Month: October 2018

2018-10-18T17:07:00

(BPT) – Holiday season is upon us again, meaning an extra-large helping of food, family, friends and fun are in store. Unfortunately, so is the seasonal nasty weather. Be prepared for chilling temps, rain and snow that could easily put a damper on driving to holiday celebrations and shopping sprees.

As the weather starts to get temperamental and roads get super-slick, now is the time to make sure your car is ready to handle the holiday driving crunch. First place to check is at your feet: Your tires are responsible for safely getting you from holiday point A to point B.

“Whether frantically searching for parking spaces at the mall or heading on a road trip to visit family, people have a lot on their plates during the holidays,” said Alan Holtschneider, director of marketing for Yokohama Tire Corp., maker of a variety of tires. “The one thing they shouldn’t forget to do is check the condition of their tires. It’s something every driver should do because tires are the only part of a vehicle that actually touches the road and they affect everything from braking and steering to comfort and handling.”

Holtschneider said that certain types of tires perform well in less-than-ideal conditions. “An all-season tire such as the Avid Ascend GT delivers improved wet/snow braking and handling, while a light truck tire like the Geolandar A/T G015 handles any weather condition, including snow.”

Tire maintenance is also important. Make sure the tread is in good shape and your tires are properly inflated. That will help increase traction on wet and icy roads, which is especially important during the fall/winter season. Here are some year-round tips:

• Check tire pressure: Check tire pressure at least once a month — this takes about five minutes. Always use an accurate tire gauge and consult the owner’s manual or placard on the driver’s door to determine proper tire pressure. Tire pressure should be checked when the tires are cold — at least four hours since the vehicle was last driven.

• Check tread depth: Check your tread depth by placing a penny upside down into a tread groove. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, your tire’s tread has worn down to the legal limit and you need to buy a new tire.

• Replace worn tires: Tires should be replaced when the tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch, the lowest legal limit. It’s best to replace them before they reach 2/32 for optimal performance, especially in bad weather.

• Rotate tires regularly: Rotating your tires regularly promotes even wear of the tread. Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.

• Check tire alignment: Check your alignment at least once a year or sooner, especially if the vehicle is pulling to one side. This will help avoid uneven wear on tire tread. Tire balance should also be monitored.

For more tire care and safety tips, visit www.yokohamatire.com/tires-101.

2018-10-18T15:45:00

(BPT) – Life at a small company, 50 employees or less, has its upsides. But an employee departure is not one of them. When someone from the team moves on to new opportunities, everyone feels it, whether that means shuffling workloads or working extra shifts.

Added to the day-to-day pressures of running a business is finding time and resources to recruit someone with the talent, drive and personality to fill out the team. Not only is the market tight, but it can be hard to compete when top talent is fielding more alluring offers from big companies, which may come with flashy perks and bigger paychecks.

“An advantage small firms have is that more people are looking to work for a company they feel cares about their well-being,” said David Poirier, national director of Small Group Sales at Guardian. “Small business owners and leaders can evaluate what motivates their employees, and work to enhance their employees’ experience with technology, voluntary benefits and increased flexible work.”

The truth is, small businesses hold big opportunity for talented employees and prospects, and there are a few things a company can do to help improve its recruitment and retention strategy.

1. Support your employees’ financial needs.

Even if you already offer a benefits package, it’s worth finding out whether the current offerings are, in fact, meeting the needs and concerns of employees. For example, four in 10 small business workers say they depend on workplace benefits for financial security, according to the latest set of findings from Guardian’s Annual Workplace Benefits Study: Small Business, Big Benefits.

To create a benefits plan that stands up to the competition, rethinking it as a means to help workers improve financial wellness can serve as a guide. Expanding the offerings to voluntary benefits, such as assistance with student loan repayment, or supplemental health coverage, like accident insurance, for high-deductible health insurance plans, can help workers manage their biggest costs.

Another effective approach is to offer support to help workers achieve their financial goals, such as financial education, support services and professional guidance.

2. Enhance work-life balance.

Everyone wants less stress, but unfortunately, work is a common source of it. Take a look at the quality of the workday from the employees’ perspective. Are they always feeling stressed? Are they expected to be available during off-hours to respond to work issues? Most people enjoy a challenge. However, if the work structure keeps the stress response in always-on mode, it makes personal time less enjoyable, diminishing emotional well-being.

In the Guardian study, only half of small-business workers say their employer cares about their overall well-being, yet the results suggest that taking steps to show that you care for employees can raise loyalty. More than half (55 percent) say a caring employer would keep them working for the same employer for 10 years or more.

Fortunately, the study identified some solutions that small businesses can easily provide to show employees they care. For example, an increasing number of small businesses say they have taken steps to improve work-life balance, such as flexible work schedules and remote work options. Wellness packages that help employees optimize their health goals in their spare time, such as discounts for gym memberships, also help.

3. Make the switch to digital

We live in a digital world where consumers have access to everything they want in the palm of their hands. Bringing that same concept into the workplace with benefits can go a long way with employees, particularly because they want their benefits to be easier to access and understand. One thing that is helping small firms, especially start-ups, deliver an enhanced employee experience is the increased use of cloud-based software and digitalizing various aspects of the HR and benefits functions. In fact, the Guardian study found 52 percent of small businesses have digitalized a majority of their benefits processes. For those companies that have made the switch, their satisfaction with the benefits process is considerably higher compared to those who are mostly paper-based. These results suggest an employer that invests in technology will not only be happier with the experience, but they will create a strong culture of well-being in their firm that can help foster retention and loyalty.

While a small business owner has a lot on their plate to keep their business going, it’s important they show their employees that they value their contributions and have their employees’ best interests in mind. Doing that can make a small firm one that attracts top talent and inspires good people to stay. If you’re considering changes to your benefits, contact The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America.

2018-10-18T12:01:00

(BPT) – When planning a deck project, choosing the right material is key to the enjoyment and value you’ll get from your outdoor living space. Today, there are more choices in decking materials than ever before, including high-performance composites, which are increasingly replacing wood in backyards across the country — and for good reason.

“Today’s homeowners want to spend their time enjoying their outdoor living spaces — rather than maintaining them,” says Leslie Adkins, vice president of marketing for residential products at Trex Company, the inventor and leading manufacturer of composite decking. “High-performance composite decking stands up to decades of weather and day-to-day usage without the burdensome sanding and staining required to maintain wood decks.”

As you weigh your options, here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about composite decking:

What are the key benefits of composite decking?

Unlike wood, high-performance composite decking resists fading, scratching and mold — and won’t rot, warp, crack or splinter. Wood decking does not age gracefully, even with regular maintenance — including washing, staining and sealing that can take several days and a considerable number of materials and tools. Composites require minimal upkeep. You never need to worry about painful splinters or the laborious sanding, staining or painting — just an occasional soap-and-water cleaning will do the trick.

Does composite decking look natural?

The aesthetics of composite decking have evolved considerably over the years. Today’s offerings feature high-definition wood-grain patterns that are nearly indistinguishable from real wood textures. Additionally, composite decking comes in a wider variety of color options to complement the exterior of any home. Ranging from rich browns and warm umbers to spicy reds and pristine grays, composites are more natural than ever before and boast a vibrancy that remains unchanged without having to stain and re-stain year after year.

How do composite costs compare with wood?

Initially, composite decking costs more, board for board, than pressure-treated lumber. But rather than deteriorating over time, composite decking delivers more long-term value due to its minimal maintenance requirements. When you consider the cumulative costs of power washing, sanding, staining and painting a wood deck every season, composite decking proves a much better value over time. According to HomeAdvisor.com, maintenance for a wood deck costs an average of $540 to $1,050 per year compared with just $15 to $20 for a composite deck.

Are composite materials environmentally friendly?

Wood might be a natural material, but the chemical coatings used to protect the wood from rot and mold are not. Composite decking, on the other hand, uses few chemicals in its manufacturing and the upkeep is simple — just soap and water. Additionally, Trex decking is made from 95 percent recycled materials, including plastic film recycled from a variety of items, such as grocery bags and newspaper sleeves. The company repurposes more than 400 million pounds of plastic and wood particles annually that would otherwise end up in landfills.

What’s the difference between “capped” and “uncapped” composites?

Early generations of composite decking were “uncapped,” leaving them vulnerable to staining, fading, mold and mildew. The leading composite products available today are “capped” with a protective outer layer that is bonded to the core during the manufacturing process. This “shell” contains UV inhibitors and other ingredients to ensure the deck boards retain their aesthetics and durability. In addition to resisting fading, staining and mold, they won’t rot crack or splinter like wood and require minimal maintenance.

2018-10-18T10:31:00

(BPT) – In 1990, after Michelle Lopez left a domestic violence situation, she and her infant daughter were homeless and were both diagnosed with HIV. “If I had not found community, I truly believe I would have been dead,” remarks Michelle. Today, Michelle, a 51-year-old mother and grandmother, reminds people that “You’re not alone, you’re never going to be alone.”

While HIV can now be a long-term, manageable chronic disease for many, aging with HIV can present a unique set of challenges. Stigma is among the foremost barriers to HIV treatment, care and support. It’s common for older adults living with HIV to feel lonely and isolated. That’s why the HIV: The Long View Coalition is helping to reinvigorate the dialogue around HIV and shift the conversation toward a focus on long-term healthier living — regardless of a patient’s age at the time of diagnosis. A large part of the Coalition’s mission is dedicated to reducing stigma and helping older adults living with HIV find communities and networks of support as they navigate the challenges of living with the condition.

Ed Shaw says finding community support and reaching out to people who could help him better understand his diagnosis was so important in learning to live with HIV. Ed felt ashamed and embarrassed when he was first diagnosed; however, after talking with a healthcare provider and learning more about his condition, Ed began to feel comfortable enough to seek treatment. “The more I came to understand about HIV,” Ed says, “the less afraid I became.” Today, Ed mentors individuals living with HIV and helps connect them to resources and organizations like the ones that helped him more than two decades ago.

Kim Watson, a woman of trans experience, is also sharing her story of learning to live with HIV to help others feel comfortable talking about the condition. When Kim was in her 20s, she wished that she had someone to guide and mentor her through the challenges of living with HIV. Today, Kim takes pride in being that resource for a younger generation. “It’s so important for people impacted by HIV to feel supported,” Kim says. “And the best way to find that support is to confide in loved ones and to go out and explore your treatment options with a healthcare provider.”

Today, individuals with HIV are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are 1.1 million adults and adolescents living with HIV in the United States. People aged 50 and over account for an estimated 47 percent of Americans living with diagnosed HIV.

As a result of this demographic shift, the community has arrived at a crossroads. It’s a time of tremendous opportunity to envision the future and develop innovative solutions that can help improve the long-term outlook for those living with HIV.

The HIV: The Long View Coalition is helping people living with HIV address some of those challenges. Established in 2016 in collaboration with Gilead Sciences, the Coalition is a forward-looking health initiative working to drive discussion and action on the long-term needs of people living with and at-risk for HIV. The Coalition is comprised of a diverse group of partner organizations that support some of the communities most heavily impacted by the HIV epidemic today. The Coalition is working to reignite the conversation around aging, long-term health and HIV.

Earlier this summer, the Long View Coalition released its Never Alone video series. The videos feature the inspiring stories of three long-term HIV survivors, each of whom shares their experiences of overcoming stigma and aging happily and healthfully while living with HIV.

While Ed, Michelle and Kim each have their own unique stories to tell, they share many common experiences and have confronted many of the same challenges. From overcoming stigma, to feeling comfortable speaking with a healthcare provider, to talking openly with loved ones, there is a lot that those living with HIV should think about. Here are some of the most important things that Ed, Michelle and Kim have learned:

* Life doesn’t stop with HIV: More people are living longer — and aging healthier — with HIV than ever before. With proper medical care and a healthy lifestyle, those impacted by HIV are able to continue living their lives and doing what they love. As Michelle puts it, “HIV is just a diagnosis.”

* Community is always there: When anyone first hears the words, “You are HIV positive,” it’s easy to feel like no one else could possibly understand. Fortunately, that’s just not true. Whether you have a question about living with HIV, or you’re looking for additional resources, or just want to talk to someone who knows how you feel, there is a welcoming HIV community for whenever you need it. You are never alone.

* Paying it forward: If there is one thing that Ed, Michelle and Kim each emphasize again and again, it’s how thankful they are for the support they’ve received and their desire to pay it forward however they can. They each work with community advocacy organizations throughout the city to help prevent HIV, as well as mentor young people who are learning how to live with HIV. “I consider myself fortunate to be a long-term HIV survivor,” Ed says. “It’s up to people like me to pass on the knowledge and support that we’ve been given.”

To learn more about the Never Alone video series, and to hear from Ed, Michelle and Kim directly, visit http://hivthelongview.com/neveralone/.

2018-10-18T11:09:00

(BPT) – When your child is a senior in high school, the countdown to college begins. It’s an exciting time, but it also requires some practical planning, especially when it comes to putting the financial building blocks in place to pay for your child’s education. To help you get prepared and organized for success, College Ave Student Loans offers a timeline of what to do and when to do it during that critical year before college. Now is the time to sit down with your student and a calendar to plan your strategy and map out important dates and deadlines.

2018-10-17T10:01:00

(BPT) – Cacique Inc. — the No. 1 brand of authentic Mexican-style cheeses, cremas and chorizos in the U.S. — is celebrating the profound impact Mexican culture and cuisine has in America by partnering with a panel of the world’s top culinary talent to release predictions for What’s Next in Mexican Cuisine. As an authority in Mexican food, Cacique curated a group of the world’s top Mexican and Mexican-American chefs to share their takes on what will impact the culinary world in the coming year.

2018-10-17T09:17:00

(BPT) – You may have noticed more appetizers and entrees draped with pickled onions in the last couple of years. You may even have been adventurous enough to try them, learning how their tartness and onion flavor kick every dish up a notch.

Pickling has been around some 4,000 years to preserve vegetables. It became popular in 18th century England to preserve food, according to savoringthepast.net. Pickled onions are traditionally served with fish and chips or with what is called a ploughman’s lunch, a dish of bread, cheese and onions — part of the English diet for centuries.

Today, pickled onions are used all over the world in a variety of dishes.

As with fashion, food trends come and go, and the pickled onion has made a resurgence in the U.S. in recent years. According to a Datassential survey on menu trends, the use of pickled onions has grown 191 percent in restaurants and diners in the U.S. in the last four years. From 2016-17, their use grew 8 percent. Chefs have learned the pickled onion adds an interesting twist when paired with burgers, dogs, salads and sandwiches.

Adding pickled onions to your dishes doesn’t have to be the work of a 5-star restaurant chef. Pickling onions is easier than expected, and it adds a delicious kick to any dish you’re working on for dinner, lunch or even your tailgating dogs.

Pickled onions are great make-ahead options for garnishing meats, adding to salads or sandwiches. While healthier for you, you’ll not be giving up the flavor.

Pickled Ginger Onion Relish

Yields: 3 cups

Ingredients:

3 cups onions, red, sliced 1/8-inch thick

3/4 cup rice wine vinegar

2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

1/2 cup pickled ginger with juices

Directions:

Place onions into a bowl and cover with icy water for 10 minutes. Drain when ready to use. In a saucepan, heat vinegar, honey, salt and pepper over low heat just until boiling. Remove from heat. Pour over drained onions and mix well. Stir in ginger with juices and mix. Cover and cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Place in a covered container and refrigerate at least 24 hours before using.

Recipe provided by the National Onion Association.

2018-10-17T09:01:02

(BPT) – Whether you’re hosting a small holiday gathering with friends or a formal dinner party with family, entertaining can be stressful. But with a few simple food-focused tips, you’ll be on your way to throwing the perfect holiday get-together — headache-free.

For ease of planning, Executive Pastry Chef Christina Kaelberer of acclaimed Edwards Dessert Kitchen in Minneapolis suggests focusing your gathering around the table.

“Food is what brings people together, so it can easily serve as the focal point of a gathering,” says Kaelberer. “You don’t need to go out and purchase a bunch of expensive décor and spend hours transforming your entire home.”

“Holiday prep can be overwhelming, so I’m all for saving time,” she says. “My advice is to focus your efforts on a few star desserts and cocktails, which can easily elevate any party.”

Following are Kaelberer’s three favorite tips for simple holiday entertaining.

Tip one: Create cocktails in batches for easy serving.

One thing you’ll find on the menu at Kaelberer’s dessert bar is an array of fabulous adult beverages. To save time, her team prepares batch cocktails daily to serve to patrons. Apply this practice to your party planning and you can keep glasses filled, guests happy and have plenty of time to mingle and enjoy.

For inspiration, look to classics such as the Old-Fashioned, which features holiday flavors and warm spices. Add a splash of color to the presentation by topping your punch bowl with orange slices or cherries. To accommodate all your guests, accompany your bar offerings with something simple, festive and non-alcoholic, such as sparkling cranberry water.

Tip two: Make the dessert spread your grand centerpiece.

Your beautiful desserts deserve to be the center of attention. Holiday florals and ornaments can be expensive for how infrequently they’re used, so save time and money by letting the seasonal sweet treats serve as the holiday décor. Keep things visually interesting by serving a variety of flavor options with different textures and colors, such as layered trifles, fluffy pies and stacks of cookies and bars. Play around with platters, serving bowls and flatware that have varying shapes and heights.

Tip three: Rely on premium, thaw-and-serve desserts to bring the sweet.

If you’re planning to make desserts the focal point of your next gathering, why not opt for eye-catching items that will leave your guests thinking you spent hours in the kitchen? Thankfully, you don’t have to be a talented pastry chef to make a high-impact spread. A decadent, thaw-and-serve pie from your grocer’s freezer can elevate the occasion in minutes, whether it’s served straight out of the box or deconstructed into a new holiday creation.

To inspire your upcoming holiday bash, Kaelberer is sharing two recipes she crafted using crème pies that you can find in the frozen dessert aisle. You and your guests will be thrilled with the indulgent results.

Pumpkin Pie Budino

Ingredients

1 Edwards Pumpkin Crème Pie

32-ounce container whipped cream

1 cup caramel sauce

1 cup crushed graham crackers

Directions

Thaw pie slightly for 20 minutes.

Scoop out filling and set aside.

Pipe whipped cream layer into a glass.

Add caramel sauce layer, spoon or pipe pie filling layer, add crushed graham cracker layer.

Add a second layer of whipped cream, caramel sauce and pie filling.

Garnish with graham cracker and serve.

Turtle Pie Ice Box Cake

Ingredients

2 packages chocolate wafer cookies

2 16-ounce containers whipped cream

2 Edwards Turtle Pies

Directions

In a 9-inch cake ring or springform pan, arrange a layer of wafer cookies.

Spread a cup of whipped cream on top of the cookies, spreading out to the edges of the pan.

Gently press one frozen pie into the whipped cream.

Layer another round of wafer cookies on top of the pie, pressing in to avoid air gaps.

Place another cup of whipped cream on top and spread to the edges of the pan.

Repeat with another pie and gently press in.

Add a layer of wafer cookies and top with remaining whipped cream.

Add crushed wafer cookies on top for garnish.

Freeze overnight.

Remove the springform pan and fill in sides and edges of cake with remaining whipped cream.