Ever wonder where the term “breakfast” came from? Your body needs to refuel after a long night’s sleep—a “break” from your “fast.” Skipping breakfast can lead to low blood sugar, fatigue, irritability and poor attentiveness.

Research

Studies have shown that eating a healthy breakfast can lead to better strength and endurance, sharper concentration and better problem-solving abilities. The American Dietetic Association reports that children who eat a healthy morning meal perform better in school. In addition, people who eat breakfast generally consume more vitamins, minerals and other healthy nutrients than those who do not eat in the morning.

Weight Management

Eating breakfast helps to control snacking and binge eating throughout the day. Typically, when one skips breakfast, hunger takes control, leading to unwise food choices later in the day—including excessive calorie intake. This applies to children as well studies have shown kids who skip breakfast are twice as likely to be overweight. Read More

The fall and winter months signal the arrival of peak flu season. While the seasonal flu viruses can be detected throughout the year in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the majority of cases occur between December and February.

Each year, seasonal influenza has a marked impact on employers. Seasonal flu can cause increased absenteeism, decreased productivity and higher health care costs. As an employer, you are well-positioned to help keep your employees healthy and minimize the flu’s impact on your business. The CDC recommends the following strategies for employers to help fight the flu. Read More

On Dec. 16, 2016, the Department of Labor (DOL) released a final rule to strengthen the claims and appeals requirements for plans that provide disability benefits and are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The final rule is currently scheduled to apply to claims that are filed on or after Jan. 1, 2018. However, on Oct. 10, 2017, the DOL proposed to delay the final rule for 90 days—until April 1, 2018.

The DOL will review the final rule to determine whether it is unnecessary, ineffective or imposes costs that exceed its benefits, consistent with President Donald Trump’s executive order on reducing regulatory burdens.

Contact Deutsch & Associates, LLC to learn more about how this may affect your organization. Read More

Halloween should be an exciting time of year for children and their parents, but too often the celebration devolves into tragedy. This season, make safety the top priority for your family.
Best Practices for Parents The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has compiled a list of Halloween best practices. Follow these tips to keep your family safe. 1. Always accompany young children when trick-or-treating. Read More