Month: August 2023

2023-08-24T08:31:00

(BPT) – If you love being able to enjoy all your favorite content even when you’re on the go, you are probably frustrated with trying to watch things on your phone screen — especially when you want to share the experience with family and friends. Fortunately, you can now take all your favorite shows, games, movies, music and more along with you no matter where you are, thanks to the latest technology from LG Electronics USA.

Tap into the ultimate tailgating technology

While you’re grilling and chilling with your crew before the game, you can catch early games or pre-game shows on LG’s StanbyME Go portable screen. This wireless unit offers a 27-inch touch screen for easy viewing wherever you want to watch it — and also comes equipped with Dolby Vision, the latest HDR imaging technology of Dolby™ and Dolby Atmos^® for wrap-around sound, so you and your friends can enjoy an immersive viewing experience*.

And don’t worry if your friends’ pre-game shenanigans tend to get a little crazy — this unit can be easily tucked away into a durable case that has passed 11 types of U.S. Department of Defense durability tests, giving you peace of mind.

Life’s a picnic

If you want to share family videos or music with friends and family members during your picnics or cookouts, the StanbyME Go portable screen has got your back. The screen can be tilted and rotated in landscape or portrait orientations to make it easy for everyone in your group to see it. And beyond the great viewing capabilities, it also transforms into a digital record player so you can enjoy music at the beach, while camping or wherever you like to go.

With this unit you’ll have up to three hours of viewing time per charge, making it the easiest way to stay connected to whatever content will make your get-together even more fun — and it has handles for convenient carrying, wherever you’re headed next.

Adorn your dorm room in style

If you or a family member are headed off to college this fall, the StanbyME Go could be the best thing to take along. Any college student would love being able to catch their must-see shows, movies and music with this portable unit — and they can even use it for viewing online course content such as lectures. The StanbyME GO supports one HDMI input to use as a second monitor for viewing online courses. It’s easy to use, and automatically turns on and off when the case is opened or closed.

Best yet, when you open the sturdy case for this all-in-one entertainment center, the digital record player resembles a cool retro-looking turntable that will enhance any dorm room’s decor.

Everywhere in the home or wherever you go

Whether you want to catch all the latest binge-worthy shows while you’re folding the laundry, watch the game while you cook out on the grill or enjoy movies with friends wherever they happen to be hanging out, it’s easy to do all that and more with LG’s StanbyME Go.

Visit LG.com to see all the great new features that can help entertain you, your friends and your family anywhere you go — in your home, on vacation or wherever you want to be.

*Dolby, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.

2023-08-23T15:39:00

(BPT) – Technology in the automotive sector is advancing swiftly. Electric cars and autonomous driving are rapidly evolving, and we’re now seeing tremendous changes in the automotive landscape. In just ten years, LG Vehicle component Solutions (VS) Company has transitioned from being a newcomer in the mobility industry to an established player.

After a decade of fulfilling customer demands and their expectations, the LG VS company has reached an important point in our history. In this year of our 10th anniversary, we are shifting gears to drive lasting growth by focusing on what matters most: delivering customer value, being passionate about innovation and holding true to our sense of purpose.

LG’s highest priority has always been customer value. With decades of expertise in the consumer electronics industry, LG possesses valuable insights into consumers’ wants and needs — which the LG VS company is now leveraging to create value for our auto industry customers and end users.

Our competitive edge and unique selling proposition lie in our ability to deliver strong customer value. The LG VS Company strives to provide outstanding technology and design innovations that are tailored to our customers’ needs. We will continue to develop solutions that have never been provided before. This is why automakers trust us to be the right partner to help realize their vision.

Passion and a sense of purpose are the other key foundations of LG’s business. The LG VS Company is pursuing its objective to enhance customer value with more passion and purpose than ever before. With our vision of Driving Better Future Mobility, we are strengthening our market presence and reinforcing our reputation as an “Innovation Partner for Future Mobility.” Our scope and vision have now been broadened. Not only are we aiding in the creation of new mobility technologies, but we are also actively driving tangible changes in the mobility experience.

The vehicle is no longer just a means of transportation. It is an integrated space where users can enjoy comfort, entertainment and safety. To provide such future mobility experience, we at LG will continuously bring fresh perspectives to the wider auto industry. We will also leverage our insights, knowledge and capabilities to provide our partners with innovative solutions for the road ahead.

By Eun Seok-hyun, president of LG Vehicle component Solutions Company

2023-08-22T11:19:00

(BPT) – A delightful fusion of flavors from around the globe can launch a culinary adventure that transcends borders and tantalizes taste buds. Three exceptional, yet easy to make, recipes will transport epicureans to different corners of the world, all while highlighting the quality, flavor, versatility and health benefits of one remarkable ingredient: olive oil.

From the fiery depths of an Asian-inspired Sriracha mayo and radish burger to the sun-kissed coastal flavors of grilled shrimp tostadas, and the wholesome, Mediterranean-infused harmony of farro with zucchini, peas and lemon, these dishes promise not just culinary delight, but also a wonderful opportunity to embrace the goodness of olive oil, a staple of heart-healthy, brain-nourishing and disease-protecting cuisine.

“Olive oil is a key component of the Mediterranean diet,” says Marco De Feo, vice president of marketing of Filippo Berio USA. “It tastes great on its own and enhances the flavors of food cooked with it. Many consumers may not realize this, but different types of olive oil have different flavor profiles, which are fun to explore. This means there is an olive oil for almost any cuisine that will pair well with a specific food, whether that is beans, grains, vegetables, seafood or meat. We also have color-coded labels on our bottles that indicate each olive oil’s flavor profile, so you can find out which olive oil is best for things like grilling, sautéing and more.”

Olive oil can be substituted for less healthy, less sustainable cooking oils in almost any recipe, making it a great choice for fusion dishes. For people seeking a neutral-flavored oil, regular and light-tasting olive oils are a fantastic alternative to commonly used canola, corn and soybean oils. Regular and light-tasting olive oils have the same healthy, good fat as extra virgin olive oil, and they’re less processed than other neutral-flavored oils, which are often extracted using chemical solvents. Additionally, olive oil is non-GMO, as there are no genetically modified olive trees.

Novice cooks and pros alike can fasten their aprons, prepare their taste buds, and explore the world enhanced by the flavor of olive oil, one delicious recipe at a time.

Asian-Inspired Sriracha Mayo and Radish Burger

First up, the Asian-inspired Sriracha mayo and radish burger is sure to spice up a meal with Filippo Berio’s Robusto extra virgin olive oil. This delectable creation combines the rich umami flavors of a juicy burger with the fiery kick of Sriracha mayo, all perfectly balanced by the refreshing crunch of radishes. But the magic doesn’t end there — the olive oil in the Sriracha mayo not only adds a bold, luxurious texture but also brings with it healthy phenols and antioxidants. These compounds help make this burger a treat to the taste buds.

Recipe

Grilled Shrimp Tostadas

Next, grilled shrimp tostadas provide a divine culinary journey and showcase the versatility of olive oil. Olive oil helps lend a deliciously mild flavor to the succulent shrimp. Another reason to reach for olive oil to make this Hispanic-inspired dish over other cooking oils is that emerging research suggests olive oil might act as a shield against memory deficits and Alzheimer’s, potentially slowing the decline in individuals with mild cognitive issues.

Also, when cut into quarters, the tostadas make for excellent appetizers!

Recipe

Farro with Zucchini, Peas and Lemon Side Dish

For a side dish that’s as healthy as it is scrumptious, this side dish of farro with zucchini, peas and lemon delivers. The delightful medley of flavors in this dish can be relished for a reason beyond great taste: it’s a dish that represents a health-conscious choice that includes the fiber, iron, protein and magnesium in farro and the healthy monounsaturated fats in Filippo Berio’s Delicato extra virgin olive oil. Another Middle Eastern superfood, freekeh, may be substituted for farro, if preferred. To make the dish vegan, Filippo Berio’s Vegan Basil Pesto, certified by The Vegan Society, can be used.

Recipe

Final Thoughts on Incorporating Olive Oil in Global Cuisine

Incorporating olive oil into these global recipes enhances their taste while fortifying the nutritional value, making them not just meals, but a celebration of health, flavor and diverse cultures. These dishes are a reminder that eating well can be fun with exciting global influences. More recipes and ideas are available by following @filippoberio_us on Instagram. Buon appetito!

2023-08-22T19:01:00

(BPT) – Do you love to travel but hate how tired it makes you? If you’re fatigued when you finally get to your destination, there’s a good reason. Traveling across time zones seriously throws your circadian rhythm out of sync. Your body gets confused when you’re exposed to sunlight at times that don’t align with your internal clock, disrupting your ability to get a full night’s sleep. The result? It takes days to adjust, leaving you sluggish or groggy.

To help your body cope with travel, sleep expert to OURA, Dr. Rebecca Robbins, Ph.D., offers tips for adapting to your new schedule — so you can start enjoying your trip sooner.

1. Plan ahead

In the weeks before your trip, move your bedtime and waking times in the direction of the time at your destination by 15-minute increments every day. Once on the plane, set your smartphone or wristwatch to the time at your destination, then start eating, drinking and behaving as you would at that new schedule.

“Avoid taking red-eye flights when possible, because any sleep you may get on a plane will likely be poor quality, which may start your trip on the wrong foot,” advised Robbins. Understanding how to maximize sleep to support your health is a great first step toward improving your well-being — at home and abroad.

2. Take these steps upon arrival

When you reach your destination, get outside and walk or exercise in the fresh air and sunlight as much as possible. This will help your body make the transition to the new time. “However, if you’re feeling sluggish after you arrive, try taking a 20-minute or 90-minute nap to recover from lost sleep,” said Robbins.

3. Eat thoughtfully

Avoid heavy meals around dinnertime or close to your new bedtime at your destination. Indulging in a big late dinner can be tempting while traveling, but it’s recommended to choose a hearty breakfast and lunch, followed by a lighter and, when possible, early dinner. Eating lighter meals close to bedtime can help reduce the risk of sleep disruptions, particularly when you’re adjusting to a new time zone and in a new place with unfamiliar foods that may be difficult for you to digest.

4. Exercise outside at your new destination

Exercise is an essential way to keep your digestion and other processes in the body on track. Exercising outdoors at your new destination whenever possible is a particularly powerful tool for beating jet lag. Exercise outdoors provides access to sunlight, which is the strongest input to our circadian rhythm, and can accelerate our ability to adjust to a new time zone. In a study of airline crewmembers, those that were instructed to work out outside adjusted faster to their new destination than a control group that did not do so.

5. Make bedtime seem like home

To help you sleep in a new place and time zone, try to maintain your usual nighttime routine. Whatever strategies help you unwind at home — a warm shower, reading a book, meditating — will help you relax anywhere. You’re more likely to sleep well if you follow the same patterns your body expects at bedtime. It can also help to bring things from home that soothe you.

“Falling asleep is all about feeling safe, secure and at peace,” added Robbins. “Bringing things from home can help a new place feel familiar, like a cozy scarf that doubles as a blanket, or even your favorite set of pajamas, can enhance your ability to relax before bed.”

How OURA can help improve wellness

You can also use an Oura Ring to improve your rest and recovery after you’re back home. Their state-of-the-art research means you’ll have personalized health insights and daily guidance to enhance your well-being before, during and after your travels.

If you’re unsure how well you sleep, technology can help you understand your body’s rhythms. For example, the Oura Ring uses advanced, research-grade sensors to pack state-of-the-art heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), personalized temperature, activity and sleep monitoring technology into a convenient, non-invasive ring. While many wearables started with fitness, the Oura Ring focused first on sleep — the daily habit that’s perhaps the most impactful daily practice on your overall health.

Looking for ways to help with your sleep schedule whether you’re on the ground or in the air? Wearables like the Oura Ring can help you gain insights on your sleep and overall health to make the most out of your next trip. Visit OuraRing.com to learn more.

2023-08-22T09:43:00

(BPT) – If you have a deck, it’s probably one of your favorite — and most used — spaces, especially when it’s warm outside. But time, usage and weather can all take their toll on your family hangout spot. The good news is, even if you’re a novice DIYer, it’s easy to protect your deck and keep it looking great in just a few simple steps, and doing the job yourself can save money and help you avoid more work on it in the future.

Now is a great time to clean, stain and seal your deck. Here’s how to ensure the job is done well.

1. Check your deck

When was the last time you assessed the condition of your deck? Look for issues like dirt, mildew, algae or old stain coating that’s peeling — plus damaged, cracked or warped wood that may need to be replaced.

Try the “splash test” — splash a little water on the deck and watch how quickly the water is absorbed. If the water is rapidly absorbed into the wood, that means it’s no longer protected from the elements and needs attention.

2. Clean it up

While you might be tempted to rent a power washer to clean your deck, it’s not recommended, as power washing can damage wood — especially if you’re inexperienced in using this tool. Instead, choose a deck cleaner designed specifically to clean decks in preparation for staining and sealing.

If you see dirt and stains but no coating peeling off, an exterior cleaner like Thompson’s WaterSeal Heavy Duty Deck Cleaner will work on any type of wood. If you see old peeling coating, however, Thompson’s WaterSeal Maximum Strength Deck Stripper is the strongest option to help remove old stain.

Make sure to follow the instructions on whatever product you use for cleaning your deck, and don’t forget the rails or benches. If you have several boards that vary in color, a solid color stain would get you a more consistent color, transparent stains will show more wood grain, and semi-transparent stains add more color and protection while keeping some of the wood grain visible.

3. Refresh and protect

Once your deck is cleaned, you can start to envision the effect you want. Would you like to see more natural wood grain, a little grain, or almost none? Design experts often choose a dark or light deck color to provide a strong contrast to the color of the home’s exterior. You can also use different color stain on the railings and benches of your deck for visual interest. If you’re unsure what look you want, try a small sample area first to see how it appears once the stain is dry.

To make staining and protecting your deck easier, Thompson’s WaterSeal products provide year-round protection in just one coat — with specialized water-beading formulas to help prevent water damage. Choose from four stain and wood sealer products depending on the look you want: Clear Wood Sealer shows all wood grain, Transparent Wood Sealer shows the most wood grain, Semi-Transparent Wood Sealer shows some wood grain and Solid Color Wood Sealer shows little wood grain.

Measuring your deck, including railings and benches, helps you determine the amount of stain you’ll need. Read the product instructions carefully before using. You’ll find useful information including weather guidelines and recommended temperature ranges for application. For example, it’s best to avoid windy and rainy days as well as high temps when your deck boards are very hot.

Also check product labels for recommended wait times between cleaning and staining. Thompson’s WaterSeal Wood Sealers require waiting 48 hours before applying deck coating.

4. Maintain your beautiful new deck

To help ensure that your deck stays looking great even longer, keep your deck free of leaves, dust, dirt and snow. Visually check your deck for trouble spots and do the “splash test” every year, so it will stay in good condition as long as possible.

Using these tips, you should be able to protect and revitalize your deck so you and your family can continue enjoying it for years to come.

Pro tip: You can seal and protect other surfaces in your outdoor space beyond decks and fences, including concrete and stone patio pavers, using products like Thompson’s Multi-Surface Waterproofer.

Ready to get started? Learn more about how to protect your deck at ThompsonsWaterSeal.com.

2023-08-22T13:01:00

(BPT) – As inflation continues to rise, Americans are feeling the financial pressure and weighing their present needs against their future financial health. According to The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) Fall 2022 Consumer Survey, 87% of working Americans feel stressed about their finances, and nearly half are unsure of how much money they need to retire comfortably.

The survey also found that financial stress is spilling over into the workplace. About 63% of working Americans reported that financial stress makes them less productive at work, with a quarter saying they spend a half-hour or more thinking about their finances.

Whether you’re an employer looking to ease your employee’s financial stress and improve their performance or an individual seeking to plan and improve your financial outlook, an experienced financial advisor can make a world of difference.

“Everyone is feeling the impacts of inflation, from the price of groceries to the fluctuations in their retirement accounts, and it’s clear that more Americans are looking for the assistance and guidance that comes from a Fee-Only financial planner,” says Kathryn Dattomo, CEO of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA).

Finding the right financial advisor that can educate and guide clients can be challenging. When searching for a financial advisor, look for the following four qualities.

1. Fee-Only compensation

How a financial advisor is compensated can affect the advice you receive. Financial advisors are compensated through three ways:

• Commission-based model
• Commission and fee model
• Fee-Only model

Advisors that work in commissioned and commission and fee models are paid based on the specific financial products they sell to their clients. These models create an inherent conflict of interest. Advisors may struggle to put their client’s best interests above their own. They also may recommend riskier financial investments with lower returns because they’ll earn more money.

In contrast, clients pay Fee-Only advisors directly based on an hourly rate, a percentage of assets, a flat fee or a retainer for advice, plan execution and ongoing asset management. Because financial advisors don’t receive compensation from third parties, there’s no incentive to sell you expensive and risky financial products. This model allows them to concentrate on financial recommendations suitable to your situation.

“When choosing a financial advisor, always ask them how they are compensated for their services,” says Dattomo. “Asking this question will help you better understand the nature of the relationship and whether the advisor will be putting your best interests first. If they give you anything but a straight answer, continue your search.”

2. A fiduciary

A fiduciary is a professional that manages assets or wealth while putting the client’s best interest first. Fiduciaries are required to disclose any conflicts or potential conflicts to their clients before and during the advisory engagement, adopt a code of ethics and explain their fee structure.

Not all financial professionals are fiduciaries. Non-fiduciary advisors can recommend products with higher fees that generate bonuses, commissions and prizes. That’s why it’s of the utmost importance to ensure your financial advisor has signed a fiduciary oath.

“As consumers of financial services, we all owe it to ourselves to remain diligent — to understand our options and the standards our financial professionals are held to,” says Dattomo. “Selecting a financial planner who has taken a fiduciary oath means they will always put your best interests first.”

3. Experienced and proactive

Having an experienced and proactive advisor is key to securing your financial future. When searching for a financial advisor, check out their educational history, including credentials and designations such as a Certified Financial Planner^® (CFP^®) certification.

CFP^® professionals meet rigorous education, training and ethical standards that allow them to work in the best interests of their clients today, tomorrow and beyond. You can also check if they’re members of a reputable financial association such as NAPFA.

“When you entrust your financial well-being with a financial advisor, you want to make sure that they are looking out for your overall financial well-being,” says Dattomo. “That is why NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisors must meet stiff credentialing and rigorous continuing education requirements along with their Fee-Only and fiduciary oath.”

4. A holistic approach

When working with an advisor, you’ll want to choose someone who takes a broad-based approach to managing and planning your finances. Some financial planners focus on only one or two elements of your finances, such as selling specific products and investments, and overlook other critical areas of your long-term financial outlook.

A holistic financial planner will consider all aspects of your finances to develop a tailor-made plan to help you reach your financial goals. They can help you review and manage your cash flow, investments, income taxes, retirement planning, risk management, education funds, estate planning and any other needs specific to your situation.

Start your search today

Don’t wait to find a financial advisor and secure your future. By searching for an advisor with these four qualities, you’ll be well on your way to meeting your present and future financial goals.

“Fee-Only financial planners can help you navigate your financial future and ease the stress that comes with not knowing what to do,” says Dattomo. “Before beginning the search for a financial planner, determine what you want to accomplish by working with an advisor, and then utilize resources such as NAPFA’s Find an Advisor tool to search for an advisor that fits your needs.”

For more information on selecting the right advisor for you, visit NAPFA.org/Find-An-Advisor. While you’re there, download the Financial Advisor Checklist so you can ensure your financial advisor meets your needs.