Month: August 2019

2019-08-06T05:01:00

(BPT) – When it comes to food pairings, do you tend to stick with what you know? While the classics are certainly deserving of regular rotation in your meals, if you never think outside of what you know, you’re depriving yourself of some tasty twists that could become new favorites.

Challenge your taste buds and you just might be surprised with the results. Consider these six unexpected food pairings that work well together:

Chicken and pancakes

You’ve heard of chicken and waffles, but now it’s time to turn your attention to chicken and pancakes. Conveniently, you can indulge in this tasty twist of sweet and savory right now; IHOP just launched a new Buttermilk Crispy Chicken menu featuring Chicken & Pancakes (as well as seven other brand new crispy chicken menu items, all made with all-natural chicken and a signature seasoning blend). Act fast, though — for a limited time, you can get Chicken & Pancakes for only $6.99. Learn more at www.ihop.com.

French fries PB&J style

You already eat french fries and ketchup. You might have even ventured to try french fries and ice cream. However, if you dare to try french fries with a side of peanut butter as well as jelly, you may think you’re in foodie heaven. The warm salty french fries play well against the creamy peanut butter and sweet fruity jam. Dunk a few in and see just how much you enjoy this odd food combination (your kids are sure to enjoy, too).

Avocado and chocolate

Avocado in salads, sandwiches and salsa make for delicious combinations. Avocado and chocolate may not have the same appeal … until you try it. The creamy taste and smooth texture of avocado is a wonderful combination with sweet chocolate. Plus, packed with healthy fats, avocado is great in many recipes like chocolate pudding or mousse. Looking for an easy way to give this unlikely pair a try? Add some fresh avocado slices to your chocolate smoothie.

Prosciutto and melon

There’s something about a sweet and salty combination that has taste buds dancing, but it’s not often that meat and fruit satisfy this craving. However, if you give prosciutto and melon a try, you’ll likely gobble up the whole plate. This thinly-sliced specialty ham is incredible wrapped around fresh melon cubes such as honeydew. Chop up the fruit and wrap in the chunks for an easy snack at lunch or a fancy appetizer for your next dinner party.

Olive oil topped ice cream

Few people argue the greatness of ice cream, but when you think of toppings, things like chocolate sauce and whipped cream likely come to mind. What about olive oil? Choose a lighter extra virgin olive oil and you’ll be shocked just how well it complements the cold creamy ice cream. A drizzle adds a touch of indulgence that elevates plain old vanilla to a surprising new level.

Berries and balsamic vinegar

Balsamic vinegar is great in many recipes and certainly a delicious ingredient in vinaigrette for salads. In addition to enhancing fresh vegetables, it’s also a great pair with juicy, sweet berries. This savory vinegar variety brings out the sweet notes of the fruit, making them even more satisfying. Give this unexpected combination a whirl by slicing strawberries and topping with a splash of balsamic vinegar for a yummy snack or tasty side dish.

2019-08-05T14:01:00

(BPT) – One of the South’s best-kept secrets for years, pimento cheese is finally catching on with the rest of the country. While pimento cheese and things made with it are still only on 4% of U.S. restaurant menus, according to www.datassential.com, that’s an increase of 65% in the last four years.

Still, people in the South know to expect puzzled looks when the subject comes up. It’s just so simple: Grated cheese (preferably the sharpest cheddar you can find), diced pimentos and mayonnaise. That’s it.

There’s still room for debate in those three basic ingredients: How coarse to grate the cheese, what kind of mayonnaise and whether it’s OK to substitute roasted red peppers for the pimentos. Additions like hot sauce, cayenne pepper, paprika or cream cheese are all occasions for arguments.

Kathleen Purvis, North Carolina-based food writer and author of two “Savor the South” cookbooks, calls pimento cheese “the duct tape of party foods.

“You can nuke it, spread it, mix it with something else or slap it on a tray surrounded by crackers.”

If you’re just encountering pimento cheese, there really are endless things you can do with it. Stir it into hot pasta for a shortcut macaroni & cheese, stir it into cornbread batter before baking, put it between two flour tortillas to make fast quesadillas. Or try these:

• Hot cheese dip: To make a Southern twist on queso, just bake or microwave a small bowl of pimento cheese. If you want something more substantial, stir in cooked black-eyed peas first.
• On a biscuit: There is nothing more perfect than spicy pimento cheese on a warm biscuit. Well, actually there is something “perfect-er”: Bojangles’, the nationally loved chicken and biscuits chain, has debuted pimento cheese on its signature Cajun Filet Biscuit. Pro tip: You can also add the pimento cheese on anything you order, like ham biscuits and Bo Rounds, the little hash brown bites. To find a location near you, go to Bojangles.com.
• Fried bites: Take an idea from a popular bar snack. Roll very thick pimento cheese into balls, coat them in flour, then beaten egg and finally in Japanese-style panko crumbs. Freeze them before dropping them in hot oil, so they don’t fall apart before the outside browns.
• P.C. deviled eggs: Beat the cooked egg yolks with pimento cheese, then pipe it into cooked egg-white halves. Garnish with a small slice of pickled jalapeno if you want.
• Instant appetizer: Fill frozen phyllo cups with a dab of pepper jelly, top with pimento cheese and bake just until bubbly.
• Grilled cheese: If you want to elevate a simple hot sandwich, use pimento cheese instead of sliced cheese. If you really want to make it special, try spreading a little raspberry jam or pepper jelly on the bread before you add the pimento cheese.

You get the idea: If you’re just getting to know pimento cheese, the most important thing to do with it is … everything.

2019-08-03T08:43:46

(BPT) – Urinary tract, bladder control and bowel problems are a major issue for men and women alike and it’s one of the most embarrassing aspects of aging, tearing of the pelvic muscles during childbirth, anal or rectal cancer. Many people who suffer with urinary incontinence can also have leaky bowel, and suffer in silence, sometimes confined to their homes.

Most people wait years to let their doctor know they are having a problem. For instance, up to 50% of men after age 50 with an enlarged prostate gland, and those who have had surgery to treat prostate cancer may also experience incontinence. There are several types of incontinence including urge, stress and mixed incontinence, which can cause accidents or unintended leaks when coughing, sneezing, laughing, jumping or lifting, and can occur any time or at any place.

A new, non-surgical solution treats incontinence and eliminates the need for pads and diapers altogether. It’s called Attain and is the first over-the-counter non-implantable muscle stimulator designed to help treat incontinence by exercising the pelvic floor muscles. The small, painless, easy-to-use medical device allows people to self-treat in the privacy of their own homes. Many respond well to pelvic-floor electrical stimulation and biofeedback as a first-line treatment, before considering surgery or medication.

We go to the gym, take cycling and Pilates classes to exercise our calves and abs but shouldn’t forget to strengthen our pelvic floor muscles too. Attain provides a guided exercise program to solve incontinence at the source.

Muscle stimulation at specific frequencies in an alternating manner increases pelvic floor muscle strength, calming the detrusor muscle and eliciting a muscle contraction, providing neuromuscular re-training. The lighted biofeedback graph and visual cues guide the user through a series of variable timed contractions along with a relaxation phase, much like a physical therapy session. A customizable probe inflates to place the stimulation in full contact with the vaginal or rectal wall, ensuring a muscle contraction with a comfortable, effective stimulation delivery. A probe provides active resistance for a full muscle contraction, re-positioning musculature into a resting position between contractions.

Dr. Arnold Kegel developed exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles in 1948 and physicians to this day remind their patients, “Do your Kegels!” Kegel exercises have been the first line treatment, but most people experience frustration because they unknowingly don’t perform the Kegels effectively or consistently, which leads to no improvement in symptoms. Attain electrical stimulation with biofeedback therapy is an effective tool to do your Kegels for you and improve bladder and bowel control.

Talk with your doctor, urogynecologist or medical team about your incontinence and ask them about Attain before agreeing to surgery or meds or relying on pads or diapers.

2019-08-02T10:01:00

(BPT) – With unemployment rates at a nearly 50-year low, many businesses are struggling to find workers. This tight job market is opening doors for people with disabilities, as many companies are turning their attention to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Though more Americans with disabilities are working, their unemployment rate is still more than twice that of the overall workforce. An estimated 81% of adults (18+) with developmental disabilities do not have a paid job in the community.

Some companies view hiring people with disabilities as “the right thing to do,” but not as a strategy that will benefit business. A recent study by the National Organization on Disability found that only 13% of U.S. companies have reached the Department of Labor target of a 7% disability representation among their staff. Often companies don’t know where to find this untapped resource of talent.

Programs like Best Buddies Jobs can help. They match skilled and qualified individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) with businesses seeking enthusiastic and dedicated employees. Job coaches look beyond the typical positions that individuals with IDD might hold, to match job seekers based on their individual talents and interests. The program develops partnerships with employers, assists with the hiring process and provides ongoing support to the employee and employer.

“We started the program to help improve the quality of life for individuals with IDD, and what we found is that the employers also benefit by getting an extremely dedicated, well-prepared staff member, improved company morale, and a better bottom line,” explains Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Best Buddies International. “The Jobs program is really a win for all of society since we end up creating employees who can support themselves and contribute to the economy, removing the need for government assistance or parental support.”

Dudley Williams III personifies the highly successful program participant. After graduating from Threshold, a Lesley University postsecondary program that prepares young adults who have diverse learning challenges for the world of work and independent living, Williams joined Best Buddies Jobs to work toward his professional goals. “I worked part-time jobs at first ranging from a hotel, to schools, and the Boston Minority Business Development Agency Center as an office assistant,” said Williams. “My ultimate goal was to find a full-time job.”

Williams is currently employed full-time as a marketing coordinator at John Hancock in Boston and has become a tireless advocate for employment for people with IDD. “My life has changed dramatically. I’m more confident in myself as a person and more independent at work. I’ve made new friendships as well.”

Rob Friedman, former assistant vice president of sponsorship and event marketing at John Hancock, says, “I think a program like Best Buddies Jobs is a terrific asset to John Hancock. It teaches our employees about diversity and working with different populations and certainly having someone like Dudley on staff has taught so many employees here so many great things.”

As companies increase diversity and inclusion, they are discovering employee morale and fiscal performance also improve. Harvard Business Review reports that diverse companies are 70% more likely to capture a new market. Research from renowned global human resources analyst Josh Bersin shows that more inclusive companies have a 2.3 times higher cash flow per employee over a three-year period and are 1.7 times more likely to be innovative leaders in their market.

Jobs programs for people with disabilities can provide a cost-effective solution to address the tight job market brought on by low unemployment rates and reduce recruitment and training costs associated with repeatedly filling high turnover positions. Hiring people with disabilities is a win for both employees and employers.

If you are interested in participating as an employer or applying to the Best Buddies Jobs program, please visit bestbuddies.org/jobs for more information.

2019-08-01T14:47:00

(BPT) – Do you have a time of day when you start to feel things drag a little? Whether it’s staying focused in the late morning while you look forward to lunch break, or powering through a long afternoon before heading home, you just sort of hit a wall.

This lull can happen to both kids and adults. That doesn’t mean it’s time for a family nap!

One of the best ways to get an all-natural energy boost is by eating a wholesome snack that’s great tasting and made with quality ingredients for a good value. Here are five inspiring ideas from the food experts at Save A Lot discount grocery stores to keep you and your family fueled all day long.

Kiggins granola bars

Stop reaching for that cookie! There’s a better way to satisfy that sweet tooth that will help provide sustained energy. Kiggins granola bars are made with real nuts, dried fruits and whole grains and are a good source of important nutrients. They come in many varieties to satisfy any craving. Protein Chewy Bars in tempting flavors like salted caramel nut feel indulgent but are packed with 10 grams of filling protein. Classic Crunchy Granola Bars, such as oats and honey, are the perfect addition to a lunchbox. Chewy Nut Bars combine delicious dried fruit with savory nuts and chocolate to give you just the right kick to your day.

Pickwell Farms fruit cups

Forget about bruised apples and brown bananas resulting from lunch packing. Fuel yourself with a tasty Pickwell Farms fruit cup! Each package includes four 4-ounce cups featuring natural, authentic fruits. Stock the pantry with a bunch of varieties and you’ll have fruit anytime you fancy. Varieties include diced peaches, diced pears, mandarin oranges, and mixed fruit with cherries and pineapple tidbits. For something different, try a gelatin variety, including mandarin oranges in orange gel or diced peaches in strawberry gel.

Coburn Farms Snackers

A perfectly packaged snack with a cool combination of satisfying foods … yes please! Coburn Farms Snackers are made with real cheese and include a complementary fruit and nut combo. Try pepper jack cheese, raisins and honey roasted peanuts. The next day, sample sharp yellow cheddar cheese, cherry juice infused dried cranberries and roasted sea salt cashews. Finish the week on a high note with sharp white cheddar cheese, sea salted roasted almonds and cranberries.

Nutsome trail mixes

Feeling a little nutty? Regain your focus and calm hunger pangs with these unique Nutsome trail mixes. Each 26-ounce package contains about 25 servings, so you can easily divide up into bags for grab-and-go snacks. Try Indulgent Trail Mix, with white chocolate drops, chocolate drops, peanuts, peanut butter drops, golden raisins, dried cranberries, almonds and cashews. Want some pep in your step? Try the Sweet and Spicy Cajun mix, made from spicy peanuts, butter toffee peanuts, Cajun style corn sticks, roasted corn, honey roasted sesame sticks and almonds.

Cody’s beef jerky

Portable and oh so snackable, beef jerky is a great option whenever hunger strikes. Plus protein packs a powerful energy punch that keeps you feeling full for longer. Try Cody’s beef jerky in tempting flavors like original, teriyaki or peppered. For a fun twist, turkey jerky is a great choice. Finally, for bacon fanatics, give the bacon jerky a go. You won’t regret it.

To find these quality snacks at everyday prices anyone can afford, visit a Save A Lot discount grocery store near you.

2019-08-01T11:01:02

(BPT) – Maksim was just a few months shy of 2 years old when his parents rushed him to the emergency room for severe flu-like symptoms, only to find that their little boy was suffering from kidney failure. Since that day, Maksim has spent most of his six years in and out of hospitals, doctors’ offices and dialysis treatments.

After receiving a life-saving kidney transplant from his father, Maksim and his family had to remain vigilant to protect him from any risk of infection by limiting his daily activities and exposure to other people. He has not had the life most children enjoy, as he is unable to go to school and play with other children.

Despite all of this, Maksim has always kept a positive attitude, as his parents observed: “His joy blows us away.” Maksim’s parents have chosen to put some of their own plans on the back burner while coping with his mounting medical needs and getting Maksim the care he needs to survive. Most of what Maksim knows and remembers in his short life is being sick — a life filled with needles, surgeries, side effects from medications, dialysis, hospitalizations and more.

Until Maksim’s social worker told his family about Make-A-Wish(R).

Maksim is fascinated by sharks, and he wanted to visit Hawaii to spend time at the ocean. “I like playing with shark toys,” Maksim said. “And I have a lot of shark books! I love when my parents read to me.”

Due to medical delays, it was awhile before Maksim would be able to take such a trip, but once his wish came true, his parents described his wish trip to Hawaii as “pure joy.”

“Every waking moment outside of his medical care was focused on him having fun,” Maksim’s parents said. “We all got to pause life’s responsibilities and focus on fun and family. It was such a unique opportunity to take time out and do something special, because he has to live with this affliction for the rest of his life. At the end of the day, there just isn’t much time left to spend together because there is always something else demanding your attention. Being granted time away like this brings tears to our eyes.”

At Make-A-Wish, 77 percent of children’s wishes involve some form of travel. Make-A-Wish has the resources to grant only half of those wishes. To make all of those life-changing wishes come true, the organization needs more than 3 billion airline miles or points and 25,000 room nights every year.

If you have unused or close-to-expiring airline miles/points, you can make a difference in the life of a child battling a critical illness. Donate your miles or points through participating travel sponsors, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue and Delta Air Lines. And, once you donate miles and points to Make-A-Wish, they never expire.

Here’s how you can help:

1. Visit wish.org/travel.

2. Select the airline(s) of the miles/points you would like to donate.

3. Know you have transformed the lives of wish kids and their families with your donation!

Your gift of airline miles/points is crucial for children with critical illnesses. That’s because a wish trip creates an opportunity for a child to experience life beyond illness. It’s also a chance for a family like Maksim’s to reconnect and get much-deserved respite.

When asked what his favorite part of his wish trip to Hawaii was, Maksim responded, “I think the whole trip was my favorite part!”

To learn more about Make-A-Wish, visit wish.org or check out #TripsThatTransform on Instagram to see some of the amazing places wish families have experienced, thanks to Make-A-Wish donors and partners.

2019-08-01T00:01:00

(BPT) – Planning a trip abroad? That’s exciting! But you have lots to do and less time than you think to get it done. What do you need to accomplish before leaving?

Here’s a handy checklist to help you get your ducks in a row.

Passport

If you have a current passport, check the expiration date. Many countries require that you have at least two to four blank visa pages, and that your passport be valid for 6 months past the last day of your trip.

If you don’t have a passport or it needs renewal, get that done first. The U.S. State Department announced an increase in processing time for passports to 6-8 weeks. Even a higher-cost expedited passport can take three weeks.

Fortunately, FedEx Office is teaming up with RushMyPassport to offer further expedited U.S. passport services. Stop by one of 2,000 FedEx Office locations or visit FedEx.com/passport to complete your application. You can even purchase government-compliant passport photos at their locations. There are six options:

• Same-day service — 1 business day
• Next-day service — 2 business days
• Priority service — 3-5 business days
• Rush service — 6-7 business days
• Standard service — 8-10 business days
• Smart service (adult renewals only) — 11-14 business days

This doesn’t include shipping, so add one day or more for shipping, or arrange pick-up at their location in select cities.

Visas

Some countries don’t require visas for brief visits, but you should check well before leaving. Find the country at travel.state.gov/destination to determine necessary paperwork and allow several weeks for the process. You will typically need to visit the website of that country’s embassy for current visa requirements and instructions. FedEx Office does not currently offer visa services, but plans to in the future.

If your destination country doesn’t require a visa, they may require proof of sufficient funds for your trip, proof of onward or return flights and a passport with one blank visa page valid for 6 months beyond the date you arrive.

Contact information

Bring along information for the U.S. embassy and consulate, in case of emergency. You should also carry contact information for family members in case anything happens to you. Leave a copy of your travel documents (such as passport) and itinerary with someone back home and carry copies with you (separate from originals, in case of loss or theft).

Money

Savvy travelers carry a combination of cash, traveler’s checks and credit cards in separate locations. Learn overall currency exchange rates and make a cheat sheet with that country’s equivalents of $5, $10 and $20. Remember, exchange rates change daily and vary depending on where you exchange money.

Exchange some at the airport when you arrive. Then exchange more in a touristy area posting competitive exchange rates to find better deals.

Health

Consult your doctor to catch up on vaccinations. Find out if the country where you’re traveling requires vaccinations for entry, or which are recommended, on the CDC website: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travel-vaccines. Vaccines should be administered a month ahead for maximum effectiveness.

If you take prescription medications, bring them in their original containers, plus a copy of the prescription(s).

Insurance

Some health insurance policies cover you overseas, but many don’t. You can purchase travel insurance to ensure you’re covered for both doctor or hospital visits and for transporting you to a hospital if necessary. Some renters or homeowners insurance policies cover loss or theft abroad, but you can purchase additional coverage if they don’t.

Planning ahead will not only ensure a hassle-free trip, but will give you peace of mind in case the unexpected happens. Knowing what you need before you go will make your trip memorable — for all the right reasons.

These general guidelines are not exhaustive. Be aware that laws change and vary from country to country. Check relevant resources including travel.state.gov/destination for information about your destination.