Month: December 2022

2022-12-05T07:01:00

(BPT) – Founded in 1982, Newman’s Own is on a mission to help improve children’s lives. Read on to learn more about the foundation’s milestones and mission, by the numbers.

2022-12-05T17:13:00

(BPT) – You make your holiday shopping list and check it twice, but there’s always that certain someone — parent, coworker, neighbor or in-law — who is hard to shop for. It’s the quintessential person who has it all, so you’re left wondering how to show you care this holiday season.

Wonder no more, Build-A-Bear has a plethora of ideas and offerings to consider if you’re struggling to find the perfect gift for a loved one, no matter their age, location or interests:

Experiences to suit any personality

When you’re unsure what to buy, consider what they like to do or what they’ve always wanted to try. An experiential gift can be customized to their personality and your budget. From theater tickets and museum memberships to cooking classes and outdoor adventures, the sky is the limit when it comes to experiences that will create lasting memories. For a family member that values time together and creating memories, give them the gift of a trip to Build-A-Bear Workshop or a gift card to look forward to in the new year!

Curated gift box with heart

Send a sweet yet sophisticated box that appeals to everyone! The Build-A-Bear offers HeartBox, curated gift boxes that are thoughtful, personalized and unique for anyone on your list. You can shop custom themed boxes that fit a variety of occasions, such as The Very Merry Christmas HeartBox. This holiday inspired, curated gift box includes seasonal surprises such as an adorable Christmas Cheer Bear with Merry Christmas mug, Plaid Teddy Bear Ornament, Spicewalla Classic Hot Chocolate and a 12-ounce HeartBox Swig Mug tumbler. Gift givers can customize each plush bear with a pre-recorded message with the Record Your Voice feature.

Nonprofit donation in their name

For a feel-good gift that does some good, consider making a donation to a charity in the gift recipient’s name. You can make this gift more personal by selecting a nonprofit close to the person’s heart or one in a category that interests them. Some charitable thought starters to consider: adopt an animal, sponsor a child in need, support a small-business owner in a developing nation, plant a tree, buy a wish list item at the local school or donate to their community food shelf.

The Build-A-Bear Foundation has contributed more than $22 million and 1.5 million furry friends to charitable organizations around the world. Through three core programs, they’re adding a little more heart to people’s lives and providing bears to comfort people in times of need. Check out how you can contribute on behalf of yourself and others!

Quality time with planned activities

Share the gift of quality time through planned activities as simple as playing a board game, putting together a puzzle and/or snuggling up with their favorite plush to watch a movie. Conduct research and find something that matches the interests of the recipient. If you’re local, set a date and bring over some food plus drinks to share while you play or a new character plush from Build-A-Bear to match a favorite movie you’re watching. If you live farther away, consider setting a virtual date to play or watch together. Either way, the gift of time and friendly competition/bonding is a winning combination.

2022-12-05T07:01:00

(BPT) – Every healthcare worker plays a critical role in infection control and protecting their patients, their coworkers and themselves from infectious disease threats in healthcare settings.

Over the past few years, the U.S. healthcare system and healthcare workers faced unprecedented challenges — highlighting the need to better support healthcare workers in preventing infections.

In order to address the longstanding gaps in infection control knowledge and practice, there are challenges left to overcome. These challenges include disparities in infection control expertise among the current healthcare workforce, structural gaps in infection control training and education, a lack of understanding in educational approaches for healthcare workers, and the framing of infection control as a combination of rules, policies and procedures.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) acknowledges the vital role each worker plays in making health care safer for everyone, and that they deserve education tailored to their learning needs and preferences. Through Project Firstline, a national education and training collaborative, the CDC offers resources that take into consideration the following 4 strategies to improve infection control knowledge and practice:

1. Listen to healthcare workers

Healthcare workers need infection control education and training that resonates with their lived experience and addresses their needs. Project Firstline resources are developed with healthcare workers, specifically for healthcare workers.

2. Appreciate the value of every healthcare worker and the role they play in infection control

Healthcare workers have shown that they are crucial in protecting patients and preventing the spread of infections. Applying infection control actions consistently and confidently — every person, every action, every day — saves lives. That’s why Project Firstline develops resources that are accessible to all healthcare workers, regardless of their previous training or background knowledge.

3. Recognize and acknowledge healthcare burnout and trauma

Healthcare workers have experienced an exceptional increase in burnout and trauma over the last few years. To meet the needs of healthcare workers, infection control training materials must consider workers’ limited bandwidth and meet them where they are. CDC’s Project Firstline offers training materials in the form of bite-sized content that is tailored for practice and on-the-go use for integration into the workday.

4. Commit to healthcare equity

Educational resources and dissemination methods should be adapted to meet the needs of a diverse healthcare workforce. Project Firstline collaborators create translated resources for those who speak Spanish and multiple Asian languages.

Healthcare leaders seeking tools and resources to engage healthcare workers in infection control trainings can download and use Project Firstline’s free materials. Resources and tools are now also available in Spanish.

To find out more, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/projectfirstline/healthcare.html.

2022-12-05T11:01:00

(BPT) – In the market to sell your car? These days, there are multiple ways you can sell or trade your vehicle, so it’s hard to know the best approach. Before you’re ready to sell, however, put your car in the best possible light so you can make a sale you’ll be happy with.

Here are tips to help increase your car’s value in the eyes of potential buyers before putting your car on the market.

1. Gather your car’s records

Put together every document related to your car, including the title, insurance information and records of maintenance and repairs, to make sure you’re prepared for any questions the dealer may have. If you haven’t kept all the maintenance records but regularly use the same dealership or repair shop, they may be able to help provide you with a summary of your vehicle’s maintenance history. Showing you’ve kept up on vehicle maintenance may improve how your car is perceived by a buyer.

2. Clean it up

Nobody wants to buy a dirty car, so make sure you take your car in for a thorough car wash and clean it well, both inside and out. If you’re not the best at cleaning and vacuuming out the car yourself, consider taking it to a professional detailer to get your vehicle in tip-top shape before selling.

3. Tend to maintenance, recalls and minor repairs

If it’s been a while since you’ve had an oil change, tire rotation or inspection, bring your vehicle in now and keep a record of everything you have done. Make sure you’re up to date an any outstanding recalls for the vehicle. Spending a little bit of money now can make you more money in the future — even little things like replacing the cabin air filter or installing new wiper blades send the message that you take good care of your vehicle. If there are issues like dents, scratches or brake pads that should be replaced soon that you don’t have time or money to fix right now, be honest with potential buyers. They will appreciate knowing what needs attention and will trust you more for being up front with them.

4. Take great pictures

To make sure your car looks its best in photos, follow this advice:

• Use a newer smartphone to take pics, or a high-quality camera
• Wash the car right before your photo shoot
• Photograph in a park or an empty parking lot away from other cars, with no visual distractions. Don’t include people in photos.
• Take pictures during the daytime, either early morning or late afternoon. Make sure the sun is behind you, not behind the car.
• Photograph numerous angles: front, side, back, 3/4 angle (from driver’s front corner and passenger’s rear corner), inside the engine (be sure it’s cleaned) and the interior.
• Highlight special features and include the shifter, dashboard and odometer (with lighting on, so buyers can verify mileage).
• Try shots both from eye level and headlight level, and use as many photos as you can on the platform where you’re selling.

5. Find an easy, stress-free way to sell your car

Not sure where to start? One great option that’s easy to use from the comfort of your home is Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer from the experts on car pricing. The online tool calculates a redeemable offer for a specific amount to purchase your car, or to apply the amount toward another car if you want to trade it in. Anyone can access Instant Cash Offer for free — simply enter your car’s information, and the tool connects you with a local dealer. The offer you receive will be based on specific elements of your car, including installed options, specific condition (such as dents and mechanical issues) and local market demand. The offer is valid for seven days and can be immediately redeemed during business hours at any participating dealer, pending inspection.

Ready to sell? Enter your car’s information at KBB.com/instant-cash-offer to see your offer.

2022-12-05T11:01:00

(BPT) – Pet parents understand the weight of responsibility to protect their furry friends, but unfortunately, accidents do sometimes happen. In the U.S., a pet receives medical care every 2.5 seconds, and 1 in 3 pets need emergency veterinary treatments every year, according to MetLife Pet Insurance.

Even the most vigilant pet parents have to contend with pet emergencies. Check out some of the most astonishing pet accidents of 2022 — and some tips about how you can help avoid these as we enter 2023.

• Digesting something dangerous: A 2-year-old Bichon mix ate a sugar-free apple cobbler made with xylitol, which is dangerous for dogs. At first, she seemed all right but began vomiting the next day and declined rapidly. When she arrived at the emergency hospital, her prognosis was very poor. However, after eight days of supportive care, she fully recovered and survived!
• Common household concerns: A 9-month-old kitten hid in a large comforter unbeknownst to his pet parent, who had set it to dry on high heat. The kitten was stuck in the dryer for 10 minutes before they heard him yelping for help. They immediately rushed him to the emergency vet, and he was kept at the hospital overnight for observation. Luckily for the kitten, there did not appear to be any lasting damage from his eventful trip in the dryer, and he was discharged the next day.
• Lingering liquids: A 2-month-old Shih Tzu puppy was caught by his owners licking some Children’s Motrin that spilled on the couch over nine hours earlier in the day. The puppy seemed fine at first, but then he started to vomit. The Pet Poison Hotline advised taking the pet to the emergency hospital. He was hospitalized and monitored for four days, but the puppy recovered and appeared to have no long-term damage from the incident.
• Unfortunate falls: An 8-year-old Pit Bull jumped off a couch and suddenly became paralyzed in her hind end. Her pet parents rushed her to the vet, who diagnosed her with Intervertebral Disc Disease. After receiving surgery to fix her disc herniation, she recovered well and regained motor function.
• Toys that become treacherous: A 7-month-old Standard Poodle was vomiting, lethargic and appeared uncomfortable for two days. A physical exam revealed he was dehydrated, and radiographs showed a foreign object trapped in his stomach. He was transferred to the surgical unit to remove the foreign object, which turned out to be a squeaker toy. He was kept overnight for observation before being sent home to recover with his family.

All of these accidents — while they may seem somewhat crazy — could have happened to any pet owner, and the experience can result in an unexpected, costly bill from the vet. To help avoid having an incident like this in 2023, here are a few tips for pet parents from MetLife Pet Insurance:

1. Prioritize your pet’s health just as you would for a human family member. Pet parents think of their furry companion as part of their family, but it’s important to take action the same way, too. Avoid leaving harmful foods and liquids within your pets’ reach, and watch out for potential choking hazards in your home. This seems simple but can go a long way in protecting your pet for the long-term.

2. Stay active, even in the cold months. Going on frequent walks and encouraging your pet to move around is key to avoiding joint stiffening and can help prevent future mobility issues. This can feel like a challenge during the cold points of the year — for you and your pet — but there are always indoor activities you can play to engage your furry friend.

3. Invest in your pet’s well-being. When accidents happen to your four-legged family member, you’ll want to be covered. A pet insurance policy can help offset some of the costs associated with expensive veterinarian visits — in fact, based on MetLife internal claims data the pet parents who encountered the dangers above saved an average of $5,570 on the treatment and care of their pets!

To learn more and protect your pets in the coming year, visit MetLifePetInsurance.com.

2022-12-05T11:01:00

(BPT) – As you start working your way through your holiday gift list this year, don’t forget about your feline family members. Just like people, cats appreciate the novelty of a fun new toy or other delightful surprises, and they’ll appreciate the efforts you make to bring a little holiday joy into their lives.

“Similar to people, cats can get a bit bored,” says Dr. Annie Valuska. “But the good news is, there are plenty of easy ways to keep your cat curious, playful and content.”

Valuska offers these great gift ideas for cats:

1. Playful presents for the ultimate predator

Cats love to stalk, chase and pounce, so consider different toys that they can bat around, clutch, kick or carry, such as balls or small stuffed toys (avoid toys with yarn and string that can be easily swallowed). Some cats love to catch their toys and stay put, while others are intrigued by toys that move or make noise. Have fun trying different toys to learn which your cat likes best and enjoy some bonding time together.

2. Special extras to enhance meals

Even cats with the most discerning of palettes won’t be able to resist an occasional snack or flavorful wet food meal topper. One great option is Friskies’ Lil’ Shakes blended with a lil’ coconut milk, meant to serve as a meal topper or yummy snack by itself between meals. With no artificial colors or preservatives, adding this pureed complement to your cat’s complete and balanced diet also helps support healthy hydration.

3. A comfy bed for napping

Cats love a cozy spot, so a new cat bed is another good gift choice that your four-legged friend may appreciate. Some cats might also prefer an open versus enclosed bed, so think about what your cat likes best. If your cat doesn’t warm up to it at first, pay attention to location. Some cats prefer a spot that’s quiet — but not too far from where the humans are hanging out — and that’s nice and warm, or even sunny.

4. Fun app for cats

Cats are naturally curious, so bring out their playful side with an enriching high-tech activity. Download the Friskies’ Cat Fishing 2 app on your phone or tablet, place on a flat surface and hit play to see your cat prowl and play, all while earning points along the way. The digital game is crafted with cats in mind, stocked with sounds to keep their interest and schools of fish to keep them clawing back for more.

5. Furniture for climbing and scratching

Cats have a need to scratch, jump and climb. To help them meet their needs while protecting human furniture, provide your kitty with a scratching pad and/or tower that can satisfy their urges, while also giving them fun places to explore and hang out. Just as with cat beds, think about the best placement for these items — either near the furniture you’d rather they don’t scratch, or close to one of their favorite hangout spots — and experiment with different locations if they’re not using the item at first.

Your cats are an important part of your life, so it’s wonderful to gift them special toys, treats and foods that enhance their daily life. This list is sure to make your cat feel extra special this holiday season and beyond.

2022-12-05T08:00:00

(BPT) – It’s that time of year again. With the holiday season quickly approaching, it can be tough to know what to get for each special person, especially the guy in your life.

Oftentimes, we are left struggling to find something that they would appreciate, let alone actually use. If you’re currently racking your brain to find the perfect gift for that special someone, have no fear because we have outlined gifts for every type of guy (plus a universal one that everyone would like — think of it as a cheat code). Here are some ideas that won’t break the bank.

For the self-care junkie

For the man that prioritizes grooming, things like cologne, body wash, shaving kits and lotion are the way to go. For body wash lovers, give the gift of nice smells with Irish Spring, which offers a diverse line of body washes to fit any guy’s fragrance preferences.

For the gym rat

Gym lovers unite! For the guy that loves to pump some iron, give him gifts like dumbbells, workout clothes, water bottles, yoga mats and pedometers.

For the jetsetter

As the pandemic winds down and travel ramps back up, giving the gift of travel necessities is always a good idea. Things like a new suitcase, travel tags, dopp kits or headphones are always a safe bet.

For the hiking aficionado

While hiking is fun, it requires a great deal of equipment. Give the gift of preparedness by tapping into his love for the outdoors with things like tents, backpacks, mosquito nets, water bottles and bear spray. As a bonus, throw in a bar of Irish Spring soap to help him stay fresh amidst the smelly wilderness. Onwards and upwards!

For the animal lover

Is the man in your life a dog or cat person? Either way, you can never go wrong with giving a gift to his furry friend. Dog (or cat) leashes, food bowls, tug toys and collars are all classic, yet much appreciated, gifts!

For the self-proclaimed entrepreneur

Nothing better than a man with ambition! Set him up for success with a briefcase and some nice stationery and pens. Or go the fancy route and dress him up with a new suit and button-ups. The grind never stops!

When all else fails, you can give the man in your life the gift of 24-hour freshness with Irish Spring’s curated perfect gift set. Between hitting the gym, working all day and running errands, this gift set will give the men in your life a long-lasting, fresh clean. After all, no one wants a stinky man ruining their holiday celebrations.

2022-12-05T13:01:00

(BPT) – Are you currently dating or thinking about dating in the new year? You’re not alone, as global research from women-first dating and social networking app Bumble has found that 70% of those surveyed worldwide say they feel positive about the romance ahead.¹

The survey also revealed how dating expectations have changed over the past year. “During the pandemic, people had to throw out their blueprint of who and how they date,” said Shan Boodram, Bumble’s Sex and Relationships Expert. “In 2023, I’m excited to see how the trends evolve as daters continue to lead their search for romantic connections with curiosity and acceptance.”

When it comes to dating in 2023, Bumble suggests we should expect …

1. Open casting: It’s time to do away with the tall, dark and handsome requirements. Unlike ‘typecasting,’ which narrows the search for our physical “type,” more than 1 in 3 (38%) respondents worldwide are now ‘open casting’ — i.e., dating beyond their type.

2. Love-life balance: There’s been a significant shift in how we think about and value work. Gone are the days when job titles and demanding workdays are seen as status symbols. More than half of respondents worldwide (52%) are actively creating more space for breaks and rest, and more than 1 in 10 (13%) will no longer date someone with a very demanding job.

3. Wanderlove: With many people now working remotely, this flexibility in location has also broadened who and where people date, with 1 in 3 (33%) global respondents saying that they are now more open to travel and relationships with people who are not in their current city.

4. Cash-candid dating: The rising cost of living has led to more honest and open conversations about money and dating, with 1 in 4 (28%) global respondents setting financial boundaries for their dating lives. This doesn’t mean that people are dating any less, but rather that they’re changing how they date, with a majority (57%) sharing that they are more interested in casual dates than something fancy or expensive.

Below are some tried-and-true tips as you’re preparing to date ahead of the new year and into Dating Sunday, also known as the first Sunday in the year and typically the busiest day for the online dating industry. “Whether you’re new to online dating or a seasoned veteran and your profile just needs a refresh, these tips can help enhance your profile, all while representing your authentic self,” says Boodram.

• Make your first photo stand out. The best images are recent and also show a slice of your life; if your dog is the center of your world, include a cute snap of you and the pup. Eye contact can also foster the feeling of connection and establish a sense of trust, so show off your smile, your eyes (without sunglasses), and your whole face (without a filter).
• Get specific about yourself. In your bio, try highlighting aspects of your life that make you stand out. If you like to cook, what’s your favorite dish to make? Give specific examples or anecdotes to set yourself apart from other daters, and use these details to create a more colorful narrative of what you’re like.
• When connecting with others, “positivity” and “empathy” go a long way when dating. In fact, data shows that these two are the most important traits for Bumble members worldwide according to those who adopted the “Values and Traits” Interest Badge on the app in 2022.²

If you’re looking for love in the new year, download the Bumble app and take advantage of its many features, including Profile Prompts, Interest Badges and Profile Badges. The app recently launched a suite of features to help its community connect in meaningful ways. With these new features, you can now recommend a profile to a friend directly within the app, or send a compliment on part of someone’s profile before kicking off a potential conversation.

For more data-driven tips, expert advice, and resources to help guide your dating journey in 2023, visit https://bumble.com/the-buzz.

1 Unless otherwise noted, research was conducted by Bumble using internal polling between Oct. 12-Nov. 1, 2022, with a sample of 14,300 Bumble users around the world, including the United States.

2 Based on proprietary insights from the Bumble app.