Month: November 2021

2021-11-15T14:31:00

(BPT) – Did you know that there are simple, fun, everyday activities you can do with your kids to foster curiosity and interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)? If you want your school-aged kids to be more engaged in these crucial educational subjects, the good news is that there are plenty of ways to support your children in learning.

These activities are not only fun for kids of many ages and stages, but they will help introduce key principals needed to build a strong base for STEM education.

1. Build something together

Making something by hand is a fantastic learning opportunity for kids, bolstering their understanding of engineering, physics and math. Even a simple project like a birdhouse, bookshelf or wind chimes teaches the importance of careful planning, why they need to measure accurately and the basics of construction — principles best learned hands-on. Plenty of ideas for simple projects can be found online or with an easy-to-use kit.

2. Reach new heights

Kids love toys involving motion, and there’s no better way to encounter principles of physics like velocity, momentum and gravity than with a high-quality marble run. If you want to build higher and race faster, the GraviTrax PRO Vertical Starter Set from Ravensburger is full of opportunities for complex problem-solving and experimentation — as a solo activity or with the whole family. Kids 8 and up (and parents!) will find this set fun and challenging.

The GraviTrax PRO set offers multiple new ways to build higher and learn more about gravity. Kids can experiment with altering the speed of the marbles as they careen around curves and zoom down tracks. The complexity of what kids build will change as they get older, and with trial and error as they use the set. Even better — you can use the GraviTrax PRO set with any other GraviTrax product or accessories for endless combinations and exploration.

3. Bake up a chemistry experiment

Cooking and baking involves STEM principles including math, chemistry, biology and agriculture. Next time you’re making cookies or cake, take the opportunity to discuss common chemical reactions as your kids measure and mix. Here are a few common baking reactions to get you started:

• Caramelization and browning
• Water evaporation
• Expanding gases
• Protein coagulation
• Enzyme reactions

You could talk about each ingredient’s chemical composition, its role in the process and discuss how it affects the results. Skip an ingredient or measure incorrectly, and the cake may not rise or becomes too dense. Flour and eggs contain proteins that help bond ingredients together. The gluten in flour helps create the cake’s structure. Sugar caramelizes and tenderizes, while milk or water provide moisture. Leavening agents such as baking powder and baking soda react with acidic and alkaline ingredients to release carbon dioxide into the batter — helping cakes expand and rise. Encourage observation and questions while you bake together.

4. Get your hands dirty

Kids learn a lot about science through gardening and many love to watch things grow. What does a seed need to grow and become a plant? If you don’t have space (or time) to create an outdoor garden, an indoor gardening kit can help you get started.

Spending time together outdoors involves biological principles like photosynthesis and the life cycle of plants and animals. You can help your children observe the plants, birds and wildlife and answer questions about the different animal behaviors.

5. The sky’s the limit

Making toys that fly and watching toys fly can be endlessly fascinating for kids. Those activities also provide an entry point to teach them about physics principles like aerodynamics, lift and drag. Start by creating simple paper airplanes, and ask why some designs fly better than others. Try flying a homemade or store-bought kite together. Which kind of design works better? How does the kite respond to the wind, and what keeps it afloat?

Watching clouds, birds and airplanes can also pique kids’ curiosity, and may lead to an interest in engineering, physics or space travel.

You don’t have to be an expert to encourage an interest in STEM learning. All it takes is a curious mind and looking at everyday activities in a whole new way.

2021-11-15T09:31:00

(BPT) – As a lover of everything at-home, actress Emily Hampshire jumped at the chance to be the first to test four all-new kitchen and bath faucet collections in a real home. Delta Faucet set her loose with never-before-seen kitchen faucets and an all-new bath set to touch, try and test — and then spill the tea. The result? “This experience left me OBSESSED with all things faucets!” said Hampshire.

From near-boiling water to the ultimate shower (but not at the same time), Hampshire dished on her top faucet picks — then didn’t even do the dishes.

Q: We let you explore a house full of exclusive kitchen and bath faucets. What was your favorite item?

A: I absolutely fell in love with the Stryke Kitchen Collection. Jaw-dropping. Functional. Conversation-worthy. And the best part of this striking statement piece: its Lumicoat Finish. With an ultra-sleek surface, it keeps itself cleaner, longer. Which is something we should put on everything.

Q: What did you do in the bathroom?

A: Besides that being none of your business, I spent hours with the Galeon Bath Collection. With a chiseled arc design and knurling on the handle, the Galeon is a modern beauty. Pro tip: They tell me the “k” in “knurling” is silent, but I think we should keep it loud. Also, it’s a manufacturing technique, in case you didn’t know (“k” is silent in this case).

Q: It’s already very cold in Canada, where you’re from. Anything you’ll use to keep you toasty warm this winter?

A: I’ll be snuggled up to the Instant Hot Faucet all winter. Real talk, it’s kinda sorta pretty amazing. It has beautiful finishes, serious style and it gives you near-boiling water in an instant, which I most definitely put to the test. Noodles, soup, a cup o’ tea and warm spoons to scoop lots of ice cream all kept me company during this taste test — I mean faucet test.

Q: All that ice cream must have left you thirsty. Anything you’d recommend for a quick drink of water?

A: After two-and-a-half pints of butter pecan ice cream, I got very familiar with the Beverage Faucet. It’s designed to work with any reverse osmosis filter or under-the-counter chiller, giving your drinking water some above-the-counter glam. One look and you might catch feelings — or just a drink of cold, pure water.

Q: Any parting words after this full-on faucet experience?

A: If you thought I didn’t want to leave my house before, now I don’t even want to leave the ROOMS in my house that have water! If you want to virtually test these faucets along with me, visit DeltaFaucet.com.

2021-11-15T08:01:00

(BPT) – From selfies to group shots or pictures of kids, pets, and holiday treats that look too good to eat, there are more photos taken during the holidays than at any other time of year. Luckily Amazon Photos just debuted a new app to help you spread more joy during the holiday season. The brand-new Amazon Photos iOS app can help you view, store, and share those holiday memories in a whole new way — so you can delight in them throughout the year.

Everything you need to enjoy your photos and videos on the Amazon Photos iOS app is accessible from the new app’s control panel using just your thumb. The crisp, intuitive design makes it easy to create a new holiday album, order festive photo décor, or relive memories with made-for-you slideshows. Plus, Amazon Prime members get free, unlimited photo storage and 5 GB video storage.

Here are five insider tips on how to make the most of the new Amazon Photos app:

1. Never miss a moment

Even if you can’t be with friends and family, it’s still nice to feel connected. With Amazon Photos it’s easy to share, relive, and reminisce about the memories that matter most to you. You can send full-resolution photos or entire albums to loved ones, letting them feel like they were in on the fun. You can also create invitation-only groups on the app to share pictures and videos. Or, ask Alexa to share photos on compatible Amazon devices by saying, “Alexa, share this photo with Meg.”

2. Relive your favorite memories

When the Amazon Photos app detects a noteworthy event (think: a holiday, trip, or even the best photos of a place or person), it creates a slideshow called Memories. Swipe up on the control panel and you’ll find it. Memories are automatically curated, refreshed daily, and completely sharable. Memories can also be displayed on your Echo Show home screen or Fire TV screensaver, and can even be ordered as a photo book right from the app.

3. Show off those snapshots

Personalize your Echo Show and Fire TV with your photos to create the perfect ambiance for your holiday soirée. Select an album, images of a person or place, or an auto-curated Daily Memories slideshow, and let your photos spark the conversation. If you have an Echo Show just say, “Alexa, set up my photo display.” For Fire TV say, “Alexa, go to settings” to get started.

4. Don’t forget the gifts

For the doting grandparents, dog parents, and hard-to-shop-for partners, personalized items always make the perfect gifts. Turn your photos into prints, calendars, holiday cards, and home décor. You can do it all with just a few taps in the Amazon Photos app.

5. Discover a gem

Searching for the photo you want can be like trolling for sea glass in the sand. The Amazon Photos app lets you zoom in on exactly what you’re looking for. The control panel puts easy-to-use filters right up front, so you can sort photos and videos by people, location, and date. You can ask Alexa for help by saying, “Alexa, show my photos of dogs,” or “Alexa, find my photos of Paris.”

Whatever your holiday season brings, the new Amazon Photos app will keep your memories safe and easy for you to enjoy for many years to come—and that’s something to celebrate.

To update or download the Amazon Photos iOS app, visit ‘Amazon Photos’ in the App Store. Learn more at amazonphotos.blog.

2021-11-15T09:33:00

(BPT) – Adulting is hard — and keeping track of everything that needs to happen and paying for it in the middle of a pandemic is especially challenging. If you’ve been a Scrooge about taking care of your teeth, the ghosts of the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) — the 7,334-member-strong organization that represents root canal specialists known as endodontists who save natural teeth and relieve tooth pain — are here to warn you and perhaps save you from an ill fate.

Ghost of holidays past

A recent survey found that 81% of American adults wish they had taken better care of their natural teeth. More than half wish their parent(s) had instilled better oral hygiene habits when they were younger, and 43% admit that tooth pain or oral health issues negatively affects their productivity or ability to focus.

Oral health involves more than just keeping those pearly whites looking their best. Maintaining good oral health could be an important factor in living your life to the fullest. Poor dental health can lead to overall health issues and can negatively impact mood, confidence, ability to carry out daily tasks, your social life and your love life. In fact, more than a quarter of Americans feel others would find them more attractive and about 1 in 6 feel they would have a more active dating life if they took better care of their teeth.

If you continue down the path of lax oral hygiene, things are not looking good for safely unmasking and kissing that special someone under the mistletoe this holiday season. (To that, we say: “Bah humbug!”)

Ghost of holidays present

Think of the traits that you feel make you more attractive. Wouldn’t you want to keep those traits around for as long as possible? For most adults in the U.S., they feel their natural teeth are a trait that has a significant impact on their attractiveness. Many also believe that, if they were to take better care of their teeth, their self-esteem would improve, and they would have more money due to needing fewer dental exams or procedures. (Ebenezer would like the sound of that!)

Whether you’ve avoided going to a dentist’s or dental specialist’s office during the pandemic due to fear of contracting COVID-19, stress and anxiety, or just feeling that your teeth were less of a priority while masks were mandated, you’re not alone. In fact, 1 in 5 Americans report that increased levels of stress during the pandemic have manifested into teeth grinding (bruxism) or brushing their teeth too hard. And in the era of COVID-19, the AAE is closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures to ensure the health of patients, families, endodontists, and dental staff and teams. It is safe to visit your oral care provider during the pandemic, and there’s a Patient Toolkit available with more information about those measures.

Ghost of holidays yet to come

The future is bright with hope! While 39% of American adults plan to avoid sweets this holiday season to avoid painful teeth or tooth issues, 76% intend to prioritize their oral health in 2022. And they’re not just thinking of their own oral health, as nearly 7 in 10 Americans would consider giving a toothbrush (either electric or manual) to someone they know for the holidays. (Bob Cratchit would be proud, don’t you think?)

Looking ahead to the new year, 60% of Americans will have a New Year’s resolution relating to oral health. Their ideas for resolutions include: to brush or floss their teeth more often; to drink fewer sugary drinks, cut back on candy/sweets, or reduce coffee or tea consumption; to improve the appearance of their teeth; or to quit or reduce teeth grinding.

Epilogue

What options do you have to improve your oral health?

If you are due for an oral care appointment, schedule one as soon as possible. If you’re already in pain or are presented with the option to extract an infected tooth at your appointment, we’d encourage you to get a second opinion from an endodontist. Endodontists are specialists in saving teeth, committed to helping you maintain your natural smile for a lifetime. Their advanced training, specialized techniques and superior technologies mean you get the highest quality care with the best result: saving your natural teeth!

AAE President Dr. Alan S. Law has some advice: “Major tooth pain can strike at any time or place, and it’s critically important that patients seek treatment from a skilled dental specialist right away when this happens. AAE’s recently improved online directory can help patients more easily connect with an endodontist in their area when they need relief from tooth pain, to save their natural teeth via root canal treatment, or to receive immediate care for other dental-related emergencies. Endodontists often have more availability than general dentists, so our directory site is an address the public can really count on!”

Now go face unafraid any holiday plans that you’ve made!

Resources

Find an endodontist in your area: findmyendodontist.com

Learn more about the benefits of root canal treatment: aae.org/patients

Why see an endodontist? www.aae.org/patients/why-see-an-endodontist/

2021-11-15T11:01:00

(BPT) – If you’re familiar with popular “unboxing” videos on social media, you can probably imagine that’s exactly how this holiday season will look — on repeat. With everyone ordering more items online than ever before, unboxings will be a daily — if not hourly — activity.

But what can you do with all the extra packaging and waste that tend to pile up over the holidays?

It’s time to amp up your recycling game

Nobody wants to clog up trash containers with empty plastic bottles, cans, plastic and paper, and now, there’s a simple antidote: #inbinning. Dropping your recyclable items into a recycling bin is a small act that can result in a big impact. You should also make sure you are following local guidelines on what materials are (and aren’t) recyclable.

Here are some helpful tips to improve your #inbinning process so you can help make the world a little greener:

Get good recycling bins

While some communities provide recycling bins for curbside pickup, it helps if you also have smaller recycling bins for easy use inside the house to collect recyclable items. Place them in your kitchen, garage and/or any other areas where you’re likely to be unboxing, discarding packaging or finishing a beverage. This makes it easier for everyone in the family to participate in your household’s #inbinning efforts.

Get the whole fam involved

A quick refresher on how and what to recycle will help everyone in your household participate in this season’s #inbinning. Very young children love to help out and to feel like they’re part of a larger effort, and recycling items isn’t hard for them to do. Explain how even these small acts can have a big impact on the environment, and that the best time to start is now.

Think before you toss

Before you’re about to discard something in the trash, take a good look and ask yourself: Can this be recycled? Cans, bottles, glass, paper, newspaper, cardboard and many types of plastic can be recycled – whether at home or on the go! Review the recycling guidelines in your area for rules on what can or can’t be recycled, and how to best prepare certain items for recycling (such as rinsing out food and beverage containers, re-capping a bottle or flattening cardboard boxes).

Open gifts and recycle at the same time

Contrary to what you may have heard, most holiday wrapping paper is actually recyclable. However, any paper that’s metallic, or that has velvety flocking or glitter on it, will not be recyclable.

Most holiday gift-wrapping paper can also be added to your recycling bin, even if there’s a little tape on it. Having a family get-together over the holidays? Strategically place bags, boxes or bins around the room to collect wrapping paper as you open gifts together so it’s easy for everyone to remember to recycle.

You’re likely about to receive way more packages than usual from your online holiday shopping, so be ready — and keep recycling at the top of your mind to help start the New Year off right. Let your holiday unboxings lead to a lot more #inbinning.

Learn more about how to up your recycling game at PepsiCoRecycling.com.

2021-11-15T08:01:00

(BPT) – The holiday season is upon us and it’s time to get a jump start on your gift list with fun finds and toys that babies and curious toddlers will love.

Skip Hop, the trusted resource for baby and toddler must-haves made better, offers a quality and engaging toy assortment for little ones at every age that is sure to brighten the gift-giving season during holidays. The assortment ranges from activity walkers, bathtime toys, teething solutions, and more!

“Our design team continues to immerse ourselves in market research, consumer reviews, and of course watching children play with our products!” says Matt Lauderbach, Director of Design Management at Skip Hop. “It’s these insights that help us discover what’s most important to parents when seeking out toys for their little ones at every age and stage. Skip Hop toys are designed to help little ones learn and grow their developmental skills, while creating an exciting playtime experience.”

Here are some playful holiday toy recommendations broken down by age:

Ages 0-12 months

These toys from Skip Hop will keep little ones entertained at home during holiday family gatherings or on the go.

Penguin Wobble Toy

Bandana Buddies Chime & Teethe Toy – Deer

Explore & More Grow Along 4-In-1 Activity Walker

(Will grow with little ones up until 4 years old!)

Ages 12-24+ months

Skip Hop offers animal-inspired toys that are fun for little ones to explore, whether they are an early walker, splashing around during bathtime or playing at home.

Zoo 3-in-1 Ride-On

Magic Wand

Silver Lining Cloud Rainbow Push Toy

Zoo Scoop & Catch Squirties

Ages 2-3+ years

Keep curious toddlers engaged all holiday season long with Skip Hop games and toys that are designed for learning and playing.

Zoo Crew Dominoes Set

Zoo Fa La La Llama Microphone

Zoo Piece A Pizza Set

2021-11-15T08:01:00

(BPT) – The holiday season is upon us, and with that comes the best and worst part of the year: gift giving. On the one hand, you get to buy the people you care about something that they will (hopefully!) love and cherish forever. On the other hand, what if they just … don’t?

What do you buy the person that has everything? What do you buy the person that doesn’t value material items? The answer for both — and for everyone in between — is a good book.

This year, classic gifts are resurging in popularity and books are at the forefront of that list. No matter your loved ones’ interests or personality type, a book can make for a timeless and personalized gift for everyone in your life. Books have the power to inspire imagination and expand your mind. They can transport you to faraway places through phenomenal photography and thoughtful storylines. They can teach you something new and inspire you to change. They can sprinkle excitement into a mundane day, or simply give your mind a rest from a busy one.

As you rack your brain for the perfect present this year, National Geographic has a variety of inspiring options for everyone on your list — from your trendy friend to your sentimental grandmother, and everyone in between — books are a no-brainer. Here are just a few that you can choose from this year and beyond:

For the national park lover: Atlas of the National Parks

Atlas of the National Parks
By Jonathan Waterman

National parks are crown jewels of the United States, with thousands of people flocking to locations across the country every year. Gift the 432-page Atlas of National Parks and you’ll leave loved ones in awe as they flip through its stunning pages. This is the only national park atlas on the market and it showcases America’s spectacular park system from coast to coast, with helpful maps and beautiful photographs. From the white sand beaches of Dry Tortugas to the snowy peaks of Denali, former park ranger and author Jonathan Waterman introduces readers to the country’s most scenic reserves and highlights the extraordinary features that distinguish each park, including magnificent landmarks, thriving ecosystems, representative wildlife, fascinating histories and more.

For the traveler: 50 States, 5,000 Ideas

50 States, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do
By Joe Yogerst

Whether you’re planning a cross-country road trip or day tripping somewhere close to home, this practical guide showcases the best travel experiences in every state, from the obvious to the unexpected. Sites include national parks, beaches, hotels, Civil War battlefields, dude ranches, out-of-the-way museums and more. You’ll discover the world’s longest yard sale in Tennessee, swamp tours in Louisiana, dinosaur trails in Colorado, America’s oldest street in New York City and the best spot to watch for sea otters on the central California coast. Each entry provides detailed travel information as well as fascinating facts about each state that will help fuel your wanderlust and ensure the best vacation possible. And, if you want to cross the border, it includes a section on the Canadian provinces and territories!

For the science lover: Cosmic Queries

Cosmic Queries: StarTalk’s Guide to Who We Are, How We Got Here, and Where We’re Going
By Neil deGrasse Tyson

For science geeks, space and physics nerds, and all who want to understand their place in the universe, this enlightening new book from Neil deGrasse Tyson offers a unique take on the mysteries and curiosities of the cosmos, building on rich material from his beloved StarTalk podcast and featuring amusing Tweets from the beloved Neil deGrasse Tyson. Filled with dazzling photos and revealing graphics, Tyson, a renowned physicist and science popularizer, takes on the big questions that humanity has been posing for millennia — How did life begin? What is our place in the universe? Are we alone? — and provides answers based on the most current data, observations and theories.

For the wine enthusiast: The New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia

The New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia
By Tom Stevensen

Whether toasting to the new year or raising a glass to a personal accomplishment, a glass of wine pairs well with almost every celebration. For the wine enthusiasts on your gift list – or for those just looking to learn a new fun fact about their favorite beverage – this robust reference is the most comprehensive guide to the world of wine, featuring the history, culture, geography and taste of vintages around the globe. Fully updated and revised for the first time since 2011, this new 800-page edition reflects the most recent trends in the dynamic world of wine, written by experts around the globe. Beautiful photographs, charts and maps, make this guide a must-have for the wine lover.

For knowledge hungry: Atlas of the World

Atlas of the World, 11th Edition
Foreword by Alex Tait

As the New York Times said, “If you’re going to buy just one atlas this fall, make it the 11th edition of the National Geographic Atlas Of The World.” National Geographic’s flagship book is mammoth in size and provides authoritative maps of every country, ocean and region of the world, as well as thematic maps and accompanying graphics showing important population, environmental and economic patterns. Organized by continent and reflecting today’s political boundaries and identities, this authoritative atlas is an indispensable and impressive reference for history buffs, geography lovers, or those looking for the perfect statement piece for their coffee table or bookshelf.