LiveWell Vermont

Can't get out of the office? Try these tips for a healthier, less stressful workday: 1. The Magic Carpet Ride This works your core and arms. Sit in your chair with your legs crossed and your feet on the seat. Then place your hands on the armrests, suck in your gut and raise yourself a few inches above the seat, using your belly muscles and hands. Hold for 10 to 20 seconds. Rest for 30 seconds. Repeat five times. 2. Tricep Desk Dips This exercise is for upper-body strength. It will specifically help to tone the backs of your arms. Place your butt on the edge of the desk, then place your palms on the edge of the desk on either side of you. Keeping your feet together, bend at the elbows and slide forward off of the desk and dip down a few inches, and then push back up. Dip to where your elbows are bent at 90 degrees. Do this 20 times. For a variation, put your feet on the chair. 3. Carpal Tunnel Reliever Carpal tunnel syndrome shou...

So you're making a salad. Sounds healthy, right? Some salads, however, can be anything but. A hunk of iceberg topped with a ranch dressing and croutons definitely isn’t the most nutritious choice. Want to ensure you're eating healthy one? The following summer salads are not only good for you, they’re absolutely delicious! Zucchini, Asparagus, and Baby Spinach Summer Salad Ingredients: 1 large zucchini with the ends removed, shaved with a vegetable peeler into long, thin strips, approximately ⅛” thick 8 stalks asparagus, ends removed, shaved with a vegetable peeler into long, thin strips approximately ⅛” thick 2 cups baby spinach 1 tsp apple cider vinegar 1 tsp mustard 2 T extra-virgin olive oil, plus additional for garnish Sea salt, to taste Freshly ground pepper, to taste ¼ cup whole-milk ricotta Directions: Combine the zucchini, asparagus, and baby spinach in a large bowl and toss to combine. Set aside. To make the vinaigrette, blend the mustard a...

With all that happens in a day squeezing in a workout requires planning. Getting your workout completed in the morning is one way to make fitting it in a little easier. To some, waking up earlier than needed is like a unique form of torture. It can be a tug-of-war between the comfort of a large, plush bed and the energizing hum of the gym. Below are a few techniques that consistent morning exercisers use. Try one the next time you want to get your day started with a great workuot Set multiple alarms Two alarms is good but setting the alarm to go off every 5 minutes is even better. Set the first alarm to go off at least 30 minutes prior to when you actually want to get out of bed. This helps your body get in the habit of getting up early. It also makes it impossible to just hit snooze and go back to bed. Lay out everything the night before Shorts, check. Sports bra, check. Water bottle, keys . . . check, check. Scrambling aroun...

Craving something sweet? This recipe is the perfect summer dessert. If you don't have nectarine or pear on hand, be creative and use other fresh fruits.  Servings: 2   Ingredients 1 white nectarine, chopped 1 pear, chopped 1 Tablespoon chopped pecans 1 Tablespoon chopped dates Dash of cinnamon Preparation Mix the nectarine, pear, pecans, and dates in a medium sized bowl. Sprinkle with cinnamon and mix until well coated. Nutritional Analysis:   One serving equals: 119 calories, 3g fat, 24g carbohydrate, 4.5g fiber, and 1.5g protein

Summer is finally here and it is hard to beat warm summer days (and nights) enjoying the sunshine and breathing the fresh air. Try something different this summer with one of the activities below to stay conscious of your health & fitness while having a lot of fun: Take advantage of the longer daylight Summer means longer day light hours & much more time to be enjoyed outdoors. Get a group of friends together & go for an evening bike ride or hike. It’s so much fun and a great full body workout. SUP? Have you ever tried Stand Up Paddling? It’s become very popular over the past few years, and is an incredibly fun and a great way to improve your balance & strengthen your core and upper body. How ob-skewer! Instead of grilling up hot dogs & cheese burgers, try a Shrimp & Pineapple skewer with veggies & drizzle it with a bit of teriyaki sauce. It’s delicious, nutritious, refreshing & healthy. CANNON BALL! Get in the water. Swim ...

Join us in our upcoming 5 for 5 in July Challenge ! Does your diet need a makeover? Would you like to improve or maintain healthy eating habits! Join us in our upcoming 4-week nutrition challenge! Eat and log 5 fruits and vegetables (2 fruits, 3 vegetables)  5 days a week for 4 weeks. Earn 50 points toward the 2014 “One Life, Live it Well” Incentive Program”.    You must use your employee ID number as your username to be eligible for incentives. Log fruits & veggies to earn entries in weekly drawings! Receive daily (Monday-Friday) nutrition tips from the Live Well Vermont Wellness Team! Learn fun fruit & veggie facts along the way! -             Registration is open on the LiveWell Vermont portal now through Monday, July 7!   1.       Login to the Live Well Vermont Portal . 2.       Click the “Sign Up” button in ...

Every year, more than 30 million Americans leave the comfort of their homes to sleep in a tent, RV, or simply under the stars. Trekking to a campsite with the sun beating down provides a healthy dose of vitamin D and great exercise. Spending time outside can help reduce stress.  Levels of serotonin naturally rise when we’re outdoors, which can help improve mood. Check out these tips below before hitting the trail for a comfy, relaxing, and fun outdoor experience. Gear up: Figure out what to bring based on how much room you have and how long you’ll be gone. If hiking to the campsite, be mindful about weight and bulk — nobody wants to schlep a 50-pound pack up a mountain! Stick to the essentials and leave the fancy extras for car camping.  Pick your pack: Choose a backpack based on how long the trek will be. The volume of the pack is measured in liters. Multi-day packs are 60 to 80 liters and are perfect for two- to five-day hikes. If you're driving i...