Whether you are spending more time at home or have returned part-time to in-person work or school, smart, effective cleaning strategies can help keep your home and family safe and healthy.

Safe and simple are key criteria for choosing from among the wide variety of today's home cleaning products. However, consumers also want cleaners that are tough and effective, that don't just eliminate stains and spots, but also kill germs, viruses, and bacteria.

To that point, many people want to make cleaning easier, and that includes one-stop shopping.

One such product, all-n-all, tackles cleaning, stain removal and deodorizing in one single step.

The multipurpose cleanser contains ingredients derived from renewable resources, natural products including hydrogen peroxide and plant derived essential oils. It is designed to deliver a tough cleaning punch throughout the home, and the formula kills 99 percent of germs, bacteria, and viruses on hard, porous/non-porous surfaces when used correctly.

"Added surfactants help to break down those stubborn stains, giving you a one-step cleaning solution for your whole home," says Jason Bailey, president of all-n-all.

To that end, all-n-all is engineered to clean the entire house:

• Kitchen: all-n-all can help keep countertops and floors germ-free while tackling kitchen appliance cleaning from the sink, refrigerator, to tough stove top grease and grime.
• Living room: Stain-removal properties can take on challenges such as wine, coffee and pet stains from carpet, clean light switches, remotes, and tables.
• Bathroom: Remove iron deposits, hard water and calcium deposits from faucets and shower fixtures, clean sinks, bathtubs and countertops in one simple step.
• Nursery: It's safe and gentle enough to use on children's highchairs, furniture, toys, and game controllers.

All-n-all contains no dyes, phosphates, bleach, chlorine, or sodium lauryl sulfate, and is manufactured in the USA, with no harsh or abrasive chemicals.

Visit Lowes.com for more information and to purchase all-n-all natural cleaner.

T. I. Lowe's gritty yet tender and uplifting tale reminds us that a great story can break your heart . . . then heal it in the best possible way.

Austin Foster is barely a teenager when her mama dies giving birth to twins, leaving her to pick up the pieces while holding her six siblings together and doing her best to stop her daddy from retreating into his personal darkness.

Scratching out a living on the family's tobacco farm is as tough as it gets. Just when it seems she might have something more waiting for her -- with the son of a wealthy local family who she's crushed on for years -- her father makes a choice that will crack wide-open the family's secrets and lead to a public reckoning. Purchase at https://amzn.to/30eay45.

"A Road Trip to Remember"
by Judith Keim

A fun and memorable road trip between grandmother and granddaughter brings about surprises and love as they discover new possibilities for everything they've ever wanted.

Aggie and her granddaughter Blythe drive to Florida, stopping to see old college friends along the way -- particularly Donovan Bailey, the man she'd thought she'd marry. Aggie's son and his wife, Blythe's difficult stepmother, can't find out.

All goes well until Aggie falls while dancing with Donovan. Then Blythe's father is seriously injured in an automobile accident. Blythe and Logan Pierce, Donovan's young assistant, do their best to step in for them at work, fighting their mutual attraction. A fun novel from a prolific author. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3kBE4dB.

"EVE-o"
by Danielle Gomes

Would you sacrifice a few lives to potentially save millions?

When a team of scientists discovers the deadly consequences of a human gene they dub "the evolution gene," they quickly realize that the human race is on the brink of extinction.

As pandemic after pandemic ravages the world, symptomatic of the looming eradication of all humankind, this team heads to the Amazon for one last chance to save humanity. While the modern world is on the verge of total collapse, salvation lies in a forgotten time. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3goseTY.

"Adam Names the Insects"
by Janice Dixon

A great read for the young and the young at heart, "Adam Names the Insects" (with a little help from Eve) is a whimsical telling of an old story. The author takes the reader through a child-like excursion in the Garden of Eden in which Adam inspects the various insects and pronounces each name. He uses the sense of smell to name the stink bug and the sense of sound to name the Bzzz. Readers delight in the clever back and forth between Adam and Eve.

The book has been described as "a clever, refreshing, glimpse into the lives of two delightfully dissimilar individuals tasked with naming the insects." Come along and enjoy the journey. Purchase at http://bit.ly/3kd9OFK.

BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

"Lost in Paris"
by Elizabeth Thompson

When a deed to an apartment in Paris turns up in an old attic trunk, an estranged mother and daughter must reunite to uncover the secret life of a family matriarch -- perfect for fans of "The Little Paris Bookshop" and "The Beekeeper's Daughter."

A heartwarming and charming saga set in the City of Lights, "Lost in Paris" is an unforgettable celebration of family and the love between a mother and a daughter. New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins calls it "a luscious, layered story of inheritance, heartbreak, reinvention, and family. I adored this book." Purchase at https://amzn.to/3pQXOuH.

"The Lockhart Women"
by Mary Camarillo

Brenda Lockhart's family has been living well beyond their means for too long when Brenda's husband leaves them and the family's economic situation declines. Daughter Peggy thinks she's heading to college, until her father offers her a job sorting mail while she attends community college instead. Daughter Allison can't believe her luck that California golden boy Kevin has fallen in love with her.

Meanwhile, the chatter about the O.J. Simpson murder case is always on, a media frenzy that underscores domestic violence against women and race and class divisions. Brenda thinks O.J. has been framed. Both daughters are more interested in their own lives -- until Peggy notices bruises Allison can't explain. Purchase at https://amzn.to/2MA3DPd.

"A House with Holes"
by Denise Mast Broadwater

With their marriage on the line, this risky rehab could cost more than savings. Can a devoted pair rebuild their dream out of a nightmare?

Denise Broadwater thought she lived on strong foundations. But when she and her husband took on an ambitious remodeling of a Charleston, S.C., classic in a crime-ridden neighborhood, the cracks in her resolve started to show. And after a brick shattered their front window, she feared they'd bitten off more than they could chew.

In this powerful warts-and-all memoir, Broadwater lays bare the tests and triumphs of restoration and close living. With insightful marital wisdom, she'll lead you through an unforgettable tale of reinvention. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3chbR7X.

"Pace's Post: Ramblings of Wisdom from a Middle-Aged Doc"
by Victor M. Pace, MD

Written by a family medicine physician with 29 years of medical experiences and 55 years of life experiences, this book is a compilation of values, ideas, and journeys.

The chapters are independent of each other and are intended to be enjoyed by all adolescent and adult readers. Topics include: traveling, hobbies, activities, family time, philosophical ideals, and much more. Some of the chapter titles are: "Risk Taking," "Technology Then & Now," "Why Everyone Should Visit My Hometown," "The Love Of Pets," "My Journey Through Racism," and "The Value Of Journaling." It's all here wrapped up in one book. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3rOa3ZN.

NOTE: BookBites is a continuing series bringing readers information and ideas for their next read. For more reading ideas, visit BookTrib.com and subscribe to our weekly newsletter. 

Not that long ago, "sustainability" in the business world was defined as being able to stay afloat even in trying economic times. But these days, when Greta Thunberg may be the most famous Swede since Ingrid Bergman, it's taken on a whole different meaning - what the Harvard Business School describes as efforts to "positively impact the environment and/or society."

Of course, some businesses, like Whirlpool Corporation, have been ahead of the game, and are now setting even higher new targets to tackle climate change.

"We established our first office for sustainability over 50 years ago," said Marc Bitzer, the company's chairman and CEO.

1. Achieving Net-Zero Carbon Emissions in Plants and Operations By 2030

That's the updated commitment to environmental sustainability that the world's leading kitchen and laundry appliance company just announced this month.

To get there, the company has been installing even more wind turbines and solar panels to help power its sites and distribution centers with renewable energy. (It's already one of the Fortune 500's largest U.S. on-site users of wind energy.)

And it's improving efficiency across more than 30 of its manufacturing sites and distribution centers around the world though retrofits.

2. Greening Homes Through VPPAs

That's Virtual Power Purchase Agreements for the uninitiated. Or in other words, agreements signed with energy companies to help fund wind and solar farms to generate renewable energy for the grid.

Whirlpool Corporation's first VPPA project broke ground in Texas in early January. It promises to be the first of many such projects helping to cleanly power not just its own sites but also local homes.

That's right, ordinary people's homes.

3.Innovative Household Products

It shouldn't surprise anyone that U.S. News & World Report named four innovative Whirlpool brand products among the best refrigerators, dryers and washing machines of 2021. Yes, they look great. But they're also designed to be extremely energy and water efficient.

In fact, Whirlpool Corporation has already reduced the emissions linked to its products in use by 60 percent since 2005 and has committed to lowering them by an additional 20 percent by 2030 from a 2016 baseline.

One fun fact for you: Dishwashers save three to four times the water compared to hand washing your dishes. And, hey, they save you about 30 minutes each time too.

4.Helping Even You Reduce Waste Material

Not content that more than 70 percent of its manufacturing sites are already zero waste to landfill, the company aims to make that 100 percent by 2022.

Plus, to tackle other environmental challenges like plastic pollution, it's ramping up the use of recycled or reused materials in its appliances. And guess what? Those high-performance recycled plastics Whirlpool Corporation started to employ in its products means it's making use of you own waste.

In a recent survey of 4,000 Americans with disabilities, 95% said that accessible parking was key to their independence, and 85% said they had trouble finding accessible parking in their communities. More than half (52%) reported having to turn back from an errand or appointment because they were unable to find an open handicapped accessible parking space. Some of the biggest problems were spots taken by people who don't really need them, but make an excuse, and the misuse or borrowing of handicapped placards.

PVA was founded by injured Veterans who returned home from World War II but found barriers to independent living that prevented them from finding jobs or using public transportation. Since then, the organization has worked to create a more accessible America. Sadly, for many with disabilities, daily struggles still exist, particularly when it comes to accessible parking.

"People with disabilities deserve better," says David Zurfluh, U.S. Air Force Veteran and PVA national president. PVA has just launched the Honor the Spot campaign to encourage all Americans to be part of the solution.

"It is about educating the public, who may not realize the impact that misusing these spaces, even for a minute, can have on people with disabilities. We want all Americans to join PVA in protecting the freedom and independence of people with disabilities, who may not be able to shop or go to an appointment if the accessible parking is blocked or misused," says Zurfluh.

Issues with handicapped parking are one of PVA members' biggest complaints, and millions of Americans with mobility disabilities are also affected.

To be part of the solution, the PVA suggests people take these steps:

• Don't park in a handicapped spot for any reason, no matter the excuse.
• Don't share or borrow handicap placards.
• Post using #HonorTheSpot to encourage others.

To learn more and pledge to be part of the solution, visit pva.org/HonorTheSpot.

To help overcome barriers to placing more books into children's hands, the Toys for Tots Literacy Program, part of the Toys for Tots charitable foundation, has partnered with The UPS Store to deliver more than 44 million books since 2008. The UPS Store locations across the United States serve as partners for the Toys for Tots Literacy Program, and both organizations are committed to promoting literacy for all children.

"The pandemic has presented new barriers between children and the foundational life skill of literacy, hitting economically disadvantaged families the hardest," says Tim Davis, President of The UPS Store, Inc.

"The Toys for Tots Literacy Program is one impactful way we continue to support the communities we operate in, especially during challenging times. Our network of franchisees and customers are proud to help foster a love of books and learning through our continued commitment to this in-store donation program," he emphasizes.

Most people know Toys for Tots as the organization that brings holiday cheer to children in need through the gift of a new toy. Toys for Tots remains committed to its holiday toy program, but the organization is extending its outreach through the Toys for Tots Literacy Program.

The goal of the Toys for Tots Literacy Program is to provide economically disadvantaged children with direct access to resources that will enhance their reading and communication skills. The program works with various agencies to identify local schools and organizations to receive books purchased through the program's donations.

"We are incredibly thankful for all of the support this program has garnered over the years," says Lieutenant General Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), President and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

"The UPS Store continues to make it possible to support children nationwide in their literacy journey, especially amid the pandemic and for years to come," he adds.

Visit theupsstore.com/literacy or www.toysfortots.org/literacy for more information about the Toys for Tots Literacy Program.

Talend's recently published 2021 Data Health Survey1 demonstrates clearly that business leaders understand the importance of data -- two-thirds report that they work with data every day. Yet, 78% of executives say they face challenges using their data, and 36% say most of their decisions are not based on data. Companies know that the path to the future depends on using data, but despite years of investments in modern data infrastructure, they struggle to put that data to use.

To survive in today's economy, every organization must become a data company. This is easier said than done. Only half of executives highly rate their company's ability to deliver even the basics: timely, accessible, complete, and accurate data.

Data management companies have been offering to solve these problems for years, but their solutions are focused only on the mechanics of data. Focusing on simply moving and storing more data means some of the basic components of data management are lost -- where is data coming from? Who has access to it? How accurate is it? To become data-driven, leaders need to know more about their data.

"Our relationship with data is unhealthy. Only 40% of executives always trust the data they work with, and more than a third of executives are still making decisions based on gut instincts," says Christal Bemont, CEO, Talend. "The reality of data is falling well short of the industry's vision. Data management, which largely focuses on moving and storing data, doesn't consider the overall health of data. Therefore, in trying to manage data, companies are in fact creating digital landfills of corporate information. This must change. Our vision of data health is the future because it recognizes fundamental standards for quality and reliability are critical for corporate survival."

Talend envisions data health as a holistic system of preventative measures, effective treatments, and a supportive culture to manage the well-being of corporate information actively. Data health will include monitoring and reporting capabilities to help organizations understand and communicate -- in a quantifiable way -- the reliability, risk, and return of this highly critical business asset.

The data integrity and integration company's customers report that focusing on data health delivers positive business results. "Without access to quality data on time, we could have never achieved the scale of analytics we are currently in," says Ranadip Dutta, solution architect manager at Lenovo. "We now have flexibility along with scalability."

For more information on the Talend Data Health Survey and data health, click here.

From March 24th to April 8th, 2021, Talend led a survey via Qualtrics of 529 global executives -- with titles ranging from director to the C-suite -- from medium and large companies making more than $10 million in annual revenue to assess their ability to make data-driven decisions.

 "November 400CP Is Missing"
by Anderson Harp

The PT Chevron Pacific Gulfstream banks toward the north after lifting off from the international airport at Kuala Lumpur. The oil-exploration team has reason to celebrate: The new oil field outside of Minas will be the biggest reserve in the history of Indonesia. But suddenly the jet drops abruptly, then turns sharply west on a path similar to that of a well-known commercial airliner from the recent past, descends through radar coverage . . . and disappears.

 Marine lieutenant colonel and D.A. Will Parker hears from the wife of a former Marine buddy. Her husband is gone. The FBI and CIA are of little help, but it's an assignment Will can't refuse. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3tBRYj5.

 "Held in Slumber"
by Angela Parish

Will rest find you tonight? Gary, a high school art teacher, suffers from insomnia. For ten years he's been keeping the struggle alive for his missing sister Kelly, who disappeared without a trace. With the help of an experimental pill, he finds a dangerous connection between the living and dead -- caught in the clutches of his drug-induced dreams and corrupting him with visions of what really happened. Will the clues be enough?

Meanwhile, an FBI agent follows the tracks of a serial killer, and the closer he gets, the more intense Gary's dreams become. What he uncovers about Kelly disappearance and the person responsible for it is more than anyone could have imagined. Purchase at https://bit.ly/2Ppn2Uw.

"Three Groundbreaking Jewish Feminists"
by Sharon Leder

Three groundbreaking secular Jews -- women's historian Gerda Lerner, feminist Surrealist artist Susana Wald, and global ambassador Ruth W. Messinger -- respond with Jewish universal values to conflicts worldwide, from the Nazi Holocaust to 21st century genocides. Their lives raise the question: Is simultaneous commitment possible both to Jewish continuity and to helping non-Jewish strangers in need? Their lives illustrate how Jewish particularism exists to teach universalism.

For Jews and non-Jews, this book illuminates how universal values drive three women to become public about Jewish identity because they view the purpose of Jewish life to be alleviating inequity and suffering of all people. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3lYj4OU.

"The X Factor of Employee Engagement"
by Demi Gray

Demi Gray has dedicated much of her career to studying what makes employees tick and motivates them to optimum performance. This book takes readers through six key principles that serve as a frame of reference for attaining employee motivation: leadership influence, management support, applicable resources, flexibility and autonomy, recognition and proper compensation. The book is written for leaders who care about healthy workplace cultures, collaborative work environments, and committed team members."

 Says one reader, "The author is raising lots of valid points and important views on employee engagement and why it's beneficial in the workplace. I look forward to using this book as a team-building tool." Purchase at https://amzn.to/39dSsnU.

NOTE: BookTrib's Bites is presented by BookTrib.com 

If you own your home and have a mortgage, a cash-out refinancing option may be an easy way to have the money to tackle your home improvement project. Since interest rates are still quite low now may be a good time to tap into your home's equity. Many homeowners may not realize that cash-out refinancing can help fund these projects. A cash-out refinance is not a second mortgage. It is borrowing against the equity in your home or money you have already paid towards your mortgage. A cash-out refinance will require that you refinance your home most likely at a lower rate. The new loan amount will be slightly more than the remaining balance of your home because it will include the amount of cash you take out for you or your family.

Cash-out refinancing is beneficial because it can increase monthly cash flow and allow you to make good use of the funds you take out, according to Freedom Mortgage, one of the nation's full-service mortgage lending company and a leader in FHA and VA loans according to Inside Mortgage Finance, 2020.

The benefits of cash-out refinancing aren't limited to home improvements. Funds from a cash-out refinancing also can be used to pay for a college education or to consolidate high-interest debts at a lower interest rate. Homeowners can typically borrow up to 80% of the value of their homes without paying the private mortgage insurance (PMI) required by some lending situations. That means if you have more than 20% equity in your home, you can use that equity to get cash now.

To help homeowners explore their options and determine how much cash they can obtain, Freedom Mortgage offers a free cash-out refinancing calculator that enables the user to determine what makes sense and the amount of their new monthly payment.

For more information, visit https://www.freedommortgage.com/cash-out-refinance.

Farmhouse-style interiors have been popular for the last few years and the look remains as sought after as ever. There are enough iterations of the style (modern, industrial, French, rustic, and more) to suit most tastes. Signature elements include open shelving, shiplap, apron sinks, and a preference for natural, honest materials-stone, metal, and above all wood, new and reclaimed. "When it comes to farm-style decor, most of us think of the kitchen first," says Linda Jovanovich, of the American Hardwood Information Center. "But it can work equally well in bedrooms, living areas, even bathrooms. Incorporating natural hardwood into the design is a great way to achieve the look without going overboard into kitsch." Here are six inspiring uses of the perennial style.

1. A warm contemporary farmhouse kitchen

Photograph by Caitlin Murray

A large apron sink in cream-color cast concrete sets up a warm and sophisticated country tone in this Portland, Oregon kitchen by Emerick Architects. The island's black-walnut-slab top is complemented by open shelving and undercounter cabinetry in honey-stained maple, gray quartz counters, stainless-steel appliances, and a handmade ceramic-tile backsplash.

2. Corral-inspired stair railings and balustrades

Photograph by Spacecrafting

Rift-sawn white oak with a custom whitewash stain forms the handrails and posts of the main staircase in a Stillwater, Minnesota house by Home Design by Annie. An elegant reinterpretation of the traditional wooden-rail fences found throughout rural America, the stair gets a high-tech twist in the form of stainless-steel guard wires.

3. A characterful rustic kitchen

Photograph by Scott DW Smith

Charming rusticity is the name of the game in this Hesperus, Colorado kitchen remodel by Veritas Fine Homes. Existing beams and columns and a new oak floor-all in a dark finish-are joined by knotty-alder cabinetry and floating shelves stained a similar color to the island's honey-tone maple butcher-block top.

4. A cool western ranch-style bedroom

Photograph by Rikki Snyder

As this bedroom in Sag Harbor, New York designed by Timothy Godbold shows, the classic look of Southwestern ranches-pared down and sun scorched-adapts well to a modern interior. The aesthetic is evoked with minimalist means: simple bone-white accessories set against an expanse of white-oak boards that clad the walls like barn siding. 

5. The industrial-farmhouse look in a loft

Photograph by Manolo Langis

Reclaimed hardwood is a beautiful, sustainable material that can be used in a farmhouse-style kitchen to create a sense of warmth, age, and texture. In this Santa Monica, California loft conversion, SUBU Design Architecture juxtaposes recycled wood with plumbing pipes and similar machine-age elements that nod to the building's industrial heritage.

6. Open-shelf wet bar with a rural-art vibe

Photograph by Rikki Snyder

Timothy Godbold conjures another variant of that farmhouse staple, open shelving, with this wet bar cunningly tucked under the open stairs in a North Haven, New York residence. Stocked neatly with interesting glassware and bottles, the floating slabs of white oak and the gray honed-granite countertop become an art installation in their own right. Visit www.hardwoodinfo.com for more about farmhouse style with American hardwoods.