The holidays are here! With all the activity, it's easy to skip your daily exercise. But these tips can help keep you active.
How to Help Children Cope with the Pandemic
August 19, 2021
With the uptick in COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant, it’s not uncommon to hear of loved ones and friends who have been infected or who are in quarantine due to exposure. Children, especially, may be confused, worried, and afraid about classmates, friends, and family members who are sick.
The Food Factor: Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
August 17, 2021
School is back in session, and mornings can be hectic. But you don’t have to put breakfast on the back burner. If you are looking for a way to make your morning routine a bit easier, check out this blueberry oatmeal dish.
Tips for Reducing Mosquito Bites
August 13, 2021
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that mosquitos are no fun to have around. Mosquitos are often most active when the temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning they are around in Mississippi for a large chunk of the year.
Natural and Added Sugars: What’s the Difference?
August 10, 2021
You’ve likely heard natural sugar is okay, while added sugars should be limited. But what's the difference and why does it matter?
What is the Difference Between Green, Red, and Yellow Bell Peppers?
August 6, 2021
Bell peppers come in a rainbow of colors and have many health benefits. The variety and amount of time a bell pepper spends on the plant determines its color and ripeness.
Critter of the Month: Northern Raccoon
August 3, 2021
The Northern raccoon, also known as the backyard bandit, is no stranger to Mississippi. Known for the black bandit mask on its face and its striped tail, these raccoons can be found in a variety of environments. They easily adapt to their surroundings, whether that be in forested areas or cities.
August Garden Checklist
July 30, 2021
After a relatively mild summer, heat and humidity have arrived in full force in Mississippi. Going outside during the afternoon is miserable these days! If you’re like me, I try to get all my outdoor activities wrapped up in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat. Be sure you can recognize the signs of heat-related illness, and remember to drink plenty of water anytime you’re outside! Hydration is important!
Toads vs. Frogs
July 27, 2021
Is it a frog or a toad? If you stumbled on this amphibian, would you be able to call it by its correct name? Many people believe that frogs and toads are two different types of amphibians. Technically, a toad is a type of frog! At first glance, they may appear very similar but there are a few differences that will help distinguish one from the other.
How to Protect Your Dogs from Warm Weather Risks
July 23, 2021
Heat stress in dogs is just as serious and life-threatening as it is for humans. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), high temperatures can be dangerous for your dogs, even when it doesn’t seem that hot to you. So, I take steps to help make sure my dogs can stay cool when they are outdoors.
The Food Factor: Air Fryer Sweet and Spicy Sweet Potato Fries
July 20, 2021
Video by Jonathan Parrish
Cooking food in an air fryer gives you that crunchy texture you love without the added calories of deep frying. This recipe for Sweet and Spicy Sweet Potato Fries features Mississippi-grown sweet potatoes, olive oil, and spices—that’s it!
Whether you serve these as a side dish or a fun snack, you’ll enjoy the health benefits of sweet potatoes, including fiber, beta carotene, and vitamin A. Vitamin A is an essential nutrient that has antioxidant properties that can help protect cells from damage. For savory sweet potato fries, use garlic powder,...
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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