Living Well In Yalobusha County

Our 4-H members will have a great opportunity to enter several art contests. The contests include The Wildlife and Fisheries Art Contest scheduled at the North Mississippi Fish Hatchery in Enid, the 2014 Dairy Contest, along with the Horse Photography and the Horse Art Contest. The deadlines for finished art work varies from May-June. We will have a special workday each month at the Extension office if youth would like to work on the art work.
Mrs. Pat Rodrigue, our art volunteer, will be glad to assist the youth in getting their projects ready. The February workday will be Thursday, February 13 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Please let us know if your child is planning on attending this workday.
Our Healthy You exercise classes meet each  Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m. at the Extension office in Coffeeville. The nurse will be here on Wednesday, Feb. 12 to take blood pressure and glucose.  This is complementary service that they do for Healthy You exercise participants. We hope that you will take advantage of it. Please arrive by 8:45 a.m. Nutrition Class
We will start a Healthy You Nutrition Class on Wednesday, February 26.  The class will follow immediately after the Exercise class (approximately 9:45 a.m.) and will be held for 30 minutes, once a month.  This will be an informal group that discusses different health topics, exchange healthy recipes etc.  We hope that you will be able to make it.
There will be a One Day Servsafe Certification Class for Food Service Personnel on Thursday, February 20 at the Yalobusha Extension Office. The cost is $135.  If you need this training this is a great time to get it.  We haven’t had this class in Yalobusha County in a while and one day classes are rare.  Call me at the Extension Service 675-2730 for more information or to sign up.
 Tummy Safe Class
There will be a Tummy Safe Certification class for Daycare Workers on Thursday, February 13th in Grenada County.  The class will begin at 8 a.m. and be over around 4 p.m.  The cost is $100 and you will receive six contact hours for attending the class. The certification exam will be at the end of the class. Call me at the Extension office for more information or to sign up.
Our crochet group meets twice a month. The February meeting dates are Thursday, February 13 and Thursday, February 27 at 10 a.m. in the conference room of the extension office.  The group is free, but you will need to bring your own yarn and needle.  Mrs. Karol Jarmon is our volunteer crochet leader.
Delicious Chocolate FAQs
What’s the difference between milk, dark, and white chocolate?
•Milk chocolate is made of sugar, cocoa butter, milk solids, and chocolate liquor.
•Dark chocolate (also called bittersweet or semi-sweet) is made of sugar, cocoa butter, and chocolate liquor. It has more cocoa solids than milk chocolate.
•White chocolate doesn’t have any cocoa solids, just cocoa butter, sugar, and flavorings.

Is chocolate addictive?
For some people, chocolate seems to be as addictive as alcohol or drugs. Experts attribute cravings mainly to chocolate’s “hedonic” appeal — the fat, sugar, texture, and aroma of chocolate. But chocolate also stimulates the release of endorphins and the body’s other “feel good” substances.

How can I satisfy my chocolate craving without gaining weight?
Lower-fat ways to satisfy a chocolate craving include small portions. Try bite-size peppermint patties, etc. You can also use sugar-free chocolate syrup to add chocolate flavor to fruit, coffee, and milk. It’s also interesting to note that chocolate chips have 20% fewer calories than chocolate bars.
 
Is chocolate high in caffeine?
A 1.3 ounce serving of chocolate has about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of de-caffeinated coffee.
 
Does chocolate cause acne, headaches, or kidney stones?
Chocolate contains oxalates, which may lead to kidney stones in those who are susceptible. It is also thought to trigger migraines in some people. But there is no evidence that chocolate causes acne.
 
Why should I  care about chocolate?
Researchers are serious about chocolate. They recently formed the International Society of Chocolate and Cocoa in Medicine. Dark chocolate is on the University of Michigan Integrative Medicine’s “Healing Foods Pyramid.”
It’s at the tip of the pyramid, indicating that it is “optional” and should be eaten in moderation.