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Tips for defrosting, cooking turkeys

By WTOP Staff

Kristi King, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – Poke a Thanksgiving turkey labeled “fresh” and the surface might give a little. Underneath it’ll feel hard, but that doesn’t mean it’s frozen.

Labe ling laws say “fresh” can apply to raw poultry that’s never been below 26 degrees. So, fresh birds might be between 26 and 40 degrees when purchased.

While 26 degrees is more chilly than what most folks consider freezing, 32 degrees that freezes water doesn’t do the trick on everything. Not when salt, fat and protein are part of the mix.

“They all have their own specific freezing temperatures,” says the Director of the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line Mary Clingman who says fresh birds are considered “very deeply chilled.”

So, if you have a 26-degree or 28-degree bird that’s hard enough to land with a clunk on your counter, it’s not as hard as you think.

“You could take a skewer and go right through it,” Clingman says.

If a rock solid frozen bird on your shopping list you’ll want to de frost if safely before Thursday.

For refrigerator defrosting, plan 24 hours for each 4- to 5 pounds of turkey. With cold water defrosting, plan about 30 minutes a pound. And, you should change the water about every 30 minutes.

A thawed or fresh turkey can stay in the fridge one or two days safely before cooking.

But get this. You don’t have to defrost a bird before baking it. The U.S. Department of Agriculture “Turkey Talk – A Consumer Guide to Safety Roasting a Turkey” says it is safe to cook a turkey from the fr ozen state. It’ll just take at least 50 percent longer. That guide recommends removing giblet packages during the cooking time using tongs or a long fork.

To make your life easier Thursday you’ll want to keep r oasting times in mind. An 8- to 12-pound bird will take about three hours. Turkeys that weigh 18- to 20 pounds will take about 4 1/2 hours.

Those times are approximate. The USDA recommends using a thermometer to check internal turkey and stuffing temperatures. They should be at least 165 degrees.

Once your bird is out of the oven let it stand 20 minutes to “rest” and less juice will run out of the meat when you carve it.

Carve carefully.

If you do cut your hand or finger apply direct pressure with a clean cloth. Minor cuts should stop bleeding on their own. If the bleeding doesn’t stop after 15 minutes, experts recommend you go to a doctor.

Still deciding how big a bird to buy to feed your guests? Most folks allow a pound to a pound and a half per person. More if you want generous leftovers.

Happy Thanksgiving.

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(Copyright 2011 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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