Month: February 2023

2023-02-09T07:01:00

(BPT) – When cooking for your family, do you consider the beneficial value of the ingredients you use? This February, as part of National Heart Health Month, prioritize your heart by making simple changes!

According to the American Heart Association, more than half of Hispanic men and almost 43% of Hispanic women have some form of cardiovascular disease. While there are many factors for developing heart disease, one of the areas you can control to reduce the risk is your diet. Chef, TV personality and entrepreneur Ana Quincoces shares her views on the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

“After my mother’s heart attacks, heart health has been a top priority in my family,” says Quincoces. “Prioritizing heart health is easier than you think! One of the many reasons I prefer to use corn oil, like Mazola^® Corn Oil, is because it helps me maintain stable cholesterol levels for myself and my loved ones! In fact, even a 1% reduction in bad (LDL) cholesterol has been found to reduce the risk of heart disease by 2 to 3%*. The Journal of Clinical Lipidology has published a study that found that corn oil, like heart-healthy** Mazola^®, can help lower cholesterol 2x more than extra-virgin olive oil***!”

Hispanic foods sometimes get a bad reputation for being unhealthy, but it’s ultimately dependent on how you go about creating these dishes. With just some simple ingredient substitutions, you can transform traditional family recipes into delicious meals that could help you keep your family’s heart healthy.

In honor of Heart Health Month, Mazola^® Corn Oil and Celebrity Chef Ana Quincoces are sharing some recipe variations on delicious Hispanic dishes your family can eat this month and beyond.

Check out this delicious and easy Stuffed Peppers recipe that uses leaner meats, plenty of vegetables and Mazola^® Corn Oil, a cholesterol-free**** choice for your family.

Stuffed Peppers with Ground Turkey, Brown Rice, Raisins and Almonds

Prep time: 25 min

Cook time: 25-30 min

Servings: 4-6

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground turkey

1/4 pound lean ground deli ham

3 tablespoons of Mazola^® Corn Oil, divided

1 cup of white or brown rice, cooked

6 large bell peppers (any color)

3/4 cup of onion, diced

3 teaspoons of garlic, minced

1 cup of cooked white rice

1 teaspoon of salt

14 ounces canned diced tomatoes

4 ounces of tomato sauce, divided

1/4 cup of golden raisins

1/4 cup of toasted slivered almonds

1 teaspoon of salt to taste

1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon of dried leaf oregano

Chopped cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil
3. Cut the tops off your peppers and set aside. Carefully pull out the seeds and membranes, creating a cavity inside
4. Dip the peppers into the boiling water, letting them cook for just 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, and drain on a paper towel
5. Meanwhile, sauté the onion and garlic in 2 tablespoons of Mazola^® Corn Oil in a skillet for 5 to 7 minutes until translucent
6. Toss in the cooked rice, half of the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, raisins, toasted almonds, seasonings, salt and pepper
7. Stir to combine and cook until just heated through
8. Lubricate a casserole dish by using a paper towel and the remaining tablespoon of Mazola^® Corn Oil to prevent sticking
9. Place the peppers in the casserole dish and spoon the meat and vegetable mixture into each of the prepared peppers
10. Top each pepper with about a tablespoon of the tomato sauce
11. Sprinkle with a little oregano and chopped cilantro, and cover the dish with foil
12. Bake for 10 minutes, remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes
13. Carefully remove from oven, let cool and enjoy!

Heart health is often a problem within the Hispanic community, but you can make more conscious decisions about your family’s health one recipe and meal at a time. To view this recipe (and others), find more inspiration, and learn more about how you can incorporate heart-healthy^* Mazola^® Corn Oil into recipes this Heart Health Month and beyond, visit Mazola.com.

*Studies show that, when consumed as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, plant sterols can help reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the gut, which can lower LDL blood cholesterol. USDA and USDHHS 2010; FDA 2000, 2010; Wu et al. 2009; Demonty et al. 2008, Ellegard et al. 2008; Mensink et al. 2010. To achieve cholesterol reduction, one serving of corn oil must be part of a healthy diet and replace a similar amount of butter or other higher saturated fat oils. For more information, see Mazola.com.

**Very limited and preliminary scientific evidence suggests that eating about 1 tablespoon (16 grams) of Corn Oil daily may reduce the risk of heart disease due to the unsaturated fat content in Corn Oil. FDA concludes that there is little scientific evidence supporting this claim. To achieve this possible benefit, Corn Oil is to replace a similar amount of saturated fat and not increase the total number of calories you eat in a day. One serving of this product contains 14 grams of Corn Oil.

***Maki K, Lawless A, Kelley K, Kaden V, Geiger C, Dicklin M. Corn oil improves the plasma lipoprotein lipid profile compared with extra-virgin olive oil consumption in men and women with elevated cholesterol; results from a randomized feeding trial. J Clin Lipidol. Article in press. Accessed December 10, 2014. Study sponsored in part by ACH Food Companies, Inc.

****Corn oil is a cholesterol-free food that contains 14g of total fat per serving. See nutrition information on product label or at Mazola.com for fat and saturated fat content.

2023-02-08T14:01:03

(BPT) – It happens every year: as temperatures dip across the country in January, the snowbirds begin migrating to their winter homes. Whether you’re a regular migrator or taking an extended trip to a warmer climate for the first time, the transition from a primary residence to a temporary winter home involves planning and preparation — including anticipating travel, housing and healthcare needs. Additionally, with more and more people choosing to age in place, the are many factors to consider for your secondary residence to ensure the new location will be comfortable and appropriate in meeting your needs. If you’re an AARP member, there are many discounts and benefits available that can help you safely age in place as you enjoy warmer weather in your home away from home.

Here are three ways to successfully age in place at your winter home:

1. Ensure your home is accessible and safe. Making simple modifications — including installing permanent ramps or chair lifts on stairs and adding bars/rails to your shower — can increase your winter home’s safety and accessibility. With Porch Home Services, AARP members can save 5% on small jobs completed by a Porch handyman, and get enhanced property protection for both small jobs and major home improvements. Plus, you get complimentary access to a dedicated Porch Home Assistant team that provides customized assistance with any home repair, maintenance and improvement. What’s more, Porch Home Services is available across the U.S.

If you’ve recently purchased a secondary residence for the purpose of migrating there in the winter, there may be additional expenses to keep it well maintained, safe and comfortable throughout the year. Your AARP member benefits can assist with these often-unexpected expenses. AARP members can receive $36 or more off any American Home Shield^® home warranty plan that can help cover the cost to repair or replace parts of home appliances and systems that break down over time. Plus, for a limited time, American Home Shield is giving AARP members an additional $100 off for a total of $136 off any plan. No promo code needed! Visit ahs.com/aarp for more information. Limitations and exclusions apply. Valid only for new American Home Shield customers.

2. Stay in touch. It’s important to continue to socialize and keep in touch with your friends and family members while living in your winter home. This can help you sharpen your memory and cognitive skills, and it’s great for your mental and emotional health. Schedule a weekly check-in with a loved one to stay in touch while you’re living in your winter home. AARP members save $10 per line per month on the AT&T Unlimited Premium^SM plan, plus receive up to $50 in waived activation and upgrade fees.

To make sure you don’t miss any of the conversation with those you’re spending time with, get your hearing checked by taking advantage of AARP^® Hearing Solutions™ provided by UnitedHealthcare^® Hearing. AARP members can save 20% on hearing aids and 15% on accessories, plus receive a hearing test at no cost and personalized support through a large nationwide network of hearing providers.

3. Maintain your health and well-being. For older adults, it’s essential to maintain your health and well-being, especially when you are living away from your primary residence for an extended period. Finding and obtaining healthcare services is important, but it doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Primary care providers for Medicare-eligible older adults on Medicare like Oak Street Health Primary Care can help you keep an eye on your physical and mental health and well-being by offering high-quality preventive care. With 160 locations across 21 states, Oak Street Health offers the convenience of same-day or next-day visits at most locations where available, virtual visits, and a 24/7 patient healthcare support line.

And don’t forget about adhering to your prescription regimen while you’re away. If you need to fill a prescription or you’re looking to make refills easier in general, consider using a free prescription discount card from AARP^® Prescription Discounts provided by Optum Rx^®. AARP members not only save on FDA-approved medications but can also sign up for home delivery. The prescription discount card can be used at over 66,000 pharmacies nationwide.

Whether you’re a snowbird or simply wanting to be better prepared in your home this winter, there are many tools and resources to help you age in place. To learn more about the benefits and discounts for AARP members to help you prepare your residence for your snowbird lifestyle, please visit www.AARP.org/save.

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Neither AARP nor its affiliates is the insurer. AARP and its affiliates are not insurance producers, agents or brokers, and do not sell or service insurance products. AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details.

2023-02-08T08:01:00

(BPT) – Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, affects more than 6 million adults in the United States according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. It is a condition that develops when the heart isn’t pumping enough blood to meet the body’s needs — which can happen when the heart is unable to fill up with enough blood or if the heart is too weak to pump the blood properly.

While there is no current cure for heart failure, patients often seek medical intervention to find effective treatments — including medicines, procedures and devices — that will relieve the symptoms of heart failure and help them live fuller lives.

Barostim is the world’s first FDA-approved heart failure device to use neuromodulation — the power of the brain and nervous system — to improve the symptoms of heart failure.

For patients like Otto Isaac, a 72-year-old from Bastrop, Texas, living with heart failure prevented him from living a normal life and doing what he loved most.

“I was depressed and anxious,” said Isaac. “I’d wake up and go right back to sleep in front of the TV and sleep all day. I just couldn’t get up. I felt as though I had lost myself.”

Before he was diagnosed with heart failure, Otto used to work as a State Park Ranger. Just the simple act of walking 25 feet to put up a flag during the job left him exhausted. And after no success with alternative contemporary medications to improve his symptoms, Otto’s doctor recommended he consider Barostim.

Barostim is an implantable device that works by stimulating baroreceptors — natural sensors located in the wall of the carotid artery — that tell the nervous system how to regulate heart, kidney, and vascular function. These effects reduce the heart’s workload and help it pump more efficiently, helping to restore balance of the autonomic nervous system and improve the symptoms of heart failure, like breathlessness, fatigue and swelling.

Clinical trial data show that patients who received Barostim in addition to their medications felt much better and could walk farther than patients receiving only their medications. Barostim is the only heart failure device therapy that does not require any hardware in the heart or blood vessels.

With his Barostim implant, Otto can feel like himself again. He’s found that he has more energy and can exercise, which has improved his quality of life.

“I feel like I got my life back,” said Isaac. “I would encourage people who have heart failure to get Barostim if they qualify.”

Barostim is designed for heart failure patients who may not get adequate symptom relief from medications alone. If you have heart failure and your heart failure medications are not relieving your symptoms, Barostim may be the treatment option you’ve been seeking.

To learn more, visit https://www.cvrx.com/.

2023-02-08T09:01:00

(BPT) – Tax season can be a stressful time of year. However, if you qualify for a tax refund, it can be used to pay off bills and debt or add to your savings for a rainy day.

“For the past 40 years, Jackson Hewitt has advocated for hardworking Americans, and we know the current economy has impacted many. We understand people are worried about money and rising costs, along with the potential of receiving a lower tax refund this year, since all the pandemic government benefits have ended,” said Kim Hudson, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Jackson Hewitt Tax Services. “Now more than ever, every dollar matters, so don’t wait to file.”

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is now accepting and processing 2022 tax returns. While you can wait until the April 18 deadline, here are five reasons you should file your tax return early.

1. Get your refund early

Some people put off filing because they don’t believe they’ll get a refund. However, according to the IRS, over two-thirds of American taxpayers are typically entitled to a refund. That means the earlier you file, the earlier you’ll get your money and avoid processing delays.

2. More time to pay

A popular myth about filing taxes is that you must pay what you owe when you file. In fact, if you file early, you do not have to pay until the return due date of April 18 this year.

The benefit of filing early when you owe money to the IRS is that you will know what you owe in advance of the payment due date, giving you more time until April 18 to set aside those funds or spread the cost over the next few months, which means less financial stress.

3. Protect your personal information

Tax season is a busy time for fraudsters. With just a few pieces of your personal information (your name, birthday and Social Security number), they can submit a fraudulent tax return to get your refund and steal your identity.

Many taxpayers won’t realize their personal information has been compromised until they attempt to e-file their taxes and find that someone has beaten them to it. By filing early, you’re locking your personal data and preventing scammers from stealing your refund and identity.

4. Reduce stress

If you’re rushing to get your taxes filed before the deadline, chances are you’ll forget to include essential information and documents.

By preparing to file early, you’ll have more time to gather your documents, review your tax return, and speak with your Tax Pro — helping you feel more confident and less stressed. If you wait until too close to the April deadline, you could make a mistake requiring the filing of an amended income tax return or subject yourself to paying penalties and interest.

5. You could double your refund

Do you want to double your tax refund? In honor of its 40th anniversary, Jackson Hewitt is hosting a Double Your Refund Sweepstakes this tax season. By submitting your taxes with the tax preparer before April 2, you’ll be entered for a chance to win the equivalent of your federal tax refund.

During the sweepstakes, 40 winners will win a minimum of $1,500 and up to a $15,000 maximum match of their tax return refund, plus an additional 40 weekly runners-up will receive $400. You can mail in your entry, file online or find an office near you to prepare your taxes for the chance to win big this tax season. To learn more, visit JacksonHewitt.com/Promotions-Coupons/Double-Your-Refund-Sweepstakes.

There’s no reason to wait until April 18 to file your taxes. Submit your tax return early and reap the financial rewards and peace of mind.

2023-02-07T04:01:00

(BPT) – If you’re an IT administrator, you know how difficult it is to get employees to create and remember strong, unique passwords for business accounts and technology. Often, users will fall into common habits like using short, easy-to-guess passwords or passwords they’ve already used in other accounts.

Users who do not follow password security best practices leave themselves and the company open to a data breach. To help employees create stronger passwords, protect company assets and make things easier on themselves, IT admins should consider these five password management and security tips.

1. Design a password policy

By creating a detailed password policy that all employees must follow, you can limit access to and protect your company’s resources. For example, you can require that users use long, complex passwords.

Employees will likely be familiar with this requirement, as many websites require a minimum character length, which is generally six characters long. However, longer is better. According to Scientific American, a 12-character password takes 62 trillion times longer to crack than a standard 6-character one.

Also, don’t allow users to include personal information in their passwords. While it’s easier to remember dates of important life events, names of pets and children, birthplaces and other words based on personal information, these clues are easy for hackers to find on social media and public records.

2. Avoid password fatigue

Password rotation is a common practice in password management and security. By requiring employees to change passwords every few months, it would seem to help you stay one step ahead of potential hackers.

However, frequent password changes can lead to password fatigue, meaning that users are more likely to use simple passwords that aren’t secure enough. Also, according to a survey conducted by the Ponemon Institute, 51% of people rotate the same five passwords across their work and personal accounts, leaving them and the company vulnerable to data breaches.

3. Use a password manager

Consider using a password manager to help you and other employees create strong passwords and store them securely. There are many password managers, but they’re not all created equal. In fact, a recent data breach of LastPass has made some wary of using a cloud-based password manager. However, by using a program like JumpCloud, IT admins and users can feel secure about passwords and data safety.

JumpCloud uses a hybrid approach that uses a decentralized architecture that stores enterprise vaults locally on users’ devices. It also syncs users’ vaults to multiple devices with end-to-end encryption on the cloud, offering the best of both worlds. To learn more, visit JumpCloud.com.

4. Check a password dictionary

Many fraudsters use a password dictionary to crack account security by sheer brute force. When employees use dictionary words in their passwords, such as using three short words together, hackers can easily use an algorithm to try different combinations of words until they crack the code.

Have employees check their passwords against a password dictionary so they can avoid using common words, and refer them to sites such as haveibeenpwned.com. If they must use dictionary words, implement guidelines that require they use four or five dictionary words with a mix of other characters. For example, “cloud.novella-candlestick.backpack” is a strong password.

5. Require multi-factor authentication

Many electronics and other technologies now require multi-factor authentication (MFA). Users may have MFA enabled on their phones, tablets and computers, which require them to use their fingerprint, enter a code, or another secondary form of identification in addition to a password. When paired with a strong password, MFA makes it more difficult for the wrong person to access company data.

Password management and security doesn’t have to be a headache or time-consuming. Using these five tips will save you time and help users become more invested in a company’s security.

2023-02-07T02:01:00

(BPT) – Holiday gatherings may make the season jolly and bright, but they can also leave your house in need of a deep clean and de-cluttering. The new year is a great time to bring back order and cleanliness to your home and tick off some home maintenance chores you may have neglected last year.

Not sure where to start? Check out these top cleaning tips that will whip your house into shape and help you start 2023 with a clean and tidy abode.

1. Reduce clutter

When you get home from a long day at work, you want your environment to be tidy to help you relax. An easy way to keep things tidy is to make sure everything has a place so you can quickly put away items and maintain a neat and calming environment. Bins, baskets and other organizational items can make it simple to get into the habit of putting things away so you can capture clutter before it starts.

2. Deep clean the floors

Your floors accumulate dirt, dust and crumbs from everyday use, especially high-traffic areas like the main entrance, kitchen, living room and bathroom. In using tools like the Casabella Infuse mop and Casabella ToughSweep XL broom, you can quickly deep clean linoleum, laminate, vinyl and sealed hardwood flooring to keep messes at bay.

The spray mop comes with a reusable microfiber mopping pad that is safe to use on most flooring, while the broom’s angled bristles can help you tackle tough corners.

3. Unclog the dryer vent

How often do you clean your dryer vent? If you have to run the dryer twice to fully dry laundry, it’s time to unclog. To start, you’ll need to disconnect the dryer and clear away any lint from the vent pipe, wall piping and dryer opening. Plus, you’ll want to make sure to remove and clean the vent cover on the outside of your home.

4. Dust easy and hard-to-reach areas

Easy-to-reach areas, like windowsills, shelves and picture frames, should be thoroughly dusted once a month. With hard-to-reach places, like high shelves, ceiling fans and books, you can go up to three months between dustings. To make dusting easier, use a tool like the Casabella Extendable Microfiber Duster, which extends up to 35 inches to easily clean hard-to-reach spaces.

5. Clean every crevice of the kitchen

There are crevices and tight spaces in your kitchen that can quickly collect dust and grime, but since they’re out of sight, they’re also out of mind. Move appliances to clean under and behind them. For example, the space under and behind the refrigerator is a magnet for hair, crumbs and dust, so make sure to add this space to the must-clean list in the new year.

6. Freshen up the furniture

Your upholstered furniture attracts and traps dirt, dust and hair. To keep your furniture in good condition and clean, you’ll want to regularly vacuum the back, armrests, cushions and underneath the cushions. It’s also a good idea to top off your clean with the Evercare All Purpose Lint Roller, which effortlessly removes lint from couches, clothing, curtain and lampshades, making it the ultimate addition to your cleaning kit.

7. Clean and degrease the oven

If it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned your oven, you should give it a deep dive after you’ve finished your holiday cooking. Make sure to wipe the bottom and sides of the oven and give the racks a thorough wash. If you have stubborn, burnt-on food, you may need to buy a cleaner and some elbow grease to get it sparkling.

8. Don’t forget the doors and trim

Doors and trim can accumulate a lot of dust and grime. Make sure to take a damp cloth and wipe it down from top to bottom — and don’t forget the sides and trim or molding! Using a disinfectant to eliminate bacteria and germs on your doorknobs from frequent, daily touching is also a good idea, particularly during the winter months.

9. Vacuum rugs

Rugs collect soil and dust that can quickly make them look dingy, while also putting them at risk of damaging the fibers. During the holidays, your guests have tracked in a lot of slush and dirt from outdoors, so be sure to vacuum your rugs thoroughly. In the new year, make it a goal to vacuum rugs at least once a week, especially those in high-traffic areas.

10. Check and change your air filters

To ensure you’re breathing in clean air and that your HVAC unit operates smoothly and efficiently, check your air filters every three months and change them as needed. According to experts, you can inspect an air filter by holding it up to the light. If the light doesn’t pass through, the filter is clogged and needs to be changed.

Start the new year off with a spotless, neat environment you’ll be happy to come home to every day. Using these top tips, you’ll clean your home of last year’s messes and set yourself up for maintaining a clean space year-round.