LiveWell Vermont

Green veggies get their color from  chlorophyll ,  yes the same one from middle school science class that helps with photosynthesis! Leafy green veggies   are some of the most nutrient-dense foods out there, boosting memory, fighting cancer, and reducing inflammation. Try these  savory green pancakes  for a quick and easy breakfast-for-dinner! Tips: 1. You can use any type of  "cooking greens"  in these pancakes. Try it with beet greens, spinach,  collard greens, bok choy or tatsoi, dandelion greens, kale, mustard greens, turnip greens, or sorrel. 2. For  herbs , experiment with your favorites like cilantro, basil, oregano, dill, sage, thyme, or chervil.

  Taking time to get to know your insurance can help you get the most out of it.  If you have insurance through the State, here are some places to start: Explore and bookmark the Health Benefits Overview page. This has plan details, how to enroll, cost of adding a partner, etc. Need a provider? There's a tool for that! Telemedicine is available  through Amwell  Understanding your Blue Cross Member ID Card Member Discounts  - Fitness, acupuncture, massage, etc. Additional Health Insurance Benefits You Might Not Know You Have Help! When you have questions, you need answers.  You can contact the Benefits department for many questions about your benefits by emailing dhr.benefits@vermont.gov or by calling (802) 828-6700 option 1, option 3.

  We all know the feeling of our spending getting out of control. We often don’t realize how much we are spending on the “little things” like ride sharing, our daily lunch at the deli around the corner, or all those subscriptions to streaming services we pay every month. While the big things like rent or mortgage, car payments, and groceries often have the biggest impact on our spending,  creating a comprehensive budget  is one of the most important things you can do to manage your finances responsibly. However, there are many different approaches to budgeting and many different kinds of budgets. So how do you choose the right budgeting approach for you and your family? One type of budget you might want to consider is what’s called the “50-30-20 budget.” It’s a percentage-based budgeting approach that is designed to make it easy for you to allocate certain percentages of your income to “buckets.” This can help you gain more control over your spending and, hopefully, achie...

Healthy Home Environments Optimizing your space to improve your mental health is something that anyone can benefit from. For those living with mental health conditions, it is one tool of many that can be used to improve and support your mental well-being. Practice Tidiness Keeping your living space clean is shown to promote calmness and a sense of control over your day-to-day life. Your home environment doesn’t need to be spotless, but clutter can be harmful to your mental state – contributing to depression, trouble focusing, confusion, and stress. Not only can clutter be distracting, but it has been shown to actually make it harder for your brain to think clearly. Neatness also provides predictability, which can cut down on brain fatigue and anxiety. Less time looking for lost items or getting distracted is always a good thing. What can I do to create a tidy space? Start small. If beginning to improve your space feels overwhelming, choose one area to start. Consider setting a timer ea...

Mental Health You do not have to be rigidly structured and organized about your kind actions to make the world a better place. Making an intentional effort to bring more goodness into the world through small acts of kindness can help more than you realize. Here are few examples and benefits of unstructured kindness: Random acts of kindness may increase hope . Carrying groceries for a neighbor, opening doors, or buying lunch for the needy are a few examples of kind actions you can take that benefit your community. Often, these random acts become reasons for people to have a restored faith in humanity. Each day presents a new opportunity to perform an act of kindness, so ask yourself what you are going to do today. Small acts of kindness go a long way. An act of kindness doesn’t have to be elaborate. Small gestures such as smiling or laughing with a stranger remind us that there are safe and kind people in this world, and you can be one of them. The simple act of smiling goes a long way...

Bringing warmth to the world The cold winter months often cause reclusive habits that may have a negative impact on your mental health. You’re more likely to curl up with a warm blanket and watch your favorite show instead of interacting with others. But spring brings warmer weather, inviting greenery, and more opportunities to connect. As the world thaws, there are more ways to bring warmth into your personal life and improve your mental health. One opportunity that you may want to consider is volunteerism. Volunteering in your community is a great way to improve your mental well-being. It checks off a few self-care needs that are related to happiness. For example, volunteering may improve your spiritual health. Spiritual health can involve engaging in activities that give you a sense of purpose and fulfillment in life. The act of volunteering may give you a sense of meaning and appreciation. Giving back to the community may also help you connect and bond with others. Social connectio...

  When planning dinners grain bowls can be a game changer.  They are: easy to assemble  fast if you prep a few components ahead adaptable to what you already have on hand (use those leftovers!) so tasty, flavored according to what you're in the mood for that day family friendly - a really picky eater can easily leave off a component, so there is no need to prepare a "kid friendly" option Layer up in your bowl: 1. Base  Create a base layer of grains or starchy veggies Pick high fiber choices! Whole grains:  rice, quinoa, barley, farro, millet, whole grain grits Starchy veggies:  cubed roasted sweet potatoes, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, sweet corn Legumes: lentils, black beans, etc 1/2- 1 cup of starches is appropriate for most people 2. Fill  Bulk up your bowl with veggies  Choose a combo of raw and cooked, and aim for a variety of colors Zucchini, tomatoes, eggplant, broccoli, carrots, peppers, radishes, cauliflower  1-2 cups of...

  Take a moment to consider your surroundings. Do you feel safe? Do you have access to health care and grocery stores? Does your home support you, both physically and mentally? This Mental Health Month, challenge yourself to look at your world and how different factors can affect your mental health. Where a person is born, lives, learns, works, plays, and gathers, as well as their economic stability and social connections, are part of what is called “social determinants of health” (SDOH). The more these factors work in your favor means you are more likely to have better mental well-being. However, when it seems like the world is working against you, your mental health can suffer. While many parts of your environment can be out of your control, there are steps you can take to change your space and protect your well-being. • Work toward securing safe and stable housing: This can be challenging due to finances, age, and other reasons, but there are a few things you can try, such as re...