Holiday gifting can be a thrill when we know weve landed a gift that theyll really love. But it can be a challenge to find that special item, especially for those who dont love the idea of simply getting more stuff.

Gifts that support our whole-body wellness our physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing are gifts that truly keep on giving. And its even better when the gift is sustainable or locally sourced, giving back to the planet and our community, as well.

The bottom line: A well-planned holiday gift can be a thoughtful way to help enhance the health, wellness and balance in the lives of our friends and family and a special way to say we care.

Here are 14 wellness-centered gift ideas to get you started.

The Moka is a stove-top coffee maker, as preferred in Italy.

How about an espresso maker to brew coffee like the Italians? The iconic Moka is a stove-top coffee maker, invented in the 1930s by Italian engineer Alfonso Bialetti (hence the Bialetti Moka, a standard found throughout Italy). Fill the octagonal base with water, add finely ground espresso beans and heat. In addition to creating a magnificent cup of espresso, theres zero waste, and the Moka is designed to last for decades. $40.

The Zojirushi travel mug keeps liquids hot for hours even after hours in the freezer. Available in 12, 16 or 20 ounce brushed stainless steel in a variety of colors, Zojirushis lock system also prevents spills and leaks. Satisfying hot sipping when were on-the-go. $24 and up.

Books for the home chef, baker or mixologist, gift a recipe book paired with ingredients for one of the dishes or drinks. A few of our favorites include "The Ultimate Guide to Keto Baking by Carolyn Ketchum," a brilliant baker well-versed in plant-based sweeteners and gluten-free flours. Also (our books!) "Craft: The Eat Fit Guide to Zero Proof Cocktails" and "The Eat Fit Cookbook" (Mollys note: I dont make any money from the Eat Fit book collection; all proceeds benefit the Ochsner Eat Fit nonprofit community initiative). $22-$35.

Books to help us slow down and prioritize: Currently on my nightstand: "Essentialism" by Greg McKeown and "Stillness is the Key" by Ryan Holiday, two books that serve as inspiration and how-to guides to help us focus more on what really matters. $25-27.

Fine journals from Scriptura

For journaling, Scriptura offers an array of gorgeous handmade leather journals ($60 and up); Lionheart Prints has a variety of whimsical notebook-style journals ($18 and up) that can provide the inspiration to capture thoughts from the day, moments of gratitude, and goals and visions for the future.

Raw Chocolate by Fine & Raw Chocolate is 100% organic chocolate made from unroasted cocoa beans with no soy, dairy or gluten. The ingredients are strikingly simple; the flavors are innovative, ranging from Habanero Salt to Ginger Chocolate to Cashew Butter Chocolate. Available locally at Earthsavers, $9.25.

Peppermint-Biscotti

Triple Chocolate Peppermint Biscotti? Yes, please! Especially the low-carb (and naturally gluten-free) recipe by baking mastermind Carolyn Ketchum (see: "The Ultimate Guide to Keto Baking," above). Added bonus: They freeze well, so can be made well in advance for holiday parties and gifting. Find the recipe along with Carolyns detailed explanations and teaching moments at AllDayIDreamAboutFood.com just type peppermint biscotti in the recipe search feature.

Windowsill herb gardens can work in almost any kitchen size or space. Create your own or gift this mason jar herb kit by Modern Sprout that come equipped with everything youll need to start growing the perfect solution for those with little time and/or green thumb. These vintage-inspired jars use a self-watering system that brings water and nutrients to the herbs roots, so theres no guesswork on how much or how often to water. $24.

Support your local farmers market and inspire culinary creativity with a gift certificate to the local farmers market (or wooden tokens for our local Crescent City Farmers Market).

The Acupressure set by Prosource Fit looks like a small mat and pillow that also happen to be covered with tiny spikes. Dont worry they dont pierce the skin; instead, they provide the relaxation and energizing benefits of acupressure (the mat has more than 8900 pressure points; the pillow has nearly 1800). The mat can be used lying down or sitting up; the pillow can serve as acupressure for the neck or feet. $29.99

TriggerPoint rollers take foam rollers to the next level, helping to release muscle pain and tightness and increase circulation. The dense 3D surface is designed to replicate the feeling of a massage therapists hands, a welcome gift to athlete and non-athletes alike. $35 and up.

Essential oil candles from Aromatherapy Associates

Essential Oil Candles uplift and add balance. With scents ranging from delicate and light to intense and full-bodied, theres an essential oil candle for everyone. Available locally at stores like Home Malone and Earthsavers. $19.50-$70.

Aromatherapy oils can help us relax and unwind. Some energize, and others, like lavender, are backed by science showing that they can help us fall asleep and even reduce our perception of pain.

Gift essential oils along with a diffuser to effectively and effortlessly scent your space. Earthsavers offers the Aromatherapy Associates Atomizer thats elegantly beautiful, cordless and waterless. Oils start around $10; Atomizer is $171.95.

New Orleans Tea Company is a woman-owned tea company with an array organic and fairtrade certified teas. Available through their website and sold locally at Bottom of the Cup, their French Quarter tearoom established by the owners grandparents in the 1920s as one of the first tea rooms in the US.

In addition to the familiar green, black, white and rooibos teas, New Orleans Tea Company has a collection of Wellness Teas, including Jet Lag Herbal Tea, Balance Wellness Tea, and Cleanse and Refresh Herbal Tea. $7.98 for 8 two-cup pyramid tea bags.

Read the original here:
Wellness-centered gifts are a way to show loved ones that we care - NOLA.com

Winter hibernation is for bears. Get out there and sweat this winter, whether out there is a weekend camping in the great outdoors or running the loop near your house before work each morning. Cold weather necessitates a bit of extra gear to keep you warm and dry, but with deals on our favorite gear, from outdoor clothing to biking accessories to smartwatches, you can become the year-round outdoors person you've always dreamed of being. So gear up and get out there, Tiger.

Updated Monday, November 28 at 2:30 am: REI has joined Cyber Monday after sitting out Black Friday. We've added new deals from REI, plus deals on tents, ebikes, binoculars, and more.

We test products year-round and handpicked these deals. Products that are sold out or no longer discounted as of publishing will be crossed out. We'll update this guide through Cyber Monday.

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more.

Hiking and Camping Deals

Petzl Actik

Through camping and mountain climbing adventures, the Actik headlamp never failed to provide us with 350 powerful lumens on the trail. It runs on three AAA batteries, which are easy to replace in the backcountry (if you remember to bring spares), and they'll last for up to 260 hours on the lowest white-light setting.

Lifestraw's Personal Water Filter has long been a hit with WIRED writers and readers. Just sip out of it like any regular straw and it'll filter out 99.99 percent of waterborne bacteria from up to 1,000 gallons of water.

Liquid fuel stoves are a bit more complicated to use and maintain than canister stoves, but they work more reliably in frigid temperatures and typically offer camp chefs better control while cooking. Unlike most liquid fuel stoves, the WhisperLite is relatively quiet, so it won't spoil the solitude.

Keep a link between you and your loved ones while you're out gallivanting through the wilderness with a satellite communicator. With the InReach Mini 2, you can share your location, communicate back and forth, and trigger an SOS button if you need a rescue. It weighs just 3.5 ounces, and the battery lasts for roughly four to 14 days, depending on the settings you're using.

Photograph: REI

The sweet spot for a daypack is between 15 and 25 litersenough to hold rain layers, a fleece, maps, water, sunscreen, lunch, and snacks, plus room for a book or camera gear. Feature in our guide, Hiking 101, the Flash 22 has dual exterior water bottle pockets, comfortable padded straps, and weighs only 14 ounces. There's a version with various prints on sale for the same price.

The Hubba Hubba (7/10, WIRED Reviews) hangs at the premium end of the backpacking tent market. While it's minorly outclassed by its competition from other manufacturers, it served reviewer Matt Jancer well in the wilds of Southwest Texas with its leakproof design, effective ventilation, and light weight. For $480, its hard to swallow when the competition does premium ultralight tents a little better for the same money, but for $360 Id recommend it to somebody who goes on long overnight trips where they're carrying all their gear on their back and can appreciate the sub-3-pound weight.

It can be tough to choose a tent that's lightweight and big enough for the whole family or friend group. At about 13 pounds for 83 square feet of floor space, the Habitude 6 qualifies on both accounts. Senior associate reviews editor Adrienne So found its color-coded poles easy to set up, and its interior storage pockets, places to hang tent lights, and vestibule made it feel like home away from home. The downside is that it doesn't have quite as much airflow as other tents we tested.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite

To insulate you and your sleeping bag from the cold ground, choose a sleeping pad to slide between bag and earth. Inflatable models such as this NeoAir XLite are even better at insulating than foam pads. It's also lightweight at 12 ounces and packs down into a small roll.

For backcountry trips, consider saving weight and space by choosing a non-insulated reusable water bottle. Given the same volume, a non-insulated one will also be lighter to carry. The Klean Kanteen was one of the best bottles we tested, thanks to its very scratch-resistant coating, leak-proof lid, and stellar durability.

If you favor hydration bladders instead of water bottles, check out this bladder that can fit into a backpack. I prefer the Platypus over CamelBak because it's easier to clean between uses.

Photograph: Solo Stove

It's cold outside in many parts of the world, but that doesn't mean you wanna stop enjoying the great outdoors. The Solo Stove Yukon (7/10 WIRED Recommends) burns hot, looks good, and lights easier than most compact fire pits.

As we note in our binocular guide, these Celestrons are often on sale for around this price. They aren't quite as bright as the Nikon Monarchs listed below, and I did notice more chromatic aberrations, particularly purple fringing. For this price, they're a good entry-level option.

Here's a chance to save a few bucks on our top binocular pick for most people. Nikon's Monarch 5 binoculars strike an excellent balance between optical power, quality, and price. The glass in these provides nice, bright views with very little chromatic aberration (the distortions or fringing that you sometimes see around objects in bright sunlight), and the 8x42 magnification is the most versatile. For $10 more you can get a bundle with a nice harness and cleaning pen.

Bike and Scooter Deals

Nutcase Street

Multidirectional Impact Protection System (MIPS) is a technology that offers added protection to your brain from rotational injuries in the event of a crash. It's worth the small added cost. There are many paint schemes available for this stylish-looking helmet, from solid colors to complicated artistic designs.

These are also great helmets for commuters, especially since they have a pop-out plug that, once removed, gives you a place to thread a bike lock through the body. Every helmet at Thousand is 30 percent off. Everything on the company's new Ride Shop is also 20 percent off.

This isn't a crazy discount, but if you ride bikes or scooters and want to use your phone, Peak Design's mount is extremely convenient and easy to use. Pick up the Everyday Case as well. Both are in our guide to the Best MagSafe Accessories.

Photograph: Wing

This Wing ebike (7/10, WIRED Recommends) has strong acceleration and its speed can be unlocked to hit up to 24 miles per hour. It's not terribly heavy at 39 pounds, and you can have accouterments like a headlight, taillight, and an alarm with a keyfob.

The Propella Mini is easy to assemble, ride, and carry around; It weighs just 33 pounds. And it's affordable too. We're also fans of the Propella 7S, which is $300 off.

Cowboy 4 ST

The Cowboy 4 ST (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a beautiful, low-maintenance bike that's easy to put together. It has a removable battery, and lights that automatically turn on when it's dark. It's best for folks taller than 5-foot-6, but the 250-watt motor might not be powerful enough to get you up and over the steepest hills.

We haven't tested this yet, but it's on our to-do list. State Bicycle is known for affordable single-speed intro bicycles, and its ebike follows suit. It has an aluminum frame and a standard 250-watt motor, and weighs 38 poundsit looks maneuverable, easy to use, and relatively light.

Gocycle makes luxury folding ebikes with clean lines and premium materials; we've tested several and found them to be excellent, if expensive. A hefty discount makes that price tag a little easier to bear. The G4 is Gocycle's intro model and like its other ones, it folds into a sleek, compact package that weighs only 38.8 pounds with a 500-watt motor and carbon fiber fork.

This electric mountain bike is no longer in our roundup of Best Electric Bikes, but it was our top e-mountain bike pick for years. We've also never seen it on sale like this. It's a solid option if you're looking for a new electric bike to hit the trails with.

Montague M-E1

While its not exactly a sale, WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu called Montague's M-E1 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) close to perfection. If you can drop $4,000 on an ebike, this is the one to get, and a carrying case is a welcome addition.

Bromptons electric folding bike isn't the best ebike we've ever tried, but it is irresistibly cute, and the design of the motor and battery makes it incredibly easy to pack up for travel. The version without the electric motor is also on sale for 20 percent off. Former art director Elena Lacey rode 70 miles on a Brompton on a recent trip to the United Kingdom.

Only select colors are on discounted. Ride1Up's Prodigy was a little overpriced for what you got. However, it's hard to get more affordable than Ride1Up's easy commuter. We haven't tested this version yet, but it has an aluminum alloy frame and a 350-watt Class 3 Shengyi motor. If you want a nicer motor, the aforementioned Prodigy is also $250 off.

The older Gotrax G3 is our Best Budget Scooter. This version has a longer range and comes with a few built-in locking mechanisms so you can run a (quick) errand without fear. Gotrax has other models on sale too.

Niu KQi3 Pro

Niu's KQi3 is our overall Best Electric Scooter. It offers a considerable range for the money, a comfortable ride on 9.5-inch tubeless tires, and many fun extras, like a bell, lights, and a place on the handlebars to put a phone mount.

This is reviews editor Julian Chokkattu's favorite tiny scooter! It includes a free accessory bundle that's worth $147. The package has a folding lock, a cellphone holder, and some awesome yet ridiculous fingerless gloves.

There are tons of ways to carry cargo on your bike, but the simplest is to throw a backpack over your shoulders. Not just any backpack, though. We ranked the Heritage as the top budget choice in our Best Laptop Backpacks guide, thanks to its padded sleeve that can fit laptops of up to 15 inches, and for its tough, 600-denier polyester fabric.

Fitness Accessory Deals

Garmin Fenix 7S

The 7S Sapphire Solar (8/10, WIRED Recommends) comes packed with preset modes that can track your biometric data from various outdoor activities: biking, bouldering, swimming, running, and more. It's our favorite outdoor watch for its quick and accurate GPS connection in rain and under dense tree cover, as well as for its built-in altimeter, barometer, and compass. Check out our Best Garmin Watches guide for more

If you have an iPhone and want just basic smartwatch abilities, the Apple Watch SE is an entry-level, affordable option. It lacks the ability to check your blood oxygen, check your ECG, or measure whether you're ovulating via the temperature sensors, but it is compatible withWatchOS 9, which is where many of the latest and most excitingfitness featuresshow up (as well as the battery-extending Low Power Mode).

Fitbit Charge 5

We rate the Charge 5 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) as the best all-around fitness tracker for its affordability and its bevy of biometric sensors. There's a smart alarm that determines the best point during your sleep cycle to set an alarm, ECGs for monitoring your heart rate, sleep analysis tools that measure your blood oxygen levels at night, and more. You do have to pay $10 a month, or $80 a year, for a Fitbit Premium subscription to get the most from the Charge 5, though.

The Halo View received an honorable mention in our Best Fitness Trackers guide. It's comfortable and affordable, and its companion app is easy to use. It's also at the lowest price we've seen yet. WIRED senior associate editor Adrienne So isn't a fan of how it tells you to strip down in your underwear to measure body fat composition (and how it pushes business partnerships). The screenless Halo Fitness Tracker is also discounted to $55 ($45 off)

If you have a Samsung phone and are thinking of adding a smartwatch to your gadget stack, the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 (7/10 WIRED Recommends) is the best bet for you. While many smartwatches are square, the Galaxy Watch5 takes on a more round, minimalist design. But this doesn't mean the tech and hardware are cutting any cornersthis has durable sapphire crystal on the face, accurate fitness tracking, and great water and dust resistance.

Beats Fit Pro

These are ourfavorite wireless earbuds for working out, especially if you have an iPhone (they still work fine with Android phones). The Beats Fit Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are comfy to wear, have great battery life, and have excellent noise cancellation. There are physical controls on the outside of each earbud, so you don't have to worry about your sweaty hair pausing your music during a workout.If you don't feel like buds are secure enough, we also recommend the Beats Powerbeats Pro, with a piece that wraps around the back of your ear. Those are discounted to $150 ($50 off).

Block out gym noise with active noise cancellation to gain a little peace and quiet. The Elite 7 Active headphones were our favorite headphones for workouts, as mentioned in our Best Wireless Earbuds guide. With eight hours of battery life between charges, you'll have more than enough time to finish even the longest workouts without running out of power. In our testing, they fit people with wildly different ear sizes without falling out. They also have IP57 dust- and sweat-resistance.

Theragun Prime

Sore muscles are a fact of life when you exercise. If it's a good workout, you'll be sore afterwards. You can massage away a great deal of that soreness, though, with a percussive massager. The Theragun Prime provides up to 30 pounds of pressure, making it a solid midrange product in Theragun's lineup. Check out our Best Theraguns guide for more information.

Apparel and Footwear Deals

Darn Tough Hiker Boot Socks

Made in Vermont, these socks have a lifetime guarantee. You wear 'em out and Darn Tough will replace them, although you have to pay to ship the old socks to their headquarters. Made of merino wool with just a hint of stretchy elastane, these are favorites around the WIRED Gear Team for their thickness, softness, and durability.

Base layers, worn next to the skin, need to wick away moisture and dry quickly to prevent chafing. For any labor-intensive purposes, we recommend the polyester Give-N-Go Briefs. They're silky soft and form-hugging, yet they dry out quickly, even after truly legendary hikes and runs.

Good shoes are the foundation of a good hike. We prefer low-top, non-Gore-Tex mesh trail shoes, like these from Salomon, for the vast majority of hiking. They'll dry out much more quickly when wet than Gore-Tex-lined shoes, and as long as you're moving they'll keep your feet warm enough down to about 40 degrees.

Nike Wildhorse 7

The Wildhorse 7's beauty isn't just skin deep, although we did name these the cutest shoes in our Best Trail Running Shoe guide. They're also light and breathable, and they offer good traction on sketchy terrain. Nikes run small, so consider sizing up a half size. As is oddly and sadly common in the industry, the shoe in women's sizing is also on sale, but for a few dollars more than the men's sizing.

Once heat is lost in the extremities, it takes a while to gain it back. Keep that precious heat from leaving your hands in the first place by swaddling them in these winter gloves. Gore-Tex makes the outer layers water-resistant, and PrimaLoft insulation traps heat, so even if you're trekking through snow, these will keep your hands fairly dry and warm.

Smartwool Merino 150 Beanie

Down with itchy beanies. Smartwool's merino wool is as itch-free as wool can get, and it doesn't make your forehead perspire as much as a synthetic materials would. There's a hint of elastane in the fabric for an easy-fitting stretch.

It's getting cold out there, so instead of hibernating until spring, put on this insulating base layer under your running pants to add warmth. We named these the best cold-weather running tights in our Best Running Gear guide for their high waist and drawstring that keeps them from sagging during runs. They kept our reviewer warm in 30-degree temps, and they have lasted for years with little wear. They only come in a 28-inch seam, though, so taller runners may be out of luck.

Something has to keep the sweat from dripping into your eyes during a run, and yes, you can absolutely sweat that hard during a tough workout, even in winter weather. Made in Vermont, these headbands are silky smooth and come in a range of fun designs. Only some designs are on sale.

The Nomadix Bandana Towel is a favorite of WIRED, and made our 2022 Wist List. They're soft and absorbent, so you can wrap one around your neck on runs. Plus, they're made from post-consumer recycled plastic. The brand has larger towels, too. If you spend $100 at Nomadix, you'll get a free beanie; $150 includes a $20 Nomadix gift card; and $200 also adds a camp mug.

Read more:
46 Best Cyber Monday Fitness and Outdoor Deals (2022): Ebikes, Shoes, Hiking, Backpacks - WIRED

The brains of US teens have physically changed during the Covid-19 pandemic, aging faster than normal, a new study says.

The brains of US teens have physically changed during the Covid-19 pandemic, aging faster than normal, a new study says.

The young study participants also reported more severe symptoms of anxiety, depression and what scientists call internalized problems meaning feelings of sadness, low self-esteem and fear and trouble regulating their emotions after the first year of the pandemic.

Dozens of studies have found that teens and adolescents mental health has suffered during the pandemic. They have been taken out of school, away from their friends and familiar support structures, and had to live with the uncertainty and fear that came with the coronavirus. Many parents lost jobs. Millions of children lost parents and grandparents to Covid-19.

The study, published Thursday in the journal Biological Psychiatry: Global Open Science, is one of the first to look at the physical changes in the brain brought by that the stress and anxiety.

The research comes out of a larger study in which scientists were trying to understand the gender differences in depression among adolescents.

Eight years ago, they set out with a plan to take MRI scans of 220 children ages 9 to 13 every two years. The team had completed two sets of scans when the pandemic interrupted their research, and they werent able to start scanning again until the end of 2020.

When their research was interrupted, the team decided it would be interesting to study the effects that this stressful event was having on kids developing brains. The pre-pandemic scans would help them make this comparison.

The researchers matched children in the same demographics including gender, age, exposure to stress and socioeconomic status.

To find the average brain age, they put the MRI scans through a model that pools data from other scans.

The researchers compared the MRI scans of 128 children. Half the scans were taken before the pandemic and the other half at the end of 2020.

They found that the children who had lived through the first year of the pandemic had brain ages that were older than their chronological age.

The brains that had gone through the beginning of the pandemic had growth in the area that can help regulate fear and stress, called the amygdala, and in the hippocampus, the area of the brain that can controls access to memories. Tissues had thinned in the part of the brain that controls executive functioning, the cortex.

A childs brain changes naturally over time, but research has found that these physical changes can speed up when a person goes through significant adversity in childhood.

Studies have shown that people who are exposed to violence, neglect, poverty and family problems early in life have faster brain aging and can have problems with their mental health later on.

Ian Gotlib, lead author of the new study, said the research team had expected to find the problems with anxiety, depression and internalized problems. The pandemic has not been kind to adolescent mental health, said Gotlib, a psychology professor at Stanford University.

But they werent exactly sure what they would find with the MRI scans.

Its always interesting to do research like this when youre not really sure whats going to happen, Gotlib said. These effects were interesting and happened pretty quickly.

This was just a one-year shutdown, so we didnt know that the effects on the brain would be this pronounced after that short a period of stress, he added. It tracks with the mental health difficulties that were seeing.

What isnt clear, he said, is whether the brain changes will have an impact later in life. The research team plans to scan the same kids later to track their brain development. There is a chance that their brain changes could have just been an immediate response to a stressor that will normalize over time, he said.

The team also plans to look at the 10 children in the study who had Covid-19 to see whether there is a different effect. The physical differences seem to be a little more pronounced in the children who had Covid, Gotlib said.

Dr. Max Wiznitzer, diversion chief of pediatric neurology at UH Rainbow Babies & Childrens Hospital, said the changes in the brain were interesting, but whats important is whether the mental health problems persist.

The anatomy is not important. Its the functionality thats important, said Wiznitzer, who wasnt involved in the research. The clinical consequence here is the functional impact, the mental health condition clinically and how its functioning and how you deal with it.

With appropriate mental health interventions, problems like anxiety or depression can be managed. The brain has that capacity for reorganization or call it improvement, if you will, Wiznitzer added.

Gotlib hopes parents and guardians keep in mind that although lockdowns and school closures may be over, the mental health consequences may be lingering.

Be sure that your adolescent or your teen is getting any help that he or she, that they, might need if theyre experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety or being withdrawn.

The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

See more here:
Teens brains aged faster during the first year of the pandemic, study says, and stress may be to blame - WTOP

Mens Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. We update when possible, but deals expire and prices can change. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.Questions? Reach us at shop@mensjournal.com.

We all want to be in the best shape possible. Who wouldnt want to look like the celebrities adorning all our screens? But it isnt easy to get into that kind of shape without their kinda resources. Things like personal chefs and personal trainers and nutritionists taking care of their every needs.

Most of us cant have all of that in our lives. But you dont have to. Personal trainer and nutritionist Daniel Stransky feels like you can feel comfortable in your skin without all that high-end help. As he says, Even though celebrities do have access to some resources that we dont, the truth is that there are some simple things you can do with your personal nutrition to achieve Celebrity Transformation level results without the celebrity trainer, private chef, exclusive gym membership or even top-notch plastic surgeon.

Check out the 5 tips he has laid out to help you get into the kinda shape you want below:

1. Eat More Protein

You dont want to lose muscle as you lose weight. Thats one of the reasons why you need to eat more protein. But protein is also the most satiating macronutrient, so you wont be hungry too soon after eating. By eating more protein, you dont drastically reduce your caloric intake while keeping yourself fuller for longer while keeping your muscle mass from decreasing.

2. Reduce Alcohol Intake

It should come as no surprise to know that alcohol is not good for the body. But what you may not know is that ingesting alcohol means your body is gonna prioritize the metabolization of alcohol over the other nutrients you have ingested that day. By doing that, it is more likely those nutrients will be stored as fat. Not the best for losing weight.

3. Schedule Your Meals

Scheduling your meals will help keep you from snacking. It adds a routine to your life thatll help you not overeat. If you dont know when youre gonna eat next, you tend to overeat. This way, all of that goes out the window. Predictability helps out in a big way when it comes to losing weight.

4. Learn To Read Nutritional Facts

If you can learn to read nutritional facts, you will have a much easier time burning more calories during the day than you ingest. Everyone has a different nutritional puzzle, so being able to put it together to help yourself lose weight is ideal. Track your calories, track your weight loss.

5. Dont Cut Calories Too Drastically

People tend to overdo it when they try to lose weight. They try to cut too many calories at once. But that isnt good in the long haul. It messes up the metabolism and can end up in the weight that is lost coming back due to swinging back in the opposite direction on the pendulum.

Check out the Daily Deals over at Amazon

For any questions or concerns you have about the Coronavirus, head on over to the CDC

Check out the great products and gear we recommend to Mens Journal readers

Check out all the Mens Journal deals at Zappos

Related Links

Mens Journal Stocking Stuffers Gift Guide 2022

Mens Journal Under $50 But Looks More Expensive Gift Guide

Mens Journal Picks: Gifts for Him

Mens Journal Under $25 But Looks More Expensive Gift Guide 2022

Mens Journal Gift Guide for Men 2022

MJ Editors Favorite Products We Reviewed Gift Guide 2022

Mens Journal Gift Guide for Women 2022

The Best Splurge Worthy Fitness Gifts Guide 2022

Gift Guide for People Who Dont Want Anything 2022

Mens Journal Gift Guide for Single Men 2022

Gift Guide For Dads, Granddads, and Husbands 2022

MJ Gift Guide for Moms, Wifes, and Grandmothers 2022

Mens Journal Apparel Gift Guide 2022

Mens Journal Outdoor Enthusiast Gift Guide 2022

Wellness Gifts For Health Conscious Men Gift Guide 2022

Mens Journal Sentimental Gift Guide 2022

Mens Journal Fitness Gift Gift Guide 2022

See the original post here:
Use These Nutrition Tips to Get in Shape Without A Celebrity Trainer - Men's Journal

Maintain your health by consuming these foods that combat harmful side effect of air pollution. Pic Credit: Freepik

5 healthy foods to boost immunity against pollution

Broccoli

Sulforaphane, an anti-carcinogenic substance found in broccoli, aids in the body's excretion of benzene, a powerful carcinogen belonging to the group of air pollutants known as volatile organic compounds (cancer-causing substance). Additionally, broccoli has a lot of vitamin C, antioxidants and beta-carotene which makes it a good choice for boosting immunity.

Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds contain Omega-3 fatty acids and phytoestrogens which helps in reducing the impact of smog. It is also capable of protecting the cardiovascular system.

Amla

Turmeric

Curcumin, a miraculous substance found in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory qualities and prevents inflammation in the lungs. Simply put, this indicates that taking turmeric will protect the lungs from the harmful effects of air pollutants.

Tomatoes

This red, juicy vegetable is abundant in antioxidants Vitamin C, lycopene, and beta-carotene, which assist to lessen inflammatory responses in the lungs. Additionally, beta-carotene slows down ageing. As a result, they effectively counteract the effects of air pollution and also give your skin a healthy glow.

Found this article useful? Let us know @ZoomTv!

Read more here:
Include these 5 foods in your meal plan to curb the harmful side effects of pollution - Zoom TV

The funding will support 24 research projects at seven institutions in Alabama.

The funding will support 24 research projects at seven institutions in Alabama.The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama today announced a total investment of $1,275,000 in Alabama-based breast cancer research in 2022. Grants fund 24 research projects at seven institutions across the state, including the ONeal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Auburn University, CerFlux, the Mitchell Cancer Institute at the University of South Alabama, Tuskegee University, the University of Alabama, and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. This years grant awards increase the BCRFAs lifetime investment total to nearly $14 million since 1996.

With this years historic investment in research, the BCRFA is proud to continue our legacy of driving breast cancer breakthroughs across Alabama, said Beth Davis, BCRFA president and CEO. From advances in early detection to treatment options, BCRFA-funded research is giving hope to the countless individuals touched by breast cancer and ultimately saving lives.

BCRFA dollars function as seed funding for early-stage studies, allowing researchers to generate the additional data needed to attract major national funding. Many BCRFA-funded projects have later received multimillion-dollar national grants from the National Institutes of Health and others.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama has made remarkable investments in cancer research in our state, in particular by funding investigators and projects with significant potential to improve cancer outcomes, said Barry P. Sleckman, M.D., Ph.D., director of the ONeal Comprehensive Cancer Center. The BCRFA has been an incredible partner, and we are grateful for their support.

The 2022 grantees include:

Alexei F. Kisselev, M.D., Highly Active Liposomal Formulation of Proteasome Inhibitor Carfilzomib for the Treatment of TNBC

Robert D. Arnold, Ph.D., (Auburn University) and Yuping Bao, Ph.D., (University of Alabama): Carrier-Free Quercetin Nanoparticles for Overcoming Breast Cancer Drug Resistance

Karim Budhwani, Ph.D., and Chelsea Crawford, Ph.D., Getting the Right Treatment to the Right Patient by Matching Regimens to Patient Biopsy Before Treatment

Sara Cooper, Ph.D., Inherited Breast Cancer Risk Screening and Education Historically Black Colleges and Universities Expansion

Deepa Bedi, M.D., Ph.D., Cancer Genomic Study to Characterize Genetic and Epigenetic Diversity of Immune Landscape in Triple Negative Breast Cancer in Women of African Ethnicity

Rita Aneja, M.D., Evaluating Associations of Rurality and Neighborhood Disadvantage with Racial Disparities in Breast Cancer Mortality Among Women in the State of Alabama

Smita Bhatia, M.D., Predicting the Risk of Heart Failure in Breast Cancer Survivors

James Bibb, Ph.D., and Tika Benveniste, Ph.D.: Cellular and Molecular Basis of the Neurological Effects of Chemotherapy

Anindya Dutta, Ph.D., FAM129B/NIBAN2 as a Biomarker for Therapy with NRF2 Inhibitors

Blake Eason Hildreth, III, Ph.D., Targeting CSF1R/PU.1 Signaling and PU.1 Superenhancer Regulation in Tumor Progression Across Breast Cancer Subtypes

Katia Khoury, M.D., Phase II Single Arm Trial of Low Dose Capecitabine in Patients with Advanced Breast Cancer

Jianmei Leavenworth, M.D., Ph.D., Hijacking Axonogenesis to Promote Breast Cancer by a Subset of Regulatory T Cells

Catherine Parker, M.D., Research Support for Breast Surgical Fellowship

Amr Rafat: Elucidating the Effects of Hypoxia on Ribosome Biogenesis in Breast Cancer

Bin Ren, M.D., Ph.D., and Lizhong Wang, M.D., Ph.D., Unique Arteriolar Niche in Expansion of Breast Cancer Stem Cells for Metastasis

Rajeev Samant, Ph.D., Identification of HIF-1a Interactors in the Nucleolus of Breast Cancer Cells

Lalita Shevde, Ph.D., A Novel Clinically Actionable Approach to Disable Resurgence and Metastasis of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Keshav Singh, Ph.D., Intercellular Mitochondrial Trafficking as a Novel Mechanism in Breast Cancer Progression and Metastasis

Jia Xu, Ph.D., Developing Novel AKT Degrader to Selectively Inhibit the Growth of PI3K/AKT/PTEN Pathway Mutant Breast Cancer

Eddy Yang, M.D., and Zhuo Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., RNF2 Ablation Stimulates Durable NK-CD4+ T Cell-Dependent Anti-Tumor Immunity

Chao Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., Chronic Stress-Regulated Tumor-Neuroimmune Network in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Debanjan Chakroborty, Ph.D., WNK1, A Novel Regulator of Metastatic Breast Cancer

Luis del Pozo-Yauner, M.D., Ph.D., Contribution of PERK+ Polyploid Giant Cancer Cells in the Ethnic Disparity of Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Seema Singh, Ph.D., Influence of Stress on Immune Landscape and Spatial Heterogeneity of Breast Cancer

Go here to read the rest:
Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama announces $1.275 million investment in Alabama-based breast cancer research - University of Alabama at...

In this article, we will take a look at 15 good stocks to buy. If you want to see more good stocks to buy, go directly to 5 Good Stocks to Invest in Right Now.

A good stock to buy is a stock of a strong company that can grow earnings in the future.

Although a good stock to buy might decline in the near term, there would be a good chance that the good stock to buy would be higher in the long term given the company's normalized earnings potential and its competitive advantages. Ideally a good stock to buy would trade for a fair or attractive valuation.

Many good stocks to buy have historically been leading blue chips that have increased their earnings per share over time. Many of the same stocks make it to the Dividend Aristocrats list where the company has increased its annual dividend for 25 years or more. Many good stocks to buy also return capital back to shareholders through share repurchases. Good stocks to buy are generally less volatile than the general market although there can be exceptions.

Given that the Federal Reserve has increased interest rates significantly this year, the broader market has declined substantially with the S&P 500 down 15% year to date and the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 6% year to date. Many stocks, including good stocks to buy, have also declined substantially as well. As a result, some blue chips with competitive advantages trade for fairly attractive valuations if the economy can grow as expected.

Recently, stocks have increased due to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's comments that the Federal Reserve might increase interest rates at a slower pace.

Nevertheless, Powell also said the central bank will still raise rates until it defeats inflation. He added, "Despite some promising developments, we have a long way to go in restoring price stability."

If economic data fails to meet expectations, the good stocks to buy could decline even further. Given the uncertainty, it could be a good idea for long term investors to own a well diversified portfolio of stocks across many different sectors.

Story continues

Trump International Hotel & Tower, New York City

benjamin-suter-Issa_lRkr0o-unsplash

Methodology

For our list of 15 Good Stocks to Invest in Right Now, we picked 15 companies with the right mix of scale, competitive advantages, and earnings growth potential.

We then ranked them based on the number of hedge funds in our database that owned shares of the same stocks at the end of Q3 2022.

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 40

International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) is a leading tech company that provides infrastructure, software and consulting services for clients as they pursue a digital transformation for their businesses. In terms of the future, International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) has a goal to eventually build quantum-centric supercomputers that are substantially faster than today's computers for some applications. In Q3, International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) reported adjusted EPS of $1.81 on revenue of $14.1 billion versus the consensus of $1.77 on revenue of $13.51 billion. International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) ranks #15 on our list of good stocks to buy.

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 53

Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE:HON) is a leading specialty industrial machinery conglomerate whose shares have trended higher in the long term given the strength of the company's businesses. Although the S&P 500 is down 15% year to date, Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE:HON) stock is up 5.1% in 2022. On December 1, Julian Mitchell of Barclays raised his price target to $229 from $212 and kept an 'Overweight' rating on Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE:HON).

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 53

Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) is a leading defense contractor that makes the F-22 and F-35. Given the growth in military spending over the years, demand for the latest and greatest defense airplanes has never been higher. With a stock price of over $483 per share, Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) stock price is near an all time high as well. If Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) can maintain its technological leadership, the company has more growth in the future.

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 53

McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD) has rallied from around $100 per share in 2015 to $273.4 on December 1, 2021 given the growth in the company's earnings per share. Although the stock isn't cheap with a forward P/E ratio of 26.14, bulls think the company's same store sales will continue to increase despite the weakening macro environment. Out of the 920 hedge funds in our database, 53 owned shares of McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD) at the end of Q3 2022, ranking the company #12 on our list of good stocks to buy.

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 53

Based on its past history over the last 10 years, General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) hasn't been a good investment given the struggles at GE Capital and the pandemic affecting aerospace companies. Nevertheless, it seems that General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) has a chance to be a solid stock for the future given the company is more of a leading industrial. Although there could still be downside if there is a recession or if aerospace slows further, General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) has long term potential given its normalized earnings power.

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 68

Leading retailer Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) ranks among the potential good stocks to buy given its substantial scale and earnings power. Despite the inflation headwind, analysts think Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) will earn $6.04 per share in 2023 and $6.59 per share in 2024. Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) shares also have a dividend yield of around 1.46%.

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 69

Given the inflation headwind, shares ofThe Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) stock have fallen 8.4% year to date. Nevertheless,The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) has many leading consumer product brands that could rebound if the Federal Reserve wins its battle against inflation. In terms of Wall Street, analysts think The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) will overcome its headwinds with expected EPS of $5.81 for 2023, $6.23 for 2024 and $6.73 for 2025.

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 75

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) is a pharmaceutical giant whose shares have surged over 36% year to date to near an all time high. Analysts expect substantial earnings growth in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY)'s future with Wall Street expecting EPS of $7.80 in 2022, $9.17 in 2023, and $12.20 in 2024. 75 hedge funds in our database owned shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY), ranking the company #8 on our list of 15 Good Stocks to Invest in Right Now.

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 85

Healthcare conglomerate Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) ranks among the potential good stocks to buy given its substantial normalized earnings power and its forward P/E ratio of 17.24. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) has a strong history of increasing its dividend and returning capital back to shareholders. Furthermore, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is held by many smart money funds with 85 hedge funds in our database holding shares at the end of Q3 2022.

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 110

Megabank JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) ranks #6 on our list of 15 Good Stocks to Invest in Right Now given 110 hedge funds in our database held shares at the end of Q3 2022. Although the company's earnings might not meet expectations next year if there is a recession, analysts believe JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) will grow its EPS in the long term given its growing market share and its earnings power.

Vltava Fund commented onJPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) in a Q3 2022 investor letter,

We regard JPM to be the strongest and best- managed bank in the world. It is a leader in investment banking, commercial banking, credit cards, and asset management. Its size (the largest bank in the USA, with nearly USD 4,000 billion in assets) and diversification give it a strong competitive advantage that is compounded by its cost advantages and the high costs to clients associated with switching banks. JPMs management prides itself on running the only large bank to avoid major instability over the long term. JP Morgans quality and strength first became fully evident in 2008 under the leadership of its CEO Jamie Dimon. Not only did JP Morgan help to stabilize the market by taking over the failing Bear Stearns in the spring of that year, but throughout the Great Financial Crisis it was the only big US bank that did not require government assistance and it was highly profitable even in the difficult year of 2008. A well-functioning and efficient bank can be a very good long-term investment, because the interest compounding effect works well here. JPMs return on equity (ROE) is well into the double digits and this puts it in a good position to continue producing better long-term returns than does the market. JPM has been very profitable even during years when interest rates were close to zero. The current and perhaps not temporary return to somewhat more normal, higher interest rates should have a significantly positive impact on the banks interest income and overall profitability.

Click to continue reading and see 5 Good Stocks to Invest in Right Now.

Suggested articles:

Disclosure: None. 15 Good Stocks to Invest in Right Now isoriginally published on Insider Monkey.

See original here:
15 Good Stocks to Invest in Right Now - Yahoo Finance

Since the 2013 announcement of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, worries of Chinese economic imperialism through funding development projects have continued to inform Western opinions of China-Africa relations. In 2020, Zambia became the first post-COVID African state to default on its Eurobonds, eliciting renewed concern about Chinese debt-trap diplomacy. The fact that Chinese firms comprise one-eighth of the continents industrial output is enough to question the equality of the China-Africa relationship. Yet, despite China holding US$153 billion in African loans, the idea that China actively designs loans for national benefit assumes a perfectly calculated conspiracy to induce debt that simply does not exist in Chinese investment in Africa. Closer examination of the Zambian debt crisis, one of the more extreme examples of debt to China, reveals how a lack of development drives African loans, with chronic mismanagement by both China and Zambia creating todays crisis.

That is not to say that Chinas aid to Africa occurs out of benevolence. Chinas historical incentives for engaging with Africa cannot be ignored. After a period of isolation due to the Korean War, China sought economic and political connections with Africa, importing raw materials in exchange for greater ownership of their production. In Zambia, the copper mining industry represents 80 percent of economic production, but the collapse in copper prices in the 1970s led to the sale of Zambia Consolidated Copper Mine (ZCCM) to foreign companies like the China Nonferrous Mining Company (CNMC). The acquisition of 85 percent of the Luanshya and Chambishi mines, along with the Chinese Jinchuan Mining Groups 51 percent majority share in Zambias only nickel mine, further deepened Chinas profit control over Zambias economy. Furthermore, Chinas 2006 creation of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) formalized Chinese development of Africa by pledging further aid. The implications of this organization are insidious. The Brookings Institute notes that FOCACs recent 2035 Vision conference shares the same goals of international investment and development as the China 2035 Vision conference, in addition to the same timeline of achieving modernization by 2035. Considering the promise of US$60 billion by 2035, FOCACs existence clearly reveals how China sees global development as the key to domestic growth. Chinese ownership of the mining industry and the process of providing loans clearly illuminates Chinas structural dominance in this relationship.

Western critics blame Chinese abuse of their power for Zambias economic woes. Indeed, Chinese labor standards have come under fire for creating poor conditions for African workers. As of 2010, Zambian wages cost China just 0.093 percent of gross income and health regulations have been criticized for threatening workers with longer hours and greater exposure to acid noxious fumes and dust than what is allowed by Zambian law. The root of these problems appears to be Chinas ignorance of international standards of practice, but Chinas unchallenged power clearly underlies the neglect of labor rights. A concerning corollary of this control appeared in the 2006 Chambishi riots, where Zambian workers protested a 2005 mining explosion that killed 46 workers in a CNMC mine. Instead of recognizing Zambian demands for improved safety measures and healthcare, Chinese managers shot six protestors. The failure to provide potable water, higher wages, and protective equipment against silicosis stings particularly strongly considering Chinas willingness to spend US$350 million on the new Chambishi Copper Smelter with computerized technology (HRW). Chinas ignorance of cultural differences and unjust treatment of local workers reveals how China profits off of Zambian suffering.

Yet, this convenient narrative of Chinese neocolonialism falls apart upon analysis of the debt crisis seemingly driving Zambian dependence on China and labor problems. Zambia has the highest number of Chinese lenders of all African states, and China owns 69 percent of the construction industry. However, Chinese debt only represents 17.6 percent of total external debt payments, showing that Zambian responses to foreign investment in general need reform. African leaders are also complicit in the accumulation of Chinese development loans through electoral incentives. As Ching Kwan Lee explains, politicians frequently receive kickbacks and votes for agreeing to development deals, with President Edgar Lungu raising borrowing from China during a copper price collapse. More fundamentally, Zambian citizens do seek to benefit from development, with officials stating that we want to borrow for infrastructure and the people desiring improved road, energy, and digital infrastructure. The historical lack of African development, fueled by European colonialism, led to Zambias lack of economic diversity and poor infrastructure, creating the desire to compensate with hyper-development. A 2012 Zambian report found that the public has totally unrealistic expectations that all roads should ultimately be paved, and Lungus Link Zambia 8000 plan for paved roads led the government to take a US$287 billion loan from Chinese Eximbank. With US$863 billion of road development planned in 2020, the Zambian publics sense of entitlement to modern infrastructure and the governments willingness to indulge them clearly contribute to the countrys debt crisis. In their quest for infrastructure, the Zambian government violated existing regulations on foreign direct investment, with increasingly centralized decision-making leading to the President and the Minister of Finance directly signing contracts without the parliaments approval. Yet the fact that no other countries agreed to finance these projects suggests that the global neglect of African development leaves countries like Zambia with few options in the fight for better infrastructure.

Despite the massive number of Chinese lenders supporting the road debt crisis, Zambias energy industry lacks this predatory investment. Only the Chinese Sinohydro emerged as the contractor for the Kafue Gorge Project and 76 percent of energy contracts, and only four new power plants have been implemented since 1977. This single company deal suggests that China does not actually hope to gain Zambian assets through debt in the energy sector. More broadly, these differences in behavior show that claims of Chinese economic imperialism cannot be generalized. In fact, Chinas economic support has, at times, benefitted Zambia. China-Africa Cotton, Chinas cotton firm, has created contracts with more than 100,000 farmers in Malawi and Zambia, funding training trips to transfer knowledge to Zambian cotton managers. During the 2008 recession, around 100,000 Zambians lost their jobs when Western mining companies reduced and even closed production, but CNMC stayed and even gave US$10 million to Zambias Non-ferrous Company-Africa, thus preserving the industry. More broadly, studies have found that Chinese investment in Africa increases business density and fosters entrepreneurship in 38 countries including Zambia. More recently, Chinese telecommunications company Huawei has provided Wi-Fi and digital interconnectivity in 40 African countries, loaning US$280 million to build 808 telecommunication towers. Given that 60 percent of the African public views Chinas investments favorably, Chinas investment clearly provides more than just economic exploitation.

Regardless of the harms or benefits of certain Chinese investments, what is clear is that China cannot possibly and does not perfectly craft each deal with Zambia to their benefit. Loan proposals must be accepted by Chinas export credit insurance agency Sinosure, industry associations, and the Ministry of Commerce, resulting in significant pressure from this bureaucratic machine on African governments to accept without reservations. This rapid acceptance leads to poorly planned projects that quickly fail, thus wasting Chinese capital and hurting their image in African nations. The consequences of these failures led to China canceling US$158 million in Zambian debt in 2006, eventually resulting in a US$392 million write-off. While the Chinese approval process contributes to these write-offs, the issue of Zambian trust that China will continue to write off debt, in addition to their unrealistic development goals, is ultimately responsible for the decades of debt accumulation and write-offs.

Zambia, with the second-most Chinese lenders and the greatest amount of write-offs, remains an outlier in the grand scheme of China-African relations. Yet, the underlying causes of the debt crisis reveal the complexity of mistakes by both the Zambian and Chinese governments in regulating development. China certainly cares about the optics of its economic power in Zambia. A Chinese manager of a mining company justified their continued presence during the 2008 economic crisis by wondering, if we cut production what will the Zambian people think of us?, suggesting that China aims to maintain a narrative of aiding countries neglected by the West. But, contrary to Western complaints, Chinas job creation and infrastructure development is clearly valuable to Zambias government and people. What, then, is the path forward in preventing further debt accumulation and improving China-Zambia relations?

The dual problems of centralized decision-making and poor regulation of Chinese investment can be addressed by strengthening the Zambian parliaments ability to enforce regulations. While corruption may be difficult to root out, the national government can develop strategic commissions similar to the African Unions Partnerships Coordination and Interactive Platform (AU-PCIP), which oversees partnerships with other countries. Greater scrutiny of Chinese investment plans will enable Zambia and its African neighbors to avoid extravagant and exploitative interactions, pushing back on FOCAC and domestic pressures. Given Chinas economic and political incentives for continuing to invest in Zambia, Zambian reassessment of priorities is unlikely to lead to a sudden dearth of development. And while total economic independence seems unlikely in the near future, Zambia can at least work towards greater equality in loan agreements with China to slowly regain control of its mining industries and escape the cycle of debt.

Indeed, progress has already been made. In 2020, the G-20s Common Framework created a mechanism for African countries deep in debt to receive IMF loans in exchange for promises of debt restructuring. Zambia, led by new president Hakainde Hichilema, accepted a US$1.4 billion loan in the hopes of restructuring the economy through cuts to fuel and electricity subsidies worth about US$800 million a year. These economic reforms, in conjunction with improved transparency to creditors about the extent of Zambias debt, have reduced inflation from 24.4 percent to 9.4 percent and committed new investors like Canadas First Quantum Minerals to expand copper production. Yet, with South Africa being the only African member in the G-20 and just Zambia and two other countries using the Common Framework, historical distrust of richer nations and a lack of representation in deciding the terms of restructuring casts doubt on the future of debt restructuring in Africa. Zambias path to economic redemption, in which domestic and international reforms proceed in sync, may become the exception rather than the new norm for African countries seeking economic relief from the burden of debt and the persistent threat of economic neocolonialism from both East and West.

Go here to read the rest:
Chinese Investment in Africa: A Reexamination of the Zambian Debt Crisis - Harvard International Review

The first years of the 2020s have forced the United States to contend with a litany of major issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic, digital disruptions, climate change, racial and gender divides, and the continuing need for more middle-class jobs. But they have also ushered in a period of bold, urgent responses. Across the federal government, agencies are launching larger-scale, more in-depth initiatives for accelerating innovation, optimizing supply chains, mitigating climate change, and addressing demographic and geographic inequities.

An important part of this response is the surge of programs using place-based, challenge-oriented designs to generate experiments with the potential to fix the nations largest problems, as displayed first by the Economic Development Administrations (EDA) $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC).

These experiments see federal agency leaders mobilizing regional networks, building collaborative financing approaches, and aligning it all with the nations most urgent priorities. They are also piloting a new era of national problem-solving across geographies and in service of economic inclusion.

Specifically, the BBBRC provides five-year grants ranging from $25 million to $65 million across 21 competitively selected regions. These investments will support the local development of nationally critical technology clusters, and attempt to do so in ways that deliver economic opportunity to traditionally underserved people and communities.

In that context, it is well worth the effort to study the initial blueprint of early programs like the BBBRC, with an eye toward extracting guidance for the $77 billion in new place-based programmatic investments in the coming years. In a Brookings report published earlier this month, we distilled six key policy design features that inform this new era of place-based economic policymaking:

The BBBRC represents the early stages of a major federal investment agenda to create better, more accessible jobs in the nations regional economies. In addition to the EDAs efforts, there are tens of billions of dollars in other new place-based programs inside the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. As federal leaders design those programs and regional and state leaders seek their funding, we hope this initial analysis proves useful in undertaking such critical work.

This report was prepared by Brookings Metro using federal funds under award ED22HDQ3070081 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

View post:
Six keys to unlocking a new era of place-based federal investment - Brookings Institution

Though higher education has historically been a reliable economic engine for individuals and the economy, college insiders have long failed to convey the industrys value to students, parents, employers and policy makers who question the investment, Kathleen Ives and Deborah Seymour argue in their new book, Using ROI for Strategic Planning of Online Education. Online learning has potential to provide access and optimal course pacing and content to students with time, geographic or medical constraints. But many continue to view it with a critical eye.

At the same time, the shift from emergency remote teaching in the early pandemic has morphed into innovation and investment in online teaching and learning. Many have since discovered an interest in understanding online learnings return on investment.

Inside Higher Ed recently asked Ives and Seymour about why analyzing return on investment is uncomfortable for many in higher education, the gap between students and college leaders understanding of return on investment, and how ed-tech companies are bringing the notion of return on investment into focus for college leaders. What follows is an edited and condensed version of this email conversation.

Q: Kathleen, you argue that implementing a return-on-investment analysis in online higher education will entail making significant cultural, policy and processes changes. What are some of these changes that need to happen, and how will we recognize progress?

Ives: Historically, colleges have seen themselves as mission-driven, which means that measuring return on investment can be culturally uncomfortable. Colleges may fear that a business perspective could undermine their values and turn them into degree mills. At the same time, colleges are facing increased competition from both inside and outside of academe. Reversing this only-mission-driven mind-set will require a cultural shift in which students are treated as customers. Satisfying the customer is critical to survival, or they will go elsewhere.

As higher education costs and student debt mount, policy makers and others are questioning higher educations role in producing a workforce needed to sustain the economy. At the same time, college enrollments are declining, state governments are offering less support and employers are skeptical that college graduates possess appropriate skill sets. Policy makers could help colleges protect students, promote access and improve both institutional and student return on investment, without introducing regulations that curb innovation, according to the presidents interviewed in our book.

Colleges are navigating complex technological environments with limited resources. They typically have neither the operational infrastructure nor the embedded skill sets to institutionalize return on investment. By reviewing and adapting return-on-investment methodologies to inform decision-making, online college leaders can evaluate initiatives and work toward achieving their financial and social goals.

Online colleges will see progress when they adopt a return-on-investment mind-set. Such a mind-set may be new for many, and some may not be used to digesting or even requesting such analysis. But this books contributors argue that they should be brought along on the journey. To make return on investment a cornerstone of initiatives going forward, they need trainings on best practices and terminology. A return-on-investment mind-set will increase engagement in the decision-making process and make it easier for all to see its impact.

Q: A chapter in your book by Laurie Hillstock suggests that students and college leaders may have different perspectives on return on investment for online learning. Students consider a range of complex factorsincluding cost, type of degree, faculty-to-student ratios, connections with classmates, job placement and starting salaries. Meanwhile, many college leaders view online course delivery primarily as a means for increasing access to higher education. What steps can leaders take today to help bridge this gap?

A: As a start, leaders can acknowledge that learners differ in many ways. One universal method may not close the gap. Capturing and acting on students direct feedback will help. To do this, colleges need to be intentional about building trust and helping students feel heard. Formative assessments that, for example, request feedback may be more effective than online surveys.

Some students may feel more comfortable sharing with faculty, staff, peer mentors or other students than with college leaders. In such cases, be transparent with those with whom students feel most comfortable connecting. Then look for ways to work with and through them to capture authentic student feedback.

Remember, dont just collect student feedback. Be intentional about acting on the feedback. Share updates with students as well. Building authentic relationships takes time but is necessary for student success.

Q: Deborah, you note that innovative investors and entrepreneurial venturessuch as ed-tech companies, online program managers, venture capital firms and pathway programsseek to stake a claim in the online higher education ecosystem. How have these institutions and companies brought the notion of return on investment into focus for college leaders and students?

Seymour: More and more, employers are hiring candidates for their technical skill sets rather than for their ability to communicate. Boot-camp training programs at Apple, Microsoft, Google and others, as well as pathway programs, focus on the competencies and skills employers say are necessary to fill existing technical skills gaps. Many students learn to code to get a job instead of pursuing a two- or four-year degree.

As a result, many colleges have been forced to look at their strategy and balance sheets differently. Whats the return on investment for an individual who chooses a degree over technical skills training? That question can no longer be ignored.

Q: The collection of articles in your book makes a strong case that leaders should pay more attention to return-on-investment analysis in online education. But one of the articles by David Schejbal argues that higher education institutions would be well served to resist the urge to fit online education into a narrow return-on-investment box to justify its worth. Does a holistic, online higher ed return-on-investment spreadsheet exist that can measure nonfinancial benefits such as an educated populace, research, individual enrichment and community improvement?

A: To our knowledge, no actual spreadsheet exists. But David Schejbal explains why college access is important beyond employment rates and the economy. When more people are educated beyond the secondary level, citizens are more active in public life, crime rates are lower and life expectancy increases.

When a college wishes to offer an online program, return-on-investment planning includes market research to determine concrete, monetary benefits to both the student and the institution. But colleges will also want to align their online programs with their social missions. (This is alluded to in the chapter by Leah Matthews on online education and accreditation.) That means social factors in a campus-based program in, say, nursing, must be included in online nursing programs, as well.

Q: What did you learn about return on investment for online learning from putting together this book that you did not fully understand before you started?

Seymour: When a face-to-face course is originally developed, many colleges do not consider the cost of converting it to an online course that is compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act. In some cases, these conversion costs are higher than the original cost of development. Also, these costs are often not included in the course design nor the prices that online program managers charge when developing courses for colleges. That means the risk of noncompliance is passed along to the institution. Hidden costs like these on an institutions balance sheet can produce significant opportunity costs.

Online programs face many external challenges, including doubt about their worth. College leaders may have more success by first addressing their institutions internal challenges. To do this, they should engage strategy and planning experts to ensure that oversights do not threaten program continuity.

Ives: Return on investment in online higher education has moved beyond the singular metric of student earning potential. It is not solely or even necessarily a performance measure gauging investment efficiency as typically measured by corporations, investors and entrepreneurs. Also, what works for one colleges mission and vision may not work for another institution.

Many methodologies are available to assess return on investment, and many institutional leaders are serious about measuring value as compared to cost, specifically with regard to students and institutional mission. Many are pursuing nuanced return-on-investment analyses, depending on their definitions of success.

Many of the presidents told us the pandemic fast-forwarded some plans to optimize their return-on-investment initiatives. As Keith Miller, president of Greenville Technical College, put it, ROI may even increase because we have learned so much.

See the rest here:
Analyzing the return on investment for online education - Inside Higher Ed