Make Every Midday ‘Escape’ a Trip Worth Taking

(ARA) – Whether it’s Monday, mid-week or a weekend afternoon, it can feel as though life is always hectic. The workplace presents a busy environment, and even when you leave the office, household chores and everyday errands are often draining and time-consuming. Though it might feel like an indulgence, it’s surprisingly easy to cut back on stress by making some time each day to enjoy a mid-day getaway.

Just as with a true vacation, taking a few moments every day to relax and recharge allows you to come back to tasks at hand with better focus and more energy. Luckily, embarking on such an escape is as easy as switching up often-monotonous surroundings and indulging your senses in fun, unexpected ways.

For a quick, indulgent getaway, give your senses a break from the ordinary by following these simple suggestions:

* Sight: Simply changing what you look at can be the change of pace you need. Surround yourself with images of faraway places that you’d like to travel to and a “getaway” will always be at your fingertips. Calendars featuring beautiful locales are one great way to keep your favorite destinations in mind, but you can also search for images on photo sharing websites like Flickr.com, or subscribe to a blog or e-newsletter that will send you daily inspiration about places and cultures you’d like to explore.

* Sound: Stock your mp3 player with music from around the country that inspires you. Enjoy the bubbly, vibrant spirit of New Orleans as you listen to the jazz that made the city a musical mecca, or revel in the feeling of down-home Americana that comes with the high-energy sounds of Kentucky bluegrass. Simply download the music of whichever destination you’re dreaming of for a quick getaway when you need it.

* Taste: The flavors of food can transport you to any locale, reminding you of places you’ve been and places you aspire to visit. Take a sweet excursion to some of the country’s best-loved destinations by indulging in Pepperidge Farm American Collection Cookies. Whether dreaming of Montauk, Sausalito, Captiva or Nantucket, the Collection’s classic cookie flavors will carry you to the taste destination of your choice.

* Smell: Scent is closely tied to memory, so light a scented candle of your choice and be whisked away to vacation destinations you’ve come to love. A whiff of jasmine or frangipani might remind you of the rich floral scents of Hawaii, while cedar and pine scents can take you away to a mountain hike in the Rockies, or the smell of pumpkin spice and sun-baked fallen leaves could inspire memories of a fall foliage trip along the East Coast.

* Touch: Bring elements of your favorite destinations into your home or office to remind you of vacations gone by. Fill a decorative bowl with seashells you once gathered on a beach walk, or plan to collect vials of sand from every shore you visit. Even a cozy blanket acquired in chilly New England can take you back to nights spent snuggling in a ski lodge or B&B.

When long workdays and busy weekends leave you feeling overwhelmed and in need of an escape, a simple midday getaway might be all you need for a quick vacation fix. Start this daily ritual with a visit to http://www.pepperidgefarm.com to learn more about the taste destinations awaiting you.

 

Fresh Juice Can Be a Natural Solution to Fighting Flu

(ARA) – Flu season is here and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and health care providers everywhere are urging everyone to take better care to weather the cold and flu storm. From getting flu shots and getting more exercise and sleep, to regularly washing hands and limiting stress, you can do a lot to battle cold and flu bugs to stay healthy — but the easiest way to safeguard your health is to increase your fruit and vegetable intake.

It sounds like basic advice, but according to the CDC, average Americans are not getting an adequate amount of the vital nutrients found in fruits and vegetables in their diet, putting a large portion of the population at risk for getting the flu, or worse yet heart disease and cancer. Most people may not know how to easily incorporate more fruit and vegetables into already pressed-for-time schedules.

A simple solution for increasing your intake is by juicing – drinking, instead of eating – your daily requirements. When juicing, there is no need to sacrifice health for convenience. Fresh, frozen or canned, get the most out of your fruits and vegetables with juicers like the Juiceman 480 All-in-One Extractor with a compact design, powerful blade system and integrated pulp container.

Health experts agree that drinking fresh juice is an excellent way to increase your vitamin and mineral intake, because juicing is known to release the nutrients from fruit and vegetables in a highly absorbable form, allowing your body to get the maximum benefits out of the each glass.

For example, to meet the daily requirements for flu fighting vitamins and antioxidants, the CDC recommends two or more cups of fruit and 2 1/2 or more cups of vegetables each day, based on a 2,000 calorie diet. For fruit, that is one small apple and eight large strawberries, and for vegetables, that is approximately 24 baby carrots or 25 flowerets of broccoli. In comparison, just 3/4 cup of freshly extracted juice equals one daily serving of fruits or vegetables.

Juicing in the winter months can help you get a boost of vitamin C, which, of all the antioxidants, has the most important role in helping the immune system tackle any free radicals in the body. While it is widely known that 100 percent orange juice provides more than a day’s recommended daily value of vitamin C, many don’t know that strawberries, kiwi, grapefruit, pineapple, sweet potatoes, cabbage, bell peppers, tomatoes, hot peppers and broccoli also reign supreme in vitamin C.

Juicers, like the Juiceman 480 All-in-One Extractor and Citrus Juicer, can easily tackle the toughest produce like carrots or the rind of a pineapple without a lot of prep time, bringing juice bar versatility right to the kitchen countertop. To get started in thinking about the many tasty fruit and vegetable combinations, here’s a vitamin C-packed recipe that will surely help ward of cold and flu bugs and kick start the habit of juicing for better health any time of year.

Super C Citrus Berry Juice
This easy-to-prepare juice packs in 210 percent of your daily recommended value of vitamin C. Make sure you wash all fruit well before juicing.

Prep time: 10 minutes

1 large apple, cubed
1 large orange, peeled and sectioned
2 large kiwi, cubed
1 cup blackberries
1 cup raspberries

While the motor is running, add fruit to juicer, pressing gently to remove juice from firmer fruit. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

For additional creative juice creations, visit http://www.juiceman.com.

Nutritional analysis per serving:
Calories: 130, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 0mg, Potassium: 507 mg, Carbohydrates: 49g, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 24g, Protein: 2g, Vitamin A: 6 percent, Vitamin C: 210 percent, Calcium: 4 percent, Iron: 6 percent

 

New Year’s Resolution: Save Water Without Sacrificing Your Shower

(ARA) – Thinking about making a New Year’s resolution to continue to live a greener lifestyle? In addition to using energy-efficient appliances, carrying reusable shopping totes or recycling, consider reducing your dependency on one of the most precious resources – water.

Try adopting new bathroom habits and updating your fixtures with products that will help you conserve water without sacrificing your experience. Saving water may turn out to be easier than it sounds, especially with a few simple tips.

A recent eNation survey showed 83.7 percent of people take showers for the primary purpose of relaxing and meditating. Thirty-four percent of the survey respondents said the “shower is my time for just focusing on me.” It represents a way to not only get clean, but to also escape from the stress of the day.

However, those showers, relaxing and otherwise, account for approximately 17 percent of residential indoor water use in the United States, adding up to more than 1.2 trillion gallons of water each year nationwide, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

It’s not likely you will want give up regular showers – for hygienic and emotional reasons. That’s why the shower is a space manufacturers have been studying for years. They’re working to create products that will continue to provide a satisfying shower experience while simultaneously saving water.

“Our team is continuously researching new products and technologies to balance the competing needs of conserving water while giving the user a great shower experience,” says Bob Rodenbeck, director of research and development at Delta Faucet Company. “Simply restricting the flow of water doesn’t work. Bathers will either stay in the shower longer or find a way to remove the restrictor cap. The right solution has to help bathers save water without taking away from the luxurious and enjoyable experience of the shower.”

Here are three easy tips to help you save water in the shower:

* Learn to multitask: Let’s face it, sometimes we’re just standing in the shower killing time. Whether we’re waiting for our conditioner to set in or slowly waking up under the warm water, we could be doing more.

Next time you find yourself standing idle under the stream, reach for your toothbrush and toothpaste or mouthwash and freshen up your pearly whites. Men, hang a mirror in the shower and shave your face without accidentally nicking yourself.

At the very least, hang your shirt or work outfit in the bathroom and let the steam from your hot shower release the wrinkles. That won’t help you cut back on water usage, per se, but it’ll save you time primping and the energy used to power your iron.

* Install a WaterSense-labeled showerhead: Chances are, if your showerhead is more than a year or two old, it is probably not the most efficient model. More than eight out of 10 adults haven’t changed their showerhead in the past three years, according to the eNation survey. The EPA created the WaterSense Program to help homeowners conserve water. In 2010, it introduced specifications that require a showerhead to flow at a rate of 2 gallons per minute (gpm) or less in order to be qualified as a WaterSense-labeled product. Delta Faucet has a large collection of showerheads that meet the program’s strict performance and quality criteria, including seven that feature H2Okinetic Technology. The innovative technology improves water efficiency by 40 percent, flowing at 1.5 gpm while providing the feel of an enhanced flow of 2.5 gpm.

Be resourceful: You want a hot shower, but sometimes you end up running the water for a few minutes to wait for the cold water to pass. To avoid letting that water go to waste, put a bucket or watering can under the showerhead to catch the cold water that would otherwise go down the drain. It can be reused at a later time for watering plants around the house or outside on the porch.

 

Reinvent Yourself by Starting Your Own Business

(ARA) – Not a day goes by that you are not bombarded by news of the recession and high unemployment figures. With this kind of climate, it’s no wonder many are looking toward starting their own businesses instead of competing for the few jobs available. So, how can you aggressively compete when faced with starting your own business and branding it? Debra Pierce, Director of Career Services from Miami International University of Art & Design, offers some tips for doing just that.

How do I even determine what business to start?
Self-assess and research. It is imperative that as an individual, you are honest with yourself and truly understand what you are good at and what you enjoy doing. Doing a SWOT analysis — analyzing Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats — is a great way of assessing that. Having a good understanding of yourself will help you identify areas that may need some work. After assessing yourself, it is important to determine the type of business and research the viability of that business in the area you plan to live in. A business plan is highly recommended as it will include a marketing plan and SWOT analysis, which will help identify those industries that have a true need and those that are already being served. This exercise will also help identify if there is a smaller, but important niche market that your business can focus on and be profitable. The business plan also helps determine the goals and objectives of the business, which serve as a guide when making decisions.

Do I have to incorporate?
Incorporate or not. It is especially important to formalize your freelance business by deciding what legal structure would suit your business needs best. It is a good time to invest in some advice from an attorney or certified public accountant to help you make this decision as there are advantages and disadvantages to each type of structure that need to be considered.

How soon can I expect to make a profit?
Be realistic. People often envision being successful within a short period of time. Developing and building a business from the ground up takes time, energy and a lot of hard work, but can be very rewarding. It is important to have realistic business and financial goals. The industry research you did early on for the business plan will come in very handy in determining what “realistic” means for your industry and area.

How do I get business? How do I start?
Marketing – Create a logo. This is important since the logo will be a very important part of your branding. In many instances, business prospects will see your logo before they know anything about you. Take your time and make sure that you create a logo that not only fits you now, but can grow with your business as it grows. A word on marketing – most new businesses start off with a shoestring budget and decide that they don’t have a budget to market themselves. Even if it’s a small budget, if you don’t market yourself, how will potential customers find you? You won’t need thousands of dollars, but it’s important to reach your target market. And, if you did your research for your business plan, you will have a good understanding of who they are and where you can find them.

Network, network, network. The importance of networking can’t be stressed enough. As a small business owner, networking may be your only means of marketing for quite some time. It is important to get in front of as many people as possible and give them your elevator pitch (a quick story about your business that you can say in 90 seconds or less). When meeting each person, make sure you take their business card; this comes in handy when writing a “nice to meet you” note the next day. Yes, you should write a quick note to each person you meet. In this note, you should mention where you met them, refer to your conversation, and remind them what your business does and how it can be helpful to them.

It will take a lot of hard work to be an entrepreneur. This is the case in almost all instances whether you open your own business or work for someone else. There are no shortcuts, so put in the time and you will reap the rewards.

To learn more about Miami International University of Art & Design and other Art Institutes schools visit http://www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.

 

Get Your Teen’s Attention When Teaching the Dangers of Distracted Driving

(ARA) – Windows down, music turned up, friends giggling in the back seat, freedom … it’s the moment all teenagers dream of – getting their drivers license.

Teen drivers are often euphoric with this new sense of independence. After all, getting a drivers license is a big rite of passage. Teens are inundated, and rightfully so, with statistics and horrific stories that point to the dangers of driving while intoxicated. However, new research shows that distracted driving is among the leading causes of auto accidents, and the problem is getting worse.

“Although laws have been put into place in the spirit of eliminating dangerous distractions for drivers, it’s critical that parents, teachers and influencers at large talk to teenagers about the dangers of driving distracted,” says Duke Daugherty, vice president of auto at Fireman’s Fund Insurance. “It seems harmless to take your eyes off the road for a few seconds to send a text, or change the station, but those few seconds could cost the loss of lives, and a lifetime of angst.”

Research complied by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that distracted driving caused 6,000 deaths and 500,000 injuries in 2008. And data shows that these numbers are continuing to grow. Research also shows that teen drivers are four times more likely to be involved in a distracted-related collision than any other age group.

In general, three types of distractions are most dangerous for teenagers on the road. These distractions can be visual (actions that require drivers to take their eyes off the road), manual (actions that require taking hands off the steering wheel) or cognitive (actions that require drivers to take their minds off what they’re doing).

Local agencies, police departments and focus groups have put into place programs intended to inform teenagers of the dangers of distracted driving, but it’s crucial for parents and schools to keep the dialogue going so teenagers understand the urgency of the problem.

“Encourage your teenagers to be completely alert and fully focused on the road and their surroundings while driving,” says Daugherty. “Parents need to model good behavior in front of their kids by not texting or making calls that distract from driving. If we all take steps to show how important this is, we will see a drop in the behavior by teens.”

Discuss and stress the following driving guidelines:

* Keep both hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road (use mirrors).

* Avoid cell phone use – Cell phones are the number one distraction for teenager drivers. Cell phone use falls under the categories of visual, manual and cognitive distractions. Mobile technology has made texting, surfing the Internet and social networking all too easy.

* Encourage teenagers to avoid using their phones, for anything at all, until they are safely pulled off the road and parked. Devices are available to disable cell phone use in autos.

Drivers younger than age 20 represent the highest proportion of distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes, according to the National Automotive Sampling System (NASS). Reiterate to your teenagers that making a phone call, using the Internet or sending a text message is never more important than somebody’s life. If they are driving with friends who participate in cell phone use while driving, encourage them to be bold and speak up.

Teenagers should also refrain from the following activities while driving, according to the US Department of Transportation:

* Eating and drinking
* Having lengthy or involved discussions with passengers
* Grooming
* Reading (including maps)
* Using a PDA or navigation system
* Watching a video
* Changing the radio station, CD or MP3 player

It only takes one simple distraction to cause a potentially fatal car accident. Remind your teenagers to avoid participating in distracted driving activities, and to be advocates for their own safety and their peers as well.

 

Don’t Let Your Holidays Become an Opportunity for Criminals

(ARA) – For many of us, the holidays are a mixture of fun and frantic shopping, joyful times and a hectic pace. Criminals, however, see the holiday season as full of opportunities – the perfect time to take advantage of seasonal chaos.

“With everything going on, the holiday season is no time to let your guard down when it comes to home security,” says Jim Boots of Protection 1 (www.protection1.com), the largest privately owned security company in the U.S. “Criminals know that our holiday habits can leave our homes, belongings and personal information vulnerable. It’s important to be vigilant throughout the year, and especially during the holidays. According to the FBI, there’s a burglary every 14 seconds in the U.S. And, with homes and cars filled with new gifts and gadgets, the holidays are an especially lucrative time for thieves.”

Fortunately, by taking some simple precautions, you protect your home, purchases and identity from predators this holiday season.

Secure your home

“Burglars know many people travel during the holidays, and many more will leave brand-new, valuable merchandise in their homes when they’re out,” Boots says. “A criminal is more likely to target a home that looks vulnerable. The best thing homeowners can do to protect their homes is to make it clear to burglars that their house won’t be an easy mark.”

Reduce the risk of burglary by:

* Putting inside and outside lights on a timer to make your home look occupied while you’re away.

* Keeping bushes, trees and decorations from obscuring the view of your front door from the road.

* Suspending newspaper and mail delivery if you’ll be away for several days.

* Arranging for snow removal in case of a fresh snowfall while you’re away.

Consider installing a cost-effective home security system, provided by a trusted company such as Protection 1, that allows you to control everything remotely from a mobile or Web-based system such as a smart phone or laptop. A home without a security system is two to three times more likely to be burglarized, according to a study by Temple University. With Protection 1′s eSecure service you can check on, arm or disarm your home security system remotely, communicate with the system via text message, and even place sensors on specific areas inside your home that you want to protect such as jewelry boxes, TVs or even the gifts under the Christmas tree. The service also provides portable surveillance cameras that you can place in your home, or take with you to monitor the inside of your hotel room while you’re out.

While you’re keeping bad guys out, don’t overlook fire safety as well. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are the top days for home candle fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Christmas trees account for 200 fires annually, resulting in six deaths, 25 injuries and more than $6 million in property damage, the administration’s statistics show. Remember, never leave candles burning and don’t overload electrical sockets with decorative lights. However, should there be an accident a monitored system from Protection 1 automatically dispatches the fire department just in case you’re away from the house, asleep or unable to respond.

Stay safe when you’re out

Thieves know our holiday shopping habits and can make us vulnerable to theft while we’re out and about. From breaking into cars to “shoulder surfing” for credit card information and PIN numbers, criminals take every opportunity to brighten the holidays for themselves. When holiday shopping, keep these safety tips in mind:

* Never leave shopping bags, wrapped gifts or other valuables visible inside the car. Always place them in the trunk. Thieves are more likely to break into a vehicle if they can see the loot in it.

* Carry only the credit card you need and one piece of ID when shopping. Leave your Social Security card at home or in a secure place.

* Be aware of who might be looking over your shoulder as you type a PIN number.

* Never allow a store clerk to take your credit card out of your sight.

* Enroll in an identity theft protection service like LifeLock, which monitors your credit and can alert you if a piece of your personal information is used incorrectly in an application for credit or services.

“By taking some precautions, homeowners and shoppers can ensure the holidays stay bright for themselves and their families – and not for criminals,” Boots says.

 

Spend More Quality Time With Your Guests While Entertaining This Holiday

(ARA) – It’s the holiday season. Guests and occasions to entertain them are popping up everywhere you turn. You’re decorating and cleaning to keep your house looking beautiful and welcoming, and busy shopping for refreshments. If only you had something to ease the ever-burdensome to-dos.

When it comes time for your gathering, you don’t want to spend time away from the party preparing food or drinks. You want to be a part of the fun. Here are some ideas on ways you can keep your prep work to a minimum while still offering your guests a variety of refreshments.

* Plan to serve food items that don’t require heating, cutting or other prep work. Setting out a plate of cookies, bars or pre-chopped veggies takes little time, and with a wide variety of items on the tray, you won’t have to make repeated trips to the kitchen for more snack items.

* Offer your guests a variety of drink choices. It’s easy to customize hot drink choices like coffee, tea and hot chocolate with the Keurig Special Edition Brewer, which has more than 250 K-Cup portion pack varieties of gourmet coffee, tea and hot cocoa from your favorite brands, including Green Mountain Coffee, Tully’s and Gloria Jeans. By using this single-cup coffee brewer, there’s no mess, no clean-up and you are still able to cater to everyone’s individual choices. They’ll receive a fresh cup of their personal favorite blend every time.

* Serve food items that don’t require plates, so your cleanup time is quick and easy. Most cookies and bars work really well with napkins, and once everyone is finished eating, you can gather those up and return to the conversation as the group savors their delicious beverage. You can use dishwasher safe mugs for your hot coffee, tea and cocoa drinks, or find special, holiday-themed disposable cups for the occasion, to further help reduce clean up.

To make your holiday gathering extra special, the Keurig Milk Frother can be used for special holiday drink recipes. Try this Spiced Mocha Latte as a great dessert beverage:

Spiced Mocha Latte

Ingredients:
1 Extra Bold Coffee K-Cup Portion Pack
4 ounces skim milk
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
Whipped cream
Cinnamon stick (optional as garnish)

Directions:
Brew 6 to 8 ounces of coffee into a 14 ounce mug. While coffee is brewing, prepare the hot milk in the Milk Frother. When coffee is ready, add cinnamon, nutmeg and chocolate syrup. Gently stir in hot milk. Top with whipped cream. Drizzle with more chocolate syrup, if desired, and insert cinnamon stick before serving.

Enjoy your holiday party, and don’t miss out on any part of the fun. Find the Keurig Special Edition Brewer at Kohl’s and Bed Bath and Beyond, or visit http://www.Keurig.com for more information.