You CAN Manage Your Diabetes By Johanna Hicks
Feb28

You CAN Manage Your Diabetes By Johanna Hicks

You CAN Manage Your Diabetes!             As many of you know, our youngest son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2 ½ and our world was turned topsy turvy!  When I re-entered the career as Extension Agent several years ago, my passion was diabetes education.  Our son was my inspiration for helping others manage diabetes....

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Secure Your Child’s Future – Free Car Seat Inspection: By Johanna Hicks
Feb22

Secure Your Child’s Future – Free Car Seat Inspection: By Johanna Hicks

               Every parent wants the best for their child’s future, and one of the best ways to make sure your child will have a bright future is to be sure that you are correctly using the correct car seat for your child…and that the seat is correctly installed in your vehicle.  The problem is that keeping them safe in vehicles isn’t as easy as it might...

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Going Green By Johanna Hicks
Feb15

Going Green By Johanna Hicks

               When you hear the words “going green,” your thoughts probably turn to water conservation, energy conservation, using environmentally-safe cleaning products, and so on.  However, the focus of this column is totally different.  I’m talking about salad greens – spinach, in particular....

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Love is in the Air By Johanna Hicks
Feb08

Love is in the Air By Johanna Hicks

               Ahhh, February – a month of love, Valentines, hearts, flowers, candy, candlelight, and romance.  The months of December and February are popular for marriage proposals, and many couples will be embarking on a journey to plan the perfect wedding.  However, the WEDDING is not the important part.  The MARRIAGE should be the focus of any...

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Two Diabetes Series Available By Johanna Hicks
Feb01

Two Diabetes Series Available By Johanna Hicks

               Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides numerous educational opportunities at low- or no-cost to individuals.  One of those banner programs is diabetes education.  Approximately 12% of Hopkins County residents have been diagnosed with diabetes (higher than the state of Texas and the U.S.) according to the Centers for Disease Control. ...

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Loving Your Heart – for the Health of it By Johanna Hicks
Jan25

Loving Your Heart – for the Health of it By Johanna Hicks

            While February is best known for Valentine’s Day, did you know that it is also American Heart Month? This February, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service recommends giving your heart love, too, by being aware of heart problems and the steps you can take to prevent them.             Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)...

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Easy, Breezy New Year’s Resolution By Johanna Hicks
Jan18

Easy, Breezy New Year’s Resolution By Johanna Hicks

             While eating more fruits and vegetables and parking as far away from the supermarket as possible will help improve your health in 2019, here’s a resolution that can impact the lives of others — as well as your own life.  Make a resolution in 2019 to focus on your driving and drive like you would want the person in front of you, behind you, and beside you to drive.                  On many occasions, I have found myself...

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Off to a Healthy Start By Johanna Hicks
Jan11

Off to a Healthy Start By Johanna Hicks

               You have probably heard, “New Year, New You.”  I, for one, prefer being myself, but there are some improvements that can be made. The start of the new year is the perfect time to establish new goals, habits, and a healthy lifestyle.  Teas A&M AgriLife Extension Service recommends starting this year off on the right foot by getting active and eating right!...

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Hopkins County 4-H & Youth Program By Johanna Hicks
Jan04

Hopkins County 4-H & Youth Program By Johanna Hicks

           Several of my previous columns featured major programs that are offered through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Hopkins County.  One of the major branches under the large umbrella of Extension is the 4-H & Youth program, so I wanted to focus on some of the accomplishments of our youth.                Hopkins County boasts nearly 150 4-H...

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A Year in Review – Master Wellness Volunteer Initiative By Johanna Hicks
Dec28

A Year in Review – Master Wellness Volunteer Initiative By Johanna Hicks

Note: This is the 4th in a series of “A Year in Review,” highlighting major program efforts in the area of Family & Community Health.                In the United States, 80% of all health spending is related to chronic conditions – things like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and others.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and...

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