Family & Consumer Sciences - Todd County
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Cooperative Extension Service
Todd County
PO Box 97
Todd County Extension Elkton, KY 42220
(270) 265-5659
Fax: (270) 265-3534
Family & Consumer Sciences
extension.ca.uky.edu
Newsletter January, 2021
Be a Better Baker • Use the correct leavening agents. Baking
soda is sodium bicarbonate, which
requires an acid and liquid to activate and
Baking is science, where teaspoons and helps baked goods rise. Baking soda is 3
ounces need to be exact for a quality to 4 times stronger than baking powder
product. A few hacks that will ensure your but creates a metallic, soapy taste if you
baked products turn out perfectly every time. add too much or forget the acid. Baking
• Preheat the oven. Most baked goods powder is a combination of baking soda
require a leavening agent that reacts with and an acid, usually cream of tartar.
heat and other ingredients to make the Baking powder only needs a liquid to be
product rise. activated. Most baking powder is double
• Set the timer. Burnt cookies don’t taste acting: first when it gets wet and then
good and are a waste of time, effort, and again when it is heated.
money. Once you have set the timer, • Resist overmixing. If you overmix batter,
resist opening the door to check on the cake will be tough and muffins will have
product. Opening the door decreases the tunneling inside. Just mix until small bits
oven temperature, causing cakes to of flour show.
collapse if the oven is opened too often. • Use substitute ingredients that you know
• Grease your pans correctly. The best way work. For example, 1 tablespoon of
to grease cake pans is to coat the sides vinegar or lemon juice plus enough milk to
and bottom with butter (use a little on measure 1 cup is an acceptable substitute
waxed paper or a paper towel for ease of for buttermilk. If you use buttermilk
cleanup), and then lightly flour the pans. instead of milk, you will need to substitute
Using parchment paper that you have cut baking soda for some or all of the baking
to fit also keeps the bottom from sticking powder as the acid in the buttermilk
to the pan. reduces the carbon dioxide released.
• Measure flour correctly. Scooping out of Enjoy the baking
the bag is not an accurate way to process! There is nothing
measure flour. Spoon the flour into the better than a kitchen full
measuring cup, and then use a straight of the aromas of baking
edge to level off the top. your favorite recipe.
• Sift some ingredients. While sifting flour is
Reference
usually unnecessary, sifting cocoa Food Network, Baking Ingredient
powder or powdered sugar will prevent Guide, https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/packages/baking-
guide/baking-ingredient-guide
them from clumping. Source: Dr. Sandra Bastin, RDN, LDN, Extension Professor, Food
and Nutrition Specialist
Gift Card Etiquette: Tips Practical gift card considerations
Before you buy a gift card or gift certificate,
for Making Gift Cards consider how flexible the gift is to redeem.
Can your recipient make an online purchase,
Practical and Personal or will they need to go inside a store or
restaurant? When gifting to someone who
Gift-giving in the COVID era is complicated lives in a different city or state, make sure
by supply shortages, shipping delays, and in- you select a retailer, restaurant, or service
person shopping restrictions such as that is easily accessible to them in-person —
customer capacity limits or reduced business or select an online, more universal option.
hours. With obstacles such as these to
overcome, many people are simplifying the Most gift cards bought in-store must be
gift-giving process with gift cards. activated when purchased. When giving a gift
card, include the activation receipt in case
Personalizing your purchases your recipient encounters a problem at the
Gift cards do not have to be impersonal. time of redemption. Also pass along
When buying a gift card for a friend or loved instructions, disclosures, terms, or expiration
one, consider their likes and interests--a dates so they can make the most out of your
favorite restaurant, retailer, pastime or hobby. gift.
Gift cards can be specific to a certain store,
product, or restaurant or they can be general When giving gift
through major credit card companies. cards, remember
Consider your recipient’s likes and needs. they can be both
Restaurant gift cards are good for new practical and
parents. Gift a date night for newlyweds. personal. Look
Entertainment gift cards for music, apps, or for clever ways to
gaming are good choices for a picky personalize your
teenager. Select something self-care related, gift cards with thoughtful messages and
such as a spa treatment, for the busy mom. catchy sayings. Sayings like “Thanks a
Gift a car detail or round of golf for hard-to- Latte!” when giving a coffee gift card,
buy-for-dads. Gift cards from grocers, “Someone so sweet deserves a treat!” for a
discount chain stores, or general retailers are bakery gift card, or a sentimental note about
practical, flexible options for loved ones on a why you chose that particular gift card.
tight budget. Whether for a close friend, family member, or
a casual acquaintance, the amount of the gift
When selecting gift cards for casual card is not as important as the intention and
acquaintances, remember it is the thought thought behind it.
that counts. Never feel pressured to
Reference: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, U.S.
purchase a gift card in a dollar amount you Department of the Treasury. Answers about gift cards. Retrieved
cannot afford. Simple gestures include gift Oct. 6, 2020, from https://www.helpwithmybank.gov/get-
answers/other-topics/gift-cards/other-topics-gift-cards-
cards for treats at local bakeries, coffee quesindx.html.
shops, or ice cream parlors. Some streaming Source: Nichole Huff, Ph.D., CFLE, Assistant Extension Professor
for Family Finance and Resource Management
services sell movie rental codes in bundles.
Pair each code with a bag of popcorn and a Sincerely,
note for a “family movie night.” Regardless of
the recipient or occasion, the key to Jill B. Harris
personalizing a gift card is to include a note
that connects the person to the purchase. It Jill B. Harris
shows both thoughtfulness and practicality. County Extension Agent for
Family & Consumer Sciences Education
Upcoming Classes & Activities
Todd County Homemakers Council Cookbooks
Todd County Homemakers Council will Need a gift for someone on your list?
meet Monday, January 25, 5:00 p.m. The Remember we have Todd County
meeting will either be at the Todd County Homemaker Cookbooks for $5.00. Wrap it
Extension Office Meeting Room or on up in a dish towel with a couple of kitchen
Zoom, depending on restrictions at the gadgets and it makes the perfect gift. Or,
time. pick out a favorite recipe from the cookbook
and give the ingredients.
Upcoming Lesson
The January lesson, “How to Run Effective Gifts from the Kitchen
Meetings” is included with this newsletter. This year due to COVID we are
We will also be having a zoom training on discouraging any homemade baked goods
“How to Run Effective Meetings” on to be given as gifts. This includes cookies,
Tuesday, January 12, 10:00 a.m. If you cakes, fudge, and various
are interested in joining, please email candies. However, properly processed
jill.harris@uky.edu for the link. home canned goods (jams, jellies, sauces,
salsas, etc.) are acceptable to give as gifts
WalkTober T-shirts as these items have been heat processed
If you participated in WalkTober, please and can be wiped down by the receiver
pick up your t-shirt at the Todd County before opening. Gifts in a jar (or other
Extension Office. container) like cookie mixes, soup mixes,
bread mixes, etc. are also acceptable to be
Big Blue Book Club given as gifts as these gifts will be
The Big Blue Book Club will kick off on processed by the receiver.
January 5. It’s not too late to sign up but
you will have to furnish your own book.
The link to register is in the flyer below.
2021 Calendars
The 2021 Food and Nutrition Calendars
have arrived. Pick up your copy at the
Extension Office.
Holiday Closings
The Todd County Extension Office will be
closed December 21 through January 1.
If you need assistance during that time,
please call Jill Harris at home or email her
at jill.harris@uky.edu. We will also be
closed Monday, January 18, 2021.
Blankets for Hands Families
Todd County Homemakers donated fleece
blankets to the Todd County Health
Department Hands families.
Dues – Still Time to Pay
We are still accepting homemaker dues.
Please make checks payable to Todd County
Homemakers and mail them to the Todd
County Extension Office, PO Box 97, Elkton,
KY 42220. You may also drop off dues at the
Todd County Extension Office. Please
enclose your enrollment form with your
check.
Big Blue Goals Kick KY Cancer
The UK Cooperative Extension Service can Are you or a loved one dealing with cancer
help you achieve your 2021 goals while treatment or in remission? Would you like
earning UK-related prizes through its Big some information about managing physical
Blue Goals program. and emotional health for you and your loved
one during this time? Join Todd and Christian
The program begins January 4 and ends County Extension Offices for Kick Kentucky
March 12. It offers challenges that are Cancer (by Zoom) to find out how to stay
designed to improve your physical activity, physically and mentally healthy during
nutrition and family relationships. As you treatment and how to give support to a loved
complete the challenges, you become eligible one dealing with a diagnosis. The programs
for prizes. are on January 26, February 23, March 23,
April 27, and May 25 at 10:30 a.m. or 5:30
Registration for the challenge opens Dec. 14 p.m. If you are interested in signing up, call
and closes January 4. To register, visit the Todd County Extension Office at 270-
http://ukfcs.net/BBGstart. The challenge will 265-5659.
run through a platform called Goalify that you
can either access through their website or
download the app on Android and Apple
devices. Each day, the platform will ask you
to enter information as you work toward a
goal.
M NEYWI$E
VALUING PEOPLE. VALUING MONEY. DECEMBER 2020
Nichole Huff, Ph.D., CFLE | Assistant Extension Professor Family Finance and Resource Management | nichole.huff@uky.edu
THIS MONTH’S TOPIC:
HINDSIGHT IS 20/20: FINANCIAL LESSONS LEARNED FROM COVID-19
Tough economic times encourage consumers to
spend wisely. Recognizing this, the University of
Kentucky started the Managing in Tough Times
initiative in 2010. The Great Recession had
affected many Kentuckians and we wanted to
help. We debuted MONEYWI$E in December
2010 as a monthly resource. This newsletter is
designed to improve the economic well-being
of individuals, families, and communities across
the Commonwealth.
For the past 10 years, the Kentucky Family
and Consumer Sciences Extension Service has
expenses in a “rainy day fund.” Emergency savings
continued to strengthen Kentuckians’ financial
allow families to make essential payments such as
well-being through MONEYWI$E. The events of
housing, utilities, food, and medical needs when
2020 have once again left many Kentucky families
their income unexpectedly decreases or their
managing tough financial times. Let’s celebrate the
expenses unexpectedly increase.
10th anniversary of MONEYWI$E by learning how
we can become wiser consumers. Consider a few
PAY DOWN DEBT
financial lessons we can learn from COVID-19.
Debt can be debilitating, especially during times
of financial strain. Debt may include mortgage
ESTABLISH AN EMERGENCY FUND
payments, car loans, student loans, credit card
If there is one thing 2020 taught us, it is to expect
debt, or other forms of money owed. Regardless
the unexpected. The best way to face periods of
of income level, it is important to keep a low debt-
economic uncertainty is to be prepared. As a result
to-income ratio. Some people make the mistake of
of the pandemic, many Kentucky families suffered
believing they can “afford” to take on more debt
unemployment or reduced wages. A family with
as their income grows. However, the pandemic
an emergency fund can better survive a sudden
reminded us that everyone is susceptible to job loss
financial loss. The Federal Reserve recommends
and unexpected financial strain.
that people save a minimum of three months’
THE LESS YOU OWE TO CREDITORS,
THE MORE MONEY YOU HAVE FOR WHAT MATTERS.
When money is tight, just paying for essentials and reduce our expenses. From toilet paper and
becomes challenging. This makes debt payments paper towels, to cleaning products and hand soap,
seem insurmountable. Work to pay down debt to rice and poultry, families learned creative ways
in the new year. The less you owe to creditors, to make the most of their resources, reducing costs
the more money you have for what matters. Also, and waste where they could.
know your loan protections. In times of hardship,
mortgage or student loans may offer forbearance,
deferment options, or even provisions granted by
the CARES Act. Before you miss a payment, discuss
with creditors options for repayment or lowering
your interest rate.
BUDGET YOUR RESOURCES
The pandemic also required people to redefine
“essential” and consider better ways to manage
their household resources. Many families were
forced to establish a budget and reexamine HINDSIGHT IS 20/20
how much money they spent on eating out, As you reflect on the events of 2020, what advice
entertainment, monthly subscriptions, and other would you give your past self? Consider the
nonessentials. Families looked for ways to cut costs financial challenges your family faced during the
on groceries and utilities, as well as manage other pandemic and what you can do differently in the
items because of supply shortages and purchasing future to be more prepared. Hindsight is often a
limits. The pandemic of 2020 reinforced how crucial powerful teacher. And after 2020, we should all see
it is to budget our resources, as well as reprioritize a bit more clearly.
Written by: Nichole Huff | Edited by: Alyssa Simms | Designed by: Kelli Thompson | Images by: 123RF.com
Nichole Huff, Ph.D., CFLE | Assistant Extension Professor Family Finance and Resource Management | nichole.huff@uky.edu
Become a fan of MONEYWI$E on Facebook! Facebook.com/MoneyWise
You can also read
