Savannah Valley District

Homemaker’s Column: Family Mealtime – More Than Just A Meal

HOMEMAKER’S COLUMN CHRISTINE J. PATRICK COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT   FAMILY MEALTIME: MORE THAN JUST A MEAL Sitting down together to enjoy a family meal provides more than the food prepared. Benefits of sharing a meal include: Connection – People of all ages eat better when meals are shared with family and friends. Any meal counts, not […]

Homemaker’s Column: Melon Basics

HOMEMAKER’S COLUMN BY: CHRISTINE PATRICK COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT MELON BASICS It’s that time of year again: Melon season! What are some practical tips on purchasing and using melons? Buying Melons • When selecting melons of any variety, look for quality and freshness. • The melon rind should have good color and should not be misshapen […]

Homemaker’s Column: Guidelines For Cooking Fish

HOMEMAKER’S COLUMN BY: CHRISTINE PATRICK COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT GUIDELINES FOR COOKING FISH Cooked to perfection, fish is at its flavorful best and will be moist, tender, and have a delicate flavor. In general, fish is cooked when its meat just begins to flake easily when tested with a fork and it loses its translucent or […]

All About Squash

HOMEMAKER’S COLUMN BY: CHRISTINE PATRICK COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT ALL ABOUT SUMMER SQUASH If you like summer squash, then June is an excellent month to get it fresh. It grows well all over the state and is being harvested right now. Summer squashes come in a range of shapes and colors and can be prepared in […]

Homemaker’s Column: Build A Better Salad

HOMEMAKER’S COLUMN BY: CHRISTINE PATRICK COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT BUILD A BETTER SALAD Many times when tired people arrive home in the late afternoon, the last thing they want to think about is cooking a hot meal.  But, the family is hungry, and the already tight budget can’t endure another night of ordering out. So, what’s […]

Homemaker’s Column : Caffeine

HOMEMAKER’S COLUMN CHRISTINE J. PATRICK COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT   CAFFEINE What is Caffeine? Caffeine is found naturally in the leaves, seeds, and fruits of more than 60 plant species worldwide. It is added to some beverages and foods for flavor. People have enjoyed caffeinated beverages since ancient times. Caffeine is a mild central nervous system […]

Homemaker’s Column: Earl, For Sandwiches, Even If You Never Ate One

HOMEMAKER’S COLUMN BY: CHRISTINE PATRICK COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT EARL, FOR SANDWICHES, EVEN IF YOU NEVER ATE ONE   Everyone knows that one of America’s most popular meals, the sandwich, was invented by John Montague. Who? Well, you might know him as the Earl of Sandwich. The story goes that Montague was so addicted to playing […]

Homemaker’s Column: Healthy Snacking

HOMEMAKER’S COLUMN BY: CHRISTINE PATRICK COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT HEALTHY SNACKING Planned snacks help you stay committed to a healthy diet. If you made a New Year’s resolution to improve your health by losing weight, then you should plan nutrient-rich snacks that balance out your daily menus and provide the most nutrition from calories consumed. What […]

Homemaker’s Column: Strawberries

HOMEMAKER’S COLUMN BY: CHRISTINE PATRICK COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT STRAWBERRIES The time of year for fresh strawberries is here. One of the first fruits of spring, the fresh red berries can now be found at roadside stands and in all the supermarkets at bargain prices. Strawberries are an absolutely superb addition to a healthy diet. They […]

Homemaker’s Column: Microwave Cooking

HOMEMAKER’S COLUMN BY: CHRISTINE PATRICK COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT MICROWAVE COOKING Microwave ovens can cook unevenly and leave “cold spots” where harmful bacteria can survive. For this reason, it is important to use the following safe microwaving tips to prevent foodborne illness when cooking or reheating meat. · Debone large pieces of meat. Bone can shield […]