BUTLER COUNTY FAMILIES
ISU Extension and Outreach information and resources for northeast Iowa
JUNE, 2015
BUTLER COUNTY EXTENSION &
OUTREACH
320 N. Main St.
Allison, IA 50602
319.267.2707
nejensen@iastate.edu
www.extension.iastate.edu/butler
Butler County
Extension Staff
County Program Coordinator
Nancy Jensen 319.267.2707
nejensen@iastate.edu
Office Assistant
Ruth Kampman
319.267.2707
rkamp@iastate.edu
Human Sciences Specialist,
Family Life
Cindy Thompson
641.229.6655
cpthom08@iastate.edu
Human Sciences Specialist,
Nutrition & Wellness
Jill Weber
319.234.6811, Ext. 112
jrweber@iastate.edu
Spend Smart Eat Smart
The Spend Smart, Eat Smart blog focuses on sharing ideas, tips, resources
and recipes to help you feed your family for less.
Summer Snacks for Healthy Kids –
Apricot Pops
Summer is right around the corner. The days are
getting longer, and kids are out of school. The
warm weather is perfect for spending time
outside with your kids. There are so many ways to
get active in the summer – I love to hit the pool
and go for walks in the evening. But with all this fun activity comes the need for
yummy snacks!
Every kid loves taking an evening trip out for ice cream. But these days, one treat
costs $2-5. These Apricot Pops are just as tasty as a treat from an ice cream shop,
but they are much cheaper. They are made with real fruit and yogurt so they are
healthier too!
Another cool treat to try is the Fruitastic Summer Smoothie Blast. Smoothies are so
easy to make and are ready in seconds. These taste delicious and pack a punch
of vitamins and minerals that healthy kids need.
Fresh fruit is so tasty this time of year that it makes a fine snack on its own. Want to
get the freshest produce at the best price? Check out this video to learn to shop
for seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Water 2.0
The weather is heating up and our humid Iowa summer is just
around the corner. It’s easy to turn to sugary drink mixes, sports
drinks and juice boxes in the summer because they’re
convenient and tasty. The problem with these is that they can be
really expensive and also high in sugar. Ads would have us think
that whenever we sweat we need to have a sports drink to
recover. Thirst is a sign that your body needs to be hydrated, but water will do
the trick unless you are doing a super intense workout!
If you’re like me, plain old water may not be for you. I like to improve it a bit and
add a little flavor! Here are some Water 2.0 ideas to try out this summer.
1.
2.
… and justice for all
Iowa State University Extension programs are available to all without
regard to race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation,
gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or
status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed to the Director of Equal
Opportunity and Compliance, 3280 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.
Cooperative Extension Service, Iowa State University of Science and
Technology, and the United States Department of Agriculture
3.
Freeze 100% juice in ice cube trays. Add it to plain water for a kick of fruit
juice flavor for less sugar and calories than a full glass of juice.
Put cut up fruit in a large pitcher of water in the refrigerator – it only takes
a small amount of fruit (think one sliced lemon or lime) to flavor a large
container of water.
Make water as easy to grab as a juice box by keeping reusable bottles
in the fridge where little hands can reach them.
The USDA 10 tips nutrition series has helpful recommendations about making
beverage choices for your family. Can you guess what tip #1 is?
Happy Summer!
Words on Wellness
The Words on Wellness blog promotes a healthy lifestyle. In each post, you’ll gain reliable, research-based information about
nutrition, exercise, and food safety, and explore the power of incorporating healthy practices into daily living for you and your
family.
Grill Food Safety
Thaw safely. Completely thaw meat, poultry, and seafood before grilling so it cooks evenly. Use the refrigerator for slow, safe
thawing or thaw sealed packages in cold water.
Marinate food in the refrigerator. If you use a marinade to enhance flavor, marinate the food in
the refrigerator, not on the counter. Do not reuse marinade on cooked meat that was used on
raw meat. If you want to add more marinade after the meat is cooked, make up a fresh batch.
Cook to the correct temperature. Grilling browns the outside of meat, poultry, and seafood
quickly, so you can’t rely on color as an indication of doneness. Always use a food thermometer
to ensure that the food is cooked to the safe minimum internal temperature.
Keep hot food hot. Keep cooked meats hot by setting them to the side of the grill rack, not directly over the coals where they
could overcook. At home, the cooked meat can be kept hot in an oven set at approximately 200°F, in a slow cooker (135°F or
higher), or on a warming tray.
Use a different plate for serving cooked meat. When taking food off the grill, don’t put cooked food on the same platter that
held raw meat, poultry, and seafood. Any harmful bacteria in the raw meat juices could contaminate safely cooked food.
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Health Benefits of Bicycling
Bicycling increases one’s physical activity and can reduce weight. In addition, cycling has been shown to have a positive
effect on emotional health. It can improve levels of well-being, self-confidence, and stress while
reducing tiredness and sleep difficulties. As the weather continues to improve, enjoy the outdoors
on your bike. The Iowa DOT’s “Bikes HomePage” provides an interactive map showing the surface
type and length of various bike trails at http://bit.ly/1PHCj9B.
If you want to know how many calories you burned on your bike ride, check out the “MapMyRide”
calculator or find out information on how to download the “MapMyRide” app at
www.mapmyride.com/improve/calorie_calculator/.
Answer Line
Families AnswerLine at ISU provides information and resources for consumers with home and family questions. Call Monday
thru Friday, 9 am to noon and 1 to 4 pm at 1.800.262.3804
Tips for Storing Fruit
Fresh fruits from the grocery store are a wonderful addition to any meal. It is recommended that
we eat between 1 ½ to 2 cups a day (depending on age and activity level). Once you bring it
home how you store it determines how long it have maximum flavor and how long the fruit will last.
Many fruits are picked before they are fully ripe and shipped to the grocery store. These fruits will
continue to ripen and should not be refrigerated until they are mature. Refrigeration before they
are ripe could cause them to lose flavor and have a mealy texture.
Some of these are: Apricots, Avocados, Bananas, Cantaloupe, Honeydew melons, Kiwi, Mangos,
Nectarines, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Tomatoes.
If you want to make it ripen more quickly place the fruit in a single layer in a large paper bag. Fold the top down and check it
every day to see if it is ripe and ready to enjoy. When it is fully ripe it can be eaten and the rest put in the refrigerator.
Some fruits need to be stored in the refrigerator immediately. These are fruits that will not continue to ripen after they have
been picked. If they are left at room temperature it will speed up their decay. These include: Blackberries, Blueberries,
Boysenberries, Cherries, Cranberries, Grapes, Raspberries, Strawberries, Rhubarb.
Some fruits can be left at room temperature or stored in the refrigerator. These fruits will not ripen any further after picking but
can also be left out at room temperature without harm. Many of these are perfect to store in a fruit basket: Apples,
Clementines, Lemons, Limes, Oranges, Watermelon.
When shopping, be sure and look for fruits that are not bruised or cut since this will cause them to spoil more rapidly. Avoid
excessively soft fruits since they are at the end of their lifespan. Remember to wash all fruit before eating. Follow these tips
and store your fruit properly to avoid costly waste from spoilage.
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Summer Picnic Safety
Summer and warm weather have arrived and it is time to start enjoying the outdoors! What a better way than to go on a
picnic! Remember summer warmth provides the perfect environment for bacterial growth in foods if they are not handled
safely! Here are some tips to keep your picnic safe and enjoyable!
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If your cooler is stored in a hot garage or attic be sure and bring it into the house to cool down before you use it. Your
food will heat up quickly if it is put in a hot cooler!
Clean out your cooler. Wash the inside well with soap and water before using even if it was clean when you put it
away last season.
Freeze ice in containers (like empty water bottles or sour cream containers) to use to keep your foods cold. A larger
block of ice will take more time to melt than a bag of ice cubes. The goal is to keep your cooler as cold as if the food
was being stored in your refrigerator.
Bring antibacterial disposable cloths and paper towels to use in case there isn’t a sink to wash hands before cooking
and eating.
If you can, bring two coolers. Keep one for raw meats, poultry, and fish and a separate one for ready to eat foods. If
you only have room for one cooler make sure that your meats are wrapped securely or put in zip lock bags to keep
meat juices from contaminating foods that won’t be cooked.
Bring drinks in a separate cooler. Coolers that house drinks are opened more often and can make your foods warm
up more quickly if stored together.
Bring along a meat thermometer. When cooking on a grill the outside of your meat may look done but the only safe
way to tell is not by color, but by making sure it is cooked to the correct temperature.
Put your coolers in a shady spot when you arrive at your destination. If there isn’t going to be a shady spot bring a
large umbrella to provide relief from the hot sun or wrap the cooler in blankets to keep them from warming up to
quickly. If you are at a beach bury the cooler in the sand to provide natural insulation.
Follow these tips and enjoy the outdoors knowing that the food that you are eating on your picnic will be safe to consume!
Science of Parenting
The Science of Parenting blog shares and discusses research-based information and resources to help parents in their
important role of raising children.
Parents Take Lead for Summer Learning
A child only educated at school is an uneducated child—George Santavana
School is out and many educational experts would say learning is on hold. So parents…… it’s up to you! Remember,
learning doesn’t just happen in a classroom. How, and when do children learn? Learning…can be anytime, anywhere, on
demand and individualized. Parents as their child’s first and foremost teacher can be in a position to assist their child in 24/7
learning. Learning is most optimal when it can be as individualized as the kid. Teachers know that this is important, but
struggle to achieve this with increased class sizes and academic achievement. But parents can, if they take on the
challenge. With a little planning and researching, parents can fill their child’s day with many brain boosting activities and
strategies.
To quote philosopher George Santavana—“A child only educated at school is an educated child”. Lifelong learning goes far
beyond the classroom setting and summer can be the perfect time to set your child on a journey to authentic learning. Let’s
start with the notion that learning can and should be fun. Ideally, we can learn to capitalize on our child’s ideal learning style.
Many kids prefer hands on learning and traditional classroom teachers are challenged to find the time and resources to
provide learning activities are geared for hands on learners. Hands on learning can be both academic and fun.
As parents always remember to vary activities. Remember that a little fresh air is the best way to wake up a sleepy summer
brain. Get them outside. Get them moving. Keep them reading. Keep them learning. Summer can be a great time to
discover music, attend outdoor concerts, boost music lessons, write songs, make instruments or try a new instrument. Consider
an outdoor talent show in your neighborhood.
Make your home “learning friendly”—fill with books, newspapers, games, how to manuals, magazines, and access to the
internet. Be a learner yourself. Let your kids see you researching how to do things, and see you reading. Remember to TALK.
Ask questions. Ask probing questions for deeper meaning and thoughts. Challenge each other. Learn from each other.
It has also been said that “Necessity is also the mother of invention”. Consider a hands-on project and the research that is
necessary to complete it. My son-Cole has been a project kid. We have learned all sorts of things through his persistence and
ongoing projects. We have taken on projects like survival skills including: catching water in a catchment system, making char
cloth, constructing a fish trap, creating snares, beekeeping, willow whistles, blacksmithing techniques, fishing lures and flytying—(flies mimic insects actually found in nature, understanding of fish and entomology) as well as the perfect homemade
dough bait prepared in my kitchen! We attempted engineering challenges like catapult creations, mobile ice house
construction, leather making, knots and lashings, and coin collecting—just to name of view of his own-going learning bucket
list. Has he traveled this learning journey alone? No—his father and I have learned alongside. As a parent I have also learned
to take his lead. I’ve learned to support and encourage what he is interested in. As parents we have learned that lifelong
learning is about giving kids learning experiences. It’s about asking questions. It’s about being mindful and observing their
interests. It’s about letting them fail and learning from those failures. It’s about encouraging curiosity and not squelching
ideas. It’s about asking thinking questions. It’s about knowing your child and where their interests lie.
Take time this summer to look at learning as a life time of exploration not only for your child but for yourself. Learning shouldn’t
be a chore! Take time to let learn with your child!
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Science and Math in 4-H?
Cindy Gannon, Northwest Iowa Marketing Coordinator
Of all the possible clubs and organizations parents and kids can choose to belong to, a 4-H club should be number one on the
list. What do you know about 4-H? Some think it’s all about farms. And animals. Period.
We know it’s so much more. All the activities are and always have been STEM focused, meaning the members are engaged in
science, technology, engineering and mathematic principles. Members of 4-H who belong to a 4-H club are immersed in STEM
activities.
But, what if your child isn’t in 4-H? How about trying a summer camp? Most camps are open to all youth in the area. Those
who attend will have much to write on “What did you do this summer?”
Examples of some camps ISU Extension and Outreach offer:
Robotics Camp I, II and III
KidWind
Free Style STEM
NASA STEM
1st Steps Vet Science
Explorations in Vet Science
Next Steps Vet Science
CSI: Learn to Investigate
CSI: Unsolved Mystery
Jelly Genes and DNA: Biotechnology
Food Science
Green Thumbs, Dirty Fingers
Or, how about: Photography camps, NASA Mars rover camp, nature STEM camps, sewing camps, explore medicine camps,
and more. Many of the camps could not happen without community partnerships such as area hospitals, school science
teachers, NASA astronauts (yes, really), and many more.
Want your child to Join 4-H? Contact Butler County Extension at 319.267.2707.
Money Tips
Three financial educators offer new money tips each week. Saving, getting out of debt, buying wisely, looking to the future.
Money Tips$ will help you make the most of your money.
Is it a Need or a Want?
We have all heard it from our children, “I need this item.” As a parent, you may or may not see it
as a need – you may see it as a want. One good strategy for dealing with children’s “wants” is to
have them save some of their own money to purchase the item.
This strategy teaches children an important skill: Paying Yourself First, by saving some of their
money for later needs. Short-term savings teaches your children that by waiting a little
longer they are able to buy something they really want. Learning to save teaches children to
appreciate delayed gratification. NOTE: Long term goals like saving for a car or college education
can be difficult for small children.
Borrowing can be used when children run short of money; they can borrow from parents or siblings. Parents can help children
learn how to borrow wisely by never loaning more money than the child can realistically repay (with interest if
appropriate), and/or setting up a grace period in which there will be no interest. When children borrow, it is important that
they repay the money in a timely manner; they learn the responsibility they take on when they borrow. Borrowing money can
teach children the real cost of money.
Sharing money is a good lifetime habit. It teaches children that there are good feelings for both the giver and the receiver
when they use their money to help others. Having money brings obligations such as taxes and charity donations. Be sure to
encourage children to give other resources (such as their time and skills) as well as money.
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Student Debt Stress
Over 40 million Americans are paying back student loans. Owing money is frustrating enough, but it’s even worse when the
loan company makes things more complicated.
Have you run into obstacles trying to pay back your student loans? The Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau (CFPB) wants to hear from you if you’ve experienced: Surprise fees, lost payments, difficulty
getting information from your loan servicer, other roadblocks to repaying your loans.
Submit your comments and tell your story today to help the CFPB improve student loan servicing for
borrowers. (comments can be submitted through July 13, 2015). NOTE: your story will become part of
public record, so tell your story without including any sensitive information such as your Social Security
number or other information that identifies you.
BONUS: to learn about options for paying back your student loans, check out the CFPB’s Repay Student Debt section.
Let’s Talk. . . Child Care
Are you an early childhood professional? Do you provide care and education in your home, a center or a school? Let’s Talk. .
. Child Care blog focuses on sharing information and resources to help you be the best early childhood professional you can
be.
Let’s Talk. . . Phonological Awareness
IT’S SUMMER!! (Or, depending where you’re at and how you define “summer”, it will be soon.) That means a break from
learning for all the children in your care for a few months, right? Of course, not!! Children are learning all the time. Here, guest
blogger Kris Corrigan shares some ideas for including phonological awareness throughout your day.
In a preschool class I recently visited, the group music time turned into laughter and giggles as their
teacher substituted the name of each body part in the familiar “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” with
a different beginning sound /b/. “Bed, Boulders, Bees, and Boes” was a hit and requested again and
again. Through repeated exposure to fun, no pressure language play activities like the mentioned
above, their teacher is helping them develop phonological awareness.
Phonological awareness, or the awareness of individual sounds or groups of sounds within words, starts in
preschool with activities that help children become aware of syllables in words, recognize words that
rhyme, or through alliteration activities (repeating the same beginning sound) as the teacher did by substituting the beginning
sound for the letter /b/ in the song. Research shows that phonological awareness is a key predictor of later success in reading
and spelling.
The good news is this is not just one more thing you need to squeeze into your already busy day. In fact, many of these
activities require no additional preparation and can be done in as little as five to ten minutes while children transition from one
activity to another. Here is one that can be used when children are waiting in line to wash hands:
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Bippity Bobbity Bumble Bee
The teacher begins the chant and walks to a child in line:
Bippity Boppity Bumble Bee
Won’t you same your name for me?
Child says her name.
The class and teacher say her name while clapping once for each syllable in the child’s name.
Bibbity Boppity Bumble Bee, thank you for saying your name for me.
Continue the chant by repeating with another student and his or her name.
Here are a few resources if you would like more information about phonological awareness and fun activities you can do with
your children:
Yopp, Hallie K. & Yopp, Ruth E., (2009) Phonological Awareness is Child’s Play! Beyond the Journal Young Children on the Web,
NAEYC.
Bennett-Armistead, V. Susan, Duke, Nell K. & Moses, Annie M. (2005) Literacy and the Youngest Learner, New York: Scholastic
Yopp, Halie K. & Yopp, Ruth E. (2011) Purposeful Play for Early Childhood Phonological Awareness, Huntington Beach, CA:
Shell Education
If you already are incorporating these activities into your daily activities and routines through games literature and songs, we
would like to hear your ideas at http://blogs.extension.iastate.edu/childcare/phonological-awareness/.
Calendar of Events
June:
30
Webinar “Design From Yard to Trough”, 6:30 – 8:30 pm at the Butler County Extension Office
July:
3
7
9
14
16
21
28
Office Closed
K-1 Day Camp, Allison Fairgrounds, 9 am – 3 pm, $15, “Stop Bugging Me”
K-1 Day Camp, Allison Fairgrounds, 9 am – 3 pm, $15, “Stop Bugging Me”
2-3 Day Camp, Allison Fairgrounds, 9 am – 3 pm, $15, “Forces of Mother Nature”
Dumont Library Summer Reading Program put on by Butler County Extension
4-6 Day Camp, Allison Fairgrounds, 9 am – 3 pm, $15, “Vet Science”
Webinar “Water in the Garden”, 6:30 – 8:30 pm at Extension Office
August:
2-8
20
25
29
Farmers Market Week
Food Waste Compost Training, UNI, $20, 9-noon
Webinar “Pollinators and Growing Herbs”, 6:30 – 8:30 pm at Extension Office
Taste of Iowa, Conrad
October:
3
Growing Up Wild Training, Herry Woods, Clarksville, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm