Author: admin

2024-11-19T06:31:00

(BPT) – What do you enjoy most during the Holly Days? If you answered “festive eats” you’re not alone! Food brings people together and adds good cheer all around when you get to spend extra time with those near and dear.

For any holiday gathering large or small, be ready to amp up the fun — and flavor — with quick and easy appetizers you can whip up in no time at all. Using short-cuts from ready-made products like those from Farm Rich and a few creative add-ons, you’ve got an array of holiday apps ready for hungry kids, unexpected guests, holiday movie nights, late-night gift wrap marathons and more.

Here are 7 tasty ideas to get you started.

1. All about that dip

You can make any appetizer the star of the table with the right dips. Try jazzing up your Farm Rich favorites with this roasted jalapeno ranch recipe from TheTableofSpice cookbook author Sweta Patel. Her creamy dip adds a festive touch to popular eats like Buffalo Style Boneless Chicken Bites, Loaded Potato Skins and Jalapeno Peppers.

2. Kids’ fave

Need a super-easy holiday snack the kids will gobble up? These new Pepperoni Pizza Roll-Ups are easy for little hands to hold, and you can make as many as you need (since grown-ups will probably want to sneak a couple, too!). They might even make a savory snack for Santa. Now available at Walmart stores nationwide.

3. Perfect party finger foods

Did somebody say, “spinach artichoke dip?” For a more adult taste, try these new Spinach Artichoke Dip Bites, filled with a creamy blend of spinach and artichokes, mozzarella, cream cheese and Parmesan. Stock up for a quick holiday app to break out when guests stop by or bring to your next holiday party. (Be sure to pick up an extra carton or two just for yourself!)

4. That’s Italian!

Chef and cookbook author @TaraTeaspoon created this heartwarming meal, Italian Meatball Risoni, featuring frozen Italian Style Meatballs. “For this dish, I used Risoni, also known as orzo, and simmered it in a hearty tomato sauce with crisped pancetta, which turned into a delightful red pasta pilaf! The orzo pasta makes the perfect base for the meatballs and a super easy holiday dinner the whole family will love,” Tara explains.

5. Slow cooker deliciousness

Need another holiday meatball idea? These Pomegranate Glazed Meatballs are easy and elegant! Prepare in a slow cooker early in the day while you head to work or run errands and they’ll be ready to devour by evening.

6. Lights, camera, snack time!

“It’s a beaut, Clark!” Host a family holiday movie night and fill your table with a variety of holiday snacks and sweets. Feed everyone’s appetites while watching your favorite flick with a snack board loaded with tasty fun like Mozzarella Sticks, Potato Skins and Jalapeno Peppers, along with crackers, fruit, veggies and dips. Check out this inspo from influencer Gee Collins of TheGeeLife.

7. Holiday brunching

Forget the milk n’ cookies, make Santa this drool-worthy chocolate hazelnut board, a delectable idea from Nicole Sharmaine featuring French Toast Sticks. Add strawberries, peppermint, marshmallows and more for extra color and sweetness. A spread like this will also provide an extra incentive for little elves to help out on a marathon gift-wrapping day. Want another dish to dress up your brunch spread? Make Pumpkin Pie Bread Pudding as a breakfast casserole — it’s super easy to assemble the night before and heat up in the morning.

The holidays are already some of the busiest days of the year, so take it easy on yourself. Plan your food options early, stock up on Farm Rich, make fun recipes ahead of time and you’ll be ready for a delightful “Appy Holiday!” Check out more festive tips and recipes at FarmRich.com.

2024-11-19T08:01:00

(BPT) – Creating lunches for your kids every day can be challenging, but as the holiday season approaches, life can get even more hectic, making this daily task seem daunting. While the holiday season is a stressful and busy time of year, it’s still possible to assemble balanced, nutritious lunches your kids will eat — and actually enjoy.

What’s the key? Thinking of lunches as a group of easy-to-fix, easy-to-eat snack foods. The popularity of snack foods for kids’ lunches is growing because they are often completely eaten, and they can be a huge time saver during a busy season when parents need easy solutions.

Why snack lunches work

The appeal of snacks to fill your kids’ lunchboxes is understandable — you can quickly reach for an assortment of packable items, and easily arrange them in bento box-style reusable containers. Kids love them because they’re fun to eat, it’s easy for them to see what their options are, and those snack-type items are often the first things in the lunchbox they reach for.

How to turn snacks into a full, balanced meal

The key to making snacks into lunch is thinking outside your typical idea of “snacks,” which may conjure images of items with zero nutritional value and perhaps too much sugar, salt and preservatives. Instead, think of snacks simply as finger foods that can contain the right mix of nutrients and energy your kids need to fuel their busy days.

Here’s a quick guide of the food groups to include in your children’s snack lunches:

Whole grains/starches: Think beyond bread to include pita, flatbread, crackers, naan and bagels.

Protein-rich foods: Choose from meat sticks, string cheese, hard-boiled eggs and more.

Fruits: Consider fruits like berries that are easy to pack and eat, mandarin oranges/small tangerines or dried fruits.

Vegetables: Opt for options like baby carrots, broccoli florets and colorful bell pepper slices.

You can also find tasty and wholesome snack options that straddle more than one food group, like Nature’s Bakery bars, which combine whole grains and real fruit in their plant-based, nut-free, dairy-free, and Non-GMO certified snack bars. Kids — and parents — will love these soft-baked, tasty bars that are easy to pack in a lunch or to stow in your purse, briefcase, gym bag or glove compartment for a delicious snack option, any time. Their family-favorite Fig Bars are available in Original Fig, Blueberry, Raspberry, Strawberry, Apple Cinnamon and more — including gluten-free varieties.

“Nature’s Bakery bars are ideal for kids’ lunchboxes and your snack pantry,” said Registered Dietitian Sarah Remmer. “And you can rest assured knowing that their ingredients are plant-based, dairy-free and nut-free, making them wholesome and school-friendly for any child’s lunch kit.”

Snack lunch creation inspiration

Keep lunches interesting and varied by organizing your ingredients around a theme, and your kids will soon be eager to check out their lunchboxes each day just to see what tasty options await them. Here are three ideas to get you started:

1. Charcuterie boards aren’t just for grownups anymore

Create a kid-friendly charcuterie experience by compiling choices like tasty crackers, meats, cheeses, cucumber rounds, nut-free trail mix, Nature’s Bakery bars, chia pudding and berries.

Want to make a fully plant-based board? Opt for smoked tofu, tempeh strips, plant-based cheese, hummus, a variety of Nature’s Bakery snack bars, roasted chickpeas or edamame.

2. Travel to the Mediterranean

Invite conversations about global travel and cultures with a trip to the Mediterranean. You can combine options like mini naan bread, hummus, mini caprese salad skewers, a Nature’s Bakery Blueberry Fig Bar, fruit and dried chickpeas.

3. Fun finger food favorites

Choose easy-to-eat selections that you know your kids love, including things like edamame beans, seed butter and banana roll-ups, string cheese, a Nature’s Bakery bar plus mini carrots.

Balanced, snack-based lunches are a great way to navigate the holiday season’s busy schedule while keeping your kids nourished and satisfied. With a little creativity and the right ingredients, snack lunches can become your go-to lunchtime and snack time solution your kids (and you) will love.

2024-11-18T14:57:00

(BPT) – During National Diabetes Month, Elanco is raising awareness about an often-overlooked disease — feline diabetes. With approximately 600,000 cats in the U.S. diagnosed with diabetes in their lifetime, and cases on the rise, Bexacat™ (bexagliflozin tablets), an innovative treatment, is changing the landscape of feline diabetes care.^[1],[2]

Feline diabetes occurs when a cat’s body is unable to regulate sugar (glucose) in their blood due to insulin resistance and/or insulin deficiency. Glucose is an important fuel source for cells in the body and insulin (a hormone from the pancreas) is responsible for driving glucose into the cells to be utilized for energy. Without insulin, glucose is unable to enter cells, and the body is forced to use fat and muscle for energy to avoid starvation despite increasingly high blood glucose levels. Over time, this cycle of “starvation amidst plenty” leads to weight loss despite an excessive appetite, increased thirst and urination, lethargy, and a life-threatening buildup of acids in the blood from excessive fat breakdown called ketoacidosis. Unfortunately, feline diabetes is a chronic illness that requires lifelong medical care and owner education to prevent complications and ensure a good quality of life.

For pet owners, receiving a feline diabetes diagnosis can feel scary and overwhelming. They face the fear of the unknown and may worry about lifestyle changes and the complicated nature of traditional therapy. Over 90% of cat owners say they know their cat best; however, many are unfamiliar with symptoms of feline diabetes.^[3] Recognizing the signs early can lead to timely veterinary care and better outcomes for cats.

Symptoms of Feline Diabetes

Research shows 125,000 cats go untreated when it comes to feline diabetes, making them susceptible to weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting, dehydration, severe depression, problems with motor functions, coma, and even death.^[4] Diagnosis is the first step toward managing the condition. A simple way to remember the signs of feline diabetes is to think M.E.O.W:

• M: More drinking and urinating
• E: Excessive appetite
• O: Overweight
• W: Weight loss that occurs suddenly

Providing care for your cat doesn’t need to be overwhelming, and feline diabetes doesn’t have to prevent your cat from thriving in a happy home. It’s important to recognize the signs of feline diabetes early and start a conversation with your veterinarian. Feline diabetes has lasting impacts on overall cat health and when untreated, can impact a cat’s weight, ability to play, and overall mobility. Detection and treatment will help cats, and their pet parents, get back to their regular, healthier lives.

Bexacat: A Breakthrough Treatment for Diabetes in Cats

For owners, getting a diagnosis of diabetes can be devastating. In fact, one study found that one in ten pets are euthanized after being given this diagnosis.^[2] Diabetes has historically been treated with once to twice daily treatments of insulin, which is given as an injection under the skin. Luckily, there is an alternative — Bexacat™ (bexagliflozin tablets), the first and only non-insulin oral tablet specifically designed to treat feline diabetes in otherwise healthy cats not previously treated with insulin. This prescription product is an easy-to-give flavored tablet that helps manage your cat’s diabetes.

During National Diabetes Month, and every month, think M.E.O.W. If your cat is showing signs of diabetes, schedule a visit with your veterinarian today. With proper management, cats with diabetes can live longer, healthier lives.

To learn more about Bexacat, visit yourpetandyou.com.

2024-11-18T07:01:00

(BPT) – Your health plan plays a big role in keeping you healthy as you age. It can support key parts of healthy aging, like preventive care, taking prescribed medications, regular exercise and staying socially active. Medicare Advantage plans, for example, offer a more complete approach to health and wellness, helping you manage these important areas of your life. Choosing the right Medicare Advantage plan is important during this year’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), when Medicare-eligible people can sign up or make changes to their coverage.

Dr. Ali Khan, chief medical officer for Aetna^® Medicare, is a practicing board-certified internist who sees primarily Medicare patients and discusses these aspects of healthy aging with them nearly every day. To help people understand how these plans support healthy aging, Dr. Khan shares four key tips:

1. Focus on preventive care

Getting regular checkups and screenings from your doctor can help catch health problems early, which can stop them from becoming more serious. It’s important to review your Medicare Advantage plan as many cover various health screenings, such as colonoscopies and mammograms, at no additional cost.

Don’t forget about the importance of regular dental, vision and hearing care, too. Many Medicare Advantage plans also include dental, vision and hearing benefits. Poor oral health can harm other parts of the body as you age, which can lead to heart disease, stroke and certain cancers. It can also reduce your quality of life and impact your overall health. Poor vision or hearing can sometimes point to bigger health conditions such as dementia.

You might not even have to leave your own home for some preventive care. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer an annual Healthy Home Visit from a licensed clinician with Signify Health^®. During these visits, a clinician can assess your health and check your home for fall risks and social support needs, helping to keep you safe and healthy. After the visit, the clinician will share a summary report with your doctor and help coordinate any care needs.

An Aetna Medicare Advantage plan member shared feedback related to their preventive care experience: “I believe Aetna’s focus on health care versus sick care is a better way to go. They understand that maintaining a person’s health is better than trying to get them healthy after they’re sick.”

2. Stay physically active

Regular physical exercise is a big part of healthy aging. Not only does it help keep muscles and bones strong, but it also helps improve heart health and lowers the risk of chronic conditions. Medicare Advantage plans can also provide benefits related to exercise, such as offering a SilverSneakers^® basic fitness membership. Many older adults experience social isolation or loneliness, so signing up for group fitness classes also helps to stay socially connected.

3. Take medications as prescribed

It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions when taking medications. Life’s demands can make it easy to forget to take medications. However, setting up a daily routine can help you remember to take them, such as taking your medicine at the same time every day or pairing it with a task like brushing your teeth. Pill organizers can also help ensure you take the right dose at the right time.

4. Prevent falls

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says falls are the leading cause of injury for adults ages 65 years and older and over 14 million older adults report falling every year. To prevent falls, stay active to help maintain balance, get your vision and hearing checked regularly, and remove hazards like loose rugs from your home.

Some Medicare Advantage plans offer home health assessments to identify risks, and they may cover vision and hearing tests that can increase awareness of the surrounding environment.

This is an important time of year to be thinking about your health plan and what health benefits matter most to your overall health and wellness. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is already underway and runs through December 7. People who are eligible can sign up for Medicare or switch plans during this time. To learn more about 2025 Aetna Medicare plans, call Aetna at 1-844-588-0041 (TTY: 711), 7 days a week, 8 AM to 8 PM. A licensed agent may answer your call. Or visit AetnaMedicare.com. Aetna and Signify Health are part of the CVS Health^® family of companies.

See Evidence of Coverage for a complete description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area.

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2024-11-18T08:01:00

(BPT) – Few experiences compare to the excitement of finding out you are pregnant and the anticipation of your growing family. Along with natural concerns about the childbirth process and health of your child, you have many other questions and curiosities. What will your baby be like? Will your child resemble one parent or the other? How will they act, smile, learn and grow? And one of the most intriguing questions: Will your baby be a boy or a girl?

The unknowns you face as a parent can feel overwhelming, so wouldn’t it be great to have at least one of these questions answered sooner? According to a survey commissioned by Myriad Genetics, 82% of parents want to know the gender of their baby in advance, and of those parents who did find out ahead of time, almost all of them (94%) said they would do it again.¹

Answering the age-old question

For generations, there were many tales about how to determine your baby’s gender, including the shape and position of the mother’s “baby bump,” which were not very scientifically accurate. While these tales still hold popularity, many parents seek out more verifiable ways of determining their baby’s gender, like an ultrasound, which typically does not happen until 20 weeks into pregnancy.

While 70% of survey respondents believed you could get an accurate gender result via ultrasound as early as 11-20 weeks into pregnancy,¹ the reality is that the accuracy of gender determination by ultrasound is just over 70% at 11 weeks. The second-most commonly cited method of determining gender by expectant parents is noninvasive prenatal screening, which is offered at 10 weeks or later to detect risk for certain genetic conditions.

Early answers

Thanks to modern science, it’s possible to learn if your new bundle of joy is a male or female as early as six weeks — from the comfort of your own home. The SneakPeek^® At-Home Gender Test uses an innovative DNA-based method to detect fetal sex as early as six weeks with clinically proven over 99% accuracy.²

The only six-week gender test used by more than one million parents, the SneakPeek test requires the collection of a simple, at-home blood sample, which is then analyzed in a lab to detect whether male chromosomes are present or not. If they are present, the baby is predicted to be a boy, and if not, the baby is predicted to be a girl. SneakPeek is also the number one OBGYN-recommended gender test.³

The benefits of knowing early

Why are so many expectant parents eager to know their baby’s gender as soon as possible? Here are the top seven reasons according to survey respondents:

1. Preparedness: You can feel more ready for your baby’s arrival, including decorating their room or nursery, planning a baby shower, buying their clothing and more.

2. Naming: Face it, deciding on a baby’s name is hard! You’ll have a few more weeks to find the perfect fit.

3. Satisfy curiosity and impatience: Nine months is a long time, so why wait if you don’t have to?

4. Bonding with the baby: With more information, it’s easier to imagine your life with your new child and strengthen that early sense of connection.

5. Reducing the number of unknowns: Welcoming a new child can be stressful, and fewer unknowns can help you feel more confident and secure as you go through your pregnancy journey.

6. Celebrating with friends and family: Knowing earlier gives parents the power to plan and decide when to share the your news with everyone.

Whatever your reasons for wanting to know your baby’s gender sooner, you’re not alone. Now expectant parents can enjoy getting to know their newest family member earlier than ever before.

For a “sneak peek” into the future of your family, visit SneakPeekTest.com, or find the test at your local drugstore or retailer.

Survey Methodology: Myriad Genetics SneakPeek Survey was conducted online by Padilla Newsmaker January 2024 among a statistically representative sample (n=1,000) of U.S. women between the ages of 21-45 who intended to get pregnant, are pregnant or have been pregnant.

¹ ©2024 Padilla Newsmaker Online Survey, January 2024, n=1,000.

² In a separated published study run in 2021, fetal sex was accurately determined in 100% of 134 pregnant women at 7 weeks gestational age. In a 2022 scientific study, SneakPeek accurately determined fetal sex for 100% of 103 women at 6 weeks gestational age.

³ SneakPeek recommended six to one among 100 OBGYNs surveyed.

2024-11-15T07:01:00

(BPT) – Cooking is so much more than just heating up something for dinner. It’s about feeding your family, gathering in the kitchen while sauces are simmering and talking about the day, and showing love through the meals we make for the people we hold dear. On holidays, all of that is taken up a notch! Many of us grew up with favorite holiday dishes passed from grandmothers on down. But holiday cooking is also about making new traditions. Why not try something new this year?

Here are four new cookbooks from Disney Publishing and National Geographic that are great for everyone and will help you serve up holiday memories along with delicious dishes. Bonus tip: These cookbooks make great holiday gifts!

The Official Disney Parks Celebration Cookbook: 101 Festival Recipes from the Delicious Disney Vault

Create Disney magic at home with this collection of official recipes from festivals at the Disney Parks. While these events are delightfully orchestrated days of live entertainment, art, culture, and beauty, for many guests, the food is the star. Now celebrate all that is joyous about festivals across the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort — in your own kitchen.

With gorgeous food photography and advice from the Disney Chefs, this cookbook offers ideas for appetizers, small plates, main courses, sides, beverages, and sweet treats. Plus, 40 of the 101 recipes are being published for the very first time!

A Confident Cook: Recipes for Joyous, No-Pressure Fun in the Kitchen

by Tamron Hall and Lish Steiling

A new cookbook for beginners and curious cooks by Emmy Award-winning talk show host and journalist Tamron Hall and her good friend, chef and award-winning culinary producer, Lish Steiling.

When Tamron Hall and Lish Steiling first met while working at the Today show, they never imagined their friendship would lead to endless kitchen adventures filled with laughs, learning, and even tears of pure joy. In A Confident Cook, they share that same empowerment and excitement with those who are just starting to cook. Learn how to select which tools you need (and which you don’t!); how to stock your pantry; and how to cook for one, two, or a whole group. Scrumptious recipes include Baked French Toast with Berries for a Crowd, Crispy Fried Chicken, Harissa Roasted Carrots with Queso Fresco, and so many delectable desserts. Plus, family-style crowd pleasers like Sweet-and-Spicy Ham and Garlicky Potato Gratin are perfect for your holiday gathering. Throughout, Lish and Tamron chat, teach, learn, and inspire you to keep it going in the kitchen!

Big Moe’s Big Book of BBQ

by Moe Cason

In this mouthwatering debut cookbook by pitmaster Moe Cason — who has competed in more than 250 barbecue competitions — find 75 of his family-favorite recipes, including his beloved brisket and competition-winning ribs.

From bone-in Tomahawk steak to Big Moe’s famous burgers, the mouth-watering recipes gathered in these beautifully photographed pages showcase a breadth of time-tested techniques and recipes. And let’s not forget the sides! Savor a secret-ingredient mac-n-cheese that wowed Steve Harvey, enjoy a generations-old sweet-and-savory Jalapeño Cornbread, and get a taste of perfectly seasoned collard greens. Plus, Cason offers expert guidance on working with different types of smokers and grills, filling the pantry with award-winning spice rubs and marinades, selecting the perfect cuts of meat, and more.

The Blue Zones Kitchen

by Dan Buettner

Building on decades of research, longevity expert Dan Buettner has gathered 100 recipes inspired by the Blue Zones, home to the healthiest and happiest communities in the world. Each dish, like Sardinian Minestrone, Costa Rican Hearts of Palm Ceviche, Cornmeal Waffles from Loma Linda, California, and Okinawan Sweet Potatoes, uses ingredients and cooking methods proven to increase longevity, wellness, and mental health. Complemented by mouthwatering photography, the recipes also feature lifestyle tips (including the best times to eat dinner and proper portion sizes), all gleaned from locations as far away as Japan and as near as Blue Zones project cities in Texas. Innovative, easy to follow, and delicious, these healthy living recipes make the Blue Zones lifestyle attainable, so you can improve your health, extend your life, and fill your kitchen with happiness.

These cookbooks make great gifts for all the home chefs in your life. You can find these delicious and educational titles from Disney Publishing and National Geographic wherever you love to buy your books.