September FCS Updates

Happy Fall!

You may be thinking it's a bit early to say "Happy Fall," but did you know, technically, today, September 1st, is considered to be fall? Well, it is if you're a meteorologist. In short, the meteorological seasons are based on the annual temperature cycle, and the astronomical seasons are based on the position of Earth in relation to the sun.

Anyway...September is also known as National Recovery Month, National Suicide Prevention Month, Sourdough September, National Pain Awareness Month, and more. Take a day and celebrate something fun or do something nice for yourself (because it's also National Self-Care Month).

If you need some options to get you motivated, check these out:
9/6: Read a Book Day
9/12: Chocolate Milkshake Day
9/13: Bald is Beautiful Day
9/22: Ice Cream Cone Day
9/30: Family Health & Fitness Day USA

This summer, I had the opportunity to help support our county 4-H Agent's Farm to Fork camp. We spent the mornings on a farm learning about the different products they produce, then headed to the kitchen to use those products in a recipe. Although we took many great photos, the ones above were some of my favorites. You'll see freshly shaken butter, farmer's cheese, students carefully measuring ingredients, learning essential hand-washing skills using GloGerm products, roaming around the farms, and my favorite - a handwritten recipe from one of the younger participants.

Below, you'll see photos of Extension's food demo table at Dig In's Harvest Tables, youth canning camp participants demonstrating newly acquired skills, EYFP youth working with his grandfather to create a puzzle representing their community, Kids Club students at Genesis Academy assembling trail mix using whole grains, and Appalachian quilt square creations - also from Genesis Academy.

Caffeine is a compound found naturally in some plants and added to food, drinks, and supplements, and it works by stimulating the brain. It is considered to be in the psychostimulant group of substances, which is any substance with mood-enhancing and stimulant properties. They increase activity in the body’s nervous system. Substances such as cocaine, methamphetamines, epinephrine, nicotine, and many ADHD medications known as amphetamines, also fall into this category.

For about 85% of the adult population, caffeine is what gets us up and moving (and keeps us moving) through the day. We don't think much about consuming several cups of coffee or a Red Bull every now and then. There have been many studies performed to examine the safest levels of daily caffeine consumption for adults, but what about youth? From my experience in the schools, youth are consuming increasing amounts of caffeine and think nothing about it. Most of the caffeinated beverages they are chugging are also packed full of sugar. The two of these together make a dangerous combination.

Sodas are no longer an issue - it's energy drinks. There's a new one in particular that is being marketed to the younger demographic through social media, Logan Paul x KSI's PRIME Hydration Drink. With flavors matching popular popsicles and fruits and having the caffeine equivalent to six cans of Coca-Cola or two Red Bulls, these popular drinks are starting to draw the attention of parents, school officials, and doctors.

Right before school started, the Physical Education teachers from across the county came together at the Yancey Cooperative Extension office for professional development. Together with Jessica Zucchino (Mitchell Yancey Substance Abuse Task Force) and Tara Wright (Appalachian Youth to Youth), Jordan English (Yancey 4-H), and I hosted their training on vaping and substance misuse.

Although most of the training was focused on vaping, many of the educators were surprised to learn more about caffeine, THC derivatives, and how marijuana potency has changed and developed over the last several decades.

For their training, teachers watched the short documentary, "If They Had Known", a tragic story of a young man's unintentional overdose while experimenting with drugs. Following the film, they transformed into middle schoolers and went through a typical Health Rocks! lesson complete with wearing visual impairment goggles while trying to pass a ball to one another. Educators also received a refresher in the CATCH My Breath vaping curriculum and went through the Substance Use Education for WNC Educators by MAHEC.

Food Preservation Tips | Vinegar

You may have seen posts about vinegar acidity floating around on social media lately. Vinegar is used in pickling recipes, homemade cleaning products, salad dressings, pest control, and more. Not all vinegars are created equal. Check out some of the advice about vinegar from PennState Extension:

Vinegar used for pickling must at least 5% acidity.
Look at the label to be sure that the vinegar you are using is 5% acidity. Sometimes vinegar will be labeled as grain; 5% acidity is the same as 50 grain.
Most white and cider vinegars used for making pickles and salsa are 5% acidity, but not all. Acidity levels below 5% may result in spoilage because it's not strong enough to control microbial growth.
Be aware the water in the food also dilutes the concentration of the brine. Some recipes direct you to soak cucumbers or other food product in salt water for a period of time before canning them in the pickling brine—this reduces the amount of water going into the brine.
Do not dilute the vinegar with water unless it specifically says so in a research-tested recipe.
Do not reuse leftover pickle juice in which vegetables or fruit have been cooked before being packed into jars. It is safe to use leftover pickle brine that has not contained any food product.
Do not use homemade vinegar when pickling. The acidity of homemade vinegar is not consistent.
Some balsamic or sherry vinegars are 6-7% acidity. Stay in the range of 5-7% acidity for home food preservation.
Do not use vinegars for cleaning or for horticultural purposes. Some can be EXTREMELY high in acid (11-30%), one is 75% acidity. These are not intended for food preservation.