Savannah Valley District

Homemakers Column: Frequently Asked Canning Questions

Christine J. Patrick, County Extension Agent – EFNEP As a novice or experienced home canner, you may have questions about safely preserving and storing high-quality foods. The following list of answers to frequently asked questions can give you the skills and confidence to make your canning experience successful. Can food be re-canned if the lid […]

Homemaker’s Column: Consider Nutrition When Dining Alone

Christine Patrick, County Agent If you’re eating alone regularly, you are part of an increasing trend. Each evening, one in ten Americans is dining alone. Whether it’s an adult heating up a cup of soup or a child micro-waving a TV dinner, dining alone can have its downfalls. Several research studies indicate that the diets of […]

FOOD EXPIRATION DATES: WHAT DO THEY MEAN?

CHRISTINE PATRICK COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT One of the most common food safety questions asked is “How long can food be stored before it becomes unsafe to eat?” There are different recommendations for most foods and HGIC is a great place to call or visit online when you are unsure. Food manufacturers often label their products […]

Homemaker’s Column: Fermentation: Preserving Tradition and Nutrition

Christine J. Patrick, County Extension Agent – EFNEP As one of the oldest food preservation and preparation forms, fermentation has been around throughout recorded human history. Still, many consider the process somewhat of a mystery. While most associate alcohol with fermentation, many are unaware of the everyday foods produced through fermentation and how the process […]

Homemaker’s Column: Spotting a Safe Seafood Seller

Christine J. Patrick, County Extension Agent – EFNEP ALWAYS purchase fish from a certified dealer that maintains high quality. Based on FDA’s Food Code, here are some ways of spotting a safe fish dealer: Employees should be in clean clothing and wearing hair coverings. They should not be smoking, eating, or playing with their hair. […]

Homemaker’s Column: Let’s Talk About Bowel Function, Dietary Fiber

Christine J. Patrick, County Extension Agent-EFNEP Let’s talk about a subject we usually don’t speak of in polite company – bowel function and dietary fiber. Wait! Don’t go away! How important this is to your health. Getting enough fiber in your diet is essential for your bowels to work properly. When your bowels do not […]

Homemaker’s Column: Watermelon: High on the Good Things to Eat, Low on the Bad

Christine J. Patrick, County Extension Agent-EFNEP Watermelon! What could be more aptly named? Water is the main ingredient. A one-cup serving of watermelon weighs 160 grams. Water makes up 146 grams of that total. Watermelon is high on the list of good things: sweet, yummy, filling, and hydrating. It’s also low on the list of […]

Homemaker’s Column: Pack a Healthy Lunch for your Child

Christine J. Patrick, County Extension Agent – EFNEP Most schools welcome students back to the classroom during August. That means a change in routine and eating patterns for most children. Many children eat in school cafeterias. Some buy lunch, while others bring lunch from home. Either option offers a chance for children to refuel and […]

Homemaker’s Column: Microwave Cooking

Christine J. Patrick, County Extension Agent – EFNEP Microwave ovens can cook unevenly and leave “cold spots” where harmful bacteria can survive. For this reason, it is essential to use the following safe microwaving tips to prevent foodborne illness when cooking or reheating meat. Debone large pieces of meat. Bone can shield the core from […]

Homemaker’s Column: We All Scream for Ice Cream

Christine J. Patrick, County Extension Agent – EFNEP Ice cream has come a long way since Emperor Nero sent enslaved people to the mountains to retrieve ice and snow, which was brought back to Rome, where it was mixed with nectar, fruit pulp, and honey. Historians say that Marco Polo brought back to Europe from […]