Line dance is a good active-type of exercise. We will begin a Line Dance Class Tuesday, August 6, 2019 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Angie Nash will lead our classes.
Co-Parenting for Resilience is a class for divorcing or separating parents with minor children living in the home. It is mandatory by law in Oklahoma and is also valuable for Grandparents and other relatives of minor children going through divorce or separation. My next class is 1 p.m. Tuesday, Tuesday, August 13, 2019; pre-registration is required. Call Jefferson County OSU Extension Office at 580-228-2332 for registration information.
Jefferson County Free Fair – Wednesday, September 4 – Saturday, September 7, 2019. Get your canning, baked items, crafts, hobbies, Quilts and other sewing projects, plants and other items ready to bring to show at the fair! Other activities are being planned – Come to the Fair!
Jefferson County OHCE (Oklahoma Home and Community Education)
Our group’s meeting includes an educational program; our August meeting will be Tuesday, August 20 – UFO (Unfinished Fair Objects) – bring your unfinished item and complete it to enter it/them into the fair! Contact Tara Brown for more information. OHCE is open to anyone interested in meeting and receiving research-based educational information.
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Services.
For us, it’s personal. Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service county educators and area, district and state specialists develop science-based educational programs to help Oklahomans solve local issues and concerns, promote leadership and manage resources wisely. Programs focus on:
• Increasing opportunities for agricultural enterprises
• Natural resources and environmental management
• Food, nutrition, health and safety education
• Youth, family and community development
Your Jefferson County OSU Extension Services office is open 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday, excluding holidays recognized by our county offices. Leland McDaniel, AG/4-H Youth Development and CED, Tara Brown, Family & Consumer Sciences/4-H Youth Development and Linda Whitsett, Administrative Support Specialist are staff members ready to assist you at 580-228-2332.
4-H Day Camps will be held during June and July.They will be held at the OSU Extension office and times will vary according to the activity.
Thursday, June 14:9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Sewing Projects: Microwave Pot Holders
Tuesday, June 19:9 a.m. -11:00 a.m. – Poster Art and Canvas Art
Friday, June 29:9 a.m. -11:30 a.m. –Shabby Flower Pots (paint project) & Poster Art
• Registration is due at least two (2) days prior to the class to allow us time to make certain we have adequate amount of supplies available.
• Sewing project is limited to six students – you may bring your own sewing machine; we have 4 available here in our office.
4-H Culinary:Wednesday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.Registration is due by 3 p.m. Monday, June 24 to allow time to purchase food.We will be making Hot Ham and Cheese, Hot Ham and Turkey sandwiches and Rice Krispie Treats for our lunch!
Class size will be limited to 12 members.
Jefferson County OHCE group will meet Tuesday, June 19 at 12 noon at the Waurika Sr. Citizens Center.The lesson will be on “Home Invasions/Self Defense”
Co-Parenting for Resilence: Divorce or separation is not an easy or favorable decision, especially when minor children are in the home.A class for divorcing or separating parents with minor children living in the home is available monthly. Our next class is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2018. Pre-registration is required. Call Jefferson County OSU Extension Office at 580-228-2332 for registration information.This class is mandatory by law in Oklahoma and is also valuable for Grandparents and other relatives of minor children going through a divorce or separation.
4-H Has Talent Show will be Saturday, September 29 beginning at 2 p.m. at Ryan High School.Our 4-H clubs are getting busy! Watch for upcoming events and come support Jefferson County 4-H.
Here is another portion from OSU Financial Curriculum Pathways to Success, A Basic Living Skills Curriculum:
Setting Goals: A goal is an aim or it is what we want to do. Goals are plans for the future. Each of us has many things we want to do. Some goals take a short time to get done, maybe less than 6 months. These are called short-term goals. For example, find a job, find a place to live, or buy clothes for work. You may have many short-term goals.
Some goals take longer to get done. You need to put in more time, money and work than for short-term goals. These are called long-term goals because the goal may take 1, 3 or 5 years to reach.
Many people want things NOW and are not willing to wait until later. The use of credit causes many people to buy everything NOW. This attitude can lead to serious money problems. Sometimes two people may have very different values. One person wants many things NOW. The other person may wish to save money for a long-term goal.
Tara Brown, Jefferson County OSU Extension Educator has programs available and is ready to teach Financial Programs which include Setting Goals.
Line Dance: will resume Friday, October 11 at 6 p.m. at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds Fair Building. It is another way to exercise as a group. Come join us as many of us are still in the “Learning phase”!
Co-Parenting for Resilience is a class for divorcing or separating parents with minor children living in the home. It is mandatory by law in Oklahoma and is also valuable for Grandparents and other relatives of minor children going through divorce or separation. My next class is 1 p.m. Tuesday, November 12, 2019; pre-registration is required. Call Jefferson County OSU Extension Office at 580-228-2332 for registration information.
Jefferson County OSU Extension Services office is open 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday, excluding holidays recognized by our county offices. Leland McDaniel, AG/4-H Youth Development and CED, Tara Brown, Family & Consumer Sciences/4-H Youth Development and Linda Whitsett, Administrative Support Specialist are staff members ready to assist you at 580-228-2332.
Check out our Facebook pages for informative topics: www.facebook.com/JeffersonCounty Fourh and JeffersonCounty Osu Extension
Peach Oatmeal Bars
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
2 cups frozen unsweetened sliced peaches
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1. Preheat oven to 350oF. Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment.
2. Place butter, oats, flour, brown sugar, salt and pecans in a medium bowl. Use fingers to blend ingredients until the butter is not visible. Reserve one-fourth of the mixture, about 1 cup, in a small bowl.
3. Place remaining oatmeal mixture into the parchment lined pan. Use a metal measuring cup to press out an even layer.
4. In the medium bowl combine peaches, 1 tablespoon sugar, cornstarch, ginger and cinnamon. Pour peach mixture onto the pressed crust in the pan. Crumble reserved oatmeal mixture over the peaches.
5. Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Let cool at least 30 minutes in pan then, using the parchment to help, remove from pan and cut into bars.
The Jefferson County OHCE will meet Tuesday, November 20 at 11:30 a.m. at the Waurika Sr. Citizens Center.Come to eat lunch with us, stay and listen to our program “Repurposed Jars” presented by Tara Brown, Jefferson County OSU Extension Educator, FCS/4-H Youth Development.OHCE is open to any person who wishes to join.Melicia McFadden is our president and Deborah Farrar is our treasurer.
Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance
Tai chi: Moving for Better Balance is an evidence-based program that focuses on improving functional ability, such as balance and physical function, to reduce fall-related risks and frequency.
The series of slow continuous movements of Tai chi: Moving for Better Balance help those participating reduce stress, increase balance and flexibility as well as learn relaxation to improve their overall mind, body, and spirit. Tai chi: Moving for Better Balance is for people at all levels of mobility and can be done while sitting. Tara Brown recently received her certification through the Injury Prevention Service, Oklahoma State Department of Health to teach this program.
The class is held at 9:30 a.m. Mondays through November 19th (and longer if requested), at the Ringling Community Building.We have begun a Thursday evening class from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. also at the Ringling Community Building. There is no cost to participate; come to join us!
Co-Parenting for Resilience:Divorce or separation is not an easy or favorable decision, especially when minor children are in the home.A class is available for divorcing or separating parents with minor children living in the home.My next class is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, December 11, 2018. Pre-registration is required. Call Jefferson County OSU Extension Office at 580-228-2332 for registration information.This class is mandatory by law in Oklahoma and is also valuable for Grandparents and other relatives of minor children going through a divorce or separation.
Holiday Cooking under Pressure was presented by Tara Brown, Extension Educator for Family and Consumer Sciences/4-H Youth Development Wednesday, November 7 at the Ringling Community Building.Tara spoke on the “fairly new” concept of cooking with Electric Pressure Cookers. There are several models from Instant Pot to Crock Pot to Power Pressure and more; each with the concept of using one pot to cook with pressure (like the Pressure cookers we use for the top of the stove) to slow cooking all in one pot. Tara prepared Beef Stroganoff in one cooker and Cinnamon Apple Slices in another.Sample tastings and recipes were provided to the group of 16.
Keep your pets safe during winter weather.
For pets that spend a good deal of time romping in the backyard or lounging in a patch of sunshine on the deck, the arrival of winter may be a rude awakening and cause of concern for safety.
Before Oklahoma experiences a deep freeze, pet owners need to make sure their pets are well-cared for when the temperature begins to fall, said Dr. Paul DeMars, associate professor in Community Practice at the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences at Oklahoma State University.
“As pretty and soft as your pet’s fur is, it isn’t necessarily the perfect insulator, especially when the temperatures are extreme or when the fur gets wet,” DeMars said. “Compare it to being outside wearing a t-shirt when it’s below freezing. Your pet’s toes, nose and ears are especially susceptible to winter weather, too.”
If you suspect your pet has frostbite, cover the animal with warm towels. Gently pat dry the affected area and contact your veterinarian.
While winter weather can be hard on any pet, very young animals, as well as older dogs and cats, should not be kept outdoors. DeMars said these young pets simply do not have the fat, metabolism or the full fur coat they need to stay warm.
The best option for pet safety during the winter is to keep them indoors. If your pet lives outside fulltime, it is imperative to provide adequate shelter from the elements. A covered enclosure with blankets or clean hay/straw/cedar shavings is a must. Another option is a heated floor mat. Check with your local pet store to see what is available.
Tara Brown at the Ringling Community Center talking about cooking under pressure. She is explaining the use of electric pressure cookers.
“Try to face the opening of the shelter away from the wind. Also, if it rains and the bedding gets wet, replace it with dry bedding,” DeMars said. “Wet bedding can grow bacteria and mold, which are not healthy for your pet.”
It is no secret exercise is good for both humans and their pets. For those who enjoy a nice walk with your pet, sidewalks and walking trails are likely to have been salted if there is ice or snow on the ground. While this is beneficial for humans to help keep them from slipping and sliding, salt can cause irritation on an animal’s foot pads.
Not only is the weather a concern for your pet, but the chances of exposing your pet to life-threatening chemicals also increases. Leaky radiators can leave pools of antifreeze in your driveway and is both a winter and summer issue. Although the sweet taste of antifreeze is appealing to your pet, it can be deadly, even in very small doses.
“Antifreeze is highly toxic and absorbs quickly into your pet’s system. The kidneys are the most affected organs and can shut down completely within 12 to 24 hours in cats and 36 to 72 hours in dogs,” DeMars said.
Tara Brown, Extension Educator for Family and Consumer Sciences/4-H Youth Development.
Another outdoor danger is animals who seek protection from the winter weather in dangerous places. Before starting and moving your vehicle, check under the hood and in the wheel wells to ensure there are no animals hiding.
Because it takes a few more calories to keep warm in the winter, your pet may need a little extra food. For pets who stay outside, make sure the water in their water bowls is not frozen.
“Winter weather will mean your pets require a little extra care to ensure their safety,” DeMars said.
Get excited! Oklahoma 4-H Virtual STEM camps start next week and run through the first week of August. STEM camps are a great way for 4-H members and youth age 8-12 to get involved with STEM and have some fun this summer! Camps include livestock science, bioenergy, photography, camping, wearable tech and more.
REGISTER and COMPLETE some or all of the camps ANY TIME, June 8th – August 14th, 2020!
STEM Camps are open to all youth regardless of 4-H membership. If you are not a 4-H member, consider joining or exploring to learn about the opportunities 4-H offers. To learn more about 4-H or find a 4-H Club in your community, contact Jefferson County OSU Extension at (580) 228-2332.
Participants that complete the projects, Microsoft form and/or FlipGrid will receive a special prize at the end of each camp.
This material is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. OIA-1301789.
Gardening: July 6-10
Weather: July 6-10
Camping: July 13-17
Food Science: July 15-17
Chemistry: July 20-24
Farm to Fork: July 20-24
Science Fair Workshop (Available July 20th, Due July 31st)
COVID Camp: July 27-31 – If you or a loved one has been affected by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic; this is a camp for you. From sewing, problem solving or making your own hand sanitizer, campers will learn self-sufficiency skills
Wearable Tech: July 28-31
Wind Power: August 3-7
4-H Family Tailgating Contest
Just a quick reminder the 4-H Family Tailgating Contest is on the State 4-H Website. The link to the contest information page http://4h.okstate.edu/4-h-tailgate-contest
The registration link is at the bottom of the page. The deadline for the submission of the PowerPoint is July 15, 2020.
Co-Parenting for Resilience Class for Separating or Divorcing couples with Minor children living in the home is offered monthly. The next class offered in Jefferson County OSU Extension office will be Tuesday, July 7, 2020. Registration is required; contact Tara Brown at 580-228-2332 for additional information.
Oklahoma Home and Community Education – OHCE is in a unique position to help individual members and their families and communities develop a higher level of living through education. No other organization is better poised to develop community leaders and informed citizens through research based educational programs.
** Membership is open to any person interested in joining us as we learn research-based information and how to apply it to our daily lives. Contact Tara Brown, Jefferson County OSU Extension Educator at 580-228-2332 for additional information.
July’s lesson, a handmade craft, was provided by Pat McGriff. It was recorded live and is available on Jefferson County OSU Extension’s Facebook page.
Open House:Jefferson County Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Services is scheduled for Friday, May 18 from 11 a.m.– 2 p.m.Come meet your County Extension staff who are ready and willing to assist you with your questions concerning livestock, soil, forage, Food and Nutrition and more! Food will be available and names will be drawn for Door Prizes. Our OSU Extension office is located at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 802 East D. Street, Waurika, OK. Information is available on our website oces.okstate.edu/Jefferson and on our Facebook pages JeffersonCounty Fourh and JeffersonCounty Osu Extension.
Jefferson County OHCE (Oklahoma Home and Community Education) meet the 3rd Tuesdays in the Waurika Sr. Citizens Center unless otherwise noted.Dr. Lynn Null, Extension Educator, FCS/4-H Youth Development, CED Comanche County presented “10 Minutes to the Table” to OHCE members at the Jefferson County OSU Fairgrounds; she prepared a delicious dish of Chicken Enchiladas Verde.Membership to OHCE is open to any individual. Call 580-228-2332 for additional information.
Upcoming lessons:Tuesday, June 19: “Home Invasion/Self Defense”
Co-Parenting for Resilience:Divorce or separation is not an easy or favorable decision, especially when minor children are in the home.A class for divorcing or separating parents with minor children living in the home is available monthly. Our next class is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2018. Pre-registration is required. Call Jefferson County OSU Extension Office at 580-228-2332 for registration information.This class is mandatory by law in Oklahoma and is also valuable for Grandparents and other relatives of minor children going through a divorce or separation.
OHCE Week was May 6-12, 2018
Jefferson County OHCE Group provided Cookies and Homemade Banana Pecan Muffins to the County Commissioners and County Officers to show appreciation for their services. The group ended OHCE week by honoring Orbie Smith, member of Jefferson County OHCE for 68 years. She was presented with a certificate and bouquet of flowers for her achievement.
Melicia McFadden, President, presents Mrs. Orbie Smith with a Certificate and Bouquet of Flowers for her achievement as member of OHCE for 68 years.
Clover Trivia: What entity guides the 4-H Program in the United States?
Answer: (Cooperative Extension System or Cooperative Extension Service)
Waurika and Ryan Cloverbuds Red River Rangers Club met Monday, October 7 at Ryan Sr. Citizens Center. Leader Lori Lovett had a fun activity planned and Snacks were served to members and their parents.
The next cloverbud meeting will be 6 p.m. Monday, October 21 here at the Jefferson County Fair building located at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. We will make smoothies using a 4-H Blender Bike. Cloverbuds are youth ages 5-7 and enrolled in 4-H. Come join us!
2 Youth painting flower pots to plant pansies during Ringling’s Western Days
4-H members who are ages 13 and older (or in the 7th grade and older) and actively enrolled in Jefferson County 4-H: We are excited to include a Teen Leadership Group to our county programs! Opportunities will be included to assist developing leadership include planning county 4-H fun events, help plan end of the year banquet, assist with county 4-H contests and more! Contact Tara Brown at 580-228-2332.
Ringling 4-H now has a volunteer Adult leader! Parilyn Hairod is excited to rejuvenate Ringling 4-H. She and her husband, Kent, with the assistance of Amanda Ridenour, set up a booth at Ringling Western Days Saturday, October 5. We had tables set to show a few items Ringling 4-H members had made during the summer as well as information on how to enroll in 4-H. There were also tables set up for youth and parents to come and paint a flower pot then, after it dried, planted a pansy flower in their flower pot. 57 youth participated and we are excited and hope to regain an active 4-H group in Ringling!
If you are an adult and interested in volunteering with 4-H, contact Jefferson County OSU Extension office at 580-228-2332.
Jefferson County OHCE (Oklahoma Home and Community Education) meet the 3rd Tuesdays in the Waurika Sr. Citizens Center unless otherwise noted. Each month we have lessons which are open to anyone interested in attending. Our February meeting will be Tuesday, February 20 at 12 noon at the Waurika Sr. Citizens Center. Brenda Gandy-Jones, Extension Educator, FCS/4-H Youth Development, CED for Stephens County will present the lesson on “Caregiving 101”. Our March meeting will be Tuesday and Wednesday (March 20 and 21) 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day; Pamela Varner, Extension Educator, FCS/4-H Youth Development, CED for Cotton County will lead us making “Crazy Quilt Jacket”. Contact Tara Brown for additional information.
During the upcoming Jr. Livestock show, Jefferson County OHCE will sell pies Thursday, March 1 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Co-Parenting for Resilience: Divorce or separation is not an easy or favorable decision, especially when minor children are in the home. A class for divorcing or separating parents with minor children living in the home, is available monthly or as scheduled. Our next class is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Pre-registration is required. Call Jefferson County OSU Extension Office at 580-228-2332 for registration information. This class is mandatory by law in Oklahoma and is also valuable for Grandparents and other relatives of minor children going through a divorce or separation.
Early trailblazers helped ensure Extension serves all Oklahomans
STILLWATER, Okla. – For more than 100 years, the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service has been fulfilling its mission of enhancing the lives of all Oklahomans. Annie Peters Hunter, Extension’s first federally appointed black female home demonstration agent, operated in Okfuskee and Seminole counties. Beginning in 1912, she served Oklahomans as an agent for more than 12 years. Along the way, the organization has made history in some important ways with Annie Peters Hunter, the nation’s first federally appointed black female home demonstration agent, and John Russell Council, the first black Extension agent hired in Oklahoma. As the nation pauses to celebrate Black History Month, it is worthwhile to recognize the contributions of both Hunter and Council. “Extension is called to help Oklahomans of all ages and backgrounds. That’s a mission we take seriously and we remain fully committed to it,” said James Trapp, associate director of Extension. “We’re proud of our strong and ongoing tradition of service to our state and all its residents.”
Not much is known about Hunter and Council, but the few known details are significant.
Hunter, a native of Alabama, settled in Boley, Oklahoma, with her husband in the early 1900s. More than two years before the Smith-Lever Act formally created the national Cooperative Extension Service in 1914, she was putting the organization’s mission into action in Oklahoma.
Tanya Finchum, professor and oral history librarian at Oklahoma State University, partnered with Jan Scholl, associate professor at Pennsylvania State University, to write and publish an article in 2012 about Hunter in the e-journal “Forum for Family and Consumer Issues.”
According to Finchum and Scholl, Hunter was appointed as a home demonstration agent Jan. 23, 1912, as part of an effort to bolster the prosperity of black farm families. Not too unlike today’s Extension educators, early home demonstration agents were charged with helping families to conserve resources, create a little income, and safely raise and preserve food for survival from growing season to growing season.
Primarily operating in Seminole and Okfuskee counties, she served as the only black home demonstration agent within a 50-mile radius.
The researchers discovered part of her efforts included working with girls through canning clubs. There also is strong evidence her canning instructions remained popular through the 1940s and were used in homes, churches and schools.
Finchum called Hunter a visionary, dedicated leader.
“With being the first to hold any newly created position comes many responsibilities, including demonstrating that the work is necessary and beneficial,” Finchum said. “Annie served as an agent for more than 12 years, and when she vacated the position, it was immediately filled allowing the work she had begun to continue. That’s part of Annie’s legacy as an Extension worker.”
As for Council, his tenure with Extension actually predates Hunter’s by about three years. According to Donald E. Green’s “Centennial Histories Series: A History of the Oklahoma State University Division of Agriculture,” after arriving in Boley in 1908, Council petitioned and was granted an appointment with Extension in December of the following year.
As part of one of the agent’s successes highlighted by Green’s book, over the course of about three years, one of the producers with which Council worked closely rapidly advanced from a tenant farmer living in a log cabin to owning a 120-acre farm, two mules, a horse and a two-story house.
Council was originally from Tennessee and attended Tuskegee Institute in 1906-07.
Jefferson County 4-H enjoys Fall Fest members, siblings and parents enjoyed Jefferson County 4-H Fall Fest Monday, October 28 at the Jefferson County Fair Building. Homemade chili, BBQ meatballs and sausages, chips and dip, fresh fruit were available to eat while playing games. Making smoothies using a 4-H Blender Bike was a big hit! Un-iced cupcakes were available to ice and decorate – several got pretty creative!
Upcoming Jefferson County 4-H Events:
• Cupcake Wars: 11 a.m. Saturday, November 9 at Jefferson County OSU Extension office. Contact Tara Brown for details.
• 4-H Kids Cooking in the Kitchen: 4:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, November 26 at Jefferson County OSU Extension office.
• Jefferson County 4-H Teen Leaders: 6 p.m. Tuesday, November 26 also at Jefferson County OSU Extension office.
• Jefferson County Communications Contest: 1 p.m. Saturday, December 18 at Jefferson County OSU Extension Office.
4-H Enrollment is open to youth ages 8 and in the 3rd grade and older; youth between the ages of 5 and 7 may enter as Clover buds. Enrollment is completed on-line at ok.4honline.com
Call OSU Extension (580-228-2332) if you are interested and need assistance enrolling.
Co-Parenting for Resilience Divorce or separation is not an easy or favorable decision, especially when minor children are in the home. A class is available for divorcing or separating parents with minor children living in the home. My next class will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, 2019. Pre- registration is required. Call Jefferson County OSU Extension Office at 580-228-2332 for registration information. This class is mandatory by law in Oklahoma and is also valuable for Grandparents and other relatives of minor children going through a divorce or separation.
Jefferson County OHCE (Oklahoma Home and Community Education)
On Tuesday, May 21, Jefferson County OHCE met and heard the “History of OHCE and OCES” Our next meeting will be Tuesday, June 18 with a lesson “Appealing Ways with Apples”. OHCE is open to anyone interested in meeting and receiving research-based educational information.
Line dance
If you are interested in Line Dancing, please contact Jefferson County OSU Extension office at 580- 228-2332; this will help us determine size of room needed! This will be exciting! A line dance is a choreographed dance with a repeated sequence of steps in which a group of people dance in one or more lines or rows, all facing either each other or in the same direction, and executing the steps at the same time. Unlike circle dancing, line dancers are not in physical contact with each other.
Kitchen Timesavers from USDA ChooseMyPlate.gov
Try these kitchen timesavers to cut back on time and make less work for you. By taking the stress and hassle out of cooking, you’ll have more time to enjoy it and to spend with your loved ones.
1. Organize your kitchen. Keep frequently used items such as cooking oils/sprays, spatulas, cutting boards, and spices within easy reach. This will save you from having to search for them later.
2. Clear the clutter. Before you start cooking, clear off your counters. This allows more room for prep space.
3. Chop extra. When chopping up veggies for a meal, chop more than you need. Take the extra, place in a reusable container and freeze. Then next time you need it, you can skip a step.
4. Have everything in place. Grab all ingredients needed for your meal – chopped vegetables, measured spices, and thawed meats. It will be easier to spot missing items and avoid skipping steps.
5. Double your recipe. For your next casserole or stew, try doubling the recipe and freezing the extra. You’ll save time and make cooking next week’s dinner a snap!
6. Clean as you go. Fill up the sink with soapy water and wash the dishes as you cook. It’ll make clean up go much smoother!
7. Save some for later. Freeze leftover soups, sauces, or gravies in small reusable containers.
