LiveWell Vermont

  Quarter 3 ends on September 30 th , don’t forget to log your points by midnight!  The fourth Quarter begins on October 1 st , and will cover financial and environmental topics.   We will have two challenges Reduce Food Waste: by reducing food waste we do great things for our planet and our wallet!   Join this challenge to learn more about environmental impact, and how to reduce the amount of food you waste. Focus on finances: This challenge offers budgeting and planning resources to assist participants in feeling more in control over their finances.  

Flu season is kicking off next week!  Sign up for your appointment slot now! Over the next 5 weeks, your LiveWell Vermont Team will be traveling all across the state helping to make sure that SOV Employees and Retirees are protected from flu. New this year: SOV Employees and Retirees can also get a bivalent Covid booster! The three of us will be traveling to locations all across the state - Berlin to Mendon and Middlebury to St Albans to Colchester to Morrisville to Montpelier to St Johnsbury to Derby and Newport to Barre to WRJ to Springfield to Dummerston and Brattleboro to Bennington to Essex... and Waterbury... and Rutland.... WHEW! Catch us if you can! To keep it moving, and inspire YOU to move as well, we have a goal:  Map a walk in every town that we visit.  Since we aren't familiar with the best walking paths in every town, we are looking for suggestions! Please feel free to reach out to us on social media or at DHR.LiveWellVermont@vermont.gov to tell us about th...

  Apple season is here again!  It is so easy to be grateful to have these sweet, crunch treats growing locally, and so easy to find uses for them at every meal.  On top of being delicious, apples are great for you!  They are a good source of fiber and vitamin C, and contain antioxidants that help our bodies stay healthy. Here is one savory option to add to your collection, adapted from  Jennifer Segal's Arugula, Apple, and Pomegranate Salad with Cider-Honey Vinaigrette Recipe: 2 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon maple syrup 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt 6 to 7 cups baby arugula 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds 1 crisp apple 1 lemon 1/4 cup toasted pecans or sliced almonds Goat cheese, crumbled Assemble the dressing by mixing the vinegar, syrup, olive oil.  Mix well, and add salt to taste.  Wash and dry the arugula, then place in salad bowl.  Slice the apple and toss with lemon juice to reduce browning.  Pop the appl...

  The weather is cool, and crisp which means it is a great time to hike, here in Vermont!   Each of these hikes have great views, and are under 5 miles.   So pack a good sharp cheddar, an apple, and lets go!   S nake Mountain, Addison: This 4.1 mile hike offers views of the Champlain Valley, looking out over farmland. At the summit, the foundation remains of the Grandview Hotel, built in the 1870s but now burnt down. Gile Mountain, Norwich: This short hike is 1.4 miles long, and takes about an hour to complete. Lots of great views! Eagle Mountain, Milton: Craving a great hike near Burlington? This 2 mile hike offers gorgeous views looking out over Lake Champlain. Moss Glen Falls, Stowe: This hike is less than a mile, and ends with a stunning waterfall. You will want to linger, regardless of the season! Putney Mountain, Putney: Approximately an hour to hit a the scenic peak and look out over the valley. While in town, you can also pop by Green Mountain Orchard...

  As we age, change within our bodies is inevitable. Aging causes changes to our teeth, heart, even our muscle mass and digestive system. However, through our choices, we can do to age in a healthy way.   Tips for aging well: Stay active , this helps your brain and your body! If you have a chronic condition, like high blood pressure, osteoporosis or diabetes, not all types of exercise may be right for you.   Talk to your doctor about starting a fitness program. Get preventative care, it’s more than just a physical! Use this tool to see what preventative care looks like at your age  Don't forget to stay on top of dental and vision care with regular appointments Eat a balanced diet, and learn more about eating well while aging . If you smoke, quit . There are many resources to help, including support groups

  High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is when the force of blood within your blood vessels is too high.  This does damage to your circulatory system and contributes to heart attacks and strokes. You can see more details on the damage to your body here. Knowing your numbers Blood Pressure is typically recorded as two numbers, written as a ratio. It's read as "117 over 76 millimeters of mercury" Systolic:  The top number, which is also the higher of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats (when the heart muscle contracts). Diastolic:  The bottom number, which is also the lower of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats (when the heart muscle is resting between beats and refilling with blood). Because there are no clear symptoms, many with high blood pressure don't know that they have it.  Make sure you are regularly getting physicals, to have your blood pressure tested and prev...

  Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in the bloodstream and in all your body's cells. While your body needs cholesterol to continue building healthy cells, having high cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. Cholesterol cannot dissolve in the blood; it has to be transported to and from the cells by carriers called lipoproteins. These include: low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). These, along with triglycerides, make up your total cholesterol count. Did you know that the American Heart Association recommends that all adults 20 or older have their cholesterol checked every 4-6 years as long as they are low risk? Don't forget to see your doctor for regular check ups, even if you feel young and healthy.  Physicals assess health concerns to catch common ailments early and ensure that they are being maintained properly.  Learn about testing for cholesterol here.   Ideal Ranges: Total Cholesterol: Less than 200mg/dL H...

  Preventing Diabetes In many cases, diabetes is a preventable disease.  This means that by making lifestyle changes we can improve quality of life. Aim to start small with manageable improvements to what you are already doing and build from there. Dietary changes include eating a variety of whole, unprocessed foods, consuming more fruits and vegetables. Beverages matter too!  Aim to drink more water and avoid sugary drinks. Physical activity is also important; the CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate level exercise and 2 strength building sessions over the course of a week. If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, aim to work more movement into your day wherever possible, like parking farther from your destination and going downstairs to use the bathroom. Try different types of exercise to find the ones that are most enjoyable to you or make activity social by inviting friends. Prediabetes & Diabetes Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they usually have prediabetes. T...

When someone says to “engage your core” what they mean is to engage the deepest layer of musculature within your trunk.  Your abs are not just one muscle, they are many, many muscles that work as a group to support you in everything you do.  Engaging deep muscles means pelvic floor muscles, a muscle called the transverse abdominis, even your diaphragm is involved.  However, you don’t need to know all the musculature to get great core engagement.  Focus on: Drawing your navel in Making the circumference of your stomach smaller Lifting up through your pelvic floor And make sure you are still breathing! Really our core should be engaged all the time, but for many of us this doesn't come naturally.  Why? It is because engaging your deep core muscles: Supports other muscles working together efficiently Supports your spine Helps with stability and balance Interested in learning more about common fitness terms?  Click here for more jargon!