(NewsUSA) -Approximately half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, but many don't know it, according to the American Heart Association. A new public service campaign from the American Heart Association, American Medical Association and Ad Council in partnership with HHS Office of Minority Health and Health Resources & Services Administration encourages all adults to take control by monitoring their blood pressure at home and sharing the numbers with their doctor.

The "Get Down with Your Blood Pressure" public service announcement uses catchy music and memorable dance moves to get the attention of people who have and are at increased risk for high blood pressure and negative health consequences associated with it, such as heart attack, stroke and severe complications of COVID-19.

The campaign keeps it simple, and encourages those with high blood pressure to regularly follow four easy steps: "Get It, Slip It, Cuff It, Check It." That means Get the blood pressure cuff, Slip it on, use the band to Cuff your arm, Check your blood pressure with a validated monitor and share the numbers with your doctor. The campaign's detailed instructional videos are available in English and Spanish.

"This new campaign is a fun way to get people engaged in monitoring their blood pressure and keeping it under control -- which can often feel daunting to many patients"-- and is timely given that high blood pressure puts patients at higher risk of severe complications of COVID-19," says American Medical Association president Gerald E. Harmon, M.D. "We are committed to eliminating structural drivers of health inequities that place Black and Brown communities at increasing risk of heart disease," Dr. Harmon adds.

The campaign emphasizes self-monitoring and encourages individuals to work with their doctors to create a personalized plan to manage and treat high blood pressure. Changes to unhealthy eating habits and increases in physical activity may be all it takes to get your blood pressure to a healthy range. However, sometimes it's not that simple. If your doctor prescribes a blood pressure medication, be sure to take it as directed.

"This campaign is part of the American Heart Association's National Hypertension Control Initiative," says Donald M. Lloyd-Jones, M.D., ScM, F.A.H.A., president of the American Heart Association, chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine and Eileen M. Foell Professor of Heart Research and Professor of Preventive Medicine, Medicine, and Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. "The initiative encompasses direct education and training on blood pressure measurement and management with health care professionals in community health centers and community-based organizations. We are meeting people where they are with access to blood pressure education and resources to reduce high blood pressure in communities that need it most."

Visit heart.org/hbpcontrol for more information about blood pressure management.

(NewsUSA) - It wasn't that long ago that Infographics were the "It" tool for public relations and marketing - until they weren't.

To understand why infographics should still be a viable campaign strategy for clients, we need to understand the history behind them.

In 2012, everyone was producing infographics -- usually of low-quality design, although as agencies became more versed in how effective these could be as a sales to market a client's product, more high-design infographics began emerging. In fact, according to one experienced UK-based SEO and content provider says he was creating 200 to 300 infographics per year in 2014.

In 2016, the industry became flooded, and journalists began rejecting pitches that included, to date, these time-tested marketing strategies.

Fast forward four years, and there remains an argument for keeping infographics as a viable marketing tool in your stable of resources that you pitch to clients. Here's why:

• They have a visual appeal. It's no surprise that visually presented information is more appealing to the eye than a mountain of text, which means that a graphically-told story will usually pique a reader's interest before any information is processed.
• They are easy to comprehend. The brain is wired in such a way that visual are able to be processed much faster than language. In fact, according to studies, people can follow visual instructions more than 323 percent better than written instructions.
• They are easily recalled. If you're trying to make an impression on a would-be customer, know this: according to studies people can recall only about 10 percent of written content three days after reading it versus 65 percent of information presented in visual form.
• They are shareable. Infographics can break down potentially complex information into the bite-size pieces that we have become accustomed to in a visually-appealing format that has the ability to be recalled. In this way, people are more likely to share the content of the infographic.
• They can help to increase sales. Go back to the bullet point on recall because it's worth repeating: the human brain is better at retaining visuals more than text. This means that if you have a complex product or service (think an IT company such as Oracle), it would stand to reason that presenting processes and benefits of using a company's product might be better presented visually in an infographic, rather than a block of text. This in turn, will help you to stand out from your competition.
• They aren't being promoted as heavily today. There's no better time than today to start using a tool that has, for many been shelved at worst, and been put on the back burner at best. Think of it this way: if your competitors aren't using this sales tool, why wouldn't you? As long as you use a format that is visually appealing to tell your client's story or present a product or service, it remains a great way to not only attract attention, but for potential customers to remember you.

The bottom line is that infographics continue to be a solid tool when used correctly and can potentially add fantastic benefits as part of a wider content marketing strategy.

(NewsUSA) - When stress hits hard as it has during the pandemic, many of us eat more, and less-than-healthy comfort foods may be the treats we reach for first. But an unhealthy response to stress can be hard on your body, especially your heart. That's why it's smart -- at the top of the New Year, or anytime -- to try to eat more foods that nourish. It'll make your heart happier, and maybe trim your waistline, too.

Don't know where to start? Let the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) help.

"We have many recipes for healthy and really tasty dishes, plus an award-winning eating plan called Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or DASH for short," says Charlotte Pratt, Ph.D., M.S., R.D., a nutrition expert at NHLBI. For years, the DASH eating plan has ranked among the U.S. News & World Reports' best diets for healthy living and heart health. Its secret, says Pratt: "Eating nutrient-dense foods and meals that are lower in sodium and saturated fat, rich in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and legumes."

Some of the recipes NHLBI has developed to support the plan feature healthy versions of comfort foods, such as oven-baked french fries, chicken chile stew, and sweet potato custard. The recipes are easy to make and family-friendly. They include traditional African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Vietnamese, Latino, and Filipino dishes. You can find these recipes, along with tips about safe cooking, what to stock in your kitchen, and food shopping at healthyeating.nhlbi.nih.gov.

"The DASH eating plan is scientifically proven to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels," says Pratt. And NHLBI research shows that increasing your physical activity and watching your calories while following DASH will also help you lose weight.

DASH requires no special foods, and it helps you set daily and weekly nutritional goals using these simple guides:

• Eat vegetables, fruits and whole grains
• Include fat-free or low-fat dairy products, fish, poultry, beans, nuts and vegetable oils
• Limit foods that are high in saturated fat, such as fatty meats, full-fat dairy foods and tropical oils such as coconut, palm kernel and palm oils
• Limit sugar-sweetened drinks and desserts

To make it easier to follow the DASH for life, these tips can help:

• Change gradually. Add one more serving of vegetables a day. Read nutrition labels to choose the food lowest in saturated fat, sodium or salt and added sugar.
• Vary foods high in proteins. Try a mix of lean cuts of meat. Remove the skin from chicken. Eat fish once or twice a week. Eat two or more meals without meat each week.
• Select healthy, tasty snacks. Have a piece of fruit, a few unsalted snacks such as rice cakes, fat-free or low-fat yogurt or raw vegetables with a low-fat dip.
• Find substitutes. Try whole-wheat bread or brown rice instead of white bread or white rice. Try beans or seeds such as flax or sunflower seeds, if you're allergic to nuts.
• Follow the U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommendations.

Combining healthy eating habits with other self-care activities can help you reduce stress and take care of your heart. Top of the list: move more throughout the day, get 7 to 8 hours of sleep, and try relaxation exercises such as meditation or yoga. If you smoke, try quitting, and develop a strong social-support system to help keep you motivated. Learn more about DASH, heart health, and more at www.nhlbi.nih.gov.

Delicious Oven-Baked French Fries

Baking instead of frying these potatoes reduces the fat while keeping them crispy.

Prep time: 10 minutes.
Cook time: 35 minutes.
Makes 5 servings.
Serving size: 1 cup.

Ingredients

4 large potatoes (2 lbs.) (regular or sweet potatoes)
8 C ice water
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp white pepper
1/4 tsp allspice
1 tsp hot pepper flakes
1 Tbsp vegetable oil

Directions

1. Scrub potatoes and cut them into long 1/2-inch strips. Place the strips in the ice water, cover and chill for 1 hour or longer.
2. Remove potato strips and dry them thoroughly. Preheat oven to 475 degreeF.
3. Place garlic powder, onion powder, salt, white pepper, allspice and pepper flakes in a plastic bag. Toss the potato strips in the spice mixture.
4. Put the potato strips in a shallow baking pan and brush them with oil.
5. Cover the baking pan with aluminum foil and bake at 475 degreeF for 15 minutes.
6. Remove the foil and continue baking, uncovered, for an additional 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Turn fries occasionally to brown on all sides.

(NewsUSA) - Whether it's across the street or a twenty-minute drive, a great school fit can be your child's path to opportunity, happiness, and success. While every parent may want to set their child on the learning path that best matches his or her skills, we can only choose from the options we know. That's why bringing awareness to families about all their school choices is so crucial.

All families have school choices, but some states offer wider access. Across America, families' options include traditional public school, public magnet school, public charter school, private school, online school, and homeschooling.

These various school choices offer kids different paths toward the goals all parents share. We want students to learn, succeed, thrive, and be happy. And while one child may enjoy traveling at his or her own pace through an online school or homeschool program, another child may benefit from the close-knit comradery at a neighborhood school or a private school's values-based curriculum.

Having various paths ensures that kids don't get stuck or give up if a particular route doesn't work well for them. It's not extreme to say that school choices can be the difference between a child being bullied in their classroom or being loved and respected, or the difference between dropping out of high school or going to college. I've seen this be true many times. For every child who isn't thriving in school, it's vital that families know other learning paths are available.

You can't choose a path if you don't know it exists. That's why National School Choice Week, a public awareness effort about learning options, will take place January 23-29. Since its founding in 2011, the annual celebration brings awareness about every single learning path around the country that families can choose from, as well as the community organizations that have sprung up over the last decade to help families navigate school choices.

If you love your chosen learning path, celebrate it this School Choice Week to spread the word. If you're not sure if your current choice is right for your child, discover your other options at schoolchoiceweek.com. Together, let's help every child get on the learning path that will take them most quickly to being happy, equipped academically, and ready to give back.

Andrew Campanella is president of National School Choice Week and the author of "The School Choice Roadmap: 7 Steps to Finding the Right School for Your Child."

(NewsUSA) - In winter, it seems like life slows down in a variety of ways. Maybe that's because we need a break after the busy holiday season or because we have a natural urge to "hibernate" when the days are short and the weather outside is cold. But the truth is, the best time to get started on your weight loss goals is now so you stay on track all year round.

The good news: you can enjoy the comfort foods that make you feel cozy when the weather outside is frightful AND still lose weight. Courtney McCormick, MPH, RDN, LDN, Manager, Clinical Research & Nutrition at Nutrisystem, offers these tips to serve as a guide for winter weight loss.

Focus on Protein: Protein is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle and a key to weight loss. "Protein helps with satiety and by including some protein at each meal and snack occasion, it can help you to stay full longer and may help prevent hunger and cravings," says McCormick. Look for meals high in protein, such as Nutrisystem's new premium meals, which include up to 30 grams in each meal.

Fuel Your Winter Workouts: Exercising outdoors in winter can be invigorating and even fun. Brisk walking will warm you up quickly. Shoveling snow not only heats you up, but it also works your cardiovascular system (heart and lungs), tones your muscles and burns more than 200 calories in a half hour (average for a 155-pound person).

Eat Your Favorite Meals: Winter is the perfect time to enjoy your favorite comfort foods like soup or pasta. Weight loss plans like Nutrisystem offer restaurant favorites that are perfectly-portioned for half the calories of dining-out options so you can enjoy without any guilt. Think Café-Style Creamy Tomato Soup or Bistro-Style Toasted Ravioli.

Don't Go At It Alone: Achieving the goals you've set for yourself is so much easier when you have a support system. The best people to have on your team when you're trying to lose excess weight are those who sit down at daily meals with you. Even better, your chances of reaching and maintaining your weight-loss goal increase dramatically if another person in your household joins you on the journey. If you're looking for an easy-to-follow plan to keep you on track, opt for Nutrisystem's Partner Plan.

Power Up on Nutrients: Winter conditions can put extra stress on our bodies, so we need a steady supply of the essential nutrients to stay healthy and strong. Vitamin D plays a key role in metabolism, but we need exposure to sunlight for our bodies to produce it. Vitamin C gives our immune systems a potent boost, which is especially important during the cold and flu season. Look for foods that are rich in these vitamins such as salmon or milk for Vitamin D and broccoli, strawberries and kiwi for Vitamin C.

Remember, your weight loss goals are more than achievable this winter if you are geared with the right tips, tricks and tools. For more great information and other ideas to help fuel your success this year, visit leaf.nutrisystem.com.

(NewsUSA) - The delays and confusion caused when a 200,000-ton cargo ship got stuck in the Suez Canal sent ripples through the U.S. economy and led many people to explore alternatives to the global supply chain, which is also susceptible to other forces ranging from weather to cyberattacks.

Although global cargo traffic has become the norm for obtaining many products used in the United States, innovative companies such as Baru are examples of a trend towards supporting local manufacturers of American-made and locally-sourced products.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen recently described the United States' reliance on foreign supply chains as "a vulnerability," and emphasized the need to produce more goods domestically for economic and security reasons.

"Even when supply routes are relatively calm, the global supply chain is an overly complex and lengthy process. Product prototypes take valuable months to make, ship, test, plan, and re-make," according to Baru founder and CEO Tino Go.

Local manufacturing has many benefits, notably putting the customer in the driver's seat and creating a relationship with local communities.

"By combining automation, craftsmanship, and virtual customization, we're able to send manufacturing instructions to workshops local to the customer," Mr. Go explains.

When Baru creates made-to-order furniture, other environmental and economic benefits include reduction of global CO? emissions, prevention of unsold inventory landing in landfills, creation of local jobs, and support of industrial innovation by American artisans and craftspeople.

Baru also shows its commitment to the environment with an ongoing tree-planting initiative as part of its sustainable manufacturing model.

During the design process, Baru selects sustainably engineered wood panels that are both beautiful and durable. The wood goes to one of Baru's local manufacturing partners, which uses the latest technology of automated machinery for efficiency of scale and design, combined with the skills of local carpenters and woodworkers to create a unique and lasting item that is American-sourced and American-made. Baru's growing network of workshops ensures that the products are made as close to the final delivery destination as possible to reduce transportation costs and emissions. Finally, the model cycles back to trees -- Baru's pledge is to plant three trees for every furniture purchase made to achieve carbon neutrality. After three years, three trees replace the wood used in production and absorb more CO? than Baru's hometown process emitted.

Visit hellobaru.com for more information about how you can create furniture that is unique to you, with the bonuses of benefitting the American economy and the global environment.

(NewsUSA) - -In the wake of the ongoing pandemic, many people have taken the opportunity for introspection, and many are exploring spirituality and the meaning of the universe in a new way.

For Christians, God is the creator, and a new book explores a unique way of examining creation from the perspective of quantum physics, and the interaction of music, light, and sound.

Len Mink, a show business veteran, discovered his personal relationship with Jesus in 1971, a relationship that sustained him through a bout with a potentially terminal blood disease. However, he was cured and continued his work as a composer and performer.

Mink has produced more than 30 albums of contemporary Christian music as well as hymns projects.

Most recently, Mink channeled his musical background to delve into the relationship between music, science, and the realm of the Spirit.

In his book, "The Supernatural Power of Music -- A Quantum Leap Into Worship," he presents the essence of the connection among sound, light, music, worship, and quantum physics.

"It seems that 'quantum speak' and 'faith speak' are one and the same," says Mink.

"Science is the discipline of discovering things that already exist," he adds. Mr. Mink takes readers on a journey into the musicality of the universe, from quasars to crickets.

The relationship between music and quantum physics continues to be an area of intrigue and study.

A recent article on the PBS website's NOVA section notes that, in fact, the universe is built on harmonies, and that mathematical patterns not only define musical scales that make the tunes we love to hear, they also describe the waves and frequencies involved in quantum physics and studied by scientists over the ages.

"The well-known phrase, 'knowledge is power,' is visibly demonstrated in this treasure chest of revelation, giving us an exciting look into both the macro and micro-universe," Mink notes.

Mink's goal in writing the book is to awaken the spiritual in all people, breathe divine energy into every level of one's being, and "unlock the life that your heart has been desperately hungering for," he says.

"We live in an ever-revealing cosmos, teeming with the frequencies of life, bombarding you and affecting your emotions, your moods, your mind, and even your physical body. Open your whole being to the Divine Orchestrator and experience the 'Supernatural Power of Music,'

Mink urges.

The book is available in paperback direct from Len Mink Ministries or Amazon, through download on Kindle, and audiobook in MP3 and CD format (read by author).

For more information, visit lenandcathymink.org.

(NewsUSA) -People make New Year's resolutions to create positive change, from finances to fitness to focus. This year, consider a resolution that could save your life: listen to your heart.

In the United States, more than 650,000 people die each year from heart disease, which has been the leading cause of death for decades. Many heart disease deaths could be prevented with early action and intervention.

People with heart disease may experience "classic" symptoms, such as chest pain or heart palpitations. For others, an early warning sign might be something that doesn't initially seem to be related to the heart at all, such as shortness of breath, dizziness, swelling, or loss of consciousness.

Resolve to not ignore these or any other symptoms. Don't dismiss something you might think is minor -- especially when it's your heart, any issue (big or small) is important. Visit your doctor or seek emergency services as soon as possible. Even if you don't have underlying health conditions, never treat anything with your heart lightly.

Brenda Joseph, 75, of Bedford, Texas, was experiencing new symptoms, such as trouble breathing, especially when lying down, and swelling in her legs and feet. She didn't ignore what was happening. She sought treatment for her symptoms and was ultimately referred to a cardiac electrophysiologist, who diagnosed nonischemic cardiomyopathy, a type of heart disease often referred to as heart failure.

"If I hadn't gone [to the doctor], I wouldn't be here," Brenda says.

An "ejection fraction" (EF) is a measure of how efficiently the heart is pumping. Brenda's EF was at 25 percent. A normal EF is 55-70 percent.

A low EF is one of the risk factors for sudden cardiac death (SCD), which occurs when a failure of the heart's electrical system triggers a dangerously fast heartbeat -- so fast that it causes the heart to quiver or shake instead of pumping blood to the body and brain. This happens without warning and causes the individual to suddenly lose consciousness. Without treatment, SCD occurs in minutes.

Brenda's weak heart function, combined with her heart failure, meant that she had an increased risk of dying suddenly due to a dangerous heart rhythm. There are treatment plans that can help heart patients live better and longer lives, but patients must pay attention to their symptoms and seek care.

The most effective treatment is defibrillation, an electrical shock to get the heart back to a normal rhythm. If you are at risk, your doctor may recommend a LifeVest® wearable defibrillator so that you can have protection from SCD. LifeVest is designed to detect certain life-threatening rapid heart rhythms and automatically deliver a lifesaving treatment shock.

Brenda's doctors prescribed LifeVest for her protection, and Brenda was able to return home. Her doctor reinforced the importance of wearing LifeVest at all times to ensure she had protection.

Shortly after returning from the hospital, Brenda was sitting at her kitchen table when she would need that protection. She suddenly lost consciousness. LifeVest detected an abnormal heart rhythm and delivered a treatment shock that saved her life.

"I'm thankful that I had [LifeVest]," Brenda says, "I'm happy to be here."

Listen to your heart: Don't ignore your symptoms. It just may save your life.

(NewsUSA) -What if Grandma's cookbook could talk? What if lost recipes could be recovered and safeguarded for posterity? What if delectable treats from the past and present were readily accessible? The new DishtoryApp mixes it all together and makes it possible!

Nothing tells a family's history like the food they share and the dishes they prepare together, so Ohio natives and longtime friends Chris Kozak and Dan Zawisza created Dishtory.

It is the first mobile app to provide a platform for culinary artists, aspiring chefs and home cooks to record, save and share family memories through text, photo, audio, and video -- all in one place -- forever. More than a meal, Dishtory provides sensory memory of the tastes and aromas that deserve to be preserved.

The inspiration for the user-generated and crowdsourced Dishtory app began with a conversation between co-founder Dan Zawisza and his mother when he was seeking her Christmas sugar cookies that he remembered from childhood to share with his own family.

After playing phone tag, she left him a detailed message describing how to make the coveted cookies.

"After listening to the voicemail, I thought to myself, 'I will have this recipe now for the rest of my life and in my mom's voice,'" says Zawisza.

"This was a totally new concept, and I want to give everyone the ability to share the same experience."

Co-founder Chris Kozak, who has family roots in the restaurant business says, "With smartphone technology, we saw an opportunity for innovation to give everyone the opportunity to record, save and share recipes - from a tasty dish at a backyard cookout to recipes that have been passed down through generations."

Dishtory serves up the unique stories behind each dish from the primary source ensuring that family culture and legacy live on in the kitchens of future generations.

Unlike written recipe cards, the audio heirlooms cooked up on Dishtory remain and can be shared easily and bring the voice of the distant or departed loved one to life.

During holiday time, it's a fun, free gift to share with family and friends. The app can provide an original holiday experience at parties -- an interactive activity to share the history and recipes of your family's distinct and singular dishes. Modern families in various forms are embraced. The app can help recover long lost recipes through technology, provide inherited recipes for adopted children and blended families, offer healthier twists on old-fashioned recipes (e.g. alternative milks, gluten-free, etc.) and so much more.

(NewsUSA) - Whether it brings something as special as a handwritten card or something as necessary as medication, the U.S. Postal Service is the only institution capable of going the last mile to reach, serve, and tangibly link every American -- but now it needs our help.

In the shadow of COVID-19, demand for mail and appreciation for it surged. But then along came 2021, and our mail got slower, less reliable and more expensive.

During my four terms in Congress, I advocated for a strong U.S. Postal Service. That's because reliable mail is critical for our country. Nearly everywhere I go now, however, I hear people talking about their mail -- even rent, bills, and prescription medications -- being late and pricier to send.

And as we head into the Christmas holiday, people across the country are legitimately wondering if presents will get to their destinations on time. That's because in October, the up-to-three-day service standard for First-Class Mail rose to five days, with consumers across the country reporting even higher delivery waits.

Why? The U.S. Postal Service has a 10-year plan in place not only to slow the mail but also to make it more expensive.

In fact, the cost of first-class mail and "forever stamps" are increasing at an unprecedented rate for everyone. But even more concerning, charities and other nonprofits, magazines, community newspapers, and catalogs are facing even bigger postage hikes which could even drive them out of business.

So, what can we do about it? Well, the Postal Service does have legitimate reasons to save money, but putting the squeeze on mail isn't the right way to do it -- especially if you consider that business-related mail generates 90% of Postal Service revenue.

One answer lies in passing bipartisan federal legislation called The Postal Service Reform Act. It would guarantee six-day mail delivery while freeing the Postal Service from a 2006 law requiring it to set aside funds for retiree health benefits 75 years in advance -- a huge liability that has added more than $40 billion in losses to the Postal Service's balance sheet

The Postal Service Reform Act not only has bipartisan support, but it has also been approved by U.S. Postal Service leadership and labor unions. The legislation presents a rare opportunity for Congress to easily make a positive difference in the lives of all Americans -- every voter, every family, and every business in the nation.

Another way to fix the Postal Service is to keep massive rate increases from happening every few months. Higher postage drives more mail from the system, especially when combined with service delays and consumer complaints.

Some might claim that private couriers like FedEx and UPS could replace the U.S. Postal Service, but that's not true. The Postal Service is obligated to serve every American, no matter how remote. Now it's our job to fix it -- and make sure it can keep delivering for all of us. 

Kevin Yoder is a former Republican Congressman from Kansas who spent four terms serving in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is executive director of "Keep US Posted"-a campaign aimed at preserving the U.S. Postal Service. For more information, visit www.KeepUSPosted.org.