October FCS Updates

Pumpkin spice lattes, cozy sweaters, and family gatherings... October is the perfect time to celebrate everything that makes our homes and families unique.

October is also a time for awareness. Here are a few October awareness campaigns that FCS can help you support:

Domestic violence awareness month: Learn how to identify and prevent domestic violence and get resources for victims and survivors.
Childhood obesity awareness month: Learn about the causes of childhood obesity and how to promote healthy eating and physical activity for kids.
Financial literacy month: Learn how to manage your money wisely and make sound financial decisions.
Home safety month: Learn how to make your home safer for your family, including tips on fire safety, carbon monoxide poisoning prevention, and fall prevention.

And, of course, there's Halloween!

So whether you're looking to celebrate family, make a difference in your community, or just have some fun, FCS has you covered this October.

I've been doing Appalachian Heritage lessons at Genesis Academy but with all the germs circulating, we did an impromptu lesson on germs, how they spread, and how to properly wash hands. This was just as fun for the 2nd-6th grade classes as it was for the Kindergarteners and 1st graders! Students were encouraged to put on their lab coats and pull out their microscopes as we explored a day in the life of a germ. K-1 students read Do Not Lick This Book by Idan Ben-Barak and Julian Frost, while 2-6th grades read The Secret Life of Viruses by Mariona Tolosa Sisteré. With the help of the GloGerm lotion, powder, and blacklight, we were able to see all the places germs like to hide on our hands and how easy they transfer from one surface to another.

Please click on the image to the left to see some of the thank you cards the first grade class created. They're the most adorable germs you'll ever see!

ServSafe Classes

At the end of September, three staff members from Hawtree's Pub and Grill on Mount Mitchell Golf Course became certified in the ServSafe Food Manager Course. Several members of the Bubba's staff will take the course next week, and the new Ruptured Rooster staff will be trained in the near future.

From this point forward, we will be doing the training part of the course in person, and the exam portion online. This saved a lot of headache for both myself and the examinees. A pass/fail notice is given immediately after the exam is submitted and we don't have to wait on shipping times and grading like we do for the paper exam forms. I also don't have to have such an advanced notice for scheduling a class by doing things this way. If you or your business needs the certification, please give me a call! (828) 682-6186.

October is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the serious health risks of childhood obesity and to encourage families to make healthy choices.

Childhood obesity is a growing problem in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five children and adolescents in the United States is obese. Obesity can lead to a number of health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, breathing problems such as asthma and sleep apnea, and joint problems are also health conditions tied to obesity.

There are a number of things that parents and caregivers can do to help prevent childhood obesity. Here are a few tips:

Encourage healthy eating habits. This includes eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and limiting processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats.
Make physical activity a part of your child's daily routine. Aim for at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day.
Set a good example. Children learn by watching the adults in their lives. Make sure that you are eating healthy and getting regular physical activity.

If you are concerned that your child may be overweight or obese, talk to your pediatrician. They can help you develop a plan to help your child lose weight and become healthier.

Focus on health—not on body appearance

It is important to acknowledge the harmful effects of weight bias and stigma. There is no place for blame or guilt about body shape or size. What is important is that our bodies function in a healthy way. Blaming someone for obesity is like blaming someone for having asthma. It is not helpful, frequently harmful and gets in the way of effective treatment.

Similar to other chronic diseases, the focus of treatment for obesity should be on the overall health and quality-of-life factors important to your child and family. For example, treatment goals may include missing less school, participating in events such as walkathons and improved self-esteem.

Financial literacy is the ability to understand and manage your finances effectively. It includes understanding basic financial concepts such as budgeting, saving, investing, and borrowing. Financial literacy is important for everyone, regardless of income level or education.

There are many benefits to being financially literate. Financially literate people are more likely to:

Achieve their financial goals. This could include saving for a down payment on a house, paying for college, or retiring comfortably.
Avoid debt problems. Financially literate people are more likely to understand the risks of debt and how to manage it responsibly.
Make informed financial decisions. This could include choosing the right insurance policy, investing wisely, or understanding the terms of a loan.
Be resilient in the face of financial challenges. Financially literate people are more likely to have a plan in place to weather unexpected financial setbacks.

Domestic violence is any type of abuse that happens within a relationship. It can be physical, emotional, sexual, or financial. It can happen to anyone, regardless of age, race, gender, or socioeconomic status.

If you think someone you know might be experiencing domestic violence, there are some signs you can look for:

Physical abuse: This includes hitting, punching, kicking, biting, choking, or shoving.
Emotional abuse: This includes name-calling, insults, threats, intimidation, and isolation.
Sexual abuse: This includes any type of unwanted sexual contact.
Financial abuse: This includes controlling a partner's money, making them ask for money, or preventing them from getting a job.

If you see any of these signs in someone you know, it's important to talk to them about it. Let them know that you're there for them and that you believe them. You can also help them find resources for getting help.

Home Safety Month is a time to focus on making our homes safer for ourselves and our loved ones. There are many things that we can do to improve the safety of our homes, from simple fixes to more complex projects.

Why is Home Safety Month important?

Home accidents are a leading cause of death and injury in the United States. According to the National Safety Council, there are an estimated 30 million home accidents each year, resulting in 2 million injuries and 43,000 deaths. Home accidents can happen to anyone, regardless of age or income. However, there are certain groups of people who are at increased risk, such as children, older adults, and people with disabilities.

Additional tips for home safety:

Create a fire escape plan and practice it with your family regularly.
Have a first-aid kit and emergency supplies on hand.
Make sure that your home is well-ventilated.
Keep your home clean and free of clutter.
Be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to avoid crime.

Kitchen-specific safety items:

Never leave anything cooking unattended.
Stand by your pan! If a grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by sliding the lid – while wearing an oven mitt – over the pan. If safe to do so, turn off the heat source. Do not move the pan, and keep the lid on until the fire is out and the pan is completely cool.

Keep children and pets away from the stove. Kids and pets should be kept 3 feet away from the stove.
Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee can cause serious burns.
Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
Keep the kitchen and dining room floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags while cooking or handling food.

By following these tips, you can help to make your home a safer and more comfortable place to live.

Food Preservation Tips | Using a Trusted Recipe

It is important to use a tested recipe for canning because it has been developed and tested by experts to ensure that it is safe and effective. Tested recipes take into account factors such as the type of food being canned, the acidity of the food, and the processing time needed to destroy harmful bacteria.

If you use a recipe that has not been tested, you may not be able to guarantee that the food will be safe to eat. This is because canning is a complex process, and there are many factors that can affect the safety of the food, such as the quality of the ingredients, the cleanliness of the equipment, and the proper processing time.

Tested recipes provide clear instructions on how to prepare and process the food safely. They also include important safety tips, such as how to inspect the jars for signs of spoilage before storing them.

If you are new to canning, it is important to start with a tested recipe. This will help you to learn the basics of canning safely and effectively.