LiveWell Vermont

A common question for people is how to accelerate their weight loss or overall health results. Most have no trouble adding exercise regularly into their schedules, but one key component when it comes to nutrition can make a world of difference. Curious what that is? The key, is having healthy, lower calorie dinners, rather than consuming the majority of our calories late in the day. This may be challenging for some, as most Americans eat their largest meal of the day in the evening with their family and friends. The fact is, you can still enjoy this important time - you just eat less. The other challenge may be that life, work and family can be hectic and time consuming, so the concept of eating a healthy, simply prepared dinner seems completely out of reach. The truth is, we over complicate the idea of a healthy dinner. Maybe because we have gotten used to eating out at restaurants where entrees are accompanied by sides, sauces and garnishes or just due to our busy lifestyles. Wha

This refreshing recipe uses baked, rather than fried, Cod for a healthy twist. Pair with a simple coleslaw for a taste that's hard to beat. Running short on time? This recipe only takes 20 minutes! Servings: 2 Ingredients 1 pound Fresh Skinless Cod 1 Tablespoon Coconut oil ¼ teaspoon Cumin ⅛ teaspoon Garlic powder ½ cup Nonfat Plain Yogurt 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar 2 Tablespoons Honey 3 cups Shredded Cabbage Mix 1 medium broccoli crown, diced 4 Whole Wheat Tortillas Lime or Lemon to taste 1 avocado Preparation Fish Rinse fish and past dry with paper towels. Cut fish crosswise into ¾ inch slices. Place fish in single layer in greased shallow baking pan.  Combine coconut oil, cumin, and garlic powder. Brush over fish.  Bake in a 450 degree oven for 4 to 6 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Coleslaw Combine the yogurt, vinegar and honey.  Place the cabbage and diced broccoli in a medium sized bowl.  Combine the yogur

Try this easy and low-carb spaghetti squash lasagna recipe for tonight's dinner! This healthy spin on a favorite casserole features garlicky broccolini, spaghetti squash and cheese. Serve with a big Caesar salad and some warm and crusty whole-grain bread. Makes: 4 servings Serving Size: 1/2 stuffed squash half Ingredients 1 2 1/2- to 3-pound spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise and seeded 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 bunch broccolini, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional) 2 tablespoons water 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided 3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper Preparation Position racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 450°F. Place squash cut-side down in a microwave-safe dish; add 2 tablespoons water. Microwave, uncovered, on High until the flesh is tender, about 10 minutes. (Alternatively, place

Happy January! The beginning of a new year can be a great time to wipe the slate clean and start fresh. Maybe you’ve decided that you will try to reduce your stress this year? Or you want to focus on spending more time with your family? Do your goals include being promoted at work? Whether or not you have taken the time to think about your personal and/or professional aspirations these 3 simple tips will help you make the most out of the next 12 months! Focus on Others. Up to two-thirds of people do not have a meaningful awareness of their strengths (Linley, 2008). When you take the time to notice and show appreciation to someone for their character strengths  they feel understood and valued and the relationship is boosted. Review the list of 24 character strengths   and in your next interaction with a loved one, describe a strength that they have exhibited recently or in that moment. Watch for nonverbal cues (eyes brightening, smiling, etc.) to see how your genuine compliment on

What’s the number one strategy to improve your overall wellness and maintain your motivation? Answer: Changing your mindset to the notion that it's all about progress, not perfection. Wellness, like most things in life, comes from slow, steady, consistent effort and progression. To be fit and healthy you don’t have to be perfect or get better every time you move. You just need to do a little bit consistently and your success will compound! Try the following ideas to maximize your movement this month: Increase the number of repetitions. If you did 5 today, try 6 next time. Increase the duration of exercise. If you walked for 10 minutes today, try 11 minutes tomorrow. Increase the speed of exercise. If you walked a mile in 15 minutes today, try walking next time in 14:55. Increase the number of exercises performed. If you tried two new moves today, try three next time. Increase the number of sets performed. If you did one set today, try 2 sets next time. Change up you

Live Well Vermont is seeking a Wellness Specialist! Visit  www.careers.vermont.gov   and click on “Job Seekers”. Job Reference Posting # 618450 Application Deadline: February 2, 2016 Join a dynamic Wellness team and help bring our wellness program to the next level. Apply your knowledge, skills, vision and creativity to facilitate positive health and lifestyle changes with employees of the State of Vermont. As the Wellness Specialist, you will develop and implement health and wellness initiatives for a diverse population. You must have excellent networking, coaching, communication and organizational skills. A bachelor’s degree or higher in Health Education or a related field and two years or more of work experience in health education or a closely related area are required. Experience in using website, social media and conventional marketing tools as well as hands on management, development and implementation of health educational services is preferred.

A bowl of this homemade soup is filled with protein and veggies to power your day and curb your cravings. Best of all it’s made in the slow cooker, so preparation is quick and easy. Servings: 8  Ingredients 2 (6 oz.) chicken breasts 1 cup brown rice 1 (28oz) can diced, fire roasted tomatoes 1 (4oz) can green chiles, chopped 1 yellow onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 head cauliflower, shredded 32 oz low-sodium chicken broth 2 teaspoons ground cumin dash of sea salt and pepper ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped 2 avocados, sliced Tajin seasoning for garnish Preparation Combine all of the ingredients, except the cilantro, avocado and tajin, in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours. Remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Shred with a fork and then return to the slow cooker. Garnish each bowl with a sprinkle of cilantro, a few slices of avocado and a dash of tajin. Enjoy! Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 178 calories, 11 g f

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For more detailed information, visit the Department of Human Resources Wellness Site . Quick Links: 2016 Incentive FAQ Wellness Portal FAQ 2016 Incentive Poster - Printable Log into the Live Well Vermont wellness portal to begin earning incentive points! Don't have an account yet? Register HERE ! (Active employees MUST use their employee ID# to be eligible for incentives)