When consumers are enjoying a glass of cucumber water after a massage, purchasing a pint of their favorite Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, or ordering a cocktail at the bar, they’re typically not thinking about how these everyday decisions could be affecting the spirits they find at retail. 

 In Fred Heatherton’s novelty song, “I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts,” the composer depicts a showman prodding people to play a game involving coconuts in order to make him rich.  

 Whether it’s the ambiance, celebrity sightings, exclusivity, cocktails or a combination of all of the above that attract consumers to nightclubs, it’s clear that the “cool factor” is a must-have for success.  

 Chicago-based Fair Oaks Farm Brands Chief Executive Officer Steve Jones knows the importance protein plays in a balanced diet. 

 The old adage, “You are what you eat,” has been more top of mind in recent years as the wealth of health and wellness information inspires consumers to consider their diets. According to the International Food Information Council Foundation’s 2012 Food & Health Survey, nearly all Americans say they have given at least a little thought to the healthfulness of their diets, physical activity and the safety of the food they eat and are trying to improve at least one of their eating habits.  

 With the chill of winter upon us, some days you might just want to curl up under a warm blanket with a piping-hot cup of hot chocolate in your hands.  

 Last fall, a team of researchers at Hiroshima University in Japan conducted a study which found that those who looked at pictures of baby animals, such as puppies and kittens, did more productive work afterward, as reported in an article in the Washington Post.  

 Raise your hand if your New Year’s resolution last month contained some improvement regarding your health. I admit that every year I set some goal around my health, whether it is changes in dieting habits or increased exercise frequency.  

 In collaboration with Buzzfeed, Florida Orange Juice launched a campaign to remind consumers that humor — like a glass of orange juice — can help people take on the day, no matter what it brings.  

 Since nearly the dawn of the automotive age, many “alternative” fuels have been tried, but virtually all have come up lacking when compared with petroleum-based diesel and gasoline.  

 Douglas Machine Inc. added a new horizontal case/tray packer to its line of packaging machinery. 

 Wild Flavors Inc. expanded its line of taste modification ingredients with the release of its newest ingredient: Wild Sweetness Enhancer.  

 Sensient Colors LLC, a business unit of Sensient Technologies Corp., released a line of palm-free natural colors to enhance its library of sustainable and environmentally friendly natural colors. 

 In conjunction with signing an agreement with Baltimore Ravens cornerback Bernard “Crush Boy” Pollard Jr., Bully Bling Energy LLC released special-edition cans of its same-named energy drink highlighting the professional football player.  

 Doctors and nutritionists commonly stress the importance of a balanced diet and exercise for a healthy body, but more research is supporting the importance of a healthy brain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, as many as 5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia that involves parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language and affect a person’s ability to carry out daily activities.  

The classic fairy tale “Beauty and the Beast” teaches people that beauty comes from within. 

 When the fairy godmother in Walt Disney’s version of “Cinderella” dressed the maiden for the ball, she made sure that everything fit perfectly — including that ever-important glass slipper.  

 As many have said during tough times, “There’s nowhere else to go but up.”  

Long revered as a solution for topical burns and healthy skin, aloe has become valued in the beverage industry for more than just its external benefits.