Month: June 2019

2019-06-07T06:01:02

(BPT) – Reynolds Wrap^® has you covered with the latest grilling trends and tips to help fire up the 2019 grilling season! Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding the entire neighborhood, these ideas will turn you into a grill master. For even more recipes and grilling inspiration, visit ReynoldsKitchens.com or follow us on Facebook.

1. Turn your gas grill into a smoker

Give your gas grill the smoky flavor you want without having to purchase another piece of expensive grilling equipment. With Reynolds Wrap, you can have the best of both worlds. Add presoaked woodchips to the center of a piece of foil and fold into a foil packet. Poke several holes in the top to allow smoke to escape and place near food on the grill. Learn more and see the full step-by-step process here.

2. Grill your own pizza

Keep the oven off this summer and use your grill to make your own pizza! Use Reynolds Wrap Heavy Duty Foil to make cooking, cleaning up and wrapping leftovers a breeze. Get the recipe for our Greek Grilled Pizza here.

3. Grill with foil packets to help lock in flavor

Foil packet cooking with Reynolds Wrap Heavy Duty Foil is an easy way to make delicious meals on the grill, while locking in nutrients and flavor. Vegetables come out crisp and meats stay moist and tender with no cleanup. Get some of our favorite foil packet recipes here.

4. Grill your dessert

Don’t forget dessert! Grilled s’mores ice cream sandwiches make the perfect after-dinner treat and are easy to make on the grill — no campfire needed. Get the recipe here.

5. Clean your grill with aluminum foil

When you’re all done grilling, simply take a piece of aluminum foil and roll it into a ball. Then grab your tongs and use these to steady the ball of foil so that you can scrape the grill grates. The foil will knock off leftover residue, leaving you with clean grates for the next time you fire up the grill — it’s that easy!

2019-06-07T08:01:00

(BPT) – No matter what you yearn for when you imagine your dream vacation, you can make it happen in one of the 14 distinct communities in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. You may think you know Myrtle Beach — with 60 miles of beautiful coastline, exciting nightlife and family-friendly attractions — but there’s lots more to explore.

Are you all about the beach?

When you think vacation, do you crave relaxing in the sun? Perhaps you love surfing, or have a family to entertain with sandcastles and swimming. While there’s plenty of beaches to choose from, here are some highlights:

• For families, Surfside Beach is great for beachside activities, from games at nearby public parks to fun in the sun. You can rent a beach house for any size family. This is also the first designated autism-friendly travel destination in America.
• Colorful homes line Garden City Beach, which offers plenty of amazing spots for surfers to find their next wave.
• To explore the area’s rich heritage, the beach community of Atlantic Beach, known as “the Black Pearl,” celebrates residents and business owners who are proud descendants of the Gullah Geechee people.

Would you rather hit the links?

Myrtle Beach offers great golfing choices, like Dunes Golf and Beach Club, but there are plenty of world-class options:

• Pawleys Island is home to several top-notch golf courses, like the famed Caledonia Golf & Fish Club. If your travel companion is less into the links, there’s lots of casual shopping and dining nearby.
• Litchfield Beach has excellent golf courses plus quiet sandy beaches for strolling, or you can keep fit by running, walking or biking the 26-mile-long Waccamaw Neck Bikeway.

Are you a foodie?

Sample delicious southern cuisine throughout Myrtle Beach, including a few standouts:

• Historic railroad town Loris is the birthplace of a traditional dish called “chicken bog.” This less spicy cousin of jambalaya, using chicken, rice and sausage, retains a wetter rice texture, reflected in its name. Visit in October to attend the annual Loris Bog-off Festival.
• Aynor, a little town full of southern hospitality, has fabulous places to sample local cuisine, like a tiny shack housing Gore’s Bar-B-Que & Country Chicken, known for its tasty sauce.

Do you look for beauty, indoors and out?

If you love the beauty of the natural world and the art world, here are must-see communities:

• One of the oldest towns in South Carolina, Conway features tree-lined streets and a picturesque Riverwalk along the Waccamaw River. Conway is home to a quaint historic district and thriving art community.
• Murrells Inlet, also known as the “seafood capital of South Carolina,” offers gorgeous views of the marsh. Enjoy a stunning sunset along the scenic MarshWalk and view the numerous sculptures at the stunning Brookgreen Gardens.

Would you rather be fishing?

While there are many exceptional fishing opportunities in the area, if you want to glimpse dolphins or take a walk on the wild side, check out these fun venues:

• Find an outfitter at Little River and hit the water for anything from deep-sea fishing or inshore fishing to a dolphin cruise or even a casino cruise. Little River is home of the world-famous Blue Crab Festival and Shrimpfest.
• If your family loves animals, the Myrtle Beach Safari in the charming town of Socastee is worth a stop. See and interact with an amazing array of animals in 50 acres of tropical paradise — you may even get to feed an elephant!

Do you crave excitement?

Don’t miss these opportunities to get your adrenaline racing.

• Start your engines at Carolina Forest, home of the Myrtle Beach Speedway and the NASCAR Racing Experience.
• North Myrtle Beach, where the Shag dance was started, offers lively clubs to catch terrific live music and dance the night away.
• At the heart of the Grand Strand in Myrtle Beach, find everything from top shopping, quality dining and sizzling nightlife to the nearly 187-foot-tall Myrtle Beach SkyWheel.

Come and explore all these unique Myrtle Beach neighborhoods. When you visit, post your vacation photos with you and your friends or family at your long-time favorite or newly discovered gem for a chance to win a return trip. For more information about Myrtle Beach and to enter, visit www.visitmyrtlebeach.com.

2019-06-06T11:31:00

(BPT) – With summertime upon us and kids out of school, moms are heading into one of the busiest times of year. When summer schedules get hectic, it’s more important than ever for moms to take time for themselves and keep up their energy.

One easy way for moms to stay on top of their game while on the go this summer is with quick, healthy snacks that fit right into your busy schedule and keep you energized wherever the day takes you. Del Monte(R) Fruit & Oats(TM), the first ready-to-eat wholesome oatmeal with a full serving (1/2 cup per USDA nutrient data) of fruit, can help you do just that.

Start your day strong

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but too often gets skipped due to busy morning routines. When you’re trying to pack lunches, get everyone ready and out the door in time for summer camp drop-offs in the mornings, feeding yourself can be an afterthought.

A fast, convenient solution when you only have minutes to spare is a ready-to-eat item such as Fruit & Oats, a 2019 Product of the Year winner for the Breakfast Category (Survey of 40,000 people by Kantar TNS), which requires no preparation and is packed with 100% whole grain oats and chunks of orchard-ripe fruit to ensure you put your best foot forward for the day. Enjoy hot or cold to get a jump start on your morning and ensure you never leave the house ‘hangry’ ahead of an activity-filled day.

Don’t skip meals

When you are balancing drop-off, lessons and playdates, plus trying to squeeze in your own workout or errands, lunch is the first meal to go. If you’ve found yourself skipping the meal entirely, leading to low energy, or reaching for your kids’ snacks to tide you over, you aren’t alone.

Toss wholesome, ready-to-eat snacks into your bag before you leave the house and you’ll be thanking yourself later when you have a midday snack that you can eat anywhere. Even better, Fruit & Oats’ 20 grams of hearty, slow-cooked whole grain oats and 400mg of Omega-3 fatty acids will satisfy you and give you a boost of energy to keep you going for the rest of the day.

Keep healthy snacks at the ready

In between your main meals it’s important to keep your energy at an optimum level throughout the day, and eating healthy snacks may help accomplish just that. Additionally, eating wholesome snacks throughout the day can help you avoid overeating or unhealthy snacking.

Whether for breakfast, lunch or in-between, quick, healthy snack options keep you on your A-game when your family needs you most this summer. Convenient grab-and-go snacks mean you have more time for yourself and everything else you need to accomplish in a day.

Find Del Monte Fruit & Oats in the Fruit Cup(R) snack aisle in the delicious flavors of Apple Cinnamon, Peach Cinnamon Spice and Pear Maple. And, keep your eye out for two new flavors, Blueberry Apple and Strawberry Apple, hitting shelves this week.

2019-06-06T17:11:16

(BPT) – Americans have a long-standing love affair with grilling. This relationship started many years ago. Our ancestors first learned to cook over an open flame, and today grilling has become a year-round lifestyle choice with many preferring to cook outdoors.

Why do Americans love grilling so much? The reasons are wide ranging. Some grill to relax. The backyard is their escape, and the flame calms them. Others barbecue for nostalgia. The grill is a time machine to their best childhood moments. Many grill for the sheer joy of cooking. The sizzle on the grates, the smell rising to the sky, the juices dripping on the coals.

The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association asked grilling celebrities to share why we love gathering around the flame and to ultimately encourage everyone to grill this summer and beyond.

1) Boog Powell, “I grill for nostalgia:” Orioles legend and professional barbecuer Boog Powell loves to grill because of a childhood experience. “I started grilling when I was 10 years old when my dad, brother and I made a big slab of ribs on a homemade grill on a family camping trip. It was probably the best ribs and the best barbecue that I’ve had in my life. I have been hooked on barbecue since then, and I still love it, more now than ever before,” adds Powell.

2) Tobias Dorzon, “I grill for my health:” Tobias Dorzon, former professional football player, professional chef and champion of Food Network’s “Guy’s Grocery Games” grills for the health benefits and delicious flavor. Dorzon notes, “Grilling is a healthier alternative because it burns the fat off meats and it uses less oil. Plus, grilling takes less time to cook and it keeps all the nutrients and flavors throughout your food.”

3) Christie Vanover, “I grill for fresh air:” Christie Vanover, owner and operator of Girls Can Grill, loves grilling because it allows her to spend time outside. Vanover says, “My motto is ‘Anything that can be cooked in the kitchen can be cooked on a grill.’ I grill year-round, because I love being outdoors and soaking up the fresh air.”

4) Matt Pittman, “I grill to bring people together:” Matt Pittman, celebrity grilling expert and owner of Meat Church BBQ, “grills to bring people together and make great memories. Our lives center around food. What better way to spend time with friends and family than outside cooking and sharing a great meal.”

5) Mad Dog & Merrill, “We grill for entertainment:” Internationally recognized and self-proclaimed “Grillologists” and the hosts of the TV series “Midwest Grillin’,” Mad Dog & Merrill clearly love to grill. “We started grilling for the fun of it all. Now 35 years later, we enjoy teaching backyard grillers how to think out of the box, experiment on the grill, and become ‘Grillogists’ of their own.”

6) Stan Hays, “I grill to help people:” Stan Hays, co-founder/CEO of Operation BBQ Relief, uses his grilling skills to help those in need when disaster strikes. “I have always enjoyed cooking from a young age, but it wasn’t until I graduated college that I really became obsessed with grilling. I now look for all opportunities to use my grill and smoker. There is something so satisfying about using fire to feed your friends and family, and I’ve even found a way to use my passion for grilling to feed people in need.”

For more reasons, tips and tricks, recipes and information on grilling, visit www.whyigrill.org.

2019-06-06T08:01:00

(BPT) – Going through hot flashes? You’re not alone.

If you’re a woman in your 40s, you may have started experiencing the normal symptoms of perimenopause, which is a natural transition that occurs during the years leading up to menopause. During perimenopause, which can last anywhere from a few months to nearly a decade for some women, and during menopause, hot flashes are extremely common. According to the U.S. Office of Women’s Health, 75% of U.S. women will experience hot flashes.

Other symptoms experienced during perimenopause and menopause include muscle aches, mood swings, night sweats and difficulty sleeping, a feeling of brain fogginess, vaginal dryness, weight gain and more. So, what can you do to help cope with these symptoms?

The first steps are simply to commit to improving your overall health and well-being. Here are some good strategies to start.

Boost your diet with whole, fresh foods.

Decreasing the amount of processed foods and sugar you consume, while increasing fresh ingredients like fruits and vegetables in your daily diet, will greatly benefit your health, which will also help to reduce some of the common symptoms of perimenopause.

Get moving.

You don’t have to run a marathon, but increasing your physical activity each day can really make you feel better during this time of life.

Physical activity may be as simple as taking a daily walk or bike ride. Adding hand weights or exercise such as yoga to your routine can help improve your muscle tone, strength and flexibility. All of these activities will reduce stress and help lessen some of your worst perimenopause symptoms.

Try a naturally derived supplement.

“My patients often ask, ‘Will I ever feel like myself again?’” says board-certified gynecologist and author of Menopause Confidential, Dr. Tara Allmen. “The answer is absolutely ‘Yes!’ The exciting news is that there is now a new non-hormonal, non-prescription alternative for women that relieves both the frequency of hot flashes and muscle aches associated with menopause.”

EQUELLE is a naturally derived product from a plant compound in soy. In clinical trials, women saw results in as few as four weeks, with optimal results in eight to twelve weeks. Its active ingredient, S-equol, is affirmed safe in both food and drug supplements. Learn more at EQUELLE.com.

Give yourself the gift of sleep.

Some menopausal symptoms can interfere with your sleep, so plan for a better rest by establishing a regular bedtime that’s early enough to allow you a good solid eight hours of sleep.

Make sure your bedroom is comfortable, dark and distraction-free. Resist the urge to stay tuned in to technology late at night. Do something relaxing before bed like meditation, listening to music or reading. See your health care professional for additional options if your sleep is seriously impaired by symptoms of perimenopause.

Relieve your stress.

Find your own most effective ways to relieve stress, whether that means exercise, meditation, spending time outdoors, relaxing baths or massages. Anything that helps you put aside the cares of the day and truly relax will also help reduce bothersome symptoms throughout perimenopause and menopause.

If your symptoms do not improve and they adversely affect your quality of life, talk to your health care professional about them and any other health concerns you may have at this time. Track the symptoms you experience so that you can discuss strategies for helping you “feel like yourself” again. There are many options out there to help you not just get through perimenopause and menopause, but to thrive — and feel your best.

2019-06-05T10:01:00

(BPT) – Wondering where to put down whiskered roots? Look no further than the sixth annual ‘Most Facial Hair Friendly Cities in America’ study from men’s grooming leader, Wahl. While there’s a flurry of follicular support up and down the West Coast, a Midwestern jewel secured the No. 1 spot this year. Check out the top 10 cities boasting beard bragging rights in 2019.

1. Chicago

Beards abound mile after magnificent mile in Chicago, which is why the city is a perennial player on this rugged roster. The city’s rabid sports fans are no exception to face fur, so this combined with the gridiron grizzlies’ quarterback beard pact last season may have launched the city into this year’s facial hair friendly Hall of Fame.

2. Atlanta

Probably the hottest of the hairy havens, Atlanta has held fast among the top three facial hair friendly cities for the last few years. So if you’re looking for a place that welcomes whiskers, look no further than this heart of southern — and stubble — hospitality.

3. San Francisco

San Francisco brims with bays, bridges and beards. Known for its diversity, this city’s culture ranges from art and cuisine to scruff and sideburns. Take a cable car ride through town, and you’ll see many different facial dos hitting those hilly streets.

4. Los Angeles

L.A. has made a steady climb up the bearded ladder the last few years. Fandom for fuzzy-faced celebrities could be a factor. One thing is certain, however, be it a movie premiere or a day at the beach, you don’t have to look very hard to find facial hair in the “City of (Bearded) Angels.”

5. Seattle

Seattle’s affinity for beard necklines runs as long as its shorelines. No morning is complete without a cup of Seattle’s best brew and some facial hair care. While the forecast might say otherwise, Seattle’s future definitely looks hairy and bright.

6. Portland

The Pacific Northwest continues to reign facial hair supreme as Portland persists on this top-10 totem. Hipsters, cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts all get in on the facial hair action. Even the city’s famous doughnut shop decorates one of their tasty creations with a mustache.

7. Austin

This Texas capital is the state’s facial hair haven. From cowboys to creatives to college kids, the population embraces all things weird — and beard. Reports also rank Austin as one of the country’s fastest-growing cities. We like to believe this applies to the facial fuzz of its inhabitants.

8. New York City

From Brooklyn to the Bronx, New York’s boroughs exude facial hair pheromones. With popular dating events catering to bearded men and the women who love them, five o’clock is a happy hour as well as a shadow.

9. San Diego

As “America’s Finest City,” San Diego definitely has some of the finest facial hair. And we’re not surprised. When you live in beautiful weather year round, why not step outside and show off your scruff?

10. Philadelphia

Life, liberty and the pursuit of the hirsute are a way of life in Philadelphia. Even though the “City of Beardly Love” dropped from its top spot last year, we know its bristly brethren will remain a historical attraction.

Don’t see your city in the top 10? Check out Wahl’s complete list of “Most Facial Hair Friendly Cities” for 2019.

Whether or not your city made the list, you can still beard with the best of them by entering the Wahl Man of the Year contest. The contest runs through Oct. 18, 2019, and the winner will receive $1,500, plus bragging rights. More information, including how to enter and official rules, can be found at WahlUSA.com.