Category: Brandpoint Lifestyle

2023-12-27T15:01:00

(BPT) – After a holiday season of parties and entertaining, it’s time to get back into our wellness routines and take on the new year ahead! It can be easier than you think to make 2024 a year of positive changes. To help you create some healthy balance, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner shares a few helpful tips.

1. Prioritize self-care through sleep

Self-care isn’t just a buzzword or trend. If you want to improve your well-being after the holidays and beyond, it’s time to double down on self-care, especially sleep. Just one night without enough sleep can leave you feeling drowsy, low energy, slow and irritable, according to Sleep Foundation.

This year, make your life easier and invest in your whole health by setting and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night so you can wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day. It’s helpful to create a relaxing bedtime routine, like reading a book or taking a warm bath, to let your body know it’s time to wind down.

2. Set clear, achievable goals

As we shift out of the holiday season, you may be thinking of how you can achieve your ambitions and change your habits in the new year. When setting goals, make sure they’re clear and achievable. When you set unrealistic expectations, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and abandon your resolutions.

So, this year, be realistic so you’re more likely to achieve your goals and reap the benefits. Start by breaking your goals down into small, manageable steps. For example, if you want to work out more, don’t start by hitting the gym every day. Instead, start small by aiming to get active two to three times a week. Once you meet this goal, you can build on it!

3. Add nutrient-rich foods

After the holidays, you don’t need to overhaul your entire eating routine. Simply give your health a boost by adding foods rich in essential vitamins and nutrients to each of your meals and snacks. For example, add berries into your morning oatmeal, put extra veggies on a sandwich, or grab mixed nuts and hard-boiled eggs instead of processed chips for a quick snack on the go.

Eggs are great for not only snacks, but also for meals like scrambled eggs for breakfast or shakshuka for dinner. Opting for Eggland’s Best eggs will ensure you’re getting superior nutrition in your diet, as they contain six times more Vitamin D and more than double the Vitamin B12 compared to ordinary eggs, to help boost immunity and wellness during cold season and keep you energized throughout the day.

4. Try new flavors

With a new year comes new responsibilities, new activities and overall busy times. It can be easy to fall into the habit of the same boring meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner that neglect wholesome ingredients.

To expand your palate and try new flavors, consider unique, better-for-you recipes when meal planning. Set a goal to cook a new recipe every week, inspired by a culture or nationality that you’ve been wanting to test out, like this delicious Bacon, Jalapeno, Red Onion and Spinach Scramble with Queso Fresco from Eggland’s Best. This recipe is sure to energize your mornings and set a positive tone for the day — and year — ahead!

Bacon, Jalapeno, Red Onion and Spinach Scramble with Queso Fresco

Prep time: 10 minutes; Cook time: 10 minutes; Serves 4

Ingredients

· 8 Eggland’s Best eggs, large

· 6 thick slices of bacon

· 4 cups baby spinach leaves

· 1/2 cup red onion, slivered

· 1 jalapeno chile, stemmed and thinly sliced, seeding optional

· 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

· 1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt, to taste

· 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper, to taste

· 1/4 cup crumbled queso fresco, farmer’s cheese or mild feta

Directions

1. Set a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the bacon and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until browned and crispy. Using a slotted spoon, remove bacon and reserve it in a bowl. Remove all bacon fat from the pan and add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the onion and jalapeño and cook for 2-3 minutes, until wilted but not browned. Incorporate the spinach, mix, and continue cooking for a couple of minutes until completely cooked and wilted.

2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat the eggs and season with salt and pepper.

3. Reduce heat to medium-low, pour eggs over the spinach mixture and as they cook, scramble with a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook to desired doneness. For tender eggs, cook them for 2-3 minutes. Top with the browned bacon bites and queso fresco.

To find other delicious recipes to incorporate into your meal routine in 2024, visit EgglandsBest.com.

2023-12-27T10:01:00

(BPT) – When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, there are some “classics,” such as exercising more, budgeting better, or learning a new skill. But what about when it comes to our vehicles? According to new data from Hankook Tire’s Gauge Index Survey, many Americans are considering automotive goals for the new year: 79% said they would be likely to set a resolution about vehicle ownership, and another 51% indicated they would set one about their driving habits.

Here are some revved up resolutions to consider for the new year and beyond:

Stay on top of maintenance.

For those planning to set a goal related to vehicle ownership, the top resolution is to stay on top of maintenance (26%). There are a few easy ways to help avoid speeding past routine maintenance. For example, make a note to check your tires at least once a week, ensuring that they are both properly inflated and that the tread is in good shape. Keep a penny in your glove box, and insert it into your tire once a week with Lincoln facing down; if his whole head is visible, it is time to replace the tire.

Keep it clean.

Nearly another quarter of respondents (22%) said they are likely to set a resolution to keep their vehicles cleaner. This can be as easy as making a trip to the car wash on a regular basis or keeping a trash bag in your car. And did you know that keeping your car cleaner can actually help paint and wax jobs last longer? Not to mention, your passengers will appreciate a tidy interior.

Buy a new vehicle.

This one may actually be considered a classic, but 22% of drivers are likely to set a goal to buy or lease a new vehicle next year. If that may be you, now is the time to start considering your budget and what type of vehicle will best fit your lifestyle — whether that’s off-road, electric (EV) or something else entirely.

Try a new driving experience.

Even if you may not be in the market to buy a new car anytime soon, trying out a new type of vehicle may be a fun way to spend a day — and give you ideas for when it is time to refresh your own ride. Hankook found nearly a quarter (24%) of Americans who will set a driving-related resolution said they’ll try to drive a new type of vehicle for a full day in the new year, and 20% will aim to take a new type of vehicle out on a road trip, such as a vintage car or an EV. Another 20% are interested in learning more about different types of vehicles, even if that doesn’t mean getting behind the wheel of one.

Regardless of what resolution you plan to set in 2024, it is always a good idea to use the changing of the calendar as a chance to make sure you are up-to-date on all vehicle maintenance, registrations, and insurance to ensure a smooth drive into the new year.

2023-12-21T09:31:00

(BPT) – Are you ready to take on the new year with healthier habits and a boost of confidence? Then, it’s time to make your oral health a top priority! Not only does investing in your oral care create a healthy smile, but it can also improve your overall well-being. According to the University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry, good oral health is a leading health indicator and is important for communication, human relationships and even financial prosperity.

If you want to be dentist-ready and feel your best in 2024, check out these five simple oral hygiene tips.

1. Consistency is key

The first step to a yearlong healthy smile is consistency. As your 2024 New Year’s resolution, promise yourself to make and maintain a consistent oral hygiene routine. Brush your teeth at least twice a day for a full two minutes, and pay attention to how you’re brushing. Gently brush over your teeth and gums in a soft, circular motion.

2. Upgrade your oral health routine and toothpaste

Invest in your smile by upgrading your toothpaste and going to the dentist at least two times a year. Staying on top of your oral health routine and finding the right toothpaste can make a huge difference. Choose a toothpaste like Colgate Total Plaque Pro-Release, which offers long-lasting 24-hour antibacterial protection after two weeks of daily brushing.

The unique breakthrough formula penetrates hard-to-reach places to fight plaque bacteria along the gum line. It’s clinically proven to significantly reduce harmful plaque bacteria associated with gingivitis and help you get ahead of oral health problems before they start.

3. Watch what you eat and drink

You’re probably aware that sugary drinks and snacks can damage your smile, but acidic foods and drinks also pose a threat. According to the American Dental Association, products high in acids can wear away the enamel protecting teeth, making them vulnerable to cavity- and infection-causing bacteria. However, you don’t have to say goodbye to acidic foods and drinks entirely. Instead, limit them in your diet and opt for alternatives to save your teeth from excessive wear and tear.

4. Hydrate to be great

Staying hydrated has so many positive health effects, including supporting a healthy smile. For example, drinking plenty of water helps maintain saliva production. Why is saliva important? Because it rinses away bacteria and neutralizes acids in your mouth. Saliva is your body’s natural defense, so make sure you maintain a steady supply by hydrating.

5. Keep learning, keep smiling

When it comes to oral health, knowledge is power. Make sure to read the latest oral health tips so you can take an active role in your smile’s health. For example, follow dental associations on social media so you can stay up to date on dental care recommendations. As recommendations change, you can adjust your oral care routine to better care for your smile.

Let 2024 be the year you double down on your oral health using these five tips. With a little time and care, you can be dentist-ready this year and beyond.

2023-12-21T15:01:00

(BPT) – The holidays are a time of joy and celebration, but this year may be less cheery for some families. This holiday season, more than 4,000 children will receive a devastating diagnosis. To help raise their spirits, Make-A-Wish and Teleflora — the world’s leading floral delivery service — have banded together to make these children’s dreams come true.

Teleflora hosted a Wish Tree activation at Westfield Century City to raise funds for Make-A-Wish, supporting the nonprofit’s mission of creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. During the event, participants wrote their holiday wish on a Make-A-Wish star ornament and placed it on the Teleflora Wish Tree. Each wish shared contributed $5 toward Teleflora’s total campaign donation and was doubled to $10 when shared on social media using #WishOutLoud.

A holiday of wishes

The Wish Tree event isn’t the only way Teleflora is helping Wish Kids this holiday season. The floral delivery service has also launched “A Holiday Wish,” an ad that follows a little girl gloomily spending the holidays in the hospital.

The ad explores her interaction with a kind nurse who brings joy to her and all her fellow children in the hospital. The nurse is later surprised by the girl’s parents, who leave a Teleflora holiday bouquet on his desk with a note that reads, “Thank you for being there for our daughter.”

“At Teleflora, we believe in the power of humanity and its potential to deliver hope and drive change,” said Danielle Mason, vice president of marketing, Teleflora. “With this campaign, wishes are the currency to help deliver life-changing holiday moments. Through a simple gesture, everyone can join us in delivering hope and healing to wish children and their families in an engaging and accessible way.”

Help spread holiday cheer

In the spirit of granting wishes, Teleflora is encouraging America to #WishOutLoud now through Dec. 31. You can get involved by shopping for Teleflora Bouquets. The company will donate 15% of the purchase price from all sales of its Send a Hug^® North Pole Penguin Bouquet and Teleflora’s Send a Hug^® Warm Wisher Tree to Make-A-Wish.

Teleflora bouquets are beautifully curated arrangements always made by hand and delivered to your doorstep by a local florist. Each bouquet comes complete with a festive keepsake container that can be incorporated into home décor for years to come.

In addition to buying a beautiful bouquet for your home or as a last-minute gift for a loved one, you can support Wish Kids by joining Teleflora’s social media movement. Share your holiday wish on Instagram or Facebook on a @Teleflora #WishOutLoud post. For each comment, Teleflora will donate $5. For each new post created sharing a wish with #WishOutLoud, Teleflora will donate $10, up to $250,000.

“A child’s joy is a light of hope for all of us, especially during the holiday season,” said Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. “For children with critical illnesses, a wish can create a turning point in their treatment and recovery, making a meaningful impact in their lives and the lives of their families. We’re grateful to Teleflora for helping us deliver more hope to communities nationwide.”

To learn about Teleflora and how you can participate in making children’s wishes come true this holiday season, visit Teleflora.com/Wish.

2023-12-21T09:01:00

(BPT) – The holiday season is all about celebrating with family and friends. But unfortunately, making the most of this festive time of year can also come at a cost. That becomes clear in January when the credit card bills show up — including bills for higher phone plan usage.

To help avoid the pain of post-holiday sticker shock, finance expert and author of New York Times bestseller “Zero Debt: The Ultimate Guide to Financial Freedom” Lynnette Khalfani-Cox — also known as The Money Coach — offers her money-saving tips for enjoying the holidays without breaking the bank.

“Shopping smart now makes all the difference when January rolls around,” says Khalfani-Cox. “So make the most of the deals and offers that might only be available around the holidays, and your bank account will thank you!”

Here are her tips for making sure your holiday mood doesn’t come to a halt when the January bills come due.

1. Make your list — and check it twice

Setting a budget for holiday shopping and making a list of who you’re shopping for — then sticking to it — is the smartest way to be sure you don’t end up with unexpectedly high bills next month. Where possible, consider going in for group gifts, or choose gift cards for picky gift recipients so you can control exactly what you’re spending — and that they’ll love what they get.

“Keep a running list of what you’re spending, whether you shop online or in person, to stay on track,” advises Khalfani-Cox. “It’s all too easy to overspend when you’re not writing down every purchase.”

2. Dive into deals to make the holidays bright

Comparison shopping is the name of the game when it comes to finding the best deals for everything from gifts to holiday hosting must-haves. And that doesn’t stop at items to check off your holiday list. While you’re comparison gift shopping, check out the latest discounted deals from phone providers like Straight Talk Wireless, a no-contract carrier from Verizon. In fact, Straight Talk is now offering 6 months of free service with the purchase of the Samsung Galaxy A13 and one month of the Straight Talk Silver. This deal can help you stay connected with far-flung family and friends throughout the holiday season and beyond, for a lot less. Plus, it’s available exclusively through Walmart, so you can get all your other holiday shopping done, too.

3. Maximize rewards and loyalty programs — smartly

If you frequently shop from one store or brand, or if your credit cards offer cash back rewards for purchases, first make sure it’s something you really want to buy before signing on. Loyalty programs are great and can save you money, as long as it’s something you know will make a great gift for someone on your list.

“Choose programs and memberships that don’t cost anything up front,” Khalfani-Cox advises, “so you’ll be a lot merrier when you take advantage of the savings!”

4. Always read the fine print

No matter what you’re purchasing — but especially for high-priced or tech products — look out for hidden fees or costs. Read carefully to know what you’re signing up for, whether that’s a protection plan or autopay you may not need or want, and what the store’s policies are.

“When you’re spending your hard-earned money, you’ll want to be sure you know the store’s policies for returning items, or if they offer a price-match guarantee if you see the same item for less somewhere else,” says Khalfani-Cox.

5. Gift experiences or home-made items

If you’re looking to save money, consider gifting some people on your list a special homemade lunch at your home, a visit to a favorite local attraction together or home-baked goodies. For some gift recipients who are tough to shop for — or who don’t really want more “things” — a shared experience or heart-felt homemade present can be much more meaningful.

“The joy of the holiday season shouldn’t come with mounting bills,” Khalfani-Cox says. “With these tips, you can celebrate the spirit of the season with your loved ones — with less financial stress.”

2023-12-20T13:21:00

(BPT) – Sponsored by Novavax, Inc.

It’s been more than three years since the beginning of the pandemic, yet COVID-19 is far from over and hospitalizations continue to be reported, as of October 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).[1]

Unfortunately, the impact and burden of disease has disproportionately affected Hispanic/Latino communities[2] — including Hispanic communities being disproportionately represented in COVID-19 infection and death rates.[3] Despite this higher risk of COVID-19, Hispanic Americans reported greater hesitancy and resistance toward the COVID-19 vaccine especially in the early pandemic.[4]

“Vaccine mistrust and misinformation[5],[6] has hit our communities much more significantly than previously understood, affecting vaccine uptake[4] and risking a devastating impact on individuals’ and their families’ health,” explained Jose Torradas, MD, Emergency Medicine Physician and Co-Founder of Medicos Unidos, Inc. and paid spokesperson for Novavax.

Added Dr. Torradas, “We must stay vigilant against COVID-19 by encouraging everyone who is eligible to consider receiving an updated COVID-19 vaccine as well as stopping the spread of misinformation by helping connect individuals with trusted healthcare information and providers if they have vaccine questions or concerns.”

Understanding the Risks of COVID-19 & Protecting Yourself

Everyone can take action to put their best foot forward heading into this fall and winter season by getting vaccinated to help protect themselves and their loved ones — yet a recent poll conducted in September 2023 found that only 54% of Hispanic adults currently plan to get the new COVID-19 vaccine.[7]

It’s important that all individuals stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination[8] — and the time to consider vaccination is now, with updated vaccines arriving in pharmacies and doctors’ offices. These updated COVID-19 vaccine options have been developed to help protect against subvariants of the COVID-19 virus.[9]

According to the CDC, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk for severe COVID-19 illness, as well as individuals who are immunocompromised and those with underlying medical conditions.[9],[10]

“Collaboration and engagement at the community level are critical to empowering individuals and families with the necessary information to take control of their health, and the greatest need is often most concentrated in communities of color[11] and requires tailored, culturally relevant efforts to reach out and encourage vaccination,” said Silvia Taylor, EVP, Chief Corporate Affairs and Advocacy Officer at Novavax, a global leader in vaccine development and research that is working to make safe and effective vaccines available to help protect those who need them around the world.

Taking Action: Equitable Access to Vaccines & Trusted Information

Perhaps one of the most inescapable learnings of the past three years is the reality that everyone is in this together.

“As the nation continues to battle the pandemic, we advocate for all in the Hispanic and Latino communities to have easy and effective access to the COVID-19 vaccines and the facts,” explained Dr. Torradas.

What You Can Do

“It’s important to get the facts and know your risks,” emphasized Taylor. “If you have questions, speak with your doctor or pharmacist about your options, because protecting one of us can help protect all of us.”

For more information about the science making these vaccines possible, visit Novavax’s ChoosetoProtect.com.

To learn more about the latest authorized COVID-19 vaccine options and find a vaccination site near you, visit vaccines.gov.

2023-12-20T13:01:00

(BPT) – The holiday season can be a stressful time for many people. Travel, family gatherings, reminders of personal loss and much more can lead to high stress and anxiety levels, excessive eating and excessive consumption of alcohol or caffeine. Over time, these stressors can lead to health issues such as heart arrhythmias, which impact millions of people in the U.S. today.

One of the most common types of heart arrhythmias is paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), commonly referred to as SVT. About 2 million Americans are living with SVT or PSVT, with approximately 300,000 new patients diagnosed each year. While anyone can develop SVT, it’s more common among women than men, accounting for 65% of SVT diagnoses.

Symptoms and diagnosis

A normal resting heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. However, people with SVT have debilitating and sudden episodes of extremely rapid heart rate, often exceeding 150 to 200 beats per minute. These attacks can start and stop without warning and last from seconds to hours.

Symptoms of SVT can be scary for patients and those who care about them. Rapid heart rate associated with SVT often causes severe palpitations, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, dizziness, lightheadedness and distress. SVT symptoms often force patients to limit their daily activities, impacting their quality of life.

Diagnosing SVT can be frustrating. For some patients, it can take years to be diagnosed, which can breed doubt of the health care system and no treatment plan. Also, there is a significant unmet need for patients experiencing the physical, emotional and psychological burden of highly symptomatic episodic attacks associated with SVT.

Taking care of your heart health

While there’s no way to completely prevent symptomatic SVT episodes, you can take steps to manage your heart condition. During the holiday season and to kick off the new year in good heart health, it is important to consider the following tips from Dr. James Ip, cardiologist at a premier medical institution in NYC, to help manage potential heart arrhythmias, including SVT.

1. If you experience any severe chest pain, shortness of breath, light-headedness or fainting, call 911 and/or seek emergency assistance.
2. If you are not in distress, lay down and try to stop the arrhythmia yourself by performing a breathing exercise or vagal maneuver such as the Valsalva maneuver (bearing down like forcing a bowel movement) or splashing cold water on your face. If this does not work, seek medical care if your symptoms persist.
3. Consider obtaining a device that can generate an electrocardiogram (ECG) (such as a KardiaMobile, Apple Watch, Fitbit, Samsung Galaxy Watch, etc.) to record your rhythm during your tachycardia episodes and share this information with your doctor.

Talk to your doctor about treatment options

Medical providers are displeased by the lack of effective treatment options for SVT. Today, treatment often requires a prolonged, unpleasant and costly trip to the emergency room. For some patients, an invasive catheter ablation procedure may be required that may not alleviate all episodes. Therefore, the medical community understands there is a need to identify a potential novel treatment approach.

Take proactive steps to protect your heart health during the holidays and beyond. If you believe you’re experiencing SVT or similar cardiovascular symptoms, talk to your doctor about your concerns and potential treatment options. To learn more about SVT, visit OutsmartPSVT.com.

2023-12-20T07:01:00

(BPT) – If you’ve heard the buzz about eating “plant-based” diets or being a “flexitarian,” you’re not alone. According to a OnePoll survey, 47% of Americans (ages 24-49) identify as flexitarian, meaning they eat mostly plant foods including vegetables, legumes, and fruit but are not strictly vegetarian or vegan.

Why try a flexitarian diet?

A flexitarian diet could mean better health for yourself and the planet, without entirely omitting animal foods. Higher in antioxidants, fiber, and phytochemicals from plant foods, vegetarian diets (which closely resemble flexitarian eating) may help lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, and may aid in weight management. As for the planet, in a review of 14 varied plant-based diets, research showed that a flexitarian eating style may help lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Keep in mind that not all earth-friendly foods are better for your health and that reading ingredient labels is important. A company serving up flexitarian options that are both better for the planet and your health is GOOD PLANeT Foods. Their newest product, Olive Oil Cheese, is the only dairy-free cheese made with superfood olive oil to support heart health. CEO of GOOD PLANeT Foods, Bart Adlam, explains, “We created the first ever Olive Oil Cheese to make it easier for flexitarians who are aiming to eat more plant-based foods while still enjoying the goodness of cheese. Our Olive Oil Cheeses are dairy-free, and full of all the deliciousness, joy, and have the same melt of your favorite cheeses.”

How should you start your flexitarian journey?

Below, registered dietitian Bianca Tamburello, RDN, shares five tips for starting a flexitarian way of eating to incorporate more plant foods into your diet.

1. Start with whole plant proteins including beans, lentils, legumes, and tofu.

Eating more plant proteins is the cornerstone to adopting a flexitarian way of life. Cut back on animal-based foods slowly by eating meals with half meat and half plant proteins. For example, make taco meat with half ground beef and half beans. Later, transition to multiple meat-free meals per week where your main protein is plant-based, like beans, lentils, and legumes. Try these wholesome proteins in stews, stir fries, pasta dishes, crockpot recipes, sandwiches, and burgers.

2. Choose plant-based alternatives with health benefits!

Tamburello recommends looking for plant-based foods with health-promoting ingredients, like GOOD PLANeT’s Olive Oil Cheese. The Olive Oil Cheese is the only dairy-free cheese made with heart-healthy olive oil (most vegan cheeses are made with coconut oil). She explains, “The swap to olive oil in vegan cheese makes it higher in healthy unsaturated fats and lower in saturated fat. Research shows that olive oil is linked to numerous health benefits including less inflammation and better heart health.” GOOD PLANeT’s Olive Oil Cheese melts perfectly for pizzas, pastas, burgers, paninis, and quesadillas.

3. Look for convenient vegetables and fruits for easy meals.

High in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, eating more vegetables and fruit is an important part of a plant-based diet. In fact, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that you aim to fill half your plate with veggies or fruit at meals. Cut back on cooking and prep time by choosing convenient produce like frozen, pre-cut, and steam-in-bag. These options are just as nutritious as fresh and can help you effectively boost your fruit and veggie intake. Keep frozen cauliflower rice and stir fry medleys in your freezer for a delicious veggie base in minutes and frozen fruit for snacking, smoothies, and bowls.

4. Don’t forget nuts and seeds.

Tamburello shares, “Nuts and seeds are small but mighty, offering up healthy unsaturated fats, fiber, plant protein, and important vitamins and minerals.” Being nutrient-dense, these important plant foods pack high levels of nutrients per serving. Enjoy one to two ounces of nuts and seeds per day in trail mixes or sprinkle as a topper on oatmeal, smoothie bowls, yogurt, and salads.

5. Prioritize plant foods high in vitamin B12 and iron.

Iron and vitamin B12 are two nutrients that are important for regular body functions. Vitamin B12 and iron are more abundant in animal products, which puts strict vegans or vegetarians at risk of being low in these important nutrients. Prioritize plant foods high in iron (legumes, beans, nuts, and leafy greens) and vitamin B12 (fortified cereals and nutritional yeast) and enjoy them regularly to keep vitamin B12 and iron levels high.

For recipes and more information for GOOD PLANeT Foods Olive Oil Cheese, see here.

2023-12-20T05:01:00

(BPT) – Any family can experience financial hurdles, but military families may face unique challenges that set them apart from their civilian counterparts. From being remotely stationed with limited access to good paying jobs and childcare, to frequent moves that can make establishing consistent savings habits hard, military families’ everyday realities can make financial security difficult in both the near and long-term.

Veteran Jeff Felton, a former Air Force Officer and Investment Advisory Representative at Prudential Financial, understands personally the financial hurdles military families can face. When he was exiting military service and deciding on a civilian career, Felton says he saw becoming a financial advisor as an opportunity to help himself and others gain financial confidence.

To help military families build financial habits today that will aid in securing their future, Felton offers the following tips.

1. Develop a savings habit, no matter how much

A common piece of financial advice is to save 10%-30% of your paycheck, but for families on a tight or single-earner budget, that may not be feasible. Felton says that shouldn’t be discouraging and suggests developing a simple savings habit. After ensuring family necessities are covered, set aside as much as you can each paycheck to begin building an emergency fund. The bigger the fund, the better (3 to 6 months’ worth of expenses is ideal), but any amount can serve as a buffer against borrowing or going into debt when unplanned events, such as an emergency car repair or appliance replacement, happen.

2. Start saving for retirement today and be flexible

“If you haven’t already, it’s critical that you start saving now,” says Felton. Working military spouses can have funds moved to a retirement account via payroll deduction and check to see if their employer offers a matching contribution benefit. Aim to have 10% of your salary allocated to your retirement savings account. If that’s not immediately possible for your family, start small and increase your contribution as you receive pay raises.

After 20 years of service, members of the military may be able to switch to a more self-directed savings plan, such as a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), a retirement savings and investment account for federal employees and uniformed service members. The plan offers a mutual fund option that allows participants greater investment flexibility.

3. Develop post-service skills

Plan for a future after the military by developing post-service skills for jobs with higher salaries. “The military provides many transferable skills to help you join the civilian workforce, and you can hone those skills and develop new ones by taking advantage of military educational resources such as Community College of the Air Force or American Military University,” says Felton.

To assist in covering the costs of higher education, GI Bill benefits can help military members pay for college, graduate school and training programs. Military spouses and children may also qualify for credits that can help offset training or higher education costs.

A resource for military families

Families can tap into programs for financial education and other money-smart resources. For example, Prudential Financial has partnered with Twelve Million Plus, a digital community from the company Instant Teams Marketplace, which provides a host of curated and local resources for the more than 12 million spouses of active and retired U.S. military members.

Through the partnership, Twelve Million Plus members have access to a range of resources to aid in improving their financial well-being, including the ability to connect online with an advisor and access to Prudential Stages for Retirement, the company’s online planning platform that helps people navigate more confidently through pivotal life stages.

Launched in January 2023, Prudential Stages for Retirement is a free tool that helps individuals benchmark their retirement readiness using a personalized retirement confidence score and provides access to tools that track how certain actions, like changing goals or their target retirement date, can affect their score. Twelve Million Plus members will also have access to Prudential’s financial education through online articles and videos as well as live seminars on different topics.

“Today, there are a lot more ways for military families to connect to financial tools and professional advice,” says Felton. “This partnership offers those resources in a supportive online community with people who understand each other’s challenges.”

2023-12-19T15:57:00

(BPT) – Down fill material has been around for hundreds of years, providing us warmth and comfort. It is the gold standard for premium insulation among many outdoor enthusiasts and outerwear shoppers.

Now, there’s more reason than ever for down to hold this top position. According to a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), down material is up to 97% more eco-friendly than polyester fill. Three new videos released by the International Down and Feather Bureau (IDFB) based on the LCA, highlight the key elements of down’s environmental superiority.

Understanding the life cycle of a product

To understand the vast differences of environmental impact between polyester fill and down, it’s necessary to look at the origins of each material.

Long Trail Sustainability, an independent third-party firm specializing in LCAs and sustainability reports, was commissioned by IDFB to conduct this research to systematically study the potential environmental impacts of both products. They assessed the raw materials and manufacturing processes required by each, and the results were unequivocal — down fill material has an 85%–97% lower impact on the environment across five categories: human health, ecosystems, resources, cumulative energy demand and climate change.

Why is down environmentally superior?

Down is a natural byproduct from the food and agriculture industry. Polyester fill, on the other hand, starts with the extraction of crude oil, proceeds to refinement, then polymerization and finally extrusion. This involved process means polyester burns through far more energy and resources during its production, leading to a climate change impact that’s 18 times higher than down.

Then there’s biodegradability to consider. Polyester, as an oil-based plastic, simply doesn’t break down like natural fibers. It remains in landfills for decades or even centuries, frequently leeching harmful substances into the groundwater. As a result, polyester leaves an immeasurable scar on the planet. Meanwhile, down is about as biodegradable as a material gets. It can decompose in just a few months under the right composting conditions. Better still, because down is composed entirely of the protein keratin, it doesn’t release harmful byproducts during the decomposition process.

Down feels good, is good

Let’s take a down jacket, for example. Its warmth, lightness and compressibility have made it a tried-and-true companion for cold-weather adventurers for generations. It’s kept countless outdoor enthusiasts safe and warm while they explore the most amazing sights this world has to offer.

With the newly released videos and additional resources that can be found here, down’s eco-friendly qualities are taking center stage along with the comfort, durability and warmth which remain among the top reasons consumers choose down products.

Now, in a stroke of poetic symmetry, down’s relationship with people and the environment is coming full circle. By choosing down over polyester, consumers can feel good knowing that what is keeping them warm is also helping to sustain the natural beauty of this world for generations to come. That’s a whole new level of comfort to get wrapped up in.