By STEPHANIE FAROH MA, RD, CD Extension Educator, Health & Human Sciences, Purdue Extension, Kosciusko County This week is my final chance to share my favorite health tip with you, as I have accepted a new position with Purdue Extension. I will be taking on new tasks as the Nutrition Education Program Trainer. In my …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH MA, RD, CD Extension Educator-Health and Human Science, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County On hot and humid summer days, I always love a cool, crisp salad with lots of great vegetables on it. Lucky for us, the fourth week in July is National Salad Week and a great time to spice up our …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH, MA, RD, CD Extension Educator-Health and Human Sciences, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Have you ever dreamed about being the next Julia Child, Gordon Ramsay, or Rachael Ray? I remember watching old Julia Child videos with my cousins as we pretended to host our own cooking show. July is National …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH, MA, RD, CD Extension Educator, Health and Human Sciences, Purdue Extension-Kosciusko County Fourth of July celebrations are among us and along with the family, friends, and food, I always love seeing the beautiful fireworks. Whether you enjoy small fireworks at home or leave them to the professionals at a public display, it’s …read more.

Happy summer! June 21 brought the first official day of summer, which provides a great opportunity to talk to our kids, grandkids, friends and neighbors about where and how we get our food. While we’re out having fun in the sun, let’s remember to eat regular, healthy meals and stay hydrated too. Start by noticing …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH MA, RD, CD Extension Educator-Health and Human Sciences June is National Dairy Month. Though my favorite dairy food is ice cream, I try to get three servings of dairy (other than ice cream) every day. The 2010 dietary guidelines encourages three daily servings of low-fat or fat-free milk and milk products for adults …read more.

Memorial Day is a day for reflection and remembrance. Many mark the weekend as a kick-off to summer too. The sun can feel extraordinary after a long winter, but let’s remember to protect our skin during all the fun this summer.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County Happy National Women’s Health Week. Ladies, when is the last time you took a moment to reflect on your personal health? Many women are concerned about the health of their friends and families and think of their own health only in times of illness. Mother’s Day …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County Greetings to you from the beautiful city of Nashville, Ind. Extension educators from around the state meet here annually for our Indiana Extension Educators Association Spring Conference. Here we learn about extension updates, vote on changes in our organization and network with other educators and state …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County It’s beginning to look a lot like spring. The beautiful color change and the blooming of new life help us remember Earth Day, which we celebrate on Wednesday, April 22. This year, Earth Day turns 45 years old. Earth Day is celebrated in more than 192 …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County Have you ever wondered about the difference between “reduced fat” and “low fat?” Or does “calorie free” on a label really mean no calories? The Food and Drug Administration has strict guidelines on how these food label terms can be used. Here are explanations of the …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County Easter is right around the corner and people are starting to dye their eggs across the country. As you get your eggs out to decorate, cook, or hide this year, keep in mind a few safety tips: Be sure to inspect the eggs before purchasing them. …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County National Pecan Day is Wednesday, March 25. My favorite ways to eat pecans are in a pie or in a chocolate turtle dessert, but I appreciate pecans with just about any dish. You could add pecans to oatmeal or yogurt, substitute pecans for croutons in salads …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County A friend of mine who lives alone, recently asked me about healthy cooking for herself. She said, “It hardly seems worth it when it’s just me.” The Mayo Clinic offers many ideas for healthy cooking for one or two. Instead of settling for leftovers or frozen …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County Don’t forget to wear your green for St. Patrick’s Day next week. With all the green clothes and decorations, remember to eat your greens too. Try planning green foods on your menu for the whole week. Green fruits and vegetables contain many health-promoting phytochemicals. They can …read more.

Imagination was a part of the Purdue Extension Service of Kosciusko County Annual Meeting Monday with the presentation of “Life Saver Awards” by extension staff. Packets of Life Savers as well as inner tubes in Lifesaver colors were presented to 10 individuals and a group, who the extension staff felt were life savers to them …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County March is one of my favorite times of the year. Spring is right around the corner, the fun of March Madness is here, and most of all, March is National Nutrition Month. This year, the theme is “Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle.” National Nutrition Month focuses …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County We celebrate National Chili Day on the last Thursday in February each year. This year, the celebration falls on Thursday, Feb. 26. Chili is most commonly made up of tomatoes, beans, chili peppers, meat, garlic, onions and cumin, however, there are many variations to the basic …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County I always enjoy a good ham and cheese sandwich, but I know if I’m sharing my lunch with my grandmother, my nephew, or my pregnant sister, that I need to make it a hot ham and cheese. Do you heat your deli meat before enjoying it? …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County Some of my favorite childhood memories are of baking with my mom and grandmothers. Do you bake with your kids and grandkids? I realized how lucky I was to have these baking “lessons” when I was in college. Many of my friends didn’t know the difference …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County We see hearts everywhere we look when February rolls around. February is American Heart Month and the hearts we see out to celebrate Valentine’s Day also serve as excellent reminders to do a quick check on our own heart health. Heart disease, also known as cardiovascular …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County Though this winter has been relatively mild, it’s a good idea to brush up on our winter safety each season. One of the primary concerns is the winter weather’s ability to knock out heat and power to your home. It’s important to be prepared for severe …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County It is a season for holiday cheer, joy and celebration, but for many, the holidays bring about feelings of sadness and grief. Studies show that feeling grief during the holiday season is very common. Whether it be related to the loss of a loved one, poor …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County Happy December! Did you enjoy some leftover turkey, do some holiday shopping, or begin to decorate your home for the season over the past week? It’s an exciting and busy time of the year, but let’s take a few minutes to be sure we are being …read more.

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, food, football, and fun. When you’re feeding a house full of people, you want the meal to be delicious, nutritious, and safe. Here are five tips to keep your loved ones safe and happy this Thanksgiving: 1. No matter how you plan to prepare your turkey, safety starts …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH MA, RD CD Purdue Extension Educator, Kosciusko County, Health and Human Sciences Thanksgiving is just over a week away, so it’s time to get your menu ready to go and make the final preparations for your holiday. When it comes to preparing healthy holiday meals, having the right ingredients is important, but …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH MA, RD CD Purdue Extension Educator, Kosciusko County, Health and Human Sciences When is the last time you cleaned your refrigerator? If it’s been a while, we conveniently have a designated day to help you remember. “Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day” is Saturday, Nov. 15. Many of us have found items at …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator-Health and Human Sciences Do you love peanut butter as much as I do? If so, be sure to celebrate National Peanut Butter Lover’s Month with me. Besides being delicious and convenient, peanut butter is loaded with protein, fiber, healthy fats and nutrients such as potassium and magnesium. Peanuts are known …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator-Health and Human Sciences As Halloween nears, let’s remember to have safe and healthy fun. According to the National Confectioners’ Association, the amount of Halloween candy that kids are expected to eat this year contains about 3 cups of added sugar. That’s over 2,300 calories. Kids would have to walk about …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator-Health and Human Sciences This week we celebrate National Extension Homemakers Week and Indiana Extension Homemakers’ 101st birthday. We have a lot to celebrate in Kosciusko County. If you’ve not heard of the Extension Homemakers, you might ask about what this organization is and does, who are the Extension Homemakers in …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator-Health and Human Sciences Happy pumpkin season! I have had the pleasure of seeing beautiful fall displays with pumpkins, mums, and gourds, and have seen some impressive jack-o-lanterns already. Seeing these decorations always makes me wonder what everyone does with the insides of their pumpkins. What do you do with yours? …read more.

By STEPHANIE FAROH Extension Educator-Health and Human Sciences Have you ever been on a diet? Maybe you were diligent and stuck to your plan, or maybe you’ve tried several that don’t seem to work for you. Whatever your experience with dieting has been, you’re not alone. According to Marketdata Enterprises, Inc., the average American makes …read more.

Does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? The research indicates that they can. Studies show that apples can help reduce your risk of developing cancer and Type 2 diabetes, especially in women. Apples can also reduce your cholesterol, boost your immune system, and help control your weight. Links have even been made …read more.

Stephanie Faroh, MA, RD, CD is the Purdue Extension Educator-Health and Human Services for Kosciusko County As I write this week’s column I am enjoying the beautiful city of Lexington, Ky. I am here with several other Extension Educators from Indiana for our annual National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences conference. This conference …read more.

By Stephanie Faroh, MA, RD, CD Health and Human Sciences Extension Education, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County September is National Potato Month! Potatoes come in many varieties, are available year round, and are inexpensive relative to other foods with the same nutrient content. Potatoes give you great nutritional bang for your buck. The potato is versatile and …read more.

A new face has come to the Kosciusko County Purdue Extension. Taking over the position recently vacated by Joan Younce, Stephanie Faroh is the new health and human sciences educator at the extension. She received her undergraduate degree from Indiana University Bloomington in dietetics, and her graduate degree from Ball State University in nutrition. Faroh …read more.