Month: October 2020

2020-10-06T10:27:00

(BPT) – The average American home has nine DIY jobs that need to be tackled, according to a study conducted by Porch.com. Fall is the perfect time to give your home a little TLC and start checking off projects on your to-do list. Here are five easy fall fixups to get your home ready for the upcoming season:

• Paint the front door – Nothing gives your home an instant face lift like a freshly painted front door. Painted exterior doors can boost curb appeal, add character and provide a trendy but tasteful first impression of your home. Choose a color that will make your front door pop and improve the look of your home’s exterior in less than an afternoon.
• Repair holes in the drywall – Whether the damage is small from a picture frame nail or anchor, or as large as doorknob damage, DAP’s new Eclipse™ Rapid Wall Repair Patches make repairing holes in drywall so fast and easy, anyone can do it. DAP’s Eclipse provides a durable, mess-free repair that requires no spackling, sanding or additional tools – simply patch the damage and it’s ready to paint immediately, allowing projects to be finished in minutes, rather than hours or days.
• Freshen up the landscaping – Planting new flowers or shrubbery is an easy way to bring pops of fall colors to the front of your home. Keep it simple and pick plants in one or two hues that contrast with the exterior of your home. Regular mowing and tending to weeds will always help your front yard look its best.
• Seal window and doors – Small gaps and cracks around windows and doors can allow cold air and rain to make its way inside. Keep your home protected and warm during the fall and winter seasons by replacing worn exterior caulk with DAP Dynaflex Ultra™ Advanced Exterior Sealant. Dynaflex Ultra uses DAP’s exclusive WeatherMax Technology™ to create a waterproof and weatherproof seal that won’t crack or discolor over time.
• Replace the furnace filter – Dirty filters mean your furnace will likely work harder. Regularly changing the filters in your central air and heating system can significantly improve its efficiency and longevity, while easing the pressure on your wallet. In most homes, filters should be changed monthly during the heating season. You should also have your furnace serviced periodically to make sure it is working properly and to help avoid larger repairs later on when the temperature drops.

For more tips to help tackle your fall home improvement checklist, visit DAP.com.

2020-10-05T11:01:02

(BPT) – Nobody ever said parenting was going to be easy. But as many real-life parents discover, it doesn’t have to be so serious, either. Getting through tough times — from the morning rush to bedtime routines — is a little easier if you can try to relax and even find humor in everyday events and interactions.

#IMOMSOHARD celebrity comedy duo Jen Smedley and Kristin Hensley use humorous stories about getting through trials and tribulations of being a mom to remind their followers that seeing the funny amidst the frantic can help you enjoy parenting even more.

Inspired by their example, here are some real-life tips for keeping hold of your sanity while you guide your kids through their year of learning, at school or at home.

Reduce the morning rush

OK, you may not always remember to prep tomorrow’s clothes or lunches before bedtime. How many parents do? But it does help to consider what makes mornings chaotic in your house, and brainstorm solutions together with your kids to simplify — and let go of perfection.

Pick an easy-to-prep breakfast everybody loves

Skip the chocolate chip pancakes and go with a classic favorite. With one bowl of Kellogg’s^® Frosted Mini-Wheats^®, you can stop “The Growl.” Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats helps fill you up with 10 layers of delicious whole wheat.

Use handy kitchen visuals

Hang a whiteboard in the kitchen, encouraging everyone to list foods you’re running low on. Kids can even draw pictures of the foods. Make it easy for everyone to understand when you’re low on things like milk by drawing a line on the container to show when you need more. Nobody likes running out of milk in the morning!

Let kids help make breakfast

Even young kids can help put together breakfast each morning, even if it’s just setting out napkins and spoons on the table for everyone. Older kids can help by bringing out the family’s favorite cereal, Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats, along with milk, juice and fruit for everybody to enjoy. Assign each family member a task to help the meal come together quickly every morning.

Help items stay found

Kids can choose their own plastic bins or boxes, large enough for their school-related items but small enough so younger children can handle them. Encourage kids to keep all their school stuff in that container, so they don’t lose homework and supplies all over the house — ending those morning searches.

Make time for games

Breakfast time can be stressful, which could start the day off less than happy. What if you set your alarms earlier one day a week and call it “game day” — sort of like game night, only with cereal!

Inspired by laugh-out-loud true stories from real families, Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats created a new cereal-lover’s board game called “Morning Craze,” which is all about avoiding the consequences of a growling belly after skipping breakfast. Who hasn’t suffered from a growling tummy after missing the morning meal? And what are the results? Grabbed the kid’s colored hairspray instead of dry shampoo to “freshen up” your now hot pink hair? Put your coffee grinds back in the fridge and put the creamer in the cupboard? It happens. Morning Craze celebrates all the hilarity that ensues as you and your family travel around the gameboard avoiding “The Growl.”

And, while you can be sure to win your day by starting with a bowl of Frosted Mini-Wheats, Kellogg is giving fans a chance to win their own Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats’ Morning Craze board game for free alongside a box of Frosted Mini-Wheats.[1] Visit www.kfr.com/MorningCraze for more information.

With these tips, along with a more lighthearted and relaxed attitude, your whole family can enjoy every day a little bit more, together.

[1] No Purchase Necessary. Open to legal residents of 50 US & DC; 18+ and are registered member of Kellogg’s Family Rewards^®. Begins 12:00:00 AM (ET) on 10/5/20 & ends at 11:59:59 PM (ET) on 10/25/20. For entry methods/full Official Rules, go to https://www.kelloggsfamilyrewards.com/content/dam/kfr/promotions/microsites/fmw-morning-craze/rules.pdf. Subject to complete Official Rules. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: Kellogg Company, One Kellogg Square, Battle Creek, MI 49016.

®,™, © 2020 Kellogg NA Co.

2020-10-05T09:01:00

(BPT) – For many of us, art can still feel out of reach. We think of paintings hanging in a museum, chosen by curators and viewed at a price, or private art collectors in possession of influential pieces never seen by the wider public.

However, in its most ancient form, the accessibility of art was essential as a way for civilizations to communicate. Cave paintings depicted the everyday, from hunting to belief systems, and was a way to document history. This remains true today — art is a way to communicate culture and should exist to be observed, absorbed and appreciated by all.

While some art remains inaccessible — viewable to museum visitors or wealthy individuals only — the history of publicly viewable art has evolved immensely, meaning that the possibilities for everyone to experience it have increased.

However, the accessibility of art has come under threat again with the mass closures of museums and exhibition spaces as the world was left reeling in the wake of a global pandemic. The importance of ‘art for all’ has never been more relevant.

The Ancient Origins of Graffiti

We know that in its simplest form, graffiti and street art dates back to prehistoric times, with some of the oldest cave paintings created more than 64,000 years ago, painted by a Neanderthal in Cacares, Spain. However, the term ‘graffiti’ can actually be traced to the inscriptions and drawings found on the walls of ancient Rome or Pompeii — used to denote any imagery added to surfaces after their original creation. The first example of what is commonly recognized as graffiti is still in existence today in the ancient Greek city of Ephesus — in modern-day Turkey — which local guides say was an advertisement for adult services.

The Sistine Chapel

During the Renaissance, painting on buildings became more sophisticated. Botticelli and Michelangelo are responsible for some of the most widely known examples of publicly viewable art in the world — that of the ceilings and walls of the Sistine Chapel.

While modern day street artists have access to ladders, cherry pickers, and scaffolding, Michelangelo didn’t have the same luxuries of modern technology in 1508. He painted over 5,000 square feet of frescoes over four years, all from a flat wooden platform built out from holes in the wall of the church. Fun fact: While it’s famously reported he painted the ceilings on his back, he actually did so from a standing position — his poor neck!

From Vandalism to Art

The rise of graffiti — characterized as writings or drawings on walls or other public surfaces without permission — in the 21^st century was at first dismissed by critics as an unsightly symbol of vandalism in neighborhoods. However, the New York City graffiti boom between the 1960s and 1980s helped to establish the medium as a credible art form.

Many now iconic artists made their name in the later stages of the boom. Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat are now as respected as traditional artists, with museum exhibitions and fashion collaborations around the world. A particular focal point was that of the intersection at Houston Street and the Bowery, kicked off by Haring, which became a place of significant artistic interest with many different street artists featuring their work. Since 2008, the wall has been privately managed and is now available by commission or invitation only.

Banksy, Ben Eine and D*Face

The 90s and 00s gave rise to global names such as Banksy, further reforming street art’s bad reputation and establishing it as a legitimate art form in its own right. Banksy’s subversive work, which drew on the origins of protest and social message graffiti, gained mass appeal, receiving worldwide fanfare when a new piece appeared.

Today street artists are sought out by brands, politicians and musicians looking to harness their global ‘cool factor’. London-based artist Ben Eine’s signature typeface graffiti has been gifted by David Cameron to Barack Obama, and fellow artist D*Face has collaborated with the likes of Christina Aguilera and Blink-182 to create album cover art.

The art form has become so much of a cultural titan, that this year saw the inaugural London Mural Festival — which joins the likes of Miami’s Art Basel in celebration of street art.

Unconventional Canvases

The festival presents London as a canvas with over 40 large-scale murals and artistic events, celebrating street art in the capital. As one of the sponsors, iconic American lifestyle brand Zippo partnered with D*Face to create a mural located on the side of the Theatro Technis Theatre in London’s King’s Cross.

The large-scale artwork is a new take on one of D*Face’s iconic “Stripe” motifs. A subversive self-portrait of sorts that combines pop-media and imagery, not only as a satirical comment on content consumption in the 21^st century but as a nod to Zippo’s iconic pop culture status and commitment to individual expression.

To highlight Zippo’s role as an unconventional canvas — one that allows you to carry works of art in your pocket — the mural has been scaled down onto a limited edition windproof lighter. The windproof lighter is created using a new 540 Color decoration process, the latest design innovation from the brand which enables lighters to feature any design, in full color graphics, wrapped around all edges and surfaces.

The D*Face limited edition lighter will form part of a wider Street Art Collection of Zippo windproof lighters featuring pre-existing artwork from street artists including Tristan Eaton, Marija Tiurina and Pref.

Want to hold a piece of street art in your hands? Check out the Street Art Collection at Zippo.com.

2020-10-05T08:37:50

(BPT) – As Americans are spending more time at home in response to the pandemic, many are looking for ways to turn their living spaces into retreats of calm, comfort and well-being.

For some people, that means major renovations. For others, it means making select improvements designed to add more tranquility and enjoyment to their lives. It’s not so surprising then that home-improvement contractors listing their services on Houzz saw a 58% boost in homeowner requests in June 2020, relative to June 2019.

“In terms of design, I think people are seeing their living spaces as their refuges — sanctuaries where they’re safe and comforted,” notes architect Ryan Leidner on Dwell.com. “As the outside world becomes less touchable, I can see a great desire for the materials, textures and objects within our homes to have more of a tactile quality that invites us to use them. And I can see people getting more creative and interested in ways to bring the outside in, possibly re-imagining their living spaces as indoor gardens and landscapes.”

A prime area of focus for many homeowners has been their bathrooms, which are now being converted into spa-like havens of self-care, instead of just functional spaces. At the same time, many are adding features that aim for better cleanliness, sustainability and multi-generational living.

If “your own private spa” sounds like the perfect place for your family to re-energize and rejuvenate from the cares of each day, here are ideas for creating such a space in your home.

Add an extra-deep soaking tub. Gone are the days when a bath meant scrunching your limbs into a cramped basin of water and trying to stay warm. Today’s roomy bathtubs are designed to let you stretch out and relax, fully immersed, in a soothing surround of hydrotherapeutic luxury.

Install a curbless shower and linear drain. The most progressive shower configurations are ergonomically constructed with sleek, curb-free, ADA-compliant entries, so family members need not step in and out, but merely walk in. QuickDrain USA offers ShowerLine PVC Linear Drains that swiftly eliminate surface water using one-directional sloping and engineering techniques developed in Europe. Unlike more traditional drains, a linear drain also allows for freedom of design; because it appears as an unobtrusive strip aligned with your shower wall, you can choose any kind of material for the rest of your shower floor — even larger-sized tiles. That means fewer seams that can collect mold, mildew and grime, and less cleaning for you.

Invest in voice-activated smart features. With a few technology and equipment upgrades, Alexa, Siri or Google Home can now run your bath at your temperature of choice, power up your shower, light up your mirror, warm your toilet seat, diffuse your favorite fragrance, play all your top tunes and perform a number of other functions aimed at customizing your home spa experience and boosting its luxury level.

Incorporate a steam shower. Equipment added right into your shower stall can pipe in fresh steam customized by temperature and duration. “Bathing” in the vapor can feel wonderfully soothing and hydrating, and it’s said to produce health benefits ranging from better circulation and sinus drainage to clearer skin and rejuvenation of tired muscles.

Treat yourself to a towel warmer. Those living in cold climates may especially appreciate the luxury of having a warm, cozy towel in which to snuggle up after a relaxing bath or shower. These handy pieces of hardware are relatively easy to install and can be well worth the investment in terms of comfort.

When it comes to coping with the extra stress of COVID, your home can become a sanctuary that helps you relax and recharge. Consider making upgrades that will make time at home more peaceful and enjoyable for you and your family.

Find more information and ideas at QuickDrainUSA.com.

2020-10-04T00:01:00

(BPT) – As many people head to the polls to cast their vote in the 2020 presidential election, there is another important decision millions of Americans will make: choosing their health care coverage for 2021.

Open enrollment season is here, a time when millions of Americans across the country will have the opportunity to select or switch their health insurance plan for the coming year.

Enrollment periods aren’t the same for everyone, so there are key dates to keep in mind depending on your situation:

• Many employers set aside a two- to three-week period between September and December when employees can select health benefits for the following year.
• Medicare Annual Enrollment runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year.

To help guide you during this important time, Ann Marie O’Brien, R.N., National Director of Health Strategies at UnitedHealthcare, provides the following tips that may help lead you to better health and cost savings.

Tip 1: Start early, take your time and ask questions. When it comes to selecting a plan, one size does not fit all. Whether you are selecting a plan for the first time or evaluating how well your current plan is meeting your needs, take the time to understand and compare plans. A good first step is to make sure you understand health insurance lingo, such as premium, deductible, coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximum. If you need a refresher, check out the Health Care ABCs. If you’re of Medicare age, ensure you’re familiar with the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage by checking out medicaremadeclear.com as you weigh your options.

Tip 2: Take advantage of a plan that offers telehealth visits and other resources to help you navigate health from home. An increasingly popular health care choice, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been telehealth or virtual visits, which enable people to connect 24/7 with a health care provider via a smartphone, tablet or personal computer. It’s designed to be an easier, more affordable way to talk to a doctor about common health issues. Often, telehealth is available to members of employer-sponsored, individual and Medicare Advantage plans.

Tip 3: Review plan benefits that can help you save money, like wellness incentives. Many health plans now offer financial incentives that reward you for taking healthier actions, such as completing a health survey, exercising or avoiding nicotine. Many plans, including Medicare Advantage plans, offer gym memberships and wellness programs for members at no additional cost.

Tip 4: Anticipate next year’s health expenses. If you are expecting a significant health event in the next year, such as a surgery or the birth of a child, you should compare the differences between plan designs, including out-of-pocket maximums.

Tip 5: Consider a plan that offers health care advocates and resources to help you make the most of your benefits. Health care can be complicated, so no one should have to go it alone. It’s important to pick a plan that will provide you with access to advocates who help you navigate the health care system, find opportunities for cost savings and improve your health care experiences.

For example, UnitedHealthcare advocates can proactively identify potential health risks and reach out to individuals and recommend clinical interventions and well-being programs. Advocates help individuals make better choices by explaining options and costs and guiding them to quality providers and the appropriate care settings.

For more helpful health care articles and videos, visit UHCOpenEnrollment.com.

2020-10-02T11:53:08

(BPT) – Due to quarantine and social distancing measures, Americans have found themselves cooking at home more than ever. However, after creating some of the same meals week after week, you might be hitting a home-cooking rut. To shake things up in the kitchen, consider these 10 ways to add excitement and creativity to your dishes.

Explore cultural dishes: Look to other cultures for food inspiration. Whether inspired by a book you read, a movie you watched or a place you have visited (or want to visit), there are a lot of dishes that can open your eyes to the way people all around the world eat and enjoy food.

Use a new ingredient: “Try a new ingredient you’ve never cooked with before to expand your palate,” says Celebrity Chef and Restaurateur Jordan Andino. “Experimenting with a new ingredient like SPAM^® Classic is great because the product is flavorful, versatile, quick to cook, and when added to a dish, it can give your favorite recipe a whole new twist.”

Host a virtual theme night: Invite friends for a virtual dinner party where everyone shows off their homemade creations. To add a little excitement to the virtual party, pick a different theme to create a meal around — a luau, a crawfish boil or decades night are a few examples. Don’t forget to add some fun decor to make the virtual mealtime extra special.

Get inspired online: With cooking classes going virtual across countless social media platforms, look to some of your favorite foodie influencers and celebrity chefs for inspiration in the kitchen. Your favorite cooking brands, restaurants and chefs are probably hosting online cooking classes where you can learn some new tips and simple tricks to make a tasty new dish.

Get the gadgets and tools: Turn your culinary world upside down with a new kitchen gadget. Try out a vegetable spiralizer that’ll help you make zoodles (zucchini noodles) or a dressing mixer to create homemade dressings, marinades and sauces. Pick up a sushi kit for a fun family dinner activity.

Try trending recipes: Try your hand at one of the latest food trends for more motivation in the kitchen. A few recipes that are gaining popularity include bread making, cooking flavored gnocchi or eating the iconic Hawaiian snack SPAM^® Musubi.

Add new spices: An easy way to enhance any dish is by adding spices. Try a new spice or make your own blend. Whether you’re going for some heat or want to add a savory element, a spice you’ve never had before may do the trick. Furthermore, a new spice might even inspire new dishes you’ll love.

Embrace backward day: Try shaking things up and eat breakfast for dinner and dinner for breakfast. Flipping around the traditional awakens palates and is a simple way to keep meals interesting. Plus, what kid doesn’t love waffles or egg bakes for dinner?

Share a favorite, find a favorite: Organize a virtual or old-fashioned recipe swap with friends and family. Discover new meal options and walk away with a pile of fresh recipes to cook at home.

Make your own bowls: Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, make a “build your own bowl bar,” where your family can choose their own base and toppings for their custom creations. For example, try a smoothie bowl by pairing yogurt, fresh fruit and extras like grains and nuts for a nutrient-filled breakfast. For dinner, try rice bowls that can be customized to your liking, such as a bibimbap bowl.