KA 703. Nutrition Education and Behavior

Three separate annual holiday programs, “Simply Joyful”, were presented to over 373 men and women from Roosevelt, Curry, DeBaca, Quay and Chaves Counties as well as Austin, Muleshoe, Farwell, Earth, Vega, and Lubbock, Texas. These participants were given a book that included recipes and gift making and presenting instructions, also included was information from the USDA on Food Safety Guidelines for holidays, turkey 101 and other information. Recipes were demonstrated to show a variety of easy foods, ways to make changes in ingredients to healthier ingredients, tips were given on doubling recipes and participants were able to sample foods prepared.
Since the program many participants have notified the home economist about the recipes they have used from the program, how much they enjoyed it and learned new ideas as well as which of the projects they have tried or plan to make.
Home Economist also used this opportunity for participants to express an interest in Kitchen Creations and Strong Women Stay Young programs. A list will be prepared to contact them of these upcoming classes.

Home economist, agriculture agent and the ICAN nutrition educator prepared fresh vegetables on the grill at the local Farmer’s Market. Various vendors participated by donating vegetables to be cooked. This project increased the visibility of Cooperative Extension to the community and made consumers aware of how simple it can be to cook fresh vegetables. Everything from cantaloupe, okra, and squash to green chiles were cooked and the customers from Farmer’s Market were able to observe and taste. During this time 75 handouts on washing fresh fruits and vegetables, Farmer’s Market shopping tips and safe storage of fresh fruits and vegetables were distributed to participants.

Agent developed a program called “Speedy Suppers”. This program provided recipes and demonstrations for foods that were very quick and easy for families to prepare as well as providing healthy choices for daily family meals. It has been proven that preparing meals at home gives the consumer control over the quality and types of foods their families eat. Consumers were encouraged to use low fat choices, include vegetables in their menus and taught how to use sugar substitutes whenever possible. This program was presented at the High Plains Quilt Show, ENMU Family and Consumer Science demonstration techniques class, and two sessions at the NM Ag Expo. Participants report using and enjoying these recipes and sharing them with others.

Stress Management in the Workplace Presentation
The Red Rock Day School of Red Valley, NM requested for an educational presentation regarding how to manage stress while in the workplace. Director also shared with me of their recent loss of staff member therefore he wanted a presentation regarding stress management along the lines of taking care of themselves. Attendees learned from presentation about ways to manage their stress levels, verbally shared their own, received more ideas from fellow co workers, each participant shared their own story on how stress has affected their work performance and their relationship with others. Agent conducted an activity call “Two Truths and a Lie” an ice breaker to get the employees comfortable enough with each other to share their own personal stories. Agent did an overview on how to manage stress, ways to manage, how stress affects their self esteem, how they interact. Agent provided time for each to share their own personal story of how they each deal with their stress, with hopes that each had the opportunity to learn and possibly get new ideas from each other. Presentation had twenty attendees that expressed their own thoughts, shared what they learned and the highlight was an individual breaking down emotionally with tears. That individual thought he was alone but with this presentation learned that he’s not alone and now has strength with the help of his fellow co-workers. Each participant left more positive than negative feedback. The presentation was very moving to get each of them to share personal stories.

Self Esteem Informational Booth
The Indian Health Service requested the presence of NMSU Tribal Extension and also a Self Esteem information booth to be set up at the “Honoring Life: Suicide Awareness Conference” held in Shiprock, NM. Attendees will learn about Self Esteem, what it is, how important it is to have high self esteem, ways to improve an individual’s self esteem. Informational booth provided handouts to take home and read. Booth brought by an estimated fifty eight community members that picked up informational handouts as well and questions about self esteem.