Your Monthly Check-Up: A Healthy Me is Drug-Free!

Have you been seeing an abundance of red ribbons this week, perhaps pinned to a coworker’s shirt or displayed at your local school? That’s because it’s Red Ribbon Week! The National Red Ribbon Campaign® is the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation, reaching millions of young people from October 23-31 each year.

Organized by the National Family Partnership (nfp.org) in 1985, Red Ribbon Week has grown to become a national celebration honoring the importance of educating America’s youth about drug use. While it initially served as a response to the murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena, the campaign has since reached millions of children and families across the US.

The NFP’s drug prevention outreach is threefold:

• Awareness via the annual Red Ribbon Week
• Advocacy by bringing the concerns and agenda of America’s parents and families to policy makers on local, state and national levels
• Resources in the form of up-to-date literature regarding the Red Ribbon Campaign, Red Ribbon Certified Schools™, Lock Your Meds® and Safe Homes/Safe Parties™

According to a statistic on RedRibbon.org, “Children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42 percent less likely to use drugs than those who don’t, yet only a quarter of teens report having these conversations.” But what can we do to increase this percentage and increase the number of children who steer clear of the dangers of drug use and underage drinking?

As it turns out, there is a lot we can do! Just a few of the activities going on across the country this week include Wear Red Week, a “Just Say No” magic show, wearing shirts backwards to “turn your back on drugs,” visits from local police and K-9 units, creating lists of what you’d rather be doing than drugs, plastering red ribbons all over town to create awareness, taking various pledges to be drug-free and so much more. Many of these activities are occurring at schools but similar events can be organized at other community outposts as well.

But most importantly, since Red Ribbon Week is just that – a week – we must remember that any time is a good time to talk to your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends about the destruction that drug use can cause. Check out RedRibbon.org and nfp.org for ideas and resources about talking to kids about drug and alcohol abuse and remind them that “The BEST you is a drug-free you!”

Merchandise Monday: A Nightmare on 34th Street

Colorful leaves are scattered all over the ground, the sky is gray and there’s a chill in the air. That can only mean one thing: it’s time for Hinda’s annual round-up of Halloween(ish) merchandise! The only nightmare here is the thought of having to pick which of these items is the best – they’re all so great! Treat yourself to a few of these and have a happy and spooky Halloween!

Acu-Rite® Digital Weather Station with Forecast/Temperature/Clock/Moon Phase

Plan your trick-or-treating with confidence using this handy tool! Keep track of moon phases, weather forecast, temperature and more with the wireless weather station. Using patented Self-Calibrating Technology, the weather station provides your personal forecast of 12- to 24-hour weather conditions generated from a wireless sensor in your backyard, giving you the most accurate weather forecast available for your exact location. 

Eureka® Lady Bug Girls 30-degree Sleeping Bag

No creepy-crawlies here! She’ll be snug as a bug in a rug this fall when she cozies up in the Lady Bug sleeping bag! It’s constructed of a durable polyester taffeta shell and liner with a Number 5 non-locking self-repairing zipper. It features a double layer off-set multi needle quilt construction and is rated for a temperature of 30-degrees F. Includes a stuff sack. 

LEGO® Duplo® Super Heroes Batcave Adventure

Everyone’s favorite superhero, Batman™, is always ready for Halloween! Enter the Batcave and get ready for some exciting adventures! Park the Batwing and get to work with all of the amazing Batman gadgets, but watch out – Catwoman is sneaking about! Kids will develop creativity and building skills with this iconic, easy-to-build set featuring lots of extra bricks for extended play.

Namco Bandai Games Pac-Man™ and The Ghostly Adventures for PS3® and Xbox® 360

Pac is back in an all-new experience for a whole new generation of fans. The story begins as the menacing ghosts escape from the creepy Netherworld to invade PacWorld. These frightening ghosts cause nothing but trouble wherever they go! Pac and his two best friends, Spiral and Cylindria, rise to the challenge of protecting their home in a big, bustling, bonkers world of action, adventure and just plain wackiness! 

Razor® Jr. Monster Kix™ Scooter

Turn your little tyke into a little monster with the spook-tacular new Razor® Jr. Monster Kix™. The extra wide deck and 3-wheel frame help young riders stay on their feet as they build coordination and balance, while the detailed hand grips kick start young imaginations for some monster role play! 

Razor® Jr. Zombie Kix™ Scooter

Get ready for an outbreak of infectious fun and laughter with the all-new Razor® Jr. Zombie Kix™. Designed for little monsters still building their coordination and balance, this awesomely spooky ride lets kids play the starring role in their very own park or playground zombie invasion. But beware – this scary scooter is tons of fun long after Halloween is over!

Merchandise Monday: Pink is the Color of October, Part II

On Monday, we brought you Part I of our annual round-up of pink items benefiting breast cancer research. Here are a few additional items from our collection – a selection from Wilson®’s Hope® line for the sports nut!

Wilson® Hope® Golf Glove

This ladies' glove is made with a super soft leather palm and thumb. With every purchase of a Hope® golf glove, a donation is made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.

Wilson® Hope® Harmonized Putter

Harmonized putters feature a great-looking grip and micro-injection face insert that produces superior feel and accuracy. Ladies’ right hand. A portion of proceeds go to Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.

Wilson® Hope® Mini-Size Football

The miniature Hope® football features a waterproof sponge rubber cover. A percent of all sales is donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.

Wilson® Hope® Pink Golf Balls - One Dozen

The ladies' golf ball generates a double dose of virtue with every swing. With a high-quality construction that drives straight and true while playing soft on the green, these balls are responsive and powerful.

Wilson® Hope® Tennis Racket

A diamond edge design provides for lightweight power and maneuverability. It measures 27” L with a 113” head size and 16x19 string pattern. A portion of the proceeds go toward breast cancer research.

Wilson® Hope® Triple Racquet Bag

This sporty and stylish pink racquet bag holds up to three rackets and includes a shoulder strap. A percentage of proceeds will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.

Merchandise Monday: Pink is the Color of October, Part I

Every October, we like to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month by highlighting a few of our “pink” items. While not necessarily pink in color, when you redeem for these items a portion of the proceeds go toward breast cancer research. You benefit twice – by receiving a great new item and by feeling good about supporting a worthy cause.

Carolee Jewelry BCA Pink Pearl Charm Bracelet

This charm bracelet features a sterling silver toggle closure with breast cancer ribbon, pink pave heart and pink freshwater pearl charm. It measures 7.5". Ten percent of sales from this item are donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®. Freshwater pearls are not symmetrical in shape.

Mobile Edge Komen Tote Pink Faux-Suede

Here's the tote that does it all! This gorgeous faux-suede tote radiates style while offering an efficient sanctuary for your notebook and all your essentials. As part of Mobile Edge’s Caring Case Collection™, 10 percent of the retail price will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.

Pandora® Pink Ribbon Charm

The Pink Ribbon Charm has pink stones that glitter on an inspirational ribbon that dangles from a shiny silver charm. Pandora® will donate five percent of the retail sales for the special pink ribbon beads to Susan G. Komen for the Cure with a minimum guaranteed donation of $1,000,000.

Pandora® Pink Ribbon Murano Charm 

Use this sterling silver and murano glass charm to show your support and love for those with breast cancer. A portion of the proceeds for this beautiful and inspiring charm benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure in support of its mission to save lives and end breast cancer forever.

Presto® 6-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker

Pressure cooking preserves flavors and nutrients while cooking food three to 10 times faster than ordinary methods. Cook chicken, fish, meat and vegetables to perfection and tenderize economical cuts of meat. For each redemption, $5 will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

South Bend® Ready 2 Fish Spin Cast Combo with Kit

Made especially for the lady angler, this combo includes everything you need to start fishing today. It features a 6’, 2-piece medium action fiberglass rod, size 10 reel with one ball bearing, all-metal body and dual handle. A portion of the proceeds go to the Bright Pink organization.

But that’s not all! Stay tuned this Wednesday, October 1, for Part II of this series!

Your Monthly Check-Up: September is National Cholesterol Education Month

Cholesterol. A funny word with a bad reputation. A waxy, fat-like substance that floats around in your blood. Sounds icky, but it’s something your body actually needs. The problem is, too much of it can cause serious problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

There are two kinds of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). HDL is also called "good" cholesterol. LDL is called "bad" cholesterol. When we talk about high cholesterol, we are talking about "bad" LDL cholesterol.

Seventy-one million American adults have high cholesterol, but only one-third of them have the condition under control…Too much cholesterol in the blood is one of the main risk factors for heart disease and stroke—two leading causes of death in the United States. One way to prevent these diseases is to detect high cholesterol and treat it when it is found.

High cholesterol has no symptoms so you won’t know if you have it until you get a screening. A simple blood test will tell you what your good and bad cholesterol levels are and doctors recommend people ages 20 and over get their cholesterol screened every five years.

Sometimes, if certain risk factors are at play, your doctor may recommend more frequent cholesterol screenings. For example, if your total cholesterol is 200 mg/dL or higher, you’re a man older than 45 or a woman over 50, your HDL is lower than 40 mg/dL or you have other risk factors for heart disease or stroke, your doctor might want to check your cholesterol more often.

The good news is that if you have high bad cholesterol or low good cholesterol, there are things you can do to get yourself more in balance. Making a few lifestyle changes will help lower your LDL. These include:

• Eating more fiber and avoiding saturated and trans fats
• Engaging in moderate exercise for 2.5 hours weekly
• Losing weight
• Quitting smoking

Coincidentally, making these changes to help lower your LDL can also help raise your HDL. It’s like a two-for-one with regard to your health! According to the Mayo Clinic, incorporating healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats – the fats found in olive, peanut and canola oil – can also help raise your HDL, as well as drinking alcohol in moderation – up to one drink per day for women or two for men. However, if you don’t drink, it’s not a good idea to start just for the purpose of raising your HDL. Go for the many other options instead! Additionally, if you are on cholesterol-controlling medication, take as directed according to your doctor.

See? Cholesterol isn’t all bad – and you’re required to eat fats to keep it in check! Why not celebrate your health this month by adopting a few of these healthy habits and treating yourself to a cholesterol screening? Your heart will thank you, and you’ll no doubt start to see other positive changes, as well!

Merchandise Monday: It’s Finally Fall!

Fall starts today – at 10:29 p.m. Eastern, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac – and while many of us (including this blogger) couldn’t wait for summer to start, others have had visions of pumpkin spice dancing in their heads since early August! So how about a little reading material while you sip that long-awaited latte? Hinda’s gearing up for the change of seasons and, as always, this is just a small sample of the abundance of fall-related (and otherwise) items in our ever-growing assortment!

ACU-RITE® Digital Weather Station

Plan the day with confidence with this weather predictor – pinpoint accuracy right from your own backyard. Patented Self-Calibrating Technology provides your personal forecast of 12- to 24-hour weather conditions generated from weather data measured by a sensor in your yard, giving you the most accurate forecast available.

Buck® Small Lock Back Folding Knife

The MiniBuck is so lightweight you won't even realize it is in your pocket. Made of durable materials and sized for convenience, it’s perfect for hunting, fishing, camping or just for everyday carry. Made of 420HC blade steel and features a drop point, razor edge and Valox handle. Blade length: 1.9", closed length: 2.9" and weighs 1-ounce.

Chilly Dog Handmade Wool Cable Knit Dog Sweater

Chilly Dog sweaters are extremely warm, thick and 100 percent plant-dyed wool. They are handmade by Inca Artisans in South America using fair trade guidelines, therefore they may vary slightly in color and style. Available for every dog from a tea cup to a Great Dane!

Diane Katzman Designs Metallic Rose or Tan Sparkle Scarf

These beautiful scarves by Diane Katzman feature fashionable pink or neutral tan lightweight fabric consisting of 80 percent cotton and 20 percent viscose. A lovely, delicate metallic pattern adds just the right amount of sparkle! The scarf measures 29.5" W x 75" L.  Each sold separately.

Dreambean Candles Recycled Wine Bottle Soy Candle

A recycled green or blue wine bottle is handsomely transformed into a 12-ounce eco-friendly soy candle.  Available scents include Vanilla Honey, Pacific Redwood, Aloe Lily, Lemon Tea, Yuzu Coconut and Lavender Milk.  Proceeds support a job-development training program for homeless and at-risk young mothers.

Family Night Fun!

School is back in session, extracurricular activities are starting up and the Monday through Friday grind is hectic with trying to accommodate everyone’s schedules. Now that evenings are getting shorter and homework is back on the agenda, it’s a great time to plan some fun family nights to kick back and relax with the people you love. Hinda is here to help with just a few items from our wide assortment of products for family night!

Disney® The Jungle Book - Diamond Edition DVD

This timeless masterpiece celebrates the true meaning of friendship. Join Mowgli as he journeys deep into the jungle and learns "The Bare Necessities" of life from happy-go-lucky Baloo the bear. Meet Bagheera, the wise old panther and crazy King Louie, the orangutan. But watch out for the cunning tiger Shere Khan and Kaa, the sssssneakiest snake in the jungle!

Kalorik® Fun! Electric S'mores Maker

Now the enjoyment of roasting marshmallows over an open campfire can be brought to the comfort of kitchens everywhere!  The Kalorik® s‘mores maker has a charming appeal and is ideal to use inside the house. Just add graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate squares to make a delicious s'mores treat. S'mores are great conversation starters and fun desserts for parties and special occasions!

Melissa & Doug® Suspend Family Game

A family game of tricky hangs and steady hands! Try this hanging balance game and you'll be hooked! Suspend comes with 24 notched, rubber-tipped wire pieces to hang from a tabletop stand. Sound easy? Try adding another piece! Each time a bar is added, the balance shifts, the difficulty changes and the incredible midair sculpture transforms. Can you add all your game pieces without making it fall?

Smart Planet Movie Theater Popcorn Maker

This hot air popcorn popper's design is reminiscent of the old-time movie theater style poppers. Enjoy the fun of making your own great-tasting healthier alternative to buttered popcorn. It makes a fun addition to your rec or movie room and adds something special to nights in with your friends and family. Makes 2-3 quarts in minutes.

SodaStream® Jet Home Soda Maker Kit

The SodaStream® soda maker has everything you need to turn tap water into sparkling water in 30 seconds. With no batteries or electricity, you can use your soda maker in your kitchen, outdoors on your patio or deck or on your boat or RV. In addition to making fizzy water, SodaStream also offers more than 25 regular, diet, energy and caffeine-free flavors of syrup (sold separately).

Vivitar® "The Voice" High End CD+G Karaoke Machine

Inspired by the hit NBC show, “The Voice” High End Karaoke has all you need for a great party! Features include enhanced vocal effects, echo and balance control for pro sound, a large dynamic speaker, dual pro-style microphone jacks (includes one mic) and an integrated MP3/smartphone and tablet cradle that lets you tap into your digital music library or play karaoke tunes from your devices.

Wonder Forge Disney™ Doc McStuffins All Better! Role Play Game

Make the boo-boos go away like Doc McStuffins! Each slap bracelet bandage is a different mystery ouchie. Take turns trying to figure out which doctor tool will make things all better. It’s a fun game of pretending and playful problem-solving. Game includes six slap bracelet bandages, six foam tools, eight scoring tiles, one spinner, one storage bag and instructions.

Wonder Forge Disney Pictopia™ Family Trivia Game

Families team up in this collaborative yet competitive trivia game with 1,000 questions ranging from basic trivia to voting, testing how well you know your fellow players. During the game, everyone gets a chance to show off their World of Disney knowledge – from Disney Junior and Disney XD to Disney Parks and classic Disney films. It’s the perfect answer for together-time fun!  

Wonder Forge Marvel Avengers Assemble™ Slide Strike ™ Game

Go head-to-head in an exciting game of concealed identities and cunning strategy. Slide your team across the battlefield for a surprise attack. Reveal which hero or villain you’re attacking with, then find out who they’re up against. Every character combo yields a different outcome. Outlast your opponent to win! Includes 35 tiles, 12 characters, 12 character cards, target tokens, battle platform and one die.