FRESH INFORMATION

THE NEFF ZONE -- BY JIM NEFF

CADILLAC NEWS -- JANUARY 11, 2025

Out with the old and in with the new. It's time to shake off the doldrums with a breath of fresh information. Toss out those stale discussion topics and frolic in new found knowledge. 

A good beginning is a strategy to stay safe this winter. “Shoveling snow results in thousands of injuries and can cause heart attacks, according to the American Heart Association. Cold weather can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure.” 

With this in mind, they have compiled a handy guide complete with illustrations.  

“How to shovel snow without causing injury” provides tips for clearing the white stuff and even shows you how prevent an injury if you happen to slip and fall. See it all at: https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2025/01/06/safely-shovel-snow-walk-on-ice/77482228007/. 

While you're clearing snow, a new generation is being born. “January 2025 marks the dawn of Gen Beta. These kids, who are expected to become sixteen percent of the global population by 2035, will grow up in a world infused with technology and AI.” 

Tech aside, Gen Beta will experience other challenges. “ “With climate change, global population shifts, and rapid urbanization at the forefront, sustainability will not just be a preference but an expectation. Their upbringing will emphasize the importance of innovation not just for convenience, but for solving the pressing challenges of their time.” By the way, next in line will be Generation Gamma, born  between 2040 and 2054. (https://nicenews.com/culture/generation-nicknames-guide/)

According to a new study, today's teens could be positive role models for Gen Beta. “Drug use among teenagers has continued to drop since the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Monitoring the Future study has been carried out yearly since 1975. The study is one of the best, if not the best, source of national data notes Columbia University data analysts.”

The statistics are promising. “Among tenth graders, eighty percent said they had not used alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes or e-cigarettes recently. Among eighth graders, ninety percent did not use any of them.” (https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/study-most-us-teens-do-not-drink-smoke/7906241.html)

Even exercise may be more innovative for Gen Beta, thanks to a new trend. “Cozy cardio rejects the idea that exercise has to be vigorous and intense. It involves walking on the treadmill in sweatpants (or even pajamas), lighting a candle, making a cup of tea, putting on your favorite comfort show or movie, and doing whatever else allows you to slow down and simply enjoy the movement.” 

Apparently, this has really caught on. “It very much relies on what psychologists would call positive reinforcement — the idea of I’m tapping into something I want to be doing already.” In simple terms, any activity can be coz-ified. To see how to adapt your current exercise routine, go to: https://nicenews.com/health-and-wellness/cozy-cardio-fitness-trend-other-cozy-workouts/. 

Gen Beta also may be the luckiest generation ever. Why? “If you’re an Oreo superfan, 2025 might just be your year. The brand has announced six new flavor innovations set to hit stores in 2025.” Talk about being born at the right time!

The taste treats include: Oreo Loaded Mega Stuf-level, Golden Oreo Cakesters,    Oreo Irish Creme Thins, Oreo Minis Peanut Butter, and Oreo Frozen Treats (Oreo Bites and Oreo Mini Bars). Get ready for some serious dunking. (https://www.salon.com/2024/12/30/love-oreo-cookies-2025-will-be-your-year-as-the-brand-launches-a-half-dozen-new-products/)

As if that's not enough, AllRecipes.com has come up with “Ten Peanut Butter and Jelly Recipes That Go Way Beyond the Sandwich.” An example is Peanut Butter and Jelly Cake. “It's easy to make by layering slices of white cake with a creamy peanut butter frosting and your favorite flavor of jelly or jam for a whimsical nod to the lunchbox favorite.” 

Other recipes include: PBJ Cupcakes, PBJ Overnight Oats, and PBJ Cookies. Just in time for football watching, PBJ Wings are interesting. “"These Asian-inspired peanut butter and jelly wings offer fun new flavors while using some familiar ingredients. Garnish with crushed peanuts, green onions, and/or sesame seeds if you like." (https://www.allrecipes.com/peanut-butter-and-jelly-recipes-8767277)

Finally, all generations can look forward to some future technology unveiled at the Consumer Technology Show in Las Vegas. “CES is home to some of the coolest, cutting-edge, and most innovative technology around. But within this sea of tech are always some pretty strange gadgets. This year’s conference was no different, packed with a whole bunch of wacky devices.” 

The Verge highlighted some of these at: https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/8/24338251/ces-2025-weirdest-tech-gadgets-robots. Two of the items caught my attention. 

The first is something for local gardeners. You don't have to wait for spring with LG’s indoor gardening side table. “The device looks similar to your typical side table, but it features a lamp you can grow plants beneath. It also automatically waters your plants using its built-in tank and has a built-in speaker.” 

For those of us with a cat, you know they blame you for the cold weather. They are ornery because you won't make it summer. Ah, but some tech could lighten their surly mood. “The LG AeroCatTower is exactly what it sounds like: an air purifier that doubles as a cat tree. In addition to providing a heated spot for your feline friend, it filters out pet dander and even weighs your cat, too. The AeroCatTower connects to the LG ThinQ app, where you can see information about your cat’s weight and track how long your cat was asleep.” No word on new tech to open and close your back door ten thousand times per day. 

Jim Neff is a local columnist. Read Neff Zone columns online at CadillacNews.com and NeffZone.com/cadillacnews.