Month: September 2019

2019-09-26T02:01:01

(BPT) – Whether your business is growing or needs a computer upgrade, you may feel overwhelmed by the choices in today’s marketplace. Because many small businesses are budget-conscious, you might think you’re saving money by opting for the least expensive PCs on the market, designed for the general consumer, and/or by waiting to upgrade as long as possible.

Here’s why both those approaches could end up costing more.

Time is money

Most people agree that the longer it takes to accomplish something, the more expensive it is for your business. For this reason, both newer computers and PCs designed for business can save you and your employees time, especially when completing complex tasks or using several applications at once.

Small business owners surveyed in a study commissioned by Intel estimated that computers older than five years made their employees 29% less productive.¹ Businesses need a newer PC with the ability to use several open applications simultaneously, hour after hour, every day. Depending on your business, you and your employees may need to handle complex tasks, from graphics and video editing to data-heavy spreadsheets and advanced analytics.

For the power and speed to manage complicated tasks, computers built for business will work more efficiently, because they often have more random access memory (RAM) and more powerful processors, such as Intel(R) 8^th Gen Core(TM) i7 or i9. Business PCs offering a range of powerful CPUs plus capacity for more RAM are better equipped to handle a wide range of business tasks than consumer models.

Cybersecurity is essential

Now more than ever, it’s crucial to keep your data secure, especially sensitive customer information that they rely on you to safeguard. To keep data secure, businesses need the latest security features designed specifically for business purposes. Today’s business-class laptops often come with built-in security features, such as fingerprint readers. Many PCs built for business also ship with Windows Information Protection (WIP), which helps protect PCs against potential data leaks.²

Versatility is key

While consumer PCs may offer cost savings, business PCs are far more varied and adaptable. There are many more configurations and forms within each model line to choose from, so you can select what works best for your business needs, employees and space limitations.

Your business may prefer a full-sized tower with easy access to add or swap out components like more memory or storage, or upgraded graphics cards or additional ports, as necessary. Or you might need mini PCs like the Intel NUC, which has the power of a full-sized desktop in a form that can hide behind your monitor. For mobility and ease of use, your business might prefer traditional laptops, or a 2-in-1 that combines qualities of a laptop and a tablet.

For consumer PCs, ports might be limited in number and type, or product lines may be less varied. Even HP’s high-end consumer Envy line has just four models, compared to the 62 available configurations in that company’s business line, EliteBook.³

Business PCs are more reliable

From the materials they’re made from to how they’re built, business PCs are designed and tested to handle sustained operation and constant use. Modern PCs with Windows 10 Pro are designed to be reliable for business uses, and will likely last longer and handle more consistent usage than the average consumer market PC. Because PCs built for business are durable, they also typically offer longer warranties than their consumer counterparts, plus prioritized service.

While your initial outlay may be more for business PCs, it’s likely that their better reliability and higher performance could result in a greater return on investment over their lifetime than a PC designed for the general consumer.

Shopping for business PCs takes time, so you can find the right features and configurations for your business needs. Start with a visit to your local retailer, or search online for PCs powered by Intel(R) 8^th Gen Core(TM) i3/i5/i7 with Windows 10 Pro.

2019-09-25T11:01:00

(BPT) – If you’re trying to eat more veggies and you’re encouraging your kids to do the same, you may struggle with making meals tasty enough to tempt even the pickiest eaters in your family. The struggle is real! But don’t worry, there are plenty of options that are plant-based, healthy and delicious. Start exploring a few new meal options, and you’ll be surprised how great eating a plant-based diet can taste and make you feel.

Start with veggies

Instead of planning the meal around the protein, add the protein as an accompaniment to the vegetables.

Most of us were brought up to think of a meal as an entree of meat surrounded by a few vegetables or starches as side dishes. Instead, start with a veggie or two, then pick a protein that goes well with those veggies to add to the mix. Try a pan of roasted mixed veggies combined with plant-based proteins. If you use veggies that have substantial protein content, you’re off to a great start. For example, green peas, broccoli, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and even corn and potatoes offer plenty of protein.

Either use recipes that already include a plant-based protein like tofu, lentils, quinoa, nuts or any kind of bean, or consider swapping the chicken or ground meat in a recipe for those options. Casseroles, soups, stews and salads are a great place to start.

Dining in and taking out healthfully

Look for restaurants offering a wide variety of veggie-based meal options instead of just one or two veggie sides or salads. If your children are selective about their menu choices, a restaurant willing to substitute items can be your best ally.

For example, Noodles & Company offers plant-based options and will customize meals to suit your — and your child’s — tastes, preferences and dietary restrictions. You can order dishes with Zoodles, which are noodles made from fresh zucchini hand-spiralized in-restaurant daily, or choose the new Caulifloodles — cauliflower-infused pasta — to increase the veggie content of any meal. A regular-sized bowl of Caulifloodles boasts one full serving of vegetables, and are a great way to sneak extra veggies into your kids’ meals.

Great new choices on the Noodles menu include Cauliflower Rigatoni in Light Onion Cream Sauce, served with roasted zucchini, mushrooms and spinach, and finished with MontAmore cheese and parsley. Or, try the Cauliflower Rigatoni Fresca with Shrimp, which adds shrimp sauteed with balsamic vinaigrette, olive oil, roasted garlic, red onion, tomato and spinach, topped with Parmesan.

Check out the restaurant’s online nutrition calculator so you can find something healthy and tasty for everyone in the family, even those with various dietary needs. For the busy school days that turn into even busier nights, you can order online using the Noodles Rewards app for easy pickup at the Quick Pickup counter and skip the in-restaurant line altogether.

Cooking plant-based meals doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor or convenience. A little creativity can go a long way toward boosting the taste and nutritional content of your family’s meals. Check out noodles.com for a look at options for both dining in and taking out more delicious plant-based meals.

Pick a flavor profile

No matter what veggies and protein you use, with a clear flavor profile in mind, you can add fresh herbs and spices that go well together. If you use tofu, keep in mind that it adopts any flavor you add to the dish.

• Go Asian with flavors like soy sauce, ginger, garlic, sesame oil and scallions.
• Make it Italian with garlic, oregano, basil, balsamic vinegar, tomatoes and Parmesan cheese.
• Enjoy Mexican? Add cayenne or jalapenos, chili powder and onion, plus cilantro and lime juice.
• For a Middle Eastern touch, use black pepper, cumin, cardamom, nutmeg and paprika.
• Add a taste of India with cumin, curry, turmeric, coriander or garam masala.
• Reference classic French flavors using basil, bay leaves, marjoram, thyme, tarragon and sage.

Taste your dishes as you cook, and don’t be afraid to add more kosher or sea salt, plus black pepper, to boost any dish with some added flavor.

2019-09-25T10:01:00

(BPT) – A balanced aesthetic across styles creates a truly sophisticated kitchen design. Bring this concept to life with contemporary nuances that complete a space and complement an overall traditional tone. From spatial layout to thoughtful fittings, merge design influences to elevate the heart of the home and achieve an altogether stately elegance.

Contemporary classic

Embrace classicism while maintaining a modern overtone and celebrate the kitchen as a true focal point with an open concept, removing barriers to free the space and framing it with a wide archway trimmed with intricate crown molding. With an eye for pragmatism, add bold design elements. Consider a custom-built kitchen island with integrated plush, tufted velvet bench seating for an air of stately elegance, or a bespoke canopy that conceals the range hood while making a structural statement. Ground the aesthetic in darker tones, such as a deep Aegean blue or juniper green for a rich and dignified quality, and offset with contemporary components, such as deep-veined marble countertops or unexpected skylight windows.

Exquisitely balanced

Balance is key in sophisticated kitchen design, whether referring to spatial balance or the perfect blend of form and function. Make calculated design choices to anchor the room. For instance, book-match marble countertops for symmetrical impact, creating a strikingly beautiful center point, or further institute the equilibrium and crown the room with a tiered-ring chandelier directly above. Meanwhile, consider dark maple or walnut chevron floors to provide a warm elegance and classic foundation for contrast.

Elegant craftsmanship

To achieve a true sense of stately luxury, incorporate elements of craftsmanship and customization throughout the kitchen. Integrate panel-ready appliances to streamline the aesthetic and seamlessly unify the room with Shaker-style cabinetry, or recall the architecture of classic hardware with the Rook Kitchen Collection by Brizo. Providing a sense of visual intrigue, the newly configured Articulating Bridge Faucet adds a layer of refined sophistication for an elevated kitchen space. Carry craftsman style through even the seemingly minute details and select artisanal accessories, from coordinating drawer pulls and cabinet handles within the Rook Kitchen Collection, to a hammered, copper-framed mirror for a harmonious design.

Dignified details

Complete the space with accent elements to culminate a sophisticated look and feel, identifying finishing touches that take the design beyond the expected. Ground the kitchen island with hand-carved, understated corbels to augment a classic aesthetic, or modernize the space with an antiqued mirror tile backsplash next to a quartered, swept head window for the perfect juxtaposition of forward-thinking traditionalism. As a space is coming together, contemplate subtle yet distinguishing enhancements. Place a light, white oak backing inside kitchen cabinetry and showcase the grain through bubble-glass doors, or take a creative approach to lighting and integrate floor fixtures for a soft, unexpected glow to elevate the overall kitchen experience.

2019-09-24T00:00:00

(BPT) – Everyone hates that feeling — you need to do something important on your phone, like using GPS or making a call, and you see the battery inching down toward 0%. And you forgot your charger, or didn’t want to stuff the bulky thing in your bag as you dashed out of the house.

You’ve got the newest phone — how can you help keep your battery charged all day, so you’re not scrambling for the nearest outlet before you run out of juice?

No matter how new your phone is, certain conditions and practices will weaken your battery over time. Try some of these strategies to keep your phone ready to use — until you upgrade to the next best thing.

1. Stay away from extreme temps

Very hot or very cold environments can stress your battery. If you’re running to the car to charge up your phone, let your car’s AC or heat kick in first, before you rush to plug it in. Charging your phone while the ambient temp is hot, in particular, is not good for your battery.

Avoid using your phone while it’s charging, as it may overheat your phone as well as slowing down the charging process.

2. Avoid 0% or 100%

Don’t wait until your phone is down to 0% before recharging. Likewise, stop charging your phone before it reaches 100%. You won’t be overcharging your phone by leaving it charging, since modern phones and chargers are equipped with overcharge protection that deactivates the current once the battery reaches 100%, but the less you drain and charge your battery overall, the longer it will last. Phone batteries today operate at their best between about 20-90%.

3. Be aware of power-hungry apps and energy-saving settings

Look at your battery setting to see what’s using up the most juice. If you have apps on your phone that you never use, consider getting rid of them to reduce drain on your battery.

You can also dim screen brightness and reduce the screen timeout so your phone won’t stay on too long when you’re not using it. Remember that you can set your phone on energy-saving or low power mode when you know you’ll be unable to charge for a while. To save even more energy, put your phone on airplane mode until you need it again — unless you need to be available for outside messages and calls.

Turning off the phone completely uses up more energy, so don’t turn off unless you know you won’t need it for a number of hours.

4. Bring chargers along

While it may seem cumbersome to carry standard chargers on-the-go, there are portable chargers on the market that are much more compact and streamlined, making it easier to ensure you never let your phone get down to zero again.

For example, PowerPort III Nano from Anker is a universal 18W USB-C wall charger that provides full-speed charging for your iPhone 11, in an ultra-compact 1-by-1 inch size that’s purse and pocket-friendly. Or if you need to access difficult-to-use outlets behind furniture, it’s handy to have an incredibly slim charger like Anker’s PowerPort Atom III Slim, which is only .63 inches thick. This charger makes previously unusable outlets accessible for quick and easy 30W charging for your iPhone 11, MacBook Air, tablet, Nintendo Switch and more.

If you have more than one device you use frequently, or need to share a charger with a friend, it can be even more convenient to have a charger that can power more than one phone or iPad simultaneously. The PowerPort III Duo features two USB-C ports that deliver 18W each. Or with the PowerCore 10000 PD Redux portable charger, you get triple charging modes: an 18W Power Delivery USB-C port, PowerIQ-enabled USB-A port and a trickle-charging mode for low-power devices. You can use the dual USB ports to charge two devices simultaneously, including iPhone 11, XS Samsung S10, Pixel 3, iPad Pro 2018 and more. Unlike other chargers, the portable PowerCore 10000 is ideal for charging on-the-go, as it keeps you powered up away from the wall.

5. Limit activities

If you know you’ll be away from a charger for a while, limiting energy-draining activities like making phone calls, playing games and taking pictures or videos can help your battery last longer.

To check out the latest power banks, chargers and cables for all your tech, visit anker.com.

2019-09-24T08:01:00

(BPT) – –

2019-09-24T07:01:00

(BPT) – According to data from the 2018 CRN Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements, 75 percent of U.S. adults take dietary supplements, but many people don’t realize supplement needs can change with age. While food is always the first place to obtain the nutrients we need from early childhood through our elder years, there are several particularly important micronutrients that are necessary during the different stages of life that may require special dietary attention as well as supplementation.

The world of multivitamins can be overwhelming, and the right solution for you is not a one-size-fits-all equation. To help navigate the waters of which vitamins and minerals are needed at different ages, Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., chief medical advisor at MegaFood^® has pulled together the below quick reference guide:

Children (4-13 years):

Due to picky eating and busy schedules, it can be difficult for many children to meet the adequate intake of important nutrients — especially calcium and vitamin D. As they inch toward the teens, magnesium requirements rise as well, so adding a supplement to the daily routine may be necessary to meet these needs. A general multivitamin can oftentimes suffice at this stage, but for many parents it can be difficult to get children to take them daily. Start with a convenient and tasty multivitamin soft chew that kids will not only enjoy but also benefit from, thanks to essential vitamins like D and C. Once a child grows older and is used to their daily soft chews, they can move on to supplements in other forms, like tablets, to cater to their evolving nutritional needs.

Adolescents (13-18 years):

The rapid growth and development of adolescents creates a high nutritional demand and, much like their childhood years, it can be difficult to achieve an adequate intake of calcium, magnesium and other nutrients (especially for those who do not consume dairy or eggs). Add testosterone levels and menstruation, and this age group also has increased requirements for zinc and iron. Parents should look for a daily vitamin that is crafted specifically for teens, like MegaFood Alpha Teen™ multivitamin, which helps to meet each of these nutritional needs for both boys and girls in this age group.

Pregnancy:

A multivitamin to support moms-to-be and a developing baby is essential, especially one that provides folate, iodine, iron and choline, and is recommended for anyone who is trying to get pregnant as well as throughout pregnancy and while nursing. After talking with a healthcare practitioner, moms-to-be should consider a premium multivitamin, like MegaFood Baby & Me 2™, a pre/post-natal dietary supplement that can help satisfy each of these requirements. MegaFood prenatal multivitamins are calcium- and magnesium-free because these two minerals can affect the absorption of other important nutrients in the supplement, particularly iron. MegaFood spokesperson, author and nutritionist Keri Gans, RDN, adds, “Our nutrient needs increase depending on where we are in our life cycle, and during pregnancy especially. Women should ensure they are getting enough calcium and magnesium through the foods they eat, and consider taking an additional supplement two hours after their prenatal vitamin for additional nutritional support.*”

Men (19-55 years):

Men stand to benefit from a good multivitamin, especially as deficiencies in magnesium, vitamin D and choline are common between 19 and 55 years old and the recommended intake for each of these per day is high (400-420 mg of magnesium; 15 mcg of vitamin D; 550 mg of choline), causing most men to fall short of meeting the requirements with food alone. When it comes to maintaining healthy testosterone levels and prostate health, zinc also plays a crucial role.* Men should look for a daily multivitamin that includes these nutrients and is iron-free, unless instructed otherwise by a healthcare practitioner. Additionally, look for a separate magnesium supplement to be taken a few hours after the multivitamin each day in order to meet the recommended 400 mg daily minimum.

Women (19-55 years):

At this stage, life becomes increasingly busy whether with work, family or social commitments (or all of the above!) which can quickly lead to feeling run down and lacking vitamins and minerals needed from diet alone. Women between 19 and 55 years old are commonly at risk for micronutrient gaps and should look to supplements that support healthy bones, muscles, heart and metabolism.* Seeing as each of these health categories require an adequate intake of several nutrients (especially before pregnancy occurs), find a multivitamin that checks as many of these boxes as possible. Common lifestyle choices for women, such as taking oral contraceptives or veganism, may create larger gaps where vitamins and minerals like B6, B12 and iron are often depleted. In addition to prioritizing nutrient-dense foods, supplementation is highly advised to fill this gap.

Men & Women (55+):

Both men and women over the age of 55 will naturally face age-related changes to their health, and it’s important to focus on areas like their bones, muscles, heart and metabolism.* An increase in vitamins like D and B12 is necessary to help avoid bone and muscle weakness, which may lead to a risk of falling and fracture. MegaFood offers multivitamins for men and women over 55 that help meet these nutritional needs, as well as a multitude of others specific to this age group. Magnesium is also imperative for men and women of this age, as it supports already healthy heart, muscle and nervous system function,* and should be taken separately from a daily multi. Additionally, it’s important for women over the age of 55 to note that iron requirements fall after menstruation ends and to select a supplement that reflects this change. An iron-free nutrient booster powder is ideal for this age group as it contains many of the essential vitamins and minerals and is a convenient, recipe-forward option.

When our bodies are operating with proper nutritional support, we have the capacity to live happier, healthier lives. Choosing the right foods and caring for our ever-changing nutritional needs as we grow are key to a sustainable lifestyle. Getting in the healthy habit of taking supplements that align with our age, particularly those that are high-quality and made with real food and added nutrients, can allow us to fill in those dietary gaps and support our bodies for a well-balanced future.*

To learn more about the many different multivitamins available for all ages, visit megafood.com.

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.