The NCP Blog

In The Know: Spring Cleaning

In The Know: Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning traditions

Where do you spring clean?

NCP In the Know: Spring Cleaning

Time spent cleaning

Spring cleaning products

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What Kitchen Appliances Do You Use?

What Kitchen Appliances Do You Use?

Unique countertop gadgets

Panel Member reminders

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It’s All in the Stars

It’s All in the Stars

One star, two stars, three stars, oh my! Now that you can find reviews for almost everything online, how much do you rely on them?

I have to admit, I read reviews a lot, especially if I’m struggling to decide whether to purchase a particular item or not. I rely mostly on reviews when making a big purchase such as a refrigerator, washing machine, dishwasher, etc., and even when planning a vacation. They also come in handy when searching for a new restaurant to try.

So, what exactly is an online review? Basically, it’s an evaluation shared by a customer based on their experience with a product, service, or their overall customer experience.

As we know, reviews expand from products to all types of services. From hotels to restaurants, and painters to plumbers, you can always find peoples’ opinions and experiences about all kinds of products and services.

Reviews can be as influential as a recommendation from a family member or friend (sometimes even more influential). Think about the last time you made a big purchase or chose a new service provider. Chances are you read the reviews about that product or company.

How often do you read and rely on reviews? Let me know in the comment section below!

Online review stats

Check out these interesting stats about online reviews from LinkedIn.

95% of consumers read online reviews before buying a product
89% of consumers make an effort to read reviews before buying products online
94% say bad reviews have made them avoid a business
97% read reviews for local businesses
81% of consumers say they are likely to check Google reviews first
74% of consumers say that reviews increase their trust in a company

Reviews are a vital indicator of a company’s online credibility, and directly influence purchasing decisions in a major way.

Be wary of fake reviews

Reviews are important as consumers depend on reviews to make, what they hope to be, the right decisions.

With lots of scams going on these days, we also have to be aware of fake/scam reviews.

According to the BBB, there are ways to recognize if a review could be fake:

  • Look out for generic reviewer profiles. If a reviewer has a very common or generic name, such as John Smith or Jane Doe, that is a red flag.
  • Read reviews by customers with verified purchases. Many sites will indicate if a purchase is verified.
  • Examine the quality of the review. If you see that a product has several five-star or one-star reviews with just a word or two written in the review, it may be a fake.
  • Did the reviewer receive a free product? Although free product programs are usually legitimate, if you see that almost every review of a product comes from someone who received it for free, or if the only satisfied customer is the one who received a free product, then you might want to think more about whether to make the purchase or not.
  • Look at the quantity of reviews. If a product only has a few reviews, especially compared to similar products, it could indicate that the product may be less than reliable.

For NCP Panel Members

If you purchase and report a product to NCP, but you end up returning it, you won’t be able to tell us about the return. But, of course, if you purchase a replacement product, be sure to scan and report that purchase. Thank you!

Regards,

Taylor

More from NCP:

Decisions, Decisions (February 12, 2024)

Rate of Returns (October 3, 2023)

Be Aware of Social Media Scams (February 2, 2023)

Keeping Cyber Secure (October 11, 2019)

Blog comment reminder: If you have a panel-related issue that you need assistance with such as a problem with scanning or your rewards, please contact our Panel Support Center directly and they will be happy to assist you! You can reach them at 1-800-962-6700 or email them at [email protected]. You can send a message from NCP’s Facebook page. Please don’t enter panel-related issues or share any personal panel membership information in the blog comment section. Any issues will be addressed faster if you contact our support center directly. Thank you so much!

How to Play NCP’s Pick N’ Win Sweepstakes

How to Play NCP’s Pick N’ Win Sweepstakes

How to Enter

Resources

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St. Patrick’s Day Fun

St. Patrick’s Day Fun

Sunday, March 17th, is St. Patrick’s Day, a fun holiday that my family enjoys – and you don’t even have to be Irish to celebrate!

As I’ve mentioned in years past, I like to prepare a couple of traditional St. Patrick’s Day foods, which are usually corned beef and cabbage and Irish soda bread. We all wear something green and usually hang out with family and friends. There may even be some adult beverages involved (did someone say green beer, lol).

Will you be celebrating the holiday? Maybe cooking/buying traditional St. Patrick’s Day foods, dressing in green, or attending a parade? Please let me know in the comment section below!

St. Patrick’s Day Spending

According to the National Retail Federation’s annual St. Patrick’s Day survey, consumers plan to spend a record $7.2 billion (an average of $44.40 per person) on the holiday this year. Top spending categories are food and beverages.

A record 62% or 162 million Americans are planning to celebrate.

What do some of those celebration plans include?
82% will wear green
29% will make a special dinner
26% will decorate their home or office
27% will attend a party at a bar/restaurant
16% will attend a private party
15% will attend a parade
12% will host a party

Best Cities For St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

Different cities have their own St. Patrick’s Day traditions. Chicago, for example, is known for dyeing the Chicago River green. Other cities might be known for their parades, pageants and/or pub crawls. According to WalletHub, here are some of the top cities for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations based on their rich traditions of tasty and affordable food, safe conditions to celebrate, and good weather. (See the full article for a list of all the cities.)

Boston, MA
Chicago, IL
Savannah, GA
Reno, NV
Pittsburgh, PA
New York, NY
Worcester, MA
Buffalo, NY

For NCP Panel Members

Be sure to report any special purchases you make for the St. Patrick’s Day holiday, in addition to your regular shopping. These include food and beverages, accessories, decorations, etc. Thank you!

If you celebrate the holiday, have a fun day!

Cheers,
Taylor

More from NCP:

St. Patrick’s Day Facts (March 15, 2019)

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day (March 16, 2018)

Blog comment reminder: If you have a panel-related issue that you need assistance with such as a problem with scanning or your rewards, please contact our Panel Support Center directly and they will be happy to assist you! You can reach them at 1-800-962-6700 or email them at [email protected]. You can send a message from NCP’s Facebook page. Please don’t enter panel-related issues or share any personal panel membership information in the blog comment section. Any issues will be addressed faster if you contact our support center directly. Thank you so much!

Nuts About Nuts

Nuts About Nuts

There are so many different varieties of nuts and so many different ways to use them. They’re great for snacking, can be added to salads for that extra crunch, can be used in cooking and baking, and even made into a variety of nut milks and nut butters.

I’m not a big fan of walnuts or Brazil nuts, but I like all of the other popular types! Once in a while, I’ll buy a large container of mixed nuts (peanuts, almonds, pistachios, cashews, etc.), so I can have a variety on hand for snacking. But, my usual go-to nuts are almonds and cashews. They make an excellent snack for me, especially in the late afternoon when I get a little hungry and need some added energy!

If you like nuts, which ones do you like best and buy most often? Let me know in the comment section!

Let’s take a look at some of the more popular types of nuts as shared by finedininglovers.com:

Walnuts – a great source of healthy fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals, they’re also rich in antioxidants. They add extra crunch to sweet and savory dishes.
Hazelnuts – Very popular in baking and confectionery. Loaded with nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidant compounds and healthy fats.
Cashews – Commonly eaten on their own as snacks, used in recipes, or processed into cashew milk, cheese, and butter.
Macadamia – Highly nutritious chickpea-sized nuts known for their sweet buttery flavor and creamy texture.
Pistachios – Packed with healthy fats, protein, fiber and protective antioxidants. Often eaten whole, either fresh or roasted and salted.
Peanuts – Rich in healthy unsaturated fats and fiber. A popular ingredient in many dishes and among different cultures around the world. Peanut sauces, peanut butter, granola and trail mix are among some of the more common uses.
Almonds – Often eaten roasted or raw. Produce both oil and milk and commonly used in confectionery and baking. High-fat, but mostly in the form of monounsaturated fat.

Benefits and Uses

Nuts are a nutritious food, they contain many of the vitamins and minerals the body needs. They’re one of the main sources of ALA omega-3 fatty acids. Nuts are largely composed of fats, however, the fats in nuts are almost entirely unsaturated, which means they leave you feeling more satisfied after eating. Nuts are a good source of Vitamin E, as well as folic acid, magnesium, potassium and calcium.

If you’re thinking about adding more nuts into your diet, here are some ways to do it from webmd.com:

– Chopped walnuts make an excellent addition to a yogurt parfait.
– Grind your own almonds into almond butter, a popular alternative to peanut butter.
– Make your own banana nut bread.
– Sprinkle pecans over a salad.
– Add cashew nuts when you’re making vegetable stir fry.
– Add almonds to a protein shake with a banana and some milk.
– Try chopped almonds with feta cheese and olives in a Mediterranean style salad.
– Grind walnuts with herbs into a paste to garnish grilled chicken.

For NCP Panel Members

If you buy packaged nuts that have a UPC barcode, be sure to scan them! If you buy nuts that are loose and sold by the pound, in bulk, etc., (which typically don’t have a barcode), please refer to the Non-Barcoded Items list in the NCPMobile app (or the Barcode Reference Booklet if you use NCP’s handheld scanner) to report those purchases using the Candy/Nuts/Seeds category.

Regards,

Taylor

More from NCP:

Blog comment reminder: If you have a panel-related issue that you need assistance with such as a problem with scanning or your rewards, please contact our Panel Support Center directly and they will be happy to assist you! You can reach them at 1-800-962-6700 or email them at [email protected]. You can send a message from NCP’s Facebook page. Please don’t enter panel-related issues or share any personal panel membership information in the blog comment section. Any issues will be addressed faster if you contact our support center directly. Thank you so much!

Nutrition Tips to Help Your Heart Health

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Heart disease risk factors

Eating better for your heart health

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The Essence of Lemons

The Essence of Lemons

My family and I have always been big fans of lemons. When my kids were little, I would always bring cut up lemons on long car rides in case they got car sick and felt nauseous; eating lemons really helped them feel better (and probably distracted them from feeling sick, lol)!

I drink lemon water almost every day (and sometimes add mint or basil to it, yum!), and there’s hardly ever a time when I don’t have lemons in my home.

Lemon water

Are lemons a staple in your home? If so, what are some of the different ways you use lemons? Please let me know in the comment section below!

Lemons are the zest!

Lemons are among the world’s most popular citrus fruits. They grow on lemon trees which thrive in mild, warm climates. They’re a great source of vitamin C and fiber and contain many plant compounds, minerals, and essential oils.

The most common varieties of lemons you see in grocery stores are Eureka or Lisbon. These lemons are very similar, usually medium-sized, oval, bright yellow inside and out with few seeds and a tangy flavor. You may also find Meyer lemons in stores, although they are usually seasonal and available around the December to May timeframe. They’re smaller, sweeter and thinner-skinned than regular lemons and are a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange.

Lemons will be their juiciest when stored at room temperature. If you plan to keep them longer than a few days, store them in a plastic bag in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer. They can last for up to a month this way, but before juicing, let them warm to room temperature for best results.*

Cooking with lemons

If you have lots of lemons and you’re not sure what to do with them, check out the variety of recipes from Williams Sonoma that use lemons, below is a list of some of them. They all sound so good.

Lemon Doughnuts
Meyer Lemon French Toast
Lemon Curd
Lemon Meringue Pie with Gingersnap Crust
Lemon Chiffon Pie
Lemon Risotto
Pork Chops With Meyer Lemon
Salmon With Lemon and Fennel
Lemon Verbena Lemonade

Be sure to research what gadgets you’ll need to work with lemons and have them on hand such as a lemon/citrus squeezer, a citrus juicer and a zester.

For NCP Panel Members

If you buy lemons, whether individually or in a bag, if there isn’t a UPC barcode for you to scan, please check the Non-Barcoded Items list in the NCPMobile app (or the Barcode Reference Booklet if you use NCP’s handheld scanner) to report the purchase. You will find lemons listed in the Fruits category; choose the sub-category “Other Citrus” to report your lemon purchases.

And remember, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!

Regards,

Taylor

*Sources: The Spruce Eats and Healthline.com.

More from NCP:

What’s in Season? (October 23, 2023)
Smoothies Are Refreshing and Healthy Treats (June 21, 2023)
Iced Tea: It’s What’s Brewing (June 1, 2023)

Blog comment reminder: If you have a panel-related issue that you need assistance with such as a problem with scanning or your rewards, please contact our Panel Support Center directly and they will be happy to assist you! You can reach them at 1-800-962-6700 or email them at [email protected]. You can send a message from NCP’s Facebook page. Please don’t enter panel-related issues or share any personal panel membership information in the blog comment section. Any issues will be addressed faster if you contact our support center directly. Thank you so much!

Frequently Asked Questions: NCPMobile

Frequently Asked Questions: NCPMobile

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From Tap to Table

From Tap to Table

I have fond childhood memories of family vacations when we would have breakfast at a motel or hotel restaurant and there would always be cute little jars or bottles of maple syrup, jellies, and jams on the tables. I would always order pancakes, waffles, or French toast just so I could use all the syrup and save the cute little bottle!

How much do you know about maple syrup? I thought I knew a lot, but I discovered that I really didn’t! I found some good information about maple syrup on a Cornell University site. Let’s pour over some of the info.

What is maple syrup?

Maple syrup is a 100% natural product made from the sap of maple trees. It is a pure product and contains no additives or preservatives. In the late winter and early spring, during periods of overnight freezes and daytime thaws, maple trees develop positive pressure in their stems. During this time, sap is collected from maple trees and concentrated to a high sugar content to make a light to dark brown syrup.

Where is maple syrup made?

Did you know that New York is the second largest maple syrup producing U.S. state, surpassed only by Vermont? Wow, I never knew that! It’s produced in the region of North America ranging from southeastern Canada to Pennsylvania and from the East Coast to Wisconsin.

What’s your preference when it comes to syrup? Many people prefer artificial [pancake] syrup over pure maple syrup. Pure maple syrup is definitely pricier than the artificial kind.

Do you buy maple syrup on a regular basis, whether real or artificial? Let me know in the comment section, I would love to hear from you!

A variety of uses

The most common use for maple syrup is to put it on breakfast foods such as pancakes, waffles, and French toast, but this syrup can be used in so many different ways.

Here are some ideas for different uses of the syrup from Rural Sprout:

  • Top roasted veggies with it – mix melted butter and maple syrup together then brush your veggies.
  • Make maple preserves – the flavor pairs well with figs, apples, and strawberries.
  • Make homemade salad dressings- it adds a bit of sweetness and flavor to dressing.
  • Bake with it – you can replace all or some of the sugar in any baking recipe with maple syrup.
  • Make a glaze for donuts, scones, cakes, and cookies.
  • Use as a marinade for meat and fish – the warm flavor goes great on baked ham, pork tenderloin, salmon, and chicken.

Fun facts

Check out these interesting facts from the Farmers Almanac.

– A maple tree can yield sap (used for making syrup) for 100 years.
– A maple tree must be around 45 years old before it is tapped for syrup making.
– It takes an average of 40 gallons of sap to produce one gallon of syrup.
– Although maple trees are found in other continents, no other continent’s maples can compare in sweetness to the sugar maple trees in North America.
– Frosty nights and warm sunny days encourage the sap to flow.
– When buds appear on the trees, in late March or April, the sap turns bitter in flavor.
– Quebec, Canada is the world’s largest producer of maple syrup and responsible for three-quarters of the world’s output–approximately $141 million USD annually.

For NCP Panel Members

If you purchase maple syrup, whether pure or artificial, be sure to scan it! And, don’t forget the other items you might buy to go with the syrup such as pancake/waffle mixes, frozen breakfast foods such as waffles, pancakes, and French toast, sausage, etc.

Have a sweet day!

Regards,
Taylor

More from NCP

Baking Holiday Memories (December 7, 2023)

Breakfast in your Freezer (January 27, 2023)

Blog comment reminder: If you have a panel-related issue that you need assistance with such as a problem with scanning or your rewards, please contact our Panel Support Center directly and they will be happy to assist you! You can reach them at 1-800-962-6700 or email them at [email protected]. You can send a message from NCP’s Facebook page. Please don’t enter panel-related issues or share any personal panel membership information in the blog comment section. Any issues will be addressed faster if you contact our support center directly. Thank you so much!

In the Know
Holiday
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In The Know: Spring Cleaning

In The Know: Spring Cleaning

NCP panel members.. hold onto your brooms and dustpans! We've conducted an enlightening survey on the ins and outs of spring cleaning, and the results are in. From the frequency of cleaning to the use of scented products, get ready to dive into the sparkling world of...

read more
In The Know: Spring Cleaning

In The Know: Spring Cleaning

NCP panel members.. hold onto your brooms and dustpans! We've conducted an enlightening survey on the ins and outs of spring cleaning, and the results are in. From the frequency of cleaning to the use of scented products, get ready to dive into the sparkling world of...

read more
St. Patrick’s Day Fun

St. Patrick’s Day Fun

Sunday, March 17th, is St. Patrick’s Day, a fun holiday that my family enjoys - and you don’t even have to be Irish to celebrate! As I've mentioned in years past, I like to prepare a couple of traditional St. Patrick’s Day foods, which are usually corned beef and...

read more