LiveWell Vermont

Looking for the perfect chocolaty creation??? Oh, yeah... You've set a wellness goal to make healthier eating choices. No worries! Try this healthy Flourless Chocolate Cake. Trust us, it tastes as decadent as it looks! No one will ever guess it's healthy! This dense chocolate cake is rich, dark and creamy (with an almost molten center!).  Yet, it is low in sugar, has no added oil or butter (NONE!). Click below to find out this recipe's secret ingredient! http://cuisinicity.com/flourless-chocolate-cake/

Don't have time to fit a workout in? Think again! Here are some everyday activities you may already be doing that can count as exercise!   1.) Shopping. From buying groceries at the grocery store to picking out a new pair of shoes, shopping means you're probably walking. Add some more walking in by parking far away from the store and walking. 2.) Cleaning. Vacuuming, dusting, sweeping, and many cleaning tasks burn calories! Make it more of a workout by adding calf raises, squats, lunges, or torso twists while cleaning up! 3.) Cooking. From chopping veggies, washing dishes, to whisking and stirring things by hand, you can get some exercise just from making dinner! 4.) Washing Your Car. If you wash your car by hand then you can get a quality workout in doing so! 5.) Shoveling Snow. Let's hope we don't see snow for awhile, but during the winter months shoveling snow is a great workout. Make sure you're using proper form so you don't hurt your should...

Better Breakfast without  breaking the bank Breakfast can be so tricky! We know we should eat it but often times don't have time or the energy to make something in the morning.  AND, if by chance we do feel like making something, it is so difficult to come up with healthy ideas! Lucky for you, we have put together a list of 10 delicious recipes to kick start your day.  Many of these recipes are inspired by Caitlin from Frugal Nutrition.  1.  PALEO EGG MUFFINS  $0.83 Per Serving Make Ahead, Paleo, Vegetarian They’re little frittatas, baked in muffin cups for early morning convenience. Two egg muffins = one serving.These are fun because they are so easy to personalize so you could have a different favor every day if you wanted! My favorite addition is sweet potato and ground turkey! 2. HARD-BOILED EGG + BANANA W/ PEANUT BUTTER $0.60 Per Serving Make Ahead, Vegetarian, (Paleo  if you sub the PB for  almond butter) This ...

Congratulations to our third place recipe contest winner Tabbi Daly! Check out the recipe for Asparagus Pasta Salad below! Asparagus Pasta Salad Ingredients: 8 oz penne pasta uncooked 1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2 inch pieces 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes 1/2 cup purple onion, thinly sliced Dressing: 1/3 cup plain greek yogurt 2 tbsp lemon juice 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp freshly chopped parsley 1 tsp sugar 1 tsp lemon zest salt and pepper to taste Directions: Boil pasta for 12 minutes then add the cut asparagus. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes and then drain and run under cold water until cooled. Drain completely and place in a large bowl.  Add tomatoes and onion then toss to coat.  Whisk together the remaining ingredients for the dressing and pour over pasta. Stir to coat.  Serve.

If you are participating in our 2017 LiveWell Incentive program, our second payout deadline is approaching! Make sure you complete components in the wellness portal for the second quarterly payout by May 14th. The second payout will be occur on June 22. Haven't started the incentive program yet? No problem! There's still plenty of time to complete components for the year.

Congratulations to our second place recipe contest winner Laura Ann Nicolai for her recipe submission! Check out this great recipe! Springtime Penne with Peas and Parmesan Yield: 4 servings Ingredients: 1 pound fresh peas, shelled (about 3/4 cup) 6 ounces pea shoots (tendrils, shoots, leaves) (1/2 big bunch) 1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 bunch young spring onions or scallions, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup) 1 clove garlic, finely chopped Salt and freshly ground pepper 2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley 3/4 pound penne (substitute whole wheat if preferred) 1 to 2 ounces Parmesan, grated (1/4 to 1/2 cup, to taste) Directions: Begin heating a large pot of water for pasta. Meanwhile, steam the peas over an inch of boiling water for 4 minutes, until just tender. Transfer to a bowl. Add the pea shoots to the steamer and steam for 2 minutes until just wilted. Remove from the heat and allow to cool until you can handle...

Live Well Vermont is looking to recognize and reward employees who have had success after participating in State of Vermont Wellness programming!  Examples include, but not limited to: Positive health and wellness changes Living a more balanced life Reduction in stress Weight loss Exercising regularly Share your story and motivate and inspire others!

 The University of Vermont Medical Center is partnering with The American Legion to bring a Hepatitis C screening to Vermont in May 2017—this is a statewide invitation.  There are 56,000 vets living in Vermont and 36.7% of all VT vets (approximately 20,552 are Vietnam vets) who may be at risk. 75% of those infected with Hepatitis-C are not aware they have it. Our goal is to reach as many vets as possible.    If you are a veteran and/or employ veterans who served from 1964-1975 being screened for Hepatitis C  is recommended.  Free Hepatitis C testing with the OraQuick® Rapid HCV Test will be available to all veterans born between 1945 to 1965 and/or all veterans who served 1965-1985. Hepatitis C is a viral pathogen and Vietnam-era vets are at a 10 times higher risk. The free and strictly confidential screening will take place: Location: Camp Johnson,  Green Mountain Armory, 789 Vt. National Guard Road, Colchester, VT.  S...

Live Well Vermont is recruiting for a Wellness Specialist to join our team.  You can view the posting by visiting www.careers.vermont.gov and use the job seeker link. Search by the job opening #, 621317, or find the position title in the list. The application deadline is 5/16/17 at midnight.  Wellness Specialist Overview 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, soci...

  Have you every gone for a walk in nature and come back feeling refreshed and happier? You're not imagining things, being in nature can relieve stress. Hiking and walking can also give you endorphins which make you happier! Not only is hiking a great form of exercise, studies are showing that hiking can boost your creativity and problem-solving skills. Being in nature also allows you to connect with yourself and your surroundings which can elevate your mood.  If you need more convincing, hiking also can help increase your Vitamin D levels, reduce insomnia, burns calories, increases your energy, and helps improve your overall health! Vermont has a lot of great trails to hike so plan some outdoor adventures this year!