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Testing leftover seeds for viability

The beginning of a new year finds many gardeners preparing for the growing season ahead. Clearing space to start seeds indoors, inventorying seeds and supplies, and ordering seeds, plants, and more are usually part of the process. While organizing, you may uncover seeds from past seasons. Do not discard these just yet. When seeds are stored properly, many can last from one to five years or more. Seeds stored in a cool location like the refrigerator in an airtight container maintain their viability best. But even those stored in less-than-ideal conditions may surprise you. Older ...

Let’s Cook: Tapioca and Relaxation

As many of you know, we are fans of celebrating the 12 days of Christmas. We often prepare special meals, set our table with dishes from the past and present, and each evening enjoy the timeless holiday classic of sitting in the presence of the lighted Christmas tree while enjoying some quiet time with each other. We often spend time wrapping gifts for each other, but nights like this allow us to wrap ourselves with the company of each other. All is calm as the three of us take turns visiting about the Christmas traditions we enjoy. It is a time for Lydia to gain some insight to her ...

Prairie Fare: Set a health goal for the New Year

As we all experienced, 2020 was a year for the history books in many ways. Back in October of 2020, we had an unseasonably early storm. The snow blanketed the region with several inches of snow, which melted to form a layer of ice. I recall walking like a penguin to put my work bag and ...

Making New Year’s resolutions that stick!

Approximately 40 percent of American make a New Year’s resolution. In the hopes of maintaining long-lasting change, it is common for people to empty their pantries of tempting foods, lace up their jogging shoes, buy a yearly planner or trade sugary drinks for big bottles of water. These commonly followed steps to reach those resolutions also are commonly forgotten come February. Some of the reasons for NOT achieving our goals are: – The resolution was not important to you. – There was not a plan or strategy. – The steps to reach the goal were too big to be ...

Save time and increase success by creating a garden calendar

Ringing in the New Year is filled with resolutions that usually involve dieting and exercise. Gardening is a great way to help accomplish those two resolutions, while also improving your mood, reducing blood pressure, managing anger, maintaining flexibility and much more. So, gather anyone ...

Cooking class focuses on ‘Healthy Swaps’

Trinity Health’s Nutrition Services Department will offer a cooking class, “Healthy Swaps,” Tuesday, Jan. 12, from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Trinity Health Community Conference Room at Town & Country Center. The class will focus on creative ways to make meals more nourishing by switching out ingredients, a tool that could come in handy as people work on their New Year’s resolutions. “Making foods healthier is easier than you may think,” said Clinical Dietitian Kayla Cole, RDN, LRD, “By swapping a few key ingredients, you can transform recipes into healthier versions of ...