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Don’t be a victim of consumer fraud

December is a time when scammers really ramp up activity. Do not fall for their tricks! Criminals, thieves and con artists use many types of scams to target unsuspecting people who have access to money. Consumer scams happen on the phone, through the mail, e-mail, or over the internet. They can occur in person, at home, or at a business. Here are some tips to protect yourself from scams: Don’t…

Foodie Friday: December Menu

This is our last menu of 2022. I decided to continue with serving two vegetarian meals per week. I want you to know, when I first introduced “Meatless Monday” to my family, I got a lot of complaining from my two children. I did this for a few months and then switched Mondays to something else because I was tired of them not eating. When I decided to bring it back (and stealthily add a second…

November is Diabetes Awareness Month

Female hand with awareness ribbon and text NATIONAL DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH on blue background Don’t be fooled by the pre in prediabetes. Prediabetes is a serious health condition that about a third of American adults have. What’s scary is about 80% of those adults are unaware of their condition. Prediabetes puts a person at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and…

Foodie Friday: November Menu

Fall has come to Oklahoma and I am loving it! I do already miss summer a little, but so far this autumn season has been lovely. The leaves are starting to turn and fall, and the weather has been nice and mild. We even got some rain this week, which was a welcome guest. I am excited to share with you my November menu. I am trying quite a few new dishes for this season, including several…

I am starting to feel a bit like a broken record when I say things like “Wow, what a busy month I have had,” but what a busy month I’ve had! I think most of us are feeling it. My younger daughter fell asleep on the couch after school yesterday and slept through dinner, and then through the night. It feels like we’ve all been burning the candle at both ends lately. But I am happy to feel some…

Foodie Friday: September Menu

August went by in such a rush, I almost didn’t get the September menu finished before September started! I hope you enjoy it. It is my last month of the year to plan meals on the smoker. Please feel free to print it out and use whatever meals sound good to your family. Scrap those that don’t. Just make some plans to eat together, around your kitchen table. September Menu Recipe…

Helping Children Be Independent

Infants are born helpless and we are willing to help, so we become accustomed to doing things for them. But then, as children grow, how do we know if we have slipped into doing too much, doing things for them that they should be doing for themselves?     Sometimes children tell us when we have done that. Instead of saying, Do it myself, they say, You do it. Do it for me. I don’t know how. Later…

Living Well With Diabetes

Over 370,000 Oklahoma adults reported having been diagnosed with diabetes in 2018. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90% to 95% of all diabetes cases.That’s 1 out of every 8 adults.In 2018, Oklahoma had the 12th highest diabetes prevalence in the nation. For many adults who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, deciphering what to eat can be a challenge. If you have been diagnosed, you might have left…

QuickTip Tuesday: Back to School Tips for Divorced Parents

This time of year can be tough. Transitioning out of summer routines and into the more structured routines of school can be a stressful time for parents and children. This transition becomes even more complicated for co-parents as they work to coordinate their schedules so that both might be involved in their child’s life. This transition also increases the need for communication between…

Foodie Friday: August Menu

This summer has just absolutely flown by! I was feeling a little sad about it, but then temps hit 110 degrees here in central OK and now I’m over it. We are probably in for at least 2 more months of hot weather, so I am planning a menu that doesn’t use the oven much. I hope you enjoy! August 2022 Menu Recipes august-2022-menuDownload

QuickTip Tuesday: Grill Safely

When grilling for the family or a backyard party, it’s important to use the grill in a safe manner to prevent injury or damage. Follow these tips to stay safe: Placement of an outdoor grill, whether it be charcoal or propane, is essential. Keep it at least 10 feet from buildings, porches, decks, deck railings and garages, as well as all vehicles. Also, grills should not be placed under wooden…

QuickTip Tuesday: Healthy Food Prep

With summer in full swing, many households are lacking the structure provided by the school year. This doesn’t make it more difficult to stick to family meal time, but it does make it easier to relax the routine. This is the perfect time to refocus on family meals and making them healthy. Here are some tips from MyPlate: Think balance. Choose a variety of delicious foods from all five food…

Foodie Friday: July Menu

I cannot believe our summer break is halfway over! My family has had such a fun summer so far, and we are gearing up for the next phase which includes theater camp for my daughters and a youth production of Annie. My girls are playing July and Molly, two of Annie’s fellow orphan roommates. It’s shaping up to be a very hot month and I do not want to heat my kitchen by using the oven much, so this…

QuickTip Tuesday: 4th of July Food Safety Tips

This holiday weekend, nearly 130,000 people will require medical care for food borne illness. Don’t be one of those people! We all love grilling out on July 4th, but be sure your hamburgers are safe to eat by following these simple steps: Clean: Make sure you clean all surfaces, utensils, and hands with soap and water.Separate: When grilling, use separate plates and utensils for raw meat and…

QuickTip Tuesday: Stop the Summer Slide

Summer Slide is a phenomenon where children lose knowlege over the summer break. This loss is typically seen in reading and math skills, and it effects some students more than others. As a parent, there are things you can do to lessen the effects of this knowledge and skill loss so your child is starting out each new school year in tip-top shape. Keep a bedtime schedule and routine. It’s…

QuickTip Tuesday: Tips for a salt-smart diet

Healthy eating is important at every age. Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables,grains, protein foods, and dairy or fortified soy alternatives. When decidingwhat to eat or drink, choose options that are full of nutrients and limited inadded sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. Start with these tips from myplate.gov: Read the label.The Nutrition Facts label shows you how much sodium is in…

Foodie Friday: May Menu

calendar with dinner ideas May is upon us and with it comes the end of the school year for my daughters. We are ready for a break from all the hustle and bustle of school, homework, and extra-curricular activities. We still have six more weeks of the dance season, but that’s the fun part anyway. I am hoping for some sunny skies and good grilling weather in the weeks to come. Oklahoma has been…