Has Holiday Shopping Started Already? by Ira Riklis

This article clearly explains how to start shopping for the holidays and the means you have to use for the shopping.

Has Holiday Shopping Started?

Have you started shopping for the holidays? Does that feature anywhere near your to-do list? You may think that it's too early to start shopping for the holidays but there are those who decided to get it done and over with much earlier.

Creditcard.com conducted a scientific poll of 1,004 U.S adults and found out that 14 percent of consumers, which is approximately 32 million adults, have their holiday shopping already underway. More surprisingly is that there were early birds who formed about 4.6 million American shoppers who are already done with their shopping. This is about 2 percent of the consumers. Most of these early birds are parents with children and they form the greater majority of this group in comparison to those parents without kids.

From the same survey, they found out that 15 percent of consumers would prefer to start their

shopping earlier and cross a few things off their to-do list. Just 4 percent preferred to start their shopping later. Those who preferred earlier shopping were millennials. Those between the age of 18 and 29 who preferred to start earlier formed about 22 percent of the consumers and only 5 percent of those who are 50 years and older would join the bandwagon of early shoppers.

A huge number, 55 percent of holiday shoppers, are not thinking of shopping anytime soon and would probably be still buying gifts in December. They did not want holiday shopping anywhere near their summer period.

Reasons To Shop Early

Here is what would most likely prompt you to be among those who start their shopping earlier,

• Shop at your own pace
• Saving time and money.
• Advertisements
• Budgets

Shop At Your Own Pace

Whenever you do anything in a rush, you're most likely to forget a thing to two. This is why you may want to start your shopping much earlier and get everything you need. It's therefore no wonder that those of 65 years and older would normally have more gifts in comparison to their kids since they have more leisure time which is utilized in buying gifts earlier.

Saving Time And Money

Unlike last minute shoppers who may not have the time to compare prices between different stores, as an early shopper you have this privilege. This was pointed out by the CEO of Financial Psychology Corp, Kathleen Gurney.

Those who want to save time and money are most likely the early shoppers. The poll found out that white respondents nearly doubled nonwhite respondents as they were 16 percent of the shoppers in comparison to 9 percent.

Advertisements

Early adverts could have prompted some of those who went for early shopping. The poll by Creditcard.com shows that 23 percent of consumers will have finished their shopping by end of November and it could have been prompted by those early adverts. Centro Inc. found out that retail promotions had a trend of starting two weeks earlier over the last 5 years and would come to an end by Thanksgiving.

The communications manager for GreenPath Debt Solution, Andrew Johnson said that Black Friday or Cyber Monday was being held two weeks earlier, and sometimes months, before the holidays.

Better Budget

By spreading out your cost over several months is bound to have less of a pinch in your wallet. You can therefore manage to buy gifts for everyone without feeling the financial burden of shopping all at once.
This has therefore prompted, 22 percent, those between 18 and 29 to stop procrastinating and shop earlier.
The wealthy who have an annual income of $50,000 and above are not stressed about their budgets or shopping earlier this year because they have wider options. They also don't have to compare prices.

Medium Of Shopping

Creditcard.com showed that majority of shoppers, 60 percent, would be shopping in person while in the retail stores followed a close second, 23 percent, by online buyers who purchase through their laptops and only 7 percent shopping through mobile devices and tablets.
2 percent still rely on catalogs from the mail box and 7 percent either didn't know or refused to participate in the poll.

Charity Review Of God's Love We Deliver by Ira Riklis

This post is about God's Love We Deliver, a non-profit meal preparation and delivery service in New York City that has been nourishing bodies and spirits for thirty years.

 The Mission

The mission of God's Love We Deliver, located in the New York City metropolitan area, is to identify men, women, and children living with serious illness, such as HIV/AIDS and cancer and to improve their health and overall well-being by alleviating hunger and malnutrition.

 What Does God's Love We Deliver Do?

In 1985, one woman began delivering food to a man suffering from AIDS by bicycling to him each day. Today, God's Love We Deliver is the area's leading provider of nutritious, individually-tailored meals to people who are experiencing illness that prevents them from shopping or cooking for themselves. Serving over 5,000 meals each weekday, God's Love We Deliver travels to all five boroughs, Newark and Hudson County,New Jersey.

When a potential client first contacts the friendly and compassionate staff at God's Love We Deliver, services for the client, their children and senior caregivers are offered immediately and food is delivered within 24-48 hours. All services are free and are as follows:

• Home Delivered Meals
• Children's Meals
• Senior Caregiver Program
• HIV/AIDS Grocery Bag Program
• Community Partners Program
• Cancer Program

What Makes God's Love We Deliver Different?

God's Love We Deliver is a non-sectarian organization, with a focus on providing meals led by the principle that food is medicine. Services are not based on financial need and no one is turned down. A team of registered dietitians individually tailors meals to meet the specific needs of clients. God's Love employs a small but dedicated professional staff and over 8,000 volunteers contribute by supporting the staff. The organization would not flourish if not for the loving and generous support of volunteers and donors. Joan Rivers was a long-time, very supportive Board member who believed tremendously in this organization.

Not only does God's Love We Deliver provide for the nutrition of the clients, but they also take a holistic approach and offer limitless referrals to additional services around New York City to address additional client needs.

Who Does God's Love We Deliver Help?

Walter

Walter enjoyed walking all over New York City, prior to being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He was a hard worker who held several active jobs and traveled all over Europe, Brazil, and China. At the age of 40 years old, everything changed with the diagnosis. His son, Chad, was only three years old. Walter grew very ill and battled fatigue and intense weakness and his symptoms prevented him from being able to cook or shop.

Upon calling God's Love, he and his son immediately began receiving meals. Now Walter and Chad enjoy highly nutritious, home cooked meals that are delivered to their door. Walter has been impacted by God's Love nourishing not only his body, but his spirit as well.

William

William loved going to concerts, reading, painting, and singing, but when he was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, things changed. He was determined to not let the diagnosis overcome his life, but that proved to be a challenge.

William's physical and mental health worsened and he suffered a stroke and began having panic attacks. He contacted God's Love and immediately began receiving meals. He is now able to maintain a healthy diet and his health and spirits have greatly improved.

Conflicting Economic Data Muddies the Water for the American Small Businesses by Ira Riklis

This post is by Ira Riklis as he writes about American small business optimism that seems to be holding steady and the substantial challenges that will face business owners this upcoming quarter.

The Great Debate

There is great debate, including conflicting information about the state of small businesses in America right now. Changes in tax and health care policies coupled with the recent stock market crash create a precarious position for small business ventures. Sorting through the data, surveys and varying opinions leaves most Americans, even economists, with a murky understanding of how small businesses are actually faring.

In March, 2015, David Burton, Senior Fellow in Economic Policy at The Heritage Foundation testified before The Committee on Small Business that small business exits are exceeding new business formations. He cited eight primary reasons why small businesses are currently faltering in American:

• Poor Tax Policy
• Inadequate Access to Capital
• Expensive Health Care
• Burdensome Energy and Environmental Laws
• High and Growing Regulatory Costs
• Onerous Labor and Employment Laws
• Bad Immigration Rules
• Costly Legal System

The testimony continued with 97 specific recommendations that will serve to remove barriers to small business entry and economic growth.

 

Removing Small Business Barriers

 

The National Federation of Independent Businesses is optimistic about the future of the American small business and recent reporting suggests that small business owners are, as well. Their Small Business Optimism Index indicated a half a point growth last month, raising the index to 95.9. The index measures confidence reported by small businesses and not actual financial data. The following components are measured by the survey:

• Plans to Increase Employment
• Plans to Make Capital Outlays
• Plans to Increase Inventories
• Expect Economy to Improve
• Expect Real Sales Higher
• Current Inventory
• Current Job Openings
• Expected Credit Conditions
• Now a Good Time to Expand
• Earnings Trend

The survey determined that small business owners communicated mild optimism regarding sales, but U.S. Department of Labor reported that non-farm payrolls increased 173,000 in August, which is the smallest gain in five months.

did not believe it was a good time to expand operations. Small business owners reported being

pessimistic about business conditions over the next six months and were unwilling to comment with detail regarding capital and inventory investment in upcoming months. The survey responses also indicate some inflation pressures. Fourteen percent of small business owners reduced their average selling prices in the past three months, which was a one point increase from July. The

 

Overall Outlook 

 

Overall, NFIB is reporting that small business outlook is remaining positive. It should be noted that the interviews were conducted prior to the recent stock market slide.

It can be agreed upon that entrepreneurs face a large degree of uncertainty given the dynamism of the current economy. Entrepreneurship is important to future technological innovation and net job creation. The future of small business is imperative to stability and growth of the US economy.

Dining With Fall Ingredients

Fall is a great time of year to consider new fresh food options that are available as the season changes. Fresh food offerings that you will find during this time of year include apples, pumpkin, sweet potato, pears and squash. These wonderful foods paired with spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla or allspice will leave your mouth watering for more! Read more on Epicurious for seasonal cooking tips.

As the air turns crisp, food choices will heat up and become  heartier. Honestly, what is better than coming in from a day of play in the Fall leaves to sit down at your favorite restaurant with family and friends to enjoy the fabulous foods of this season. Many fine dining establishments will offer entire menus based around one or more of the foods that can be harvested fresh this time of year. Let's explore all of the delightful foods and drinks that can be found at this time of the year.

Autumnal Delights

With the Fall season upon us, restaurants have begun to change from the Summer fair of late to delectable fresh harvested foods. Menu choices now include delicious entrees such as casseroles, stews, soups and baked dishes. At the top of the list, are wonderful desserts such as apple pies and cobblers followed by pumpkin pies and pumpkin breads as the Fall season matures. We certainly can't forget sweet potato casserole which secretly disguises as a vegetable to make us all feel more healthy, yet has such sweetness, that even the greatest sweet tooth is satisfied.

Fall is also the season for meatier dishes such as chili, beef stew and pot pies which can be paired with cornbread. These hearty dishes taste so wonderful as the air begins to crisp. Many casseroles become top choice to entrees this season. Some Fall favorites are pork chops with cheesy, hash-browned potatoes, shepherd's pie made with sweet potatoes, squash gratin, roasted acorn squash, and butternut squash posole. All of these dishes will warm you up from the inside out and leave you feeling nourished yet satisfied.

One can also begin to find the delicious apple included in the main entree as it is paired with pork dishes as either an apple glaze or applesauce. Apples are often used in everything from stuffing to cakes and breads during the Fall. The pear is also used this time of year to make pear sauce, pear cake and even combined with apples to make a delightful apple-pear pie which is guaranteed to please dessert lovers alike. Pears can also be combined with parsnips and ginger to make the perfect side dish.

Other wonderful offerings include mashed sweet potatoes which can be made with butter-pecans or sweet potatoes stuffed with sausage and apples. Sweet potatoes can be used in place of white or yellow potatoes in many recipes for a welcome twist. The sweet potato has so many delightful ways  it can be prepared that it truly is a versatile food.

The Dessert & Drinks Menu

Apples ciders as well as pumpkin spiced lattes have now been added to menus as the weather  gets cooler and cold bodies yearn for warmth. Many enjoy these drinks as starters to a good, hot meal as well as light desserts at the end. Pairing a warm mug of cider with pear cake will definitely bring a smile to your face.

One thing is for certain, Fall is definitely one of the best seasons to enjoy fresh harvest at local establishments. The best dishes will be those that include many of the ingredients that have been discussed. No matter what your favorite season is, everyone will find a dish or drink that they love in the Fall.

Macaroons VS Macarons, A Delicious Conundrum

It's a rare treat when you are faced with two such yummy choices. Do you enjoy a delicious chewy coconut macaroon or indulge in a light and flaky macaron? Or both? And just why do the have such a similar name for two such different treats? It is a story that unfolded over centuries.

 

Born In Italy

The earliest macaroons were made in Italy. These flour-less and unleavened treats were made with a mixture of almond paste, egg whites and sugar. While these cookies eventually became known as amaretti in their native Italy, the soon to be modern macaroon began to evolve in several places.
Some chefs had begun to swap the almond paste for finely shredded coconut. These very sweet and chewy cookies became a hit at many Passover meals. They were sweet, easy to make, and unleavened, a perfect dessert. This version became the modern macaroon.

The macaron has a slightly different story. When Catherine de Medici was wed to the French King she brought along a number of servants and chefs from her native Italy to remind her of home. Those chefs taught the French to make their almond based version of a macaroon. Over time the French refined it and gave it a special twist. It became known as the French macaron, a light, flaky, and often chocolate-iced dessert.

 

Very Similar But Oh So Different

The recipe for each cookie has remained remarkably similar over the years. Both are simple; comprised of just egg whites, sugar and ground almonds or shredded coconut with very few additions. Even the baking technique is similar. Both remain primarily drop cookies cooked quickly in a hot oven.

 

Which Is Better?

It is the ground almond that makes the French version so light and airy. The European Jewish coconut version is heavier but richly flavored. Each has a dedicated following, enough that this is one cookie that even has its own day of celebration in some countries. May 31st is considered to be National Macaroon Day, the perfect excuse to enjoy both cookies for what they are, a delicious and even historically interesting addition to any meal.

Broad Street Ministries of Philadelphia

 From time to time I come across nonprofit organizations doing tremendous work in their communities. I recently found out about Broad Street Ministries in Philadelphia and wanted to mention the amazing work they are doing there to feed the homeless.

Broad Street Ministries is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing 'radical hospitality to all'. This broad mission statement works toward a society in which each individual is a valued member of an interconnected society. To this end, the Broad Street Ministry works with the homeless, providing food, care items and much more. Click here for their vision.

A Problem Too Big For One
Philadelphia is home to roughly 4,000 people who live without a settled abode. Some ten percent of those people are forced to live rough, on the street. This is the poorest large city in the United States, with at least 28.4% of its residents surviving on less then 23,550 dollars a year.
Many of the homeless are Veterans. Others suffer from chronic illnesses, mental or physical disabilities and addiction. Women on the streets have often faced severe physical or sexual abuse. These are people who live at the fringes with no support systems to speak of. Read here for a full scope on homelessness.

Working to Ease Suffering
Breaking Bread, offered four or five times a week, gives more than just a hot and nutritious meal. During these events Broad Street Ministry offers a full range of serviced aiming to help the under-served populace. People are able to access Veterans resources, a secure mail service, clean warm clothing and personal care needs. People are able repair there existing clothing or take part in a therapeutic art session.

The food is worth mentioning. It is prepared by a professional chef for nutrition and taste. It is then served restaurant style instead of in lines. Participants report that just this little detail helps to normalize, in some same way, their daily existence.

Working with Partners
Poverty is a work that cannot be approached alone. Broad Street Ministry works with many other groups to provide other services to the needy. There is housing counseling through the Bethesda Project, medical services which include general health care as well as more specialized services with the help of PHMC, Bebashi and Council for Relationships. This work is succeeding. In 2013 alone some 23,600 meals were served, 360 Veterans found assistance, over eight thousand garments were handed out or repaired and nearly 400 people received medical care. Here is the full report on their impact: http://www.broadstreethospitality.org/our-impact/

What Is Ebola?

With all the heartbreaking news about Ebola at the moment, I though to take a moment and write about what Ebola is. This simple word is enough to plant fear in our hearts and turn our stomach into knots. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the deadly virus that is raging out of control in West Africa and has claimed over 1,000 deaths, with many more expected in the coming months (click here for article) But is Ebola really as bad as it seems to be? Unfortunately, a lot of fiction has been mixed in with the truth, and much of what the layman knows about the disease is not exactly correct. Here are some facts on the virus.

Facts On The Virus

1. Ebola is a virus that can be found naturally among certain species of bats and birds in certain parts of Africa. It was first diagnosed in humans in 1976 and since then has appeared 18 different times throughout several African countries.

2. There are five different types of Ebola, all with different mortality rates. The current epidemic is caused by the Ebola-Zaire virus, one of the most virulent types with a 90% mortality rate, although it is currently only causing the death of approximately 55% of those infected. More here.

3. The Ebola virus can only be transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of those who have the disease and are presenting symptoms. It is not contagious during the incubation period, which can last anywhere from 2 to 21 days, which is why those with a higher risk of becoming ill are health workers who are in close contact with the patients, those who prepare the bodies of the infected deceased for burial, and family members who help care for them.

4. Ebola is not an airborne virus. Even though a 2012 study shows Ebola can be airborne between birds and pigs, it does not survive well outside the body, so it can't cover large distances in this manner and does not present a high risk of contagion at this time.

5. Some of the first symptoms of Ebola are a sudden onset of fever, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle pain, hiccups, skin rashes and internal and external hemorrhages.


While the Ebola virus has caused great concern among medical professionals, scientists are working around the clock at finding a cure and a vaccine that can help fend off what seems to be trying to become a pandemic of abnormal proportions.Latest reports, report a vaccine will be ready by 2015. For now, staying away from countries in which Ebola has been detected seems to be the best choice for those who may be at risk.