Author: admin

2025-08-04T11:01:00

(BPT) – Summer is about fun, relaxation — and savoring every moment. To make the most of your summer days, premium chocolate maker Chocolove has irresistible new flavors, a smattering of s’mores options and a decadently refreshing milkshake recipe to help you indulge.

Get nutty with 3 new flavors

Whether you go crazy for pistachios, pecans or walnuts — or all three — Chocolove has you covered with new perfectly balanced nut flavors that are both delicious and rich in texture.

• Milk Chocolate with Pistachios & Sea Salt: rich, creamy milk chocolate paired with the delicate crunch of roasted pistachios and a hint of sea salt for satisfying flavor in every bite, complete with antioxidants, healthy fats and fiber.
• Milk Chocolate with Pecans, Cookies & Sea Salt: a comforting blend of velvety milk chocolate, decadent crumbles of cookies and crunchy rich pecans to evoke memories of nostalgic dessert flavors.
• Dark Chocolate with Walnuts & Sea Salt: bold, sophisticated dark chocolate harmonizing perfectly with the earthy crunch of walnuts and a savory touch of sea salt, delivering elevated taste plus omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.

Want to try them all? Enjoy these new flavors at Chocolove.com and for a limited time in a special 6-pack assortment box with two of each variety, ideal for sampling and gifting. Also, look for the nut bars in retail stores including Natural Grocers, Harris Teeter, Raley’s, New Seasons, and Fresh Thyme.

Savor the richness of Dubai Style Milk Chocolate

For a chocolate experience that satisfies all of your senses, the new Dubai Style Milk Chocolate Pistachio & Kadayif Bites Gift Box combines luxurious flavor and irresistible texture in every bite.

Wrapped in velvety milk chocolate, each handcrafted, bite-sized piece is filled with a creamy pistachio center blended with crisp strands of Kadayif pastry, a finely shredded phyllo adding delightful crunch. It’s a delicious way to celebrate life’s little luxuries — and the perfect gift for foodies who appreciate unique and elevated desserts.

Level up your s’mores

Whether you make these summertime treats at the fireside or in your toaster oven, s’mores season calls for something special. Keep it classic with smooth milk or bold dark chocolate, or add a decadent twist with filled or flavored bars. Try these tasty options for crave-worthy s’mores that transform a childhood favorite into a gourmet experience.

• Hawaiian Sea Salt in Strong Dark Chocolate: strong, bittersweet dark chocolate complemented by Hawaiian Alaea red sea salt for a perfect sweet-salty balance.
• Raspberries in Dark Chocolate: smooth semi-sweet dark chocolate with crispy bits of tart freeze-dried raspberry pieces bursting with flavor for a harmonious combination that will transform your s’mores into a celebration of summer.
• Milk Chocolate: a classic s’mores must-have — creamy milk chocolate offering caramel-like flavors blending into a light cocoa finish.
• Salted Caramel in Dark Chocolate: salted caramel filling is enveloped in classic premium dark chocolate.

Shake things up with this sweet summer recipe

Experience the refreshing bliss of a cool, creamy Chocolove Double Chocolate Milkshake, perfect for a hot summer day. Combining the rich, velvety taste of Chocolove Milk Chocolate with the smoothness of vanilla ice cream, this milkshake is a quick and easy delight your whole family will love. To elevate the decadence, add a luxurious drizzle of Chocolove Strong Dark Chocolate.

For a delightful dessert or sweet afternoon pick-me-up, this milkshake is sure to satisfy your chocolate cravings. Ready in 15 minutes, it’s an effortless way to enjoy a touch of chocolate heaven anytime. Follow the directions below.

Double Chocolate Bliss Milkshake
Prep time: 15 minutes; Serves 2

Ingredients
1 cup vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup whole milk
1 bar Chocolove Milk Chocolate (3.2 ounces), melted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 bar Chocolove Strong Dark Chocolate (1.6 ounces), melted (for drizzle)
Whipped cream (for topping)
Chocolate shavings for sprinkles (optional, for garnish)

Recipe
Melt chocolate: Break Milk and Dark Chocolate bars into pieces. Melt separately in microwave or double boiler, stirring until smooth. Let cool slightly.

Drizzle glasses: Using a spoon or squeeze bottle, drizzle melted Dark Chocolate, coating the inside and outside rim of the serving glasses.

Blend shake: In a blender, combine vanilla ice cream, milk, melted Milk Chocolate and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth.

Serve: Pour milkshake into glasses. Top with whipped cream and garnish. Serve immediately and enjoy!

With these special treats and recipes, your summer just got a whole lot sweeter. You can also feel good knowing Chocolove is ethically sourced and made from traceable, Non-GMO Project Verified ingredients, and most flavors are Rainforest Alliance Certified, meaning Chocolove’s sourcing practices support a better future for cocoa farmers and their families. Chocolove is also free of artificial preservatives for a decadent, world-class flavor experience.

Find everything you need to savor the summer at Chocolove.com, Amazon, Whole Foods Market, Publix, Walgreens, Safeway, Albertsons, Kroger, Walmart, Target, Sprouts and a variety of independent and natural retailers.

2025-07-31T07:01:00

(BPT) – Summertime means making memories by the pool and enjoying time with family and friends. While having fun in the sun, it’s never too late to take precautions, especially for children in and around the water. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) encourages families to incorporate simple safety tips into their pool routines to keep their families safer this summer.

Drowning remains the leading cause of death for children ages one to four, and, according to a recent report from CPSC, an average of 357 children under the age of 15 fatally drowned in pool- or spa-related incidents each year from 2020 to 2022. Fatal drownings are consistently highest during the summer months, emphasizing the importance of ensuring children’s safety throughout the peak of swim season.

By following these simple safety tips, you can help to keep children safer and prevent childhood drownings:

1. Install barriers around residential pools and spas

Barriers are often the first line of defense to prevent unsupervised children from accessing the pool, one of the most likely drowning scenarios. Common barriers include pool fences, door and pool alarms, and pool covers. Pool fences should be at least 4 feet tall and impossible for children to climb. It’s important to have self-closing, self-latching devices on fence gates and doors that access pools.

2. Teach children to swim

Swimming lessons are often available from organizations that operate in local communities, such as local Departments of Recreation. These lessons are not only fun but are a lifesaving skill.

3. Identify an adult Water Watcher

A designated Water Watcher — typically a parent, guardian, or trusted friend — monitors and supervises children in and around pools and spas. A Water Watcher should not be distracted and avoid reading, texting, and using a phone while performing this duty. To give everyone a chance to relax, create a schedule that allows for swapping every 15 minutes.

4. Learn how to perform CPR

This summer, sign up to become CPR certified for both children and adults. The American Red Cross offers classes, which are often available in-person and online.

5. Ensure drain covers meet federal safety standards

Teach your children to stay away from pool and spa covers, pipes, and other openings to prevent entrapment. Further, inspect your pool and spa drain covers to ensure they comply with the Virginia Graeme Baker Act and haven’t been recalled. Check CPSC.gov/recalls and sign up for recall email alerts.

By following these simple safety tips, we can all do our part to help prevent childhood drowning. To learn more about pool and spa safety, visit poolsafely.gov.

2025-07-31T08:17:01

(BPT) – As fall routines ramp up and calendars fill, it’s natural to feel a little off-kilter. Transitioning from the relaxed pace of summer to the structure of a new school and work schedule can take a toll — not just on your time but also on your digestive system, too. In fact, studies show that stress can affect health through its impact on gut bacteria.

To help you stay energized, focused and feeling your best this season, Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner is sharing her go-to gut health tips. These simple, effective strategies will help keep your digestion on track so you can ease into autumn with confidence and comfort.

1. Boost digestion before breakfast

Blatner suggests starting your morning with a warm glass of lemon water before eating anything. This easy habit helps rehydrate your body after a night’s rest and gently wakes up your digestive system. According to Cleveland Clinic, the natural acidity of lemon can help break down food in your stomach and set the tone for smoother digestion all day long.

2. Get moving early

Incorporating a little light movement to your morning routine can do wonders for your gut. Whether it’s a quick walk, a gentle yoga flow or a few minutes of stretching, getting your body moving can promote regularity. This small step not only supports gut health but also boosts energy levels throughout the day.

3. Take time to destress daily

Chronic stress can affect your mood and therefore disrupt your gut microbiome. Set aside a few minutes each day to unwind with a calming ritual, like deep breathing, journaling or sipping a cup of herbal tea. These simple stress-reducing habits can help lower cortisol levels, which in turn supports a more balanced and resilient digestive system.

4. Be consistent with mealtime

Your digestive system thrives on routine. Another way to promote regularity is by sticking to consistent mealtimes, even on the weekends. Eating at roughly the same times each day helps “train” your gut to expect and process food more efficiently, reducing uncomfortable symptoms like bloating and sluggishness.

5. Give your body time to digest

Blatner also advises that staying upright after meals is key to avoiding indigestion, especially if you’re prone to issues like acid reflux. Lying down too soon after having a meal can interfere with your body’s natural digestive flow. Try to allow for a few hours between your last meal and bedtime to support better digestion and sleep.

6. Make smart, balanced meal choices

What you eat plays a major role in how your gut feels. Blatner recommends focusing on balanced meals that are rich in protein, fiber and a variety of nutrients to keep energy levels stable and digestion running smoothly. Recipes like this Superfood Egg Sandwich from Eggland’s Best is packed with gut-friendly ingredients like Greek yogurt, spinach and seeds, and can be enjoyed at any time of day.

Eggland’s Best eggs contain more than double the Omega-3s compared to ordinary eggs, which can be beneficial for reducing inflammation in the gut and promoting a balanced gut environment. Eggland’s Best eggs also contain six times more Vitamin D compared to ordinary eggs, which helps boost your body’s immunity and helps fight off harmful bacteria.

Superfood Egg Sandwich
Prep time 15 minutes
Cook time 10 minutes
Yield 2 servings

Ingredients

• 4 Eggland’s Best organic eggs, large
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise substitute (1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, pinch of salt, pepper to taste)
• 4 slices grain bread (for example, wheat, spelt and rye bread)
• 1 packed cup raw baby spinach leaves, arugula, cucumbers and microgreens
• 2 teaspoons mixed seeds (for example, a mixture of chia, pumpkin, sunflower and sesame seeds)
• 1 small avocado, sliced

Preparation

1. Bring eggs to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Drain and cool, then peel and chop.
3. Add Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper and mix.
4. Add sliced cucumbers, avocado, spinach and arugula. *Disclaimer: greens to be thoroughly washed before consuming.
5. Top with egg mixture and add seeds. Then add avocado and microgreens.
6. Build sandwich and repeat! Slice and serve.

With these tips and this tasty recipe, you can help to start off your autumn routine feeling more energetic and ready to face each day.

To find Eggland’s Best eggs near you, plus more recipe inspiration, visit EgglandsBest.com.

2025-07-31T09:01:00

(BPT) – Children spend anywhere from 800 to 1,100 hours at school each year. For those with food allergies, that time comes with added risks. From cafeteria meals to classroom snacks, the risk of a food allergy exposure is an everyday concern.

And with good reason: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 13 children — roughly two per classroom — are affected by food allergies. Of those, 42% have experienced at least one severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis. For children at risk, even a small exposure can be life-threatening.

The good news? With the right preparation, you can help your child manage food allergies with care and consistency. Discover how to educate, plan and confidently communicate with school staff and other parents to support your child throughout the school year.

Awareness and education are key

What is a food allergy? Simply put, it’s an allergic reaction that occurs after eating a food allergen. Your body’s immune system mistakenly responds to a certain food as if it were a harmful germ, causing an allergic reaction.

In children, the most common food allergies are to peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, fin fish and shellfish.

A serious allergic reaction involves two or more body organs — the skin, lungs, stomach and/or heart. Symptoms may include:

• Hives on the skin, sometimes on several parts of the body
• Shortness of breath, wheezing, repetitive cough
• Tightness in the throat, hoarse, trouble swallowing
• Swelling of the tongue, lips or throat
• Stomach discomfort such as abdominal cramps, diarrhea or vomiting
• Blood pressure changes
• Pale, faint, dizzy, confused

Epinephrine is the only medication that can stop anaphylaxis. Administer it as soon as possible. Remember the rule: “Epinephrine First, Epinephrine Fast.”

10 tips for a safe school year

Here are 10 essential tasks to help ensure your child with food allergies is safe, supported and included at school.

1. Schedule a back-to-school health checkup. Obtain updated medication forms, epinephrine prescriptions and an emergency care plan. Discuss whether new food allergy therapies — such as biologics — might offer added protection in case of accidental exposure.
2. Meet with school staff. Discuss food allergy accommodations in the cafeteria and classroom. Review the emergency plan. This is especially important if your child starts a new school.
3. Teach your child how to stay safe. Help your child recognize signs of an allergic reaction and understand when and how to ask for help. Make sure your child knows who to turn to and what steps to take in an emergency.
4. Be ready for the first day of school. Submit all required school health forms, drop off your child’s epinephrine and share a copy of the emergency care plan.
5. Pack allergy-safe meals and snacks. Make sure your child only eats what is safe based on his or her dietary restrictions.
6. Plan for snacks and special events. Confirm school policies for snack times and meals during field trips. Encourage no sharing of food.
7. Ensure epinephrine is easy to access. Find out if the school stocks epinephrine, where it’s stored, and if the staff is trained to administer it in an emergency. Remember, your child is permitted by law to self-carry an epinephrine device.
8. Address bullying and exclusion. Talk with your child about speaking up if they are being excluded, teased or bullied due to food allergies. Encourage talking with a trusted adult.
9. Check in with your child. Make it a habit to ask your child how things are going at school, including if there’s any difficulty managing food allergies.
10. Keep the conversation going. Communication between home and school is key. Keep teachers, school nurses and staff informed of any changes in your child’s health or needs.

Food allergies don’t have to get in the way of a safe, fun school year. With a little planning and teamwork, you can help your child thrive in and out of the classroom. For more information, tools and resources, visit AllergyAsthmaNetwork.org.

2025-07-30T16:25:00

(BPT) – Do you have a middle schooler begging for their first phone? It’s not surprising given that 70% of kids get their first phone by age 12.

If you’re anxious about the idea of giving your child their first phone and the freedom that comes with it, you’re not alone. In many ways, it may feel like you’re letting them out into the digital unknown without a driver’s license. However, no matter when you decide to take the plunge, you have the power to make the experience a positive one.

“A child’s first phone is an important milestone for families,” said Dr. Jacqueline Nesi, a psychologist who specializes in the impact of digital technology on kids’ well-being. “This milestone moment calls for ‘straight talk’ — that is, honest, direct conversations between parents and children about technology use. It’s the perfect opportunity to lay the groundwork for healthy digital habits in the future.”

As you get ready for the fall school year, add establishing smartphone ground rules with your children to the list. To help you start this conversation, check out Dr. Nesi’s five essential first phone rules.

Rule 1: Create phone-free zones

There’s a time and place for phones. Before you give your child their first phone, establish phone-free zones and times. For example, you may decide that bedrooms and the dinner table are phone-free zones. You can also designate times of day, like homework time or an hour before bed, as phone-free time. Establishing these expectations can help your child focus on being present and lay the groundwork for lifelong digital well-being.

Rule 2: Set clear screen time boundaries

Establish daily and/or weekly screen time limits, including a bedtime cutoff for tech use. Once you’ve established these times and limits, remember to stick to these boundaries.

How much screentime to give your child will depend on a few factors like their age, schoolwork load, extracurricular activities and family responsibilities. Keep in mind that these limits shouldn’t be set in stone. As they get older, you can revisit screen time limits and adjust accordingly.

Rule 3: Establish app approval process

Respecting your child’s privacy while monitoring their phone activity can be challenging. However, parental controls can help you make sure your child is using their phone safely and accessing age-appropriate content.

For example, using parental controls, you can set up an app approval process. Some apps may allow you to restrict in-app purchases and content, giving you peace of mind.

Rule 4: Define consequences before problems arise

Don’t wait until phone use issues crop up. Get ahead by having a frank conversation with your children about the consequences for ignoring the rules. Work with your child to establish “logical consequences,” or ones that make sense based on the behavior in question. For example, if your child is ignoring screen time rules for a certain app, you might consider temporarily limiting access to that app.

And don’t forget to notice when they’re following the rules, too! Make it a habit to notice and praise responsible, respectful phone use.

Rule 5: Pay attention to your own digital habits

We know that parents’ digital habits play an important role in shaping their children’s phone behavior. So, pay close attention to what you’re modeling, and ensure you’re allowing plenty of time for phone-free time together with your child.

Start the conversation today

Use these five rules as a starting place for establishing your family’s phone agreement. Consider using the “First Phone Pact” made by Dr. Nesi in collaboration with Straight Talk Wireless — a leading prepaid brand covered by Verizon’s 5G network — as a roadmap for this discussion. The simple fill-in-the-blank prompts and multiple-choice answers help you build a phone pact together, establishing boundaries that work for your family.

Add a phone to your back-to-school supplies list

If you’re ready to buy your child their first phone, take advantage of the following Straight Talk Wireless deals before Oct. 19, 2025.

• Samsung A26: $99 (save $100) with $55+ monthly plan
• iPhone Options: $50 off iPhone 14, 15, 15+, 15 Pro and 16e with $55+ plan activation
• Moto G 5G (128GB): FREE with $55+ plan activation (new lines or upgrades)
• Plan details: $55 monthly plans include unlimited talk, text and data

The downloadable First Phone Pact template is available in English and Spanish. For more information, visit thefirstphonepact.com.

2025-07-30T09:01:01

(BPT) – Money is on the mind: Americans are spending nearly 4 hours a day thinking about money, according to new research from Empower, a financial services company. That’s the equivalent of a part-time job, but nearly half (45%) say it motivates them to take action to reach their long-term goals.

Time spent thinking about money by generation

• Gen Z: 4.82 hours/day
• Millennials: 4.73 hours/day
• Gen X: 3.74 hours/day
• Boomers: 2.4 hours/day

More than half (54%) say they’re thinking about money more often than they did last year.

What are people thinking about? For most, it’s quality of life considerations: bills (57%), inflation and rising prices (51%), housing costs (34%), debt (30%), tariffs (28%), and retirement savings (24%).

In fact, a majority (55%) of Americans say they think about their retirement weekly, or daily (27%). One in 4 (22%) high-income earners have retirement on the mind multiple times a day.

Checking in – and in

People are not just thinking about finances — they’re checking in, and in. Nearly one-fifth of the population (17%) checks their financial accounts, including credit cards and investments, multiple times per day, and a quarter (24%) checks their bank account daily. Keeping a close eye is more common among younger adults: 24% of Gen Z and 21% of Millennials monitor accounts several times a day, compared to just 10% of Boomers.

“In an era of 24/7 economic headlines, it’s no surprise that money is dominating our daily thoughts,” said Rebecca Rickert, head of communications and consumer insights at Empower. “But here’s the silver lining: We’re seeing a real shift from passive worry to proactive behavior. People are motivated. They’re looking for tools, information, and advice to turn that energy into progress.”

The time of day matters, too. Gen Z is most likely to think about money in the late afternoon, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., whereas Millennials and Gen X report an uptick in financial thoughts between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., when the day slows down.

When money keeps Americans up at night

Over a third of Americans (36%) say they lose sleep over financial worries, and for Millennials, that number jumps to 44%. Boomers report sleeping better: Just 24% say money keeps them up at night.

Even during the day, 38% say money-related thoughts interfere with their ability to focus, and close to 2 in 5 say it strains relationships with friends and family (38%). In fact, over half (53%) say they’re feeling financial stress more acutely than ever (62% Gen X, 41% Baby Boomers).

But there’s a flip side: Motivation

One third (33%) are thinking about how to grow their money, and how to achieve long-term security (30%). Some 35% say they actively work to improve their financial situation when these thoughts arise, with Millennials among the most proactive (40%).

These actions are paying off. One in 5 (20%) respondents report significantly improving their credit score. Another 20% have paid off meaningful debt, created a successful budget (19%) or spending plan (19%).

Seeking information and advice

With money top of mind, Americans are searching for insights they can trust. About 1 in 5 people seek out financial news multiple times a week, and nearly half say that trusted financial information helps them make smarter decisions (41%). High-income earners report they are seeking out financial news and insights at least once per day (31%). A third of respondents say that talking with a financial advisor helps clarify their thinking around money and financial goals (33%).

Notably, younger adults are leading the way in financial curiosity. Millennials, in particular, value financial education — 52% say they place a high importance on financial insights and news (46% overall). More than half say they follow financial news to stay informed. Inflation and cost of living (49%) are the top topics people are researching, followed closely by budgeting (35%), saving (35%), and broader economic forecasts (27%).

What would help ease the pressure?

When asked what would reduce their financial stress, nearly half said a higher income (47%) would ease their worries, while 45% pointed to lower living expenses. Broader economic improvements (29%), debt elimination (28%), and a larger emergency fund (24%) were also top responses. Notably, almost 1 in 5 (18%) people said a detailed financial plan would go a long way toward helping them feel better about their finances (25% Gen Z, 23% Millennials).

To keep up with rising costs and financial anxiety, Americans are cutting back: 53% have reduced dining out; 46% are buying fewer non-essentials; 40% are scaling back entertainment; 39% are postponing travel or vacations; 33% are canceling subscription services; 29% are passing on social activities with friends.

Nearly 1 in 4 adjust their spending habits every month due to financial concerns, and 17% recalibrate weekly.

Money mindset: Focus on the future

Americans can’t stop thinking about their finances, but for many, it’s because they are dreaming of a bright future. Nearly half of Americans (47%) say they feel confident they will reach their financial goals.

Methodology

Empower’s “Money on the Mind” study is based on online survey responses from 2,206 Americans ages 18+ fielded by a third-party panel provider from June 10-12, 2025. The survey is weighted to be nationally representative of U.S. adults.

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