2020 was a year unlike any other and many consumers changed their grocery shopping and dine-in habits this year. Ice cream fans were delighted as Häagen-Dazs launched a limited edition Ruby Cacao Collection, HEAVEN, Soft Dipped Ice Cream Bars and new booze-infused flavors this year. The ice cream brand just unveiled a few fun findings that tell us a bit about consumers’ ice cream love in 2020.
Seeking comfort in the classics, Vanilla was the #1 flavor that flew from shelves this year. The following flavors make up the top 5:
Vanilla
Coffee
Strawberry
Vanilla Milk Chocolate Almond Bar
Butter Pecan
While the classics never go out of style, Häagen-Dazs saw more and more consumers choosing flavors packed with indulgent sauces and mix-ins, such as Caramel Cone, Chocolate Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle. Boozy treats are also here to stay. Häagen-Dazs fans have searched online for the Spirits Collection more than any other specific product line.
The data shows that weekends are for indulging. Consumers treated themselves to ice cream from Häagen-Dazs Shops on Saturday and Sunday more than any other days of the week.
More time was spent searching the web to satisfy sweet tooth cravings. Consumers searched the internet for “Ice Cream Delivery” 202 percent more in Q2 2020 than in years past. (Source: Google). In fact, in the first half of the year, the Häagen-Dazs brand was searched online more than ever before.
As the official geocaching web site geocaching.com puts it: “Geocaching is the real-world treasure hunt that’s happening right now, all around you.” What kid (or person, really) wouldn’t find that statement at least a little bit intriguing? It’s also a free and fun way to spend time as a family and with friends, while also exploring the city. Here’s our guide to getting started and where to geocache in NYC!
photo: Victoria Prather
The Geocaching Basics
Geocaching (pronounced “gee-oh-cash-ing”) is essentially, a free technology-based worldwide scavenger hunt created by millions of individuals, independently. Little treasures or “caches” are tucked away in public spaces by people and then found by others who log their discovery, both in a roster on site and online. Sometimes, the cache will include a tiny “take one, leave one” token (a patch, a shell, a sticker, an action figure), that finders take, while leaving a similar item behind for the next geocacher to find — but really, this pastime is all about the thrill of the hunt and the discovery.
photo: Lisa Schorr
How to Get Caching
Intrigued? (You should be.)
To get started, the basic requirements are simple. You’ll need:
• A smartphone or iPad with GPS/location services or a GPS device
• The Geocaching app or access to geocaching.com via the internet (you’ll need to set up a free account at https://www.geocaching.com)
• A pen or marker to record your discovery of the cache
• A small item to leave at the cache if necessary
• A sense of adventure
photo: Victoria Prather
On the Hunt
Once you have the basic supplies and have set up your free account, you can enter your location on the app or web site and see precisely how many caches are nearby, and where they are. To date, there are over 2.7 million geocaches worldwide and thousands are right here in New York City as well as the tri-state area. Then, you simply navigate your way to the cache with the aid of your device.
Most caches are containers of varying sizes; the Geocaching app or website will tell you more details regarding the type, the overall difficulty level of finding them, and the terrain you’ll have to traverse on your search — some people stash the cache in more out of the way spots.
Each cache will either have a logbook, a log sheet, and as mentioned above, sometimes even a piece of treasure attached to its find. (The geocaching app will also let you know if the latter is the type you’re seeking.) Caches vary greatly, but the standard rules are the same: under all circumstances, the contents should be family-friendly.
Generally speaking, your first cache should be a simple one. To start, check the app/website for an easy find in terms of difficulty level and make sure that if you’re traveling with a stroller or other child gear, take in consideration the requirements of the location. The details will be spelled out for you within the Geocaching app/website, so you can stick to one that’s easy to find and ensure it’s a fun scavenger hunt for all involved.
photo: Lisa Schorr
Beginner’s Tips
If you do get stuck, you can find some additional hints within the app/web site to get you back on track.
For basic safety reasons, you’ll want to seek for geocaches during daylight hours and never trespass in an area that is closed.
Also, be sure to keep your detective skills to yourselves. You’re seeking out hidden treasure in a public space, and you don’t want the whole world to see where you’re uncovering the booty! (In the geocaching world, civilians are described as “muggles” — yes, just like in Harry Potter — so be sure you’re keeping your discoveries low-key.)
photo: Lisa Schorr
Geocaching The Big Apple
You literally can geocache almost anywhere in the world, which makes it a fun activity to do when traveling, too. (You can even geocache in Antarctica. We checked.) The great news is the New York City is teeming with secret stashes hidden in every borough. (And of course, in New Jersey, Westchester and beyond!)
Densely-cached areas include parks (both Central Park and Prospect Park are rich in caches), as are downtown below 14th Street and Midtown between 34th and 57th Streets. Many areas in Brooklyn, like Red Hook, Carroll Gardens and Bay Ridge are favorite hiding spots for geocachers.
So get going! Before you know it, you and the kids will be creating caches for other newbies to discover!
You won’t have to choose between gummy or crunchy when picking out candy for your next movie night. Nerds Gummy Clusters feature mini Rainbow Nerds surrounding a fruity gummy center. Enjoy the best of both worlds when you enjoy multiple textures and flavors with this fun poppable treat.
“Nerds has driven significant growth in the past year, and with research showing that consumers are seeking fun and multi-textured candy, our team came together to deliver the fun of our Nerds Candy in an innovative and poppable way,” said Katie Duffy, Vice President of Marketing at Ferrara Candy Company. “Our team of ‘nerdy’ developers, engineers, researchers and marketers set out to create these bite-sized bundles that combine a fruity gummy with a punch of crunch for a delightful combination in every Nerds Gummy Clusters bite.”
Available in the Nerds Rainbow flavor, Nerds Gummy Clusters will start hitting shelves in August and will be widely available in five sizes in Oct ranging in price from $0.99 to $3.99.
Many people are looking to get out of town to visit loved ones or simply they just want to escape for a few days. Amtrak customers can travel in the comfort of a private room at a discounted price this summer. Now, when one person purchases a Roomette, one companion can join them for free.
Roomette accommodations are offered on many routes across the country. Located in the sleeping car, a Roomette is the perfect option for customers seeking privacy and space on a short trip and added comfort and amenities when traveling overnight. All customers in private rooms receive complimentary lounge access at major stations, priority boarding and complimentary meals onboard.
Roomette accommodations are available across the national network on the following trains: California Zephyr, Capitol Limited, Cardinal, City of New Orleans, Coast Starlight, Crescent, Empire Builder, Lake Shore Limited, Silver Service, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle.
Available on Amtrak.com or by using the Amtrak app, customers can book between Jul. 7-17, 2020 for travel from Jul. 13, 2020 through Sept. 30, 2020.
To receive this discount, use the Fare Finder from this page or enter code V306 when booking a trip on the Amtrak app. The offer is subject to availability and not available on the Auto Train. An advanced reservation of at least three days is required. Other restrictions may apply.
In an effort to simplify and safeguard the travel experience, several cleaning, contract-free and convenience measures have been implemented to every part of the customer journey. Learn more about all measures at Amtrak.com/coronavirus.
Warner Bros. has made its recent film Just Mercy available to rent for free. The twitter account for the movie released a statement, “We believe in the power of story. #JustMercy is one resource we can offer to those who are interested in learning more about the systemic racism that plagues our society. For the month of June, #JustMercy will be available to rent for free on digital platforms in the US.”
Released in December, director Destin Daniel Cretton’s film tells the true story of lawyer and social activist Bryan Stevenson’s (Michael B. Jordan) mission to free Walter McMillan (Jamie Foxx), an Alabama death row inmate wrongfully convicted of murdering a white woman.
We believe in the power of story. #JustMercy is one resource we can offer to those who are interested in learning more about the systemic racism that plagues our society. For the month of June, #JustMercy will be available to rent for free on digital platforms in the US. @eji_orgpic.twitter.com/3B2IHMNk7E
“We believe in the power of story,” reads the Warner Bros. statement. “Our film Just Mercy, based on the life work of civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson, is one resource we can humbly offer to those who are interested in learning more about the systemic racism that plagues our society. For the month of June, Just Mercy will be available to rent for free across digital platforms in the U.S. To actively be part of the change our country is so desperately seeking, we encourage you to learn more about our past and the countless injustices that have led us to where we are today. Thank you to the artists, storytellers and advocates who helped make this film happen. Watch with your family, friends and allies. For further information on Bryan Stevenson and his work at the Equal Justice Initiative please visit EJI.org.”
During this challenging time, we’re all searching for ways to lend a hand – safely. And while many organizations are not currently accepting items you’ve cleaned out of your closets, there are plenty of other ways to help. So whether you’re looking to volunteer your time or prefer to make a donation, here are some incredible groups that are working hard support Angelenos right now.
Food instability is a difficult issue for many struggling families and as you can imagine, it’s even more so during a global pandemic. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is currently looking for both volunteers and monetary donations to purchase food supplies. Their website also features a food pantry locator if you’d prefer to reach out to specific food pantries in your neighborhood.
Westside Food Bank is also currently seeking financial donations only (not donations of actual goods) to help keep operations running and food flowing to those who need it.
The West Valley Food Pantry is looking for volunteers to help out, as well as donations of specific items. They’re also more than happy to accept any surplus of fruits and vegetables you may have from your trees or garden at home.
LA’s senior citizens, as well as Angelenos who have serious underlying medical conditions are at especially high risk right now during the Covid-19 outbreak. So it’s an enormous help to get their meals delivered safely. Two special organizations are working tirelessly to keep things moving during this time. Project Angel Food prepares and delivers healthy meals to feed people impacted by life-threatening illnesses. They are looking for volunteers and monetary donations if you are interested in reaching out.
The LA chapter of Meals on Wheels delivers midday meals and supper to elderly and disabled citizens who are unable to prepare meals for themselves. They are currently looking for monetary donations to help support the Meals on Wheels Covid-19 Response Fund.
If you have high school or college aged kids at home, volunteering with Zoomers to Boomers may be right up their alley! This amazing organization was founded in mid-march by an enterprising 17-year-old in Santa Barbara who was looking for a way to help out during the coronavirus outbreak. Zoomers to Boomers has now expanded to twelve cities and worldwide, and is entirely made up of young people who are looking to help their community by delivering groceries to the elderly and immunocompromised. Seniors simply email their shopping list to Zoomer to Boomer and pay for their groceries electronically. Then, a Zoomer provides an easy no contact delivery without charge a delivery fee or tip. Bravo!
So Cal blood supplies are critically low at the moment due to coronavirus concerns and blood drive cancellations during the outbreak. However, it is still safe to donate and your help is greatly needed. The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region is currently scheduling drives throughout the city and it’s easier than ever to find one nearby.
The Southern California Blood Bank is also looking for donors and is currently taking appointments only, online. They are in particular need of O blood types.
If you’ve been thinking about whether a dog or cat might be a good fit for your family, now is the perfect time to test the waters by fostering a pet. Local animal shelters are seeking caring families to foster pets during Safer at Home orders and beyond. Best Friends Animal Society in Los Angeles has a great list of local shelters and groups who could really use you some extra help with pet parenting right now.
Other Homemade Ways to Help
Jennifer O'Brien
Here are some additional heartfelt ways you and your little ones can help make this time a little easier for others:
– Create greeting cards for elderly neighbors and leave them in their mailbox, or send a handful to local nursing homes in your area. – Offer to pick up a few items for older neighbors when you're making an essential run to the grocery store or drug store. – Use sidewalk chalk to write hopeful messages that will brighten your neighbor's day or to say thank you to essential workers. – Encourage your block to step outside at the same time every evening to applaud all of the medical workers who are going above and beyond right now.
With so many of us organizing our kids’ closets right now, it’s no doubt you'll come across a few treasures you’d like to donate to children’s organizations around town. While most places are not accepting donations of goods at the moment, here are some wonderful places to keep in mind once things start to reopen:
If you’re like most parents of tweens and teens, you’re constantly telling them to clean their room, eat healthy and ease up on smartphone usage, especially when they constantly use up the data and allotted minutes. The clean room and healthy eating may be a lost cause, but there is a smartphone solution that won’t break your bank account. Twigby is a low-cost wireless services that’s a great option for tweens, teens and, quite honestly, the whole family. Everyone gets their smartphones and you don’t go bankrupt. That’s a win all around!
Twigby is unlike other cell phone service companies. Their priority is to be customer-centric. That means they are always mindful of costs and efficiencies, and make decisions based on how to best meet the needs and wants of value-seeking shoppers. Here’s a look at how Twigby translates into savings and no hassle for your family.
Twigby has three-times the coverage
With Twigby, not only do you get to use not one, but two nationwide cell service providers to make calls, but you can also use Wi-Fi for texting and calling. Wi-Fi provides robust coverage in places where cell networks don’t always work, in places like basements and apartments. That’s way better coverage than you may receive from regular cell phone service providers.
Twigby has affordable plans
Most cell phone plans are fixed and can’t be changed. This means the customer is forced to pay for a set amount of minutes, texts and data each month, regardless of whether they use it or not. And those amounts can be super expensive. But Twigby gives you the option to create a plan that is best for you. The company has three new smartphone plans with aggressive pricing that will easily meet the needs of your family. The new plans start at only $20 per month and Twigby is also offering 25% off service for six straight months.
Unlimited Talk, Text and 3GB of high-speed data = $15/month (25% off for 6 months)
Unlimited Talk, Text and 5GB of high-speed data = $18.75/month (25% off for 6 months)
Unlimited Talk, Text and 10GB of high-speed data = $26.25/month (25% off for 6 months)
You can keep your current phone numbers Nobody wants to change their cell phone number, least of all your tween/teen. Twigby allows you to keep your current phone numbers, and it’s super simple to do. When you select your service and check out online, Twigby will ask if you’re using an existing numbers or if you’d like a new ones. They handle the rest from there.
Twigby offers risk-free guarantee Twigby believes they have the most affordable plans out there. In fact, they’re so confident in their service, that they back it with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
Life with tweens and teens is challenging enough! Make parenting and budgeting a little easier with Twigby’s smartphone service options. For a limited time, new customers receive an additional 25% off their first six months of service.
This was the response I received from one of my ten-year-old clients when I asked her what she wanted to be when she grows up. Shocked, I started to wonder what ever happened to dreaming about having a more traditional job, like teacher, doctor or scientist? I’ll tell you exactly what I think has happened: those dreams of “regular” jobs have been replaced by a new image of success where seemingly normal, everyday girls become instant YouTube or Instagram sensations overnight.
Shows such as American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance have supposedly opened the door for young talents to fast-track their careers—but in the process they’ve raised the expectations of a generation. Now many young girls dream about an unrealistic trifecta of talent, riches and easy fame. Preteen girls are often self-conscious about how they are seen by others and the idea of seeking fame is not new, but with the rise of social media, it’s easier than ever for girls to imitate fame on an individual level.
The word for this phenomenon is called “micro-celebrity,” first coined by Theresa Sneft in her book CamGirls. “Micro-celebrity” describes a new form of identity linked inextricably with the internet and the use of still images, videos and blogging to craft one’s own public identity and brand themselves for their own fan base. According to a 2013 media survey, kids who use social media place a much higher value on fame than kids who don’t use social media.
Whether they’re following the Kardashians, Meghan Trainor or Miley Cyrus, girls see mostly the benefits of fame while ignoring any drawbacks. Girls are caught in a vortex of posting, promoting and pleasing—being as “celebrity-esque” as possible—yet sinking into deeper personal dissatisfaction about their appearance and even their lives.
In my book Growing Strong Girls, I explain why girls’ participation in the pursuit of micro-celebrity is an example of the disconnection they feel when what they’re really seeking is happiness and fulfillment. They grab at whatever illusion of affirmation and connection they can, whether it’s by branding themselves, promoting and performing for an online audience or emulating fame by posting non-stop.
An October 2017 study by Girl Guides Canada found 56 percent of girls feel pressure from society to conform to unrealistic standards about what it means to be a “girl”— and they feel this pressure through the media, social media, friends, parents or even teachers. This confusion only becomes heightened when girls consider themselves “friends” with the celebrities they follow online.
I know it’s not easy for parents to grapple with this with their daughters. I’ve come to better understand girls’ never-ending pursuit of micro-celebrity in my coaching work. They tell me about their excitement and their struggles. I see how lost they are and how much they need guidance back to reality. So, where do we begin?
Have a straight talk with her about fame.
We know she has stars in her eyes about being famous, but does she know what being famous actually entails? Ask her to come up with a list of the pros and cons of being famous and when she runs out of ideas, add some of our own. Pros could include: attention, wealth, free products, and being known and loved by your fans. Cons could include: the pressures of living in the public eye, the expectations from fans, not knowing who to trust and a lack of privacy. Ask her honestly if she wants fame or if perhaps what she really wants is to feel good about herself—and explain there are many other ways to do the latter, too.
Give her the attention she needs.
Think about what she really wants and what she’s searching for when she pays attention to celebrities. She wants what we all want: acceptance and belonging. If we don’t provide it for her, she’ll seek it elsewhere. View the time she spends online posting and anticipating reactions as a possible cry for attention and be ready to step up. Schedule regular time with her and create rituals she can to look forward to with you. Whether it’s Saturday morning breakfast or Friday movie nights, make the time for her and use this time to talk about what’s on her mind.
Address the argument, “If everyone’s doing it, why can’t I?”
We need to teach girls to be independent thinkers and to do what’s best for them. They can so easily slip into “compare and copy” mode and use what their friends are doing as the benchmark for what she thinks she should do. Here is our opportunity to discuss what it means to check in with herself and cross-check with family values.
Does she enjoy feeling disappointed when she “only” gets 50 likes for a picture she posted a selfie when she was expecting 100? Is she okay when she subjects herself to ridicule and condemnation with every single post? Help her take a step back and an honest look at her online habits and then talk about some boundaries she can set for herself that have nothing to do with “everyone else.”
Encourage her to be present in real time (IRT).
Girls often miss out on the enjoyment of being in the moment. Constantly checking in with phones tethered to their hands, it’s like they’re living through a screen. Real time means time spent with undivided attention and unplugged from all devices. At first this might feel foreign to her, but once she recovers from the “withdrawal phase,” she may learn to love it.
Go slowly at first, asking her to not go on her phone during dinner time, and then slowly extend the challenge to one hour of no phone in the evening. Experiment on weekends with taking the entire afternoon to stay off all devices. Help her adjust to the change and be in the moment with her by doing the challenge alongside her.
Help her find realistic role models.
Girls’ styles and values are being shaped by what they see trending on social media. How can we shift her focus to more positive values? Create some competition for the impulse to follow fame.
Ask her to look for people to follow who are doing good work versus seeking fame. Some examples include young athletes and leaders, such as pro surfer Bethany Hamilton, Olympic gold medal gymnast Simone Biles or human rights activist Malala Yousafsai. With a little time and research, you can help her realize she needs to pursue her own unique style, that she can live her values and make a difference by giving back in positive ways. Her self-worth need not be based on the number of fans, likes, or social shares she has.
Social media makes the temptation to engage in a pursuit of micro-celebrity almost irresistible. Instead, let’s give girls a reason to put down their phones. You can help your own girls by focusing on connection through real-world experiences—in real time—and by giving her the attention, affirmation and boundaries she needs.
I am a girl advocate and girls champion; the founder of Bold New Girls, teaching and coaching for girls and their parents. As well, I am the author Growing Strong Girls and Rooted, Resilient, and Ready (available on Amazon and Audible). I am an international speaker and an instructor with Udemy.
Check your freezers. Conagra Brands, Inc is recalling approximately 130,763 pounds of not ready-to-eat chicken bowl products because the product may contain extraneous material, specifically small rocks, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The frozen, not-ready-to-eat chicken bowl items were produced on Jan. 23, 2020.
The following products are subject to recall:
9.5-oz. cartons containing “Healthy Choice POWER BOWLS Chicken Feta & Farro” with lot code 5006002320, UPC code 072655001800 and a best by date of 10/19/2020 on the label.
9.5-oz. cartons containing “Healthy Choice POWER BOWLS Chicken Feta & Farro, BOILS ÈNERGIE Poulet feta et épeautre” with lot code 5006002320, UPC code 072655003026 and a best by date of 10/19/2020 on the label.
The products subject to recall bear establishment number “P115” printed on the packaging next to the lot code. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide and exported to Canada.
The problem was discovered when the firm received consumer complaints about rocks being in the products and the firm then notified FSIS of the issue. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.
FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away.
Consumers with questions about the recall or seeking a refund can contact Conagra Brands Consumer Care at 1-800-672-8240 or at Consumer.Care@conagra.com.
—Jennifer Swartvagher
Featured photo: United States Department of Agriculture
If your New Year’s resolutions revolve around your fitness goals, Target has something for you—and everyone else in your family!
The bullseye retailer recently announced the launch of the new All in Motion activewear and sporting goods brand. With apparel for women, men and kiddos too, you can outfit the entire fam in fitness-friendly awesomeness.
All in Motion apparel comes in a wide variety of sizes and includes details such thumbhole sleeves and secure zip pockets. Women’s sizes include XS-4X, men’s apparel comes in S-3X and kidswear includes sizes XS-XXL.
Jill Sando, Target senior vice president and general merchandise manager, Apparel and Accessories and Home, said in a press release, “After listening to and sweating alongside more than 15,000 men, women and kids across the country, one thing became abundantly clear to us: guests are seeking quality activewear and sporting goods that they trust will perform—at an affordable price. That’s why we designed our newest owned brand, All in Motion, for the entire family and for all stages of their fitness journey.”
Sando continued, “With a size-inclusive assortment that incorporates quality, durable fabrics and sustainably sourced materials, we are ringing in the New Year with a new collection that celebrates the joy of movement.”
The new line is available on Target.com starting Jan. 17 and debuts in Target stores on Jan. 24. Prices range from $3.99 to $69.99, with most of the All in Motion collection under $40!
