Savannah Valley District

Okra Means You’re Eating Down South

Christine Patrick, County Extension EFNEP Agent If okra is on your plate, you’re probably somewhere below the Mason-Dixon line. You lucky thing. This native of Ethiopia has become identified with Southern cuisine as much as grits and collards. Versatile? You bet! Some people like it breaded and fried. Others like it stewed with tomatoes and […]

Top 10 Tips for Grilling Foods Safely

Christine Patrick, County Extension EFNEP Agent As you fire up the grill for a summer cookout, be sure the foods you serve to family and friends don’t spoil the fun by making people sick! Here are ten tips to prevent this from happening: Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water before and […]

Healthy Choices of Ethnic Foods

Christine Patrick, County Extension EFNEP Agent Look for these menu items and terms when choosing healthy ethnic foods: Cajun:  Boiled crawfish or shrimp; boiled or grilled seafood; Creole and jambalaya dishes; turkey or roast beef Po’ Boy sandwiches; red beans and rice without sausage Chinese: Steamed dishes (e.g. dumplings, rice, spring rolls, and whole fish); […]

Choosing the Right Canner for Home Canning

Christine Patrick, County Extension EFNEP Agent Many myths exist about safe ways to can foods. The reality is that food must be processed using the right equipment and the right recipes to ensure safety. The type of canner you need depends on the food you want to preserve. A water bath canner is used to […]

Cook Once, Eat Twice

Christine Patrick, County Extension EFNEP Agent If you find meal preparation to be hectic after a long day at work and want to find a way to make it less of a drudgery, try a simple remedy:  Cook once, eat twice. If you have to cook anyway, why not cook twice as much as you […]

Nutrient Density

Christine Patrick, County Extension EFNEP Agent Why is an apple a better choice than a bag of pretzels? They have roughly the same number of calories, but nutrients count, too. The apple provides fiber, Vitamin C, and potassium for an equal number of calories. Therefore, the apple has a higher nutrient density. A serving of […]

Eastern Tent Caterpillars Are on the Move

Marion Barnes, Senior County Extension Agent – Clemson University Spring has arrived in the low country; home gardeners are working in their gardens, azaleas, and dogwoods have been blooming for several weeks, and tent caterpillars are appearing on our trees’ foliage and shrubs. The eastern tent caterpillar, Malacosoma americanum, is a native pest of North […]

Egg Shelling Safety

Christine Patrick, County Extension EFNEP Agent Eggs can be a part of a healthy diet. However, they are perishable just like raw meat, poultry, and fish. To be safe, they must be properly stored, handled, and cooked. Some unbroken fresh shell eggs may contain Salmonella enteritidis bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. Researchers say that […]

Initial Private Pesticide Applicator Training & Licensing Exam

Hillary Pope, Area Livestock and Forages Agent Clemson Extension Agents Joe Varn and Hillary Pope hosted an initial private pesticide applicator training and licensing earlier this year. There were 13 participants in the training, and an exam was given immediately after the class. Participants learned about pest control principles, pesticide labeling, pesticides and the environment, […]

Getting Children to Eat Fruits and Veggies

Christine Patrick, County Extension EFNEP Agent Often children have an adverse reaction to being asked to eat fruits and veggies. If you want your kids to eat more produce the following easy tips are bound to help. Children like it when fruits and vegetables are in small, easy-to-eat, easy-to-grab, bite-sized pieces. Many children may be […]