Understanding the New School Meal Standards

smiling boy with plate leaves cafeteria lineIf you have school-age children, you may have heard that the 2012 school year brought major changes to the meals children eat at school. All meals provided through the School Breakfast and National School Lunch Programs now must be consistent with the USDA’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Jenna Norris, Karla P. Shelnutt, and Gail P. A. Kauwell, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, October 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1396

Eating Defensively: The Nutrition and Food Safety Benefits of Cooked Produce

Figure 1. Cooked vegetables are nutrient rich and can make some nutrients easier to digest and absorb. Current nutrition trends such as the “raw food diet” may lead consumers to believe that raw leafy vegetables are more nutritious than cooked vegetables, despite research showing that cooked vegetables make important nutritional contributions. This publication describes the nutrient retention and quality of cooked vegetables, explains why cooking vegetables is appropriate for consumers with food safety concerns, and provides tips for preparing cooked vegetables. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Morgan Dehnard, Amy Simonne, and Gail P. A. Kauwell, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, October 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1395

An Overview of Life Insurance

pen filling out life insurance formThe primary purpose for buying life insurance is to protect the people who depend on you. A life insurance policy can help to ensure your family’s financial needs are met even after your untimely death. Life insurance can also provide a way to leave a cash gift to your spouse, children, grandchildren, or charities. Once you decide to buy a life insurance policy, you will have a few decisions to make. You will need to select among the different types of life insurance, decide on a dollar amount, and name your beneficiaries. In this publication, you will learn about the different types of life insurance and the ways to determine the amount of life insurance you may need. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Lisa Leslie and Martie Gillen, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, October 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1393

Fall Prevention: Lifestyle Factors and Fall Risk

 Figure 1.  Regular physical activity helps to reduce fall risk. Walking is a great way to stay active.Many things can cause you to fall. The good news is that you can make some easy changes to decrease your risk of falling. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Linda B. Bobroff and Jennifer Hillan, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, October 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy736

Food Safety: Does Your Kitchen Pass the Test?

smiling woman cleaning kitchen counterOlder adults are at increased risk for foodborne illness. To help reduce your risk, follow safe food handling practices at home. How does your kitchen measure up? This 3-page fact sheet was written by Linda B. Bobroff and Jennifer Hillan, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, October 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy926

Seguridad Alimentaria: Juegatela seguro con los huevos

Figure 1.  Compre huevos antes de la fecha en el envase. Guarde en la caja de cartón en la parte más fría del refrigerador por no más de 5 semanas. Credit: Digital VisionLos huevos frescos pueden contener bacterias que podrían causar una enfermedad llamada salmonelosis. Esta enfermedad causada por alimentos provoca vómito y diarrea. Esta puede ser severa y hasta podría ser fatal para los adultos mayores. Reduzca el riesgo de contraer estas enfermedades causadas por sequir estas pautas. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Linda B. Bobroff y Jennifer Hillan, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, October 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy194

Healthy Living: High Blood Pressure

Figure 1.  Have your blood pressure checked by your doctor or other health care provider at least once a year. High blood pressure is increased pressure of blood inside the blood vessels. Too much pressure causes more work for the heart. Another name for high blood pressure is hypertension. About one in three American adults has hypertension and about half of them do not know they have this health problem. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Linda B. Bobroff and Leigh Ann Martin, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, September 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy684

Women and Money: Unique Issues – Selecting Your Financial Professional Team

Figure 1.  Before you retain the services of a financial professional, you should understand the differences between financial planners, accountants, attorneys, and investment specialists. Always make sure you choose a financial professional you trust.On your road to building wealth, you may choose to engage financial professionals for guidance. Seeking out professional advice will include fees and expenses, so use care when selecting the appropriate services. There is a variety of financial professionals to choose from, including financial planners, investment specialists, accountants, attorneys, insurance agents, and bankers. Understanding the roles, expertise, and credentials of these individuals can help you select the most appropriate individual or team for your specific financial needs.
This 4-page fact sheet was written by Brenda C. Williams, Diann Douglas, Martie Gillen, and Lynda Spence, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, July 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1370

Mindfulness: An Introduction

Prayer PositionLearning to be mindful is a powerful skill that can help you face the stresses of day-to-day life and improve both your psychological and physical health. Because you don’t need any equipment to practice mindfulness, you can practice it discreetly anywhere, at any time. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Parth Naik, Victor Harris, and Larry Forthun, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, September 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1381

Women and Money: Unique Issues: Your Money Matters

Figure 1. Talking about money may not seem like a romantic gesture, but make sure you talk with your significant other about your finances before you marry.Couples considering a future together should discuss money before they marry. Discussing money may not be the most romantic gesture, but this is an important conversation to have early in a relationship and to continue to have throughout your marriage.This 4-page fact sheet was written by Diann Douglas and Martie Gillen, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, September 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy046

How to Hire and Manage Residential Contractors

Contractor working on window in new homeIf you are looking for a contractor for either home building or remodeling, ask difficult questions before you enter into a contract. This way you and the contractor have a clear understanding of the other’s expectations. Before signing a contract and beginning a project is the best time to thank contractors for their consideration and time, rather than risk entering into an unfortunate working relationship that could require legal intervention. Contractors understand potential clients, and they will inform you if they do not want to accept a contract with you. This negotiation period should not be taken personally by either party and should only develop into a business relationship that exists during the period of hire and warranty outlined in the contract. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Randall A. Cantrell, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, September 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1380

Facts About Fluoride

toothpaste and toothbrushesFluoride is important for healthy bones and teeth. It increases the density of bones and also can stimulate the growth of new bone. Fluoride increases the amount of minerals in our teeth and even can reverse the progression of dental cavities. People who don’t get enough fluoride have much greater rates of dental decay and cavities than those who get enough fluoride. Due to water fluoridation, almost one-half of American children have never had a cavity in their permanent teeth. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Anne Kendall [Casella], and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, July 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy887

Facts About Vitamin B6

Pouring breakfast cerealVitamin B6, also called pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin needed to break down the protein we eat. This vitamin is used by our bodies to make important proteins, and it helps our muscles use energy. It also helps make brain chemicals that tell the systems in our bodies what to do. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Anne Kendall, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, July 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy213

Symptoms of Diabetes

Figure 1. Fatigue can be a sign of high blood glucose. See your doctor if you feel tired much of the time. Credit: iStockphotoType 2 diabetes is a growing health concern for children and adults in the United States. Diabetes that is uncontrolled can lead to blindness, kidney disease, heart disease, and amputations. Early diagnosis is critical! If you have any of the symptoms described in this fact sheet, see your health care provider right away! This 1-page fact sheet was written by Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, July 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy344

Women and Money: Unique Issues: Protecting Your Assets

Figure 1. Identify areas in your finances where you may incur unexpected costs, such as medical emergencies, car accidents, or other events. By having a plan to deal with these situations, you can save money in the long run. Credit: HuntstockProtecting your assets is similar to managing your risks. Managing risks means identifying and evaluating instances where you may experience a financial loss and then making a plan for how to deal with the situation. This publication shares some common ways you can protect your assets by purchasing different types of insurance, being aware of identity theft or fraud, and monitoring your credit reports. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Lynda Spence, Martie Gillen, and Diann Douglas, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, July 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1375

When the Kids Move Back Home

young adult unpacks car with fatherRecent trends show that more and more adult children are returning to live with their parents. With intergenerational cohabitation on the rise, it’s a good idea to examine the “what-ifs” before the doorbell rings. If you find yourself making up spare rooms for your grown children or even their children, you will be glad you thought about the issues in advance. This publication discusses the potential challenges and practical matters you need to know about if your adult children move back home. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Lynda Spence and Larry Forthun, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, July 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1376

Facts about Magnesium

Figure 2. Nuts such as almonds and cashews are good sources of magnesium.Many Americans don’t get enough magnesium in their diets. But most healthy people do not have signs of deficiency even if their intake is low because the body stores this mineral. However, people who abuse alcohol, take certain diuretic drugs, or have kidney disease may be at risk for magnesium deficiency. Long-lasting diarrhea or vomiting also can cause a deficiency. Older adults often do not get enough magnesium in their diets. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Linda B. Bobroff and Jennifer Hillan, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, July 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1088

Facts about Zinc

Figure 1. Zinc is critical for children’s proper growth and development. Credit: iStockphotoZinc deficiency can affect the immune system, cognitive function, and growth in children. Severe zinc deficiency can cause diarrhea, hair loss, poor appetite, skin disorders, impotence, and changes in taste. People who drink alcohol in excess are at high risk for zinc deficiency (and other health problems). This 2-page fact sheet was written by Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, July 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy218

Living with Diabetes: Keeping Track of Your Blood Glucose

Figure 1. Today's blood glucose meters use only a tiny amount of blood.Living with diabetes involves setting goals, adjusting your lifestyle to meet your treatment goals, evaluating your progress, and changing practices as needed. One key goal of diabetes management is to attain glycemic (blood glucose) control to reduce the risk of health complications. Healthy lifestyle practices, such as eating well, engaging in physical activity, and using medications as prescribed, contribute to glycemic control and to an overall healthy life. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, June 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1144

Food Safety: Play it Safe with Eggs

Figure 1. Purchase eggs before the date on the carton. Store them in the carton in the coldest part of the refrigerator for no more than five weeks.Fresh eggs may contain bacteria that can cause salmonellosis. This foodborne illness causes vomiting and diarrhea. It can be severe and even fatal in older adults. Reduce your risk for this foodborne illness by following these guidelines. This 1-page fact sheet was written by Linda B. Bobroff and Jennifer Hillan, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, June 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy193