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By Dee Furlough, MS CFCS

Family & Consumer Sciences Extension Agent

Jacaranda Health is a nonprofit that improves access and quality of maternal and neonatal care in East Africa, but based in Chapel Hill.  They have launched a free local helpline — covidmoms.org — for North Carolina moms to help them get answers and navigate pregnancy during COVID.

It’s staffed with North Carolina experts — perinatal educators, doulas — with the idea to provide an easy way for moms to get rapid, evidence-based answers to questions about pregnancy and newborn care during COVID.

Their goal is to supplement existing programs at the state and county level with a line that moms can reach at a moment’s notice with any concerns or questions during these stressful times — about pregnancy, breastfeeding, Medicaid, social services, etc — and find a friendly expert to help answer questions or direct them to local resources. Check them out today!

What’s Medicare?

Medicare is health insurance for:

– People 65 or older

– Certain people under 65 with disabilities

– People of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant)

Contact Dee Fulough or Michelle Haney at the Extension office (252-796-1581) for more information.

Avocado Tomato Salad

Summer is knocking at the door and ripe, delicious tomatoes are on the way! Why not make a quick and healthy side that everyone will love!

Avocado Tomato Salad

Serves 2

Serving Size: 1 cup

Prep Time:  15 minutes

Total Time:  15 minutes

Ingredients:

1 Avocado (medium ripeness), cubed

1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half

1-2 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar

1-2 tablespoons Olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Prep the vegetables.

Place in a large bowl and add about 1-2 Tablespoons each of balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

 

Nutrition Information per Serving:

Serving Size: 1 cup

Vegetables: 0 cups

Fruits: 1 cup

Calories: 332 calories

Carbohydrates: 18 grams

Fiber: 9.5 grams

Protein: 4.2 grams

Fat: 29.1 grams

Sodium: 10.8 mg

 

COVID-19 and Food Safety

Folks are trying to stay safe during this pandemic. Masks, hand-washing, and staying six feet apart are now the norm. But what if we grocery shop for someone else? Or donate to a food pantry? Or make a meal for a neighbor? How can we handle that food safety? Check out these safe food handling methods.

Grilling Safely At Home

It is always good to follow good hygiene practices when handling or preparing food for yourself and others, whether you are grilling, having a summer cookout or backyard BBQ.

Med Instead of Meds

You have the opportunity to participate in the FREE six-week online “Med Instead of Meds” program. You’ll have access to educational presentations, handouts, recipes, and even live question and answer time! All this through a very generous grant from Vidant Chowan Hospital.

This class series is brought to you in a collaborative effort by Dee Furlough, FCS Agent in Tyrrell & Dare Counties and CatieJo Black, FCS Agent in Hyde County. The first lesson began on Tuesday, June 2, at 12:00 p.m. (noon). The last live Q&A session will be held on Friday, July 17, at 11:00 a.m. For more information, or to sign up right away, call Dee at 252-796-1581.