida food – sun-ripened fruit, fabulous beef, the freshest seafood, and farm fresh vegetables. It is filled with wonderful recipes suitable for vegetarians and meat eaters alike and information that represents the unique flavors of the Sunshine State. In addition to delicious recipes, users will find safe food preparation tips; nutritional analysis of recipes; information on agriculture and food production in Florida; and the history of Family and Consumer Sciences and the Cooperative Extension in Florida.

Availability and cost:

Order through website; http://www.simplyflorida.org

$30.00, price includes shipping and handling.

Books are available for $25.00 at the Extension office; 559 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, Florida, (561) 233-1742.

Lead Alert

Childhood lead poisoning is completely preventable. It can affect nearly every system in the body. Because lead poisoning often occurs with no obvious symptoms, it frequently goes unrecognized. Lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and at very high levels, seizures, coma, and even death. A blood test is the only way to know if a child has been exposed to lead.

Besides consumer products which are currently in the news, here are other potential sources of lead for children.

• Lead-based paint
• Lead contaminated household dust
• Lead contaminated soil
• Lead dust carried home from hobbies or occupations that involve lead - “Take Home Lead”
• Imported consumer products such as pottery, mini-blinds or costume jewelry
• Non-western home remedies or folk remedies

 Source:  Lead Alert Network, Florida Department of Health

Federal Reserve Links for Consumers Facing Foreclosure

The Federal Reserve has pulled together a number of links for consumers facing foreclosure. A lengthy list of federal and organizational resources may be found at:
http://www.federalreserveeducation.org/pdf/foreclosure

A short list of federal-agency-only resources may be found at:
http://www.federalreserve.gov

Source: Jeanne M. Hogarth. Consumer Education & Research, Federal Reserve Board.

Don't Be A Drip Save Every Drop

Here are a few facts about water usage.

• Each minute of showering uses 3 to 7 gallons of water.
• Taking a bath? Filling the tub 1/3 uses 15 gallons and 2/3 uses 28 gallons.
• Turning off the faucet when brushing your teeth saves 3 gallons each time.
• 30 drops per minute = 54 gallons per month.
• 120 drops per minute = 237 gallons per month.

The following are some tips to help you conserve water.

• Never pour water down the drain when it can be used for some other purpose. Use it to water plants.
• Take shorter showers
• Don’t let water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face, or shaving
• Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily and don’t use it as a trash bin
• Don’t use running water to thaw meat or frozen foods. Use a microwave instead or defrost overnight in the refrigerator
• Scrape, don’t rinse dishes, before putting them in the dishwasher
• Wash full loads of dishes and clothes or adjust the water level accordingly
• Cover pots while cooking and use the smallest amount of water necessary
• Check for plumbing leaks

For answers to your questions on the current water restrictions, please contact the South Florida Water Management District HOTLINE at 1-800-662-8876.