While most activities are in full swing, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension offers a free online course called “A New Beginning for Healthier Health.” This is a series of four sessions emphasizing the importance of healthy eating with an emphasis on increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables, physical activity, food safety and food resource management.

• Session 1 covers creating safer and healthier meals. Food security is at the center of concerns. Foodborne illness; fight the principles of BAC (bacteria) – clean, separate, cook, cool; temperature danger zone; and making your own disinfectant solution will be highlighted. Recipes for three breakfast items will be provided.
• Session 2 discusses meal planning, My Plate and physical activity. A 3- and 7-day meal planner will be provided, along with tips for including more fruits and vegetables in each meal. Three meal recipes will be provided.
• Session 3 covers an extremely practical topic: saving more at the grocery store. Sale announcements, coupons, using a grocery list (and sticking to it), rewards / grocery point apps, shopping with kids, and more. will be discussed. Three delicious dinner recipes will be provided.
• Session 4 Discuss celebrating small bites – practical ways to use fruits and vegetables. Make celebrations special by making food look festive and incorporating physical activity. Three snack recipes will be provided.

This year, thirteen people completed the online series with very positive reviews. The next online course starts June 7th. Registration begins on that day. Participants can register for the course at any time during the first week. One week after the start date, you will no longer be able to register for the course. A new session is published every Monday during the four weeks. Once a new session is published, it remains open to participants for the remainder of the series. Participants can access the available sessions on any day of the week and at any time that suits them. The fifth week serves as time to catch up on sessions before the end of the course. The sessions are very well done and include interactive components.

Participants can access this course on any device with an internet connection (phone, computer, etc.) Anyone interested in participating in the online series can contact me at the Texas A&M AgriLife extension office, 903-885 -3443, and I’ll walk you through the process and provide the link. All those who complete the course will receive a thermal tote bag and other items, along with a certificate of completion.

Visiting day of the 4-H project

This is the final call for Hopkins County 4-H members to register for the 2021 4-H Project Tour Day, Friday, June 4th. Participants are invited to meet at the extension office no later than 9:15 a.m. Our tour stops: Texas A&M – Retail Planetarium (STEM); Texas A&M-Commerce Farm (Agriculture); Student center for lunch and board meeting (leadership); and Fox Country Quilts (fashion and interior design). We have limited spaces, so please contact our office at 903-885-3443 before June 1st.

Final thought

The strength grows the moment you think you can’t go on, but you go on anyway – Kathy Wagner