Willing Workers of White Hall Extension Homemakers Club met Nov. 26 at White Hall Library.
Members Penny Scholes and Kathy Wilson collected food pantry items for the White Hall Food Pantry. The pantry officials had requested cake mix and frosting. Vice President Dee Kindrick welcomed everyone. Scholes read the Thought of the Month: If you just get used to filling at least half your plate with fruits and vegetables, that alone would be a success.
Kindrick led members in the Homemaker’s Creed. Kathy Wilson read the Handy Hint: Make vegetables a main course and minimize added sugar to make a healthy meal. Jim Wilson read the Inspiration from Daniel 1:12, 15. He then blessed the food and members had potato soup, sandwiches, chips and dip, peach bread and coconut cake provided by Scholes, Kathy Wilson and Tonia Dalby.
Secretary Jo Ann Carr called the roll with members answering the question: Do you serve meatless meals? Eight members were present. Carr presented the program on What does a healthy diet look like? The Mediterranean Diet and the DASH Diet were discussed.
The DASH Diet is geared toward people living with diabetes. DASH stands for Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension. The Mediterranean Diet is simply a fresh lifestyle approach to eating healthier. It combines a well-balanced variety of foods and daily physical activity.
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Handouts were provided that included recipes for Crisp Rosemary Flatbread Crackers and Spicy Sweet Red Hummus. Carr provided samples of these for members to try.
Kathy Wilson, Continuing Education Chairman, discussed several craft shows including the Keo Pecan Festival on Dec. 7, where she planned to have a craft booth set up. Other shows were the Hot Springs and Redfield Christmas Market.
In the absence of Community Service Chairman Kay Cromwell, Carr reported that the December food pantry items will be sugar, flour and oil. Sarah Payton collected caps, dolls and blankets at the meeting and announced the caps and dolls for Arkansas Children’s Hospital and blankets for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences were to be delivered on Friday.
Members were asked to spread the word that there are still 1-pound bags of shelled pecans and double dipped chocolate peanuts for sale at the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service for $14 a bag. Interested participants may contact any member.
A Club Christmas party was scheduled at Marnette Reed’s for Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. There will be a cookie exchange.
If you would like more information on the DASH or Mediterranean diets, or a copy of the handout, contact Mary Ann Kizer, Jefferson County Extension Family & Consumer Sciences agent, at (870) 534-1033.