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Reignite date night and enhance intimacy with these 5 tips

2023-04-12T11:01:00

(BPT) – In celebration of Couple Appreciation Month, K-Y, a leader in sexual well-being, is on a mission to help redefine the monotony of date night and ignite intimate time among couples.

Long-term couples know that even if you have regular one-on-one time, it can be easy to fall into the same routine, and excitement can dwindle. Keep date night fun and fresh by getting creative and spicing things up. To highlight how to bring more intimacy to your life through date night, here are some creative date night ideas. It’s time to take your next date from typical to titillating!

“Date nights (my personal favorite is dinner and dancing) enhance emotional closeness and contribute to feelings of fun and playfulness, key elements of sexual desire and satisfaction,” said Dr. Emily Jamea, Sex and Relationship Expert. “You’ll want to keep intimacy going long after the date, so make sure to stock up on a good lube like K-Y!”

1. Drum up Desire at Dinner

A dinner out is the go-to date night for most couples — but why not add some desire to it? Take it to the next level by speaking to each other using sexual innuendos. Order suggestive food to use as a prop, compliment each other’s outfits and emphasize how you can’t wait to see what’s underneath.

No matter what you say, the goal is to show how much you desire each other. Food shouldn’t be the only spice during dinner!

2. Make Date Night a Little Daring

Nothing adds sparks to your relationship quite like trying something new and exciting. Get out of your comfort zone by creating a list of activities that you each want to do together. It can be something as simple as going ice skating or to a theme park — or it can be something more adventurous such as skydiving or bungee jumping.

Climaxes are not just for the bedroom. Take the intensity to a new level with a date night that sparks romance in an exciting way!

3. Get Comfortable During a Staycation

You may not always have time for a long, romantic vacation, but a quick getaway can feel just as luxurious and help you reconnect with your partner. Book a night or two at a bed-and-breakfast where you can enjoy the comfort of being together in an intimate and relaxing setting.

Schedule a couples massage or enjoy doing your favorite activity together in a new and romantic place. As you leave the stressors of everyday life at home, you can truly focus on getting comfortable and enjoying the simple joy and pleasure of being intimate with your loved one.

4. Pleasure Your Senses

If a staycation or skydiving date isn’t for you, adding fun twists to typical date night routines may be just what you need. Try preparing a meal at home with a blindfold on! Take turns being blindfolded and create a meal with the direction of the one who is not blindfolded. Be prepared to make a mess and have some laughs!

Take this date to the next level by eating your meal together blindfolded. This will allow you to focus on the tastes and conversation without the distractions that often get in the way.

5. An Arousal IOU

Nothing says “I am focused on your needs” more than a simple IOU card. Choose your partner’s favorite treat, whether it’s a massage, candle lit bubble bath or moonlit stroll, and give them a card that they can “cash in” at any point for some romantic time — their way.

They can return the favor in the future, giving you both something to look forward to on another date night. This way, you can each take turns focusing on your partner’s pleasure.

Keeping the spark alive doesn’t happen by accident. Reigniting date night will do just the trick! Try any of these date ideas during Couple Appreciation Month and keep it going all year long. You can learn more at K-Y.com.

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Taking care of home is more than surface deep

2023-04-12T11:01:00

(BPT) – When the Morrells needed to upgrade to a larger home in Santa Clarita, California, a year ago to accommodate a growing multi-generational family, surprises sprung up in the property with a number of failing systems. The home inspection didn’t reveal certain trouble spots that would cost thousands of dollars in repairs later. However, after owning multiple homes before, the Morrells understood that their homeowners insurance and warranties could help defray many — though not all — of these costs, and they were prepared to complete routine maintenance throughout their home to prevent damages.

Real estate industry sources report that home purchases are rising once again, despite record high prices and interest rates, and many of these new homeowners might be strapped for cash should an unforeseen issue occur. As a homeowner, you need to make time for routine maintenance to keep your home in good condition. Regular maintenance can help reduce the possibility of costly and time-consuming repairs.

“We’re taught to have our vehicle’s motor oil changed every few thousand miles to keep it in good running condition and a home is no different in that it needs regular attention too,” said Bonnie Lee, Mercury Insurance Vice President of Property Claims. “Putting off tasks until something breaks or needs repair can lead to much larger and more expensive headaches.”

Four areas homeowners should check regularly to keep it safe include:

TLC for the airways. Heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) is the system that keeps the temperature inside a home comfortable. In order to not only keep running costs low but also extend the life of it, owners need to give it love and attention. A small leak or failure to replace an air filter could cause your annual energy bill to skyrocket.

A dirty air filter is the most common cause of problems for an HVAC system. When the air filter is dirty, the blower has to work harder to force air through the debris, increasing the system’s energy consumption or overworking its capabilities. Regularly checking, cleaning and replacing your filters can help prevent this problem.

“The last thing a homeowner wants to deal with is an unexpected cost, especially one that can be as expensive as having to replace a furnace or air conditioner,” said Lee. “If you’re concerned about having to come up with the funds to replace a system that fails before reaching the end of its life expectancy, there are insurance coverages like Mercury’s home systems protection that cost only a few dollars each month to replace these thousands of dollars worth of expenditures.” Home systems protection excludes failures that are a result of normal wear and tear, but it covers unexpected mechanical and electrical breakdowns.

Look up at what protects you. The first step of roof inspection begins inside the home. Look for damp spots or water stains on the ceiling or for cracked plaster along the wall as these can be signs of water damage. During dry, warm months, conduct a visual examination of your roof’s exterior for any cracked or missing shingles. Notice if you have to trim back tree branches that make contact with the roof as they can cause damage. If you suspect it needs attention, contact an experienced roofer who can perform a thorough inspection with drones and provide a condition report, like Mercury’s partnership with Roof Rx. Remember, roof repairs required because of damage caused by severe weather are covered by your insurance. Roof repairs that are necessary due to lack of maintenance, age, or standard wear and tear are not.

Clean the gutters. Gutters are necessary to direct water away from your home’s foundation. Their exposure to the elements means that they need to be cleaned and inspected regularly. While cleaning out dirt and leaves, make sure the gutters are securely attached to your house. The weight of heavy snowfall, rain and dirt can cause gutters to loosen and pull away from the home.

“Our data shows that routine maintenance means lower homeowner costs by addressing small issues before they become problematic,” said Lee.

Preparing for extreme weather. What might’ve been considered once-in-a-lifetime extreme weather events in the past are now becoming more frequent. Natural weather events such as flooding cause billions of dollars in property damage every year. Homeowners must be aware of all perils that can impact their homes as well as the type of coverage needed. Damages caused by an earthquake or storm flooding, for example, are not covered by a standard homeowners policy. Homeowners may want to consider purchasing policies or endorsements specifically designed to cover such perils.

A few minutes a day to inspect and take care of your home can make a difference. Like the Morrells, make sure to review what policy coverages and home warranties are in place before a disaster strikes and take care of routine maintenance before it becomes a bigger problem. This will help you keep a happy and safe home.

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Nokian Tyres announces the worst roads in North America

2023-04-12T10:01:00

(BPT) – The province of Quebec has the worst roads in North America, according to voters in a month-long campaign from Nokian Tyres.

The home of poutine is also home to the continent’s worst potholes, beating Colorado in the finals of a bracket-style competition intended to educate drivers about Nokian Tyres’ Pothole Protection program, which the company offers with select all-season and all-terrain tires.

Quebec defends the dubious honor won by Montreal during the first iteration of Nokian Tyres’ Worst Roads in North America competition in 2021. In addition to winning a collection of daily polls on Nokian Tyres’ Instagram, Facebook and Twitter channels, Quebec received an overwhelming number of entries at NokianTires.com/Potholes, where drivers were invited to make their case and learn how to choose tires that safeguard against rough roads.

Those voters are not alone in their assessment of Quebec’s road woes. A 2021 study by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) claimed that Quebec drivers spent an average of $258 per year on maintenance costs caused by poor roads, the most in Canada and more than double the national average.

“We appreciate the overwhelming response we received from drivers in Quebec and across the United States and Canada during our Worst Roads campaign,” said Nokian Tyres Senior Manager of Communications Wes Boling. “It’s clear that drivers in North America crave tires that keep them safe, especially this time of year when unpredictable weather conditions create potholes and other road issues.”

Nokian Tyres offers a Pothole Protection program with several of its all-season and all-terrain tires, including the Nokian Tyres One passenger tire and the all-terrain Nokian Tyres Outpost Family. If a tire suffers damage from a pothole or other road hazard, Nokian Tyres will replace it for free.*

Last week the company launched its newest all-terrain tire reinforced with Pothole Protection, the Nokian Tyres Outpost nAT, which is exclusively made and sold in North America.

Nokian Tyres makes all-season and all-terrain tires at its award-winning factory in Dayton, Tennessee. The company is doubling production at the factory, which is one of the most advanced, sustainable tire production facilities in the world.

To learn more about Nokian Tyres’ Pothole Protection program, visit NokianTires.com/Potholes.

*Terms and conditions apply

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Get Rewarded for Shopping Small: How Credit Cards Support Small Business

2023-04-12T08:01:00

(BPT) – Whether it’s your local ice cream shop, neighborhood dry cleaners or go-to family-owned grocery store, mom-and-pop shops bring communities together. These businesses foster connections between residents and merchants, provide a more personalized shopping experience and support the local economy.

So how can these local businesses provide the benefits we know and love? The answer might surprise you: credit card rewards programs.

Credit card rewards allow consumers to earn points for their purchases. One example is through cash back, where consumers can earn cash based on their credit card spending. But if cash back isn’t for you, there are other rewards you can earn, like points toward travel, hotels, groceries or gas. With credit card rewards, the possibilities are endless.

The best part about credit card rewards is that they don’t cater to one specific consumer group. In fact, consumers of all income levels use and benefit from credit card rewards every day. According to a 2021 survey from Phoenix Marketing International, 98% of credit cardholders owned a rewards card, including 82% of cardholders earning less than $20,000 annually. And luckily, credit card rewards are a win-win for both consumers and local businesses.

Credit card rewards programs are essential to the success of mom-and-pop shops. They keep community institutions afloat and allow these stores to adopt the latest technological advancements. These programs’ amazing benefits incentivize consumer spending and generate additional revenue. It’s called the ticket lift phenomenon — the availability of credit and rewards actually increases consumers’ spending ability, benefiting local businesses by increasing cash flow. This, in turn, allows companies to invest in themselves, providing shoppers with innovative technology, efficient transactions and an overall better customer experience.

But the benefits don’t stop there. Credit card rewards programs also fuel payment innovation for small businesses. Mom-and-pop shops are able to integrate new technologies like contactless payments, mobile wallets and tap-to-pay systems, making the shopping experience smoother than ever before. And with these advanced payment systems, small businesses can more easily compete technologically with their larger, wealthier corporate competitors. Small business owners can draw customers with the same convenient tools offered by the likes of Amazon and Walmart — all while resting assured that their customers’ credit transactions are safeguarded by top-tier fraud protection.

And believe it or not, credit card rewards make this all possible. By bolstering consumer credit spending, rewards programs help fund the very mechanisms that allow the industry to offer its myriad benefits. Data security, consumer privacy protections and seamless transactions all result from a healthy and vibrant credit card economy. And with credit card rewards, everyone wins. Consumers earn the points and cash back they love, while small businesses receive the latest payments and security technology needed to compete in the modern marketplace.

Indeed, credit card rewards benefit not only consumers but also small businesses and the communities they serve. These programs help keep economies humming, shops thriving and locales blossoming. They’re truly a victory for the little guy. So, what are you waiting for? When you’re ready to make a purchase, get rewarded for shopping small.

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Small Business, Big Savings – How Small Manufacturers Can Leverage Credit Card Rewards

2023-04-12T08:01:00

(BPT) – For small manufacturers, every penny counts. From buying raw materials to paying for equipment and utilities, expenses can add up quickly. That’s why finding ways to save money wherever possible is crucial. One often overlooked method is taking advantage of credit card rewards programs. Using credit cards strategically can allow small manufacturers to earn rewards and cash back on their everyday business expenses, reducing overall costs, increasing emergency savings, and allowing low-income earners to benefit from rewards.

Check out how you can save big when using a cashback rewards card for your small manufacturing business, below.

Reducing costs

Credit card rewards, like cash back, can provide valuable cost savings for small business owners in the manufacturing industry. Small manufacturing stores often struggle to purchase large quantities of products or expensive machinery. These costs can add up quickly, leaving little room for other necessary expenses in the budget. With credit card rewards, small businesses can save money on their purchases and increase their budget. The funds can then offset other expenses, such as rent or payroll, providing additional cost savings.

Increasing emergency savings

Unexpected events in the U.S. economy and recent inflation increases have significantly impacted small manufacturing businesses’ financial stability. Having a robust emergency fund can make all the difference in ensuring the long-term sustainability of a business. Credit card rewards that offer cash back can be particularly useful, especially for small businesses with high costs. Many credit card companies offer credit cards with cashback rewards for purchases made on necessary business expenses, which can help manufacturing businesses accumulate a significant amount of cash back over time.

Invigorating the local economy

Using credit card rewards with cashback benefits can positively impact on the local economy and help support small manufacturing businesses in many ways. Having both consumers and small businesses earn cashback rewards on their purchases allows them to have a larger amount of disposable income to spend. This increased spending, in turn, can help small manufacturing businesses by creating more demand for their products and services. In addition, many payment networks partner with small businesses to offer exclusive deals and discounts for those using credit cards, driving more consumers to local establishments. Credit card rewards programs with cashback benefits contribute to the growth and sustainability of the local economy by supporting small manufacturing businesses.

Ultimately, utilizing cashback rewards from credit cards ensures small manufacturers reinvest in their businesses and expand their operations. Main Street shops should take advantage of the valuable cost savings. Credit card companies empower individuals of all socioeconomic backgrounds to benefit from credit card rewards and support local businesses by offering rewards.

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Harvesting Savings: How Farmers Can Benefit from Credit Card Rewards

2023-04-12T08:01:00

(BPT) – Farmers: there’s no doubt that you are the backbone of our nation. Hardworking, industrious and passionate, you’re the small business owners that put food on America’s tables. But that doesn’t mean you’ve got it easy — far from it. So, let’s talk about an often-neglected tool that can give you a major leg up — credit card rewards. That’s right, choosing the right rewards program can help you save money and improve your bottom line, like a bumper crop all year round.

So, how exactly can cashback rewards help you? Here’s how:

Lowering Operational Costs

For starters, you can use the cashback you earn from your credit card purchases to offset future expenses. That means you can save money on everyday things like fuel and equipment repairs and even on those big-ticket items like farm equipment upgrades.

Farmers can also use cashback rewards to purchase farm supplies such as fertilizers, seeds and other agricultural products. These expenses can quickly add up, but by using cashback programs, farmers can better adapt to year-over-year price changes of bulk-purchased goods. And if you’re frequently traveling for business (like to farmers’ markets), you can utilize cashback rewards to pay for your travel expenses, and some cards even offer fuel bonuses and vehicle insurance protection.

Making Upgrades

Speaking of upgrades, we all know that the latest and greatest equipment can make a huge difference in crop yield and client acquisition. But we also know that they can cost an arm and a leg. That’s where cashback rewards come in — they can help offset those costs and even allow you to purchase equipment entirely with reward points. Some cards even allow entire equipment purchases to be made with reward points, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Farmers can even use cashback rewards to invest in sustainability initiatives, such as renewable energy sources, water conservation or soil conservation projects. These initiatives can help reduce the environmental impact of farming while also providing long-term cost savings. And if you live in a state where environmental regulatory pressure is increasing, cashback could very well play a part in affording compliance.

Rewarding Employees

But cashback isn’t just for equipment and sustainability — you can even use your rewards to reward your hardworking farmhands! Imagine using your points to purchase gift cards or bonuses for your staff, boosting morale and showing them how much you appreciate their efforts. Well-earned credit card rewards can allow you to make a difference in the lives of your employees.

Building a Rainy-Day Fund

And let’s not forget about the importance of having a rainy-day fund in the agriculture business. With so much uncertainty, extra financial security can make all the difference. Cashback rewards can help you build up that rainy-day fund and prepare for anything that comes your way.

Ultimately, credit card rewards are a farmer’s fierce ally. They can help you save on operational costs, upgrade your equipment, invest in sustainability, reward your employees, and build a rainy-day fund. So, what are you waiting for? Start raking in those cashback rewards and watch your bottom line improve!

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How Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists are working to improve maternal health

2023-04-12T05:01:00

(BPT) – Did you know around 700 women die in the U.S. every year from pregnancy-related complications? The Kaiser Family Foundation recently reported on the status of maternal health, finding many areas of the healthcare system needing improvement to help ensure healthier pregnancies, safer delivery and better postpartum care. Because it has been determined that over 8 in 10 (84%) pregnancy-related deaths are actually preventable, many healthcare organizations, hospitals and lawmakers are seeking ways to improve maternal care. Confronting this issue directly, the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) has updated their practice guidelines for care before, during and after childbirth, using the most up-to-date science-based evidence to ensure that effective standardized protocols are in place nationwide.

The singular care provided by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are highly educated, trained and qualified anesthesia experts who provide 50 million anesthetics per year in the U.S., in every setting where anesthesia is delivered. They are the primary providers of anesthesia care in rural settings, enabling facilities in medically underserved areas to offer obstetrical, surgical, pain management and trauma stabilization services. Using their unique ability to combine the scientific rigor of the field of anesthesiology with the compassionate care integral to nursing, CRNAs aim to provide the highest quality overall care, and these new guidelines will help ensure that even in stressful life-threatening emergencies, each patient receives a consistent level of care — whether in a big city hospital or a small rural community.

AANA’s updated guidelines cover topics including physiologic changes during pregnancy, pre-anesthesia assessment and evaluation, patient education, preparing a plan of care, pain management and anesthesia options during labor, delivery and postpartum care, as well as complications and emergency care. AANA’s recommendations highlight care for high-risk patients, including those with hypertensive disorders such as preeclampsia and obstetric complications, plus emergencies such as maternal hemorrhage and amniotic fluid embolism.

“AANA’s new guidelines offer obstetric anesthesia providers current practice recommendations to support delivery of high-quality maternal care, thereby improving patient safety and patient outcomes,” said Beth Ann Clayton, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN, professor of Clinical Nursing and the Nurse Anesthesia program director at the University of Cincinnati. “In an emergency, if clinicians do not have a protocol available, they may miss a step. These guidelines are in place to facilitate effective care decisions and enhance coordination among the anesthesia, obstetric and pediatric professionals to create an optimal environment for safe maternal and neonatal care.”

Addressing racial disparities

When it comes to maternal care, recent research shows that women of color, especially Black patients and those in underserved communities, are at an even higher risk of maternal mortality. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that Black women experience pregnancy-related mortality rates about three times higher than white women. That number increases with maternal age: Black women between ages 30-34 have a four times higher rate of maternal mortality than white women.

Some research shows that Black women have higher morbidity rates partially because they are at significantly higher risk for serious pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia. However, other factors leading to these racial and ethnic disparities include barriers to care due to lack of health insurance as well as hospital and obstetric unit closings in rural and underserved communities, plus inadequate treatment due to racism — from poor communication to outright mistreatment — as evidenced in research such as the Kaiser Family Foundation report.

Acknowledging that maternal health disparities exist, CRNAs aim to reduce maternal deaths, using prevention strategies to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in pregnancy-related mortality. These inequities are some of the main hurdles to good maternal care that AANA has worked to address with their updated guidelines.

“These new guidelines and their protocols promote equity of care. For example, when a patient has preeclampsia, direct steps for hypertension management can be taken,” said Clayton. “The document also highlights how CRNAs help drive change to reduce maternal-related deaths, implementing prevention strategies to reduce racial and ethnic disparities.”

CRNAs provide equitable, compassionate, holistic, patient-centered anesthesia, pain management and related care encompassing each patient’s unique needs and preferences. Learn more about their efforts to improve care for every patient at AANA.com.

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Can you imagine life without lupus? Learn how to raise funds for important research

2023-04-11T23:01:00

(BPT) – Health and wellness are meaningful to you, so you strive to make it a priority in your life. It’s also important to you to give back and you are looking for ways to do something truly meaningful for others. One activity that reflects all these values and makes a real difference is walking to raise funds for disease research, such as understanding the prototypical autoimmune disease lupus.

Whether you or someone you care about is living with lupus or not, you can make a positive contribution to the search for a cure, while also enjoying the benefits of a healthful walk and the empowering feeling that you are part of a larger community working toward a common purpose.

What is lupus?

According to the Lupus Research Alliance (LRA), lupus is a serious and chronic autoimmune disease, in which a person’s immune system attacks healthy cells by mistake. Lupus is a complex disease that is often debilitating. There is no cure and few treatment options, none of which work for everyone.

Lupus affects everyone differently, with varying symptoms that can make it difficult to diagnose. Some of the most common symptoms of lupus include extreme fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes and fevers. It disproportionately affects women, especially women of color, and is typically diagnosed in the prime of their lives.

How you can help

“Walk with Us to Cure Lupus” is the LRA’s signature national fundraising program, from which 100% of donations go to lupus research programs because the LRA Board of Directors funds all administrative and fundraising costs. Participating in the Walk, whether alone or as part of a group, is a fun way to support a worthwhile cause: helping to fund important research to develop personalized treatments, and ultimately, a cure for lupus.

What began with the very first walk in Washington, D.C., in 2002 has grown to now unite tens of thousands of people across the country, who together have raised nearly $45 million for lupus research. Each walk is motivated by one goal: to let people living with lupus know there is an entire community behind them, with everyone in it working toward finding a cure.

People living with lupus or who have loved ones with lupus find these walks especially meaningful:

  • “I was diagnosed with lupus at the age of 9 and since then I have been participating with my family and friends at the Lupus Research Alliance Walk with Us to Cure Lupus,” said Miah SantaCruz, New Jersey
  • “I chose the LRA because of the research they are doing to help fight back against lupus. I can see the wins each time a new grant is approved and they uncover more about this disease,” said Shelley Shuttlesworth, Texas
  • “I walk for lupus every year in hopes of finding a cure for the disease that has affected my life,” said Ashley Saari, Florida

LRA’s community has shown its strong, ongoing commitment to one goal: supporting lupus research that will unravel the complexity of this debilitating disease so a treatment and cure can be targeted to each person.

Take action

You can join one of LRA’s in-person events or participate in this year’s virtual walk. Either way, you’ll unite with others in one common goal: to help people with lupus in their treatment journey and ultimately find a cure.

Ready to make a difference? Visit support.lupusresearch.org to register for a walk near you and start fundraising.

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Nutritionist says eat more pasta (seriously)

2023-04-11T11:55:00

(BPT) – Even though it’s a fan favorite, pasta has gotten a bad rap over the years. More than 25% of Americans are gluten-free, according to a study published by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which takes pasta night off the menu for many people. Now, thanks to a variety of delicious and nutritious gluten-free pasta alternatives, you can bring back pasta night no matter your preferences or dietary needs.

“There’s something so delicious and comforting about pasta. For people who follow a gluten-free diet or have other nutritional requirements, giving up pasta night can feel like a big sacrifice,” said registered dietitian, health nutrition expert and mom, Lauren Manaker. “Fortunately, there are now many gluten-free alternatives that offer something delicious for everyone, so pasta night is back!”

Lauren and her family put a variety of gluten-free pastas to the test and here are her insights and recommendations:

Kevin’s Natural Foods Cauliflower Pasta Kit

Cauliflower is having a serious moment. You find it everywhere, even mimicking pizza crust. Not only is it versatile and delicious, it’s full of nutrients like vitamins C and K, and is also a good source of folate. Plus now, you can enjoy cauliflower as the base for delicious, gluten-free pasta meal.

Pros: This one came the closest to tasting like traditional wheat pasta. Paleo-certified and packs in 1.5 servings of veggies per package. (Hello hidden veggies!) And bonus, this one comes with meat and sauce, making it the only option on this list that’s available as a complete meal.

Cons: Limited noodle options. Right now Kevin’s only offers penne and an egg noodle substitute in its delicious Beef Stroganoff option.

Banza Chickpea Pasta

Pros: Chickpeas — also known as garbanzo beans — are tiny nutritional powerhouses that pack a mighty punch of nutrients, including fiber, potassium and B vitamins. Rich in plant-based protein and fiber, this pasta has serious staying powers, helping you avoid those annoying hunger pangs that can strike between meals.

Cons: Chickpea pasta is a little chewier than traditional pasta and might be tough to pass by the family as the real thing. Plus, it can be a little tricky to cook. It falls apart easily if cooked too long. It’s also still considerably high in carbs and has been known to cause tummy troubles in some people.

Konjac Miracle Noodles

Pros: Made with flour from the Konjac plant, this noodle option is super low carb and low calorie. These look like rice noodles and work well in Asian style dishes.

Cons: The texture of these noodles can be a little off-putting, so it’s important to cook them to perfection. Boil too little and they will be chewy; boil too long and they’ll be a sloppy, watery mess. They aren’t going to replace your favorite spaghetti by a long shot, but for dishes that would normally use rice noodles, they can be a healthy alternative.

The Winner:

Kevin’s Natural Food Cauliflower Pasta Kits! Want a one-pan, complete meal that is a total dupe for traditional pasta? Want to skip the prep and bypass the worry you’re going to cook things up correctly? If you want to simplify pasta night while staying gluten-free, try paleo-certified cauliflower pasta meal kits from Kevin’s. Everything is made with clean ingredients and is ready in less than five minutes by heating in the microwave or on the stovetop. Available in five varieties, Manaker’s personal favorite was the Chicken Penne Alla Vodka. You can find them at Sprouts, Target and KevinsNaturalFoods.com.

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5 Top Tips for Flying with Young Children

2023-04-11T12:01:00

(BPT) – Flying with kids can be a stressful undertaking, even for the most seasoned travelers. Preparing for a flight with a baby or toddler can present all sorts of questions: Which seats should you reserve? Which toys should you bring to entertain your little one during the long hours of travel time? What kind of snacks should you pack? And how will you manage to get through the security checkpoint with your sanity intact?

Carter’s, the most trusted brand of apparel exclusively for babies and young children, understands how parents feel and has created a foolproof list for traveling with young children.

1. Carefully consider flight options. Pay attention to the schedule of the flight. Select flights that work with your little one’s daily routine. Tip: Morning flights are often the best choice when traveling with a toddler on a plane.

2. Pick the right seats. If you’re purchasing a seat for your child, remember that most airlines allow children to be seated next to an accompanying adult free of charge. Sitting near the rear of the plane will give you easier access to the bathrooms and, if you can snag seats in the front row, you’ll have more legroom, just not easy access to your carry-on items in bulkhead seats.

3. Pack the essentials in your carry-on. In addition to what’s packed in your personal item, pack your carry-on (a comfortable backpack diaper bag works great!) with other items you’ll need easy access to, such as:

  • Infant supplies like diapers and wipes, bottles and formula. Tip: Purchase at least two water bottles for your carry-on once you get through security.
  • Sippy cups and novelty snacks for your toddler. Food storage containers with twist and lock lids are very handy for snacks on a plane.
  • Your child’s lovey, blanket or favorite toy. Soft books or activity toys are a good choice for babies and toddlers, while coloring books are great options for preschoolers or older children. Tip: Buy a new toy to surprise your child with on the plane.
  • A change of clothes for you and your child, toothbrushes, travel-sized toothpaste and pajamas. Don’t underestimate the power of packing clothing sets for boys and girls. They’re easy to throw in your bag without having to think about it. And don’t forget socks and underwear! These are among some of the most forgotten travel items.

4. Wait until the last minute to board. Rather than being cooped up on the plane while you wait for everyone else to make their way on board, you can let your kids get their wiggles out in the space and comfort of the airport terminal. If you’re flying with a partner or other adult, let them board ahead of you with the carry-on luggage while you hang back with the kids to ensure your bags have a place on board.

5. Enter Carter’s Airplane Apology Agreement.

While other passengers are generally kind and patient, it’s easy to stress about your child fussing and disrupting others. To help avoid judgmental looks from fellow travelers, enter Carter’s Airplane Apology Agreement, a contract and cash package that parents can pass out on their next flight.

Carter’s hopes that equipping parents with the Airplane Apology Agreement will bring some relief and levity to what is generally a stressful experience.

Parents can take advantage of the Airplane Apology Agreement by entering the giveaway online at www.carters.com/airplaneapology from April 11 to April 17. Five families will win a bundle that includes an Airplane Apology Agreement and 15 envelopes each containing $100 cash cards for parents to pass out to neighboring passengers. Winners will also receive a bonus bodysuit for baby to wear on the plane. To enter, visit www.carters.com/airplaneapology.