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Credit cards laying on a table.

Many people love the idea of credit cards. You’re able to purchase goods or services when you want or need it, even if you don’t have the money on hand to cover the costs.


Mashed sweet potatoes in a white ceramic ramekin on a butcher block table.

The Food Factor | Maple Sweet Potatoes

February 1, 2019

After the holidays and the traditional sweet potato casseroles and pies, I’m ready for a lighter, faster take on this Southern staple. (Photo by Jonathan Parrish/Cindy Callahan)

Blooming, yellow daffodils in the sunshine.

What to do in your garden in February

January 29, 2019

Daffodils are starting to bloom, and that means one thing – spring is right around the corner! If you have the itch to start getting your garden ready, here are a few things you can do during the month of February. (Photo by Michaela Parker)

A clear glass bowl of red raspberries sits on a butcher block table in front of a pint clear glass jar filled with homemade raspberry vinegar and topped with a metal lid and ring. Text overlay reads, "Delicious on salads, pastas, and veggies!"

The Food Factor | How to Make Flavored Vinegar

January 25, 2019

I’m always interested in ways to add flavor to food without adding fat. I like to experiment with herbs, and I recently discovered flavored vinegar. Did you know you can make your own? (Photo by Jonathan Parrish/Cindy Callahan)

Common Winter Practices to Avoid superimposed over man adjusting thermostat

Common Winter Practices to Avoid

January 22, 2019

When the temperatures drop for several days, getting warm is the only thing on our minds. Sometimes desperation leads people to make choices they wouldn’t consider otherwise.

A man with a white goatee and dark-framed glasses leans on a table behind a small LED table lamp and a tray of seedlings. He wears a blue floral Hawaiian shirt and brown hat.

LED Lights for Starting Seeds Indoors

January 18, 2019

For people who love gardening, the long, dark, cold winter months can be torture. Gardening catalogs are fine, but their allure can only last so long before we want to get our hands back in the soil! (Photo by Jonathan Parrish/Cindy Callahan)

A thin stream of water drips from a stainless steel kitchen sink faucet.

How to Properly Drip a Water Faucet

January 15, 2019

Fortunately, we live in a state that doesn’t see a lot of bitterly cold winter weather. However, it can still get cold, even in the Deep South. When the weather forecast shows temperatures staying below freezing for several days, be prepared to drip your indoor faucets to keep your pipes from freezing and possibly breaking. (Photo by Michaela Parker/Cindy Callahan)

A colorful display of fruits and vegetables features a head of white cauliflower in the center with tomatoes, bell peppers, yellow squash, potatoes, plums and more radiating outward.

The Food Factor | How to Get More Vegetables in Your Diet

January 11, 2019

We all know we need to eat more vegetables, but finding ways to include them in our busy lives can be a challenge. It’s easy to get in a rut and eat the same vegetables year-round, but you may find some tasty options if you try something new! (Photo by Canstock)

A close up shows a drone hovering above an open field.

So, You Got a Drone

January 8, 2019

If you finally got that drone you’ve been wishing for, keep an eye on the federal regulations that govern their use to make sure you know what you can and can’t do with it. (Photo by Jonathan Parrish/Cindy Callahan)

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Four Food-Safety Resolutions for the New Year

January 4, 2019

If you are tired of New Year’s resolutions, let me ease your mind: these four tips are really fast, easy habits that will help you stay healthy. If you’ve got 20 seconds, you’ve got time for at least one resolution! (File photo by MSU Extension)

A close-up of a golden brown whole-grain pancake on a nonstick griddle, with parts of two other pancakes blurred in the background.

The Food Factor | Whole Grain Pancakes

December 21, 2018

Ready to enjoy a tasty breakfast treat without the guilt? These whole-grain pancakes will do the trick! Be sure to top with fresh or pureed fruit, such as sliced berries or bananas. (Photo by Jonathan Parrish/Cindy Callahan)

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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