NMSU assistant professor to
debut diabetic-friendly cookbook
DATE: 09/26/2018
WRITER: Adriana M.
Chavez, 575-646-1957, adchavez@nmsu.edu
CONTACT: Kelley Coffeen, 575-646-1183, kcoffeen@ad.nmsu.edu
Before her mother passed away, Kelley Coffeen had to think of helpful and
healthy diabetic-friendly recipes to plan not only for her mother, but also for
her whole family.
“My mom was diagnosed with diabetes, so our family really had to learn how to
be patient and thoughtful in determining what she could eat and how to prepare
it,” Coffeen said. “She loved Tex-Mex cuisine but there weren’t many resources,
so good recipes and planning became powerful tools. I think that’s the biggest
gift to give to someone in your family who has diabetes, not make them feel
like they’re a burden.”
That gave Coffeen, an assistant professor in the Clothing, Textiles &
Fashion Merchandising program in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and
Environmental Sciences, and noted cookbook author, inspiration for her new
cookbook featuring diabetic-friendly recipes. “Tex-Mex Diabetes Cooking: More
than 140 Authentic Southwestern Favorites,” was published by the American
Diabetes Association and features healthier versions of Tex-Mex favorites such
as enchiladas, burritos, tacos and queso dip.
Coffeen said her latest collection consists of low-carb, low-fat and
low-calorie recipes with authentic flavors. Each one of the 140 recipes is
within the guidelines of the American Diabetes Association.
According to New Mexico’s Indicator-Based Information System, diabetes
prevalence has steadily increased in New Mexico and the U.S. over the past 20
years. In 2016, the crude (non age-adjusted) prevalence of diagnosed diabetes
among New Mexico adults was 11.5 percent. And according to the American
Diabetes Association, 12.1 percent of Hispanics in the U.S. have diabetes,
while 15.1 percent of American Indians and Alaskan natives and 12.7 percent of
non-Hispanic blacks in the country suffer from the disease.
And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 84
million American adults, or more than one out of three American adults, are
prediabetic. What’s more, 90 percent of people with prediabetes don’t know they
have it.
“This cookbook is a great resource for not only those who are struggling with
diabetes or are potentially prediabetic, but really we should all be eating
this way,” said Priscilla Bloomquist, interim head of the Department of Family
and Consumer Sciences and the Extension Family and Consumer Sciences
department. “The recipes are wonderful because they keep the authentic flavors
of Tex-Mex and Mexican cuisine that we love, but in a healthy way.”
Lourdes Olivas, associate faculty member of the Extension Family and Consumer
Sciences department, said that while eating right is a primary concern for
those with diabetes and prediabetes, everyone can benefit from the healthy
recipes in Coffeen’s new cookbook.
“As a member of the American Diabetes Association I was able to get a glimpse
of some of the recipes about a year ago in one of the journal articles that
featured a few of the recipes,” Olivas said. “As an educator for diabetes and
someone with a family history, I am always referring to diabetes cookbooks for
ideas to make at home as it will benefit me and my family as they are low in
carbohydrates, fat and sodium. Everyone should be eating like this, which is
what we always tell our participants in our programs. Special meals or foods do
not need to be made for individuals with diabetes. All can benefit and so far
the recipes I have made from Dr. Coffeen’s line of recipes have all been
tasty.”
Along with healthier versions of Tex-Mex favorites, Coffeen’s cookbook contains
tips on how to make dietary changes that will help make meal planning easier
for diabetics and prediabetics following the American Diabetes Association
guidelines.
“One of the biggest changes in my recipes for the American Diabetes Association
is focusing on low carb, low fat and low calorie to work within their
guidelines,” Coffeen said. “When I am creating a recipe like enchiladas, I use
a lower fat cheese and am not sautéing the tortillas in oil. There’s lots of
great little techniques that I’ve included to lighten up every recipe in the
book.”
Coffeen has written seven cookbooks over the past 20 years that have
highlighted variations of Mexican cooking.
“I’ve been able to showcase American Mexican food, traditional Mexican food and
now Tex-Mex cuisine. I love the wonderful embracing culture of the Hispanic
people, and I’ve come to know that so well as part of my family. It’s become a
passion for me,” Coffeen said.
The cookbook is available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com. Coffeen will
host a book signing and Q&A from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at
Barnes & Noble’s Mesilla Valley Mall location. Follow Coffeen on Instagram
at Kelleys_kitchen and for more information, visit www.kelleycoffeen.com.
Excerpt from Kelley Coffeen’s cookbook, “Tex-Mex Diabetes Cooking: More than
140 Authentic Southwestern Favorites,” published by the American Diabetes
Association.
Tres Leches Parfait
Tres Leches means “three milks.” This combination makes a sweet sauce that’s
perfect for drenching a fruity parfait.
1/4 cup reduced-calorie sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup evaporated skim milk
1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 medium-sized store-bought angel food cake or loaf, cut into 32 1-inch
cubes
2 cups strawberries, chopped
2 cups blueberries
4 Tbsp whipped cream, sweetened
Zest of 1 small lemon
1. In a medium-sized bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, evaporated
milk, and almond milk. Mix well.
2. Combine strawberries and blueberries.
3. Place 2 cake cubes in each parfait glass. Top with 1/2 cup of berries. Place
2
cake cubes on top of berries.
4. Top each with 2 Tbsp sauce and 1/2 Tbsp of whipped cream.
5. Garnish with lemon zest.
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Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
New Family and Consumer Science publication.
Guide
G-258: Managing Your Family’s Money
Bryce
Jorgensen (Extension Family Resource Management Specialist, Dept. of Extension
Family and Consumer Sciences)
Thursday, September 20, 2018
NMSU Extension Family and Consumer Sciences agent recognized for work in Chaves County
NMSU Extension Family and Consumer Sciences agent recognized for work in Chaves County
DATE: 09/19/2018
WRITER: Adriana M. Chavez, 575-646-1957, adchavez@nmsu.edu
CONTACT: Shannon Wooton, 575-622-3210, swooton@nmsu.edu
Shannon Wooton, the Family and Consumer Sciences agent for the New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service in Chaves County, was recently recognized for her outstanding work with the community and 4-H youth. This past spring, Wooton was named the Distinguished County Agent by the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, and was also one of two recipients of the Outstanding Agent Award for the Eastern District.
Wooton has been with Extension for about 20 years. She started her career as the 4-H Home Economist in Curry County and has been in Chaves County for 18 years.
“Shannon is clearly passionate about her job. A consummate professional, she works hard to provide programming that is needed in her community and is well respected by her colleagues,” said Priscilla Bloomquist, interim head of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences and Extension Family and Consumer Sciences. “Shannon has done an excellent job representing NMSU during her nearly 20 years of service and is very deserving of this recognition. We’re fortunate that she’s a part of the NMSU Cooperative Extension Family and Consumer Sciences team.”
Wooton continues to work with 4-H youth in Chaves County in areas of home economics, focusing on growing and maintaining the 4-H Clothing Project. She also works with 4-H Council Officers in areas of leadership, and with the Healthy Living Ambassador Program, a program where she enlists and trains teen 4-H members to teach younger students or 4-H members about nutrition.
Some programs that she conducts in Chaves County are Strong Bones Strong Women, an evidence-based program from Tufts University to prevent osteoporosis; the Kitchen Creations Diabetic Cooking School; the National Diabetes Prevention Program, which aims to help stop or delay Type 2 diabetes by helping participants lose five to seven percent of their body weight; and the Healthy You program, which was held for the first time last spring and focuses on developing a healthy lifestyle and foundation for life-long wellbeing.
Wooton also handles programming for the Chaves County Extension Clubs in areas of health, nutrition, clothing and finance. Six leader trainings are conducted yearly, and Wooton serves as adviser to the group. Some of the featured group activities include membership drives, promotions at the Eastern New Mexico State Fair, Books for Newborns, Nursing Cover-up Donations, three scholarships and the annual Holiday Showcase.
“Shannon is an exceptional agent,” said Leigh Ann Marez, department head of the Cooperative Extension Service’s Eastern District. “She makes a huge impact on the audiences she works with, both youth and adults, in traditional and non-traditional Extension settings. We are proud to have her here in our district and serving Chaves County. Shannon really thinks outside the box in program planning and delivery.”
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Monday, September 17, 2018
Septic tank maintenance
Septic tank maintenance
A septic tank is an underground sewage collection system.
The tank itself is a watertight container constructed of a sound, durable
material resistant to corrosion and decay. The most common type is concrete
septic tanks. These should be constructed of a high-quality concrete to reduce
the risk of premature cracking or deterioration of the septic tank. The
internal walls of concrete septic tanks are coated with a durable, waterproof
material, such as coal tar epoxy, to prolong the integrity of the tank.
Another option is a poly septic tank, which is made of
polyethylene plastic. While somewhat more expensive to purchase, poly septic
tanks are easy to install. They also are corrosion-proof and less likely to be
damaged by tree roots compared to concrete septic tanks.
In recent years, premature deterioration of concrete septic
tanks has been increasingly reported. While the underlying causes continue to
be investigated, evidence points to formation of gases inside the tank that
degrade the concrete. These corrosive gases have been possibly attributed to
fermentation of food waste from garbage disposals; modern cleaning chemicals,
especially products used to remove hard water lime deposits; and flushing
certain medications into the system. Installing a “whirlybird” device, to vent
corrosive gases from the septic tank, may alleviate the problem. If corrosion
is a concern, installing a poly septic tank may be preferable.
As the septic system is used, solids—sometimes referred to
as sludge—accumulate in the tank. The septic tank removes solids by holding
wastewater in the tank for at least 24 hours, allowing the solids to settle and
scum to rise to the top. This is accomplished by a series of baffles inside the
tank. Up to 50% of the solids retained in the tank will decompose over time.
Treated effluent water discharges from the tank to perforated drainpipes. The
pipes are buried in a constructed absorption or “leach” field. The effluent leaves
the buried drainpipes and percolates through the subsoil and eventually to
groundwater.
As you use your septic system, sludge will accumulate in the
tank. Properly designed tanks have enough space for up to three years of safe
accumulation. Once the sludge has reached this level, the separation of solids
and scum no longer takes place, and sewage may overflow into the absorption
area. This can be prevented by periodically pumping the accumulated sludge.
Pumping frequency depends on the following:
- Capacity of septic tank
- Volume of wastewater flow
- Volume of solids in wastewater
Volume of wastewater flow is determined by the type and
frequency of common household activities, such as flushing toilets, bathing,
and washing dishes. Water conservation practices in the home will help to limit
the flow into the system. Using an in-sink garbage disposal will increase the
volume of solids. Care should be given to the type and amount of solids
disposed of through a garbage disposal. Continuous running water, from a toilet
or leaky faucet, or draining of a whirlpool tub may stir up the solids in the
septic tank, contributing to leakage of sludge into, and possible failure of,
the absorption field.
The absorption field must be protected so the soil does not
become compacted, which can prevent the drainpipes from functioning. Keep
automobiles and heavy equipment off the absorption field. Grass cover and
shallow-rooted plants are beneficial over the absorption field, but the deep
roots of trees and shrubs stress and may plug nearby drain lines. Flood
irrigation above the absorption field may also result in plugged drain lines.
Do not fertilize the soil above the drain field.
Grass on the surface of an absorption field should be mowed regularly
to promote evaporation and removal of water through the leaves. This helps
prevent water from unnecessarily infiltrating the soil above the absorption
field.
Yeasts, bacteria, enzymes, and chemicals are sold that claim
to help septic systems work better; however, there is no scientific evidence
that additives are effective. In fact, some cleaners allow the solids in an
overloaded tank to be re-suspended and clog the drainage lines.
Additives are not an alternative to proper maintenance and
do not eliminate the need for routine pumping of a septic tank.
Commercial biological additives are not necessary for
restarting decomposition after pumping because the sludge residue contains
active microorganisms.
Learn how to recognize problems with septic systems. For
example, unusually lush and green grass over your drain field may indicate
trouble. Also, pay attention to slow-draining toilets or drains, sewage odors,
or sewage backing up into the house or over the drain field.
Checklist for Good Septic Tank Maintenance
- Check your system annually for leaks and sludge.
- Have your septic tank pumped by a licensed pumping contractor.
- Practice water conservation. Repair leaky faucets and toilets. Spread clothes washing over the entire week, and operate washing machines only with a full load of laundry.
- Learn the location of your septic system’s components. Make a map and keep it handy.
- Keep a maintenance record
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