Category: Brandpoint Lifestyle

2026-02-02T13:51:00

(BPT) – Key takeaways

• George Washington reportedly couldn’t tell a lie, but can you tell fact from fiction about this president?
• Washington was more soft-spoken and less truthful than you might expect.
• Read on for facts about his life, decisions, offspring — or lack thereof — and death.

As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday this year, award-winning author Stephen Yoch’s research has revealed several interesting facts about President George Washington.

1. Washington was strong in stature, weak in voice

There are many well-known paintings of Washington. The museum at Mount Vernon displays a painstakingly accurate facial reconstruction to definitively show his appearance during his lifetime. He was quite tall at 6 foot 3 inches (which makes him equivalent to 6 foot 9 inches today), but he lacked the commanding voice one might expect from a military leader.

“We all imagine Washington as a strapping guy who had a voice to match,” said Yoch. “But Washington suffered from pleurisy — a viral infection that causes an inflammation in the lining of the lungs — as a child and because of this he spoke in a high, weak and breathy voice.”

Washington’s contemporaries often described him as soft-spoken. Yoch says this undoubtedly came from this high voice and his teeth, which gave him the habit of keeping his mouth closed to hide their appearance and the bad breath that comes with tooth decay.

As is often the case with past presidents, Washington would have struggled in the modern era. “Certainly his dental problems could be corrected,” said Yoch, “but his quiet demeanor and high voice would not have played well in our modern 24/7 news cycle.”

2. Is it a fact that Washington couldn’t tell a lie?

One of the great legends of the nation’s first president was created by biographer Parson Weems. In his account, George Washington chops down a cherry tree and later admits the act to his father, claiming he “cannot tell a lie.” According to author Stephen Yoch, not only is this story made up, but it’s also in direct contrast to young Washington’s behavior.

Yoch says there’s a pattern throughout Washington’s life of claiming victory but blaming others for defeat. “It’s difficult for many people to accept this reality given the legend concocted by Parson Weems relating to the Cherry Tree,” says Yoch. “But the truth that Washington lied and blamed others for his own failure is irrefutable. His lies and willingness to blame others moved his military career forward.”

3. Washington’s worst decision nearly spelled disaster for the Revolution

George Washington was indispensable in the Revolution. Without him, the army may not have achieved victory. His willingness to repeatedly give up power — including the return of his commission to Congress and later stepping down as President — makes him one of the most laudable figures in world history.

Yet, Washington made a catastrophic blunder, appointing Benedict Arnold as the commander of American forces in Philadelphia. Arnold was placed in charge of a city locked in turmoil and led by radicals that opposed the Continental Army. This act, as much as any other, could have meant the failure of the Revolution and Washington’s death, if not for Washington’s luck.

Washington would say “the hand of providence” saved him from his worst mistake and Arnold’s plot was foiled.

4. The father of our country had no children of his own

By the time the Revolution ended, the “father of our country” was father to no one. In a draft of Washington’s first inaugural address, he wrote: “Divine providence hath not seen fit that my blood should be transmitted, or my name perpetuated by the enduring, though sometimes seducing, channel of immediate offspring. I have no child for whom I could wish to make a provision — no family to build in greatness upon my country’s ruins.”

As Yoch notes, “This may have been a fortunate happenstance, as many called for him to be America’s new king. His lack of children allowed him to truly act in the country’s best interests and sealed his legacy as ‘first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.'”

5. Did Washington die peacefully?

After a life of action and harrowing battles, George Washington died peacefully in his bed at Mount Vernon. Or so many school children are taught. In reality, the nation’s first president died a slow and bloody death that was far from a pleasant end of life.

Yoch says the founding father was a lifelong believer in “bleeding” (removing blood) as a medical treatment to balance body humors. “Because of this, Washington and his physicians virtually guaranteed his death by excessive bleeding,” explained Yoch.

For more information on George Washington’s life as well as the life of other historical figures like Benedict Arnold, visit Yoch.com.

Historical fiction writer Stephen Yoch is based in Minneapolis/St. Paul. He is the author of “Becoming George Washington” and “Becoming Benedict Arnold.”

2026-02-06T09:01:00

(BPT) – Power outages have always been part of life, but today they are lasting longer, happening more frequently and hitting harder in places that once saw little extreme weather.

Severe storms are also knocking out local infrastructure for days or even weeks, exposing the limits of an aging electric grid. At the same time, rising electricity demand from data centers is adding strain, creating a system in which outages are becoming harder to predict and slower to resolve.

Electric customers can’t control storms or aging equipment, but they can control how exposed their household is when the power grid fails.

Backup power is evolving

For a long time, backup power meant a clunky gas generator and a plan to keep only a few essentials running. That image doesn’t match homes today, where critical electrical needs spread across the entire house and its devices. Whole-home backup batteries are emerging as a more resilient approach, designed to power the home as a whole and manage it intelligently.

This shift extends beyond emergencies to bring greater control and clearer insight into energy use. A 2025 research study found that 60% of U.S. households are interested in tools like smart appliances and energy-efficient products to monitor and reduce energy use. Electricity prices have climbed, and homeowners want visibility into where power is going and how to lower the bill. Whole-home backup, especially when paired with solar and smart controls, can provide those insights.

A new kind of smart whole-home backup

Instead of outdoor generators and a tangle of extension cords, more homeowners are turning to battery-based systems that can keep their entire home running and, in some cases, work alongside rooftop solar.

EcoFlow is one of the companies responding to that reality. Its DELTA Pro Ultra X is an easy-to-install, whole-home backup power station that can work alongside solar, battery storage and generators, offering homeowners a powerful alternative when the grid goes down. With a capacity that scales to days of backup power, the system is built to support extended outages rather than short interruptions. When paired with EcoFlow’s Smart Home Panel 3, it can switch over from grid power in a matter of milliseconds, and automatically adjust how energy is sourced and used as conditions change.

The real upgrade is control at the device level

EcoFlow is addressing another familiar smart-home problem: nothing “talks” to anything else. Many battery systems still manage outages at the circuit level, which can force unwanted tradeoffs when every watt matters. For example, if a kitchen circuit includes both a main refrigerator and a wine fridge, you may want the main refrigerator running and the wine fridge shut down. However, circuit-only control can’t make that distinction.

“We’re entering a new era of home energy, one where independence depends on systems and devices working together, not in silos,” said Jenny Zhang, President of EcoFlow’s Residential Business. “Our goal is to lay the interoperable foundation homeowners need to manage energy intelligently, adapt in real time and stay resilient no matter the state of the grid.”

EcoFlow is leaning into this need for granularity with its Smart Home Energy Management System, which coordinates solar generation, home batteries, household circuits and compatible devices onto a single platform. The point is practical control in an emergency, with clearer visibility into where power is going and more flexibility to decide what stays online as conditions change.

To expand that device-level compatibility, EcoFlow and more than 15 other brands have formed the EcoFlow Ecosystem Alliance, an effort to make energy and smart-home gear more interoperable. Homey, part of LG Electronics, recently reached an agreement with EcoFlow to deepen integration between Homey’s Energy Dongle and EcoFlow’s Smart Home Energy Management System.

Preparedness should not feel extreme

Whole-home backup is becoming a practical answer to a simple question: What happens when the grid can’t deliver? For some homeowners, the case is obvious; for everyone else, the combination of aging infrastructure, growing demand and unpredictable disruptions is making the question worth asking before the next outage.

To learn more about EcoFlow’s whole-home backup solutions and the Ecosystem Alliance, visit EcoFlow.com.

2026-02-05T17:31:00

(BPT) – Key takeaways:

• Sports fans are looking for game day appetizer ideas to wow their guests for watch parties, tailgating and homegating for the Big Game and beyond.
• Ranch dressing is an increasingly popular choice for fans looking to enhance their game day dips and dunks.
• Litehouse Homestyle Ranch Dressing & Dip is perfect for dipping, dunking and drizzling for crowd-pleasers like wings, pizza and Ranch Guacamole Bites (recipe included).

From the Big Game to upcoming winter sports and plenty of heart-pounding soccer action, 2026 could be called the “year of the sports.” To celebrate these thrilling events, sports fans everywhere are searching for tasty recipe ideas for their watch party get-togethers.

And what’s the most important ingredient to add to your game day shopping list? Ranch dressing, of course.

How popular is ranch dressing?

The stats are clear: According to a 2026 Instacart survey, ranch dressing is ordered 53% more often nationwide than the second most popular dip (French onion). Ranch dressing also tops the list of most popular condiments, second only to mayonnaise.

Some suggest that ranch may now be even more popular than beer. While the iconic American dressing keeps getting more popular, drinking is on the downswing. Almost half of Americans planned to drink less last year, a trend that’s especially gaining ground among younger adults.

To commemorate its relative rise in popularity, Litehouse has created a fun “six-pack” for their Ranch Dressing, along with the slogan: “Thanks, Beer, We’ll Take it from Here.” This six-pack makes the perfect vehicle to bring America’s No. 1 Refrigerated Ranch Dressing Brand* to any Big Game gathering.

How can you use ranch for game day appetizers?

Litehouse Homestyle Ranch Dressing & Dip is perfect for dipping, dunking and drizzling on easy-to-make crowd favorites including any kind of chips, an array of cut-up veggies and even pizza. Enjoy spicy foods? Ranch dressing offers a cool, creamy contrast to game day MVPs like buffalo chicken wings or bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers.

You can also try some of these other options, which all taste even better with ranch:

• Potato skins
• Soft pretzels
• Mozzarella sticks
• Fried pickles
• Stuffed jalapenos
• French fries

Best yet, Litehouse Homestyle Ranch is refrigerated, so it’s always cold and closely mimics that restaurant style ranch dressing flavor that many love. You can find it in grocery stores across the United States in the produce section, right where you’re picking up carrots, celery and other veggies to fill up your snack tray.

2026-02-05T13:01:00

(BPT) – Après season is officially here, and Sun Cruiser is celebrating the moments of sun-soaked winter fun we all know and love. The best winter memories aren’t just made on the slopes. They happen in the laid-back, in-between moments with your crew, whether you’re thawing out at the lodge, settling in after a long day in the snow, or keeping the party going. Winter proves that downtime hits just as hard as the action, and it’s even better with a Sun Cruiser in hand.

Made with real vodka and real ingredients, Sun Cruiser is smooth enough to sip while you’re still buzzing from your last run and made for the moments when you’re ready to unwind and warm up. And now it’s easier than ever to pair with winter fun, as Sun Cruiser pops up at some of your favorite winter destinations.

Partnerships Built on Shared Stoke

This winter, Sun Cruiser is bringing the good times to some of the country’s most iconic mountain destinations, built for both action and après. At Steamboat in Colorado, Deer Valley Resort in Utah, Mammoth Mountain and Big Bear Mountain Resort in California, and Sunday River Ski Resort in Maine, adventure-lovers and lodge loungers alike can pair their winter moments with Sun Cruiser, while enjoying music, sampling and more fan experiences brought to you by the brand — all happening slopeside to bring a little extra fun to the season.

Beyond the mountains, Sun Cruiser is reaching fans of ski and snow culture through a new partnership with Teton Gravity Research, the leading lifestyle brand in action sports, as its official canned alcohol partner. Sun Cruiser is integrated across TGR’s year-round programming, including its signature ski film, sweepstakes, social content, athlete collaborations and more.

A New Flavor for Your Rotation

Sun Cruiser is expanding its lineup of vodka lemonades with its new Blueberry Lemonade flavor, available now. Made with real vodka and real lemonade, it delivers the same refreshing, easy-sipping profile fans love, now with a bright blueberry finish. With just 1 gram of sugar, 100 calories, and 4.5% ABV per 12 oz. serving, it’s light, crisp, and the perfect addition to your winter lineup.

For those who don’t want to choose between iced tea or lemonade, Sun Cruiser is making it easier than ever to explore its fan-favorite flavors with the all-new Sampler Variety Pack featuring Classic Iced Tea, Half & Half, Pink Lemonade, and Classic Lemonade in a convenient 12-pack. No matter which flavor you reach for, Sun Cruiser is made to carry you through every season, from winter sunsets to hot summer days.

Whether you’re on or off the mountain, Sun Cruiser is there for the moments that matter — when the adventure winds down and the good times keep cruising.

Please drink responsibly. Learn more at Responsibility.org.

2026-02-05T11:15:00

(BPT) – Just as maintaining a smooth golf swing or preparing for competitive winter sports requires precision, timing and consistency, proper car care does too. A golfer knows that every detail, from grip to stance, affects performance, much like a skier fine-tunes every movement on the course. Similarly, your car needs that same attention to detail: regular maintenance, the right tires for the season and a bit of polish to keep it in top form. Whether it’s a finely waxed race ski, a gleaming car engine or a “pre-shot routine” on your next 18-hole endeavor, performance thrives where maintenance meets passion.

As golf events like Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL) and international winter sports begin new competitions, Hankook Tire’s latest Gauge Index Survey takes a fun look at how Americans view the perfect drive.

Winter Driving Deserves Recognition

With international competition top of mind, Americans are weighing in on which driving skills should earn competitive status. Nearly half (44%) of Americans believe driving through snow or ice deserves its own sporting event, given the level of driving precision and requisite ability to navigate inclement weather. Nearly as many Americans (42%) consider parallel parking a worthy driving skill. Much like the biathlon, drivers must be able to glide in smoothly, stop precisely, avoid panicking under pressure and nail the one moment that really counts.

Drivers also want to see tires take on the snow or ice-covered grounds. More than one-quarter of Americans (28%) would want to see a snow-adventure-themed driving event where driver and vehicle compete across a series of winter elements designed to test traction, handling and, of course, speed. One-quarter (25%) of drivers also expressed enthusiasm for a drifting stage, designed to test the limits of car control, where careful throttle or steering inputs on a surface that demands precision and can separate gold-level performance from DNF.

How do everyday drivers compare themselves to the professionals? When it comes to their own competitive abilities, nearly one-fifth of drivers (18%) rate their winter driving skills at an elite level, demonstrating complete confidence in any driving condition. However, the majority (39%) place themselves at a “National Team” level — competent and prepared, but realistic about their limits. Millennial drivers are the most confident, with 22% claiming elite winter driving prowess, compared with just 11% among Boomers.

From the Race Course to the Golf Course

The competitive spirit carries over to the golf course, where driving takes on a different meaning. Most drivers (41%) say their behavior behind the wheel of a golf cart mirrors how they drive a regular car, suggesting that safety-conscious habits often translate from fairways to freeways.

That said, thoughtful “course management” isn’t universal, as nearly one-quarter (24%) admit they play a more aggressive game behind the wheel of a golf cart, pushing higher speeds and braking harder than they’d attempt on the road. A smaller population may benefit from an “all-terrain” option on their cart, as 7% of players venture off the paved path in search of their errant shot, only to get their cart stuck in the process.

A sport defined by centuries-old tradition is now embracing a new era of expression: while a quarter (25%) of drivers still favor classic whitewall tires that mirror golf’s enduring reverence for heritage, nearly as many (23%) are drawn to bold, colorful options — reflecting the influence of modern, high-energy formats like TGL that invite personalization and a more dynamic on-course experience.

As Hankook Tire serves as the first-ever Official Tire Sponsor and co-Founding Partner of TGL, the Gauge Index Survey findings underscore Americans’ desire to see different forms of competition at the highest level. Whether competing on an international race track or advancing to the 18th hole, drivers want tires engineered for performance, safety and reliability, and Hankook is committed to supporting the precision and passion that define American drivers.

2026-02-02T14:23:00

(BPT) – National Pizza Day is just around the corner, a delicious celebration of America’s all-time favorite food. Many cities across the nation have their own signature take on the savory slice — from Detroit’s crust crunch to New York’s champagne water pizza dough to Chicago’s deep dish.

Pizza’s legendary status has inspired bold variations, including BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse‘s unique California twist. Since 1978, the restaurant’s award-winning pizzas have served as a catalyst for bringing friends, family and communities together to share a good time over a great slice.

Now, for the first time in 47 years — and just in time for National Pizza Day — BJ’s has reimagined its beloved pizza from the ground up, reengineering every element of the recipe to deliver a new, elevated experience for its guests. It’s the perfect slice to savor to celebrate the country’s most beloved bite.

Honoring legacy with tasty innovation

How do you remix a classic? For BJ’s, it means walking a fine line between honoring its past while looking to the future.

“It’s undeniable that pizza is the cornerstone of BJ’s legacy,” said Lyle Tick, chief executive officer and president of BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. “From our very first deep-dish slice in 1978, pizza has been at the heart of everything we do. This relaunch is about honoring the artisanal legacy that built BJ’s reputation while taking it to the next level.”

To stoke the oven of inspiration, BJ’s culinary team traveled coast to coast for a deep dive into the different styles of pizza beloved by so many. The result? A California original that remixes the best influences from pizza’s most iconic cities.

Because Chicago’s signature pie is what started it all, BJ’s has turned up the heat on this legendary pizza with these exciting new features:

• Hand-pressed, double-proofed dough for a crispier bite
• Whole milk mozzarella for a richer melt and creamier texture
• Fresh-pack tomato sauce for a brighter, bolder flavor
• Sausage roasted in-house for a zesty zing
• Cup and char pepperoni for a savory punch of craveability

You can also indulge in a mouth-watering lineup of signature creations that take familiar favorites to the next level — like the all-new Epic Five Meat and Pepperoni Extreme. Don’t forget to try classics such as the BJ’s Favorite and Classic Combo. From indulgent selections like Chicken Bacon Ranch and Barbeque Chicken to lighter choices such as Vegetarian or a full customizable Build Your Own, BJ’s offers something for every pizza lover.

Time recipes with elevated flavors to bring folks together

BJ’s creative remix of the legendary pies from across the country offers a bold and unforgettable experience.

“We’re giving guests a pizza experience that’s authentically BJ’s — bold, unforgettable and uniquely our own,” said Tick.

“California has always been about blending influences and remixing traditions into something bold and new, and BJ’s pizza is no different,” said Tick. “We’ve taken the best from New York’s water, Chicago’s deep dish and Detroit’s signature crunch, and remixed them into a California original. BJ’s doesn’t play favorites — we celebrate all the great pizza traditions in one legendary creation. This is the remix we’ve all been waiting for.”

On National Pizza Day and every Monday throughout the year, enjoy any large deep dish pizza for $19.99. To find your nearest BJ’s Restaurant location to enjoy these reimagined icons, visit BJsRestaurant.com.

2026-01-30T14:01:01

(BPT) – Picture living with severe pelvic pain so intense that it interferes with your work, school, time with family, daily life — pain that worsens every month, accompanied by heavy bleeding, fatigue and symptoms that ripple through every aspect of your day. You know something is wrong. Yet tests come back normal, and questions remain unanswered. You’re told you have cystitis, IBS, lower-back issues — or worse, that what you’re experiencing is just part of being a woman.

That’s the reality for many women living with endometriosis.

That includes Stephanie Stokes, a 19-year-old College of Charleston student majoring in International Business. Stokes had long lived with heavy, painful periods and severe recurring bladder pain that she thought was caused by urinary tract infections.

“Everything hit a boiling point last summer. My entire pelvic floor from that point on was giving me such constant severe pain that I’d often collapse,” she said. “It was painful to urinate, and every waking moment felt like daggers were constantly shifting in my body. Constantly fatigued, my mind fuzzy from constant pain every day, life became extraordinarily difficult.”

Those reminders that something was very wrong were robbing her of her joy. Strong-willed and driven, she has big dreams, goals and many passions — the arts, astronomy, learning languages. Though even when she felt like collapsing in pain, she did her best to make it to classes and her job at an upscale King Street boutique in Charleston.

She had no idea what was physically happening to her and started making the rounds to doctors she hoped could help.

“At first, I was going to urgent care frequently, thinking maybe I had just a bad UTI that wouldn’t kick,” she explained. “But when tests came back negative, the urgent care physicians decided, after my fifth visit, to send me to a urology clinic not affiliated with MUSC. The urologist would not listen to me and was extremely dismissive.”

Months later, she asked yet another urologist, who found nothing, to refer her to a gynecologist.

“How could all these tests show nothing? I began to research my symptoms, and then I found ‘endometriosis.’ I knew that was what was wrong with me. I began to get even worse — the pain got so bad I would lie on my bathroom floor crying, shaking from pain. I felt like I was trapped. I went to see the gynecologist; she dismissed endometriosis. I cried for hours.”

Endometriosis is a complex, systemic disease that affects millions of women, yet it remains widely misunderstood, underdiagnosed and undertreated. Each month, the endometrial tissue that grows inside the uterus is meant to shed during menstruation. For women with endometriosis, however, tissue similar to the endometrial lining of the uterus can implant on other organs — the ovaries, fallopian tubes, exterior of the uterus, bladder and bowels — triggering severe pain, chronic fatigue, changes in bowel or bladder habits and pain with intercourse. It can also cause infertility. Endometriosis is often associated with other health conditions, including autoimmune disorders, like lupus and multiple sclerosis; Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; and fibromyalgia.

Stokes’ case reflects a broader reality. Many patients wait years, sometimes decades, for accurate diagnoses — for a doctor who will listen and take their concerns seriously.

But Stokes finally met one who believes that women not only deserve appropriate care but care that requires specialized training, advanced surgical expertise and knowing when — and how — to listen. She found that doctor at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Women’s Health, which was No. 16 in the nation in the 2025–2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings.

MUSC Women’s Health has brought together a team of experts equipped to manage complex benign gynecological conditions, including chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, cysts, infertility and polyps. It also specializes in caring for patients with complex surgical or medical histories.

Stokes’ surgeon, Courtney Poston, M.D., brings a highly specialized skill set to the team. She is fellowship-trained in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, having completed two years of advanced training beyond her residency. That expertise allows her to use both traditional laparoscopic and robotic techniques to diagnose and treat complex conditions like endometriosis using smaller incisions — an approach that can mean less pain, faster recovery and improved outcomes for patients.

“Heavy, painful periods aren’t normal, and we should stop tolerating people telling us they are,” said Poston. “If you’re seeing somebody for your symptoms and you feel like those symptoms aren’t being addressed, I’m happy to talk to you. You don’t have to convince me your pain is real, or your bleeding is real. I believe you.”

Those three words — “I believe you” — meant the world to Stokes. “I finally met Dr. Poston, who, from the get-go, always seemed to understand me and know what was going on. And she wholeheartedly believed I had endometriosis.”

A common disease hiding in plain sight

Endometriosis affects more than 11% of U.S. women between the ages of 15 and 44, Poston explained, although the actual number may be much higher due to underdiagnosis. It takes, on average, seven to 10 years for a woman to be diagnosed with endometriosis, and Poston said some patients have gone 30 to 40 years without a diagnosis.

Historically, she said, endometriosis was treated with a hysterectomy and removal of the ovaries, an approach that is no longer considered effective. Other traditional treatments were overly invasive or failed to address the disease. “Many women report being told by physicians to ‘just get pregnant’ as treatment for endometriosis,” said Poston. “Not only is that not a treatment, but it doesn’t address the problem at its source — and furthermore, it can make pregnancy difficult or even impossible.”

According to Poston, today’s advanced surgical techniques allow surgeons to diagnose endometriosis using a small camera, obtain tissue samples for evaluation and treat the disease by precisely removing lesions through the small incisions.

Outpatient surgical treatment

Thanks to advanced surgical approaches like Poston’s, patients who have endured years or even decades of pain and discomfort can experience positive results in just hours through outpatient surgery, returning home afterward and resuming a normal life within weeks.

In late December, Poston removed endometriosis from around Stokes’ bladder, colon and pelvis adjacent to her uterus and ovaries.

“Stephanie is young and healthy,” explained Poston. “She was discharged the same day. Her recovery has been uncomplicated, and her pain has significantly improved.”

Poston encourages all women to seek care for symptoms, even if other physicians dismissed them.

“Painful, heavy periods, pain around the time of ovulation, feeling dizzy or light-headed, nausea, vomiting, feeling bloated around your period — patients are widely told these things are normal and expected, but none of that is normal,” Poston said. “It’s important to investigate and determine what’s going on. It takes a trained eye to recognize these things and appropriately address them in the operating room.”

Stokes is grateful she found the right doctor — one committed to listening and believing. One with advanced training.

“Truly, Dr. Poston changed my life. My whole life, I have lived in pain, and thanks to her, I get to experience life through a brighter lens,” she said. “So to all women who have been told that it’s just your period. It’s normal. Or just ‘suck it up,’ you don’t have to live your life suffering. Many doctors won’t take you seriously. But keep fighting. There is hope.”

Learn more about expert women’s health care at MUSCHealth.org/medical-services/womens.

2026-01-30T09:01:00

(BPT) – Have you ever bought milk and by the time you are ready to use it a few days or even a week later, it has expired? Your family can enjoy this delicious, nutrient-rich drink in a more convenient form. The next time you’re at the grocery store, skip the refrigerated section and head to the shelves where you’ll find shelf-stable milk.

Shelf-stable milk sounds like a contradiction, but thanks to a combination of ultra-high temperature (UHT) treatment and sterile aseptic packaging, it can be stored unopened at room temperature for months at a time. Read on to discover a few benefits of buying and drinking shelf-stable milk and why this should be the year you make the switch.

Save space in your fridge

One of the most obvious but important benefits of buying shelf-stable milk is, well, its shelf stability! Once you buy the milk, you can store it in your pantry until you’re ready to open and pour it or use it in a recipe. Not only can you save space in your refrigerator until you are ready to use it, shelf-stable milk means you can buy multiple cartons at once, saving you extra trips to the grocery store.

Reduce food waste

Have you ever bought milk, but had to throw it away because it expired before you were ready to use it? It’s frustrating to say the least. However, with shelf-stable milk, it can stay safe and delicious for months before opening without the need for refrigeration or preservatives, reducing your food waste and saving you money.

You may not know it by name, but you’ve seen aseptic packaging at your grocery store. Many protein drinks, soups and broths come in aseptic cartons like those made by Tetra Pak. The unique packaging design protects the product inside from air and light, so the milk can be stored at room temperature for six months or more when unopened.

Pack and carry with ease

Whether you’re going on a picnic, heading to a playdate or just need a drink on the go, shelf-stable milk’s convenient packaging allows you to pack and carry it with ease. The aseptic cartons make it easy to pack into a lunchbox or your backpack, keeping the milk safe to transport without a cooler bag or special care.

Enjoy the same great nutrients in a different package

A common misconception about shelf-stable milk is that it doesn’t have the same nutrients as other types of milk. However, shelf-stable milk is processed using a UHT method, which briefly pasteurizes the milk at 270-280 degrees Fahrenheit and is then immediately cooled, killing bacteria that can lead to spoiled milk. UHT does not change or degrade milk’s main nutrients, so your family can enjoy the same amount of calcium and vitamin D as milk that must be kept refrigerated.

Choose from a variety of formulations

Whether you’re lactose intolerant or prefer plant-based alternatives, you can pick from several types of shelf-stable milk products. They come in a variety of formulas, including lactose-free milk, oat milk and even chocolate milk. Buy one (or a few) and store them all in your pantry, cabinet, or travel bag.

Make the switch

Let 2026 be the year that you switch to shelf-stable milk. To learn more about how shelf-stable milk is processed and packaged, visit TetraPakusa.com.

2026-01-29T18:01:00

(BPT) – Key takeaways:

• Nine U.S. Army Soldier-athletes and coaches and two alternates will represent the country in more ways than one as they compete in bobsled, biathlon, Nordic combined and figure skating on the world stage.
• These Soldier-athletes are members of the U.S. Army’s World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), and apply the teamwork, discipline and resiliency learned in the Army to compete at the highest level.
• The Army has been training Soldier-athletes to compete on the world stage for more than 75 years and has sent more than 600 Soldier-athletes to compete, earning more than 120 medals across sports and disciplines.

Thousands of elite athletes are preparing to compete before the world in Italy. Among them are nine U.S. Army Soldier-athletes and coaches and two alternates who will represent the country in more ways than one.

For more than 75 years, the U.S. Army has sent more than 600 Soldier-athletes to compete on the world stage, earning more than 120 medals across various sports and disciplines. These Soldier-athletes are members of the U.S. Army’s World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), an elite group of competitors who apply the teamwork, discipline and resiliency learned in the Army to compete at the highest level.

Army history in Northern Italy

The backdrop of the competition is especially significant to these Soldier-athletes, as they honor the Army’s rich history in northern Italy and alpine warfare. The Army’s ties to this region date back to World War II, when the 10th Mountain Division — an elite alpine unit trained for mountain warfare — ascended critical terrain in northern Italy to secure a victory that shifted the momentum of the war. After returning home, many of these Soldiers went on to develop ski resorts nationwide that became the foundation of the modern ski industry.

U.S. Army Soldier-athletes and coaches competing in Milan

As the Army looks to make history in this region once again, meet the Soldier-athletes who are building on this legacy of success and putting their training to the test:

• Lt. Col. Chris Fogt, Lt. Col. Garrett Hines and Sgt. 1^st Class Shauna Rohbock lead bobsled for the U.S.

The Army’s presence extends beyond the athletes, as Lt. Col. Chris Fogt, Lt. Col. Garrett Hines and Sgt. 1st Class Shauna Rohbock serve as coaches for the United States’ bobsled team.

Fogt — an active-duty Soldier, three-time Games competitor, silver medalist and current Head Coach — is hoping to lead the next generation of USA bobsledders to a podium finish. In reflecting on his journey, he says, “My two dreams were to join the Army and to be an athlete […] and the Army’s support has allowed me to be successful in both.”

Rohbock, an active-duty Soldier and assistant bobsled coach, is a pioneer in the sport and a natural leader for the team. She is one of the first women to compete at the national level in bobsled, eventually earning the silver medal in the two-woman bobsled event in 2006. Hines, a reserve Soldier, will be coaching his second Games, drawing from his experience as a member of the U.S. four-man bobsled team that brought home the silver medal in 2002. He believes that one of the best aspects of sports is the team dynamic, which he also values as part of his broader Army experience.

• Staff Sgt. Deedra Irwin sets her eyes on a podium finish in biathlon

Vermont National Guard Soldier and biathlete Staff Sgt. Deedra Irwin will return to the world stage in February. This follows a historic performance in 2022 in Beijing, where she placed seventh in the 15-kilometer individual event, the highest ever for an American in the sport of biathlon.

Irwin secured her ticket to Milan at the 2025 Biathlon World Cup in Annecy-Le Grand Bornand, France, and now she hopes to bring the United States its first podium finish in biathlon — the only sport in which the country does not have a medal.

With history on the line, Irwin is mindful of how she prepares for the competition and stays present in the moment by listening to what her body needs. “I like to make sure I check in with my energy levels and mental state on race days. If I need a nap, I’m not afraid to take one, and if I need a dance party to calm my nerves, I play my music out loud!” What artists earn a spot on her playlist? She says, “I love my throwback party songs from the early 2000s! Beyoncé, David Guetta, Taio Cruz, Rihanna, Pitbull. The list goes on!”

• After injury, Pvt. Spencer Howe makes his Games debut in pairs figure skating

Active-duty Soldier Pvt. Spencer Howe will make history as the Army’s only Soldier-athlete to participate in pairs figure skating at the Games with his partner, Emily Chan. Howe’s journey to the world stage is a testament to the determination and resilience he learned throughout his Army training.

After suffering a shoulder injury in 2023, Howe underwent surgery and extensive physical therapy before returning to the ice. It was during this time that he learned about WCAP and enlisted in the Army as a Motor Transport Operator — successfully balancing his passion for service with elite competition.

After attending basic training, Howe continued to battle for a spot on the team — a journey that culminated with a nail-biting performance at the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in St. Louis. After a disappointing short program, the pair rallied with a strong free skate and secured the final pairs spot. Now with his eyes on Milan, Howe will tap into the determination he fostered in the Army to overcome his biggest competition yet.

• Bobsledder Spc. Azaria Hill continues a family legacy while paving the way for others

After being named to the team, active-duty Soldier and bobsledder Spc. Azaria Hill is not only continuing her family’s legacy of elite competition, but she is also representing the growing number of women making their mark on winter sports.

As a collegiate sprinter, Hill had her eyes set on competing on the world stage, hoping to follow in the footsteps of her mom, three-time track and field medalist Denean Howard-Hill. But after discovering bobsled — a sport that surprisingly has many similarities to track and field — Hill realized her talent and love for the sport and joined the Army in 2024 to continue pursuing elite competition while also serving her country.

At the Games, Hill will carry on her family’s history of competing at the highest level; however, this competition will look much different than the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles, when her mom won gold in track and field. Women now hold 47% of overall athlete quota spots at the Winter Games — a percentage that has doubled since 1984, symbolizing the rising presence of elite women athletes in international competition.

• Sgt. Ben Loomis attends his third Games in Nordic combined

Sgt. Ben Loomis will return to the world stage for his third appearance, after attending the 2018 and 2022 Games for Nordic combined, a sport that combines ski jumping with cross-country skiing. Loomis was introduced to the sport through his brother and grew to love the endurance of racing mixed with the adrenaline of the jumps.

As he prepares for his return to the Games, Loomis credits the Army with building the qualities and purpose to help him compete. “The honor, integrity and discipline required to be a Soldier directly improves my athletic career. The Army has given me a higher sense of purpose as an athlete and Soldier, and the privilege I have to represent the country as a Soldier-athlete is second to none.”

• Sgt. Frank Del Duca returns for his second Games in bobsled

Growing up in Maine, active-duty Soldier and bobsledder Sgt. Frank Del Duca always had a passion for winter sports, originally becoming a state champion in downhill slalom skiing during high school.

Del Duca attended a bobsled combine in 2015, and after earning one of the highest scores of the group, he kicked off his career in the sport. He joined the Army in 2019 to continue training within WCAP, and the effort paid off with him making his Games debut in 2022 in Beijing.

Del Duca qualified for his second appearance with the goal of leading the United States to a podium. He attributes his physical readiness to the diverse training methods he has experienced in the Army, including long-distance running, ruck marches, interval sprints and strength training.

And when the workouts got tough, he learned to lean on his fellow Soldiers, noting, “I was around a great group of people, and that camaraderie pulls something out of you that is very special.”

• Biathlete Spc. Sean Doherty prepares for his fourth Games

After qualifying for a spot in Milan at the 2026 IBU Biathlon World Cup in Antholz, Italy, Vermont National Guard Soldier and biathlete Spc. Sean Doherty will make his fourth Games appearance, tying the all-time record for appearances by an American in the sport.

Doherty began biathlon at age 12 and soon rose in the sport’s ranks to become an eight-time U.S. World Championship team member and competitor at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 Games. Looking to extend his longevity of competing, Doherty joined the Army in 2018 as a Carpentry and Masonry Specialist, providing him with access to the world-class training of WCAP, as well as continued career opportunities once he moves on from elite competition.

• Spc. Dana Kellogg (luge doubles) and Cpl. Hakeem Abdul-Saboor (bobsled) represent the country and the Army as alternates

Spc. Dana Kellogg will attend the Games as an alternate in luge doubles, a sport he was immediately drawn to during the 2010 Games. He began competing in 2013 and joined the Army in 2019 to continue his journey. He notes that one of the most important aspects of his training is mental work and visualization. When completing a luge run, the sled has the potential to move up to 80 mph with a minimum of 16 curves throughout the track — requiring significant mental preparation to ensure his body knows how to safely and efficiently operate the sled.

Cpl. Hakeem Abdul-Saboor — a former basketball, football and track star — will attend Milan as an alternate in bobsled. Growing up, he had no intention of competing in bobsled and only discovered the sport after a strength coach recognized his natural athletic ability. His career in the sport took off, and he attended the 2018 and 2022 Games in the position of pusher.

Tune in to cheer on these Soldier-athletes as they compete for the nation and learn more about the possibilities of Army service at GoArmy.com.

2026-01-28T09:01:00

(BPT) – By Kyla P. Terhune, MD, MBA, FACS

Every year, countless minor injuries occur in homes, garages and backyards across the country. The immediate instinct for many is to reach for a familiar brown bottle of hydrogen peroxide or a swab of rubbing alcohol to “clean” the wound. As a leader of education at the American College of Surgeons, I want to share a resource developed by experienced surgeons that may lead you to pass on the peroxide.

For decades, these antiseptics were considered a cornerstone of wound care. Medical understanding, however, reveals they often do more harm than good when used inside an open cut or scrape. While effective at killing bacteria, solutions like peroxide, alcohol and iodine can’t target “bad” cells. They also attack the delicate new cells your body sends to repair the damage. Harming this fragile tissue can delay healing, increase inflammation and lead to more noticeable scarring. In short, you may be sabotaging your body’s attempts to heal.

What should you do when a superficial cut or abrasion occurs?

1. Wash your hands. Scrub your hands for 20 seconds with soap then rinse with water. Use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
2. Then, gently clean the wound with mild soap and lots of clean, running water. This method effectively flushes out debris and bacteria without harming the wound.
3. After patting the area dry, you can apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment (if there are signs of infection) or plain petroleum jelly. Follow this process and keep the wound covered with a clean bandage for the first week to ensure it remains moist. A moist environment is proven to heal faster with less scarring than a dry, scabbed one. If it’s not healing, call your healthcare provider.

Effective home care of a wound requires more than just proper cleaning. Knowing how to apply the right dressing, when a wound needs stitches and how to spot the early signs of infection are critical skills that can prevent minor injuries from becoming major problems. Some wounds should not be handled at home. Learn when you should call a doctor or go to your nearest emergency room or immediate care center.

If you’ve had a recent operation, you are likely to have a surgical incision. These also require careful attention to reduce the risk of infection, speed the healing process and enhance your recovery.

The American College of Surgeons has a free Wound Management Home Skills resource that provides comprehensive information and videos to manage everything from simple scrapes to post-surgical incisions. They detail how to stop bleeding, pack a wound, care for stitches and recognize when it’s time to call your doctor.

True preparedness is more than having a first-aid kit in your closet; it’s about having the correct knowledge to use it. By retiring outdated practices and embracing proven, gentle care, we can all ensure that your wounds heal quickly, safely and properly.

Kyla P. Terhune, MD, MBA, FACS, is Senior Vice President for Education at the American College of Surgeons and an acute care surgeon.