Are you planning to can fruits and vegetables this year? Don’t just wing it. Planning and preparation are important first steps.
How to Use Heating Equipment Safely
November 18, 2022
The temperatures have dropped drastically in the last week. If you’ve taken out your space heater or you’re using your fireplace, it’s important to use some safety precautions.
Heaters and fireplaces are nice ways to help keep you comfortable during cold weather. However, you should also be aware that heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
So, make safety a priority and take precautions when you use any type of heating equipment. Whether you use a fireplace or an electric or...
The Food Factor: Green Bean, Cranberry and Nut Salad
November 15, 2022
For this holiday season, I was looking for a way to mix up the menu a little bit and offer something a little lighter. This Green Bean, Cranberry and Nut Salad is perfect.
What are Rainbow Carrots?
November 11, 2022
Have you ever seen purple, yellow, red, or white carrots? The first time I saw a bag of ‘rainbow’ carrots in my grocery store, I had to do a double take. Carrots are only supposed to be orange, or at least, that’s what I thought.
Get Moving with 12 Days of Fitmas
November 8, 2022
With all the upcoming holiday get-togethers around the corner, it can be easy to move less, sit more, and gain weight. This year, join our Walk with Extension 12 Days of FITMAS Challenge, which emphasizes moving more and eating more vegetables.
Charcuterie Food Safety
November 4, 2022
Charcuterie boards are all the craze right now, and rightfully so! They’re fun to make and delicious to snack on. With the holidays coming up, they’re sure to be the talk of the party!
How to Make a Cornucopia
October 31, 2022
The cornucopia, or horn of plenty, is most often associated with Thanksgiving. It is generally depicted with the fruits of harvest overflowing its horn-shaped form and serves as a reminder to be thankful and grateful. If you like do-it-yourself projects, making your own cornucopia is an easy project.
Dos and Don’ts of Freezing Food
October 28, 2022
There are some weeks when I don’t feel like cooking dinner or am short on time to prepare a meal from start to finish.
Bats: Just the Facts
October 25, 2022
Bats have long been associated with Halloween, and this has fostered many myths about them. They may look spooky to some, but they perform critical tasks in the environment that help humans. The 1,400 species that are spread across six different continents serve an important purpose in our ecosystem. They pollinate plants, distribute seeds, and control insect pests, including mosquitoes. Fifteen different species of these small mammals live in Mississippi.
How to Use Flower Food
October 21, 2022
I love filling my home with fresh flowers. I always have to browse the floral section at my local grocery store to see if there is a bouquet that must come home with me.
Fall Produce Perfect for Eating
October 17, 2022
Pumpkins, gourds, and squash, oh my! With fall in full effect, I’m buying fall décor all the time. Do I already have several pumpkins on my porch? Yes. Will I be buying more? Also, yes.
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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