Month: January 2020

2020-01-13T16:52:35

(BPT) – What if you could give loved ones a present that makes a meaningful impact on the world? If you want to make a difference this year, consider giving gifts that help others in a direct, effective way. You and the gift recipient will know you’re making a difference in the lives of people who really need it.

Here are a few ways you can give a gift this year that truly makes someone’s life better:

Feed a family — and nourish a community

Several global charities have developed opportunities for Americans to make a dramatic impact on the lives of families throughout developing countries. For example, donors can direct contributions that pay for a farm animal to support a family or a clean water well installation to benefit an entire community.

A gift of a goat and two chickens provides a steady supply of eggs, milk and protein that can feed two or more struggling families. Your loved one will receive a card to tell them you’re making this life-changing donation on their behalf.

A single dairy goat can provide up to 16 cups of milk per day, providing calcium, protein and other essential nutrients for growing children. Goats are well-suited for harsh climates and produce valuable fertilizer for crops and vegetable gardens. Chickens are easy to raise, and they naturally multiply to help feed generations of children. Each family who receives chickens gives back some hatched chicks to help other families in their community. This productivity can create a viable small-business opportunity for a single mother or struggling family to help add to their income.

Provide vital medical supplies

Numerous organizations also help struggling families in developing countries gain access to life-saving medicine, vitamins and nutritional support. Donating these types of gifts on behalf of a loved one who has struggled with his or her own health concerns can be an especially meaningful way to show you care.

A monthly or yearly donation to World Vision in the name of your loved one is a way to provide access to vital pharmaceuticals and medical supplies such as antibiotics, anti-fungals, anti-parasitic drugs, deworming medications, disposable syringes, gastrointestinal drugs, painkillers or surgical supplies to communities that desperately need them. Your gift will multiply five times in terms of its impact to help ship and distribute necessary medicine and supplies.

Support community artisans

If your loved one is passionate about artistic and beautiful things from around the world, you can support local artisans and craftspeople as well. Your support enables artisans to access “microloans” that help them fund their businesses. You can also directly purchase their hand-crafted items, which supports their business and enables you or your gift recipient to enjoy unique and beautiful works of art. Look for organizations that partner with fair trade organizations when you shop for international goods to maximize the impact of your gift.

Browse through World Vision’s Catalog to see a wide variety of handcrafted gifts ranging from jewelry and housewares to decorative items. A portion of your purchase will be used to support specific, urgent needs for children, families or communities around the world, benefiting local artisans, along with the individual for whom you selected a gift.

A $75 or greater donation enables you to select a gift from the Opportunity Collection of home decor items, the Grace Collection of jewelry and accessories or the Hope Bracelet. These items were designed by actress Patricia Heaton. They were created by fair trade artisans in India in partnership with Gifts with a Cause, a fair-trade organization that provides a sustainable income to artists in developing countries. This business opportunity helps empower people to thrive, improving the lives of their families and communities. A donation expresses how much you care — and your gift will have an impact on making the lives of others better.

2020-01-13T17:18:43

(BPT) – This year you might have goals like ramping up your workout routine, increasing your self-care regimen or finding time to de-stress.

The EPA reports we spend 90 percent of our time indoors, but most people feel that spending time in nature has a positive effect on their mental well-being and stress level, according to a recent YouGov study commissioned by Velux. So, if your goal is to de-stress, here are some healthy behaviors and design tips to help you bring nature’s sanctuary indoors.

1) Fill your home with photos of nature

Surrounding yourself with images of nature can have a positive effect on wellness. Try framing some photos of special memories in nature like a hike with your family, beach sunset or mountain view.

2) Let in more fresh air and natural light

Today’s homes are built tighter and more sealed, which means they can trap toxins from daily living — such as cooking, cleaning, pets and more — inside. Adding skylights that can open is a simple home renovation project to improve fresh air flow, helping rid indoor air of pollutants. Additionally, studies show that exposure to natural light helps to sync your circadian rhythm, allowing for better sleep at night.

3) Fill your home with natural scents

Up your chef game by using fresh herbs in your cooking that will fill your kitchen with natural fragrance. Making an indoor herb garden ensures you’ll always have some on hand. You can also incorporate fresh herbs into bouquets or wreaths for a natural air freshener throughout your home.

4) Meditate or do yoga in the morning

Waking up with stretching or meditating is a great way to prepare yourself for a successful day. Open the blinds or curtains on your windows and skylights to let in early morning light and help you feel invigorated and refreshed.

5) Go green with your décor

Reap the benefits of nature by bringing it inside, adding greenery or even fruit into your décor. The possibilities are endless — use a bowl of fresh fruit as a centerpiece or mix different sizes of pots to create a succulent gallery. Little touches of green in each room will go a long way.

6) Use natural cleaning products

Many common cleaning products have harsh chemicals that can be inhaled or absorbed into your skin. Combat the dangers of these toxins by switching to natural cleaning products. You’ll feel safer and more relaxed when your home is chemical-free.

From boosting your home’s natural light to going green and adding plant life, it’s easy to turn your home into a natural oasis with these simple steps. For more information, visit whyskylights.com.

2020-01-06T09:01:00

(BPT) – Dogs are the best. The best welcome home greeters. The best snuggle buddies. And, the best road trip companions. But, just like humans, dogs have ruff days and health problems from aging and their active lives. They don’t always know how to tell us where they hurt or why they are acting differently, but there are some signs that pet parents can watch for.

1. Less pep in their step. It’s natural for dogs to be less active as they age, but with four legs and boundless curiosity, injuries can happen any time. If your fur family member isn’t sprinting around the backyard like normal, or they’re walking up or down stairs instead of running, they may be experiencing leg or paw discomfort. A prolonged change in the way they walk or run could be a sign of hip or joint discomfort indicating a chronic condition, according to veterinarian Elizabeth DeLomba. “Medium to large dog breeds in particular are prone to developing joint issues as they age,” says Dr. DeLomba. “One of the first and best ways to manage these changes is with a daily joint supplement like GlycoFlex from VetriScience.”

2. Missing your snuggle buddy. They’re always curled up beside you during a Netflix binge or keeping your feet warm in bed every night. But, when your best snuggler starts being anti-social, it may be a sign that they need something more than a cuddle. “A dog acting anti-social may be an indication of a physical problem or discomfort that they are trying to hide,” says Dr. DeLomba. A dog acting sensitive to petting or a gentle touch may signal underlying issues.

3. What’s that smell? Doggie kisses are also the best, but not so much with bad doggie breath. If your dog has consistently bad breath despite special treats and regular teeth cleanings, they may have a tooth or gum issue. Likewise, if your dog is needing to “go” more often, or you start finding accidents in the house, it may be an indication of a urinary issue or problem. If Fido isn’t finishing meals or is not that interested in treats, that’s another sign of possible gastrointestinal distress or other internal issues that may not be obvious physically but may be detected with blood work.

Talk to your veterinarian if your dog is demonstrating any of the above behaviors. Depending on the circumstance, your dog may benefit from a simple change such as a new diet or supplement regime. For serious issues, you should always contact your veterinarian, who may need to prescribe medication.

If your dog isn’t exactly a champ at swallowing pills when they need them to feel better, Dr. DeLomba recommends new VetriScience Pinchers(TM) pill-hiding treats with probiotics. Dogs love the organic peanut butter flavor and humans love that Pinchers are less greasy than similar products.

Our pets are with us for far too short a time. Watch for their signs of discomfort to keep them happy, healthy, and at your side for as long as possible.

2020-01-06T10:01:00

(BPT) – At some point you may consider hiring a home care provider for assistance. The first place people usually look is on the Internet, and ultimately on Craigslist, where there are people looking for home care jobs. Hiring a stranger for this kind of important service isn’t easy. You need them to be caring, capable and reliable — and trustworthy enough to work in your home. People you encounter on Craigslist could be “anyone” — you simply don’t know, and you’re putting yourself at risk.

There are serious benefits of getting help through an agency. Here are some critical points to consider and some information about why Craigslist isn’t your best bet:

• An Agency Ultimately Delivers a Lower Cost
  When you hire someone independent, the law says you are their employer, and as such, you are required to pay all necessary compensation charges including taxes, Social Security and other benefits. However, when you go through an agency to hire a home care specialist, the agency only charges you an hourly rate and handles all the other employee benefits for that individual required by law. There are no hidden costs. Ultimately it is more cost effective to go through an agency than to Craigslist.
• Agencies Ensure Background Safety and Security Checks
  Home care agencies do thorough background checks on their team. Their applicants undergo exhaustive screening, including criminal liabilities, to ensure they’re getting personnel with clean and reputable records. This process is very costly. If you want a care provider you can trust, a home care agency can give you that.
• Protection from Disability Claims
  Home caregivers are bonded and insured when they work through an agency at no cost to you. If they get injured on the job, they can get whatever medical attention they need through the agency’s coverage. However, if they are your direct employee, you must pay for their bonds and insurance directly. If something happens to them while on duty, they can make costly claims for damages.
• Reduced Risk of Theft
  A caregiver from a reputable source can be trusted with your personal belongings because the agency has well-screened them. Aside from the peace of mind that they won’t touch any of your private belongings, you can also easily trace them if necessary. All staff at AEC Living Home Care are finger-printed and registered with the State of California. They do regular monitoring, continuing education for their staff and provide supervision by a care manager. The agency makes sure you and your belongings are safe and secure.
• Your Home Care Provider Will Show, No Matter What
  With agency home care providers, there is always someone who can attend to the job — the primary caregiver assigned, or their backup. If the assigned caregiver is unable to visit your home, there is always an alternate care provider to step in. This is often a place where independent caregivers fall short.

AEC Home Care is a private duty, non-medical, in-home care agency serving the California Bay Area. The agency has over 45 years of experience serving seniors in this community and offers a wide variety of personalized care solutions. To learn more, please reach out to them at 510-748-9700 or at this link online.

2020-01-06T06:01:01

(BPT) – As the calendar flips to a new year, many Americans try to tackle a tough task: building a healthier lifestyle. According to Statista, the sense of being unhealthy is especially strong among Millennials, with nearly 80% of adults under the age of 36 reporting that they “could be healthier.”

Sustaining a well-rounded, nutritious diet can be difficult though. Consumers need to identify food options that are not only healthy, but also delicious and convenient. Packed with protein and easy to prepare, turkey fits the bill for a wholesome, balanced diet.

Low in fat and loaded with an abundance of minerals, turkey is perfect for many tasty, simple meals for individuals and families. Consumers can cook tacos with ground turkey, turkey burgers, spaghetti with turkey meatballs, turkey sheet pan dinners, turkey sausage, or turkey skillet kits in less than a half hour and enjoy a convenient, nourishing meal.

No matter which form of turkey consumers are choosing, they are often hung up on a common question: white meat or dark meat? You cannot go wrong either way, according to nutritionist Dana Harrison. She notes that white meat is a great source of lean protein, low in fat and low in calories. However, the calorie disparity is not that large. For a three-ounce serving, any part of the turkey falls within a 160- to 190-calorie range.

While dark meat has a higher concentration of fat than white meat, those fats could help you feel more satiated by your meal. Dark meat is also higher in certain other nutrients, including iron, zinc, B vitamins and selenium. Ultimately, Harrison recommends that consumers simply eat the option they prefer taste-wise because white meat and dark meat both fit into a healthy, adequate and balanced diet.

For those wanting healthier options for their families, there are a wide variety of products including ground turkey, breast cutlets, tenderloins and turkey meal kits. The Honeysuckle White and Shady Brook Farms brands provide an array of healthy turkey recipes, such as Southwest-style chipotle turkey tenderloin with roasted veggies, sweet and spicy turkey tacos and white turkey chili.

For consumers on the go who want the health halo of turkey breast but need something speedy to whip up for dinner, the company also recently introduced Turkey Skillet Kits. Each kit includes four turkey breast cutlets – hand-seasoned in a flavorful blend with an internationally-inspired gourmet sauce sauté packet, and they cook in fewer than 15 minutes.

Ground turkey is another quick, versatile dinner option. With 28 grams of protein and only one gram of fat per serving, 99% fat-free ground turkey breast provides a great foundation for a wholesome entrée, such as tacos or chili. For families on the go, oven-ready turkey meatloaf is simple to prepare and perfect for busy schedules.

Keeping track of the food you are consuming can help you lose weight and determine if you’re eating enough in each food group. And with modern technology at our disposal, diet monitoring is a breeze. Online food calculators, such as a tool on WebMD, enable consumers to count calories and grams of fat, carbohydrates and protein from thousands of different foods. There are numerous mobile apps that allow you to track your exercise accomplishments, in addition to your dietary goals, to stay on pace with your resolution.

Upholding a healthy diet with balanced, wholesome meals only takes a few simple steps. Smart shoppers plan meals before heading to the store and stick to the outside perimeter of the supermarket to purchase fresh ingredients, including vegetables, fruit and lean meats. Moreover, a consistent meal-planning routine saves time and money by eliminating extra trips to eat out and cutting out the need to order delivery.

Armed with a grocery shopping game plan and modern technology to monitor nutrition and wellness progress, consumers can be ready to maintain a healthy routine. Even on the busiest of nights, convenient and healthful turkey meal options ensure you can enjoy an appetizing dinner.

2020-01-06T02:01:00

(BPT) – Mastering online sales reaps big rewards for small businesses.

Ask North Carolina-based business owner Ken Baker of Dream Big Printables. Baker’s decorative and inspirational art prints are sold on Amazon Handmade, where his business has grown over 200%. On Cyber Monday alone, more items were purchased in Amazon’s online store from independent small and medium-sized businesses like Dream Big Printables than ever before on a single day. For Baker, sales were up more than nine times over a typical day, making Cyber Monday his best day ever.

Baker’s experience is common among small and medium-sized businesses selling their goods in Amazon’s online stores. Overall, it was a record-breaking holiday season for independent third-party sellers in Amazon’s stores — mostly small and medium-sized businesses — with worldwide unit sales seeing double-digit year-over-year growth, surpassing a billion items sold.

For Tennessee-based small business Brittle Brothers, “Amazon has single-handedly taken us from a company ‘getting by’ to a company that is actually paying all our bills and having some extra to throw in the bank,” says owner John Spalding, who was inspired by his great-grandmother’s peanut brittle recipe to create Brittle Brothers.

Brittle Brothers’ Amazon sales are up more than 250% over last year.

“Our best day ever on Amazon was Dec. 21, 2019, when we sold 164 units in 24 hours,” observes Spalding.

How can your business crush holiday sales?

Plan ahead

You know the holidays are coming, so plan well in advance, ensuring you have adequate inventory, staff and preparation.

“Making the most of the holidays on Amazon for us was making sure we had enough inventory, so that we never ran out. On Valentine’s Day 2019 we ran out of brittle and lost 10 days’ worth of sales. We swore then and there that when the holiday season began in mid-October, we would not run out! And we didn’t,” says Spalding.

Wisconsin-based Handmade Artisan Michelle Rutta of Your Heart’s Content agrees.

“Because we hand make our items, we need to work ahead of the holidays. We make our products year round just to fulfill orders during the holiday season,” explains Rutta. “It requires projecting sales, cash flow, labor needs, materials needed, purchasing materials and coordinating a production schedule. We do anything possible during slower months, including tweaking listings, taking awesome photographs, planning social media posts and designing new products. That enables us to better fulfill the influx of orders during our busy months.”

Master social media

Having a multi-faceted online presence increases visibility — which is more important than ever when competing with everything else out there.

“We have Instagram and Facebook pages and make posts that encourage interaction with our followers. Through the snowball effect of sales, we’ve also had influencers take notice of us,” says Rutta. “They purchase our products, feature them in their homes, post them on their social media platforms, then provide links where they get a small commission. It’s mutually beneficial because they engage their followers and beautifully style our products in their homes.”

Social media also goes in two directions: It’s not just about putting your face and products out there, but also watching what others are doing so you know what’s hot — and what’s not.

“We invest a lot of time learning the nuances of social media,” explains Rutta, “as well as analyzing home decor trends.”

Optimize your sales channels

For small businesses, learning how to use Amazon’s tools and services makes a huge difference:

• Baker boosted revenue for Dream Big Printables to two of his all-time best sales days using Lightning Deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
• Baker also uses Fulfillment by Amazon — shipping inventory to Amazon, which then picks, packs, ships and handles customer service for his orders. This enables Baker’s products to be eligible for free One Day Delivery. Amazon reported more than 100 million items sold by independent third-party sellers — mostly small and medium-sized businesses — were shipped with Prime Free One-Day Delivery over the holidays in the U.S.
• Spalding expanded The Brittle Brothers’ sales into Canada via Amazon.ca and plans to launch in the Middle East.
• Dream Big Printables and Your Heart’s Content boosted visibility with products featured in Amazon’s first-ever Small Business Gift Guide, which drew in hundreds of thousands of U.S. shoppers.

To learn more about the millions of small and medium-sized businesses selling in Amazon’s stores, visit: Aboutamazon.com/supporting-small-businesses. To explore opportunities to build your business with Amazon, visit: Amazon.com/buildyourbusiness.

2020-01-03T09:01:00

(BPT) – During the blustery cold days and cozy nights at home this winter, there’s no better time to rediscover the simple pleasures and quiet joys of indoor activities that help you relax and reconnect with family. Over the holidays, through winter break and beyond, families everywhere are eager to unplug, get away from screens, and spend quality time together.

One great activity to help you do that is puzzling, which you can enjoy alone or with friends and family. Did you know that 1 in 2 Americans puzzle at least once a year? A study conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Ravensburger found that American adults puzzle for a number of different reasons — from millennials looking for an escape from their digital world to seniors who like activities that help them stay mentally fit. Perhaps also not surprisingly, 3 in 4 of those surveyed said that they puzzle most during the winter months.

Here are a few of the benefits of taking a little time in your day to work on a jigsaw puzzle.

“Me” time

It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, especially after the holiday season has wrapped and the coldest winter months set in. This time of year, it’s more important than ever to be checking in on your self-care habits and creating a sense of wellness in your life. Jigsaw puzzles provide a relaxing, tactile and meditative outlet that is sure to keep the winter blues at bay. You can choose a picture that is sure to bring you joy once it’s completed — from a beautiful piece of art or a cultural icon such as a 3D replica of a double-decker London bus — puzzling gives you the opportunity to bring your favorite things to life in a fun new way.

The results are all positive — puzzling helps you de-stress, improves your memory, and boosts your problem-solving skills.

Puzzling on your own lets you choose how often and for how long you enjoy the activity. Leaving a puzzle in progress on a kitchen or dining room table lets you complete your puzzle at your own pace and reminds you to pause and take a moment to slow down every so often.

“We” time

In the Ipsos study, 7 out of 10 (69%) respondents who puzzle saw it as a family tradition activity, and 59% said that they like to do puzzles while they’re on vacation or over holiday break.

Jigsaw puzzles can be a fun and effortless way to reconnect with family and friends of all ages. When everyone gathers around the table to puzzle together, it offers opportunities for relaxed conversations and connection with each other, away from the formality of a meal or structured activity. You may learn something special and new from one of your loved ones during a casual “side conversation” while working on a jigsaw puzzle together. From piecing together the riddles in an “escape the room” puzzle to your own customized puzzle of a treasured family photo — Ravensburger offers collaborative puzzles that are perfect for family time.

Working on puzzles allows everyone to unplug from technology, slow down and live in the moment together. In fact, 84% of those surveyed said that they usually puzzled together with others.

Why do people like to puzzle, whether alone or together? Those who regularly puzzle said that their main reasons are relaxation (59%), fun (57%), stress relief (47%), and brain boosting (42%) — all of which are especially important to maintain during the short, cold winter days.

No matter your age, you can open up the experience of puzzling to your friends and family this winter and beyond to take a break from your tech-fueled lives and enjoy spending time together. Kids, teens, parents and grandparents can all puzzle together — no user manual, batteries or complicated directions required!

2020-01-02T11:15:18

(BPT) – It’s hard to imagine what life has been like for a child who was diagnosed with a brain tumor at just 2 years old, followed by years of surgeries, doctor visits, medications and treatments. Eleven-year-old, four-time cancer survivor Alika has endured all of that — but maintains a positive and optimistic attitude, with the support of her family. She loves going to school and learning new things.

While battling cancer for the fourth time, a social worker referred Alika to Make-A-Wish^®.

“We’ve always known about Make-A-Wish,” said Alika’s mom, Leah. “But between the MRIs and hospital stays, we hadn’t even had a moment to think about the impact a wish could have.”

Spending most of her life in and out of hospitals and doctor appointments means Alika and her family have never had the chance to take a vacation together. In identifying her wish, Alika expressed her desire to travel with her family to Hawaii. When she recently finished her last round of treatment, Alika’s doctors cleared her for her wish to go to Hawaii, although she will still need to be monitored closely to watch for any recurrence of cancer.

After enduring three surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy, Alika’s wish will come true thanks to the support Make-A-Wish has received from Subaru through the Subaru Share the Love^® Event.

Alika, who says she wants to be a chef or an actress when she grows up, recently appeared in a commercial promoting Subaru’s support for Make-A-Wish through its annual Share the Love Event.

After filming the commercial, Alika turned to her mother and said, “Mom, this commercial was made just for me!”

Inspired by her story, Subaru and Make-A-Wish, together, revealed to Alika on Good Morning America that her wish is being granted.

Alika dreams of traveling the world, starting with her wish to go to Hawaii. Her family has always felt a strong connection to Hawaiian culture, making her wish a transformative opportunity for her entire family. To help Alika document their special trip, Subaru also gifted her a GoPro camera.

Alika is looking forward to visiting Hawaii with her family and is especially excited to see the waterfalls when she gets there. It will be the first time they will enjoy quality, stress-free time just relaxing together. Her family imagines having fun dancing to music on the beaches of Hawaii.

Make-A-Wish has been able to grant 2,200 wishes for children fighting critical illness thanks to funding received from the Subaru Share the Love Event.

If you’re looking for a way to make a positive impact, there’s nothing more fulfilling than helping a child’s wish come true, especially knowing how their life has been affected by illness.

Subaru has donated more than $170 million to national and hometown charities through the Subaru Share the Love Event in 12 years. To learn more about the Make-A-Wish and Subaru partnership, visit wish.org/Subaru.