Warren County Connection A Publication of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County
March 2019
Book Offers Hope to Parents of Children Who Self-injure In this issue:
By Susan Kelley, Staff Writer, Cornell Chronicle
March/April Gardening Tips 3
Parents who discover their children intentionally hurt themselves – by cutting, carving, scratching or burning their skin – often feel guilty and ashamed, assuming they somehow caused their children’s emotional distress.
Using Trees & Shrubs for Privacy & Wind Screening
Housing & Feeding Your 7 Guinea Pig
A new book by experts in self-injury offers parents hope: assurance that they didn’t cause their child’s selfinjuring, and guidance on how they can become key allies in helping their child heal. Richardson of the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, “Healing Self“Having a child self-injure can be so Injury” focuses on life after parents hard and feel so dark at times. Our or caregivers have discovered their intention was to inform, encourage child is involved in non-suicidal selfand support caretakers,” said Janis injury – self-injury that is not intendWhitlock, co-author of “Healing Self- ed to end one’s life. The book covers Injury: A Compassionate Guide for the background and basics of selfParents and Other Loved Ones” injury, why people do it and, most (Oxford University Press), available importantly, how parents and loved Feb. 4. ones can help their child, their families and themselves. The book is based on extensive research – including Whitlock’s work as Commonly known as “cutting,” nondirector of the Cornell Research Prosuicidal self-injury is best understood gram on Self-Injury and Recovery. as a way of coping with stressful The book’s vivid anecdotes are emotions and thoughts, the authors drawn from the researchers’ insay. The relief from the physical pain depth interviews with real families in of a self-injury essentially tricks the recovery from self-injury. brain into perceiving relief from Co-written with Elizabeth Lloyd-
4
(Continued on page 8)
Talking to Teens about Marijuana
8
Beware of Scammers Pretending to be Social Security
10
Need Help With Your Taxes? We Can Help
10
Forbidden Rice Tempeh 11 and Vegetable Power Bowls
Special points of interest:
Calendar of Events
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Warren County Connection
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Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Warren County 377 Schroon River Road Warrensburg, NY 12885
Phone: (518) 623-3291 or (518) 668-4881 Fax: (518) 668-4912 Visit Our Web Site: www.cce.cornell.edu/warren
Who We Are Nation-wide, thousands of people in each state tap into their state’s land-grant university research and know-how to make sound confident decisions concerning family, home, business, finances, and the future. In New York State, the land-grant university is Cornell University. The Cornell Cooperative Extension network brings you the expertise of Cornell University, other land-grant universities across the country and locally-based Extension Educators, volunteers, and other experts through such programs as: horticulture, youth and families, leadership, environment, food, nutrition & health, home environment, and financial management.
Staff Dr. James Seeley, Executive Director John Bowe, 4-H Team Coordinator Dan Carusone, 4-H Community Educator Marybeth Mitcham, Nutrition, Food Safety, and Healthy Living Educator Roxanne Westcott, Parent Educator/Energy Educator Anne Mills, Farm to School Coordinator Jessica Holmes, Master Gardener Coordinator Sharon Bellamy, Finance Manager Amy Sabattis, Public Relations/Publications Manager Michele Baker, Administrative Assistant Chris Dittus, Administrative Assistant Rand Fosdick, Maintenance
Board of Directors William Mason - President Laura Conway- Vice President Julie Pearl - Secretary William Hamelin - Treasurer Aimee Azaert Daniel Bruno Peter Benoit Ed Griesmer Jim Kneeshaw David Strainer Michael White
Extension Service Committee Chair - Andrea Hogan Douglas Beaty Jack Diamond Ben Driscoll Cynthia Hyde Brad Magowan Eugene Merlino Michael Wild William Loeb
Warren County Connection
CALENDAR Please visit our website for more events www.cce.cornell.edu/warren 3/6/2019 Adirondack Explorers Program - During this afterschool program, participants will learn and play their way to learning more about wildlife, outdoor activities, healthy living, and more! For more information about this program please contact Marybeth Mitcham at mem467@cornell.edu or 518-668-4881. Location: Big Cross Street School, 15 Big Cross Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801 3/7/2019 Food Smart Families - During this program, participants will learn about nutrition and health, make and try new recipes, and participate in fun, physical-activity-based games. For more information about this program please contact Marybeth Mitcham at mem467@cornell.edu or 518-668-4881. Location: Big Cross Street School, 15 Big Cross Street Glens Falls, NY 12801 3/12/2019 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM - Irish Vegetable Soup - Winter weather necessitates warm food! Soups are an easy and inexpensive way to add nutritious food, while also helping to keep you warm. Come and join us as we make and eat a healthy Irish vegetable soup together! For more information about this program please contact Marybeth Mitcham at mem467@cornell.edu or 518 -668-4881. Location: Greater Glens Falls Senior Center, 380 Glen St, #1, Glens Falls, NY 12801 3/20 & 3/21 2019 - Food, Fun, and Fitness - During this program, participants will learn about nutrition and health, make and try new recipes, and participate in fun, physical-activity-based games. For more information about this program please contact Marybeth Mitcham at mem467@cornell.edu or 518-668-4881. Location: North Warren Central School, Route 8, Chestertown, NY 12817 3/26/2019 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM - Food for Diabetes - What foods can safely be eaten while on a diabetic diet? Does diabetes mean that a person is doomed to eating boring food? Come join us and find out! For more information about this program please contact Marybeth Mitcham at mem467@cornell.edu or 518-668-4881. Location: Lake Luzerne Senior Center, 539 Lake Avenue, Lake Luzerne, NY 12846 3/28/2019 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM - Salad Container Gardening - It's easy to grow your own greens. We will create some small container gardens, talk about green harvest, and share some recipes. For more information about this program please contact Marybeth Mitcham at mem467@cornell.edu or 518-668-4881. Locaton: Greater Glens Falls Senior Center, 380 Glen St. #1 Glens Falls, NY 12801
If you have special needs as addressed by the Americans With Disabilities Act and need assistance with attending these workshops, please make your needs known by the registration deadline. Reasonable efforts will be made for accommodations.
Warren County Connection
March/April Gardening Tips By Amy Ivy , Horticulturist for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton and Essex Counties
Planning Ahead for Veggies If you wish you had some of your own food left in your refrigerator, now is a good time to make plans for this summer’s garden. Canning, freezing and drying are all good ways of preserving products you grow yourself or buy at local markets or farms. But there are many products that last well into winter without much fussing. I just made leek and potato soup from the last of my own leeks and potatoes from a local farm. I harvested my leeks in November and have kept them in a plastic grocery bag in my refrigerator ever since. I still have my own shallots, onions and garlic in a cardboard box in the kitchen cupboard, although they’re going fast. I’ve got to plant more this summer. Candy is a nice sweet onion variety but like all of the sweet onions, it doesn’t store well. My favorite storage onion is Copra, but that has been replaced in recent years by Patterson, another nice storage onion. If you’d like to grow your own leeks, be aware there are different types. The best known short season leek is King Richard which is ready in about 75 days and keeps a few weeks in your refrigerator. The longer term storage leeks, such as Pancho or Tandorna, take anywhere from 95 to 110 days or longer. It’s easiest to buy leeks as seedlings through mail order but if you want to start your own you’ll need to plant them indoors by early March and transplant them into your garden in early May. I didn’t think I liked parsnips, but that was before I actually tried them. It turns out, I love them! They are a long season crop, taking 110 to 120 days to mature but they can take the cold with no problem so you can plant them
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in early May and leave them in the ground through the fall. The longer you leave them, the sweeter they become. I like them best in stew or roasted with other root vegetables on a baking sheet at 400 degrees for about 45 minutes. A great tip for roasting vegetables is to use parchment paper on the baking sheet, It makes clean up much easier. Just about everything tastes better roasted. Planning Ahead for Flowers A few flowers are relatively quick to flower when grown from seed but a lot of them need to be started indoors before the last frost to get a head start on the season. If seed packets of gorgeous flowers are tempting you right now, take a close look at how many weeks they take to bloom. Snapdragons, begonias, petunias and pansies are some of the most popular flowers that take a long time to grow. There’s no point in buying seed packets of those flowers now; plan on buying transplants of them instead. Some of the flowers that are quick to flower and can be planted outside as seeds include zinnias, sweet alyssum, bachelor buttons, calendula, cosmos and sunflowers. If you have room and good light you can give any of these a head start on the season by starting them indoors two to three weeks before you plan to set them outside, but that’s not necessary to get blooms this summer. So far I’ve only been talking about annual flowers. Perennial flowers, those that die to the ground each fall but regrow the following spring, can be bought as started plants, and many can be started from seed if you have patience. Most perennials like to be divided every few years and these divisions are a great way to add more color to your garden. Gardening friends usually swap divisions or you can buy just one plant of something you like, then divide it in a couple of years to add to your collection.
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Using Trees and Shrubs for Privacy and Wind Screening Residences benefit from trees and shrubs planted specifically to block unwanted views or prevailing winds. The first inclination of many homeowners is to plan a formal planting of one row of all the same kind of tree in a straight line, evenly spaced. This ideal is often hard to accomplish. Most plantings attempted this way wind up with one or more trees missing. Sometimes the homeowner tries to replace the missing tree, but the match is rarely perfect. Tree rows are a long-lasting addition to a landscape, so the not-so-perfect effect can be a constant source of frustration for a homeowner who wants the landscape to look tidy. Instead of planting a formal row of all one type of tree, consider planting a mix of different trees and shrubs. By choosing a mixture of plants, you will protect your screen from major loss caused by an outbreak of a single pest or disease. A mixed planting also increases the biodiversity in your landscape by creating habitat for beneficial insects, birds, and animals. By attracting these beneficial creatures, you may find that they successfully keep populations of pest insects in check. As mentioned above, a formal, straight line planting is difficult to accomplish and often will not meet your goal of screening as rapidly as you would prefer. Consider alternatives to formal planting rows, including the more natural-looking cluster planting method, or multiple staggered row plantings. Cluster planting is done by strategically installing plants in groups of threes, fives, or higher odd numbers to block specific views or prevailing winds. Cluster planting provides an attractive, natural-looking screen without walling off your house and yard like a fortress. By planting clusters away from your house, you also provide backgrounds for interesting flowering and fruiting shrubs that are visible from your deck or living room. Additional cluster plantings can be used to create groves. The combined effect provides screening and an interesting design, allows for good air flow, and accommodates walkways through your property. Another option is to install multiple staggered rows of trees and shrubs. This type of planting will provide a fortress wall effect. Multiple staggered rows are also commonly recommended for homesteads in open areas to provide protection from prevailing winter winds or re-
Warren County Connection
duce noise from traffic or equipment. Multiple staggered rows can be installed using two or three rows of trees and shrubs. The spacing should be based on the average diameter of the plants at maturity. Each successive row is offset or staggered so that the plant fills the visible gap between each of the plants in the previous row. To further enhance the screening, a third row of similar size or smaller plants can be planted. The major benefit of this planting arrangement is that gaps fill in quickly and total screening is achieved more rapidly than a single row. However, a common mistake by the impatient property owner is to plant the trees too close together to achieve immediate privacy. This decision will quickly lead to crowding between neighboring trees, resulting in shading, loss of lower branches, and overall loss of the screening effect. No matter how you choose to arrange the plants in your screen, keep in mind aesthetics as well as utility. Dot the mini-forest you have created with an occasional focalpoint specimen tree--something with unusually colored foliage, unusual fruit, or good fall color. This "punctuation mark" tree will probably cost more than other trees in the screen, but will give you many years of visual enjoyment. Before choosing any plants, evaluate your site and your planting areas. Consider space limitations of the site including utility lines, walkways, driveways, and roads that must remain visible and accessible. Consider zoning requirements for the distance of the plantings to roads and sidewalks. Consider the soil type, drainage, and pH (soil test kits are available from your local county Extension office). Also, consider the availability of water, which will be needed until the plants are established or during drought. The following table lists both deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs that can be used for screening and windbreaks. Not all plants are suitable for windbreaks due to the potential for injury from cold or dry wind; plant suitability is specified in the table. More new trees die in landscaping from planting errors than any other cause. All trees should be planted with the root flare just level with the surface of the soil. Use two to three inches of organic mulch in a wide circle, and be sure to keep all soil and mulch away from the trunk. Before you buy any plant, learn more about it (e.g.; major pest problems in the area, cultural requirements, etc.) by (Continued on page 5)
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Warren County Connection
asking questions at the garden center or doing research at your local library. Property size and space will also impact your plant choices, so the table is divided into plants suitable for large scale and small scale screens. Finally, deciduous plants are included for situations where summer screening for privacy is the main goal.
NEW YORK STATE
Department of Environmental Conservation Saratoga Tree Nursery Tree Seedlings For Conservation Planting To Order Call (January 2 – May 15) (518) 587-1120
The final, but perhaps most important step in establishing an attractive screening is proper planting. More new trees die in landscaping from planting errors than any other cause. All trees should be planted with the root flare just level with the surface of the soil. Use two to three inches of organic mulch in a wide circle, and be sure to keep all soil and mulch away from the trunk.
Pines Hardwoods Shrubs 2019 Seedling Information is available on our website Visit us at: www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9395.html
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https://www.facebook.com/NYSDECsaratogatreenursery
For more information on soil testing and planting ornamentals, call your county Extension office. Large Scale Screens--Trees Genus and species Concolor fir, Abies concolor Hedge maple, Acer campestre European alder, Alnus glutinosa Siberian pea-shrub, Caragana arborescens European hornbeam, Carpinus betulus Atlantic white cedar, Chamaecyparis thyoides Hawthorn, Crataegus species Cryptomeria, Cryptomeria japonica
Plant type E D D D D E D E
Screen/ Windbreak Both Screen Screen Both Screen Screen Screen Screen
USDA Hardiness Zone 4-7 5-8 4-7 2-7 5-7 4-8 4-7 5-6
Leyland cypress, ´Cupressocyparis leylandii
E
Screen
6-10
Possumhaw, Ilex decidua American holly, Ilex opaca Chinese juniper, Juniperus chinensis Rocky mountain juniper, Juniperus scopulorum
D E E E
Screen Screen Both Both
5-9 5-9 4-9 3-7
Eastern redcedar, Juniperus virginiana
E
Both
3-9
Dawn redwood, Metasequoia glyptostroboides Spruce, specifically Picea abies, P. glauca, P. mariana, and P. pungens Pine, specifically Pinus rigida, P. strobus, P. strobiformis, P. virginiana species Douglas fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii English oak, Quercus robur Laurel willow, Salix pentandra Baldcypress, Taxodium distichum Eastern and Giant Arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis and T. plicata Canadian hemlock, Tsuga canadensis
D
Both
5-8
E
Both
3-7
E
Both
E D D D
Screen Screen Screen Both
3-7 except P. strobiformis 5-6 4-6 4-8 2-5 4-11
E
Both
3-7, 5-7
E
Screen
3-7 (Continued on page 6)
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Warren County Connection
Small Scale Screens - Shrubs Genus and species
Plant type
Screen/ Windbreak
USDA Hardiness Zone
Amur maple, Acer ginnala
D
Screen
3-8
Bottlebrush buckeye, Aesculus parviflora
D
Screen
4-8
Summersweet, Clethra alnifolia
D
Screen
4-9
Shrub dogwoods, specifically Cornus alba, C. ammomum, C. sanguinea, and C. sericea
D
Screen
3-7
Multi-stemmed tree dogwoods; C. mas, C. racemosa
D
Screen
4-7
Willowleaf cotoneaster, Cotoneaster salicifolius
E
Screen
6-7
Border Forsythia, Forsythia ´ intermedia
D
Screen
4-8
Large Fothergilla, Fothergilla major
D
Screen
4-8
Chinese loropetalum, Loropetalum chinense
E
Screen
7-9
Pine, specifically P. cembra and P. mugo
E
Both
3-7
Catawba rhododendron, Rhododendron catawbiense
E
Screen
4-8
Rosebay rhododendron, Rhododendron maximum
E
Screen
3-7
Flameleaf shining sumac, Rhus coppalina
D
Screen
4-9
Yew, Taxus species
E
Both
4-7
Arrowwood viburnum, Viburnum dentatum
D
Screen
3-8
Wayfaring viburnum, Viburnum lantana
D
Screen
4-7
Leatherleaf viburnum, Viburnum rhytidophyllum
E
Screen
5-7
Lantanaphyllum viburnum, Viburnum rhytidophylloides
D
Screen
5-8
D = deciduous, E = evergreen Prepared by Emelie Swackhamer, Extension Educator and Jim Sellmer, Professor of Ornamental Horticulture, PennState Extension
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Warren County Connection
Housing and Feeding Your Guinea Pig Guinea pigs are talkative, social, and rather cute Guinea pigs are great as a child’s first pet or as a lifelong hobby. They are members of the Cavy family (Caviidae) of rodents native to South America. Dr. Kenneth Welle, an exotic pet veterinarian at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, has advice on housing and feeding your guinea pig. A guinea pig cage should have a solid floor covered in bedding rather than a wire-bottom cage, which can cause problems if the guinea pig catches its toes on the wire. If you use a cage with a wire floor, be sure to provide another surface where the guinea pig can relieve its feet. “Good bedding for guinea pigs will be absorbent, soft, and non-aromatic,” says Dr. Welle. “Wood shaving bedding should be avoided. The aromatics in the wood can cause irritation to the guinea pig’s very sensitive sense of smell.” A fluffy bedding, such as the commercially available recycled paper bedding, used in a thick layer is ideal. Cleanliness is very important for good guinea pig health. Dr. Welle recommends that areas that are soiled frequently should be cleaned once every day or two. The whole tray of bedding should be completely changed weekly or every other week, depending on the number of guinea pigs you have and the size of the cage. What’s on the Menu for Your Guinea Pig A plentiful supply of clean water is very important as well. Avoid using a dish for water; guinea pigs may push bedding into it or spill it. Damp bedding can lead to foot problems, so it’s best to use a hanging water bottle. “Guinea pig’s water will need to be changed daily,” says Dr. Welle. “Guinea pigs are funny, and they like to spit food up the tube of their water bottle. Daily cleaning limits the chance that bacteria will grow in the water. You should also make sure that the drinking tube is not clogged by food.” The mainstay of a guinea pig’s diet should be grass hay, such as timothy or fescue. Note that alfalfa and clover are legume hays, which are higher in calcium, protein, and calories. Legume hays may be appropriate for growing guinea pigs or pregnant ones, but not for adult guinea pigs.
Pelleted diets marketed for guinea pigs may be used in moderation. Dr. Welle recommended limiting pellets by weight: 1 tablespoon pellets per pound of guinea pig. That means the average adult guinea pig can have roughly 2 tablespoons of pellets a day. Young, growing guinea pigs can have unlimited access to pelleted guinea pig food. “Pellets need to be fresh,” warns Dr. Welle. “The vitamin C in the food will degrade three months after manufacturing. Unlike most other domestic species, which produce their own vitamin C, guinea pigs—like people— must get all their required vitamin C from the food they eat.” Dr. Welle says that salt licks are not necessary for guinea pigs unless they are somehow eating mineral-deficient hay. The hays sold for pet foods should not have this problem. If you do want to get your guinea pig a salt lick, the colored salt-and-mineral ones are better than the plain white ones, which have no added minerals. Salt licks can also help with getting your guinea pig to drink more water, if that is a concern. Good Treats, Bad Treats As tempting as they are, the pretty diet mixes containing grains and seeds are disastrous, according to Dr. Welle. Guinea pig digestive systems are designed for grass diets, which are high in fiber and low in carbohydrates. The sugars and starches in some diets can cause a change in the digestive bacteria, intestinal obstructions, and obesity. If your guinea pig has been on such a diet, switch to a plain pellet and hay diet gradually. So what can you give your guinea pig for a treat? Think dark, leafy green vegetables, such as collard greens, parsley, and dandelion. Make sure not to feed them the same thing every day, in order to avoid potential problems from consuming too much of a vegetable that is high in certain minerals. These veggies are good treats for your cavy, something new and exciting that also provides extra moisture and vitamin C to their diet. If your yard has grass untreated with pesticides, guinea pigs can have outside time to graze as well. Just be sure to watch out for neighborhood cats and hungry hawks! Guinea pigs make wonderful pets who love to talk to you. For a happy and healthy guinea pig, follow these tips and consult your own veterinarian with further questions. Source: College of Veterinary Medicine University of Illinois
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emotional pain too. Self-injury can include such behaviors as embedding objects in the skin and swallowing toxic substances. Most people who self-injure also deal with other mental health challenges. And it is far more common than most people know; between 12 and 37 percent of all teenagers and young adults have self-injured at some point in their lives.
Warren County Connection
Relax Mom, it’s only pot: Talking to teens about marijuana
Parenting is generally not the critical factor in causing a child to self-injure; it has more to do with how children perceive themselves and their environment. “So much of self-injury is giving voice to emotional experiences. It’s a way to take an amorphous, emotional cloud of stuff and focus it and control it,” said Whitlock. Parents are not only critical allies in setting the stage for a child’s ability to recover and thrive, but are also the most helpful confidants a self-injuring child has – even more useful than peers and therapists, said Whitlock. “There’s an authentic self – a self that exists from the time the child arrives on the planet – that a parent or caretaker has some connection to,” she said. “There’s something about that relationship that can be a very healing agent in this process.” She encourages parents to simply bear witness to a child’s perceived emotional wounds, rather than try to fix them. “That’s what a lot of kids in our research said: ‘When my parents can just listen, when they can just be present with me, it makes a big difference.’ It opens the door to a tremendous healing capacity.” The book also encourages parents to get support for themselves, such as therapy or by confiding in a trusted friend. “We try to validate the number and depth of the hard emotions that will come up for a parent,” she said. “It’s very disconcerting to see wounds on your child’s body or see blood left on a sink.” By taking care of themselves and finding healthy ways to deal with the emotions related to the child’s self-injury, parents are modeling how to deal with difficult issues – which is what the children must learn to do for themselves. “Demonstrate to your child – even if it’s new to you – how to be authentic. That modeling of authenticity, even if it’s messy, awkward or really uncomfortable, is important,” Whitlock said. “It’s in these hard places where you can most easily find the experience of being an authentic person. It’s where the seeds of hope and growth are.”
Second to alcohol, marijuana is the most commonly used drug among youth in the United States. While use of most drugs among teens has decreased slightly, marijuana use is still a problem. Use, effects, legality and access Marijuana, also called pot, cannabis, reefer, grass, weed, dope, ganja, and mary jane, looks like dried parsley with stems and/or seeds. Marijuana can be smoked, vaporized, or eaten. Paraphernalia includes rolling papers and pipes. Teens are most likely to smoke pot on the weekends, with friends, and at parties. Pot has a number of physical effects. They include: Increased heart rate. Bloodshot eyes. Dry mouth and throat. Altered sense of time. Reduced short-term memory, concentration, coordination, and motivation. As of early 2018, nine states and Washington, D.C., had legalized marijuana for recreational use by people over 21. But recreational marijuana use is still illegal in all states for youth under 21. Before legalization, about 40 percent of 8th graders and 70 percent of 10th graders reported pot was fairly easy or very easy to find. In states where it is legal, access for youth may increase. Your perception differs from your teen’s reality Many parents are unaware of what their child is doing. Recent studies have shown that what parents think their children do and what their teens actually do can be quite different: More than 40 percent of teens have tried pot, while only 18 percent of parents think it is possible their child might have tried it. (Continued on page 9)
Warren County Connection
Some 62 percent of teens say they have friends who use pot. But only 21 percent of parents think their son or daughter might have friends who smoke pot. Five times as many parents believe child drug use is a national problem than believe drug use is a problem in their child’s school. Although one-third of parents believe their teen thinks pot is harmful, fewer than 20 percent of teens actually do. Why teens try pot Teenagers use drugs recreationally for the same reasons adults do: To relieve stress and relax. To have fun. To be part of the group ("everybody's doing it"). Because being high usually feels good. Teens often say, “I would like to try pot just once to see what it is like,” “Everyone tries drugs sometimes” and “Smoking marijuana is OK sometimes.” What can I do to help my teen? Recognize that your child is being exposed to drugs and talk to him or her about the risks. Drug use is lower among kids who learn about the risks at home. The number one risk kids associate with drug use is “My parents would feel really bad if they found out I was using drugs.” Here are tips for talking with teenagers about drugs: Establish a clear family position on drug use. Be prepared. Teens may have a lot of incorrect information they got from other kids and from the media. It’s OK to say you don’t know the answer, but be sure to find it and follow up with your teen. Listen carefully to their concerns and feelings, and respect their views. Let your teen know it's OK to act independently from the group. Be aware of how you use and talk about drugs in front of your kids. They learn by watching you. Discuss the difference between legal and illegal use of marijuana. Using marijuana prescribed for medical reasons is legal. But recreational use of marijuana is illegal for youth under 21. Seek professional help if you suspect your teen has a severe problem with marijuana. Just saying no isn’t good enough Telling your teenager to “just say no” won't be enough to prevent him from trying pot at a party when all his friends are getting high. Practice how to say no in different situations with your teen. Give your teenager options
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for saying no and let him choose which he feels the most comfortable using. Here are alternatives to just saying no: Say, “I just don’t want to.” Suggest another activity like playing basketball or going to a movie. Or change the subject. Avoid situations where there might be drugs. Or hang out with friends who don’t use drugs. Say, “My mom won’t let me go” or “My dad would kill me if he ever caught me smoking pot.” Remind your teen that it's OK to not try pot at a party, even if it seems like everybody else is doing it. How can I tell if my teen has a problem? Here are some warning signs that your teen has a problem with marijuana use: Getting high on a regular basis or avoiding others to get high. Lying about marijuana use. Giving up activities she used to enjoy such as sports or hanging out with friends. Wearing clothes with drugs pictured on them or reading magazines advocating drug use. Getting into trouble with the law. Feeling run down, depressed, or suicidal. Missing school, poor school performance, or suspension from school for a drug-related incident. If you suspect your teen has a problem with drugs, contact your physician, school counselor, or an independent drug counselor. Source: Jodi Dworkin, Extension Specialist and Associate Professor in Family and Social Science, University of Minnesota Extension
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Beware of Scammers Pretending to be Social Security
Warren County Connection
vary; however, you should avoid engaging with the caller or calling the number provided, as the caller might attempt to acquire personal information. Social Security employees occasionally contact people by telephone for customer-service purposes. In only a few special situations, such as when you have business pending with us, a Social Security employee may request the person confirm personal information over the phone. Social Security employees will never threaten you or promise a Social Security benefit approval or increase in exchange for information. In those cases, the call is fraudulent, and you should just hang up. If you receive these calls, please report the information to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online.
In the digital age, frauds and scams are an unfortunate part of doing business online. During the holiday season, Social Security has traditionally seen a spike in phishing scams, and we want to protect you as best we can. We urge you to always be cautious and to avoid providing sensitive information such as your Social Security Number (SSN) or bank account information to unknown individuals over the phone or internet. If you receive a call and aren’t expecting one, you must be extra careful. You can always get the caller’s information, hang up, and — if you do need more clarification — contact the official phone number of the business or agency that the caller claims to represent. Never reveal personal data to a stranger who called you. Please take note; there’s a scam going around right now. You might receive a call from someone claiming to be from Social Security or another agency. Calls can even display the 1-800-772-1213, Social Security’s national customer service number, as the incoming number on your caller ID. In some cases, the caller states that Social Security does not have all of your personal information, such as your Social Security number (SSN), on file. Other callers claim Social Security needs additional information so the agency can increase your benefit payment, or that Social Security will terminate your benefits if they do not confirm your information. This appears to be a widespread issue, as reports have come from people across the country. These calls are not from Social Security. Callers sometimes state that your Social Security number is at risk of being deactivated or deleted. The caller then asks you to provide a phone number to resolve the issue. People should be aware the scheme’s details may
Remember, only call official phone numbers and use secured websites of the agencies and businesses you know are correct. Protecting your information is an important part of Social Security’s mission to secure today and tomorrow. Source: Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications, Social Security Administration
NEED HELP WITH YOUR TAXES? WE CAN HELP! Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County is offering free tax help to families and individuals whose household income is below $55,000. Trained IRS volunteers are available to help you prepare your State and Federal taxes at the same time, electronically file your return for free, and offer direct deposit options for faster refunds. Daytime, evening, and weekend appointments are available. Sorry, we cannot process tax returns with stock sales, rental income, or from business owners. To make an appointment please call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County 1-800-211-5128
Warren County Connection Warren County Connection
Forbidden Rice Tempeh and Vegetable Power Bowls
By Marybeth Mitcham, MPH, Nutrition, Food Safety, and Healthy Living Educator, CCE of Warren County Most people know that they should be eating more vegetables every day, but do not know how easy – and delicious – it is to include those veggies in simple meals. Although cooking from scratch does take time, some of that time can be reduced if people take the time to do some food prep ahead of time. Once or twice a week, vegetables can be cut up, and put aside in the refrigerator. This investment of less than a half hour of time will save a lot of time during the busy workweek, and also make it more likely for people to use vegetables in their dishes. While veggies are certainly important, the inclusion of protein is equally as important. This dish is not only rich in antioxidants, but is also rich in protein. If you aren’t a fan of tempeh, you can always substitute the tempeh for a lean meat like venison or chicken breast. Try it and let me know how it tastes! Forbidden Rice Tempeh and Vegetable Power Bowls Serves 4 Ingredients 4 tablespoons hoisin sauce 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon Asian chili garlic sauce more or less to taste 2 tablespoons water 1 8-ounce package organic tempeh 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil 1½ cups broccoli, trimmed and cut into florets ¾ cup snap peas, ends trimmed ½ large onion, sliced thin 1½ cup bok choy leaves and stems, sliced 2 large carrots, cut into very thin rounds ¾ cup cooked forbidden rice Tamari or soy sauce optional
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Instructions 1. Mix together the hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce and water, and set aside. 2. Place the tempeh in a small sauce pan, with enough water to just about cover. Steam the tempeh for about 3 minutes. Drain. 3. Heat the olive and sesame oils in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. 4. Add the broccoli, snap peas, onion, bok choy and carrots to the pan and saute for about 8 to 10 minutes until vegetables are tender. 5. Crumble the steamed tempeh into the vegetable mixture. 6. Add the sauce mixture to the pan, and reduce the heat to low. 7. Add the rice, and stir to combine everything and heat through for about 3 to 5 minutes. Add more water if the sauce seems too thick. 8. Taste and season with tamari or soy sauce if desired. *Recipe from Food and Nutrition
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