Category: 24WM2023

Want an easy way to add fresh vegetables and herbs to your diet? Indoor hydroponic grower systems are a great way to eat more healthfully. The advanced technology in today’s systems makes it simple and satisfying to grow a garden at home even if you don’t have a green thumb—you don’t even need a yard.

Other benefits of indoor hydroponic gardens: they are pollution-free, chemical-free, and care-free. No need to worry about how much and when to water; the smart sensors in today’s high-tech indoor gardens control automated watering. LED grow lights adjust to the right amount of light, so you can place your miniature greenhouse anywhere in your home. Research suggests that these smart indoor systems can grow hydroponic plants approximately 50% faster than they would grow outside, with nearly a third increase in yield. The aspara hydroponic Smart Grower from Growgreen is designed to grow vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers in your home, without worrying about dirt, pests, or weather.

The aspara Growgreen device is engineered with the latest Internet of Things (IoT) wireless capabilities, and features its own app with guidelines for planting, as well as for remote monitoring and sharing progress with family and friends. The minimalist design blends into the aesthetics of any room.

“We are thrilled to officially introduce aspara into the U.S. market – the ultimate ‘green thumb’ aid that enables users the ability to watch beautiful vegetables, herbs, fruits or flowers come to life, regardless of the season,” says Dr. Humphrey Leung, Founder and CEO of Growgreen. “We are committed to applying innovative technology and environmentally-friendly measures that enhance indoor planting, while also encouraging a healthy living lifestyle and solution that is good for the planet and society on a whole.” The team behind Growgreen includes passionate professionals from the agriculture and electronics fields who apply technology to enhance planting.

Instilling healthy habits for both physical and emotional wellbeing begins during childhood, and, according to experts, one of the best ways to promote emotional wellness is through play.

With recent data suggesting that today’s children are more emotionally stressed than ever, The Genius of Play, a non-profit initiative dedicated to helping parents raise healthy and happy kids through the power of play, has developed a new “Emotional Wellness Playbook” for families.

“Studies show that children with high emotional intelligence earn better grades, stay in school longer, and make healthier choices overall, so it is more important than ever to talk about emotional development and how parents can help their kids build the skills needed to successfully navigate the increasingly complex world,” says Anna Yudina, senior director of marketing initiatives at The Toy Association™, which spearheads The Genius of Play.

Written in collaboration with Talia Filippelli, a leading mental health expert, founder of Starr Therapy, and Certified Holistic Health Coach, the “Emotional Wellness Playbook” features a variety of play-based activities to help kids ages 3 and up develop emotional intelligence and learn to express their feelings in a healthy way while having fun.

“Play and toys are some of the most effective tools to help kids learn and practice the five key components of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills,” says Filippelli. “What’s more, play provides the stress reduction and relaxation both kids and adults need to promote emotional wellbeing.”

The playbook’s simple, yet effective activities help children develop their emotional skills in a variety of ways. Emoji Bingo offers a twist on a favorite game that helps improve emotional self-awareness by teaching kids to label their emotions and, therefore, not become overwhelmed by big feelings when they occur. Calming Bottle is a DIY activity that can help those who struggle with self-regulation. Puppet Play helps kids practice empathy and social skills and Vision Board helps build their motivation and self-confidence.

Cardiovascular Disease including stroke remains a leading cause of death in the United States and is the number one cause of death in women, according to the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association.

In addition, recent research shows that women suffer more activity limitations, greater depression, and worse health-related quality of life after a stroke compared to men.

Prompt identification and immediate treatment may prevent death from stroke and may minimize the long-term effects and potential for disability. During this month of May, when we recognize Mother’s Day and American Stroke Month, the ASA encourages everyone to know the warning signs of stroke.

The acronym F.A.S.T. makes it easier to spot a stroke quickly.

F-face drooping. If you see someone’s face drooping on one side, or if they say it feels numb, ask them to smile, and notice if the smile is uneven.

A-arm weakness. If someone says their arm is weak or acts as if it is numb, ask them to raise both arms, and take note if one arm drifts downward.

S- speech difficulty. If you notice that someone is slurring their speech, ask them to repeat a simple sentence, such as “the sky is blue.” If they can’t do this, they might be suffering a stroke.

T-time to call 911. If someone shows any of these signs, call 911 right away. Check the time when you call, so you can tell emergency responders when you observed the symptoms.

Other symptoms of stroke include general weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body; confusion (such as in understanding what is being said); trouble seeing in one or both eyes, or trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination. A sudden severe headache with no known cause can be a sign of a stroke, too.

Timing matters. Individuals who suffer a stroke and receive prompt medical treatment with a clot-busting drug or clot-retrieval device are more likely to recover with little or no disability than those who don’t receive prompt treatment.  Spot a stroke F.A.S.T and you may save a life.

The F.A.S.T. Experience is a new digital tool launched by the American Stroke Association this month that engages users in a virtual experience educating them on what the warning signs of a stroke look, feel and/or sound like. By helping users to experience the stroke warning signs in a simulated way that is both educational and engaging.

An annual road trip is a staple for many American families.

Whether plans for visiting relatives, exploring a new destination, or revisiting a favorite vacation spot, loading the car and getting behind the wheel is second nature. But, upgrading a road trip with an RV may be just the ticket to making the next adventure the best one yet.

According to Phocuswright’s US Consumer Travel research, almost half of Millennials are interested in renting an RV for a leisure trip within the next 12 months. It may be because hitting the road in an RV is an exciting way to spend time traveling with friends or family on a nature-filled adventure. Don’t have an RV? Thanks to sites such as RVshare, RV rentals are easier to find and book than ever. With more than 100,000 RVs to choose from across the country, the peer-to-peer marketplace has a variety of vehicles with options ranging from a luxury motor home to a confined camper, there is something for everyone at any price point. There is no special license required and the RV insurance is built-in.

“RV rentals are a great option for those to experience the RV lifestyle without having to buy an expensive vehicle,” says RVshare’s CEO Jon Gray.

“Travelers come to our site to find RVs for a weekend of camping or a multi-week road trip. With a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen all on-board, an RV is essentially a hotel room wherever you want it.”

Want to ditch the sedan and upgrade to a motor home? Here are a few tips for renting an RV for first-timers.

• Use a trusted site: Use a trusted site such as RVshare.com where payments are protected and the owner of the vehicle is verified. RVshare also offers roadside assistance, 24/7 customer service, insurance and other perks to protect your trip and payment.
• Have a plan before booking: With camping, road tripping and RV travel being in high demand this summer, campgrounds will get booked up, especially on weekends.
• Narrow down the options: For a first-time renter, finding the right RV may feel daunting. First, consider the trip type, how many people will be traveling and what the goal of the road trip is. For a couple, a Class B Campervan is a great option for two. A family should look at a Class C driveable RV, which boasts a lot of space but is still maneuverable for those intimidated by big rigs.
• The owner is the best resource: When booking with a peer-to-peer platform, the owner is the best resource to answer questions about the vehicle, including what is included, their rules about pets and if the RV is suitable for long road trips.

“The best way to conduct a home safety check is to get down on all fours and look up at the world from the point of view of a crawling child,” says Carolyn Ziegler, co-founder and product development director for Dreambaby.®

“It’s amazing the hidden dangers you will identify,” she adds.

The right child safety products are designed to make life easier for parents while keeping children safer at home and on the go.

Dreambaby® is a family-owned company with more than 20 years of experience in developing affordable, easy-to-use safety products.

With more young children at home (and more parents still working from home), safety products such as the Lever Door Lock from Dreambaby® provides peace of mind for parents by preventing curious children from exploring potentially dangerous areas of the house, such as laundry rooms, basements, or garages. The lock fits most lever-door handles, and can easily be engaged and disengaged by adults without the need for a key.

The arrival and increased distribution of coronavirus vaccines means that more people are venturing out of the house, and taking their babies with them. But child safety doesn’t stop at the front door.

The Dreambaby® Non-Contact Rapid Response Infrared Forehead Thermometer provides a reliable reading within seconds of holding the device approximately one inch from the skin, so parents and caregivers can determine immediately whether fever is present.

Once you are out and about, the Dreambaby® Oxford Baby Carrier keeps your baby more secure, comfortable, and close to you. The carrier is designed to be worn three ways, with baby in front facing inward, in front facing outward, or riding backpack style with the carrier strapped on the parent or caregiver’s back. Special features include an ergonomic design, easily adjustable and removable headrest, padded shoulder straps, lumbar support, and breathable mesh lining.

With more than 32,000 independently planned events around the country, the week of Jan. 21-27 will be the largest-ever celebration of opportunity in education.

It’s the seventh annual National School Choice Week, a nonpartisan, nonpolitical awareness event that has grown considerably every year – it’s up from 21,000 last year and 150 events in its first year.

So who are the people leading the celebrations?

Some are parents who put themselves in the driver’s seat of their children’s education. They considered their children’s unique needs, learning styles, and interests. They looked at the available options – traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, homeschooling, online schools, or a combination of these options – and chose the education environments they considered best for their children.

Some tracked down publicly or privately funded scholarships; others checked waitlists; and many others decided that their local school was, in fact, the best fit for their children.

Some event organizers are teachers and school leaders, happy to be playing such a crucial role in the education and development of children across America. Different schools offer different curricula, different approaches to education, different perspectives – and this diversity is worth celebrating. Every child is unique; every family is unique. Children who are excited about violin or Mandarin, children who need an extra lift in a particular area, children who thrive in traditional classrooms and children who don’t – everyone should be given an opportunity to excel in whatever way best suits them. And great teachers and school leaders are an essential part of that excellence.

Some events are planned by community leaders hoping to help even more children have the opportunity to reach their full academic potential by creating new paths and raising awareness about the importance of continually expanding access to effective education options for children and families.

The participants in National School Choice Week may all be different, with unique perspectives, backgrounds, and stories. But they all believe one thing: that every child, given the right environment, can succeed. No matter what school your family has chosen, National School Choice Week provides an opportunity to celebrate students and the hope of a bright future for our whole nation.

Imagine getting paid just to post on Instagram about brands and local businesses you are interested in.

Quantum Sponsor is the platform that’s making it happen. Unlike traditional talent agencies, Quantum Sponsor doesn’t require you to have millions of followers to participate – even a couple of hundred is just fine!

Now, Aunt Suzie, who just started Instagram last month, can make money posting about her favorite new Clutch Coffee shop that opened down the street, and so can you.

Both small businesses and Fortune 500 companies alike are using Quantum Sponsor to pay everyday Instagram users for posts.

Most consumers today are overwhelmed by and tired of banner-style and traditional ads; they want to learn about products from other trusted consumers who are willing to share their interests and expertise.

Quantum Sponsor’s new advertising platform pairs enthusiastic Instagrammers with clients who will hire them for paid promotions. Best of all, Quantum Sponsor is easy for both the Instagrammers and businesses.

“We want to give social media users the opportunity to earn money for the content they’ve created and the influence they’ve earned. So we made it easy. In doing so, we also created an effective, cost- saving tool for digital advertisers across all industries,” says AJ Silverman, founder and CEO of Quantum Sponsor.

Working with Quantum Sponsor streamlines the process of influencer selection, sponsorship, and payments.

Here’s how it works: Instagrammers sign up as influencers on the Quantum Sponsor website. The website will tell them exactly how much money they’ll make for posts based on how engaged their followers are. Quantum Sponsor reviews and categorizes all influencers by audience interests, location, gender, and brand safety.

Advertisers sign up as “sponsors,” and create campaigns directly on the Quantum Sponsor platform, which will automatically send out email alerts and offers to influencers who match with the advertiser’s target audience.

Influencers post and complete offers by leaving posts active for a minimum of seven days. Once offers are completed, influencers can withdraw their earnings with PayPal. Influencers can increase their earnings by posting interesting, engaging content but need to eliminate cruel or violent language in order to receive offers.

Quantum Sponsor recognizes that digital influencers are the future of marketing, the new darlings of the Internet, and that advertisers who want social media followers, depend on them. This creates an opportunity for influencers to cash in while building their own personal brands – just by doing the things they love.

As the holiday season approaches, the revival of in-person events, celebrations, and activities leaves many excited, yet overwhelmed, but the right holiday helpers can make this busy season pleasant. Finding products that can serve double (or triple) duty is the key to success by saving time, money, and energy. One kitchen staple that may surprise you with its versatility is citric acid powder.

Move over, vinegar — there’s a new, natural product workhorse in town that’s about to become your go-to pantry essential and serve as the surprise of the season, helping you through the holidays with everything from cooking to ‘do it yourself’ (DIY) gifting and pampering.

“Knowing that budgets are tight this year, consumers can afford to be resourceful with the superhero pantry staple that is citric acid powder,” says Curtis Eggemeyer, CEO of Lemi Shine, known for their 100% food-grade citric acid powder. “You’d be surprised how many ingredients you use every day that have citric acid in them — take a look around — it’s in everything from snacks to moisturizer.”

Cooking made smart. Whether you’re the host or a guest, holiday meals are rarely prepared without leftovers in mind. Commonly used as a preservative to prevent spoilage, Lemi Shine’s 100% Food Grade Citric Acid Powder can increase the shelf life of cooked food and will help to keep holiday snacks, sweets, and beverages fresh. Two tips for packing up your party: soak sliced fruit in a citric-acid-and-water solution for minutes to prevent discoloration or sprinkle citric acid over your fresh guacamole to keep it looking delicious throughout the event.

Citric acid powder is also the key ingredient in some of your favorite recipes. Chocolate Bundt Cake is a tried-and-true crowd pleaser that always has guests coming back for a second slice. You can also create deliciously easy Apple Chips using just three ingredients.

Gifting made savvy. Budgets are tighter this holiday season. Low-cost gift ideas that anyone can use and appreciate include DIY Bath Bombs and aromatherapy mixes featuring citric acid powder. Combine the powder with some essential oils for aromatherapy – whether it’s lavender to create a calming atmosphere, mood-boosting peppermint to fight fatigue, or fruity and floral bergamot to help relieve stress. These are gifts any host would appreciate receiving.

Self-care made special. Don’t neglect your own self-care during the holidays. Whether prepping for a big night out or recovering from a family game night in, pampering yourself helps recharge for the holiday season. Try a DIY face mask before or after a holiday event, or anytime you need a little extra TLC. Not to mention, these self-care hacks also double as great gifts.

Cleaning made simple. Make life easier and opt for cleaning products with a citric acid base when tidying up your home. Citric acid-based products, like Lemi Shine’s, are bleach-free and family-safe, so everyone can chip in on housework

With the onset of spring and summer weather, peak motorcycle riding season is underway across the United States. May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) is promoting the “Expect Us, See Us,” slogan to alert motorists to the increased presence of motorcycles.

Motorcycle-related traffic fatalities, along with all other types of traffic fatalities, increased dramatically from 2020 to 2021, according to the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“The NHTSA data may be from 2021, but distraction, speeding, and driving or riding while under the influence continue to be problems today,” says Rob Gladden, vice president of training operations for MSF.

“However, these are all things we can change,” Gladden adds. “May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and we want to call attention to how smart, attentive driving and riding behaviors can save lives.”

The MSF offers the following safety tips for drivers and for motorcyclists to help reduce accidents and fatalities and to keep everyone safe on the road.

Tips for car and truck drivers:

-Look out for motorcyclists.  Car and truck blind spot detectors aren’t perfect. During the spring and summer months, expect that you will share the road with motorcycles and scooters. Use your eyes and mirrors.

-Stay focused. Put down the phone while driving, and don’t be distracted by passengers, pets, or other in-vehicle activity.

-Use turn signals. Many drivers fail to signal when changing lanes. Signaling alerts motorcyclists as well as other drivers.

-Give space. Don’t get too close to riders; they need room to maneuver and adjust to road conditions.

-Don’t litter. Tossing anything out of a vehicle endangers motorcyclists riding nearby.

Tips for motorcycle and scooter riders:

-Be seen. Wear bright riding gear and a light-colored helmet. Always have your headlight on, day and night, and flash your brake light when slowing and before stopping if possible.

-Assume others don’t see you. Stay hyper-aware and notice details in your surroundings. Use the Search-Evaluate-Execute (SEE) strategy to respond to assess hazards.

-Dress the part. Wear proper riding gear from head to toe—it can save your life. Full-face helmets provide the best protection, and jackets, pants, gloves, and boots that are made for riding will generally be made of abrasion-resistant material and provide additional comfort and protection.

-Follow the rules. Riding respectfully — and legally — creates a safer environment for everyone.

-Check your bike. Before every ride, do a pre-ride check to look over tires and wheels, check fluids, cables, chassis, lights, electronics, and stands. Use the T-CLOCS inspection checklist to help you.

Share these safety tips with others using the hashtags #SeeMotorcycles and #ExpectUsSeeUs.

Approximately 5.5 million Americans currently suffer from Alzheimer’s dementia, and no cure or preventive measure currently exists.

However, a new dietary supplement has shown an ability to improve cognitive function in adults with dementia, based on results of a year-long clinical trial.

In the study, 34 adults with an average age of 80 were given one teaspoon, four times a day, of a dietary supplement containing multiple natural ingredients, notably a unique form of aloe vera and stabilized rice bran, for 12 months.

“Overall, our results showed statistically and clinically significant improvements in cognitive functioning and statistically significant improvements in immune functioning for a disease that otherwise has no efficacious medical treatment,” says John E. Lewis, Ph.D., founder and chief science officer of Nurish.Me, a company focused on developing innovative dietary supplements.

“Many participants had a renewed ability to recall people, places, events and situations, which was remarkable given their disease severity and from what the caregivers reported to us,” Lewis adds.

In addition, participants showed significant improvements after 12 months of treatment in scores on the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog), the current gold standard for measuring and assessing cognitive function in dementia patients. On average, patients in the study showed improvements in the ADAS-Cog of greater than four points, which is considered clinically significant.

The initial results of the study were published in 2013 in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. Additional findings were published in 2017 in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Research, and a third paper has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Research.

Based on the study results, Lewis and a team of scientists and business partners created the Nurish.Me company and developed the CogniNurish dietary supplement for consumer use. CogniNurish contains the key ingredients from the Alzheimer’s study: aloe vera inner leaf powder (BiAloe) and stabilized rice bran.

The unique combination of polysaccharides from BiAloe, phytochemicals and other essential nutrients from rice bran and other ingredients “creates a broad-spectrum approach to providing the body the raw materials it needs to enable the bioengineering of life,” says Lewis.

“This ingredient combination has been missing in the brain health space.”