LiveWell Vermont

Thank you for another great year! We are excited to see what 2019 holds!

We know what you may be thinking...odd pairing! Well don't knock it until you try it. This soup partners some unlikely ingredients to create a nice refreshing masterpiece.   INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons olive oil ½ yellow onion, diced small 1 bunch baby fennel, diced small 2 ribs of celery, diced small Salt to taste 6 to 8 purple-top turnips, roughly chopped 7 sprigs thyme, de-stemmed 6 oz 2% milk Juice of one Meyer lemon ¼ pound walnuts, roughly chopped ½ pomegranate, seeded DIRECTIONS 1. Heat the olive oil in a small pot. Add the onion, fennel, and celery and sweat until translucent. Then add turnips and thyme. Season with salt to taste. 2. When the turnips are tender, add 2 cups of water and bring it to a simmer. Add the cream and bring it back to a simmer. Add the lemon juice and blend the soup in a blender or food processor. Toast the walnuts in the oven or toaster oven. 3. Garnish with the walnuts and pomegranate seeds.   NUTRITION ...

This winter root vegetable improves heart health, enhances digestion, aid in weight loss, and boost the immune system. Parsnips also enhance vision, promote growth, boost oral and skin health, prevent diabetes and cancer, as well as strengthen brain health. What are Parsnips? Parsnips are a root vegetable native to Eurasia and closely related to carrots and parsley. It was often mistaken for carrots in historical records. Parsnips contain high levels of minerals such as calcium, potassium, manganese, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, and iron. They have an impressive range of vitamins, including folate, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, C, E, and K. They also have high levels of fiber, water, and protein and contain low amounts of carbohydrates, sodium, and calories. Let us discuss the important health benefits of parsnips in detail: Parsnips contain a high level of potassium, which acts as a vasodilator (widens the blood vessel) as well as reduces blood pressure and stress...

Over the weekend in Arizona, this long distance runner ran for 24 hours!! Not only did she run for 24 hours, she maintained a 8:40 pace! Running more than 650 laps on a 400-meter track, Camille clocked 162.9 miles. She went through 3 pairs of shoes during her adventure around the track. Read more here . Next time you need an extra motivator, channel your inner Camille Herron!

Protein makes up the building blocks of organs, muscles, skin and nails, hormones, repair tissue and so much more. You have to eat protein to sustain quality life. For this reason, you should eat high-quality protein multiple times a day. Consuming quality protein assist with weight loss, especially belly fat, and increases muscle mass and strength.  The recommended daily intake for protein is 46 grams for women and 56 grams for men. However, depending on your level of activity throughout the day, you likely need  much more than that to function optimally. Go lean : focus on beans, nuts, tofu, fish, and eggs for good sources of lean protein with low saturated fat content. Quality over quantity : don’t stress too much about protein quantity. Eating a variety of healthy protein-rich foods throughout the day (and week!) and ensuring that each meal has a protein source will help ensure your body gets the protein building blocks it needs.  Variety : try rotat...

Do you know about VT Alerts? You can receive personalized alerts via phone, text or email about the emergencies that affect you or your loved ones. AND THIS SERVICE IS FREE ! How cool is that? The alerts are based on your home address, work address and current location. All updates are from state and federal agencies as well as local first-responders, so you know the information you are receiving is reliable! At this point you must be wondering how you can sign up for this awesome feature- 3 easy steps! Go to   VTALERT.GOV and choose your delivery method: text, call, email or all of the above Enter your frequent locations: home, work, school or daycare Select the alerts you wish to receive: amber alerts, life threatening emergencies, severe weather, missing persons, environmental hazardous materials, scams, public health or transportation interruptions DID YOU KNOW: The back of your State Employee Badge has the number to State Security (802) 828-0777). You ca...

No time like the present! Let the Live Well team help you!!   Did you know as a state employee you have access to wellness coaching at no cost to you ?     What is Wellness Coaching? A partnership that SUPPORTS and GUIDES you in defining, creating and achieving your best self. Focuses on your strengths and positivity. Areas of focus may include: Nutrition, Fitness, Stress Management, Weight Management and Work/Life Balance What should you expect? Initial Sessions (about 45 minutes): During these 2 sessions, you will get to know your coach and define your long-term vision of health and wellness. You will decide on a plan and set achievable goals to focus on between sessions. Follow Up Sessions (about 30 minutes): During these sessions (anywhere from 3-8 session depending on individual), you will check in with your coach to review your goals and progress, identify and celebrate y...

Winter Driving Safety Tips By Scott Ptak, ARM, CUSP, SHRM PMA Management Corporation of New England     Even here in Vermont when winter weather strikes, drivers face some out-of-the-ordinary challenges when they get behind the wheel. Snow, slush or icy roads are involved in nearly one in four weather-related vehicle crashes. These conditions can make it harder for drivers to see, slow down and stop – all factors that can increase the chances of an accident. If you must travel during winter weather, preparing your car in advance, knowing the forecast and driving based on road conditions are three key ways to help you drive more safely. Even if you’ve been driving in the Vermont snow your entire life, it’s always good to be reminded of the dangers.   Here are some winter driving safety tips to help you prepare for the elements – before you face them – on the road. Preparing Your Vehicle As temperatures start to drop, it’s time to make sure your car is ...

What has a population of about 625,000 residents, is 159 miles top to bottom and has a motto of “freedom and unity”, the great state of Vermont!! Vermont's name comes from the French phrase “vert mont,” meaning “green mountain” hence it being the “Green Mountain State.” We are going to share a few fun facts about how awesome Vermont is! Vermont became the 14th state to join the union in 1791; it was the first admitted after the thirteen colonies. Vermont's the largest producer of maple syrup in the U.S., producing over 500,000 gallons a year. It takes ~40 years for a sugar maple to grow large enough to produce syrup. It needs to be about 10 inches in diameter. It can take up to 40 gallons of sap to produce a single gallon of syrup!! Vermont is the nation’s #1 producer of marble. With a population of just 7,484 in 2017, Montpelier is the smallest state capital in the U.S. Foliage season is HUGE in Vermont. Did you know there is a team that tracks and maps when folia...

1. Pay attention to how you fuel your body. Having a waistline that measures larger than 40 inches can increase obesity related diseases. Avoided packaged and processed foods that are often full of sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, artificial additives, and calories. Instead gravitate in the direction of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole-grain products (brown rice and whole-grain breads), fiber-rich foods (beans and leafy greens), lean cuts of meat and poultry (skinless chicken breast and lean ground beef), and fish (salmon). These foods provide natural antioxidants that lower your risk of disease. Vitamins: You can get vitamins from the foods you eat. Check out this Eat Your ABC’s handout. You might also benefit from taking a daily vitamin. Ask your doctor about the potential benefits and risks of adding a multivitamin to your daily routine. 2. Exercise is medicine! Physical activity is so important for your mental and physical health. The Physical Activity Guidelines for an a...

If you just completed the "Treat Yo'Self" Challenge this might look familiar, but we love it too much not to share with all State of Vermont employees!! Check out this simple way to change how you think just by listing 3 good things a day.

Veterans Day is a holiday to honor all veterans of the United States armed forces. A traditional observation is a moment of silence at 11 AM remembering those who fought for peace. This holiday started as a day to reflect upon the heroism of those who died in our country's service and was originally called Armistice Day . It fell on Nov. 11 because that is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. However, in 1954, the holiday was changed to "Veterans Day" in order to account for veterans in all wars. Difference in Veterans Day and Memorial Day? Veterans Day honors all who have served their country whereas Memorial Day commemorates those who have laid down their lives for U.S. national defense. However you choose to spend your day, make sure you find some time to show gratitude to those who have dedicated their lives to protecting this country and their families who make sacrifices as well.