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How to make your outdoor kitchen efficient, functional – and inspiring

2022-04-21T01:01:00

(BPT) – Outdoor living spaces have expanded into fully realized environments over the past couple of years, and this is especially true for kitchens. While previous outdoor spaces may have boasted a grill or smoker to encourage dining al fresco, today’s homeowner expects a great deal more. The outdoor kitchen can now be a fully functional, efficient, comfortable and beautiful area, not just for occasional entertaining, but everyday living.

Here are some outdoor kitchen trends inspiring today’s homeowners to make the most of being outside with family and friends.

Designing spaces with multiple uses

Gone are the days of the simple patio, grill and picnic table. Today’s homeowner is prioritizing the health and wellness benefits of spending time outside, fostering a serene and enjoyable space to be used every day.

To create an inspiring space, design beyond the basics of outdoor food prep. Imagine a space complete with comfortable seating, outdoor lighting and audio technology — with plenty of shade, plus privacy walls or screens, so everyone feels relaxed while enjoying the space. Highlight natural elements by creating a living wall of plants, or design a fun gathering spot around a fire pit or outdoor fireplace.

Bringing an entire kitchen outdoors

Today’s outdoor kitchen offers everything you need for cooking — and that means everything, from a range and cooktop to a pizza oven, refrigerator — and even the kitchen sink. A growing trend in outdoor kitchen design is to include all the creature comforts of an indoor kitchen, and then some. Nearly every indoor kitchen appliance now has an outdoor-rated version: icemakers, refrigerators, dishwashers, keg coolers and more. With a fully functioning outdoor kitchen, there’s no need to constantly run indoors for supplies — everything you need is at your fingertips. Add a stereo system, Wi-Fi access and a TV, and you can truly live in your outdoor space.

This was the inspiration behind the new Belgard Elements Collection, featuring stainless appliances and fixtures, including all the cooking, storage, bar and sink accessories to make your outdoor living areas feel complete. The collection includes:

  • Built-in grills and grill islands
  • Outdoor ovens with multiple cooking surfaces, griddle plates and more
  • Smoker trays
  • Rotisserie kits
  • Pizza ovens and accessories
  • Gas timers
  • Sinks

And storage — with stainless steel cabinet doors and drawers that resist rot, weather and insects. Stainless also adds a striking look to coordinate with grills and appliances.

Creating modular outdoor kitchens

One easy way to design a space with multiple uses is with a modular outdoor kitchen. For example, the Artforms™ modular outdoor kitchen units let you enjoy the look of a custom outdoor kitchen at an affordable price and a fraction of the installation time. The pre-formed concrete panels allow for multiple personalized configurations and are shipped in sections to be quickly installed on-site. And because these modular units are constructed with Belgard products, they blend effortlessly with Belgard pavers, walls, walkways or fire pits.

Expanding seating options

Whether you’re hosting a family meal or special celebration, you’ll want plenty of seating for everyone. Here are two trending options:

  • Bar-style seating is popular in outdoor kitchen design for the same reason it’s popular in interior kitchen design: It creates a communal atmosphere where family and guests can interact during meal prep. With the addition of a television, it becomes the perfect spot for outdoor tailgating.
  • Seat walls — Outdoor built-in seating has been trending for years, especially around fire features. Now the trend has found its way to outdoor kitchens, helping define the space, adding a striking aesthetic and providing ample seating for large gatherings.

“Modern outdoor designs blur the line between indoor and outdoor living,” said Joe Raboine, Director of Residential Hardscapes at Belgard. “Outdoor kitchens are becoming not only much more efficient and functional, but also tons more fun to spend time in — while also adding a lot of value to your home.”

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Investing in early childhood educators made it possible for these teachers to achieve their dreams

2022-04-20T14:15:00

(BPT) – Early childhood teachers and those who dedicate their careers to the first years of childhood — the time in life with the most brain development — have been lauded as essential, even heroes, since the start of the pandemic. As frontline workers, they’ve stepped up to support the development of our youngest learners during a tumultuous time.

Recognizing this ongoing need to care for teachers and caregivers, Bright Horizons, one of the world’s largest providers of high-quality child care, continues to support these educators with vital benefits and resources to help them grow professionally. Bright Horizons is offering all of its teachers the opportunity to earn early education degrees absolutely free. The Horizons Teacher Degree Program is a first-of-its-kind program that allows all full-time employees in Bright Horizons’ early education and child care centers to earn an associate and bachelor’s degree in early childhood education at no cost to them, covering all out-of-pocket expenses, including tuition, fees and books.

The Horizons Teacher Degree Program supports aspiring teachers from across the country, and, in some cases, the world.

Kelsey Campbell, now a full-time educator at Bright Horizons’ Clever Kids Learning Center in Lakewood, Colorado, was one of the first infants to attend the center in 1998. As an adult, she rejoined the center in 2013 as a part-time educator and shortly thereafter began earning her associate degree in Early Childhood Education from University of Arizona Global Campus in February 2021. She is working toward her bachelor’s degree — all for free through the Horizons Teacher Degree Program.

“Getting my degree represents a lot to me,” says Campbell. “It represents my future, opening up more career opportunities that I wouldn’t have if I didn’t have a degree.”

Meanwhile, Sidra Azam moved from Pakistan to the United States at 19 years old. She began working in child care part-time and quickly fell in love with the field of early childhood education. She is the Lead Educator for the infant and toddler program at Bright Horizons at Bishop Ranch in San Ramon, California.

Azam opted into the Horizons Teacher Degree Program, attending the University of Arizona Global Campus’ Early Education Administration program, one of five higher education institutions that supports the Horizons Teacher Degree Program. Azam recently graduated from the program with her bachelor’s degree in early education administration and is the first person in her family to earn a degree.

“Growing up, higher education wasn’t given much importance in my family, especially for women,” says Azam. “Throughout my life, my education took a back seat due to family responsibilities until I was introduced to the Horizons Teacher Degree Program.”

Learn more about the Horizons Teacher Degree Program at careers.brighthorizons.com.

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How to spring clean your beauty routine: 3 impactful ways to make your make-up routine more sustainable

2022-04-20T14:53:00

(BPT) – As we take a moment to celebrate Earth Day, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the immense environmental challenges facing the world today. Climate change, air pollution and drought conditions seem beyond any one person’s impact. On top of these, the plastic waste crisis affecting our oceans, waterways and environment demands action.

Each year, 300 million tons of plastic are produced globally. Yet only 12% is actually recycled. The rest goes into landfills, incinerators or worse, the environment. It’s going to take a different way of thinking about our individual decisions, lifestyle choices and our economy to solve this problem. We need to move from a “take-make-waste” mindset to a circular economy mindset, where plastics don’t become waste but are the building blocks for new products.

Companies like Eastman are innovating new ways to tackle the plastic waste crisis by using that waste to create new materials. They are able to tap into that other 87% that is currently not recycled, making it easier for each of us to make smart, sustainable decisions.

So how can we incorporate this new way of thinking about materials and products into our daily lives? Revamping your beauty and skincare routine can have a big impact on the growing plastic waste crisis. We know to be mindful of the ingredients and chemicals used in cosmetics, but we might not consider the sustainability of the packaging — the fossil fuels used to make virgin plastic or what happens to that packaging when we are done with the product.

The hard truth is that cosmetics packaging rarely gets recycled by consumers in the United States. Yet, many consumers are holding brands accountable for the waste crisis and demanding their partnership in living a more sustainable lifestyle.

Fortunately, being an environmentally conscious consumer and being passionate about your beauty routine are not mutually exclusive. More specifically, considering the materials used in what you buy, how often you buy it, and whether it ends up in a landfill at the end of your use are important factors to consider. This Earth Day is a great time to take stock of your beauty footprint. In an effort to help you spring clean your beauty routine, here is a trio of ideas to impact your personal sustainability efforts:

1. Think eco-friendly and let your face glow

It’s not always about buying into the latest sustainability trends and getting rid of your favorite products. Sometimes it is more about the small steps. Using up the products already in your make-up bag and not tossing them just to replace them at the first opportunity with the newest edition is an easy, sustainable choice. Once you’ve used up what you have, then consider choosing products with packaging made from sustainable materials that help reduce greenhouse gases. The environment will thank you. So will your face, when it starts glowing by making the first step by opting for the Prism Highlighter Duo from Clio Cosmetics, for example. It features packaging made with Eastman Cristal™ Renew that uses a process which reduces greenhouse gases by 20-30% compared to traditional manufacturing.

2. Reduce waste and refresh your skin

Despite the importance of sustainable packaging, the vast majority of products on the market today don’t even have recycled content. Think about picking products with packaging that reduces landfill waste. Start by considering cosmetics packaging that is made of recycled materials like the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask from Amorepacific. The jar material is made via molecular recycling, which sources plastic waste that would otherwise go to landfills and uses it to make new materials.

3. Lessen your impact, maximize support for circularity

Brand loyalty can go a long way toward creating a more sustainable beauty industry. Look for brands and packaging that embrace circularity. Products with recycled content have already lived another life. Increase your support for brands that do their part to use recycled content and design smarter goods and packages without compromising on quality and performance. Take Dior Addict Lip Maximizer as an example. You can let your lips shine while knowing that the brand you use has committed to eliminating fossil-fuel-based plastics from its packaging.

It’s way easier than you might think to begin reducing the environmental impact of your daily beauty routine. Change can happen with every decision and beauty purchase. By prioritizing sustainability in packaging and rewarding brands with repeat purchases, more companies will offer more products that help combat the plastic waste crisis. It’s a self-perpetuating loop, much like the circular economy. It’s a virtuous cycle that we can all work to perfect.

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3 ways to travel in your truck this spring

2022-04-20T06:59:00

(BPT) – As the sun starts to shine a little brighter in many parts of the country, people are itching to travel and get outside. Whether it is to the campground down the road or a trip across the country, it is important to have a vehicle outfitted for all your travel needs. Trucks are the perfect way to get all your gear to the great outdoors for warm weather adventures. A well-equipped truck can handle all of the biggest and best toys from kayaks, paddle boards, camping equipment, road and dirt bikes, and fishing gear. With that said, here are the top 3 spring travel and accessory recommendations for you and your truck.

1. Go camping with an Extang Trifecta E-Series Tonneau Cover

Once you purchase all the equipment, camping can be an affordable way to travel and see some of the most breathtaking places the U.S. has to offer. Having a truck to drive to your site will allow you to easily store your tent, luggage, food, folding chairs, sleeping bags and all your other outdoor necessities. The Extang Trifecta E-Series Tonneau Cover is the perfect truck accessory to keep your items safe and secure, while protecting them from all the elements, which is important for springtime storms. This truck bed cover is installed using a combination of hand-tightened and spring-loaded clamps which do not require tools to attach to most trucks on the market. You can safely drive with the cover open or closed which allows for flexibility depending on the items you are traveling with. Additionally, if you need to venture off-road, you will not have to worry about items flying out of the truck bed.

2. Install the AVS Aeroskin LightShield PRO before your next fishing trip

Spring is the best season to go fishing because it is the time of year when fish are most active, and fishing at dawn or dusk is recommended for the best bites. A great product to add to your truck for traveling to your favorite fishing spot is the AVS Aeroskin LightShield PRO. This sleek, new product combines a proven hood deflector design with cutting-edge LED lighting technology. It not only protects your hood and lights your way in early morning or late evening, but it also serves as a bug shield. Since a lot of bugs live around the best fishing holes, this will be a huge perk. Nobody likes trying to wash off bug bits from their car after a day on the water. This accessory is bound to keep you safe with its amber LED lights that convert from a running lamp to a display for both turn signals and hazard functions. There is also an LED sequence when your vehicle is locked or unlocked which can help you find your truck if you venture too far down the river bend.

3. Take a hike with Husky Liners

Hiking is the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors while getting some exercise. Chances are you can pack up the truck and easily find trails to explore close by for a fun day trip, or you can plan an off-road full hiking experience by heading to one of the state or national parks. The temperatures during spring make it the optimal time to hike. Hiking in cooler weather is much more enjoyable than sweating and trying to stay hydrated in the summer heat or trying to avoid cold fall and winter weather. The downside is all the dirt and mud that accumulates on shoes and boots. Keep your truck clean by installing some Husky Liners WeatherBeater Floor Liners. These liners are precision fit for your vehicle and snap in place to ensure they stay put. They are made from an elastomeric material, called DuraGrip, so the mat provides durable all-weather protection against mud-soaked hiking boots and sand-filled running shoes. This way, you can enjoy the hike without the worry of messing up your truck.

These are just a few ways to take advantage of the spring weather by getting your truck on the open road and out into the real. For everything you need to outfit your truck and turn it into the ultimate outdoor vehicle, visit RealTruck.com.

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5 tips for increasing your financial and emotional confidence

2022-04-20T14:23:00

(BPT) – If you think coping with finances is overwhelming, you’re not alone. A recent study found that nearly 4 in 10 (37%) people avoid dealing with their finances, and more than 3 out of 4 feel stressed and concerned. In the new study, “Path to Prosperity: The Guardian Study of Finances and Emotional Confidence™” conducted by Guardian Life Insurance of America, two notable findings stand out: 1) Financial confidence is connected to emotional confidence, and 2) having higher income does not guarantee financial confidence. Instead, adopting certain behaviors and habits around finances helps people become more financially and emotionally confident. Better yet, you can learn these habits to help improve your own financial confidence, no matter your income level.

Here are 5 tips from the study to help improve your financial and emotional confidence.

1. Live within your means

Creating a budget that helps you save rather than living paycheck-to-paycheck is one key to financial confidence. Among the groups identified by the survey as the most financially confident, termed “Confident Planners,” 87% said they get more satisfaction from saving and investing extra money than spending it. Developing a saving habit by spending less than you earn will help create a feeling of confidence over time. Knowing you’ve saved and invested some of your income can help you feel confident you can face difficulties — or enjoy a more protected retirement.

2. Educate yourself about finances

Another important element for developing confidence is knowledge. Fortunately, it’s never been easier to find resources to help you become more educated about financial concepts and strategies. In the survey, those who feel more financially secure have a plan — and having a plan relies on knowledge. The Confident Planners group reported a greater understanding of financial concepts such as aspects of retirement planning, how to receive full Social Security benefits, insurance needs, investments and annuities.

3. Create a written long-term strategy

Applying your financial know-how to develop a long-term strategy — in writing — is another key component for confidence. The least confident group surveyed, termed “Day-to-Day Decision Makers,” tend to lack a strong financial plan, focusing instead on day-to-day demands. This group is overwhelmed with daily stress and finances and are most likely to panic when investments hit a market dip. Without a long-term plan, you are unlikely to feel confident about your ability to cope with unexpected financial stresses, much less being ready for major transitions like retirement. Having a written plan allows you to view your strategy and assess your progress toward your goals. In the survey, over half (51%) rate having guaranteed income in retirement as a top priority, but only 33% make the effort to be sure their financial expectations are realistic and achievable. Creating a long-term plan can help you achieve these goals.

4. Strike a balance between risk and protection

Any financial investment involves risk. Being able to avoid taking on too much risk for your situation can help you feel more confident. But how much risk is too much? That depends largely on your unique situation, including your income, age, financial obligations and family needs. One vital risk strategy involves diversifying your investments. While nearly half (45%) of those surveyed were interested in protecting their family financially if they die or are unable to work, only 25% believe they need a thoughtful blend of insurance and investments to be both safe and successful. One way to help protect against risk is to ensure you have sufficient savings, investments and insurance to protect your family’s needs.

5. Consult a financial professional

The most confident people surveyed also work with a financial professional to help them develop an achievable long-term plan that balances risk appropriately for their circumstances. Individuals who work with a financial professional — no matter what their income level — also tend to have a written financial plan, leading to increased savings and a higher level of confidence. A financial professional can help you create a solid long-term plan to help protect your income, your future and the interests of your loved ones.

“The study shows that income is not the sole driver of confidence,” said Michael Ferik, Head of Individual Markets at Guardian. “The findings reinforce the need to pair behaviors with long-term planning to set a strong foundation linked to both financial and emotional confidence.”

Adopting these habits can help you increase your emotional and financial confidence moving forward, helping you feel better prepared for whatever the future holds. To learn more about the Guardian study, visit: https://www.guardianlife.com/reports/financial-emotional-confidence.

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5 ways to clean your house like a professional

2022-04-20T09:51:00

(BPT) – As we move into spring and summer, there will be plenty of opportunities to get together with loved ones. Whether it’s a family dinner, a graduation party, holiday or friendly brunch, you may find yourself hosting multiple events during the rest of the year. Now is the time to clean your home, so you’re prepared to host the important events in your life.

Cleaning can be a dreaded chore for many, but it doesn’t have to be. Check out these five tips, and you’ll have a home your friends will think was cleaned by a professional.

1. Designate cleaning zones

To make cleaning easy and manageable, break up your home into cleaning zones and tackle them one at a time. You can define these zones by individual rooms or adjoining spaces. For example, if you have a guest room, you can think of the bedroom and en suite as one zone.

Once you’ve designated these zones, choose one and get to work. Start by decluttering the zone so you can see all surfaces, then break out the cleaning supplies and get to work.

2. Make a cleaning schedule

According to a survey by the American Cleaning Institute (ACI), the average American spends six hours a week cleaning, which increases to seven hours a week if you’re a parent. It can be overwhelming if you leave all that cleaning for one day.

Professional cleaners keep to a schedule and you should too. It may seem counterintuitive, but a cleaning schedule allows you to spend less time cleaning, and it will keep your home looking clean on a daily basis. Use the zones you’ve created and assign a zone to a different day of the week. Make a schedule that fits your lifestyle and that you’re likely to follow.

3. Learn tricks of the trade

Over time, cleaning professionals pick up tips and tricks that give better results. For example, when you clean your windows, do it on a cloudy day. If you clean your windows when it’s hot outside, the liquid cleaner will evaporate quickly, leading to streaks and marks.

If you have stainless steel appliances, try wiping toward the grain to prevent grime and residue from sticking to the grain. Wiping with the grain also results in a brighter shine!

4. Consider a light and deep clean

The ACI also reports that 74% of Americans surveyed do light cleaning (a surface-level clean) more often than deep cleaning (a thorough clean of the entire house, including floors and furniture).

Both types of cleaning have their uses. Light cleaning should be done daily, while a deep clean can be done less frequently. To ensure you’re consistently doing both, schedule daily light cleaning of your zones and weekly or biweekly deep cleans.

If you’re using a timer, double or triple the time you would spend light cleaning a zone, so you do a thorough job. If you keep up with frequent light cleaning, you may spend less time during your deep cleaning sessions.

5. Use what the pros use

There are plenty of household cleaning supplies you can choose from, but consider buying tried-and-true cleaners used by professionals when you want to clean quickly and efficiently.

Sprayway All Purpose Cleaners kill 99.9% of all viruses and bacteria and come in soothing lavender or bright lemon fragrances, so your surfaces look and smell clean. If your home has several glass surfaces, the Sprayway Glass Cleaner allows you to clean and polish glass surfaces fast without streaks. For your kitchen, use the Sprayway Stainless Steel Cleaners to clean up any cooking mishaps before your guests arrive. All products are made in the U.S. and use foaming action that requires less wiping than other products for easy and fast cleaning.

Clean smarter, not harder. Use these five tips to keep your home professionally clean from top to bottom with minimal stress.

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Spring clean your office: 5 tips for organizing your space and stocking greener products

2022-04-20T07:01:00

(BPT) – Sponsored by Office Depot

Spring has arrived, which means it’s time to clean and tidy up your living spaces, including your office. Whether you work from home or commute to the office, a clean and organized workspace can increase productivity and help to reduce stress. Spring is also an excellent time to lean into meeting your environmental sustainability goals with greener purchases and practices.

Check out these five tips for creating a cleaner and greener workspace.

1. Declutter

Before you start cleaning and organizing, take time to declutter your office space. Start by clearing off all the flat surfaces like your desk, shelves and file cabinets. You’ll probably find several items that you don’t need anymore. To keep it simple, start three piles on the floor — one for items you’d like to keep, another for items you can recycle or donate and one for items you intend to throw away.

As you declutter your office, create a list of office supplies you’ll need to restock or replace. You can also decide if you need more storage solutions or organizational items and add them to your list.

2. Clean

Now that you’ve decluttered your office, it’s time to make it shine. Dust and wipe down all the flat surfaces, light switches, windows and lamps. This is also a great time to clean your chair, keyboard, mouse, monitor and other electronics. Before you vacuum, sweep or mop the floor, make sure to pick up or move the furniture so you can reach all the nooks and crannies.

Consider using more eco-conscious cleaning supplies to help reduce your environmental impact. Solutions from the Highmark® ECO line — which includes all-purpose cleaner and degreaser, glass and mirror cleaner and paper towels and trashcan liners made from recycled materials — are a greener and affordable choice. Available exclusively at Office Depot, each solution is EPA Safer Choice certified, easy to use and offers quality cleaning power.

3. Organize

Once you’ve decluttered and cleaned your office and surrounding spaces, you’ll need to find a place for everything you’ve kept. Fine-tune your previous organizational system or create a new one that reflects and facilitates how you use your workspace. You can also play around with the flow of your office by moving your desk, tables and other furniture around to create a space that is functional and feels right to you. Depending on the work you do, you may want to even think about creating different areas for different tasks.

If you made a list of storage and organizational products during your decluttering phase, check out your local Office Depot or OfficeMax store or officedepot.com for deals on hundreds of solutions to meet your needs. If you’re redecorating your office, look for desks with organizational and storage solutions, baskets, shelving and other items to have designated spots in your space for all your supplies and equipment. Having dedicated spaces for each item or piece of equipment can help you stay tidy during the week so you can focus on your work.

4. Restock

When restocking your items, consider going green — which doesn’t have to be complicated. There are plenty of ways you can change your daily habits and consumption to lead a more sustainable life, including using more eco-conscious alternatives for your most-used products like notepads, pens, paper and ink. The Office Depot® GreenerOffice™ assortment includes thousands of high-quality, greener products with eco-attributes and eco-labels to help customers reduce their environmental impact.

5. Recycle

Regardless of how careful you are, everyone is guilty of creating waste, so it’s important to cultivate an office lifestyle that allows you to be successful and more sustainable.

When you’re ready to recycle your used office supplies, research local recycling programs to dispose of the items correctly and safely. Office Depot offers several recycling programs, including ink and toner recycling, secure document shredding and recycling, and tech recycling and trade-in offerings.

For more organizational tips, greener supplies and more, visit OfficeDepot.com.

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ThinQ Lab. 3 – Go Green on Earth Day with Smart Home Technology

2022-04-19T19:07:00

(BPT) – Eco-Living Made Easier with Smart Home Technology

With Earth Day just around the corner, what better time to get serious about going green? Taking the first steps doesn’t have to be difficult as today’s smart home tech can help kickstart your journey to sustainability by providing an effortless way to shrink household energy and water use.

LG’s smart home platform, LG ThinQ, introduces a variety of new, eco-responsible features that deliver maximum convenience while putting you further along the path to greener living. Here’s a look at how the latest smart technologies from LG can help transform the home into a place where ‘Earth Day is every day.’

Energy Saving Made Simple

Saving energy at home is much simpler with the LG ThinQ app and its smart sustainability features, which allow users to effortlessly optimize the energy efficiency of their appliances. The app even takes usage patterns into consideration — for instance, it can adjust the refrigerator’s power consumption to the lowest level during nighttime hours, when family members or roommates are far less likely to be opening and shutting the fridge door in search of ingredients or snacks. One unexpected perk is that you’ll be able to see exactly how much energy you’re saving with these energy-efficient activities as well. With the ThinQ app by your side, you’ll gain insight into the monthly usage insights of your household gadgets.

Remote control and monitoring features also help to cut unnecessary electricity use. Let’s say, for example, that the front door has been locked and everyone has set off for a much-needed vacation, but one of the appliances has accidentally been left on. With the LG ThinQ app, that’s not a problem. From any location, simply pull out your smartphone, check the status of each appliance,[1] then turn off whichever one is still running. With that done, there’s nothing left to do but get down to the serious business of R & R.

Protecting the Earth in Everyday Life

Beyond reducing how much energy is used at home, how else can we be more sustainable in our daily lives? The LG ThinQ app provides some well thought-out answers with features such as the food expiration date alert. Letting users know when fresh food stored in their fridge is getting close to expiring, these useful alerts can help prevent perfectly good food from going to waste — which is simultaneously good for the planet and household grocery spending. All you need to do is register the expiration date of each food item when putting them in the refrigerator. And if you still haven’t gotten around to using a particular ingredient by the time its best-by date is imminent, the app will conveniently remind you with a handy smartphone notification.

Moving from the kitchen to the laundry room, the LG ThinQ app offers a clever cycle-recommendation feature that ensures clean clothes without any waste of water or detergent. After LG’s smart washer — with the help of the company’s AI DD™ technology — has determined fabric-type and load-weight, the app suggests the optimal cycle for the job: one that uses only what is needed to deliver the best results for your laundry, and for the environment.

Extending the Lifespan of Home Appliances

Keeping appliances in top working order is always a good idea as it will help to extend their lifespan and save you money. Not only does this worthwhile endeavor lead to fewer big-ticket purchases for the home over the long run, it can also potentially save you money every month by helping to prevent excessive power consumption during regular operation. Another plus to taking good care of your appliances is that it puts less strain on the world’s recycling plants, which play an important role in preserving the Earth’s finite resources. Designed to support users in maintaining their LG home appliances, the ThinQ app’s Smart Diagnosis feature[2] makes it possible to conduct quick checkups to ensure that everything is functioning as intended. In addition to preventative care, the app provides reminders when it’s time to replace a product’s filters.

Taking things a step further, LG recently announced the upcoming launch of its Upgradeable Appliances — appliances that let users download new features and functions from the ThinQ app’s Upgrade Center, and enjoy more and more value over time. Offering new and constantly evolving user experiences without the need to ‘upgrade’ to a newer model, LG’s Upgradeable Appliance paradigm has the potential to further extend the lifespan of the company’s electronics products and help ease the global problem of e-waste.

With the latest smart home technologies from providers like LG, life can be more convenient, and more sustainable, than ever. Happy Earth Day!

[1] LG ThinQ App compatible products, services and available features may vary depending on model or region/country.

[2] Smart Diagnosis logo may vary depending on the regions and product models.

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Managing Thyroid Eye Disease (TED): One woman’s journey to regain her sight

2022-04-19T08:01:00

(BPT) – Meet Franka – a 74-year-old retired high school teacher who enjoys volunteering, teaching in her retirement community, and exploring Arizona’s local art scene. But a few years ago, Franka struggled to see the art she loved, as her vision was affected by Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), a rare autoimmune disease.

It all started in 2016 when Franka started losing vision in her left eye, and eventually in her right eye, too. In the days that followed, Franka also began experiencing eye-bulging, an elevated heart rate, and face swelling.

During a visit with her doctor, she described the eye symptoms, but her doctor insisted it was “all in her head.” Sadly, her vision continued to deteriorate and eventually, Franka saw everything in orange and could no longer cook or drive.

After finding a new ophthalmologist, Franka was diagnosed with Graves’ disease and TED. TED is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the muscle and fat tissue behind the eye, causing eye inflammation and swelling. Up to 50% of people diagnosed with Graves’ disease – the most common form of hyperthyroidism that can cause symptoms like Franka’s elevated heart rate – may develop TED.

According to the American Thyroid Association, TED symptoms can include:

  • Irritation or grittiness in the eyes
  • Redness or inflammation of the white part of the eyeball
  • Excessive tearing or dry eyes
  • Swelling of the eyelids
  • Bulging eyes
  • Double vision
  • Decreased eye and eyelid movement
  • Inability to fully shut eyes
  • Optic nerve compression
  • Rare or sometimes occurring vision loss

Despite Franka’s struggles, she never gave up on her sight or the hope for treatment.

Franka first discovered TEPEZZA® (teprotumumab-trbw) when she was researching treatment information, but the medication was still in clinical trials. Nevertheless, she read everything she could get her hands on.

Finally in early 2020, Franka became eligible for TEPEZZA, the first and only FDA-approved treatment for TED. TEPEZZA is an intravenous (or IV) medication that is administered to patients once every three weeks for a total of eight infusions over five months.

“I had been looking at it for three years and read all the reports, research papers, and completed my homework,” she said. “I was confident in my decision to pursue treatment with TEPEZZA.”

With an infusion center just 15 minutes from her home, Franka began her infusion journey in April 2020. After completing all eight infusions, Franka’s eye-bulging reduced and she began recognizing other improvements in her TED symptoms.

“I was so happy to have an option that wasn’t surgery to treat my TED at the source.” Today, Franka is on a mission to educate others about TED to help them get a diagnosis and the treatment they need sooner.

“Especially if you have Graves’ disease, you really have to look out for the signs of TED, monitor your symptoms and find a Thyroid Eye Disease Specialist to understand your treatment options,” said Franka.

With the improvement in her TED symptoms, Franka is now able to do more of the activities she once loved, and looks and feels more like herself.

For adult patients experiencing TED symptoms, speak with a TED Eye Specialist, such as an oculoplastic surgeon or neuro-ophthalmologist, and visit TEPEZZA.com for more safety information.

USE

TEPEZZA is a prescription medicine used to treat Thyroid Eye Disease.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about TEPEZZA?
Infusion reactions can happen during or within 24 hours after your infusion of TEPEZZA. If you have a reaction while receiving TEPEZZA, your doctor or nurse will slow or stop your infusion and treat your reaction. If you have a severe infusion reaction, your doctor may stop your treatment completely.

Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you have any of these symptoms during or after your treatment with TEPEZZA:

  • High blood pressure
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Redness of the face/Feeling hot
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Headache
  • Muscle pain

If you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, TEPEZZA may make your IBD symptoms worse. Symptoms of worsening IBD may include: an increased number of loose stools with stomach pain or cramps, and blood in your stools. After each TEPEZZA infusion, tell your doctor right away if you have worsening IBD symptoms.

TEPEZZA may cause an increase in your blood sugar. Before starting treatment with TEPEZZA, tell your doctor if you are currently being treated for diabetes, know your blood sugar is high, or have been diagnosed with diabetes. It is important for you to take your treatments and follow an appropriate diet for glucose control as prescribed by your doctor.

Before receiving TEPEZZA, tell your doctor if you:

  • Have inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
  • Are currently being treated for diabetes, have been diagnosed with diabetes, or know your blood sugar is high.
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. TEPEZZA may harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant or suspect you are pregnant during treatment with TEPEZZA.
    • Women who are able to become pregnant should use an effective form of birth control (contraception) prior to starting treatment, during treatment and for at least 6 months after the final dose of TEPEZZA.
  • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if TEPEZZA passes into your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to feed your baby during treatment with TEPEZZA.
  • Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over the counter medicines, vitamins, dietary and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

What are the possible side effects of TEPEZZA?

The most common side effects of TEPEZZA include muscle cramps or spasms, nausea, hair loss, diarrhea, feeling tired, high blood sugar, hearing problems, taste changes, headache, dry skin and changes in menstruation.

This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Tell your doctor or treatment team about any side effect you may have.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.

Visit www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please visit TEPEZZA.com for more information.

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3 Ways to Protect Against Social Engineering Attacks

2022-04-19T10:01:00

(BPT) – The foundation of all human relationships is trust. But our tendency to trust is exploited every day by hackers who engage in social engineering to gain unauthorized access to computer networks with the intent to steal data and cause financial harm.

Social engineering attacks occur when fraudsters combine publicly accessible information and manipulative tactics to fool an unsuspecting victim into providing personal information and other sensitive identification data.

Bad actors often begin the attacks by collecting personal information about their targets on social media accounts. Next, they contact the potential victim directly and pose as a trusted connection, such as an employer. These tactics can quickly lead to compromised credentials and the potential for account takeovers leading to large-scale damage and theft.

Why social engineering is so effective

Common social engineering attacks include:

  • Phishing, in which hackers send a fraudulent message designed to trick the victim into revealing sensitive information.
  • Baiting, where the hacker uses a false promise — like a $10,000 reward — to spark a victim’s greed or curiosity.
  • Scareware, where the victim is overwhelmed by fictitious threats to get them to buy or download malicious software.

These kinds of attacks are on the rise precisely because they are so lucrative. According to security firm Check Point Software Technologies, the average social engineering attack costs companies $25,000 to $100,000 per incident, and that amount can even be far higher in terms of data compromised.

Social engineering attacks are so effective because they tap into basic human emotions, both positive and negative, and exploit them to steal money and information. For instance, it’s common for a fraudster to play on a person’s sympathy to trick them into providing information. A typical example of this is when hackers pose as the victim’s co-worker or boss and ask for help with a login, password or other system sign-on data.

Fraudsters also understand that humans are not perfect and will often act selfishly. As a result, social engineer attacks often tap into emotions like greed to get what they want. For example, a bad actor may entice a victim into providing account details and login information by offering money or other incentives.

The bad guys also know that people often don’t think clearly when under pressure, so they ramp up the urgency in their requests to force the hand of a victim. When a target is told they need to provide their information quickly to keep a (bogus) negative event from happening, they often do what they are asked.

Stopping social engineering attacks

How can businesses and consumers defend against social engineering attacks? Here are three ways to limit the chance of a successful attack.

1. Always be wary online. It’s critical to be suspicious of unsolicited requests from individuals seeking data or personal information. Ask yourself why that person really needs to know what version of an operating system you’re running, or what company you work for. Be equally suspicious of any files or attachments that arrive in your inbox unsolicited. Never download files you don’t recognize. If you don’t recognize the file, then it’s a risk. It’s also wise to install and maintain anti-virus software, firewalls and email filters.

2. Make cyber education a priority for both employees and customers. It all starts with education. You should train both your employees and customers to practice good security hygiene. For instance, educate your employees about common scams when you see them. If a particular attack vector is proving successful and becoming more widespread, make everyone aware of it so they can take the necessary precautions. Also, encourage your customers to pay close attention when going through emails, especially when taking further actions like clicking a link or downloading an attachment. Remind them that you don’t ask for sensitive information over email, and that they should always double-check email and link validity.

3. Monitor for malicious users. Many social engineering attacks rely on fake account creation and/or use of synthetic identities to succeed. To thwart attacks, add the right mix of procedures, checks and balances into your onboarding and signup process to ensure customers are unable to create synthetic identities and fake accounts. You can also implement risk-focused systems to monitor for any unusual changes in the digital identity footprint of your customers. This includes authenticating them each time they engage in high-risk transactions, such as password resets or large transfers of money.

Final takeaway

The reality is that there is no single solution that can put a halt to social engineering. But combining technology with customer education can make it difficult for fraudsters to succeed and can put a significant dent in social engineering attacks overall.

TeleSign helps you protect and defend your customers and your operations across the entire customer journey — from sign-up to sign-on. We help you block fake users at scale, detect unauthorized access, prevent account takeovers and defend against other malicious actions against your customers.

To learn how businesses can protect their operations and customers from fraud and cyberattacks visit TeleSign.com.