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A woman stands on a sidewalk in a red sweatshirt and festive holiday-themed necklace.

The holidays are here! With all the activity, it's easy to skip your daily exercise. But these tips can help keep you active.


Lawn Burweed

Tips for Treating Lawn Burweed

September 24, 2021

Lawn burweed is something we all dread having in our yards during warmer months. This weed starts growing in the fall, but doesn’t become a nuisance until it’s fully matured in the spring. When temperatures rise, these weeds form prickly spines, or “stickers,” which they are more commonly known as.

Barbecue sliders on a plate.

The Food Factor: Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken Sliders

September 21, 2021

These slow cooker barbecue chicken sliders are perfect for tailgating parties or a Monday night dinner.

Various finger foods arranged buffet style.

4 Tips for Food Safety at Your Tailgate Party

September 17, 2021

Food safety when cooking and serving food at a tailgate is a lot like serving food at home. The same basic rules apply. You just need a little more planning and a few extra supplies.

Keep hands and surfaces clean

  • Wash your hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after preparing food.
  • No running water where you are tailgating? No problem.  It’s easy to set up a handwashing station. Here’s how:
  • Use a table or another flat, elevated surface to set up a water jug with a spigot faucet, hand
  • ...
A woman stands behind a kitchen counter of breakfast toast and toppings.

Let’s Do Breakfast!

September 14, 2021

Don’t think of breakfast as a meal that has to take a long time to prepare. One of my favorite breakfast meals is toast. I start with whole-grain toasted bread as my foundation to build a healthy meal with lots of fun, tasty, and nutritious toppings. 

Fall Webworms

What are Fall Webworms?

September 10, 2021

If you’ve noticed spiderwebs in your pecan trees, chances are they’re not spiders. They’re fall webworms.

Fall webworms are partial to pecan and persimmon trees but will also feed on other trees, including Bradford pears.

a bowl of uncooked rice

Rice Recipe Roundup

September 7, 2021

It’s September and that means it’s National Rice Month! Try some of these recipes to celebrate.

Nine-banded armadillo

Critter of the Month: Nine-Banded Armadillo

September 3, 2021

Armadillos are one of the most unique looking critters out there. These animals are covered in silver, armor-like plates that protect them The word “armadillo” actually means “little armored one” in Spanish!  

Fire ants

Debunking Fire Ant Control Home Remedies

August 31, 2021

Everyone loves a good myth buster, and we have a very timely one for you! Fire ant beds in your yard can be such a headache to deal with. Many people have used home remedies to control ants. But are those quick fixes really getting rid of the ants in your yard? Let’s take a look at some commonly used home remedies and whether or not they work! 

Purple, pink, and orange mums.

September Garden Checklist

August 27, 2021

With the fall season slowly creeping in, there are many things to look forward to, including the drop in temperature. I enjoy watching the leaves change color and drop, too. That also means now is a great time to pull out your rakes, garbage bags, and compost bins and prepare to remove the leaves in your yard! Here are a few other things for you to accomplish in your garden and landscape during the month of September. 

sliced bell peppers and cucumbers on a plate

The Food Factor: Spinach Dip Makeover

August 24, 2021

Whether you are tailgating or celebrating your favorite team at home this fall, food is always a part of the festivities. If you want to have some lighter fare at your gathering, this Spinach Dip Makeover will fit perfectly.

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About Extension for Real Life

Extension for Real Life is a product of the MSU Extension Service’s Office of Agricultural Communications.

That’s a long way of saying we are professional communicators who get to talk about food, families, 4-H, flowers, and farming for a living.

Blog content is created by a core team of communicators, including Susan Collins-Smith, Ellen Graves, Natasha Haynes, Qula Madkin, Michaela Parker, and Jonathan Parrish. But we get by with a lot of help from our friends in Ag Comm and Extension!

You can reach us at 662-325-2262 or extreallife@msstate.edu