Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Time Saving Tips


  As a working mom, I am always looking for time saving tips!  Here are a few I found recently, and that I would share as they are quite helpful. 

1.  Keep an "everything datebook"
Buy a weekly calendar. Jot down all the traditional things―school events, birthdays, appointments. But use it to keep track of nontraditional things, too. Write down bills that come through the mail and mark their due dates six days ahead. Plan weekly dinner menus and write them on the calendar. Use it to also record the kids' long-term assignments. That helps prevent those evenings of racing around to do everything at the last second.

2.  Never Miss Another Birthday
Send out birthday cards once a month. Receiving one early is better than not receiving one at all.

3.  Have A Shredder Ready
Stow a small paper shredder near the mail to destroy credit-card offers and "checks." 

4.  Keep an Ongoing Shopping List
Whoever unwraps the last bar of soap from the four-pack or scrapes the last spoonful of mayo out of the jar should be responsible for writing it down on the shopping list.

5.  Get Ready for Mornings the Night Before
Set out everything you can―dry breakfast ingredients, clothes, backpacks and bags, and lunches―before going to bed. It means fewer things to think about when you wake up and you're getting ready to leave the house. 


Dinner Tonight

 
"Dinner Tonight" is a program by Texas AgriLife Extension that provides a weekly recipe which is not only healthy but economical for your family.  Weekly, a quick video demonstration is also provided with the recipe so you know exactly how to prepare the featured dish.  Each recipe also supplies nutritional information  If you've ever dreaded the question "What's for Dinner?"  this program is for you!Take a look at this week's menu:  Lemony Pasta Chicken - just follow the link below!

http://healthyliving.tamu.edu/




Thursday, July 7, 2011

Never Leave Your Child Alone in A Car Campaign

  It seems like common sense, doesn't it?  Never leaving a child alone in a car?  But in our busy world caregivers and parents unfortunately leave children in their vehicles unattended more often that you would think.  Texas AgriLife Extension, Ector County (thats us!) is participating in the Safe Kids campaign to remind our community that it is never okay to leave a child alone in a car!

"These tragedies happen more often than one would think, even at temperatures in the low 50s. And unfortunately, the number of heat stroke deaths from children being unattended in vehicles is trending upward - as of today, 500 children have fallen victim to this tragedy," said Meri-K Appy, president of Safe Kids USA.  "That's why our goal is to create awareness and educate the millions of drivers on ways to stop these heartbreaks."


"Don't be fooled into thinking that this can never happen to you. Unfortunately, I did." says Reggie McKinnon, a father who accidently left his 8-month-old in a vehicle last year during a work day. "Before this accident, every time I would read of a child dying in a parked car of hyperthermia, I too would ask, ‘how could they forget their child?'  I would never do that. That only happens to people who are uneducated, drunk, drug addicts, not me." 

For more information on this campaign please contact me at:  sfclawson@ag.tamu.edu


Walk Across Texas


Did you know...

that walking is one of the LEAST EXPENSIVE and EASIEST ways to get fit and reduce your risk for cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke? You DO NOT Need an expensive gym membership or overpriced supplements!   If you walk or exercise for 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week, for 8 weeks, you'll feel better, lower your stress level and enjoy all of the amazing health benefits of regular physical activity. Join a team and your chances of success will go up dramatically. Since 1996, thousands of Texans have participated in Walk Across Texas! Check out Texas AgriLife Extension's Walk Across Texas program... today!!