Month: November 2020

2020-11-20T00:01:00

(BPT) – Feeling stressed? You’re not alone. Stress levels are rising due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the numerous disruptions in our daily lives.

The American Psychological Association recently reported that “we are facing a national mental health crisis that could yield serious health and social consequences for years to come.” And it’s not just adults who are feeling it. The report reveals that our children are “facing unprecedented uncertainty, are experiencing elevated stress, and are already reporting symptoms of depression.”

Although a modest amount of stress is normal, high levels of stress can be dangerous to your health and may contribute to serious health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, anxiety and depression. Therefore, make sure to keep a close eye on your well-being and the well-being of your loved ones during the holidays.

It’s true, there is no magic bullet to make stress disappear forever, but we can take steps to reduce stress. Ann Marie O’Brien, R.N., national director of health engagement strategies at UnitedHealthcare, shares the following tips that may reduce your stress and lead to a more enjoyable holiday season.

• Learn to recognize your holiday stress triggers and relievers. Financial pressures and personal demands are two common triggers. Also, beware of unhealthy stress relievers. Holiday stress may cause some people to fall into bad habits such as smoking, drinking or eating too much.
• Give yourself a break. While doing things for others, it’s easy to forget to take care of ourselves. If you feel stress building up, take a break for a few minutes. Listening to calming music, taking time to watch a movie, or just getting away to take a brief walk can give you time to unwind and recharge.
• Make time for your health. In the holiday rush, don’t let your well-being fall by the wayside. Try to stay on your normal sleep schedule, incorporate healthy foods and get regular exercise. If you can’t find a 30-minute chunk of time for exercise, break it up into three 10-minute sessions spread throughout the day.
• Check your health plan benefits. Some insurers, such as UnitedHealthcare, offer behavioral health care programs that can range from caring for your mental health to treatment for substance abuse, with a goal of helping improve your overall well-being. For example, Sanvello^® offers clinically validated techniques and tools to reduce stress, anxiety and depression within a single app. Sanvello is free to download from the app stores and you can do an instant eligibility check in the app.
• Enjoy, even if it’s virtually. In the flurry of holiday activities, we sometimes forget what we’re celebrating, so remember to savor the time with people you love. If you or others you know are unable to meet in person, use a phone or set up a Zoom call to celebrate and spend time together. It’s important to minimize any feelings of isolation.
• Talk to your doctor. If it feels like you’re not able to get a handle on your stress, talk to your doctor. She or he may recommend a counselor who could help you find other ways to help reduce or manage the unhealthy stress in your life.

For more health and wellness information, visit UHC.com.

2020-11-19T03:59:00

(BPT) – The holiday season might look a little different this year, but one thing remains the same: we all want something easy, yet festive and delicious, to snack on. Enjoy every moment this season with holiday-curated recipes for DIY Meat & Cheese Platters.

2020-11-19T09:01:01

(BPT) – Check out the results of a recent survey that reveals the road trip plans of 2,000 people in the midst of COVID-19.

2020-11-19T09:53:00

(BPT) – Americans are ready to travel this holiday season. Airline bookings are up and a recent survey shows 74% of people plan to fly during the December holidays. Whether you’re planning a Caribbean or Mexican getaway for the holidays, or looking forward to a cruise since the ‘no sail’ ban has lifted, you need to check your passport now. To help the wanderers among us, passport and travel expert David Alwadish, founder of The ItsEasy Passport App, shares the seven most common mistakes travelers make when renewing their passports.

Waiting too long to begin the renewal process

The Department of State is still working through a backlog of hundreds of thousands of passports. Beginning the renewal process early will not only give you peace of mind and ensure you have documents in hand, but will also save you the $60 government fee the Department of State charges for expedited services. Alwadish suggests starting the renewal process at least 12 weeks before your scheduled departure date.

A little-known rule, a U.S. passport must be valid for at least six months beyond a traveler’s scheduled return date to the United States to be valid for departure. “Travelers are turned away at the airport and left behind because they are still not aware of this strict travel rule,” says David Alwadish. Make it easy on yourself and download the free ItsEasy Passport App to set complementary reminder notifications and keep track of just one passport or the entire family’s.

Paying for poor quality passport photos

Submitting an inferior photo is the number one reason passport applications are rejected. Not all photos are accepted, even if you pay to have them taken at a drugstore or post office. The ItsEasy Passport App allows you to take photos from the safety of your own home, right from your device. Each photo is evaluated by ItsEasy Passport Experts. The app provides tips for taking a good photo at home and photos are complimentary with each renewal order.

Disrespecting the signature

The signature on your passport is critical in nature and should be taken seriously. Passport applications are often rejected for using initials, computer generated signatures or sloppy marks in the signature line. The Department of State prefers to see a full signature of your first and last name. If your signature has changed dramatically over the years or if you are no longer able to sign your name as you once did, Alwadish recommends submitting proof of a similar mark found on another official document and include it with your application along with a signed note of explanation.

Skating on shipping

Do not make the mistake of skimping on shipping when you put passport documents in the mail. Be sure to get a shipping label and receipt that allows you to track the package. This recommendation is even stated directly on the passport application. Using the ItsEasy Passport app to renew your passport includes prepaid trackable shipping labels for sending and receiving.

Not adding the passport card to your renewal application

For a $30 government fee, travelers can add a REAL-ID Passport Card to their application, which can be used in lieu of the traditional passport book when traveling to Mexico and Canada by car, to the Caribbean by boat or a standard driver’s license when traveling domestically. The Passport Card is valid for 10 years, is the size of a standard credit card and it does not display your address, protecting your privacy while traveling. The passport card is also REAL-ID compliant, and all travelers will be required to have a REAL-ID to fly domestically beginning October 2021. “It is the best $30 you will spend,” says Alwadish.

Ignoring the option to upsize

Many travelers do not realize the Department of State offers two passport book options, a book with 28 pages or 52 pages. There is no additional fee to choose the 52-page book. But if Visa Stamps have you running out of pages, you’ll pay a full renewal fee to get a new passport book early. Alwadish encourages power travelers to go ahead and choose the 52-page book to avoid renewing prematurely.

Overpaying for third-party services

This mistake can cost you hundreds of dollars. Many third-party services charge more than $250 in additional fees just to help process a standard passport renewal. If you have a life-and-death emergency or need to renew your passport immediately, those fees soar to $399, none of which include government fees. Some services also include policies that do not allow for cancellation once you realize you’re overpaying.

The five star–rated ItsEasy Passport App provides photos, trackable shipping and complementary full review of all documents for just $34.95. The all-inclusive app is the safest, most convenient and most affordable way to renew your passport and prepare for upcoming travel.

“After 40 plus years in this business, I know the Passport & Visa industry inside and out and there is absolutely nothing during this pandemic, except greed, that could justify charging a consumer fee of $271.95 (without photos) for the same service I offer on my COVID-safe, ItsEasy App for just $34.95, which includes photos safely taken at home.”

Download the free ItsEasy Passport App on iOS or Android to get started today.

About ItsEasy

ItsEasy has been a trusted agent of the US Department of State since 1976, authorized to provide US passport services to the public for a fee. It is the safest and most cost-effective way to renew your passport from home.

2020-11-19T12:01:01

(BPT) – The holidays are usually a time to gather in person to share the joys and traditions of the season with friends and family. However, not unlike many occasions in 2020, the ongoing restrictions to help curb the spread of COVID-19 may make holiday festivities look different this year. This could mean spending time with fewer people, participating in virtual celebrations, and more shopping online. Regardless of how you celebrate, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging American families to protect themselves from possible dangers associated with unsafe toys, cooking and decorating as they prepare for the holidays.

Here is what consumers need to know:

Toys

Although toy recalls continue to decline, CPSC reports that in 2019, there were an estimated 162,700 toy-related, emergency department-treated injuries and 14 deaths among children younger than 15. Most of the deaths were associated with choking on small toy parts and small balls, in addition to deaths associated with riding toys. Consumers should remember the tips below when purchasing toys as holiday gifts:

• Follow age guidance and other safety information on the toy packaging, and choose toys that match your child’s interests and abilities.
• Get safety gear, including helmets for scooters and other riding toys. Helmets should be worn properly at all times and sized to fit.
• Keep small balls and toys with small parts away from children younger than 3, and keep deflated balloons away from children younger than 8; discard broken balloons immediately.

Cooking

Did you know that cooking fires are the number one cause of residential fires? CPSC reports that an average of 1,700 cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving Day each year. This is more than three times the average number occurring any other day of the year. Specifically, in the past two decades, there were 220 fire or burn incidents involving turkey fryers, resulting in 81 injuries and $9.7 million in property loss. To prevent your holiday meal from going up in flames, follow these safety suggestions:

• Never leave food cooking unattended on the stove.
• Keep children away from the cooking area, and keep flammable items, like potholders and paper or plastic bags, away from the stove and oven.
• Fry a turkey only outside and away from your house — never inside your garage or on your porch or deck.
• Do not overfill the oil in the turkey fryer. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use — these include thawing your turkey thoroughly and maintaining control of the oil temperature.

Decorating

CPSC reports, on average, 200 decorating-related injuries occur each day during the holiday season. About half of the incidents involve falls. During the 2018 season alone, approximately 17,500 people were treated in emergency rooms for holiday decorating-related injuries. During the 2019 season, there were six deaths associated with decorating. Many of the injury incidents involve Christmas tree fires and candles burning. Families are advised to follow these safety steps to avoid similar incidents occurring in 2020:

• If you are planning to use a ladder to string lights, always place it on firm, level ground, and have a helper hold onto the lower rungs of the ladder.
• Make sure your live Christmas tree has plenty of water, and look for the label, “fire resistant,” when buying an artificial tree.
• Place burning candles in sight, away from flammable items and small children, and blow out candles before leaving the room.
• Only use lights tested for safety by a nationally recognized testing laboratory; throw out sets with broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections.

Hazardous Counterfeit Products

Online shopping is popular and convenient, and it can be a safer alternative to heading into the stores this year. Follow CPSC’s tips to avoid purchasing unsafe items:

• Always shop from stores and online retailers you know and trust, and check seller information to make sure products have not been banned or recalled.
• If you discover a safety issue, report it to saferproducts.gov, and where possible, register the toy with the manufacturer.
• Check the product’s advertising page for additional safety warnings from online sellers, especially when shopping for children. Always read and take heed of age-appropriate labels.
• If you have received the item, scrutinize the product, packaging and labeling. Look for a certification mark from an independent testing organization and the manufacturer’s label.
• Beware of extremely low pricing. Although many online retailers are offering exciting sales this time of year, if the price seems too good to be true, this could be a sign that the product is counterfeit and therefore may also be unsafe.

To learn more about how to be safer at home for the holidays, please visit the CPSC Holiday Safety Information Center.

2020-11-19T13:01:00

(BPT) – As the weather turns colder and the season changes, your thoughts may be turning to the holidays and how you can make them extra special in this unique year.

While many of us will be staying closer to home this holiday season, we’ll still want to celebrate the season in style and create happy new memories with loved ones. Although a bit different, each moment this holiday season can still be savored and enjoyed with the delicious food you bring to your table.

One choice sure to be appreciated by even the greatest gourmands is a cheeseboard curated with a selection of full-flavored artisanal cheeses. In fact, specialty cheeses have become so sought-after that the U.S. market is expected to grow by 2.5% in each of the next several years, reaching $18 billion by 2023.

Many cheese lovers these days especially value the aged cheddars that are given the opportunity to evolve in quality and taste over time — just like fine wines. For example, over 110-year-old Oregon-based cheesemaker Tillamook, a farmer-owned co-op, has crafted a unique, aged Maker’s Reserve Extra Sharp White Cheddar line that features a line of vintages between 3 and 10 years old, each with their own distinct tasting notes and characteristics.

“No one else in the industry looks at cheddar this way,” observes Rebekah Baker, an American Cheese Society Certified Cheese Professional who is Tillamook’s western regional specialty sales manager. “Cheese is a living thing that changes dramatically over time. By releasing vintages rather than static ages, we allow consumers to engage with the cheese across a range of ages and experience how it evolves over time.”

However you plan to celebrate, you may wish to consider these suggestions for pulling together a delicious, impressive and beautiful holiday cheeseboard this season.

Prepare for the perfect presentation

Your awe-inspiring offering starts with a cheeseboard large enough to hold all the garnishes and other bounty you wish to add, while allowing enough room for creative design. Whether they’re made of wood, bamboo, steel, marble, glass, silicone or other materials, today’s boards are often art objects in and of themselves.

Choose cheeses with unique flavor profiles

Instead of grabbing something generic, look around for specialty selections that offer different and unexpected flavors and textures as well as complex pairings. For example, Tillamook’s 2010 vintage is crumbly, packed with crystals, and smooth as velvet, with a bold, buttery, caramelly sweetness. The 2015 vintage combines a dry, crumbly texture with sweet top notes, bitter, citrusy undertones and a nutty finish. And the 2017 vintage is fresh, creamy and bright. Though complex in flavor, all Tillamook cheeses are made from only the highest quality milk and aged over time.

Suggest tasty pairings

A well-crafted cheese plate calls for other offerings that will complement your cheese selections in terms of taste, color and texture. For example, Tillamook’s bold and buttery 2010 Makers’ Reserve can be especially delicious with strawberries, aged balsamic vinegar, oysters or crusty bread dipped in olive oil. The nuttiness of the 2015 vintage is a perfect offset to Marcona almonds, cured meats, smoked salmon, blood oranges and/or smoked honey. And the fruity, sweet-nosed 2017 vintage is scrumptious with citrus-marinated olives, almonds, honey, rosemary or oranges.

Have fun with design

Evaluate your selections, then assemble your board with an eye toward color, texture and taste. For example, you may wish to add your items by color, following the rainbow spectrum and moving from light shades to dark shades. Or you may want to create a flavor map, placing sweeter dessert-oriented items at one end and salty or savory items on the other. If you’re extra creative, you could suggest flavor pairings by dividing the board into visual thirds and placing complementary food choices close together. Remember to slice some of your cheeses and other foods before serving so your guests feel welcome to help themselves.

With a little planning, you can pull together a beautiful and tasty holiday cheeseboard that will impress anyone. Ensure your cheese selections are the featured items on any cheeseboard layout and visit Tillamook.com to learn how and where you can find Tillamook Maker’s Reserve this holiday season.

2020-11-19T09:01:01

(BPT) – Read on for results of a recent survey revealing the road trip plans of 2,000 people in the midst of COVID-19.

2020-11-19T09:01:01

(BPT) – People are ready to get back on the road. Read on for survey results revealing the road trip plans of 2,000 people in the midst of COVID-19.