Category: Brandpoint

2024-08-01T08:01:00

(BPT) – As summer winds down and the busy back-to-school season approaches, maintaining healthy habits is essential for a smooth transition into the classroom. To help parents feel more prepared to take on the school year ahead, Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner shares a few valuable tips.

1. Take study breaks

Getting the kids to spend time on homework can be tough to enforce, but you can make it easier by planning short breaks to recharge. Encourage the kids to step away from homework for a quick brain rest or an exercise break to get the body moving for 10-15 minutes. Integrating breaks into homework time can also prevent burnout and keep the atmosphere positive and productive, ensuring they come back refreshed and ready to crush that next assignment.

2. Pack in the protein

Ensure lunchboxes and after-school snacks are packed with healthy protein options such as cheese or meat sticks, yogurt, milk, hard-boiled eggs or nuts. These nutritional powerhouses will keep kids feeling satisfied throughout the day, supporting their energy levels and concentration. Incorporating a variety of protein-rich foods also helps promote overall growth and development.

3. Walk for better focus

Whether in the morning before school or right after dinner, a quick walk around the block with the kids can help boost energy levels and improve focus. Simple yet effective, a quick walk allows them to release any pent-up energy and clears their minds, ultimately benefiting both their physical and mental health.

4. Enjoy after-school activities

Enrolling kids in after-school sports, music lessons or arts clubs can help kids stay active and burn off energy, while also providing fantastic opportunities for fun and socializing. These activities not only promote physical, mental and emotional wellness, but also teach important life skills that can transfer into the classroom including teamwork, discipline and time management.

5. Get back into hygiene habits

The return to school and after-school activities raises the potential exposure to viruses, so it’s important to maintain regular hygiene habits. Encourage thorough handwashing when getting home from school, before and after meals and post-outdoor activities. Additionally, reminding kids to cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing can further reduce the spread of germs.

6. Explore new recipes as a family

After a long day of school, homework and other activities, getting together as a family to test out new recipes can be a great way to unwind. This is also the perfect way to incorporate nutritious foods into everyone’s diets, like Eggland’s Best eggs, which contain more than double the Vitamin B12 and 6 times more Vitamin D compared to ordinary eggs, to keep you energized and satisfied throughout the day and boost your body’s immunity to fight off harmful bacteria.

Try these delicious Anytime Trail Mix Cookies from Eggland’s Best. They are packed with nutritious ingredients like Eggland’s Best eggs, rolled oats, nuts and seeds, making them a wholesome snack throughout the day!

Eggland’s Best Anytime Trail Mix Cookies

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 12 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies

Ingredients:

2 Eggland’s Best Eggs, large
1 cup rolled oats
1 ripe banana
2 tablespoons honey
1 cup mixed nuts/seeds, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
Cooking spray

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Pulse oats in blender a few times, until mostly a flour texture. Set aside.
3. In a bowl, mash banana with a fork or potato masher (it’ll be about 1/2 cup).
4. Stir in Eggland’s Best Eggs and honey, until smooth.
5. Stir in oat flour, nuts and chocolate chips.
6. Mist baking pan with cooking spray. With a cookie scoop or spoon, place batter into 24 cookies (about 1 tablespoon each). With clean fingers, lightly pat down each one to look like a cookie shape, because the batter won’t spread when baked.
7. Bake approximately 12 minutes, until bottoms are golden.

Additional Notes:

1. Store covered at room temperature for up to 5 days, or up to 10 days in the fridge.
2. Can be made dairy and gluten free with dairy-free chocolate chips and gluten-free oats.

2024-07-31T08:05:00

(BPT) – A survey by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) highlights strong public support for clean technology and the need for enhanced workforce training and business incentives. Read on for more information about support for sustainable technologies, including electric vehicles. For a more detailed look at Michigan’s sustainability impact, visit https://www.michiganbusiness.org/industries/clean-energy/.

2024-07-31T08:01:00

(BPT) – No one wants to feel like their thinking is outdated, but some misconceptions persist longer than many people realize. For instance, if you believe food and beverage cartons have a wax layer, you’re holding onto an idea that hasn’t been true since John F. Kennedy was in office.

Food and beverage cartons are used for safely storing a variety of popular foods and drinks. Head to any convenience or grocery store and you’ll find many products are packaged in cartons, including milk, juice, beans, soups, water and wine. These cartons are lightweight, efficient and made primarily from paper, a valuable renewable resource.

Given their widespread use, it’s important to stay informed about the truth of recycling food and beverage cartons. The Carton Council debunks these four carton recycling myths, so you can learn how to properly recycle cartons and share the truth with others.

1. Myth: Cartons can’t be recycled

Fact: According to a 2024 national survey, 71% of consumers believe cartons are definitely or probably recyclable. So, what about the remaining 29% that don’t know cartons are recyclable? It might stem from a common misconception that all cartons are made with wax, which can’t be recycled.

It’s true that at one point some food and beverage cartons were made with wax to make them sturdier for transportation and shelving. However, cartons have not contained any wax since the early 1960s!

Modern cartons contain no wax and are primarily made of paper, with small amounts of plastic and sometimes aluminum, in the case of shelf-stable cartons. These layers protect contents and keep light and oxygen out, allowing them to remain safe without the need for preservatives or refrigeration. Despite no longer containing wax, cartons remain strong enough to store liquids and other foods, whether they are the type found in refrigerators or the shelf-stable kind that store products for long periods at room temperature.

2. Myth: Recycling doesn’t matter

Fact: Every recycled item helps create a more sustainable future! When you recycle a carton, you’re helping keep them out of the landfill, reducing waste, conserving resources and protecting the environment.

Recycled cartons can have a second life as new paper products — such as tissue or toilet paper — or be made into sustainable building materials. As protecting the earth’s natural resources and the climate becomes increasingly important, recycling is one easy way everyone can help.

3. Myth: Recycling cartons is difficult

Fact: Recycling cartons at home can be as easy as 1-2-3! When you finish a food or beverage carton:

1. Empty any remaining liquid.

2. Replace the cap or push the straw back into the carton.

3. Toss the carton into the recycling bin.

In three simple steps, you can help preserve natural resources, reduce climate impact and actively help to reduce litter.

4. Myth: My area doesn’t recycle cartons, so I should toss them

Fact: According to the Carton Council, 62% of U.S. households can recycle food and beverage cartons through local programs. If you are unsure if they are accepted where you live, check the Carton Council’s address locator at RecycleCartons.com.

If your area doesn’t recycle cartons, you still have options. You can mail cartons to facilities in the Carton Council’s network that can recycle them for you. You can also sign a petition to inform your local recycling program that recycling cartons is important. By adding your name to the list, you can help grow the number of facilities that recycle cartons across the nation.

Now that you know the truth about carton recycling, share this information with others! By helping debunk these myths and properly recycle food and beverage cartons, you’re doing your part to promote sustainable practices and contributing to a greener, cleaner planet.

2024-07-30T15:01:00

(BPT) – Starting a small business is no small feat. It requires vision, passion, dedication and an appreciation that your business is a vital part of local, national and global communities. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are the backbone of economies globally. According to the World Economic Forum, SMBs make up 90% of all companies and create nearly 70% of jobs and gross domestic products worldwide.

Considering the importance and impact of SMBs and the grit and determination it takes to establish your own, small business owners deserve to be celebrated. One fun way many founders are commemorating this accomplishment is by throwing a “small business shower.”

What is a small business shower?

Small business showers are celebrations that recognize the biggest milestone in an entrepreneur’s career — starting or scaling a business. A shower brings together friends, family, colleagues and the broader community to help support and cheer on those embarking on a new career journey, whether they are an experienced business owner entering a new market or a “solopreneur” starting their first business. By offering encouragement, business connections or resources and perhaps even financial support, throwing a small business shower is a fun way to celebrate your accomplishments while preparing to propel your business forward.

Why should I throw a shower?

You may feel a little shy about throwing a small business shower. However, we throw celebrations for so many life events, from birthdays to weddings to baby showers. Why not recognize the hard work that goes into starting or expanding a business?

If you’re still unsure, consider how small business showers can create an impact beyond the business owner alone. By bringing together a community of friends, family and like-minded local business owners who can offer advice and encouragement, a network of powerful, collaborative, and supportive individuals is formed. These gatherings are a great reminder of how important it is to invest in each other’s success and growth — and what can be accomplished when we do.

How do I throw one?

There’s no right or wrong way to throw a small business shower. The event can be virtual, in-person or both. You can host the event at home, in your business space or at your favorite restaurant.

However you choose to throw your shower, have fun putting it together. Consider creating eye-catching invites, incorporating thoughtful decorations, making or catering food and setting up engaging games for your guests. Then, enjoy! And who knows? Maybe it will inspire someone you know to start their own business.

Take Nana Agyemang — CEO of EveryStylishGirl and contributing social editor at NY Mag and The Cut. She recently threw a small business shower for herself when she knew she needed a serious tech partner to bring her vision to life. By collaborating with HP, she was able to not only execute the perfect small business shower but also demonstrate the power of identifying the right partners to support throughout your business journey.

Finding the right partner to jumpstart your business

As you reflect on your business, it is important to think about how you’re preparing for success and future growth. One of the most critical elements to ensure your success is finding the right partners from the beginning, especially when it comes to technology.

The right tech partner will understand the unique challenges and opportunities entrepreneurs face throughout their business journey, creating an environment where leaders can navigate any challenge and drive their business to success. In doing so, they can also empower SMB owners to celebrate their successes while providing premium, reliable and quality technology.

For instance, Agyemang was able to simplify the preparations for her shower with tech that made her vision come to life with the help of HP. She easily designed and printed high-quality invitations, vision board materials and decorations using her HP OfficeJet Pro 8135e printer and HP Spectre x360 14 laptop.

In the same way that SMBs need a community to support them, they also need the right business partners who believe in their potential. “It is so important to have a partner that will grow with you as your business expands,” says Nana. “It’s been great seeing brands like HP get involved in supporting small businesses and encouraging them to celebrate their wins.”

Your accomplishments deserve recognition. Let these tips inspire you to commemorate these moments and bring your own small business shower to life.

To learn about how HP is supporting and celebrating small businesses, visit https://www.hp.com/us-en/smb/small-and-medium-business-solutions.html.

2024-07-30T07:01:00

(BPT) – If you’re the parent of children with allergies or asthma that tends to flare up in the fall, now is the time you typically should start preparing for them to go back to school. But one thing might make this year’s fall allergy season a bit more severe than others: The recent wild weather much of the country has been experiencing over the spring and summer.

Deluges of rain, unprecedented heatwaves and heavy storms have been the norm for most of us, and all of that can contribute to the severity of allergy symptoms, including hay fever and pollen allergies.

“Molds grow quickly in heat and high humidity, and a rainy spring can also promote rapid plant growth and lead to an increase in molds, causing symptoms to last well into the fall,” said allergist Gailen Marshall, MD, PhD, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). “Because allergies and asthma can impact a child’s school day, and even their overall academic performance, it’s important for parents to prepare for the triggers that can cause allergic reactions.”

The ACAAI offers these six tips for parents to get a handle on allergies and asthma so their children can start off the school year healthy and ready to learn.

Know your child’s triggers. What is causing those itchy eyes and runny noses? Knowing what you’re up against is the first step in treating it. Be especially mindful of allergens that can be found in a classroom, including dust, molds and pet dander on other kids’ clothes and backpacks. If you don’t know the triggers, it’s time to see an allergist.

Make an allergist appointment before school starts. Board-certified allergists are uniquely trained and qualified to treat allergies and asthma. Your allergist will work with you to create a plan to minimize the impact of your child’s allergies. Make sure your child’s prescriptions are up to date and adjusted (if necessary), if they’ve had a growth spurt or their weight has changed over the summer. And have their prescription paperwork in order if your child needs to carry medication with them to school.

Educate your child on food allergies. School cafeterias are a high-risk zone for children with food allergies and a big worry for parents. Make sure your child knows what they’re allergic to, the foods to avoid, the symptoms to watch out for, and what they need to do if they feel those symptoms coming on. If your child needs an epinephrine auto injector, make sure they have two in their backpack at all times. Your allergist is your ally in this important, lifesaving step.

Create an asthma plan. Childhood asthma affects some six million children in the U.S. If your child is one of them, make sure he or she carries their inhaler and is knowledgeable about what might trigger an attack. School personnel should also have a copy of your child’s asthma plan.

Loop in school personnel. Talk with your child’s teachers, school nurses and even cafeteria workers. They can be important allies, especially if your child has food allergies and asthma. A conversation before the school year is in full swing can make them aware that your child has an allergy or asthma, and whether they may need to take medication or use an epinephrine auto injector or an inhaler.

Consider immunotherapy. Managing symptoms is one thing, but treating the underlying allergy itself may be a more permanent solution. Immunotherapy is extremely effective for treating some allergies and can help control asthma. Many allergies can be treated with allergy immunotherapy in the form of shots or tablets, and your child could reap the benefits by seeing their symptoms decrease.

If your child’s allergy and asthma symptoms are getting in the way of them living their best life, especially at school, use the ACAAI allergist locator to find an allergist in your area.

2024-07-30T08:01:00

(BPT) – Hello, my name is Amanda and I’m a 36-year-old mom who loves playing the piano and crafting.

My son Isaac is my world, and while I am his biggest supporter while he plays Peewee football, he’s my biggest cheerleader as well. I live with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and some days are harder than others, but Isaac is by my side, inspiring me every step of the way.

Rewinding to 2017, I was diagnosed with leukemia and underwent an allogeneic bone marrow transplant the following year. Although the transplant successfully treated my cancer, just a few months later, I was hit with a series of alarming symptoms.

My abdomen swelled like I was nine months pregnant. My skin became incredibly dry and hypersensitive to sunlight. Even the mildest spices, like a dash of ketchup, caused my tongue to swell, making even the simplest meal a challenge.

Tests revealed that I had developed GVHD, a common complication following an allogeneic bone marrow transplant, which occurs when donor cells (the graft) attack the recipient’s organs and tissues (the host). While some experience mild symptoms that can go away, mine were debilitating.

I knew about GVHD before my transplant, but nothing prepared me for the reality.

As someone who has always been an open and outgoing person and had blogged regularly about my cancer journey, GVHD left me feeling isolated. I didn’t know how to talk about what I was going through. And this was very unfamiliar to me.

My experience with GVHD has been an absolute rollercoaster, from feelings of fear to feelings of helplessness — never knowing what symptoms I may experience day to day. On a bad day, I could be covered in sores from too much sunlight after walking the dog or laid up in bed, sick with excruciating body pain, intense nausea, and diarrhea. However, the most painful part of this experience has been that my son is a rambunctious little boy — a little boy who wants to play and run and go to the park and play baseball — and I can’t always keep up with him on the tougher days.

But I don’t let that stop me.

I’m determined to improve my condition and I’ve vowed to do everything I can to advocate for myself so I can get better for my son.

After feeling alone for some time, I started doing research — reading everything I could get my hands on, even reaching out to doctors and professors directly to discover new strategies to help manage my GVHD through exercise and nutrition.

But most importantly, I joined online support groups and connected with other people in the GVHD community. My family has always been an amazing source of support; however, talking with people who could directly understand my experience with the condition was a game-changer and a turning point for me mentally. The opportunity to get things off my chest — instead of just holding everything in — has been a great source of therapy.

Today, when I’m not helping others struggling with GVHD, I balance my time between freelance writing for newspapers and magazines, working on my Board Certification in Patient Advocacy, and being a mother to my son. And when I experience flare-ups from my GVHD, I’ve learned how to manage and speak openly about them.

For anyone facing GVHD, remember that being open to the community and building a reliable support system are key to taking control of your health. Everybody is different, and you know your body the best.

For anyone who is looking to make a connection, please visit the GVHD Alliance for resources and support for your GVHD journey.

The health information contained herein is provided for general educational purposes only. Your healthcare professional is the best source of information regarding your health. Please consult your healthcare professional if you have any questions about your health or treatment.