Sound Living

While cleaning the refrigerator, oven, freezer, cabinets and drawers is typically a spring project, now is actually a good time to tackle those kitchen projects. At the same time, you can take an inventory of things that might be creating clutter, are no longer being used or are now well beyond their expiration dates. K-State Extension food scientist, Karen Blakeslee, discusses how to organize, an...

It can be challenging for young children and their providers to transition from one activity to the next. Kansas State University Extension family and youth development agent for the Chisholm Trail District, Tristen Cope, says there are strategies that childcare providers can use to help young children better manage transitions and routines. This includes providing an advanced warning, using a vis...

Kansas State University Extension agents and specialists are helping residents manage chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes and cancer through education, coaching and community-based support. Kansas Health Foundation's Distinguished Professor of Community Health at K-State, Elaine Johannes, says the past year has been especially busy for Extension programming focused on community health...

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends moving more, sitting less and getting children as young as three to be active. The guidelines also stress that any amount and any type of activity improves health. As cold weather begins to settle it and days get shorter, it's often more difficult to be physically active. According to K-State Research and Extension northeast area family and...

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and if you happened to notice family and friends spending more time on their digital devices than connecting face-to-face, you're probably not alone. According to researchers, this growing phenomenon is called "technoference" – which describes interruptions and disconnections in relationships caused by the excessive use of digital devices. K-State Extension family l...

Family gatherings sometimes take the joy out of the holidays. Elaine Johannes, the Kansas Health Foundation's Distinguished Professor of Health Kansas State University, says that family get-togethers often become exercises in patience, particularly when family members have differing opinions on various topics. However, at this time of the year, she says there's reason to hope which can help us dev...

Kansas State University aging specialist, Erin Martinez, says a national publication brought together what she calls the greatest minds in Extension and aging across the country to shine a light on the future of aging-related work in Extension. As co-editor of a special issue published by the Journal of Human Sciences and Extension titled Aging in America , Martinez, says aging experts from across...

With the gift-giving season drawing nearer, mental, physical and financial stress may be increasing – especially considering the cost of almost everything is higher than last year. Kansas State University family resource management specialist Elizabeth Kiss (kish) says focusing on what makes the holidays special for you and your family and friends, can help relieve stress and make the holidays mor...

The first three years of life are a critical time for brain development. We know that learning begins before birth and according to the K-State Extension fact sheet, Early Literacy: Building the Foundation for Lifelong Learning , brain growth is rapid in those first three years, and language and literacy is a piece of that puzzle. The family and consumer wellness agent in Extension's Cottonwood Di...

Kansas State University Extension and the University of Kansas Cancer Center have launched a partnership aimed at increasing awareness, access and participation in cancer screenings – especially in rural and underserved areas of the state. Hope Krebill, executive director of the Masonic Cancer Alliance, the outreach network of the University of Kansas Cancer Center, says the most common cancers in...

Assistive technology can help everyone, but it's especially beneficial for people with disabilities or older adults. Without assistive technology, Kansas State University Extension specialist in adult development and aging, Erin Martinez, says people may feel excluded and isolated, which increases the impact and risk of disease, disability, and mental well-being. Because there are thousands of ass...

The second of three Living Well Wednesday fall webinars focused on scams. The series is hosted by K-State Extension family and consumer sciences agents and specialists. Ed Burr, an investigator with the Kansas Attorney General's Office, says scams are everywhere – by phone, online, mail and even in person. He covers how to recognize common scam tactics, how to protect personal information, and the...

A K-State Extension nutrition and wellness specialist says the gut microbiome, the trillions of bacteria and microorganisms that live in the digestive tract, plays a crucial role in diabetes development and management. K-State's Priscilla Brenes says probiotics, prebiotics and diet can help improve gut health and reduce the risk of diabetes complications. Sound Living is a weekly public affairs pr...

The new Kansas 4-H year started October 1st, providing youth an opportunity to participate in a variety of project areas. This includes animal science, communications and expressive arts, engineering and technology, family and consumer sciences, leadership and professional development, natural resources, and plant sciences. Kansas 4-H youth development program director, Sarah Maass, (moss) says 4-...

Meal prepping is essentially planning and preparing meals, or parts of a meal, in advance of when you anticipate eating that meal or snack. Johnson County Extension, nutrition, food safety and health agent, Chelsea King, says meal prepping saves time in the kitchen, reduces food costs and food waste, and can help people eat healthier. She discusses six steps for getting started with meal planning...

The first of three Living Well Wednesday Fall webinars, hosted by K-State Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences agents and specialists from across the state, kicked off September 17 th with an overview of the opioid crisis and the growing risk of fentanyl in our communities. Jenni Ebert, Community Health Educator for the Riley and Pottawatomie County Health Departments, and founder of the Jayson...

Regardless of the price of an item or product, there's nothing more frustrating than being a disappointed consumer. This is especially true if it's difficult to get any kind of satisfaction from the retailer or seller. However, consumers do have rights. K-State Research and Extension family resource specialist Elizabeth Kiss (kish) says she's on a mission to educate consumers about their rights be...

Fentanyl and opioid awareness; recognizing, avoiding, and reporting scams; and the negative health effects of energy drinks are the topics being covered this fall when Kansas State University's Living Well Wednesday webinar series returns. The free webinars are the third Wednesday of each month from September through November. The sessions begin at 12:10 p.m., with the virtual room opening at noon...

As the NFL and college football seasons get underway, millions of fans will be spending countless hours in parking lots consuming their favorite tailgating foods. Unfortunately, fans who don't follow the four main rules for food safety: clean, separate, cook and chill, are risking more than getting a penalty flag. Kansas State University food scientist, Karen Blakeslee, says they're putting themse...

Kansas State University Extension adult development and aging specialist, Erin Martinez, says retirement is one of life's most stressful events – and it's not all tied to how much you've saved. Researchers have been focusing on more than just managing retirement accounts and are exploring retirees' life experiences and they've found several distinct stages of retirement that many retirees face. Ma...

A growing body of research indicates that intentional kindness is a critical component of physical and mental health, as well as economic well-being. A new Extension fact sheet, Kindness Matters, details how being intentionally kind, including random acts of kindness, can benefit health. Kansas State University community health specialist, Elaine Johannes, says the fact sheet aims to help communit...

A financial emergency can take many forms. It may include car damage, property damage, unemployment or family emergencies. Regardless of the emergency, if you've been building an emergency fund, you'll be better prepared to cover unexpected expenses. K-State professor and Extension family resource management specialist, Elizabeth Kiss, (kish) discusses how to prepare for an emergency now, during a...

With summer winding down, parents and kids are starting to enter their back-to-school mode. In addition to purchasing the traditional items: notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers and crayons, Kansas State University food scientist and coordinator of the university's Rapid Response Center, Karen Blakeslee, reminds parents to think about school lunch. She says purchasing an insulated lunch bag and ice p...

A variety of seasonal local food is available in Kansas. In fact, the state has about a nine-month growing season. However, consumers don't always know what is in season and at the peak of freshness. A new poster from Kansas State University's Local Food Systems is making it easier to know which fruits and vegetables are available in the winter, spring, summer and fall, as well as food that's avai...

As the summer heat continues, it's important to remember that we all need to stay cool and hydrated. This is especially true for people aged 65 years or older. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, older adults are more prone to heat-related health problems. They don't adjust as well as young people to sudden changes in temperatures. They are more likely to have a chronic me...