LiveWell Vermont

  Aside from starting with the letter H, Halloween and health don't have much in common. The upcoming candy-filled holiday often results in your kids loading up on sugar, which isn't good for them or fun for you. While it's difficult to encourage healthy eating on Halloween, it's not impossible–especially when better-for-you foods have a fun twist. Try these cute, spooky and downright tasty treats to get kids excited about eating healthy on Halloween. Frankenstein Avocado Toast Recipe Pumpkin Veggie Tray Homemade Fruit and Veggie Gummy Snacks Apple Monster Teeth

Recipe from Livongo: Guide to Pumpkins  A tasty way to warm up and enjoy the flavors of the season! Makes 4 servings. INGREDIENTS 1 lb lean ground turkey ½ medium onion, chopped into small pieces 2 cloves of garlic, crushed 1 cup pumpkin puree 4 oz tomato sauce, low sodium 1 Tbsp light brown sugar 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard 1 tsp chili powder 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp cayenne pepper ½ tsp kosher salt ¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice Nonstick cooking spray INSTRUCTIONS Place the Dutch oven over medium-high heat, and spray the bottom with nonstick cooking spray.  Add chopped onion and garlic and sauté 6-7 minutes, or until onions are lightly browned.  In a separate medium-size bowl, mix the ground turkey with chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Add mixture to Dutch oven and cook until browned, stirring often.  Stir in pumpkin, tomato sauce, brown sugar, mustard, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.  Add 1 quart of water and simmer for approximately 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Serve ...

We ride for family. We ride for our community. And we ride for ourselves. Cycling is not only fun but it can boost your brain and heart health. And that’s key to preventing stroke , the world’s No. 2 killer and a leading cause of disability. Strokes don’t discriminate. They can happen to anyone, at any age — and about one in four people worldwide will have one in their lifetime. The good news? Up to 80% of first strokes may be prevented with lifestyle adjustments and/or medication. Join us throughout October to get moving, track your miles and help us raise $1 million to support stroke and heart research and awareness. Bike riding not your thing? No problem! You can run, walk or rack up miles any way you want. It all starts in the mobile app where you’ll stay connected to your team, track your miles and define your ride. Then, on World Stroke Day, Oct. 29, 2020, we’ll all come togeth...

These healthy No-Bake Apple Pie Protein Bars taste like a dessert you can eat daily….multiple times. Not only do they only take 10 minutes to whip up, but they are also a one bowl wonder which is a no-mess, no fuss kind of snack. They have a soft, chewy and doughy texture which is a common theme around here! Not only do each bar pack at a hefty protein boost, but they are also naturally gluten-free, vegan, paleo, low carb, and keto-friendly. Ingredients 1 cup coconut flour ½ cup almond flour ½ cup protein powder of choice 2 tbsp granulated sweetener of choice 1 tbsp cinnamon 1 tsp mixed spice 1 tsp nutmeg 1/4 cup almond butter can sub for any nut or seed butter of choice ½ cup keto maple syrup sub for maple syrup in the paleo version 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 1 tbsp milk of choice * See notes Instructions Line a large baking dish with greased paper and set aside. In large mixing bowl, combine the flour, protein powder, granulated sweetener, cinnamon, nutmeg and mixed spice and mi...

October focuses on Emotional Wellness Month. While taking stock of our stress levels, it’s an excellent time to make some changes, too. Emotional Wellness Month provides information and resources to help us do just that. Stress comes into all our lives in varying amounts. Depending on our the demands, emotional health can take a toll. However, noting the causes of our stress helps identify the biggest offenders so we can stop them. ASSESS YOUR STRESS Review your financial plan.  Make sure your plan aligns with your savings and income with our goals. You may need to readjust for the future or change current spending habits. Even planning for a dream vacation can improve emotional wellness when done responsibly.  Calculate screen time.  In this digital world, the amount of time we spend online impacts our emotional health. We are bombarded by data, news, and alerts constantly. Consider reducing the amount of time spent in front of the screen. Use the time to ...

Because pink is the official color of breast cancer awareness month we thought we'd share some especially nutritious pink foods with you. Did you know that fruits and vegetables get their gorgeous and varied color from something called flavonoids, natural pigments that give plants their color? These flavonoids have antioxidant properties that help our bodies fight disease. The deeper the color, the richer in antioxidants and disease fighting potential. The pink (and red) colors of various produce contain several difference antioxidants and natural plant compounds, specifically, lycopene and anthocyanins known to reduce risk of disease, decrease inflammation, and improve immunity.  Salmon  Salmon is packed with nutrition and is so easy to cook. In addition to being an excellent source of protein, it is low in saturated fat and a good source of heart healthy omega-3 fats.  Red cabbage Even though it is called “red cabbage” it really is a gorgeous bright purply pink color. N...

Breast cancer … it’s a scary thought and all too many women assume that it won’t happen to them. Fact is though, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their life. Breast cancer does not discriminate! So, be proactive during breast cancer awareness month 2020 go for a medical checkup, it might save your life. Breast Cancer FAQs: Can physical activity reduce the risk of breast cancer? Exercise boosts the immune system and helps you to keep your weight in check. With as little as three hours of exercise per week, or about 30 minutes a day, a woman can begin to lower her risk of breast cancer. This doesn’t require going to a gym either. Power walking is more than sufficient Can a healthy diet help to prevent breast cancer? A nutritious, low-fat diet (30 grams or less) with plenty of fruits and green and orange vegetables can help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. A high-fat diet increases the risk because fat triggers estrogen production tha...

  This crunchy  Pumpkin Spice Granola  is low in sugar and provides a good source of fiber," say Jessica Beacom, R.D.N. and Stacie Hassing, R.D.N., founders of  The Real Food Dietitians.  "The recipe is made with real canned pumpkin, making it a perfect fall food. It's a little sweet, warm, and spicy—and perfect for snacking." (Stay on the DIY kick and try these  six other ways to make homemade granola .)

Instead of counting sheep, count your daily/nightly sleep! Challenge Runs: 10/5 - 10/25 Regularly getting enough quality sleep is an essential component of your physical and mental health. Consistent, high-quality sleep improves virtually all aspects of health, which is why it is worthy of our attention. Every day during this challenge, track the number of hours you sleep and see if you are getting the recommended 7-9 hours a night. Join us for the first challenge of quarter 4!!  Register Now!