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Smart Travel: How to Keep Your Devices Safe on the Go

by Alicia Betancourt
July 15, 2025

When you’re packing for a trip, your phone, tablet, or laptop are probably right next to your toothbrush. But while you’re thinking about sunscreen and snacks, hackers are thinking about the wide-open digital doors that come with travelers ... READ MORE

Category: , Home Management, Money Matters, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Bluetooth Security, Data Protection, Device Safety, Juice Jacking, Mobile Travel Tips, Offloading Apps, Public Wi-Fi, Tech Safety On Vacation, Travel Cybersecurity

Doomscrolling and Brain Rot: Why it’s time to log off and get outside.

by Alicia Betancourt
July 7, 2025

Let’s be honest — we’ve all been there. You open your phone just to check one thing, and suddenly it's 45 minutes later, and you’ve been scrolling through a stream of disasters, drama, and depressing headlines. Sound familiar? That’s ... READ MORE

Category: , Health & Nutrition, Recreation, Relationships & Family, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Anxiety Relief, Beat Brain Fog, Brain Rot, Burnout Recovery, Daily Routine, Digital Detox, Digital Wellness, Doomscrolling, Emotional Wellbeing, Focus Tips, Get Outdoors, Get Outside, Healthy Habits, Intentional Living, Life Offline, Mental Clarity, Mental Health, Mindful Living, Mindfulness Matters, Nature Heals, Nature Therapy, Productivity Hacks, Screen Time, Self Care, Sunshine And Fresh Air, Tech Boundaries, Walk It Out

Is Your Photograph Worth That Starfish’s Life?

by Brynn Morey
June 24, 2025

Starfish, or sea stars, are iconic marine animals often found in tide pools, along the shoreline, in seagrass beds, and mangrove channels. Their unique appearance and vibrant colors make them an irresistible photo subject for snorkelers and ... READ MORE

Category: , Coasts & Marine, Conservation, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Conservation, Environmental Impact, Florida Keys, Florida Sea Grant, Marine Conservation, Sea Star, Starfish

Composting! Natures Recycling Program

by Brynn Morey
May 22, 2025

Did you know that a lot of what we toss in the trash or chuck out in the yard could be recycled right at home? That’s right! Around 30% of the stuff we throw away is food scraps and yard waste. Think banana peels, coffee grounds, grass clippings—the ... READ MORE

Category: , Home Landscapes
Tags: #MonroeCounty, Beneficial, Compost, Composting, Composting Basics, Environmental Impact, Florida Friendly Landscaping, Florida Keys, Gardening, Green Living, Howtocompost, Natures Gold, Sustainability, Sustainable Living

Grill, Chill, and Stay Safe: Your Guide to Food Safety at Summer Cookouts

by Alicia Betancourt
May 20, 2025

Summer is here, and that means it's time for sunny days, backyard BBQs, and good times with friends and family. Whether you're flipping burgers on the grill, dishing out potato salad, or serving up a slice of juicy watermelon, there’s one ... READ MORE

Category: , Food Safety, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Backyard BBQ, BBQ Safety, Clean Cooking, Cookout Hygiene, Cooler Safety, Cross-contamination, Food Safety, Foodborne Illness Prevention, Grilling Tips, Hot And Cold Food Storage, Leftover Storage, Meat Thermometer, Outdoor Cooking, Picnic Food Safety, Raw Meat Handling, Safe Food Temperatures, Safe Grilling Practices, Separate Coolers, Summer Cookouts, Summer Food Tips

Is Your Wallet Ready for the Next Disaster? Here’s Why It Should Be

by Alicia Betancourt
April 29, 2025

When disaster strikes, how quickly you recover often depends on one key factor: your financial preparedness. Natural disasters — like hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and heatwaves — are becoming more common and more destructive, especially ... READ MORE

Category: , Disaster Preparation, Home Management, Money Matters, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Budgeting For Emergencies, Climate Preparedness, Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Recovery, Emergency Cash, Emergency Fund, Emergency Planning, Emergency Savings, Financial Planning, Financial Resilience, Financial Security, Flood Insurance, Home Insurance, Home Safety, Hurricane Readiness, Insurance Tips, Natural Disasters, Personal Finance, Renter’s Insurance, Storm Recovery

Bird flu concerns in the Florida Keys?

by Alicia Betancourt
February 12, 2025

We hear a lot about Avian Influenza, or H5N1, and the price of eggs in the news recently. That got me thinking, should we be worried about bird flu here in the Keys? As it turns out, we should.  Although Florida Fish and Wildlife has not ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, , Home Landscapes, Livestock, NATURAL RESOURCES, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Atlantic Flyway, Avian Influenza, Backyard Poultry, Biosecurity, Bird Feeders, Bird Flu, Blue Discoloration, Bottle-nose Dolphin, Cows, Crows, Dead Bird Reporting, Diarrhea, Domestic Cats, Domestic Poultry Protection, Eagles, Falcons, FDACS, Feces, Florida Department Of Agriculture And Consumer Services, Florida Fish And Wildlife, Florida Fish And Wildlife Commission, Florida Keys, Game Birds, Great Egret, H5N1, Hawks, Lack Of Energy, Migration, Mucus, National Wildlife Disease Program, Neurological Signs, Owls, Poultry, Reduced Egg Production, Respiratory Distress, Saliva, Seabirds, Shorebirds, Snowy Egret, Sudden Death, Swollen Head, Virus Spread, Virus Transmission, Vultures, Wild Birds, Wildlife Health
Featured image says buy nothing

Could you “buy nothing” for a year?

by Alicia Betancourt
January 23, 2025

It is a new year, and I want to work on what I can do to make it more planet-friendly. To live more climate-aware and reduce my environmental impact, I plan to start by being more mindful of what I consume. Moreover, I have been looking into ... READ MORE

Category: Money Matters, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Advertising, Borrow, Buy Nothing For A Year, Carbon Footprint, Climate-aware, Consumer Awareness, Consumer Culture, Declutter, DIY, Environmental Impact, Essential Purchases Only, Financial Benefits, Food Waste, Gift-giving, Leftover Repurposing, Locally Grown, Meal Planning, Mental Clarity, Mindful Consumption, Minimalist, Non-essential Purchases, Planet-friendly, Plant-based Meals, Recycling, Reducing Waste, Refurbished Items, Repair, Reusable Options, Reuse, Seasonal Produce, Second-hand, Share, Social Situations, Sustainability-driven, Sustainable Brands, Swap
Photo of a street sign, a law book

New Florida laws to take affect January 1st 2025.

by Alicia Betancourt
December 9, 2024

Starting January 1, 2025, nine new laws will go into effect in Florida, addressing topics such as social media restrictions for minors, building regulations, and protections for vulnerable adults. For full details, you can visit the Florida ... READ MORE

Category: , Home Management, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Addictive Features, Bond Allocations, Building Permits, Building Regulations, Claim Denials, Dental Insurance, Dental Insurance Claims, DHSMV, Estate Planning, Expert Witness Fees, Fiduciary Law, Financial Exploitation, Financial Exploitation Safeguards, First Responder Protections, First Responders, Harassment, HB 1093, HB 135, HB 267, HB 3, Interference, Medical Reimbursements, Minors, New Florida Laws 2025, Parental Consent, Party Affiliation, Payment Restrictions, Private Activity Bonds, Public Projects, Residential Inspectors, SB 184, SB 362, SB 556, SB 7054, SB 892, Sealed Drawings, Social Media, Social Media Restrictions, Threats, Time Limits, Transaction Delays, Trusts, Unitrusts, Voter Registration, Vulnerable Adults, Workers’ Compensation, Written Consent

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