Home And Family

(NAPSI)—The holiday season is a joyous time of year for millions of Americans across the country. Within the next month, online orders will be made, packages will arrive on doorsteps, and families will leave town to visit relatives or take a holiday vacation. While these may seem innocuous, criminals may see the holiday season as a time to capitalize on gift-giving and holiday vacations.

Daniel Barry, University of Phoenix Las Vegas Campus chair for security & criminal justice programs and a retired Las Vegas Metro police captain, says Americans need to be on higher guard this time of year when criminals can be more active. There are simple ways families can protect themselves and their loved ones, he says. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—A delicious holiday season can be healthy, too. One key: Find small, simple ways to incorporate more nutritious foods, without losing the flavors you love. Blueberries can help.

“Blueberries are a small, tasty package with big health benefits,” advised registered dietitian and spokesperson for the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council Patricia Bannan. “They’re sweet, tart and delicious but, at only 80 calories per cup, they make a nutritious addition to a holiday dish or an easy, on-the-go snack. Just rinse and go. Blueberries are also an excellent source of vitamin C, which can give the immune system a boost.”

Blueberries are low in sodium with virtually no fat. They’re a good source of dietary fiber (3.6 grams per serving), which aids digestion, keep you feeling fuller longer, and help you resist some of those tempting seasonal treats. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—America’s military service members make great sacrifices for our country—and for their own families—but are their kids getting what they need from our K−12 education system?

A new national survey of service members, spouses and veterans looks at educational options for military families, their satisfaction and how their choices can play a role in whether a family accepts an assignment or even factor into decisions to leave military service altogether. There are roughly 750,000 school-aged children in active-duty-member households today.

Data show military families are very interested in alternatives to district schools. According to a new EdChoice and Braun Research survey, we know 80 percent of them attend public schools today, despite the fact that more than 60 percent would prefer different schooling environments for their children, such as private school, charter school, virtual school or home school. Continue reading →

Tips For Living Well

(NAPSI)—It can be confusing and scary when someone first finds out that he or she has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a leading cause of death in the United States—but there are ways to keep living life to the fullest.

The Problem

Recently diagnosed patients and their families can be taken by surprise—they might not know what COPD is, what it means for their future or how the diagnosis will affect their ability to stay active. COPD is among the most common, underdiagnosed, debilitating, deadly and costly diseases to manage, and for those who have recently been diagnosed, it can be difficult to figure out how to manage this life change. What’s more, over 15 million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute estimates that another 12 million are undiagnosed or developing COPD. Continue reading →

Older People Improve Life For Others And Themselves

(NAPSI)—Many older Americans have discovered that sharing their accumulated wisdom with others who need help can be a big win all around.

Here’s a look at two ways you can stretch your mind and show your heart:

Experience Corps

AARP Foundation Experience Corps unites teachers, schools and older adults to improve children’s academic and social outcomes. This benefits the children, the schools and the volunteers.

The program has been proven to help children who aren’t reading at grade level become better readers by the end of third grade. Last school year, 76 percent of students who were below grade level at the beginning of the year raised their reading and literacy performance by one or more proficiency levels with the help of Experience Corps volunteers. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—Each year, Medicare Open Enrollment begins on October 15 and ends on December 7. It’s an important opportunity for eligible individuals to select a Medicare plan that best meets their current and potential health needs, and also offers crucial protection for unexpected costs.

Although it’s been 10 years since the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression hit the U.S., most middle-income boomers say they still don’t feel their finances have fully recovered. According to a recent study from the Bankers Life Center for a Secure Retirement, today, only 57 percent of middle-income boomers feel confident meeting their daily financial obligations, down from 65 percent before the crisis. Along with their smaller savings accounts, concerns about rising health care costs as they age could be feeding boomers’ lack of confidence in their financial futures.

Today, boomers expect to carry more debt into retirement; only 34 percent expect to retire debt-free. One of the main drivers of debt for this demographic is the nationwide increase in health care costs. Boomers—an estimated 74.9 million Americans aged 53 to 71 in 2017—will likely live to around age 85, on average, according to the Social Security Administration, and unexpected health issues associated with age can drain savings and increase the risk of added debt. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—The National Museum of the United States Army is under construction, and four artifacts are already in place. These unique pieces of Army history are so large that crews pre-positioned them early in the construction process so the Museum’s walls could be built around them.

The first two artifacts were the M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle that led the 2003 charge from Kuwait to Baghdad, and the M4A3E2 Sherman “Jumbo” Tank, known as “Cobra King,” which was the first tank to break through German lines during World War II’s Battle of the Bulge. Crews then installed an LCVP, one of the few remaining Higgins boats certified to have carried troops ashore at Normandy on D-Day.

The fourth artifact, a Renault FT-17 Tank known as “5 of Hearts,” made history in World War I when it led an attack on enemy lines near Exermont, France. It is the only known surviving Renault FT-17 Tank used in combat by U.S. personnel. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—Nearly everyone born between 1996 and 2010—Gen Z, as they’re known—owns a smartphone, Mediakix research shows. What many people don’t know, however, is that these young people are often as much into nature as they are into technology.

Fourteen-year-old Jake Reisdorf of California is a shining example. The subject for a school project was the impetus that turned an initial interest in bees into a full-fledged hobby and business, and the young entrepreneur now serves as founder and CEO of Carmel Honey Company.

He had taken a beekeeping course and used that information to create a website for a class project. His fellow students, however, seemed more interested in learning about honey bees than about website design. So Reisdorf procured a hive and began rescuing wild swarms. He now manages nearly 100 hives. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—If your home is like most, you no longer have a landline. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 51 percent of U.S. homes rely on cell phones alone for a telephone connection. So a reliable cellular signal is more crucial than ever.

The Problem

Unfortunately, bad cell reception can happen in urban areas, thanks to all the obstacles that block cell tower signals from reaching your phone. And it can be even worse in rural areas, which make up more than 72 percent of the U.S. land area.

In fact, most cell phone users have used a number of creative ways to make or receive a mobile call, including going outside, standing near a window, finding the one spot in the house with a signal, standing like a statue and even moving like a ninja. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—Low and slow is the way to go when it comes to entertaining. Start marinating the night before, prep the rest of the ingredients in the morning, drop it all into the slow cooker and let the magic begin as the flavors slowly meld and everything turns tender.

Then it’s all about the garnishes to contrast the mellowness and succulence of a slowly braised meal. Choose items that will strike the perfect balance by adding brightness and texture:

• Chopped scallions, fresh jalapeños and halved cherry tomatoes add crunch and flavor to your favorite chili recipe.
• Handfuls of arugula, chopped parsley and pine nuts are delicious toppings for your favorite chicken cacciatore recipe.
• Roasted sesame seeds, julienned cucumbers and cilantro cool down your favorite Asian spicy rib recipe.

Continue reading →