Merchandise Monday: April Showers Bring May Flowers

Spring is finally here, and although nobody likes a rainy day, they are a must if we’re going to see flowers bloom and trees turn green! Don’t let a little sprinkle rain on your parade. We’ve got a great assortment of gardening gear and outdoor accessories to get you through the storm and excited for nicer weather when you can be outside. Whether you have a green thumb or just like to enjoy the outdoors without getting your hands dirty, we’ve got something for everyone in our assortment!

Acu-Rite® Digital Indoor/Outdoor Temperature and Humidity Monitor

Before you head outdoors, make sure conditions are “Rite!” The bold, easy to read LCD screen displays the current indoor and outdoor temperatures and humidity with trend indicator arrows, daily high/low information, moon phase, time and date and more.

Diane Katzman Designs Garden Hat

Keep the sun out of your face with this stylish and functional gardening hat. This natural woven garden hat features a charming cluster of pink and peach flowers and is a delightful way to look great while getting down and dirty in your garden!

Picnictime® Large Garden Tool Set

Attractive and durable polyester canvas with stain-resistant interior make this tote the perfect gift for those who love to garden. The tote includes a digging trowel, planting trowel and garden cultivator, all with wooden handles secured in an accessible exterior pocket.

Ray-Ban® New Wayfarer Classic Black Unisex Sunglasses

Go back to where it all began with the updated version of the classic Wayfarer. This unisex style features a smaller black frame and slightly softer eye shape with crystal green lenses that provide remarkable color contrast for more natural vision.

Smart Solar Ashbourne Solar Birdbath

Create a relaxing atmosphere in your garden, patio or balcony. Water recycles from a hidden reservoir and low maintenance resin is easy to keep clean. The fountain operates in direct sunlight with no wiring or operating costs.

Yamaha® All-Weather Speakers

Stay outside longer with this durable, all-weather model that maintains audio performance up to Yamaha® standards. The woofer uses a highly responsive cone and fluid-cooled soft dome tweeter, both specifically processed for water resistance.

Zings & Thingz Botanical Garden Planter Trio

These delightful planters will really make your plants pop! Decorated with the splendor of a busy garden, each piece features a vintage-inspired botanical illustration of butterflies, birds and blooms in striking colors that will multiply the beauty of your growing greenery. 

Your Monthly Check-Up: March toward Good Health during National Nutrition Month®

Alright, so there might be only a few days left of March, but it’s not too late to get the most out of National Nutrition Month®! When it comes to your overall health and well being, it’s never too late to start adopting better eating habits and a solid exercise routine – both for yourself and your loved ones. 

National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored annually by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association). It began in March 1973 as “National Nutrition Week” but became a month long observance by 1980 due to growing public interest in nutrition. 

With more than 70,000 members, the Academy is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. Its mission is to promote optimal nutrition and well being for all people by advocating for its members. The majority of the Academy’s members are registered dietitian nutritionists and dietetic technicians. 

National Nutrition Month focuses attention on the importance of making smart food choices and developing solid eating and exercise habits. This year’s theme, “Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle,” encourages everyone to adopt eating and physical activity plans that are focused on consuming fewer calories, making informed food choices and getting daily exercise in order to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic disease and promote overall health. 

The Academy provides a number of resources for people looking to get on or stay on the path toward good health. For example, the Good Nutrition Reading List includes publications from both the Academy and otherwise collected into the following categories: 

• Children and teens
• Diabetes
• Food Sensitivities
• Nutrition and lifestyle
• Pregnant and breastfeeding
• Special needs
• Sports nutrition

Another resource is MyPlate, a tool of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). According to the MyPlate website, the MyPlate symbol is an “easy-to-understand visual cue to help consumers adopt healthy eating habits consistent with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.” (The USDA replaced MyPyramid with MyPlate in June 2011. The 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans is in development.) According to the Academy,

MyPlate provides practical information to individuals, health professionals, nutrition educators and the food industry to help consumers build healthier diets with resources and tools for dietary assessment, nutrition education and other user-friendly nutrition information. The online resources and tools can empower people to make healthier food choices for themselves, their families and their children.

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans focus on balancing calories with physical activity and encourage Americans to consume more healthy foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy products and seafood, and to consume less sodium, saturated and trans fats, added sugars and refined grains.

The Academy offers a few rules of thumb to help consumers work some of these Dietary Guidelines into their daily lives: 

• Enjoy your food, but eat less
• Avoid oversized portions
• Make half your plate fruits and vegetables
• Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1-percent) milk
• Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread and frozen meals and choose the foods with lower numbers
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks 

Ready to take your nutrition and exercise goals a step further? Check out the SuperTracker, an interactive tool via the MyPlate site that can help you plan, analyze and track your diet and physical activity. Gain insight on how much you should be eating, track your foods, physical activities and weight and personalize with goal setting, virtual coaching and journaling. 

Wellness is an important part of life at Hinda, which is why we dedicate at least one post per month to wellness news and trending topics. No matter where you are in your health and fitness journey, there’s no better time than National Nutrition Month to take a step back and review your goals, analyze your results and make whatever tweaks you can in order to achieve optimal health and overall well being. 

Merchandise Monday: Hit the Links!

The snow is finally melting, the days are getting longer and it’s time to start thinking about that popular warm-weather sport – golf! Hinda has added a lot of great new golf items to its assortment. We’ve highlighted just a few below, but there are plenty more where this came from. We’ve got everything from clubs and sets to apparel and accessories. So before you hit the links for the first time this season, stock up on something new to up your game!

Adams Golf Idea Hybrid or Iron Set

The Idea Hybrid and Set feature a new Cut-Thru sole slot design that makes ball speed and launch higher and adds extra distance on off-center shots. Plus they look great, giving you the confidence to hit the shots you want. 

adidas® Adicross Gripmore Men's Golf Shoe

Rich, soft premium leather uppers with ClimaProof® for the ultimate in durability and protection pairs with a Fitfoam PU sockliner for great cushioning and support in this stylish and comfortable golf shoe.

adidas® Stretch ClimaProof® Wind Men's Jacket

Constructed of polyester and elastane with a hydrophilic finish, this windbreaker features a self-mock with contrast zipper welt, front and back yoke and front and side panels for shaping. Don’t let wind chill slow you down!

Callaway® 8-Foot Quad Hitting Net

Practice makes perfect and this hitting net features super strong mesh netting and a large, 8’x8’ hitting area. The hanging target quietly sharpens aim and is easy to set up and take down.

Nike® VRS Covert 2.0 Women's Adjustable Driver, Fairway Wood or Hybrid

The VR_S Covert 2.0 improves on its predecessor with a re-engineered High Speed Cavity Back design for increased distance, more stability, faster ball speed and greater forgiving distance with every shot.

TaylorMade® RSi1 Ladies’ Iron Set

Features of this set includes new Face Slot Technology in the 4-8 irons, improved Speed Pocket with ThruSlot Technology in the 4-7 irons, Advanced Face Design with Inverted Cone Technology and improved sound and feel throughout the set.

Titleist® 915D3 Driver

Workable and forgiving, the 915D3 driver delivers distance with trajectory control. The 440cc deep face pear profile provides confidence to manage your trajectory while producing a lower flight and less spin than the D2.

Titleist® Pro VI Golf Ball Dozen

Tour-proven around the globe, the new Pro V1 golf ball is engineered to deliver exceptional distance, consistent flight, very soft feel, Drop-and-Stop greenside control and longer lasting durability.

Titleist® Scotty Cameron Futura X5 Putter

Already a winner on Tour, the Futura X5 utilizes stainless steel for the face and body, keeping the weight low and moved out for optimal balance and performance. Every angle is created to help you aim straight at your target. Gain stability, make more putts and have more fun.

Merchandise Monday: Get Fit!

Spring starts in three weeks – although it doesn’t feel like it – and there’s no better time than now to start getting in shape for the warmer months! As always, Hinda has everything you need to shape up and feel good about yourself, from clothing to equipment to DVDs and more. This article represents just a small sample of all of the great workout gear we have available in our assortment!

adidas® Climalite 3-Stripes Half-Zip Men's Training Top

Stay cool and dry while you train with the Climalite pullover, featuring lightweight knit fabric with mesh insets, bonded front zipper, elastic finish at cuffs, side panel articulation and puremotion® stretch. Stay comfortable while you work up a sweat!

Garmin® vivosmart™ Fitness Bracelet

vívosmart™ displays distance, steps, calories and time of day and vibrates when you get an alert, such as an email or if you've been sedentary for an hour and automatically syncs your data to Garmin® Connect™ when you use the free app on your compatible Bluetooth® device.

Huffy® Bicycle Tool Saddle Bag

This saddle bag is easy to install and includes everything you need for repairs on the road – a complete tire repair kit, set of three resin tire levers, 6-15mm bone wrench, crank arm extractor and a ring wrench. Also features an additional zippered storage pocket for convenience.

Huffy® Floor Pump/Compact Hand Pump Combo

The Floor Pump/Compact Hand Pump Combo is portable, lightweight and can be used with Presta and Schrader valves to inflate sports equipment. Its sturdy construction features an integrated valve cap to improve function and easy to follow instructions with integrated 160 PSI dial gauge.

SmartWorks Yoga Blocks – Set of 2

These blocks provide stability and balance, aiding you in deep yoga poses and alignment while increasing strength. They’re also light enough to take anywhere you go. Durable high density foam can be used on any surface.

Wilson® "Cast Away" Volleyball

This replica of "Wilson" from the movie "Cast Away" features a polyurethane cover and 18-panel machine-sewn construction. Painted handprint "Wilson" face decorates the outside of the ball – you might not want to play with him!

Wilson® US Open Racket

The US Open tennis racket features Arc 2 Technology, fused graphite construction, double hold technology creating more power, a 16 x19 string pattern and measures 27” L x 103” head size with a standard 4.4” grip.

Your Monthly Check-Up: Do You Know Your Blood Pressure?

February is American Heart Month – perfect timing as we just celebrated Valentine’s Day – and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is asking, “Do you know your blood pressure?”  According to its website, “The CDC and Million Hearts^® – a national effort to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes in the United States by 2017 – are encouraging Americans to know their blood pressure, and if it's high, to make control their goal.”

Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. In fact, more than 67 million Americans have high blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are four times more likely to die from a stroke and three times more likely to die from heart disease, compared to those with normal blood pressure.

High blood pressure often shows no signs or symptoms, which is why having your blood pressure checked regularly is important. It's easy to get your blood pressure checked. You can get screened at your doctor's office and drugstores or even check it yourself at home using a home blood pressure monitor.

If you already know you have high blood pressure, the CDC lists some steps you can take to get it under control:

• Find out from your doctor what your blood pressure should be
• Take your blood pressure medication as directed
• Quit smoking, and if you don’t smoke, don’t start
• Reduce your sodium intake

It’s important to note that, “While heart disease doesn't discriminate, your gender, race, ethnicity and where you live can increase your risk,” according to the CDC. “African American men are at the highest risk for heart disease. About two in five African Americans have high blood pressure, but only half have it under control.” 

The CDC points to a recent article in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine that shows that

Americans aged 30 to 74 who live the Southeast—specifically, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi and Georgia—are at higher risk of developing heart disease over the next 10 years than people who live in other parts of the country. Many of these states have a large African American population.

Visit the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/features/heartmonth/ for information about high blood pressure and resources for helping you or your loved ones get under control and keep stay there. You’ll also find information about smoking cessation, healthy eating and sodium reduction right on the web page.

Wellness is an important part of life at Hinda, which is why we dedicate at least one post per month to wellness news and trending topics. Will you pledge to make control your goal?

Merchandise Midweek: Show Some Love!

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner – are you ready to shower your loved ones with their favorite gifts? If you’re still looking for the perfect Heart Day treat, look no further than Hinda’s assortment of goodies that will surely surprise and delight that special someone. From the traditional chocolates and flowers to a unique selection of socially responsible items, we’ve got everything you need to make this Valentine’s Day a memorable one!

1-800-Flowers.com eGift Card

Whether you're looking for roses, orchids, gift baskets, bonsai trees, flowering plants or wedding bouquets, 1-800-Flowers.com has the highest quality blooms and the most talented florists who can create exactly what you order. Dazzle and delight your loved ones wherever they may be with a fresh flowers and gifts at www.1800flowers.com.

Bright Endeavors Awash in Love Gift Set

Enjoy the gentle, warm scents of a sampling of four 3-ounce bundles of Fair Trade Himalayan soaking salts. Scents include Lavender Milk, Orange Bergamot, Vanilla Honey and Eucalyptus Leaf. Bright Endeavors  is one of the Helping Hand Partners, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization marketing socially responsible products made by social enterprise in the US and fair trade organizations globally.

Bright Endeavors Love Lights Gift Set

Sit back and enjoy the soft glow of the Love Lights Gift Set. This Valentine Collection includes four 3-ounce eco-friendly soy votive scents: Lavender Milk, Orange Bergamot, Vanilla Honey and Eucalyptus Leaf. Socially responsible, fair wage, green and made in the USA.

Dooney and Bourke™ Gretta Signature Medium Wristlet

The Gretta Signature Collection is branding at its best. A petite logo print covers coated cotton fabric cast in classic shapes finished with fine Vacchetta leather trim. Other features include a detachable strap, interior lining, zipper closure and coated cotton fabric. This wristlet is perfect for taking your essentials with you or clipping inside a larger bag.

Greyston Bakery Gourmet 6- or 8-Piece Fudge Chocolate Brownie Box

Nothing says happiness like gourmet chocolate fudge brownies. Each brownie is individually wrapped and proceeds benefit low-income individuals and families as they forge a path to self-sufficiency and community transformation. Greyston Bakery is one of the Helping Hand Partners, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Lambs Farm Chocolate Lover's Collection

This 3-pound basket includes buttery English toffee, dark, milk and white Lambs Farm logo chocolates, chocolate covered peanut brittle, mini turtles with sea salt, enrobed sandwich cookies, dark chocolate nut bark, cookie bark, turtles, nut clusters and coconut patties. Proceeds benefit adults with developmental disabilities. Lambs Farm is one of the Helping Hand Partners.

Omaha Steaks® 6-inch Chocolate Lover's Cake 

Incredibly rich, dense chocolate is what makes Omaha Steaks® Chocolate Eva Cake so sensational. It's moist, home-made flavor will amaze you! If you're a true chocoholic, this cake is for you! Perfect for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries or whenever your sweet tooth strikes! Serves 6-8 people, but we won’t blame you if you don’t share!

Omaha Steaks® Lobster & Filet Dinner for Two

Savor the perfect taste of lobster tails and filet mignon with that special someone. This combo includes two 6-ounce filet mignons, two 6-ounce lobster tails, four 5.5-ounce stuffed baked potatoes, 2-pounds mixed vegetables and one 4-ounce lemon parsley butter sauce. A special occasion calls for a special, celebratory meal!

Pandora® LOVE Dangle Charm

This sterling silver dangle spells out “LOVE” with a heart-shaped salmon-pink cubic zirconia in place of the "O." This dangle is reminiscent of Robert Indiana’s “LOVE” statue featured in Philadelphia’s Love Park. Charm measures .4" square. It makes a great addition to her Pandora® collection or beautiful beginning to a new charm-collecting adventure!

Merchandise Monday: New Brands for the New Year

We’re not yet a month into the New Year and already we’ve been busy adding new merchandise to our award catalog. In fact, we’re excited to announce three new brands we’ve acquired since the end of 2014 – Chic Buds, Gresso and Revelee. Check out the great items we’ve added from these three companies and rest assured this is just the beginning of our 2015 award expansion!

Chic Buds

Battery Charging Bag – Clutchette or Crossbody

The clutchette and the crossbody each hold approximately one full smartphone charge and are compatible with smartphones and USB devices. Made of soft faux leather, satin interior lining with credit card slots and removable and rechargeable battery, as well as battery life indicator lights. Includes USB cord with hidden cable feature.

Slimpower Battery Charger - Pink Stripes or Turquoise

Give your phone a boost without the bulk! This Slimpower battery charger is credit card sized and is compatible with smartphones and USB devices. It holds 2200 mAh - approximately one full smartphone charge. Charge it with a USB - includes two USB cords.

Tangle Free Earbuds with Mic - Turquoise or Navy

Created and inspired by women for women, Luv Buds feature no-tangle flat cords and offers a neat, easy and super comfortable listening and talking experience. Luv Buds have a small design for female ears and feature mega sound, microphone, control button, 3.5 mm plug and three ear tip options. Enjoy crystal clear audio while standing out from the crowd.

Gresso

Aluminum iPhone® 6 Case

This innovative iPhone® 6 Case from Gresso is machined from aircraft-grade aluminum for lightweight strength and features a patented magnetic locks system, anodized protective finishing and full access to ports and buttons. Stylish and sophisticated, just like you!

Valencia Clutch

Compatible with most 5" phones – iPhone® 5/5S, iPhone 6, Samsung® Galaxy™ S4, Samsung Galaxy S5 and more – this clutch is designed with both functionality and style in mind. It's the only accessory you'll need for running errands or dancing 'til dawn. Made of the finest materials, the Valencia clutch features a main compartment for a smartphone, cards, coins and notes and a detachable wrist strap.

Valencia Folio Case for iPad® Air

The Valencia Folio Case for iPad® Air is hand-made in high quality soft leather and features an elegant design with a lovely bow. The inside of the case features a soft microfiber lining which protects the screen from scratches. It’s easy access to all controls and ports and includes an ultra slim case for maximum protection.

Valencia iPhone® 6 Wallet

The iPhone® 6 Wallet is hand-made and features elegant design elements, high quality soft leather and a secure magnet closure. Interior includes separate slots for your ID and cards as well as a pocket for cash. The snap-on case is made of durable, shatter-proof polycarbonate with a matte soft-touch coating attached on the inside to secure your device.

Relevee

Relevee is one of the Helping Hand Partners, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization marketing socially responsible products made by social enterprise in the US and fair trade organizations globally.

Silver Pennies From Heaven Bracelet

This charming bracelet features a series of hand-hammered sterling silver discs representing abundance. 100 percent of proceeds go to Made By Survivors, a tax-exempt charity serving women and children who are survivors of human rights abuses. Socially responsible, fair trade. 

Silver Stepping Stone Earrings

These delightful earrings are comprised of a series of graduating sterling silver discs, hammered by hand on sterling silver ear wires. 100 percent of proceeds go to Made By Survivors, a tax-exempt charity serving women and children who are survivors of human rights abuses. Socially responsible, fair trade.