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The Big Plan to Make Open Enrollment Sign-Ups Less Confusing

2023-11-17T14:45:00

(BPT) – With open enrollment in full swing, millions of Americans face the annual challenge of choosing the right health plan for themselves and their families. Questions such as “Is this enough insurance?” or “Am I paying for too much insurance?” or “Is there a better option for my budget and health conditions?” are frequently pondered as people attempt to make sense of the maze of terminology and coverage on the screens in front of them.

This Open Enrollment season, however, navigating the world of health insurance just got a whole lot easier — thanks to an insurance industry veteran who had a big idea and created the innovative new online “health plan matchmaker,” The Big Plan.

“In my 30-plus years of helping families find the right health insurance, I knew there had to be a better, simpler way to remove the confusion and chaos of the yearly open enrollment dread that so many people hated,” said Carey Gruenbaum, chief executive officer of The Big Plan. “We wanted to — and I think we have — rewritten the rules on how Americans can find the right health insurance plan at the right price to meet their medical needs and within their budget.”

The Big Plan platform provides an easy-to-use, end-to-end health plan selection experience, utilizing proprietary actuarial guidance blended with A.I. technology to deliver personalized recommendations based on user-provided data — while also identifying any available government subsidies.

There is no fee for consumers to use The Big Plan — rather, the expert guidance is completely free of charge. Additionally, any data collected is encrypted and not sold to third parties for targeting or advertising purposes.

“Our health plan matchmaker platform makes the whole process simpler and better, because it is completely about the user,” said Gruenbaum. “We offer unbiased expertise that helps individuals select a health plan that’s right for them. It’s all based on real data, without the potentially biased input from health plan representatives or insurance brokers who may be driven to recommend plans that pay them a higher commission.”

Visitors to TheBigPlan.com simply answer questions about themselves and their family members. Then in about a minute, The Big Plan’s A.I.-powered engine searches all plans and finds the best match based on a user’s medical score, projects spending on each plan, and clearly describes the benefits of each recommended plan. Users can compare plans side-by-side, considering monthly premiums, yearly deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, and co-pays for both primary care and specialist visits.

Users who wish to purchase can then seamlessly click on their preferred plan to sign up — with the confidence that they got the best plan for their needs, including their budget.

The timing of this innovative approach to health insurance selection couldn’t be more crucial. Recent data reveals that a significant portion of Americans, 8.4% or 27.6 million, still lack health insurance. Furthermore, 11% experience coverage gaps and a staggering 23% are classified as underinsured, facing challenges in accessing affordable healthcare.

Health insurance literacy also remains a concern, with over 50% of adults struggling to comprehend key terms such as co-payments, deductibles, and coinsurance.

This health plan matchmaker is a tool to bridge the gap in health insurance literacy and empower individuals to make informed decisions. Through its intuitive interface and user-friendly guidance, The Big Plan aims to provide a deeper understanding of health insurance, enabling users to align their choices with their medical needs and financial capabilities.

The Big Plan is currently available to millions of Americans in most states, including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The Big Plan encourages individuals to explore a more informed and educated approach to health coverage selection.

To learn more about navigating health insurance with confidence at The Big Plan, visit TheBigPlan.com.

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Walnuts: A versatile ingredient that makes entertaining easy

2023-11-17T09:01:01

(BPT) – From appetizers to desserts, the flavor and versatility of California walnuts can elevate any dish. Planning a menu for small or large groups can be a lot of work. Depending on the gathering or occasion, you may need to plan snacks, appetizers and a meal that many people will enjoy. Fortunately, you can set the stage for success and satisfy a variety of palates with California walnuts.

Tips for entertaining with California walnuts

Walnuts are appealing and adaptable, with surprising versatility that makes them the unsung hero of the kitchen. They’re well known for the buttery richness and pleasing texture they add to many traditional dishes, baked goods, garnish or topping and as a simple, beloved entertaining snack. This is particularly handy when you’re entertaining. This versatile plant food, packed with a powerhouse of important nutrients, is a smart option for you, your friends and family.

Want to up the ante at your next event? Here are some additional ways to use walnuts when entertaining that you may not have thought of before:

Veggie trays: Elevate your veggie tray or charcuterie board by making walnut hummus, pesto and Muhammara, a roasted red pepper dip.

Meat alternatives: Walnuts can easily be combined in a food processor with your favorite combination of spices to create plant-based walnut meat that tastes great and is satisfying. Walnut meat is a tasty and a filling meat alternative that can be used in tacos, pasta sauces, on pizza, in stuffed peppers and more.

Delicious snacks: Sweet and spiced walnuts are a delicious snack or entertaining staple, and can be easily packaged into a lovely host gift if you’re attending a party.

Dairy-free treats: Walnuts can be used in new and innovative ways — like Vanilla Walnut Whipped Cream, a dairy-free treat topping for anything from hot chocolate to pies and cakes.

Recipe: Vanilla Walnut Whipped Cream

This light and airy walnut-based whipped cream flavored with honey and vanilla can be served with dessert, over berries and more. Visit walnuts.org for flavor variations. Makes 14 servings.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups California walnuts, divided
1 cup water
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 to 2 teaspoons honey, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Directions:
Puree 2 cups walnuts and water in a blender for 2 minutes or until very light and fluffy.
Add powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon honey, vanilla and salt and blend for 30 seconds. Add the remaining teaspoon honey if you prefer a sweeter taste.
To achieve a thicker whipped cream, add the remaining 1/2 cup walnuts and puree until light and fluffy.
Store tightly covered in the refrigerator until ready to use. May be prepared two days ahead.

Why walnuts? Bountiful benefits

Being high in omega-3 ALA (2.5 g/oz.), walnuts are a great addition to any snack or meal. You can feel good that more than 99% of the walnuts grown in the U.S. are from the fertile soils of California’s Central Valley.

Entertaining tips and more recipes

California Walnuts is spotlighting a custom recipe collection that showcases even more ways you can use walnuts. Whether you purchased a one- or three-pound bag, or any size in between, California Walnuts has tasty, easy recipes that will ensure your walnuts go to delicious use — regardless of the occasion. For more entertaining ideas and recipe inspiration, visit Walnuts.org.

Bonus tip: Have leftover walnuts? For optimal freshness, keep them cold in the refrigerator or freezer.

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5 ways to transform your home in the new year

2023-11-17T11:01:01

(BPT) – Looking ahead to a new year can inspire dreams and ideas for exciting ways to transform your home — but it can also feel daunting to take on a list of new projects. The good news is you don’t need a total remodel to get the home you want, and even small changes can bring new life to your home.

Whether you’re craving a complete transformation or just a few impactful changes, here are some specific approaches to enhance any room in your home:

Shed some new light

Lighting isn’t just functional; it’s a mood maker, a style statement. This year, embrace the elegance of recessed lighting. These fixtures blend seamlessly into your ceiling, offering a sleek, modern look that opens up any room. Imagine soft, ambient light that enhances your living space’s warmth and character.

Recessed lighting isn’t just for living rooms; it can transform kitchens, bedrooms, and even bathrooms into sophisticated spaces. Plus, it’s surprisingly versatile — dimmable options can switch your room from a bright, energetic workspace to a cozy, intimate nook in seconds.

Start from the bottom up

Floors are the unsung heroes of home design. They set the stage for your entire decorating scheme. So if you really want to reset the vibe of your home, consider starting with fresh hardwood flooring. LL Flooring’s Bellawood hardwood flooring offers enduring, luxurious floors created from the finest wood species, available in a wide range of tones, textures and styles.

“Few other investments and home improvement projects can refresh and revive your home like solid hardwood floors,” said Jen Meska, Director of Merchandising for LL Flooring. “Hardwood floors are a timeless home décor choice that bring warmth, luxury and comfort underfoot and are built to last generations, and Bellawood floors are the top of the line in both quality and style.”

Learn more about flooring options to transform your home at LLFlooring.com.

Create an accent wall

An accent wall is like the cherry on top of your interior design. It’s a statement, a conversation starter. This year, transform a plain wall into a stunning focal point. Whether you choose a bold paint color, striking wallpaper, or even a textured material like wood or stone, an accent wall adds depth and personality to any room. It’s the perfect opportunity to express your creativity and individuality. Plus, it’s a relatively simple and cost-effective project that can have a dramatic impact on your space’s overall look and feel.

Refresh your fixtures

Sometimes, the smallest changes make the biggest difference. Updating fixtures and hardware is a quick, easy and affordable way to give your home a modern facelift. Swap outdated cabinet knobs, drawer pulls, light switches and faucet handles for something fresh and contemporary.

These tiny details can tie a room together, complementing your overall design theme. Whether you opt for sleek, minimalist designs or something more ornate and eye-catching, new fixtures and hardware can breathe new life into every corner of your home.

Reorganize and declutter

Embrace the new year with a clean slate by reorganizing and decluttering your home. A well-organized space not only looks better but also improves functionality and reduces stress. Start by sorting through your belongings, keeping only what you love and use. Then, invest in smart storage solutions that keep your space tidy and your items easily accessible. Remember, decluttering isn’t just about getting rid of things — it’s about creating a more peaceful and harmonious environment where you can truly relax and enjoy your home.

Transforming your home for the new year is about making small changes that have a big impact. When creating your project wish list for the new year, keep these design tips in mind to transform your home into the sanctuary of your dreams.

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5 Surprising Ways to Use Eggnog and Spice up this Holiday Season

2023-11-17T09:39:00

(BPT) – Eggnog is a beloved tradition for many, but did you know there’s so much more you can do than pour it into a glass? You can easily brighten your holiday season by incorporating this creamy holiday drink into your favorite mealtimes from morning ‘til night.

To help inspire you this season, Organic Valley offers its top five imaginative and festive recipes featuring the creamy and delicious Organic Valley Reduced Fat Eggnog.

1. Eggnog waffles

Eggnog waffles are a creative twist on a classic breakfast that will add a splash of cheer to your holiday mornings. Simply add eggnog to the waffle batter and prepare as usual. As soon as that first batch starts to brown and that irresistible smell fills your home, you’ll know you made a great-tasting and seasonally inspired choice. This is a fun recipe to make with your kids, so you can make delicious holiday memories and perhaps even start a new holiday morning tradition.

2. Sparkling eggnog

What’s better than drinking eggnog this holiday season? Adding some sparkle to it! Just grab some creamy, delicious eggnog and add sparkling water and spiced simple syrup. A cinnamon stick and dash of cinnamon garnish are optional but highly encouraged. At the end, you’ll have a drink that feels fun, fizzy, and indulgent!

3. Eggnog ‘Swedish’ meatballs

Eggnog in meatballs? It’s not as crazy as it might seem — and way more delicious than you’d expect. A half cup of eggnog acts as a binding agent that brings more than just a creamy texture to the mixture. It has just enough spice to complement the meat, eggs, Parmesan cheese and panko. It’s a fun way to use traditional seasonal flavors to reinvent a holiday meal. Even your picky eaters will be curious enough to try a bite!

4. Eggnog cookies

What’s better than sipping eggnog while eating cookies by a crackling fire? Combining them to create a festive, mouthwatering cookie. The trick is to create eggnog icing, like the one featured in Organic Valley’s recipe for eggnog cookies. Get ready to wow everyone at the annual holiday cookie exchange. Just remember to save some eggnog to wash them down!

5. Eggnog panna cotta

Panna cotta is a luxurious dessert, and you can give it a holiday remix by adding eggnog. It’s the perfect dessert to make when you’re hosting for the holidays because you can make it ahead of time. Eggnog panna cotta takes five minutes to whip up and a couple of hours to cool. However, the jiggly custard’s depth, creaminess and seasonal flavor will have your guests assuming you fussed over this Italian dish. They’ll enjoy the complex taste while you appreciate the recipe’s simplicity.

Whether you’re an eggnog fanatic or skeptic, these recipes will have you rethinking this classic holiday drink. Best of all, you can feel good when you purchase Organic Valley Reduced Fat Eggnog. This made-from-scratch recipe uses high-quality organic ingredients, including milk from small family farms where cows are raised without antibiotics, synthetic hormones, toxic pesticides, or GMOs.

You can find these five recipes and more at OrganicValley.coop. Let them inspire you this season to host friends and spend time with family while enjoying a wonderful holiday drink or treat.

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Are you 65 or older? How to stay healthy with updated vaccines

2023-11-17T14:21:00

(BPT) – You want to stay healthy, so you can keep doing the things you love. That’s why it’s so important to stay up to date on recommended vaccines, like the updated COVID-19 vaccine and annual flu shot.

“Vaccination is a highly effective tool to help older Americans avoid the worst effects of infectious diseases,” said Kathleen Cameron, BSPharm, MPH, senior director at the National Council on Aging (NCOA). “If you have questions about getting vaccinated, now is the ideal time to contact your health care provider.”

Benefits of vaccinations

While no vaccine completely prevents you from becoming infected, COVID or flu symptoms are usually milder for those who have been vaccinated compared with those who are not. Vaccination also helps lower the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and even death from COVID or the flu. And because any vaccine’s effectiveness diminishes over time, staying up to date on your vaccines is important to best protect yourself and your loved ones.

COVID vaccines

While COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency, it remains a public health priority. And risk level increases with age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults are at higher risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 than younger age groups. Between January and August 2023, older adults accounted for about 63% of all COVID-associated hospitalizations.

The best way to protect yourself from these risks is to stay up to date with your vaccines. This means getting the latest COVID-19 vaccine, which has been updated to target the XBB.1.5 variant of the virus to broaden immunity. The CDC recommends everyone over age 5 receive one dose of the updated Pfizer, Moderna, or Novavax vaccine to protect against serious illness from COVID-19. If you are immunocompromised, you may get additional doses of the updated COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions about your vaccine schedule.

Flu vaccines

Each year, the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death from the flu is also greater among older adults. The CDC reports that 70-85% of seasonal flu-related deaths occur in older adults, and up to 70% of flu hospitalizations happen among adults 65 and older.

Because flu viruses change every year, flu vaccines are updated every year to protect against the strain that research indicates will be most common. To protect yourself from severe illness due to the flu, the CDC recommends getting your annual flu shot this flu season.

Where to get vaccinated

NCOA is helping 150 senior centers and 180 community-based organizations across the country provide updated COVID and flu vaccines to older adults. The funding is provided by the U.S. Administration for Community Living.

You can get your vaccines at your health care provider or your nearest clinic or hospital. You also can contact your state health department or go to your local pharmacy. Another option is to visit Vaccines.gov to find a convenient location near you that offers COVID-19 or flu vaccines.

What do vaccines cost?

Most Americans can get COVID-19 and flu vaccines free of charge. If you’re on Medicare, vaccines are covered by Medicare Part D at no cost to you. Most health insurance plans cover vaccines, but you should contact your insurer to confirm that. The CDC points out you may need to find a health care provider that’s in your network for the cost to be covered, and there may be a copay when you receive a vaccine.

If you don’t have health insurance or your health plan does not cover the cost, you can access free vaccines from local health centers, your state, local, tribal, or territorial health department, or at pharmacies participating in the CDC’s Bridge Access Program.

“Because the FDA has a rigorous approval process to determine and monitor the safety and efficacy of COVID-19, flu, and other vaccines, you can feel confident getting vaccinated is a good option to help keep you healthy during the winter months,” added Cameron. “Hundreds of millions of Americans have safely received seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines and will continue to do so to safeguard their well-being.”

Learn more about the importance of vaccines, their safety, and their effectiveness at ncoa.org/vaccines.

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3 ways entrepreneurs can overcome challenges in today’s market

2023-11-16T12:01:00

(BPT) – Today’s business landscape is a tricky environment to navigate for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Supply chain mishaps, macroeconomic factors and the rising cost of goods all present challenges for entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses. As SMB decision-makers must adapt to overcome barriers, they need new tools and solutions that minimize the impact from problems like supply chain issues, and that can help them explore untapped markets.

How SMBs can stay competitive and grow despite challenges

New data commissioned by Alibaba.com and conducted by The Harris Poll among 301 small business leaders[1] in August 2023 reveals the roadblocks SMBs encounter on their way to success. To help your business thrive and grow in a demanding environment, consider a multi-pronged approach that tackles issues directly and allows your business to grow efficiently. Here are three top approaches and tools to consider.

1. Diversify supply channels: Nearly half (46%) of small business decision-makers have challenges with supply chain and/or product sourcing systems, and 38% feel the global supply chain outlook does not look good and will have a somewhat or largely negative impact on their business. To tackle supply chain woes, ensure your full supply system is not disrupted when an issue arises by diversifying your company’s supply channels. Supply chain managers should seek different locations and suppliers to help reduce risk. Look for suppliers offering lower minimum order quantities (MOQs) to reduce costs and prevent excess inventory.

2. Build deeper relationships with suppliers: Just as small business owners are trying to build their businesses, so are the suppliers and manufacturers they’re hoping to contract with. Furthermore, business decision-makers recognize the need for quick and open communication with suppliers. In the survey, 35% of small business owners said tools to help them quickly relay product needs/specifications to suppliers would be the most helpful enhancement when creating a new product line. To that end, cross-language communication is crucial today, so your business could benefit from tools such as Alibaba.com’s real-time translation solution, offered in 17 languages, for buyer-supplier video chats. By building better relationships with suppliers, it will be easier to work with them to find solutions and improvements for products, as well as to potentially negotiate on prices in the future. Because they know the industry where they’re based, suppliers may even be able to help find solutions with other suppliers for materials they cannot provide.

3. Explore untapped markets: SMBs should consider expanding into untapped markets to create new pathways for growth. The Alibaba.com survey data shows entrepreneurs are confident they can expand, but face challenges in doing so. In fact, 83% of small business owners and leaders are confident in their companies’ ability to create and introduce new products, with a large majority (80%) agreeing that introducing a new product would increase their success and profits. Top hurdles include finding the right supplier (31%); research, development and design of the new product (28%); and financing orders of the product (27%). Entrepreneurs value digital tools that help them visualize new product ideas, with 34% of survey respondents indicating that as a priority. This can include multi-search features, such as Alibaba.com’s Image Search that allows business owners to search by text and image to determine product needs and design. Other tools mentioned by business owners to help them create a new product/product line include money back policy/easy return (17%) and after-sale protection (11%). Solutions like Alibaba.com’s Trade Assurance program can provide safe, easy, money-back options for buyers to protect against unforeseen circumstances like product or shipping issues.

It can be a struggle for entrepreneurs to know where to find help as they grow and scale their businesses. To help develop a community and offer learning opportunities to help entrepreneurs thrive, events such as Alibaba.com’s recent Co-Create conference provide a welcoming environment for entrepreneurs to grow, learn and create new strategies for business expansion.

While today’s market presents challenges for entrepreneurs, many opportunities exist to help them find success and thrive, despite these hurdles. Learn more about the possibilities for your business at Alibaba.com.


[1] Eligible small business owners and leaders were defined as U.S. adults ages 21+ who are employed FT, PT, or self-employed, have a title of owner/president/C-suite executive at their company, the company employs less than 250 employees, and has annual revenue less than $10 million

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Want to be a better home chef? 5 kitchen tools could boost your culinary skills

2023-11-17T07:01:01

(BPT) – If you love cooking and are always working toward improving your skills as well as your creations, you may want to review the tools you use in your kitchen each day. Having chef-quality equipment makes it easier to expand your culinary repertoire and achieve high-level, consistent results, from family meals to dinner parties.

Here are tools that can improve your efforts, from start to finish:

Chill out

For all the times you’ve planned large holiday meals and despaired at having no room in your fridge to hold all your ingredients — much less keep everything at the correct temperatures — you’re probably ready for an upgrade. To help you prepare for any size dinner party or a week’s worth of culinary adventures, the Signature Kitchen Suite 48-inch Built-In French Door Refrigerator will give you the space you need, especially during the busy holiday season.

While you may be happy to know this fridge is ENERGY STAR certified, you’ll probably be even more impressed with its convertible drawer, letting you choose from five preset temperatures suitable for chilled wine, fridge/deli, meats and seafood, beverages — or even letting you turn it into a freezer. On top of that, you’ll have two freezer drawers with plenty of space for frozen items, plus a Dual Ice Maker that creates both trapezoidal-shaped ice and slow-melting spherical Craft Ice, perfect for enhancing your festive holiday cocktails and mocktails.

Be a cut above

Every good chef needs high-quality knives, along with the ability to keep them honed. While a professional chef needs a full set and doubtless uses them all, home chefs may only need a small assortment of the most essential knives. Top picks would include a paring knife, chef’s knife, serrated knife and boning knife. You’ll also want a good peeler, and perhaps a slicing/carving knife or a cleaver, if you anticipate needing them. To keep your knives sharp, invest in a quality honing steel, whetstone or knife sharpener — and learn how to use it properly.

While the best quality cooking knives are costly, the good news is that they last a lifetime. Start with the most essential knives for your purposes, then grow your collection as you gain more experience.

Blend right in

If you commonly use a whisk for combining dressings and vinaigrettes and rely on your blender for creaming soups, you’ll appreciate the versatility and effectiveness of an immersion stick blender. You can use it for blending small amounts of dressing and vinaigrettes, as they fit conveniently in a cup or small bowl. While making a cream soup, you can blend right inside the pot, saving you the mess and hassle of pouring soup in and out of the blender — and you don’t need to wait for soup to cool before using it.

Cook like a chef

Ready to take your cooking to the next level? Consider updating your current range to one of Signature Kitchen Suite’s Dual-Fuel Pro Ranges. These top-of-the-line ranges offer both induction and gas cooking, plus the industry’s first built-in sous vide right on the cooktop, making it easier than ever to explore this professional-level cooking technique.

If you’ve heard of sous vide, you probably want to try it. In sous vide cooking, vacuum-sealed foods are cooked in water at a regulated temperature to achieve an even cook throughout. This method helps retain the flavor and nutrients of foods without overcooking, drying out or burning.

Plate like a pro

So you’ve mastered the sauce shmear on the bottom of the plate and always wipe the rims of your plates before serving, but do you struggle with applying final touches like beautiful, delicate garnishes? Sounds like you’re ready for a good pair of 10-inch heavy-duty tweezer tongs. Whether you’re applying edible flowers atop a cake or setting a pile of exquisite microgreens on your latest entree, you’ll appreciate the precision of this tool to make your plate worthy of a chef’s kiss.

A good pair of tweezer tongs also helps you perform tricky tasks like peeling skin off hot tomatoes or other delicate maneuvers where standard tongs are too big and clunky and chopsticks are too slippery.

With any of these tools on hand, you’ll be able to create better culinary masterpieces with ease. Explore all the possibilities for your dream kitchen at SignatureKitchenSuite.com.

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3 ways homebuilders can incorporate sustainability into their operations

2023-11-16T11:01:05

(BPT) – The demand for homes with sustainable features is growing. However, home building companies that are committed to sustainability recognize that how you build a home is just as important as the home itself. Below are three ways that Clayton, a leading national builder of single-family attainable housing, is investing in practices that promote sustainability in their operations.

1. Reducing emissions

According to the Rocky Mountain Institute®, new home constructions in the U.S. create over 50 million tons of carbon emissions each year. That’s why it’s important for home builders to find ways to reduce or offset their emissions.

To reduce emissions in its operations, Clayton is working to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. The home builder is working toward this goal by transitioning to a hybrid fleet of light-duty pickups for transportation and using electric forklifts and other equipment in its operations.

2. Using renewable energy

Clayton is also continuing to increase its reliance on renewable energy. In December 2019, Clayton Sulphur Springs, a home building facility, installed its first solar carport system (200 kW). This installation allowed the site to offset 30-40% of its electricity usage with renewable energy. Starting this year, Clayton has initiated four new solar projects for systems to be installed at home building facilities in East Tennessee, Arizona and at Clayton’s home office.

3. Reducing waste

Because of all the materials needed to build a home, it’s important that homebuilders focus on identifying ways to reduce waste in their operations. Through careful planning, they can prevent tons of waste from ending up in landfills.

There are a few different ways builders can decrease waste in their operations. For example, Clayton collaborates with its suppliers to reduce inbound building material packaging and waste. As raw building materials are used Clayton uses material reuse programs on the production line to repurpose building supplies for other parts of the home building process.

Continuous improvement

Environmental responsibility in home building goes beyond the design of the home. It’s also about how homes are built. Clayton is an example of a builder who’s driving change through renewable energy usage, focusing on reducing operating emissions and finding ways to enhance waste reduction. To learn more, visit claytonhomes.com/sustainability/

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Is your employer the secret to living longer and healthier?

2023-11-16T13:45:00

(BPT) – It’s that time of year when many Americans review their health care benefits to see if they have the coverage they need during open enrollment. If you don’t enjoy this annual exercise, a new report by Deloitte’s Center for Health Solutions suggests there’s good reason to take a closer look at your benefits this year — your employer has the potential to help you live a longer and healthier life.

Even though the average life span is 77.9 years, Deloitte calculated that Americans are living just 65.9 years (or 85% of their years) in good health. According to the analysis, all Americans could potentially live up to 95% of their years in good health and live to be nearly 90 years old if employers think beyond their traditional health insurance offerings. This means that employers should reconsider a one-size-fits-all approach and think about more digital, virtual and gaming techniques to encourage healthy behaviors.

Not-so-fringe benefits

Deloitte found that businesses across industries are providing employees with a variety of well-being benefits. Beyond the health implications, employers tend to recognize there is a competitive advantage to these benefits to attract talent, and potentially improve productivity which can impact their organization’s success. Deloitte suggests that employers are uniquely positioned to take the lead on influencing health improvements more broadly, beyond traditional health care benefits impacting health today and into retirement. How?

Three ways employers can support your health and well-being

  • Wearables and digital tools: According to the CDC, there is evidence that lifestyle modifications like following a healthy diet, creating social connections, engaging in appropriate exercise, managing stress and reducing smoking can dramatically change, or even reverse, the progression to diabetes, heart disease and certain other conditions. Some organizations provide employees with wearables and digital tools to help enable changes, especially when they’re paired with coaching and nudging, according to a report by Brookings.
  • Telehealth: Virtual visits or telehealth is another approach for improving well-being. As reported by the National Institutes of Health, the pandemic expanded this option, enabling doctor visits and mental health services in virtual settings that can help improve access to care. Some studies found that access for underserved populations has improved as a result of virtual health.
  • Early screenings and services: Offering early screenings and services that address mental health and social isolation can contribute to healthier aging. Deloitte suggests providing employees with health-literacy tools, educational materials and support to help address challenges that can influence people’s health, such as access to affordable housing, financial literacy, isolation, safety, clean air and water, and healthy food.

Take advantage of benefits and resources you’re offered

Unfortunately, 68% of workers surveyed by Deloitte say they do not use the full value of the well-being resources their organizations offer because accessing programs is either too time-consuming, confusing or cumbersome.

“Exploring, understanding and asking questions about your benefits can help you live a longer and healthier life,” said Jay Bhatt, D.O., MPH, MPA, managing director of the Center for Health Solutions and Health Equity Institute, Deloitte Services LP. “Employers that lean in with their workforce to help them make the most of their benefits, help ensure that it isn’t one size fits all, and support behavior change may result in their employees living longer and healthier while also having an impact on reducing rising health care costs.”

To learn more about Deloitte’s findings, read the full report titled, How employers can spark a movement to help us live longer and healthier lives.

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Powerful Partners: WWE and Make-A-Wish Granting Wishes and Inspiring Hope

2023-11-16T10:01:00

(BPT) – WWE is famously known for its high-energy matches and larger-than-life Superstars. The organization has an incredible talent for entertaining and captivating audiences of all ages around the world. The company also has a long history of giving back and providing special experiences for deserving community members.

One partnership that WWE is incredibly proud of is its longstanding connection to Make-A-Wish. Over the past 40 years, WWE has granted more than 6,000 wishes to children with critical illnesses and, more importantly, created hope and renewed energy for wish kids and their families.

Wrestling with a purpose

This past April, to celebrate WWE and Make-A-Wish’s 40 years of partnership, the sports entertainment organization invited 20 wish kids and their families to Hollywood to fulfill their wishes to attend WrestleMania 39, WWE’s annual pop culture extravaganza.

WWE Superstar John Cena, the all-time most requested celebrity wish granter, invited wish kids to join him onstage for his entrance before his match at the event. They were greeted by the cheering and applause of more than 86,000 fans at SoFi Stadium. This is the first time that wish kids were incorporated into WrestleMania and hopefully, it won’t be the last.

During their time at WrestleMania, the kids and their families had a special opportunity for private meet-and-greets with WWE Superstars Cody Rhodes, Liv Morgan, Finn Bálor, Bayley, Carmella and Omos. Best of all, the kids were inducted into the Circle of Champions, WWE’s exclusive group that celebrates and honors the perseverance and toughness of wish kids.

“WWE understands that the wishes they help to grant can provide children with critical illnesses with the strength and resilience they need to fight whatever challenges come their way,” said Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. “This year’s WrestleMania is the latest example of the types of life-changing experiences that WWE provides to wish kids and their families on a regular basis.”

More than just one day

While WrestleMania 39 was a landmark wish for several kids this year, WWE and its Superstars continue to grant wishes year-round. For example, WWE and John Cena granted wishes each week during the Legend’s return to SmackDown. Also, in the lead-up to World Wish Day, WWE invited former wish recipients and their families to attend Monday Night RAW in Chicago.

WWE’s philanthropy isn’t limited to the U.S. An organization that touches every corner of the world with its philanthropic actions, working with partners like Make-A-Wish, WWE is making a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and communities at home and abroad.

Through its partnership with Make-A-Wish, the organization has granted numerous international wishes in the UK, India and Saudi Arabia, among others. WWE has also hosted memorable wish-granting events at iconic venues like Universal Studios Hollywood and the Natural History Museum in London.

To learn more about WWE’s ongoing partnership with Make-A-Wish, visit Corporate.WWE.com/Impact.