May 2008
Monthly Newsletter; Issue Number 5-08

Upcoming Programs Cooking for Crowds Thursday, May 15; 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. St. Lawrence Parish Center, Albion, PA Cost: $6 registration; $12 registration & manual

IS REFREEZING MEAT SAFE?

Meat can be frozen, thawed, cooked and refrozen-as long as it's done safely every step of the way. Even foods that have been frozen and thawed in the refrigerator but not cooked can be refrozen safely.

The process will somewhat diminish the quality of the end product, because meat loses moisture during thawing (and during cooking). But safety shouldn't be a concern.

Frozen foods stored at or below 0°F will remain safe indefinitely. To retain maximum quality of frozen foods, be sure to use moisture-vapor proof packaging.

The key to the safety question is to be sure to thaw and cook properly. The easiest way to thaw frozen meat is to put it in the refrigerator. You can also thaw in the micro-wave, making sure that you cook the meat immediately.
Meat can also be thawed in cold water. Place the meat in a sealed, leak-proof plastic bag before immersing it in the water. Check the water frequently to make sure it stays cold, and change the water at least every 30 min-utes. Again, once the product is thawed, cook the food immediately.

The USDA has details about freezing, thawing and food safety online at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/fact_sheets/. Or consumers can call its toll-free hotline at (888) 674-6854.

RELAX AND RECHARGE

If you're like most Americans, your days are heavily scheduled with various "must do's" and there is little time left for appreciating a beautiful sunrise, browsing your favorite store, savoring your favorite food or drink, or pampering yourself.

Work-related stress has received much attention. We know that stress at work flows over at home. Job stress can lead to emotional distress, fatigue, a sense of conflict between work and family roles, and role overload.
In fact, parents who described having more pressure at work also reported feeling overwhelmed by various other commitments.

Making an effort to enjoy life's little moments means slowing down long enough to enjoy the things that are
the essence of life.

Simplifying your life involves being aware of how you spend your money, time and energy. Listed below are
10 steps to get you focused on simplifying your life and refueling your spirit.

1. Start your day right. Spend the night before preparing for the next day. Then you can focus on choosing to get out of bed with the right frame of mind.
   
2. Declutter your space. Get rid of the stuff that's broken or missing a part. It takes time to keep items in working order and dusted.
   
3. Learn to say "no." Don't overload your schedule with more tasks, jobs or volunteer activities. It's OK to say no and focus on enjoying the activities you choose to give your time to.
   
4. Turn off the TV. Before you pick up the remote, ask yourself if there are activities to share with your fam-ily. Perhaps there is local entertainment, like a play or museum that you've been wanting to enjoy. Most of us waste too much time sitting in front of the TV.
   
5. Commit to yourself. Before the demands of life get you down, schedule time for yourself. Whatever will work; perhaps it's 20 minutes each morning or one night a week. The important thing is to regularly plan a time for yourself and make this a priority.
   
6. Find your sanctuary. Visit this place, physically or mentally, to enjoy the sense of peace it provides.
   
7. Be more spontaneous. If you feel you're in control of your life, you can be spontaneous. A change in routine is refreshing for all of us and can refuel your spirit.
   
8. Live beneath your means. Money worries can steal the joy out of life. Living beneath your means can help. See how long you can go without charging a purchase, cashing a check, etc. Wait three days before buying an item to see if you really need this item or merely want it.
   
9. Focus on the positive. Sure we can all improve a few things in our life; but why dwell on this deficit. Keep your thoughts positive, and you'll not only feel better, but you'll make better company.
   
10. Listen to your body. Don't ignore your body's cues for sleep and exercise. Focus on your most produc-tive time, whether you are a morning person or a night owl.
    

Source: Andrea Bressler, CFCS, M.S., Extension Educator, Clearfield County, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Ideas for Intergenerational Living Newsletter.

HUMMUS: HEALTHY OR NOT?

More than most dishes, there are many, many recipes for hummus. Of course, changing the ingredients changes the end product's nutritional profile. Even with that caveat, hummus is considered a healthful alternative to other types of spreads and dips.

Hummus is usually served as an appetizer or snack, to be spread on pita bread or pita chips, or used as a vege-table dip. Some people spread hummus on bread for sandwiches.

Hummus is a staple in Middle Eastern dishes. Its main ingredient is chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans), blended with other ingredients in a food processor to make a smooth paste. Recipes usually include tahini (sesame seed paste, available in the ethnic section of many grocery stores) and also commonly call for garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and a variety of spices and flavorings. You can also find recipes that include ingredients, such as sun-dried tomatoes, spinach or olives.

You can buy commercially prepared hummus, too. Again, the nutritional profile will change according to
the ingredients used, so check the Nutrition Facts label for specific information. A quick comparison of home-made and commercial hummus shows that the specific kinds analyzed have about the same number of calories (about 50 in two tablespoons) and fat (about two grams), but the commercial type has more protein, fewer carbohy-drates, and more fiber, phosphorus, potassium and folate.

Like anything, watch portion size to be certain hummus fits into a healthful diet. If you can't limit yourself to a two-tablespoon serving and eat a half-cup instead, you'll get more than 200 calories and 10 to 12 grams of fat.

If you're substituting hummus for a sour cream-based dip or mayonnaise-based spread, of course you'll be better off. Not only does hummus offer more protein and less fat, the fat it does contain comes from the olive oil and tahini--both are chock-full of heart-healthy monoun-saturated fat rather than saturated fat, which should be limited.

Source: Chow Line, Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.

Q: My kids love their coloring books, so crayon stains seem to be a fact of life in our house. How can I remove them from their clothes? A: One solution is to invest in washable crayons. They're specially formulated to wash off most walls and children's clothing, and nonporous household surfaces. So here's how to remove stains caused by the standard wax-based crayons:

• If the stain is in the form of a blob of soft crayon, freeze the fabric to harden the crayon and then scrape off the excess.
  
• Place the stained area between two white paper towels and press with a warm iron, transferring the stain to
  the towels. Continue to do this, changing the paper towels frequently, until the stain is no longer absorbed onto the towels. Changing the paper towels often will also help prevent transferring the stain to other places on the fabric.
  
• Pretreat with a prewash stain remover and launder in the hottest water that's safe for the fabric.
  
• If the stain remains, launder again, using chlorine bleach, if safe for the fabric, or oxygen bleach.
  

Source: The Soap and Dish Association

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		5/6/08

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.

This publication is available in alternative media on request.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. It is the policy of the University to maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination, including harassment. The Pennsylvania State University prohibits discrimination and harassment against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Discrimination or harassment against faculty, staff, or students will not be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State University. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University,
201 Willard Building, University Park, PA 16802-2801,
Tel 814-865-4700/V, 814-863-1150/TTY.