Month: June 2019

2019-06-13T10:45:00

(BPT) – Whether it’s in his home kitchen or at one of his restaurants, Michelin-starred Chef Curtis Stone believes a delicious meal is best enjoyed with the people you love. From breakfast favorites, to easy weeknight meals and the perfect dinner for hosting friends and family, Chef Curtis Stone shares some tips and tricks to help you prepare a memorable meal, alongside one of his favorite roast chicken recipes.

1. Let’s start with breakfast. Pancakes are a family favorite, but it can be difficult to achieve that golden-brown finish found in restaurants. How do you make the perfect stack?

The key to the perfect pancake — from classic buttermilk flapjacks to my favorite ricotta hotcakes — is consistent temperature. I have a Bosch Induction Cooktop, which has a special feature called AutoChef that detects the temperature of the pan and distributes heat consistently, so every pancake in the batch is evenly golden brown on the outside, and soft and fluffy inside. High-quality tools make all the difference!

2. Speaking of induction cooktops, can you tell us more about this hot new cooking trend?

Induction cooking is one of my favorite methods because it provides the absolute best in heat efficiency, cooking flexibility and easy cleaning.

Induction cooktops use magnetic currents to apply heat directly to the pot or pan only. As a result, it’s really easy to control the temperature. Since induction only applies heat to the pot or pan, and not the cooktop itself, I can immediately wipe down the cooktop with a damp cloth to remove any residue and my kids can join in on all the fun, too.

To make the whole process simpler, the new Bosch induction cooktops communicate with select chimney hoods via Home Connect, which means I don’t have to worry about turning on ventilation prior to cooking — the appliance does it automatically for me when I turn on the cooktop! It makes my life so much easier.

3. Weeknight meals can be a challenge to prepare because everyone is so busy. How do you get dinner on the table faster?

I’m a big believer in making meals, or parts of a meal, ahead of time. When we’re hungry for dinner with little time to prepare, it’s nice to know I have some ingredients prepped ahead and can quickly transform simple ingredients into the night’s meal. And, technology is making it even easier to quickly get dinner on the table. For example, when I’m using my Bosch Wall Oven with Home Connect I can preheat the oven before I even set foot in the house and put prepped items like my roast chicken in right when we get home, so I can get dinner for my wife and kids on the table faster. It’s one of my ultimate kitchen hacks!

4. What is one super simple, but impressive way to upgrade any dish?

One of my favorite ways to elevate a dish is with a perfectly crafted sauce — talk about an elegant, flavorful garnish. Take, for example, my roast chicken recipe below. Not only is it a weeknight staple, it can be elevated for weekend gatherings with a delicate sauce. The word “delicate” might sound intimidating, but being in control of the flame is half the battle. The Bosch Gas Cooktop makes it super easy with features like FlameSelect, which allows exact adjustment to the flame size — from high to low across nine different power levels. This new feature provides peace of mind that each meal will cook perfectly, every time.

Roast Chicken with Mushroom Pan Sauce

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 1/2 hours

Ingredients

1 whole chicken (about 5 pounds), legs tied with butcher’s twine

1 tablespoon melted butter

1 pound assorted mushrooms (button, oyster, crimini), stems trimmed, thickly sliced

1 tablespoon chopped shallots

1 teaspoon chopped garlic

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth

1 sprig thyme

2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh parsley

Method

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Place large ovenproof frying pan in oven until hot. Place chicken, breast side up, in preheated pan and brush with butter. Insert Bosch oven meat probe into the thickest part of the chicken thigh.

2. Roast chicken in oven 1 hour and 15 minutes or until skin is crisp and golden and the meat probe registers 165°F. Transfer chicken to carving board to rest 10 minutes (do not wipe out pan).

3. Heat same pan over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently to scrape up browned bits (fond) from bottom of pan, for 6 minutes or until mushrooms are browned and tender. Stir in shallots and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes or until shallots are tender. Add flour and stir 1 minute. Whisk in broth and thyme.

4. Simmer, whisking constantly, for 2 minutes or until gravy thickens. Remove thyme stems. Stir in parsley. Season gravy with salt and pepper.

5. Serve chicken with gravy.

2019-06-13T09:01:00

(BPT) – When you look at your favorite interior spaces, are you craving a refresh? If your home decor is dated, drab or you’re just bored with it, an update is in order.

Fortunately, you don’t need to hire an expensive interior designer or completely redo rooms. With a few key DIY projects, you can easily give each room a facelift without spending a lot of money. Better yet, this gives you the opportunity to personalize your decor so it’s one of a kind and truly reflects who you are.

Whether you’re a savvy DIYer or just have always wanted to personalize your own projects, consider these simple home decor ideas i to update your home and bring new life to your favorite spaces:

2019-06-12T14:47:01

(BPT) – Four out of five homes in the U.S. have asphalt shingles on their roof. And it’s easy to see why. The wide variety of available colors and styles, combined with durability and affordability, has made asphalt shingles the leading choice for residential roofing in the country.

But, like all exterior building products, asphalt shingles start to age as soon as they are exposed to nature. Buildings experience aging factors differently, so it’s difficult to predict how long shingles will last. With storm chasers and insurance adjusters claiming roof damage or defective shingles after major weather events, it’s important for homeowners to arm themselves with information about what type of roof aging is normal, and most importantly, what type is not.

What is normal?

It’s natural for a roof to age, and the process begins as soon as shingles are exposed to nature. The sun can raise rooftop temperatures as high as 50-70 degrees above the ambient air temperature. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun and heat have been shown to accelerate roof aging, as have pollution, hail, snow, ice, falling tree limbs and people walking on a roof.

Here are a few common signs of aging shingles:

Curling is a common phenomenon in some shingles and is not considered a defect. It is natural for asphalt to age and shrink with time, which may result in a slight curling of the shingle edge.

Minor cracks may also appear on the shingles as they age, but industry experts say it is a normal weathering characteristic and not cause for alarm, as long as the cracks do not penetrate through the shingle and the roof is still performing the intended purpose of shedding water.

“Minor cracks may not be noticeable from the ground, but people often spot them while hanging their Christmas lights,” said roofing industry expert Rick “the Roofer” Taylor, a longtime roofing contractor now working as a traveling trainer for shingle manufacturer TAMKO Building Products. “The intense heat from the sun can deplete some of the protective asphalt oils, and that can cause minor cracks.”

Dark brown or black streaks down the roof are common in particularly moist or humid areas of the country, and are the result of algae growth on the shingles. While not particularly attractive, these stains should not affect the shingles’ ability to shed water.

Some granule loss on the shingles is to be expected, especially if a roof has been recently repaired or replaced, since extra granules are a part of the shingle manufacturing process. Loose granules are usually noticed collecting in roof gutters after the shingles are installed. This type of granule shedding is common and not a cause for concern.

What is cause for concern?

While minor curling, surface cracking, closed blisters, algae stains and some granule loss can all be signs of normal roof aging, some more serious roof wear and aging could be indicative of a potential problem, and should be examined and monitored.

These roof issues may need attention:

Blisters, or small circular raised areas, are often the direct result of under-ventilated attics or excessive use of plastic cement — both of which are installation errors. If the blisters are closed and are not affecting the shingles’ performance, they are not a cause for concern. But if the blisters are open, exposing the asphalt, the roof is vulnerable to water penetration and requires immediate attention.

Buckling, a distortion of the shingles, can be a possible sign of inadequate roof ventilation, issues with the roof deck or other installation errors and may require attention.

Deep cracks that penetrate through the fiberglass mat should be investigated, as they may compromise the roof’s ability to shed water and make it susceptible to leaks.

Excessive granule loss that exposes the shingles’ asphalt layer is a reason for concern and requires immediate attention.

Armed with this basic information, homeowners should be able to distinguish between natural processes that are no cause for alarm and issues that do require attention and repair. Visit www.tamko.com for more information about roofing repair and replacement.

2019-06-12T12:01:00

(BPT) – Summer break is the time when teachers everywhere get a much-deserved respite from the chaos of the school year. Although summer break is in full effect, the new school year is just around the corner. A little extra planning in the summer can go a long way to making the return to school as smooth as possible. But if you’re not ready to get back in “school mode” just yet, here are some easy tips for teachers to prepare for the year ahead without sacrificing rest and relaxation.

Reflect on the past year

Summer break is the perfect time to sit back, relax and reflect on the year that just ended. Take time to consider which units went well and sparked an enthusiastic response from your students. Think about the projects that fell flat, or where student progress wasn’t as strong as it could have been. What are the things you can do to improve your teaching style or lesson plans for next year? Reflection is important for self-growth, and it can be done while sitting poolside or enjoying a glass of lemonade in the backyard.

Enroll in Classroom Rewards

Every year, teachers spend nearly $500 of their own money on school supplies. But this year, teachers can get a little help in that area thanks to new Classroom Rewards from Staples. During the back-to-school season, parents who shop at Staples, in-store and online can give 5% of that purchase back in Staples Rewards to a school or teacher of their choice, up to $250. To be eligible to receive the money, teachers simply have to register online at Staples.com/classroomrewards. Signing up takes less than five minutes, and it’s a great, easy way to prepare your classroom and your wallet for the year ahead. Plus, teachers earn a $5 reward just for enrolling.

Visit the library

Get a jump on your student reading list by visiting the library and checking out some of the most popular new kids’ books. Many libraries also have audio books available so you can listen in the car, on a walk or relaxing at the lake. You’ll get through books quicker that way, and when it comes to summer relaxation, what’s better than a new book?

Go to yard sales

As you think about how you want to arrange your classroom, start checking out local yard sales for fun new items. This is an especially good way to get cheap used books for your classroom library, but you never know what you might find. Yard sales are a great way to get outside, meet your neighbors and do some back-to-school shopping at a summer break pace.

Get some sleep

It’s hard to make summer preparations any easier than this. If you adjust your sleep pattern and stay up late all summer, it’s only going to make the return to school that much harder. Instead, establish healthy sleep habits so you can return fresh and ready to go from the very first morning back.

Enjoy the time off

There may be no better way to prepare for the new year than by not thinking about it at all. While you’ll need to start prepping eventually, make sure you really take time to recharge your batteries first. Burnout among teachers can be a significant issue, and you won’t be doing your students any favors if you come back more begrudgingly than they do. Enjoy the summer and get ready to come back more enthusiastic than ever about helping your students succeed.

2019-06-12T09:01:00

(BPT) – Fashions may change, but nothing has the staying power of a luxury watch, handbag or necklace from one of the top brands in the world. Whether you’re scouting out your next gift or looking to elevate your style, luxury goods hold the key to quality and prestige.

The personal luxury goods market is forecast for 3-5% annual growth through 2025 reaching $365 billion, according to the 2019 Bain Luxury Study. At the same time, a surge of shoppers is turning to online sellers in hopes of gaining access to the high-end brands they love, but at a great deal.

With the high demand for luxury goods comes an increasing need to know whether that handbag, bracelet or accessory you have your eye on is really the genuine article. Luxury brand authenticity has become a huge issue, as brands file lawsuits against sellers, alleging the sale of counterfeit goods.

Before you click to buy, take time to know what you’re buying. ShopWorn — an e-commerce seller of authentic luxury goods that have only been tried on in the shop, never pre-owned — has tips to help you know that the deal is real.

Authenticate your seller: First, do some background research on the source of that eye-catching luxury product. Does the website tell you where products come from? Check if the website is transparent in its sourcing strategy.

Read reviews: Does the company have reliable reviews from its customers? Ideally, these should be added consistently over an extended period of time. If all the reviews are very recent, be wary.

New or pre-owned? It helps to know whether your purchase is pre-owned. If that’s the case, be aware there’s no guarantee the item is 100% authentic, as it may have after-market parts added to it.

Shipping policy: If 2-day shipping is unavailable, the website may not have your item in stock, and you may be in for a very long wait.

Website images: Is the website using stock images or are they using authentic product images? Running a copy of the image through an online search engine is one quick way to find out.

Chat with customer service: A phone number should be listed prominently on the website. A professional customer service representative should pick up the phone and answer any questions you may have.

Investigate their online presence: Branch out your search and discover what you can about the seller’s online presence. Do they keep and maintain active social media sites, and interact with their followers? Did you find any videos or articles in the press? Also, the seller should appear in major review sites.

Make yourself a product expert: Do your homework on the brand and familiarize yourself with the brand’s details. Maybe there’s a specific country of origin imprinted in each label. Many brands include serial numbers and specific details in the logo. If any of these are missing or altered, that’s a sure sign of an impostor. And look for a warranty.

Know the mark of quality: Educate yourself on the look, feel and sound of high-quality pieces versus less expensive versions. For example, a true mechanical watch movement has subtle but distinct differences in look and sound. All gold items, whether watches or jewelry, will have a hallmark denoting gold purity.

Review the payment methods: Credible online sellers should accept just about any major payment method of your preference. If they don’t, that sends up a red flag.

Is it refundable? Look for a return policy on the site or whether the item is “final sale.”

Is it genuine? Some third-party sellers have hired on-staff luxury “authenticators” to demonstrate a commitment to authenticity. Be wary of these claims. First, there are no formal accreditation processes or best-practice standards in this field. Also, there’s no guarantee a well-made fake can get past the experts.

If you’re looking for a trustworthy seller of luxury brand handbags, watches and other high-end accessories at attractive prices, consider ShopWorn. Because ShopWorn works directly with brands and authorized retailers, the products are never pre-owned. At most, they’re gently handled in a store and often never removed from the store’s safe or display counter. With every purchase, you can feel good knowing you’re getting authentic brands backed with a warranty proving they were never pre-owned.

The father-daughter team that leads ShopWorn — CEO Richard Birnbaum and CMO Elana Birnbaum — is dedicated to making luxury affordable.

There’s more on ShopWorn and its luxury products at www.shopworn.com.

2019-06-11T15:01:01

(BPT) – Ever heard the expression, “One bad apple spoils the barrel?” In business this is especially true because hiring the wrong person can negatively affect everyone working around them, as well as potentially harming the reputation of your company.

Turnover is incredibly expensive and can have a ripple effect throughout an organization. Hiring new employees involves the cost of advertising, possibly an agency or recruiter, plus the time and energy spent searching, selecting, onboarding and training new hires.

For these reasons, any business — especially a smaller one — wants to hire the right person, every time. Here are tips to help you make a smart hire.

1. Use the latest technology to streamline your hiring efforts. If you are hiring several new people, or anticipate growth, talent acquisition software, such as an applicant tracking system, can help you not only find the right applicants, but efficiently evaluate and track applications throughout the screening and interviewing process. Dell implemented software called Interview Stream. This digital interviewing tool has cut the time managers and other team members have to spend interviewing candidates that are not a good job or culture fit by 50 percent. Tools like Interview Stream are affordable ways you can digitally screen candidates before putting them through a live interview.

2. Add artificial intelligence (AI) to your talent acquisition toolbox. AI is quickly becoming a useful tool for talent acquisition, as it reduces unconscious bias in the recruiting process. AI tools can assess a large amount of data and screen candidates without the biases we tend to have. AI can also examine inherent bias in the language of job postings, plus evaluate other postings to see what attracts more applicants.

3. Include more people in the process. It is vital to gather input from your team, especially others who understand the position and how that person will work cross functionally with others. It’s also useful for the applicant to meet a number of employees with different perspectives in the business, to be sure they’ll be a good fit. What doesn’t seem like a red flag to one person may be obvious to someone else.

4. Do your due diligence. Many employers don’t follow through on reference checks, which could reveal a lot about potential new hires. Call the applicant’s previous supervisors, even beyond the references provided by the candidate. Ask about the applicant’s strengths and weaknesses, as those answers can be critical in making your hiring decision. If the position requires particular technical skills, don’t rely solely on outside certifications or credentials. Create a test to assess those skills, to ensure applicants are qualified.

5. Don’t rush to hire. While the urgency to fill a position may be real, don’t rush your decision. Take a step back and consider how they speak during the interview. Does the applicant talk mostly in negative terms about their former position? A negative candidate is likely to find problems in your company, too. Does the applicant ask intelligent questions? If your candidate did their homework, he or she should be able to engage in a meaningful way about the position and your company. If you’re unsure, invite the candidate for another interview — or keep looking.

6. Consider a test run. Does the position allow you to hire someone as a contractor for a short time? Could you search for candidates using a temp agency? Seeing how an applicant functions within the business or assessing their work directly is a great way to ensure this is a good hire. Even if the fit isn’t there for a full-time position, it’s useful to build a network of contractors for times of sudden growth or special projects, or if an employee needs to take a leave of absence.

7. Ask for outside help. If frequent turnover is a problem, or you’re finding it difficult to staff positions, you may have other issues to resolve. There are many resources available for small businesses, so don’t be afraid to get an outside perspective. Dell Small Business advisors, for example, are available to answer your questions and offer you advice, no matter the size of your company. Engage the team in a live chat online or via phone to find the right solution for your needs.

Whether you’re hiring one person or 10, you want to find valuable hires who will not only contribute to your business and be productive, but who will care about your company’s future and stick around long enough to help make it more successful.

2019-06-11T12:01:00

(BPT) – For many American children, summer is the ultimate season. Whether it’s the warm weather, the break from school or the opportunity to enjoy activities like camp, swimming and bike rides, kids count down the days to fun.

However, one in six children in the U.S. faces hunger, according to a 2019 Feeding America report. For them, the summer months may not be so carefree. Child hunger becomes more prevalent at this time, as upward of 18 million children may lose access to the free or reduced-price school meal programs they depend on during the school year. While some programs like the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program help to deliver meals when school is not in session, the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program do not reach children during the summer months. As a result, they could miss out on important nutrition their growing bodies need, like dairy.

Milk is one of the most requested items at food banks. While Americans are generous with canned and dry goods, many don’t think to donate milk because it’s perishable. On average, food banks are only able to provide the equivalent of less than one gallon of milk per person per year.

Real milk provides nine essential nutrients, including high-quality protein, kids need for growth and development. That’s why America’s dairy community has been committed to nourishing families across the nation. Last year, dairy farmers and companies contributed 686 million servings (or 275 million pounds) of nutritious milk, cheese and yogurt to local food banks through Feeding America.

“The reality is, it’s challenging for kids to get all the nutrients they need to grow, develop and learn without milk in the diet,” said pediatrician and parenting expert Dr. Tanya Altmann. “Milk is the top food source for calcium, vitamin D and potassium. When kids don’t have access to these important nutrients, especially during their growing years, it could cause serious health implications.”

As the largest hunger-relief organization in the U.S., Feeding America works with its networks of food banks to get nutrient-rich foods to kids who need it when school isn’t in session. However, more help is needed.

Over the summer, the dairy community, along with Feeding America, will be rallying consumers to feed kids at locations including feeding sites, farmers markets and sporting events. All the while, local efforts will help raise awareness and donations for the Great American Milk Drive.

“The fact that so many people — maybe even your neighbors’ kids — may be at risk of hunger when they are out of school for the summer is hard to wrap your head around,” said Laila Ali, professional boxer, TV personality and champion of health and fitness. “I’m excited to team up with a community as passionate about a cause as dairy farmers are around hunger, so we can increase kids’ access to vital nutrition, including milk and other dairy foods, this summer.”

People everywhere can take action against hunger and help get milk to families who need it at GiveAGallon.com. Even a small donation can make a big impact — for as little as $5, Americans can help food banks deliver fresh milk to children and families who need it most right in their own communities.

Marilyn Hershey, Pennsylvania dairy farmer, chair of Dairy Management Inc., said, “All families should have access to the nutritious foods they need. That’s why we’ve been committed to supporting youth wellness through programs that deliver dairy nutrition and resources that create healthier school environments and increase access to healthy foods among students.”

This summer effort is supported by the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy and its Undeniably Dairy campaign, as well as the Milk Processor Education Program’s (MilkPEP) Milk. Love What’s Real campaign, which is built on a core promise to inspire people to savor what’s real and what really matters. To learn more, visit: UndeniablyDairy.org, MilkLife.com or find them on social media.

2019-06-11T11:06:19

(BPT) – Whether it’s your first marathon or you’re an experienced runner, you probably know there’s much more to it than just the cardio. Your entire lifestyle must adjust to support your training. How you train, and what you eat and drink, all counts when you’re preparing for such a challenge.

Here are registered dietitian and nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner’s tips for staying on track while preparing for a marathon:

1. Gear up. Invest in good running shoes and replace worn-out shoes to avoid injury and perform at your best. Most shoes last between 300-600 miles. If you notice they feel flat or the soles are worn, it may be time to replace them. But don’t wear brand-new shoes (or an untried outfit) on the day of the big race. You don’t want any unpleasant surprises during the marathon.

2. Stay hydrated. This means not just during the marathon, but throughout your training. Focus on hydrating regularly during the days, weeks — and months — leading up to the marathon. That does not mean chugging a huge amount of water just before the race, however. While training, drink 6-8 ounces every 20 minutes. Dilute sports drinks by 50% until you know how your body processes that particular drink. Don’t experiment with any new drinks on race day.

3. Eat healthy, whole foods. To build nutrition and fuel your energy, include plenty of protein such as eggs, nuts and seeds, lean meats and fish, beans and lentils. Choose Eggland’s Best eggs to boost nutrition, as they have six times more vitamin D than ordinary eggs. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium to keep bones healthy. For runners who need to train indoors and may miss out on vitamin D from the sun, including EB eggs in your diet can help. The protein and omega-3s in eggs help reduce soreness and aid recovery after a tough workout. Eggland’s Best eggs contain more than twice the omega-3s as ordinary eggs, plus 25 percent less saturated fat, ten times more vitamin E and more than double the vitamin B12.

Eggland’s Best’s patented method of production and verification ensures every EB egg has superior qualities. EB offers tons of easy, nutrient-rich recipes at www.egglandsbest.com/recipes, such as these Green Eggs & Ham Cups:

Green Eggs & Ham Cups

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Yields: 12 servings

Recipe by: Marciashealthyslice.com

INGREDIENTS

· 7 Eggland’s Best Eggs (large)
· 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
· ¼ cup onions, finely chopped
· ½ cup broccoli florets, finely chopped
· ¾ cups ham, diced
· Salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste
· Shredded cheese of your choice (optional)

PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Saute onions and broccoli over medium heat until soft. Add spinach, ham and continue cooking until spinach is wilted.
In mixing bowl, whisk together eggs and seasonings. Add vegetable and ham mixture to eggs.
Coat 12 muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray and fill each cup with egg/veggie mixture.
Top with shredded cheese (optional).
Bake 15-17 minutes or until eggs spring back or toothpick comes out clean.
Cool on rack and remove from pan. Enjoy warm or room temperature.

Egg cups keep in fridge 3-4 days and can be rewarmed in microwave or toaster oven, if desired.

4. Rest up. No matter what condition you’re in before the marathon, your body needs rest days as much as training days. Take a recovery day after a particularly hard training session, and rest with your feet up the day before the marathon. Don’t run when injured, warm up before running, and stretch before and after you run.

5. Make it social. Nothing is more motivating than having a buddy or group to run with. Vary your training routine by running with different partners or groups to switch it up and challenge yourself.

6. Build strength gradually. Pace yourself, and keep a log so you can monitor your progress. Set small goals and gradually increase your distance. Remember that training for a marathon doesn’t just mean running. Do some cross-training by mixing in activities like yoga and weight training.

Whatever your fitness goals, everyone benefits from adding nutrition-packed foods to their diet. Eggland’s Best and Life Time 60day are challenging families across America to “Plus It Up” when it comes to their nutrition and wellness routine. For a chance to win prizes like product coupons, gift cards, fitness trackers, cooking equipment and more, enter Eggland’s Best “Plus It Up” Instant Win Sweepstakes at www.EBPlusItUpSweepstakes.com. One grand prize winner will receive $5,000 to plus up their family’s fitness routine!