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Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2688 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 415 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017 A Fun Way To Enjoy Fruits And Vegetables (NAPSA)—According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, kids aren’t getting nearly enough fruits and veggies in their daily diets, but you can help yours get the nutrients they need—and like it. There are a number of ways to make getting proper nutrition fun, whether kids are eating at home or are back at school, suggests the United States Department of Agriculture. Here are a few: •Kids love to dip their foods. Whip up a quick dip for veggies with yogurt. Fruit chunks go great with a yogurt and cinnamon or vanilla dip. •Make your own pizza. Use whole-wheat English muffins, bagels or pita bread as the crust. Have tomato sauce, low-fat cheese and cut-up vegetables for toppings. Warm the pies till the cheese melts. •Put melon chunks in the freezer or make “popsicles” by inserting sticks into peeled bananas and freezing. •Since many children simply don’t enjoy the taste of vegetables, parents can turn to a line of highquality fruit-and-veggie blend beverages, each containing one combined serving of fruits and vegetables. The brand, good2grow, offers a tropical fruit medley and strawberry kiwi veggie that have the wholesome goodness of carrots, beets and apples. By striving to create a strong foundation for smart eating habits now, the company believes it will help shape children’s atti- Families can now avoid the “eat your vegetables” meltdown with the help of a nutritious fruitand-veggie drink. tudes toward healthy foods and beverages. In addition to the blends, there’s apple juice, organic apple juice and fruit punch—which gets apples, pears and grapes to team up to create a flavorful juice that will leave kids refreshed—all made with 100 percent juice. The beverages provide ageappropriate nutrition based on guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. There’s no added sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Additionally, they are also non-GMO and BPA-free in colorful, recyclable packaging. Each four-, six- or eight-ounce bottle is fitted with a patented spill-proof SippaTop™ cap featuring characters from Disney, Marvel, Warner Brothers, Mattel, Hello Kitty, American Greetings, Nickelodeon and HIT Entertainment. Learn More For further facts and tips, visit the good2grow Facebook page or www.good2grow.com. It’s A Natural (NAPSA)—When it comes to home decor, leading designers say it’s all about style fusion and natural materials. Also in are recycling and retro decor ideas, says HGTV star Vern Yip, a champion of eco-friendly materials with a fashion-forward appeal. “The variety of choices available to environmentally conscious consumers today is remarkable,” Yip says. “Sustainable design and decor options have come of age, and the advances in cork flooring finishes are a great example.” When you get down to it, a new cork floor can give your room a big pick-me-up. Beautiful cork, adds Yip, is chic, comfortable and natural, too. Cork floors are warm, soft on the feet and eco friendly, he points out. Cork’s natural ability to insulate against heat, cold, noise and vibration makes it an excellent choice for any room: kitchen, playroom, basement, even bathroom. Design styles range from woodlike planks to marble-esque tiles, and an easy-to-install system makes cork flooring easy to recycle and reuse. To see some of Yip’s updates to his own New York City apartment, visit the decor inspiration gallery at www.realcorkfloors.com. Students Are Filling A Gap With Travel (NAPSA)—Increasingly, students and those just out of school are using international travel as a productive way to make the most of the gap of time between high school and college or between college and starting a career. That’s why this type of purposeful travel has come to be known as gap travel. After spending 12-plus years in the classroom, a gap year spent traveling can be an excellent way for students to learn about themselves and the rest of the world. At the same time, it can also serve as a way for the student to stand out from the crowd when applying for college or a job. A Number Of Options Gap travel can take many forms, including work trips where participants hold full- or part-time jobs and are self-sustaining; volunteering trips; teaching programs; and strict sightseeing packages. Many gap trips, such as those at www.firstabroad.com, are structured to be extremely affordable, making them even more popular among millennials. According to Jim Zambrano, CEO of First Abroad, a Bostonbased company that coordinates gap travel, “These international programs are a great option for young adults who have yet to find a job and teens who are either facing an increasingly competitive college admissions process or just can’t afford college.” Distinctive Benefits Students who take gap trips often receive benefits that set Many students report that their gap travel experience has taught them skills and life lessons that cannot be learned in a classroom. them apart from the less adventurous, including: •Interesting material for college essays or job interviews through engaging in new, unconventional experiences •More time to discover interests that can give students greater clarity and understanding when choosing a major or a career path • A renewed sense of purpose and excitement about moving on to the next step in life, whereas students who don’t take a break can often experience burnout •Skills and life lessons that cannot be learned in a classroom •A global perspective on life and career. Gap years can be a fit for those who wish to gain work experience, have a steady income, gain independence and see the world—all at the same time. To learn more, visit the website at www.firstabroad.com.
