Eat, Save, and Be Healthy

As many of us take time off to celebrate with our family and friends, it is natural to also think about and want to give to those that are less fortunate than us.  Especially in hard times like this, my mind often travels to the children who are hurting around the state, around the nation.  Annie E. Casey, a research non-profit committed to helping vulnerable children and families puts out a yearly evaluation about how the kids are doing in our state and nation.  Here are a few facts about Ohio:

Children in Poverty: 18%

Number of Children in Poverty: 2,751,874

Children abused or neglected: 10.1%

This year, as you gather around a table, tree or menorah  with dishes full of food and more presents that you probably don’t “need”, I hope you take some time to think about some of these 18%.  There are many things that you can do: give your time, give your money or give your resources.  MSNBC has a great story on selecting how to give to a charity.

If you choose not to give, you can also take time to cherish and be thankful for the things that you have- your health, your family, your partner, your job, or maybe your pet.

Happy Holidays and may we all learn to value all that we have.

Barbara O’Neill, personal finance expert from Rutgers University offers a daily update on money topics via her Twitter account.

Check it out:  http://twitter.com/moneytalk1

Next time you swig down that soda or kool-aid think about this…

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F4t8zL6F0c]

During the holiday season – from Thanksgiving through the first of the year – you may have many temptations to overeat.  For your health and the health of your family, try to maintain your weight.  Here are some tips:

• Have plenty of fresh cut-up vegetables with low-fat dips on hand.  They are high in fiber and vitamins.  The veggies will also help satisfy your hunger so you do not fill up with high fat and high sugar foods.
• Do not deny yourself of the foods you like.  Just take smaller portions.
• Make your sweet treats with some substitutions to make them lower in fat and sugar.  The following is an example you may want to try:

Pumpkin Brownies

1 cup pumpkin puree, canned or cooked

1 cup brown sugar

½ tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

¼ cup vegetable oil

1 egg

1 egg white

½ cup walnuts, finely chopped

1 ¼ cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp ground ginger

¼ cup buttermilk

2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat over to 375 degrees F.  Coat a 9 x 13 baking pan with cooking spray.  Combine all ingredients and beat well.  Pour into pan.  Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean.

Cool and cut into squares.  Makes 24 brownies.

100 calories, 4.5 g Fat, 15 g Carbohydrate, 2 g Protein, 1g Fiber, 80 mg Sodium  Recipe Source:  Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina

Author:  Linnette Mizer Goard, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension