Home & Family Ideas
Matanuska-Susitna/Copper River Valley District Cooperative Extension Service
809 S. Chugach, Suite 2, Palmer, Alaska 99645
907/745-3360
January 2007
Financial Resolutions in the New Year
The New Year often signals a time to start over and do
things differently. Here are four tips to help you get your
finances in order:
Get Rid of Holiday Debt.
When your credit cards are “hung over” from past spending,
add up the debt on each and figure out just how much you
can afford to set aside monthly to pay the cards down.
Don’t be over-eager in your estimate—you need a workable
plan. Plan to pay off something on each card each month,
but put the most down on the card with the highest rate.
Buy yourself peace of mind.
“It won’t happen to me” doesn’t help when an emergency
strikes. For that reason, consider setting up an emergency
fund to cover financial emergencies such as life-changing
illnesses or the loss of a job. Three to six months of your
living expenses is a standard amount to save. Treat the
emergency fund as a bill that you must pay each month until
you reach at least three months of living expenses.
Boost retirement savings to the max.
Put as much into your 401(k) as limits allow. Put the
maximum into your Roth IRA, too
Move savings out of low interest accounts.
You work hard for your money, so make your savings work
for you. Many accounts are earning less than 3 percent
interest. Seek the maximum interest rate possible in insured
accounts (banks with FCID insurance or credit unions with
NCUA insurance.) Many Certificates of Deposit and some
money market accounts pay approximately 5 percent. After
you have at least three months of emergency living expenses
in a savings account, consider moving additional funds that
are not invested into accounts with a better rate of return.
Check www.bankrate.com for a listing of banks with higher
rates.
District Home Economist
Cooperative Extension Service
Upcoming Activities
Strong Women Program
Not ready to go to a gym but know that you need to
strengthen your muscles? Meet with other women
Mondays and Wednesdays from 11 to11:55 a.m.
to do exercises to increase balance and strength.
Wear loose fitting, flexible clothing and shoes.
Begins January 8 and will continue for 8 weeks.
Group will meet at the Cooperative Extension Office,
809 S. Chugach, Suite 2, Palmer. Cost $5.
Organizational meeting on January 4 at noon.
Call 745-3360 for more information.
Dining With Diabetes
If you have diabetes, selecting and preparing foods that are
low in sugar, fat and sodium can be a real challenge. This
three part class will explore cooking with artificial sweeteners, low-fat products, and herbs and spices. It is for diabetics
and their families. Plan to participate in making recipes to
practice the principles we discuss.
CES and Mat-Su Regional Hospital Diabetes Education are
offering this three part class in the Mat-Su Valley:
Thursday mornings, January 11, 18 and 25
from 10 am to noon
at the CES office, 809 S. Chugach, Suite 2, Palmer
Cost is $15 per person.
Pre-register by calling 745-3360. Space is limited.
Master Food Preserver
When you have more produce, meat, fish or berries than
you can eat fresh, you can “put food by.” These hands-on
classes will cover use of a boiling water canner, pressure
canner, food dehydrator and freezer. Join us the first Thursday of the month, 6-9 pm, at Cooperative Extension,
809 S. Chugach, Suite 2, Palmer. Call 745-3360 to sign up.
February 1
March 1
April 5
May 3
June 7
August 2
Use a boiling water canner, Jams and Jellies
Use a Pressure Canner, Canning Vegetables
Use a Pressure Canner, Can Fish in Jars
Use a Pressure Canner, Can Meat in Jars
Can Fruits/Tomatoes, Freeze, Dehydrate Foods
Pickles and Sauerkraut
Cost $75 for series or $15 per class.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service programs are available to all, without regard to race, color, age, sex, creed, national origin, or disability and in
accordance with all applicable federal laws. Provided in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Anthony T. Nakazawa, Director, Alaska Cooperative Extension, University of Alaska Fairbanks. The University of Alaska Fairbanks is an affirmative
action/equal opportunity employer and educational institution.
2
Healthy living
Eating Right
Choose the Colors of Health
MOLD IN ALASKA? YES!
by Julie Cascio
It’s all about color – blue/purple, green, white,
yellow/orange, and red – and the power of
colorful fruits and vegetables to promote good
health. So when you're grocery shopping,
planning your meals or dining out, think color.
Today we will look at:
BLUE/PURPLE
Boost the level of Blue/Purple in your diet to
help maintain:
- A lower risk of some cancers
- Urinary tract health
- Memory function
- Healthy aging
Beat the Effects of Aging
Blue/purple fruits and vegetables contain
varying amounts of health-promoting
phytochemicals such as anthocyanins and
phenolics, currently being studied for their
antioxidant and anti-aging benefits. Get
blue/purple every day with foods such as:
Blackberries
Blueberries
Black currants
Dried plums
Elderberries
Purple figs
Purple grapes
Plums
Raisins
Source: www.5aday.org
Purple asparagus
Purple cabbage
Purple carrots
Eggplant
Purple Belgian endive
Purple peppers
Potatoes (purple
fleshed)
Black salsify
Even though we live in a relatively dry climate in our
area of Alaska, the difference between outside and
inside air temperatures can cause condensation in our
homes. Molds thrive in warm temperatures, feed on
organic materials, like paper, wood, grease, or soil, and
require moisture and oxygen. Light is not necessary
for mold. Since we also like to live in warm
temperatures and need oxygen to breathe, the condition
we are most likely to control is moisture.
There are lots of places in our homes where mold can
grow. Overstuffed furniture or bookcases against an
outside wall that is not well insulated, will cause
condensation to form on the inside surface of the wall
and eventually mold will grow there.
Mold can often be found growing in the bathroom.
When an exhaust fan is not used during bathing, large
amounts of moisture can remain. Soap scum on shower
walls is a nutrient source for mold growth. Damp
towels in laundry hampers, washers or dryers can
develop mildew. Crawlspaces that are sloped
incorrectly and have water pooling in them are likely to
have problems.
Homes where water has soaked carpet or other
materials (like from a flood) often have mold growth
starting within a day or so. Plaster, drywall, and
insulation are all likely to wick the moisture into wall
cavities and larger areas on walls and floors.
To help prevent mold growth, keep things CLEAN
and keep them DRY. Where mold growth has already
started or is likely to start because of contamination
from moisture problems, DISINFECT also.
Keep surfaces and household textiles clean. Use
grease-cutting solutions of detergent and water to wash
hard surfaces like walls and floors. Store textiles dry
and clean in a closet or container that discourages the
growth of mildew. You may choose to filter indoor air
with an air cleaner. Some mold spores may be
removed by furnace filters.
Continued on page 4
Matanuska-Susitna/Copper River Valley District Extension Home Economics Newsletter
3
Raising Kids
Creative Play for Kids, Young and Old
By Julie Cascio
With our dark and cold winter days, there are many
hours when children are in the house. It is often
tempting to grab the remote to turn on the television, or
set them in front of the computer. Research shows that
children learn from play, from experiencing activities
with their hands and bodies. Using hands and minds
helps children explore their creativity. Experimenting
with paint, play dough or paper maché can open
imaginations and develop new ideas.
Young children will enjoy the tactile experience of
feeling mushy substances, holding a brush, shaping
play dough with their hands. Older children (and
adults) can have fun creating objects and works of art
through these mediums. Since this is “just-for-fun”
time, there are no grades, no standards that have to be
met other than being creative and having fun.
These projects are fun for young and old, children and
adults. They can, however, get messy. Choose a spot
that can be cleaned up easily, such as linoleum or tile
floor. If you only have carpets on the floor, spread an
old sheet or vinyl tablecloth down first. A heated
garage has been my choice for doing paper maché, as
the paste seems to fly everywhere. For your sanity,
you may want to set some basic guidelines such as,
“when you are painting you have to stay on the drop
cloth until Mom has checked your feet.” Or “Use paint
only on the paper Dad put at the table for you.”
The following recipes use common kitchen supplies to
make play dough, paint or paste. Mix up a recipe,
gather some paper, old newspaper or an old tablecloth
to protect work surfaces and have a fun afternoon.
An old comb, toothbrush, some string, an old toy
wheel, vegetables cut in half, sponges, or wadded up
paper towels can be fun alternatives to a paint brush.
Encourage young artists to try different motions such
as pulling the object across the paper or quick dabs
onto the paper. Finished projects can be displayed on
walls (after they dry), used for greeting cards or to
wrap packages.
Cornstarch Finger Paint
½ cup boiling water
6 tablespoons cold water
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Dissolve cornstarch in cold water in a cup. Add this
mixture to boiling water, stirring constantly. Heat until
it becomes glossy. Add color. Note: cooling causes
paint to thicken slightly. 1 to 2 tablespoons more water
can be added if it is too thick.
Flour and Salt Finger Paint, Uncooked
1 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 cup cold water
Add salt to flour. Pour in cold water gradually. Mix in
coloring. This finger paint has a grainy quality,
providing a different sensory experience.
Play Dough
1 cup flour
½ cup salt
1 tablespoon oil
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup water
3 to 5 drops food coloring (optional)
Mix all dry ingredients in a saucepan. Add liquids and
cook approximately 3 minutes until mixture pulls away
from pan and a ball forms. Empty onto the counter top
and knead. This can be stored in an airtight container
for many days.
Paper Maché
* Tear old newspapers into 1 to1 1/2 inch strips.
* For a base, blow up a balloon, create a design out of
chicken wire, or use a clean empty plastic container.
Legs may be added by taping on empty cardboard
tubes.
* Make a paste: Stir ¼ cup flour into a cup of cold
water to make soupy mixture.
* Dip the strips of newsprint in the flour and water
paste and arrange on the base. Allow each layer of
newspapers to dry thoroughly before adding the next
layer. This process may take several days.
* When done, decorate with paints or colorful papers.
For more ideas, ask for the free CES publication: Paint,
Paste, PlayDough, Puppets and Paper Mache, PCD00082, by Jo Kuykendall.
Matanuska-Susitna/Copper River Valley District Extension Home Economics Newsletter
4
Mold in Alaska
continued from page 2
Contents:
Living Well
Upcoming Activities
page 1
Eating Right
Choose the colors of Health page 2
Healthy Living
Mold in Alaska?
Raising Kids
Creative Play for Kids
page 2
page 3
Spending Smart
Financial Resolutions in New Year page 1
Cooperative Extension Service
University of Alaska Fairbanks
PO Box 756180
Fairbanks, AK 99775-6180
Keep your home dry. Discontinue using a humidifier
if relative humidity levels are over 50%. Use exhaust
fans vented to the outside when taking baths or
cooking. Wipe down shower walls with a squeegee or
sponge. Dehumidify humid areas. Increase air flow in
problem areas. Move furniture away from outside
walls to decrease condensation on the walls.
Installing adequate insulation in walls and vapor
barriers will help prevent problems in the first place.
For more information read Kansas State University’s
publication “Controlling Mold Growth in the Home”.
http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/hous2/samplers/mf21
41.asp
PRSRT
STD
U.S. Postage Paid
Fairbanks, Alaska
Permit No. 2
Return Service Requested
Matanuska-Susitna/Copper River Valley District Extension Home Economics Newsletter