LiveWell Vermont

Don't let the cold weather and snow be an excuse not to workout! Try these awesome indoor workouts this year. 1.) Spin it Out While riding a bike outside in the winter may not sound ideal, spin classes are a great way to get your cardio workout indoors! 2.) Lap it Up Swimming laps is a great way to boost your cardio this winter! This is a fantastic low-impact exercise that's easy on the joints, but great at building strong muscles! 3.) Lace Up Ice skating at a moderate pace for an hour can burn up to 500 calories! Ice skating also helps your stabilizing muscles. 4.) Climb Rock climbing can provide a great non-traditional cardio workout! Not only will you get your heart rate up, but you will also be building arm, shoulder, back and leg muscles! 5.) Martial Arts Martial arts can not only provide a great cardio workout, but also improve your balance and coordination. Additionally, many martial arts are a great way to relieve stress and practice mindfulness! Try ...

Do you think that nutrient-rich fruits and veggies are non-existent in the winter? Think again! Add these great winter superfoods into your rotation!   Root Vegetables: Most root veggies are in season during the winter. Turnips are known for their high concentration of vitamins and minerals. Try roasting turnips are make a root vegetable salad. Additionally, beets, parsnips, and celery root are also great winter vegetable choices! Winter Squash: Winter squash is full of beta-carotene and makes great comfort food during the winter. With so many varieties, it's hard to get bored. Try acorn, butternut, spaghetti squash, and many more! Brussels Sprouts: This veggie is a great source of vitamin c, fiber, and antioxidants. Try them roasted with pears and pecans as a yummy winter salad! Leafy Greens: Kale, Swiss Chard, and Collard Greens are packed with antioxidants and a good source of calcium and iron. You can turn these greens into salads, saute them into stir-fry, stir...

When the weather starts getting colder, it may be tempting to put aside your fitness routine, but don't be too quick to put away the running shoes! Outdoor fitness in the winter has many health benefits. Not only will you be burning calories, working out outside can boost your mood and immune system! Vitamin D from sun exposure and boosted serotonin levels can help fight the winter blues. Also,  exercising outside also means you can avoid all the gym germs!   1.) Sledding: When the snow starts falling, find a great hill and go sledding. While going downhill won't burn many calories, the trek back up the hill will! 2.) Ice Skating: Ice skating requires great balance and leg strength. 3.) Snowboarding and Skiing:   Snowboarding requires a lot of strength and power. Hit the slopes this winter for a great fun workout! 4.) Cross Country Skiing: Much like other winter sports, cross country skiing is a great way to burn calories and keep up your fitness levels thr...

There's still time to register for your flu shot. Be a super hero this flu season! While registering ahead is preferred, we do accept walk-ins. VT State employees/retirees register for your flu shot! For Schedule, FAQ, Directions and Vaccine Info Sheet, click  HERE .

VT State employees/retirees register for your flu shot! For Schedule, FAQ, Directions and Vaccine Info Sheet, click HERE .

You may know that bananas in smoothies makes for a creamier and nutritious smoothie, but did you know you can swamp that banana out for summer squash? This veggie is low in calories, but high in nutrients such as potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber! Squash is a great filler because of its neutral flavor so it has the ability to form the base of any smoothie. Try it the next time you're looking for a healthy smoothie!

Before You Go Outdoors Ticks live in moist and humid environments, particularly in or near wooded or grassy areas. Walk in the center of trails and avoid leaf litter or shrubs. Products containing permethrin kill ticks, which can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear and remains protective through several washings. Use repellent containing 20% or more DEET on skin, which can protect up to several hours. Apply to children, avoiding the hands, eyes, and mouth. For detailed information about using DEET on children, see recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. After You Come Indoors Bathe or shower as soon as possible.(preferably within two hours) to find ticks that may be on you and wash them off. Conduct a full-body tick check for all parts of your body. Children should be checked under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and especially in their hair. ...

  Have you every gone for a walk in nature and come back feeling refreshed and happier? You're not imagining things, being in nature can relieve stress. Hiking and walking can also give you endorphins which make you happier! Not only is hiking a great form of exercise, studies are showing that hiking can boost your creativity and problem-solving skills. Being in nature also allows you to connect with yourself and your surroundings which can elevate your mood.  If you need more convincing, hiking also can help increase your Vitamin D levels, reduce insomnia, burns calories, increases your energy, and helps improve your overall health! Vermont has a lot of great trails to hike so plan some outdoor adventures this year!

Be proactive this cold and flu season to make your whole life healthier! While getting a flu shot is the most effective way to prevent the flu, there are other strategies you can employ to keep yourself well.   Wash your Hands: Most cold and flu viruses are spread by direct contact. Germs can live on surfaces for hours so if someone with the flu coughs and then touches a doorknob, keyboard, or phone, these germs can be picked up by the next person that touches these objects. Washing your hands helps prevent the spread of these germs. If you can't get to a sink. Try an alcohol based hand sanitizer. Keep up an Aerobic Exercise Routine: Exercise helps increase your body's natural virus-killing cells. By keeping up a regular fitness routine, you're boosting your immune system! Eat Healthy Foods: Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains will provide you plenty of vitamins and nutrients. This will help boost your immune system and your abil...

These tips can help you celebrate holidays the healthy way! Weight management  Focus on weight management rather than weight loss. Exercise Plan for it and write it in your calendar. Exercise helps relieve holiday stress and prevent weight gain. Meals Do not skip meals. Skipping breakfast or lunch before a big holiday dinner actually causes you to overeat - especially on carbs and sugar.  Healthy choices  If you know that you will not find any healthy choices, offer to bring something along, such as a salad, vegetable dish, chicken, or fish. Appetite control  Pace yourself and become more aware of what you are eating and drinking. Eat until you are satisfied, not stuffed. Try having a healthy snack before you head to your get together. Include a source of protein to prevent hunger. Portion control  Peruse your food choices first, then select small portions of those that you must have. This will allow you to enjoy all the different foods offer...

Fall is the time of year to pick your own apples. Choosing your favorite to bring home is truly based upon how you want to enjoy them. Check out the many varieties below to get the most out of this year's apple season! MCINTOSH This is a crispy red apple with bright white flesh and a refreshing sweet flavor. It is the number I selling apple in the northeast. The apple is crispy and filled with juice making it the perfect snack for the fall. McIntosh apples originated from Saint Lawrence valley of Canada Introduced in 1820 Bright red skin with a bit of green and a bright white flesh Fruit size is small, medium, and large Great for fresh eating, and cooking It will store for a month or more when kept cool Harvest in mid to late season C ORTLAND One of the more successful McIntosh off springs. Cortland has all the usual characteristics, including sweetness and marvelous flavor. Nice colorful apple that is crispy and filled with juice making it perfect for snacks for the fall. Cort...