(BPT) – Can’t start your day without a cup of coffee? You’re not alone; 63 percent of adult Americans drink coffee every day, according to the National Coffee Association’s National Coffee Drinking Trends study. All those cups of joe, however, can do more than give Americans the boost they need to wake up. They also have the potential to help coffee farmers around the world.

A growing number of Americans are embracing Fair Trade, which provides farmers a fair price for their crops, resulting in a better quality of life in their communities. Fair Trade benefits more than 1.2 million families in 70 developing countries throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America, according to Fair Trade USA – a leading Fair Trade certification organization. The majority of Americans (74 percent) believe it’s important to purchase products that are priced to compensate producers fairly, yet only one-in-five Americans (18 percent) are purchasing Fair Trade regularly, according to new research from Fair Trade USA.

Fair Trade results in quality products, because when farmers are paid more, they can invest back into the quality of the products they produce. “More and more people are shopping at their local farmers’ markets, because they want quality products, and want to know where these products come from and that they are grown or produced in socially and environmentally responsible ways. Fair Trade is like a global farmers’ market – it extends those same values to products that aren’t grown locally,” says Lindsey Bolger, vice president, Coffee Sourcing & Excellence for Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (GMCR). GMCR purchased more than 54 million pounds of Fair Trade Certified (TM) coffee, making the company the largest purchaser of Fair Trade Certified coffee in the world.

In addition, through the community development funds that are generated by Fair Trade purchases, farmers and their families can help address other community needs, such as improving roads, building health care facilities and ensuring access to education for their children. “Purchasing Fair Trade products is a simple choice that can make a big difference in coffee communities around the world,” says Bolger. GMCR’s Fair Trade Certified coffee purchases contributed to more than $10 million in Fair Trade community development funds.

Fair Trade Certified products include tea-and herbs,-cocoa,-rice,-vanilla,-sugar,-flowers, fruit, wine-and-apparel. Coffee-is the most popular-Fair Trade-product in the U.S. and is a good model for how Fair Trade can benefit both farmers and consumers. Many coffee farmers are small landowners in remote locations and lack access to credit, so they are vulnerable to middlemen who offer cash for their coffee at a fraction of its value. Fair Trade means these farmers receive a fair price for their beans, which they can invest back into the quality of the coffee and the health of their communities.-

Finding Fair Trade Certified products is easier than most shoppers think. Many popular coffees are available as Fair Trade Certified blends and Green Mountain Coffee (R) offers one of the largest selections of Fair Trade Certified coffees in the U.S. This includes one of the brand’s newest coffees, Three Continent Blend, which combines the flavors and aromas of three continents (South America, Africa and Asia) in one harmonious Extra Bold blend. –

To learn more about Fair Trade, visit GreenMountainCoffee.com.

Courtesy of BPT

Selling a home requires a bit of marketing, some sweat and elbow grease, and a touch of luck. But even in a competitive selling market, it is possible to turn the sign in your front yard from For Sale to Sold so you can move on to your next residence.

First, look at your home as if you were a potential buyer. Drive up to the driveway or the front curb and park, carefully looking at the home as if for the first time. Make note of the beautiful aspects of your home, and also areas that could deter potential buyers. The outside of your home is the first image they will see, both in person, and while pre-shopping online.

One maintenance project to tackle that will really spruce up the exterior of your home is refurbishing the outside woodwork that has been weathered by the sun, rain and snow. If you have a front porch, wooden window edgings or even a back deck, chances are these areas could benefit from new stain for a refreshed and clean look.

Home decks return about 70 percent of their original cost back to homeowners when a house is sold, according to Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report, but that’s only when the decks are kept in top shape. To remove moisture and sun damage and protect your exterior woodwork from further damage from moss, mold and rot, Flood wood care offers an entire wood care system from prepping materials such as deck cleaners to stain. Before prepping your deck, consider if you need Wood Finish Remover to remove latex, oil, semi-transparent and solid stains, or if your deck is unstained, you may need Wood Brightener/Cleaner to bring the old and faded gray coloring back to a fresh new wood appearance. Finally, apply a Flood wood stain to your deck and woodwork to give it a beautiful look that will have home buyers and your neighbors impressed.

In addition to your exterior woodwork, also take a look at your siding and gutters. Vinyl and aluminum sidings can collect dirt and look dingy after a season or two. Use a power washer on the siding and gutters to wash away the grime and spider webs and bring some vibrancy back to the outside of your home. Also consider adding season-appropriate flowers, plants or landscaping or replacing gutter downspouts with decorative chains to give your home an artistic look.

Finally, take a close look at your exterior lights. Glass-enclosed lights can become filthy from all the elements, so take a quick moment to wipe them clean with glass cleaner. If your light fixtures are tarnished, or looking run down, purchase a can of spray paint in any complimentary color to the exterior of your home and freshen them up. It will make your lights appear new in no time at all.

These quick-fix projects will boost the look of your home both for prospective buyers arriving at your front door, and also in the photographs visible online. With this better exterior appearance, chances are you’ll be able to sell your home much quicker.

Courtesy of BPT

Imagine that you’ve taught your child everything they need to know about personal finance. Then as he’s getting ready to head off to college and applies for financial aid, he’s unexpectedly rejected for financial aid due to poor credit. Yet he’s never applied for credit in his life. Sounds outrageous, doesn’t it? But this can happen to victims of child identity theft.

Most are aware that identity theft is a significant problem, and that it’s important to take measures to protect your identity. What people might not know is their children may also be targets of identity theft before they even become old enough to own a credit card. The Federal Trade Commission has identified child identity theft as a growing problem and encourages parents to do what they can to minimize the risks to their children.  

How does it happen?

The most common way a criminal can steal or misuse the identity of a child is to get access to the child’s Social Security number. The perpetrator then uses the Social Security number to open credit card accounts or loans, rent an apartment, sign up for utilities like cell phone service, or even apply for a job. Credit issuers often don’t have a way to verify the age of the applicant, so if the criminal changes the age of  the identity associated with your child, it’s possible that the issuer may approve them for credit, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center.

Once an account has been established in your child’s name, it’s easier for criminals to establish subsequent accounts until this fraud is discovered. If your child’s identity is stolen at an early age and the theft goes undiscovered until she reaches the age where she begins to establish her own credit, it can be very difficult to discover how the fraud first occurred.

How can you help prevent it?

Parents can take a number of steps to help prevent their children from becoming identity theft victims:

* Store your children’s Social Security cards in a safe place like a safety deposit box. Only give out your children’s Social Security number when it’s absolutely necessary, and provide alternate verification whenever possible.

* Teach your children to never reveal personal information to anyone, no matter how trustworthy that person may seem. People close to the family are often found to be perpetrators in child identity theft cases.

* If your child receives pre-approved credit card offers in the mail, you may want to check in with a credit reporting agency or Social Security. If you’ve been contacted by a collection agency regarding an account in your child’s name, there’s a possibility your child’s identity was stolen.

* Consider signing up your family members for a credit monitoring and identity protection solution such as the Equifax Complete(TM) Family Plan, which can help to protect two adults and up to four minor children. With this product, you will be notified of any changes or suspicious activity on your adult credit files; in addition, you can monitor your minor child’s identifying information for existence of an Equifax credit file and lock it, thereby preventing creditors from accessing this file while the child is enrolled in the plan.

By taking a few extra precautions to protect your children’s identities, you can help ensure they get off on the right foot as they become adults and begin establishing their own credit histories.

Courtesy of BPT

(BPT) – There’s nothing like the smell of a home-cooked meal wafting through the kitchen for hours and hours – that is, if you have time to prepare such a meal. Since most of us don’t have that sort of time on a daily basis, many time-pressed cooks are rediscovering pressure cooking: an age-old cooking method that makes mealtime fast and easy.

You may recall your mother or even your grandmother talking about using the pressure cookers of old, sometimes with unexpected results. A pressure cooker uses steam to cook foods. Available in stovetop or electric models, they both work on the same principle: foods and liquids are placed inside a pot that has a pressurized chamber, and the steam transfers heat to the foods. The pressure builds up inside the pot to cook food at a high temperature, while allowing the food to retain its moisture and nutritional value. When cooking is complete, the steam can be vented using a release valve, before the lid is opened.

Recently, pressure cookers have evolved to include many built-in conveniences and safety features that simplify the cooking process. Today, more home cooks are taking advantage of these cooking marvels, not only because they cook foods faster than most conventional methods, but also because they bring out the delicious flavor of foods and preserve inherent nutrients.

Today’s advanced pressure cookers can be used to prepare anything from meats and main courses to fresh vegetables, potatoes or even desserts. And because they cook foods faster, they use less energy, providing a “greener” way of cooking. In short, a pressure cooker enables a user to prepare recipes in less than half the time, while locking in flavors and preserving vitamins and minerals. This means a pot roast, sweet potatoes, or even cheesecake recipe worthy of Julia Child can be done in record time, making pressure-cooking perfect for busy weeknight meals. –

Manufacturers are increasingly taking the guesswork out of pressure-cooking with intuitive features that make it easy to prepare delicious, nutritious meals in a flash. For example, Calphalon’s 6-quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker has a cover that locks on with the touch of a button, and a pop-up pressure indicator that makes it easy to monitor cooking times. The cooker also has a pressure release dial that lets you select from multiple settings for cooking, and to safely release the steam after you’re finished.-

If you’re new at using a pressure cooker, here are some general tips to get you started:

* Cut foods evenly: Uniform pieces cook most evenly.

* Don’t overfill: Aim for a pot no more than two-thirds full of food. Be sure to use the recommended amount of liquid called for in the recipe.

* Adjust spices: Flavors are more concentrated with this cooking method, so you may want to reduce the amount of spices you use in your favorite recipes.

* Brown meats first: For especially tasty pressure-cooked meats, sear and brown the meat before placing it in the pressure cooker to obtain the best flavor and texture.

* Secure the lid: Make sure it’s properly closed and locked before you begin cooking.

* Experiment with recipes you love. Try cooking in incremental stages, starting with the shortest recommended cooking time; you can always cook for a more minutes if needed.

* Consult the manufacturer’s manual: Read and follow the instructions for the specific model you purchased.

Courtesy of BPT

(BPT) –  Just because days are busy, don’t let nutrition fall by the wayside. Teaching children nutritious eating habits now can mean a lifetime of health, plus it can be a lot of fun to eat, laugh and spend time together.

“The more parents can do to involve children in the process, the decisions on what they are eating and where their food comes from, the better off they will be at helping them learn reverence and appreciation for food,” says Anni Daulter, professional cook, nutrition expert, and author of several books, including “The Organic Family Cookbook.”

Here are some simple yet effective tips from Daulter to get your kids excited about nutrition and help them make good food choices:

1. Make mealtime special

“In our fast-paced lives, we have somehow lost the concept that eating is not just about the actual food. It’s about the connection, the time spent enjoying every bite, laughing, talking and sharing. Our families need this time together,” Daulter says.

Create a routine. Consider starting dinner at a similar time each night. Designate different nights for different types of meals, such as vegetarian Monday, or make-your-own pizza Saturdays. Have children help with the meal prep and cleanup, if age-appropriate. Light a candle during dinner, and allocate plenty of time for conversation – it’s one of the best ways to bond with loved ones.

2. Adopt a healthy morning routine

While most families are time-crunched on weekday mornings, it’s important to make time for breakfast so kids get the nutrition they need before heading to school. Healthy breakfasts incorporate whole grains, protein, fresh fruit, and supplements that support brain and body health.

“Supplements can be an easy way for mom and dad to ensure that their children get the important nutrients they need, especially during busy mornings,” says Daulter. “I recommend giving kids a boost of brain-building nutrition with a kid-friendly omega-3 supplement. I like chewable, strawberry-flavored Nordic Naturals Children’s DHA. This essential nutrient is brain food, proven to support brain growth and health. Additionally, omega-3s support a healthy immune and nervous system, too.”

3. Create tasty school lunches

“When your children are fed better, they learn better,” says Daulter. “Their bodies react to being fed good pure foods that give them the fuel they need to get through each and every school day.”

Save time by making lunches the night before or do a big Sunday cut-and-chop day for raw ingredients throughout the week. Here is a sample of what you’ll find in Daulter’s children’s lunch baskets:

Black Bean Soup Lunch
 * Classic Caesar salad
 * Homemade wheat parmesan chips
 * Raw: Asian pears and clementines

4. Have healthy snacks on hand

“Kids bodies tend to be more in tune with their internal signals and they inherently seem to know that they need more little meals throughout the day, rather than three big meals,” Daulter says. “Eating smaller portions frequently throughout the day provides more energy when we need it and is easier for our bodies to digest.”

Daulter keeps several small kids tables throughout the house so her children can nibble on snacks while they continue to play. What sorts of things does she like to feed her kids for snacks? Nuts, homemade fruit roll-ups, pumpkin seeds, veggie popcorn, fresh fruits, carrot sticks, and cheese are all healthful snacks that keep kids’ bellies full.

5. Teach healthy eating habits through activity

“My kids and their friends love to cook and help us prepare meals, and the more we include them in the process, the more invested they become in their own health,” says Daulter.

You may be surprised by how excited your children get by being involved in the entire meal process. When you go to the grocery store or farmers market, have children help pick out veggies. If you grow your own, let them pick the produce and help wash, peel and prep it for meals.

“Even the youngest child can help mix in flour for fresh bread or learn to whip her own honey butter,” says Daulter. “These tasty teachings will not only give them practical and valuable life skills, but will leave them with loving memories of family cooking days that were spent laughing, creating, and of course, eating!”

Courtesy of BPT

You’ve got a list of spring home improvements to do, a vision for getting them done, and you even have a budget. Now all you need is someone to do the work; it’s time to hire a contractor. Yet even the best-laid home improvement plans can go awry if you hire the wrong person or company to do the job.

 

Courtesy of BPT