LiveWell Vermont

Fall is the time of year to pick your own apples. Choosing your favorite to bring home is truly based upon how you want to enjoy them. Check out the many varieties below to get the most out of this year's apple season! MCINTOSH This is a crispy red apple with bright white flesh and a refreshing sweet flavor. It is the number I selling apple in the northeast. The apple is crispy and filled with juice making it the perfect snack for the fall. McIntosh apples originated from Saint Lawrence valley of Canada Introduced in 1820 Bright red skin with a bit of green and a bright white flesh Fruit size is small, medium, and large Great for fresh eating, and cooking It will store for a month or more when kept cool Harvest in mid to late season C ORTLAND One of the more successful McIntosh off springs. Cortland has all the usual characteristics, including sweetness and marvelous flavor. Nice colorful apple that is crispy and filled with juice making it perfect for snacks for the fall. Cort...

Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers with Cilantro Dressing   Serves 4 (serving size = 2 pepper halves) Stuffed Pepper Ingredients:  1 cup quinoa or rice 2 cups veggie broth 4 large red, yellow, or orange peppers, halved with seeds removed 1/2 cup salsa plus more for serving 1 Tablespoon nutritional yeast (optional) 2 tsp cumin powder 1 1/2 tsp chili powder 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1 (15oz) can of black beans, drained and rinsed 1 cup whole kernel corn, drained Toppings (optional): Avocado Red Onion, diced Salsa Cilantro, chopped Fresh lime juice Cilantro Dressing Ingredients: 1/2 small ripe avocado 1 cup chopped cilantro 3-4 small limes, juiced 1/3 cup olive oil 1/4 tsp sea salt 1/4 tsp cumin 1 Tablespoon sweetener of choice (such as cane sugar or honey) Water to thin Directions Add rice or quinoa to a saucepan and bring to boil. Once boiling, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until all liquid is absorbed and rice or quinoa is fluffy. Pre-hea...

If you think back about last spring, it started early after a mild winter and the spring changed to a summer that was hot, humid and dry. Now fall is almost here and the weather continues to stay mild, so entomologists from across the nation are finding that the tick population is still building--and that could mean major problems for next year. Because it got so warm so early, the ticks came out of dormancy early and have had extra time to mature, mate, and prepare for the egg-laying season for next spring. Right now, the adult ticks are still feeding in preparation for a long winter sleep to prepare for the egg laying in the spring. Because of the mild year, few ticks have died due to weather conditions, and populations have soared to record highs. Here is the life cycle of a tick and how it can affect you and your pets this fall and next spring. Ticks have three primary stages of development: larval, nymphal, and adult. Each stage requires a special host to feed on to move on ...

JOIN US TO BATTLE CARBON POLLUTION SEPT. 26-OCT. 7! WHAT IS IT?  Way To Go! is a 2 week challenge that starts September 26th and goes through October 7th. During that time you just sign up and pledge to walk, run, bike, bus, carpool or telecommute as much as you'd like. WHY DOES IT MATTER?  Your participation sends a signal to our local and state leaders that alternative transportation and reducing carbon pollution matters to Vermonters. WILL IT BE FUN?  Of course it will be! Just watch this! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__J8dUxBKY4&feature=youtu.be HOW DO I SIGN UP?   Sign up is easy, free and takes seconds!  Just go to   https://waytogovt.org/

How we wake up and start the day can greatly impact how the rest of our day goes. If you're looking for some way to start your day off more relaxed and mindful, try adding these into your routine! 1.) First Sounds Starting off the day with a loud alarm that makes you tense is a startling way to start the day. Instead, choose an alarm with soothing noises - chimes, bells, or relaxing music. This will allow you to slowly adjust from sleep to being alert. 2.) Hydrate Before Coffee When we wake up, our bodies are dehydrated. Instead of reaching for a cup of coffee first thing, try drinking a glass of water, then move onto the coffee or tea. 3.) Observe Nature Instead of reaching for technology first thing, go outside and take in the sky or trees. Watch the sunrise while you sip your coffee or tea. Then move on to start your day. 4.) Get Ready the Night Before Instead of rushing around in the morning, try packing your lunch, organizing your work bag, and setting out your ...

As the gardening season begins to come to an end, it's a great time to take advantage of the remaining Summer or Zucchini squash in our garden as long as it continues to be productive. This is a wonderful vegetable dish your family and friends will love. When your garden is finished, you can use squash from the grocery store from Southern states to recreate this recipe. Use either Summer or Zucchini squash but don't mix the two varieties. Ingredients: 3- 10 to 12-inch squash, peeled 1 tablespoon of sea salt ½ cup of general purpose white flour 1 cup of olive oil or Truffle oil ¾ Pound of thinly sliced Mozzarella cheese 3 medium size red onions, peeled and thinly sliced 6 of the biggest or 10 medium RIPE tomatoes, peeled, and coarsely chopped 1 Tablespoon of finely chopped fresh Basil 1 Tablespoon of finely chopped fresh thyme 1 tablespoon of white sugar ¼ teaspoon of Allspice 1/3 cup of fresh grated or packaged Parmesan cheese Preparation: Peel and cut you...

Vermont Active, Retired & Temporary State Employees GET YOUR FLU SHOT Live Well  Vermont is offering quadrivalent vaccine at all clinics for 2016!    Clinics are scheduled October 3- November 7 Register online *  at: www.passporthealthusa.com/LiveWellVermont No Computer Access?   Register by phone* at: 1-888-226-1683 Mon-Fri: 8 AM - 9 PM, Sat: 9 AM - 9 PM & Sun: 9 AM - 6 PM  * Active and SOV Temps please provide your employee ID #. Email address is required for online registration. Medicare Retirees: please supply your Medicare #.   All others: please indicate insurance coverage, if applicable. Your non-Medicare insurance member ID and group number are not required to register.                                                      Health Fairs and Open Enrollment N...

Be sure to register for the last challenge of the year in order to earn 500 wellness incentive points toward the "Explore Wellness" section of the 2016 Discover Your Wellness Incentive Program . Registration open now through Sunday, October 2, 2016!

There’s no questioning the fact that the foods you eat go far in determining how quickly you’ll meet your health and wellness goals. And if you’re eating a number of your meals out at restaurants then you’re going to want to keep reading because the average restaurant meal contains more than 1,200 calories. Most people have no idea just how unhealthy restaurant entrees can be. In fact, the following information may shock you. Here, in no particular order, are 5 of the most fattening restaurant dishes along with tips to equip you in making lighter, healthier versions of these dishes at home. Unhealthy Choice #1: Cobb Salad Cobb salads are loaded with cheese, bacon, egg, and topped with a creamy dressing. Sure, you’re eating a salad, but that salad is likely to contain more calories than a burger. At-Home Version: Making a lighter Cobb Salad at home is easy and quick. Start with a dark lettuce, like spinach or arugula, to get the most nutritional value. Top it with ...

You've got to give these a try. They taste great and you'd never know they contain avocado! Antioxidants, omega 3's and a little sweetness for your day! Ingredients 1 avocado, peeled and pitted 2 tablespoons dark unsweetened cocoa powder 2 tablespoons agave nectar or honey 1 frozen banana 1 cup ice 1 cup unsweetened almond milk Preparation Put all ingredients into a blender or magic bullet. Blend until smooth. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze. Enjoy!

Is your farmer's market overflowing with vegetables? Or, are you struggling to use up all the veggies in your garden? Freezing is a great way to enjoy vegetables all year long and takes very little time to do. Here are 5 vegetables that are simple to freeze right now!   1.) Corn Frozen corn can be added to soups, stir fry, and cornbread without thawing! Frozen corn can be kept for up to 6 months. Freeze corn by blanching in salt water, dry, then freezing the whole cob or cut kernels and store in a zip top bag. 2.) Green Beans Frozen beans can be sauteed in olive oil for a quick side dish. To freeze: Trim the stems of the beans, boil for about 3 minutes, then shock in an ice bath. Dry the beans well and then freeze on a parchment lined baking sheet. Once frozen, store in a zip top bag. 3.) Roasted Peppers All varieties of peppers can be roasted for freezing! Roast peppers on the grill or in the oven, then remove blackened skin and stems. Freeze on a parchment line...