Reboot Studios short, fresh off its HollyShorts closing-night premiere, explores hidden Jewish identity in Iran through a powerful story of faith, friendship and resilience.

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Emmy-winning actor, producer and comedian Tiffany Haddish will host a special screening and live Q&A for Mashhad, the acclaimed new short film written and directed by Sarah Solemani (Ridley Road, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy), on Wednesday, October 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Museum of Tolerance Los Angeles.

Fresh from closing night at the 2025 HollyShorts Film Festival, Mashhad has been hailed for its emotional storytelling and groundbreaking depiction of Iran’s hidden Jewish community — the first dramatic portrayal of its kind on screen. Inspired by Solemani’s own Mashhadi Jewish heritage and her grandmother’s life, the film captures an overlooked chapter of Middle Eastern and Jewish history through the eyes of a child.

Set in the holy Islamic city of Mashhad in Iran, this short film follows a spirited young ghetto girl who is naively unaware of the great lengths her family must go to keep their identity a secret. Unbeknownst to her, an innocent day of play with a neighborhood friend puts her and her family in jeopardy. What unfolds is a moving story of survival, courage and the bonds that transcend faith and fear.

Produced by Reboot Studios, Mashhad features an award-winning creative team including cinematographer Cristina Dunlap (American Fiction, Cha Cha Real Smooth), editor Curtiss Clayton (My Own Private Idaho, To Die For), and producers Noam Dromi (The Anne Frank Gift Shop, Dolphin Tale), Greg Zekwoski (Soul on Fire, Rockbottom) and Adriana Rotaru (Megalopolis, Emily the Criminal).

Following the screening, Haddish will join Solemani for an intimate conversation about the film’s origins, the importance of telling global Jewish stories and how Mashhad resonates amid contemporary conversations about identity, belonging and resilience. 

See trailer here

Wednesday, October 16, 2025, – 7:30 p.m.
Museum of Tolerance Los Angeles

Screening of

Mashhad

followed by Q&A with Sarah Solemani, hosted by Tiffany Haddish
Free tickets available here.

About Reboot Studios

Reboot Studios develops and produces bold, story-driven content exploring identity, culture, and the evolving Jewish experience across film, television, podcasts, and digital media.

Media Contact:
Tanya Schevitz
Reboot Studios
tanya@rebooting.com | 415-298-5532
www.rebooting.com

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SOURCE Reboot

NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, DESRI announced the closing of its $129 million preferred equity investment in a 250-megawatt (MWac) utility scale solar development, comprised of two projects, located in West Texas.

“DESRI is excited to support the construction of a leading US Independent Power Producer’s projects, which will serve new industrial load in the area”, said Peter Koczanski, Director at DESRI. “This investment demonstrates DESRI’s capabilities as a capital solutions provider for renewable energy assets. DESRI’s industry expertise, having successfully constructed over eight gigawatts of projects, enables us to move quickly and use our capabilities to provide added value to the assets in which we invest. Our team is able to reliably deliver desired outcomes for our partners.”

King & Spalding LLP advised DESRI on the transaction.

About DESRI
DESRI and its affiliates develop, acquire, invest-in, own, and operate long-term contracted renewable energy assets in the U.S. DESRI’s portfolio of contracted, operating, and in-construction renewable energy projects currently includes 70 solar and wind projects representing more than ten gigawatts of aggregate capacity. In addition to its ownership of generating assets, DESRI has acted as a financial investor across the renewable energy industry offering companies capital to support and grow their businesses.

This press release is provided for the reader’s information only and does not constitute investment advice or convey an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities or other financial products.

Please also note that this press release has not been updated since its dateline for any information contained in it that may have changed, including any beliefs and/or opinions. In addition, no assurances can be given that any aims, assumptions, expectations, and/or goals described in this release will be realized or that the activities or any performance described herein did or will continue at all or in the same manner as at the time of the press release.

Contact:
DESRI Media
media-inquiries@desri.com

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/desri-announces-closing-of-preferred-equity-financing-for-250-mw-solar-portfolio-in-texas-302583736.html

SOURCE DESRI

San Diego Home Services Leader Launches Largest-Ever Giveaway Campaign to Support Deserving Families Nationwide

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ —  Kaminskiy Group announces the launch of Kaminskiy Gives Back 2025, awarding $50,000 in professional home improvements to one deserving family across the United States. The campaign, which opens today, represents the company’s largest charitable initiative to date and invites anyone to nominate a U.S. homeowner—including themselves—for a life-changing home transformation.

“We believe everyone deserves a beautiful, safe place to call home,” said Sergei Kaminskiy, President/CEO of Kaminskiy Group. “This year, we’ve nearly doubled our commitment because we want to make a truly transformational impact. This isn’t just about remodeling—it’s about building a brighter future for a family who needs it most.”

The winning family will receive comprehensive home improvements, potentially including kitchen and bathroom renovations, essential safety repairs, whole-home upgrades, custom design services, and professional project management from start to finish.

How to Apply for our Home Renovation Giveaway:

Starting October 14, 2025, anyone can submit a nomination by sharing the story of a U.S. homeowner who deserves this opportunity. Homeowners can nominate themselves, or others can nominate a deserving family facing challenges that this gift would help overcome. The nominated family must be a homeowner in the United States.

Campaign Timeline:

  1. Application Opens: October 14, 2025
  2. Deadline: November 14, 2025
  3. Winner Announced: Week of November 24, 2025

“Our expert team will work with the winning family to prioritize improvements that will have the greatest impact on their home and quality of life,” Kaminskiy added. “From families overcoming hardship to those who’ve given back to their communities, we want to find someone whose life will be fundamentally changed by this gift.”

For complete campaign details, eligibility requirements, and to submit a nomination, visit our campaign page.

About Kaminskiy Group:


Kaminskiy Group
is a family of premium brands—including Kaminskiy Design and Remodeling, Kaminskiy Care and Repair, and Kaminskiy Commercial Construction—delivering exceptional remodeling, handyman services, and commercial construction for over 20 years. Visit kaminskiy.com for more information.

Franchise Opportunities: Kaminskiy Care and Repair offers franchise opportunities for entrepreneurs seeking to enter the home services industry.

Follow us: 

LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

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SOURCE Kaminskiy Group

HAMILTON, Bermuda, October 14, 2025 /3BL/ – Bacardi Limited is celebrating a significant leap on Forbes’ list of World’s Top Companies for Women 2025, moving up to #60 following last year’s ranking of #132. Making the prestigious list for the fourth year in a row, Bacardi consolidates its continued success and progress in empowering women in the workplace (#329 in 2023 and #364 in 2022). The list also features Bacardi as the only pure spirits player this year – marking yet another year of recognition for its ongoing dedication to equal opportunities for recruitment, training, development, and career advancement.

“From production and innovation to marketing and leadership, women play a critical role in shaping the future of Bacardi and the spirits industry,” says Leila Stansfield, Global Belonging Lead and Head of Global Travel Retail for Bacardi. “We’ve worked hard to break barriers and build a workplace where everyone has a path to thrive and feel empowered every day.”

Bacardi maintains gender equity in recruitment, turnover, pay, engagement and sense of belonging with 44% of leadership positions held by women. The company ensures top talent has access to core development programs which help propel them to the next level of their Bacardi careers. It is also a member of associations that develop programming and resources for women in the industry, giving back to communities in locally relevant ways to drive employability and professional empowerment for all. Programs and partnerships include: Dress for Success in the United States; Women Leading Rum & Spirits; and the Bacardi professional bartender training program for unemployed young people, Shake Your Future.

Produced in partnership with market research firm Statista, the Forbes ranking is based largely on survey responses from approximately 120,000 women working for multinational corporations in more than 36 countries. The research rated companies across a series of gender-related topics including pay equity, management’s responses to discrimination concerns, whether men and women have the same opportunities for advancement within the company, and parental leave. It also considers public opinion through a women-only survey and looks at the makeup of leadership.

Bacardi was recently named by Forbes among the 2025 World’s Best Employers, where it took the top spot among pure spirits companies, and ranked #18 in the 2023 World’s Best Workplaces™ presented by Great Place To Work®.

Read more about the methodology here and access the full list from Forbes.

About Bacardi Limited

Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately held international spirits company, produces, markets, and distributes spirits and wines. The Bacardi Limited portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ® rum, PATRÓN® tequila, GREY GOOSE® vodka, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, MARTINI® vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including D’USSÉ® Cognac, ANGEL’S ENVY® American straight whiskey, and ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur. Founded more than 162 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently employs approximately 8,000, operates production facilities in 10 countries and territories, and sells its brands in more than 160 markets. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit http://www.bacardilimited.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Media Contacts:
Jessica Merz, VP Global Corporate Communications
jmerz@bacardi.com

Board-Certified Physicians Drs. Eena Duggal, Christine Lopopolo and Heidi Sungurlu Join MDVIP Network to Meet Growing Demand in Golden State for Physician Time, Personalized Care and Stronger Doctor-Patient Relationships

BOCA RATON, Fla. and SAN RAMON, Calif., and SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif., Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MDVIP, the leading provider of membership-based healthcare, is expanding its primary care network across Northern and Southern California with three new MDVIP-affiliated practices led by Eena Duggal, MD, in San Ramon, and Christine Lopopolo, MD, FACOG, and Heidi Sungurlu, DO, FACOOG, in San Luis Obispo.

  • Dr. Eena Duggal is a board-certified family physician who has practiced almost 30 years in greater Pleasanton. Serving patients from newborns to seniors, Dr. Duggal has a special interest in both children’s health and women’s health and can perform office-based gynecological procedures. She is affiliated with Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley in Pleasanton and is fluent in English and Hindi. Her practice, which opens October 20th, is located at 5601 Norris Canyon Road, Suite 220, in San Ramon, California. To learn more about Dr. Duggal or to join her practice, visit https://www.mdvip.com/doctors/eenaduggalmd.

  • Dr. Christine Lopopolo is a board-certified gynecologist with 26 years of clinical experience as well as a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner with special training in the care of peri- and post-menopausal women, including weight management, sexual health and other therapies. Dr. Lopopolo offers the MDVIP Women’s Health Program – a personalized care model that gives her more time and resources to proactively address women’s unique healthcare needs. She was Tenet Hospital Physician of the Year in 2023. Her practice is located at 1223 Higuera Street, Suite 203, San Luis Obispo, California. To learn more about Dr. Lopopolo or to join her practice, visit https://www.mdvip.com/doctors/christinelopopolomd.

  • Dr. Heidi Sungurlu is a board-certified gynecologist with 19 years of experience, including the past 11 years serving the San Luis Obispo community. She offers the MDVIP Women’s Health Program — a personalized care model that allows her to focus on key areas of women’s health such as nutrition, exercise, hormonal balance, preventive screenings, and overall wellness. With more time and resources to dedicate to each patient, Dr. Sungurlu provides proactive, individualized care tailored to every stage of a woman’s life. Her practice is located at 1223 Higuera Street, Suite 203, in San Luis Obispo, California. To learn more about Dr. Sungurlu or to join her practice, visit https://www.mdvip.com/doctors/heidisungurludo

As MDVIP affiliates, Drs. Duggal, Lopopolo and Sungurlu each limit the size of their practice to ensure they can dedicate sufficient time and attention to each patient. This allows for in-depth follow-up, proactive health management and more engaged physician-patient interactions. Other ancillary benefits of a smaller practice include same- or next-day appointments, extended office visits and the ability to reach the doctors 24/7 by phone.

“As a family physician, I enjoy caring for patients across generations – from newborns to seniors – with attention to preventive care,” said Dr. Eena Duggal. “I have a strong interest in integrative medicine and can work with patients on incorporating complementary therapies that can further enhance their health. Joining MDVIP makes this possible, giving me the time to really listen to patients, educate on different treatment options and address any concerns they have.”

“My roles as a woman, mother and physician give me a uniquely integrated perspective on wellness, allowing me to provide medical care that is more individualized to each women’s needs,” said Dr. Christine Lopopolo. “As an MDVIP-affiliated physician, I am able to partner with patients as they work to achieve balance in mind, body and spirit, with a focus on prevention and whole-person health.”

“With a deep passion for preventive health, I focus on helping women feel empowered through deeper discussions and understanding of their unique needs, including exercise, sleep and hormonal balance,” said Dr. Heidi Sungurlu. “My goal in joining MDVIP is to offer a highly personalized women’s health practice where patients and I collaborate on establishing health goals a plan that is centered on them.”

Taking Your Health Beyond Checkups
For the annual membership fee, patients in MDVIP-affiliated practices receive a comprehensive yearly health assessment that includes advanced diagnostic tests and screenings to give a more complete view of their overall health. Using the results, the doctors provide personalized coaching and tools to help patients make healthier lifestyle choices, prevent disease and achieve their wellness goals.

Providing Lasting Impact
Studies published in peer-reviewed medical journals show that patients in MDVIP-affiliated practices experience fewer hospitalizations and readmissions, visit urgent care centers and emergency rooms less often, receive more preventive health services and have better control of chronic diseases than patients in traditional practices. MDVIP’s patient satisfaction scores and annual membership renewals consistently exceed 90%.

About MDVIP
Founded in 2000, MDVIP leads the market in membership-based healthcare that goes far beyond concierge medicine services with a national network of more than 1,400 primary care physicians serving over 425,000 patients. MDVIP is ranked one of the 10 Top Executive Wellness Programs by Worth magazine and is recognized by Fortune as one of the Best Workplaces in Healthcare. For more information, visit www.mdvip.com. Follow MDVIP on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Patricia Hui
phui@mdvip.com

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SOURCE MDVIP

HATTIESBURG, Miss. and CHICAGO, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — FV Recycling (FV), a Jones Capital portfolio company and a leading commercial and industrial recycling company based in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, announces it has acquired Mid America Paper Recycling (Mid America), one of the largest independent brokers, processors, and exporters of recovered materials in the Central United States. The acquisition significantly expands FV’s geographic footprint into the Midwest while enhancing service capabilities for customers nationwide.

Founded in 1926 and based in Chicago, IL, Mid America brings nearly a century of recycling expertise and strong brokerage capabilities to FV’s expansive fleet, equipment offerings, and established cardboard pickup services. The combined company will handle over 900,000 tons of recyclable materials annually, employing 180 professionals across the United States.

“This acquisition represents a transformative step forward for FV Recycling as we expand our ability to serve customers with comprehensive recycling solutions,” said Gene Smith, President of FV Recycling. “Mid America’s deep-rooted supplier relationships and decades of industry experience perfectly complement our transportation and equipment capabilities. Together, we’ll provide unmatched service and value to our combined customer base while maintaining the personal attention and integrity both companies are known for.”

The combination enables FV to offer expanded services to customers including:

  • Enhanced logistical capabilities with access to national markets for paper, plastics, metals, and other recyclables
  • Bale route hauling and full van transportation services throughout an expanded geographic area
  • Comprehensive equipment solutions including leasing, sales and on-site repair of balers and compactors
  • Processing capabilities through facilities in the Southeast and Midwest

“This is more than a transaction, it’s a partnership built on shared values,” said Don Gaines, CEO of Mid America Paper Recycling, who will remain fully engaged with the company. “Both Mid America and FV started as family-owned businesses. We each have strong reputations built on long-term relationships, doing right by our customers, and supporting the communities we serve. That continues, but now with greater reach, more capabilities, and deeper resources.”

“This partnership honors the legacy that Don and his family built while enabling new opportunities for growth and impact,” said Jonathan Jones, CEO of Jones Capital. “Mid America’s four-generation legacy mirrors the vision my father, Brett, had when he founded FV in 2000 — building businesses that benefit all stakeholders through integrity, service, and sustainability. We’re excited to support the combined team as they expand recycling capabilities across the nation, creating more opportunities to better serve our communities.”

Mid America will continue to operate under its current name while integration planning proceeds, with a thoughtful transition to ensure continuity for all stakeholders.

About FV Recycling
FV Recycling is a commercial and industrial recycling company based in Hattiesburg, MS. FV is a portfolio company of Jones Capital. Since 2000, FV Recycling has provided customers with a full range of services to handle recyclable materials such as cardboard, paper, plastics, aluminum, and pallets. FV has evolved to focus on cardboard bale route hauling opportunities throughout the Southeastern U.S. with brokerage capabilities throughout the United States. In addition, FV provides specialized equipment services, including baler and compactor leasing, sales, and maintenance and repair. For more information, visit https://www.fvrecycling.com/.

About Mid America Paper Recycling Mid America has been a leader in the recycling industry since 1926. As one of the largest independent brokers, processors, and exporters of recovered paper and plastics, the company has built four generations of success through integrity, exceptional service, and high market returns. Based in Chicago, Illinois, Mid America recycles paper, plastics, metals, glass, and pallets for customers nationwide. For more information, visit https://www.midamericapaper.com/.

About Jones Capital Jones Capital (Jones) partners with mid-market businesses to provide dynamic ideas and resources, focusing on practical solutions to drive growth. Business sectors Jones has focused on include transportation & logistics, infrastructure, industrials, construction, and technology & business services. With locations in Houston, TX and Hattiesburg, MS, Jones carries on the mission of being a growth-oriented, value-added capital partner to businesses and management teams that share our common values and vision for long-term, sustainable growth that benefits all stakeholders – customers, communities, employees, and shareholders. For more information, please visit https://jones.com/.

Media Contact:

Kelsey Hester
Director of Marketing
601-203-3892
kelsey.hester@fvrecycling.com

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SOURCE FV Recycling

  • Belfast – perhaps the place most famous for shipbuilding in the country – recorded the highest small business annual growth rate (+241%) anywhere in the country, followed by Birkenhead (+63%), and Poplar and Limehouse in London (+50%)
  • Other places with historic maritime sectors – Stockton (+32%), Hartlepool (+29%) and Dagenham (+27%) – feature in the top 20
  • Many former shipbuilding and shipping industry buildings across these locations have been turned into hubs for small businesses and entrepreneurs

UK entrepreneurs are thriving in areas with a strong shipbuilding heritage, new GoDaddy research shows.

The research highlights that Belfast North, Birkenhead, and Poplar and Limehouse are among the top five fastest-growing constituencies for small business density in the United Kingdom over the past 12 months. All three are historically known for their connections to the shipping industry.

Meanwhile, small business communities in Stockton, Hartlepool, and Dagenham – all places with historic shipping sectors – are flourishing, as all feature in the top 20.

The new data comes from the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, which studies the economic impact of more than 600,000 small businesses in the UK, as well as the attitudes of their owners.

GoDaddy helps entrepreneurs at every stage — from getting an idea off the ground to growing their business online.

Shipbuilding communities reinvented as small business hubs

GoDaddy’s analysis shows that Belfast North is the UK’s fastest-growing entrepreneurial constituency, and the only area outside of England to feature in the Top 10. Spanning much of the city’s famous docklands to the north of the Lagan Estuary, the constituency saw a 241% increase in microbusiness density across the past 12 months.

The growth in the area follows a concerted effort from Stormont, which launched a programme – ‘Go Succeed’ – to support entrepreneurs across the region, including one-to-one business support and nearly £2m of funding.1 The city has also worked to ensure that small businesses can find a home in the heart of the capital. Belfast’s ‘Titanic Quarter’ is located on the former Harland & Wolff shipyard. This mixed-use redevelopment has become a hub for small businesses and contributes to the city’s economic growth.

It is a similar picture in Birkenhead, which has a small business density growth rate of +63% year-on-year. The Wirral Waters regeneration project – located on the site of Merseyside’s once-thriving shipbuilding industry – is home to Egerton Village, a hub for start-ups, independent retailers and creative enterprises.

Former docklands foster small business success

Constituencies with rich, historical maritime industries feature throughout GoDaddy’s top 20. Poplar and Limehouse, part of the Tower Hamlets borough, is in fourth place overall, with density growth of +50%. The area has strong shipping roots in the historic London Docklands. Local businesses benefited from an initiative by the borough council to foster enterprise, through a £700,000 investment to support entrepreneurs.2

Stockton (+32%), Hartlepool (+29%) and Dagenham (+27%) are in 6th, 11th and 19th places respectively. Hartlepool’s old shipyard and docks have been redeveloped into Hartlepool Marina, now home to many independent hospitality businesses.

UK entrepreneurs show resilience in the face of economic challenges

More broadly, GoDaddy’s research demonstrates that UK entrepreneurs are displaying resilience and maintaining growth ambitions in the face of economic challenges. Only 14% of UK small business owners say they’re confident in the nation’s economy this year, while over half (53%) describe themselves as “not very” or “not at all” confident.

Despite those trends, four in 10 entrepreneurs (40%) expect their business income to grow in 2025, with 18% expecting their revenue to grow “significantly more” against 2024 figures. It’s also never been easier or more cost-effective to get a small business off the ground. Almost one in five small businesses (18%) were created with less than £500 of start-up capital, according to the GoDaddy study.

Alexandra Rosen, Global Head of the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, commented: “Shipbuilding has long been one of the country’s most important historic sectors, and now we’re seeing these same towns and cities, rooted in a strong industrial past, thriving today through digital entrepreneurship.”

Findings from the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab show that the nation’s entrepreneurs are confident in their ability to succeed, even in the face of economic challenges. That’s setting a great example for the future.”

To explore more stories of how GoDaddy supports everyday entrepreneurs — and the tools helping them start and grow — visit GoDaddy today.

1https://go-succeed.com/

2https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/News_events/2024/October/700K-in-business-support-to-bolster-Tower-Hamlets-vibrant-economy.aspx

by Nicole Miller, CEO of Biomimicry 3.8 

Growing up on my grandmother’s ranch in Montana, I learned early that taking care of the land means it takes care of you. Five generations of my family understood this fundamental truth — that business success and ecosystem health aren’t separate concerns, but deeply interconnected realities. The smell of sagebrush after rain or the fragrance of cottonwoods in spring and fall weren’t just poetry to us — they were the indicators of a thriving system that sustained our livelihood.

Today, after 23 years of work in sustainability and as CEO of Biomimicry 3.8, I see this same principle playing out on a global scale. The relationship between business success and ecosystem health has never been more critical — or more quantifiable. As investors navigate an increasingly complex landscape, the truth my ranching family knew becomes clear: Nature isn’t just an environmental side note; it’s fundamental to long-term business viability and economic prosperity.

The $44 trillion reality check – The World Economic Forum reveals that $44 trillion in economic value generation — over half the world’s GDP — depends on Nature. According to S&P Global Sustainable1, 85% of the world’s largest companies have significant Nature dependencies across their operations. From technology companies relying on rare earth minerals to agricultural giants dependent on healthy soil and pollinators, every sector faces Nature-related risks.

The dependencies run deeper than obvious sectors. That cutting-edge data center powering AI? It consumes enormous water quantities for cooling, electricity from natural resource-dependent systems, and up to 1,000 acres of land. Supply chains moving products to your doorstep traverse ecosystems whose disruption can halt global commerce. It’s nearly impossible to find a company without Nature dependency.

Read Nicole’s amazingly interesting article herehttps://greenmoney.com/the-business-case-for-nature-inspired-innovation

 

=====

Originally published on Guiding Stars Health & Nutrition News

by Kitty Broihier

Heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the United States for all people. American Heart Association statistics from 2024 indicate that about 48% of Americans older than age 20 have cardiovascular disease. This includes coronary heart disease (the most common type of cardiovascular disease), heart failure, stroke, and hypertension.

While we can’t control all the risk factors for heart disease, we can make a difference in two important areas: the way we eat and our level of physical activity. We’ve covered the top recommendations for heart-healthy eating in the past (check here and here). And our coverage is still relevant and current with American Heart Association recommendations for a healthy diet and lifestyle. Of course, knowing the recommendations and actually following them in your daily life are two different things. So here are some of my top strategies to help make heart-healthy eating a reality in your life.

Determine Your Dietary Priorities

Focusing on healthy eating efforts that will make the most difference just makes sense—it’s being strategic. Trying to do everything all at once (aka a complete diet overhaul) is usually overwhelming, spreads your efforts too thin, and doesn’t “move the needle” much on anything. Instead, take a look at your overall diet and see which areas need the most work. Then pick one or two specific swaps or changes and concentrate on those.

Often the biggest impact is made by improving the food choices you eat daily versus those you have just occasionally. For example, let’s say you have cereal and whole milk for breakfast every day. Maybe you focus on making the switch from whole milk to skim milk in a step-wise fashion, little by little. Or perhaps you eat red meat every day at lunch and dinner. You might decide to swap a plant-based food into one meal as a first step on the journey toward a more healthful diet.

Choose Heart-Healthy Foods the Easy Way

Selecting foods that fit into your heart-smart eating plan can be daunting, especially if you’re not in the habit of reading food labels. There’s a lot to learn from ingredient statements and the Nutrition Facts labels on food packages, but if you don’t have time to read and compare products in every aisle, start using Guiding Stars.

The Guiding Stars program is based on an ongoing review of current nutritional recommendations and scientific consensus, which is translated into a system that makes it easy to shop for the best foods and beverages for your health priorities. The Guiding Stars algorithms are the “formulas” we use to rate products, determine point values, and assign stars. These algorithms align closely with diet recommendations from the American Heart Association and other groups. They are also in line with eating plans such as the DASH diet, which supports cardiovascular health.

Choosing foods with Guiding Stars is an efficient and effective way to fill your cart with more heart-healthy food. For example, eating foods that are low in saturated fat is a heart-smart diet move, and the Guiding Stars algorithms debit points for saturated fats. It’s the same for other ingredients or food characteristics that negatively impact cardiovascular health—like trans fats, added sodium, and sugar. On the flip side, Guiding Stars awards more points—and more stars—to foods that have heart-healthy attributes or ingredients. These include foods with more fiber, whole grains, and omega-3 fats. By choosing foods that earn stars, you can trust you’re choosing nutritious options.

Simplify Your Cooking

You probably know that deep-fat frying isn’t recommended if you want to keep your ticker in top shape. But what are the best ways to prepare heart-healthy meals? Try cooking methods that don’t rely on sauces, heavy frying, batter/coatings, and a lot of fuss. Here are the suggestions:

  • Steam
  • Sauté
  • Bake
  • Poach
  • Roast
  • Grill
  • Broil
  • Stir-fry

You see the idea: keep it simple and let the quality of the ingredients shine on their own. Tasty food doesn’t have to involve a lot of dishes, complicated recipes, or unusual ingredients. When it comes to good food, most chefs will tell you, simpler is better. For added flavor, rely on heart-smart ingredients such as:

  • A splash of vinegar or squeeze of lemon or lime
  • Fresh or dried herbs
  • Dried chiles or fresh peppers
  • Citrus zest
  • No-added-salt or low-salt seasoning blends
  • Pungent vegetables like onions, shallots, and garlic
  • Reduced-sodium and low-sodium broths and stocks

Finally, once you find an appropriate recipe, try to find a way to batch-cook, meal-prep, or otherwise make cooking easier. Anything you can do to simplify your healthy way of eating will make good heart health easier to achieve.

About Guiding Stars

Guiding Stars is an objective, evidence-based, nutrition guidance program that evaluates foods and beverages to make nutritious choices simple. Products that meet transparent nutrition criteria earn a 1, 2, or 3 star rating for good, better, and best nutrition. Guiding Stars can be found in more than 2,000 grocery stores and through the Guiding Stars Food Finder app.

*Image by Freepik

Abre’s latest innovation modernizes education technology through consolidation, clarity, and measurable cost savings for districts

CINCINNATI, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Abre, K-12’s leading modern data platform, today announced the launch of its next-generation product: a single, integrated platform that unites fragmented technology and connects administrators, staff, partners, families, and students with data to accelerate strategic outcomes in and out of the classroom.

For years, Abre has served as K-12’s intelligence system, centralizing data to break down silos and enable confident decision-making. With 250+ integrations across common EdTech tools, Abre consolidates over 20,000 student, staff, and operational data fields into one secure AI-enabled platform supporting strategic planning, leadership teams, and staff in the areas of academics, operations, finance, HR, student services, and community engagement.

“Inspired by our new tagline, ‘Where K-12 Comes Together,’ we’re thrilled to launch enterprise-level functionality on top of our existing AI-enabled data intelligence system to solve upstream issues like fragmented technology and data silos that not only drain district resources but limit impact,” said James Stoffer, CEO of Abre. “SIS, LMS, and ERP systems have existed for decades but fail to connect data to strategy and outcomes. Abre closes that gap, helping districts save money, maximize time, and drive measurable improvement.”

Building on its innovative Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) foundation, Abre now enables districts to both collect and act on data in one centralized platform. Leaders can align strategy, monitor initiatives, and evaluate impact across priorities such as MTSS, assessment, wellness, parent engagement, CTE, Portrait of a Graduate, and staff development.

“District leaders are under immense pressure to do more with less,” said Zach Vander Veen, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Abre. “Abre provides the clarity they need to answer essential questions: What’s working? What’s not? It empowers districts to act on real-time insights and continuously improve in one place.”

Abre’s impact speaks for itself. Districts using Abre have reduced chronic absenteeism by 35%+, streamlined MTSS workflows to save hundreds of staff hours, achieved 80%+ parental engagement, and cut technology costs by hundreds of thousands annually. Today, Abre partners with more than 215 districts across 33 states.

To learn more about Abre, please visit abre.com.

About Abre
Abre is K-12’s #1 modern data platform. With Abre, districts simplify operations, improve decision-making, save money, and focus on what matters most (the students).

Learn more about Abre at abre.com.

Media Contact
Stephanie Grau
abre@finnpartners.com
+1 954 368 9804

 

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SOURCE Abre

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