Month: August 2018

2018-08-22T13:31:00

(BPT) – This year, some 15.2 million students are slated for enrollment in America’s public and private post-secondary institutions, up from 15 million last year. If you’re a college student or parent, that means it may be time to transport key belongings to a new living space.

That process can be emotionally bittersweet, even without the logistical challenges of packing, carrying, unpacking and installing multiple loads of gear. Fortunately, there’s much you can do to make the process easier for everyone involved. Consider the following suggestions from Penske Truck Rental for making an efficient and friction-free move to college.

1. Be selective. When packing, use your college-provided checklist as a guide, setting aside the essential items needed to make your first term at school convenient and comfortable. College dorm rooms and apartments tend to be small, so avoid bringing unnecessary clothing, knickknacks or valuables and plan to revisit home to retrieve seasonal items later.

2. Assemble your tools. You’re likelier to do a better job packing if the right tools are at your fingertips. Secure cardboard boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, moving blankets and/or markers well before your move, and make sure you call at least two weeks ahead to reserve your moving vehicle. A 12- to 16-foot truck is often perfectly sized to transport the contents of a dorm room or apartment, but such rentals tend to get booked up quickly during the ultra-busy fall moving season.

3. Identify everything. Start packing several days ahead so the process seems less burdensome, saving daily-use items for the last 48 hours. Mark the outside of packed boxes with descriptions so contents are unmistakable and will be easy to find even if mixed with other students’ belongings.

4. Keep crucial items separate. Instead of inadvertently packing away important papers, identification, credit cards, medications, glasses or contacts and other important items, set aside a “carry-on” bag you’ll keep in your car during your travels.

5. Pack your truck strategically. Position heavier items in the back of your vehicle before proceeding with lighter items. That optimizes the vehicle’s power and allows you to fit smaller items into smaller spaces.

6. Drive safely. Getting behind the wheel of a moving truck need not be intimidating if you keep a few precautions in mind. Handling the extra size and weight requires that you avoid sharp turns, brake earlier before stopping and navigate around low branches and building overhangs. Depending on the length of your drive you may also wish to pre-map your route, review weather forecasts, avoid rush hour and leave yourself extra time for breaks, refueling and unloading.

7. Stay secure. Unfortunately, students are often targeted for theft during the hectic moving process. Protect your belongings by parking only in well-lit and well-attended areas when you stop, and padlocking the back doors of your vehicle when it’s not in use.

Back-to-college time can be busy while filled with anticipation and hope for what lies ahead. For more tips on making your move to campus smooth and easy, visit PenskeTruckRental.com.

2018-08-22T13:31:00

(BPT) – A home’s curb appeal leaves a powerful first impression. Yet, according to the recent poll conducted by Ply Gem Building Products, only half of homeowners say their home’s exterior reflects their personality. This is an especially surprising statistic since 81 percent of Americans say the exterior of a home shapes their view of the homeowner.

With countless material options and accents like shutters and trim, there are several ways to add color to your home. Replacing old siding with vinyl siding tends to be a popular approach because it can improve the look of an entire home exterior, while also being low maintenance and durable. Before replacing your home’s siding, you may be interested to learn what your color choices say about your personality. The following profiles will provide some insight and inspiration for making big decisions about your home exterior:

* Calm, cool, collected = Blue: More than half the population (55 percent) believes the color blue has the most positive impact on their mood, which explains why blue skies are synonymous with peace and happiness. Along these lines, blue siding coordinates easily with a variety of accent colors whether it be white and gray or red and orange.

* Safe, certain, dependable = Neutral: Neutrals are the norm when it comes to exterior color preferences. Fifty-three percent of Americans would choose neutral colors such as beige, white or gray for the exterior of their home. In fact, if you want the latest on-trend curb appeal, consider shades of gray, which have grown in popularity by about 5 percent over the past four years. Gray is very versatile — it can easily be mixed and matched with just about any accent color and trim selection.

* Brave, confident = Bold: If you want to stand out and make a statement, dramatic siding colors are the way to go. Fifty-five percent of Americans say homes with bold colors belong to people with bold personalities. Recent advances in vinyl siding technology, such as the SolarDefense reflective technology from Ply Gem Mastic, have made it possible to choose daring colors such as deep reds, greens and browns.

Are you still unsure about which siding color best suits you? Take the risk out of choosing colors by using an online visualizer tool like the one available from Ply Gem Mastic. The visualizer lets you preview what your color choices will look like on your home before you make a commitment.

Colors are important, but don’t forget maintenance

While colors can send a message, that statement can be undermined by a lack of upkeep. Seventy-eight percent of Americans say the maintenance of a home also impacts their first impression of a homeowner. Consider low-maintenance products like vinyl siding, which come in endless color options, but do not require upkeep such as painting or staining.

Is it time to make a change?

Thirty-seven percent of homeowners say they did not get to choose the exterior siding on their home. If you’re part of that group, what better time than the present to update the look of your house (before the holiday season kicks in)? Doing so could also add significant value to your home. According to the latest cost versus value survey by Remodeling Magazine, upgrading to vinyl siding recoups 76 percent of the project cost on average. For more information on adding personality — and value — to your home, visit www.mastic.com.

2018-08-22T14:06:00

(BPT) – Homeowners across America enjoy entertaining guests and relaxing on decks, enjoying the great outdoors in a comfortable, room-like space that’s somewhat removed from the elements.

Studies reveal adding a deck to your home pays for itself in resale value. A 2016 report by the National Association of Realtors estimates new wooden decks recover 106 percent of their cost, with the average deck costing $9,450 and generating $10,000 in value. Decks were ranked third among home improvement projects recouping the most resale value.

“Backyard decks have replaced patios and front porches as the social centers of suburbia in the summer,” writes Steve Cook on Homes.com. “Decks are elevated to catch summer breezes and to facilitate conversations with neighbors. Large enough for a table and grill, most decks are more versatile than front porches and provide privacy from street traffic.”

While building a deck isn’t difficult, it’s helpful to understand some of the potential pitfalls before getting started. Here are some common mistakes made by inexperienced homeowners.

* Choosing the wrong side of your house. While your backyard is an obvious option, it’s not always the best choice for your lifestyle. Are you most apt to enjoy a full-on sunny spot, or a shady haven on a sweltering day? Will wind be an issue? Are you aiming for privacy, or a chance to socialize with neighbors? Which positioning provides the best views?

* Not researching your optimal layout. A nearly endless number of sizes and shapes are possible. Think beyond aesthetics and consider how you’ll use the space. Where will furniture be placed? What will the foot traffic patterns be? How will users access the deck from inside and outside your home? To what extent will new doorways and stairways be necessary?

* Not opting for real wood. While the grain of authentic wood is hands-down more visually stunning than composite, many homeowners don’t realize wood can also be more affordable and just as easy to maintain. The NAR study also found wooden decks recoup greater resale value than composite decks. A particularly versatile choice for decks is Western Red Cedar, a species that inherently resists rot, decay, shrinkage and insects. And if left unfinished, it weathers over time into an attractive silvery gray patina. Do-it-yourselfers report it’s naturally flat and able to absorb a wide range of finishes.

* Not factoring in maintenance and upkeep. Regardless of materials, decks typically need periodic cleaning to protect them from the elements and keep them looking like new. A cedar deck should be cleaned annually with a plain bristle brush. If you choose to stain your deck, be sure to select a quality product.

For more information about creating your dream deck, visit RealCedar.com.

2018-08-22T09:01:00

(BPT) – Dreaming of an Italian vacation? You can experience the country’s stunning, ancient and romantic regions without even leaving home. The wines of Italy embody the heart and soul of the country itself, being a part of the land, the air and the water of the regions in which they’re grown.

Letting the vineyards be your guide, you’ll travel from the Tuscan coast to the Adriatic’s long, sandy beaches, to the black and rich slopes of an active volcano. You’ll marvel at Sicily’s crystal blue waters and be awed by Campania’s storied past. You can even learn about some dedicated winemakers along the way.

Invite your friends for a backyard wine tasting on a balmy evening, open up these Italian whites, and enjoy their not-commonly-known varieties accompanied by light, Italian fare. Buon viaggio!

Ca’Marcanda Vistamare: The playful name of this wine, which means “sea view,” was inspired by the Tyrrhenian sea breeze, the sun and the cheerful, lighthearted outlook of the Tuscan coast. Coastal innkeepers would use “vistamare” to entice hotel guests, even if their rooms only offered a limited view of the Mediterranean. The vineyards used for Vistamare actually enjoy a panoramic view of the Tuscan horizon, and their grapes are gently touched by the salt air and brilliant colors of the Tuscan sea.

Vistamare is fresh and light on the palate, with notes of bergamot, pear and nectarine. Then it shifts toward a more mineral and spicy character, with notes of flint, rosemary and saffron. The wine gets riper in the finish with hints of mango.

Terlato Vineyards Colli Orientali del Friuli Friulano: Travel to Northern Italy’s Friuli region, where mountains overlook the Adriatic Sea, its coastline dotted with lagoons and long sandy beaches. Friulano is the predominant wine here because of the ideal growing conditions for this indigenous varietal. This Friulano comes from very old vines located on Estate vineyards at 1,050 feet above sea level, with cool nights and warm days, ideal for producing wines with excellent acidity and elegance.

Attention to detail gives the wine floral aromas with distinct pear and almond notes, and a creamy, full-bodied texture.

Anselmi San Vincenzo: Grown in the Monteforte area within the Veneto region of Northern Italy, San Vincenzo vines are planted on 110 acres of volcanic tuff and limestone. Veneto is encircled by Lake Garda, the Dolomite Mountains and the Adriatic Sea. Imagine floating down the Grand Canal in Venice, and seeing Juliet’s balcony in Verona before finding a cafe where you can sip this delicious wine of the region.

San Vincenzo is medium bodied and fruit forward, with a clean, dry finish and scents of minerals, lemon, lime and melon.

Alta Mora Etna Bianco: Travel south to Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, where these grapes are grown and harvested on the slopes of the active volcano, Mount Etna. The soil is black, fertile and dynamic, and the name Alta Mora translates to “tall, black,” representing the great heights of the vineyards on the mountain and the dark, black volcanic soil.

This wine is a slight nod to Sauvignon Blanc in style. It’s fresh and fruity, with great minerality, and a classic match for seafood dishes. It’s easy to imagine sipping it while gazing out onto the Mediterranean’s crystal blue waters.

Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina: This vineyard is in Sorbo Serpico, a tiny village in Campania’s Irpinia region, near Mount Vesuvius. The area, with its numerous castles and fortresses, has ancient roots, and has been a transit land between the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic seas. Named after the method of vine cultivation in Sannio at the end of the Roman Era called Falangs (“poles”), this Falanghina is ideal as an aperitif. It can also accompany various types of appetizers, plates of simple fish and vegetables as well as fresh cheeses.

Floral notes like white blossoms and delicate apple and pear float through the air as you sip this medium intensity wine, which is crisp with hints of spice, light almond and a slightly bitter orange peel character.

Let these wines bring the beauty of Italy to your table tonight. Cincin!

2018-08-22T09:01:00

(BPT) – Dreaming of an Italian vacation? You can experience the country’s stunning, ancient and romantic regions without even leaving home. The wines of Italy embody the heart and soul of the country itself, being a part of the land, the air and the water of the regions in which they’re grown.

Letting the vineyards be your guide, you’ll travel from the Tuscan coast to the Adriatic’s long, sandy beaches, to the black and rich slopes of an active volcano. You’ll marvel at Sicily’s crystal blue waters and be awed by Campania’s storied past. You can even learn about some dedicated winemakers along the way.

Invite your friends for a backyard wine tasting on a balmy evening, open up these Italian whites, and enjoy their not-commonly-known varieties accompanied by light, Italian fare. Buon viaggio!

Ca’Marcanda Vistamare: The playful name of this wine, which means “sea view,” was inspired by the Tyrrhenian sea breeze, the sun and the cheerful, lighthearted outlook of the Tuscan coast. Coastal innkeepers would use “vistamare” to entice hotel guests, even if their rooms only offered a limited view of the Mediterranean. The vineyards used for Vistamare actually enjoy a panoramic view of the Tuscan horizon, and their grapes are gently touched by the salt air and brilliant colors of the Tuscan sea.

Vistamare is fresh and light on the palate, with notes of bergamot, pear and nectarine. Then it shifts toward a more mineral and spicy character, with notes of flint, rosemary and saffron. The wine gets riper in the finish with hints of mango.

Terlato Vineyards Colli Orientali del Friuli Friulano: Travel to Northern Italy’s Friuli region, where mountains overlook the Adriatic Sea, its coastline dotted with lagoons and long sandy beaches. Friulano is the predominant wine here because of the ideal growing conditions for this indigenous varietal. This Friulano comes from very old vines located on Estate vineyards at 1,050 feet above sea level, with cool nights and warm days, ideal for producing wines with excellent acidity and elegance.

Attention to detail gives the wine floral aromas with distinct pear and almond notes, and a creamy, full-bodied texture.

Anselmi San Vincenzo: Grown in the Monteforte area within the Veneto region of Northern Italy, San Vincenzo vines are planted on 110 acres of volcanic tuff and limestone. Veneto is encircled by Lake Garda, the Dolomite Mountains and the Adriatic Sea. Imagine floating down the Grand Canal in Venice, and seeing Juliet’s balcony in Verona before finding a cafe where you can sip this delicious wine of the region.

San Vincenzo is medium bodied and fruit forward, with a clean, dry finish and scents of minerals, lemon, lime and melon.

Alta Mora Etna Bianco: Travel south to Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, where these grapes are grown and harvested on the slopes of the active volcano, Mount Etna. The soil is black, fertile and dynamic, and the name Alta Mora translates to “tall, black,” representing the great heights of the vineyards on the mountain and the dark, black volcanic soil.

This wine is a slight nod to Sauvignon Blanc in style. It’s fresh and fruity, with great minerality, and a classic match for seafood dishes. It’s easy to imagine sipping it while gazing out onto the Mediterranean’s crystal blue waters.

Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina: This vineyard is in Sorbo Serpico, a tiny village in Campania’s Irpinia region, near Mount Vesuvius. The area, with its numerous castles and fortresses, has ancient roots, and has been a transit land between the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic seas. Named after the method of vine cultivation in Sannio at the end of the Roman Era called Falangs (“poles”), this Falanghina is ideal as an aperitif. It can also accompany various types of appetizers, plates of simple fish and vegetables as well as fresh cheeses.

Floral notes like white blossoms and delicate apple and pear float through the air as you sip this medium intensity wine, which is crisp with hints of spice, light almond and a slightly bitter orange peel character.

Let these wines bring the beauty of Italy to your table tonight. Cincin!

2018-08-21T11:05:00

(BPT) – The back-to-school season is always chock-full of activities and making wholesome meals can fall by the wayside. To ease into the season, try these quick and simple recipes created by registered dietitian Jessica Cording.

Made with DOLE^® frozen fruit, these tasty recipes will help you easily add more delicious frozen fruit into your family’s diet while saving you time and money, without having to worry about spoilage. What’s more, it’s ready to enjoy, with no need to wash, peel or chop. Start serving your family great-for-you meals with these frozen fruit-filled menu ideas.

1. Plan ahead with overnight oats

Keep your morning simple with this quick and easy PB&J overnight oats recipe, made with frozen mixed berries, which are just as nutritious as fresh fruit. Combine them with your favorite nut or seed butter and you’ve got that classic PB&J flavor kids and adults love. The best part? Simply mix the ingredients and leave them in the refrigerator overnight. When you wake up, you’ll have a delicious breakfast waiting for you. Serve it hot or cold.

2. Frozen fruit — easy and delicious

Sometimes the best-tasting ingredients are the easiest to have on hand at all times. For example, DOLE frozen fruit is picked at peak ripeness and quickly frozen to lock in nutrients. Your family will love the convenience of having fruit that is always in season and ready to enjoy. Plus, with no need to prep, frozen fruit is a smart cooking short cut. Add frozen fruit to your favorite recipes or mix up your mealtime routine by exploring a new idea. Whatever path you choose, keep your freezer stocked with frozen fruit options and your family will enjoy the taste of freshly picked fruit all year long.

3. Smoothies any time of day

Always ready-to-blend frozen fruit gives smoothies a rich texture, allowing you to make them in a snap, perfect for busy days on-the-go. Try this Creamy Blueberry Smoothie by combining frozen DOLE blueberries, yogurt, ground flax seeds, cinnamon, vanilla extract, banana, dates and milk in a blender. Cover and blend until smooth. Have it for breakfast or add it to your lunch for a mid-day boost of frozen fruit.

4. A taste of the tropics

Smoothie bowls are a fun way to enjoy some of your favorite frozen fruits. Check out this Island Smoothie Bowl with a blend of tropical ingredients like frozen mango, frozen pineapple and coconut. With its slightly thicker than a regular smoothie consistency, a smoothie bowl will almost feel like eating a decadent dessert! Top it with extra ingredients like frozen pineapple and crushed macadamia nuts as you prefer. Grab a spoon and dig in!

2018-08-21T10:01:00

(BPT) – There’s a quiet movement going on in this country, and it doesn’t involve apps, data or the latest fad. Following the lead of vinyl record albums, coloring books and traditional board games, jigsaw puzzles are seeing a resurgence in popularity. Perhaps, because it’s an opportunity to unplug and give yourself and family an escape from the information overload that is buzzing through the very fabric of our lives 24/7.

Wrestling the kids (or yourself) away from screens, devices, even the television can be a nearly impossible task, but it’s vital to our mental and even physical health. A jigsaw puzzle requires your full attention and therein lies the magic. Everyone from tweens and teens to millennials and over-worked parents to seniors are returning to this quiet pastime of childhood. Call it a retro revolution.

Ravensburger, a company that has been making high-quality, premium jigsaw puzzles for 134 years, recently partnered with Target to offer a new line of 500- and 1,000-piece puzzles because anyone and everyone can benefit from puzzling.

(HINT: Start with the 500-piece puzzle. They’re designed to strike the perfect balance of challenge and solvability.)

Here are some benefits of puzzling that might surprise you.

Jigsaw puzzles exercise the left and right sides of your brain at once

Your left brain is logical and works in a linear fashion, while your right brain is creative and intuitive. When you’re doing a jigsaw puzzle, both sides are engaged, according to Sanesco Health, an industry leader in neurotransmitter testing. Think of it as a mental workout that improves your problem-solving skills and attention span. It’s no surprise that Bill Gates admits to being an avid puzzler.

Jigsaw puzzles improve your short-term memory

Can’t remember what you had for lunch yesterday? Jigsaw puzzles can help with that. Doing a puzzle reinforces connections between brain cells, improves mental speed and is an especially effective way to improve short-term memory.

Jigsaw puzzles improve your visual-spatial reasoning

When you do a jigsaw puzzle, you need to look at individual pieces and figure out where they’ll fit into the big picture. If you do it regularly, you’ll improve visual-spatial reasoning, which helps with driving a car, packing, using a map, learning and following dance moves, and a whole host of other things.

Jigsaw puzzles are a great meditation tool and stress reliever

Focusing on one image for a long period of time, without extraneous thoughts entering your mind, is in itself meditation. By doing a jigsaw puzzle, you’re getting the same benefits as if you meditated. The stress of everyday life evaporates and is replaced by a sense of peace and tranquility that lowers your blood pressure and heart rate.

Jigsaw puzzles are a great way to connect with family

Starting a jigsaw puzzle and keeping it on a table in your living room or kitchen is an invitation for the whole family to participate, whenever they have a few minutes to sit down and focus. It’s a tactic that parents of teens can use for starting a conversation while working toward a shared goal.

Conversely, jigsaw puzzles are great for some needed alone time

Puzzling is perfect for people who want a quiet, solo break from the bustle and unrelenting stimulus of today’s digital lifestyle.

You’ll live longer, better if you puzzle regularly

Studies show that people who do jigsaw and crossword puzzles have longer life spans with less chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss or dementia. Puzzling stimulates the brain and actually wards off the plaque that is the marker of Alzheimer’s, according to a recent study published in the Archives of Neurology. The study compared brain scans of 75-year-olds to 25-year-olds. The elderly people who did puzzles regularly had brain scans comparable to the 25-year-olds.

Doing jigsaw puzzles is good for your mind, body and spirit. So, on your next lazy Sunday (or better yet — crazed Monday), unplug, put your phone on “Do Not Disturb,” and get swept away by a puzzle.

2018-08-20T09:09:00

(BPT) – It’s football time, and many Americans are making the annual pilgrimage to man caves forged in living rooms, basements or garages. There, fans hunker down for hours in the extreme comforts of recliners, snacks and drinks, and of course, mega-sized TV screens.

Yet for others, the football experience is superior outside the stadium at tailgating gatherings with family and friends. After all, tailgating is an American tradition with roots dating back to the Civil War and the First Battle of Bull Run, according to the American Tailgaters Association.

The tailgate party has evolved significantly since then, and now football fans can further power-up their tailgating experience to create a “mobile man cave” that rivals the comforts of home.

An offensive line — of vehicles

A big tailgate party does not require a big vehicle. While a hatchback or pickup truck is certainly a plus, most important is to have the wheels that can deliver the goods. One fresh take is for tailgaters to team up by lining up a caravan of cars for a multi-stationed tailgate. This game plan can help tailgaters distribute the load of goods and equipment that is needed to make the mobile man cave a fan cave that’s comfortable for all.

Put in the QB of TVs

A TV is vital for the tailgating entertainment. There are many options for outdoor TVs that provide great pictures even in the sun’s glare and in extreme temperatures. Tailgaters also have plenty of choices for receiving a great picture, from portable satellite dishes or services to digital streaming options or even old-fashioned rabbit ear antennas. Be sure to test out the picture in advance so it is ready to go come kick-off.

The cook’s playbook

Great food makes for great tailgates. Beyond the staples of chips and burgers and beers, tailgaters can step outside the regular playbook and bring new recipes. Look for inventive recipes easy to make in crockpots — mozzarella-stuffed meatballs, anyone? — or bring along a deep fryer for a new take on deviled eggs.

No place like dome

When it comes to football season, the weather is always a factor — but tailgaters should not let a little inclement weather derail the event. Primarily, be prepared with the right gear to make the experience comfortable and enjoyable. A canopy is always recommended to provide a “dome-like” feel, while cooling fans and portable heaters will be welcomed for climate control.

Linebacker-like power

The most critical factor of all in making a powered-up tailgate is the power source itself. That’s where a generator like the Powerhorse Portable Inverter Generator from Northern Tool + Equipment comes in. This generator serves as a quiet, mobile, linebacker-strong and safe power source that can plug in all the tailgating needs to make sure the TV, food, heat and more are running to the 20, the 15, the 10, the 5 … Touchdown!