Month: September 2020

2020-09-21T07:01:00

(BPT) – Over the last few months, we’ve grown together as neighbors, and grown to realize the importance of our local communities — especially community farms and gardens that not only serve as a source of fresh, sustainable produce, but as a place to connect. A recent survey by Pure Farmland uncovers just how important these green spaces are to Americans.

2020-09-19T08:01:00

(BPT) – There’s something about songs and stories that have the power to stick with us through the years. There are certain tracks that make us feel good no matter how many times we listen, and certain conversations that we can’t seem to get out of our heads.

Lady Gaga might remind you of that summer getaway to the beach, The Beatles might transport you to your mom’s station wagon on the way to school, or The Black Eyed Peas might bring you back to the dance floor on your wedding day.

When it comes to podcasts, there may be certain episodes that have shifted your perspective, piqued your curiosity or brought you back in time. The Michelle Obama Podcast might’ve changed the way you think about community, Crime Countdown might reignite your obsession with the creepiest cult of all time, or that one episode of An Oral History of The Office might bring you back to watching “The Office” in your college dorm.

Whether it’s the everyday moments or the special memories that make up our lives, listening has the ability to transport us, uplift us and connect us to one another — no matter where we are in time or space.

To keep the old times rolling, here are a few tricks to ramp up the nostalgia on your Spotify app.

All-time classics: My Forever Favorites

Part of Spotify’s new global “Music, Meet Podcasts” campaign, the streaming service is introducing the “My Forever Favorites” playlist as a way to inspire and connect listeners through the power of music and podcasts. The feature lets you create and share a playlist with your top song and podcast picks of all time. To make yours, the first thing you need to do is make sure you have an account set up. If you don’t already have one, you can head to spotify.com/signup to create one for free.

Then, open up the app and search “spotify:forever-favorites.” From there, start searching and adding your favorite tracks and podcasts — whether it’s the song that played during your first kiss or the podcast episode that really spoke to your soul. You only get five picks for each, so choose wisely.

When you’re done, click the “share” button to post on social media and share your selections with friends. Later, when you’re looking to listen to your all-time faves, you can find your new playlist saved under “My Library.”

Still haven’t found your top five favorites? There’s plenty to choose from. Check out some popular throwback playlists like “All Out 70’s,” “Oldies But Goodies,” “90’s Rock Anthems,” “Unwind 00’s” and “#ThrowbackThursday” for a little inspiration. When it comes to podcasts, take a listen to podcast playlists like “Crime Scene,” “Podcast Essentials,” “Mind Massage,” “Dimelo: Podcasts in Spanish” and “Laugh Out Loud” to consider your options.

You can play that again: On Repeat, Repeat Rewind and Your Summer Rewind

When you’re in the mood to listen to the songs you can’t get enough of, there are a few other features you can use to turn back the clock.

In the “Made For You” shelf in the mobile app, you’ll find a series of personalized playlists created just for you based on your unique listening preferences. The “On Repeat” playlist helps you keep track of what you’ve been playing most over the past 30 days. The playlist updates automatically each day, so everything there is the most up-to-date account of what you’ve been listening to nonstop. It’s a great combination of all the music you love, no matter what artist or genre. So each time you tap play, it will sound a little different.

Another throwback playlist is “Repeat Rewind,” which shows the tracks you’ve listened to more than a month ago. It’s a great way to rediscover and reminisce with the songs you fell in love with in the not-so-far-off past. Whether you’re constantly discovering something new or a purveyor of the classics, sometimes it feels good to just sit back with the familiar. Similar to “On Repeat,” your songs can span across artists, moods and genres, and update every five days. But don’t worry, the tracks will never appear on both playlists at the same time.

If you’re looking to take a trip a bit further down memory lane, you can check out “Your Summer Rewind,” which pulls together a personalized mix of all of your favorite songs of summers past. It’s bound to put you in a summer state of mind no matter the weather — umbrella drink not included.

To find any of these nostalgic playlists easily, just search the name of the playlist in the search bar and you’ll be streaming in no time.

2020-09-18T07:01:00

(BPT) – Heading back to school during the COVID-19 pandemic means most of our nation’s teachers are facing unprecedented challenges this year.

Some teachers are implementing new rules, procedures and classroom configurations to limit the spread of the illness. Others are creating entirely new online curricula for students who will be learning from home. Many teachers are tasked with doing both at the same time, often without additional financial resources to make it all happen.

A recent survey of 1,000 U.S. teachers by the education nonprofit DonorsChoose found that 42% of teachers are planning to teach in a hybrid format this fall, with students undergoing a combination of online learning and in-person learning. Thirty-five percent will teach entirely remotely, while 8% will teach in person and 14% were unsure at survey time. Eighty-six percent of teachers report feeling uncertain, anxious and overwhelmed as they prepare for the coming school year, and 81% expect that their schools will be forced to go online only at some point this school year.

“I feel like waiting for answers is the hardest part,” notes Rosemarie, a teacher who responded to the DonorsChoose survey. “It is a wait-and-see with the health and safety of students, families and staff members always in the forefront.”

In the survey, teachers also revealed the resources they most needed as the school year began.

Teachers in the classroom: Cleaning supplies and PPE

Of those teachers who expect to return to the classroom, 79% say they need cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep their students healthy and safe. In fact, DonorsChoose — which allows teachers to create requests for school resources that the public can help fund — saw a surge over the summer in teacher requests for hand sanitizer, cleaning wipes, and air filters. Teachers have also been quick to request basic supplies like glue, scissors, crayons, and pencils, since 72% of teachers report their schools are no longer allowing students to share materials.

Teachers online: Instructional technology

Many teachers began teaching online at the end of last school year. As school starts this fall, 52% of teachers report feeling more prepared to teach online than they did last spring, but there are still a number of challenges. The hardest part of teaching online, teachers report, is keeping students engaged. To do so, their greatest need is for instructional technology: laptops, tablets, document cameras, and other technology to help them do demonstrations and keep their students interested in the content. Fifty-three percent of teachers also report a greater need for technology for their students, so they can follow along at home.

All teachers: Professional development

Even for teachers who have been teaching for years, this school year will likely feel like the first year of teaching all over again. The lessons they’ve built and refined over years of experience will have to be recreated to work for online or socially distanced learning. In the DonorsChoose survey, 41% of teachers say the professional development they need most is for online instruction techniques; 20% are interested in learning more about online tools and technology to help them become stronger at remote teaching.

All of these resource needs can add up quickly for teachers as the school year begins. “There will be a much greater need for classroom supplies as teachers have to change many things in their classrooms to keep materials, belongings and children separated,” says Gwendolyn, a teacher who responded to the DonorsChoose survey. “This expense will fall on the teachers.”

Since July, thousands of people have helped fund more than 70,000 teacher requests on DonorsChoose to help teachers start their year strong whether they’re teaching at home or in the classroom. Still, there are nearly 50,000 teacher requests awaiting support.

To find a teacher request to support, visit www.donorschoose.org.

2020-09-18T08:01:00

(BPT) – Shortness of breath. Heart palpitations. When Danita first noticed these occasional abnormalities, she didn’t give them much thought. After all, she figured, aging and menopause can bring their fair share of physical changes, and the feelings would always go away.

2020-09-18T15:35:00

(BPT) – While coordinating regular family meals can sometimes be challenging, the benefits of spending time around the table with loved ones are definitely worth the extra effort. Family meals not only help strengthen relationship bonds, but can also be linked to higher self-esteem, positive social behaviors and higher grades in school for kids.

Check out these five simple tips that you can follow to improve the quality time spent around the table enjoying your favorite family meals:

Reduce the rush: If you allow around 20-30 minutes for family meals, it gives your children plenty of time to eat. They’ll have the chance to try new foods and develop good eating habits. This also gives you time to relax, chat and enjoy your family. If you have a toddler who finds it hard to sit still for 20 minutes, let him or her move around a bit.

Think beyond dinner: Family meals can happen at any time of day, not just at dinner. In fact, many families find breakfast is an easier opportunity to eat together before the busy day gets underway. Not to mention, kicking off the morning with a nutritious meal is a great way to stay fueled for the rest of the day.

Opt for nutritious ingredients: Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner recommends incorporating nutritious ingredients into family meals to instill healthier eating habits for the future. For instance, Eggland’s Best eggs contain superior nutrition, freshness and taste compared to ordinary eggs at the grocery store. In fact, EB eggs are richer in a variety of micronutrients that can help support a healthy immune system, including six times more vitamin D, 10 times more vitamin E and more than double the vitamin B12 and omega-3s.

Be a role model: From table etiquette and respectful conversation to eating well-rounded dishes and trying new foods, remember that the little ones are soaking up your behaviors like a sponge. Children will reflect what they see you doing, so speak kindly, remember to use manners and grab an extra helping of veggies or eggs for a boost of vitamins and nutrients.

Rotate recipes: Keep meals lively by trying new dishes. Don’t be afraid to change things up and get creative, such as starting the day the right way with Eggland’s Best’s fun twist on pizza for breakfast that kids of all ages will love.

Sunny Side Breakfast Pizza

Ingredients:

1 can refrigerated pizza crust, or fresh pizza dough (homemade or store-purchased)
2 tomatoes, thinly sliced
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, low-fat
1/2 cup spinach leaves, chopped
6-8 basil leaves, chopped
4 Eggland’s Best eggs
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.
2. Roll out pizza crust on a lightly floured pizza pan; bake in oven for 5-7 minutes or until dough begins to slightly brown.
3. Meanwhile, slice tomatoes very thin; wash and chop fresh spinach leaves; combine salt, pepper, parsley, oregano and set aside.
4. Wash basil leaves and pat dry; cut into thin strips and set aside.
5. Remove dough from oven; spread tomatoes over dough; layer spinach over tomatoes, sprinkle evenly with spice mixture; spread cheese evenly over pizza.
6. Gently crack 1 egg into a small bowl and slide onto pizza; repeat with all eggs; sprinkle basil on top.
7. Reduce oven temperature to 375 F, and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until eggs are set.

In honor of National Family Meals Month, EB has launched the Eggland’s Best Better Family Meals Instant Win Sweepstakes 2020. Visit www.EBFamilySweeps.com to instantly win one of hundreds of prizes like gift cards, cookware and more, while also being entered for the $5,000 Grand Prize.

Eggland’s Best (EB) is also a proud supporter of the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Healthy for Good™, which encourages people to take small steps every day to build lifelong healthy habits for themselves and for their families.

2020-09-18T00:01:00

(BPT) – Whether fall is when you switch out your exercise regimen or schedule your annual flu shot, staying healthy is at the top of most “to do” lists right now. Just remember your four-legged family members when considering seasonal changes to your wellness program. Fall is the perfect time to take steps to keep pets healthy, too.

1) Plan that vet visit. Annual check-ups that include immunizations, physical exams, routine blood work and prescription refills are as important to pet health as they are to human health. Routine wellness visits can also save pet-care dollars in the long run through preventive care and early disease detection. If your pet missed his or her annual check-up last spring, consider getting that visit rescheduled. Most veterinarians offer pet wellness appointments with curbside drop-off and pick-up to help safeguard owners’ health.

2) Get off the couch. Summer’s heat is giving way to cooler temperatures, so resist the temptation to forgo your dog’s evening walk for yet another movie marathon. Not only will outdoor exercise help whittle your pet’s waistline and promote joint health, but getting outside to enjoy the fall colors can boost your own caloric burn and mental outlook as well.

3) Don’t “fall” back on parasite prevention. Just because you aren’t slapping mosquitoes like you did in July doesn’t mean you should stop protecting your pets from parasites. The American Heartworm Society recommends giving heartworm preventives — many of which prevent a host of common parasites — to dogs and cats year-round. While heartworms are spread by mosquitoes, it’s nearly impossible to guess when you’ll see the last one in the fall or the first one next spring. Disease-carrying mosquitoes can also survive as temperatures drop by migrating indoors or to protected areas near houses and other buildings.

4) Rethink your pet’s fall wardrobe. Protective wearables make more than a fashion statement for many pets. Arthritic senior dogs, as well as short-haired dogs or lean breeds that chill easily, will be more comfortable if you slip on a cozy fleece coat when clipping on their leash. Just make sure your pup’s garment has a snug vs. a tight fit — and consider coats with reflective fabric if you favor nighttime walks. And if your fall activities include hunting with your dog, make sure to outfit your four-legged companion with a hunting vest.

5) Hide the Halloween treats. Whether or not your kids go trick-or-treating this year, you may be making plans to stock up on Halloween candy. Just remember that certain human treats may be toxic to your pets. Chocolate is hazardous to both dogs and cats, sugar can throw off your pet’s electrolyte balance and certain artificial sweeteners can cause liver failure in dogs. So go ahead and keep the candy to yourself. Just keep it away from your pets while you’re at it.

Staying healthy has never felt more important than it does this fall. Do your pets a favor and prioritize their health, too.

2020-09-17T08:13:00

(BPT) – When you think about circulation issues, cold hands and feet probably pop to mind. It’s true that cold extremities are frequently the result of poor blood circulation, especially if you have anemia, arterial disease, diabetes or hypothyroidism. But as your blood travels all over your body, it’s not just warming your extremities — it’s bringing oxygen and nutrients to every one of your cells (and taking waste products away). This orchestrated distribution of blood is key to your survival. That’s why good circulation is so important to all aspects of your health.

An introduction to your circulatory system

Your heart may be the start of your circulatory system, but it doesn’t act alone. When your heart beats, it pumps blood through a vast system of blood vessels comprised of arteries, capillaries and veins, also known as your vasculature. Highly muscular and elastic tubes, your arteries relax and constrict to keep blood moving throughout your body. This combination of relaxation and constriction is aided by nerve impulses as well as a variety of compounds. Nitric oxide, for example, causes your blood vessels to dilate and widen their diameter, which allows a greater volume of blood to flow through them.

Many chronic conditions can threaten the integrity of your circulatory system. Diabetes and cardiovascular disease can damage the inner lining of your blood vessels (known as the endothelium), impeding good blood circulation. There can also be issues with blood viscosity. If your blood is too thin, you can bleed internally, but if it’s too thick, dangerous clots can form.

Sedentary folks at higher risk for circulation problems

Exercise improves circulation and cardiovascular health, but most Americans are not moving enough.^[1] Even before the pandemic, only about a quarter of American adults got the recommended amount of weekly exercise (150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, plus two strength-training sessions).^[2]

When gyms closed due to COVID-19 and people were advised to stay home, things got worse. According to a study published in May, the small fraction of people who were actually hitting the exercise goalposts became a third less active. Not surprisingly, most of those who were more sedentary stayed that way.^[3]

How COVID-19 affects blood circulation

Over the last several months, doctors have observed that the novel coronavirus causes health complications that aggressively affect the circulatory system. COVID-19 can impair blood circulation, and some COVID patients have developed blood clots that complicate their recovery. This can result in blockage of blood vessels and damage to the kidneys and the heart.^[4] That’s why keeping your circulatory system in good working order is especially important during this global health crisis.

Tips for healthy blood circulation

The key steps for good blood circulation are like those for good health in general: high-quality nutrition, adequate exercise, and proper supplementation. Follow these three recommendations, and you’ll support your immune system in supporting you.

• Eat well: One of the bright spots about COVID-19 is that it’s given most of us more time at home, so we can cook healthier meals and make better eating decisions. Strive to eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and heart-healthy fats from cold-water fatty fish, avocados, olive oil, and nuts. Limit your intake of sugar and unhealthy fats, such as trans fats.

• Work out: If you’ve let your exercise routine slide, try to find new ways to move. A recent study published in the journal JAMA Network Open found that not exercising is a greater risk to your health than cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or smoking!^[5] If you can’t go to the gym, and your air quality is healthy, you can walk, run, or bike around your neighborhood.

• Supplement wisely: Think about adding a supplement to your health regimen that promotes good circulation. I recommend Oligonol, a unique supplement made from lychee fruit polyphenols and green tea. What’s unique about Oligonol is that it helps release nitric oxide, which improves the capacity and blood flow volume of the vasculature. Research has shown that Oligonol improves both distal circulation (blood flow to the extremities) and micro circulation (blood flow to the smallest blood vessels). This is important since distal circulation is the most susceptible to early disease and complications.