Month: February 2020

2020-02-27T10:01:00

(BPT) – It’s no secret breakfast is an important meal of the day. For growing kids, having access to a healthy breakfast is critical to future success. Healthy foods are a fundamental right that impacts not only the well-being of our youth, but also their academic success. Studies show that students who are properly nourished by breakfast perform better on exams and achieve greater academic success overall. Proper nutrition enables kids to concentrate in class and helps improve their attention span, which aids in quality learning. Breakfast has also been shown to improve behavior and mood.

For busy parents, putting a healthy breakfast on the table each morning while juggling many other priorities is easier said than done. To help busy families perfect their morning routines, the nutrition experts and chefs at Revolution Foods, the nation’s leading provider of healthy, kid-inspired, chef-crafted school and community meals, have shared useful breakfast tips in honor of National School Breakfast Week, a week-long celebration of the federal School Breakfast Program that provides nearly 12.5 million low-income children with a free or reduce-priced nutritious morning meal each school day.

1. Plan Ahead

No one likes to be rushed in the morning, especially kids. Being organized is half the battle when it comes to getting breakfast on the table. Kim Doyle, Associate VP of Nutrition and Compliance at Revolution Foods, recommends mapping out what foods and meals you plan to serve the night, or even weekend, before, so when your kids ask “what’s for breakfast?”, you have an answer. “Take advantage of your weekends by searching online with your kids for simple, kid-friendly breakfast recipes you can make at home together,” notes Doyle. “Involving kids in the planning means they’ll be more likely to try their creations.”

2. Prep Ahead

One of the best things parents can do is prep for breakfast the night before. There are many breakfast items that can be made in advance and will be ready to go when you wake up. For example, overnight oats can be served chilled and will hold in the fridge for several days. Oats are rich in fiber, which help keep hunger and blood sugar in check throughout the morning. Mix in some fresh or frozen fruit, nuts or chia seeds for added vitamins, fiber and healthy fat.

Clifton Lyles, Executive Chef and VP of Product Development at Revolution Foods, also recommends encouraging children to make their own breakfasts whenever possible: “Try a healthy cereal or toast bar — if you set up the tools needed ahead of time, such as the cereal boxes, toaster and bread, bowls and plates, etc., it’s easy enough for kids of any age to do and can be very empowering.”

Popular Revolution Foods breakfast items include whole-grain French toast with maple turkey sausage, strawberry & chia yogurt parfait, smothered egg & turkey sausage breakfast burrito and mini bagels with cage-free hard-boiled eggs. Seasonal fresh fruits are also available daily with these items.

Finally, when grocery shopping for breakfast, Doyle advises parents to look for breads and cereals that have a whole grain as the first ingredient and are low in sugar. “Greek yogurt, which is higher in protein and lower in sugar than traditional yogurts, cheese sticks and hard-boiled eggs, is great to have on hand in the refrigerator,” she notes. “Eggs are a good source of protein, vitamin B12, choline and phosphorus — all essential nutrients for kids. Also, adding fruits like apple, banana, berries or pumpkin can provide extra fiber and vitamins.”

For more information on Revolution Foods and its products and services, visit RevolutionFoods.com. And be sure to follow Revolution Foods on social media @RevolutionFoods throughout the school year for more tips and tricks on healthy eating for the whole family.

2020-02-27T15:31:00

(BPT) – Every parent knows the struggle of convincing their little ones to eat more nutritious foods. Luckily, by encouraging your kids to get involved in the kitchen, you’re helping them build a solid foundation for healthier food choices. Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner offers five expert tips to get kids involved in making healthy family meals:

1. Let the kids pick the recipe

Flip through a healthy cookbook and see which recipes the kids are interested in making. This is a good way to get kids involved in selecting healthier recipes or new food flavors, and because they helped choose, they will be more invested in trying these foods when you cook them.

2. Take family trips to the grocery store

Head to the store and select nutritious ingredients for recipes, meals and snacks. You can even let the kids help craft the grocery list and search for ingredients while you shop. To introduce new foods, set a goal to select one new food to try at each visit and head home to have a fun tasting.

3. Make their favorite foods with better-for-you ingredients

Eating well doesn’t mean giving up favorite foods, just make them with better-for-you ingredients. Keep kids’ favorites like pizza, burgers, fries, tacos, muffins and pancakes on the menu, but just choose healthier ingredients. For example, choose Eggland’s Best eggs with better taste, freshness and nutrition compared to ordinary eggs. EB eggs contain 25% less saturated fat, 10 times more vitamin E, six times more vitamin D and double the vitamin B12, which transforms food into energy that kids need to play and grow.

4. Cook as a family

Kids adore helping in the kitchen, so have them wash their hands and pull up a chair when it’s time to cook. Older kids can help with tasks like rinsing vegetables, chopping foods, measuring ingredients and cracking eggs. Younger children love to help mix, stir and do other simple tasks like using a pastry brush to spread oil.

5. Make it fun

Put on some music when you cook and enjoy the quality time together. Make your meals special by lighting candles or using nice glasses. Create your own original recipe and come up with a fun name for it. Your unique recipe could even earn your family $10,000! From now until May 3rd, Eggland’s Best is searching for the best original family recipe featuring at least two EB eggs. Submit your family’s favorite recipe at www.americasbestrecipe.com for your chance to win.

For a nutritious and delicious recipe that’s kid-approved and easy to make, try these Zucchini Muffins from Eggland’s Best:

Zucchini Muffins

Ingredients:

2 Eggland’s Best Eggs (large)

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup Land O Lakes Butter, melted

1 medium (2 cups) zucchini, shredded

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 F. Place paper baking cups into 12 muffin pan cups; set aside.

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in bowl; mix well.

Combine butter and eggs in bowl; stir into flour mixture just until moistened.

Stir in zucchini.

Fill prepared muffin pan cups three-fourths full with batter.

Bake 22-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

Cool 5 minutes in pan; remove to cooling rack.

2020-02-26T08:31:00

(BPT) – DIY continues to thrive, with many homeowners planning to tackle projects big and small themselves. According to the National Association of Realtors, home improvement projects that reflect adding the homeowner’s personality to their home were twice as popular to DIY than hire a professional. What’s more, 81% of those who DIY a project expressed a major sense of accomplishment.

DIY allows you to personalize your space in a unique way while saving money, especially when you utilize recycled materials for extraordinary upcycled results. You’d be surprised how easy it can be even to create lighting options for your home with simple things you have around your house, like plastic pop or water bottles.

Versatile pendant lighting has been in style, in one form or another, for hundreds of years. From old-fashioned chandeliers to today’s industrial-looking pendant lighting fixtures, this lighting style is popular for good reason. Pendant lighting provides focused light that can cover a large area, depending how far from the ceiling you hang it. This makes it ideal for kitchens, dining areas or anywhere you want to use lighting to create a sense of ambiance. Pendant lighting is especially popular for game rooms, such as over pool tables. It’s not only functional and space saving, but it can transform the look of the whole room, for very little cost.

To tap into the power of pendant lighting to create an industrial minimalist look for one of your rooms, why not make your own concrete pendant lamp? Just a few steps results in modern designer-style lighting without the cost, using recycled plastic bottles and Quikrete 5000 for a more industrial look or Quikrete Sand Topping Mix for a more refined look. Simply mix water with specially formulated concrete and you can create a wide array of furnishings and decor, complete home improvement projects and much more.

Concrete pendant lamp instructions:

Note: When working with cement-based products, always wear eye protection and waterproof gloves. Visit Quikrete.com to watch an instructional video on this project.

Step 1: Use scissors to cut the bottom of a clean soda bottle.

Step 2: Drill a hole in the cap of both bottles. The hole should be just big enough to fit the metal tube.

Step 3: Connect the bottle caps using the tube and nuts on either side of each cap.

Step 4: Screw the bottles into the caps, starting with the larger first.

Step 5: Use deck screws to stabilize the bottles.

Step 6: Mix the concrete and fill the mold using a large spoon.

Step 7: Shake the mold to release any air bubbles and make sure the concrete settles.

Step 8: Allow the concrete to cure for at least 20 hours before removing the mold.

Step 9: Remove the bottles using a box cutter and the scissors.

Step 10: Sand down the edges of the lamp using 120 grit sandpaper.

Step 11: Cut the socket end of the wire and thread the cut end through the bolt hole. Strip the wires and twist them together. Cover the exposed metal with electrical tape or wire nuts and make sure the pendant is securely fastened.

To make your project even more interesting, you could add a liquid coloring agent to your cement (at Step 6). Quikrete offers attractive options in red, brown, buff, charcoal and terra cotta to further enhance your pendant light. Consider the color palette already present in the room — wall paint, flooring and furnishings — before choosing a complementary color.

With a little creativity and a touch of elbow grease, you can enjoy personal satisfaction in creating DIY home decor and improvements that enhance your house with one-of-a-kind style. Plus you can feel proud you’re using recycled materials to complete your project with contemporary flair that embraces today’s top trends.

2020-02-26T09:15:00

(BPT) – As you probably remember, choosing your home was strongly influenced by the layout and appearance of its bathrooms. But no matter how long you’ve lived in your home, there are bound to be improvements you’d love to make. And almost everyone needs options for optimizing bathroom space.

Before remodeling, it’s best to think through your plan. Unless you’re selling your house immediately, don’t make the mistake of considering resale value alone. Take a good look at how you actually use the room, paying attention to what’s working — and what’s not.

Ask yourself about daily issues that bother you before committing to a major overhaul. Be sure any changes you make will actually solve your problems or enhance your experience of the room.

Does anyone use the bathtub?

If baths are popular in your household, upgrading your tub can have a big impact. For spacious bathrooms, standalone tubs are trending in bathroom design. But for those with limited space, a large tub may not be an option.

If the tub is not used in your home, switching to a high-quality shower set-up instead could increase your bathroom’s functionality — and make better use of the space. Today’s choices are customizable and even high tech, so it’s worth exploring your options.

Is there enough storage?

Unless you have a newer home, chances are you do not have enough storage space — or outlets for all your gadgets. Here are some options for rethinking your storage.

Vanities: Robern’s Cartesian Collection offers beautifully designed, customizable options in a range of colors and textures. You can purchase modular units that can be ganged or stacked to fit a variety of spaces, as well as to accommodate existing plumbing.

Their vanity drawers have white shatter-proof glass bottoms that dissipate heat, allowing hot items like hair dryers or curling irons to be stored without fear of leaving heat marks. You can even choose an LED night light feature to softly illuminate drawer interiors, and in-drawer electrical outlets for powering your electronic grooming gadgets.

The vanity tops and sinks in the Cartesian Collection are available in Lava Black, Stone Gray or Quartz White, and include a separate white porcelain rectangular sink or can be used as a dry top for a basin-style sink.

Cabinets: For stylish and innovative modular wall cabinet options, the Robern Uplift Tech Collection is designed with a unique vertically opening door, which you can open as low or as high as needed. You can also create flexible storage solutions by ganging the cabinets.

To help you find things even at night, the interior of the cabinet turns on when the door is opened and shuts off when the door is closed.

How’s the lighting?

Do you find yourself mis-applying makeup, or have trouble putting in contacts or performing other tasks? Do you think you look different in other mirrors than the mirror in your own bathroom? Having a well-lit, clear mirror makes all the difference.

Mirror lighting on Robern’s Uplift Tech cabinets offers optimal light direction and output to eliminate dark shadows, providing bright, even task lighting and a rich, saturated tone in your reflection. The mirror’s task lighting can be controlled with a dimmer, and there’s even a programmable night light. Defogging technology comes with a 45-minute timer.

The cabinets offer not only a mirror on the outside door, but also the interior back of the cabinet, providing access to a mirror even when the cabinet door is open.

For additional lighting improvements, consider adding pendant or chandelier lighting, which provides great overhead light without taking up much space.

Do you just want a more beautiful space?

Consider minor changes to your bathroom that can transform your experience. When was the last time you painted the room? A fresh, bright color can really improve any size space.

Biophilic design is on trend, which just means making your interior spaces greener and more natural. Incorporating colors found in nature, plus adding natural elements such as houseplants, can make any room feel more peaceful and livable. Consider plants that thrive on warmth and humidity when “greening up” your space.

To explore all your options for enhancing your bathroom, visit Robern.com.

2020-02-27T08:15:00

(BPT) – There is nothing more inviting than a luxurious, well-appointed bathroom, but no matter how ambitious the remodel, there are unique challenges that come with every project. Whether updating the guest powder room or redesigning the master bathroom of your dreams, from plumbing and lighting to budget and space limitations, there is a lot to be considered. One way to approach a project is by defining the space through singular choices that will move an everyday interior into a space to remember: an extraordinary marble vanity, exquisite lighting fixture, classic vessel sink or deep soaking tub — pivotal pieces can set the stage upon which all else revolves.

How you choose that signature piece to take your room to the next level can be intimidating. Here are some approaches to help make your dream space a reality.

Make a statement

Once you’ve decided on that one stand-alone piece, it’s time to draw in all the secondary players to complete the interior and fit your particular style. What do you want to visually highlight or contrast to bring the design center stage? Is it a particular color or family of colors that are more welcoming than others? Are there certain textures that naturally appeal to you — smooth and polished, or organic and irregular to the touch? Do you prefer classic design elements or those with a modern edge?

Innovations in the bathroom have revolutionized what’s possible. Large bathrooms have the space to create inspired retreats, from scene-stealing freestanding bathtubs to spacious glass-enclosed, walk-in showers equipped with multiple showerheads and the very latest in technology.

Another stylish alternative is the vessel sink. Whether making a grand statement by pairing them or as a singular statement in a smaller space, a vessel sink is a beautiful addition to any bathroom. Most require the same standard footprint as a drop-in basin, and there are quite a selection of vessels to choose from, including designs handcrafted from glass, carved from stone or cast from bronze and other metals.

One of the latest designs is the KALLISTA Myam Decorative Vessel. Crafted from solid bronze, the Myam Vessel has an interior of satin bronze, polished bronze or white satin bronze, contrasted by a textured eggshell exterior of matte black or matte white. With its classic lines and rich finishes, the Myam is just one example of how a vessel sink can visually impact your interior in a significant way.

Color and texture

Neutrals remain a confident, versatile choice, allowing you to layer varying shades to create depth and weave in pops of color to add visual excitement. If you do select a vibrant color, highly veined marble or elaborate detailed flooring allow it to play a larger role within your interior design. Mix in metals or other neutrals to complement and support those key design elements.

Texture also adds character and personality to a room. Fixtures featuring hand-rubbed multi-layered finishes create warmth, highly-figured marble and stone add dimension and irregular patterning only nature can provide, while natural wood lends an organic component to the interior. Playing with textures and surface finishes has never been more interesting — and today’s choices are more varied than ever.

Know the limitations of the room

If you have a small room to work with, you do not want to overwhelm the eye with too many elements. Keep lines clean and simple, and let the one signature piece command without competition from other design elements.

If there’s limited natural lighting, consider adding mirrored effects to enhance the lighting within the room. Antiqued mirrored cabinet finishes and wall tiles such as recent innovative designs by Robern and ANN SACKS reflect light within the room, adding dimensional depth and glamorous sophistication.

For rooms with high ceilings, a chandelier can center and balance a room while adding dramatic flair. Choose a traditional or modern chandelier that suits your style. If ceilings are lower, decorative flushmount ceiling lights or wall-mounted sconces provide a beautiful addition to an otherwise unremarkable room. Switching out lightbulbs with vintage Edison-inspired bulbs can completely change the character of a light fixture, adding charm by giving the lighting design an acquired feel.

2020-02-27T09:01:00

(BPT) – While some people read comic books to escape reality, illustrator J.G. Jones is using his artwork to illustrate his reality, and the reality of others like him who are living with a group of rare, chronic, progressive blood cancers known as myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs).

Since Jones made his debut in the comic book industry in 1994, he has become renowned for his work as a cover artist on a number of well-known comic book series. Now, he is using his talents to bring to life the powerful and personal stories of individuals impacted by MPNs, drawing on his nearly 10-year-long journey living with the disease. The illustrations can be viewed at www.VoicesofMPN.com/RareReflections.

In addition to highlighting the real experiences of patients with MPNs through illustrations, Jones is sharing what he learned on his MPN journey to shine a light on this disease and empower others to play an active role in their disease:

• Advocate for yourself. When dealing with a rare disease like MPNs, it is not uncommon to be misdiagnosed, which is what happened to Jones. During pre-operative bloodwork for surgery in 2009, a doctor noticed his blood counts were elevated. While this could have been a sign of several conditions, the doctor approved him to move forward with the surgery. If you are unsure about your condition, it’s always a good idea to seek a second opinion.

• Educate yourself. Jones approached his MPN in the same way he approaches his paintings: “When I embark on a painting, I start with a sketch, which allows me to work through potential problems before I bring the brush to the canvas. Without doing this work in the upfront, I would be left in the dark, trying to solve problems in the middle of the process and just hoping for the best.” Jones brought this mentality with him when he was diagnosed with polycythemia vera (PV), a type of MPN, by educating himself about the disease and not being afraid to ask questions. “I think this has made the biggest difference in my disease journey. At the end of the day, you are in control of making your own informed decisions that are going to work best for you,” said Jones.

• Listen to your body. One challenging part of this disease is that some symptoms are commonly associated with aging as well as a variety of other illnesses. Before Jones was diagnosed, he dismissed symptoms of lightheadedness and extreme fatigue, chalking them up to keeping late hours and working too hard. “I now know from experience that if your body is trying to tell you something, listen to it,” Jones advised. Since MPNs may worsen over time, it’s especially important to track your symptoms, because doing so can help you and your doctor identify subtle changes in your condition.

• Find support. Living with a rare disease can be isolating because it is easy to feel that no one truly understands what you’re going through. Jones found support and comfort through his wife, Dawn, as well as through friends and support groups online, where he met people going through something similar. He explained that when the “social J.G.” disappeared, he was able to make new friends across the world who he could stay in contact with from the comfort of his own home. “I found the feeling of isolation disappear as I got into a habit of talking to friends in Europe over breakfast, the East Coast in the afternoon and the West Coast at night,” said Jones.

MAT-HEM-01421 02/20

2020-02-26T12:01:01

(BPT) – People often underestimate the financial implications that timing can have on retirement. Consider this scenario: You retire confidently with $1 million, but immediately get hit with a huge stock-market decline.

“A major mistake I see people make is to assume that their investment returns will be average every year of retirement,” says Daniel M. Keady, CFP^®, chief financial planning strategist at TIAA. “Retire when the market is up and it can bolster your portfolio for the years ahead. But if you retire in a year when the market is down, a fixed withdrawal plan may eventually come up short and you can run out of money in retirement.”

A market downturn around the time of retirement is a serious risk that can greatly affect your quality of life and hard-earned retirement.

And while it is impossible to guarantee you retire in a strong economic market, there are steps you can take to help protect yourself and your financial future, regardless of what happens with the market.

Keady offers four tips for protecting yourself against a market downturn in retirement:

Build up your income for the future

If you’re young or just starting out, consider investing in mutual funds and slowly build an income through annuities. An annuity is a financial product that can generate regular income payments in retirement for your entire life, no matter how long you live. You can begin to invest in an annuity through your employer, if available, or you can purchase one on your own. The more you build up in the annuity over the course of your life, the less you will have to worry about volatility or a downturn close to retirement.

“When this happens,” says Keady, “you can convert a portion of your savings into an immediate annuity, which may help reduce sequence of returns risk and cover essential expenses throughout your lifetime, regardless of what happens in the market.”

TIAA offers fixed annuities that are guaranteed to grow every day during your savings years regardless of market fluctuations and provide guaranteed monthly payments that never run out.

Follow a long-term strategy

The best investment strategy is a long-term one. If you buy and sell your investments frequently, you’re likely to buy and sell based on panic or excitement. Instead, being proactive can partially protect you from the impact of a future volatile market by rebalancing your portfolio back to your risk level regularly.

Plan for longevity

The other risk in retirement is longevity. More than half of 65-year-old men will live beyond age 85 and one in three is expected to live to at least age 90, while nearly two-thirds of 65-year-old women are expected to live to age 85 and almost half will live to age 90^[i]. Unfortunately for many, their savings will not be adequate. Be sure to take your life expectancy into account when planning for retirement.

Consider Social Security

Add up your Social Security income, pension income and lifetime annuity income. If you run into issues of market volatility or longevity, will this be enough? Delaying retirement and Social Security claims for a few years to get a bigger future inflation-adjusted check can help add lifetime annuity income and may reduce the risk to your retirement income.

The idea of saving enough money for retirement can be overwhelming, and on top of that, sudden volatility close to retirement can drastically reduce quality of life in retirement. Follow these tips to help protect yourself and secure a source of income in retirement.

1099248

2020-02-26T15:31:00

(BPT) – From connectivity to cooktops and the latest gadgets, the ever-progressing kitchen of 2020 provides endless opportunities to simplify life in the home.

Whether cooking for his family, hosting a dinner party or serving up Michelin-starred dishes, Chef Curtis Stone believes in cooking smarter, not harder. Having tested, mastered and embraced many of 2020’s kitchen advancements, Stone shares four ways to master the kitchen this year with maximum flavor and minimum effort.

1. What’s your favorite tool of 2020?

“For quite some time, the thought of bringing technology into the kitchen felt a little out of place for me. However, as someone who is always on the go, connected appliances have really become a time-saving luxury that help me find more time to dedicate to the most important things in life, like my family.

“What I really love about Bosch home appliances is they believe in technology that is simple to use, which is why their Home Connect appliances are at the top of my list of 2020 kitchen necessities. It’s so convenient — I can preheat my wall oven remotely so make-ahead meals are ready for the oven as soon as I get home. I also manage household chores from my smartphone, so I never have to worry about little things like reordering dishwasher detergent tabs or whether I shut off the hood lights — automations like this are kind of a dream.”

2. There are so many different types of cooktops — electric, induction, gas. Which do you recommend?

“At my restaurant, Gwen, we cook all of our meat over a traditional open flame for a straight-from-the-fire essence and perfect char. However, it’s no secret I’m a big fan of newer methodologies like induction cooktops for faster boiling and easy cleanup. From a chef’s perspective, precision, power and efficiency are key to creating flavorful dishes that will keep your guests coming back for more. This is one of the reasons why I love the new Bosch FlameSelect gas cooktop.

“FlameSelect brings the accuracy of induction to the gas cooktop through nine very precise flame levels — from simmering delicate sauces to achieving the perfect sear over high heat — so you never need to guess the intensity of the flame. You just select the flame level needed for your favorite recipe and prepare for great results.”

3. Cooking for a crowd can be overwhelming. What’s your ultimate entertaining secret?

“One of my biggest tips when preparing a meal for a crowd is to keep your station (or kitchen) clean throughout the cooking process — this is a chef standard. Whether it’s a big dinner party or an intimate gathering, cleaning as you go prevents clutter that may get in your way and simplifies post-meal cleanup, which is crucial when you have guests waiting for you and your food.

“I love that I can place my dirty utensils, mixing bowls, and even large pots and pans right into my connected Bosch dishwasher and just carry on cooking while it does the hard work. I’m also able to start or monitor a load remotely and its quiet performance won’t disrupt the party — dishes can be out of sight and out of mind. Winner!”

4. You recently earned a Michelin star for the seasonal dishes you’re serving up at LA-based Maude. What’s your go-to dish for springtime hosting?

“When hosting, I like to cook within the season and keep it simple. Seasonal fruits and vegetables always taste best at their peak and can easily turn a simple dish into something that wows. I always look forward to cooking with asparagus every spring, and after mastering the kitchen, this mouthwatering, herbed steak dinner will be ready to serve before you know it. Enjoy!”

Pan-Seared Ribeye Steaks with Roasted Asparagus

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10-15 minutes

Ingredients: Roasted Parmesan Asparagus

1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 ounces Parmesan cheese, finely grated

Lemon wedges

Ingredients: Butter-Basted, Pan-Seared Ribeye Steaks

2 boneless ribeye steaks (1 inch thick; 12 ounces)

Kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil

4-6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

4 garlic cloves, bruised

6 large sprigs fresh thyme or 2 small sprigs fresh rosemary

Method

1. Using Convection Bake, preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Place rack in center of oven.
2. Toss asparagus in oil on a large baking sheet. Line asparagus in one even row lengthwise over sheet pan. Sprinkle Parmesan evenly.
3. Preheat 2 large skillets on cooktop over high heat. Meanwhile, place asparagus in oven, roasting for 8-10 minutes, or until crisp-tender.
4. Just before cooking, pat steak dry with paper towel and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add oil to hot skillets, then add steaks. Cook steaks for 4 minutes, or until dark brown and caramelized on bottom.
5. Turn steaks over and cook for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-high. Add butter, garlic, and thyme to skillets. Use spoon to baste melted butter over steaks as they cook, for about 2 more minutes for medium-rare doneness.
6. Transfer steaks to rack set on a sheet pan and let rest for about 4 minutes (half the cooking time).
7. Slice each steak against grain using sharp knife. Divide steak slices and roasted asparagus among 4 plates. Serve with lemon wedges.

2020-02-27T08:01:00

(BPT) – Inspiration is the stimulation to do something and can drive people to do incredible things. It doesn’t matter who you are, what your job is or which hobbies you enjoy — inspiration is at the core of personal and professional growth.

John Paxton, senior designer at Kia, finds his inspiration in looking to the future.

“My inspiration has consistently been fueled by a desire to anticipate what’s next,” says Paxton. “Similar to entertainment such as music and film, there’s a human desire to explore and find newness in sights, sounds and experiences.”

He goes on to explain that it’s part of human nature to always want to expand and grow, to reach farther and explore beyond what has already been accomplished. This desire has driven innovation throughout history.

“A desire to continue to develop newness in the projects and designs I’m tasked with tackling is what drives me,” Paxton says. “I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of seeing the unseen, and finding solutions that consumers can eventually connect with… starting with a blank canvas.”

In his design work, he keeps a keen eye on what people want now while anticipating the future. Why? Because the Kia cars he is designing today may not be in the hands of drivers for several years, like the Kia Soul, Forte and Cadenza models.

“A challenge I face is anticipating what people are going to look for in a design not only today, but years from now when the production vehicle is actually available to them, it’s like having a crystal ball for designers. The most rewarding aspect is when you are able to see the predicted work out in a well-received product on the road,” he says.

Paxton uses the new Kia Soul as an example. His design work on the Soul focused on a youthful demographic heavily inspired by social media, music and fashion. Using these ideas as inspiration, he worked with his team to create something that didn’t fit the standard vehicle mold. “This was about loudness, boldness, confidence, in a very youthful voice. Nothing was reserved or timid,” he says.

Inspiration can be collaborative or personal, and sometimes both. It can help you reach an individual goal — such as fundraising, home improvement or health and wellness — or it can, like Paxton, drive innovation in your professional life in a way that can significantly impact others.

If you want to discover your inspiration, consider these simple activities:

Create an inspiration board: Sometimes called a mood board, these are great for kicking off creativity and finding purpose. Get a large piece of paper or use a blank wall and create a collage of things that inspire, centering on your goal. These can be pictures, colors, words — whatever strikes a positive chord. This becomes an abstract representation of what drives you and what you want to achieve.

Go for a drive: Few things beat the feeling of the open road, so go for a drive to a local park to take a hike or simply meander and see where destiny takes you. As you drive, open your mind to the sounds and sights around you. You might see a particularly inspiring mural in the city or a calm field in rural areas. If feeling stuck, turn on some music and drive on.

Explore online: Try visiting websites that provide inspiring content. For example, the Give It Everything Collective from Kia at www.kia.com is a digital space where people can share their stories of what it means to give everything. In reading about other peoples’ goals and driving factors, you may find inspiration for reaching your goals.

Do something new: Sign up for that class. Make a fresh fashion choice. Check out that indie film. Strike up a conversation with a stranger. Doing something new can put you outside your comfort zone, and that builds confidence. In expanding your world you may find the inspiration you’re looking for while discovering more about who you are personally.

Inspiration can come in many forms. It fuels innovation and ingenuity, whether it’s something massive on the world stage or a modest personal goal. Take time to discover what drives you.

2020-02-27T08:01:00

(BPT) – When you made your resolutions at the start of the year, was saving money one of them? How’s that going?

According to the third annual “State of Savings in America” survey by PurePoint Financial, a digital bank and division of MUFG Union Bank, half of Americans believe creating a savings plan is an important goal — but nearly a third think it’s more likely they’ll achieve their “dream body” in 2020 than reach an annual savings goal. And 51 percent think they’re more likely to travel to an exciting new place than achieve their savings goal this year.

While 84 percent of Americans said they were saving for something, only two in five felt confident about their money-saving habits — regardless of their age.

What are the most effective strategies when it comes to saving money? Here are some tips:

Establish a goal.

Saving money is always easier with a concrete goal in mind. From there, you can devise a plan to reach that goal. You may want to create a vision board or other visual tool to help keep you inspired and motivated to stick to your plan.

Savings goals could include:

• Creating an emergency fund — aim for three to six months’ worth of expenses
• Paying down a debt
• Saving for an important purchase or investment, such as a household appliance or down payment on a car or house
• A special vacation

Set it and forget it.

If you’re going to save your hard-earned money, you’ll want an account that works hard for you, too. Begin saving immediately by setting up monthly automatic transfers into a savings account that offers a competitive rate.

For example, if you begin setting aside just $20 each week, you’ll have $1,040 (plus interest) saved within one year. Automatic savings deposits help create positive habits for your future success — and if it’s automatic, you won’t have to think about it.

Talk it out.

According to the new survey, over 20 percent of Americans would rather talk to their best friends about an embarrassing health issue than the status of their savings account. Nearly three in 10 who considered themselves bad at saving reported they hide the fact that they have little to no savings from friends because they feel ashamed.

While it can be hard to talk about your finances, chances are your friends and/or family may be in a similar situation. By opening up a dialogue about financial goals and challenges with others, you may learn new tips and tricks to spend less and save more — which will help you stick to your plan. Having a buddy to keep you on track can also be very motivating.

Compare rates and shop around.

Make sure that you’re comparing available savings rates and getting the best possible rate for you. If you’re not getting at least 1 percent on your account, you’re leaving money on the table — so it’s time to start shopping around.

Save what you can.

Just getting in the regular habit of saving is key to improving your financial confidence. Try to save at least 10 percent of your income if you can. However, any amount is a good place to start. What’s important is that you build the habit of saving now.

Eliminate money drains.

Just as older generations used to pay for magazine and newspaper subscriptions they never read, paying for today’s streaming services and other online subscriptions you don’t use can drain money you could be putting into savings instead.

According to the survey, one in three Americans do not regularly review their subscription services to keep track of how much they’re spending — and it’s very easy to lose track. Take a good look at your monthly bills, reviewing automatic payments to find subscriptions you may not be using. Once you’ve cancelled any subscriptions you’re not enjoying, total up what you were paying and set up monthly automatic withdrawals for that amount into your savings account instead.

Celebrate America Saves Week by coming up with your own financial goal. To start saving today, begin by looking for the best rate for your account. Visit PurePoint.com to learn more about your options.