Month: October 2020

2020-10-30T08:21:00

(BPT) – Whether the temps are still warm or cooling down where you live, it’s important for you and your family to stay hydrated as part of a healthier lifestyle this holiday season. This can be hard to accomplish when everyone gets busy with school, work and play. However, there are some simple steps you can take to make sure that you and your kids stay hydrated and refreshed, at home or when you’re on the go.

1. Keep your fridge and pantry fully stocked

First, figure out what healthy beverages everyone most likes to drink, and make a list of your must-haves — along with a few “wants”!

Then, eliminate unnecessary grocery store runs, especially during the busy school year and holiday season, by ordering your favorite beverages to be delivered right to your doorstep.

For example, with ReadyRefresh, you can order everything from still or sparkling water to coffee and tea, energy drinks and more to quench the thirst of your entire family. You just go online to ReadyRefresh.com to make your order, and you’ll get contactless delivery service of beverages from trusted brands including:

• Arrowhead^® Brand 100% Mountain Spring Water
• S.Pellegrino^® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water
• Acqua Panna^® Natural Spring Water
• Nestlé^® Pure Life^® Purified Water
• Starbucks coffee and tea K-cups
• Vita Coco^® coconut water

You can also choose from options like tasty flavored waters, iced teas, sparkling fruit beverages and more — there’s something for everyone!

With convenient, contactless delivery and the ability to manage your account online, you’ll never run out of the drinks your family needs to stay happy and healthy. New customers can save up to $50 on their first recurring delivery, plus get free delivery on their first order.

2. Create a home hydration station

Make it easy for everyone in your household to access healthy beverages right in your kitchen. You can choose from a number of different water dispensers for your kitchen, so that kids and adults alike can help themselves to fresh clean water, any time.

ReadyRefresh will deliver 3- or 5-gallon bottles of Arrowhead^® Brand 100% Mountain Spring Water or Nestlé^® Pure Life^® Brand Purified Water for your water dispenser. The service will pick up empty bottles, sanitize them and refill them for the next use, and you can even schedule service to come out and clean your dispenser when needed.

3. Let kids choose their own bottles

Kids may enjoy choosing their own favorite styles or decoration for a water bottle, that they can fill with water from your home dispenser. Having their own water bottle can help your children stay hydrated while they’re on the go.

Or let them pick from the cans, cartons or bottles of still or sparkling water that you’ve stocked up on, such as Nestlé^® Pure Life^® Fruity Water, as long as the beverage choices are parent-approved.

Check out all your family’s thirst-quenching options at ReadyRefresh.com. Just type in your zip code to confirm the availability of convenient hydration delivery to your door.

2020-10-30T10:01:01

(BPT) – Despite the economic challenges since the beginning of the global COVID-19 pandemic this year, one area of the U.S. economy is still going strong: agriculture. Amid so much uncertainty, food security is essential to the population of the United States and the world.

Currently, American farms not only grow enough food for America’s 330 million residents, but they also export more than 20% of what they produce to international markets, according to American Farm Bureau Federation economist Veronica Nigh.

The pandemic had some impact on exports, although the effect appears to be temporary. “International buyers’ ability to purchase U.S. ag products isn’t what it was before the COVID-19 outbreak, but it appears this situation is just a temporary shock,” says Nigh. “America is in a strong position when things normalize after COVID-19.”

The importance of agricultural exports to the U.S. economy

All of the agriculture exports America produces help to drive the farm economy of the United States and the country’s economy as a whole. Top exports include soybeans, corn, wheat and cotton.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the dollar value of agricultural exports in 2018 was nearly $140 billion, combined with nearly $163 billion in additional economic expenditure stimulated by agricultural exports — adding to a combined total of almost $303 billion.

AgExportsCount.com reports that approximately one million jobs are supported by U.S. agricultural exports, including 764,000 jobs in the nonfarm sector. Those non-farm jobs are connected to areas such as supplying seed and crop protection products, transporting commodities, plus processing and distributing agricultural products for export.

Population growth and agriculture demand

Demand for U.S. agricultural products can grow with more trade partnerships. According to the United Nations, the current world population is 7.8 billion, and more than 95% of those people live outside of the United States.

“The global population is projected to soar to nearly 10 billion people by 2050,” says Sara Wyant, veteran farm policy reporter and president of Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc. “We need to keep looking at areas around the globe where demand growth is likely for U.S. ag products.”

Growing populations in many parts of the world, like India and African countries, will likely need more U.S. agricultural exports.

“The key is to avoid focus on just a few trading partners,” said David Widmar, agricultural economist with Agricultural Economic Insights. “We need to maintain and grow trade with a host of countries.”

How U.S. farmers can thrive

To succeed and expand agricultural exports moving into the future, American farms need to continue to produce the most marketable crops possible, using elite seed genetics and proven crop protection products.

“Twenty years ago, hardly any farmers were using fungicides in corn,” said Lynn Sandlin, business intelligence manager at Syngenta. “Now, growers have Syngenta products like Trivapro and Miravis brand fungicides for broad-spectrum disease control and plant-health benefits. These help farmers grow the very best crop possible, in terms of quality and yield potential.”

Optimizing a crop’s potential in these ways is crucial — not only to continuing to feed all of America’s families, but to encourage and keep up with increasing global demand for U.S. agriculture exports.

To learn more about the role of the agriculture industry in the economy, visit www.SyngentaThrive.com.

Despite all of the unprecedented economic challenges since the beginning of the global COVID-19 pandemic this year, there’s one area of the U.S. economy that is still going strong: agriculture. Even in the midst of so much uncertainty, the population of the United States and the world still needs nutritious food.

2020-10-30T07:01:00

(BPT) – There’s no doubt these are stressful times. Due to the pandemic, everyone’s lives have been turned upside down. This is especially true for families coping with altered routines at school, learning from home or both. Children are stressed about their routines, and parents are anxious, too.

Emily Hanley, mother of 6-year-old Cameron, said this year became increasingly challenging for her family. “Bedtimes got later, meals were refused, and every little choice became a battle. We all put up a strong front for those first six months, until getting back into a school routine threw us off,” she said.

How children learn to cope

Research has shown that children often cope with stress by projecting their feelings and worries onto toys, stuffed animals and dolls. The Committee for Children, a global nonprofit leader in social-emotional learning, spent more than three years studying this concept, and then teamed up with Sproutel, a play-focused design studio best known for toys like Jerry the Bear for children with type 1 diabetes and My Special Aflac Duck for children with cancer, to bring their research to life. The result of their collaboration? Purrble — an interactive toy designed to help children learn to self-soothe during stressful times.

“When kids respond to stress with emotional outbursts, it can be hard on the whole family,” said Kate Gallo, product manager for Committee for Children’s Innovation Lab. “Purrble isn’t about getting rid of big feelings, but empowering kids to understand they’re in the driver’s seat when big feelings happen. Research has proven children can learn to calm themselves by helping someone else calm down.”

After trying everything from essential oils to meditation to calm her son, Hanley ordered a Purrble. “It hasn’t even been a full 24 hours, and my son is happily giving him a tour of our house and introducing him to his other stuffed animals. His job is to keep his Purrble calm and happy. I can already sense he is exuding calm to keep his little furry friend calm.”

Enter: An unlikely remedy

When Purrble is first turned on or is startled (for example by being turned upside down), their heart beats quickly, inviting kids to calm them down. High-tech sensors allow Purrble to respond to touch and fidgeting, so when kids pet their companion, Purrble’s vibrational heartbeat slows into a gentle purr.

“As kids explore the toy, they learn to care for Purrble, interpreting the purrs, heartbeats and reactions,” said Aaron Horowitz, co-founder and CEO of Sproutel. “The discovery process helps kids to not only develop these self-calming skills but to take charge of how they learn.”

According to research, when taught at a young age, these coping and social skills can lead to better long-term emotional, social and academic outcomes into adulthood, not to mention the benefits of in-the-moment self-soothing.

“I could sense Cameron’s anxiety creeping in,” said Hanley, remembering the early months of the pandemic. “And how could it not?” However, for the Hanleys, Purrble made all the difference.

And the Hanleys are not alone. In a preliminary study conducted with real families earlier this year, parents found that when their child was heading for a meltdown or just having a bad day, Purrble could help transform tantrums into moments of calm. In fact, of the 73% of these parents who reported their child was experiencing challenges with emotions, concentration and behavior during the pandemic, 91% of these said Purrble played a role in improving these struggles.

“With the coronavirus, being home is extra challenging for everybody,” said mom Stephanie Blanchard, whose family participated in the trial. “It’s hard for kids to understand what’s going on. When my 6-year-old, Sophie, was stressed or having a tantrum, I would say, ‘Hey, go get Purrble. Can you calm Purrble down?’”

A companion for all ages

From parents and children to 20-somethings and grandparents, people of all ages are discovering the calming effect of Purrble — grandparents who ordered one for their grandchild and ended up loving Purrble so much they ordered another for themselves, young adults grappling with anxiety and even teachers using Purrble as a classroom management tool.

In a year when everyone — kids and adults alike — is having a challenging time finding calm, Purrble is lending a paw.

2020-10-29T06:01:01

(BPT) – 2020 has been a year full of challenges like no other. Things that were routine before, such as chatting with a friend less than six feet away, going to a ballgame or taking a vacation, have been upended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Add to that broad uncertainty around jobs, the economy and the future, and it’s easy to feel unsettled by this turbulence. For those approaching or in retirement, it can feel like the plans you’d anchored in place are suddenly cut loose and you’ve been set adrift. But there are steps you can take to right your strategy and put it back on a steady course, as we all look toward brighter days ahead.

Since the long-term economic effects of the pandemic are still unknown, taking the time to consider your financial strategy and plan for a more secure retirement is prudent. In fact, October is National Retirement Security Month, providing a good excuse to assess and evaluate the challenges and opportunities facing your retirement security, and how to achieve your goals. If you’re uncertain about your retirement future, you are not alone: the Prudential Financial Wellness Census found 78% of respondents surveyed during the pandemic said not having enough savings to last through retirement is a top financial concern, making that the leading financial concern found in the survey.

Whether or not you have lost a job or have taken a salary hit, COVID-19 has probably impacted your retirement plans in other ways. Retirement accounts generally have a mix of stock market and bond exposure, both of which have been unpredictable since the economy has slowed down in March. According to a survey of individuals aged 45-64 conducted by MoneyRates, 44% reported losses of at least 10% in their 401(k) during the market’s earlier turmoil, while nearly a quarter (22%) said losses were more than 20%. Significant yield is hard to find in fixed income products as 10-year Treasury bonds are well below 1%, according to the latest rates from the U.S. Treasury. Therefore, it’s important to take a step back and take a hard look at how your retirement portfolio has been affected and ask if it’s time to pivot your allocations, savings, or investment approach.

While this is a complicated task, fortunately, there’s lots of help you can get along the way. Many retirement account platforms offer channels to access financial advice online or over the phone. And even though social distancing requirements and lockdowns have made meeting in person with financial professionals complicated, many financial professionals are utilizing technology to overcome this obstacle. Clients today can easily meet with their financial professional via video and teleconferencing to get advice when it comes to making complex retirement planning decisions.

Brad Hearn, president of Retail Advice and Solutions at Prudential, notes that financial professionals have found new ways of connecting with their clients.

“As a first step in the journey towards helping you achieve real financial security, there’s no better time to communicate with the right professional who understands your retirement goals. We have seen historically that both financial professionals and clients generally prefer meeting in person, but there are abundant tools available to connect virtually, and financial professionals have wasted no time in adopting them,” said Hearn.

In assessing your retirement security strategy, a financial professional is likely to examine your sources of retirement income to identify risks to future income streams and identify opportunities and solutions that can help fill any gaps. This could start with checking how you are utilizing your employer-sponsored retirement savings plan, such as a 401(k) or 403(b), and maximizing any matching contributions your employer may offer. In addition to offering tax-deferment options in retirement plans some employers may also offer the option to annuitize a portion of your retirement savings. Thanks to the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, which removed one of the barriers that deterred many employers from offering annuities within workplace retirement plans, you may want to consider taking advantage of this option if your employer offers it. In addition to employer-sponsored plans, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are tax-deferred options that individuals can use to save for retirement in a tax-efficient manner.

Once you have a handle on your sources of retirement income, it’s time to ensure they’re secured for the future. That could start with a simple assessment of your investment balance, looking at stocks or equities, bonds and any other cash savings accounts. With interest rates near historic lows and bond markets producing little return these days, it may be prudent to adjust your balance in favor of equities, particularly if you have a longer time frame until retirement. Given the uncertainty in today’s economy, protected income streams are looking increasingly attractive for those planning for retirement. In the past, most Americans would rely on a mix of Social Security and pension payments for income deep into retirement. The retirement picture now is much different. With corporate pensions all but nonexistent today and Social Security at risk of insolvency by 2034 according to the program’s trustees, when the oldest millennial will only be 54, solutions such as annuities can help create a guaranteed stream of income to help shore up other sources of income in retirement.

As the month of October and National Retirement Security Month come to a close, it’s still never too late to go back and review retirement portfolios and confirm the current strategies in place are driving towards the outcomes you want and need. Given the uncertainty of today, there is no better time to consider your plans for tomorrow.

2020-10-29T10:43:00

(BPT) – Now more than ever, Americans are spending extended periods of time at home. From sitting for long hours working and logging more time in front of the TV, to uncontrollable snacking and changing bathroom habits, the behavioral changes resulting from more time at home are impacting overall health, especially for our backsides. In fact, according to a new survey commissioned by Preparation H, three in five Americans reveal they have experienced aches and pains due to habits they’ve developed at home since the pandemic began.

While some of the new practices instituted during the pandemic may seem inevitable, they could be causing discomfort. To help remedy potential harmful habits developed as a result of being at home more often, the following tips can help combat potential pains and help you find relief.

1. Workstation slump

The sudden shift from working in an office to working at home has caused plenty of new behaviors, including slumping and poor posture. As more than half of Americans had to create makeshift workstations at home, many have found themselves working from their couches, kitchen chairs or even beds. While a bed or couch might provide a soft and comfortable setting for relaxing, they are not ideal for productive, long-term use and ultimately not the best for health, as a plush seat lacks support and can lead to slouching. With nearly two-thirds of working Americans finding themselves working longer hours since working from home, switching up your choice of seating can help prevent bad posture and back and neck pain. Opting for a firmer chair with proper back support is key to stop the slumping and keep you comfortable when working long hours. Additionally, the survey revealed that, on average, Americans have spent four hours sitting in one spot without getting up, and remaining sedentary for lengthy amounts of time can lead to health effects. Set a goal to get off your butt throughout the day to stretch out and get the blood flowing — aim for at least five minutes of standing and moving each hour and track your progress. Setting a movement notification and blocking those few minutes on your calendar can make a big difference.

2. Toilet devotee

More time at home has also affected bathroom habits. Since the pandemic began in 2020, 39% of Americans admit they have spent much longer periods of time on the toilet than ever before. Extended toilet time can place added pressure on your backside, potentially leading to discomfort, like pain, itching or hemorrhoids. In fact, nearly a quarter of Americans have experienced hemorrhoids while spending more time at home, with men afflicted two times more than women. If you experience any of these discomforts and need relief, the new Preparation H Soothing Relief line provides everyday comfort and is specifically formulated to soothe, cool, cleanse and care for your backside. The line features a maximum-strength Anti-Itch Cream and Cleansing & Cooling Wipes for convenient relief that goes beyond cleaning.

3. Scrolling away

It’s no surprise that social media use and content streaming are hitting all-time highs this year. Compared to before the pandemic, two-thirds of Americans (66%) shared they are watching more television and movies through streaming services than they did previously and nearly 60% revealed that they feel they are on social media more. That’s a lot of scrolling! Whether you’re looking for the next show to binge or refreshing your favorite apps, too much screen time can fatigue the eyes, affect mental health and disrupt sleep patterns. Set a timer on your television and phone to help regulate consumption, especially before bedtime, and take breaks for healthier activities like phone calls with friends and family or walks outside.

4. Exercise experimentation

Physical activity is especially important as it provides various health and wellness benefits. However, out of the ordinary workout routines may lead to newfound discomfort. On average, one in five Americans think their new exercise routines at home are the reason behind their backside discomfort! Before tuning into a virtual workout class or hitting the pavement for a run, make sure you are taking the proper time to warm up your body and stretch to help prevent any injuries. If working with heavy weights at home, keep in mind that vigorous straining can cause backside issues — so make sure to slowly increase weights or lift with a workout buddy to help keep each other safe and in check.

5. Kitchen addiction

Round-the-clock access to the kitchen and increased levels of stress can mean constant snacking and bad food choices. Processed foods can be low in fiber and not easily digestible, potentially causing constipation, which can in turn lead to discomfort, straining or hemorrhoids. Opt for high-fiber meals and snacks and try keeping a bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter or table so there is easy access to a healthier snack option.

With more time spent at home, developing less-than-optimal habits may be difficult to avoid. It’s important to be aware of the mindless behaviors that impact our health, so we can be mindful about implementing lifestyle changes to correct them. By remembering these tips, you can be on your way to eliminating unhealthy at-home activities and finding relief when discomfort strikes.

For more information on Preparation H and how you can keep your butt comfortable, visit www.preparationh.com.

2020-10-29T10:01:00

(BPT) – Quality smartphones come in all configurations and price points these days. Here are some of the key things you’ll want to look for to make sure you find one that works best for your needs. Happy shopping!

Operating system (OS): There are two different operating systems to choose from. iOS works with iPhones, while Android operates with a wider variety of smartphones, like those from Samsung or Motorola. In general, iOS is considered easier to use, but you need to have an Apple device. Android gives you more options, plus the ability to customize it with third-party software and widgets.

Camera: Most people now use their phones as their primary camera, so the right selection here will be an especially important one. More and more smartphones boast cameras with at least 12 mega-pixels, so don’t go by only that stat. Instead, focus on individual camera specs and special features like dual lenses or the ability to edit and enhance photos.

Screen size: Get the right size screen for the things you’ll want to do. Buy a phone with a screen smaller than 5.5 inches if one-hand use is important to you or if you have smaller hands. Get a bigger-screen phone if you like to watch a lot of videos or play games, or simply want to have an easier time navigating on your touchscreen.

Display: You’re going to spend many hours gazing at the screen, so make sure it offers the viewing experience you’re after. If you plan to watch a lot of videos, look for a minimum of full HD (high definition), which is 1920 x 1080 pixels. You’ll also want to familiarize yourself with some of the underlying technologies: LCD, OLED, and AMOLED are all terms you’ll see used, and each offers a different range of advantages.

Design: Determining good smartphone design is purely subjective. Many people prefer a metal or glass design; others, plastic. If you’re concerned about durability, look for a phone that is water-resistant. A handful of phones also now feature a shatterproof glass display, and many include a Gorilla Glass display to protect it against short drops (a protective case will help with that, too).

Processor: Even midrange phones now offer satisfactory performance for nearly any user level or basic task. A good processor inside a phone will translate to faster open times for apps, smoother navigation and quicker photo editing.

Battery: Many factors, including the screen size, processor and operating system, determine how long a smartphone lasts on a charge. A decent benchmark is to look for a smartphone with a battery capacity of at least 3,000 mAh. Any phone that lasts longer than 9 hours of straight 4G LTE use is considered very good.

Storage: Go for as much internal storage as possible. Some apps and games can easily take up more than 1GB of storage, and most smartphone owners capture and store large numbers of high-res photos and videos. While some models offer just 8GB or 16GB, the minimum on premium handsets these days is usually anywhere from 32GB–64GB. Adding a microSD card will also help expand your storage. It’s available on many Android phones, some of which can accommodate 1TB or more.

Price: Don’t pay for more than you need. The latest iPhone and premium Android phones start around $800, and can easily run $1,000 or more. But there are great options below $500, and even some solid choices for well under $200.

Carrier: A smartphone requires a wireless plan. Choose a service provider that offers what you’ll really use, and at a price that suits your budget. Consumer Cellular, for example, offers a wide variety of smartphone choices from entry level to top of the line, along with talk, text and data plans for as low as $20 a month, with no contract.

Let today’s top technology work for you! It’s a very competitive marketplace, so by shopping wisely, you’re sure to find a smartphone that keeps you happily connected at a great price.