Picking Great Produce: Enjoy the Bounty of the Harvest

GE Privacy

Introduction: protecting your privacy, enhancing your online experience

When it comes to data privacy, protecting your personal information is most important. We feel it’s also important to give you, your colleagues, and your family members a voice in the development of this web site and your overall experience with it. To do this, we need to collect certain types of information to help us evaluate how the HealthAhead web site is being used, so we can continually improve your experience and the content we offer to you. By tracking overall usage patterns, providing an easy channel for your feedback, and allowing you to tell us what content is most useful to you, we can refine our offerings and provide more of the content you personally find valuable.

Overall, we are committed to giving you the option to participate – or not participate – in a manner that’s right for you. Read more for how we do this.

Information we collect and how we use it

Identifiable Information Collecting

All methods of identifying yourself to GE will be optional and opt-in, may be updated by you at any time, and will not be required for all areas of the web site.

We will not collect any identifiable user information from the areas of the HealthAhead web site which do not require SSO (Single Sign On), unique User ID (Identification), and/or Password.

There are areas of the web site that require you to identify yourself to us (authenticate). This allows you to access certain parts of the web site that may otherwise be restricted for privacy and security purposes.

There are also areas that may provide the option to create a personalized profile. The information you provide is optional and what you tell us will determine the level of personalization you will experience.

Access to identifiable information is restricted to internal, administrative personnel and solely for purposes of providing web site support, awarding prizes and other recognition, and customizing the web site content and overall functionality for the user. However, we will also allow you to change your mind and opt-out of sharing personal information with us at any time.

Non-Identifiable Information Collecting

When you visit the HealthAhead web site, we track, collect and report on certain aggregate and non- identifiable information. In other words, the information we collect does not relate to a single identifiable visitor. It tells us things such as how many users visited our web site and what pages they viewed.

This non-identifiable data will be collected and stored in a secure database in the U.S., and may be viewed by GE. We will analyze this information to refine our web site to better reflect user preferences, such as the type of content users are searching for most, and to improve the usability of the web site and the user’s web site experience. The information may also be used for purposes of promoting the web site. The data will not be used for medical analysis or other medical purposes.

Cookies

Like many web sites, the HealthAhead web site uses browser cookies – bits of text placed on your computer’s hard drive when you visit. We use them to tell us things like whether you’ve visited us before, and to help us identify features in which you may have the greatest interest. We also use cookies to track country and language selection.

In the future, we may use cookies to track additional details, such as city and state.

We keep this information unless you don’t wish GE to capture this and choose to delete your cookie history. If you wish to stop accepting new browser cookies, get notification when you receive a new cookie, or disable existing cookies, the “help” portion of the toolbar on most browsers will tell you how. Keep in mind, without browser cookies, you may not be able to take full advantage of all our web site features or have your preferences saved for future visits.

We also use Flash cookies on the web site to enhance your online experience. These are similar to browser cookies, but they store data more complex than simple text. Flash cookies, by themselves, cannot do anything to or with the data on your computer. In addition, Flash cookies cannot access or remember your email address or other personal information unless you provide the information on this web site.

Web Beacons

Certain pages on our web site contain “web beacons” (also known as Internet tags, pixel tags and clear GIFs). These web beacons obtain information such as the time the page was viewed, the type of browser used to view the page, and the information in cookies. Web beacon data does not include IP address. The web beacon data is stored at Google Analytics, a third party (see ‘Tracking and Reporting’ for more information on this technology).

Tracking and Reporting

Specifically we will track, collect and report on the following data using software from Google Analytics. For more information about Google Analytics, including information about how to opt out of these technologies, go to www.google-analytics.com

Our primary metrics include: Poll response rate, repeat visits, number of times content is shared, and visits by country.

The sub-metrics include:

Most Popular Content Types, Most Popular Content Topics, User Pathing, Exit Links, Bounce Rate, Traffic by Source (region), Time on Web site, Visit Time of Day, Unique Views/Page Views, Thumps Up/Down, Most Shared Content, Number of Times Content is Rated, Most Rated Content by Type, Language Selection.

We will also be tracking how much communicators, web site leaders and other HealthAhead operations teams are leveraging the web site to support and align their business, regional and web site specific efforts. Some of these metrics may be tracked using existing support central tools.

These metrics may include:

Number of Content Submissions by Region, Number of non-corporate Driven Promotions by RCs, Number of Promotional Downloads by Region, Support Central Survey

Feedback Form

Your feedback is important to the web site’s ongoing development, so we’d love to hear your opinions and ideas. To contact us, please use this Feedback form. We will not be able to respond directly, but all feedback will be reviewed, evaluated, and factored into future content decisions. Please note: this form is monitored by IT support staff only. Please do not submit any personal or medical information. And thank you in advance!

Poll and Quiz Responses

On the web site, we will conduct polls and quizzes to better understand user activities, attitudes, interests and knowledge across multiple health topics. These polls may also help us serve you better by asking questions that relate to the usefulness of our web site. We will not capture any personally identifiable information through the collection of poll response data. As part of these polls and quizzes, we will capture responses sorted by country. In the future, we may capture responses sorted by additional anonymous demographics such as language, affiliated GE business, work web site location, gender, etc.

Sharing Content with Family and Friends

We want you to share the web site’s content with important people in your life, so most articles, videos and slideshows can be emailed. To do so, we will ask you to provide your name and the recipient’s email address. We simply use this information to send the content as you request. At this time, we do not capture or store your, or the recipient’s, email address. Please see below to learn how we track and report on email sharing activity.

Please also review GE’s Social Media Guidelines

How we protect information

GE maintains administrative, technical and physical safeguards to protect against unauthorized disclosure, use, alteration or destruction of any information you provide on this web site. We use secure socket layer (SSL) technology to help keep the information you provide on this web site secure. See ‘Information We Share’ and ‘Information We Transfer’ for additional details.

Information we share

We do not sell or otherwise disclose personal information about our visitors, except as described here. We may share information provided by visitors with service providers we have retained to perform services on our behalf. These service providers are contractually restricted from using or disclosing the information, except as necessary to perform services on our behalf or comply with legal requirements. In addition, we may disclose information about you if we are required to do so by law or legal process; to law enforcement authorities or other government officials; or when we believe disclosure is necessary or appropriate to prevent physical harm or financial loss or in connection with an investigation of suspected or actual illegal activity.

Information we transfer

We may transfer the information we collect on this web site to other countries where we do business, but only for the purposes described above. When we transfer your information to other countries, we will protect that information as described here unless otherwise required by applicable laws.

Links to other web sites

We provide links to other web sites for your convenience and information. These web sites may have their own privacy statements in place, which we recommend you review if you visit any linked web sites. We are not responsible for the content of linked web sites or any use of the web sites.

Children’s privacy

This web site is not directed to children under the age of thirteen and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of thirteen on the web site. If we become aware that we have inadvertently received personal information from a visitor under the age of thirteen, we will delete the information from our records.

Some links on this web site may take web site visitors to web sites that are directed to children. These web sites have their own privacy notices that address children’s privacy. We encourage you to read these privacy notices if you visit any linked web sites directed to children.

Updates to our privacy & data policy

This Privacy & Data Policy may be updated periodically and without prior notice to you to reflect changes in our online information practices. We will post a notice on this web site to notify you of any significant changes to our Privacy & Data Policy, and indicate at the top of this policy when it was most recently updated.

How to contact us

If you have any questions or comments about this Privacy & Data Policy, or if you would like us to update information we have about you or your preferences, please contact us by visiting our Feedback Form.

Picking Great Produce: Enjoy the Bounty of the Harvest

Harvest Season is Here

It’s harvest season–the perfect time to enjoy fresh produce from your grocery store or local farmer’s market. But, unless you’re a farmer or a seasoned chef, you may not know how to pick the ripest, most delicious fruits and veggies. You may also find it tricky to differentiate between varieties. Could you spot the most succulent squash or pick the best Brussels sprouts from the bunch? Learn how to spot prime produce so you can prepare the most delicious harvest-time meals for your family.

Butternut Squash

This tasty squash provides an excellent source of vitamins A and C, and a significant source of fiber, potassium, and magnesium. With a rich buttery flavor, the butternut squash offers a little guilt-free decadence – it’s low in calories and has no fat at all. You just have to make sure you pick the best ones!

Butternut squash should be a light yellow-orange color, like pale caramel. The best squash will be heavier to hold than they appear. Avoid squash that have shiny skin, since this is a sign that they were picked too early. Instead, choose squash that have dull or matt skin, with no cracks or soft spots.

Corn-on-the-Cob

Corn-on-the-cob provides a good source of the B vitamins thiamin and B6, as well as the minerals phosphorous, potassium, and magnesium. Better yet - it’s delicious. Do you know how to choose the sweetest, tastiest corn for your family?

Start by looking for cobs with dark green husks. If the husk seems dry, it means the corn has been sitting around too long.The corn-silk tassel should be a pale, golden color; check it for signs of rot to ensure the corn is fresh. Next, peel back the husk slightly to reveal the corn kernels. It’s okay if the kernels at the very tip are underdeveloped, but the kernels on the rest of the cob should be deep yellow, plump, and tightly packed. This corn will be sweet and moist–perfect for boiling, roasting, or throwing on the grill.

Cantaloupe

Succulent, sweet, and offering an excellent source of vitamins A and C, cantaloupe is an ideal fruit to eat for breakfast, as a lunchtime snack, or for a post-dinner dessert. As an added bonus, cantaloupe is fat-free and low in calories.

To choose the best cantaloupe, look for ones that are on the darker side, with even coloring.The juiciest cantaloupes will weigh more than their size seems to suggest. Be careful to check the fruit for soft spots, bruises, and cracks in the skin.

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are a flavorful veggie, chockfull of vitamins C and K, and high in folate and manganese. Because of their strong taste, Brussels sprouts are sometimes pushed aside, especially when boiled. But don’t give up on this high-fiber side dish! When roasted, sautéed, or caramelized, Brussels sprouts take on a sweet, nutty flavor that even your kids may like.

When selecting Brussels sprouts, color is a good indicator of freshness. Look for sprouts that are dark green, with no yellow or black spots. Yellowing is a sign of age, while black spots are the result of fungus. Choose sprouts that are hard, with tightly compact leaves; soft or puffy sprouts are often tasteless.

Delicata Squash

Delicata squash are among the prettiest autumn vegetables, with yellow skin and vibrant green stripes. They also hold their shape well when cooked, making them an ideal squash to use in recipes for stuffed squash. On top of making your dinner table look prettier, delicata squash also provide an excellent source of vitamin A.

Look for delicata squash that have an even, creamy yellow color. Make sure to avoid unripe squash, which have light green coloring. Be careful to avoid squash with wrinkled skin, cracks, or soft spots. The best squash will feel heavy for their size – this means they are full of the good stuff!

Pumpkins: Cinderella and Sugar Pie

When you think of pumpkins, you’re mind likely turns to the stunning jack-o-lanterns your kids carve at Halloween. While it is possible to use the filling from jack-o-lanterns for cooking, you will get better results if you choose a cooking or baking pumpkin. All orange pumpkin varieties are loaded with vitamin A, along with a number of other vitamins and minerals.

For cooking up savory fare, like roast pumpkin or pumpkin puree, choose the iconic Cinderella pumpkin. With its large shape and bright orange color, it looks just like the pumpkin that became Cinderella’s ride to the ball. For baking pies, opt for the smaller sugar pie pumpkin. Sugar pie pumpkins have thinner skin and sweeter flesh. Make sure to choose a pumpkin that seems heavy for its size, and has no cracks, soft spots, or bruises.

Green and Yellow Beans

Green and yellow beans make a beautiful fall side dish, offering a significant source of vitamins C, K, and folate, as well as the mineral manganese. What’s more, this high-fiber veggie is perfect for parents in a hurry. You can boil or sauté beans and have a nutritious addition to your family meal in less than ten minutes.

To choose the tastiest, freshest green and yellow beans, always opt for loose individual beans over prepackaged varieties. Both green and yellow beans should have a rich color, so vibrant that they appear almost shiny. Stay away from beans that are dull and limp, and avoid beans that look like gnarled knuckles. Instead, the pods should be firm and smooth, so that you can just barely see the shape of the beans inside.

Pomegranates

According to Greek myth, we have fall and winter seasons because a goddess named Persephone ate a number of pomegranate seeds. Perhaps Persephone couldn’t resist the sweet, tangy taste of fresh pomegranate. Or, maybe she knew that pomegranates are packed with nutrients, including vitamins C, K, and folate, as well as the minerals copper, potassium, and manganese.

It’s easy to find the perfect pomegranate to add to your family’s fruit bowl. Just choose pomegranates that are a dark reddish color, with few marks and bruises. The best pomegranates feel heavier to hold than they look. The simplest way to prepare this fruit is to cut it into pieces and enjoy the seeds inside.

A Cornucopia of Choices

Harvest-time brings a cornucopia of delicious, healthy food options. Make the most of the season by choosing prime fruits and veggies to enrich your family’s diet. Better yet, learn a new recipe for one of your all-time favourite harvest veggies, or consider trying a type of squash or pumpkin that you’ve never had before. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is key to maintaining good health. By indulging in all the tastes and flavors of the season, you can support your family’s wellbeing, while also creating meals that they’ll love.