Upcycling Food Waste Can Make a Difference—And These 12 Organizations Prove It #FoodTank

September 24, 2020 by 2 Comments

To begin this newsletter, I want to make sure that everyone reading this in the United States has information about how to register to vote and how to request a mail-in ballot. No matter your political affiliation, voting is not just a right, but a responsibility. For more information, you can visit vote.gov and vote.org. For resources on voting by mail, visit the U.S. Vote Foundation or the Election Management Resources from the U.S. Election Assistance Committee.

The upcoming U.S. election is critical because the urgency of the issues we face is greater than ever before. More than two dozen scientists agree that “climate disruption is now locked in.” The wildfires on the West Coast, stronger slow-moving hurricanes along the Gulf, and record heatwaves are a harbinger of what’s to come.

Our food production and consumption practices need to change in response. In the U.S. alone, emissions from food waste are equivalent to 37 million cars’ worth of greenhouse gases, according to the World Wildlife Fund. Instead of continuing this cycle of production and destruction, we have to think about wasting less and using our food resources more efficiently to help keep our planet healthy.

This is the idea behind upcycling food—taking quality ingredients that would otherwise be wasted and turning them into nutritious and ecologically friendly snacks, beverages, and meals. The food wasted in a year contains enough calories to feed every undernourished person on Earth, according to the WWF. Upcycling is a realistic way to help bridge that gap, which is why the recently formed Upcycled Food Association has brought together over 90 upcycling brands to advocate for standards and policies that can help reduce food waste.

In honor of International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste next Tuesday, Sept. 29, Food Tank is spotlighting 12 companies and nonprofits giving a second life to wasted food through upcycling: Aqua Botanical, Australia; KROMKOMMER, The Netherlands; Matriark Foods, United States; NETZRO, United States; Pure Plus+, United States; RISE + WIN Brewing Co., Japan; Rubies in the Rubble, United Kingdom; Sweet Benin, West Africa; Toast Ale, United Kingdom; Treasure8, United States; Upcycled Grain Project, New Zealand; and Wize Monkey, Canada.

Learn more about each of these organizations—and where you can find their products—by CLICKING HERE.
Over the past week, I’ve been watching with horror as farmworkers on the U.S. West Coast face a seemingly impossible choice: go to work during a global pandemic with wildfires raging perilously close, or stay home safe without pay. The wildfires are just one more threat to workers’ well-being—and like this particularly devastating Atlantic hurricane season and the Australian bush fires late last year and into 2020, they are made worse by climate change.

I am sharing this article via FoodTank.com, and it was written by Danielle Nierenberg.

Filed Under: charity/notforprofit, evergreen, food, lifestyle Tagged With: , , , ,

PBS KIDS Talk About: Race and Racism

September 24, 2020 by Leave a Comment
“PBS KIDS Talk About: Race and Racism,” premieres on October 9. The half-hour program will feature candid and authentic conversations between kids and their parents about race and racial justice-related topics in an age-appropriate way and offer viewers ideas to build on as they continue these important conversations at home. The special will be hosted by Amanda Gorman, the writer, activist and first-ever Youth Poet Laureate of the U.S. 

As Gorman shares in the show, when something is confusing or uncomfortable, she likes to talk about it. Growing up, she would participate in daily family meetings, where the kids got to pick any topic they wanted to discuss, whatever was on their minds. It is that same spirit that moved Gorman, whose poetry often discusses race, to become involved in the timely production.

In addition to the frank, up-to-the-minute conversations on the subject, “PBS KIDS Talk About: Race and Racism” will include relevant content from the popular PBS KIDS series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Arthur and Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. Just following the special will be the premiere of a brand-new episode of the animated PBS KIDS series, Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum, featuring Harriet Tubman as well as an Arthur short created “in memory of civil rights legend John Lewis,” as noted on-screen.

PBS KIDS announced a new special, “PBS KIDS Talk About: Race and Racism,” premiering October 9. The half-hour program will feature authentic conversations between real children and their parents, and will include content from PBS KIDS series DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, ARTHUR and XAVIER RIDDLE AND THE SECRET MUSEUM. The show will feature kids and their parents talking about race and racial justice-related topics in an age-appropriate way, such as noticing differences in race, understanding what racism can look like, and embracing the role we all have to play in standing up for ourselves and each other — offering viewers ideas to build on as they continue these important conversations at home.

The special will debut as part of PBS KIDS Family Night on the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel, and will also be available on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings), and streaming on pbskids.org, the PBS KIDS Video app and on PBS KIDS’ Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

“PBS KIDS believes kids are capable of understanding and talking through tough, but important issues with the adults in their lives – something that has been core to our mission for the last 50 years,” said Lesli Rotenberg, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, Children’s Media and Education, PBS. “Through the PBS KIDS Talk About: Race and Racism special, our goal is to support parents in talking with their children about race, anti-Black racism in our country, and how to be actively anti-racist. Parents have increasingly asked us for these resources, and we hope that this special will provide a helpful starting point in whatever way they choose to have these conversations with their children.”

“PBS KIDS Talk About,” previously an online-only video series, models authentic and practical parent-child conversations that reflect PBS KIDS’ core values of kindness and curiosity, and has included real families addressing topics such as feelings and emotions, relationships and family, curiosity and wonder, bravery and courage, and self-confidence and determination.

To support this new offering, PBS KIDS provides a variety of resources to help parents talk to young children about race and racism. This resource hub on PBS KIDS for Parents includes articles, a webinar, booklists, links to programming, and more tips and resources to help parents have meaningful conversations with young children about race, racism, and being anti-racist.

Produced by Crossroads Productions for PBS, the special was developed in consultation with Dr. Aisha White (Director, The P.R.I.D.E Program (Positive Racial Identity Development in Early Education)), Dr. Renée Wilson-Simmons (Executive Director, ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience) Awareness Foundation), and Dr. Dana Winters (Director of Simple Interactions and Academic Programs; Assistant Professor of Child and Family Studies, Fred Rogers Center). The “PBS KIDS Talk About” series and the “PBS KIDS Talk About: Race and Racism” special were created with major funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Filed Under: charity/notforprofit, entertainment, evergreen, kids Tagged With: , , ,

Best tools to overcome COVID anxiety, help you sleep #SleepBetter #LessStress

September 23, 2020 by Leave a Comment

sleep well

Are you more stressed out then ever? The current pandemic is giving people anxiety at high rates, and so are the added stresses of quarantine, at home learning, working from home, loss of jobs, evictions, fear of getting covid or losing a loved one, having someone stay at home with the kids, fear of losing your job, home, insurance, etc. It’s no joke.

Even in normal times, approximately 30 percent to 35 percent of the population experiences acute, or short-term, insomnia. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, experts say interrupted schedules, stress and anxiety due to the virus has caused more people to not be able to fall asleep at night and get a good night’s rest.

A former Silicon Valley executive who worked at Tesla and FitBit, has created a way to help anyone get to sleep and stay asleep even during the pandemic. He launched The Happy Labs, a CBDsupplement company that uses only organic hemp and guarantees quality control and ingredients with a trackable seed to shelf process. On nights when sleep seems like it will never come, The Happy Labs Goodnight Pills, which are a blend of 10mg of melatonin, chamomile and 30mg of CBD, should help the body relax, the eyes get heavy and usher in a peaceful sleep.

If you are having a hard time getting to sleep, try these. So much more then just the basic melatonin, Happy Labs Goodnight Pills are a blend of 10mg of melatonin, chamomile and 30mg of CBD that should help the body relax, the eyes get heavy and usher in a peaceful night’s rest. 

No reason to lay in bed awake and letting your thoughts drive you crazy all night long. Try these all natural tablets, and see if they work for you. Thanks for reading, and have a good night!

 

Filed Under: evergreen, health Tagged With: , ,

PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE LAUNCHES “THE CONVERSATION” TO SUSTAIN ANTIRACIST ENGAGEMENT, COLLABORATION, AND ACTION

September 22, 2020 by Leave a Comment

“The Conversation” Goes Beyond the Books with Next Steps Toward a More Equitable Future

Penguin Random House today announced the launch of a new website to support families, educators, communities, organizations, and readers who are working to combat racism and end racial inequities in our daily lives. Named “The Conversation,” this website brings together a curated array of resources and programming for readers, including discussion guides, title lists, and special content for all age groups. With a strong focus on family reading and community engagement, The Conversation was designed as a resource to support multiple constituencies, including educators, librarians, booksellers, activists and allies, as well as Penguin Random House employees. The site is designed to be a dynamic resource, and will be updated in real time as authors and allies create and share relevant content.

This organic employee initiative grew out of an internal company brainstorm about how to assist those learning about anti-racism take the next actionable steps. It also reflects discussions held by PRH employees throughout the company, including members of the Penguin Random House Diversity & Inclusion Council.

“In virtual classrooms and virtual conference rooms, and within our company, people are grappling with how to discuss our world, and how to create real and lasting change,” said Jaci Updike, President, Sales, Penguin Random House, U.S. “We want to amplify the work of our authors, engage with readers, listen carefully to what is being asked of us, and share resources that fuel conversation and spark collective action.”

The Conversation includes resources to facilitate dialogue about books by Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, and other iconic writers. It will also provide toolkits, inspired by the works of Ibram X. Kendi and Jennifer L. Eberhardt, for creating anti-racist workplaces. The website will feature books and content from all of Penguin Random House’s publishing divisions, and the company is creating book bundles and materials for independent bookstores to help these businesses with their outreach to local schools and libraries.

A primary focus will be our youngest readers, with toolkits for raising anti-racist children, centering on books by Jacqueline Woodson and Nic Stone, among others. Additionally, a Family Reads initiative will be launched via The Conversation later this fall, which will include family reading guides for the adult and young-reader editions of Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy and Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime, along with video content and other resources to facilitate meaningful family conversations.

“We want to maintain momentum in our communities, and provide resources for our collective journey ahead,” continued Updike. “All of PRH is committed to the ongoing development of The Conversation – to creating new material and responding to current events as close to real-time as we can.”

To participate in The Conversation, visit www.penguinrandomhouse.com/theconversation.

Filed Under: book review, education, evergreen Tagged With: , ,

How to take care of your diet while traveling

August 8, 2020 by 2 Comments

Beautifully Balanced Meal in Hocking Hills, Ohio

How to take care of diet while travelling?

If it’s on a business trip or a vacation, even the most seasoned traveller can lose their portion of nutrition. Being away from home and away from the routine is a powerful temptation to overdo, overeat, and neglect caution. 

Believe me; if we feel hectic due to some work, we can be satisfied with a simple, refreshing drink of plain water. If we want to be hydrated, water is an excellent source to keep energetic and healthy. Here is the comparison of ultimate guide for weight loss between Paleo and Keto diets. Do check for the better understanding

The phrase “If you are not healthy, you have nothing” rings more than ever, especially when you are away.

Make healthy eating while on vacation a goal by sticking as much as possible to a healthy diet routine, like Atkins diet.

Without eating for a long time, your work is not good because of having less energy. Follow the golden rule of eating something every 2-3 hours. It doesn’t have to be a lot, just a handful of nuts or a small pot of yogurt to keep hunger at bay.

Getting ready is your first step. You can always enjoy nutritious food on the go.

Ready for more? We’ve many tips for you to make your life healthy and energetic.

IN THE CAR:

It always happens. While travelling, always avoid junk food. Instead, have some light food with you like snacks and meals. It makes you fresh and energetic. Here are some foods to eat on a road trip:

  • Yogurt
  • Hummus and celery or baby carrots
  • Sandwiches
  • Boiled eggs
  • Quinoa and black bean salad

 IN THE PLANE:

While most airlines don’t offer healthy food options, you can always plan to meet your healthy eating goals. For long-haul flights, ask the airline for a special meal in advance – kosher and vegetarian are a particular favourite!

 Without wasting money on junk food or fast food at the airport on board, you can save time and money by getting ready. Traveling with simple food and a water source going is easy for us as both make us energetic for a long journey.

Consider these healthy options the next time you’re on a plane, so when the flight attendant arrives and hands you bag of pretzels, you can look for these healthy snack alternatives:

  • Hummus
  • Homemade trail mix (raisins, sunflower seeds, almonds, walnuts)
  • Rice cakes with almond butter
  • Whole fruit

IN THE HOTEL:

Find out in advance if there is a supermarket nearby. The good news is that there are supermarkets everywhere! Ask the hotel staff for some suggestions. To avoid spoiling, you can request a refrigerator and microwave oven. Store your hotel refrigerator to have snacks on hand when you have those late-night snacks.

  • Milk
  • Pre-cut vegetables (carrots, peppers, cucumbers, celery)
  • soft bread
  • Whole grain
  • Brown paper bags and microwave popcorn

BY THE SHORE:

When on a beach do not forget to have good meal.

Get a healthy dose of lean protein like eggs or tofu and add veggies to your plate. You must include some very healthy food options:

  • Green cabbage wraps
  • Whole wheat pasta salad
  • Poached eggs
  • Whole-grain cookies
  • Sushi
Filed Under: evergreen, food Tagged With: , , ,

Foods and Diets That Keep NFL Stars in Supreme Shape

August 3, 2020 by 1 Comment

NFL players come in all shapes and sizes depending on the position on the field that they specialize in, but one thing rings true for each of them, no matter the role they carry out on a roster: their diet must be on point.

If nutrition is neglected, then that can lead to training being a waste of time. With this in mind, coaches have added nutritionists to their staff, ensuring that each player is being fed and watered in the correct manner.

Here are some of the diets and foods that pro football players swear by, some of which may take you by surprise, and others that you could even incorporate into your own healthy lifestyle.
The Big Men Need Huge Calorie Intakes

For those men who operate in the defensive line, bulk is important when you are trying not to be pushed and shunted out of the way in a high-octane NFL game. To maintain their physical presence, they are required to take onboard plenty of calories, but the right kinds that will not hurt their heart or make them sluggish.

This means a whole range of protein rich foods such as lean chicken breasts, fish and wholegrain pasta. Meanwhile, many players are switching out pasta or rice to make room for quinoa, which gives a clean carb boost as well as being high in protein.

Diet Regimens That Seem to Work

Some fans are so particular about the diets that their favorite stars are consuming that some will even factor it into whether they will perform well at the weekend, adjudging that juicy burger they saw a QB eat on Instagram 24 hours before game time as a sure sign that their opposition’s NFL odds might be worth a perusal.

While this means of predicting how games will pan out may or may not pay dividends, there are some diet fads which seem to have legs in the world of the NFL, with top players apportioning much of their success or longevity to them.

One of these is veganism, with stars like Cam Newton and Colin Kaepernick having long ago rejected the prospect of ingesting animal products of any kind.

A halfway house, that a larger proportion of the league’s players appear to abide by, is a dairy free diet, with lactose-rich products such as milk and cheese only acting to slow players down.
Increasing numbers of pro athletes are becoming vegan

Snacking is Okay if It Is Healthy

Snacking between meals is often cited as one of the main reasons for people gaining excess weight, but often it is the choice of snack that people make rather than the actual snack itself that creates problems.

With NFL players needing a little energy boost now and again on the touchlines, they tend to turn to snacks like fruits, nuts and even a spot of hummus with vegetable or salad dips.

Staying Hydrated as Important as Staying Fed

Of course, food is only half the story when you are talking about a player’s nutrition, with their liquid intake every bit as important as the foods they gorge on.

While the advertising slogans of sports drink companies adorn the frontages of arenas and even the cups that players drink from, they increasingly are not the beverages of choice for top athletes.

One drink that is becoming increasingly consumed by elite players is coconut water, revered for being highly thirst-quenching but also rich in legal performance enhancing vitamins and minerals.

Staying Consistent Is Key

Everyone has had that excruciating moment where you realize a food or drink has not agreed with their digestive system.

This can be a major problem for a top athlete, with whole months of preparation for a big showcase event potentially being scuppered if they step out of line with their diet just before game time.

To prevent this happening, players ensure that they keep their diet healthy but consistent, so that there are no upset tummies before the first whistle blows. If you find yourself training for a marathon or other organized sporting event, you would be well advised to do the same.

Filed Under: evergreen, food, health Tagged With:

Everything You Need to Know About Traveling with Your Pet

July 21, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Everything You Need to Know About Traveling with Your Pet 

There is nothing better than going on for a vacation. It becomes more joyful if you bring your pet alongside with you also. What could be better than going on vacation? Bring your baby in fur for fun, of course. But before planning your trip with your pet, keep in mind that having an animal by your side can complicate matters. Here’s what you need to know about traveling with pets.

Take your pet on a trip.

It would be best if you made your pet habitual for the road trip, and it is better to take your pet on short car trips to assess how well they drive the car. If they better get used to the car, take them frequently for short distances.

Once you are on the road, it is essential to take breaks. You should always wear a harness and strap before exiting the car for safety reasons. Put a litter box on the floor behind the seats instead of risking getting them out of the car if you travel with a cat.

Always keep windows and sunroof closed when traveling with animals to prevent them from escaping. There is a need for pet seat belts in their vehicles, as some states require pet owners to keep their pets safe in vehicles.

Room with your pet in a hotel

If you are staying at a hotel with your pet, it is essential to book with a pet-friendly hotel that is also affordable. Not all hotels accept pets and those that generally charge extra per night and pet. These charges will depend on the particular hotel.

Even if your hotel accepts pets, pets will not run like they would at home. Understand and follow the rules for pets at your hotel. Pets are often not allowed to be left unattended in the room or must be packed if so.

Keep your pet calm and safe while traveling.

Whichever method you use to travel, you can take a few safety precautions to make sure your pet is always safe.

You should also identify the closest emergency veterinary clinics to your hotel if there is a medical problem that you cannot handle by yourself. You can also contact the hotel concierge for recommendations about identifying a clinic.

To keep your pet relatively calm, there are a few things you can try. Items like a favourite blanket or t-shirt you recently wore can ease travel stress by bringing the scent home for the trip. However, please note that you should only bring these items in the car; Toys, blankets, and other items in your pet’s baby carrier can pose a safety risk during air travel. Heavy jackets provide comfort, like wrapping a baby in blankets. You can also divert the attention of your pet and keep them calm by giving delicious pet treats during the trip. Treats that have health benefits and also suit the palate of your pet are guaranteed to keep him happily busy for some time.

How to prepare your pet for the trip

You need to check in advance for the immigration rules for the countries you are traveling to. If you want to know about the immigration of pets, you can easily find it on Google.

Traveling with a pet by plane

Please note that the Transportation Control Administration has special pet control rules when you arrive at the airport. You will have to remove them from their support just before starting the control process and take them with you,

Filed Under: animals, evergreen, traveling Tagged With: , , ,

Creating Our Own DIY Trendy Home Projects

April 6, 2020 by 1 Comment

Spring is finally here. I can hear the birds chirping outside and it is a reminder that even though we are going through some challenging times, we are still alive and we will get through this. For those that live in wintery climates, we are all ready to do some spring cleaning and decorating and get outside a bit. It’s all about perspective.

Ideas From a Home Show

Home shows in the spring are popular. They let us see some ideas that maybe we hadn’t thought of. If you want to spend a little more, there are always flooring concepts, new faucet ideas, and decorating tips galore. 

Unfortunately, some of these home shows have been canceled due to the global pandemic, but that should not stop you from being creative and refreshing your home with trendy ideas that won’t cost you too much. You can get online and search to your heart’s content for easy and creative ways to add some trendy projects to your home. It doesn’t matter whether you live in a large home or a small apartment. You can always find something that you can do to give your place a little something extra.

Even if you are not working now and have a limited income, you can still create a gorgeous home that will resemble that of one which you will see in a luxury home magazine. You might want to recycle something and give it a new life. There are plenty of ideas to turn items no longer wanted into great conversation pieces. Find an area in your home that is in need of a little something extra and go to work. Don’t be afraid to be bold with some of your ideas. Since what you’re doing won’t cost a lot, you can always start over if you don’t like it. 

Think of a Barn Door

There are many tips and simple secrets to turn your home from a generic cookie cutter to a fabulous Hollywood style home on the hills! Something simple like a new barn door will not only add uniqueness to your home but is also a very trendy look now. Why a new barn door? They are beautiful and unique. They are also practical and functional. Today’s barn doors are easy to install and aesthetically interesting and appealing, and they are also customizable to fit any room or entrance.

These doors are so sturdy that they will last a lifetime. You can always paint it with your desired color palate to match the walls. It is also very charming and homey that you will feel like you are having mom’s homemade apple pie, especially when you have family over for big holidays such as Thanksgiving or Easter. The barn door has a simple rustic texture and will never go out of style. It may also increase the value of your home if you choose to sell.

These barn doors are trendy and there are other decorating solutions as well if your budget is limited. The sky is the limit. Now that spring is in full bloom and the bunnies are hopping around, you can do interior as well as exterior DIY home decorating jobs. How about trying a trendy garden? Don’t worry if you don’t have a green thumb. You can always grow things like tomatoes or zucchini. They don’t need a lot of attention and you will probably grow more than you need. Give some to the neighbors. They will appreciate it.  

DIY Vertical Gardening

There are many ways to approach this:

  • Create a vertical herb garden with landscape fabric
  • Vertical hanging planters that you can get cheap from the dollar store
  • Use those empty plastic containers for seeds and soil
  • Grow some herbs like rosemary or thyme right in your kitchen

Not only will that make your home smell amazing, but it will also look stunning. By simply using your creativity, you can DIY any project with simple instruction and dedication.

You can make an impressive impact even on a low budget. It just takes a few clever ideas and the desire to get up and do it. I hope this inspires you!

 

Filed Under: evergreen, home Tagged With: , ,