LiveWell Vermont

Lack of time is probably one of the biggest excuses, challenges, barriers (whatever you would like to call it) to exercise. The problem is exercise is one of the best things we can do for our overall health and wellness so we NEED to find a way to fit it into our day. The great news is all we need to do is sit for 23 1/2 hours each day. Check out this inspiring video on getting physical activity into your day!

Summer is well underway, which means it’s the time of year for BBQ’s and outdoor dinner parties with friends and family. We want to make it easy for you to make healthy dishes for you and your family, but still enjoy the cooking activities that define summer. Here is a list of healthy recipes for any occasion! Appetizers 1.   Pizza Caramel by Nourish Nutrition 2. Artichoke Pesto Stuffed Tomato by Making Good Choices 3.  Easy Hummus by Andrea Beaman 5.  Mango Salsa by Terry Walters 6.  Spicy Slaw by Elana’s Pantry 7.  Peaceful Parsley & Pistachio Pesto by Peacocks and Moonshine 8. Asparagus Sundried Tomato and Goats Cheese Pizza on Spelt by Wholepromise Soups 1. Farmstand Gazpacho by Eat, Live, Run 2.  Really Easy Spice Pumpkin Soup filled with Beta-Carotene by Scott Mathias 3.  Summer Herb Soup by Kath Eats Real Food 4.  Cold Beet and Fennel Soup by Clean and Delicious 5.  Easy Asparagus S...

The August Fitness Challenge “ Be Active. Be Healthy” is right around the corner! This challenge is similar to our previous 30/30 Challenge, but with a twist! Every day that you accumulate 30 minutes of any physical activity (does not have to be consecutive), you get one point . Every day you follow through on a healthy nutrition habit (choose from the provided list of ideas or create your own), you get one point. The more days you are physically active and successfully achieve your healthy nutrition habit, the more points you accumulate!  The maximum points possible per person is 14 per week or 62 for the entire 31-day challenge.  This encourages you to get some sort of movement into your day and will also help you to work on creating healthier nutrition habits on a regular basis!  Participate solo or as a team. Scores will be averages per person so the playing field is level whether you are a solo team or a team of 100.  Gather your co-workers, friends ...

People often think of healthy eating as an all or nothing proposition, but a key foundation for any healthy diet is moderation.  Despite what certain fad diets would have you believe, we all need a balance of carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber, vitamins, and minerals to sustain a healthy body. Try not to think of certain foods as “off-limits.” When you ban certain foods or food groups, it is natural to want those foods more. Have you ever felt like a failure when you give into temptation? Have you ever said to yourself, "well I already blew it by eating the cake at work - forget it, I give up." This is exactly why the "all or nothing" mentality just doesn't work. Instead, if you are drawn towards sweet, salty, or unhealthy foods, start by reducing portion sizes and not eating them as often. Later you may find yourself craving them less or thinking of them as only occasional indulgences. Think smaller portions. Serving sizes have ballooned re...

It was suggested by a VT Wellness Blog reader that we provide a resource list of websites where State employees can access healthy recipes. Below is a compilation of not only websites where you can obtain healthy recipes, but also resources for information about health & nutrition, exercise, mindful eating, stress management and more. Enjoy! Healthy Recipe Resources: Eating Well Magazine  - A content-rich website including free healthy recipes contributed by local Vermont Dietitians and e-mail newsletters. Food Fit  - Four proprietary, interactive tools to assess your current health habits; a delicious database of 2,500 healthy, customizable recipes with in-depth nutritional analysis; hundreds of suggestions for celebrating the foods of the season with a guide to seasonal foods and "Season's Picks"; and a fitness section to help you get motivated, keep up on fitness trends and get information to help you create your...

So you have a sweet tooth. Where has it gotten you over th past few years? Has it gotten you into trouble with your weight? Do you find that you sabotage yourself with an extra slice of cake when trying to stick to a diet? Do you find yourself reaching for something sweet in the evenings - right before going to bed? What has been the result of giving into your tempation? Are you now wearing a size larger in your pants? Has your doctor been lecturing you each time you have a visit? Are you finding yourself in a body that you no longer enjoy? If you're answering yes to any or all of these questions, it's time to find some healthy sweet alternatives. You deserve more! I completely understand the challenges. Yes, sweet treats are tempting, but the life-long repercussions far outweight the momentary pleasure. To help you conquer your sweet tooth, we've identified 5 sweet traps you should strive to avoid, as well as a healthy substitute for each. Sweet Trap #1: Candy ...