November Calendar

• 5th - Dining with Diabetes - White Oaks Apartments, Oak Grove 10 am
• 6th - Nutrition Fun for Jr. High Youth - Carver McDonald Library, Monroe 3:30 pm
• 7th - Spice of the Month: Nutmeg - Union General Hospital, Farmerville 2 pm
• 11th - Youth Baking Workshop - Richland Parish Extension Office 11 am
• 15th - Honing Your Knife Skills - MERIT, Winnsboro 10 am
• 21st - Diabetes and the Holidays - Delhi Hospital 10 am
• 21st - Spice of the Month: Nutmeg - Louise Williams Library, Swartz 1 pm

Kids Corner

by Jocinda Jackson-Jones

Halloween Safety Tips for a Spooktacular Celebration

Halloween is all about fun, but safety should be a top priority. When choosing costumes, opt for light-colored outfits and add reflective tape or glow sticks for visibility. Ensure masks fit well and consider using face paint instead to avoid obstructed vision. For trick-or-treating, accompany young children and establish a set route for older kids, emphasizing well-lit neighborhoods and the importance of looking both ways before crossing streets.

After collecting treats, inspect all candy to discard anything that’s unsealed or suspicious. If you’re hosting or handing out candy, keep your yard well-lit and free of tripping hazards, ensuring decorations are safe. By following these simple tips, you can ensure a fun and safe Halloween for everyone involved!

Spooky Foods

by Quincy Vidrine

Let's talk about Spooky Foods! Not the Halloween party foods that gross us out like hand-shaped hamburgers, mummified hot dogs, and gummy brains. Let's talk about foods you are afraid to try. When we think of picky eaters and fear of trying new foods, we tend to think of young children, but many adults have certain foods they refuse to try or consume because they decided a long time ago that they just didn't like it. It could be the taste, the texture, the look, or even the smell of the food that makes them shy away from it.

"The rule of thumb for young children is to have them try foods at least 10-15 times before making the final determination as to whether or not they accept them or dislike them", says Registered Dietitian and LSU AgCenter NCH Agent, Jennifer Duhon. Many adults claim to dislike foods such as Brussels sprouts, oysters, liver, mushrooms, eggplant, and a plethora of combination dishes. Some individuals don't like foods/dishes that are mixed together, some don't like different foods on their plate to touch... There are many different forms of "picky eating" in youth and adults alike.

Trying your "spooky foods" prepared in a variety of ways may prove that you DO have a taste for it and do in fact like a food you had written off long ago. Don't like saute' of Brussels sprouts? Try them prepared in an air fryer! Has the thought of eating eggplant got you shaking in your shoes? How about mixing it in with your ground beef for sloppy joes or spaghetti and meat sauce? Cooked veggies an issue for you? Try them raw, with a creamy homemade ranch dipping sauce. There are so many different ways to re-introduce your "spooky foods" into your diet. Good luck and Happy Halloween!

Recipe of the Month

by Quincy Vidrine

Not-So-Spooky Air "Fried" Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ pounds Brussels sprouts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees F for 15 minutes.
2. Trim Brussels sprouts. Place in a bowl with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper and mix well.
3. Spread sprouts evenly in the air fryer basket.
4. Cook in the preheated air fryer for 15 minutes, checking and shaking the basket halfway through the cycle.
5. Serve & enjoy!

Communities on the Move

by Ana Gouge

Creating a more walkable rural community brings numerous benefits, from boosting the local economy to improving residents’ health. In Vidalia, Louisiana, the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) is playing a pivotal role in this transformation. Administered through the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), TAP focuses on developing “Complete Streets” that cater to all road users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and people with disabilities.

One of the key aspects of TAP is the construction of safe, accessible sidewalks that connect residents to essential destinations such as schools, grocery stores, parks, and libraries. This initiative is particularly crucial in Louisiana, a state with one of the highest rates of pedestrian fatalities in the nation. By investing in pedestrian infrastructure, TAP aims to make transportation safer for those traveling without a motor vehicle.

Vidalia is set to benefit significantly from 2023 TAP funding. Planned projects include the rehabilitation of existing sidewalks, the installation of missing sidewalk segments, high-visibility crosswalks, and wheelchair ramps. These improvements will not only enhance safety but also encourage more residents to walk or bike, fostering a healthier lifestyle. The town plans to apply for future funding to continue making meaningful connections for its residents.

“To support these initiatives, DOTD has made it more affordable for small communities to undertake such projects. The required construction match has been lowered from 20% to 5% for communities with fewer than 5,000 residents. Additionally, DOTD will no longer charge Design and Construction Engineering Inspection (CEI) costs to communities with populations under 50,000. This means that a $500,000 sidewalk project will now cost small towns like Vidalia closer to $25,000, making these vital improvements more accessible.” (Jessica Stroope)

The efforts to create a more walkable Vidalia through TAP funding are set to bring about significant economic and health benefits. By investing in safe, accessible infrastructure, Vidalia is paving the way for a connected, vibrant, and healthier community.