Sleep and Happiness: How Parents Can Have Both

September 14, 2015, 7:05 am

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(NewsUSA) - Helping your baby sleep through the night is one of the great milestones of parenthood. Establishing good sleep habits and patterns early can help babies learn how to sleep, which is a key component in a baby's happiness, and makes for less exhausted (sort of) parents. Gerber Good Start Gentle's sleep consultant Christina Gantcher advises parents to focus on the Three E's: Eating, Environment, and Education. * Eating: Poor feeding can impact your baby's ability to sleep well. If your baby doesn't seem to be eating at regular intervals or gaining weight at an appropriate pace, talk to your lactation consultant or pediatrician. * Environment: You can facilitate better sleep for your new baby by creating a quiet, dark environment in a dedicated area. Remember, babies should always be put to sleep on their backs; supervised tummy time should occur during the day when baby is awake. Always put your baby on his or her back to sleep with no loose blankets, pillows or toys nearby. Try to follow a bedtime routine to help baby recognize cues to associate with going to sleep, such as a bath or book. * Education: Learn about your baby and you'll soon recognize his or her cues about being ready to sleep, such as eye rubbing. Don't neglect naptime. Remember that infants are typically only awake for short periods, and daytime naps can aid nighttime sleep. When you feel your baby is ready, try placing him or her in the crib when they are drowsy but still awake, so they can start learning and remembering how and where they fell asleep. Gantcher also advises parents to be as consistent as possible with a sleep routine, but be patient as you learn the habits of your individual child. Sleep helps give babies energy and puts them in the mood to learn and explore the world, and a rested baby often means a happier family, too. As part of their desire to help support parents through their journey and provide them with the confidence they need to help their baby sleep through the night, Gerber Good Start Gentle has sponsored Christina Gantcher as their sleep consultant on Gerber's panel of experts. Gantcher will be available to provide free, personalized, one-on-one phone consultations five days per week. To sign up for a consultation with Gerber Good Start Gentle's sleep consultant, please visit Gerber.com/experts or call the Gerber Parents Resource Center 24/7 at 1-800-284-9488 for help in scheduling an appointment.

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How to Display Proper Hygiene in Public

September 16, 2015, 7:51 am

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(NewsUSA) - You would think that public hygiene protocol would be a standard, taught in kindergarten, reviewed in middle school, and essential for your college diploma. Yet, more often than we care to admit, both knowing and remembering social "dos" and "don'ts" proves a challenge for even the best of us. Stay classy and clean with a few simple tips on how to display good public hygiene. Cover your mouth This one is so simple we feel it deserves the first spot on the list. Hearing you sneeze or hearing you cough is one thing. Asking someone to feel you sneeze or feel you cough is entirely another. Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Keep your hands clean by using your upper arm as your shield. One tissue does not conquer all Feeling under the weather? Looking and feeling your best can be truly difficult when your sinuses are working against you. Do your best to show your care for public hygiene by following the little guidelines you can still muster doing, like washing your hands regularly, using hand sanitizer, and refusing to reuse and reuse the same tissue while public. Watch for bad habits Unfortunate habits, like biting your nails, playing with your hair, or picking at your face can work against that clean, sophisticated image you desire. These habits are also a way that unwanted grime, oils and bacteria can spread from different areas on your body and eventually onto any object you touch. Do your best to keep your hands away from the top half of your body whenever possible. Launder Laundry is no fun, but there are few public hygiene no-nos worse than dirty clothes. Pick one day of the week to be laundry day and stick to it. Invest in a dependable iron and ironing board, and carry a stain remover in your purse or bag. Use FLASR For smokeless tobacco users, a small, spill-proof portable spittoon is an essential and the ultimate display of good public hygiene. Fortunately, for these individuals, there's FLASR, an Atlanta-based company that specializes in exactly that. The FLASR spittoon has a chic design that is pocket-size and features a secure locking mechanism to avoid messy mishaps. For more information about FLASR, visit www.flasr.com.

Your Carry-On Guide to Enjoying Business Travel

September 18, 2015, 12:50 pm

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(NewsUSA) - If, like most business travelers these days, you are in the air more than in your home or office, it's important to be able to stay comfortable and connected while logging all those miles. While you may be inclined to tackle the stack of pesky e-mails that continue to pile up, experts say that instead of trying to get a fickle Wi-Fi connection to work while you're en route, a better use of your time might be to rest, relax, and recharge. The following tips should give you plenty of reasons to look forward to your next Business Class flight: * Sample other countries' tasting menus. Business Class on many airlines features global cuisines and regionally-inspired dishes, so take advantage of in-flight dining to sample food from international locales. Or, check if your Business Class lounge offers pre-dine service before boarding and spend your time enjoying a movie or catching up on sleep. * Stay connected. Check if your Business Class offers free Wi-Fi. If so, you can log in to work, post on social media, or even start posting travel photos early -- all from 36,000 feet in the air. * Unplug and tune in. If you'd rather unwind and disconnect from the grid, use those noise-canceling headphones that are provided for you and browse through the many in-flight entertainment options. Business Class typically offers an array of choices, including: business shows, documentaries, movies and playlists, plus exclusive content for Business Class guests. * Sleep like you're in your own bed. Aer Lingus, the premier airline that connects Ireland to the world and the world to Ireland, has seats made by Thompson Aero Seating in Northern Ireland, that transform into fully flat beds so you can stretch out like you do at home. In addition, the airline offers guests amenities such as eye masks, socks, and custom-made duvets for coziness (and warmth) to maximize the comfort and quality of rest. * Arrive before you depart. Unlike other countries, Ireland is the only European country to offer Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance to guests traveling to the United States, allowing you to avoid lengthy lines on arrival. Business Class guests on most airlines receive priority boarding and exit, so you can get where you're going quickly and effortlessly. For more information, visit www.aerlingus.com.

Limited Space, Big Love: Solutions for Cat Lovers in Tight Quarters

September 21, 2015, 8:49 am

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(NewsUSA) - With more and more people moving to urban areas or just looking to minimize and simplify their lives, small-space living is on the rise. This trend toward scaling back is great news for cat lovers. But sharing your small home with a cat isn't without its challenges. Here's how to make sure you and your feline friend live in harmony when space is at a premium. Give your cat a "territory." Cats are territorial animals, just like their counterparts in the wild. Domestic cats don't need acres of grassland, but they should have a special place in your small home. Let your cat pick his or her favorite spot -- it may be a windowsill, a high perch or a dark hiding spot -- and set up a comfortable bed or blanket. Intrusions into this space, whether from humans or other pets, should be kept to a minimum. Forget about "off-limits." In a small space, your cat will need a lot of freedom to explore. Don't expect furniture, tables or even kitchen counters to be off limits. Instead, keep food, breakables and anything else you don't want your cat to get into behind closed cabinet doors and let your cat roam free. Choose a cat litter made for tight quarters. The litter box can be the trickiest part of sharing a small home with a cat. You need a litter that delivers powerful odor control and makes it easy to keep the box clean. World's Best Cat Litter harnesses the concentrated power of corn for long-lasting performance and keeps odor under control even in the tightest spaces. As a bonus for apartment dwellers who dread trash trips, this all-natural litter alternative is also flushable* and septic-safe. Cats can be the perfect pets for people living in tight quarters. It just takes a little planning and compromise to keep everyone purring and content! *The State of California encourages the disposal of cat feces in trash and discourages flushing feces in toilets or disposing of them in drains.

Making Halloween a Treat For Parents As Well As Kids

September 23, 2015, 7:03 am

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(NewsUSA) - For most parents, Halloween involves at least one (if not more) occasion to take their children trick-or-treating. Some parents may dread this task and prefer to be the one who stays home and hands out the candy, instead of hitting the street to go house-to-house with their children and their friends. But fear not, moms and dads: A few simple tips can make the evening a treat for you, too. * Courtesy. Explain a few key points to your children. First, remind them to say thank-you and take a piece of the candy that's offered, even if it isn't their favorite or first choice, without digging around in the bowl. Second, show respect for the homes and yards of those you visit by staying on the sidewalk and not touching any flowers, pumpkins or other holiday decorations. Third, avoid houses with lights off, and don't knock or ring a doorbell more than twice. * Control. Large groups of children can get out of control and can make it hard to maneuver around front doors. If you are one of the parents tasked with escorting a large group, divide the children into smaller groups of about 6 or 7, and send each to a different house, then have them switch houses. Tell them this method allows them to visit more houses more efficiently. * Comfort. Some parents want (or are convinced by their children) to wear a costume. But don't sacrifice comfort. Your feet will thank you if you wear decent walking shoes or sneakers to chase your children along the street, and adult costumes that are overdone take away from the kids' outfits, so keep it simple. A funny hat or ears will go a long way. Bring something to drink if it's hot, or sunglasses if you are out with younger children before the sun goes down. Parents who are smokeless tobacco users can easily enjoy the evening out with a portable spittoon accessory from FLASR. The FLASR portable spittoon is designed to fit into a shirt pocket, and its uniquely designed lid can be opened and closed with one hand for maximum discretion. Visit www.flasr.com for more information about smokeless tobacco accessories.

Lighting Tips for Your Media Room

September 23, 2015, 12:58 pm

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(NewsUSA) - Now that football season is underway, is your media room up to the task of hosting fans and providing the best atmosphere for cheering on your team to victory? The American Lighting Association (ALA) offers great play-by-play tips to light your media room effectively. Reduce Glare on More Than Just Your TV Brent Protzman, manager of energy information and analytics for Lutron Electronics Company Inc., says Lutron conducts extensive research to determine how lighting and shading controls influence visual entertainment. Often, people like to check their fantasy football teams or catch highlights on their laptop, tablet or smartphone while still watching the game on TV. Protzman says, "Glare from the amount of daylight can be overwhelming on these devices. The trick is to lower shades and dim overhead lights to make it easier to do tasks." Joe Rey-Barreau is an education consultant for the ALA and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky's School of Interiors and College of Design. Rey-Barreau says, "Using different lighting layers is always the best option for media rooms. A single lighting layer could be fixtures that are of the same type. For example," he explains, "one layer could be recessed lighting in the media room, another layer could be wall sconces, a third layer could be an integrated architectural lighting system such as a cove or niche." Adding three layers of light, along with dimmers, gives homeowners the maximum level of control with their lighting, which effectively illuminates the room without too much glare. Dim the Light to Your Personal Preference Light fixtures, such as pendants and glass globes tend to create bright spots in a room, which can be problematic for viewing television screens with direct glare and reflections on the glass. To create the perfect viewing atmosphere, Protzman suggests dimming light fixtures to a very low level. "Your eyes will be able to quickly adjust and adapt to the changes in light levels," he says. According to Protzman people tend to perceive smaller decreases in light level than what really changes. This means if you dim a light by what seems to be 30 percent in brightness, you will actually reduce the light level by as much as 90 percent. Not only do light dimmers allow you to create a media space to your liking, but, as an added bonus, they save energy as well. To receive the best product selection and professional expertise, visit your local ALA-member retailer for media room lighting options. For a list of ALA-member showrooms, please visit AmericanLightingAssoc.com

Don't Let Spooky Pests Haunt Your Home This Fall

October 5, 2015, 8:22 am

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(NewsUSA) - With Halloween and cooler weather right around the corner, sightings of creepy creatures indoors are sure to be on the rise as they search for cozy places to hole up for the winter. Rats, bats and spiders are the stuff nightmares are made of, and for good reason; these creepy critters are capable of spreading disease, and incurring serious harm to people, and even causing property damage. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) offers the following guide on three common, creepy fall invaders, along with a few tips for preventing your home from turning into a true haunted house! Rats These primarily nocturnal pests are known to gnaw through almost anything to obtain food or water, including plastic or lead pipes. Rats are able to fit through an opening the size of a quarter, and once inside they are capable of spreading diseases such as plague, jaundice, rat-bite fever, trichinosis and salmonellosis. Tip: Before bringing decorations out of storage and into the home, inspect all boxes for signs of infestation such as gnaw marks and rodent droppings. When it's time to put away decorations, store them in a plastic, sealed box to keep rodents out. Bats Bats are frequently associated with vampires and haunted houses, causing an unfounded fear in many people. However, it is important to note that bats are common carriers of rabies, a disease that can be fatal in humans, and their droppings can lead to histoplasmosis, a lung disease. Tip: Screen attic vents and openings to chimneys, and install door sweeps this fall to keep bats out of the home. If an active bat infestation is suspected, it is important to contact a licensed pest control professional because bats are protected by law in most states. Spiders While most spiders that invade homes are simply an annoyance, albeit a creepy one, the brown recluse and black widow spiders will bite when threatened and can cause painful -- possibly fatal -- reactions. Prompt medical attention is required if you've come into contact with one of these venomous spiders. Tip: Avoid coming in to contact with spiders by keeping garages, attics and basements clean and clutter-free. Be sure to wear heavy gloves when moving items that have been in storage, such as Halloween decorations. For more information on preventing pests this fall, please visit www.pestworld.org.

Winter Is Coming: Is Your Fuel Ready?

October 7, 2015, 1:04 pm

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(NewsUSA) - Winter is coming -- and that means it's time to store seasonal tools and recreational equipment. Safe, smart storage of motorcycles, RVs, power equipment and seasonal cars goes a long way towards keeping them at their best to ensure peak performance in the spring. To keep the fuel in gas-powered machines and equipment in peak shape through winter storage, consider these three elements: Time Is the Enemy Fuel in gas-powered equipment that remains in storage during the winter months needs to be stabilized to ensure easy starts and full power in the spring. Untreated fuel begins to oxidize, losing quality and combustibility over time, which leads to engines that are hard to start or run rough. Fuel Draining gas from power equipment or cars is one way to prevent gunk and debris from forming, but it isn't always a practical solution. One alternative -- add a fuel stabilizer. However, you need to choose the right treatment to ensure maximum fuel quality. In general, ethanol-blended gasoline should be used within 30-45 days. However, an enzyme stabilizer, such as Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment, will stabilize gasoline for up to 2 years. Star Tron does much more than simply stabilize; the unique enzyme formula also helps improve fuel combustibility to ensure easy starts, full power, improved fuel economy and decreased emissions. Formulation Some fuel stabilizers contain many of the same anticorrosion and antioxidant additive packs that are already present in pump-grade gas. Adding more of these add-pack compounds can degrade fuel quality causing engines to run rough and smoky when they are started after winter storage. An enzyme stabilizer is designed to work in conjunction with pump-grade gas additives to keep fuel fresh for maximum performance in the spring. Fresh fuel and easy engine starts are better for fuel economy, which means lower emissions and less environmental impact. And it's not just for winter; an enzyme fuel treatment can maximize fuel quality all year long. For more information, please visit www.startron.com or call (800) 327-8583.

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What to Ask Before Buying a Stairlift

October 13, 2015, 10:40 am

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(NewsUSA) - As the population of the United States ages, home stairlifts are becoming increasingly popular. The installation of a stairlift allows many older adults who have difficulty with stairs but are otherwise in good health to remain in their homes and retain their independence. Today's stairlifts are quiet, relatively inexpensive, and can be installed without any structural damage to the home or decor. However, if you are considering purchasing a stairlift, keep these questions in mind to help ensure that you get the best product, one that's the right fit for the structure of your home and for your personal health situation. * Does it fit? Choose a stairlift that is available in a range of options to accommodate straight, curved, and outdoor stairways. Seek out stairlifts with a modular design that allows for quick and easy installation with no damage or changes to the home. * Can you get good customer service after the installation? Be sure to find out the stairlift company's policies on maintenance and follow-up services for the products. Look for companies that are available seven days a week to respond to any questions or concerns you may have. That's why it's best to buy directly from the manufacturer when possible. * What are the safety features? The latest technology of the best stairlifts, such as those manufactured by Acorn Stairlifts, includes safety features such as sensors on the foot platform that will stop the lift when triggered. In addition, make sure to ask whether your stairlift includes safety belts and lockable seats that can swivel for getting on and off easily, then stay locked into place. * Is it easy to use? Consider who will be using the stairlift. Look for models with light touch controls designed for individuals with limited manual dexterity because of arthritis in the hands or other problems. A remote-control option is a key element to consider as well, so family members or others can operate the stairlift. * Is there a long wait to order/install the stairlift? Companies offering a modular design in stairlift technology can respond to an order and install a stairlift in hours rather than weeks. For more information and answers to your questions about choosing a stairlift for your home, visit www.acornstairlifts.com.

How to Save Money on Pet Care

November 2, 2015, 12:17 pm

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(NewsUSA) - Owning a pet has a lot of perks, but caring for one can take its toll on your wallet. According to the ASPCA, owning a dog or cat can cost up to $1,000 in the first year, and many people end up spending much more. The good news is you can cut your pet care expenses without compromising your pet's health and well-being. Here are a few ways you can save money and keep your pet healthy. 1. Don't skip the vet. If you're trying to save money, it can be tempting to cut back on veterinary visits. But according to Julie Ciarmella of the American Veterinary Medicine Association, "an investment in preventive healthcare can reduce your long-term pet healthcare costs." Why? Because regular check-ups can prevent expensive complications down the road. 2. Get by with a little help from your friends. Dog-walking, pet-sitting and kennel services can be some of the most expensive aspects of owning a pet. You can save money by taking the "you scratch my dog's back, I'll scratch your cat's chin" approach and tapping into a network of other pet owners in your area. Neighborhood dog parks are great places to meet like-minded pet lovers; or, you could try good old-fashioned advertising. 3. Choose high-quality pet products that give you more value for your money. Reaching for the cheapest product can feel like a thrifty move, but you may be surprised by the impact "cheap" products can have on your budget. For example, cheaper clay cat litter needs to be changed more often, so cat owners go through bag after bag. World's Best Cat Litter is an alternative that harnesses the concentrated power of corn for long-lasting performance. You'll use less litter, replace it less often and save money in the long run. In the end, remember that what your pet needs most is love. Keep things simple and invest in high-value products where it matters, and you'll be on your way to a pet care budget that works for you.

How to Choose the Perfect Lighting for Your Media Room

November 3, 2015, 12:13 pm

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(NewsUSA) - Now that football season is underway, it's time to make sure your media room is up to the task of hosting fans and providing the best atmosphere for cheering on your team. The American Lighting Association (ALA) offers great play-by-play tips to effectively light your media room. Reduce Glare on More Than Just Your TV Brent Protzman, manager of energy information and analytics for Lutron Electronics Company Inc., says Lutron conducts extensive research to determine how lighting and shading controls influence visual entertainment. That's because some people like to check their fantasy football teams or catch highlights on their laptops, tablets or smartphones while still watching the game on TV. Protzman says, "Glare from the amount of daylight can be overwhelming on these devices. The trick is to lower shades and dim overhead lights to make it easier to do tasks." Joe Rey-Barreau, an education consultant for the ALA and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky's School of Interiors and College of Design says, "Using different lighting layers is always the best option for media rooms. A single lighting layer could be fixtures that are of the same type. For example," he explains, "one layer could be recessed lighting in the media room, another layer could be wall sconces, a third layer could be an integrated architectural lighting system such as a cove or niche." Adding three layers of light, along with dimmers, gives homeowners the maximum level of control over their lighting, which effectively illuminates the room without too much glare. Dim the Light to Your Personal Preference Light fixtures such as pendants and glass globes tend to create bright spots in a room, which can be problematic for viewing television screens with direct glare and reflections on the glass. To create the perfect viewing atmosphere, Protzman suggests dimming light fixtures to a very low level. "Your eyes will be able to quickly adjust and adapt to the changes in light levels," he says. According to Protzman, people tend to perceive smaller decreases in light level than what really changes. This means if you dim a light by what seems to be 30 percent in brightness, you will actually reduce the light level by as much as 90 percent. Not only do light dimmers allow you to create a media space to your liking, but, as an added bonus, they save energy as well. To receive the best product selection and professional expertise, visit your local ALA-member retailer for media room lighting options. For a list of ALA-member showrooms, please visit AmericanLightingAssoc.com

How to Help Your Child Get Over Math Anxiety

November 3, 2015, 12:16 pm

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(NewsUSA) - Were you a math whiz growing up, or did you struggle and feel anxious at the mere mention of math? As a parent, you surely don't want your child to experience the same thing. "It's easy to help your child not only excel at math but also enjoy it," says Raj Valli, the founder of Tabtor Math, a tablet-based math learning program for K-8 children personalized by a dedicated tutor. "Create a math-friendly environment, make math a playful language and participate in an ongoing dialogue about math." Valli offers the following advice for helping your child enjoy math. Create a positive environment around math. Since children model the attitudes of those around them, speak positively about math (even hiding your true feelings). Say encouraging phrases like, "It's really cool that you can use math every day." Think about math as a language. Because children begin using language when they are very young, they don't feel the same anxiety about reading and writing as they do about math. To transfer this positive attitude over to math, approach math as a language, rather than as a "problem." Count things together, measure things together and talk about the numbers involved in any activity you are doing together. Don't worry too much about getting answers "right" or "wrong." Instead, help them think through the process of using math aloud, in words. Hold a math "dialogue" centered on everyday activities. Once your child is comfortable with thinking about math in language terms, ask at the supermarket how many cookies are in a package and how your child calculated this answer. She might refer to the size of the package or the size of the cookies inside. Whether right or wrong, it's important to emphasize the process used in her head to make the guess. This gets her thinking about math as a visual subject involving shape and volume, rather than just as numbers in a line. You might ask an older child how many slices of bread are in a loaf, how thick each slice is and how long the loaf is. Open the package to see how close the estimate was. He will learn to feel comfortable with estimating and will enjoy a conversation with you using math as a focal point. If you set the stage correctly, you'll find that your child enjoys math more than you did -- and then you can relax and enjoy your child's future success in the classroom. To learn more, please visit www.tabtor.com.

Feeding Your Joints to Stay on the Move

November 17, 2015, 11:12 am

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(NewsUSA) - If you experience joint discomfort, you're not alone. No matter how active you are, joint problems are one of the most common reasons for doctor's visits and will affect most of us as we age. Registered Dietitian & Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Marie Spano says there is a lot you can do to help yourself, beginning with a healthy diet."What you eat can have a big impact on joint inflammation, cartilage breakdown and bone formation," says Spano. "There are many foods that not only help, but are also delicious and easy to find."At the top of Spano's joint-friendly grocery list are fatty fish, including salmon, herring and anchovies. They contain the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which have anti-inflammatory effects. In cell culture studies, EPA and DHA decrease cartilage breakdown. "Cartilage is like a sponge that cushions your joints, so make sure you're taking care of it. These fatty acids can also improve symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis and possibly decrease the need for anti-inflammatory medications," says Spano.Another way to feed your joints is to take a high-quality glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplement. Together, these have been shown to limit the activity of enzymes which can break down healthy cartilage. "To help support your joint health, I recommend CosaminDS, which is the most researched glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplement on the market. It contains high-quality ingredients and a specific formulation shown in peer-reviewed studies to be effective for joint health management." Spano cautions that not all supplements are created equally. "Be an informed consumer. Look for supplements like Cosamin that are backed by clinical research and certified by an independent third-party organization."Next stop on Spano's grocery trip is the produce aisle. She recommends oranges, bell peppers, broccoli, strawberries and other foods that are rich in Vitamin C. "Vitamin C is necessary for repairing and maintaining cartilage. In population-based studies, those with higher Vitamin C intake had less severe osteoarthritis and cartilage breakdown."A balanced exercise routine also helps by maintaining joint mobility and assisting with weight control. Obesity can lead to a greater risk of joint issues. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two in three people who are obese may develop symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Even a loss of one or two pounds may feel more like 10 pounds to your joints.

Ultimate Winter Driving Tips

November 18, 2015, 7:19 am

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(NewsUSA) - Americans love their cars -- especially the classics. Coupled with a long road trip, well, it doesn't get better than that.This winter, three vintage cars from the LeMay -- America's Car Museum will make the trip of a lifetime when they participate in The Drive Home, a 13-day journey from Tacoma, Washington, ending in Detroit to coincide with the opening of the 2016 North American International Auto Show.The ride will follow a 1957 Chevy Nomad, a 1961 Chrysler 300G and a 1966 Ford Mustang as they make their way back "home" to The Motor City from Dec. 27 to Jan. 8. To ensure the drive is safe and without incident, Michelin North America will be literally helping the caravan roll."Traveling from the Pacific Northwest to Detroit that time of year will certainly offer some winter weather challenges along the way," says Ron Margadonna, Michelin tire expert. "We're excited to help ensure the rally is a safe and comfortable one with proper winter tires for each of these beautiful, classic vehicles."Years ago, making this journey during the winter would have been nearly impossible because the tire technology just wasn't the same as it is today. Now that the vehicles can be outfitted with technologically advanced winter tires, the cruise should be safe and seamless.Whether you're driving cross country or across town this winter, consider these tips to help make your ride safer:1. Take care of the outside: Check essential safety components like your tires, headlights and windshield wipers. Make sure you have proper tire pressure and enough tread, that your headlights are bright, and that your wipers are clean and in good working condition. If the temperatures are still mild, it's also a good time to give your car a good wash and a protective coat of wax.2. Have the right type of tire: All- season tires are effective for three seasons and in regions with light-to-moderate winter weather. However, when winter precipitation is greater and/or when temps approach the freezing point and below, all-season rubber compounds begin to stiffen enough to compromise traction in emergency maneuvers or panic braking. If you're driving in a climate where the temperature consistently approaches the freezing point, consider winter tires like the MICHELIN X-Ice Xi3 to better manage winter conditions.3. Have a winter ready kit in the trunk: Be sure you know where your ice scraper or snow brush is. It's not a bad idea to have an extra set of gloves and boots in the trunk, as well as a shovel, ice melt and jumper cables. Hopefully you'll never need them, but better to be safe than sorry!For more information, visit www.michelinman.com.

Shopping for a New Sofa? Keep These Design Tips in Mind

November 19, 2015, 11:40 am

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(NewsUSA) - Looking for a quick and easy way to freshen up your living room? Look no further than your sofa. A change of upholstery, especially a custom design, can change the look and feel of your room without a complex renovation. Today's sofa styles range from sleek and modern to traditional and timeless with a range of details like tufting and nailheads, shown in ready-to-ship fabrics, or you can pick from an expanded collection of fabric or leather to suit your style and budget. When picking out your new sofa and giving it your own personal touch with a range of custom options, keep these design tips in mind: * Fabric: There are so many pattern and texture options. How do you decide between a menswear stripe, graphic floral, luxe leather or solid chenille? Gary Babcock, with Arhaus, a home furnishings store, says to look in your closet for guidance. "What color do you wear more? What's your favorite pattern? Your home is like your wardrobe and you need to look good in it." * Tufting: It's trending and so much so that entire sofas are tufted. But it does come in various degrees. The deeper the tuft, the more dramatic and glamorous the sofa, while a more subtle tuft with simple button detail is more conservative, contemporary and more suited for the minimalist. * Frame: Rather than concealing the frame in the construction process, designers are exposing it, giving the wood timeworn details and a beautiful finish. Adding an architectural element to the piece, an exposed frame brings another level of style to your space particularly if it's an open floor plan. * Finish: The finish of the sofa frame, if exposed, and legs comprise another opportunity to showcase your individual style. With retailers like Arhaus, you have your choice of many finishes, ranging from a rich walnut to weathered barnwood. * Finale: If an option, don't overlook the nailhead detail-the finale to your sofa design. Use nailheads to accent a unique feature of the sofa such as a rolled arm or seatback. But be sure to browse the range of sizes and finishes, including old gold, stainless steel, pewter and gunmetal. Designers can further customize the look of your sofa by changing the spacing between each nailheads. Home furnishings stores such as Arhaus offer a range of sofa styles, as well as complimentary design services to help you create a one-of-a-kind item. In-stock pieces can be delivered in two to four weeks, and custom pieces can be expected in 10 to 12. For more information and design ideas, visit www.arhaus.com.

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Is Your Baby Ready for Chewing?

November 20, 2015, 11:22 am

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(NewsUSA) - Taking the step up from baby food to table food requires a key skill: chewing. Chewing is a learned skill, and parents can help their babies make the transition by offering a mix of appropriately textured foods. Before introducing textured foods, review a baby's readiness. Signs that a baby is ready to begin eating soft foods include crawling with his or her stomach off the floor, pulling up to a standing position, starting to mash food with the jaws and attempting to feed him or herself (not necessarily successfully, but making the effort). Learning to chew takes practice. It's not a skill babies develop instantly or even over a limited period of time, such as one month. Studies show that even when babies reach 3 years of age, they are still mastering chewing skills. Baby foods that combine different textures allow babies who are at the crawling or standing stage to simply explore those textures in their mouths without having to navigate separate foods. For older babies, small, soft food pieces can help promote side-to-side tongue movement and jaw mashing movement as preparation for chewing. Children who eat foods with chunky textures before the 10-month mark have an easier time transitioning to table food. Textured foods such as those in Gerber's Lil' Bits recipe collection are specifically designed with soft bits of food sized for babies' mouths and a gradual progression in texture to help them further develop their chewing skills. Gerber experts analyzed more than 20 hours of video footage of babies chewing and mashing food, and tested approximately 30,000 spoonfuls of food to develop optimally sized food pieces that promote chewing ability. We hold ourselves to high standards and bring deep passion to making baby food," a company statement notes. "We only work with farmers who comply with our strict quality standards, use cooking practices that help ensure our products are safe and developmentally appropriate, and test our products with babies from our panel of 2,000 Tiny Taste Testers. We do all of this to help ensure that our baby food is as delicious as it is nutritious." The Gerber Lil' Bits collection includes 11 fruit and vegetable options and six dinner options, resulting from more than 80 taste tests to ensure baby approval. Recipes include Chicken Itty-Bitty Noodle, Garden Vegetable & Beef, and Autumn Vegetable & Turkey. For more information, and to share photos of your baby's first chewing efforts, please visit www.gerber.com/learntochew.

How to Give Your 2016 Resolutions Staying Power

December 3, 2015, 8:57 am

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(NewsUSA) - With any new year comes a clean slate and a chance to take on new goals. For many, resolutions revolve around healthy changes, but experts caution that resolve begins to waver at the end of January -- which is why setting specific, realistic goals is proven to be more effective. "When it comes to fitness resolutions, the focus should be on small steps," said Tom Holland, exercise physiologist and Bowflex Fitness Advisor. "While having a big goal to work toward can be motivating, it's important to have small, manageable goals that allow you to celebrate the milestones along your fitness journey." Here are three examples of lofty fitness resolutions -- and how to break them down into achievable goals: * "I want to run a marathon." Training for a race takes months of commitment. Start with a 5K and work your way up to a 10K or half marathon, before deciding if you're ready to complete the full 26.2 miles. To build endurance before you hit the pavement, consider an in-home cardio machine like the Bowflex TreadClimber TC200. This machine combines the motions of a treadmill, a stepper and an elliptical for a low-impact, total-body workout. * "I want to look like a bodybuilder." This route takes serious patience. Begin with smaller goals, such as gaining one pound of muscle per month. You can accomplish this by increasing the amount of weight and reps with each workout. The Bowflex SelectTech 560 Dumbbells condense 32 different weights down to two -- maximizing space and storage at home. A smooth weight-changing mechanism in the handle allows you to adjust weights in varying increments and create a customized strength workout to sculpt your body. These first-ever "smart" dumbbells record reps, weight lifted and speed, sending your workout data via Bluetooth technology directly to your mobile device. * "I want to go on a cross-country bike trip." Like a marathon, months of training go into preparing for this long-distance journey. Experts suggest building up your stamina over time to avoid injury. For an at-home workout, try the Schwinn Airdyne AD Pro Total Fitness Bike. The technology in this bike allows users to tailor intensity levels during workouts -- the more effort given, the more resistance it delivers through the bike's smooth, quiet, direct-drive belt system. To find your perfect New Year's workout solution, please visit www.bowflex.com or www.schwinnfitness.com. For more tips from Tom Holland, visit the Bowflex Insider blog at www.bowflexinsider.com.

A Homeowner's Guide to Hanging Holiday Lights

December 11, 2015, 5:18 am

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(NewsUSA) - Let there be lights!Christmas lights, that is. And if the timing of when some homeowners started hanging them this year is any measure - as early as mid-October - we're really, really anxious for some holiday cheer.Most of you will opt for relatively understated displays. Others will try to outdo neighbors by creating winter wonderland scenes so dazzlingly bright that aliens (assuming they're out there) can see them from galaxies away."When I pass a suburban house festooned with twinkly, colored fairy lights, I always scream 'Bravo' out of the window of my car," Simon Doonan, creative ambassador of Barneys New York, has admitted.Whichever, here are some safety tips to keep in mind:* Never hang lights from your roof's shingles. "Making even the tiniest of holes in them or any roof component -- even with a stapler -- will let moisture or leaks in, and potentially rot the roof," says Jason Joplin, program manager of the Center for the Advancement of Roofing Excellence. Instead, use clips that hang from the gutter or eaves.* Metallic trees require special care. Gee, what could possibly go wrong by hanging electric lights on them? "The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights," warns the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, "and any person touching a branch could be electrocuted." Colored spotlights, above or beside them, are the way to go.* Embrace the buddy system. Maybe they were all drinking spiked egg nog, but one oft-quoted study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 6,000 people wind up in emergency rooms annually just from holiday decorating-related falls. As most of the injured are men and most fall from ladders, let's all say it together: "Asking someone to hold the ladder for you, whether you're stringing lights on a roof or a tall tree, isn't wussy."* Don't Let 'er Rip: Even worse than being that one house on the block that never gets around to taking down decorations till spring is this: disassembling by haphazardly pulling lights off your roof from the cord. "You risk damaging the gutter that way," says Joplin, "and potentially the shingle if you didn't clip it correctly to begin with."Especially if you are planning elaborate displays, you might want to consider hiring
a pro. GAF (gaf.com), North America's largest roofing manufacturer, makes it easy to find the most reputable (and insured) ones in your area by searching its website's GAF Master Elite Contractor database.
 Oh, and if you're truly into wowing others beyond your immediate street -- no, probably not E.T.s -- it's best to stagger two sets of lights side by side to increase the density.

Celebra Las Fiestas Con Estilo Con Las Opciones Favoritas De Nina Garcia

December 14, 2015, 11:11 am

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(NewsUSA) - Las fiestas pueden presentarte desafíos importantes cuando se trata de vestirte a ti misma o decorar tu casa. Quizás tu vestidito negro está un poco gastado (o un poco apretado después de tantas fiestas), o tal vez tu vestuario es demasiado formal y demasiado casual al mismo tiempo; de cualquier manera, es común que nos preguntemos si vale la pena gastar dinero en algo nuevo que solo usarámos pocas veces al año. "El vestuario de las fiestas tiene que ver con los detalles: desde los materiales cómodos como lana, gamuza y pieles sintéticas para las frías noches del invierno hasta las lentejuelas, las plumas y la puntilla que darán a tu look una nueva dimensión," dice Nina Garcia, directora creativa en la revista Marie Claire y una de las juezas de la telerrealidad premalada, Project Runaway. Ella te recomienda que incorpores unas piezas claves que marcan y levantan el estilo de las fiestas pero que siguen tus favoritas después del año nuevo también. Aquí, Garcia nos ofrece algunos consejos expertazos sin haciendo daño a nuestras cuentas bancarias, con una variedad de estilos de la moda por JCPenney. Si salgas por la ciudad o organices tu propia fiesta, los siguientes consejos harán que la temporada de fiestas sea todo un éxito: * La falda de cuero y lentejuelas con flecos por la colección a.n.a. están disponibles en los talles de jovenes y chiquta, y puedes vestirte para fiestas de la oficina, para las noches de cócteles con amigos o para una cita de cena. * Si los trajes de dos piezas te parecen un poco demasiado, intenta darle un look fresco al clásico vestidito negro. La opción favorita de Garcia es el vestido sin mangas con recortes y plumas por Nicole Miller, que se sienta justo encima de la rodilla y crea una forma súper atractiva y de la moda. * El abrigo engalanado de Liz Claiborne es el acompañamiento perfecto para cualquier traje que elijas. Este abrigo gris de vellón con joyas preciosas en el frente que harán sentirte ansiosa para la baja de la temperatura. * Para la casa, Garcia sugiere que añadas aspectos brillantes a la mesa con el énfasis en los metálicos y toques festivos que tienen el mismo efecto que las joyas. En ese sentido, le gusta vestir cada plato con servilleteros Stardust de Park B. Smith de JCPenney. Estos servilleteros con cuentas de cristal demuestran que un poco de brillo se puede hacer mucho para completar la escena. * ¿Qué sería una mesa de cena de fiesta sin copas de vino-ni color? Pone tonos ricos de joyas para modernizar la mesa de fiesta tradicional. A Garcia le gustan estas copas de vino de color por Spectra, que añaden un poco de color por un precio increíble. Para más información de estos productos y más para las fiestas, visita www.jcpenney.com.

GlobalGiving and Athletic Tips Partner to Help Keep Young Athletes Safe

February 5, 2016, 11:37 am

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(NewsUSA) - Sponsored News - The mission: educating the public on how to help keep kids safe while participating in school athletic programs from kindergarten through college. To do that, the new Athletic TIPS program (Toward Injury Prevention in Sports) partnered with GlobalGiving.org to finance community workshops across the nation to confront what's been called a "silent epidemic" among the nation's youth -- with nearly 8,000 emergency room visits daily ascribed to sports-related injuries. Watch the video at: https://youtu.be/324oTrtzgZI