Latest news with #Goodson
Newsweek
5 days ago
- General
- Newsweek
Child-Free Woman Convinced She'd Use Cloth Diapers—Then Comes Viral Response
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A 32-year-old woman "undecided" about children asked moms for their opinions on cloth diapers—and the response is going viral. Miam-based Chanel Goodson wrote in her post on Threads: "As … someone who cares about the planet, I know I'd want to use cloth diapers." She asked parents on Threads why cloth diapers, despite being reusable and potentially more eco-friendly, aren't more widely adopted—especially given the rising concerns about chemicals in disposables and the mounting cost of single-use products. Stock image: A baby lays on a bed wearing a cloth diaper. Stock image: A baby lays on a bed wearing a cloth diaper. Aurora Uribe As a vegan of 12 years, Goodson told Newsweek that her values around sustainability shapes all aspects of consumption—including food, fashion and household products. "I'm very mindful about recycling and limiting single-use items, and disposable diapers have always struck me as incredibly wasteful," Goodson said. "When I saw a box of diapers in-store priced at $50, that honestly shocked me." That is when she started learning about cloth diapers—the cost savings, sustainability, and reusability made her want to understand them better. But many parents on Threads, moms in particular, had answers. The post itself was viewed over 135,000 times and received more than 2,000 comments. "The amount of labor involved with cleaning human s*** out of fabric is more intense than you will understand until you have a kid and it's a regular occurrence," one mom wrote. Another added: "I wanted to do cloth diapers but quickly realized I had to choose convenience for my sanity." Many others highlighted logistic hurdles such as day-care restrictions, lack of laundry access, and sheer exhaustion. "A washing machine makes it significantly easier and not everyone has one. High up front cost is off-putting. Add in exhaustion from having a newborn and most people give up," another mom posted. Some parents, however, shared positive experiences. "We use cloth diapers and have a service," one user commented. "Every Tuesday they drop off 60 clean diapers and pick up the soiled ones. It costs $80 a month. Everyone assumes it's ultra-luxury, but it's actually affordable." Sarah Topalian Davies, director of communications and media at Earth Day ( told Newsweek that cloth diapers are a hard sell, even as a committed environmentalist. "I … was given a bag of them for free by my midwife, but I quickly realized you have to be 100 percent committed as they get filthy fast," Davies said. "You need to be able to scrape the poop off the diaper, flush it and then hot-wash a ton of cotton diapers, easily five to 10 times a day to keep your supplies ready." Davies added that all the washing and drying is time-consuming, not to mention driers being the most energy-demanding appliances in the home. "The thing that makes the disposables so convenient is you can change your baby in the back of the car and just put the diaper in a trash bin after," Davies said. "A cotton diaper is much more demanding, and then you have to carry a soiled cotton diaper around with you till you get home, too." Davies said we need safer, plastic-free disposables, but finding affordable options is challenging. Goodson's aim, she said, wasn't to make a statement online, and understood that choosing cloth diapers involves a demanding washing schedule and extra time. "It didn't deter me from considering cloth diapers, but it definitely helped me understand that it's not just a sustainable choice; it's a lifestyle one that takes real commitment," Goodson said.
NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Infratil and Ebos help drive NZ stocks higher
Late in the New Zealand trading day, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was down 43.10 points at 8,666.30. The index has lost 1.04% for the last five days, but sits just 1.25% below its 52-week high. The main influences on the local S&P/NZX50 index were infrastructure investor Infratil, up 26c or 2.3% at $11.45, and medical supplies distributor Ebos, up 41c at $41.17. On the downside, utilities software provider Gentrack dropped by 61c or 5.5% to $10.52 after announcing it had been informed by an Australian customer it was no longer in the frame for replacing the customer's current platform. 'Whilst the financial impact of this does not warrant disclosure, out of caution we are providing this update to our investors,' Gentrack said. Salt Funds managing director Matt Goodson said Gentrack had lost out to its main competitor, Kraken, which is part of Britain's Octopus Energy. 'It should not have come as a shock because it was suspected by some, but the actual confirmation of it has seen the stock fall,' Goodson said. Sky Network TV fell 8c to $3.06 after spiking higher earlier in the week on news it would buy the troubled Discovery NZ for $1. Among the minor issues, takeover target Metro Performance Glass, which has a market cap of $9m, gained 0.3 of a cent to 5c. Competitor Viridian NZ's 8c per share offer for Metro Glass is before the Commerce Commission, which today issued a 'Statement of Issues' relating to the application. 'The commission has identified potential adverse competitive effects arising from a loss of competition between Viridian and Metro in glass processing, supply and installation markets where they are close competitors,' it said. Goodson said the commission 'clearly has issues' with Viridian buying Metro Glass because they are the two major players in glass processing and installation. 'I guess the question then is if Viridian is not allowed, what becomes of Metro Glass, given their debt levels,' Goodson said. Looking ahead, annual meetings on Wednesday for Ryman Healthcare and Mainfreight should give investors some clues as to how the two leading stocks are tracking in the current financial year. Later in the week, second-quarter results from Apple, Amazon and Microsoft – part of America's so-called Magnificent Seven – are due out. In the big picture, the ongoing spat between US President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell continues to be a concern for the financial markets as investors worry about the US central bank's independence. Jamie Gray is an Auckland-based journalist, covering the financial markets, the primary sector and energy. He joined the Herald in 2011.
NZ Herald
23-07-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
New Zealand sharemarket dips as F&P Healthcare, Infratil shares fall
New Zealand's largest stock, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, fell for a second day after it hosted an investor day in Melbourne, although Goodson said there was no real news for Kiwi investors. F&P shares fell 28c to $36.41, after 328,025 shares changed hands, worth $11,918,976.27. Meanwhile, Infratil shares fell 2.45% to $11.17. 'The other key name in the index was down. In the Australian close last night Infratil entered the ASX 200 index, so buying in anticipation of that may now be absent and that could perhaps explain that decline,' Goodson said. Elsewhere, Sky TV continued its positive momentum following the news it had agreed to purchase TV3 for $1 on a cash-free, debt-free basis. Today, analysts at fund manager Octagon said the business will be worth 35c per share to its new owner – or just over $48m. Sky TV's share price climbed 6c to $3.12. 'It's hardly operating in growth markets. By bolting on a business like that and hopefully extracting some cost and revenue synergies in the future, they may be able to stem some of the structural pressures that they face,' Goodson said. He also pointed out the Colonial Motor Company, one of New Zealand's longest-listed companies. It had $125,212.55 worth of shares trade on light volume. The business, which owns a number of Ford dealerships and franchises around the country, released a guidance upgrade to its second-half results, saying it is shaping to contribute to a more positive outcome for the full-year trading profit after tax than was anticipated in February. 'It's not a reflection of the overall economic environment, rather pockets of the wider vehicle market. I think it's pointing to what's becoming fairly clear in this economy, which is that large parts of the rural sector are having a pretty good year or two, but that's yet filtering through to town,' Goodson said. Global markets The Nasdaq retreated from a record Tuesday on a mixed day for stocks as markets looked ahead to upcoming earnings reports from Google parent Alphabet and Tesla. The two reports on Wednesday are the first of Wall Street's 'Magnificent Seven' equities to report this season. The group was mixed, with drops in Nvidia and other semiconductor equities consistent with profit-taking after earlier gains, analysts said. The tech-rich Nasdaq fell 0.4% to 20,892.69, snapping a six-day streak of record high finishes. But the broad-based S&P 500 edged up 0.1% to 6309.62, finishing at a record, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.4% to 44,502.44. Art Hogan of B. Riley Wealth Management described the market as in a 'wait-and-see' mode ahead of earnings from the most influential equities. – Additional reporting AFP Tom Raynel is a multimedia business journalist for the Herald, covering small business, retail and tourism.
USA Today
22-07-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Cake flour is buzzy on TikTok. That may not be a good thing.
Whether making a fluffy birthday cake, buttery shortbread cookies or melt-in-your-mouth cupcakes, more bakers are swapping out their all-purpose flour for a finer version known as cake flour. This once-niche ingredient is having a moment, thanks to frequent mentions by television chefs and a growing number of baker-led TikToks. 'People are learning that the flour you use really can change the texture of your baked goods,' says Amy Goodson, a nutritionist and registered dietitian at The Sports Nutrition Playbook. 'And cake flour gives you that light, tender bite you can't always achieve with other flours.' Whether you're baking for a celebration or perfecting your weekend muffins, understanding what health benefits cake flour does – and doesn't – offer can help you be a more informed pâtissier. What is cake flour? Cake flour is a finely milled flour that's specifically designed for more delicate baked goods. Typically made from soft wheat, one of its defining characteristics is that it contains only a fraction of the protein found in all-purpose flour. It's also more refined, "which gives it a finer consistency than all-purpose flour and makes cake flour ideal for baking moist cakes with a tender crumb,' explains Jen Messer, a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant at Jen Messer Nutrition. The lower protein content also means less gluten develops during mixing, helping the final product stay soft and airy rather than turning chewy or dense, explains Goodson. Most cake flour is also chlorinated, adds Messer, which is a treatment that weakens the gluten-forming proteins even further and allows the flour to absorb more liquid and sugar. It's because of these qualities that cake flour has become the go-to choice in recipes for angel food cakes, cupcakes, sponge cakes and any dessert where a fine, soft texture is key. Understood: Too many added sugars in your diet can be dangerous. This should be your daily limit. Is cake flour healthy? While cake flour certainly enhances taste and texture, it's no nutritional powerhouse. 'Cake flour might create soft, tender cakes, but it's not the most nutritious option since it's so highly refined,' says Messer. A major reason for this is that, when the flour is stripped of the bran and germ parts of the wheat kernel, it loses much of its dietary fiber and other nutrients. This is why cake flour is also more likely to cause blood sugar spikes compared to whole grain flours. 'Cake flour is mostly made up of fast-digesting carbohydrates,' Messer explains. Not only that, but cake flour isn't typically fortified the way all-purpose flour often is, 'so it may contain fewer added vitamins and minerals,' adds Goodson. Its lower protein content also makes it less ideal from a health perspective. At the same time, cake flour isn't completely devoid of nutrients. It contains some protein and fiber – about 2 grams of protein and 1 gram of fiber per 1/4 cup – and it has trace amounts of calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron and some B-vitamins. And Messer notes one small way cake flour may actually have an edge over all-purpose flour: 'Cake flour may form less acrylamide,' she says, referring to a chemical that can develop during baking and is considered a potential health concern. Still, 'this small advantage doesn't make up for its lack of overall nutrition,' she adds. What vitamins should you take? Why experts say some answers to this are a 'big red flag.' Does cake flour go bad? Like all pantry staples, cake flour has a shelf life. And while it doesn't contain the wheat germ or bran – components that can go rancid in whole grains – and therefore tends to be more shelf-stable, it can still spoil over time, "especially if stored improperly,' says Goodson. 'Typically, it lasts six to 12 months in the pantry, but can last longer if stored well.' To keep it fresh longer, Messer recommends transferring it from its original box or packaging 'to an airtight container and storing it in a cool, dry and dark place away from heat and moisture.' For longer-term storage, keeping it cold is best. 'Refrigerate or freeze it in a sealed container to extend freshness and prevent rancidity,' says Goodson. No matter how it's been stored, though, 'older cake flour should be checked before using in a recipe," advises Messer. "If it smells sour, musty, unpleasant or if you notice discoloration, mold, hard clumps or any signs of insects, it's best to throw it away.'
NZ Herald
18-07-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
NZ sharemarket dips despite strong US and Australian gains
Strength on Wall Street followed stronger-than-expected economic data, including a 0.6% gain in retail sales in June after a 0.9% fall in May, which gave more weight to the view the US Federal Reserve will not change rates any time soon. Australian stocks were also sharply higher towards the end of the New Zealand business day, driven mostly by resource sector stocks. 'It's a bit surprising that Australia is up so strongly, but our market was not participating at all after another quiet news day,' Salt Funds managing director Matt Goodson said. Weighing on the index was Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, which will hold an investor day in Melbourne on Wednesday, the stock finishing 21c or 0.57% down at $36.54. Fletcher Building, despite releasing a downbeat quarterly report, bucked the trend to end 9c or 3.03% higher at $3.06. Goodson said Fletcher's gains showed investors were willing to look through the data and take a long-term view. 'Markets are forward-looking and always trying to look through to a change in the cycle, which will occur at some stage as interest rate cuts kick in,' he said. Auckland International Airport dropped 12c to $7.66 after firming yesterday. Research firm Morningstar noted the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment had been reviewing the regulation of airport services and had said it was not considering a legislative change for the airport. 'The bottom line: we maintain our $9.30 fair value estimate,' Morningstar said. 'Shares are undervalued. 'We think the market is unjustifiably pricing either lower returns on regulated expenditure or weakness in unregulated businesses, like retail and car parks,' Morningstar said. Among the small-cap stocks, the lower-tier aged-care firms performed strongly. Leading the charge was Third Age Healthcare, up 40c or 10.7% at $4.15. Promisia Healthcare gained 5c (9.6%) to 57c after releasing a performance update showing group care occupancy for June 2025 averaged 87%. In the same camp was Radius Healthcare, up 3.5c (9.6%) at 40c. It was the last day of trading for NZ Wind Farms, which is being taken over by Meridian. 'It really continues a trend of smaller companies delisting and of there being no real pipeline of new ones coming on, which has to be a concern,' Goodson said. 'If you're not in the index, it's very hard for these small companies to get attention.' Looking ahead, the Consumers Price Index for the second quarter is due on Monday. ANZ expects the index to have lifted by 0.8% quarter-on-quarter, with annual inflation accelerating to 2.9%. The bank said the data would need to show a 'sizeable upside surprise' for the Reserve Bank to take an expected 25-basis-point rate cut off the table at the release of its Monetary Policy Statement of August 20. Jamie Gray is an Auckland-based journalist, covering the financial markets, primary sector and energy. He joined the Herald in 2011.
