Purdue Extension Marshall County Health & Human Sciences

02/14/2026

When was the last time you washed your reusable water bottle or coffee mug? Has it been sitting on your desk for awhile?

Several years ago, researcher Charles Gerba with the University of Arizona did a study of coffee mugs in offices. His research showed the presence of bacteria linked with diarrhea, and viruses linked with colds and flu. About 90% of the cups were contaminated with germs of some type. 😲

As many as one in five cups were contaminated with f***l bacteria. By the way, bacteria can be transferred to surfaces from unwashed hands after an urgent trip to the restroom. The germs can find their way from the cup to your mouth when you eat a snack. 🤢

Learn how to wash your water bottle >>> https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/news/columns/prairie-fare/prairie-fare-how-clean-is-your-coffee-cup-or-water-bottle?fbclid=IwY2xjawP7HiRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJQdHhvem9CeEdqRmZMQm11c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHnivUcUi79CZlleHv5nObvFJv5kzOY9wMPw6WEKiJ_QF7eUCu-b1C-r5v9WZ_aem_UGF4aRpllRHxbH9gc6ioJQ

11/08/2025

Download this food safety poster here:
https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2021-12/361665.pdf

11/03/2025

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S.—but prevention is possible. 🩺

’s Be Heart Smart program empowers adults to identify their risk factors and take simple steps toward better health. Last year, 308 participants learned practical ways to manage stress, stay active, and eat for a healthy heart. After the program, over 200 participants planned to increase physical activity, eat more heart-healthy meals, and use stress-reduction techniques. 🚴‍♀️🥕🧘‍♀️

Together, we’re building stronger, healthier communities—one heart at a time. ❤️ 💛🖤

09/07/2025

Who has time to eat healthy? Especially with busy school and work schedules.

Decrease some of the stress of providing healthful food on the table: make freezer meals! Invest some time up front to save time later. When you have ready-to-cook (or reheat) meals in your freezer, you are less tempted to go out to eat. Meals eaten away from home often are more expensive and less nutritious than home-prepared meals.

Even if you have a small freezer, freezer meals still can be an option for you. By freezing meals flat, you can store about two weeks’ worth of meals in a refrigerator-top freezer.

We've provided some recipes using pulses including:
- Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Split Pea Soup
- Lentil and Chickpea Burgers
- Slow Cooker Lentil Goulash
- And more!

Make freezer meals >>> https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/publications/pulse-healthful-eating-making-freezer-meals-lentils-chickpeas-and-split-peas?fbclid=IwY2xjawMVVhFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE2blFjb2FsNXNSRU8xUFZ2AR51uuk3kz6vCOZiMUu-PsC7shP2YEaNqUYl9WvBAtLFDqKLi085m2BWKWD2bw_aem_O1RB0SAl_Gtmke3CVf3kYw

08/30/2025

NDSU Extension has excellent publications about food preservation of course!

But another really great resource is the National Center for Home Food Preservation >>> https://nchfp.uga.edu/ If you have a question about preserving food, most likely you'll find a reliable answer on their website!

More from NDSU Extension >>> https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/extension-topics/food-and-nutrition/food-preservation-and-wild-game

08/30/2025

⚡️Newsflash from the National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP)⚡️

‼️ LOW-ACID ADDITIONS CAN MAKE YOUR JAMS AND JELLIES UNSAFE—HERE’S WHY:

Low-acid additions can make your jams and jellies unsafe—Here’s why:

When it comes to home canning, safety is more important than flavor. Adding low-acid ingredients—such as jalapeños (and even pickled jalapenos) or other low acid ingredients—to jams or jellies that haven’t been tested with them can make the final pH unpredictable. These types of changes could raise the pH to a level where harmful bacteria can grow. While sugar in large amounts can help slow microbial growth, safe preservation depends on the exact ratio of fruit to sugar to low acid ingredients and sometimes added acid. Without a tested recipe that accounts for the peppers, there’s no guarantee the product will be safe for shelf storage.

When canning, it is essential to use only recipes that have been scientifically tested and validated for safety. Below are two pepper jelly/jam recipes that meet these standards.

https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/make-jam-jelly/jellies/mayhaw-pepper-jelly-pectin/

https://enewsletters.k-state.edu/youaskedit/2017/08/15/peach-jalapeno-jam/

Please note: do not substitute the type of fruit in these recipes, as safety testing has not been conducted for variations.

A safe way to add extra flavor to your jams and jellies is by incorporating a small amount (1 teaspoon or less) of herbs or other flavorings into a tested fruit recipe. For example, basil can be added to strawberry jam, or vanilla to cherry jelly, without compromising safety. For more safe substitutions, please check out this guide:https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/sites/default/files/2024-03/fn2102.pdf

08/20/2025

Nothing hits the spot on a summer day like a sweet slice of watermelon. This year’s harvest has been good in Indiana, but June and July’s hot and wet weather has created some challenges to getting produce from fields to fridges. Purdue experts have identified four rain-related diseases and defor...

08/01/2025

Get ready—Purdue Extension is arriving at the Indiana State Fair in just 2 days! 🎉 From August 1–17, the Building will buzz with interactive learning, hands-on experiences, and something fun for everyone! Don't miss your chance to stop by. 😊https://tinyurl.com/ms4xyf3w

Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center

07/22/2025

Food Labeling: What’s in there anyway? 🧐

Ever wonder what all those labels on your food packages actually mean?
Join us to decode the fine print and:
🔍Identify the key parts of food labels
🧠 Understand marketing claims like “all natural” or “low fat”
📘 Learn how to make informed food choices for you and your family

Connect with your county HHS Educator to learn more about this program, and don’t let confusing labels keep you guessing—empower yourself with the facts! 🛒💡

https://extension.purdue.edu/hhs/food/programs/index.html -labeling

07/16/2025