LiveWell Vermont

Try these fruit themed snacks for fun and healthy treats to celebrate the day!  Banana Mummies Munchy Apple Minions Ghost Strawberries

Making broth from food scraps is an easy and sustainable way to reduce waste while creating a flavorful base for soups, stews, or sauces. Here's a step-by-step guide to turn kitchen leftovers into a delicious broth. Ingredients Vegetable scraps: Carrot peels, onion skins, celery leaves, garlic ends, herb stems, etc. Avoid bitter scraps like broccoli or cabbage. Meat scraps (optional): Chicken bones, beef bones, or leftover meat trimmings. Water: Enough to cover your scraps. Seasonings: Salt, pepper, bay leaves, thyme, or parsley. Equipment A large pot or slow cooker Strainer or cheesecloth Storage containers for freezing or refrigerating Instructions Collect your scraps: Save vegetable peels, bones, and her stems over time. Store them in a bag or container in the freezer until you're ready to make broth. Prepare your ingredients: Take out your scraps from the freezer and rinse them if necessary. If using bones, roast them in the over for added flavor (optional). Simmer the br...

 5-Minute Self-Guided Laughter Yoga Exercise Try this self-guided laughter yoga exercise by yourself or with others. The goal is to laugh intentionally to boost your mood, reduce stress, and increase energy. Remember, even fake laughter can have real benefits- so don't worry about forcing it. Just have fun, let go, and enjoy the process! Warm-Up Deep Breathing: Start by taking a deep breath in through your nose, hold it for a moment, and slowly exhale through mouth. Do this two more times-inhale deeply... and exhale completely. Light Stretching: Gently stretch your arms overhead and lean from one side to the other. Roll your shoulders forward and backward. Shake out your hands, arms, and legs, getting your body loose and ready to laugh. Laughter Exercises Simple Giggles (30 seconds): Start with light, small giggles. "Hee hee hee!" Even if it feels fake, let yourself laugh. Slowly build up the intensity. Your giggles might turn into louder laughs naturally-just let them!...

Checking your cholesterol regularly is essential for maintaining heart health and preventing serious conditions like heart disease and stroke. Cholesterol, a fatty substance found in your blood, is necessary for building healthy cells, but when levels become too high - especially the "bad" LDL cholesterol - it can lead to the buildup of plaque in your arteries. This plaque hardens over time, narrowing the arteries and restricting blood flow. which can increase the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular issues. Monitoring cholesterol allows you to take preventative steps before any problems arise, giving you the opportunity to adjust your diet, exercise routine, or medications as needed. Another important reason to check cholesterol levels is that high cholesterol often presents no obvious symptoms, making it a "silent" risk factor. Many people are unaware that they have elevated cholesterol until they experience a serious health event. Regular screenings hel...

 Join the next Healthy Habit Challenge on the Portal starting on October 21st! This challenge asks us to develop our social awareness by each day, noticing one time we had privilege during the week.

Functional Movements that prepare the body for winter are key to maintaining strength, mobility, and injury prevention, especially for activities like shoveling snow, walking on ice, or skiing. These movements enhance overall fitness while targeting muscles and joints often used during colder months. Squats: Strengthening the legs, hips, and core, squats mimic the action of lifting and bending required for shoveling snow or getting up after a fall.  Deadlifts: Deadlifts prepare the back, hamstrings, and glutes for heavy lifting, such as moving snow or carrying winter gear. They teach proper bending technique, reducing strain on the lower back. Try these other exercises that incorporate proper bending technique without weight . Lunges: Forward and reverse lunges build leg strength and stability, improving balance on slippery surfaces. They also engage the core and glutes, which are crucial for walking in snow or uneven terrain.  Core exercises (Planks, Pointer Dogs): A strong...

Hobbies play a crucial role in maintaining and improving mental health. Engaging in activities that bring joy, relaxation, or a sense of accomplishment helps to reduce stress, anxiety, and even depression. Hobbies provide an outlet for creative expression and allow individuals to disconnect from daily pressures, offering a mental health break that fosters relaxation and a sense of well-being. Participating in hobbies also stimulates the brain, enhancing cognitive functions such as concentration, problem-solving, and memory. Whether it's reading, painting, gardening, or sports, these activities promote mental clarity and mindfulness, often leading to improved mood. Hobbies can also foster social connections, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness. Group activities, like team sports or book clubs, offer opportunities to build relationships and strengthen community ties, which are vital for emotional health. Moreover, hobbies contribute to a balanced life, helping people cultiv...

  Eustress and stress are two distinct types of emotional and physical responses, although they share common roots in the body's reaction to challenges. Stress, in its broader sense, refers to the body's response to demands or threats, triggering the "fight or flight" response. While this response can be helpful in survival situations, prolonged exposure to stress without relief can lead to negative consequences like anxiety, depression, and health issues such as high blood pressure or heart disease. Eustress, on the other hand, is considered positive stress. It occurs when a person faces a challenge that they perceive as within their abilities to handle and that they find motivating. Eustress often leads to personal growth, enhanced performance, and satisfaction. For example, starting a new job, preparing for a competition, or planning a wedding can induce eustress. It energizes individuals, pushing them to rise to the occasion and often leads to feelings of accompli...

  As the weather gets cooler, look for ways to stay warm and cozy! Try this heart-healthy take on Butternut Squash Soup. Ingredients 2 teaspoons olive oil or another heart healthy oil 2 medium shallots (chopped) Garlic cloves, minced 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed (about 3 cups) 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth 2 teaspoons minced, peeled gingerroot 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper (coarsely ground preferred) 1/3 cup fat-free half-and-half 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated or ground nutmeg Directions Heat the oil in a pressure cooker on sauté. Cook the shallots for 3 minutes, or until soft, stirring frequently. Turn off the pressure cooker. Stir in the squash, broth, gingerroot, salt, and pepper. Secure the lid. Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then quickly release any remaining pressure. Turn off the pressure cooker. Remove the pressure cooker lid. Allow the soup to cool slightly. Working in batches, transfer...

  Flu and Covid immunizations are provided to State Employees and Retirees at State worksites from September 30th through November 7th. For more information including FAQ 's and directions to vaccination sites visit the  LiveWell Vermont Programming  page. Schedule your appointment now at  kinneydrugs.com/livewellvermont/ . According to the  CDC , the  single best way to reduce the risk of seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is to get  vaccinated  each year, but preventive actions like avoiding people who are sick, covering your cough and washing your hands also can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like flu.  The tips and resources below will help you learn about actions you can take to protect yourself and others from flu and help stop the spread of germs. Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect ...