Family & Consumer Sciences

University of Tennessee Extension

Watch for Hidden Holiday Expenses While holiday shopping can get you into the spirit of the season, it’s

often accompanied by a nagging feeling that you’re overspending.

Experts say that listening to that nagging little voice may be the best

thing you can do for your budget during the holidays.

Those who spend for the holidays without a well-thought-out plan

generally do overspend, financial experts say, and busting the budget

is a holiday tradition that you may pay for months into the New Year.

A holiday spending survey by The Global Research Network found

that financial stress during the holidays affects almost half of the

Americans they surveyed. More than half reported that they do not plan ahead for holiday spending and

that they put their holiday spending on credit cards that they can’t pay off at the end of the season.

Planning carefully for holiday spending can help you feel comfortable and in control through the

holidays, but a common mistake is to plan only for gifts, without making allowance for the hidden

expenses that come with the holidays. Some of these expenses may include:

Extra or last minute gifts. Make a complete gift list. Indicate beside each name the amount of

money you plan to pay for that person’s gift (or gifts). Total the amount and make it your goal to

keep all gift spending under this total. Will you need gifts for co-workers, teachers, neighbors,

household help or unexpected visitors? Have you planned for those as well?

Taxes and gift wrapping. When you’re shopping, remember that if you are not to exceed the

amount you’ve budgeted for each gift, you have to take taxes and gift wrapping into account.

Make a gift selection that is priced 10% to 15% less that you budgeted to allow for taxes and gift

wrapping.

Stocking stuffers. If you fill stockings, plan for that expense in your holiday

budget. Two or three well-stuffed stockings can easily add $100 to $200 to

your holiday expenses.

Shopping expenses. Extra shopping often involves extra gasoline, meals out

or snacks at the mall; and each time you walk through a mall or shopping

center, you’re tempted to make unplanned purchases.

Extra groceries. Holiday baking, entertaining and snacking can swell the

grocery list well past what’s budgeted for routine family meals.

Hostess gifts. Check your holiday calendar for unforeseen expenses. If your holiday parties call

for hostess gifts, or if you generally take a snack or covered dish to holiday gatherings, budget

for these items.

Fall 2014

Family Ties

Home decor. Retailers tempt homemakers with not only holiday

decorations, but special linens, dishes, flatware, pillows, rugs and

cookware for the holidays. If your home boasts a new wardrobe every

holiday, budget accordingly.

Clothes for the holidays. Special clothing for the holidays fills

racks in department and specialty stores. If you plan to wear something

festive, or dress your three-year-old in shirts and socks trimmed with

holly leaves or snowmen during the month of December, budget for it.

Travel expenses. Airline tickets, hotel rooms, lift tickets and ski-wear are some of the more

costly items, but gasoline and meals on the road can mount up even for the less extravagant

families.

Post-holiday spending. If our holiday spending sprees actually ended on December 25, then the

day after Christmas wouldn’t be the biggest shopping day of the year. Even those post-holiday

bargains cost money as do the movies and meals out that are often antidotes to post-holiday

blues.

Planning your holiday budget is a great way to put yourself in control of your spending. By taking the

time to think through your holiday wish list and the gifts you will be purchasing, you will avoid the

dread of post-holiday debt. With your holiday plan and budget in hand, the season will indeed be

peaceful and bright.

Contributed by: Dena Wise, Professor, Family Economics Christopher T. Sneed, UT Extension - Blount County

Contributed by: Sherri Morris, UT Extension – Fayette County

Source: Kids in the Middle; info@kitm.

Food Facts Nutrition Label revisions A lot has changed in the American diet since the Nutrition Facts label

was introduced in 1993 so the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

proposes making changes to both design and content of the food

label. This is the first revision for the label since the FDA began

requiring them.

The primary goal of the proposed changes to the Nutrition Facts label is not to tell people what they

should be eating, but to expand and highlight the information they most need when making food

choices.

Obesity, heart disease and other chronic diseases are leading public health problems. The proposed new

label is intended to bring attention to calories and serving sizes, which are important in addressing these

problems.

Proposed changes include:

Larger and bolder type on calories

Listing added sugars

Calories from fat will no longer be listed

Amount per serving will have the actual serving size listed, such as “amount per cup”

Update Daily Values for various nutrients used to calculate the Percent Daily Values (%DV) and

will be shifted to the left of the label.

The amounts of potassium and Vitamin D would be required on the label. Vitamin D is

important for healthy bones, especially among women and the elderly. Potassium helps lower

blood pressure and helps prevent hypertension.

The food industry will be given two years to comply after the publication of any final ruled governing

the Nutrition Facts label.

Do people use the food label to help make decisions? A USDA study

shows that people use the label. The study showed 42% of working-

age adults between 29 and 68 looked at the labels most or all of the

time when shopping. Older people did better; 57% of Americans older

than 68 uses the food label when shopping. More people than ever

now use the label. In 2007, 34% of working-age adults looked at the

label, and 51% of Americans older than 68 used the label.

Contributed by: Betty Greer, Professor, Nutrition Specialist

Creamy Garlic Pasta Ingredients

Directions

1. In a pot, bring olive oil to medium heat. Add garlic and stir, allowing it to cook for 1-2 minutes. Mix in butter and

melt. 2. Add salt, pepper and chicken stock. Raise heat to high and let it come to a boil. 3. Once at a rolling boil, add pasta and cook according to package. 4. Reduce to medium heat and mix in parmesan until completely melted. 5. Turn off heat, stir in cream and parsley. 6. Serve immediately.

Contributed by: Sarah Ransom, 4H/FCS Agent – Johnson County

2 tsp. olive oil 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 Tbsp. butter

1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. pepper

3 cups chicken stock 1/2 lb. angel hair pasta (or other) 3/4 cup heavy cream 1 cup grated parmesan cheese 2 Tbsp. chopped parsley

Original vs Proposed

Just a Few More Minutes, Please?

Everyone is familiar with those mornings where it seems easier to just

roll over, hit the alarm clock and go back to sleep…for just a few more

minutes. What creates this desire for more sleep? Why is it so hard to get

up in the mornings, or after a nap? Is something wrong? Or are we just

tired? Is sleep really that important? Why does it seem we can never get

enough? Is there a right amount of sleep that we need? Can you catch up

on sleep? Is anyone getting tired just thinking about sleeping? In this

lesson we’re going to look at what sleep is, how we use it, what we need and various myths and

suggestions about sleep. Hopefully after this you’ll go away with having some great ideas for ways to

improve your sleeping habits to gain a more restful sleep and wake feeling refreshed and ready for a new

day.

According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), “sleep is

essential for day-to-day functioning, performance, learning and overall health. Sleep disorders, including

insomnia, are a leading cause of accidents, lost productivity and illness” (NICHD, 2013). Sleep in

general is a very complicated biological process that can be simplified greatly or it can bury one in

information. There are cycles our brains and bodies process through while we’re sleeping, these are

called circadian (pronounced sur-kay-dee-uhn) rhythms. Our body has an internal clock and these cycles

are biologically set. There are five circadian rhythms our bodies go through, these are called Phase 1,

Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 4, and Rapid Eye Movement (also known as REM) sleep. Let’s take a quick

look at what these phases do for us!

In phase 1, individuals are between being away and falling asleep and will begin to sleep lightly. As you

move into phase 2, individuals move into a deeper sleep and become disengaged from the surroundings.

In phase 2 our body temperature drops. Phase 3 and 4 is the deepest and most restorative sleep. Blood

pressure drops, breathing slows down, muscles relax, our bodies increase the supply of blood to our

muscles, our bodies perform tissue growth and repair, our energy levels increase again and our bodies

release hormones. As our bodies move into REM sleep (or phase 5) this equates

the other 25% of our sleep. Generally this occurs about 70-90 minutes after first

falling asleep, and then on and off for the remainder of your circadian rhythm.

REM sleep often lasts longer as you move later into the night. During this cycle

our brain and bodies are energized, our daytime performance is supported, our

brains are active and dreaming often occurs. Our eyes will dart back and forth,

creating the “rapid eye movement”. If you watch someone during this cycle you

can see their eyes moving beneath their closed eyelids! REM is involved in the

process of retaining memories, learning and maintaining balanced emotions. Our

bodies also become immobile and relaxed and our body temperature isn’t tightly

regulated. The whole process of going from phase 1 to phase 5 is usually around 90

minutes.

Naps are another huge factor! If you just need a quick dose of energy, studies suggest that a quick 10-20

minute rest is best for your body. This allows individuals to rest and relax but not to get into that deep

sleep and feel groggy and more tired when they awake. If you want a longer nap, be sure to sleep for 90

minutes…then your body will be ready to go again!

As we lose sleep we lose our ability to focus which in turns slows down our

response times, increases our chances to take risks and make poor decisions.

This can affect our relationships, our jobs and even our driving. The National

Heart, Lung and Blood Institute say that the lack of sleep “can cause

irritability…particularly for children and teens…and are more likely to

become depressed”. Depending on the age of the individual, we handle the

loss of sleep differently. Usually adults can maintain control of their

irritability, whereas with younger children they often become fussy, cry more

readily or pitch fits to try and compensate for their feelings. Often, a simple

nap or an early bedtime can solve these problems long term. Losing sleep

also affects our health. Not getting proper amounts of sleep can greatly increase our risk of high blood

pressure, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, mood disorders such as depression, anxiety and

mental distress or several other medical conditions. Sleep is vital because as the body produces the

hormones we talked about earlier it allows the body to grow, build muscles, fight illnesses and repair

any damage in our bodies. If we’re losing this valuable time, our bodies are only being worn down over

time and it is only a matter of time before we may start experiencing some negative effects of lost sleep.

There are many false beliefs we hold towards sleep and we’re going to take a few minutes to look at a

few of these.

1. Snoring is a common problem, but isn’t harmful. Although snoring is generally harmless,

for some it’s a symptom of a life threatening disorder – Sleep Apnea. If a person snores

loudly, experiences day time sleepiness and/or wake up gasping for air in the night need

to contact a professional to determine if they have sleep apnea.

2. You can’t “cheat” on the amount of sleep you get. Despite the popular belief that you can

regain sleep, once you lose sleep there is no making it back up. Creating an inadequate

sleep debt is impossible to repay and if continued can increase risk of obesity, high blood

pressure, negative mood and behaviors, decreased productivity and personal safety

issues.

3. Daytime sleepiness always means a person isn’t getting enough sleep. This can be a sign

of drowsiness and can occur even after you’ve gotten enough sleep at night. This can be a

sign of an underlying medical condition, such as sleep apnea or narcolepsy. These

problems are all treatable, so seek help if this is a continuous struggle.

4. The older you get, the fewer hours of sleep you need. Experts recommend 7-9 hours of

sleep for most adults. Sleep patterns may change as we age, but the amount of sleep

needed usually does not. The older we get the more frequently we may wake up during

the night, but we can compensate for this by taking short naps during the day (National

Institute of Child Health & Human Development).

Sleep is a very important part of our daily lives. It allows us to have the energy we need to have

productive days, assists in giving us emotional stability and gives us additional safety and security.

Contributed by: Sarah Ransom, 4H/FCS Agent – Johnson County Sources: Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program: Relaxation Exercises (pg. 148-149 & 162) from Instruction Manual (2009). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Epidemiology Program Office. (2009). Perceived insufficient rest or sleep among adults—United States, 2008. MMWR, 58(42), 1175-1179 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2009). At-a-glance: Healthy sleep. Retrieved May 30, 2012, from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/healthy_sleep_atglance.pdf National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). (2013, April 3). Sleep: overview what is sleep?. Retrieved from http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/sleep/Pages/default.aspx National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2013, July 31). What are some myths about sleep?. Retrieved from http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/sleep/conditioninfo/pages/sleep-myths.aspx

Cheesy Bean Dip Ingredients

• 1 cup black beans, drained & rinsed

• 1/2 cup Great Northern White Beans, drained & rinsed

• 1/2 cup Red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

• 1/4 cup diced tomatoes, no salt added, drained

• 2 Tbsp. lemon juice

• 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar

• 1 tsp. cilantro

• 1 tsp. cumin

• 1 tsp. onion powder

• 1/2 Tbsp. garlic powder

• 6 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Puree all ingredients in blender, except cheese, until soft and creamy

2. Add parmesan cheese, pulse until mixed

3. Put in serving bowl.

4. Serve with vegetable sticks, whole wheat pita chips, etc.

Makes: 6 servings

Contributed by: Sarah Ransom, 4H/FCS Agent – Johnson County

Keep cost down this fall with these three

simple steps.

Insulate:

Wrap a water-heater blanket around your water

heater and insulate water pipes. This will keep your

hot water hot and will also add up to big savings as

it takes about 14 percent of your overall utility bill

to provide hot water.

Check your attic. Since warm air rises, you want to

be sure it is adequately insulated. You’ll know it needs more insulation if you can see your

ceiling joists.

Bundle up! Lower the temperature in your home and put on an extra layer of clothing. You save

about 2 percent off your heating bill for every degree you lower your thermostat.

Minimize heat loss:

Seal leaks around doors, windows and electrical outlets to ensure that your warm air is staying in

and the cool air is keeping out.

Install foam gaskets behind electrical outlets, light switches and lighting fixtures to reduce heat

loss, or install plastic security caps.

For those with single-pane windows, add storm windows and slice your heat loss by as much as

50 percent.

Save in the kitchen:

Use glass or ceramic pans when cooking in an oven. Your food cooks just as quickly and you

can reduce the cooking temperature by 25 degrees.

Make sure your refrigerator door closes tightly. To check, put a dollar bill in the door as you

close it. If it doesn’t hold securely, replace the seal.

Compost instead of using the garbage disposal and save gallons of water and money.

Contributed by: Karen D. Jones, Extension Agent – Haywood County

Source: tnconnections “Fall Energy-Saving Tips” (2014)

Is There Such a Thing as “Fall Cleaning”?

We all know the term, “spring cleaning”, but if you’re like me

the effects of that thorough cleaning I did back in March are long

gone. My once clean and tidy closets are once again cluttered and

disorganized. My patio furniture needs a good scrubbing, and the

interior of my home really needs dusting. These types of tasks

and several others seem to get overlooked during the busy

summer months when we spend more time outdoors and more

time traveling and enjoying leisure activities. With cooler temperatures just around the corner, we will

once again be spending more time indoors. That means it’s time to “clean up and clean out”!

A good thorough cleaning and organizing of your home or workspace doesn’t have to be complicated,

nor does it have to consume an entire weekend…after all, it is football season! Here are a few simple

cleaning and organizing tips that you can do at your convenience to make your living space a little more

functional this fall.

Clean Out Those Closets. Now is the time to clear out any summer clothes and unpack

fall/winter wardrobes. If there are items in your closets that you didn’t wear very often this

summer—don’t keep them until next year…donate them! Chances are if you didn’t wear

something this entire season, you probably won’t wear it next year either and if you have

growing kids they won’t be able to wear many of their summer things next year. Blouses,

tops, and t-shirts can be paired with jackets and worn late into the fall, as well as last year’s

tennis shoes and dress shoes. Don’t forget to also go through your fall and winter clothes

while unpacking them. If you didn’t wear it last year, but packed it anyway…consider

donating it.

Dust Thoroughly. This includes dusting furniture, but think about

those places that are covered in dust but often overlooked. Curtains,

drapes, and rugs are among some commonly disregarded items. If

these items in your home are machine washable, then follow directions

on their labels and then let them air-dry in the fresh, crisp, autumn air.

Remember that dry-dusting only stirs around dust instead of actually

removing it. Dampen your dust cloth slightly with a dusting polish or

cool water. If you are prone to dust allergies, consider passing this

chore on to someone who is not affected by dust.

Watch Out for Insects. When cooler weather arrives, we all tend to

move indoors. Insects and other pests also want in where it is warmer. The most typical pests

to look out for during the transitioning weather are ladybugs and spiders. If you use

household pest controls, just be sure to use them according to their instruction labels.

However, keeping food crumbs and spills off of your counters and floors will go a long way

in keeping these pests at bay, as well as immediately sweeping down any spider webs or

ladybugs that may find their way into your home.

Protect Outdoor Furniture and Decorations. If you’re like me, you probably

enjoy using your outdoor furniture well into the fall so you can enjoy a crisp

fall afternoon or early evening outdoor fire. Just remember that before it gets

too cold, you will want to clean any furniture cushions and other fabric

materials and store them properly for winter. Some items may be machine

washable but be sure and double check the label before tossing them into the

machine. Lastly, make a plan for how you are going to store glass-top furniture.

If left out in wet and frigid temps, these items can freeze and break easily.

Remember that fall cleaning doesn’t have to be a major chore. If you spread your tasks out over the

course of a couple of weeks you will have a nice and tidy space in no time. Also, don’t forget to delegate

tasks to others living in your household. Older children can help with dusting and cleaning out their own

closets and dressers.

Contributed by: Rebecca Seratt, Extension Agent – Chester County

Chicken Scampi II Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter

• 1/4 olive oil

• 1 tsp. dried parsley and basil

• 1/4 tsp. dried oregano

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 3/4 tsp. salt

• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice

• 4 boneless chicken breast halves, into small cubes

Directions

1. In a skillet, heat butter and oil over medium high until melted.

2. Add the parsley, basil, oregano, garlic and salt and mix together in skillet.

3. Stir in lemon juice.

4. Add chicken and sauté for about 3 minutes or until white. Lower the heat and cook for about 10-

15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear. More butter can be added if

necessary.

Ready in 25 minutes

Makes: 4 servings

Contributed by: Sarah Ransom, 4H/FCS Agent – Johnson County

8 Fun Activities That Stress Family Time Over Material

Things

From the time they are infants, children are conditioned to want things: toys,

candy, video games… you name it. It gets to the point where they become

convinced that the only path to happiness is through collecting material

objects. But as a wise person once said, the best things in life aren’t always

things. So how do you teach your kids that they can be happy, have fun and

put family time first without spending money and acquiring material goods?

Try these eight fun activities with your kids and see for yourself:

Family History on Film: Grab the video camera or smartphone and

record your children telling you about the traditions your family celebrates. Let them describe

the history behind the traditions and what they mean. If you have older children, have them do

some online research. Challenge them to "teach you something you didn't already know" about

holidays and other traditional events. Don't let them off the hook too easily – ask questions, show

them family photos from the holidays and special events, and share your own memories. If you

make this an annual event, you and your kids can have fun looking back on previous years’

videos to see how the family has changed!

Kids’ Cuisine: If your children are old enough, have them cook a meal for the whole family.

They can plan a menu, make a shopping list and go with you to the store to find the necessary

ingredients. Tell them that the only limit is their imaginations. Be aware that you may end up

with ice cream and cookies for the main course, but also that your kids will know the satisfaction

of making a meal everyone can enjoy.

Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt: Before leaving in the car to run

an errand or go on a trip, give everyone in the family a list of items they

must spot before returning home. These can be things like a house with a

red door, a certain kind of car in a driveway, a special kind of tree, a word

on a billboard and others. When you get home, prepare a plate of healthy

snacks and have everyone tally up their “spots” to see who found the most

items. Note: It’s a good idea to scout out the neighborhood ahead of time for

items so you’re not driving around till the sun comes up!

Sentence-at-a-Time Story: Tell a story as a family… one

sentence at a time. Have everyone sit in a circle and have one person start with a sentence about

his or her favorite family memory. Then, have other family members take turns chiming in with

the next line of the story. The goal is to create the most funny, amazing and unbelievable story

ever.

Wrap Race: Split the family into two teams – the kids against the adults – and give each team a

roll of toilet paper. Now, give the kids three minutes to wrap up Mom and Dad (and other adults)

like mummies. Take pictures of the adults when the kids are done, then have the adults wrap up

the kids and take pictures. Have everyone compare the pictures and judge which team did the

best “wrap” job!

Find the Alarm: If you have a smartphone with customized musical ringtones, pick a fun tune,

set it as your alarm and hide the phone somewhere in the house. Then have your kids try to find

the phone before the alarm sounds (5 minutes is a good place to start). If they can’t find it, your

alarm will sound, leading everyone to the phone’s location! Sing the tune together and then

repeat the game so every family member has an opportunity to pick a tune and hide the phone.

Time Capsule: Get a box and have the whole family put in items to create a family time capsule.

Any item will do – newspapers, clothing, photographs, notes, old report cards, drawings…

anything that represents and embodies your family. Then, in a special ceremony, seal up the box,

write “Do not open until (add a date)” note and place it somewhere safe and secure. This works

great if you start when your kids are little. By the time they’re 7 or 8, they can start opening old

time capsules while they continue to create new ones!

Movie Night: Designate a non-school night as “movie

night.” Let your kids choose the movie (or movies), make

some treats and have everyone snuggle under a blanket

for the big show. As a special feature, you can let this be a

time when the kids (and adults!) get to stay up as late as

they want!

Contributed by: Priscilla Eddins, Extension Agent II – Tipton County Source: 8 Fun Activities That Stress Family Time Over Material Things. Retrieved September 23, 2014, http://www.parenting.org/quick-tips/8-fun-activities-that-stress-family-time-over-material-things

Pumpkin Coffee Cake Recipe For Streusel:

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 cup finely-chopped walnuts

Pumpkin Coffee Cake:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/3 cup canola oil

1-3/4 cups granulated sugar

4 large eggs

1 cup pumpkin puree

8 oz. sour cream (low-fat or non-fat is okay)

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp. salt

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a Bundt pan. Mix streusel ingredients together and set aside. Beat butter, oil and sugar

together with an electric mixer. Beat in eggs. Add pumpkin, sour cream and vanilla, beating until well-combined.

Measure the flours carefully by spooning flour into a measuring cup, then leveling off with a knife. Dump the flours on top of

the cake batter, but do not mix in yet. Spoon baking soda, pumpkin pie spice and salt on top of flour. Now, with the electric

mixer on low, mix the flour into the batter. Make sure it is completely incorporated, but do not over mix.

Spoon half of the cake batter into the prepared Bundt pan. Sprinkle the streusel filling evenly over the cake batter, being

careful not to allow it to touch the sides. Spoon the remaining cake batter over the streusel filling. Bake 55-60 minutes.

Invert cake and let cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Reference: About.com

Pumpkins – So Good for Us!

The bright orange color of the pumpkin flesh is a dead giveaway that it is a

great source of an important antioxidant, beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is

converted to vitamin A in the body. A one half-cup serving of cooked

pumpkin contains over 100 percent of the required Vitamin A and is only

26 calories.

The bottom line of beta-carotene and Vitamin A in pumpkins is that this

fruit provides nutrients important for our overall health. Current research

indicates that a diet rich in foods containing beta-carotene may reduce the

risk of developing certain types of cancer and offers protection against heart

disease.

In addition, pumpkins contain potassium. Plus, the flesh of pumpkin is 90 percent water.

Pumpkins are versatile in their uses for cooking. They can be used for soups, pies and breads, and the

seeds can be dried or roasted as a snack.

We can really get our money out of our pumpkins. This is because most parts of the pumpkin can be

eaten, including the fleshy shell, the seeds, and even the leaves and the flowers. When ripe, the pumpkin

can be boiled, baked, steamed, or roasted. A typical use of pumpkin is pureed, which is often the main

ingredient in pumpkin pie or bread. For pie filling and other cooking needs, select sugar pie pumpkins, a

smaller, sweeter variety with close-grained flesh.

Pumpkin seeds are a great snack. They are high in protein, rich in iron,

calcium, and also Vitamins A and B. To dry the seeds, carefully wash the

pumpkin seeds to remove the clinging fibrous pumpkin tissue. The seeds

can be dried in the sun until they are crisp, or they can be dried in a

dehydrator at 115 to 120 degrees F for 1 to 2 hours. Drying can also be

done in an oven on warm for 3 to 4 hours. Be sure to stir the seeds

frequently to prevent scorching of the seed surface. Seeds can also be

roasted using one teaspoon of oil per cup of seeds. Lightly salt or season to

taste with garlic or lemon pepper or your seasoning of choice. Roast in a

preheated oven at 250 degrees F for 10 to 15 minutes.

For more information on this topic, contact your local UT Extension Office.

Contributed by: Karen Leigh Leggitt, Extension Agent – Humphreys County

“Grandma is that you?” - Fraud and Financial Abuse

Awareness Month

A ringing phone breaks the silence in the calm dead of night. A sleepy voice

answers “Hello?” “Grandma is that you? I’m in trouble and need your help.”

The beginning of a fascinating mystery novel? – not quite. But for many

seniors it is the beginning of a true nightmare. This is just one of the many

financial fraud schemes currently targeting our older population. The

scammer calls in the middle of night when grandma or grandpa is disoriented

from sleep. It could be their grandchild’s voice they hear on the other end of

the phone; they’re not quite sure so they ask questions. The scammer has all

the right answers.

How do they do it? Scammers gather names and other details about family members from obituaries,

Facebook, Instagram, and even ancestry websites. They call pretending to be beloved grandchildren who

are in trouble in a faraway location – arrested, hospitalized – they need money wired to them now, and

plead with grandma to not tell their parents! Grandparents naturally want to help and according to

AARP.org, grandparents of college-aged young people are the most frequent targets, ‘helping’ to the

tune of $110 million a year in losses.

October is Fraud and Financial Abuse Awareness Month in Tennessee – now’s the time to get the word

out about schemes that can financially cripple our older population. Here are some of the current

schemes at work (as listed on aarp.org and fbi.gov):

Charity schemes: When help is needed, older people are often among the first to open their

hearts and wallets. This helps make them the group most vulnerable to scams feigning aid for

veterans, needy or sick children.

Internet fraud: As web use among senior citizens increases, so does their chances to fall victim

to Internet fraud. Internet Fraud includes non-delivery of items ordered online and credit and

debit card scams.

Telemarketing fraud: If you are age 60 or older—and especially if you are an older woman

living alone—you may be a special target of people who sell bogus products and services by

telephone. Telemarketing scams often involve offers of free prizes, low-cost vitamins and health

care products, and inexpensive vacations.

Why are seniors a primary target?

According to FBI.gov:

Senior citizens are most likely to have a “nest egg,” to own their home,

and/or to have excellent credit—all of which make them attractive to con artists.

People who grew up in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s were generally raised

to be polite and trusting. Con artists exploit these traits, knowing that it is

difficult or impossible for these individuals to say “no” or just hang up the

telephone.

Older Americans are less likely to report a fraud because they don’t know

who to report it to, are too ashamed at having been scammed, or don’t know

they have been scammed. Elderly victims may not report crimes, for example, because they are

concerned that relatives may think the victims no longer have the mental capacity to take care of

their own financial affairs.

When an elderly victim does report the crime, they often make poor witnesses. Con artists know

the effects of age on memory, and they are counting on elderly victims not being able to supply

enough detailed information to investigators. In addition, the victims’ realization that they have

been swindled may take weeks—or more likely, months—after contact with the fraudster. This

extended time frame makes it even more difficult to remember details from the events.

Senior citizens are more interested in and susceptible to products promising increased cognitive

function, virility, physical conditioning, anti-cancer properties, and so on. In a country where

new cures and vaccinations for old diseases have given every American hope for a long and

fruitful life, it is not so unbelievable that the con artists’ products can do what they claim.

Tips for Avoiding Fraud (fbi.gov):

Always ask for and wait until you receive written material about any offer or charity. But,

unfortunately, beware—not everything written down is true.

Before you give money to a charity or make an investment, find out what percentage of the

money is paid in commissions and what percentage actually goes to the charity or investment.

Before you send money, ask yourself a simple question. “What guarantee do I really have that

this solicitor will use my money in the manner we agreed upon?”

Don’t pay in advance for services. Pay services only after they are delivered.

Be wary of companies that want to send a messenger to your home to pick up money,

claiming it is part of their service to you. In reality, they are taking your money without leaving

any trace of who they are or where they can be reached.

Always take your time making a decision. Legitimate companies won’t pressure you to make a

snap decision.

Don’t pay for a “free prize or lottery winning.” If a caller tells you the payment is for taxes or

to cover the costs of wiring you your winnings, he or she is violating the law.

Never send money or give out personal information such as credit card

numbers and expiration dates, bank account numbers, dates of birth,

or social security numbers to unfamiliar companies or unknown

persons.

If you have been victimized once, be wary of persons who call

offering to help you recover your losses for a fee paid in advance.

If you have information about a fraud, report it to state, local, or federal law enforcement agencies.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, ‘The elderly are the fastest growing segment of our society

and they are also an important part of our country's economy. We are living longer but we as a society

do not always recognize this population as being at risk. America's growing senior population is

uniquely vulnerable to a broad range of exploitation and abuse. Financial crimes in particular are

targeted at seniors with alarming frequency, and are all too often successful.’

The time is now to take action and be proactive against these perpetrators –Awareness is key!

Check out these websites for more information:

http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/default.asp?Item=1047

http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/fraud/seniors

http://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/

Contributed by: Barbara Metzger, Family Economics

Popcorn Balls

Ingredients: Directions:

½ cup sugar

⅛ cup white corn syrup

¼ cup margarine (half a stick)

⅛ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract (or almond)

2 quarts popped corn (1 microwave will do)

Bring to a soft boil in a medium sauce pan over

medium heat: the sugar, white corn syrup,

margarine, and salt.

Remove from heat and add vanilla or almond

extract.

Mix sauce with popcorn in a large bowl.

When cool enough, but still warm, form into

balls. (easier to eat). Recipe by: LovesFood – Food.com

How to Cope with an Elderly Parent's

Difficult Behavior

Caregivers often have to deal with difficult behavior by their elderly parents,

including personality changes, hallucinations, temper tantrums, and even

abuse. The following are some tips for coping with behaviors that are

considered difficult to handle with elderly parents.

Rage, Anger, Yelling - Age and illness can intensify longstanding personality traits in some unpleasant

ways: An irritable person may become enraged, an impatient person demanding and impossible to

please. Unfortunately, the person taking care of the elderly parent is often the target.

What to Do:

Try to identify the cause of the anger. In most elderly individuals, behaviors are a symptom of distress.

The aging process in and of itself sometimes brings about anger, as seniors vent frustration about getting

old, having chronic pain, losing friends, having memory issues, being incontinent – all of the

undignified things that can happen to us as we age. In addition, Alzheimer's disease and dementia can

also cause these behaviors, in which case, your parent doesn't have control. As a caregiver, the best thing

you can do is not take it personally. Focus on the positive, ignore the negative, and take a break from

caregiving when you can! You might also want to consider calling in a home health nurse. Elders often

reserve their worst behavior for those they are closest to, i.e. family members. The bad behavior might

not surface in front of a stranger - and you get a much-need break.

Not Showering - The issue of elders who were once reasonably clean refusing to take showers, wear

fresh clothes and take care of personal hygiene is one that is far more common than most people think -

and it's very frustrating for caregivers.

Sometimes the issue is depression. Another factor is control. As people age, they lose more and more

control over their lives. Usually, one thing they generally can control is dressing and showers. The more

they are nagged, the more they can resist. A decreased sense of sight, smell or memory could be to

blame as well. The days go by for your parent. They aren't marked with tons of activities, there isn't

something special about Wednesday – it could be Tuesday or Thursday – they lose track of time and

don't realize how long it's been since they showered. Another big issue can be fear or discomfort: Fear

of slipping in the tub; or embarrassment about asking for help.

What to do

The first step is to determine why they have stopped bathing. If they have lost their sense of smell, see

their doctor. Medications your parent is taking, or some unrelated disorder may be at fault for a loss of

smell. If depression is the cause, seek professional help. Therapy and medications can help. If modesty

is an issue and the elder doesn't want a family member helping her take a bath, because it's far too

intimate, they may be open to having an in-home care agency come in for the sole purpose of a bath. If

they are afraid of the water (or sitting in the tub), there are many types of shower chairs that can help.

If the person is in a demented state and afraid while bathing, then it may be better for you to move

gently. Don't insist on a shower or bath. Begin with just asking if you can wipe off the person's face.

Gradually move to under-arms and other parts of the body, talking and telling them what you are doing

as you go. Do your best to keep your parent clean. However, too much nagging can be counter-

productive.

Swearing, Offensive Language and Inappropriate Comments - When a normally loving father or

mother is suddenly using the worst profanities, using offensive language or saying inappropriate things,

family members are baffled as to why…and what to do about it.

What to do

When the behavior is out-of-character for an elder, the start of Alzheimer's or dementia is a likely cause.

When a swearing tirade sets in, use distraction. Diverting your elderly parent's attention is a simple, but

effective technique. Once their mind is redirected, the swearing fit may end. Also, try bringing up happy

times from the old days. Like all people, elders love to reminisce about their lives "back in the day."

Using their long-term memory skills, the elderly parent will likely forget about whatever it is in the

present that set them off. If none of this works, back off, disappear and wait for it to blow over.

Paranoia and Hallucinations in the elderly can take many forms, from accusing family members of

stealing, seeing people who aren't there or believing someone is trying to murder them. Sometimes

hallucinations and delusions in elders are a sign of a physical illness. Keep track of what the elder is

experiencing and discuss it with their doctor. It could also be a side-effect of a medication your elderly

parent is taking. Describe the symptoms to their doctor and ask if your parent's medication needs to be

changed.

Oftentimes, paranoia and hallucinations are associated with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. When this

is the case, caregiving experts seem to agree: when faced with paranoia or hallucinations, the best thing

to do is just relax and go with the flow. Validation is a good coping technique, because what the elder is

seeing, hearing or experiencing is very real to them. Convincing them otherwise is pointless.

Strange Obsessions and OCD - Saving tissues, worrying if it’s time to take their meds, constantly

picking at their skin, hypochondria…these types of obsessive behaviors disrupt the daily lives of elderly

parents and their caregivers. Obsession is sometimes related to an addictive personality, or a past history

of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

What to do

View your parent's obsessive-compulsive behaviors as a symptom, not a character flaw. Watch for signs

that can trigger your parent's obsession. If the obsession seems to be related to a specific event or

activity, avoid it as much as possible. Obsessive behavior can be related to a number of other disorders,

including anxiety, depression or dementia. Obsessive disorders can be treated by mental health

professionals, so you may want to make an appointment on your parent's behalf. Therapy and/or

medication may be the answer. Look into therapy groups, outpatient and inpatient programs in your

area.

What can Caregivers Do if Elderly Parents Become

Shopaholics? If you are trying to monitor your parent’s spending

habits for their protection, many times the parent does not

understand this and can accuse you of trying to keep them from

spending their money.

As with so many tricky areas with aging parents, sometimes a third

party is best brought in. Even this approach can get you in trouble.

However, if your parents' finances are off and they are spending money on things you know they would

never have bought before, or if they are not paying necessary bills while they are throwing away money

on TV offers or Internet shopping, there is a genuine problem. It's possible they may be in an early stage

of dementia. If a doctor diagnoses dementia, you already have third-party proof that your parent needs

some help. However, that doesn't necessarily stop the spending. No matter what the cause, a financial

counselor may be able to tactfully help by explaining to your parent better ways of handling their

money. Perhaps this person can entice the parent to save rather than spend by dangling a reward before

them.

The key is this person, be it a financial professional, a friend, or a spiritual leader, is not the adult child.

This person will not benefit from anything the parent doesn't spend, so the parents' suspicions in that

area can be softened. Also, since elders understandably get sick of being told by their adult children how

to handle their lives, a third party takes away this point as well. There's a better chance the elder's may

listen. If worse comes to worse, and they are going down the tubes financially but refuse help from you

or a competent third party, you may have to seek a court ordered conservatorship over their money.

For more information for helping caregivers of elderly parents please visit the following websites:

http://www.aging-parents-and-elder-care.com, http://www.agingcare.com, or

http://www.eldercarelink.com

Contributed by: Connie Greiner, FCS/4H Agent II – Campbell County

Magnificent Autumn! He comes not like a pilgrim, clad in russet

weeds. He comes not like a hermit, clad in gray. But he comes like

a warrior, with the stain of blood upon his brazen mail. His crimson

scarf is rent.... The wind.... wafts to us the odor of forest leaves that

hang wilted on the dripping branches, or drop into the stream.

Their gorgeous tints are gone, as if the autumnal rains had washed

them out.Orange, yellow, and scarlet, all are changed to one

melancholy russet hue.... There is a melancholy and continual roar

in the tops of the tall pines.... It is the funeral anthem of the dying

year. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Magnificent Autumn! He comes not like a pilgrim, clad in russet

weeds. He comes not like a hermit, clad in gray. But he comes like

a warrior, with the stain of blood upon his brazen mail. His crimson

scarf is rent.... The wind.... wafts to us the odor of forest leaves that

hang wilted on the dripping branches, or drop into the stream.

Their gorgeous tints are gone, as if the autumnal rains had washed

them out.Orange, yellow, and scarlet, all are changed to one

melancholy russet hue.... There is a melancholy and continual roar

in the tops of the tall pines.... It is the funeral anthem of the dying

year. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow