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 tidying up!
Spring cleaning traditions
Why do people like to take on “spring cleaning?” There are a lot of reasons; here are the top three reasons panel members reported:
– To declutter and organize
– To make the home feel and smell fresh
– To create a healthy living environment
Of the panel members who responded to the survey, the majority-37%- do not have a specific spring cleaning tradition. 32% of respondents take part in spring cleaning every year, while 31% of you sometimes participate.
Many of you spend time throughout the year cleaning and organizing, not just during the spring season. According to our survey, 55% of respondents declutter and organize their home occasionally through the year. Another 27% frequently declutter; while 17% rarely spend time on this activity. A tiny percentage- 1%- never declutter or organize.
Where do you spring clean?
These are the top five areas of the home that are given the highest priority when spring cleaning, according to our panel members:
– Bedroom
– Kitchen
– Living Room
– Yard/deck/patio
– Garage
When spring cleaning, 80% of respondents focus on specific areas or rooms only, while 18% of you tackle the entire home.
Most of you seem to have a routine that works for you, as 48% of respondents expect to clean and organize the same as you did in previous years. Only 8% of respondents expect to clean less, while 44% of you expect to clean more.
But, at least you have help! At least, most of you do. According to the survey, 44% of respondents have other household members help with spring cleaning tasks. As for the rest of you, 19% indicated they live alone, while 37% of panel members don’t have help from other family members.
Time spent cleaning
Spring cleaning can be as big of a chore as you want it to be- or not. We asked panel members how long it takes to complete your spring cleaning tasks, and here’s what you said:
– 38% take 1-2 weeks
– 27% take less than one week
– 19% take 2-3 weeks
– 8% take 3-4 weeks
– 9% take more than 4 weeks
Some rooms of the home take longer than others to clean, whether it’s because of the size of the room, how frequently it’s used, or the number of items in the room. Panel members reported that these three rooms take the most time to clean:
– Kitchen
– Bedrooms
– Bathrooms
We also wanted to know: what are the top obstacles you encounter when spring cleaning? These are the top three obstacles panel members reported:
– Finding the motivation to begin
– Keeping the home clean for an extended period of time
– Difficulty deciding what to keep or discard
Spring cleaning products
There are so many cleaning products available, it can be hard to choose what to use and where to use it. It’s important to determine what product features are important to you and your household, and then look for products that meet your requirements.
Panel members reported these five features as most important to them:
– Multi-purpose use
– Effectiveness/strength
– Price
– Scent
– Ease of use
A large number of survey respondents like to use scented products, and we asked what types of scented items you like to use after you’ve completed your spring cleaning tasks. Here’s what respondents said about scented products:
– 27% don’t use scents
– 23% use plug-ins
– 23% use candles
– 9% use essential oils, sprays, etc
And finally, we were interested in one final type of product: air purifying systems. This has become a popular item over the past few years, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Of our survey respondents, 65% don’t currently have an air purifier, while 30% of you do have one. Another 5% indicated they plan to purchase one.
That’s it for this edition of “In The Know.” Got a topic you would like to see covered at ITK? Let us know!
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!
More From NCP:
What Kitchen Appliances Do You Use?
Kitchen appliances have exploded in popularity the past few years, with new gadgets showing up on store shelves all the time. Most homes have basic large appliances in the kitchen like refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers. But an increasing number of consumers are buying smaller countertop items to save time and inspire creativity while cooking.
In my household, we’ve always had a microwave oven, blender, and coffeemaker. Through the years, we’ve added things like a panini machine, a rice cooker, and even a countertop ice maker- which comes in handy during the summer when hosting backyard gatherings.
Circana reported that while sales of small kitchen appliances are projected to decline by 4-5% throughout 2024, purchases of these items is still higher than it was before the pandemic began in 2020.
What types of small appliances do you use the most in your kitchen? Which one could you not live without? Leave a comment and let me know, I’d love to hear from you! And who knows, maybe I’ll learn about something that would be useful to me in my own kitchen!
Popular kitchen appliances
Recently, we asked our Facebook followers: “What small kitchen appliance do you use the most?” We received a large number of comments on this post, and the answers didn’t surprise us at all.
The most common responses included:
– Coffeemaker
– Microwave
– Toaster
– Air fryer
Other items frequently used by panel members included electric kettles, can openers, blenders, hand mixers, rice cookers, and slow cookers.
According to Circana, the top five appliances used for in-home dinner occasions are the stovetop, microwave, oven, oil or air fryer, and grill. That probably doesn’t come as much of a surprise to most people, as most of these have been around for many years. But, new items are constantly competing for countertop space, and regularly-used appliances like microwaves are frequently upgraded and improved with new features.
Unique countertop gadgets
Just when I think I’ve seen every type of kitchen appliance or gadget, I spot another one online or on a store shelf that I’ve never seen before! Some of the more interesting appliances I’ve spotted recently include:
– S’mores maker
– Breakfast sandwich maker
– Donut maker
– Mini waffle makers that create different shapes like hearts, dinosaurs, etc
– Grilled cheese sandwich toaster
Niche kitchen gadgets are fun, especially to give as gifts, but if you’ve ever walked through a thrift or secondhand store, you’re likely to see a lot of these items on the shelves. They’re fun for parties and special events, but often take up a lot of space and are difficult to store. And if they aren’t used very often, it may not make sense to keep them.
Appliance trends
Many small kitchen appliances are popular for awhile and then disappear, only to come back around- kind of like clothing styles! Remember how fondue pots were so popular in the 1970s and have enjoyed a resurgence at different times? I also remember when everyone rushed to buy breadmaking machines, only to lose interest a few years later (myself included!). But, during the COVID-19 pandemic, baking bread became popular again.
Many consumers are becoming more interested in multi-tasking appliances. For example, we used to have a toaster, microwave, and air fryer in our kitchen. Last year, we upgraded our microwave to a version that combines all of these functions- which allowed us to eliminate several small appliances from our countertop. Likewise, the basic blender we received as a wedding gift years ago has since been updated to a newer version with multiple settings and functions.
Panel Member reminders
If you purchase small kitchen appliances and gadgets, whether as a gift or for yourself, don’t forget to scan the barcodes and report those purchases to NCP!
Not an NCP panel member and want to become one? Click here to learn more or join the panel.
What is your favorite countertop appliance, the one you use the most often, or the gadget you can’t live without in your kitchen? Leave a comment, I’d love to know! And if you’ve seen a unique kitchen appliance recently, I’d love to know that as well- it’s so interesting to see what new things appear on the store shelves.
Regards,
Taylor
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!
More From NCP:
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
Pick N’ Win is NCP’s fantastic sweepstakes where you’re in control of the game.
Each month we feature amazing items in the Pick N’ Win Sweepstakes. NCP panel members use their reward points to add entries to drawings for specific prizes. Depending on how many points you have, enter in as many times as you want.
Watch James describe how to play Pick N’ Win directly through our NCPMobile app or on our panel member website.
Hi, James here from National Consumer Panel. Let’s talk about NCP’s Pick N’ Win Sweepstakes where you’re in control of the game. This sweepstakes allows you to use your reward points for a chance to win some great prizes. Every month, you’ll find a new selection of prize options available to you.
Here’s how it works: you redeem a specific number of your reward points to enter the sweepstakes. The number of reward points varies depending on the prize you choose. You can make single or or multiple entries for each prize. For example, you may want to put in one, two, or three entries for a big screen smart TV, or you may opt for just one entry for a tool set and a few entries for a set of cookware. It’s totally up to you.
How to Enter
There are a couple of ways to enter the Pick N’ Win Sweepstakes. To participate in the sweepstakes through the NCPMobile app, simply tap the menu button then select Pick N’ Win Sweeps. You’ll see all the available prizes and the points needed for each entry.
To participate through the panel member website ncponline.com, go to the reward section and select Play Pick N’ Win, then click on the Pick N’ Win Sweeps button. Once you’re on the sweepstakes page you can browse through all the available prizes and submit your entries.
Following the end of each month, NCP randomly selects the winners from all eligible entries. All winners of NCP sweepstakes are listed in the sweepstakes section on the website.
Got questions about the Pick N’ Win Sweepstakes, other sweepstakes, or panel membership? Please contact our Panel Support Center. Thanks for watching!
Resources
Not an NCP panel member and want to become one? https://go.onelink.me/HqzN/jq5awz3w
Questions about NCP panel membership? Email us at [email protected] or call toll free 1-800-962-6700.
Current NCP panel members, visit our panel member website: https://www.ncponline.com/panel/US/EN/Login.htm
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!
More From NCP:
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
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!
Popular Types
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:
- Salty or Sweet? (September 19, 2023)
- The Mediterranean Way (May 11, 2023)
- Milk: There Are Many Choices (April 27, 2023)
- Nuts About Peanut Butter (November 2, 2022)
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
Do you know anything about your heart health? Did you know that heart disease is a leading cause of death for people in the United States? There are several different types of heart conditions that are considered heart disease. The most common type is coronary artery disease, which affects blood flow to the heart.
Several members of my extended family have heart conditions, so this is a topic on my mind, and I discuss it with my doctor every year at my annual physical.
Heart disease risk factors
According to the CDC, around half of all people in the United States have at least one of three key risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, or a smoking habit. In 2021, nearly 1 in every 5 deaths in our country was attributed to heart disease.
Along with these risk factors, there are other conditions and lifestyle choices that can put you at a higher risk for developing heart disease:
– Diabetes
– Obesity
– Unhealthy diet
– Physical inactivity
– Excessive use of alcohol
Fortunately, there things you can do to reduce your risk of developing heart disease- and changing your eating habits is a great place to start.
Eating better for your heart health
The Mayo Clinic recommends eight tips to help you get started on a heart-healthy diet. And, implementing these tips will likely help you be more healthier in other ways, too, not just your heart. Here are their suggestions:
1. Control your portion size. Have you noticed that portions in restaurants have become so large, it’s almost impossible to finish the plate? We probably all grew up listening to our parents tell us to clean our plates, but that’s not necessarily good advice! How much you eat can be just as important as what you eat, and controlling your portions at meals is a great place to start.
2. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Fresh or frozen vegetables and fruits are great options to add to every meal. Canned fruits and vegetables are good choices, too- just make sure they are packed in juice or water and have limited amounts of sodium and added sugar.
3. Eat whole grains instead of refined grains. Choosing whole-wheat and whole-grain options for pasta, bread, and flour is better for your health than white, refined grains.
4. Limit unhealthy fats. Try to limit the amount of saturated and trans fat you eat to protect your heart. These fats lead to high blood cholesterol levels which can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Fat can be confusing, though, because some fats are good for you. Choose monounsaturated fats, like olive oil or canola oil, or polyunsaturated fats, like those found in fish, nuts and seeds.
5. Choose low-fat protein sources. Protein is important for a healthy diet, and there are plenty of low-fat protein options such as lean meat, fish, and eggs. Beans, peas, and lentils are also good choices, and substituting plant protein for animal protein can reduce your fat and cholesterol intake.
6. Limit or reduce salt/sodium. Too much salt can lead to high blood pressure, and limiting your intake is essential for a healthy heart. A lot of your sodium intake comes from eating canned or processed foods, not necessarily the salt you’re adding from the salt shaker. Look for reduced-sodium versions of your favorite condiments.
7. Plan your meals. This is often challenging for people but can be so important when you’re trying to eat more healthy foods! Create a meal plan using the six strategies above and make sure you have the ingredients on hand. Emphasize vegetables, fruits, and whole grains- and watch the portion sizes. Without a plan in place, it’s easy to grab fast food, head to a restaurant, or fall back on processed foods and snacks.
8. Allow yourself an occasional treat. If you eat healthy foods most of the time, a small treat like candy or potato chips is fine every once in awhile! But, you might find that you don’t have an appetite for so-called “junk food” after getting into more healthy habits.
Heart-healthy foods for your list
Here’s a quick list from Healthline of heart-healthy foods to add to your meal plan:
– Leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale
– Whole grains such as quinoa, oats, and brown rice
– Berries
– Avocadoes
– Fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and tuna
– Walnuts
– Beans
– Dark chocolate
– Tomatoes
– Almonds
– Seeds including chia seeds, flaxseeds, and hemp seeds
– Garlic
– Olive Oil
– Edamame
– Green tea
Last year, we shared some information about the Mediterranean style of eating, which includes a lot of these types of foods. It’s a great plan to follow to improve your heart health.
What do you think? Do you follow any of these tips already? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear from you.
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!
More From NCP:
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.
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
James from National Consumer Panel answers some of the questions panel members frequently ask us about NCPMobile, including:
✔ Do my reward points ever expire?
✔ What happens if I move or reside in a different location for a few months of the year?
✔ How do I add and delete shoppers?
✔ What do I do if I buy a non-barcoded item and I can’t find a non-barcoded item category in the list?
✔ Why do you ask for total amount spent?
Watch this video for answers to these common questions about NCPMobile!
Hi it’s James from NCP here, ready to go over some of our most frequently asked questions from our panelists. We care about making your experience on the panel as seamless as possible. You have questions, and we have answers! Time to get started.
Do my reward points ever expire?
Reward Points expire 60 days after panel membership is ended. So if your NCP panel membership ends for any reason, and you have enough points to redeem for a reward, you’ll need to do that before the 60 days is up.
What happens if I move or reside in another location for several months of the year?
If you move, are traveling, or change home locations during different seasons of the year, you can enter a new zip code to update your store list so you can continue to report your purchases from your new location. Just tap the arrows icon in the upper right corner of the select a retailer screen and a postal code box will appear. Enter the postal ZIP code of your new location in the box and your store list will be updated.
Now we’ll go over some frequently asked questions about using and reporting your shopping trips using NCPMobile.
How do I add and delete shoppers?
On the app menu, go to my account, then tap edit my shoppers. There you can add a shopper, edit a shopper’s information, or delete a shopper.
What do I do if I buy a non-barcoded item and I can’t find a category on the non-barcoded items list to report the purchase?
NCP collects information on a select group of non-barcoded categories. These specific categories are determined by NCP’s clients. If you can’t find an appropriate category for an item purchased, then you won’t be able to report that purchase. But if the item was part of a larger shopping trip, remember to enter the total amount spent for everything, including the cost of items not being reported.
Why do you ask for total amount spent when I’ve already reported the items prices?
There may be times when some items in a shopping trip can’t be scanned. The total amount spent accounts for these items. That’s why it’s important to enter an accurate total for your shopping trips.
Did you find this video helpful today? For more informative videos and how- tos, check out our video library on the National Consumer Panel YouTube channel. Comment below with any questions or comments, and thanks for watching!
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!
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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!
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