Congrats to the Web team!

The eagerly awaited new Web site is official. You can learn about the changes at http://extension.missouri.edu/webteam/2009/.

Clear streams kick-off

WC introduced Healthy Yards for Clear Streams on April 25. The fledgling seminar is an educational effort to help landowners and businesses be environmentally responsible with lawn and landscape practices.

"ACE" your vitamin intake with food rather than supplements......

According to Weill Cornell Medical College, it’s better to “ACE” your vitamin intake with food rather than supplements. New research suggests getting enough nutrients isn’t as simple as popping a pill, they can’t replace a healthy diet. Data from a nine-year study underlined the fact that while a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may lower cancer risk, the same benefits can’t necessarily be achieved by taking vitamin supplements. Food sources may contain other components that promote health. Vitamins A, C and E have important anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory roles to help protect our bodies from chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

Take home message: Eat your veggies! Visit your local Farmer’s Market & enjoy the freshness! J

Best Food Sources for Vitamins A, C, and E
Vitamin A Carrots, cooked ½ cup = 450% DV
Spinach, cooked ½ cup = 230% DV
Cantaloupe, fresh 1 cup = 110% DV

Vitamin C Red Bell Peppers, raw ½ cup = 145% DV
Broccoli, steamed 1 cup = 200% DV
Strawberries, fresh 1 cup = 136% DV

Vitamin E Almonds, dry roasted 1 oz. = 40% DV
Sunflower seeds, dry roasted 1 oz. = 30% DV
Peanut butter, 2 T. = 20% DV
% DV (daily value) refers to what percentage of the recommended daily allowance a single serving of the listed food provides.
Source: Food & Fitness Advisor, Weill Cornell Medical College, April 2009

Share your Legislative Day experience

You joined your peers and council members to share the word about MU Extension at Legislative Day in Jefferson City. Now please share a few words about the insights you gained, comments you received and tips. When conversing with legislators, what were they most interested in learning about Extension? Add a post to West Central Xtra or, even simpler, post a comment

Ready to tweet?

If you don't twitter, you may be wondering what this communication tool is all about - and why you should care. To stay current, you can learn more about Twitter at this Web site: 13 Twitter Tips and Tutorials for Beginners, http://www.twitip.com/13-twitter-tips-and-tutorials-for-beginners/.

For a quick overview or if you just have a short attention span (in which case the 140-character limit in twitter messages is perfect for you), there is a 2-minute video at http://www.twitip.com/introduction-to-twitter-video/.

You can also see how the university is engaging in Twitter, Facebook and YouTube at http://www.umsystem.edu/ums/departments/ur/spectrum/online/?p=262.

Save the date

Acai Berries-More Hype than Substance

Acai Berry Health Claims – More Hype than Substance

The Brazilian acai berry (pronounced a-sigh-EE) has been touted in all the media lately as a “superfood” that can promote weight loss, reduce wrinkles, cleanse colons, and bolster the immune system, however, consumers should remain skeptical.

Currently there are no human or animal research studies to support the acai berry health claims. In addition, there is concern with on-line purchases. Many consumers, after providing a credit card to cover shipping charges for free trials, find they almost immediately begin receiving $80 monthly charges and have trouble canceling.

Acai is sold in various forms including capsule, powder, pulp, and juice, on the web and at health food stores. The products can be rather expensive, for instance, approximately 25 ounces of Acai juice concentrate sells for $40.

Acai berries are not a “miracle food”, however, can be part of a well-balanced diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. Most berries are naturally rich in antioxidants and contribute the protective, anti-inflammatory benefit that reduces risk for chronic disease. Eating seven or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day delivers plenty of antioxidants. Extra antioxidants derived from these concentrated forms of acai berries may be unnecessary, and a drain on the food budget.


Lynda Johnson
Lynda S. Johnson, M.S., R.D.
Nutrition & Health Education Specialist
University of Missouri Extension
14 E. 19th Street, Suite 102
Higginsville, MO 64037
Phone: 660-584-3658 Fax: 660-584-3659

Be Well - Live Like Your Life Depends on It! Eat Smart! Move More!

Defining the P word

Although we are deluged with a ton of information every day, it's important to remember all that data legally belongs to someone. As educators and authors, we may need to revisit the definition of plagiarism - the too liberal use of another's words. Understanding when to attribute and when to request permission for reuse will protect you and the University.

In the MU Extension English 1000, Exposition and Argumentation Study Guide, http://cdis.missouri.edu/exec/data/courses2/2112/2112-preview.pdf, Dr. Dana Kinnison says, "Plagiarism results whenever you include the words or ideas of others in your writing in a way that would lead readers to assume the words or ideas are your own. Plagiarism occurs when you: 1. Use another writer’s words without quotation marks and acknowledgement, 2. Losely paraphrase but don’t acknowledge someone else’s text and 3. Summarize another writer’s research or analysis without acknowledgement. Plagiarism can result from ignorance of the rules of documentation, from sloppiness or from an intent to deceive the reader."

Northern Illinois University offers an easy-to-read-and-understand definition of plagiarism at
http://www.engl.niu.edu/comskills/students/plagiarism/Plagiarism.html.

The Learning Center at http://www.plagiarism.org/ offers a "sense of what plagiarism means in the information age."

Use feedback form on new Web site

Word from campus is that prior to supporting an official launch of the new Web site, administration will be reviewing input from the feedback forms located on the site. Visit the site http://extension.missouri.edu/index.aspx and click “Site feedback.” Adding comments this way will help speed the launch.

New web site design online

Have you seen the new MU Extension web site design? Check out the look and info at http://extension.missouri.edu/index.aspx. Hats off to the campus Web team and all who helped contribute! You might also notice there is no escape from the calendar, which has a prominent position on the page. Make sure your county doesn't come up blank for visitors :) Note the "Migration of counties to new design" info available at http://extension.missouri.edu/webteam/2009/addresources.html.

Easily replace in Word

Did you know doublespaces after the period are not necessary in electronic files, including press releases? If breaking the habit of doublespacing is difficult to remember, just use the replace function before the final save of the file. In the "Find What" space, type a period followed by two spaces. In the "Replace With" space, type a period followed by one space. Then hit "Replace All." Remember if sentences are ended with a question mark or other punctuation, you'll also have to make those replacements.

4-H Carnival Rescheduled in Cinton

Our Henry County 4-H Carnival has been rescheduled for May 30, 2009. It is our county's only annual fundraiser and is a great public event! Fun for the whole family is what we advertise... all the booths and concessions are ran by the 4-H families. The carnival was to be held on March 28 but "bad" weather prevented that from happening. The Carnival will open at 6pm and run through 9pm at the Benson Center in Clinton. For more information about our wonderful raffle because you feel soooo lucky visit our website at http://extension.missouri.edu/henry or call us at 660-885-5556. Tickets are on sale until 7pm that night. We'd be glad to have you purchase lots of tickets, $100 cash is top prize and easy to mail you when you WIN big.

Flickr your photos

Ready to expand your tech skills? Flickr is an online photo management and sharing application (flickr.com). eXtension has a Flickr group: eXtension photographers. High resolution photos that can be shared is an ongoing need for marketing projects. . . . more about this in a future post.

Weekly Health Tip: Walking makes a difference

Although walking is the most popular form of exercise for most adults, little research has documented the effect of walking on weight. Researchers at University of North Carolina reported a new study following 4,995 men and women over 15 years found that regular walking is an effective way to counter the added pounds as we age.

Participants ranged in age from 18 to 30 at the study’s inception, and were closely monitored over the 15 year period. The more people walked, the better their chance to keep the weight off, however, two hours of walking was better than none (20 minutes six days per week); and four hours per week was better (~35 minutes daily).

Walking paid the biggest dividends for those who weighed the most at the start of the study. Women in the heaviest group who put in a half-hour of walking daily, averaged a 17.6 pounds less weight gain over 15 years compared with non-walking women.

Source: Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter, March 2009

Lynda S. Johnson, M.S., R.D.
Nutrition & Health Education Specialist
University of Missouri Extension

Solutions for better living

Every county office has received copies of "Solutions for Better Living in These Tough Economic Times." This publication is written for Missourians who may be going through a difficult time - loss of income, rising food costs, mortgage payments - and need help managing with limited means. Throughout the magazine, readers will find organizations to contact for assistance. The publication gives information and tips on saving money around your home, choosing credit, protecting yourself against identity theft, Missouri landlord-tenant law, food prices, health care and relationship issues. The $4 mailing cost may be prohibitive but every county Web site can provide a link to the Web version at http://missourifamilies.org/toughtimes. At the bottom of the page, there is a link to a way cool Flash version of the magazine that is easy to read and fun to use.

Another opportunity to promote the timely publication is to add a blurb to your e-mail signature. Everyone should be using a signature on all outgoing mail, ie name, title, University of Missouri Extension, address, phone and e-mail address. If you are not using a signature on all outgoing mail, check out the Microsoft Outlook Help tutorial for "Create and include a signature in outgoing messages." When responding to an e-mail, you can manually toggle the signature to be included also. Be creative with your promos at the end of the signature and change them every few months. For example, you can add this sentence at the end of your e-mail signature:

Solutions for Better Living in These Tough Economic Times, a collection of tips for saving money and strengthening the family, is available online at http://missourifamilies.org/toughtimes.

Other ideas:

Extension InfoNet is your source for relevant, practical answers to real life questions, available 24-7 online at http://extension.missouri.edu/EXTENSIONINFONET.

For a day of good fishing and family fun, consider visiting the Mary A. McGennis Agricultural Park and Youth Center. The 160-acre recreational facility, open to the public, is located in Rich Hill, Mo. More info is available online at http://www.mcgennisyouthcenter.org/index.htm.

Rebecca,
This is my first blogging experience. Always hearing people talk about them. Thanks for the invite... "V"

Today we are working on posting our 4-H Shooting Sports Archery Invitationals. (There will be two this year.) A 3-D held Saturday, May 16th in Montrose MO & a field round 4-H Invitational at our Clinton MCD Archery Range on Saturday, June 27th. Check out the info on our website http://extension.missouri.edu/henry/ under Henry County 4-H.

Northland EXCEL at Legislative Day

Six members of Northland EXCEL 2009 will participate in Legislative Day this year. In addition to meeting with legislators, they will also meet with state agencies in the Truman Building as part of their leadership class. This past Saturday, class membrs participated in a "poverty simulation" facilitated by United Services Community Action Agency. The trip to Jefferson City and other Northland EXCEL exerience are supported by a grant from the William T. Kemper Foundation and Commerce Bank. More information about Northand EXCEL, a program jointly sponsored by University of Missouri Extension and Northland Neighborhoods, Inc., is available at http://www.nni.org/services/excel.html

Everyone's an author

You should have received an invite to post to this blog. Increase your tech skills and share the news!

Don't forget your eXtension ID is an Open Source ID that will work on the blog.

Glenda Kinder's retrospective contrasting her role in Jackson County with that of extension agent Florence Carvin in 1909 will pop up in the MU Extension newsletter.

Save the date - the Jackson County open house is scheduled for June 2. Special guests include Chancellor Brady Deaton, Provost Brian Foster, Vice Provost and Director of Extension Michael Ouart and Blue Springs Mayor Carson Ross.

In the news

Susan Henson has been working with The Kansas City Star for the past month on an article featuring the MU Extension Small Business and Technology Development Center services. The article, "Can't Find a Job - Hire Yourself," was published April 7. Susan says "We have received a lot of positive response and everyone tells me it’s good. University of Missouri Extension, SBTDC did get quite a few mentions and the FastTrac dislocated worker program really got positive press. Today alone we got about a dozen inquiries. Diane Scott even got a couple for the Artist Inc. program (a similar business program she has developed for artists). I have taken some flack about signing autographs, but…I can take a few for the team. You can find the LENGTHY article at http://www.kansascity.com/business/story/1127859.html.

eXtension has invited Lynda Johnson to submit her article, "Protect Your Vision with a Healthy Diet," for publication by the Family Caregiving Community of Practice. They welcome consumer-friendly materials targeting family caregivers. If you are interested, they require a list of references for the article and resources for the reader to find more information. Check out their site at http://www.extension.org/family%20caregiving. Keep eXtension in mind when you write an article.

Welcome to West Central Xtra

The goal of this platform is to share news and information within the West Central Region of University of Missouri Extension. Faculty and staff of the 11 counties of West Central: Bates, Cass, Clay, Henry, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Platte, Ray, St. Clair and Vernon are invited to stay in touch and contribute to this blog. Ideally a representative from each county and each category will volunteer to become an author. If you'd like to be authorized, please let Becky know. No pressure or schedule, just add a few lines when noteworthy items surface. All faculty and staff are able to share information by adding a comment to the posts.