Month: October 2019

2019-09-30T23:01:00

(BPT) – Summer’s over, and with cooler months ahead your outdoor activities begin to change. The lawn and garden are no longer your focus. Now, it’s time to think about what you need to do to get your home ready for fall projects and winter storms. This is especially true if you have old or dead trees in your yard that could turn hazardous as the conditions shift.

Tackling those troublesome trees often requires you to use heavy-duty equipment — like your chainsaw. Whether you’re an experienced chainsaw user or it’s your first time, the following safety and cleaning tips will help make your outdoor project as successful as possible. All in time for National Chainsaw Safety Month.

1. Have the right equipment. Your chainsaw is a natural component here, but there is plenty of safety equipment you should wear while operating a chainsaw. The experts at Husqvarna recommend you wear a helmet with ear muffs, visor and protective glasses, protective pants, trousers or chaps, a forestry jacket, anti-slip boots and gloves whenever you’re operating your chainsaw. In addition to this list, be sure to avoid loose-fitting clothing at all costs.

2. Practice proper saw-handling techniques in case of yard cleanup. Unexpected storms can bring serious storm damage, so it’s important to know the right techniques should you need to bring out your heavy-duty power tools — like chainsaws — this fall and winter. Cleaning up an area hit by storms is one of the most hazardous tasks when working with a chainsaw, and statistically, this is when chance of injury is the highest.

While this is especially vital for newer chainsaw users, everyone should remember these five vital saw-handling principles from Husqvarna:

Wrap your thumbs and fingers completely around the handle and hold your front hand under the front handle to reduce kickback. Hold the saw close to your body for better balance and accuracy. Achieve proper positioning by placing your left foot in front of your right and bend with your knees, not your back. Make sure the chain has stopped rotating before you move to another spot. See that all others are 10 feet or more away from you when you are using your chainsaw. Never fell a tree in your own yard. Call a professional, like emergency responders, to come out and handle this.

3. Make it a group affair. If possible, try to always have someone else with you when operating a chainsaw in case of an accident or injury. If you must work alone, be sure to let others know exactly where you will be and keep your mobile phone on you at all times in case you need to call for help.

4. Keep the area clean. Using your chainsaw can be a messy process, but it’s still worth your time to make sure the area is clean before you cut. This means taking time to remove dirt, debris, rocks and nails to ensure the clearest possible cutting area.

5. Proper storage. Once you’re finished with your task for the day, it’s important to safely store your chainsaw for future use. Start by clearing all debris from the body, guide bar and saw. Loosen the chain bar, allowing the chain to cool, and place the scabbard over the saw itself. When your chainsaw is cool, take the time to clean the chain break band and remove the chain to clean inside the track. You should also check the air filter and tighten any screws that have grown loose.

Cutting safely and effectively

Your chainsaw is your tool of choice for tackling troublesome fall and winter projects. Take care of it during and after the cut and your chainsaw will be ready to support you for months and years ahead.

2019-09-30T19:37:00

(BPT) – If you look at most people’s calendars, the days that stand out are the big ones — national holidays, anniversaries, graduations — in other words, those occasions that almost require special parties, rituals or ceremonies. But the truth is, it’s the everyday moments that people remember, and that are worth cherishing. Why wait for a “big” reason to celebrate the everyday act of living?

Here are just a few ways you and your friends or family can elevate the small but special events that truly make life wonderful.

Making a new friend

You recently met someone you think could become a great friend. It gets harder to make new friends as adults, so why not nurture your new relationship in a memorable way? Invite him or her over for a casual lunch. Without too much effort, you could put together a simple, elegant veggie salad topped with goat cheese and dressed with a mild vinaigrette. If you love to cook, keep it light with fresh fish and herbs to go with your salad. Pair your lunch with bright, crisp Flat Top Hills Sauvignon Blanc to make the day even more enjoyable.

Nailing that presentation

You or your partner just pulled off an amazing presentation for a meeting at work after stressing about it for days, so why not celebrate all that hard work with a special dinner together? Enjoy your favorite cheeseburgers, pork chops, juicy steak or filet mignon — tonight is a good night to enjoy a favorite meal as your reward. Make the occasion extra special by opening up a bottle of full-bodied Flat Top Hills Cabernet Sauvignon. The smooth, rich wine, with hints of dark fruit and warm spice, will really complement a flavorful hearty dinner.

Mid-week birthday

While you wait for the blow-out birthday plans scheduled for the weekend, don’t just let the big day pass by without any festivities at all. Too busy to bake? Pick up a dark chocolate cake — or at least some cupcakes — at your local grocery store or bakery. Bring out a bottle of Flat Top Hills Red Blend to make the day seem even more festive. The mouth-watering flavors of dark fruit and bright raspberry will complement the dark chocolate dessert beautifully, making the birthday feel really special, even if it is just a Wednesday.

Girls’ lunch

How long has it been since you last invited your best pals over for a visit, just because you felt like it? Why not throw together a quick lunch party on the weekend for a couple of your favorite friends? Serve take-out on your most beautiful dishes — spending time together is the most important part, so don’t stress about the food! Complement the meal — and the conversation — with elegant, fruit-forward Flat Top Hills Chardonnay. You’re bound to remember this event for a long time to come. Maybe it will even turn into a regular tradition.

A quiet night in

When the opportunity presents itself for a quiet evening in with your partner, take advantage of it. These are the moments worth cherishing. Celebrate by sharing a simple risotto or just put together an easy fruit and cheese plate and enjoy with the supple Flat Top Hills 2018 Rosé to mark the occasion together. It may just remind you to plan these more often.

Find ways to commemorate — and treasure — the simple, ordinary days that mean the world to you. To help celebrate the everyday, Flat Top Hills is offering a Friday Night Experience Sweepstakes for 20 grand-prize winners to receive a $100 gift card of their choice for a movie or TV streaming subscription, meal preparation delivery service, golf outing or more. Enter at www.bit.ly/FlatTopFridayNight.

2019-09-30T10:11:00

(BPT) – Sitting is a part of daily routines and nearly impossible to avoid. Whether during your daily commute, working hard at your desk or watching your favorite TV show on the couch, sitting can provide relief and give you the opportunity to relax. However, sitting for a long period of time can actually lead to some adverse health effects. In fact, according to a recent survey commissioned by Preparation H, 63 percent of Americans admit that staying seated for an extended period has resulted in butt pain or discomfort.

While sitting may be one of our favorite positions, the following tips will help you diminish the harmful, but common, side effects of sitting and highlight how to give your backside the break it deserves.

1. Move bad posture out of the way

Sitting down at a desk for upwards of eight hours at work each day is common for many professions, in addition to sitting during the daily commute to the office. For many, this is the preferred position, as one in four employed Americans would not show up to work if they could not sit down the entire time. However, sitting can have significant effects on our backs and spines, causing pain and discomfort. To avoid bad posture and a stiff neck or back, take a quick walk around the office, find a longer route to the water cooler or grab a coworker for a few laps around the parking lot during lunch. If your office allows it, opt for a standing desk to get you off your butt and onto your feet.

2. Improve poor circulation

Let’s face it — we all want to get home, kick off our shoes and get lost in our couch cushions for the rest of the night. However, sitting for too long causes your blood to remain in your feet and lower legs due to lack of movement, causing your body’s circulation to slow down and resulting in numbness and tingling. To break up your sitting marathon, try to perform a few simple bodyweight exercises during commercial breaks or use the time to get up and tidy your living room space.

3. Leave backside discomfort in the past

Everyone uses the bathroom throughout the day, but some may spend a little too much time on the porcelain throne. The time spent sitting, as well as the habits associated with the activity, can ultimately contribute to the causes of hemorrhoid flare-ups, like constipation and straining. When hemorrhoids do strike, Preparation H is the #1 doctor-recommended OTC hemorrhoid brand formulated to soothe, cool, cleanse and care for your backside. To help shorten the time spent on the toilet, avoid digital distractions, like your phone, that can lead to spending extended time sitting in the bathroom.

4. Bring the power back to your brain

Your physical health isn’t the only thing suffering from sitting — your mental health is affected as well. Sitting for extended periods can slow down brain function, leading to memory loss and a feeling of a foggy brain. If you’re feeling distracted or can’t seem to accomplish a task at hand, try getting up and going for a quick walk to help improve concentration and keep blood flowing to your brain so the next big idea is right around the corner.

Whether it’s getting in an extra couple of steps or banishing your phone from the bathroom, these small changes can be beneficial in reducing the negative effects of staying seated for too long. Sitting will inevitably be a part of your day, but by implementing these tips, you can give yourself a pat on the back for putting your health first.

For more information on hemorrhoid relief, visit preparationh.com.

2019-09-30T13:07:00

(BPT) – Alzheimer’s is a progressive medical condition, and one of the deadliest diseases in the United States. That’s why it is important to learn about the disease along with some simple steps that can help delay the potential onset, or help facilitate an early diagnosis.

Dr. Rhonda Randall, a board-certified family physician, geriatrician and chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare, answered the following questions relating to Alzheimer’s disease.

What is Alzheimer’s disease and how is it distinguished from other dementias?

While the terms are often used interchangeably, “dementia” is an umbrella term for many types of diseases associated with cognitive decline and memory loss, whereas “Alzheimer’s” references a specific diagnosis. Alzheimer’s is referred to as a progressive disease, as the dementia symptoms generally worsen gradually over time.

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. In fact, someone in the United States develops the disease every 65 seconds, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. That means roughly 5.8 million people are living with the disease. However, Alzheimer’s will only become more prevalent — around 14 million people are estimated to be living with Alzheimer’s by 2050.

How is Alzheimer’s diagnosed?

Alzheimer’s disease is commonly diagnosed after conducting a memory screening and ruling out other reasons for cognitive decline. It is important to have a memory screening done each year, as having a historical record can increase your health care practitioner’s ability to accurately diagnose memory disorders earlier.

Memory screenings can be performed during your annual wellness visit, which is free to anyone on Medicare. Make sure to ask your physician to perform a memory evaluation the next time you visit the doctor’s office. It only takes a few minutes.

Eligible UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members can take advantage of the HouseCalls program, which brings a yearly health and wellness visit to the convenience and privacy of home, at no additional cost. A HouseCalls licensed practitioner can conduct a memory screening and refer you to additional care, if needed.

What are some common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?

One of the most noticeable symptoms is the inability to retain newly learned information, as Alzheimer’s generally impacts the part of the brain that affects learning. That said, it is important to distinguish Alzheimer’s from normal, fleeting memory loss, sometimes associated with aging — Alzheimer’s is marked by serious memory loss and confusion.

Examples of serious memory loss might be having to ask for the same information repeatedly or requiring memory aids, such as notes, to remember basic information. If you feel like you or a loved one is suffering from serious memory loss, contact your health care provider.

Is there anything that can be done to help prevent or delay the potential onset of Alzheimer’s?

Staying physically and mentally active is key, regardless of age. That may mean taking a brisk walk, playing online brain games or participating in other activities that can improve circulation and challenge your mind.

Additionally, it is important to keep your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels in check. If you are a smoker, quitting is important, as it increases your chances of developing Alzheimer’s.

Taking these steps to help prevent Alzheimer’s is key, as there is currently no cure for the disease.

2019-09-30T15:01:00

(BPT) – School is back in session, which means hectic mornings spent searching for missing shoes and backpacks, and jam-packed schedules with homework sessions and extracurricular activities. Morning meals at home or at school are imperative, and for busy parents, breakfast snacks on the go can be key when rushing out the door.

Incorporating an easy, delicious, wholesome breakfast snack option like new GoGo squeeZ SmoothieZ — available now on Target shelves — into kids’ routines helps keep them full while offering the nutrients kids need to jump-start their day. Each 4 oz portable pouch is gluten-free, pantry-friendly, a source of calcium, and has 4 g of protein in a yogurt, fruit and whole oat blend.

Registered Dietitian and founder of Real Mom Nutrition Sally Kuzemchak shares a few reasons why incorporating a morning snack can contribute to kids’ overall well-being throughout the day:

1. A nutritious breakfast offers energy for an active lifestyle

It’s important for kids to eat something wholesome each morning to fuel their day. Breakfast snacks that are rich in calcium and protein help them stay energized and full until lunchtime. Also, getting a boost of energy at breakfast makes it easier for kids to be active throughout their day, contributing to a more active lifestyle in the future.

2. Eating breakfast improves alertness, concentration and memory function

Just like the stomach, the brain needs nutritious foods to thrive. Skipping breakfast may affect your child’s focus or leave them feeling drowsy and irritable. A breakfast filled with whole grains, fiber and protein can help improve kids’ attention spans and enhance concentration and memory skills.

3. A daily breakfast routine sets healthy habits

Just like making their bed or brushing their teeth, nutritional habits should be taught early on. Making breakfast part of a kid’s daily routine offers the building blocks for a healthy and balanced lifestyle as they become older.

Start mornings off right by adding GoGo squeeZ SmoothieZ to your breakfast routine. Help your kids stay full and give them the boost of energy they’ll need to thrive this school year.

To learn more about GoGo squeeZ SmoothieZ and other ways to contribute to your child’s health and happiness, visit gogosqueez.com.