Reforming the private retirement system has been one of the rare issues that Congress has been able to move on in a bipartisan way in recent years.

The SECURE Act was signed into law last December as part of a larger appropriations bill and Congressional advocates on the issue were hoping for a repeat in 2020. The House Ways and Means Committee recently unveiled a bill known colloquially as Secure Act 2.0 with further reforms.

But as Washington finalizes its spending plans for the end of the year, it appears that retirement reform measures wont be included and will have to wait until 2021.

It's more likely now that it would be right after the first of the year, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D., Mass.) told Yahoo Finance in an interview this week, adding that he sees no reason we couldn't have this done and on the new president's desk in late winter.

One of the bills main sponsors, Rep. Kevin Brady (R., Texas), had told reporters immediately after the election he was hopeful "that there's such a strong bipartisan support for a new retirement security bill that we can move that quickly. Brady, Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, pointed to end-of-the-year spending bills as a possible vehicle for the bill. Those must-pass pieces of legislation were the vehicle that got the SECURE Act - which included measures like removing the age limit restricting IRA contributions and expanding access to annuities in retirement plans - done in 2019.

The details on the reported $1.4 trillion spending package the type of bill that Congress must pass every year are currently being kept under wraps and many aspects still need to be negotiated, so things could change. Its also unclear if any economic stimulus measures will end up as a part of the final funding package.

Neal remains optimistic of a retirement bill in 2021: We intend to get this up and going, it's ready to go, he said. But it could be equally or more challenging to find space on the Congressional calendar for the legislation as President-elect Joe Biden will be trying to get his Cabinet approved and his campaign agenda enacted.

Story continues

Neal called the 2019 SECURE Act the most important advance of retirement savings in 15 years, and pointed to provisions in his new bill that build on it.

Perhaps the most significant piece of the new legislation is a rule pushing new employees to automatically enroll in their companys retirement plan if one is offered. Employees could opt out, but the default would be enrollment.

The bill would also push up the age for mandatory distributions in all private retirement plans (including 401(k)s and IRAs) from 72 to age 75.

Other provisions include changes to the SAVERS credit, which lets certain lower-income workers get additional tax breaks when they save for retirement. This change would simplify the program and index the credit to inflation.

Another provision in the bill makes it easier for employees to find their lost retirement accounts by creating a national database. The provision would help workers who move from company to company keep track of their retirement accounts. It would also help workers who move from state to state who participated in the various state-level plans (state-level IRA plans have been gaining traction around the country).

In addition to the bipartisan support in the House, many of these provisions have found backing in the Senate in a similar bill championed by Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio) and Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.).

Neal notes that, whatever the timeline for this particular bill, retirement reform is a career issue for him with broader ambitions in the years ahead. Democrats and Republicans have been able to show remarkable bipartisan support on the issue when the focus is on reforms to the private retirement system.

I think [the bipartisan streak] is because a lot of this stuff is forward-looking, said Andrew Biggs, a conservative-leaning retirement expert and resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, in a recent interview. Where things get divisive is how you deal with the mistakes of the past, he said, pointing to some of the funding shortfalls that Social Security could see in the coming years.

According to recent analyses, the Social Security program could run short of money by 2031.

Clearly, I think that at some point we're going to need to look at the whole idea of raising Social Security benefits, Neal said. President Biden did indicate during the campaign that he's open to the discussion, I'm open to the discussion.

The average Social Security benefit for 2020 is about $1,503 a month. The debate during the Democratic primary was around how much not whether to increase those payouts. At the time, Sen. Bernie Sanders advocated the most ambitious plan, with Biden more focused on targeted benefit increases. Biden has voiced support for increases in survivor benefits and benefit increases for the oldest Americans, as well as a minimum benefit for workers who spent at least 30 years paying into the system.

Any Democratic plans to boost benefits, which will almost surely require an increase in payroll tax rates, will likely face strong Republican opposition.

Talking with reporters just days after the 2020 election, Rep. Brady pointed to Republican gains in the U.S. House of Representatives and said his takeaway was that Americans rejected higher taxes at the ballot box.

Ben Werschkul is a writer and producer for Yahoo Finance in Washington, DC.

Read more:

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A man in his 20s called 911 to say he fired in self-defense after being threatened with a gun, the Hillsborough Sheriffs Office said.

LITHIA A man shot to death by a relative at his Lithia home Wednesday appears to be a retired Marine lieutenant colonel who worked with U.S. Central Command in Tampa.

Citing an active investigation, the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office declined Wednesday to release information on the shooting at a home in FishHawk Ranch including the name of the shooter or the person who was shot. A sheriffs spokeswoman confirmed the man who was shot was in his 50s.

Based on Sheriffs Office activity at the scene, the shooting happened at a home in the 15000 block of Starling Water Drive owned by Timothy and Colleen Missler, property records show.

The Tampa Bay Times requested a preliminary case summary report and autopsy for a 50-year-old Timothy Missler from the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner, but a county spokeswoman said the records are exempt from disclosure because they are part of an active criminal investigation.

A woman who answered at a phone number listed for Colleen Missler hung up Wednesday when a Times reporter identified himself. According to information released by the Sheriffs Office, a call was made from the home to 911 at 6:56 p.m. Wednesday.

The caller, a man in his 20s, told dispatchers that a male relative had threatened him with a gun. The caller said he armed himself because he was in fear for his life then shot the relative several times, the Sheriffs Office said.

When deputies arrived at the scene, they found the older man dead.

The caller was cooperating with investigators, the Sheriffs Office said. No arrests had been made as of Wednesday.

According to his Facebook and LinkedIn pages, Timothy Missler was a retired lieutenant colonel who served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 22 years, retiring in 2016, and worked as an instructor pilot for L3 Technologies.

From 2014 to 2016, he worked in Tampa at U.S. Marine Corps Central Command, or MARCENT, according to the LinkedIn profile. Among his duties was to supervise three top secret and secret operational and concept supporting plans to Central Commands ... series campaign plans, the profile says.

His Facebook profile describes him as a happily married father of two wonderful boys.

Breaking News Reporter Tampa Police and Hillsborough Sheriff

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Man fatally shot by relative in FishHawk Ranch home could be retired Marine officer - Tampa Bay Times

Does your ideal retirement include hours at the beach, challenging hikes or tennis matches? Maybe you want to enroll in writing classes, volunteer or finally get to some art museums. Whatever youre dreaming of, the first question to ask is: Where should I live?

While theres no simple answer, we tried to make it a little easier for you to decide the best place to retire. Money combed through about 47,500 data points and considered factors like housing, climate, diversity and safety to create a list of destinations to suit every taste and budget. You can see more about our methodology below.

Of course, 2020 isnt a normal time, and the pandemic means that some of the fun activities weve highlighted cant happen right now, or are only happening with special safety modifications. Even traveling to scope out new places may be unsafe for the time being. But choosing the right spot is a decision youre making for the long haul. So our list weighs factors that will make these cities stand out over time, plus natural attractions that can be enjoyed right now.

Focal Flame Photography / Courtesy of Destination Madison

Population: 256,000 Population 50-plus: 28.2% Days of sunshine a year: 185 Median home price: $292,000

A college town in the Badger State might not spring to mind as an ideal place to retire. But with tons of recreational activities and natural beauty, Madison, Wis. a metropolitan area sandwiched between two lakes has taken the top spot on our list.

Its many charms come at an affordable price. The citys median home price, $292,000, is one of the lowest of all our winners.

Usually, living near the University of Wisconsin has its perks. People aged 60 and older can also audit courses at the university for free, and during this fall semester, 800 did so virtually, according to the university. During a typical weekend, people can stroll in the university Arboretum and the Lakeshore Nature Preserve on campus.

Madison has a bustling restaurant scene and free events, like Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra concerts on the lawn of the state Capitol. Also near the Capitol is the Dane County Farmers Market, which touts itself as the largest producer-only market in the country and has extended its outdoor season during the pandemic.

The citys art institutions, like the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, and many movie theaters can provide a safe haven during a cloudy day. And when family visits, you can easily entertain kids by visiting the Madisons Children Museum and Henry Vilas Zoo, or renting a paddle board or kayak at one of the nearby lakes.

The state capital has 38 retirement communities, the most of all our winners.

Wisconsins sales tax is just around 5% among the five lowest in the country and the state provides property tax breaks for older residents. COVID-19 has certainly taken its toll on Wisconsin, but its workforce has fared better than much of the country, with its unemployment rate at 5.7% in October compared to the countrys 6.9%.

Population: 83,000 Population 50-plus: 48.4% Days of sunshine a year: 244 Median home price: $211,000

Once known as the Citrus City for its shipping of citrus to northern states, Largo, Florida is at the heart of Pinellas County, a peninsula surrounded by Tampa Bay and Gulf of Mexico. The city may not be a well-known retirement destination like Boca Raton to the southeast, but it offers plenty of beautiful beaches and sun for less.

Largo has the lowest median home price of our winners at $211,000. And Florida ties with Tennessee as being the most tax-friendly on our list, according to our data; neither has a state income tax. With 24 retirement communities in the area and nearly half the population aged 50 or older, its a welcoming place for retirees.

The city along the Gulf Coast scored highest among our winners for a pleasant atmosphere, thanks to its walkability and great weather. On a sunny day, residents can explore the Florida Botanical Gardens or 70-acre Largo Central Park with fountains, picnic pavilions and a playground. Those looking to entertain visiting friends and family can head to the Central Park Performing Arts Center to see music, dance and theater performances.

Of course, a main attraction for Largo is its proximity to beaches along the Gulf of Mexico and there are many to choose from. Largo residents are close to beaches with public access, like Indian Rocks Beach, St. Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach, which was named TripAdvisors best beach in the U.S. for three of the last five years (the other two years it was Siesta Beach, which is under a 90-minute drive from Largo). Finally, you cant talk about Florida without mentioning golf courses, and Largo is home to plenty, including the East Bay Golf Club and Pinecrest Golf Club.

Population: 62,000 Population 50-plus: 43.9% Days of sunshine a year: 205 Median home price: $500,000

Settled in the 1600s by Welsh Quakers, Lower Merion, Pennsylvania borders Philadelphia. The township has a suburban feel and easy access to a vibrant city known for its food and art scenes.

If being close to health care options in retirement is a concern, this city could be a good spot for you. In addition to having both the Bryn Mawr Hospital and Lankenau Hospital, Lower Merion has a high number of primary care providers, mental health providers and doctors in the area for its population, according to our data. However, this access does come at a cost. While Lower Merion scores highest among our winners for the strength of its economy, it also has the highest median home price on our list at $500,000.

But if youre looking for a variety of ways to stay mentally and physically active, Lower Merion the home of the womens college Bryn Mawr could be worth it. From the 12-acre Barnes Arboretum (which housed the well-known art institution the Barnes Foundation before it moved to Philly in 2012) to hikes along the Main Line, like the Cynwyd Heritage Trail, this spot is great for walkers. The pedestrian and bicycle network connects parks and the Schuylkill River with neighborhoods, businesses, schools and more.

For those looking for some indoor entertainment, being so close to the City of Brotherly Love means Lower Merion has 234 museums and 367 theaters within a 15-mile radius. Meanwhile, those 55 years old or older can become members of the Center For Positive Aging in Lower Merion (PALM), which offers services including weekly grocery shopping and free medical screenings, as well as classes, workshops and entertainment, some of which has continued virtually through the pandemic.

Population: 84,000 Population 50-plus: 36.5% Days of sunshine a year: 208 Median home price: $495,000

Most cities cant boast a history that spans from Benjamin Franklin to Neil Diamond and Taylor Swift but Franklin, Tenn. can. Named after the founding father and home to Dark Horse Recording Studios, where many well-known musicians have recorded albums, the city has made the top 10 of Moneys Best Places to Live lists for three of the last four years. Its secret is out: Franklin was one of the fastest growing large cities between 2010 and 2019, according to the Census Bureau.

While Franklins median home price is $495,000 high compared to some other cities on our list its lower than those in neighboring city Brentwood. The citys overall housing market ranked high among our winners, as relatively few households spend more than half their income on housing.

It may be just a half-hour drive to Nashvilles legendary music scene, but Franklin offers plenty of attractions in its own right. From walking tours of sites from the Civil Wars Battle of Franklin, to museums like the Lotz House and Williamson County Museum, youre not likely to get bored of the citys history. The historic district in Downtown Franklin also has 15 blocks of modern-day activities: restaurants, shopping, art galleries and more. And if you want to hear good live music, you dont have to travel to Nashville. At Pucketts Grocery & Restaurant you can enjoy live performances over some BBQ, and the Pilgrimage Music Festival has brought a wide variety of artists the Foo Fighters, Lionel Richie, Sheryl Crow and Justin Timberlake, to name a few to Franklins Harlinsdale Farm.

Focal Flame Photography/courtesy of Destination Madison

Brett Sayles / Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau

Population: 234,000 Population 50-plus: 34.1% Days of sunshine a year: 210 Median home price: $335,000

Where is the largest concentration of Basques the ethnic group with roots in the western foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains in the U.S.? If you somehow guessed Boise, Idaho, youd be correct. Idahos capital and most populous city even has the Basque Block downtown, with the Basque Museum and Cultural Center and The Basque Market, where you can find pintxos (Basque for tapas, small plates meant to be shared) and paella.

Boise State University makes Boise a university town, with over 26,000 students enrolled in 2019. Thats likely why it scored high for convenience in our rankings, with its proximity to grocery stores and food markets, pharmacies, banks, shopping centers and more.

Boise has the feel of a big city without the price tag that usually comes attached. Idahoans have low utility costs compared to the rest of the country and the lowest average monthly gas bill, according to a recent report from Move.org. And people 65 and older can ride the local bus system for as low as 75 cents.

Boise also has a thriving art scene. The city not only has street art and the Boise Art Museum, its also home to the Gene Harris Jazz Festival and Idaho Shakespeare Festival, as well as Ballet Idaho and the Boise Philharmonic. Yet amid all this culture, you dont have to compromise access to nature: residents also enjoy the view of Idahos mountains. In just one day, you can easily go from fishing or canoeing on the Boise River in the morning, to biking along the 25-mile Boise River Greenbelt in the afternoon to grabbing a bite downtown for dinner.

Population: 154,000 Population 50-plus: 38.6% Days of sunshine a year: 245 Median home price: $392,000

Just eight miles west of Denver a 15-minute ride on the light rail train Lakewood isnt bogged down by skyscrapers. Neighboring the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Lakewood has more than 7,200 acres of open space.

Houses in this city may cost more than some of our other winners, but median home prices fall short of the home sale prices in many other Colorado cities, like Centennial and Denver. And it makes up for that cost elsewhere, especially with inexpensive fun for the whole family. There are more than 850 amusements (think festivals, zoos, boat rentals and more) and 265 theaters within 15 miles.

Colorado is a go-to spot for anyone who loves the outdoors, and living in Lakewood means you have skiing, boating and hiking destinations like Bear Creek Lake Park, which has 15 miles of trails just a short drive away. But there is also plenty to keep you entertained indoors, from the Belmar shopping and dining spot with over 80 retailers and restaurants, to the Lakewood Cultural Center with art galleries and performing arts classes throughout the year.

For those over the age of 55, the Lloyd G. Clements Community Center offers day trips, drop-in activities like dance and art classes, sports, community meals and more. The Older Adult Wellness Fair (although cancelled this year due to COVID-19) usually brings the community together for fitness classes, strength tests and health assessments.

Courtesy of Explore Asheville

Population: 94,000 Population 50-plus: 35.8% Days of sunshine a year: 212 Median home price: $328,000

Youre probably not looking to retire in the largest privately-owned house in the country, but if you were, youd head to Asheville, N.C. The Biltmore House, now a museum, has 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms and 65 fireplaces.

Biltmore aside, the cost of living is relatively low in Asheville. You can get a hamburger at Tastee Diner for just $5, and the bus fare for those aged 65 and older is just 50 cents (or $110 for an annual pass).

At the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at University of North Carolina (UNC) Asheville, older adults can take classes from UNC faculty on everything from economics to photography (classes have moved online during the pandemic). You can also take advantage of the local Blue Ridge Mountains with Senior Treks, low-impact hikes run through the Asheville Parks and Recreation Outdoor Programs. The hiking opportunities dont stop there Asheville is less than an hour-long drive from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Pisgah National Forest.

And once youre comfortable dining out again, you wont run out of new restaurants to try. Asheville was on The Daily Meals 2019 list of top foodie towns in America, and its visitors bureau Explore Asheville refers to it as a Foodtopia. It seems to live up to the name. Asheville has the highest numbers of bars and restaurants per capita among our winners.

There are also 12 retirement communities in the area.

Population: 45,000 Population 50-plus: 43.7% Days of sunshine a year: 205 Median home price: $390,000

Bridgewater Township in New Jersey has changed plenty since the stars-and-stripes flew above it for the very first time in 1777. From a small farming community as recently as the fifties, the township has evolved into one of the hottest suburbs of New York City because of its proximity to the Big Apple alongside affordable real estate and lower crime rates.

Located just 40 minutes from Newark and 90 minutes by train from Penn Station in Manhattan, Bridgewater has median home prices of $390,000. Compare that with half a million dollars for the New YorkNewarkJersey City metro area.

One of Bridgewaters major draws is the Washington Valley Park, where visitors can enjoy 720 acres of pine and hemlock forests, as well as a 21-acre reservoir open to fishing. A network of trails allows for hiking and mountain biking, while the Hawk Watch Area is popular with birdwatchers, as it provides a spot to view the August to November migration of raptor birds (including hawks, ospreys, and bald eagles) down south.

Back in town, golf enthusiasts will enjoy hitting the links at the Green Knoll Golf Course, one of the many publicly maintained courses in Somerset County. Green Knoll offers challenges for golfers of all levels, while aspiring golfers can take courses at the Learning Center in the Neshanic Valley Golf Course in nearby Neshanic Station.

For a taste of MLB-level talent without the price tag, you can catch the Somerset Patriots, the New York Yankees Double-A affiliate team, at TD Bank Ballpark. Premium field box tickets go for as low as $15 (though games with crowds are currently on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.)

Population: 143,000 Population 50-plus: 36.2% Days of sunshine a year: 265 Median home price: $461,000

The city of Roseville is located 20 minutes north of Sacramento to the east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Like the rest of the Sacramento area, Roseville enjoys a Mediterranean climate. Living there doesnt just mean great weather; it also means great wine.

There are 52 vineyards within 25 miles of Roseville, the most of any city on our list. From family businesses like Dora Dain Wines to world-class wineries like Wise Villa, its easy to make a weekend (or four) out of tasting the best varieties the region has to offer.

All these sunny days mean theres plenty of fun to be had outdoors. There are plenty of golf courses in the city, including the Sierra View Country Club and the Woodcreek Golf Club. Roseville also has the All-American Speedway, a NASCAR-sanctioned racetrack that is a favorite with locals.

The Westfield Galleria, the second-largest mall in northern California, is located in the city, featuring flagship store Nordstrom and everything from Hugo Boss to the Disney Store. Other malls in downtown Roseville are Stanford Ranch and the Ridge at Creekside.

And once youve explored everything Roseville has to offer and it might take a while just remember that Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada ski resorts are just two hours away.

Population: 84,000 Population 50-plus: 41.8% Days of sunshine a year: 278 Median home price: $367,000

This vibrant state capital in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains is famed for its cultural scene and natural beauty, making it ideal for retirees who want to live life to the fullest.

Santa Fe has the most clear-sky days of any city or town on our list, which is great news for outdoor enthusiasts. There are hundreds of trails in and around Santa Fe for beginners and experienced hikers alike, with the Santa Fe National Forest being a major destination. This forest spans over one million acres, including 300,000 acres of untouched wilderness, 1,000 miles of rivers, and almost 20 lakes open to fishing with a New Mexico license.

If youre more drawn to cultural attractions, theres a lot to love about Santa Fe. History buffs will enjoy walking the historic city center, with its old-fashioned adobe buildings, local eateries and shops, and landmarks like the Loretto Chapel, famous for its miraculous staircase, a spiraling wooden structure with two 360-degree turns and no visible means of support.

Santa Fe is also home to dozens of museums and art galleries. Some standouts are the Museum of International Folk Art, where the Girard Wing features a Mexican town in miniature, and the Georgia OKeefe Museum, dedicated to the artist who lived her last years in Santa Fe. Another local favorite is El Rancho de las Golondrinas, a living 18th-century village with adobe houses and costumed re-enactors. Multiple events are held in the ranch year-round dont miss the Santa Fe Wine Festival in July or the Harvest Festival in the fall.

To find Moneys Best Places to Retire, we looked only at places with populations above 50,000. We eliminated any location that had more than double the national crime risk, less than 85% of its states median household income or a lack of racial diversity. This gave us 1,890 places.

We then collected about 47,500 different data points to narrow the list, and filtered out locations with a median sales price above $550,000 in the first quarter of 2020. We considered data on each places housing market, economic health, cost of living, quality of life, mental and physical health factors, diversity and amenities, all provided by research partner Witlytic. You can view more information about the data we used here. To pick the retirement destinations noted here, we put the greatest weight on quality of life factors (like weather and percentage of residents age 50 or above), cost of living, health and safety amenities and the housing market.

Among the statistics called out here: Population and percent of population age 50 or above data reflect Synergos Technologies Inc.s interpretation of Census and IRS data. Median home sale price reflects the first quarter of 2020 median from Attom Data. Count of days of sunshine a year reflects clear day data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

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The 10 Best Places to Retire in America - Money

Justice of the Peace Pedro Hernandez performs a wedding in 2011.

Yellowstone County Justice of the Peace Pedro Hernandez is sworn in by Judge Ingrid Gustafson during a ceremony at the County Commissioners offices in 2010.

Three years after retiring, former Yellowstone County Justice of the Peace Pedro Hernandez died Sunday afternoon of COVID-19 related pneumonia.

At the time his retirement was announced in Sept. 2017, Hernandez was 76 years old and had worked as a judge for 42 years. He said at the time that he was the longest-serving elected judge in Montana.

The judge was married to Debby Hernandez, who served as Yellowstone County's auditor from 2003 to 2017. She also announced her retirement in September 2017.

Pedro Hernandez was appointed in 1975 to fill a vacancy. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War and studied criminal and juvenile justice at Eastern Montana College, now known as Montana State University Billings.

In 1970, Hernandez became a police officer before taking a job in 1972 as a probation officer for the 13th Judicial District.

Hernandez did not have a law degree, which is not a requirement for a justice of the peace. He had said in the past that he met all of the education requirements to serve as judge, completed mandatory training and testing and maintained his certification as required by the Montana Supreme Court.

At the time of his retirement he was a member of the Yellowstone County Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the American Judges Association.

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Pedro Hernandez, retired justice of the peace, dies - Billings Gazette

One of the largest beauty trends of 2020, according to Byrdie, is vegan beauty. It seems that veganism isnt just a diet, it extends into beauty too. With the rise of vegan and plant-based diets, its understandable that people want a bit more from their beauty products too. Beauty products have become part of a larger lifestyle choice. And the appeal of vegan beauty products is far-reaching. The super-rich and celebs have really got on board with a more vegan lifestyle. In 2020, consumers want cruelty free products and products without any additives they dont understand.

Having the label vegan on products has become a way for consumers to quickly understand the product.In other words, vegan beauty has become a sort of umbrella term which is used to describe a wide range of products. These products are typically produced without harm to animals. They arent tested on animals and also likely dont use any animal products, by-products, or derivatives.

According to an article on Vogue, common animal ingredients include beeswax, lanolin (which is the grease from sheeps wool), carmine (a red color from crushed cochineal insects), and uric acid from cows. Cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos told Today that lanolin is somewhat of a point of contention. Lanolin comes from the grease in sheeps wool. Its necessary, so that the sheep arent injured, to shave it so that the coat doesnt become too heavy. But even though it doesnt affect the sheep at all and is quite a natural part of the cycle, lanolin is usually left out of vegan products.

So whats up with these products? Are they better for your skin? It seems that products without animal derivatives are in fact better for your skin. Of course, there are obvious benefits like the fact that youre reducing environmental damage. However, its also great for your skin.Vegan products are not only kinder to the planet but kinder to your skin.

Dr. Debra Jaliman, a board-certified New York City dermatologist says that manyvegan skincare and beauty products contain vitamins and are filled with

This makes it easier to decide whether its something we want to put on our skin. Remember that the skin is the largest organ so everything you put on it is absorbed into the body. This is of course not to say that all non-vegan products are harmful or indeed full of chemicals. And its also not to say that all vegan products are completely safe. Dr. Anthony M. Rossi warns though that just because something is vegan doesnt mean you cant be allergic to it. In fact, many plants and plant-based ingredients can cause skin irritation and contact dermatitis.

Even though vegan is an easy buzz word to look out for on packaging, it doesnt always mean what we think it should. For instance, although cruelty-free and vegan are associated, there is no guarantee that your vegan products are definitely cruelty-free. And it works the other way around too, brands can be cruelty-free but not vegan. Essentially, its vital, as a consumer, to read labels. Its up to us to make sure we are well informed and know what it is were buying. Also, remember that ingredients can be ethically sourced. So your favorite face wash may use ethically sourced ingredients, but theyre still animal by-products. Its also easy to assume that all vegan products are organic and vice versa but that is also not the case.

Vegan skincare and beauty products are definitely worth a try. Often, they arent actually more expensive than their non-vegan counterparts. Anything we can do to help the environment is worth it. If youre not sure about giving up your collagen or lanolin quite yet, maybe opt for cruelty-free, natural, and/or organic products instead. Youre still helping the environment and practicing kindness after all.

Callahan, C. 2019. What is vegan skin care and is it better for you? [Online] Available at:https://www.today.com/style/what-vegan-skin-care-it-better-you-t151466.

Lawrenson, A. 2020. Mark Our Words: These Will Be the Biggest Skincare Trends of 2020. [Online] Available at: https://www.byrdie.com/2020-beauty-trends-4779832.

Vogue. 2015. Is it better to be using vegan beauty products? [Online] Available at: https://www.vogue.com.au/beauty/skin/is-it-better-to-be-using-vegan-beauty-products/news-story/868338688a343b198c812b86cc246f22

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So What Is Vegan Beauty And Is it Worth A Try? - Longevity LIVE - Longevity LIVE

Written by Beth JoJack on November 25, 2020 Fact checked by Alexandra Sanfins, Ph.D.

A newly published study has found that vegans may be at higher risk of bone fractures than people who incorporate meat into their diet. The risk may also be higher for vegetarians and pescatarians.

Researchers have found that vegans with lower calcium and protein intakes had a 43% higher risk, on average, of experiencing bone fractures than people who ate meat.

The longitudinal study that reached this finding appears in the journal BMC Medicine.

According to the study, among the study participants eating a vegan diet, there were close to 20 more cases of fractures per 1,000 people over a 10-year period. In particular, vegans faced a higher risk of fractures of the hips and legs, as well as other main site fractures, such as the clavicle, ribs, and vertebrae.

This is the first comprehensive study on the risks of both total and site-specific fractures in people of different diet groups, says Tammy Tong, lead author and a nutritional epidemiologist at the Nuffield Department of Population Health at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

The biggest differences were for hip fractures, where the risk in vegans was 2.3 times higher than in people who ate meat equivalent to 15 more cases per 1,000 people over 10 years.

Tammy Tong

Vegetarians and pescatarians individuals who do not eat meat but do eat fish also had a higher risk of sustaining hip fractures than people who ate meat, according to the study.

However, the researchers found that taking body mass index (BMI), dietary calcium, and dietary protein into account partly reduced the risk of fractures in these groups.

The researchers analyzed data from nearly 55,000 men and women living in the U.K. who had agreed to participate in the Oxford component of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study to examine how diet affects fracture risk.

Of the participants, nearly 30,000 ate meat, about 8,000 were pescatarians, more than 15,000 were vegetarians, and nearly 2,000 were vegans at the time of their recruitment between 1993 and 2001.

Researchers at the Universities of Oxford and Bristol examined the outcomes of the participants by monitoring their hospital records and death certificates until mid-2016. The team followed the participants for more than 17 years, on average.

Over the course of the study, 3,941 fractures occurred in total, including 566 arm, 889 wrist, 945 hip, 366 leg, and 520 ankle fractures and 467 fractures at other main sites, which the researchers established to mean the clavicle, ribs, or vertebra.

The authors observed no significant differences in risks between diet groups for arm, wrist, or ankle fractures once they took BMI into account.

Earlier studies have linked calcium and protein intake to bone health. Researchers have also shown that a low BMI is associated with a higher risk of hip fractures but a lower risk of ankle fractures.

Regarding specific diet types, previous studies found that vegetarians had lower bone mineral density (BMD) than those who ate meat.

According to other research, people who follow vegan or vegetarian diets have lower intakes of dietary protein, as well as lower BMIs than those who eat meat. Additionally, vegans may have substantially lower intakes of calcium.

The studys authors found that the differences in the risk of total and site-specific fractures became less once they factored in BMI, dietary calcium, and dietary protein.

A 2019 analysis found that combined vitamin D and calcium supplements were effective in fracture prevention.

Well-balanced and predominantly plant-based diets can result in improved nutrient levels and have been linked to lower risks of diseases, including heart disease and diabetes, says Tong. Individuals should take into account the benefits and risks of their diet and ensure that they have adequate levels of calcium and protein and also maintain a healthy BMI that is, neither under nor overweight.

A 2007 study from the Oxford-EPIC cohort that included almost 35,000 participants also found that vegans had a higher risk of total fractures, but not vegetarians.

However, when the study only looked at the participants who reported consuming at least 525 milligrams a day of calcium, the increased risk dissipated.

Researchers caution that this study had a shorter follow-up period of 5 years and relied on the participants self-reporting.

The authors of the new study caution that they were unable to pinpoint the causes of the fractures and did not know whether the participants had used calcium supplements.

They hope to see additional studies looking at non-European populations, as other studies have indicated that there are differences in BMD and fracture risks among ethnic groups.

As three-quarters of the participants in this study were women, the researchers also call for a study with a larger proportion of men to explore differences in risk by sex.

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Vegan diets may be linked to a higher risk of bone fractures - Medical News Today

Whether you're vegan for health reasons, personal choice or simply preference, one of Ohio's favorite ice cream chains will soon be offering a sweet treat just for you.

Graeter's has partnered with California-based food technology company Perfect Day to introduce a brand new line of ice creams, "Perfect Indulgence," using animal-free dairy protein.

The vegan series of ice creams will feature traditional favorites like cookies and cream, mint chocolate chip, black cherry chocolate chip, chocolate, Oregon strawberry and chocolate chip with plans to eventually roll out additional flavors such as Madagascar vanilla bean.

It should be noted that their most popular flavor, black raspberry chocolate chip, is not on this list. Perhaps it falls into the category of "flavors to come."

On the creamery's website, they note that the vegan treat does contain certain milk allergens and that folks with sensitivity to "other dairy" should read through the panel of ingredients.

The taste of Perfect Indulgence is exactly what our customers have come to expect after 150 years of bringing them irresistibly indulgent ice cream, said Richard Graeter, fourth-generation family member and president and CEO of Graeters Ice Cream in a press release.

We are excited to finally be able to serve authentic Graeters indulgence to guests who choose to eat vegan or cannot enjoy our regular ice cream due to a lactose intolerance. Until now, we couldnt put our name on a vegan product because it simply did not live up to our standards. But now, with Perfect Day, we can.

But how does it compare to the decadent dairy delight we've grown to love over the past 150 years? The Graeter's folks say it's "virtually indistinguishable" from their typical cream-based offerings, by incorporating "animal-free protein from microflora rather than cows, which makes for a kinder, greener and more sustainable future," the press release reads.

"Were honored to partner with Graeters Ice Cream, a venerable brand beloved across generations for its great taste and uncompromising quality," says Perfect Day. "This is just the beginning of what we see as a tremendous opportunity to share delicious, animal-free dairy with people in a mainstream capacity.

The vegan line of ice creams will be available online beginning Nov. 27, and will be ready for scoopin' at stores starting Dec. 1.

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Graeter's Introduces New Line of Vegan Ice Creams - Cleveland Scene

Zsa-Zsa Porter and Nikkis Campbell are triathletes, mothers and entrepreneurs who want to expose the West Charlotte community to a vegan lifestyle.

They opened Exposed Vegan restaurant at 1540 West Blvd. earlier this month with curbside pickup and delivery and intend to add a food truck to reach more of the community. Salads, bowls, smoothies and vegan cookies are among the menu items.

Exposed Vegan is based in City West Commons, a location incorporated into the city of Charlottes #StreetEats program, which wrapped on Nov. 22. The program turned parking and sidewalks into outdoor eating spaces to encourage people to support restaurants amid capacity limitations brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are very excited to provide healthy options to West Boulevard, Porter said. During the pandemic we recognized that there are so many [people] who are looking for healthy options, especially if they are working from home or are just not out and about. They need to get fresh food or plant-based food, and we are excited to provide those options.

West Boulevard is one of the citys six areas in the Corridors of Opportunity program, which targets bridging gaps in infrastructure, workforce, transportation, housing and code enforcement, business development, public safety and urban design. The $24.5 million initiative kicked off in September on Beatties Ford Road.

The West Boulevard corridor is a food desert, making the addition of businesses like Exposed Vegan significant in terms of providing healthy options.

It is so important that we continue to provide healthy food options and access to residents along the corridor, because right now we dont have that, City Council District 3 representative Victoria Watlington said. We want to invest in peoples education and their economic mobility, but we also want to invest in their health. Part of doing that is partnering with healthy food options with business owners.

Said Porter: There are some low-income areas that we want to make sure that we give back to.

Porters background is in financial services, specifically digital and mobile. While she still has her corporate job, she felt called to provide something for the community amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

I am not a nurse and I am not a doctor, so I am not someone who can help people who are sick in that way, but I can cook, Porter said. I can provide healthy options. We recognized that a plant-based diet can help someone with ailments, and it can help prevent several diseases. We felt our role to play was to provide those healthy options to everyone during the pandemic.

Porters conversion to a healthier lifestyle had a direct impact on her health. Knee pain when running led to a diagnosis of severe arthritis and inflammation. Her doctor gave three options: medication, surgery or a diet change and weight management to reduce the stress on her knees, which were broken when she was 17. The latter worked best for her.

Porter pursued an Ironman triathlon after turning 40, which meant tackling a 2.4-mile swim, 112 miles of biking and 26.22-mile run. Her goal is to expose myths and debunk stereotypes about living a vegan lifestyle.

I recognized there just something I wanted to do for myself, she said. I have three kids, and I love to swim and bike. So does my business partner. I decided to start doing triathlons. I started triathlons about four years ago, and two years ago, I completed my first Ironman. I have completed that twice.

On the Net: http://www.exposedvegan.com

More:

Exposed Vegan opens healthy food options along West Boulevard - Charlotte Post

Today, acclaimed vegan chef Matthew Kenney will open his newest concept, a three-in-one restaurant, in Los Angeles, CA. The MKTK concept will operate out of the test kitchen at his Plant Food + Wine restaurant and offer customers a preview of future brick-and-mortar restaurants by featuring three distinct menus from which they can order takeout or delivery. At burger shop mKburger, guests can choose from a selection of burgers, fries, and vegan chicken nuggets, along with salads and brownies. Latin America-inspired concept Oleada Cocina (which will open in both New York and Los Angeles) the menu features familiar burritos and tacos, along with ceviche and cocktails. Finally, La-Zen is inspired by Chinese cuisine and will feature both vegan takes on traditional Chinese dishes and contemporary creations. The timely concept fits well with Los Angeles recent retraction of outdoor dining due to increased COVID-19 cases and will be in operation until Plant Food + Wine can reintroduce sit-down dining.

Locally, Kenney owns several additional businesses including vegan deli and store New Deli, pizzeria Double Zero, and newly opened pasta bar Sestina. Outside of Los Angeles, Kenney operates a variety of vegan concepts under his MKC brand worldwide, including an all-vegan food hall in Providence, RI, Alibi inside the Ovolo Hotel in Australia, and SUTRAa rooftop restaurant he opened in New York City last month. Last year, Kenney helped 150-year-old French ptisserie chain Ladure transform its Beverly Hills location into an all-vegan restaurant and bakery and is working with the brand to introduce vegan pastry options to its locations worldwide.

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Craving Burgers, Chinese, or Burritos? You Can Order Them All From This New Vegan Concept in Los Angeles - VegNews

Spanish-born singer, actress, and flamenco dancer Charo (born Maria Rosario Pilar Martnez Molina Baeza) is urging her fans to ditch turkey this Thanksgiving for a vegan spread of roasted vegetables. The iconic personality took to Instagram to share her tips this holiday season. If you are like me, a vegan and vegetarian, now its coming Thanksgiving and what to do without the turkey? Charo says in a video while sitting in front of an array of vegetables. So, I went to the market and bought everything that we needed. Every single vegetable that is here is so rich in vitamins and fiber that Who needs the turkey? Charo then recounted her trip to the grocery store, stating, When I went there, somebody said, A Thanksgiving dinner without turkey is like eating a soup with a fork. I said, if I would be the turkey, I would say, fork you.

In 2019, the 69-year-old celebrity told fans on Instagram that while she consumed as many fruits and vegetables as possible, she also ate chorizo and salmon. Within the last year, Charo has been exploring fully vegan recipes, including tomato tapas, her first vegan dessert (a roasted squash stuffed with berries), and vegan tacos topped with almond-based cheese.

Pleasesupportindependent veganmediaandgettheverybest innews,recipes,travel,beauty,products, andmore. Subscribe now to the worlds #1 plant-based magazine!

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Charo Urges Fans to Have a Vegan Thanksgiving - VegNews