Factors That Influence Our Gut Health
Sound Living
The connection between our brain and gut is stronger than most people think. In fact, it’s so strong it’s often called the “brain-gut axis” that helps link our digestive system with our brain through nerves, hormones and chemical signals. Kansas State University Extension nutrition agent for Johnson County, Chelsea King, recently presented a Walk Kansas webinar on good gut health. She says that what we eat plays a key role in gut health and that she likes to refer to the gut microbiome as the bed and breakfast for the bacteria that live within us. King discusses the many factors that...
info_outline
Use Screen Time to Engage with Children
Sound Living
TV, smartphones and tablets have become part of our culture. However, we shouldn’t be spending every waking minute staring at a screen. Research shows both adults and children benefit from limiting their screen time to a few hours a day outside of work and school. K-State Extension child development specialist, Bradford Wiles, says screens aren’t the problem…they’re just a tool. He says the problem occurs when screens are being used to isolate a child rather than engage with the child. Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and...
info_outline
How Stress Can Affect Your Health
Sound Living
April is stress awareness month. It serves as a reminder to pause, reflect, and take proactive steps to protect our health and well-being. K-State Extension Johnson County family and community wellness agent, Joy Miller, says regardless of age, background, or lifestyle, stress affects everyone. When it becomes persistent, it can contribute to serious health concerns. According to Miller, recognizing the early signs of stress, no matter how it presents itself, is key to preventing long-term consequences. Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and...
info_outline
Benefits of Preparing Healthy Meals at Home
Sound Living
Today’s fast-paced world can make finding time to prepare and sit down to home-cooked meals a challenge. However, cooking at home has many benefits. It promotes better nutrition, saves money and strengthens family bonds. With a little planning, practice and strategy, Christina Holmes, Extension family and consumer sciences specialist for K-State’s Southeast Region, and Cloe Mills, a K-State Extension intern and master’s student in dietetics, say preparing healthy meals at home can become both manageable and enjoyable. Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues...
info_outline
Understanding Hospice Care
Sound Living
After receiving a lot of questions about hospice care, K-State Extension developed a four-page Fact Sheet, Understanding Hospice. K-State Extension specialist in adult development and aging, Erin Martinez, is one of the co-authors. She says it helps answer the questions people have about how hospice care works, including how to qualify for end-of-life care, finding a provider, common myths about hospice and how to talk to family about hospice care. Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode...
info_outline
Health Benefits of Being in Nature
Sound Living
According to Kansas State University researchers, getting outside for even a few minutes each day can provide measurable health benefits. Gina Besenyi and Emily Mailey say nature exposure – even without vigorous exercise – plays a powerful role in overall well-being. “Energize Your Workday: Movement and Nature for Focus and Vitality” was the topic for an April 1st Walk Kansas webinar. The K-State experts discussed how just being in nature and being more physically active throughout the workday can help improve our physical and mental health and well-being. Sound Living is a weekly...
info_outline
Grilling? Focus on Food Safety
Sound Living
With spring grilling season now underway in Kansas, food safety should be at the top of the list when preparing food outdoors. Kansas State University food scientist, Karen Blakeslee, discusses the importance of hand washing, keeping raw meat, poultry and seafood separate from ready-to-eat foods, and using a thermometer to check the doneness of all grilled meats. Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food...
info_outline
Five Tips to Promote Financial Success
Sound Living
We all make day-to-day decisions about money. While most decisions are small – buying coffee on the way to work, going out for lunch or hitting the vending machine for an afternoon snack – the choices we make impact our financial success. April is Financial Literacy Month and K-State Research and Extension family resource management specialist Elizabeth Kiss (kish) shares five tips to promote financial success, as well as how parents can help children understand finances by discussing the family’s short, medium and long-term goals. Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program...
info_outline
Discovering the Power of Nutrition
Sound Living
March is National Nutrition Month. Established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the campaign highlights the essential role of food in fueling daily life, preventing chronic disease, boosting immunity, and enhancing overall physical and mental health. This year’s theme is Discover the Power of Nutrition. Kansas State University Extension nutrition, food safety and health expert for Johnson County, Chelsea King, says food is powerful. Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode...
info_outline
The Educational Side of Walk Kansas
Sound Living
Kansas State University’s Walk Kansas, an eight-week health and wellness program, begins March 22nd and runs through May 16th. In addition to a physical component, the annual event features webinars, weekly newsletters and additional resources to help participants reach their individual or team goals. Walk Kansas State Leader and northeast area family and consumer sciences specialist, Sharolyn Jackson, previews this year’s webinars and how the educational component can benefit participants during – and after – Walk Kansas ends. Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program...
info_outlineKansas State University Extension agents and specialists are helping residents manage chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes and cancer through education, coaching and community-based support. Kansas Health Foundation’s Distinguished Professor of Community Health at K-State, Elaine Johannes, says the past year has been especially busy for Extension programming focused on community health, with hypertension, diabetes and cancer standing out because of the reach and collaboration involved with those programs.
Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food safety, adult development and aging, youth development, family resource management, physical fitness and more.
Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu.
K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.