ProfNet Experts Available on Ebola Fears, Thanksgiving Entertaining, Restful Sleep, More

NEW YORK, Oct. 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Below are experts from the ProfNet network that are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area. If you are interested in interviewing any of the experts, please contact them via the contact information at the end of the listing. To receive these updates by email, send a note to [email protected] with the industries you cover, and we'll add you to the appropriate edition. 

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EXPERT ALERTS

• Fear Will Cause More Health Damage Than Will Ebola
• Tips for Inexpensive Thanksgiving Entertaining
• Affordable Ways to Make Your New House Feel Like Home
• Living With Food Allergies: Tips for Dining Out and Cooking at Home
• Stress and Food – Tips for Curbing Cravings
• Your Bedroom: The Key to a Restful Night's Sleep
• Benefits of Electronic Medical Records
• Top Questions About Emergency Contraception  
• Skin Trends for 2015
• Current Trends in the Travel Industry
• Healthier Comfort Foods
• Keeping Kids Safe Online

MEDIA JOBS

• Editor – Dallas Business Journal (TX)
• Reporter – Clinton Herald (IA)
• Editor – Daily Republic (CA)

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

• Blog Profiles: Book Blogs
• Making Lateral Moves as a Freelancer
• Freelancing, Time Management and the Single Mom

EXPERT ALERTS:

Fear Will Cause More Health Damage Than Will Ebola
David Ropeik
Risk Psychology Expert
"Excessive fear of Ebola can be explained entirely by risk perception psychology." Ropeik notes the fear of Ebola will push the public to engage in more risky behavior, ultimately creating an excessively worried public, a reduction in worker productivity and consumer spending. This fear will raise health care costs, place demands on the health care and emergency services systems, divert resources from real health problems, and cause all sorts of disruptions in education and social behavior. Health care officials need to do more to recognize and manage the danger of fear, in how they allocate resources, make policies like quarantines, and in how they communicate.
Ropeik is an author, consultant and speaker on risk communication and risk perception to government, business, trade associations, health care organizations, consumer groups, and educational institutions worldwide. He is an instructor in the Harvard University School of Continuing Education and a Psychology Today contributor. In his book, "How Risky Is It, Really?" he examines the elements of risk perception psychology and why our fears don't always match the facts.
Ropeik was an award-winning television reporter in Boston for 22 years, specializing in reporting on environment and science issues. He was a contributing expert to the Department of Homeland Security Task Force considering changes to the color-coded alert Homeland Security Advisory system, and served as the risk communication member of the congressionally mandated Veterans Affairs Board on Dose Reconstruction, which oversees the joint Department of Defense and Veteran's Administration program to compensate veterans exposed to nuclear radiation.
Website: http://www.dropeik.com/
Media Contact: Ann Pryor, [email protected]  

Tips for Inexpensive Thanksgiving Entertaining
Meryl Santopietro
Founder
Simply Spotless NY
"I love staying with a more natural concept for the Thanksgiving holiday -- it is more in keeping with the wonderful rich and hearty foods of that tradition. My favorite centerpiece for that special day is a modern cornucopia incorporating the mini pumpkins and baby white pumpkin-shaped gourds. These decorative items are readily available in most super markets and look super on an organic shaped wood tray. My other favorite decoration for this holiday is big full bunches of Chinese lanterns in vases. These are vivid, bright orange lantern-shaped fruits that have a delicate paper covering. Surprisingly the supermarkets are full of them in the early fall. And it is always wonderful to use large bunches of orange roses which are in abundance at that time of year as well. Go for the orange coloration in your flowers and gourds, be bold and make a statement. You can't miss when you make that big and bold color statement with these natural options."
Santopietro is an award-winning interior designer creating and redefining style throughout the country and across the pond to London. Her portfolio ranges from classical and traditional, to modern and contemporary. Her flexibility in styles enables her to satisfy a diverse, high profile range of clientele with the most discriminating tastes.  Her educational background reflects her commitment to art – university fine arts major with advance studies in art history at the University of California at Berkeley with certificate work at Rhode Island School of Design and a membership in the American Society of Interior Designers.  She has tips on decor, design and etiquette for holiday parties big and small (as they relate to how to do up your apartment, home or space).
Media Contact: Jose Martinez, [email protected]

Affordable Ways to Make Your New House Feel Like Home
Elizabeth Lindmier
Interior Design Instructor
The Art Institute of Colorado
You know that moving into a new home can be one of life's biggest stressors, but making your new house feel like your home can help alleviate some of this stress and provide a safe haven for some much needed relaxation. Says Lindmier: "Everyone has a different sense of what home is. Make a space where you would like to spend time." Her tips include adding textures and textiles, creating a space where you can relax and feel comfortable, researching colors to determine the type of environment you want to achieve, considering different types of lighting for different affects, and reducing clutter. "Less is more, but make it more meaningful. Make sure you can look around and adore the things you see."
Lindmier, an interior design instructor at The Art Institute of Colorado, can provide tips on getting that home sweet home feeling sooner rather than later.
Media Contact: Mandy Wilson, [email protected]  

Living With Food Allergies: Tips for Dining Out and Cooking at Home
Jennifer Brooks-Stadler
Culinary Instructor
The International Culinary School at The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago
According to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), an estimated 15 million people in the United States suffer from food allergies. A wide range of food allergens and reactions to those allergens can provide a unique set of challenges when dining out and even cooking at home. Says Brooks-Stadler: "One of the most important things for people with food allergies is to be vocal about those food allergies. When dining out, it's important to let your server know of any food allergies you have." When cooking at home, she can provide substitutions for common allergens, such as eggs or nuts. "There are three ways to work around a food allergy: reduce, replace or eliminate. The home cook needs to know what they like and be willing to experiment a little."
Chef Brooks-Stadler, culinary instructor at The International Culinary School at The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago, can provide tips for navigating menus and recipes.
Media Contact: Mandy Wilson, [email protected]  

Stress and Food – Tips for Curbing Cravings
Chef Odette Smith-Ransome
Culinary Instructor
The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh
Everyone reaches for comfort foods and junk food when stressed out. You know you shouldn't, but you probably feel you need something to help you during that intense period of time when stress is king. Chef Smith-Ransome, culinary instructor at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh can provide tips for curbing cravings in a healthy way. Says Smith-Ransome: "In moments of stress, people tend to reach for foods they know, sometimes even favorite foods from childhood. It is certainly not a time when we choose to experiment. The vicious cycle of guilt regarding our eating habits steps in and worsens the current stress situation. Add guilt to the situation, and the stress levels increase -- compounding the problem." She warns that when stressed, one should stay away from caffeine and sugar. It's easy to grab an energy drink or a candy bar because they're accessible and in every convenience and drug store in America.
Media Contact: Mandy Wilson, [email protected]  

Your Bedroom: The Key to a Restful Night's Sleep
Anne Holic
Interior Design Instructor
The Art Institute of Washington, a branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta
Whether snuggling in for the night or just trying to catch a few quick winks, your environment
plays an important role in determining if you're counting sheep or counting Zzzs.
Holic, interior design instructor at The Art Institute of Washington, a branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta, offers a few easy ways you can turn your bedroom into a tranquil oasis through lighting, furniture and decor. Says Holic: "Use window treatments to eliminate light. Dimmer switches are also nice, because you can mimic the way the sun works. The hum of a ceiling fan can create white noise and help block out any other noises." She also recommends removing disturbances such as TVs, computers and exercise equipment; keeping the room cool; and using colors and textures that are calm and give a cozy feeling to the room.
Media Contact: Mandy Wilson, [email protected]  

Benefits of Electronic Medical Records
Dr. Arnold Curry
Founder and CEO
Medical Records Systems
"When emergencies happen, it is important to have your medical records on hand immediately. In the past, medical records were not easily accessible when traveling, but advances in technology now allow everyone to gain control of their personal health record. Electronic medical records offer a simple solution to help people control their health files from anywhere online, allowing them to worry less about an emergency and focus on plans to relax while away from home."
Dr. Curry is a medical director at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis, New Mexico, and is an oncologist and hematologist. He has worked as a clinical instructor at Harper-Grace Hospital in Detroit, as a guest instructor at Wayne State University School of Medicine and is the former chief of the oncology department at Southwest Detroit Hospital. His work has been published in hematology and oncology journals and he is a registered investigator with the National Cancer Institute. He holds an M.D. from Rush Medical School and an MBA from Michigan State University.
Website: https://trustmrs.com
Media Contact: Diego Romero, [email protected]

Top Questions About Emergency Contraception  
Dawn Stacey M.ED, LMHC
About.com Contraception Expert
Accessibility, affordability, and male access are all main factors that hinder the purchase of emergency contraception (EC). The World Health Organization has long recommended women to have emergency contraception on hand ahead of when you might actually need it. Says Stacey: "Unfortunately when I receive questions about emergency contraceptives it's often too late to use it. Women should be informed about EC, how it works, and have it on-hand well before they believe that there is a chance that they could be pregnant."
Stacey is available to answer questions on topics she fields most as About.com's contraceptive expert such as: availability; embarrassment; and affordability. She is available for interview to discuss emergency contraception solutions and EC education for women.
Website: http://tinyurl.com/mp853de   
Media Contact: Ashley Hughes, [email protected]

Skin Trends for 2015
Rebecca Schneringer
Director of Research and Development       
Rozge Cosmeceutical
"Women are looking mostly for skin care products that can be an alternative to cosmetic surgery, and products that will give them more dramatic results such as powerful peptides, and synthetic alternatives to animal 'venom' by producing Botox-like results without the harmful side-effects. Products that have sun protection, environmental protection (i.e. protection from pollution), and contain enzymes. Also, a huge focus will be ingredients that come from Brazil, not just the Brazilian Rainforest. You will see more 'free' labeling. Which started with 'sulfate-free.' This will grow with silicone-free, Phenoxyethanol-free, etc. Products with all-natural ingredients will take a special spotlight."
Schneringer has been in the cosmeceutical industry for over 20 years. She has worked with internationally-recognized products and A-list celebrities developing customer formulations for a variety of skin care products. She can discuss: new ingredient trends; what common ingredients do for the skin; ways to keep your skin moisturized in the winter; what ingredients to look for to address specific skin difficulties; skin care manufacturing; upcoming cosmetic trends. She is a member of the California Chapter Society of Cosmetics Chemists.
Website: http://www.Rozge.com
Media Contact: Katelyn Ludwig, [email protected]

Current Trends in the Travel Industry
Melissa Biggs Bradley
Founder & CEO
Indagare
"According to a recent survey of Indagare members, consumers remain bullish about travel going into 2015. In fact, despite the news on Ebola, terrorism and ISIS, the vast majority of respondents expect to travel the same amount (40.65%) or more (41.79%) than in 2014. And while classic spots like France, Italy, the American West and the Caribbean are among the most popular destinations, places like Morocco, Turkey, South Africa and the Middle East are also in their plans. Their biggest concerns around travel are costs (40%) and getting the itinerary right (24.4%), not global unrest (7.71%) or security issues (11.19%)."
Biggs Bradley can discuss the travel industry and current travel trends as a whole, with a particular focus on the luxury space. She can also speak to current travel issues, including the impact that the industry is seeing because of global unrest and health scares, and what travelers should do as a result. For more than a decade, she served as the travel editor at Town & Country. In 2003, she launched Town & Country Travel magazine, which, under her editorship in 2006, was nominated for a National Magazine Award for General Excellence by the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME). She's regularly invited to speak as a luxury travel expert at conferences. She has been interviewed by USA Today, Allure, InStyle, People, the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times as well as on CNN Headline News, Good Day New York and the Discovery Channel.
Website: http://www.indagare.com
Media Contact: Samantha Bruno, [email protected]

Healthier Comfort Foods
Terra Ciotta
Chef
The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Charlotte
"Comfort foods remind us of home, warmth and family; they are often creamy, rich and heavy everyday foods we had as children. Things like macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, and fried chicken may be soothing to the soul, but not to the waistline."
If you're trying to reduce the holiday bulge, follow Chef Ciotta's equation of substitution equals reduction. For mashed potatoes, she purees steamed cauliflower, makes half the portion of her freshly mashed potatoes, and folds the cauliflower puree into the mashed potatoes. For hearty spaghetti with meatballs, she reduces the ground beef portion and adds finely chopped sautéed mushrooms. She is available to offer tips and guidelines on how to make our favorite comfort foods – healthier.
Media Contact: Lesley Valentin, [email protected]

Keeping Kids Safe Online
Stephen Balkam
CEO
Family Online Safety Institute
"Keeping kids safe from harm is different than ensuring an avoidance of risk. In certain circumstances, risk can be good. Being exposed to some danger or the possibility of something bad happening and overcoming that situation leads to a wonderful sense of achievement, builds confidence and most importantly, resilience in ourselves and in our kids. If we are to create policies and pass laws, let them be on the basis of actual harm. And let us craft legislation or rules that are based on quantifiable evidence and not the latest headline or magazine survey. While it is important to protect our kids, it is as important to empower them to report abusive comments or bullying, to be an 'upstander' and not a bystander to hurtful behavior online."
Balkam is the founder and CEO of the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI), an international, nonprofit organization which works to make the online world safer for kids and their families. Through global events, specialized initiatives and the creation of original research, FOSI strives to convene the top thinkers and practitioners in government, industry and the nonprofit sectors to create a "culture of responsibility" in the digital world. As a veteran of the online safety space, he is able to provide expert commentary on issues surrounding young people, families and technology. This includes topics in modern digital parenting such as online safety, privacy and reputation, and the role technology now plays in education. Benefiting from the perspective of FOSI's 30 industry members, he can also provide insight and analysis on best practice from the standpoint of industry and corporate social responsibility and the public policy implications in the U.S. and overseas. He is a member of the Facebook Safety Advisory Board and the Comcast Safety Advisory Committee. He is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post, and a LinkedIn influencer. He has been interviewed as an expert in the field of online safety for nationally syndicated TV and radio programs on networks such as MSNBC, CNN, NPR and the BBC, as well as major print outlets including the Washington Post, New York Times and Wall Street Journal.
Website: http://www.fosi.org
Media Contact: Emily Mulder, [email protected]


MEDIA JOBS:

Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers, editors and producers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/community/jobs/

• Editor – Dallas Business Journal (TX)
• Reporter – Clinton Herald (IA)
• Editor – Daily Republic (CA)

See more listings here.

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES:

Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line at [email protected]

• BLOG PROFILES: BOOK BLOGS.  As PR Newswire's media relations manager, Christine Cube comes across great blogs that cover a wide variety of topics and interests. Each week, she offers brief profiles of blogs you might not have heard of but that might offer writing opportunities. This week, she shares reviews of a few book blogs: http://prn.to/10wNDR2
• MAKING LATERAL MOVES AS A FREELANCER. We recently held a #ConnectChat with freelance business journalist Joanne Cleaver. During the chat, we discussed managing time, getting clients/assignments, and increasing work opportunities by making lateral moves. Check out our recap of the chat: http://prn.to/1rAneaq
• FREELANCING, TIME MANAGEMENT AND THE SINGLE MOM.  Freelancing means freedom, but it also means being responsible to your editors, your family and yourself with smart time management. Freelancer Heidi Russell lays out a typical day in her life and how she balances it all: http://prn.to/1CkFA57
  

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