November 2007
Monthly Newsletter; Issue Number 11-07

BEVERAGES FOR CHILDREN

Children need to drink healthy beverages, such as milk, juice and water. At breakfast, lunch and dinner, milk is a good choice. Offering water regularly can help young children learn to enjoy drinking water.

Sometimes parents do not know how much of each beverage their children should be drinking. Here are some recommendations for beverage intake.

Milk

• Milk intake for toddlers and pre-schoolers should not be more than 24 oz. (3 cups) per day.
  
• Milk is a good source of the calcium, Vitamin D, and protein children need.
  
• Drinking too much milk can cause anemia because it can curb a child's appetite for other iron sources such as meat and poultry.

Water

• Offering water rather than juice or other beverages between meals and snacks may improve a child's appetite at mealtime.

Juice

• For children 1-6 years of age, juice should be limited to 4-6 oz. per day. Only 100% juice, not "fruit drinks" or "ades" should be chosen.
  
• Juice should be served in a cup, never in a bottle.
  
• Encourage children to enjoy eating fruits more often.
  
• Drinking too much juice can cause diarrhea, malnutrition and tooth decay.

Other Beverages

• Sugared beverages, such as sodas and fruit drinks, contain few nutrients and are not needed.
  

Source: Mealtime Memo for Child Care, No. 9, 2007. NFSMI, The University of Mississippi.

QUESTIONS ABOUT FREEZING

Can food be refrozen if it has thawed? Foods which have only partially thawed and still have ice crystals in the package can be safely refrozen. However, the quality will be poorer.

Will food spoil if it is frozen longer than the recom-mended storage time? No. The recommended storage time is the time in which food should be used to insure maximum quality. Food stored longer than recommended time is safe but can begin to have a decrease in flavor, color and texture.

How can you be sure that the freezer is at 0°F or less? Purchase a freezer thermometer (one that can withstand a wide range of temperatures), keep it in the freezer, and check the temperature regularly.

Can vegetables be fully cooked before freezing? Some fully cooked vegetables, such as baked beans and candied sweet potatoes, maintain high quality for many months when frozen. Most fully cooked vegetables, however, have less desirable color, aroma and flavor when reheated. Loss of flavor may be retarded by covering the vegetable with cooking liquid, meat broth or cream sauce.

Can stuffed turkey be frozen? Stuffing should be frozen separately from the turkey. With any food, the time needed for freezing to take place in the center of the item is the critical factor.

Source: So Easy to Preserve, Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County.

DON'T LET CLEANING GO TO THE DOGS

Having a dog or cat in the household calls for more vigilant cleaning, particularly if there are family members who suffer from asthma or allergies.

• Vacuum regularly. If your pet sheds heavily or if a family member is highly allergic, you may need to vacuum as often as once a day.
  
• Use an upright vacuum or a canister style with
  a power nozzle. They pick up two to six times as much dust from a rug as canisters without a power nozzle.
  
• A synthetic carpet with a stain-resistant finish is a better choice than one with wool or cotton fibers.
  
• If your pet has a favorite chair or corner of the sofa, cover the chair/sofa with a washable blanket or throw. Launder the blanket/throw frequently. Have multiple covers so that one is available while the other is in the wash.
  
• Use a fabric refresher to keep your sofa or loveseat smelling fresh after Fido leaves the room.
  
• A comfy pet bed may help cut down on "pet napping" on the furniture.
  
• Declare some areas off-limits to your pet - particularly the bedrooms of those who suffer from allergies or asthma.
  

Brush your cat or dog frequently. If possible, do it outside, away from those with allergies. When you're finished, wash your hands with soap and warm water. Store cleaning products in a locked cabinet or out of reach of curious pets, cautions The Soap and Detergent Association. Don't leave any type of cleaning liquid out where pets might be tempted to take a drink. As a kindness to your pet, send him to another part of the house while you're cleaning.

Sincerely,

 

Janice M. Ronan	Holly K. Hedstrom
Extension Educator - Family Living/4-H	County Extension Director
Lynn B. Clint		tlv
Extension Educator - Family and Consumer Sciences		11/13/07

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Janice M. Ronan or Holly K. Hedstrom at 814-825-0900 in advance of your participation or visit.

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