Month: January 2022

2022-01-15T08:01:00

(BPT) – There is an urgent need to increase recycling rates nationwide if we want to ensure our planet’s well-being for future generations. According to The Recycling Partnership, 22 million tons of U.S. household recyclables enter our environment each year. To curb waste and propel us toward a more sustainable future, PepsiCo Recycling partners with NGOs, local communities, and others within the industry to improve recycling infrastructure and access. The company is now challenging K-12 students to answer the simple but complex question: “How do we increase recycling?”

Through the company’s newly launched Recycling Innovation Challenge, students can share their school’s innovative ideas that encourage and reward more frequent and proper recycling habits. Those interested in participating have until January 31, 2022, to submit a unique project or idea that addresses the question: “How do we increase recycling?” The top elementary, middle, and high school entries will each win $5,000 for their school.

“We have to start being more thoughtful when it comes to recycling,” said Phil Cook (@ChemTeacherPhil), TikTok’s favorite chemistry teacher. “The Recycling Innovation Challenge pushes kids to think about their environment and how they can design something that really impacts the world around them.”

Parents and students, if you have an idea or you want your school to participate, chat with a teacher or principal about developing a submission. It’s simple to enter — sign up with your email and school information on the PepsiCo Recycling Innovation Challenge website and submit your recycling innovation.

Educators, encourage your students to get creative and think about how they can encourage themselves, their families, and their communities to reduce waste and recycle more. If you need inspiration or want to educate yourself and your students on recycling programs, you can also visit the PepsiCo Recycling Resources page. The comprehensive library of activities, lesson plans, videos and other resources can help teachers and parents get their students excited about recycling.

Teaching students what can and can’t be recycled gives them the power to make better recycling choices and educate their families on the subject. Find out your recycling provider’s recycling guidelines so everyone can work together to ensure the right materials get recycled.

To read the rest of the rules and learn more about the Recycling Innovation Challenge, please visit challenge.pepsicorecycling.com.

2022-01-14T22:00:03

(BPT) – The last year and a half has been a strong reminder of the importance of good health. Statistics show that 73% of Americans consider their health and wellness a priority and are reevaluating their own lifestyle habits. In a recent survey of 13,000 people, (including 2,000 Americans), commissioned by Herbalife Nutrition and The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), 89% of respondents globally reported they are taking steps to improve their health.

As a result of the changes people have made, more than half of those surveyed said they are now able to exercise longer without feeling winded, and 48% have gone down a size or notch in their belt.

Many are now choosing to take their health into their own hands with healthy lifestyle changes — and no matter what changes individuals make, the journey to better health habits almost always begins with small steps.

Wondering what you can do to make a lasting change in your overall wellness? Here are five ways you can start improving your health habits today, with insight from Dr. Kent Bradley, chief health and nutrition officer at Herbalife Nutrition:

1. Eat with nutrition in mind

Improving health habits often starts in the kitchen, but maybe you need a few ideas to inspire you. Learning new recipes is easier than ever, with options just a keyword search away. There are hundreds of websites and instructional videos that offer great tutorials, and you can find recipes for virtually any ingredient to suit any taste or diet, whether it’s paleo, vegetarian or vegan, taking the work out of discovering delicious and healthy new dishes.

2. Skip the junk food

Along with eating healthy foods, it’s also important to cut down on, or remove, junk food from your diet. It’s easy to reach for that bag of chips or find yourself in line at the drive-through when you haven’t planned a healthy, delicious and filling meal at home. Successful meal prepping begins by making a list before you go shopping. This allows you to be thoughtful and intentional about what you purchase at the grocery store. Take a few minutes to plan out at least a few meals for the week ahead, perhaps referencing some of the ideas you saw in your search. Not only will you be more likely to eat healthier throughout the week, but you’ll save money by avoiding takeout.

3. Take vitamins or supplements

Taking a daily supplement can help ensure your nutrient intake is complete. Supplements can help fill nutritional gaps year-round and some support your immunity. Supplements can also support other areas of wellbeing, whether you’re looking for a pre-workout boost to help you reach for that next personal record, interested in getting enough protein to repair your muscles after a session of heavy lifting or just looking to maintain overall wellness. And according to the survey results, many respondents plan to incorporate more vitamins and supplements into their diet and 69% said they feel knowledgeable about the health benefits those can offer. However, 77% reported they would like to know more about the health benefits of different vitamins and supplements to incorporate into their health regimen.

4. Exercise more

Starting a new fitness routine can be a little daunting, but there are apps that can support you no matter your current fitness level. Free streaming sites like HerbalifeNutritionFitness.com can provide workouts and tips to help keep your training fun and safe so you can avoid injuries and stay consistent. Consider joining a local, outdoor running or walking group. Not only will you meet new people but working out with friends or like-minded people will help keep you accountable and on track to meet your goals. Whatever you do, choose an activity you enjoy and you’ll be more likely to stick to it.

5. Prioritize sleep

Your sleep schedule plays a big role in weight maintenance and mental alertness. A lack of sleep can lead to an increase in appetite, which can quickly derail your wellness goals. On the flip side, getting the proper amount of sleep, which experts define as between 7-9 hours a night, can increase your metabolism, helping to burn off those extra calories throughout the day.

No matter where you are on your health and wellness journey, know that making improvements starts with small steps. Whether you’ve decided to make changes to your diet, exercise or meal planning routine, supplementation can benefit you by helping you meet your nutritional requirements. If you’re looking for more information on how vitamins and supplements can help you, visit www.crnusa.org.

2022-01-14T15:31:00

(BPT) – After a long, COVID-imposed hiatus, people want to take to the skies again. However, in order to travel to or from the United States, people need to be COVID-negative. A COVID test is the only way to know if a person is positive. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “COVID-19 self-tests (also referred to as home tests or over-the-counter tests) are one of many risk-reduction measures, along with vaccination, masking and physical distancing, that protect you and others by reducing the chances of spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.”

In fact, the U.S. requires arriving international travelers to take a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of flight departure to the U.S., regardless of whether they are returning U.S. citizens or other travelers. However, travelers at home or abroad don’t want to hunt down a testing site that has appointment openings or may be inconveniently located. Plus, they’d need to wait for the results, which can take a couple of days or more. Travelers want a test to administer by themselves that gives them fast results.

Good news

New self-testing options give travelers more choices in how they take their COVID-19 test to travel to and from the U.S.

“Consumer habits are changing, and people have pivoted during the pandemic to wanting the convenience of home deliveries,” says Dr. Simon Worrell, global medical director, Collinson. “Our self-test kits acknowledge that — and give prospective travelers another viable option for getting tested. Travel recovery is happening gradually, but doing all we can to help people take to the skies is imperative to that, and this is Collinson playing our part in making sure we can get the world traveling safely again.”

To meet that demand, Collinson recently launched its new self-test kit as a solution for U.S. travelers returning to the country.

Using self-tests

The Food and Drug Administration recently has approved delivering the antigen test kits directly to individuals. Customers can order the kits online, administer it themselves and receive the results quickly. This kit can be shipped directly to your home prior to your travel abroad, and is perfect for those planning to return to the U.S. Digital results are available within 30-60 minutes, to ensure convenience and dependability during these trying times.

The Collinson self test includes an at-home kit that allows people to administer the test themselves under medical supervision as well as a digital certificate fit for travel.

Customers can choose from a range of solutions — predeparture and post-arrival — that make travel testing flexible. This option allows travelers to test themselves at their current location, such as the comfort of their home, hotel room or Airbnb. It’s no longer necessary to travel to a health care facility that may be in a remote or hard-to-access area.

Convenient testing

Travelers can purchase the Collinson at-home antigen self-test and schedule a supervised session with a medical professional. Upon receiving the kit, customers register it with Collinson and follow the simple step-by-step instructions. After taking the test, they upload the results. Customers will also be asked to provide a picture of their passport and complete an online form verifying personal details. Customers will receive an email of their official results via a digital certificate from Collinson that they are fit for travel within 24 hours. These tests relieve a major hurdle for people visiting areas that may not have easy access to a testing site.

2022-01-12T14:17:01

(BPT) – Are you dreaming of traveling this year? Whether it’s near or far, a getaway can be a wonderful way to change things up and make lasting memories. But the current restrictions and guidelines around travel can make trip-planning more daunting than ever. With a few safeguards and a bit of planning you can travel smarter and avoid common mishaps.

To help you prepare for your trip, the experts at Expedia created a simple travel checklist to ensure you’ve covered the essentials. For more information visit Expedia.com.

Check health information sources

Visit reputable health information sources to help you decide whether travel at this time is right for you. Whether that is your own doctor, or official guidance from the the CDC website, there’s a ton of information out there that will help you travel safely.

Book in advance

Following the lockdowns of 2020, many destinations are continuing to see a ton of pent-up demand from travelers, meaning hotel and car rental inventory is getting snatched up fast. Expedia data advises travelers to book domestic trips at least a month in advance, and international trips 3-4 months in advance for the best prices and availability. For vacation rentals in beach and lakefront locations, aim to lock in plans 6-9 months out.

Review travel advisories

Use the Expedia COVID-19 travel advisor to look up the latest restrictions at both your origin and destination. Look for regulations and changes to documentation requirements.

Consider staying closer to home

Even if air travel isn’t in the cards, you can still get the benefits of a well-deserved vacation. Explore nearby destinations and places within driving distance. Hole up in a cozy lodge or plan out a road trip route to see several destinations along the way.

Choose flexible booking policies

Always plan for the unexpected. Filter hotel and flight search results using the “free cancellation” or “no change fees” filters and select refundable rates for greater flexibility and peace of mind.

Learn about cleanliness measures

View Expedia partners’ and suppliers’ updated cleanliness policies and factor in how they will affect your stay. Some properties are spacing out guests, have limited capacity or aren’t offering room service in the interest of keeping staff and guests healthy.

Download the Expedia app

Keep all your booking details in one place, message your hotel and modify travel plans easily by downloading the Expedia app. And make sure you join rewards programs to make your dollars go further — Expedia members save 10% or more on thousands of hotels just by logging in and using the app.

Read the fine print on your travel insurance policy

Be aware of what’s covered in your travel insurance so you’re prepared. Often standard policies won’t cover cancellations related to COVID-19, so seek out a “Cancel for Any Reason” policy or read the fine print on your plan to make sure it offers the coverage you need.

Confirm attractions are open

A closed museum or theme park can be a big letdown during a trip, so be sure to research your must-see spots ahead of time to review special hours or restrictions such as requiring proof of vaccination or appointments.

Pack personal protective equipment

Carry extra masks, disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer with you.

Schedule necessary testing in advance

Depending on the destination, you may have to present a negative COVID-19 test before, during and even at the end of your trip, so knowing where and how you’ll get those tests done before you go is key. Sometimes your hotel might be able to help facilitate the tests, so be sure to ask the property.

How to change your plans

If need be, make changes to your booking by logging into your Expedia account or opening the app. Use the “modify” or “cancel” links within your itinerary or start a chat with the virtual agent. If your flight has been canceled by the airline, try calling the airline or Expedia directly. If you are already at the airport and your flight has been canceled, talk to the gate agent for the quickest resolution.

Communicate any delays

If your flights are delayed or disrupted and your arrival times have changed, be sure to contact the hotel or car rental company so your room or vehicle aren’t given away.

2022-01-12T10:53:00

(BPT) – Nobody wants to believe a catastrophic event like a fire can happen to them, but home fires affect tens of thousands of families every year. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), home fires occur more in the winter than during any other season. As the snowflakes fall and temperatures drop, it’s important that you take the proper steps to ensure your family and home are protected from the unexpected.

Test, maintain and replace.

Correct smoke alarm placement, regular maintenance and alarm replacement are essential parts of a comprehensive fire safety plan. Once alarms are installed on every level and in every bedroom, test them regularly, change the batteries every six months if battery-powered and be sure all alarms have a battery backup if hardwired. If you can’t think of when you last installed your smoke alarms, chances are, it’s time to replace them. Smoke alarms don’t last forever and need to be replaced at least every 10 years. When it’s time to replace your alarms, install alarms with a 10-year sealed battery that eliminates late-night battery chirps and battery replacements for a decade.

Plan and practice your escape plan.

Installing smoke alarms is step one, but knowing what to do when they go off is vital to your home safety plan. Involve everybody in your household when developing an emergency escape plan. Collectively identify two exits out of each room, including windows and doors, and set a dedicated meeting spot outside. Once outside, stay outside and call 911. Be sure to practice your escape plan with your entire family at least twice a year.

“When developing an escape plan, it’s important to prioritize escaping, leaving all personal belongings behind,” said Ashley Gocken, a home safety expert with First Alert, a leader in residential fire safety. “The planning process helps families practice how to safely evacuate children, pets and anyone in the household needing special assistance.”

Identify your exit.

Doors are a great way to gauge the closeness of a fire. Before opening a door, feel the doorknob or higher on the door with the back of your hand. If it is hot, or if there is smoke coming around the door, leave it closed and use your second way out. If you decide to open a door, do it slowly and be ready to shut it quickly if heavy smoke or fire is present. If you can’t get out, cover vents and cracks around the door with clothing, towels or newspapers to keep smoke out. Call 911, stay where you are and signal for help at the window with a light-colored cloth or flashlight.

Stay low.

If you encounter smoke while escaping from a fire, consider using an alternative escape route. However, heavy smoke and poisonous gases collect first along the ceiling, so if you must escape through smoke, drop to the floor, crawl on your hands and knees and keep your head 12 to 24 inches above the floor.

Close windows and doors.

Before bed or when leaving home, you should always close windows and doors as a preventative measure. This is important because oxygen will allow fires to continue to grow if a fire does start. Closing windows and doors holds back the radiating heat of fire for a short period. If a fire breaks out when you are home, focus on your escape plan rather than closing windows and doors. This allows you a better chance to escape and can also improve otherwise untenable conditions.

To learn more about how to keep your family and home safe from fire, visit FirstAlert.com.

2022-01-11T08:31:00

(BPT) – If you’re one of the more than 90 million American households with a pet — congratulations! No matter which breed you’ve adopted or rescued, it’s likely your furry friend is an important member of the family. In fact, studies have shown that pets can help keep you healthy because they offer:

• Companionship
• Unconditional love
• Motivation to exercise

If you’ve already added a pet to the family or are considering adopting one, the rewards of pet parenthood are many, but it’s also important to understand the realistic costs of lifelong pet care and be financially prepared. Luckily, a recent study commissioned by Synchrony entitled “Lifetime of Care,” looked at the cost of the lifetime of care for pets, which ranges from $20,000-$55,000 for dogs and $15,000-$45,000 for cats. The findings were based on responses by 1,200 pet owners and 100 veterinarians and offers consumers clear insights, verified by veterinary practices, into the lifetime of care cost for a dog or cat.

“Millions of Americans choose to share life with a pet, yet the true cost of ownership has historically been incredibly vague. Our Lifetime of Care study serves as a helpful tool to prepare prospective pet parents,” said Jonathan Wainberg, senior vice president and general manager, Pet, Synchrony. “We want pet parents to have a deeper understanding of what to expect financially, and knowledge of the flexible payment solutions that are available to help them manage the costs of care throughout their pet’s lifetime.”

The first year of pet ownership tends to be the most expensive and includes adoption costs, vaccinations, spaying or neutering, new accessories, toys, pet carriers, and more. The “Lifetime of Care” research revealed that dog owners can expect to spend between $1,300–$2,800 and cat owners approximately $960–$2,500 in the first year. Maintenance costs after the first year can vary greatly depending on the animal’s breed, whether it’s a cat or dog, and whether it’s an indoor or outdoor cat.

Plan for pet expenses

Just like human members of the family, pets need routine wellness checks to stay healthy and can also get sick or injured unexpectedly. And that can impact your budget. The “Lifetime of Care” study found that pet owners who receive a $250 vet bill may have difficulty paying. In addition, the research indicated approximately half of all pet owners who thought they were financially ready for unexpected pet expenses were not, and would consider a solution dedicated to financing care for their pet.

Rather than be surprised by the cost of your pet’s care, you can prepare for potential health care expenses before they become a reality. Two budget-friendly solutions for both routine and unexpected costs are pet financing solutions, like CareCredit, and pet health insurance, like Pets Best. The two solutions work independently or together as a comprehensive safety net.

Pet owners can use their CareCredit credit card to pay up-front vet costs at the time of their pets’ visit, and later apply the reimbursement from Pets Best toward their CareCredit account.

Pet health care tips: Embrace proactive care

Being proactive about your pet’s routine and preventative care not only keeps them healthy, but it can also help keep costs down. Dr. Chris Roth, DVM recommends:

• Scheduling yearly veterinary examinations — they are one of the best ways to help stay ahead of emerging health issues.
• Keeping your pet current on recommended vaccinations to avoid preventable disease.
• Ensuring proper use of preventive medications to avoid Heartworm, intestinal parasites, Tick-borne disease, and flea infestation.
• Neutering or spaying your pet to avoid unwanted, and expensive, pregnancies.
• Feeding your pet the right nutritional mix with a side of exercise to maintain a healthy weight.
• Offering affection and play with your pet to help protect its physical and emotional health.
• Outfitting your dog or cat with an ID tag or microchip with its name, address and phone number in case it gets lost.

As you embark on pet parenthood, take some simple steps to ensure that you can cover pet costs through every stage of life. Develop a plan that works for you, like creating a budget that includes provisions for basic pet care like food, annual exams, toys and other costs. Also, start an emergency fund just in case the unthinkable happens. Finally, consider getting a pet credit card and pet insurance for peace of mind when your pet needs health care.

Whatever you choose, it’s all about having peace of mind that you’re prepared to care for the family member you love.

2022-01-11T08:01:00

(BPT) – Warm sand between your toes, a cool drink in your hand, the sun setting over the beautiful ocean … these are the dreams of an ideal spring break. After what feels like years of video calls with friends, it’s time to re-connect and take that much-needed tropical vacation where bare feet, hammocks under palm trees and swim-up bars are just what you need to make new memories.

With an all-inclusive getaway, planning is minimal so you can focus on enjoying what matters most — your vacation. The best resorts have something for everyone: mom relaxing at the spa, dad having a cocktail poolside, kids playing all day and adventurous friends seeking beachfront activities and entertainment. And while today’s all-inclusive resorts deliver elevated experiences and offerings for every age and interest, not all are alike. For example, some all-inclusive resorts offer enhanced food and beverage options such as ceviche and handmade empanadas alfresco served in a seaside lounge, while others may offer mojito and tequila lounges or unforgettable views with customized drinks prepared by expert mixologists. But not all resorts offer this level of service. Before you book your all-inclusive spring break, make sure your resort has the following five items:

1. Look for a variety of cuisine, and then some
A vacation means a break from cooking and meal planning, so when looking to book an all-inclusive resort, make sure they offer multiple onsite restaurants to remove the hassle of deciding where to eat with your group, while giving a chance to try various cuisines. Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort, offers numerous restaurants and dining experiences. For example, you can savor the rich traditions of Mexican cuisine at Maxal, while Auma, the experiential restaurant, prepares meals with ritualistic theater in full view of fire and flame. The resort also features a trattoria serving Mediterranean classics, a Southeast Asian concept, a high-energy all-day lounge, an ice cream and churro shop and a taqueria with a mezcal and tequila bar.

2. Find all the fun in the sun
Second to plentiful food and drink at hand, the best thing about an all-inclusive resort is all the activities included in your stay. Be sure to find a resort that offers everything you want.

For instance, most Mexican and Caribbean resorts have pools and beaches. But if you need adventure, seek resorts that also include water sports equipment for snorkeling and kayaking. The fun should continue when the sun goes down. Look for resorts offering live music, dazzling shows and dancing.

3. Privacy by the sea
Hilton’s All-Inclusive Resorts offer a range of breathtaking beachfront resorts in highly coveted locales for families with kids of all ages, and couples. If your spring break vacation is a romantic getaway, you’ll want seclusion and serenity. All-inclusive hotels often cater to couples’ needs by offering privacy options including adult pools, private swim-out suites and jetted tubs, plus romantic restaurants, world-class spas and casinos. Or, choose an all-inclusive resort with a kids’ club, which offer supervised and fun programs for children while giving mom and dad some space to hit the links or enjoy a quiet meal.

4. Education destination via culture
The best all-inclusive resorts integrate local culture into food and beverage, activities and hotel design. According to a recent travel trends report travelers are “looking for unique experiences to immerse themselves in, seeking meaningful ways to connect with the different cultures and destinations whilst discovering something new.” Learning about and enjoying new cultures stimulates the mind and satisfies the curious soul, without leaving the resort. Great all-inclusive resorts integrate the local culture with engaging programs, classes and experiences that will enhance your vacation, such as salsa and merengue lessons, tequila tastings and local crafts.

5. Above and beyond hospitality
A final box every traveler should check is a place that spoils you yet feels like home. The right all-inclusive resort will have more than beachfront accommodations. Seek world-class spas, personalized concierge, friendly team members and high-end offerings. While looking to experience new places and cultures, you also want the trust and reliability that comes from a well-respected company. The best brands offer loyalty programs with earned Points to help book that special vacation.

Once you have selected your resort, book, pay and go. All you need to do is have fun. The all-inclusive resort handles the rest.