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Saturday, November 21, 2015 An Advertising Feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

Jamie Kidd Garden Column – 3 Create holiday gifts that keep on giving – 5 Free yourself from the flu – 6 TCJ Pin of the Week – 9 Service Directory – 10

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America’s favorite snack Jamie Kidd

jamiehan@ksu.edu There is a very strong consensus that corn was present at the first Thanksgiving in 1621. But, how old is corn? Corn in various forms has been around for a very long time. Archeologists found corn pollen in drilling cores taken 200 feet below Mexico City. The pollen is considered to be about 80,000 years old. Corncobs recovered from bat caves have been carbon dated to be 5,600 years old. Historic drawings show pictures of corn plants and corn products. We know that Native American Indians grew corn in abun-

dance long before Columbus arrived in 1492.

How was corn used? Called maize by the Indians, corn was used fresh and dried as food. Twelve to twenty bushels could be placed in drying piles and then stored in underground storage pits, lined with grasses to prevent mildew or spoiling. Some tribes stored the grain high in their permanent huts where the low smoldering fire would keep smoke encircling the food. This would deter insects and prevent mold. Corn husks were used to make sleeping mats. Husks were sewn together with basswood cord and had braided edges. Husks were also made into floor mats. Wool combined with cornhusks and basswood cording created bags and moccasins.

Today the most common types of corn are flint, dent, sweet, and popcorn. Flint, also called Indian corn is now mostly grown in Central and South America.

This is that brightly colored, hard shelled

corn we decorate our tables with. Dent corn is “field corn” and is used for livestock feed and industrial products like cornstarch which is used to strengthen fabric, and corn syrup used to sweeten foods and soft drinks. Printer’s ink, ethanol, glue, shoe polish, aspirin, marshmallows, ice cream and cosmetics can all contain corn syrup. Our imagination is our only limit.

Sweet corn contains more sugar than any other corn and is seldom processed into feed or flour. Newly formed kernels are full of liquid or “milk”. This stage doesn’t last long because the plant’s natural goal is to convert the milk to starch that is later used to sustain new plants.

The milk stage, however, is the prime time to pick and eat the corn for maximum flavor and sweetness.

Popcorn is a type of flint corn. It has a very hard shell but, has a soft starchy center where moisture is trapped. Heating the popcorn turns the moisture into

steam and when the pressure is great enough the kernel explodes and turns inside out revealing the white puffy stuff we like to eat. A common way to eat popcorn that the Indians used was to hold an oiled ear on a stick over a fire and eat the popped kernel right off the cob. This popping technique was popular in Paraguay to create superb bouquets fit to adorn a lady’s hair. Colonists enjoyed popcorn as a puffed breakfast cereal and served it with milk or cream.

During World War II, sugar was rationed and the majority sent to the soldiers overseas. Americans at home began to snack on popcorn. At 5-10 cents a bag it was a cheap treat for working families.

Theaters and amusement parks kept a ready supply for patrons. When television took off popcorn sales dropped. Fewer people were going to the movies. Clever ad campaigns sparked Americans to pop

KIDD continues on 4C

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Kidd: Microwave popcorn keeps corn business booming Continued from 3C popcorn at home while watching their favorite shows. Remember Jiffy Pop popcorn? Popcorn sales soared once again.

Today the average American eats nearly 70 quarts of popcorn a year. That’s about 16 billion quarts of popcorn. That’s a lot of corn! Microwaveable popcorn has helped generate this number. Most of the world now gets its corn from Nebraska and Indiana but, Kansas is also a major producer of corn.

My first exposure to popcorn coincides with my first drive-in movie experience at the age of two. My parents would dress my brother and me in our pajamas, make a bed for us in the back seat, and bring along popcorn and lemonade. I don’t recall any of the movies. We always fell asleep. (I think that was the plan.) But, I vividly remember the wonderful aroma of hot buttered popcorn and sweet lem-

onade. To this day that is a great combination for me.

I wonder… did cave children eat popcorn and fall asleep watching Daddy paint pictures on cave walls? Hum….

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jamie Kidd is a horticulturist with Kansas State Research and Extension in Shawnee County.

Tip: What to do with the Old Maids.

Unpopped kernels, or Old Maids, found at the bottom of the bowl can be rejuvenated. They are merely lacking the moisture they need inside the kernel. Fill a onequart jar ¾ full of popcorn and add one tablespoon of water. Close the jar tightly and give it a few good shakes every few minutes until all of the water has absorbed by the popcorn. In two or three days pop a test batch of kernels. If you still get Old Maids add a few more drops of water to the jar, shake and let it set for a few more days. Store the jar in a cool place.

Stock Photo/Metro Creative Connection

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Create Holiday Gifts That Keep on Giving

By Melinda Myers Birds & Blooms Magazine

Make this holiday season one filled with creating memories and gifts that keep giving throughout the year.

Terrariums have made a comeback and make wonderful do-it-yourself projects and gifts for beginning and experienced gardeners. They enable gardeners to continue to grow no matter the weather outdoors and can be updated and used as decorations throughout the year with some simple updating for holidays and other special occasions. Just add a few ceramic items like a Christmas tree ornament, ceramic bunny or other adornment or two that represent the season. Don’t know where to start? No problem. You can create your own from an old glass jar or vase or purchase an elegant terrarium with copper bottom guaranteed to create the perfect stage for your tabletop garden.

Or purchase a terrarium kit that includes the plants, container and all you need.

For the artist, young or old, and avid birder, consider a green birdhouse. These biodegradable birdhouses are made from

100% recycled paper and designed to last through one nesting season. You will have fun decorating it with stickers, markers or paint, making this a gift you and the birds will enjoy. Plus, once the season is over, there’s no need for cleaning. It can simply be added to the compost pile.

Not feeling artistic? No worries. Give a decorative treat for the birds. Those with live Christmas trees can extend their enjoyment by decorating the tree with colorful birdseed ornaments once it is moved outdoors. Make your own ornaments from suet, peanut butter and birdseed or purchase ready-made ones.

And no green thumb is needed for this DIY holiday beauty. Easy care waxed amaryllis bulbs (gardeners.com) are self contained and easy to grow. The bulb is sealed in gold or silver wax, making it both decorative and low maintenance. There’s no watering or container needed. Just set it in a bright location and wait for the floral display to appear before your eyes. You’ll be enjoying big blooms for several weeks.

Stay on your diet as the holiday approaches with a sugar-free advent calendar. You can make your own from felt and

fabric glue or start a family tradition by purchasing a handcrafted advent calendar like the wooden bird cottage advent calendar (gardeners.com) that celebrates nature and the holiday. Each day leading to Christmas you’ll remove a bird from its cubby in the cottage. Peg it to the birdhouse and watch the flock grow. Your friends and family will know Christmas is coming each year when you break out the calendar. It’s sure to provide years of memories and could soon become a family heirloom.

Make this the year for creating memorable gifts, trying something new or packaging DIY projects that are sure to provide seasons of fun and beauty.

Gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including Can’t Miss Small Space Gardening and the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything: Food Gardening For Everyone” DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment segments. Myers is also a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers’ web site, www.melindamyers.com, offers gardening videos and tips.

Photo courtesy Gardener’s Supply company

Amaryllis in full bloom.

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Free yourself from the flu Preventive steps to protect your home and business Family Features

With flu season approaching, parents may be bracing for an outbreak at their children’s schools, but adults are also highly susceptible at work and in other public places. Now is the time for families and businesses to take steps to prevent and protect against the flu.

With workers missing as much as a week after falling ill with the flu, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services attributes as much as $7 billion in losses for U.S. businesses each year as a result of workers’ sick days and lost productivity. Combine that with lost wages, missed school and sporting events, and the overall hit to your personal health, and the toll is higher yet.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates between 3,000 and 49,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations each year depending upon the severity of the flu season. People at high risk for developing flu-related complications include children under 5, adults 65 or older, pregnant women, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care centers, and people who have medical conditions such as asthma, chronic lung disease, heart disease and blood disorders.

“Influenza is a serious viral infection, and the toll on public health each year related to influenza is significant,” said Dr. John Hanlin, vice president of public health and food safety at Ecolab. “Fortunately, there are a number of important measures that you, your family and your business colleagues can take to reduce the risk of influenza.”

Getting a flu vaccine and taking antiviral medications as prescribed if you do contract the flu are two ways the CDC advocates stopping the spread of flu germs.

Another vital factor in protecting yourself from the flu is preventing its spread.

The flu is a respiratory infection accompanied by fever and often respiratory complications that is transmitted from person to person, either through personal contact, or through contact with a contaminated surface. Individuals who have contracted the virus are contagious at least one day prior to displaying symptoms, and up to seven days after they first appear.

In addition, the flu virus can survive up to 48 hours on stainless steel and plastic surfaces, and up to 12 hours on cloth, paper and tissues. Properly cleaning and disinfecting can minimize the chances of

individuals contracting the virus from a contaminated surface.

Prevent contamination To properly clean, disinfect and protect your environment, know that you should:  Clean any visible soil from surfaces before disinfecting. When cleaning and disinfecting, work from top to bottom and from cleaner to more heavily soiled surfaces.  Thoroughly wet the surface with a U.S. EPA registered disinfectant and follow label instructions. Choose disinfectants effective against the flu virus, such as Ecolab’s line of disinfectant products, which are available for institutional and industrial use.  Disinfect frequently touched hard surfaces often, including tables, chairs, light switches, door handles and restroom facilities.  Give special attention to frequently touched surfaces in food preparation areas, as well as the restroom, including light and air control switches, faucets, toilet flush levers, door knobs and handrails.  Avoid touching public items that sustain heavy use, such as elevator buttons and push plates on doors, with your hands.

Proper hand hygiene Hand-washing is also essential to preventing an influenza contamination.

Proper hand-washing helps remove most bacteria, viruses and other pathogens, so they can’t be spread to others. The CDC recommends these steps:  Wet hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap and apply soap.  Rub hands together to lather the soap.

Clean the backs of hands, between fingers and under nails.  Scrub for at least 20 seconds.  Rinse well under clean, running water.  Dry with a clean towel or air dry.  Before using hand sanitizer, remove any dirt from hands with soap and water.

Apply product to palm and rub hands together until it disappears (15-20 seconds).

Education is the first step in promoting effective hand hygiene. But the real challenge is motivating others to wash frequently and follow protocols day in and day out.  Use soaps that are gentle on hands.

Formulations that irritate skin may dissuade even the most dedicated hand-

Getty Images/Family Features

Children and elderly are most affected by the flu virus - proper hand hygiene is essential to preventing an influenza contamination. washer.  Be a role model and wash your hands following the same high standard you set for your family and coworkers.  Continuously reinforce that protection starts with prevention, and handwashing is critical to prevention.

Extra care in the kitchen Because flu and cold viruses can spread easily to foods and beverages, it’s especially important to promote hand-washing in the kitchen. The Food and Drug Administration suggests:

FLU continues on 7C

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Flu: Extra steps to take Continued from 6C ď Ž Plan food preparation activities to reduce the number of times hands need to be washed. ď Ž Use soap and water, which is more effective in removing foodborne pathogens than hand sanitizers.

For additional information on how Ecolab can help you and your business prepare for the flu season, visit ecolab.com/pages/ flu.

Getty Images/Family Features

The flu virus can survive on stainless steel surfaces for up to 48 hours but cleaning surfaces regularly can prevent the spread of the flu.

6 Ways to Minimize Exposure to the Flu

1. Avoid close contact with people who are

sick.

2. Stay home when you are sick.

3. Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing

or coughing.

4. Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based, waterless hand sanitizer frequently.

5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

6. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

Human

Influenza Virus

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The Topeka Capital-Journal Pin of the Week Follow all of The CapitalJournal Pinterest boards – www.pinterest.com/ tcjmedia/

Thankful Rolls Make Thanksgiving meaningful... Start the conversation at Thanksgiving dinner.

Create a list of several different questions, type and print them. Then simply cut each question into strips. Wrap each folded question in some tinfoil to protect it while the rolls are baking. Place the folded notes in between two round pieces of dough and let the dough rise and bake the rolls normally. Have your guest open the roll like a fortune cookie and answer the question. source: The Idea Room

To get more information on this project and others, visit The Topeka Capital-Journal’s At Home Living - Special Occasion Pinterest board.

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Service Directory

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