![a tangle of fishing line, plastic beads and other plastic waste on a beach. [credit: unsplash.com, soren funk]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2025/03/2025_Water_microplasticsBeach01_unsplashSorenFunk_CROP1650x470TINY.png)
We're hearing a lot about microplastics in the news, but what exactly are they and what can I do to reduce the impact of microplastics in our environment? Well, first, what are they? Microplastics are defined as plastic particles no larger ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Health & Nutrition, Water
Mold Detection Molds are a type of fungi that are nearly invisible to the naked eye...until that is, they begin to "fruit." While this "fruit" is about as far from an apple as you can get, it does serve the same purpose in helping the fungus ... READ MORE
Category: Disaster Preparation, Home Management, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life![whole-grain cereals pour from a glass jar into a pile, with other piles nearby, on a flat, empty tabletop. [credit: pixabay.com, angelica vaihel]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2024/08/2024_FCS_grainsWholeJarCereals_pixabayAngelicaVaihelCROP1650x470.png)
Did you know that September is Whole Grains Month? And, did you know that the federal Dietary Guidelines for Americans tell us that at least half our grains should be whole grains? And, do you know the parts of a whole grain? Or, the nutritional ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Work & Life![a man holds his aching stomach, with food on a table in the background. [credit: pxhere.com]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2024/06/2018_FCS_blogFoodSafety01_pxhereEDIT1650x470TINY.png)
A foodborne illness can affect anyone who eats food contaminated by bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins, or other substances. The actual number of those who succumb to food sickness is unknown, but a 2011 report by the Centers for Disease ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Work & Life
Yes, you CAN grow food in Florida year-round. BUT it is important to take a few things into consideration before taking the sweaty plunge into hot season vegetable gardening. Here we aim to share garden tasks and ideas that are seasonally appropriate ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Work & Life![two older men walk away from the camera along a brick path through a park. [credit: pixabay.com, Steve Buissinne]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2024/04/2023_FCS_agefriendlyEldersWalkingPark_pixabayBuissinneSteveCROP1650x470TINY.png)
In this Aging Healthy series, we took a closer look at what it means to age healthy. We talked about key elements of our lives that factor into aging, and changes we could make (or approaches we could maintain) that can help lead to a healthier, ... READ MORE
Category: Health & Nutrition, Work & Life![two women sitting side-by-side on a park bench share a laugh. [credit: unsplash.com, dario valenzuela]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2024/04/2024_FCS_aginghealthyWomenSmilingParkBench_unsplashDarioValenzuelaCROP1650x470TINY.png)
Our last Aging Healthy series post looked at our mental health and provided strategies for managing stress and loneliness. In today’s post, we’re going to discuss cognitive health. As you might have guessed, the way we think, learn, ... READ MORE
Category: Health & Nutrition, Work & Life![a man and woman share a laugh as they sit on a blue yoga mat. [credit: unsplash.com, kraken images]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2024/04/2024_FCS_aginghealthyYogaCoupleSmiling_unsplashKrakenImagesCROP1650x470TINY.png)
In our last Aging Healthy series post, we talked about visiting our healthcare providers and the importance of regular office visits. Today, we'll focus on mental health. As we age and go into retirement, we sometimes find ourselves losing—or ... READ MORE
Category: Health & Nutrition, Work & Life![A smiling doctor holds up a checkup instrument while smiling outside a building. [credit: unsplash.com, eben kassaye]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2024/04/2024_FCS_aginghealthyDoctorSmiling_unsplashEbenKassayeCROP1650x470TINY.png)
Our last post in the Aging Healthy series discussed the reasons to stop smoking, as well as limiting alcohol and other substances. In today’s post, we are going to discuss regular healthcare checkups and why they are important to healthy aging. Going ... READ MORE
Category: Health & Nutrition, Work & Life![closeup of a cigarette in a hand amidst a haze of smoke, with the smoking man in background. [credit: unsplash.com, arun anoop]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2024/04/2024_FCS_aginghealthySmokingCigaretteMan_unsplashArunAnoopCROP1650x470TINY.png)
Last time, in our Aging Healthy series, we looked at sleep and provided some suggestions to promote a better night’s sleep. Today, we’re going to talk about the reasons to stop smoking, as well as limiting use of alcohol and other substances. Over ... READ MORE
Category: Health & Nutrition, Work & Life