Home > News Archive > 2003 > November > News You Can Use > LSU AgCenter Nutrition Expert Tells What Makes Figs So Special (Distributed 10/24/2003) Figs are one of the earliest fruits cultivated in the United States. They are nutrient-dense, versatile and very easy to pack and transport, says LSU AgCenter nutrition expert Catrinel Stanciu. Fried Turkey Delicious When Safely Prepared, Says LSU AgCenter Nutritionist (Distributed 10/24/2003) One of South Louisiana’s favorite holiday dishes is deep-fried whole turkey. For a great-tasting bird, LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames offers food safety and nutrition tips. LSU AgCenter Nutritionist Lists Best Ways to Thaw Turkey (Distributed 10/24/2003) Consumers have a choice between fresh and frozen turkeys when planning for Thanksgiving. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames explains the safe options of thawing a frozen bird. Enjoy Safe Thanksgiving Meal, Says LSU AgCenter Nutritionist (Distributed 10/24/2003) As American families and friends gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, cooks head to the kitchen to prepare bountiful meals. One item not on the grocery list, but that should be in the kitchen, is food safety, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.  more articles... Plan Holiday Spending to Avoid Seasonal Stress, Advises LSU AgCenter Family Economist [Image: headache] (Distributed 10/24/2003) It's that time of year when stores are luring holiday shoppers. But before you get caught up in the frenzy, LSU Agricultural Center home economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker says you should take stock of how much money you have available for holiday spending. Flowering Cabbage and Kale Gaining in Popularity, Says LSU AgCenter Horticulturist [Image: cabbage] (Distributed 10/24/2003) Flowering kale and cabbage are becoming increasingly popular as fall bedding plants for Louisiana. An alternative to garden mums and pansies, these plants have feathery leaves of robust colors that make them well suited for landscape and container plantings, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings. Soft Drink Consumption Steadily Rises, Laments LSU AgCenter Nutritionist (Distributed 10/24/2003) Carbonated beverage intake has increased significantly among America’s youth over a 20-year period. One soft drink a day has been linked to 60 percent increase in the development of obesity over time, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy. LSU AgCenter Horticulturists Offers Fall Strategy for Lawn Weed Control (Distributed 10/24/2003) Fall is usually a time to let the turf slow down, toughen up and get ready for winter and dormancy. Don’t push extra growth or do anything to the grass that requires growth repair for the fix, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske. LSU AgCenter Horticulturist Lists Do’s and Don’ts of Tree Planting (Distributed 10/24/2003) Many landscape trees are planted from fall through the winter in Louisiana. "Homeowners need to be aware of some of the common mistakes made in planting, establishment and follow-up care of trees," says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings. LSU AgCenter Horticulturist Examines Mushrooms Rings in Lawns [Image: fairy ring] (Distributed 10/24/2003) On cool, moist days, we may see mushrooms sprouting up or doughnut-like rings of dying or dark green grass developing on the lawn. These doughnuts are referred to as fairy rings, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske. LSU AgCenter Horticulturist Discusses Curing and Storing Sweet Potatoes [Image: yam] (Distributed 10/21/2003) Sweet potatoes are not very sweet or moist when first dug. It takes six to eight weeks of proper curing and storage before they have the sweet, moist taste and texture desired when baked, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske. LSU AgCenter Family Economist Offers Tips to Help You Get Out of Debt (Distributed 10/24/2003) If your bills are piling up, you can't make all of your payments on time and you're thinking about paying one credit card balance with a cash advance from another, LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker says it's time to organize your credit payments and develop a plan for reducing your bills. LSU AgCenter Engineer Offers Choices for Trenching and Ditching Tools (Distributed 10/24/2003) Digging ditches and trenches is a fairly common but nevertheless unpleasant do-it-yourself job. All of the do-it-yourself methods involve hard work, but some are not as hard as others, according to Dr. Dick Parish, an engineer at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station. LSU AgCenter Engineer Examines Mechanical vs Chemical Trimming (Distributed 10/24/2003) You can trim and edge mechanically with a string trimmer or edger or chemically with a non-selective herbicide. Dr Dick Parish, an engineer at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station, says each method has advantages and disadvantages. More...