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Need to disconnect from work? Here are 5 ways to recharge and avoid burnout

2022-08-31T15:23:00

(BPT) – If you feel like the stress of work is making it difficult to relax and unwind, you are not alone. Earlier this year, the American Psychological Association found that 79% of Americans experienced work-related stress leading to emotional exhaustion and physical fatigue.

Research shows that prioritizing wellness-minded activities, such as taking a vacation for yourself or your family or taking up a new fitness or meditation routine, can help avoid burnout. While finding the energy to carve out some “me time” may seem challenging, the effort can make a difference in the long run. In fact, a Hilton survey found that 41% of Americans report experiencing burnout when they go too long without a vacation and agree that relaxation begins as soon as they turn off their “out of office” email response.

Feeling a bit worn down? Here are five ways to disconnect, rejuvenate and recharge.

1. Rethink the 9-to-5 grind

For those who work from home, consider taking a break from your home office to work in a more relaxing environment. Integrate fun into your workday by taking your laptop to a park or setting up a home office on your deck or patio. Or, for those who have days filled with back-to-back in-person connections, consider scheduling a personal break to take a moment to disconnect and recharge.

If flexibility allows you to work from anywhere, try a working vacation. Many hotels have adapted to remote working guests, offering solutions on how to both work and vacation in appealing locations. For example, at Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino, you can rent a beach Power Palapa, complete with a charging station, laptop cooling pad, sunshade privacy cover and a power bowl with hydrating aloe juice or coconut water and bottled water. Here, you can spend the morning taking calls and typing reports with ocean views, and when the workday is done, you are mere steps from vacation bliss.

2. Plan regular weekend getaways

If you cannot work remotely from an exotic locale, consider planning weekend getaways throughout the year, creating a sense of anticipation and excitement in between work projects and responsibilities. Whenever possible, it’s also best to plan them ahead of time because just the act of planning a trip can help to alleviate stress and boost happiness.

You don’t have to travel far to reap the rewards of travel. Whether using a full tank of gas to get to a new destination or simply getting out of your everyday routine by booking a getaway to a neighboring town, new surroundings will have you breathing a sigh of relief. Some hotels are catering to guests needing a change of pace by providing complimentary bicycles for exploring, packing picnics for you to take to a park or offering cooking classes, wine tastings and cultural programs so you can learn something new.

3. Unplug

Sometimes a weekend just won’t do and you need to disconnect to combat burnout completely. To reduce stress, anger and depression, and improve sleep, consider turning off your phone, unplugging your TV and devices and treating yourself to a digital detox.

For a true detox that will juice up your internal batteries, seek out special digital detox programs. For example, Waldorf Astoria Berlin offers a digital detox experience with phone-less activities like a guided morning run, relaxing neck massage and Zen-filled mind and body yoga sessions. Alternatively, if you really want to detox, the 30-day “Live Life” sabbatical experience in the remote Galapagos Islands is a fully immersive, natural adventure sure to provide the reboot you need.

4. Think outside the box

It’s no secret that mind and body wellness treatments can do wonders. Whether practicing yoga or indulging in a massage, the proven stress-reduction of these activities has resulted in companies adding wellness programs to ward off employee burnout.

Create a quiet space at home and practice a form of wellness that soothes and calms, or turn to local outlets like yoga studios and spas. Incorporate wellness into a getaway and double down on the transformative effects by staying at properties with a boundary-free wellness concept, such as the highly tailored, ayurvedic and innovative treatments found at Conrad Los Angeles.

5. Take the stress out of planning

According to the Hilton survey, 85% of people agree that booking an all-inclusive resort is the best way to reduce the stress of planning and more than one-third feel mentally refreshed on vacation when they don’t have to worry about leaving the resort during their stay. So, when all else fails, book that all-inclusive or extended trip. Take less time thinking about it and more time traveling to a new country, trying a new culture’s cuisine or experiencing new, outside-of-the-box wellness activities.

No matter which of these five tips you take, invest in your well-being and don’t let work become your whole life. If you need additional inspiration or suggestions for vacations and getaways, visit Hilton.com and start dreaming about your home away from work.

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Four Ways Families Can Combat Back-to-Routine Fatigue

2022-08-31T15:01:00

(BPT) – The back-to-school season means much more than just a return to the classroom for kids, it also means new rigor to the routine as families manage life in and around school, work and after-school activity schedules. In fact, 60% of parents say they’ve lost sleep during the back-to-school season, worrying about their child and the details that come with the return to routine.

But families can take this back-to-routine fatigue head on with plans and habits to help everyone in the family to thrive and take advantage of every day.

1) Know Your Rest Needs: Research shows that seven or more hours of sleep per night equates to better health and performance and plays a key role in our ability to learn, solve problems and maintain a healthy outlook. For school-age children (ages 6-12 years), the National Sleep Foundation recommends 9 to 11 total hours of sleep per day and 8 to 10 hours per day for teens. Identify how much sleep everyone in the family needs, so you can start mapping your homework, after-school activities and dinner routines against bedtime and wake time needs so you can train your body to get enough valuable rest and better implement a back-to-school sleep schedule.

2) Clean Up Your Sleep Hygiene: Reduce exposure to artificial lights such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and TV screens an hour before bed so your brain knows it’s time to sleep, and create a dark, noise-free bedroom environment to eliminate sleep disruptors. Still having trouble sinking into slumber? Look for a sleep aid supplement that uses clean ingredients and is offered in different forms and amount of melatonin, like Natrol melatonin, to help everyone in the family find the right fit to fall asleep and stay asleep so they can wake refreshed.

“Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain,” said Dr. Mike Dow, Psy.D., Ph.D. and New York Times bestselling author of “Heal Your Drained Brain.” “It regulates your sleep-wake cycle, telling your body when it’s time for sleep, and can be a helpful tool to help you fall asleep and stay asleep, which can be particularly helpful when you need a little extra help during shifting routines.”

3) Prepare for Tomorrow, Today: Before your head hits the pillow, make a family tradition of laying out clothes, pre-packing lunches, setting out after-school supplies and packing up backpacks. It’ll be the cue to start ending the day and will make mornings feel better prepared and less hectic. Forgot something on the list? Keep a notepad and pen at your bedside to jot down any reminders you want to forget for the night but remember when you wake tomorrow.

4) Work Together, Play Together, Rest Together: Set aside some time each week to look at the week ahead so everyone in the family can be on the same page with what to expect. Write down any key appointments, extracurriculars, playdates, meetings and even downtime, exercise and other self-care activities you want to incorporate into your plans. Aligning as a family about what to expect for the week ahead can help reduce potential chaos or stress day-to-day and help you readjust when faced with those inevitable changes in plans.

Understanding your family’s needs and key back-to-routine stressors can help you identify solutions to reshape your approach to time management, back-to-school sleep and wellness so everyone has the energy and mindset to enjoy each and every day to the fullest.

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Healthy back-to-school lunch-packing hacks

2022-08-31T08:01:00

(BPT) – With kids heading back to the classroom, it means the start of new schedules and routines. After a relaxing summer, it may also mean added stress for parents who must now think about prepping daily school lunches and snacks.

Yet, with a little planning and organization, you can streamline the process and feel confident you’re providing balanced and enjoyable meals with nutrition your kids need, says registered dietitian and mom Amanda Blechman, Director of Health and Scientific Affairs at Danone North America.

“I encourage families to think about a basic formula for what to pack in a lunch and then explore fun lunch containers to make it easy to see that you’re checking all the boxes for colorful food groups,” said Blechman. “Setting up a simple system and getting your kids involved in the process also makes it more likely the lunch will be eaten at school.”

Blechman offers these tips to help hack the lunchbox packing process.

  • Follow a formula. To help you pack a balanced lunch, follow this simple formula: protein + fiber-rich carbohydrate + fruits and vegetables + dairy. Then find different combinations your kids will enjoy. Blechman recommends keeping your pantry well-stocked so you’ll always have options if your supply in the fridge runs low. She suggests canned tuna, low sodium beef or turkey jerky, dried apricots and other dried fruits, fruit cups or applesauce without added sugar, low-sodium canned vegetables and shelf-stable milks, such as single-serve cartons of Horizon Organic low-fat milk or Silk Almondmilk. “Don’t mistake convenient for unhealthy,” says Blechman. “There are plenty of nutrient-rich, shelf-stable products that can help make lunchbox packing a breeze.”
  • Set up a system for snacks. You’ll save time in the long run if you create a system for storing and organizing foods for lunches and snacks, says Blechman. She recommends adding bins or boxes in the refrigerator and pantry with options that are in easy reach for your kids. When it’s time to pack, kids can help select what they’d like that day and you can see when you’re running low in anything. Some of her favorites include Horizon Organic string cheese, mini guacamole cups, multigrain pita chips, nut-free granola bars and dried seaweed snacks. Be sure to check nutrition labels so you know what you’re buying, Blechman advises.
  • Think outside the sandwich. Go beyond the classic PB&J and turkey sandwich. Other protein-rich options include turkey jerky, which Blechman combines with whole-grain crackers, pea snacks, and Horizon Organic Growing Years low-fat yogurt pouches that contain DHA omega-3s, choline and prebiotics. Or use a wrap to make pinwheel sandwiches. Try combining canned tuna with mayonnaise or Greek yogurt and everything bagel seasoning. Spread on a spinach wrap, roll up and cut into small pinwheels. Round out the meal with canned mandarin oranges or a fresh clementine, baby corn spears and animal crackers.
  • Freeze strategically. Put a water bottle in the freezer the night before and add to your lunchbox in the morning to serve as an ice pack. It will be thawed by lunch time. Or add frozen berries to a carton of yogurt to keep it chilled. Instead of juice boxes, buy shelf-stable cartons of milk that provide essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin D and high-quality protein that’s missing from juice. These nutrients are especially important for growing children and most kids don’t get enough of either! Other nutrient-dense dairy options include yogurt pouches, string cheese, cubes of cheddar and slices of provolone to add to sandwiches. Make a few sandwiches on the weekend and freeze for each lunch meal prep.

For more nutrition tips this back-to-school season visit Blechman’s Instagram and to learn more about Danone’s products you can check out more here: Danonenorthamerica.com.

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Make back-to-school season fun and easy with these lunchbox ideas from Siri Daly

2022-08-31T09:05:00

(BPT) – The start of a new school year can be incredibly exciting for children and parents alike, and it can also be a busy season. Whether you have multiple kids going back to school this fall or you’re a new parent sending your child off for the first time, it’s best to get organized before the school year starts.

Not sure where to begin? Make your life easier and give your kids something to look forward to by planning fun lunchbox meals. To give you some ideas and spark your creativity, Siri Daly — mom of four kids ages 2 – 13, self-taught cook and cookbook author — has partnered with Juicy Juice to share a calendar of easy and affordable lunchbox ideas.

Below are Siri’s four favorite lunchbox ideas that are affordable, easy to make and can help parents navigate the back-to-school season with ease. Parents can also find, download and print the full list of lunch ideas to add to their monthly rotation on JuicyJuice.com.

1. Peanut butter and jelly roll-ups

Take a lunchtime classic and put a twist on it by transforming a PB&J sandwich into a roll-up. Simply remove the crust of a slice of sandwich bread, flatten it with a rolling pin (or anything you have on hand), spread peanut butter and jelly, roll it up and slice the roll into sushi-like pieces for easy handling.

Siri pairs this fun meal with pretzels, grapes and a Juicy Juice Fruit Punch juice box. It is 100% juice, with no added sugar, no high fructose corn syrup and no artificial sweeteners, making it an easy choice for moms and a top pick for kids with its variety of flavors.

2. Pigs in a blanket with honey mustard

Pigs in a blanket aren’t just for special occasions. They can be a fun and delicious meal your kids will enjoy during the school day. Buy biscuit or crescent roll dough, cut into triangles and wrap each around a cocktail-size mini hot dog before baking. Siri’s pro tip: don’t forget to pack a small container of honey mustard for dipping!

Some fun snacks that Siri packs with pigs in a blanket are kiwi slices, popcorn and Juicy Juice 100% juice Strawberry Watermelon. This simple yet well-balanced meal will be something your kids will look forward to eating at lunchtime.

3. Cheesy egg bites

Cheesy egg bites are infinitely customizable and are sure to please adventurous and picky eaters alike. They can be as simple as beating eggs, cheese, salt and pepper together, or you can get creative and add veggies like onions, peppers or chives for a savory treat.

Take a page from Siri’s book and try packing with cherry tomatoes, tortilla chips and Juicy Juice 100% juice Grape to round out this delicious and nutritious lunch.

4. Cheese and salami kebabs

Create a kid-friendly and portable take on a charcuterie by packing cheese and salami kebabs! Cut up pieces of your child’s favorite cheese and salami into squares, then thread them on a toothpick or skewer. These kebabs are easy to prepare the night before school, but you can also quickly put them together in the morning.

Siri completes this meal by including crackers, sliced cucumber, yogurt and a box of Juicy Juice 100% juice Berry.

These easy lunch ideas and more, ranging from turkey meatball to mini pancakes, give kids plenty to be excited about at lunchtime while offering parents extra peace of mind going into the busy back-to-school season.

To help you start the school year right, Juicy Juice is hosting the SIRIously Real Back-to-School Sweepstakes, which gives parents the chance to win money for back-to-school supplies and groceries to make Siri’s lunchbox ideas. Each week for four weeks, parents will have the chance to win a $1,000 gift card, and 10 others will win a $100 gift card.

To enter for a chance to win, parents must follow @JuicyJuiceUSA on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and comment or submit a photo in response to the weekly designated sweepstakes posts, using #SiriouslyRealBTS and #Sweepstakes.

Read the full rules and find more lunchbox ideas by visiting JuicyJuice.com/BackToSchool. Enter between now and Sept. 13.

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On Trend Face & Body Treatments to Revitalize Your Skin and Tone Your Torso

2022-08-30T06:01:00

(BPT) – With many of us wearing less makeup these days, we are more aware of the condition of our skin. Our skin is a barometer to our overall wellbeing, so when it looks dull, dry, sun-damaged and stressed, chances are our lifestyle and some of our daily bad habits may be partially to blame.

Traditionally, laser-based technologies have been used to resurface the skin, and in many cases, there is some downtime after these treatments. More recently, RF microneedling has emerged as a popular choice for skin treatments on the face and body.

Enter Secret™ RF from Cutera®, a fan favorite RF Microneedling treatment that offers state-of-the-art skin revitalization. This minimally invasive technology uses very fine sterilized needles to create microscopic wounds at various predetermined depths in the dermis, without affecting the epidermis or outer layer of the skin. The direct thermal heating of the dermis results in new collagen production and thickening of the dermal layer.

According to Anne M. Cummings, M.D., F.A.C.P., who has a concierge medical practice in Greenbrae, CA, “Secret RF is an extremely versatile technology. It can address scars, sun damage, stretch marks, pores, in addition to improving general signs of aging, skin quality, and texture.1”

“The innovative Secret RF fractional radio frequency microneedling system was designed to stimulate and remodel collagen from the inside out. It delivers precise, controlled energy at various depths to target your skin concerns on the face and body. With minimal to no downtime, it is my go-to treatment for targeting the areas that many of my patients are most keen to improve,” says Dr. Cummings.

Another in-demand treatment that continues to attract both women and men is non-invasive body sculpting. Cutera’s award winning truBody® treatment features two complementary 15-minute treatments to reduce an average of 24% fat2,3 and build up to 30%4 more muscle.

Recently the truSculpt® family of body-shaping products was selected by editors from NewBeauty and Glossy for their coveted awards, the Best Innovation in Body-Toning and Best Use of Technology.

According to Shelley Miller, owner of EOS Medspa in St. Louis, MO, “First we use truSculpt iD’s trusted technology to target fat in stubborn areas, such as the abdomen and flanks. Then we pair it with the truSculpt flex muscle sculpting treatment to deliver a 360-degree approach to body sculpting.”

With truBody, effective results can be achieved with just one truSculpt iD treatment and as little as four truSculpt flex treatments. Additional treatments may be required to achieve the personalized results you desire. “truBody treatments are non-invasive with no downtime, so you can return to normal activities immediately after treatment. We can target specific trouble areas or areas that need some more definition by increasing muscle mass and decreasing fat. truBody is a real confidence booster for guys and gals,” says Mrs. Miller.

Find Secret RF and truBody providers near you at www.cutera.com/find-a-provider/.

1 Yadav, Savita, and Aashim Singh. “Microneedling: Advances and Widening Horizons.” Indian Dermatology Online Journal, vol. 7, no. 4, 2016, p. 244., https://doi.org/10.4103/2229-5178.185468. *Cho, Soo Ick, et al. “Evaluation of the Clinical Efficacy of Fractional Radiofrequency Microneedle Treatment in Acne Scars and Large Facial Pores.” Dermatologic Surgery, vol. 38, no. 7, 2012, pp. 1017–1024., https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2012.02402.x.

2 Taub A, Bartholomeusz J. Ultrasound Evaluation of a Single Treatment With a Temperature Controlled Multi-Frequency Monopolar Radio Frequency Device for the Improvement of Localized Adiposity on the Abdomen and Flanks. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19(1):28-34

3 Somenek MT, Ronan SJ, Pittman TA. A Multi-Site, Single-Blinded, Prospective Pilot Clinical Trial for Non-Invasive Fat Reduction of the Abdomen and Flanks Using a Monopolar 2 MHz Radiofrequency Device. Lasers Surg Med. 2021 Mar;53(3):337-343

4 Stephen J. Ronan M.D. A Novel Bio-Electric Current Stimulation Device For Improvement Of Muscle Tone 7/2019.


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Is your pain caused by nerve damage?

2022-08-29T06:01:00

(BPT) – “The pain was so bad. It felt like a bolt of lightning,” said David Murphy, a 50-year-old gunshot-wound survivor. Only, David wasn’t describing the pain he felt when the bullet entered his leg during the burglary of his home — he was talking about the pain he felt months later.

The gunshot severed David’s sciatic nerve, not only impairing his ability to walk, but leaving him in excruciating pain — long after his wound had healed. He was unable to sit or stand comfortably, and the pain was often so severe that he couldn’t get out of bed. It dominated every aspect of his life.

Unfortunately, the pain David faced is common; what’s rare is finding a solution. Nearly 20 million Americans experience nerve pain like David’s, but many never find relief. Fortunately, David was referred to an orthopedic surgeon specializing in nerve repair, Dr. Gregory Kolovich, who was able to help.

“When David was injured, the damage to his sciatic nerve led to the formation of a neuroma, which was causing his pain. A neuroma is like a wrecking ball of scar tissue that often occurs when a nerve experiences trauma. Neuromas disrupt normal nerve function, resulting in the communication of pain signals to the brain,” said Dr. Kolovich. “But we can resolve the pain by surgically repairing the nerve.”

During surgery, Dr. Kolovich removed David’s painful neuroma and scar tissue and repaired the resulting nerve gap. “Fixing the nerve and reconnecting it gave the nerve something to do — a purpose — and that resolved the issue,” added Dr. Kolovich. Fortunately, David has been able to return to his normal, daily activities and is living pain-free.

Traumatic injuries, like gunshot wounds, severe cuts, compression or blunt trauma, aren’t the only causes of nerve damage and associated pain. Surgeries and amputations can inadvertently result in nerve damage and pain, too, occurring most often in procedures, such as laparoscopy, tumor resection, wrist or knee arthroscopy, mastectomy, and total hip or total knee arthroplasty. In fact, 10% to 40% of patients experience chronic pain caused by injured nerves after surgery; this is known as surgically induced neuropathic pain.

Following an amputation, stump pain associated with nerve damage is reported by more than 80% of amputees. Symptoms of a neuroma may include sensitivity to touch, residual limb pain or burning pain.

Many types of accidents, from cooking mishaps to car wrecks, result in nerve damage, as well. But up to 91% of nerve injuries can be missed in the ER, and these injuries may lead to chronic pain, even after the original wound has healed.

Nerve pain can affect any area of the body but most commonly occurs in the arms, hands, legs and feet. It feels different from other pain. Some people feel tingling or numbness; others describe it as electrical shocks, sharp spasms, “pins and needles,” or a burning sensation. The pain can be intermittent or unrelenting.

If you’ve been living with chronic pain, you may feel like you’ve exhausted your options. Like many people, you might manage your symptoms with pain medications or other treatments and feel temporary relief. But what if there could be a permanent solution?

With advancements in the field of microsurgery, injured nerves can be surgically repaired to potentially resolve the cause of the pain and restore nerve function, offering the chance to live pain-free again.

Not enough people know about the devastating effects of nerve damage — or that there are ways to reverse it. There are millions of people unnecessarily suffering who could be helped. People’s lives shouldn’t be defined by pain.

Could surgical nerve repair be right for you? Take a short online nerve pain assessment and find out if you’re a candidate at rethink-pain.com/#survey.

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Officers are increasingly acting as first responders. Here’s how one organization is helping.

2022-08-30T06:01:00

(BPT) – Imagine a life-threatening medical emergency, like a car crash, violent attack or overdose. When you think of the first responders on the scene, you likely picture the paramedics or emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. However, it’s often law enforcement officers that arrive first on the scene.

Over the years, the role of policing has evolved, with many officers serving as first responders in emergencies, frequently arriving at a scene before paramedics and EMS. In fact, the national EMS response time average is over 15 minutes. While that may not seem like a long time, every second counts in a medical emergency. In five minutes or less, depending on the severity of injuries, a wounded victim can bleed to death. When properly trained and equipped, a police officer can treat life-threatening injuries while waiting for EMS to arrive and take over.

Unfortunately, some law enforcement agencies are not given adequate funding to supply police officers with the medical equipment or training needed for life-saving care. Through no fault of their own, these officers often don’t have access to the training and equipment needed to save the lives of civilians and their fellow officers.

How one nonprofit is making a difference

Seeing a need for medical supplies and emergency training for police officers across the nation, Aaron Negherbon founded Cops Direct. Since 2016, Cops Direct has supplied law enforcement agencies with fully stocked emergency medical kits to handle medical emergencies until appropriate personnel can arrive.

Since its founding, this one-of-a-kind organization has delivered thousands of trauma support kits free of charge to law enforcement agencies in 32 states using generous donations from the public. These trauma response kits, customized for the requesting department, include tourniquets, modular bandages, face shields, chest seals and other medical equipment needed to render life-saving aid in a matter of minutes. The response from officers has been remarkably grateful.

“With funding shortfalls preventing us from obtaining urgently needed medical equipment for our tactical team, Cops Direct donated the equipment we needed and then some while allowing us to leapfrog the red tape,” said Deputy R of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. “This equipment has helped us treat and save several people and an injured K9 during the last year.”

Of course, medical supplies are only useful if the person using them knows what they’re doing. That’s why Cops Direct also provides emergency medical training and support to police officers, sheriff deputies, state troopers, K9 units, SWAT teams and search-and-rescue teams across the country.

In addition to supplies and training, Cops Direct is dedicated to advocating for law enforcement officers through public outreach, underscoring the needs and risks associated with the profession.

Ongoing work

Cops Direct’s mission continues as thousands of kits and hundreds of hours of training are still needed to ensure that officers can continue to save the lives of civilians and other officers.

“Law enforcement officers are out there every day putting their lives on the line while also providing emergency medical aid when needed,” said Negherbon. “Regardless of where you stand on the state of policing in the U.S., if you’re in a life-threatening situation, you’ll want the officers arriving on the scene to have the equipment and knowledge needed to save your life. In this way, we transcend politics and opinions.”

To learn more about the nonprofit’s work and how you can help officers continue to save lives, visit CopsDirect.org.

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4 Ways that Iceland Is Spearheading the Future of Sustainable Design

2022-08-29T08:01:00

(BPT) – Research indicates that most Americans are willing to pay equivalent or extra for more sustainable products, including clothing and furniture. With fast fashion and mass production still dominant, Iceland is leading the charge for more sustainable alternatives.

Iceland’s design scene is relatively new, helmed by creatives who are reimagining existing norms for everything from fashion to interior design. These companies and creators are developing forward-looking solutions to reduce their carbon footprints and address the global call to action to generate more sustainable products amid efforts to mitigate climate change.

Here are four ways that Iceland is paving the way to make design more eco-friendly.

1. Zero Waste Philosophy

Iceland is a country known for its breathtaking nature, ranging from stunning volcanoes and glacier-cut fjords to black sand beaches and lush valleys. Icelandic people take pride in their connection to the natural world which inspires Icelandic designers to recognize the urgent need to limit carbon footprints in their designs to help preserve resources like air, water, and soil. Designers are finding ways to reduce waste and repurpose production byproducts like trash from manufacturing to give them new life. Flétta’s collaboration with 66°North, exhibited at DesignMarch festival in Reykjavík, aims to give previously used waste materials and objects new life by upcycling and recycling them into elegant garments and functional handbags.

Fashion that can be worn year-round can reduce waste from seasonal trends, so Spaksmannspjarir creates multi-functional clothing designed to span different seasons and settings.

2. Transparency and Self-Sufficiency

As an island nation about the size of Kentucky, Iceland has less area to dispose of waste than many larger, landlocked countries like the United States. Imports come with a high carbon cost. Creating home-grown products makes tracing carbon footprint easy. 66°North and B Corp™, a company dedicated to exploring Iceland’s natural environment, creates carbon neutral products with traceable and transparent local supply chains. Farmers Market utilizes Iceland’s abundant wool supply to create natural fabrics that can be turned into clothing items like knit sweaters and winter coats.

3. Quality over Quantity

Reducing design waste demands high-quality products with longevity, eliminating the need for frequent replacements common with fast fashion. As part of interior lifestyle brand FOLK’s environmentally-conscious philosophy, creating functional interior design products that are made of long-lasting materials can make the home more eco-friendly. Rather than turning to mass production, AS WE GROW executes “slow fashion,” utilizing only eco-friendly raw materials like Alpaca wool designed to give and grow with the children that wear the products. While excess inventory can create excess waste as trends come and go, BAHNS only releases garments based on direct consumer demand and also ensures all products are functional, high quality and timeless.

4. Charting A New Path

One major differentiator in Iceland’s design scene is its openness to experimentation. To achieve the goal of complete sustainability, designers are aware they may need to challenge norms and turn to ideas not seen before. The project Sleeve asks the question — what if furniture was made of clothes? Rather than keeping those industries separate, Sleeve utilizes garments and fabrics also used for clothing to create bold, stunning and unique furniture pieces. Designer Valdis asks the question — what if garments were made of liquid? This seldom-used clothing material is not only eye-catching and innovative but can also be measured in exact amounts. This eliminates harmful byproducts of the manufacturing process like excess fabric from cutting and sewing.

Iceland’s forward-thinking, eco-friendly and fresh design scene stands out as an example of what’s possible when people seek to incorporate more sustainable practices and products into their daily lives. Whether you’re a shop owner looking to lower your company’s carbon footprint, a designer eager for new ideas, or a consumer in search of small ways to make more sustainable choices when you shop for clothes or decorate your home, you can look to Iceland for inspiration. Learn more from Inspired by Iceland and Iceland Design and Architecture.

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How the perfect cookie pairing can elevate everyday moments

2022-08-29T08:01:00

(BPT) – What do you think of when you imagine the perfect pair: Peanut butter and jelly? Wine and cheese? Cereal and milk? Face it, certain things are better when they’re matched with just the right complement. And the good news is, the same is true with cookies. If you can pair a delicious cookie with a tasty beverage — plus an activity you love to do — there’s no better way to turn an ordinary occasion into something truly memorable.

If you’re looking for the perfect pairings to help you make the most of your everyday moments, try some of these unique combinations to help you enjoy your favorite tasty selections from Royal Dansk Danish Butter Cookies even more:

Want to catch up with an old friend? Before you get into the busyness of your fall activities, why not savor the last few days of summer by taking a trip down memory lane with someone you care about? Break out the Finnish Style Cookies to enjoy together, along with a comforting, steaming mug of cappuccino to sip as you reminisce about old stories and laugh together.

Love taking a leisurely morning walk? What better way to treat yourself than to come home from your stroll out in the sunshine and fresh air to an invigorating cup of black tea with a splash of coconut milk. Pair it with a few Coconut Style Cookies for your perfect new morning ritual to get you ready to start your day.

Crazy about DIY crafting? Whether you like to do macrame or scrapbooking, or you prefer painting or designing the next great fashion trend, be sure to take the time to enjoy whatever creative activities make you smile. During a break in the creativity, you and your friends can nibble on a few Pretzel Cookies and take a moment together to enjoy cups of hot chocolate. Bonus tip: After you finish your cookies, feel free to get creative with the iconic blue tin and repurpose it to organize your crafting supplies. You’ll never lose a button or glue stick ever again!

Yearning to curl up with a good book? Elevate your solo reading time with not only your favorite author, but with a mug of mocha and a pretty plate of Country Style Cookies. Whether you’re listening to an inspiring audiobook or perusing a thrilling paperback, these cookies are perfect to keep you satiated as you embark on your literary journey.

Looking forward to movie night? Your family, friends or special someone will love joining you for a tribute to the silver screen — streaming the latest blockbuster or watching an old classic. Instead of reaching for the same old popcorn and soda, why not mix up your routine by sharing a carton of delicious Danish Butter cookies along with a cup of delightful mint tea — hot or iced. Your movie date, and taste buds, will thank you.

Ready to start enjoying these combinations? Pick up a tin of Royal Dansk Danish Butter Cookies at mass grocery stores nationwide, and visit their Instagram and Facebook for fun serving and party ideas, gift inspiration, recipes and more.

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Avoid becoming a victim of new account fraud online

2022-08-25T08:01:00

(BPT) – How many things do you get done online in a day? From banking, gaming, shopping, dating, fitness, social media and more, the digital landscape broadens your world in many useful and interesting ways. The downside is signing up for all those accounts can also put you at risk of new account fraud.

New account fraud occurs when criminals exploit a victim’s personal information, such as a phone number, address and email, in order to gain access to a digital platform. Once fraudsters have access to accounts, they commit costly fraud that leaves a trail of angry customers and damaged brand reputations along the way.

Unfortunately, this online trend is growing. Synthetic ID fraud, one example of new account fraud that can occur during the customer onboarding process, is up 33% from a few years ago with financial institutions estimating $20 billion in losses during 2020 alone.

The good news is reputable companies are taking steps to protect their customers and members by implementing various security steps and authentication methods. Recent studies report that 80% of people select a company that has a strong digital identity verification. What was once thought of as an inconvenience is now an expectation—an important signal to customers that the brand is protecting them.

Shutting down new account fraud online requires a personalized, dedicated solution that adapts to the evolving world of fraud. If you have digital accounts, you have probably encountered Telesign whether you realize it or not. A leader in account verification and digital security, Telesign technology helps companies securely onboard customers, prevent fraud, secure communications, and enable the digital economy by allowing companies and customers to engage with confidence.

The more you know about new account fraud, the more you can protect yourself from it. Here are some of the most prevalent examples of new account fraud being perpetrated online by fraudsters today, along with the latest best practices you can use to help keep your digital accounts safe:

Fake users

New account fraud is often carried out by fake users, who complete the onboarding process under the guise of false information in order to commit fraud and wreak havoc on digital platforms. A fake user is able to pass through the verification and authentication processes during onboarding and set up shop in the ecosystem, where they spam and victimize legitimate users, impersonate brands and commit fraud.

Synthetic ID fraud

Synthetic identity fraud happens during account creation. In synthetic ID fraud, criminals combine both real and fake personal information to create a fake person, which they then use to apply for credit and make purchases in bad faith. One of the biggest problems resulting from synthetic ID is the identity created in these schemes doesn’t belong to a single, real person, and thus any fraudulent activity is untraceable and extremely costly to the victims.

IRSF

International Revenue Share Fraud is a communications fraud that gives criminals a chance to benefit from revenue share from premium numbers. In IRSF, which occurs in the onboarding stage, fraudsters use scripted attacks and other illegal business practices to make unauthorized calls and messages to premium rate numbers (PRN). Unlike other types of new account fraud, IRSF doesn’t target individuals; it targets businesses.

Promo abuse

Promo abuse happens when a fraudster circumvents a company’s rules or restrictions regarding promotions, using multiple accounts to take advantage of sign-up offers, such as coupons or free trials. On the surface, promotion abuse sounds innocuous, but in the long run, abuse of signup bonuses, referral rewards and free trials can add up. In fact, promo abuse is now one of the costliest forms of fraud retailers face, which impacts their finances and costs for everyone.

Protecting your accounts

Always follow the latest account security best practices, such as enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) or two-factor authentication (2FA) and using your real mobile phone number, when working with an ecommerce or digital organization.

Two-factor authentication significantly decreases the risk of fraudsters accessing your online accounts. Authentication factors can include a one-time password sent to a mobile device, subscriber status and more. Additionally, if given the option for multi-factor authentication, always opt yes to ensure higher security every time you sign into your account.

As part of your account creation, you will likely be asked for your phone number. Your phone number is important for businesses monitoring security, so be sure to provide your real number. Using phone number attributes, businesses can monitor traffic for suspicious patterns and then input the new-account request into a global telecom fraud database. This stops creation of unauthorized accounts and blocks creation of multiple accounts by verifying each phone number and its owner.

To learn more about digital fraud and steps to protect yourself and your customers, visit Telesign today.