(NewsUSA) - The challenges of the past two years have raised global stress to unprecedented levels, illuminating the importance of prioritizing mental health.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization, recognizes May as Mental Health Awareness month -- a time to raise awareness and mobilize efforts to support mental health.

This year, let Mental Health Awareness Month serve as a gentle reminder to prioritize your mental well-being and self-care.

Yet, finding the time to focus on our health can be a struggle during busy or challenging times.

That's exactly why mental wellness app, Breethe, meets you where you're at, ensuring self-care becomes a reality and not just a hopeful wish. Breethe's personalized approach -- which easily integrates self-care into your day instead of just adding another item on the to-do list --delivers customized, relatable stress relief right to your phone,

"Breethe is personalized for you and your needs. When it comes to wellness and self-care, there is no one-size-fits-all approach," says Breethe co-founder Lynne Goldberg. "The more we can meet someone where they're at in their day and life, the more lives we can change for the better."

Can't sleep? Feeling anxious? The app's new "Therapy On-The-Go" feature is designed to figure out why, and gets to know its users through a series of quick and easy questions rooted in behavioral science. Then, based on this interaction, it provides personalized recommendations -- including bite-sized therapy talks, meditations, relaxation practices and hypnotherapy sessions.

Additionally, with the "Customize My Day" tab, Breethe helps users sneak in a few minutes of self-care as they go about their day. Choose from a selection of activities, such as starting the day, doing chores, working out, or falling asleep. By setting the times when you typically do the activities, the app recommends what support would serve you best at that specific time.

Finally, Breethe is all about real help for your life -- it offers relatable tools for (very!) specific everyday situations, such as "My Boss is a Jerk" and "My Family Drives Me Nuts," making the app even more accessible, timely and friendly.

This approach differentiates Breethe from other wellness apps because users need not sift through content libraries in search of the right tools. Instead, Breethe provides a personalized experience that delivers the most appropriate content to users on demand, just the solution for busy lives. As the Breethe team explains, "it's like having a best friend and life coach in your pocket."

Visit breethe.com for more information, and for a two-week free trial.

You can check out Breethe on social media by following along at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breetheapp (handle: @breetheapp) and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breetheapp (handle: @breetheapp).

(NewsUSA)

"As Time Unfolds"
by Barbara Zerfoss

Bethany Miller inherits an ancestral home from the biological mother she never knew. Inside a grandfather clock named The Timekeeper, she discovers a family journal. For three centuries, generations of women each wrote one entry, sharing family secrets, chronicling courageous acts, the freeing power of forgiveness and more.

Reading the women's stories and timeless wisdom, Bethany begins to reassess her busy life and contemplates taking a chance on romance, but she can't forget an alarming encounter with a girl's soul-piercing eyes. They shot a dire warning. . . right before she disappeared. Those eyes cause Bethany's past, present and future to collide.

This suspenseful tale with elements of historical fiction will captivate you from the start and keep you guessing until The Timekeeper chimes twelve. Purchase at http://www.barbarazerfoss.com.

"God's Gift (Woman)"
by Freddie Floyd Jr.

This book helps readers understand the value God placed on women, and why it's so important for women to unlearn the things that society has shown them regarding their purpose, why they need to establish a healthy relationship with the Creator so He can be your guide. No longer will you feel the need to settle, know who you are, and what is your value in Christ.

Once again, the author has written a short, straightforward guidebook to help readers looking to connect with God and hoping to reap the abundance that is available through that practice. It is all about how women believe and treat themselves, which sets the standard for how others will treat them. Take the journey. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3CsmLo9.

"CareGivers ScareTakers"
by Jacklyn Ryan

Do you know if your trusted caregiver is ripping off your parents? What can you do to protect your loved ones? How can you find the best qualified caregiver?

Families struggle to find dependable, trusted care. These true stories are but a glimpse that exposes fraud and manipulation by unscrupulous caregivers. Through these stories, you will learn to identify subtle hints that expose a dishonest caregiver. You'll discover resources, tips on hiring and managing your caregiver, as well as some basic estate planning advice.

More than $37 billion is stolen each year because of the financial exploitation of seniors, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Better regulation is needed for in-home care agencies. Raising the bar on caregivers will raise the bar on the quality of care. Purchase at https://amzn.to/38RsE3o.

"The Colorless Womb"
by Kimberly Gowdy

Kimberly had always yearned for a child, but after multiple miscarriages, coupled with an unhealthy marriage, she accepted that her plan to become a mother was inconceivable. A painful divorce and a job opportunity opened the door for a fresh start in Atlanta. A chance meeting with her husband-to-be David was a breath of fresh air. They seemingly shared the same goals and dreams, but soon after realized life doesn't always go as planned.

They entertained the possibility of surrogacy, yet after three failed attempts, and only two embryos left, failure wasn't an option. Desperation to find the right surrogate led them to the biggest surprise of their lives: an unlikely person who proved to be the perfect match. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3EX439j.

NOTE: BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(NewsUSA) - Good housecleaning has never gone out of style, but it has taken on a new priority in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Whether you are spending more time at home or have returned part-time to in-person work or school, smart, effective cleaning strategies can help keep your home and family safe and healthy.

Safe and simple are key criteria for choosing from among the wide variety of today's home cleaning products. However, consumers also want cleaners that are tough and effective, that don't just eliminate stains and spots, but also kill germs, viruses, and bacteria.

To that point, many people want to make cleaning easier, and that includes one-stop shopping.

One such product, all-n-all, tackles cleaning, stain removal and deodorizing in one single step.

The multipurpose cleanser contains ingredients derived from renewable resources, natural products including hydrogen peroxide and plant derived essential oils. It is designed to deliver a tough cleaning punch throughout the home, and the formula kills 99 percent of germs, bacteria, and viruses on hard, porous/non-porous surfaces when used correctly.

"Added surfactants help to break down those stubborn stains, giving you a one-step cleaning solution for your whole home," says Jason Bailey, president of all-n-all.

To that end, all-n-all is engineered to clean the entire house:

• Kitchen: all-n-all can help keep countertops and floors germ-free while tackling kitchen appliance cleaning from the sink, refrigerator, to tough stove top grease and grime.
• Living room: Stain-removal properties can take on challenges such as wine, coffee and pet stains from carpet, clean light switches, remotes, and tables.
• Bathroom: Remove iron deposits, hard water and calcium deposits from faucets and shower fixtures, clean sinks, bathtubs and countertops in one simple step.
• Nursery: It's safe and gentle enough to use on children's highchairs, furniture, toys, and game controllers.

All-n-all contains no dyes, phosphates, bleach, chlorine, or sodium lauryl sulfate, and is manufactured in the USA, with no harsh or abrasive chemicals.

Visit Lowes.com for more information and to purchase all-n-all natural cleaner.

(NewsUSA) - Witnessing a cardiac arrest can be frightening, but don't be afraid to take action -- two simple steps can save a life.

Each year, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital or emergency department, according to the American Heart Association. When someone experiences cardiac arrest, immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can make the difference between life and death. In fact, immediate CPR can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim's chance of survival.

Many people still think that effective CPR involves mouth-to-mouth resuscitation as well as chest compressions, and they may be hesitant to perform it, but that is not the case.

Hands-Only CPR has been shown to be as effective as the conventional CPR for cardiac arrests in the home, office, or in public places in the first few minutes until more advanced help arrives.

"By equipping people with Hands-Only CPR training, they learn how easy the technique is and there is a comfort level that will help them overcome concerns that cause hesitation to act in an emergency," say Raina Merchant, Chair, American Heart Association Emergency Cardiovascular Care.

Hands-only CPR includes just two simple steps.

- First, call 911.

- Second, push hard and fast in the center of the chest of the individual having a cardiac arrest. How hard to push? At least 2 inches. How fast? That's easy. Use the beat of a familiar song that has 100 to 120 beats per minute. For example, the classic disco hit, "Stayin' Alive" can help you stay on pace, but anything with a similar tempo will do.

To help promote the lifesaving value of Hands-Only CPR, the American Heart Association has partnered with the Anthem Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Anthem, Inc., in a public service campaign, "The Power is in Your Hands," to encourage everyone to learn Hands-Only CPR.

"Approximately 70 percent of cardiac arrests happen at home, and CPR can double or even triple chances of survival if performed immediately," said Shantanu Agrawal, M.D., Chief Health Officer at Anthem, Inc. "Together with the American Heart Association, the Anthem Foundation remains focused on working to increase the number of people who learn Hands-Only CPR. By providing greater access to training we can help increase the number of people who are prepared to respond in case of an emergency and for some, that could mean saving the life of someone they love."

The American Heart Association offers a 90-second livestream instructional video demonstration of Hands-Only CPR, as well as a new CPR first-aid app that anyone can download onto a phone.

Visit heart.org/handsonlycpr for more information.

(NewsUSA) - Creating a financial planner workforce that reflects the changing demographics of wealth in the United States is important for ensuring the long-term success of the profession and the ability of Americans to access the advice they need.

In recent years, significant progress has been made in attracting more women, people of color, and young individuals into the field. The number of CFP® professionals under age 30 has increased by 83% since 2016; 6,032 new women have joined the ranks of CFP® professionals, bringing the total to 20,632; and the number of Black and Latino CFP® professionals , including those who self-identified as biracial Black and Latino, grew to 3,688 in 2020.

Recruiting, however, is just one piece of the puzzle.

Creating a more diverse and sustainable workforce also requires cultivating an environment in which financial planners want to build a career.

"As awareness of the financial planning profession continues to spread and we attract more ethically and racially diverse talent, the challenge continues to be retaining and supporting these thriving professionals," explains Rianka Dorsainvil, CFP®, Co-CEO of 2050 Wealth Partners.

In part, such support means helping financial planners feel comfortable in the field and recognize the unique skills and perspectives they bring.

"Even though I didn't necessarily look like most everyone else in the profession, I wish I realized then the power of being able to connect with someone who shares my background," says Marguerita Cheng, CFP®, CEO of Blue Ocean Global Wealth.

"There are many people from different walks of life who could benefit from the services provided by a financial planner. And the personality traits that might appeal to one person or demographic, may not resonate quite as well with women or people of color," Cheng says.

Jeanne Fisher, CFP®, CPFA, with Strategic Retirement Partners, notes that this is why financial planners need to harness their differences.

"Being a woman can be an advantage -- not a disadvantage. Embrace it. Don't try to 'fit in with the guys.' Our different approach, and the fact that we are naturally more empathetic, works in our favor," she says.

Early in her career, Dorsainvil says she felt that "in order to fit in I needed to code-switch. I could not be my authentic self." Not only was it exhausting to constantly change mannerisms or appearance to feel like she belonged with a specific audience, Dorsainvil says doing so also ignored the fact that no matter where you come from, what you look like, how you grew up or your circumstances, you can be successful in this profession for who you are and what you bring to the table.

Dorsainvil adds that overcoming that mindset and the barriers that keep women and people of color from entering or staying in the profession requires allies in the financial advisory space to act in solidarity with marginalized groups and unlearn what they think they know about race and ethnicity.

Phuong Luong, CFP®, a financial planner with Just Wealth, LLC, explains that this means having difficult conversations.

The profession "cannot truly be inclusive until we see why we've been exclusive for so long," she says, adding that financial planning as a whole is in a unique and privileged position to facilitate the reckoning that will ultimately help people become the most honest and realized versions of themselves

"If we get comfortable talking about race, imagine what we could do."

To learn more from diversity, equity and inclusion thought leaders and best practices visit www.CFP.net and plan to attend the 4th Annual Diversity Summit, taking place virtually November 17-18.

(NewsUSA) -(NewsUSA)

Not that long ago, "sustainability" in the business world was defined as being able to stay afloat even in trying economic times. But these days, when Greta Thunberg may be the most famous Swede since Ingrid Bergman, it's taken on a whole different meaning - what the Harvard Business School describes as efforts to "positively impact the environment and/or society."

Of course, some businesses, like Whirlpool Corporation, have been ahead of the game, and are now setting even higher new targets to tackle climate change.

"We established our first office for sustainability over 50 years ago," said Marc Bitzer, the company's chairman and CEO.

1. Achieving Net-Zero Carbon Emissions in Plants and Operations By 2030

That's the updated commitment to environmental sustainability that the world's leading kitchen and laundry appliance company just announced this month.

To get there, the company has been installing even more wind turbines and solar panels to help power its sites and distribution centers with renewable energy. (It's already one of the Fortune 500's largest U.S. on-site users of wind energy.)

And it's improving efficiency across more than 30 of its manufacturing sites and distribution centers around the world though retrofits.

2. Greening Homes Through VPPAs

That's Virtual Power Purchase Agreements for the uninitiated. Or in other words, agreements signed with energy companies to help fund wind and solar farms to generate renewable energy for the grid.

Whirlpool Corporation's first VPPA project broke ground in Texas in early January. It promises to be the first of many such projects helping to cleanly power not just its own sites but also local homes.

That's right, ordinary people's homes.

3.Innovative Household Products

It shouldn't surprise anyone that U.S. News & World Report named four innovative Whirlpool brand products among the best refrigerators, dryers and washing machines of 2021. Yes, they look great. But they're also designed to be extremely energy and water efficient.

In fact, Whirlpool Corporation has already reduced the emissions linked to its products in use by 60 percent since 2005 and has committed to lowering them by an additional 20 percent by 2030 from a 2016 baseline.

One fun fact for you: Dishwashers save three to four times the water compared to hand washing your dishes. And, hey, they save you about 30 minutes each time too.

4.Helping Even You Reduce Waste Material

Not content that more than 70 percent of its manufacturing sites are already zero waste to landfill, the company aims to make that 100 percent by 2022.

Plus, to tackle other environmental challenges like plastic pollution, it's ramping up the use of recycled or reused materials in its appliances. And guess what? Those high-performance recycled plastics Whirlpool Corporation started to employ in its products means it's making use of you own waste.

(NewsUSA) - (NewsUSA) -Despite being recognized as one of the most valuable assets in an organization, corporate data remains one of the least measured or understood. While decision makers have more access to data than ever before, there's little way to make sense of it. New research delves into the difference between executives who are data-driven, and those who are just data-saturated.

Talend's recently published 2021 Data Health Survey1 demonstrates clearly that business leaders understand the importance of data -- two-thirds report that they work with data every day. Yet, 78% of executives say they face challenges using their data, and 36% say most of their decisions are not based on data. Companies know that the path to the future depends on using data, but despite years of investments in modern data infrastructure, they struggle to put that data to use.

To survive in today's economy, every organization must become a data company. This is easier said than done. Only half of executives highly rate their company's ability to deliver even the basics: timely, accessible, complete, and accurate data.

Data management companies have been offering to solve these problems for years, but their solutions are focused only on the mechanics of data. Focusing on simply moving and storing more data means some of the basic components of data management are lost -- where is data coming from? Who has access to it? How accurate is it? To become data-driven, leaders need to know more about their data.

"Our relationship with data is unhealthy. Only 40% of executives always trust the data they work with, and more than a third of executives are still making decisions based on gut instincts," says Christal Bemont, CEO, Talend. "The reality of data is falling well short of the industry's vision. Data management, which largely focuses on moving and storing data, doesn't consider the overall health of data. Therefore, in trying to manage data, companies are in fact creating digital landfills of corporate information. This must change. Our vision of data health is the future because it recognizes fundamental standards for quality and reliability are critical for corporate survival."

Talend envisions data health as a holistic system of preventative measures, effective treatments, and a supportive culture to manage the well-being of corporate information actively. Data health will include monitoring and reporting capabilities to help organizations understand and communicate -- in a quantifiable way -- the reliability, risk, and return of this highly critical business asset.

The data integrity and integration company's customers report that focusing on data health delivers positive business results. "Without access to quality data on time, we could have never achieved the scale of analytics we are currently in," says Ranadip Dutta, solution architect manager at Lenovo. "We now have flexibility along with scalability."

For more information on the Talend Data Health Survey and data health, click here.

From March 24th to April 8th, 2021, Talend led a survey via Qualtrics of 529 global executives -- with titles ranging from director to the C-suite -- from medium and large companies making more than $10 million in annual revenue to assess their ability to make data-driven decisions.

(NewsUSA) - (NewsUSA) - Even before the COVID-19 pandemic swelled, the ranks of work-from-home employees, freelancing was on the rise as workers across a range of fields sought more flexibility and control over their work lives, enabled by the latest advances in technology. In 2020, there were 59 million people doing freelance work in the United States. This is an increase from 2014, when there were about 53 million people freelancing according to Statista, a leading provider of market and consumer data.

The demonstrated success of working remotely means that independent workers will be key to the future of work, even as many people return to in-person office settings.

To thrive both professionally and personally, independent workers need support and tools to promote their skills and manage their business.

An online platform known as Indy provides these features and more. Indy offers a complete productivity suite that helps independent workers take the management of their businesses to the next level, with tools and guidance for creating contracts, generating invoices, and everything in between. Additionally, their blog, The Independent Worker, is focused on addressing topics of interest to freelancers, ranging from business development to managing burnout.

"We proudly empower today's 'Indies' - including solopreneurs, freelancers, consultants, contractors, microbusinesses and side hustlers - to streamline the most time-consuming parts of operating their businesses. We help them work smarter, get paid faster, and thrive," says Sebastian Gyr, CEO and co-founder of Indy.

The Indy app offers freelancers a suite of tools designed to help them own three key aspects of their business: :

• Marketing. Indy provides templates for proposals, project briefs, and profiles to help you organize your pitches, and showcase your unique skills.
• Organization. Time tracker and task management tools help you keep everything organized, and Indy also offers a chat feature that freelancers can use for quick communication with clients.
• Business management. Templates for legally-binding contracts and non-disclosure agreements take a lot of the effort and stress out of contract creation, so you can get right to work and invoicing tools will let you quickly and easily send highly professional invoices to the client directly to be paid either electronically or the old-fashioned way - via a check in the mail.

Indy takes pride in empowering an inclusive and diverse community of freelancers, including the LGBTQ community, Black Americans, BIPOC, and workers with disabilities, who are often underserved in the workplace despite the recent rise in equity initiatives. Leaning into these tenets, Indy recently launched a new, digital series called 'Miss Independent' featuring a Black drag queen who offers short videos commenting on freelancing and the freelancing life.

"We're spotlighting what's currently missing for today's virtual workforce and are boldly embracing the opportunity to drive conversations and narratives around equitable pay, diversity, and inclusion, by enabling the success of all workers, especially those from underserved communities," according to the company.

"We celebrate the uniqueness of those human beings that we serve by providing the products, services, space, and the megaphone for them to be their authentic selves, shine, and thrive."

Visit weareindy.com for more information and to create an account for free.

(NewsUSA) - (NewsUSA)

"Sarana and the Dark King "
by Ivy Keating

The ruthless king of Bounten controlled a Valomere - a magical creature that connects with one person and obeys their commands - with the magic to cause instant death. To further his power, he embarked on a quest to find tarilium, the strongest metal known to exist. 

In pursuit of the precious resource, he ravaged his own villages before planning to invade the other kingdoms. Only one thing could stop his reign of terror -- a commoner with a secret past and a powerful Valomere of her own. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3d537Cz.

"The Trial of Billy the Kid"
by David G. Thomas

Biographies of Billy the Kid have provided extensive -- and fascinating -- details on his life, but only a few paragraphs on his trial for murder and the events leading up to that trial. The result sealed his fate, yet Billy's trial is the least written about, and, until this book, the least known event of Billy's adult life.

For the first time, get the answers to these questions: Was the trial fair? What were the charges? What kind of defense did Billy present? Did he have witnesses standing for him? Who testified against him? What action by the trial judge virtually guaranteed his conviction? Purchase at https://amzn.to/3vBFOse.

"Lake Roland"
by C. Roloson Reese

Some childhood mysteries cast long shadows. Tom O'Malley spent a lifetime trying to escape the one covering his world. His idyllic childhood with his inseparable pal, Mark, is upended when his friend mysteriously disappears one night.

Mark's whereabouts become a decades-long unsolvable question that haunts Tom's world as he copes with and later overcomes the bitterness of a friendship's baffling evaporation. The anguish he experiences prepares him well for a world filled with uncertainties, not the least of which includes love and redemption. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3ehdaGl.

"Purpose and Possibilities: How to Transform Your Life"
by Elaine J. Brzycki and Henry G. Brzycki

By exploring their life's purposes, the authors have created possibilities for people to create happy, healthy, and flourishing lives. Because of the work, people in over 50 countries are prioritizing mental health and well-being in their own individual lives, their families, schools, colleges and universities, and communities. Ideas on how to see and achieve your unique potentials in life; heal yourself from past traumas; transition to a new stage in life that is thriving and successful; connect with your innate passion to make a unique difference; see and feel the power of your hopes and dreams.

This book meets the needs of our times for impactful mental health and well-being techniques. Capturing nearly 40 years of counseling expertise and course and program development for individuals, couples, families, and schools, Elaine and Henry Brzycki have produced a book of resources that will transform your life. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3uzrwY4.

NOTE: BookTrib's Bites is presented by BookTrib.com

(NewsUSA) - (NewsUSA)

Farmhouse-style interiors have been popular for the last few years and the look remains as sought after as ever. There are enough iterations of the style (modern, industrial, French, rustic, and more) to suit most tastes. Signature elements include open shelving, shiplap, apron sinks, and a preference for natural, honest materials-stone, metal, and above all wood, new and reclaimed. "When it comes to farm-style decor, most of us think of the kitchen first," says Linda Jovanovich, of the American Hardwood Information Center. "But it can work equally well in bedrooms, living areas, even bathrooms. Incorporating natural hardwood into the design is a great way to achieve the look without going overboard into kitsch." Here are six inspiring uses of the perennial style.

1. A warm contemporary farmhouse kitchen

Photograph by Caitlin Murray

A large apron sink in cream-color cast concrete sets up a warm and sophisticated country tone in this Portland, Oregon kitchen by Emerick Architects. The island's black-walnut-slab top is complemented by open shelving and undercounter cabinetry in honey-stained maple, gray quartz counters, stainless-steel appliances, and a handmade ceramic-tile backsplash.

2. Corral-inspired stair railings and balustrades

Photograph by Spacecrafting

Rift-sawn white oak with a custom whitewash stain forms the handrails and posts of the main staircase in a Stillwater, Minnesota house by Home Design by Annie. An elegant reinterpretation of the traditional wooden-rail fences found throughout rural America, the stair gets a high-tech twist in the form of stainless-steel guard wires.

3. A characterful rustic kitchen

Photograph by Scott DW Smith

Charming rusticity is the name of the game in this Hesperus, Colorado kitchen remodel by Veritas Fine Homes. Existing beams and columns and a new oak floor-all in a dark finish-are joined by knotty-alder cabinetry and floating shelves stained a similar color to the island's honey-tone maple butcher-block top.

4. A cool western ranch-style bedroom

Photograph by Rikki Snyder

As this bedroom in Sag Harbor, New York designed by Timothy Godbold shows, the classic look of Southwestern ranches-pared down and sun scorched-adapts well to a modern interior. The aesthetic is evoked with minimalist means: simple bone-white accessories set against an expanse of white-oak boards that clad the walls like barn siding. 

5. The industrial-farmhouse look in a loft

Photograph by Manolo Langis

Reclaimed hardwood is a beautiful, sustainable material that can be used in a farmhouse-style kitchen to create a sense of warmth, age, and texture. In this Santa Monica, California loft conversion, SUBU Design Architecture juxtaposes recycled wood with plumbing pipes and similar machine-age elements that nod to the building's industrial heritage.

6. Open-shelf wet bar with a rural-art vibe

Photograph by Rikki Snyder

Timothy Godbold conjures another variant of that farmhouse staple, open shelving, with this wet bar cunningly tucked under the open stairs in a North Haven, New York residence. Stocked neatly with interesting glassware and bottles, the floating slabs of white oak and the gray honed-granite countertop become an art installation in their own right. Visit www.hardwoodinfo.com for more about farmhouse style with American hardwoods.