Purdue University Health and Human Sciences Extension

12/15/2025

The fall and winter months can be a wonderful time of year 🍂🎁❄️, but they can also bring challenges for many people. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), often referred to as the “winter blues,” affects millions across the United States during periods of shorter daylight, sometimes without them even realizing it.

Understanding the signs and knowing that support is available can make a meaningful difference 💛. To learn more about this common condition and the options for prevention and treatment, visit the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder

12/08/2025

🎁Looking for a great gift for young kids? Consider blocks! 🟩🔶⬛️

Block play is more than fun—it builds skills in math, early engineering, problem-solving, physics, and social interaction. Through 's Block Party, families with children aged 8 months to 8 years learn easy ways to support learning through play.

Want to learn more about toys that build early learning? ✔️this out! https://extension.purdue.edu/hhs/family/programs/index.html -party

12/04/2025

💸✨ “Where does your money go?” 🧐
If your paycheck seems to disappear faster than your favorite snack, it’s time to find out why, especially during the holiday season! 🎅🏽
Join us for Where Does Your Money Go? 🎯
👉 Learn how to track your cash
👉 Spot sneaky spending habits
👉 Create a plan that works for YOU
Take control, stress less, and make your money work smarter—not harder. 🙌

Reach out to your local Educator to find out more about our Financial Resource Management programs!
https://extension.purdue.edu/hhs/money/programs/index.html -does-your-money-go

12/02/2025

🎉Let’s celebrate by spotlighting the programs that uplift communities. Supporting ensures that donations stay local and energize meaningful work across the state. https://giving.purdue.edu/west-lafayette/college-of-agriculture-folder/give-to-cooperative-extension-service/?appealcode=22236&fbclid=IwY2xjawOb1ntleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFWUGVhVlBuV3Nhd1ltcmJqc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmOCEmX1vNH4qFSCdntpyQRTLaxrlMPVRNCukNWcbHFRiOKvfXtMD7Fn5C6F_aem_lW2yrCbvgOVl8Ak9A9dZZw

is a chance to support the Purdue Extension programs that matter most to your community. Every donation stays local and strengthens the work we do with families, youth, agriculture and community groups across Indiana. Learn more and contribute: https://giving.purdue.edu/west-lafayette/college-of-agriculture-folder/give-to-cooperative-extension-service/?appealcode=22366

12/02/2025

🎄✨ As we head into the , a time filled with family meals, festive treats, and cozy gatherings, it’s also a great opportunity to make mindful choices that support our long-term .

Dairy, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provide essential nutrients that can help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and other diet-related conditions. In a publication from Purdue Nutrition Science, an undergraduate student and an assistant professor discuss these valuable nutrients, explain why they matter, and offer practical tips for incorporating them into a balanced diet. 🧀🍓🥕🌾

Making small, thoughtful choices during the holidays can help us enjoy the season while taking care of our well-being ❤️.

Dairy, fruit, vegetables, and whole grains contain nutrients that can help decrease the risk of heart disease, cancer, and other diet-related diseases. A Purdue University undergraduate and an assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition Science dis

11/28/2025

🌟This upcoming , join us in empowering !

Your support strengthens our work across agriculture and natural resources, health and human sciences, community development, and 4-H youth development. Together, we turn research into real-world impact. 🚂💛🖤

https://giving.purdue.edu/west-lafayette/college-of-agriculture-folder/give-to-cooperative-extension-service/?appealcode=22236&fbclid=IwY2xjawOWev5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFPS0R2VXN1Zm8yek9Yd2hUc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpsfeObJsedW0x509LzqtUYwmYGEno1mm7mWrY7MMmj1sJKSr-5UvyedCsJw_aem_q_0go5cYUkSGDPBC3rpJJQ

11/26/2025

🦃 Not sure where to start with that frozen ?
This video from walks you through safe turkey prep from start to finish. You'll learn:

✔️ The safest way to defrost your turkey
✔️ Why you shouldn’t rinse it
✔️ Key cooking temperatures
✔️ How to store leftovers safely

Quick, clear, and perfect for holiday prep!
🎥 Watch now and cook with confidence. Happy holidays! 🧡🦃

When Thanksgiving draws near, it's time to start preparing your turkey! Purdue Food Science shares some food safety tips for thawing, preparing, cooking, and...

11/24/2025

Do you ever worry about stretching your food budget or figuring out what to make each week? 🛒🍽️

Your local Purdue Extension office can help! Check out “Food Budgeting and Meal Planning” and start planning for both your health and your budget.

✨ Benefits of Food Budgeting & Meal Planning:
• Support your health
• Save time
• Reduce stress
• Track food expenses
• Build a realistic budget
• Get the most for your money
• Reduce food waste

Learn more here 👉

Below are select food-related programs offered by Purdue Extension Health and Human Sciences Educators. For additional food programming topics and options, please contact your local county Extension office.

11/21/2025

✨Exciting news for rural communities in the North Central Region! A new multi-state working group is coming together to tackle the ongoing challenges around rural childcare. 👶🤝 Check out the announcement below.⬇️

We are pleased to announce the funding of a new North Central Region thematic, multi-state working group focused on rural childcare. This new group will bring together North Central Extension professionals to examine how Extension can best address the limited access to quality childcare in rural communities. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3LFRdUC

Led by principal investigator, Kelsie Muller, Purdue Extension, the working group consists of professionals from land-grant universities in nine North Central Region states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin) who are also members of the North Central Quality Childcare (NCQC) Network.

11/20/2025

💙 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵!
Diabetes affects more than 10% of adults in , leading to higher healthcare costs and increased risk for long-term health complications. This month, let’s raise awareness and support those managing this chronic condition.

👉 𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘀
Dining with Diabetes is a practical, hands-on cooking school for individuals with type 2 diabetes and their caregivers. It focuses on simple, delicious recipes and everyday strategies for eating well and managing diabetes confidently.

Connect with your local county HHS Educator to learn more: https://extension.purdue.edu/hhs/food/programs/index.html -with-diabetes

11/19/2025

Employees continue to report elevated experiences of stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout in the workplace, yet many are still reluctant to utilize the resources and services available to them.😓💼

To help workplaces address these challenges, offers the 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 (𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐖) 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐦. Over 150 employees from workplaces around the state participated in at least one CREW session delivered by Purdue Extension in the past year. The majority reported increased confidence in addressing stress, work-life balance, and mental health stigma in the workplace 🧠🌱.

Learn more about the 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐖 Curriculum and how you can bring it to your workplace here:
https://extension.purdue.edu/hhs/health/programs/index.html
🔗

11/14/2025

🚭 𝙑𝙖𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜: 𝙎𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙨, 𝘽𝙞𝙜 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙨 🌬️

Viviana Guzman, our HHS Educator in LaGrange County, recently led an engaging and interactive presentation at yesterday’s CARET Conference called “Vaping: Small Devices, Big Impacts”, focused on the serious health risks associated with va**ng. This program is offered through Purdue Extension.

Participants learned how va**ng impacts the body, gained insight into the marketing tactics used by v**e companies, and were encouraged to make informed decisions about their health.

Everyone left with a stronger understanding of the long-term dangers of v**e use, and a reminder of how important our community partners are in supporting this work.🤝🏼✨

Great job Vivi! 👏🏼🌟


Purdue Extension-LaGrange County