Monthly FACS of Life Calendar

February 1: Car Insurance

States have various laws when it comes to car insurance. In Georgia, you can find out questions related to car insurance through the Georgia Department of Revenue (https://dor.georgia.gov/motor-vehicles/insurance). Georgia law requires Georgia Liability Insurance coverage on all active vehicle registrations. Though this is the type of insurance vehicle owners and leasers are required to have in the state of Georgia, and many other states, there are additional forms of vehicle insurance that are important to consider. These include things like collision coverage and uninsured motorist coverage. Insurance is intended to reduce your risk of serious financial burdens. The only person who can ultimately answer the question of what kind of risk you are willing to take is you, but to truly answer that question well it helps to have the counsel of knowledgeable professionals in the field. The other great thing is having those conversations can sometimes lead to cost savings either through the insurance choices you make or by shopping various carriers.

February 2: Kiwi Fruit

This Vitamin C power-packed fruit is gaining attention in parts of Georgia as a commercial crop. If you are interested in trying to grow kiwi you can find some great information in the “Minor Fruits and Nuts in Georgia” publication. If you aren’t interested in growing this fruit you might find it a great alternative to candy when you get a sweet tooth because it is tart, juicy, and sweet fruit. Try it in a yogurt parfait or as an ice cream topping.

February 4: Homemade Soup: Slow Cooker Kale, Tomato, and White Bean Soup

Ingedients

2 teaspoons canola oil or 2 teaspoons corn oil
2 cups sliced carrots (about 5 to 7 medium carrots)
1 cup sliced ribs of celery (about 2 ribs)
1 cup finely chopped onion, yellow preferred
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
1 15.5-ounce can no-salt-added or low-sodium cannellini beans
2 14.5-ounce cans no-salt-added diced tomatoes
2 1/2 cups fat-free, low-sodium vegetable broth
10 to 12 ounces frozen kale
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup fresh chopped parsley, optional

February 5: Disaster Day

Preparing for natural disasters starts early. This UGA Extension 2020 Residents’ Handbook is a great resource on how to prepare for a variety of disaster events.

February 6: Heart Failure Awareness

Heart Failure is a serious condition that is life-threatening. Knowing the signs and symptoms can help save your life or the life of a loved one. Check out this quick video from the American Heart Association on heart failure warning signs and symptoms.

February 8: National Marriage Week

In celebration of National Marriage Week, if you are married, here are some things you can do to strengthen and build your relationship:

• Consider taking a relationship workshop like Elevate to create the space in your relationship to learn or re-establish research-based skills known to enhance committed relationships
• Intentionally set date times on the calendar and don’t skip them.
• Pick a country you would both like to visit and then take some time to learn about the culture together then cook a dish from that country together.
• Take time to remember your love story. How did you meet? What attracted you to each other? What have been your favorite moments together?
• Try a new hobby together
• Read a book together before bed

February 10: Chair Exercises

staying active at work can be a challenge and sitting all day isn’t great for your body. Here are some simple Chair Exercises to incorporate during your workday!

February 9: Green Cleaning

Have you ever considered making your own cleaning products? Have you wondered if they would clean well? Here is a great resource for you. This document is filled with research-based cleaning recipes to tackle a variety of cleaning needs.

February 11: National Shut-in Visitation Day

There can be a variety of reasons an individual is a “shut-in”. Someone could experience a health condition that puts them at risk to be in public or makes them too weak to go beyond their resistance. Others have disabilities that keep them from engaging in typical social and community activities. National Shut-in Visitation Day is observed to not only help us remember the people in our lives and communities who are limited in their social interactions and therefore relationship needs and physical needs being fully met, but it is a reminder to make them a priority in our daily lives in a community. If you know someone who is a shut-in try to make a plan to visit that person more often. Is there something you can bring to them that they don’t have easy access to? Maybe that is groceries or a meal, but maybe it is sitting and knitting with that person or playing a card game. Social interaction is important for the growth and development of every human being and can be very impactful to individuals who can’t engage in their communities in the same way the rest of us do.

February 13: Clean Out Your Computer

Taking time to clean out your computer can help you find things more easily and get on top of digital organization. If it feels overwhelming don’t worry! You don’t have to do it in one sitting. Schedule it out to tackle it a little at a time. Maybe commit to dealing with 5 folders each time you sit down to work on it. Making sure to clean out your computer on a regular basis will help your machine run better too!

February 15: Great American Pie Month

Pie has an interesting history that goes back to ancient Egypt. Even the Romans enjoyed pie! Did you know that the crust used to simply serve as a container to hold the filling and then was discarded? Somewhere along the way, it became an iconic American dessert. If you want to learn more check out the American Pie Council’s website.

February 17: National Caregivers Day

Anyone who has ever been a caregiver for a family member or friend knows it is very challenging work emotionally, mentally, and physically. Though we most often associate caregivers as providing support and care for the elderly this isn’t the whole picture. Some of the most unsupported caregivers are those dealing with family or children who have serious mental health struggles. Often these caregivers cannot share the challenges and difficulties they face taking care of their loved ones. There are also those who have children or family with long-term or life-long conditions requiring a lot of medical attention and exhausting advocacy on the behalf of their loved one. Taking the time to offer a meal, driving them to appointments, sitting with them in hospitals, or writing notes to let them know they are seen and cared for is life-giving through very challenging circumstances that affect their entire families. If you have a friend or family member who is a caregiver do something special for them this month.

February 14: Valentine’s Day

“Valentine’s day isn’t just a day for romantic love; this Valentine’s Day, be sure to make it a Family celebration and have a special and healthy conversation about positive acts of love, special moments, or memories that show that you each care for one another!” See the rest of Nancy Adams’ blog post here.

February 16: National Almond Day

“The almond (Prunus amygdalus) is a close relative of the peach. The tree and snow white blooms are similar to those of the peach, but the seed is the edible part of the almond.

Climate requirements are quite exact for almonds, and commercial production is limited to areas with dry summers. The necessary chilling hours (300 to 500 below 45 °F) are much like the peach varieties grown in south Georgia, but rain and high humidity during the growing season (late July and August) cause nut rot and inhibit nut opening. The outer flesh of the almond must have dry weather to dry and split open properly.

Most almond varieties require cross-pollination, but some self-fertile varieties are available.

Almond culture is the same as peach culture, and the recommendations on planting, fertilizing and pruning peaches are applicable to almonds. (See UGA Extension Circular 1063, Home Garden Peaches.)

For Georgia, the best home orchard variety is ‘Halls Hardy’. This variety is late blooming, self-fertile and hardshelled.

The same pests are a problem for almonds and peaches, and a regular spray schedule is required to produce a good yield.” (excerpt from Minor Fruits and Nuts in Georgia – written by Westerfield and Krewer)

February 19: Basketball

This staple game in American culture was created by a man named James Naismith in 1891 at Springfield College. What started as a solution to a boring offseason of indoor gym activities after football ended turned into a multi-billion dollar professional sport, intermural game, and pick-up game globally. If you are looking for something to bring some excitement to a workout routine that has become a little boring maybe you should give basketball a try.

February 20: Family Day

It’s that time of year when things are getting crazy busy. We fill our schedules with events and commitments and before long we realize we haven’t spent a ton of time with our family. Let today serve as an opportunity to spend a few hours focused on family. If schedules don’t permit this to happen today then use this day as a prompt to put a specific time on the calendar. Enjoy a meal together, play a game, or make something together!

February 22: Teen Dating Violence Month

February is Teen Dating Violence month – a difficult but an important topic to discuss with your teens. To learn more check out this blog post.

February 24: National Library Lovers Month

Sometimes we forget that the library has much more to offer than books. In many cities, libraries also provide quiet work spaces, public computers, and internet access. It’s not uncommon to find videos and music available to check out. If your library system has ebooks available to check out you can have a good read while traveling without worrying about losing the book! One of the coolest things I’ve ever seen in a library was in Gilmer County Georgia where they have a seed share for those interested in gardening. Library users can access new seeds and share seeds with each other through a designated place in the library that also place books about growing seasons and commonly grown plants in that region of Georgia right next to the seed catalog box for easy research and decision-making! Take some time to stop by your local library and see what they have to offer!

February 26: Smelly Water?

Are you experiencing smelly water? There can be a number of causes for smelly water. Though water testing is helpful it isn’t always exacting in identifying the cause. Check out this very helpful educational piece about how to deal with smelly water.

February 23: Food Preservation

“Do you have the opportunity to shop for produce in bulk (possibly cheaper) and wonder how you will ever eat it before it all spoils?  Were you ever gifted an abundance of a friend’s fruit tree bounty?  Or, do you have more tomatoes than you know what to do with at the end of the summer season?  Preserving your food items yourself means that you can provide yourself access to an abundant variety of food when fresh may not be readily accessible.” Check out the rest of Nancy Adams’ blog post here.

February 25: Healthy Snacks

We all have times when we get a little peckish and need a snack. At the same time, many of us are not getting the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables in our diets. Fruits and veggies are important because they provide important micronutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. One of the great things about fruits and vegetables is that they are low-calorie, low-fat, nutrient-dense choices that contribute to good health. Try adding a fruit or vegetable as a snack during the day to help reach dietary guideline recommendations. Using 2 tablespoons of hummus or guacamole will help make vegetables tastier and provide healthy fats and protein which will help curb hunger. Try adding a serving, or half a serving, of nuts with your fruit for the same effect.

February 27: Dental Health

Did you know your dentist can sometimes identify health conditions that aren’t really about your teeth? During a cleaning, a dentist can see signs of serious chronic health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. Check out this article by the American Heart Association for more information.

January 1: Resolutions – Your Year to Thrive

Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? Have you given up on making them? Many people are drawn to make New Year’s Resolutions and end up frustrated that they did. Sometimes our resolutions are good goals to have but are a larger step than we are ready for making it hard to succeed in accomplishing those goals. I’d like to pose a thought that it is still a good habit to make a New Year’s Resolution. It is an opportunity to evaluate where we are as individuals and set goals to grow in new ways. As you look at your goals for this coming year ask yourself if you need to achieve an easier step to reach your bigger goal. For example, setting a goal to be healthier is very broad and can mean a lot of different things. What does it actually look like for you to be healthier? More physical activity? Wiser food choices? Changing eating habits? Behavior change is hard. Start with SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely). If your goal is to be healthy and you know that includes being more active a SMART goal may be, “I will join a walking group that walks 3 times a week by February 2023.”

January 3: Sleep

Getting adequate sleep is super important for your overall health at every age and stage of life. Here is a pdf on 5 Reasons Sleep Is Important by UGA Extension.

January 2: Get Organized

Now that you’ve made some SMART goals for the year it’s time to get organized. Organizing can help us stay focused, find things more easily, and reduce stress. Here are some tips that will help you get started.

January 4: Spaghetti Day

As Americans, when we think of spaghetti we think of a long thin pasta covered in a red sauce with meat, meatballs, or sausage. Did you know spaghetti is actually the shape of the pasta, not the dish we associate with the name? Spaghetti and meatballs are not a thing in Italy. There are dishes in Italy that use the pasta shape spaghetti which are similar to what we think of in the USA as spaghetti, but they are never served with meatballs on top. Meatballs fall under the second course for Italians. Pasta falls under the first course. They are always served separately. In addition, salad is served last! Well, not very last. Dessert is very last. Dessert is often fresh fruit. When I was living in Italy my dad once asked me to try and get a restaurant to prepare the dish we think of as Americans. I warned my father it was unlikely I would convince the chef to do this for him. Despite my best efforts in Italian to persuade the chef he was simply not having it. Just like we are connected to our food traditions and culture so are all the other peoples of the world. In celebration of spaghetti, however you like to enjoy it, make this simple meal tonight. Consider enjoying it in courses as the Italians do! Don’t forget the salad and the fruit to make it a well-balanced meal.

January 6: Home Radon Test

“Radon occurs naturally when uranium breaks down to form radon. Uranium is often found in high concentrations in granite rocky soils, as are common in northern Georgia counties. As radon is released into the soil, it can enter buildings through the foundation and well water, eventually building to dangerous levels.

Radon kills nearly 21,000 people each year, more than 800 of them in Georgia, and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after tobacco smoke. Smokers are at an even higher risk of radon-induced lung cancer than nonsmokers.” (UGA Extension)

January 8: Home Office Safety

Home Office Safety involves general safety, fire safety, electrical safety, and workstation safety. In addition, if you have a home office that you see clients in you should be cognizant of any safety hazards your workspace exposes those clients to. This includes exposure of their personal data to those who should not have access to it. This could expose them to identity theft, fraud, or HIPAA violations to name a few safety concerns. Furthermore, a home office may be accessible to young children who live in a home or visit the home the office is located in. All of these things should be kept in mind when assessing the safety of a home office. Here are links to a few checklists that will help you make your home office a safer place:

1. Telework.gov Safety Checklist
2. OSHA’s Computer Workstations eTools
3. OSHA’s Workstation Checklist

January 7: Trivia Night

Not only are trivia games fun for all ages they can also be good for your health. Studies suggest that playing a variety of games can improve brain health in different ways ranging from cognitive ability and brain function to lowering the incidence of dementia. In addition, playing games with family and friends is good for your emotional and mental health because they provide an opportunity for healthy social interactions. So plan a trivia night or just a game night. Your health may benefit!

Fissler, P., Kolassa, I. T., & Schrader, C. (2015). Educational games for brain health: revealing their unexplored potential through a neurocognitive approach. Frontiers in psychology, 6, 1056. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01056

Godman, H. (2021). Simple, low-cost, low-tech brain training - Harvard Health. (n.d.). Retrieved December 12, 2022, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/low-cost-low-tech-brain-training-2021032922247</div>

January 9: What Goes Into a Credit Score?

Credit scores can be confusing for many people. We hear different things about credit scores from different sources, but how do we know who to listen to? Here’s a simple rundown of credit scores.

January 12: Hot Tea Day

Whether you like it hot or cold tea has some pretty great health benefits and possibilities when consumed regularly. Some of these include:

• Possible cancer prevention
• May lower cholesterol levels
• Helps immune system
• Slows aging

In celebration of tea try a nice hot cup of it today!

January 14: Glaucoma Awareness

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases affecting the optic nerve in the eye. It is a leading cause of irreversible blindness and vision loss. Blacks and Hispanics are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma. Other notable risk factors include age (60 years and older), having a family history of glaucoma, and diabetes or high blood pressure. There is no cure for glaucoma, but regular eye exams can lead to early diagnosis and treatment. The following resources have research-based information if you want to know more:

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• National Eye Institute
• Mayo Clinic

January 16: Hunt for Happiness Week

Researchers continue to dive into understanding what can result in our happiness as humans. In 2016 Walk Georgia posted a blog called 7 Happiness Rituals to Adopt Today, Back by Science. What are they?

• Making time for physical activity/exercise
• Practicing gratitude
• Healthy diet
• Mindfulness
• Take a break from tech
• Focus on positive thoughts
• Help others

January 13: Folic Acid Awareness

Folic Acid is a very important nutrient, especially for protection again birth defects. Scientific research led to the folic acid fortification of our foods to prevent serious health conditions, save lives, and improve quality of life. It is critically important for pregnant women to have an adequate intake of folic acid during pregnancy, but all of us need folic acid. This 7-minute video by the CDC tells the Story of Folic Acid Fortification and why it is so important.

January 15: Hat Day

More than a fashion staple, or statement depending on the individual, hats can be helpful for your health. In the winter hats have a health benefit as they can help to hold in body heat. This is important in cold temperatures especially if you are outside for long periods of time. In the sunny months, hats can aid in skin protection. Skin is the largest organ in your body. You need exposure to the sun for your body to make vitamin D, but too much sun exposure can be damaging to your skin causing signs of aging and increasing your risk for skin cancer.

January 17: Healthy Weight

Why do healthcare professionals make such a big deal about “healthy weight”? The bottom line is that research shows associations between weight and many chronic health conditions. Research also shows an association between weight loss and improved health in populations who are overweight or obese. Check out this article by the American Heart Association to learn more about the importance of healthy body weight.

January 18: Cervical Cancer Awareness

In 2019 Georgia’s cervical cancer cases are slightly higher (8.2 per 100,000 women) than the national average (8.0 per 100,000 women). The majority of cervical cancer cases are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Other risk factors include having HIV, smoking, using birth control pills for 5 years or longer, having birthed 3 or more children, and having had multiple sexual partners. There are several things listed by the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) that can help reduce a woman’s risk of cervical cancer. Among the behavior changes are don’t smoke, limit sexual partners, use condoms during sex. In addition, the HPV vaccine is recommended for preteens between 11-12 years of age. If the HPV vaccine is not received in preteen years it is recommended that teens and anyone through 26 years old should get this vaccine. In some cases, doctors may recommend patients between the ages of 27 and 45 get the HPV vaccine. Further, regularly getting screenings under the guidance of your doctor can help prevent cervical cancer or improve outcomes through early detection. To learn more click here.

January 20: Cheese

Are you a cheese lover? Many of us are. Cheese is a great way to meet your dietary recommendations for dairy. Some of us can’t eat cheese due to lactose intolerance or other reasons. One of the primary reasons for the dairy recommendations is to make sure people get the amount of calcium they need. Check out MyPlate.gov to learn more about dairy recommendations. Have more questions? Schedule a meeting with Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Amanda Harner.

January 19: Popcorn Day

It’s POPCORN DAY! Did you know popcorn is a whole grain? Stop by the Extension Office (484 GA-83, Forsyth, GA 31029) between 1 pm & 4 pm on Thursday, January 19 to get a fresh bag of popcorn compliments of the Elevate grant!

January 21: Choosing Quality Clothing

If you struggle to make wise decisions on clothing purchases you will find this UGA Extension guide on clothing selection very helpful!

January 23: Fresh Squeezed Juice

Are you a juice lover? If you are keep a few simple things in mind. Juices can have a lot of added sugar. At the same time, they can provide important vitamins and antioxidants our bodies need. When choosing a juice pick one without added sugar. In addition, those that still contain plant fibers have the added benefit of helping you get the dietary fiber that is beneficial in digestion, especially as we age. Consider this, making your own juice at home allows you to control what goes in and what stays out of your juice.

January 24: Compliment Day

It feels wonderful to receive a compliment. Especially when the compliment is about our character or something we put a lot of thought, time, or energy into. Your challenge today is to think of three people you can give a compliment to. Maybe it is your kids or your spouse. Maybe it is a dear friend. Maybe it is someone in the service industry you interact with on a regular basis. We all need to be encouraged and compliments are a great way to encourage someone and brighten their day!

January 27: National Chocolate Cake Day

Some days you just need to enjoy a chocolate cake. Maybe today is that day for you. It is a good thing to enjoy things like chocolate cake in moderation. A good rule of thumb is to limit yourself to 7-10 grams of added sugar when you do enjoy a dessert. This is not always easy to do and there will be times you exceed this recommendation. That’s ok. Learning to discipline yourself in these ways can not only promote good health it may make you feel satisfied when you get those sweet cravings without feeling bad about it. So, have your cake and eat it too… in moderation.

January 28: Data Privacy Day

Data privacy is the right you have to control your personal information and how that information is used. One of the biggest issues when it comes to data privacy is identity theft. Identity theft is when your personal information is stolen and someone uses it as if they are you. This can happen in a variety of ways and often takes place digitally. It can happen with credit, medical insurance, social security numbers, and so much more. Check out this UGA Extension publication, “Get Smart About Identity Theft”.