As you gather around the table with family and friends to share a meal and celebrate the holidays, the Florida Department of Health reminds you to practice food safety to ensure a safe and healthy holiday season for everyone.

Foodborne illnesses affect one in six people each year in the United States, but it is easily preventable.

The department recommends following these key steps to prevent foodborne illness during the holidays and year-round.  

• Do not prepare food for others if you have diarrhea or vomiting;
• Keep your refrigerator below 40°F and refrigerate perishable items;
• When transporting food to another location, keep it cold to minimize bacterial growth;
• Pack food directly from the refrigerator into the cooler immediately before leaving home;
• Make sure your cooking area is clean: wash hands, cutting boards, utensils and countertops often;
• Wash hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds before and after handling food;
• Separate raw meats from other foods;
• Use a food thermometer to ensure that foods are cooked to a safe internal temperature;
• After everyone has enjoyed the meal, divide all remaining leftovers into smaller portions and store in shallow containers in the refrigerator within two hours of the meal;
• Perishable food items that have been left out of the refrigerator for longer than two hours should be discarded; and
• Reheat holiday leftovers to 165°F and allow dishes to sit for a few minutes afterward so the heat can kill any bacteria.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 11 tips to prevent foodborne illness this Thanksgiving

It’s that time of year. Soon homes will be filled with the smells of oven-roasted turkey, candied yams, mashed potatoes and gravy, and stuffing from that special passed-down family recipe. And who could forget the pies!

Traditionally, Thanksgiving is the start of the holiday cooking season when kitchen appliances receive a lot of extra use when you’re preparing meals to be shared with loved ones and family members.

But no matter how much love and attention go into the special holiday favorites, Thanksgiving and the holidays are also a peak time for gobbling up energy, especially when the oven and kitchen appliances are working non-stop.

“Today’s new kitchen appliances use nearly 50 percent less energy than those from 10 years ago,” said Natalie Smith, Gulf Power spokesperson. “But when the holidays roll around, energy usage can rise when they get an extra workout and it can add up quickly. However, you may not have to use as much energy as you think by following a few simple tips.”

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to keep holiday energy costs to a minimum. Here are some no-cost ways to save money and energy in the kitchen and be thankful for the savings on your November energy bills:

Cooking

· Oven preheating is usually not required and wastes energy. When preheating is required, avoid preheating longer than necessary. Preheating takes about eight minutes.

· Turn off the oven a few minutes before cooking is finished. Retained heat will complete the job.

· Use the microwave whenever possible, it’s the most efficient way to cook or reheat food.

· Don’t use your range or oven to heat the kitchen. It’s inefficient and can be a safety hazard.

· Choose pots and pans that have wide flat bottoms that just cover the burner. They will absorb all the heat and cook food more evenly. Aluminum pans with flat bottoms, straight sides, and tight fitting lids are best for energy savings.

Dishwasher

* Proper loading is important. Operate only when it is filled to capacity.

* If manufacturer’s instructions permit, open the door of your dishwasher after the last rinse cycle to allow moisture to escape and the dishes to dry as they cool. Some units have a “power-saver switch” that automatically eliminates the drying cycle.

Refrigerator

* Keep the refrigerator between 37º and 40º and the freezer setting at 0º.

* Keep condenser coils clean. Vacuum the coils at least twice a year.

* Make sure the door gasket seals tightly.

* Let hot foods cool before placing them in the refrigerator.

* Position the refrigerator away from heat sources. If the unit has back coils, position it at least 4" from the wall.

* Avoid keeping the refrigerator door open.

* Think about getting rid of your extra refrigerator or freezer as they generally are inefficient and can cost two to three times more to operate per month.

Thermostat

· If you’re having a large group of people over, make sure to adjust the thermostat before guests arrive.

· If it’s cold outside, lower the thermostat a degree or two. The body heat from guest as well as the heat from all that cooking, will raise your home’s temperature without having to run the furnace.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 16 tips for an energy-efficient Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is almost here. Over the years, this holiday has taken on a variety of meanings, most of them centered on family, caring and sharing. You can carry these same values past Thanksgiving into your daily life — and you can certainly incorporate them into your financial strategies for taking care of your loved ones.

So, here are a few suggestions:

•Protect your family. If something were to happen to you, could your family pay the mortgage? Could your children still afford to go to college someday? To protect your family’s current lifestyle and long-term goals, you may well need to maintain adequate life and disability insurance. Your employer may offer these types of protection as employee benefits, but the coverage might be insufficient for your needs. Consequently, you might need to supplement your employer-paid insurance with additional policies.

•Invest in your children. If you have young children, and you’d like to see them go to college someday, you may want to start putting money away toward that goal. You can save and invest for college in a variety of ways, but one popular method is through a 529 plan, which offers high contribution limits and potential tax advantages. Plus, a 529 plan gives you significant control and flexibility: If you establish a plan for one child, but he or she decides not to go to college, you can name another child as the recipient.

•Be generous. You don’t have to be a millionaire to make meaningful financial gifts to your family. For example, if you have grown children, consider helping them fund their IRAs. You can’t contribute directly to a child’s IRA, but you can write checks to your children for that purpose — though, of course, they are then free to do whatever they want with the money. It’s not always easy for a young person to “max out” on an IRA, which has an annual contribution limit of $5,500 for workers under 50, so any help you can give your children in this area should be greatly appreciated.

•Safeguard your own financial independence. Almost certainly, one of the most undesirable outcomes you can imagine is to become financially dependent on your grown children. Even if you save and invest diligently throughout your working years, you could still be vulnerable to financial dependency if you need an extensive period of long-term care, such as a nursing home stay. These costs can be enormous, and Medicare typically pays only a small percentage, and usually for just a limited time. To protect your financial freedom, you should explore ways of addressing long-term care costs. A financial professional can explain those alternatives that may be appropriate for your situation.

•Communicate your wishes to your family. At some point in your life, you will need to draw up your estate plans, which could include a will, a living trust, a durable power of attorney, a health care directive and other documents. To be fair to your children and other family members, and to avoid hurt feelings, you should clearly communicate your plans and your wishes while you are still around.

Thanksgiving means more than turkey and football. And if you can successfully apply the lessons of this holiday to your financial plans, both you and your family will have reason to be thankful.

This article was written by Edward Jones on behalf of your Edward Jones financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Put Thanksgiving lessons to work in your financial plans

This time of year, we think about giving special gifts to people in our lives who mean the most to us. 

Your list might include teachers, neighbors, friends and co-workers. Gifts don’t have to be expensive; it is the thought behind the gesture that means the most to your friends and family.

Whoever is on your list this year, think about using your kitchen as Grand Central for gift making. Gifts of food are heartfelt and send a message that you spent time making something special that looks good and tastes yummy. These gifts say thank you in a thoughtful way.

Don’t forget to include your kids in the process of cooking and assembling gifts to teach them something about budgeting and enjoying the simple pleasure of gift giving. 

In addition, remember, the way you present a gift can be just as important as the food itself. Try to pair containers with the food gift; they will be used long after the food is gone. Examples are a decorative plate filled with cookies, a pie plate filled with your favorite pie or a trifle bowl filled with goodies. You get the idea.

Another thought is to put together items that say “sit and take a break,” like a loaf of quick bread paired with a pound of coffee, homemade salsa with chips and a favorite beverage. Show that you put thought into the gift and spent time preparing the presentation.

With everyone watching their budgets this year, get the creative juices working by purchasing ingredients on sale and found locally. Local products in December include pecans, sweet potatoes, honey, peanuts, persimmons, satsumas, jams and jellies sold at local farmers markets.

So get going and unleash your creativity, and give a few gifts from your kitchen — and your heart. Have fun making these gifts, and remember to enjoy the process.

Pamela H. Allen is the University of Florida-Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ interim Okaloosa County extension director 

CHOCOLATE CRINKLE COOKIE

This dessert’s crackle on top with the chocolate and white sugar says, “It is holiday time!” These cookies are a good gift cookie as they stay firm and will last up to a week. They also freeze well if you need to make them ahead of time. Place them on a festive plate, top with clear wrap and decorate it with a ribbon.  

Ingredients

• ½ cup of shortening
• 1 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 eggs
• Two 1-ounce squares of unsweetened chocolate (melted)
• 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup of milk
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Directions

Cream together the shortening, sugar and vanilla. Beat in the two eggs and then add the melted chocolate. 

In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.

Add flour mixture slowly to creamed mixture, alternating with the milk until thoroughly blended. 

Stir in walnuts. Chill for 3 hours.

Form in 1-inch balls and roll in confectioners’ sugar. Place on greased cookie sheet 2 to 3 inches apart. 

Bake in moderate oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool slightly and remove from pan. Makes 48.

They are now ready to put in a container and give to friends. This cookie freezes well.

CRANBERRY NUT BREAD

Prepare this nut bread and decorate it with wrapping and ribbon. You might include the loaf pan as part of the gift. Include a brick of cream cheese along with a decorative butter knife for a complete package.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup orange juice
• 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 1 egg, well beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring
• 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9- by 5-inch loaf pan.

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a medium mixing bowl. Stir in orange juice, orange peel, shortening and egg and vanilla. Mix until well blended. Stir in cranberries and nuts. Spread evenly in loaf pan.

Bake 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a rack for 15 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely. Makes one loaf (16 slices).

Bake loaf in a decorative pan as part of the gift. Make sure you cool after cooking, and then replace in pan and wrap as part of the gift.

THE REAL SWEET POTATO PIE

Use sweet potatoes to promote locally grown produce. After baking, cool then give as a gift in a nice pie plate. Wrap and refrigerate with instructions on reheating for serving.  For added effect, bundle with whipped cream and a pie knife. 

Prepare your sweet potatoes for the pie mix. Select six to seven large sweet potatoes and cut in half or quarters. Boil potatoes slowly for about 30 minutes. Let cool. Peel potatoes after they cool. The peel should come off easily.

Measure 6 cups of sweet potato in a mixing bowl. Use a stand mixer to beat the sweet potatoes and do not scrape off any mixture from beaters; this will contain the stringy part and you do not want it in your pie. Discard the strings.

Ingredients

• 6 cups cooked mashed sweet potatoes
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• ½ cup butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla flavoring
• 2 teaspoons nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon butter flavoring
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup sugar

Directions

Mix all ingredients in a stand mixer until well blended. The mixture should be smooth and free of lumps. The mixture will keep in the refrigerator up to a week and may be frozen for future use. Label with the date and amount before placing in the freezer. 

For the pie:

Place mixture in unbaked pie shell and smooth to the edges. You will need about 2 ½ cups for each 9-inch-deep pie shell. Mini tart shells may also be used for individual pies.  This recipe makes about three pies or 12 individual mini pie tarts. Cook at 350 degrees until puffed and browned slightly on top — about 40 minutes.

Visit your local farmers market to purchase nuts, honey, produce and jams and jellies.  Look for locally grown items and support our area growers. 

See http://wfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/panhandle-produce-pointers/ for additional information about local produce.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gifts from the kitchen make the holidays special