
February 1: Car Insurance
States have various laws when it comes to car insurance. In Georgia, you can find out questions related to car insurance through the Georgia Department of Revenue (https://dor.georgia.gov/motor-vehicles/insurance). Georgia law requires Georgia Liability Insurance coverage on all active vehicle registrations. Though this is the type of insurance vehicle owners and leasers are required to have in the state of Georgia, and many other states, there are additional forms of vehicle insurance that are important to consider. These include things like collision coverage and uninsured motorist coverage. Insurance is intended to reduce your risk of serious financial burdens. The only person who can ultimately answer the question of what kind of risk you are willing to take is you, but to truly answer that question well it helps to have the counsel of knowledgeable professionals in the field. The other great thing is having those conversations can sometimes lead to cost savings either through the insurance choices you make or by shopping various carriers.
February 2: Kiwi Fruit

This Vitamin C power-packed fruit is gaining attention in parts of Georgia as a commercial crop. If you are interested in trying to grow kiwi you can find some great information in the “Minor Fruits and Nuts in Georgia” publication. If you aren’t interested in growing this fruit you might find it a great alternative to candy when you get a sweet tooth because it is tart, juicy, and sweet fruit. Try it in a yogurt parfait or as an ice cream topping.
February 3: Wear Red Day
Since 2004 the American Heart Association has had the Go Red For Women initiative to educate women in the U.S. about their number one killer: heart disease. On this day people are encouraged to wear red to help raise awareness. It is of particular importance to educate yourself on what the warning signs are of heart disease events that are life-threatening as the signs for women can differ from the more commonly known signs and symptoms we witness in men. Educating yourself, and helping your community understand, unique issues for women when it comes to heart disease is the first step in changing the statistics of 1 out of 3 women losing their lives to heart disease each year. *(Click the links in the text to learn more)

February 4: Homemade Soup: Slow Cooker Kale, Tomato, and White Bean Soup

Ingedients
2 teaspoons canola oil or 2 teaspoons corn oil
2 cups sliced carrots (about 5 to 7 medium carrots)
1 cup sliced ribs of celery (about 2 ribs)
1 cup finely chopped onion, yellow preferred
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
1 15.5-ounce can no-salt-added or low-sodium cannellini beans
2 14.5-ounce cans no-salt-added diced tomatoes
2 1/2 cups fat-free, low-sodium vegetable broth
10 to 12 ounces frozen kale
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup fresh chopped parsley, optional
Directions
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook the carrots, celery, and onion for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in the garlic. Cook for 1 minute. Transfer to a 3- to 4½-quart slow cooker.
- Stir in the beans, tomatoes, broth, kale, rosemary, and pepper.
- Cook, covered, on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours.
- Carefully take out 2 cups of the soup. Transfer to a food processor or blender. Let cool slightly for about 5 minutes. Process the soup (vent the blender lid) until smooth. (Use caution as the soup and steam are hot and vent the blender lid away from you.)
- Return the soup to the slow cooker. Stir until well blended. Stir in the lemon juice.
- Ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle with parsley.
February 5: Disaster Day
Preparing for natural disasters starts early. This UGA Extension 2020 Residents’ Handbook is a great resource on how to prepare for a variety of disaster events.
February 6: Heart Failure Awareness
Heart Failure is a serious condition that is life-threatening. Knowing the signs and symptoms can help save your life or the life of a loved one. Check out this quick video from the American Heart Association on heart failure warning signs and symptoms.
February 7: Fettuccini Alfredo
I love a good helping of fettuccini alfredo! This is definitely a dish to enjoy in moderation, however. This truly Italian dish has its origins in Rome. It is said that a man who owned a restaurant there had a pregnant wife who was having trouble eating during her pregnancy. This dish was developed in hopes she would have something to consume that would give her the nutrition she and her unborn child needed. Due to the high saturated fat content of this dish, it is a good idea to try making health-conscious substitutions. This recipe from Diabetes Food Hub is a good example of a new spin on a classic dish.

Ingredients
2 avocados
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided use)
1/2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp avocado oil
2 tbsp minced garlic
4 cup zucchini noodles
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Directions
- In a blender or food processor, puree the avocado flesh with 2 tbsp of parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the zucchini noodles and sauté, stirring frequently, until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat, then add the avocado puree. Mix with tongs to coat the zucchini noodles and warm the avocado sauce.
- Serve immediately. Top each serving with the remaining cheese and parsley.
February 8: National Marriage Week

In celebration of National Marriage Week, if you are married, here are some things you can do to strengthen and build your relationship:
- Consider taking a relationship workshop like Elevate to create the space in your relationship to learn or re-establish research-based skills known to enhance committed relationships
- Intentionally set date times on the calendar and don’t skip them.
- Pick a country you would both like to visit and then take some time to learn about the culture together then cook a dish from that country together.
- Take time to remember your love story. How did you meet? What attracted you to each other? What have been your favorite moments together?
- Try a new hobby together
- Read a book together before bed
February 10: Chair Exercises
staying active at work can be a challenge and sitting all day isn’t great for your body. Here are some simple Chair Exercises to incorporate during your workday!
February 9: Green Cleaning
Have you ever considered making your own cleaning products? Have you wondered if they would clean well? Here is a great resource for you. This document is filled with research-based cleaning recipes to tackle a variety of cleaning needs.
February 11: National Shut-in Visitation Day

There can be a variety of reasons an individual is a “shut-in”. Someone could experience a health condition that puts them at risk to be in public or makes them too weak to go beyond their resistance. Others have disabilities that keep them from engaging in typical social and community activities. National Shut-in Visitation Day is observed to not only help us remember the people in our lives and communities who are limited in their social interactions and therefore relationship needs and physical needs being fully met, but it is a reminder to make them a priority in our daily lives in a community. If you know someone who is a shut-in try to make a plan to visit that person more often. Is there something you can bring to them that they don’t have easy access to? Maybe that is groceries or a meal, but maybe it is sitting and knitting with that person or playing a card game. Social interaction is important for the growth and development of every human being and can be very impactful to individuals who can’t engage in their communities in the same way the rest of us do.
February 12: Super Bowl Sunday! Sweet Potato Nachos

Ingredients
1 medium sweet potato (sliced into 1/8-inch thick chips)
nonstick cooking spray
1 frozen pepper-and-onion blend (partially thawed and drained)
1 1/2 cup jalapeño pepper (split lengthwise and seeded)
1reduced-fat shredded cheddar or Mexican-style cheese
1/4 cup salsa
1/4 cup julienned or thinly sliced radishes
2/3 cup cherry tomatoes (cut into fourths)
4 shredded romaine lettuce
1/2 cup light sour cream
2 tbsp minced fresh cilantro
Directions
- Place the sweet potato slices evenly in the air fryer basket. Spray with nonstick cooking spray for 1 second. Spoon the frozen vegetables evenly over the potatoes. Place the jalapeño over the vegetables, skin side up. Spray with nonstick cooking spray for 1 second.
- Set the temperature to 375° F and air fry for 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked. They should be tender but crisp, not soft. Remove the jalapeño pepper and place it in a bowl; cover loosely with a kitchen towel and let stand for 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the vegetables. Air fry for 2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
- Using the tip of a sharp knife, remove the browned or charred skin from the jalapeño pepper. Finely chop the pepper.
- Using a spatula, lift the potatoes and vegetables out of the air fryer basket and arrange in an even layer on a serving platter. Sprinkle the chopped jalapeño over the vegetables. Top with the salsa, radishes, tomatoes, and lettuce. Add a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cilantro. Serve immediately.
February 13: Clean Out Your Computer

Taking time to clean out your computer can help you find things more easily and get on top of digital organization. If it feels overwhelming don’t worry! You don’t have to do it in one sitting. Schedule it out to tackle it a little at a time. Maybe commit to dealing with 5 folders each time you sit down to work on it. Making sure to clean out your computer on a regular basis will help your machine run better too!
February 15: Great American Pie Month

Pie has an interesting history that goes back to ancient Egypt. Even the Romans enjoyed pie! Did you know that the crust used to simply serve as a container to hold the filling and then was discarded? Somewhere along the way, it became an iconic American dessert. If you want to learn more check out the American Pie Council’s website.
February 17: National Caregivers Day

Anyone who has ever been a caregiver for a family member or friend knows it is very challenging work emotionally, mentally, and physically. Though we most often associate caregivers as providing support and care for the elderly this isn’t the whole picture. Some of the most unsupported caregivers are those dealing with family or children who have serious mental health struggles. Often these caregivers cannot share the challenges and difficulties they face taking care of their loved ones. There are also those who have children or family with long-term or life-long conditions requiring a lot of medical attention and exhausting advocacy on the behalf of their loved one. Taking the time to offer a meal, driving them to appointments, sitting with them in hospitals, or writing notes to let them know they are seen and cared for is life-giving through very challenging circumstances that affect their entire families. If you have a friend or family member who is a caregiver do something special for them this month.
February 14: Valentine’s Day

“Valentine’s day isn’t just a day for romantic love; this Valentine’s Day, be sure to make it a Family celebration and have a special and healthy conversation about positive acts of love, special moments, or memories that show that you each care for one another!” See the rest of Nancy Adams’ blog post here.
February 16: National Almond Day
“The almond (Prunus amygdalus) is a close relative of the peach. The tree and snow white blooms are similar to those of the peach, but the seed is the edible part of the almond.
Climate requirements are quite exact for almonds, and commercial production is limited to areas with dry summers. The necessary chilling hours (300 to 500 below 45 °F) are much like the peach varieties grown in south Georgia, but rain and high humidity during the growing season (late July and August) cause nut rot and inhibit nut opening. The outer flesh of the almond must have dry weather to dry and split open properly.
Most almond varieties require cross-pollination, but some self-fertile varieties are available.
Almond culture is the same as peach culture, and the recommendations on planting, fertilizing and pruning peaches are applicable to almonds. (See UGA Extension Circular 1063, Home Garden Peaches.)
For Georgia, the best home orchard variety is ‘Halls Hardy’. This variety is late blooming, self-fertile and hardshelled.
The same pests are a problem for almonds and peaches, and a regular spray schedule is required to produce a good yield.” (excerpt from Minor Fruits and Nuts in Georgia – written by Westerfield and Krewer)

February 18: Overnight Oatmeal
Oats are a great grain to incorporate for your heart health. Even better they are very easy to make. If you are finding yourself stretched for time to make a meal – be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner – and want a fresh idea, try this Overnight Oatmeal recipe from Healthier Together.


February 19: Basketball

This staple game in American culture was created by a man named James Naismith in 1891 at Springfield College. What started as a solution to a boring offseason of indoor gym activities after football ended turned into a multi-billion dollar professional sport, intermural game, and pick-up game globally. If you are looking for something to bring some excitement to a workout routine that has become a little boring maybe you should give basketball a try.

February 20: Family Day

It’s that time of year when things are getting crazy busy. We fill our schedules with events and commitments and before long we realize we haven’t spent a ton of time with our family. Let today serve as an opportunity to spend a few hours focused on family. If schedules don’t permit this to happen today then use this day as a prompt to put a specific time on the calendar. Enjoy a meal together, play a game, or make something together!
February 21: Crepes
Crepes are great because they are so versatile. You can make them sweet or savory. Check out this Walk Georgia recipe for crepes!

Ingredients
For the crepes:
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup non-fat milk
1/3 cup water
1 tablespoon canola oil
2/3 cup white whole-wheat flour
1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
Non-stick cooking spray
For the Filling:
Non-fat whipped topping
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
Directions
Make the crepes:
- In a medium bowl, beat together the egg, milk, water, and oil. Add the flour and sugar and stir until smooth.
- Spray an 8-inch non-stick skillet with non-stick cooking spray. Heat over medium heat.
- Add 1/4 cup crepe batter and tilt so the batter covers the pan evenly. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on one side and then loosen the edges and flip when the bottom of the crepe is light brown. Cook another minute or until lightly browned on the second side.
- Remove from the pan and set aside on a plate.
- Repeat with the remaining batter until all 4 crepes are made.
Assemble the crepes:
- Place the chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for about 1 minute or until melted.
- On the inside of each crepe, spread a little chocolate, and then place a line of strawberry slices down the center.
- Fold crepe over and decorate with 2 tablespoons of non-fat whipped topping.
Yields 4 servings
Nutrition Analysis:
Calories: 250, Carbohydrate: 34 grams, Protein: 6 grams, Fat: 12 grams, Saturated fat: 5 grams, Cholesterol: 54 milligrams, Sodium: 34 milligrams, Dietary Fiber: 4 grams
February 22: Teen Dating Violence Month

February is Teen Dating Violence month – a difficult but an important topic to discuss with your teens. To learn more check out this blog post.
February 24: National Library Lovers Month

Sometimes we forget that the library has much more to offer than books. In many cities, libraries also provide quiet work spaces, public computers, and internet access. It’s not uncommon to find videos and music available to check out. If your library system has ebooks available to check out you can have a good read while traveling without worrying about losing the book! One of the coolest things I’ve ever seen in a library was in Gilmer County Georgia where they have a seed share for those interested in gardening. Library users can access new seeds and share seeds with each other through a designated place in the library that also place books about growing seasons and commonly grown plants in that region of Georgia right next to the seed catalog box for easy research and decision-making! Take some time to stop by your local library and see what they have to offer!
February 26: Smelly Water?

Are you experiencing smelly water? There can be a number of causes for smelly water. Though water testing is helpful it isn’t always exacting in identifying the cause. Check out this very helpful educational piece about how to deal with smelly water.
February 23: Food Preservation

“Do you have the opportunity to shop for produce in bulk (possibly cheaper) and wonder how you will ever eat it before it all spoils? Were you ever gifted an abundance of a friend’s fruit tree bounty? Or, do you have more tomatoes than you know what to do with at the end of the summer season? Preserving your food items yourself means that you can provide yourself access to an abundant variety of food when fresh may not be readily accessible.” Check out the rest of Nancy Adams’ blog post here.
February 25: Healthy Snacks

We all have times when we get a little peckish and need a snack. At the same time, many of us are not getting the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables in our diets. Fruits and veggies are important because they provide important micronutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. One of the great things about fruits and vegetables is that they are low-calorie, low-fat, nutrient-dense choices that contribute to good health. Try adding a fruit or vegetable as a snack during the day to help reach dietary guideline recommendations. Using 2 tablespoons of hummus or guacamole will help make vegetables tastier and provide healthy fats and protein which will help curb hunger. Try adding a serving, or half a serving, of nuts with your fruit for the same effect.
February 27: Dental Health

Did you know your dentist can sometimes identify health conditions that aren’t really about your teeth? During a cleaning, a dentist can see signs of serious chronic health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. Check out this article by the American Heart Association for more information.
February 28: Youth Leadership

If you are looking for a way your K-12 kid can learn life skills that will contribute to their success in becoming a contributing member of their community and effective leader in every area they are planted consider getting them involved in 4-H. There is something to interest every young person through 4-H including focused opportunities to grow their leadership skills and that gain them an opportunity to make an impression once they apply to college. Learn more about Georgia 4-H here.