Page 53 - Robeson Living Fall 2020

Making A Plan to Save

By Shea Ann DeJarnette, Extension 4-H
Youth Development Agent

Skillet Pork and Apples
Ingredients
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 4 (3- to 4-ounce) pork chops
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon margarine
• 1 medium apple, sliced
• 1/3 cup fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth

Directions
1. Combine first 3 ingredients in a small bowl; sprinkle evenly
over pork chops.
2. Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high
heat.
Lumberton, N.C. -- How important is it for you to have a plan? 3. Add pork and cook for 5 to 6 minutes or until browned.
Even better, what benefits do you receive from planning your 4. Add margarine; heat 15 to 30 seconds until melted.
meals in advance? Meal planning provides a means to save 5. Add apples and chicken broth.
money on your grocery bill, eliminates prolonged time in the 6. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook 2 to 3 minutes
kitchen, and promotes healthier food selection. Without a plan or until thermometer inserted in center of pork chop reaches
in place you are more prone to order take out more frequently, 145°F.
which can be a costly expense, especially if you have a large
family to prepare meals for. As an Adult Nutrition Educator For more information, contact Ashley McRae, Extension Adult
for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EF- Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program Assistant
NEP) I always share with my participants the importance of with North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County
creating shopping lists of what they need, while also using this Center, at 671-3276, or by E-mail at Ashley_McRae@ncsu.
as a time to shop the pantry to avoid over-purchasing. edu. NC State University and N.C. A&T State University are
collectively committed to positive action to secure equal op-
There is a common misconception that meal planning takes up portunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment regard-
too much time, when in actuality thirty minutes would suffice less of age, color, disability, family and marital status, gender
to execute your daily, weekly, or monthly menu. Once there identity, genetic information, national origin, political beliefs,
is a meal plan in place, you will notice that your time in the race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation,
kitchen has reduced from that dreaded hour to roughly thirty and veteran status. NC State, N.C. A&T, U.S. Department of
minutes, depending on the recipe. This is possible because you Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
have already decided what to prepare and have gathered the
needed ingredients for your pre-selected meals. When plan- ABOUT N.C. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
ning, make sure to include simple meals that require minimal N.C. Cooperative Extension is a strategic partnership of NC
preparation and clean up time. Also consider recipes that have State Extension, The Cooperative Extension Program at N.C.
enough servings for there to be leftovers that can be eaten at a A&T State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s
later time. Meal planning not only allows you to expand your National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA),
pallet by adding more diversity to your meals, it also helps to and local governments statewide. Extension professionals in
manage your food resources more effectively. all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee In-
dians connect millions of North Carolinians with research-
Here is a simple yet delicious recipe from the “Cooking with based information and technology from NC State and N.C.
EFNEP: Recipes for Eating Smart and Moving More” cook- A&T. Educational programs specialize in agriculture, food
book that will get you started on your meal planning journey. and nutrition, 4-H youth development, community develop-
ment, and the environment.
Robeson Living ~ Fall 2020 Page 53