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Several types of plastic and other waste surround a green chasing arrows emblem.

Whether you recycle or not, you probably are familiar with the “chasing arrows” emblem found on plastic products. But many consumers don’t know that this symbol denotes only the type of plastic an item is made from, not its ability to be recycled. Check out these tips that can help you reduce your plastic waste.


A woman stands in a kitchen.

5 Tips for Healthy Eating on a Budget

January 17, 2023

With food prices on the rise, my grocery bill has increased significantly. Healthy eating is a priority for me, but I want to make sure I stay within budget at the store. Check out some of my favorite budget-friendly tips.

A bee sits on a flower

How to Garden for Bees

January 13, 2023

Pssst…You know you don’t have to be a beekeeper to help support honey bees, right?

A mug with tea in it.

The Food Factor: Tingly Herb Tea

January 10, 2023

I enjoy warm drinks during the winter months, but coffee just isn’t the ideal afternoon beverage for me. I prefer something without caffeine.

Person with teal gloves planting tree.

Landscape Checklist for January

January 6, 2023

Curb appeal is what everyone aims for, but how do you get that great looking yard? We all want a landscape that looks like it’s straight out of a magazine, and 2023 is the year to make it happen! Each month, we’ll put out a quick checklist of tasks to stay on top of yard maintenance. Here’s January’s list:

  • January is a great time to plan, audit, and assess what’s going on in your landscape. What do you want to plant in your landscape? What did you plant in the past that didn’t grow as planned? Think about what you’ve accomplished and what you want to see get done. You can
  • ...
Red northern cardinal.

Bird of the Month: Northern Cardinal

January 3, 2023

Northern cardinals are a commonly spotted bird during winter months. If you’re like me, you’ve seen cardinals featured on various holiday décor items. It’s almost like they’re the official bird of winter.

close up of cinnamon spice candied pecans

The Food Factor: Cinnamon Spice Candied Pecans

December 20, 2022

Candied pecans are one of those quintessential holiday goodies. They are great for parties, visitors, or just to snack on. Try these Cinnamon Spice Candied Pecans if you are looking for a candied nut recipe.

Red Nandina berries.

Are Nandina Berries Toxic to Birds?

December 16, 2022

Heavenly bamboo, commonly referred to as nandina, is a popular, evergreen landscape plant that produces vibrant red berries and resembles hollies. 

Qula Madkin

3 Wellness Tips for Holiday Travel

December 13, 2022

Don’t put your health and fitness goals on the backburner this holiday season just because you’re traveling. There are plenty of ways to practice wellness and keep your family and yourself on track. 

Green garland on a table.

How to Decorate with Evergreens

December 9, 2022

I love Christmas decorations. There’s just something about the twinkly lights and greenery that makes my heart flutter. Over the years, I’ve experimented with making my own garland and arrangements from evergreens and other plants.

Four mini wonton quiche sit on a plate.

The Food Factor: Mini Wonton Quiches

December 6, 2022

Do you need an easy dish for the office get-together or an upcoming party? If you are a fan of eggs, you’re in luck! Mini Wonton Quiches make tasty appetizers and come together in a flash.

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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