Category: Brandpoint Lifestyle

2023-12-12T13:31:00

(BPT) – The holidays are a great opportunity to encourage your child’s creative spirit. However, cleaning up after your little one’s masterpieces can sometimes be tedious. Luckily, you don’t have to choose between letting your budding artist color creatively or a clean home. This holiday season, Crayola is here to help reduce cleanup with its mess-free Color Wonder products. In fact, the Crayola Color Wonder line is the #1 Brand in Marker Paper systems, according to the Numerator Color Wonder 2023 study.

With the Color Wonder markers to paper technology, the markers only show up on specially formulated Color Wonder paper, not on skin, clothing or furniture. This means no stains on surfaces not meant to be used as a canvas. Color Wonder encourages creative freedom, keeping kids busy and engaged while allowing hands-off play for parents. Kids can now explore their artistic side and parents can let them create without worry! Check out three of the latest and greatest mess-free holiday presents perfect for your emerging artist.

1. Crayola Color Wonder Fingerprint Activity Book

Your mini-Picasso can get hands-on with their art using the Color Wonder Fingerprint Activity Book, a new, mess-free way to fingerpaint! The kit offers all the fun of fingerpainting without the messy color mixing or need to wash hands in between colors! Each set comes with an ink pad tray inclusive of five assorted ink colors and a 27-page activity book.

2. Crayola Color Wonder Activity Pads

Take the magic of mess-free creations on the road with Color Wonder Activity Pads! As found in all Color Wonder line products, markers will only reveal color on the specially formulated Color Wonder paper. Your kids will be excited knowing they can take their favorite characters like Spidey & His Amazing Friends, Paw Patrol and Disney Princesses on every car, plane or train trip. Each spiral-bound coloring pad offers 16 coloring pages, three Color Wonder Markers and marker storage.

3. Crayola Color Wonder Mess-Free Coloring Pages & Markers

Crayola Color Wonder Mess-Free Coloring Pages & Markers are great for keeping kids busy and creating all holiday season long. The envelope-style packaging doubles as a unique storage solution, keeping markers and coloring pages all in the same place and allowing coloring activities to be taken on-the-go or used at home. Available in kids’ favorite characters, like Bluey!

Gifts for the holidays and year-round!

These Color Wonder products are three of many great mess-free products Crayola has to offer. Beyond the holiday season, Color Wonder makes for excellent presents year-round, thanks to the convenience, creative fun and kid-favorite characters. According to Crayola, nine in 10 shoppers shared that they planned to purchase again after buying, using and loving their Color Wonder set.

Breathe easy this holiday season with Crayola Color Wonder mess-free gifts. Best of all, kids will love them just as much as their parents! Find Color Wonder and other favorite Crayola products at Walmart, Amazon, Target and additional retailers nationwide.

2023-12-11T13:34:10

(BPT) – When it comes to language development in young children, there is no substitute for genuine human interaction. Whether it occurs within the nurturing confines of home or at preschool, talking and engaging with children in conversation from infancy through school age plays a vital role in their linguistic growth and is an integral part in the curriculum at Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care.

Here are some easy yet effective ways Kiddie Academy recommends that parents can engage their child in conversation at any age:

1. Conversational Approach — Talking to infants and young children as if engaging in a conversation can have a profound impact on their language development. By pausing and allowing them time to respond, we encourage their active participation. For instance, noticing signs of fatigue, we might say, “I see you starting to yawn, are you tired? It looks like it might be time for you to take your nap.” This conversational style not only helps children understand the rhythm and patterns of communication but also instills confidence in their ability to express themselves.

2. Descriptive Language — Taking the time to describe the world around children can greatly enhance their vocabulary and understanding. By pointing out specific details and using descriptive language, we expand their knowledge and help them foster a deeper connection with their environment. For example, we might say, “I notice you have your blue shoes with you today. Let’s put them on before we go outside. Let’s start with your right foot, then we will move to your left foot. These shoes are great for running.” Such interactions promote language comprehension and allow children to associate words with concrete objects and experiences.

3. The Power of Reading — Regularly reading to children is an effective method for building vocabulary and improving language skills. By exposing young minds to a variety of words, sentence structures and storytelling techniques, we stimulate their imagination and expand their linguistic repertoire. Engaging children in discussions about the story or asking open-ended questions can further enhance their comprehension and critical-thinking abilities. Making reading a cherished activity from an early age sets the stage for a lifelong love of books and learning.

4. Discouraging Baby Talk — As children progress into preschool age, it is crucial to discourage baby talk and instead encourage the use of their “big kid voice.” By consistently modeling proper language usage and reinforcing your children’s efforts to communicate effectively, we empower them to express themselves clearly and confidently. Praising their attempts to use more advanced language skills helps them understand the value of articulation and encourages further linguistic growth.

5. Embracing Multilingualism — Exposing children to more than one language from birth to 3 years old can provide numerous cognitive benefits. Contrary to popular belief, young children have an incredible capacity to learn multiple languages simultaneously. By immersing them in a bilingual or multilingual environment, we not only broaden their cultural horizons but also enhance their cognitive flexibility, problem-solving skills and overall linguistic competence.

Remember, every interaction is a chance to enhance a child’s linguistic abilities and lay the foundation for a lifetime of effective communication.

For more information and advice, check out the article, Here’s How to Master Parentese and Leave Baby Talk Behind at msn.com.

2023-12-11T14:54:28

(BPT) – During the holidays, hearts are filled with warmth and the spirit of giving. It’s a time to cherish moments with loved ones and reflect on all of life’s positive aspects. While it’s common for families to focus on feasts and football games this time of year, there’s a deeper layer that is often overlooked — the opportunity to instill meaningful values in children.

This holiday season is the perfect time to nurture your little one’s empathy, generosity, compassion and gratitude.

Here are four ways, suggested by Joy Turner, Kiddie Academy^® Educational Child Care vice president of education, that parents can seize the holiday spirit and inspire it year round.

Discuss the reason for the season

Amid the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations, it’s easy to forget the true meaning behind celebrations. Take some time this year to discuss what really makes this season special — quality time with loved ones and meaningful traditions.

Consider holiday traditions you loved as a child and how you can share them with your own family. Maybe there’s a special recipe, craft or family outing that you always looked forward to. You can also use the occasion to create new traditions — this is a great opportunity to connect your children to their culture and family and foster a deeper sense of self.

Conversations and traditions can help children understand the historical, cultural and familial significance of holidays while creating cherished memories and an appreciation for the season.

Encourage acts of kindness

Encouraging children to perform acts of kindness is a great way to teach compassion and empathy.

Try striking up a family conversation about different ways you can show thoughtfulness to others, and invite your children to be active participants. After discussing, challenge them to put their ideas into action — it can be as simple as sharing their toys with siblings or friends or making homemade cards for a local nursing home. Including little ones in the planning process and acting on their ideas ignites a desire to help others and provides a great way to unite and make a difference as a family.

Alternately, reach out to organizations or charities that need extra help during this season and ask how your young child can support their cause. Family Promise and Meals on Wheels are two examples of national organizations to get involved with.

Fostering these practices of kindness builds children’s self-esteem and instills values that will last far beyond the holiday season.

Redefine gift giving

Inspire your children to actively participate in the gift-giving process — which doesn’t always have to include a physical object such as a toy or a gift.

Giving can also involve discovering methods to bring joy to others through acts of kindness. For example, teach your children that they can display generosity by helping someone build their block tower or soothing a friend who’s sad.

Inviting your child to participate in these types of kind gestures will instill empathy and emphasize the significance and impact that performing acts of kindness can have on others.

Practice gratitude

Conversations of gratitude are often put off until families are gathered around the table. Instead, try to make it a daily activity and kick off a family thankfulness practice. One simple way to do this is by making gratitude jars with your little ones:

• Collect empty jars or containers around your home and decorate them with any craft items you can find: stickers, tissue paper, magazine clippings, popsicle sticks, buttons or even photos. Don’t forget to include a lid with an opening.
• Next, cut paper slips that fold small enough to fit through the opening.
• Once your container is complete, set your gratitude process — try keeping the jar on your children’s nightstands to develop an easy pre-bedtime activity.
• Encourage your children to write down one thing they are thankful for each day and add it to their jar.

This custom helps children develop an attitude for gratitude and appreciation for all that they have in life. Over time, the practice will become a valuable habit that will continue to serve your children long after the holiday feasts have been eaten.

2023-12-11T09:01:00

(BPT) – Every year, people nationwide celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It’s not just a day off from work and school. MLK Day is led by AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, and The King Center, and it is your chance to step up, make your community more equitable, and help create Dr. King’s dream of the Beloved Community through meaningful acts of service. Still not convinced? Check out these five reasons why you should serve on Monday, Jan. 15, and help transform your community.

1. Engage with your community and create constructive action

Volunteering is a powerful way to connect with your community. Service projects bring folks together, uniting neighbors and turning strangers into friends, all while helping others live healthier, safer, smarter, and more resilient lives. This year, educate yourself on local issues and discover how to participate and contribute to positive change right where you live. Every act, great and small, has the power to make a lasting impact.

2. Act on Dr. King’s legacy of social justice and equity

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dedicated his life to creating a more just and equitable society where everyone is valued and respected. When you volunteer on MLK Day, you honor Dr. King’s legacy and continue to work toward his dream of justice and equality. Whether you clean up a park, work at a local food bank, or volunteer at a shelter, you can make a difference in the lives of those around you.

3. Try a new skill to further your interests or career

Volunteering provides a unique opportunity to help others while learning a new skill. For students, volunteering can help them gain practical experience. Professionals can use service initiatives to diversify their skill sets. Perhaps by participating in the MLK Day of Service, you’ll find a new interest or career that ignites your passion.

4. Bridge divides and create lasting change

Service can help bring people together. Volunteering for local service projects allows you to meet people in your community you might not otherwise know. When helping others, you can begin to see their humanity and vice versa. Group volunteer projects can build bridges between you and your neighbors to create lasting positive change in your shared community. Working toward a common goal helps to break down barriers and foster unity.

5. Experience the benefits of serving others

Did you know that volunteering doesn’t just do good but is good for you? According to the Mayo Clinic, volunteering can improve physical and mental health and increase self-esteem and overall life satisfaction. This MLK Day, experience the joy and fulfillment of serving your community and bettering yourself.

This year, join thousands of people in the U.S. by taking the pledge to serve on MLK Day, Monday, Jan. 15. To find volunteer opportunities near you, visit AmeriCorps.gov/MLKDayofService.

2023-12-08T14:01:00

(BPT) – The holiday season can be hectic, from hosting family gatherings to cooking and gift shopping. Whether you’re a first-time host or your loved ones regularly gather at your home to celebrate the season, you’ll need some help in the kitchen. Make hosting easier this season and beyond with help from stylish and powerful kitchen appliances.

KitchenAid is your go-to partner for all your gifting and hosting needs. This season, check out the KitchenAid Go Cordless System of countertop appliances. The innovative ecosystem eliminates countertop chaos in the kitchen. Every KitchenAid Go appliance is powered by one interchangeable and rechargeable battery for cord-free, powerful making.

These cordless small appliances cater to all lifestyles, unlocking the freedom to make wherever, whatever and however makers choose this holiday season and beyond. Best of all, they double as gift ideas to make even the hardest-to-shop-for loved ones smile.

1. Hand Mixer

With a hand mixer, you can whip up wonderful creations. Compact, lightweight and versatile, a hand mixer can help you easily make smooth cookie batter, perfect whipped cream, tasty icing and decadent chocolate mousse. Its usefulness isn’t limited to baking. Use your hand mixer to whisk eggs, beat potatoes and mix dressings for holiday dinners and everyday meals.

2. Hand Blender

Hand blenders allow you to easily puree and blend without the cumbersome process of transferring ingredients from pot to blender and back. Simply submerge the blending arm into your ingredients to blend and you’ll have creamy soups, smoothies, milkshakes and more!

3. Food Chopper

Chopping can be time-consuming and dull, especially if you make numerous main and side dishes for a holiday get-together. A food chopper allows you to precisely chop, dice and mince ingredients, shortening prep time so you can get on with other cooking tasks. It’s especially useful when chopping onions. With your food chopper, you can say farewell to onion-induced tears and tedious chopping marathons.

4. Personal Blender

Are you always on the move and need quick meals? Can’t start your day without your morning smoothie? A personal blender is exactly what you need. Blend your favorite fruits and veggies directly in the portable cup and go! Your personal blender will quickly become your new best friend and is a great gift for health-conscious family members who value convenience and ease.

5. Coffee Grinder

Pre-ground coffee gets the job done, but freshly ground coffee can elevate your morning routine with a more flavorful cup of joe. Wake up to the fragrance of freshly ground beans this holiday season with a coffee grinder. This game-changing appliance offers one-touch control that quickly grinds whole coffee beans and will delight any coffee connoisseur, who will be happy to make it part of their morning coffee ritual.

6. Kitchen Vacuum

Cleaning as you go is an indispensable kitchen habit, but it can be challenging. Make cooking and hosting easier on yourself with a kitchen vacuum. With this powerful kitchen vacuum, you can easily take care of crumbs, flour and other dry meal prep messes so you can focus on the finishing touches to your holiday meal.

Bonus!

The brand’s iconic Stand Mixer is the champion of the kitchen and a popular perennial gift and kitchen necessity. While hand mixers are great for small to medium-size kitchen projects, a stand mixer is what you’ll need for mixing, kneading and beating when cooking for a crowd. A stand mixer isn’t just an appliance. It’s your trusty sidekick for all your large dinner gatherings.

If you regularly host dinner parties for loved ones during the holidays and year-round, gift yourself the KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer. With 11 distinct speeds, this Stand Mixer gives you the power and control from high to low and everything in between. It even has a half speed to gently fold fragile ingredients like egg whites for festive meringue cookies.

If you still need a present for a cook or baker in your family, check out the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer in Juniper. Like basking in the lush shade of a towering Juniper tree, this color is the perfect blend of rich green with a touch of balancing blue, finished off with a crisp sparkle, like fresh morning dew.

Any (and all) of these kitchen appliances will make entertaining friends and family a breeze. Whether you gift them to yourself or others, there’s no way you can lose this holiday season with these seven little helpers. To learn more, visit KitchenAid.com.

2023-12-08T11:45:00

(BPT) – The holidays are nothing without spending time with friends and family — and, of course, decadent treats! Whether you and your loved ones prefer a sweet or savory dessert, there is something we can all agree on this holiday season: versatility is key when it comes to pleasing all taste buds and palates!

Raisins are an incredibly versatile dried fruit and can be used in the sweetest or most savory of dishes. They perfectly complement the flavors of beloved holiday desserts, adding depth, complexity and delicious taste. From cookies and cakes to puddings and donuts, raisins infuse a delicious burst of rich flavor that will elevate this year’s holiday dessert table.

To demonstrate the imaginative possibilities when cooking or baking with raisins, Sun-Maid teamed up with celebrity pastry chef, TV host and recipe matchmaker, Duff Goldman, to create exciting new recipes that put a fresh spin on festive favorites.

“Raisins are a tasty addition to any breakfast, entrée or dessert as they bring a natural sweetness and chewy texture to any dish,” said Goldman. “If your family and loved ones are anything like mine, there will always be opinions on what to include in the seasonal spreads. Using raisins in my favorite dishes and sides this year has been a huge hit, and truly elevated my dinner and dessert tables. This versatile ingredient will not only broaden taste bud horizons but also give holiday classics the burst of flavor they need.”

Must-try holiday menu items from Sun-Maid and Chef Duff include:

• Forget Fruitcake Cookies: The perfect fusion of apricots and golden raisins with a scrumptious jam filling sandwiched between layers! This indulgent and flavorful alternative is a colorful addition to any cookie tray.
• Bacon Raisin Cornbread Chicken: If you’re looking for a tasty main dish, look no further than this mouthwatering blend of savory and sweet that will effortlessly become the star of any dinner party.
• Peanut Butter and Raisin Halvah: This Middle Eastern confection gets an appetizing upgrade with peanut butter, peanuts, milk chocolate and raisins. Each bite-size piece will leave you grinning from ear to ear.
• Pinwheel Cookies: With a fun swirl design perfect for holiday festivities, pinwheel cookies are an enjoyment for the eyes and the taste buds when they feature your favorite dried fruit — raisins!
• Sweet and Savory Golden Lamb: Whether it’s a brunch, luncheon or multi-course meal, this recipe featuring ground lamb, dried fruit and a delightful blend of flavors will be the highlight of any gathering.
• Truce Cookies: Are you a chocolate chip cookie kind of person or do you prefer oatmeal raisin? With this dish, you don’t have to choose. Each cookie features half of each, so you can enjoy every bite to the fullest.
• Crown Challah: Whether you make it solo or with family, this traditional bread has long been part of holiday gatherings across the world. This version is a subtly sweet take on a classic, thanks to ingredients like raisins, honey and cinnamon.
• Holiday Biscotti: No matter if you prefer tea, coffee or hot chocolate, these biscotti made with dried apricots are the perfect complement to a hot beverage and meaningful conversation with friends and family.

“Whether it’s a tasty treat or a hearty main dish, let these ideas inspire you in the kitchen throughout the holiday season!” Duff adds.

For full recipes and more innovative ideas, visit www.sunmaid.com.

2023-12-08T08:18:00

(BPT) – When Stella, age 7, completed her cancer treatments, she wanted to celebrate. This called for more than just cake — she wanted a “Stella-bration” with her friends, family and the incredible nurses and doctors that helped her during her cancer treatments.

Make-A-Wish^® brought Stella’s vision to life, creating a truly memorable celebration after months of grueling treatments. She wanted a carnival-themed party with games, pony rides and a competition where she would finally get to race her dad — a special family tradition that her dad told her could happen once she finished her initial round of treatments.

Life-changing wishes

This incredible celebration lived up to Stella’s vision and then some — and she even won the race against her dad. This one-of-a-kind event was deeply meaningful for Stella and her family. After months of worry while navigating a difficult health diagnosis, they got to enjoy time together while their little girl’s personality shined brightly for all to see.

Make-A-Wish is a nonprofit that creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses like Stella. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish is the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization, operating in every community in the United States and in nearly 50 countries worldwide.

Together with generous donors, supporters, staff and more than 24,000 volunteers across the U.S., Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. Make-A-Wish aims to bring the power of wishing to every child with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 550,000 wishes worldwide; more than 350,000 wishes in the U.S. and its territories alone.

If you’re planning your holiday gift-giving, you can embrace the spirit of the season by selecting gifts that provide the opportunity to give back. This sentiment is important in your personal holiday gift-giving but can be equally meaningful for corporate gifts.

A sweet opportunity

For thoughtful corporate gifts, consider Sugarwish, a Denver-based, women-owned and certified gifting company. Sugarwish provides a fun gift experience that allows the recipient to choose the gift they receive including a wide offering from treats to beverages, flowers, plants and more! It’s a delightful experience, combined with a robust Corporate Gifting Platform that makes it the perfect go-to gift for individuals and businesses alike.

Sugarwish is a proud partner of Make-A-Wish, helping make sweet wishes come true. Sugarwish gift recipients can elect to donate their gifts to Make-A-Wish, which can be converted to cash to help grant wishes or used to help enhance life-changing wish experiences for kids like Stella. Through the partnership, Sugarwish has raised $1 million for Make-A-Wish and has helped enhance thousands of wish kid experiences across the U.S.

Available now, Sugarwish has created a give-back link that will benefit Make-A-Wish at Sugarwish.com/us/Make-A-Wish. When new corporate accounts are created through the Make-A-Wish give-back link, the first Sugarwish will be free to send for the new company/account. After that, Make-A-Wish will receive a donation from Sugarwish equal to 10% of the funds loaded into the new corporate Sugarwish account.

You can make a difference for kids with critical illnesses like Stella. When you opt for holiday gifts that support nonprofits like Make-A-Wish, everyone can feel good and enjoy an even happier holiday season.

2023-12-07T08:39:00

(BPT) – America, it’s time to have the money talk. According to research by Empower, a financial services company, 62% of people don’t talk about money. Mum’s the word with their family (63%), friends (75%) and even with their spouse/partner (46%), though millennials and Gen Z are twice as likely to say they’re an “open book” compared to older generations (28% versus 13%). Many people would rather discuss politics (43%) and death (32%) than their finances (24%).

It may be costing them their dreams. A majority of people believe more candid “money talks” have the power to change the world: 66% remark that open conversations can help people build generational wealth, improve the gender wage gap (62%) and over half say that money conversations could improve workplace transparency (56%).

Carol Waddell, president of Empower Personal Wealth, says, “Conversation is a currency on the pathway to financial security, and open discussions about money can have a truly transformative effect on society. Our study shows people believe that clarity about their financial picture, talking to an advisor and financial education are key to achieving financial success.”

1. Growing up without money conversations

Don’t talk about money: that’s the message half (52%) of Americans hear, learning it’s impolite to talk about finances (26%), and certainly not what you earn (35%). The taboo prevails for nearly two-thirds (60%) of people who don’t feel comfortable on the topic.

Americans recall stowing away coins in a piggy bank (41%) but say many practical financial lessons weren’t discussed — like the importance of having an emergency fund (31%), building good credit (30%), and managing debt (27%) — as kids or adults. This might explain why Americans tend to clam up when the conversation turns to money. While many received an allowance (36%), the majority (68%) were never taught how to manage a budget. Nearly a quarter of Gen Zers (23%) grew up in a household with a swear jar teaching about money and manners — yet 79% of all people say they never spoke about how much is “needed” to be financially secure.

One in 5 (18%) Americans surveyed say they were raised with a YOLO money motto: “You only live once, so don’t worry too much about finances.” Despite the saying, more than a third (37%) say they regularly worry. That’s even higher for Gen Z and millennials (51% and 49%) and women, who are considerably more stressed about their personal finances than men (42% versus 33%).

2. Talking about money at work

Figuring out personal finance is intimidating and overwhelming for half of Americans (48%), and when it comes to managing their money, 39% say they don’t know where to start, including 41% of women and 37% of men. Compare that with sky-high confidence managing money at work: 73% feel at ease overseeing company budgets and the majority say they clearly understand their employer’s finances and performance (70%).

Reassuringly, people have a strong grasp on employer benefits like the availability of their company’s 401(k) plan (80%) and say they know how their pay raises work (77%). Advocating for themselves is where it gets tricky. One-third (33%) of people don’t feel comfortable asking for an increase. Men feel more comfortable asking for a pay raise than women (74% versus 59%). Better market data on compensation could potentially boost negotiation confidence and nearly half (49%) of survey respondents (and a majority of millennials, 69%, and Gen Z, 71%) believe discussing salaries can lead to better career opportunities.

Americans say they avoid uncomfortable money talk at work (68%), and more than half (56%) wish discussing salaries wasn’t taboo. Do you know how much your co-workers make? Just 19% of respondents say they’ve asked. But the workplace isn’t the only area Americans are staying quiet. People haven’t asked their friends (68%) or family (60%) either. Women are less comfortable talking about money with co-workers than men (36% women versus 50% men).

That said, people may not be as shy as expected: 58% of millennials and 53% of Gen Z (and 34% of Americans overall), would share their salary information on their LinkedIn.

What’s it amount to? According to 62% of respondents, open money conversations could solve the gender wage gap. Americans say greater wage transparency would motivate employees to work harder (50%) and help avoid miscommunications (60%).

3. Speak with an expert.

More than three-quarters (77%) of Americans want to see society take on more “money talks” about ways to save for the future (41%), money mistakes they’ve made (36%) and basic financial literacy (34%). A quarter want more discussions about how to negotiate (26%) and pay for big expenses (24%). Even more open dialogue about the emotional aspects of money would be helpful for 20% of respondents.

Ultimately, people believe more open conversations about money can have a truly transformative effect on society: 66% think it can help more people achieve financial freedom.

So, how does America get there? Respondents agree that clarity about their financial picture (40%), talking to an advisor (36%), and financial education (34%) are key to achieving financial success.

“In these challenging times, staying tight-lipped about money is something people can no longer afford. As part of our mission to advance financial freedom for all, we’re here to help people speak up and take the next step for a brighter financial future,” says Waddell.

If conversation is a currency on the pathway to financial security, it’s time to start speaking up.

2023-12-07T10:01:00

(BPT) – The holiday season is filled with sugar and spice and everything nice — like parties, beloved traditions, festive foods and time with loved ones. And while all of these are things to be enjoyed, they can also lead to gut health woes as your eating habits and routines are thrown a bit out of whack.

“Bloating and digestive discomfort are incredibly common, even outside of the holiday season,” says gut health expert and registered dietitian Kristie Leigh, Director of Health and Scientific Affairs at Danone North America. “In fact, about 50% of the Western population experiences issues like bloating, gas, rumbling or discomfort on a regular basis. With the uptick in indulgent foods, traveling and socializing that we see around the holidays, these issues can be exacerbated — which is the last thing you want when you’re trying to enjoy this happy time of year.”

Luckily, there are some simple things you can do to help keep your gut healthy and happy amid the festivities and beyond. Here are Leigh’s top five tips to help you enjoy the holiday season to its fullest, without letting uncomfortable bloating or gut issues put a damper on your celebrations:

1. Consume fermented foods. These include foods like yogurt, kombuchas, sauerkraut and home-pickled vegetables. Consuming these regularly as part of an overall gut-healthy eating pattern may help with the minor digestive issues that come with heavy holiday foods because they help support your gut health overall and on an ongoing basis. Not only has research linked fermented foods with an increase in the diversity of bacteria in your gut (an indication of good gut health), they’re also associated with benefits such as better blood pressure and blood sugar levels and lower levels of inflammation.

2. Consider probiotics that target bloating and digestive discomfort. While it’s a common misconception that all live and active cultures, like those you find in fermented foods, are probiotics, that isn’t necessarily the case. “To be considered a probiotic, a bacterial strain must be clinically studied and shown to have a specific benefit,” Leigh explains. “So, if your goal is to help manage bloating and minor digestive discomfort, you’ll want to look for probiotic products studied to provide that benefit.” One example is Activia probiotic yogurt, which contains billions of the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis lactis DN-173 010/CNCM I-2494. Leigh typically recommends getting probiotics through food versus supplements because they give you an array of other valuable nutrients along with the beneficial bacteria and because they can help buffer stomach acids, increasing the chance that probiotics will survive to the intestine where they need to go.

3. Eat plenty of fiber-rich foods, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Fiber helps move things through your digestive tract, and a type of fiber called prebiotic fiber actually acts as food for the good bacteria in your gut. Prebiotic fiber is found naturally in foods like artichokes, asparagus, leeks, onions, garlic, chicory, bananas, berries, soybeans, legumes, oats, barley and wheat and is used in concentrated form to fortify some foods and beverages. Just note that, with any type of fiber, you’ll want to introduce it slowly over time if your digestive system isn’t used to it. Adding too much too quickly could lead to some abdominal discomfort, and as it stands, most Americans aren’t currently getting enough. Simple swaps and small additions to your diet can help reach your fiber goals, such as adding sliced banana and berries to your morning oatmeal or yogurt, swapping regular pasta for whole wheat or adding a side of edamame to your lunch or dinner.

4. Stay hydrated. Dehydration is one of the main contributors to constipation, something that’s all too common when we’re traveling, staying with family and friends or otherwise shifting our habits or routines. To make sure you’re drinking enough water every day, find little tricks that help you reach your hydration goals — like starting your day with a big glass of water before you do anything else, finding a reusable water bottle that you love and making sure you have it filled and with you throughout the day or getting a little fancy with some fruit infusions. “I like infusing my water with cranberries and mint or orange and rosemary around the holidays for some refreshing, festive flavor and a little extra fun,” says Leigh.

5. Prioritize self-care. This includes getting enough sleep, moving your body in ways you enjoy and taking some time for yourself to de-stress, all of which can help promote a healthier, happier gut. That’s because exercise helps keep your digestive system moving and has been linked to a more diverse gut microbiome, while stress and anxiety often worsen symptoms like bloating and digestive discomfort. “It’s easy to get so busy during the holiday season that we let a lot of our self-care go out the window,” says Leigh. “But to fully lean into the festivities and bring our best selves, it’s important to prioritize ourselves and our overall wellness.”

And when it comes to gut health, Leigh emphasizes, the key is to build these tips into your everyday life. “There isn’t a magic bullet for gut health or one food that will magically make bloating and digestive discomfort disappear,” she says. “It’s more about supporting your gut on a regular basis so that it’s better able to handle the occasional indulgence or shift in habits.”

So, as you’re gearing up for this year’s celebrations, remember the adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” and consider implementing these simple tips now to help promote a healthy gut and a happy holiday season!

2023-12-07T02:01:00

(BPT) – The season is full of activity, fun and festivities — but it can also be somewhat stressful, especially if you feel unprepared. To make your holiday season go more smoothly this year, do a little advance planning so that you can spend more time relaxing with family and friends.

Here are key tips to help give you the confidence to tackle all the merriment the holidays can bring.

1. Take a pantry inventory

Remember running out to the store for heavy whipping cream or more flour at the last minute last year? Reduce your stress by taking stock of your pantry for baking and cooking staples you know you’ll need, with your favorite recipes in hand. To make this easier, many online recipes also post a shopping list. If you’re hosting relatives in your home over the holidays, be sure to add extra amounts to everyday staples on your shopping list — especially necessities like milk, eggs, bread — and snacks!

And, just in case something falls through the cracks, have your favorite grocery delivery service bookmarked on your computer or tablet so that you can make last-minute orders.

2. Ensure you have the bakeware you need

There’s nothing like having your cake batter ready to go, then realizing you borrowed a pan last year — from a friend who’s out of town this year. Instead, make sure you’ve got everything you need to bake and roast all the sweet and savory recipes you and your family love. For example, with a GoodCook Ready 5 Piece Metal Bakeware Set you’ll have a 13″x9″ small cookie sheet, a 13″x9″ bake and roast pan, a 9″ round cake pan, an 8″x4″ medium loaf pan and 6-cup muffin tin.

All of these pans have a scratch-resistant and dishwasher-safe nonstick coating that provides excellent release, while also making clean-up quick and easy. They’re also metal spatula safe, so you can serve your baked goods right off the sheet. Best yet, they’re made with heavy-duty gauge steel to resist warping, so you’ll be able to use them for high-quality baking for years to come.

Find these items and more GoodCook kitchen essentials at Target.com.

3. Keep it simple

To make your holidays more fun and less frantic, simplify wherever possible. Fewer decorations, placed carefully, will make more of a visual statement than loads of ornaments, and will free up time to do other things. Focus your cleaning efforts on the rooms where you’ll be entertaining and consider blocking off less tidy areas with festive ribbons and funny signs saying things like “Santa’s Workshop — Do Not Enter.” And unless you have loads of extra time for experimentation, stick with tried-and-true recipes that you already know you can pull off beautifully.

4. Make a schedule, check it twice

If you’re planning a big party or hosting a sit-down dinner, write out a schedule starting with your planned food-serving time and work your way backward. This will help you remember when each dish needs to be put in the oven or started on your stovetop so everything is ready at about the same time. Make your life even easier by prepping as many ingredients or even full dishes a day or two ahead of time, if possible.

5. Enlist some elves

Friends and family members actually like to help, as long as they know what to do. Delegate a few specific tasks to others so you don’t feel like you have to do everything yourself.

Have a creative child? Let them make place cards or place mats with guests’ names on them. Musical relative? Let them create a holiday playlist. One of your friends an expert mixologist? Put them in charge of the beverages. Spreading the burden means spreading the joy — so everyone can enjoy the preparations together.

With an upbeat attitude — and some holiday music — while you’re setting up, you’re bound to have just as much fun getting ready as you will once your guests arrive. Prepping ahead of time will give you that much more confidence that your celebrations will be thoroughly enjoyed, by one and all.