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News from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Palo Pinto County
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The 2018 Palo PInto County Fair is open to Palo Pinto County residents of all ages.  Classes are available in the following divisions:  Art; Photography; Needlework, Quilting & Sewing; Hobbies & Crafts; Shop & Tack; Baked Goods & Candy; Canned Goods and the Kiddies Department.  Entries will be received from 2:000 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 10th. 
Check out the complete schedule and rules by clicking on the button below.
2018 Palo Pinto County Fair Guide

Source:  Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service - Dinner Tonight

Tis the season for holiday gatherings! This month begins the start of many different holidays; all of which can bring the need for parties and food.   The biggest question we always ask, “How do you stay healthy through the holidays?”  Here are a few tips you can remember when celebrating this season. 

Tip 1: Bring a dish you enjoy!

The hardest part in holiday gatherings is trying to find a food or dish which can be part of your healthy holiday. If you are going to a party which you can bring a dish, bring something which is part of your healthy meal plan.   Some of our favorites include:

Tip 2: Be smart with your beverages

Every holiday party has a punch, cocktail, or sweetened beverage.  Our tip is not to drink your calories during a gathering.  Not only do many of these beverages have lots of added sugar but are high in calories.  Save your calories and added sugar and choose either water, sparkling water or unsweetened tea.

Tip 3: Don’t starve yourself throughout the day.

As much as we would like to save all our calories for a holiday party; not eating regular meals throughout the day can lead to overeating.   Instead eat regular meals during the day and make those meals count.  Choose vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and a good source of protein to help keep you satisfied.

Looking for more tips on making healthier holiday choices? Visit choosemyplate.gov for more tips on nutrition during the holiday season.

 
Order by December 15th for delivery by Christmas.  Orders can be placed here.
Traveling with Children for the Holidays?
Make Sure All Children are Riding Safely
 
Christmas is almost here, and families will be traveling by car and airplane to visit with friends and relatives. This is an appropriate time to stop and think about having your child in the proper car seat before planning your trip. Although parents always want to protect their children, studies show that nationally, 3 out of 4 car seats are not used correctly. For a car seat to best protect your child, it must be the right seat for your child’s age, weight, height and developmental stage, and must fit properly in your vehicle while being installed correctly and securely.

Children are at greater risk than adults in a vehicle crash. In fact, motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death for children 14 and under. Safety belts and car seats are the single most effective tool in reducing these deaths and injuries. Unfortunately, in 2015 alone, less than half of the children killed in vehicle crashes in Texas were known to be restrained.

That’s why the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Passenger Safety Project is urging all parents and caregivers to secure children properly in age- and size-appropriate child safety seats in the back seat of your vehicle — which is the most effective thing you can do to protect them in the event of a crash. In fact, in motor vehicle crashes, child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers.

If you are traveling by plane, it is always safest to purchase a separate seat for your child, and bring an FAA-approved car seat. Most car seats, except for booster seats, are approved for use on an airplane. Turbulence is the greatest danger for a child on an airplane trip, and a properly installed car seat can protect your child from injuries due to being thrown around in the plane. Traveling with your car seat will also ensure that you will have it ready for your use when you arrive at your destination.

For a child safety seat to do its job correctly, it must be:
  • Appropriate for your child’s age and size
  • Installed properly in your vehicle
  • Adjusted to fit your child securely
Follow these guidelines from American Academy of Pediatrics to keep your children riding safely:

Infants and Toddlers – Rear-facing Only and Convertible Seats                                                               
All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing seat until they are at least 2 years of age or, preferably, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car seat manufacturer.

Toddlers and Preschoolers – Convertible or Forward-facing Seat with a Harness Seats
Children who have outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit for their convertible seat should use a forward-facing seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer.

School-age Children- Booster Seats
Children whose weight or height exceeds the forward-facing limit for their car seat should use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly — typically this is between the ages of 8-12 years old.

Older Children – Seat Belts
When children are old enough and large enough to use the vehicle seat belt alone, they should always use lap and shoulder seat belts for the best protection.

Remember: All child passengers under age 13 should ride securely restrained in the back seat, where they are safest — every trip, every time.  Take time before you leave to make sure that the holidays will be a safe and enjoyable time for your family. Buckle everyone up correctly on every trip!

 
Copyright © 2017 Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, All rights reserved.


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Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status.
The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and
the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating