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6 tips for throwing the best party of the year

2018-08-20T07:01:00

(BPT) – There’s always one magical gathering every year that has everyone talking long after it’s over. It’s about getting people together, enjoying good food, music, and cocktails, and creating memories that will linger long after the last guest goes home.

With a little planning and preparation, you can be the one to throw the best party of the year. You can use your backyard long into the fall and early winter season if you take a page from tailgating’s book. Tailgaters know it’s not as easy as simply moving an indoor dinner party outside. Outdoor parties require some special TLC, especially if the weather is a little on the chilly side. Here are some tips for delighting your guests:

Keep the menu simple, but outstanding

Do casual, easy food, with a few surprises. We’re not talking about fussy chateaubriand here. For a group of, say, 20 people, fire up the grill, appoint a grillmaster or two, and do steaks, fish, chicken, kebabs or ribs. For sides, go with a big plate of veggies like peppers, onions, zucchini, asparagus and tomatoes marinated in balsamic vinegar and grilled to perfection, topped with crumbled goat cheese. A big bowl of fruit and you’re good to go. For larger crowds, you can do heavy hors d’oeuvres or go all out and cater it in. A full Southern barbecue with all the trimmings. Book that hot new Jamaican food truck everyone’s buzzing about. For chillier weather, nothing beats a big pot of chili, an Italian feast or a taco bar.

Set the mood with music

Forget lugging your indoor sound system outside. Use a Bluetooth speaker with stellar sound like the LG PK7 Portable Bluetooth Speaker with Meridian Audio from LG Electronics USA. This highly portable speaker packs a big punch with 24-bit music quality over a Bluetooth wireless connection. You can even make calls on it, too. Bonus: It is splash proof and touts a 22-hour battery life on a full charge, so there’s no need to worry about using it by the pool or plugging in throughout the day. Just fire up your favorite music apps and start your playlist, because with sound like this, your guests will be wondering if Keith Urban is serenading them live.

Let the weather be your guide

If it’s a balmy night you’ve got no worries, but if the temperature is going to dip a bit, make sure you have outdoor heaters and a fire pit or chimenea to keep your guests warm and toasty. There’s nothing cozier on a dark, chilly night than standing in front of a fire with something warm to drink (hot brandy, anyone?).

Make sure to have a ‘plan b’ if Mother Nature gets really upset you didn’t invite her. A little nip in the air is one thing, sleet is another. Watch the weather in the hours before your guests arrive and be ready to mobilize. This could be a party tent, an empty garage where you can move the tables and still watch the rain, or a different venue you have on speed dial.

Have a signature cocktail

It could be a spritzer with lemon and berries, hot cider with a splash of rum, or something a mixologist creates just for you. Complement that with drink stands in various spots in the yard, with wine, beer and other adult and non-alcoholic beverages. But ban the dreary coolers. Get creative! Fill a wheelbarrow with ice and load it with beer and other bottles. Go on a hunt in your garage or basement for inventive vessels to use. Another tip: stock up on more ice than you think you’ll need. That, you can store in a cooler in the garage.

Create atmosphere with lights

Turn your yard into a midsummer (or fall) night’s dream. Candles everywhere. Hint: Use the ones with battery-powered “flames.” They won’t be affected by wind, and there’s no chance they’ll fall over and catch fire. Hang paper lanterns from tree branches and drape holiday lights on fences. Float water lights in the pool for the ultimate party setting. You’ll create a magical wonderland your guests will want to lose themselves in.

Create seating stations

Whether you’re serving a sit-down dinner, having a buffet or simply cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, your guests are going to need places to sit. Depending on how many people you invite, you can rent tables and chairs from a party rental company, use your outdoor furniture or bring the inside out. The idea is to create spaces for people to sit and talk. On chillier nights, make sure heating elements are nearby and strew lap blankets here and there.

Attend to the little details

Bugs: Make sure you have enough citronella candles to ward off mosquitoes. You may also want to set up a basket containing various kinds of bug spray for your guests. Plates and flatware: You don’t want to use your indoor dishes, but paper plates? Please. Not only are they hum-drum, they clog up landfills. Instead, try eco-friendly, disposable partyware. You can find biodegradable paper plates and cutlery, but why not make a statement with disposable plates made of palm or bamboo? They are recyclable, compostable and gorgeous.

Use these tips to throw the magical party everyone will be talking about all year long.


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Home sweet home? 6 safety tips when moving with kids

2018-08-20T07:01:00

(BPT) – Moving to a new home can be an exciting undertaking, a fresh start that brings with it the potential for new friends, opportunities and experiences.

For parents of young children, though, the process of adapting to a new home can be stressful. While you may have been proactive about averting safety hazards in your old house, a move to a new one calls for renewed awareness of anything that could potentially harm your kids. Unfortunately, the National Safety Council advises that more than a third of child injuries and deaths happen at home, with household injuries the No. 1 reason children younger than 3 visit emergency rooms.

Fortunately, conscientious parents can do much to avoid such injuries. Consider these tips for keeping your children safe through the moving process and beyond.

  • Be proactive about precautions. Don’t wait until all your belongings are moved in and you’re adding the finishing touches. Instead, evaluate potential safety hazards before the move even begins, buying important tools and fixtures so you can make adjustments early rather than retrofitting. Then, once everything is in place, reevaluate results one more time. “The first step to a safe home … is to look at the world through your baby’s eyes,” writes Laura McHolm in the Huffington Post. “See what looks interesting and what can be reached. And I mean it literally — get down on your hands and knees in your new home and check for small things your baby can choke on.”
  • Switch all your blinds to the cordless variety. Kids and cords don’t mix, and the string-like attachments that adjust old-style blinds and other window coverings are strangulation hazards. If the windows of your new home have corded window coverings, replace them immediately with the cordless varieties available at major U.S. retailers. Look for the Best for Kids(TM) label that certifies window coverings that are best suited for young children, finding more info at Windowcoverings.org.
  • Separate and secure household chemicals. The moving process can be chaotic, and it’s all too easy to lose track of where movers are placing potentially harmful substances such as cleaning products, medicines, vitamins, alcohol, pet food, paint, gasoline and poisonous plants. That’s why you should deliberately pack anything that could hurt your kids into marked boxes that travel with you in your car, separate from the belongings handled by your movers. Upon arrival, keep those boxes apart and sealed until you’re ready to unpack them into locked cabinets.
  • Secure furniture and TVs against tip-overs. As your furniture and heavy electronics are arranged, install safety latches to ensure they can’t inadvertently fall onto young children. Installation will be faster and easier if you label the latches ahead of time.
  • Update locks inside and out. When shopping for locks and deadbolts for your new home, seek the BHMA Certified Secure Home(TM) label that ensures your new products have been tested in all the areas of most importance to you and your family: security, durability and finish.
  • Install baby gates at staircases. Don’t wait; do this as soon as you arrive on moving day. Children will be curious about their new surroundings, but at the same time unfamiliar with potential hazards.

A move to your new home should be a happy time. Make sure you’re keeping it that way by fully protecting your children as you make the transition.


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Three tax savings strategies for a secure retirement to try right now

2018-08-18T09:21:00

(BPT) – Individuals who rushed to prepay property taxes after the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act may have saved some money in 2018 — but that’s pennies compared to the long-term tax savings taxpayers should take advantage of before the TCJA’s individual tax provisions are expected to expire in 2026, according to Robert Fishbein, vice president and corporate counsel at Prudential Financial.

Also expected to expire in 2026? According to trustees for Social Security, that’s when Medicare’s main trust fund will run out of money. With the increasing likelihood that Social Security and Medicare benefits may be reduced in the future, it’s more important than ever to use every technique available to maximize your retirement savings.

Three outside-the-box strategies could make an enormous difference in your retirement readiness. The sooner you start, the more you may save.

Fund an HSA for retirement health care

Estimates suggest even a healthy 65-year-old couple will need at least $275,000 to cover retirement health care costs. A Health Savings Account, or HSA, provides a way to save that money without paying a dime in taxes. An HSA account is available to individuals enrolled in a high deductible health insurance plan.

First, these individuals can fund their HSA through a tax-deductible contribution or pre-tax payroll deduction. Second, any interest and investment gains are tax-free. Finally, the funds can be withdrawn tax-free to pay for qualified medical expenses— a triple tax advantage over a traditional savings account.

The best part? There is no requirement to use HSA funds in the year of contribution, which means funds can grow on a tax-favored basis for future health care expense needs.

For 2018, family contribution limits are $6,900, or $7,900 if you are 55 or older, and those amounts are indexed for inflation in future years. If you start contributing the maximum even as late as age 55, and earn 3 percent per year, you could have more than $90,000 to pay for your retirement health care by age 65. If you start contributing the maximum as early as age 40, you could have saved almost $270,000. These funds will continue to grow tax-free in retirement until you need them.

If you don’t use HSA funds in full before you die, excess funds are subject to income tax, but will be otherwise available for your heirs.

Consider a Roth IRA conversion

The typical dogma says that converting an IRA or traditional 401(k) to a Roth IRA does not make sense if you expect your tax rate in retirement to be lower than at the time of conversion. However, lesser known benefits of a Roth IRA may make it worthwhile to have at least part of your retirement assets in Roth IRA form.

Start with no required minimum distributions. With a Roth you aren’t forced to draw down your funds once you attain age 70½ and can continue to benefit from the tax-free growth, thereby maximizing the after-tax funds eventually available for you or your heirs.

Another significant benefit of a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k) is tax diversification. For example, you may choose to take taxable distributions up to a certain amount and then tax-free distributions to avoid a higher income tax bracket.

If you are a high-income taxpayer, Roth IRA distributions are not considered income when determining thresholds for increased Medicare premium charges or the 3.8 percent income tax surcharge on investment gain. If your income is more modest, Roth IRA distributions are not considered income when determining whether you are subject to income tax on Social Security benefits.

If anything, a conversion is more attractive now since you have an opportunity to convert and pay income tax with marginal rates that are generally lower than under prior law. Since individual tax law changes are temporary and tax rates will revert to the former higher amounts starting in 2026, you have an eight-year window to benefit from lower rates.

Make “backdoor” Roth IRA contributions

The tax law prescribes income limits so high-income individuals may not make a direct contribution to a Roth IRA. However, there are no income limits on converting traditional IRA funds to a Roth IRA.

Any person under age 70.5 who has earned income by year-end can make an IRA contribution. While income limits may prevent you from making a pre-tax contribution, you can make this contribution even if you have fully funded a 401(k) or another employer plan.

Once you have made your contribution to a traditional IRA, simply convert that amount to your Roth IRA. As long as this is your only traditional IRA and you have made an after-tax contribution, then an immediate conversion will have converted a tax-deferred asset into a potentially tax-free asset. If you have multiple IRAs, the IRAs are aggregated to determine how much is taxable upon conversion.

While we spend much time on our investment strategies to help gain an extra percentage or two of investment yield, these tax planning strategies can be a more reliable way of maximizing your after-tax retirement income and wealth for your family — no matter how Social Security and Medicare turn out.

Prudential Financial, its affiliates, and their financial professionals do not render tax or legal advice. Please consult with your tax and legal advisors regarding your personal circumstances.


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This item on your table has been eliminating illnesses for years

2018-08-17T13:30:00

(BPT) – Haiti has among the highest rates of elephantiasis (lymphatic filariasis), which attacks the lymphatic system, leading to abnormal enlargement of body parts, disfigurement, pain, disability and social ostracism. The World Health Organization estimates that 856.4 million people in 53 countries remain threatened by the condition.

The Haitian population also suffers from widespread iodine deficiency. The Haitian Ministry of Health has established a goal to completely eradicate elephantiasis and iodine deficiency disorders in Haiti by 2020. Fortunately, there is a simple cure for these conditions: salt fortified with iodine and diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC).

Iodine is an essential element for healthy human life, enabling the function of thyroid glands to produce needed hormones for proper metabolism. When children in the womb don’t get enough iodine from their mother, fetal brain development is impaired. During pregnancy, iodine deficiency can cause a child to develop learning and intellectual disabilities as well as developmental problems affecting speech, hearing and growth.

“Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) is the single greatest cause of preventable mental retardation,” says Kul Gautam, the former deputy executive director of UNICEF. “Severe deficiencies cause cretinism, stillbirth and miscarriage. But even mild deficiency can significantly affect the learning ability of populations. Scientific evidence shows alarming effects of IDD. Even a moderate deficiency, especially in pregnant women and infants, lowers their intelligence by 10-15 IQ points.”

Kiwanis International, a worldwide service organization in more than 82 nations and geographic areas, partnered with UNICEF in a global effort to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). In just 10 years, starting in 1990, the percentage of the world population consuming iodized salt went from 20 percent to 70 percent. Kiwanis ultimately provided nearly $105 million to protect children from preventable mental and physical disabilities.

“There is no reward greater in life than helping children, and seeing them live healthy, vibrant lives. Our clubs and members understand the importance of helping children in their communities, and in communities around the world, and have proudly contributed to protecting more than 80 million children from the devastating effects of iodine deficiency,” said Stan D. Soderstrom, executive director of Kiwanis International, during a Kiwanis sponsored presentation at the 2018 World Salt Symposium in Park City, Utah.

Iodine deficiency was a problem in the U.S. as well, until American salt producers started adding iodine to table salt more than a century ago. Today, about 70 percent of the table salt sold in the U.S. is iodized. In fact, salt has been and remains the primary source for iodine in the American diet. The effect of this public health initiative has been to virtually eliminate the incidence of thyroid related illness, including goiters. “Iodized salt has been one of the greatest and most economical public health successes and it continues to help raise healthy, smart children,” said Lori Roman, President of the Salt Institute, which hosted the 2018 World Salt Symposium.


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3 trends that can stimulate small business growth

2018-08-17T12:01:00

(BPT) – Small businesses are far more influential than most people may realize.

That influence is felt well beyond Main Street. Small businesses make up 99.7 percent of all businesses in the U.S., and these firms employ nearly half (48 percent) the workforce, according to the 2018 Small Business Profile compiled by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

In addition, take a look at recent trends and developments in technology. It’s clear that these changes can give entrepreneurs that extra leverage to scale up. Here are three to consider.

Big companies have big opportunities for small firms

Back in the 20th century, a large company would get things done in this very straightforward way. Wherever there was a need, they hired someone directly to perform that task, whether it was a driver or an accountant.

Under today’s leaner models, these big companies are finding it’s much more efficient to partner with other firms to fulfill certain needs. According to Deloitte, 31 percent of IT services have been outsourced, as well as 32 percent of human resources. This increasing acceptance of outsourcing is a huge growth opportunity for small businesses owners.

For example, Amazon recently announced it is actively seeking and helping entrepreneurs who are willing to deliver packages as their contractors. The mega retailer will even go as far as helping with startup costs so long as these smaller firms deliver their packages. Landing a contract with a big corporation is a significant milestone for any company, but starting out with that lucrative contract is sure to let these startups hit the ground running.

Better connections for greater flexibility

When today’s entrepreneur has a new role to fill, they’re not confined to the talent pool in their immediate community. Because we now have the tools and connectivity to work from anywhere, a business owner can expand the search across multiple states!

What’s more, these flexible, work from anywhere options can give business owners the inspiration to do things differently. Having greater collaboration means having access to more options to fit specific needs.

For example, what is the very nature of being a small business owner? It’s dealing with a fluctuating volume of work. Tapping into the talent pool of freelancers to work on these specific, short-term tasks and projects is easier than ever, because for a segment of workers, freelancing is increasingly becoming a way of life. Freelancers currently make up 36 percent of the workforce, according to a study from Upwork. And, if trends maintain, most Americans will be freelancers by 2027.

Thanks to remote options with easy access to talent, small businesses can easily set up temporary or ongoing as-needed work arrangements. When you partner with Dell for your computing needs, you’ll get the expert help and support so you can set up the perfect flexible workspace system.

More automation brings better efficiencies

Without a doubt, new technology works in favor of small businesses and entrepreneurs because they have many tools at their disposal to automate labor intensive processes, be more productive and cut costs. For example, entrepreneurs can use software to process client payments and even set up automated payments, saving hours and costs associated with collecting, processing and reconciling under the traditional paper check payment system. That translates into a more efficient billing department that can spend more time focused on complex issues.

Let Dell equip your small business with the right tech tools, tailor made for your venture and backed with support, so you can focus on running your business.


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Donating to your favorite public school classroom is as easy as buy, get, give

2018-08-17T11:41:00

(BPT) – Ask any public school teacher, and they’ll tell you the same thing: There’s never enough money in the school budget for everything they need, and they often reach into their own wallets to make up the difference. They’re not talking about extras or nice-to-haves; often it’s basic school supplies: paper, colored pencils, crayons, hand sanitizer, tissues, notebooks, art supplies and classroom furniture.

National Public Radio asked teachers how much, on average, they spend on supplies for their classrooms each year. The answers ranged from $350 to $2,500, with teachers in impoverished urban areas spending the most, often buying healthy snacks in addition to supplies for students who don’t have food at home.

As teachers and their students return to school, BIC and DonorsChoose.org have partnered to make it easier for everyone to help teachers overcome this shortage of classroom essentials.

BIC has donated $100,000 to DonorsChoose.org, a crowdfunding website for public school teachers started by Charles Best, a former public school teacher in the Bronx. Teachers post classroom project requests and donors can pick projects they want to support. The nonprofit’s team of 100 people, many former teachers, has fulfilled more than one million classroom project requests through the site.

Buy, Get, Give

This back to school season, BIC USA Inc. started a program called BIC Bucks for Teachers with the company’s donation of $100,000 to DonorsChoose.org. BIC isn’t choosing the classroom projects that receive the donations: they are inviting you to. Here’s how it works:

* Buy: Purchase $10 or more of BIC® stationery products (before taxes and coupons) at any major retailer from now through Sept. 15.

* Get: Snap a photo of your receipt. Upload it on BICBucksForTeachers.com by Sept. 30, 2018 and apply for a $10 BIC Bucks donation code, while supplies last.

* Give: Use your $10 donation code to support a classroom project of your choice on DonorsChoose.org.

Teachers from every corner of the U.S. have posted projects on the site.

One of those teachers is Donna Pitts, a sixth-grade teacher at May V. Carrigan Intermediate School in West Haven, Conn. Many of her students qualify for free or reduced lunch. She has used DonorsChoose.org to crowdfund everything from classroom tables to art supplies to software.

“In our district, funding is extremely limited, and access to resources is almost nonexistent,” she says in her DonorsChoose.org profile. “I want my classroom to be a place where my students can comfortably learn, in a safe and exciting environment, but I also want to give them every opportunity possible to help them succeed.”

Another teacher is Cassandra Johns, a seventh-grade teacher at West Broadway Middle School in Providence, R.I. She believes every student deserves the chance to be successful in school, no matter their economic background, which is why she created her current project on DonorsChoose.org to collect basic stationery supplies.

Through the kindness of strangers and companies like BIC, Cassandra has crowdfunded field trips, books and even new classroom chairs.

For more information and code availability, visit BIC Bucks for Teachers and DonorsChoose.org.


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5 back-to-school tips for parents with young athletes

2018-08-17T15:01:01

(BPT) – The transition between summer and going back to school can be tough, especially for families with student athletes who are participating in fall sports. Whether your athletes are in high school or grade school, it’s difficult to balance schoolwork, practice, games, proper nutrition and rest. Mitzi Dulan, registered dietitian and nutrition consultant to professional athletes, has some great tips on how to help your child eat adequate, nutritious foods for their best performance in the classroom and on the field.

“As a working mom with two daughters who play volleyball, I understand the time crunch parents are up against to prepare healthy meals and snacks for their kids,” says Dulan. “Young athletes require optimal nutrition for fueling and recovery around practice and games, in addition to a well-balanced diet as growing adults. A little knowledge and planning ahead makes all the difference during busy weeks.”

Here are five tips from Mitzi for busy parents with young athletes:

1. Recover right: Immediately following a practice or competition, help your athlete refuel their muscles to optimize performance the next time they train or compete. Consuming a beverage with carbs and protein within the first 30 minutes is ideal. Chocolate milk has a great ratio of carbs and protein, making it a smart, quick and easy choice to stock up on.

2. Create a go-to grocery list: Get your athlete involved by having them help you create a go-to list of top fueling foods that you can save on your smartphone. Bring your child along for the first grocery trip to get their input and create a list of new options to replace old staples. Keeping this list handy on your smartphone will be helpful to keep their favorite foods stocked at home.

3. Set up fueling stations at home: Organize “fueling stations” with grab-and-go options such as string cheese, chocolate milk, sports drinks, protein balls, honey and more. You can also throw in whole wheat sandwich thins to make one of my favorites — an open-faced sandwich with peanut butter, banana and honey. Also keep a fruit bowl on your kitchen counter, filled with bananas, apples and other fruits. Fruit is great fuel, and kids are more likely to eat it when it’s readily available.

4. Equip yourself with the right tools: Staying connected is essential as a parent. My girls are very involved, which means there are plenty of practices and games to manage, so I rely on my smartphone to maintain it all with calendar and meal planning apps. Thankfully, Walmart Family Mobile offers Truly Unlimited talk, text and data◊ plans at 4G LTE† speeds, so I don’t have to worry about running out of data. With Walmart Family Mobile’s new family plans, I can get two Truly Unlimited lines* for less than $75 per month, making it easy and affordable for all of us to stay connected.

5. Get plenty of rest: With a hectic schedule, it’s important to recharge. Sleep is an essential step to the recovery process, and kids need time to hit reset after hitting the books and hitting the field. Make sure your athletes are getting enough sleep and have scheduled down time in between games and practices so they can let their bodies recover and build their energy back up.

This school year, focus on integrating habits like these to your routine and you’ll be prepared no matter how busy life gets. With affordable family plans and multi-line discounts, Walmart Family Mobile makes it easy for the whole family to stay connected and maximize on savings. To learn more about Walmart Family Mobile’s unlimited plans and multi-line discounts for families, visit your local Walmart or www.MyFamilyMobile.com.

* Plus taxes and fees. Additional lines must be of equal or lesser value. Add up to four additional lines for only $24.88/mo. each line.

◊ Does not include tethering. Please refer always to the latest Terms and Conditions of Service www.myfamilymobile.com/termsandconditions.

† To get 4G LTE speed, you must have a 4G LTE capable device and 4G LTE SIM. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Actual availability, coverage and speed may vary. During periods of congestion, Walmart Family Mobile customers may notice reduced speeds versus carrier branded customers.


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Looking great, not done: Facial plastic surgeons report shift toward natural beauty

2018-08-16T09:31:00

(BPT) – Gone are the days of plumped-up puckers, ski-sloped noses, overfilled cheeks and wind-tunnel faces that were obviously “done.” Today, facial plastic surgery is about looking like the best version of yourself — refreshed, relaxed and natural.

Celebrities are driving this trend. Reality-star-turned-make-up-mogul Kylie Jenner recently announced that she had fillers dissolved from her signature pout, according to Allure, revealing natural, shapely lips. But this new trend is not just about reversing overly done procedures. It’s also about avoiding the over-done look in the first place.

As many as one-third of facial plastic surgeons report that the “fear of looking unnatural” is a top concern among cosmetic surgery patients today, according to the latest annual survey by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS). The good news is that subtle improvements are increasingly possible, due to advances in techniques and technologies perfected by specially trained facial plastic surgeons.

“The priority to look natural continues to gain popularity, especially as more treatment options, both surgical and non-surgical, are available to patients,” says facial plastic surgeon and AAFPRS Board Member Dr. Patrick Byrne, director of the Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Johns Hopkins University.

Topping the list of facial plastic surgery procedures that restore natural beauty are eyelid lifts that rejuvenate tired-looking eyes. Facelifts have also come a long way. It’s no longer about pulling back tissue — instead, facial plastic surgeons lift and reposition underlying facial muscles to avoid a tight, pulled, wind tunnel look, and are able to minimize scarring and downtime in the process.

Even minimally invasive facial procedures such as neuromodulators and fillers are now injected in ways and amounts that create natural youthful-looking results and contours, avoiding a frozen or puffy look.

“When used correctly, injectables, such a BOTOX® Cosmetic and hyaluronic acid fillers, can deliver a very natural result. Patients should be careful to choose an experienced injector and a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes in the face, head and neck to ensure the most successful, natural-looking outcomes,” shares AAFPRS president and facial plastic surgeon Dr. William H. Truswell. “The result is not permanent and aging continues over time, as it does with any rejuvenation procedure.”

Pre-juvenation, or getting a head start on the aging process by stopping wrinkles and other signs of facial aging in their tracks, can forestall the need for more invasive facial plastic surgeries. In fact, more than half of AAFPRS members saw an increase in cosmetic procedures in those under age 30 last year.

Choosing a board-certified facial plastic surgeon is the best way to assure natural-looking results and avoid an overly done look or the need for reversal procedures. The AAFPRS is the world’s largest specialty association for facial plastic surgery, and all 2,500 members are board certified by a specialty board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Start your search for a facial plastic surgeon at https://www.aafprs.org/patient/finder/finder.cfm.


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Looking for your coolest vacation yet? How about Japan?

2018-08-16T09:25:00

(BPT) – If you’re trying to choose the next destination for your big vacation, have you considered Japan? With exciting cities, standout cuisine, traditional charm that echoes the country’s remarkable history, and awe-inspiring natural beauty, Japan embodies a “cool” factor that’s hard to miss.

It’s this unique blend of modern trends mixed with tradition that might be why tourism is steadily growing, year after year, according to Japanese government figures. So far in 2018, the number of American visitors to Japan has increased by 11.3 percent compared to last year.

Without a doubt, Japan’s unmistakable coolness is why it appears on so many bucket lists. In fact, that’s why All Nippon Airways (ANA) launched its “Is Japan Cool?” campaign. For anyone planning a trip, or interested in learning more about this fascinating country and its traditions and history, the campaign’s website is filled with just about everything to help you prepare for the trip of a lifetime. This guide can get you on your way to planning an unforgettable trip to Japan.

It all starts with the journey: Remember those old stories and films where taking the trip itself, whether it was by train, boat or airplane, was an enjoyable part of the experience? Before you book your flight, consider that many travelers swear by All Nippon Airways, which is Japan’s largest airline. The attention to detail found throughout, from the comfortable seats, artfully crafted Japanese meals and smiling attentive staff, makes the overseas flight a vacation-worthy experience in itself.

Mind-blowing natural beauty: It’s not hard to imagine why Japan’s epic natural beauty has inspired people for centuries. If you love to ski, you’ll want to catch some powder on Mount Yotei. Or if a summer visit is more your speed, take a scenic hike among the dormant volcanoes of Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, topped off with a visit to Jigokudani Monkey Park for delightful viewings of snow monkeys interacting in their habitat.

Timeless landmarks: A visit to Japan isn’t complete without a visit to some of its gravity-defying architecture. Osaka Castle in Chuo-ku is one of the most famous and visually striking structures in Japan. Also, be sure and plan a stop in the city of Kyoto, which is renowned for its beautiful shrines, temples, and Geishas.

A celebration of craftsmanship: To experience the epitome of Japanese coolness, any traveler should take some time for an up-close look at its many examples of traditional craftsmanship that’s never stopped inspiring people the world over.

Samurai armor is a prime example. This armor wasn’t just functional gear to protect them in battle. It was designed to communicate specific meanings to the people they encountered on and off the battlefield. Before your trip, visit ana-cooljapan.com and get familiar with samurai armor as an important expression of the warrior’s skill and individuality. Watch the cool 60-second video to view the process of making original Japanese armors, from preferred shapes and colors to the completion of a 3-D armor figure. Then, by following the simple steps, you can build your own virtual samurai avatar. With the help of a 3D printer, you can even turn it into your very own samurai figure, ready to do battle!

While you’re in Japan, discover how the art of sword-making has never lost its shine at Tokyo’s Kozuka Koubou. Or learn how artisans centuries ago developed ingenious methods to render plain fabric into rich and vivid colors at Marumasu-Nishimuraya in Kyoto.

Get bold with your personal style: It’s not just the physical beauty of Japan’s landscape and landmarks. Over the centuries, Japan has built a reputation for harnessing some of the most renowned street style. Unlock your inner fashionista with a walk through Tokyo’s high fashion districts such as the Ginza Six Mall. (Full sequin football jerseys? Go for it!) Or, go traditional and learn the art of wrapping a kimono. Whatever speaks to you, you’ll find no shortage of inspired style.

Instagram-worthy dining: While exploring Tokyo, expand your horizons with its many carefully prepared and styled dishes that will please any foodie. When you’re searching for your next bite, be sure and take a moment to enjoy the intricate shapes and food models on display, which is a unique specialty found throughout Japanese culture. For two prime examples of this, be sure and make R&M or Design Pocket, both in Osaka, a stop on your itinerary.


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Good gut gone bad: The C. diff Invasion

2018-08-16T12:01:00

(BPT) – Trillions of bacteria, viruses and other tiny organisms — called “microbes” — live inside our bodies and make up a community known as the microbiome. The diversity of microbes is like a rainforest in our gut, helping us digest food and keep diseases at bay. Like bulldozing a rainforest, taking antibiotics can sometimes destroy that microbial landscape and allow dangerous bacteria like Clostridium difficile to take over.

Clostridium difficile, or C. diff, can lead to a life-threatening form of diarrhea. And that is not all; patients often become isolated because of their symptoms, with families taking on huge emotional and financial burdens trying to care for their loved ones. While treatment with more antibiotics may clear C. diff infections in many patients, others find themselves stuck in recurring cycles of antibiotics, illness and more antibiotics. About half a million C. diff infections occur in the U.S. each year, killing more than 20,000 patients annually. The illness has even been labeled an “urgent health threat” by the Centers for Disease Control.

If you are suffering from C. diff, you are not alone.

There is good news. Scientists are developing a whole new category of non-antibiotic drugs that are designed to stop the disease cycle and prevent recurrence. One such drug under investigation in clinical trials, called RBX2660 (formulated by Rebiotix Inc.), aims to restore the beneficial microbes in the gut to a healthier state to potentially stop reinfection. RBX2660 is designed to be administered to patients in one easy treatment, replacing the microbial “rainforest” lost to antibiotic treatment. Clinical trials like those using RBX2660 will be key to understanding this new type of therapy and potentially providing patients and doctors with more options to combat C. diff.

“Clinical trials can be a tool for you to find more C. diff treatment choices,” says Nancy Caralla, founder of The C. Diff Foundation. Caralla, a nurse who is a survivor of the disease, was inspired by her near-death experience to start the foundation to support C. diff patients around the world. The group works to educate patients about seeking clinical trials to treat or prevent their infections. “Become an advocate for your own healthcare,” advises Caralla. “Start by asking your physician about clinical trials in progress. Help (your doctor) help you to help others. You aren’t out of options.”

If you’re an adult being treated for C. diff infection or know someone who might be suffering from the disease, consider participating in the clinical trial (https://rebiotix.com/punchcd3/clinical-trial-page/) at sites throughout the U.S. and Canada to help further the development of the RBX2660 drug. If you are confirmed to be a candidate and decide to participate, the cost of your study drug and study-related tests are paid for by the study sponsor. You may also be eligible for compensation when completing required study visits and phone calls.