Porter County Consumer & Family Science

Just the last day or two the nights have cooled down and the mornings have felt like Fall is coming.  At night I hear the insects singing in a loud clamorous chorus.  It’s like they know that they are going to die soon and now is the time to make a joyous noise.  The fields look beautiful – with all the rain this season, the harvest is bountiful this year.  And now is the time for some of the most wonderful healthful snacks of the season.  One of my favorites is a fragrant, locally grown tomato bought at the Valparaiso Farmers’ Market.  It is open on Tuesdays and I’m going to walk over there on my lunch hour and look for a tender red beauty for my afterwork snack.  I already have a lovely crunchy organic cucumber which a Master Gardener gave me – one of the perks of working in an extension office!  For this phenomenal snack, all you do is slice up the tomato and as much of the cucumber as you wish – alternate the slices, sprinkle a half teaspoon of olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon, add a pinch of salt and enjoy.  The home grown tomatoes taste like the summer sun and the cucumber is refreshing.  The olive oil is a “good” oil and helps your body absorb the vitamins and minerals in these freshest of vegetables.  And you get all of this for under 100 calores.

Here is a great resource developed by the Center of Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP).

http://www.myfoodapedia.gov/

It is very easy to use and it allows you to enter a food and find out the amount from each food group you have consumed and the number of calories involved.  And, you can compare two foods side-by-side!

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This coordinated consumer education campaign provides tips and resources at National Consumer Protection Week 2010 to help everyone take full advantage of their consumer rights.  This year’s theme – Dollars & Sense:  Rated “A” for all ages — highlights the importance of using good consumer sense at every stage of life – from grade school to retirement.  The message of 2010 is: It’s never too early or too late to become a more informed and empowered consumer.  The FTC and it’s partners are promoting free materials on protecting privacy, managing money and debt, avoiding identity theft, understanding credit and mortgages, and steering clear of frauds and scams.

WESTCHESTER  Library, 200 W. Indiana Ave., Chesterton, IN 46304 phone: 219-926-7696   AARP tax-aide, State & Fed electronic filing, Appt. required, Languages: English, Dates of Operation: 2/1/2010 – 4/15/2010

HEBRON PUBLIC LIBRARY, 201 E. Sigler St., Hebron, IN 46341 phone: 219-996-3684  AARP tax-Aide, Fed electronic filing, but not for State, Appt. required, Languages: English, Dates of  Operation: 2/1/2010 – 4/15/2010

KOUTS PUBLIC LIBARY, 101 Daumer Rd., Kouts, IN 46347 phone: 219-766-2271  AARP tax-aide, Fed & State electronic filing Appt. required, Languages: English, Dates of Operation: 2/1/2010 – 4/15/2010

BONNER SENIOR CENTER, 5800 Lexington Ave., Portage, IN 46368, phone: 219-762-1522, AARP tax-aide, Fed electronic filing, but not for State,, Appt. required, Languages: English, Dates of operation: 2/4/2010 – 4/15/2010

PORTAGE ADULT EDUCATION, 5391 Central Ave., Portage, IN 46368, Phone: 219-464-3583 Type of Site: VITA, Fed & State electronic filing, Appt. required, Languages: English, Dates of Operation: 1/26/2010 – 4/15/2010

PORTAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY, 2670 Lois St., Portage, IN 46368, Phone: 219-763-1508, AARP Tax-Aide, Fed & State electronic filing, Appt. required, Languages: English, Dates of Operation: 2/1/2010 – 4/15/2010

BANTA SENIOR CENTER, 605 Beech St., Valparaiso, IN 46383, Phone: 219-462-1301, AARP tax-aide, Fed & State electronic filing, Appt. required, Languages: English, Dates of Operation: 2/1/2010 – 4/15/2010

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY ACTION, 2001 Calumet Ave., Valparaiso, IN 46383, Phone: 219-548-2379, Type of Site: VITA, Fed & State electronic filing, Appt. required, Languages: English, Dates of Operation: 2/1/2010 – 4/15/2010

SOUTH HAVEN PUBLIC LIBRARY, 403 W 700 N, Valparaiso, IN 46385, Phone: 219-759-4474, AARP Tax-aide, Fed electronic filing, not State, Appt. required, Languages: English, Dates of Operation: 2/1/2010 – 4/15/2010

VALPARAISO PUBLIC LIBRARY, 107 Jefferson St., Valparaiso, IN 46383, Phone: 219-462-0524, AARP Tax-aide, Fed & State electronic filing, Appt. required, Languages: English, Dates of Operation: 2/1/2010 – 4/15/2010

In 2010, avoid “dieting” and focus on eating better and moving more by following these tips:
• Get SMART. Start by creating specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely goals. For example, follow the CDC recommended physical activity guidelines at http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/index.html and be active for 150 minutes each week for 8 weeks.
• Know the Days of the Week. Pick a different healthy food to try each day of the week. Choose several new fruits or vegetables to incorporate into your meals every day. Don’t be afraid to try new healthy recipes. You can also assign a color to each day, using only those specific colored foods to make your meals and snacks.
• Eat When Ready. Only eat when ready and avoid mindless snacking. Don’t eat while watching TV or sitting in front of the computer, as this increases compulsive eating. Remember to drink plenty of water, also.

• Throw Out and Stock Up. Look in your pantry, refrigerator and freezer and eliminate most of your high-calorie, unhealthy foods. Restock the shelves with healthier options, like prepared, single serving snack bags of fruit, veggies or nuts. Try whole grain cereals, low-fat yogurt or sugar-free pudding, as alternatives to sugar-sweetened snacks.

Here are some more tricks to watch for.   Annual fees as high as $135 dollars, often for a reward program.  But many cards are shouting “No annual fee” to distract you from their other fees – transaction fees up to 5% for cash advances for instance.  Want a quick $100 dollars from an ATM?  Watch out for a $10 dollar minimum charge.  Maximum?  Read the agreement.  And remember, cash advances come at a higher interest rate.