Thanks for teams that keep our food safe (11/21/2022) - Last year we needed someone fluent in USDA-speak and nimble enough to juggle 26 side conversations simultaneously. Fortunately, we already employed her. Meri Nantz works in Food Science and Human Nutrition as a research administrator (RA). It’s her job to translate faculty research proposals into formal requests for funding. It’s a job that… more
This Thanksgiving, Thank a Farmer (11/17/2022) - This Thanksgiving Day, families and friends across the country will gather to show gratitude for our good fortune by sitting down together over a meal. Not just any meal, but a proper feast, with multiple courses, side dishes, appetizers and desserts. We tend to go all out, because Thanksgiving is a celebration of the bounty… more
Cleanliness and temperature key to safe holiday meals (11/14/2022) - Whether you dine on a traditional holiday meal this year – or opt for something more exotic -- keep safety in mind. That starts with shopping and goes through preparing the feast and storing leftovers. We talked to Keith Schneider, a UF/IFAS professor of food science and human nutrition and lead author of this UF/IFAS… more
Turkey Express: Instant pot? Temperature? Thawing? Your Questions Answered (10/28/2022) - Turkey Express: Your Questions Answered Turkey time is right around the corner. Don’t wing it! Here are some questions and answers to get you warmed up for the season. Can you make a turkey in an air fryer? Yes, as long as it fits. I found a lot of recipes online, especially for the turkey… more
Make Turkey Bone Broth (12/14/2021) - Grocery prices are currently rising and after preparing a traditional Thanksgiving meal, it is important to use all of the food. We do not want to waste any of it. One way to do this is to use all of the turkey. After all the favorite parts have been eaten or removed for leftover meals,… more
Add some Florida flavors to your holiday meal (11/23/2020) - Florida agriculture is much more than our hallmark citrus. Producers statewide grow some 300-odd commodities, from avocado to zucchini. UF/IFAS researchers are continually exploring ways to help Florida farmers improve their crops, and Extension agents statewide are plugged in to support their success. Here are some Florida-produced goodies that might be a tasty and creative… more
Greening Your Holidays (11/19/2020) - Want a holiday that's green AND bright? Learn about celebrating while protecting the planet (and your wallet) in this short video by Master Gardener Volunteer Deb Ford: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYz1xfDMG7M&t=49s more
The holidays will be different this year – here’s how to cope (11/17/2020) - The holidays often bring a sense of joy, but not without stress for most families. The hustle and bustle, gift buying and meal preparation can be overwhelming. But this year, with challenges including COVID-19, stress may reach an all-time high. UF/IFAS associate professor and psychologist Heidi Radunovich shares tips to help you and your family… more
5 Ways to Give Thanks this Thanksgiving (11/20/2019) - Article and audio introduction by Samantha Kennedy, Family and Consumer Sciences Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner and along with the food, family, and football, it is a time to give thanks for the things we are grateful for. While this activity does not need to be exclusive to Thanksgiving, we often make a… more
5 Ways to Give Thanks this Thanksgiving (11/20/2019) - Article and audio introduction by Samantha Kennedy, Family and Consumer Sciences Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner and along with the food, family, and football, it is a time to give thanks for the things we are grateful for. While this activity does not need to be exclusive to Thanksgiving, we often make a… more
5 Ways to Give Thanks this Thanksgiving (11/20/2019) - Article and audio introduction by Samantha Kennedy, Family and Consumer Sciences Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner and along with the food, family, and football, it is a time to give thanks for the things we are grateful for. While this activity does not need to be exclusive to Thanksgiving, we often make a… more
5 Ways to Give Thanks this Thanksgiving (11/20/2019) - Article and audio introduction by Samantha Kennedy, Family and Consumer Sciences Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner and along with the food, family, and football, it is a time to give thanks for the things we are grateful for. While this activity does not need to be exclusive to Thanksgiving, we often make a… more
Thanksgiving Nutrition! (11/4/2019) - Stuff the bird and not yourself! According to research from the Calorie Control Council, the average American consumes more than 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat from eating a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. The worst part is that these figures don’t include breakfast or a late evening snack. Here’s a breakdown of the nutritional value… more
Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving (11/19/2018) - For me, Thanksgiving is a holiday that grows in importance each year. Putting aside parades, Black Friday and family arguments, it’s a haven of peace and gratitude. We don’t often take enough time in our busy lives to gather with family and friends to enjoy a communal meal, continue family traditions, catch up with each… more
Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving (11/19/2018) - For me, Thanksgiving is a holiday that grows in importance each year. Putting aside parades, Black Friday and family arguments, it’s a haven of peace and gratitude. We don’t often take enough time in our busy lives to gather with family and friends to enjoy a communal meal, continue family traditions, catch up with each… more UF Experts Offer Tips on Thanksgiving Food Safety (11/19/2018) - ORLANDO, Fla. – As families gather for Thanksgiving, hosts and hostesses want to make sure no one walks away with food poisoning. A University of Florida registered dietitian with UF/IFAS Extension Orange County offers tips on keeping your meal safe for the holiday. “The first step is to thaw the turkey correctly, and there are… more
Making Thanksgiving Harvest Again (11/16/2018) - Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends. A time for relaxation and taking stock of our fortunes. A time to see just how comically large of a turkey we can fit into a deep fryer and, subsequently, a time to thank our local firefighters. At its heart though, Thanksgiving is and has always been… more
A Naked Sweet Potato – What a Novel Idea (11/16/2017) - Mention sweet potato casserole and most people envision lightly browned marshmallows piled high on cut or mashed sweet potatoes mixed with plenty of brown sugar, maple syrup, butter, pecans, and extra marshmallows just in case it isn’t sweet enough. Sweet potatoes are a classic Thanksgiving ingredient. They are used in a variety of recipes including… more
Tips for Eating Healthy During Thanksgiving (11/14/2017) - Can you believe, the average American eats an astounding 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat during a traditional Thanksgiving meal? That’s more than two times the calories and three times the amount of fat an adult should eat in one day. And that is just one meal – not to mention all the leftovers.… moreLeftover Sweet Potatoes? Make Biscuits! (10/19/2017) - Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Can you believe it is already time to start preparing for the holiday season!? With the holidays also comes tons of left overs. You try to send plates of food home with your houseguests, but always seem to have some leftover in the fridge. One dish that you don't… more
Nothing Says Fall Like Pumpkins! (10/17/2017) - Fall isn't fall until you have eaten your first piece of pumpkin pie. Pumpkins are enjoyed by many people, never knowing how they originally got their start in traditional America. The word pumpkin originated from the Greek work Pepon, which means large melon. The word gradually morphed by the French, English and then Americans… more
How Much Should I Prepare? (10/12/2017) - Holiday celebrations tend to center around decorations and food. Planning enough food for groups of people can result in food waste or many leftovers. Leftovers can be helpful if you can use them in meals but too many can cause mealtime to become dull. Hints that may help are: The higher the number of dishes,… more
DIY Gratefulness Tree Tutorial (11/23/2016) - Have you ever heard the saying, “take time to stop and smell the roses?" With the hustle and bustle of daily life, this can be easier said than done! However, according to several studies, being intentional about gratitude can benefit you both physically and mentally. A Gratefulness Tree is a fun and creative way to… moreThanksgiving and the Sea… (11/23/2016) - I was trying to think of a topic that could connect Thanksgiving and our marine environment. Like many others, when I think of Thanksgiving images of Pilgrims and native Americans come to mind. There is the turkey – and I wrote about “turkey fish” (another name for lionfish) last year. So I continued to think.… more
Reduce Waste This Thanksgiving (11/23/2015) - While Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for the year's bounty, it can also produce a lot of uneaten food and other items that end up the garbage. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce waste this Thanksgiving. Think about how much food you realistically need to avoid cooking too much. Make a list based… moreIt’s Thanksgiving… That Means Time for “Turkeyfish” (11/21/2015) - Everyone knows there are “sea horses”, “sea cows”, “catfish”, and “dogfish” but a ”turkeyfish”? Is there such a thing as a “turkey fish”? Well yes there is!… its scientific name is Pterois volitans but most know it as the LIONFISH. Yep, our old friend the lionfish. Lionfish, Photo Credit: Rebekah D. Wallace, UGA, Bugwood.org Some… more
Chill! Or, How to Safely Thaw a (Thanksgiving) Turkey (11/13/2015) - By Dr. Maria Rometo Extension Agent II Thanksgiving is right around the corner, along with all the holiday planning of meals and guest lists. But how do you safely thaw that frozen turkey you purchased a few weeks ago on sale at the grocery store? There are specific guidelines to follow, based on the weight… more
It’s Turkey Time: Safely Prepare Your Holiday Meal (11/10/2015) - Photo courtesy of UF/IFAS Extension University of Florida By Shelley Swenson UF/IFAS Wakulla County Extension Whether you are a seasoned chef or a novice preparing your first holiday meal, make sure you know the safest ways to thaw, prepare, stuff and cook your turkey. Make it a goal to utilize good food safety practices during… more
Happy Thanksgiving from the Gardening in the Panhandle Newsletter Team (11/27/2014) - FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE "HERBS FOR FALL" ON GARDENING IN A MINUTE moreTips for a Tasty (and Safe) Thanksgiving Dinner (11/26/2013) - Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} The highlight of many Thanksgiving meals is the turkey –juicy, golden brown, and delicious! Before and after it reaches… more