Dear Consumer

Be adventurous by adding some new whole grain ideas to your family's menu.

Start your day with cereal labeled "Excellent" or "Good" sources of whole grain. Convert plain pancakes, quick breads or muffins to whole grain by using whole wheat flour to replace half of the flour called for in the recipe. Experiment with whole grain side dishes such as brown rice, barley, kasha or buckwheat. Subtract other snack foods and instead munch on popcorn, whole grain granola bars or whole grain cereal mixed with yogurt. Wrap up sandwich fixings in a corn or whole wheat tortilla. Add whole grain foods to your grocery list and keep them on hand. Trade in white bread or rolls for the whole grain variety. Choose pasta that is made with whole grain.

Thank You for Your Contribution

A "Special Thank You" to all attendees at the holiday programs who contributed to the Family Living Scholarship fund. We collected $910.

The money will be given to a college junior who is studying in the Family & Consumer Science field and presented at Spring Awareness Day. If you know of a student who might be eligible, please request a copy of the "Scholarship Guidelines" on the workshop page.

White Whole Wheat Bread

Have you seen the white whole wheat bread on supermarket shelves? It is made with whole grain flour-not genetically engineered, but the result of a new milling technique that retains whole grain nutrients, and at the same time delivers the fine texture of popular white flours.

Ultragrain White Whole Wheat has a lighter flour color, a softer, smoother texture and a reduced visibility of bran specks, noticed in other whole wheat flours. Ultragrain provides the sweeter taste and smooth texture of refined flour. This flour offers increased phytonutrients, and 4-5 times the levels of potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, B vitamins (niacin and thiamine) and fiber found in refined flour.

Consumers recognize the benefits of whole grain breads, but many, especially children, do not like the taste. Ultragrain provides whole-grain nutrition without changing the texture or sacrificing the taste of the foods, but be sure to compare the grams of fiber in each product to know exactly what you are buying. Resource: ConAgra Food

Do Not Call List

All your telephone numbers, including your cell phone, should be registered with the "Do-Not-Call" list online at www.donotcall.gov or by calling 888-382-1222. Cell phone marketing is generally illegal, but it can happen. Complaints can be made to the Federal Communications Commission online at www.fcc.gov or by calling 888-225-5322.

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Santokus Gifts Knives Were Popular

Did you receive a santokus knife for a Christmas or holiday present? The santoku, an Asian version of the French knife, became very popular because many TV chefs are using them. "San" means three; "toku" means good things. A santoku knife will do many good things in your kitchen.

The versatile santoku knife has a blunt tip and a flat blade that can be used for slicing, but also has the stability of the chef's knife for chopping. The santoku was originally designed and used by the Japanese for slicing fish into very thin slices for sushi and sashimi. The cutting edge is flat unlike the rocking edge of the French knife which allows straight down precision slicing with great control. The blade is very thin to hold the razor sharp edge. Most santokus have shallow indentations just above the cutting edge, a technology that keeps slices from sticking to the blade. For fine controlled slicing and chopping, the santoku is perfectly suited.

Most professional santoku knives cost as much as the French Chef's knife, about $100. There are less costly knives but you get what you pay for. If you are enjoying your knife and want to give a knife to someone else, remember the Chinese practice to include a penny in the package so your happy recipient can hand it back to buy the knife from you. Otherwise it is bad luck.

Getting Rid of Winter Ice

There are three ways to get rid of ice:

1. The old-fashioned physical exercise way with a shovel.
2. Easy-access options like ashes, kitty litter, and sand; and
3. Commonly available deicer chemicals.

By using a shovel, we can exercise our heart, waken dormant muscle groups, and release stress in the process. Ashes, kitty litter, and sand do not melt ice, but do add traction. They need to be swept up in the spring so they don't litter the environment.

The correct way to use a deicer agent (rock salt, urea or calcium, potassium, or magnesium chloride) is to spread it according to the manufacturer's instructions, wait for melting action to break the bond between the ice and pavement, and then remove the remaining ice and snow toward the street and away from vegetation.

The deicing agents bring the quickest results, but if overused, can contribute to the chemical equation that runs off into water systems, soil and vegetation.

Resource: Washington State University Extension

Self-Checkout Lanes Are Here To Stay

Several stores with self-checkout lanes have appeared in Berks County. Are you using them? They are designed for quick checkout on small orders, 15 items or less, not an overflowing basket of goods. Stores are willing to teach you how to use them. Try it when the store is not overwhelmed with customers. Start with a few items that have scanner bar codes on the package or are number coded (number on a piece of fruit). Searching the scanner listing for a specific unmarked item takes a little more skill.

Most electronic self-checkouts have about the same physical set-up, so if you learn to use one you can use most of them. Be sure to select the checkout that will accept your type of payment, cash vs. credit or debit card. Stores are reporting that 40% of their transactions go through the self-checkout lanes. It may suit your lifestyle of picking up a few grocery items several times a week instead of the once a week trip.

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How to Outwit Medicare Drug Benefits Scams

   Do's and Don'ts

• Don't be pressured into joining a drug plan "now."
• Don't pay anyone a fee to enroll.
• Don't sign up for a plan by telephone unless YOU initiate the call.
• Do suspect anyone who comes to your door peddling "offers" on drug coverage.
• Don't give out your Social Security, Medicare ID, credit card or bank account numbers to anyone who calls and asks for them.
• Don't believe claims of "free" coverage, since legitimate plans, with few exceptions, have premiums, co-payments or deductibles.
• Don't go alone to meet a "sales" person. Take your friends or family members along to hear the sales pitch.
• Don't make payments online. You can enroll online, but plans may not collect payment on the internet.
• Do use reliable sources such as Medicare at www.medicare.gov or (800) 633-4227, and AARP at www.aarp.org/medicarrx.
• Do report scams and suspicious activity to Medicare.

Resource: AARP Bulleting, October, 2005

Did You Know????

• Kids with access to a computer are more likely to graduate from high school. Access to a computer at home increases the likelihood that children will graduate.
• Within the first five years of employment, almost 50 percent of teachers will leave employment in the teaching field.
• Brain-research has proven that girls and boys brains develop differently. This research is often used as the basis of separate gender classes which proponents say increases boys' school success.
• Children of "pushy" parents are more likely to excel in high school, graduate from college, and grow into young adults who are happier with their lives and more prosperous in their careers. Firm direction from parents appears to pay off.
• The number of high school athletes has risen for the 16th year to 7 million. For boys, football remains the most popular. For girls, basketball is the most popular.
• Qualifications of preschool teachers have fallen so much that now 30 percent of teachers and administrators have only a high school diploma or less.

Source: Public Education Network, PEN@PublicEducation.org

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PA's Weatherization Program

If you're a low income, elderly or handicapped resident, the Pennsylvania Weatherization Program can make your home more energy efficient, helping you save on energy costs. The program is administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development and offers services such as: heating system modifications; employing measures to reduce air leakage; installing attic insulation; replacing heating systems; and educational activities. For more information, call 1-800-379-7448.

Preserving Family History

Family stories have probably been heard by most of us throughout our lives. Each of these is an important piece of our family heritage and is important for children to learn about their roots. Below are some ideas to get you started on preserving the stories of your family in 2006.

1. During the next phone call with an older relative, ask about something from your history.
2. At the next family gathering, go armed with a tape recorder and writing materials. The stories will most certainly begin but you can also be prepared with questions about that infamous relative, the community where they lived, or memories of important family events.
3. Photographs may be your key to getting started or enriching your family history. As you look at the photos, label them with date, place, and the people in the photo. What are they doing? Where was the photo taken and under what circumstances? Who are the people and why are they together? How are they related to you?
4. Develop a timeline with older relatives. The timeline can begin with your birth or that of grandparents. Other points in the timeline to include are births, marriages, deaths, family moves, travels or adventures, achievements (graduation, a job, first home), sad times (losing a job, illness), fighting in a war, participating in a political event or community action. Include things that were important in your life and then ask siblings and older relatives the same questions. What were the important passages in the lives of elder relatives.
5. Ask questions about early family gatherings and how those times compare with today.
6. Look for old letters, journals, diaries, birth certificates, or other artifacts that will result in a spontaneous story.
7. Food is always a good way of getting a story. What kind of food was on the table during the depression or in early years?
8. Don't forget music, poetry, and books. What did people read or what kind of dancing did they do and what were favorite stories or nursery rhymes when growing up.

Source: Southern Illinois University Saving our Stories Project

Sincerely,

Fay B. Strickler, M.S., CFCS
Family & Consumer Science Educator

Sue Giachero
Family & Consumer Science Educator

In consultation with Joan Cook, Family Living Assistant

FBS:SG:dlh

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