Health and Happiness: The Surprising Benefits of Volunteering · Fruit-infused Water For a healthy alternative to juices or soda, try infusing water with fresh fruit. No added sugar.
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May - June 2018
Health and Happiness:
The Surprising Benefits of Volunteering This is the program I shared during the Spring Council Appreciation Dinner in April.
Adapted from Helpguide.org/ Jeanne Segal and Lawrence Robinson
The Happiness Effect
A study from the London School of Economics found that the
more that people volunteered, the happier they were.
Compared with people who never volunteered at all:
Monthly volunteers are 7% happier
Every 2-4 week volunteers are 12% happier
Weekly volunteers are 16% happier
Benefit 1: Volunteering connects you to others
Volunteers, such as Extension Homemakers, give their time and
talents to impact the lives of people in our community and
beyond. Even so, when we give of ourselves to help others, we
too will benefit--it is a two-way street. When we find ourselves
involved in service projects, we are also making new friends
and boosting our own social skills. So it naturally follows that we
end up strengthening our own ties to the community.
Benefit 2: Volunteering is good for your mind and body
Nothing relieves stress better than a meaningful connection to
another person--it counteracts the effects of stress, anger,
anxiety. Volunteering helps combat depression by helping us
focus on others. That makes us happy--the more we give, the
happier we feel. Surprisingly, this leads to an increase in self-
confidence because we know we have helped others.
Volunteering also provides a sense of purpose –especially for
those who may have had a recent major life adjustment, i.e.
lost a spouse or recently retired.
Giving of yourself helps you stay physically healthy. Those who
volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not
volunteer—more normal blood pressure, less chronic pain, clearer
thinking, and a reduced risk of heart disease. (Continued on page 2) For more information, contact the Cleveland County Extension office at 870-325-6321. You may
also email Diane Clement at dclement@uaex.edu.
In This Issue:
Health and Happiness
EHC Reminders
AEHC State Meeting
County Events
Watermelon Tomato Salad
Cleveland County Office 501 East Magnolia PO Box 386 Rison, AR 71665 Phone: (870) 325-6321 Diane Clement County Extension Agent- Family and Consumer Sciences E-mail: dclement@uaex.edu Facebook: UAEX Cleveland County Twitter: @ClementDiane
May 15 Leader Training, 9:30 a.m.,
fairgrounds. The lesson will be
How Long to Store Frozen Foods
and What If Your Freezer Stops?
The Health/Wellness leader of
each club should attend.
EHC Board Meeting 10:00 a.m.
May 29 EHC Reorganization packets
sent to each club president.
June 5-7 AEHC State Meeting, Hot Springs
June 29 EH Club Reorganization forms
due at county Extension office
July 20 Club Secretary Books due at the
Extension office
EHC Reminders
AEHC State Meeting
-Karen Bell Fox to Be Installed as
AEHC President
Representatives from Cleveland County
will be attending the AEHC State
Conference at the Hot Springs
Convention Center June 5 through June
7. The theme this year is Growing
Through Communication.
A special event that will take place at
this year’s conference is the installation
of new officers. Karen Bell Fox, Friendship
Club and Council Treasurer, will be
installed as the new AEHC President on
Thursday, June 7. You are invited to
attend the installation program that
morning to show support for Karen.
Congratulations Karen Bell Fox
(Continued from page 1)
Benefit 3: Volunteering can advance your
career
If you are looking to advance in your line of
work or relocate, volunteering is a great
way to learn new skills and make new
contacts in your network.
Benefit 4: Volunteering brings fun and
fulfillment to your life
Volunteering can be relaxing, or
energizing, or an escape from your day-to-
day routine. It provides renewed creativity,
motivation, and vision.
May is AEHC Month
During the month of May we
want to promote Cleveland County
Extension Homemakers and the leadership,
continuing education, and service
opportunities they bring to communities.
Some of the organizations and events
helped by Extension Homemaker Clubs are:
Fair board, Monticello Children’s Home,
Single Parent Scholarship Fund, Pioneer
Village, Community Action Groups from
Kickstart Cleveland County, Local Fire
Departments, CASA, Junk Hunt,
Greenhouse Cottages, Quilts of Valor,
Homesteading Conference, Rison
Veteran’s Park, New Edinburg Veteran’s
Park, and Marks Mill Clean Up.
Last year, EH Club members volunteered
13,757 hours at an estimated value to the
community of $332,094.
Thank you EHC for making our county and
our state even better by the selfless ways
you give.
Horticulture Field Day Southwest Arkansas Research Center
Hope
Ouachita District Family and Consumer
Sciences Agents presented The Fruits of
Summer recipe workshop at the Horticulture
Field Day on May 17. Visitors to the Research
Center attended sessions on Tomato
Production, Tomato Diseases and Pests,
Blackberry Production, Controlling Squash Bugs
and Other Garden Pests, Fruit Breeding and
Genetics, and Watermelon Production.
Look for the surprisingly delicious and refreshing
Watermelon Tomato Salad recipe on page 4.
MyPlate Relay,
Rison Elementary Fun Day
New Edinburg, Farm to Market 5K
2
Fruit-infused Water
For a healthy alternative to juices or soda, try
infusing water with fresh fruit. No added sugar. You can also try some
fresh herbs and veggies. Place washed herbs, fruit, and veggies in a large jar, fill with cold water. Allow
to sit several hours or overnight. Remove citrus peels after 30 minutes or they may become bitter.
Combinations to try:
Blueberry Citrus Basil Apple Raspberry
Rosemary Pineapple Cucumber Mint
Melon Basil Peach Ginger
Melon Cucumber Mint
Watermelon Tomato Salad
Serves 6
5 cups watermelon, ¾ inch cubes, seeds removed
3 cups cubed tomatoes, ¾ inch cubes
¼ teaspoon salt
1 small red onion, quartered and thinly sliced
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon black pepper
6 lettuce leaves
1. Combine watermelon and tomatoes in a large bowl.
2. Sprinkle with salt; toss to coat. Let stand 15 minutes.
3. Stir in onions, vinegar, and oil.
4. Cover and chill for 2 hours.
5. Serve chilled on lettuce leaves if desired.
6. Sprinkle with black pepper to taste.
Calories 100, Fat 5g, Protein 2g, Carbohydrates 18g, Cholesterol 0mg,
Sodium 105mg
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