Todd County Extension Family & Consumer Sciences

Newsletter

March 2020

Limit Your Laundry Detergent Did you know that many of us use too much laundry detergent? Some of our laundry detergent measuring habits have not evolved to keep up with improved washing machine technology and new detergent formulations. Before you pour your next dose of detergent, consider these factors:

• The instructions on your detergent: Always refer to the manufacturer’s suggestion.

• Type of washer: Front load, top load, “high efficiency” (HE) type

• Size (capacity) of washer: A “large load” for one kind of washer may actually be a “small load” in another kind of washer; washer capacity is usually designated in cubic feet.

• Amount of clothes: Will your clothes fill your washer a third full or half full or three-quarters full? (Do not “overload” your washer to its full capacity.)

• Soil level: Are the clothes really dirty? You may want to add a little more detergent.

• Water hardness: Hard water — use a little more detergent; soft water — use a little less detergent.

If the measurements on your detergent cap are hard to read, mark the fill-lines with tape or a marker.

Fun Fact: Soap and detergent are not the same thing. Soap is naturally derived from fats and oils. Detergents are specially

created with chemicals intended for specific cleaning purposes. References: https://www.thespruce.com/how-much-detergent-per-load-2146803 https://www.nycoproducts.com/resources/blog/simple-science-the-difference-between-soap-and-detergent/ https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703808904575025021214910714 Source: Jeanne Badgett, Senior Extension Associate for Clothing, Textiles, and Household Equipment

Blender, Food Processors, and Mixers Do you need to chop, blend, or mix for this meal? Once that is answered, ask yourself which appliance is best for the task — a blender, food processor, or mixer. Blenders and food processors feature sharp blades that spin at high speeds. Mixers feature attachments great

Cooperative Extension Service Todd County PO Box 97 Elkton, KY 42220 (270) 265-5659 Fax: (270) 265-3534 extension.ca.uky.edu

for baking. While these appliances have many similarities, they have very different purposes. Of course, appliances with more powerful and multiple settings, along with added attachments can mean you don’t need all the appliances, especially if you are tight on space or aren’t in the kitchen often. Blenders Generally, countertop or upright blenders are better for liquids. You can easily make smoothies; soups; emulsions, such as mayonnaise or vinaigrettes; crepe, waffle, and pancake batter; and ice cream and sorbet in the blender. A powerful blender is the only appliance that will whip any fruit or vegetable into a smooth texture. The blender container is tall, narrow, and usually angled at the base. This creates a high-speed whirlwind motion that moves the ingredients through the blades more frequently than in a food processor. Blenders usually have an easy-to-pour container or may even offer the option of drinking out of the same container in which your beverage was blended. A high-end blender may also come with attachments allowing you to perform more labor-intensive tasks. You can carefully take apart most blender containers for easy cleaning, and most are dishwasher safe. Low-cost blenders are meant for occasional use. Powerful blenders are more versatile, dependable, and expensive. For small jobs, a hand-held immersion blender can do some of the same tasks as a full-size blender or food processor. It is much smaller, lighter, and easier to store. Which type of blender you purchase depends on what you plan to blend and how often.

Food processors Food processors are ideal for more labor-intensive tasks. Food processors have a wide mixing bowl, making it easy to add ingredients. Various attachments allow you to chop, slice, shred, mix, or puree. Food processors are good for slicing vegetables or cheese, or mixing dough for pasta, pizza crust, and pie crust. Some automatically scrape the dough or batter from the walls of the bowl. If you only occasionally need to mince an onion or make a small batch of vinaigrette, consider a mini-chopper instead. Mixers If you do a lot of baking, either a stand mixer or a hand mixer is a must. A stand mixer will easily mix cake batters, cookie and bread doughs, and whip egg whites or cream. With the right attachments, a stand mixer can also roll pasta dough, grind meat, or churn ice cream. A hand mixer will do most of these things, too, but is not designed for large amounts. If your kitchen space is limited, the hand mixer may be just what you need. Source: Dr. Sandra Bastin, RDN, LDN, Extension Professor, Food and Nutrition Specialist

Sincerely,

Jill B. Harris

Jill B. Harris Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences Education

Leader Training Simple Succulents will be taught Wednesday, March 25, 1:30 p.m., at the Todd County Extension Office Meeting Room. Meal Kits: Are they Worth It will be taught Thursday, April 30, 10:00 a.m., at the Todd County Extension Office Meeting Room. Brenda Church Memorial Scholarship Applications for the Brenda Church Memorial Scholarship are available at the Todd County Extension Office, on website https://todd.ca.uky.edu/content/family-consumer-sciences; or from the College and Career Counselor at TCCHS. The scholarship is $1000 and is due March 30. Applicants may be a current member of the Todd County Extension Homemakers Association, who has been a dues paying member for at least one year; a child or grandchild (includes adoption and guardianship) of a current member of the Todd County Extension Homemaker’s Association, who has been a dues paying member for at least one year; or any student pursuing a career in Family & Consumer Sciences, Agriculture or a related field. The scholarship is not just limited to graduating seniors. Applicants may apply annually; however, priority will be given to applicants who have not received the scholarship in previous years. KEHA Annual Meeting If you are interested in attending the KEHA Annual Meeting 2020, it will be held April 21-23, 2020 at the Owensboro Convention Center. Please let Jill know as soon as possible if you want to attend as a voting delegate (officers, chairmen, members). Registration forms should be mailed soon.

Amazon Smiles The Todd County Homemakers Organization is now set up to receive charitable donations on Amazon Smiles. Club presidents have more information. Pennyrile Area Cultural Arts The Pennyrile Area Homemakers will be hosting their annual Cultural Arts Contest on Friday, March 6, at the Christian County Extension Office in Hopkinsville. You may enter exhibits from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. The program will be on Swedish Weaving and will be at 11:00 a.m. Viewing is at 1:00 p.m., and checkout is at 1:30. A list of categories is available at the Extension Office, from your homemaker club president, or on the KEHA website.

Quarters for Center for Courageous Kids Todd County Homemakers will be collecting donations during the month of March for the Center for Courageous Kids (CCK) in Scottsville, KY. The Center for Courageous Kids accepts seriously ill children and their families to their summer camping program (free of charge) who could not even be considered for other programs. Pennyrile Area Homemaker Spring Seminar “The Great Outdoors” is the theme for the Pennyrile Area Homemakers Spring Seminar. It will be Tuesday, March 31, 10:00 a.m. at the Christian County Extension Office in Hopkinsville. Topics will include Outdoor Cooking, Managing Outdoor Pests, Sun Safety, and More! Registration is $10 (includes lunch of Hamburger or Hot Dog, chips, baked beans, and dessert) and is due to the Todd County Extension Office by March 17.

Basic Knife Skills 101 During this Basic Knife Skills 101 class on Tuesday, April 14, 4:00 p.m., we will review types of knives and their uses; talk about cutting safety; review different parts of the knife; learn how to select knives; go over proper hand position for using a chef’s knife; and practice cutting styles. There is no charge for the class but participants will need to bring their own supplies. Call the Todd County Extension Office, 270-265-5659, by April 9, to register and receive your supply list.

Weather Policy If school is closed for bad weather,

homemaker activities are cancelled; check with the Extension Office or

club president if in doubt.