Month: December 2018

2018-12-26T07:01:01

(BPT) – In the world of healthy eating, chrono-nutrition has a long-standing history, and shines a spotlight on the time of day you eat being just as important as what you eat. The new year provides the opportunity to reflect on nutrition goals and to determine how to better optimize health for a “new year, new you.” In 2019, chrono-nutrition for vitamin use will take nutrition to the next level.

What is chrono-nutrition?

A biological clock is an instinctive mechanism that controls the body’s activities, including waking, sleeping and doing other activities on a regular cycle. For example, “jet lag” occurs when your internal clock, or circadian rhythms, become out of sync with the current location’s time. The same is true for food and vitamin supplements. The goal is to align nutrition patterns with each person’s internal clock.

Which vitamins and when

According to Dr. Michael Roizen, chief wellness officer of the Cleveland Clinic, chairman of the medical advisory board for Persona and author of the new What to Eat When book, “most people focus on the food part of chrono-nutrition and do not consider their vitamin routine. Following a chrono-nutrition program for meals and dietary supplement intake will align nutrition patterns with internal clocks, preparing the body to meet health goals.”

Most people take their vitamin supplements at different times of day — often at varying times day to day. A good supplement program provides specific nutrients at specific times of the day. A personalized vitamin program, like Persona, guides its subscribers on which supplements to take when by providing easily marked individual packs.

Out of more than half a million people who took Persona’s online nutritional assessment, nearly 70 percent reported sleep concerns while 20 percent said they experience reduced energy levels. There are key times of the day to consider when taking nutritional supplements to help support sleep patterns and energy levels.

• Magnesium taken at night can help activate neurotransmitters responsible for relaxing the body and mind, encouraging a more restful sleep.
• Supplements with energetic properties like cordyceps and fermented ginseng are best taken in the morning to help the body remain focused throughout the day.
• A multi-vitamin can be split down the middle with half taken in the morning and the remaining amount before bed to better distribute the nutrients the body receives.
• Iron and calcium should be taken separately because they compete for absorption in the body. Taking iron with vitamin C also enhances absorption.

Don’t forget sleep and exercise

Overall wellness programs include healthy sleep routines and exercise programs. Synchronize food, dietary supplement, sleep and exercise programs for holistic health that will keep your body ticking to the right rhythm for overall health and wellness — in the new year and beyond.

2018-12-26T10:11:02

(BPT) – From the seasoned fashionista to the last-minute birthday gifter, we all have reasons to go shopping. Sometimes finding the perfect birthday or anniversary gift for a special loved one can feel overwhelming with so many choices out there. Here are few tips that can help save time, money and make shopping stress-free.

1. Leverage the experts. From shopping for your great-grandpa’s 80th birthday to finding the perfect Sunday brunch accessory, there are expert opinions on everything to guide you on your quest. A quick search online before you start to shop will generate creative ideas so you can have a starting point of what to look for.

2. Join a loyalty program. Being a rewards member at your favorite retailer allows you to not only get the perfect gift but enjoy wonderful bonuses for yourself as well. For example, Nordstrom’s new Nordy Club combines everything you loved about the Nordstrom Rewards program with enhanced services and experiences. You can earn points faster to receive notes, which can be used like cash for purchases in-store, in the app or online. As a member, you also get “First to Shop” select brand and product launches, access to beauty and style workshops, free basic alterations, can reserve online to try on in-store or use curbside pickup.

3. Find shortcuts. In today’s busy world, time is of the essence. Retailers recognize this need for efficiency and have designed services to make your life easier. You can buy online pick up in store, utilize complimentary gift-wrapping, or even schedule a free stylist appointment who will populate a dressing room with curated products before you even walk in the store. The list of services goes on and on, so be sure to check out what your local retailer has to offer.

To learn more about how to best leverage these tips at Nordstrom, check out The Nordy Club or visit Nordstrom.com.

2018-12-26T09:44:36

(BPT) – Sharing a fresh batch of cookies with family and friends is the perfect way to warm up a wintry day. Some bakers dare to experiment with new recipes, while others stick with old favorites. Yet, even the tried-and-true recipes don’t always turn out right.

Experienced bakers know how to achieve perfect cookies every time. But don’t worry! There’s no need to buy high-priced equipment or enroll in culinary school. All you need are simple tools, practical know-how and the best tasting, highest quality natural ingredients, including the staple Watkins Organic Ground Cinnamon, to make cookies that will please everyone.

Here are a few simple tips for delectable cookies.

* Invest in a food scale. Baking is all about chemistry. For consistent results use a simple food scale. This is important when measuring flour, which settles and varies in density if scooped. The rule of thumb is: Every cup of white flour equals 5 ounces, though some sources may recommend less. Many recipes indicate required ounces or grams. The right amount of flour is needed to absorb the ingredients, and to provide correct ratios with raising agents.

* Chill the dough. After mixing ingredients, chilling cookie dough for an hour or more prevents cookies from over-spreading while baking. Time spent in the fridge also gives ingredients the chance to gel, enhancing flavors, especially if you’re using spices. Another upside: You can prepare dough ahead of time and chill until you’re ready to bake, making prep easier.

* Use parchment paper. No need for pricey baking sheets. Parchment paper on cookie sheets does wonders for preventing overdone cookie bottoms.

* Hone your decorating strategy. You don’t need a lot of skill to achieve beautiful results. Start with good dough (properly chilled) and use a variety of cookie cutters to achieve perfect shapes. Cool cookies before applying icing or toppings so they won’t melt or run. Use Watkins Assorted Food Coloring with no artificial dyes for the best results in colorful Pinterest-worthy treats. Creating effects with a variety of toppings (candies, sprinkles, icing, etc.) will make it look like you spent days in the kitchen.

* Use high-quality ingredients. Always start with high-quality, fresh ingredients for the best taste and appearance. Make sure your flour and raising agents, like baking powder or baking soda, haven’t sat in your cupboard too long, losing their effectiveness. Using the best quality flavorings like Watkins All Natural Baking Vanilla Extract results in scrumptious cookies. Unlike ordinary vanilla, which has a higher alcohol content, Watkins All Natural Baking Vanilla is made with flavor-rich Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla. It is a double-strength vanilla, so you need only half the normal amount in your baking.

Here is a classic recipe to delight your family and guests.

Deluxe Sugar Cookies

Cookies:

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon Watkins All Natural Baking Vanilla Extract
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Pure Almond Extract
2 tablespoons milk
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

Frosting:

4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
3 to 4 tablespoons milk
1 to 2 teaspoons Watkins Pure Orange, Watkins Pure Lemon or Watkins Pure Peppermint Extract, to taste
Watkins Assorted Food Coloring

Cookies: Combine butter, sugar, egg, extracts and milk in large bowl. Stir in flour and baking powder; mix well. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm (about 2 hours). Heat oven to 400 F. On lightly floured surface, roll dough one third at a time to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with floured cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 6 to 9 minutes or until edges are light brown. Immediately remove to cool on wire rack.

Frosting: Combine all ingredients; beat until smooth.

2018-12-21T11:01:01

(BPT) – Baby, it’s cold outside! The temperature is dropping and winter coat weather is here. Take these tips to refresh your dusty duds without going to the dry cleaner!

2018-12-21T10:03:00

(BPT) – The winter months are known as a leading cause of indoor stir-craziness. Colder temperatures, rain, sleet, snow and shortened daylight hours all mean we spend more time inside than we would like.

This poses a particular challenge for guys, who after months of hibernation are surely climbing the walls. The male head of the family needs some creative outlets that will keep him from driving the rest of the house — not to mention himself — crazy. Here are some outside-the-box ideas to support inside pastimes for guys to help maintain sanity.

B.Y.O.B. (Brew Your Own Beer)

The craft beer craze continues to grow, with nearly 1,000 new breweries opening across the country each year, according to the Brewers Association. But no need to venture out to the local taproom if you can serve the fruits of your own labor from the comforts of home. Given the right ingredients and equipment, brewing homemade beer is as simple as following a recipe. After brewing, fermenting and bottling over a couple of weeks’ time, invite the pals over to show off your own brand of beer.

Establish the indoor work station

Tackling the list of projects around the house requires a work station where you can get things done, though being confined indoors means that space is at a premium. The portable Keter folding work table from Northern Tool + Equipment is an efficient way to establish this home base that you can easily fold up and store when finished. Use the table for working on any number of household odd jobs, or help the kids with their hands-on school projects. Better still, park the table in the garage and treat it as a hang-out place for chips and beer with the buddies.

Man-décor the den

If time must be spent inside, add some intrigue from the great outdoors to your den or man cave. Nothing sparks some good storytelling like a realistic taxidermy specimen mounted on the wall, and the Jackalope Wall Mount from Kotula’s is sure to turn heads. No two of these creatures are alike, so regale your pals with epic tales of the chase until you can all get back out on the trail again.

Embrace the elements

You know what they say: “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” The only surefire way to overcome stir-craziness is to get outside, no matter what the elements may present. If it’s snowing, try an hourly or full-day snowmobile rental. If your area has been hit with heavy rains, fight back by taking the truck out “muddin.’” Be creative and get the whole family involved so that when the day is done, all will be happy to enjoy the comforts of the indoors once again.

2018-12-21T10:54:44

(BPT) – Sadness and grief are normal human emotions. These feelings can often last for a short period of time. However, when these emotions last for many days or weeks, depression becomes a concern.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, depression is among the most treatable of mental disorders. Between 80 percent and 90 percent of people with depression eventually respond well to treatment. Almost all patients gain some relief from their symptoms.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 16.2 million adults in the U.S. have had at least one major depressive episode in a given year. In fact, according to a report from the National Center for Health Statistics an estimated 8.1 percent of adults age 20 and older had depression in a given 2-week period during 2013-2016. Of those affected by depression, 80 percent reported having at least some difficulty managing work, home and social activities.

In the past, stigma surrounding depression caused some people to avoid seeking help. As celebrities, musicians, and even politicians speak out about their own struggles with depression, people have felt empowered to take the steps to find the help they need.

Symptoms of depression

It can be difficult to know when feeling down is turning into something more concerning. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, a major depressive episode may include some of these symptoms:

* Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood

* Feelings of hopelessness

* Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness

* Restlessness, irritability

* Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies

* Decreased energy

* Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions

* Insomnia, early-morning awakening or oversleeping

* Low appetite and weight loss, or, overeating and weight gain

* Thoughts of death or suicide

* Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment (such as headaches, digestive disorders and pain for which no other cause can be diagnosed)

Three steps that can help

People experiencing some or all of these symptoms can take action by following these three steps.

Step 1: Get screened by a qualified mental health expert. Depression can only be diagnosed by a health care professional who has special assessments and tools to make the appropriate diagnosis.

Step 2: Talk to your healthcare provider about a treatment plan. Depression can be managed with the right treatment options. A healthcare provider can determine the strategy that works best for you. Common treatment plans may include psychotherapy and medication.

Step 3: Follow a treatment plan closely and take medications as prescribed. Abruptly stopping medications may cause withdrawal symptoms that could worsen depression. If you are uninsured or your health insurance doesn’t cover the medications you need, there are programs that can help. For example, the Inside Rx program is a free prescription savings program that could save an average of 40 percent off select brand-name medications and 80 percent off retail price on generic medications. You can check the price of medications, and terms and restrictions like eligibility requirements, at InsideRx.com.

Depression doesn’t discriminate. It impacts all races, ages and genders. Take these first steps to help manage your symptoms. Keep in mind, if you are ever feeling suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 immediately.

2018-12-21T11:01:01

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