Broadcaster Press 5 July 9, 2019 www.broadcasteronline.com How You Can Eliminate Food Waste (StatePoint) A large amount of food in the U.S. is never eaten. However, there are many easy ways families and communities can eliminate food waste in their daily lives, while also protecting the environment. Each year, more than 66 trillion gallons of water is used to produce food that is estimated to be lost or wasted. Wasted food represents about 8 percent of all global greenhouse gas emissions, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). More importantly, according to World Wildlife Fund (WWF), food production is the primary contributor to deforestation, forest degradation, and grassland conversion, harming wildlife and the habitats they call home. “Finding harmony between agriculture and nature may be the most important social, economic, and ecological issue of this century,” says Pete Pearson, WWF’s senior director of Food Loss and Waste. Bringing people together from the hotel and kitchen sectors, retail and food service sectors, as well as schools and farms, a report from WWF called “No Food Left Behind,” explores how to measure and reduce waste, from field to table. Food waste and loss is a huge environmental issue that everyone can do something about, in their homes and their communities. Use these tips from WWF to get started: Shop Smart The choices you make at the supermarket matter. Monitor what goes in and out of your fridge. Are you buying more than needed and chucking the rest into the garbage? Though great sources of nutrition, about 45 percent of all fruits, vegetables, roots and tubers are wasted, according to the FAO. Use the freezer! Consider making a weekly meal plan that includes frozen meat, seafood, produce and canned products (especially in the off-season) so that you can shop with a realistic sense of what you actually need and not feel pressure from items spoiling. Still left with excess? Compost, but work to reduce what goes in the compost bin! Great Ways to Staycation During the Warmer Months (StatePoint) Whether you’re taking a staycation or just looking for some fun in the sun near home, check out these ideas for creating instant summer vibes: • Get Beachy: You don’t need to live near or travel to the shore to turn your backyard into an exclusive beach getaway. All you need are some lounge chairs, shades, SPF and your favorite magazines or pageIt’s also important to shop for foods grown and turning novels. For a bit more active relaxation, invite raised sustainably. Look for eco-labels on packagsome friends over for frisbee golf or set up a net and ing. For example, sustainably caught seafood means play “beach” volleyball. the fishery is taking steps to reduce by-catch (fish • Eat Light: When you eat better, you feel better. caught unintentionally) which allows marine wildlife Stay refreshed in warm weather with fresh fruits, populations to thrive long-term. When it comes to vegetables, superfoods and better-for-you fare. Look coffee, an eco-label might mean the product was for local dining options that bring tropical flavors sourced in an environmentally responsible way. Not to you, such as Tropical Smoothie Cafe, a leading seeing eco-labels at your store? Ask your grocer to national fast-casual cafe. You can get five servings of consider stocking shelves with brands working to fruits and vegetables with their popular Island Green eliminate wasteful production practices. smoothie, made with spinach, kale, mango, pineapple and banana. It’s good for you and tastes great. Another Get Schools Involved favorite for embracing the tropical vibe is the Bahama Mama, featuring strawberries, pineapple, white chocoSchools can do their part to teach kids the value late and coconut. Delicious wraps, flatbreads and of food by introducing strategies for reducing waste. sandwiches are great complements to a smoothie and WWF is working with students and teachers, grades good choices for those wanting to eat lighter fare this 5-12 in cities nationwide, to conduct food waste auseason. To learn more, visit tropicalsmoothiecafe.com. dits, and build a connection between food, wildlife And remember, nothing speaks to the season like a and habitat conservation. The WWF Food Waste fresh meal accompanied by a fresh breeze. On sunny Warrior Toolkit is a free resource offering lesson days, head to the park for a picnic lunch, or host plans integrating math, science and language arts friends for al fresco dining on your deck. that can be adjusted by grade level. • Have Fun: In warm weather, there is no shortage of fun to be had. Go roller skating. Hike a local trail. “Turning the cafeteria into a classroom allows Attend a baseball game. Play mini golf. Bike to the next students to immediately understand the impact the town. Take advantage of the great weather by spendfood system has on the environment, empowering ing time active and outdoors. them to make changes and to be tomorrow’s leaders • Jam Out: For road trips, both long and short, on food waste reduction,” says Pearson. backyard barbecues and more, the right playlist can create the perfect vibe. When making the playlist, For resources and information about food waste, think about the songs that evoke your favorite sunvisit worldwildlife.org/food-waste. and-fun memories. Then, pump up the jams whenever the mood strikes. Be sure you have portable speakers By doing our part and eliminating food waste, for the season so your summer soundtrack is handy we can help save the land, water and energy upon wherever you go. which people and wildlife depend on to survive. Summer is a state of mind. Get into the mindset without leaving town. 8 Great Ways to Combat Boredom (StatePoint) While we all get bored from time to time, it’s important to know that chronic boredom may be bad for health, as experts have found it can be associated with depression, anxiety and even bad habits like smoking and overeating. July is Anti-Boredom Month, and the perfect opportunity to explore new hobbies and interests, while giving yourself the tools to combat boredom now and in the future. Check out these eight ideas to try this month, and beyond. • Test a new recipe: Think outside the culinary box. Look for a recipe from a style of cuisine you haven’t tried before. Or, attempt a cooking feat for the first time, such as making pasta from scratch. • Learn to play a song: With today’s digital instruments, such as Casio Keyboards CT-X700, you can learn to play your favorite song in an afternoon, no matter what your experience level is. Its lesson system displays proper fingering and notation, and a six-track recorder makes it easy to capture your creation. • Host a book club: Pick a book you’ve been meaning to read and invite friends to join you in reading and discussing it. This can turn into a monthly tradition, with a different host each selecting the book each meeting. • Host a gaming tournament: Invite friends over for a gaming tournament -- just be sure you have the best possible visuals with your home theater. With projector options that sense ambient brightness in the room and adjust accordingly – like the LampFree Stories you missed this week because you’re not a Plain Talk subscriber A preview of the work being done by the cast and crew of the upcoming Vermillion Community Theatre production of the musical “Mama Mia!” This story, featuring several hit tunes of Abba, will be staged July 12-15 in the Thomas H. Craig Center for Performing Arts at Vermillion High School. A story about District 17 Sen. Art Rusch of Vermillion being chosen as recipient of the “Eagle Award” for his work on open government issues. He was presented the award in Sioux Falls June 31 by the South Dakota Newspaper Association. News that the reconstructed Vermillion (Homestead) Rest and Welcome Center, located near the Vermillion Interstate 29 exit, is now open. A story and several photos from the Irene Rodeo, held the last weekend of June. And if you want to see: A summary of our conversation with Lauren Vaske, the Guatemalabased director of Sharing the Dream in Guatemala, who visited South Dakota recently, including a stop at the Sharing the Dream store in downtown Vermillion. A report about Thursdays On The Platz, which kicked off this summer on July 11 and will offer live music in downtown Vermillion on Thursday afternoons through Aug. 29. Coverage of the Vermillion Community Theatre’s performances of the musical “Mama Mia!” July 12-15. Pick up this Friday’s Plain Talk! Local news since 1884! Here for you yesterday, today and tomorrow. XJ-F210WN from Casio’s Advanced Series line -- you can make a day of it, with stunning visuals in any lighting conditions. • Express yourself: Pick up a pen, set a timer and just start writing. Don’t overthink it. When the timer buzzes, you may find you have the opening of a novel, a poem or song lyrics. Writing prompts, available online, can help you get started. • Make math fun: Learning math shouldn’t be a bore. Use a scientific calculator to play online math games or invent your own. For example, the fx-991EX scientific calculator’s high-resolution LCD screen allows for more information for applications like spreadsheets and 4X4 matrix calculations. • Jump-start a pick-up game: You don’t need to join a formal team or have lots of equipment to enjoy athletic competition. Call a few buddies and head to a local field for a pick-up game of soccer or two-hand touch football for some on the fly sportsmanship. • Explore nature: Make more of your next nature walk, using new tools, such as the PRG600YB-2, a timepiece that includes a direction sensor for compass readings, pressure sensor for altimeter and barometer readings and a thermo sensor for temperature. Its solar power technology means fewer battery changes and its water resistance up to 100 meters means you can safely venture into unchartered waters. When boredom sets in, remember, there are abundant ways to combat it at home, in your backyard and beyond. Free Long-Term Care Planning Lunch and Learn Webinar on July 10 The second in a four-part webinar series hosted by gerontologists from North Dakota State University Extension and SDSU Extension will take place on July 10. The webinar begins at 11:00 a.m. MDT/Noon CDT. Topics covered include long-term care, planning and financing options and how to identify optimal care options to meet family needs. strategies to manage stress, and resources/services available to help family caregivers. One in seven adults turning 65 today are expected to need long-term care for five or more years at some point during their life. With the national median annual cost ranging from $18,720 to $100,375, many families are unprepared to cover these expenses. In addition, families may not be aware of the wide range of long-term care services available. There is no cost to participate. Please register by visiting the SDSU Extension events page and searching for Long-Term Care Lunch and Learn. By investing time in learning about long-term care before the need arises, families will have greater control and choices when it comes to long-term care planning. The third installment of this Lunch and Learn webinar series, entitled, “Introduction to Aging Well,” will be held on August 14, 2019, at 11:00 AM MDT/Noon CDT. The final Lunch and Learn Webinar will be held September 11, 2019, at 11:00 AM MDT/Noon CDT and will cover the topic, “Difficult Conversations.” The first webinar discussed caring for an older loved one, common stressors for family caregivers, You deliver. We deliver. EARN EXTRA CASH! Individuals will be able to participate in the webinar from the comfort of their own home or during their lunch hour. The webinar will be recorded for those that are not able to attend in person. For questions about this event contact Leacey Brown, SDSU Extension Gerontology Field Specialist at either 605.394.1722 or by email. Turn Yo ur Clutter i nto Cash! Yankton routes now available. (Enjoy short early morning hours Monday–Saturday) Advertise your Garage Sale to thousands of readers! 624-4429 201 W. Cherry, Vermillion, SD 57069 605-624-2695 319 Walnut Street, Yankton, SD • www.yankton.net Call Steve at 605-665-7811