12/29 SUSAN ZIRINSKY, 48 HOURS THE SECRETS OF WACO, KAITLYN CARL, GRUBHUB TRENDS EXPERT

SUSAN ZIRINSKY –  “48 HOURS” REVEALS NEW DETAILS IN THE WACO, TEXAS STANDOFF AS 25TH ANNIVERSARY NEARS, IN “THE SECRETS OF WACO”

IN HIS FIRST INTERVIEW EVER, A RETIRED UPS DRIVER TELLS “48 HOURS” HE UNWITTINGLY DELIVERED MILITARY GRADE GUNS AND AMMUNITION TO BRANCH DAVIDIAN CULT LEADER DAVID KORESH 

In his first interview ever, a retired Texas United Parcel Service (UPS) driver reveals to 48 HOURS that he unwittingly delivered large boxes of military grade guns and ammunition to Branch Davidian cult leader David Koresh in the months and weeks before the siege that would capture the attention of the world in 1993. Now, as the 25thanniversary of the standoff nears, Peter Van Sant and 48 HOURS investigate the cult and what led to a deadly 51-day siege, in “The Secrets of Waco.”

48 HOURS: “The Secrets of Waco” is produced by Josh Yager. Taigi Smith is the development producer. Emily Wichick is the field producer. Ken Blum, Phil Tangel and Mike Baluzy are the editors. Anthony Batson is the senior broadcast producer. Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor. Susan Zirinsky is the senior executive producer.


KAITLYN CARL, GRUBHUB TRENDS EXPERT - TOP 2017 DELIVERY TRENDS & PREDICTIONS OF THE TOP FOODS FOR 2018 

Grubhub, the nation's leading online and mobile food-ordering company, is releasing the results of its second annual 'Year In Delivery' trends analysis. The data identifies the trendiest delivery dishes of 2017, as well as the foods expected to rise in popularity in 2018.

12/28 SARAH JANSSEN, THE WORLD ALMANAC AND BOOK OF FACTS, JERRY ANDERSON, HEALTHY EATING FOR THE NEW YEAR

SARAH JANSSEN- SENIOR EDITOR, THE WORLD ALMANAC AND BOOK OF FACTS - THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION

THE WORLD ALMANAC® AND BOOK OF FACTS 2018

How does the Trump administration’s first year compare to those of past presidents? How do Harvey and Irma stack up against other historic hurricanes? While 2017 was a momentous year, its significant events will live on and gain context in The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2018, available in print and as an eBook for all platforms on December 5. The 150th anniversary edition of America’s best-selling reference book celebrates its illustrious history while keeping an eye on the future in order to be your go-to source for questions on any topic in the upcoming year.

New features include “150 Years of The World Almanac,” with highlights from its distinguished past and some old-fashioned “facts” illustrating how its defining mission has changed with the times; “World Almanac Editors' Picks: Greatest Single-Season Performances,” featuring athletes' best single-season runs; “Statistical Spotlight,” featuring infographics relevant to the biggest stories of the year; and “The Obama Presidency,” a recap of the policy achievements and challenges of the 44th U.S. president.

Favorite sections making their return include “Year in Sports,” “Top 10 News Topics,” “The World at a Glance,” “Time Capsule,” “Offbeat News Stories,” and “Historical Anniversaries.”

“For 150 years, The World Almanac and Book of Facts has remained a constant, authoritative source for people all around the globe,” said Sarah Janssen, senior editor of The World Almanac. “In this anniversary edition, we’ve included special features that look back on our proud history and key milestones from the past—along with additions that spotlight the past year’s developments. And with The World Almanac, you’ll take on 2018 with all of the information you’ll need in the year to come.”

WWW.WORLDALMANAC.COM


HEALTH EXPERT AND AUTHOR JERRY ANDERSON - HEALTHY EATING FOR THE NEW YEAR

Featured on CNN over 55 times! Leadership health expert and leadership health coach, Jerry L. Anderson is the leading health expert in his field. Author of the Leadership Diet. Mr. Natural Universe. Certified Personal Trainer. Health Coach Jerry's only goal is to improve your health. People want what Jerry offers: practical and proven health methods that produce results. Dedicated to improving your health for over 30 years. Your Health is the Foundation of Leadership.

My mission is simple. I want to help you improve your health. With three decades of experience helping people improve their health. I do this because I love producing results!

As a leadership health expert and health coach, I teach people practical and proven health methods that produce results. With simple and practical advice and the health systems that I have developed over the last thirty years, I help you improve your health.

12/27 LARRY LIPSON'S AFFORDABLE WINE REPORT, FOOD CRITIC MERRILL SHINDLER, HOW TO NOT OVERINDULGE DURING THE HOLIDAYS

LARRY LIPSON - THE AFFORDABLE WINE REPORT

For fifty years Larry Lipson was the food critic for the Los Angeles Daily News and now reports from Florida weekly with his thoughts and favorite picks for Food & Wine.  His lovely Wife Lillian is also on hand at the Lipson Institute for advanced wine studies.


FOOD CRITIC MERRILL SHINDLER - HOW TO NOT OVERINDULGE DURING THE HOLIDAYS AND HOW TO RECOVER WITHOUT LOSING YOUR MIND

Food critic/reviewer Merrill Shindler has written and spoken about his various oral fixations, both in America and abroad, for most of his adult life.  Beginning in the early ’70s as the Restaurant Critic for the San Francisco Bay Guardian (a position that led, inexplicably, to three years as Music Editor at Rolling Stone), he’s written about livin’ large as Restaurant Critic for San Francisco Magazine, and the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, along with covering the world of chow for the New York Times, Los Angeles Magazine, Travel & Leisure, Diversion, Food Arts, Food & Wine and Bon Appetit. Merrill Shindler has been editor of the Los Angeles Zagat Survey, host of Fine Living: Critics on the Fine Living Network, restaurant critic for the Copley and San Gabriel Valley Newspapers, and host of a weekly program on how much fun it is to put things in your mouth on KABC Radio.

WWW.MERRILLSHINDLER.COM

12/22 FOOD NETWORK CHEF DAMARIS PHILLIPS, SUSAN ZIRINSKY, 48 HOURS

FOOD NETWORK CHEF DAMARIS PHILLIPS - HER FIRST COOKBOOK, SOUTHERN GIRL MEETS VEGETARIAN BOY

Damaris Phillips is a southern chef in love with an ethical vegetarian. In Phillips's household, greens were made with pork, and it wasn’t Sunday without fried chicken. So she had to transform the way she cooks. In Southern Girl Meets Vegetarian Boy, Phillips shares 100 recipes that embody the modern Southern kitchen: food that retains all its historic comfort and flavor, but can now be enjoyed by vegetarians and meat-lovers alike.

The book features Phillips’s most cherished entrees from her childhood made both with and without meat: Chicken Fried Steak becomes Chicken Fried Seitan Steak. Loaded Potato and Bacon Soup is now Loaded Potato and Facon Soup. She gives down-home side dishes a makeover by removing meat, adding interna­tional spices, and updating cooking techniques, and offers soul-satisfying, irresistible desserts that triumph over the meat-eater-versus-vegetarian divide, every time. Phillips found a way to make Southern food that everyone can enjoy, wherever they are on their culinary journey.

WWW.DAMARISPHILLIPS.COM


SUSAN ZIRINSKY – EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, 48 HOURS 

ALL NEW
The Evidence Room
"48 Hours" goes behind the scenes with a defense team and cutting edge forensic animators as they strategize to defend a woman accused of murder. Tracy Smith investigates in a special two-hour edition of "48 Hours"

Susan Zirinsky is an American journalist and television news producer. She has been the executive producer of 48 Hours since 1996. She also produces breaking news specials for CBS News. She won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2002 for producing the documentary 9/11. In 2013, she was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Television & Film Awards.

WWW.CBSNEWS.COM/48-HOURS

12/21 GARY TAUBES, THE CASE AGAINST SUGAR, MICHELE DUPRE, TRENDS & PATTERNS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

GARY TAUBES - THE CASE AGAINST SUGAR 

From the best-selling author of Why We Get Fat, a groundbreaking, eye-opening exposé that makes the convincing case that sugar is the tobacco of the new millennium: backed by powerful lobbies, entrenched in our lives, and making us very sick.

THE CASE AGAINST SUGAR
Among Americans, diabetes is more prevalent today than ever; obesity is at epidemic proportions; nearly 10% of children are thought to have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. And sugar is at the root of these, and other, critical society-wide, health-related problems. With his signature command of both science and straight talk, Gary Taubes delves into Americans’ history with sugar: its uses as a preservative, as other critical society-wide, health-related problems. With his signature command an additive in cigarettes, the contemporary overuse of high-fructose corn syrup. He explains what research has shown about our addiction to sweets. He clarifi es the arguments against sugar, corrects misconceptions about the relationship between sugar and weight loss; and provides the perspective necessary to make informed decisions about sugar as individuals and as a society.


MICHELE DUPRE FROM VERIZON ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS - TRENDS & PATTERNS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON FOR BOTH CONSUMERS & RETAILER 

WHAT DOES HOLIDAY SHOPPING DATA SHOW FOR CONSUMERS AND RETAILERS IN THE RUN UP TO CHRISTMAS

Christmas is almost here, and we’re back with some real-time data just in from Verizon’s Holiday Retail Index. The data reveals major shifts in consumer buying habits throughout the holidays as well as predictions for the final week of shopping before Christmas. Recently, the Index provided data on signature dates like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Now, on December 19, we’ll get a timely update on the state of holiday spending and what that means for last-minute shoppers and retailers, and shopping predictions for Super Saturday on Dec. 23rd.

Each year, the Holiday Retail Index by Verizon monitors and tracks daily e-commerce traffic volume throughout the holiday season across Verizon’s broadband networks to the top 25 U.S.-based online retailers as identified by eMarketer based on annual revenue. On December 19th, Verizon’s Michele Dupre will discuss the retail data and insights on digital shopping activity and how the holiday season is wrapping up. We hope you’ll take advantage of this in-depth analysis of consumer shopping habits, and whether it will be a happy holiday for retailers and distributors.

12/20 LARRY LIPSON, AFFORDABLE WINE REPORT, JAMES BEARD AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR KAREN PAGE, KITCHEN CREATIVITY

LARRY LIPSON - THE AFFORDABLE WINE REPORT

For fifty years Larry Lipson was the food critic for the Los Angeles Daily News and now reports from Florida weekly with his thoughts and favorite picks for Food & Wine.  His lovely Wife Lillian is also on hand at the Lipson Institute for advanced wine studies.


JAMES BEARD AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR KAREN PAGE - NEW BOOK,  KITCHEN CREATIVITY: UNLOCKING CULINARY GENIUS—WITH WISDOM, INSPIRATION, AND IDEAS FROM THE WORLD’S MOST CREATIVE CHEFS 

KITCHEN CREATIVITY: Unlocking Culinary Genius—with Wisdom, Inspiration, and Ideas from the World’s Most Creative Chefs is filled with secrets and strategies from more than 100 leading culinary minds—including José Andrés, Dan Barber, Rick Bayless, Daniel Boulud, Amanda Cohen, Kyle Connaughton, Curtis Duffy, Emily Luchetti, Eric Ripert, Marcus Samuelsson, and Joshua Skenes. Beyond a cookbook, KITCHEN CREATIVITY is a guide to a more inventive and intuitive approach to cooking (without recipes!)—one that will inspire readers to think, improvise, and cook like the world’s best chefs.

Anyone who’s ever dreamed of walking into a kitchen and creating a dish from scratch, knowing exactly how to season it to perfection, will find the book’s three-stage process a godsend:
In Stage 1: Mastery, a cook copies the masters—their dishes, their techniques, their seasoning—to develop a knowledge and skill base. Here, Page recommends essential books for the chef’s library, explains the difference between enhancing flavor and adding flavor, lists trusted food sources for the best-quality ingredients, and demonstrates how to learn time-tested flavor pairings and affinities.

During Stage 2: Alchemy, a cook integrates and applies new knowledge and experience, converting ingredients and classic dishes into something fresh. This section overflows with examples of converted classic dishes, chefs’ sources of inspiration, and the thought process behind reinventions. Page also breaks down the principles behind the creation of individual flavors, especially those that contribute to the taste of familiar dishes, showing how to apply such principles to the invention of something new.

By Stage 3: Creativity, a cook connects and combines elements into a new creation. Page teaches you how to take a look at the cooking techniques you know, and the dishes you love, to play with different combinations and create dishes without recipes, using your informed imagination. You’ll also find countless proven techniques for enhancing creativity through both stimulation (including travel, reading, and dining out) and stillness (such as lowering brain wave frequencies via meditation and yoga).

The book’s A-to-Z section prompts starting points for creative inspiration, from flavor pairings for marijuana, to Damian Sansonetti’s idea of grinding Italian rice to make gluten-free gnocchi, to the dishes top chefs cook on Super Bowl Sunday. With only 1 in 10 Americans reportedly enjoying cooking today, this incredible treasure trove of information, featuring more than 275 four-color photographs, will inspire readers to fall in love all over again with the creativity and fun possible in the kitchen !

12/19 JEAN ARNOLD SESSIONS, SONOMA COUNTY VINTNERS, VP OF FRITO LAY, JEANNIE CHO, FAMILY TIME THAT COULD EARN YOU $250,000

JEAN ARNOLD SESSIONS - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SONOMA COUNTY VINTNERS - REGION UPDATE & 2018 SONOMA COUNTY BARREL AUCTION 

ABOUT SONOMA COUNTY VINTNERS
For More Than 70 years, Sonoma County Vintners Has Been the Leading Voice of Sonoma County Wine. Our 250+ members range in size from small, family-owned wineries to large-volume corporations. Collaboration is the cornerstone of our efforts, and our strategic partnerships have resulted in a broad spectrum of forward-thinking programs and events. We work closely with the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission and the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau to build the profile of Sonoma County as a distinctive grape-growing and wine-producing region. From informal winery tastings and tours to Sonoma County’s signature, charitable event, Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, our efforts shine the spotlight on Sonoma County as an internationally recognized wine region, and build a strong foundation for our successful global media strategy. Sonoma County is located an hour north of San Francisco, and is noted for its heritage of artisan winemaking, distinct growing regions and extraordinary quality.

SONOMAWINE.COM 

EXCITING NEW REASONS THE 2018 SONOMA COUNTY BARREL AUCTION IS A MUST ATTEND FOR WINE TRADE
REGISTRATION OPENS

After three consecutive years of record-breaking growth, the Sonoma County Vintners (SCV) expect to continue the upward momentum by introducing several exciting changes to the 4th Annual Sonoma County Barrel Auction (#SoCoBA) scheduled for April 20, 2018.  In addition to a new selection of “never before, never again” wines up for bid, the 2018 event will take place at MacMurray Estate Vineyards™, one of Russian River Valley’s most acclaimed Pinot Noir vineyards, and will follow the 10th Annual Sonoma Summit, rounding out what is certain to be an exciting week of education, networking and opportunity for licensed wine sellers.

Recognizing natural synergies, the 10th Annual Sonoma Summit has been rescheduled to take place April 16-18, just prior to the kick-off of the 2018 Sonoma County Barrel Auction activities. The event brings 36 of America’s top wine buyers and sommeliers to Sonoma County for a three-day immersion in Sonoma County wines.  The 2018 #SoCoBA festivities will follow on Thursday, April 19 with preview events and the live auction on Friday, April 20.

Deeply rooted in Sonoma County, the picturesque MacMurray Estate has been in agricultural production for over 150 years. Pinot Noir vines were first planted in 1996, marking a new beginning for the historic estate as a world-class vineyard. “We are so looking forward to hosting the Sonoma County Barrel Auction in April,” says Kate MacMurray. “Our guests will taste spectacular wines and delicious food, surrounded by our historic buildings, lush vineyards and our magnificent oaks and redwoods. It will be an unforgettable event.”

One of the nation’s most prominent wine trade events, the Sonoma County Barrel Auction is a live auction featuring one-of-a-kind wine futures for savvy trade professionals. The unique wine auction lots submitted from Sonoma County’s top vintners and evaluated by a Panel of Masters, represent the exceptional stylistic range and world-class quality of Sonoma County. Sonoma County Vintners’ celebrated a successful 2017 Sonoma County Barrel Auction this past spring, raising a record $794,500. To date, the auction has generated nearly $2 million in funds that support Sonoma County Vintners marketing initiatives and the county’s 17 diverse growing regions.

WWW.SONOMAWINE.COM/BARRELAUCTION

VP OF FRITO-LAY, JEANNIE CHO - LEARN ABOUT A SPIN ON FAMILY TIME THAT COULD EARN YOU $250,000 PLUS, WAYS TO SPARK CREATIVITY

FAMILIES THAT DREAM TOGETHER, INVENT TOGETHER!

We’ve all heard the saying, “A family that plays together stays together.”  Studies show that quality family time can help build self-esteem in children, develop positive behaviors and create happy memories.  What if spending more time together could strengthen family bonds and win your family an exciting prize?

Now, there is a chance for families across the country to dream BIG with the Dreamvention program. Frito-Lay Variety Packs is bringing its Dreamvention contest back for a second year, challenging families to work together on a great invention idea that may help solve an everyday problem. It is all about spending time with your loved ones and being creative.

Whatever your idea or source of inspiration, all ideas are good ideas and the next great invention, big or small, could be sparked in your family room! Not to mention, it could also earn you all $250,000.

12/18 FOOD NETWORK STAR TYLER FLORENCE, AWARD-WINNING DANCER AND BROADWAY STAR ALFONSO RIBEIRO, HOLIDAY DEALS & WRAP UPS

FOOD NETWORK STAR TYLER FLORENCE -  TALKS ABOUT THE NEWLY LAUNCHED APP TO REVOLUTIONIZE THE WAY WE EAT

INNIT LAUNCHES APP TO REVOLUTIONIZE THE WAY WE EAT!
The Innit App Helps Consumers Plan, Shop, Prepare, and Cook Delicious Meals Every Day

Food Network celebrity chef, Tyler Florence talks about the newly launched app that has killed recipes as we know them: Innit.

HERE ARE SOME OF INNIT'S STANDOUT FEATURES:
PERSONALIZED TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Innit recommends personalized meals based on your diet, allergies, and dislikes. Then it lets you easily customize elements of your meal.
CULINARY GPS FROM POINT A TO B
Innit offers personalized instructions and step-by-step video guidance that update in real-time with every customization you make—saving you precious time and energy.
CONNECTED APPLIANCES MAKE YOUR KITCHEN SMARTER
Innit connects with GE Appliances and Bosch with Home Connect technology to send custom instructions to ensure optimal cooking and notify you when your meal is ready.

The Innit app is now available for iOS in the Apple App Store. The official press release is below, along with links to b-roll and images for you to use. Consumers can download the Innit app for iOS in the Apple App Store.

WWW.INNIT.COM
WWW.TYLERFLORENCE.COM


ACTOR, AWARD-WINNING DANCER AND BROADWAY STAR ALFONSO RIBEIRO - HOLIDAY DEALS & WRAP UPS 

The holidays should be a time to relax and spend quality time with loved ones, but it can also be one of the most stressful times of year – from booking travel to getting the perfect gifts for friends and family to hosting big gatherings – the list never seems to end.

Alfonso Ribeiro is teaming up with Straight Talk Wireless, a no-contract wireless provider, to share his tips to power though the busy holiday season and tackle last minute shopping so he has more time to relax and spend time with his family.

Host, Actor, TV director, award-winning dancer, and Broadway star, Alfonso Ribeiro has spent more than 30 years leaving his unique mark on the worlds of television, theater and beyond. Audiences can currently see him as the host of America’s Funniest Home Videos which returns for Season 28 on October 8, 2017. Ribeiro began his career as a child actor, most notably on Broadway, playing the lead role in the Tony-winning musical The Tap Dance Kid. As news of Ribeiro’s dancing and singing skills spread, he was offered a recording contract with Island Records, for whom he released several dance/pop singles, as well as a spot in Michael Jackson’s 1984 Pepsi commercial. Ribeiro was then cast opposite Ricky Schroder in the long-running NBC sitcom Silver Spoons, making him an instant teen idol. After earning a Theater Arts education from Cal State University, Los Angeles, he was given the opportunity to choose a role on the established sitcom A Different World or a new pilot called The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Showing an adventurous streak, he chose the latter and created the memorable character of ‘Carlton Banks’ opposite another teen idol, Will Smith, for six seasons. Having grown up in front of the camera, Alfonso knew that opportunities existed behind the scenes, too. His impressive resume as a TV director includes popular programs like In The House, Shake It Up, Are We There Yet?, The Wannabes, “Meet The Browns, Cuts, Eve, One on One and All of Us. Ribeiro continued to make good use of his dancing skills in 2014, when he won the nineteenth season of Dancing with the Stars. After finishing in first place, he hosted the country-wide Dancing with the Stars tour. Alfonso is a passionate golf player and is currently a PGA TOUR Champions Ambassador. He resides in California with his wife and three children.

WWW.STRAIGHTTALK.COM

12/15 CAROLINE WRIGHT, CAKE MAGIC!, CLAUDIA LOMBANA, DNA TESTING MAKES FOR UNIQUE HOLIDAY GIFTS, STEVE EVANS THE MOVIE GUY

COOK, AUTHOR & FOOD STYLIST, CAROLINE WRIGHT - AUTHOR, CAKE MAGIC!: MIX & MATCH YOUR WAY TO 100 AMAZING COMBINATIONS

CAKE MAGIC!: MIX & MATCH YOUR WAY TO 100 AMAZING COMBINATIONS

There is a cake soulmate out there for every person and every moment, if you just know where to look. Take chocolate. A purist savors its pristine richness, yet for others chocolate is best enjoyed married with fresh mint, bourbon, caramel, coconut, chiles, or perhaps just a hint of salt. If cake is a canvas to paint our flavor fantasies upon, then a cookbook that treats its endless variations and delightful possibilities with the proper reverence is long overdue. 

Ingeniously applying a Choose Your Own Adventure–style methodology to the art of baking mouthwatering cakes for every taste, CAKE MAGIC! Mix & Match Your Way To 100 Amazing Combinations is an utterly new, highly-visual kind of cookbook that showcases beautiful color photos of every cake in the book to choose from in the front, followed by core recipes in the back. 

Introducing an innovative and remarkably easy new way to make 100 delectable, flavorful cakes, author Caroline Wright shares a simple five-ingredient homemade dry mix that forms the foundation for every cake in the book. From there, it’s just a matter of mixing and matching a batter, a flavoring syrup (the professional baker’s secret weapon that imbues the cake with additional flavor and moisture), a frosting, and the occasional topping. By following Wright’s mix-and-match method, it’s possible to introduce nearly endless changes on the same basic cake batter just by switching up the flavoring syrups and frostings. 

The cakes in this book are as simple as cakes get. The CAKE MAGIC! method makes baking a great cake possible for anyone. And, to ensure that everyone really is able to have their cake and eat it, too, Wright includes gluten-free and vegan variations for nearly every cake, syrup, and frosting in the book. She also shares indispensible tips on adapting the method to all pan shapes, measuring ingredients, making substitutions, troubleshooting wonky cakes, freezing baked cakes, and extremely simple frosting and decorating techniques. 

Armed with a plethora of delicious flavor adventures to choose from and easy-to-follow instructions for how to get there, the cake’s destination is up to you. CAKE MAGIC! just offers 100 great reasons to make the trip. 

WWW.CAROLINEWRIGHTFOOD.COM


CLAUDIA LOMBANA - INSIGHTS BASED ON YOUR DNA ARE THE MOST UNIQUE HOLIDAY GIFTS THIS YEAR!

LEARN HOW YOUR ANCESTRY CAN BE THE PERFECT DNA-POWERED HOLIDAY GIFT FROM ONE OF THE NATION’S TOP SHOPPING JOURNALISTS

Emmy & Peabody-Award Winning Journalist Claudia Lombana Shares How information about How to Research your Genetic History with Helix.com

How many of us have found ourselves in a department store or online desperate to find a last-minute gift?  Now, what consumers may not realize is that there are meaningful gifts you can give even at the last minute. On December 15th, Emmy and Peabody-Award winning journalist Claudia Lombana is available to share some unique last-minute shopping secrets based on a safe, simple and easy DNA analysis kit from Helix.com that enables you to access more than 25 DNA-based products. Uncover information about your ancestry; how your DNA may help you identify better workouts and what foods you may be sensitive to. Learn why DNA-powered insights are a safe, fun and interesting way to choose the perfect gifts for family and friends. 

LOMBANA’S REVEALS SOME SECRETS TO RESEARCH YOU ORIGINS: 

• HEALTH & DNA–Can looking at DNA reveal a path to good health and the best diet & workout
• HELPFUL HISTORY–The benefits of knowing your origins
• ANCESTRY GIFTS–Discover the latest in DNA-powered products
• FUTURE BREAKTHROUGH–Why examining your DNA can open up new possibilities 

Lombana regularly shares her insight and expertise with national television audiences. She is widely recognized as one of the nation’s top shopping specialists, providing advice and data for media and major businesses. Her tips and advice regularly appear in national publications, including The New York Times, USA Today and many others. The two-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and Peabody Award winner provides advice on topics ranging from shopping trends to fraud protection. As a journalist, she has traveled the world covering news stories for CNN, CBS, FOX, Tech TV and E! News. 

WWW.HELIX.COM 

STEVE EVANS - THE MOVIE GUY

GREAT MOVIES OPENING THIS WEEKEND AND BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS AND HOPES. FIND OUT WHAT MOVIES ARE WORTH YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. GET SET FOR THE WEEKEND.

12/14 TONYA SHACKELFORD FROM FRED’S PHARMACY, 5 FLU FIGHTER TIPS, USDA FOOD SAFETY EXPERT MARIANNE GRAVELY

TONYA SHACKELFORD FROM FRED’S PHARMACY SHARES 5 FLU FIGHTER TIPS FOR HEALTHIER HOLIDAYS

GIVE THE GIFT OF HEALTH THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

According to the CDC, influenza activity begins in the months of October and November, and peaks between December and February. Annually, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized due to complications from the flu and the majority of those are over the age of 65. In order to reduce the spread of the flu during the holidays and long after, experts assert flu vaccinations are still the number one way to prevent proliferation of the flu.

TOP 5 FLU FIGHTER TIPS FOR A HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON

• Get a Flu Vaccination
• Wash Your Hands, Often
• Sneeze into Your Elbow
• Stay Home from School or Work When You're Sick
• Encourage Everyone, Especially Those 65+ to Get Vaccinated

Flu activity peaks in December. During this time, most people face a higher risk of contracting the flu because they’re exposed to more people and places during the holidays. With a higher level of exposure from these holiday gatherings, flu vaccinations are crucial in fighting the spread of the flu each season and a great way to give the gift of health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends flu vaccinations for everyone – especially those who are considered “high risk”: children six months of age or older, those 65 years or older and those who have diabetes or chronic heart conditions.


MARIANNE GRAVELY, USDA FOOD SAFETY EXPERT - WAYS TO TRANSPORT, SERVE AND STORE YOUR HOLIDAY DISHES

KEEP YOUR FOOD FROM BEING A HOLIDAY GRINCH WITH THESE FOOD SAFETY STEPS

The holidays are a time for celebrating with family and friends during office parties, holiday buffets and potluck dinners. But improperly prepared or mishandled foods can also be a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria that causes foodborne illnesses. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service has food safety tips to ensure that the foods you share with your friends and family keep everyone in the holiday spirit. 

Transporting Your Holiday Dish:
If you're transporting a meal from one location to another temperature is important. When transporting hot dishes, wrap them well to keep them hot by carrying them in an insulated container or hot food carrier. Use the stove, oven, or microwave to reheat food you have transported to 165°F upon arrival as measured by a food thermometer. When transporting cold foods, use a cooler with ice or freezer packs. Be sure to store food in watertight containers to prevent contact with melting ice water, and carry your cooler in the passenger compartment of your car, not in the trunk.

Serving Your Meal:
When serving your meal, keep foods out of the "danger zone" by keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold. If you are serving hot foods on a buffet, keep the foods hot with chafing dishes, slow cookers or warming trays. Make sure they stay at least 140°F or above. Cold foods should be kept cold by nesting serving dishes into bowls of ice. You can also keep your full servings of cold food in the refrigerator, and only place small amounts of the item out at a time to make sure your guests are getting properly chilled food. It is important that cold foods are held at 40°F or below.

Leftovers:
After the fun is over, discard all perishable foods, such as meat, poultry, and casseroles left at room temperature longer than 2 hours. Immediately refrigerate or freeze remaining leftovers in shallow containers. USDA's FoodKeeper app provides more details about how long leftovers can be stored, with storage guidance on nearly 600 items and cooking tips for meat, poultry, seafood and eggs.

Consumers can learn more about key food safety practices at Foodsafety.gov, follow @USDAFoodSafety on Twitter and FoodSafety.gov on Facebook. Consumers with questions about food safety can call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or chat live with a food safety specialist in English or Spanish at AskKaren.gov, available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.