LiveWell Vermont

Thank you for your submissions! We were able to put together a delicious collection of our favorite recipes. Give them a try and share your creations with us on Instagram or Facebook. 

Thanksgiving celebrations will look a little different this year! Public health officials urge families to keep celebrations small, avoid mixing households and open the windows. - From the NY Times: It’s been a year of sacrifice, social distancing and skyrocketing stress. Can we at least enjoy Thanksgiving? In terms of risk, the timing of the Thanksgiving holiday couldn’t be worse. The coronavirus is raging across the country, setting new daily infection records. More than 235,000 Americans have died of Covid-19, and small gatherings are believed to be fueling much of the spread. While public health officials caution against family and friends gathering in homes for the traditional Thanksgiving meal, they know many people plan to spend the holiday together anyway. The solution? A scaled-back Thanksgiving — with open windows, fewer people and a big serving of precautions. “You don’t want to be the Grinch that stole Thanksgiving,” said Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the nation’s top infectious di...

EAP has put together a series of FREE WEBINARS to support us through this "new normal". The nest event is tomorrow, Nov 18, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM! This session will cover: Mental Health During a COVID Winter The winter and holiday season can be hard on some, and the pandemic is adding a whole additional layer of stress. This talk will focus on the importance of self-care and being connected. Webinars will be hosted online through Zoom.  These free, EAP members-only sessions are designed to be educational, supportive, and inclusive. Registration is limited to 300 attendees per session, so click below to learn more and register today ! Additional resources are available on the Invest EAP Website ! ​

November is American Diabetes Month. It’s our chance to show the world what life with diabetes is really like. More than 34 million Americans are living with diabetes. Among those who have died from COVID-19, 40% were living with diabetes. It's time to make sure tomorrow is greater than today. Making healthy choices and taking steps to manage your diabetes can ensure you don't just live but thrive with diabetes. But it's important to take steps now-your health can't wait. It's time to thrive by finding a balance of nutrition, physical activity and mental health management. For more information, click here.

Veterans Day 2020 is tomorrow Wednesday, Nov. 11th, 2020. These Veterans Day discounts, free meals and other programs are being shared so that Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors are aware of all resources available to them. Due to COVID-19, some organizations are now offering discounts to Veterans all the time instead of their regular Veterans Day discounts. These adjustments help Veterans take advantage of the discounts offered while avoiding the usual Veterans Day crowds. A new section at the bottom of this story will list all the year-round Veterans discounts. A list of Veterans Day sales from our region. Courtesy of My Champlain Valley  Check with each local store for more information about the deals and offers for veterans and active servicemembers on Veterans Day. 99 Restaurants : From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, veterans and active military get a free meal with purchase of an entree. A.C. Moore : 15% off your total regular and sale price purchase with v...

November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country team up to bring attention to diabetes. This year’s focus is on taking care of youth who have diabetes. From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Diabetes is one of the most common chronic conditions in school-age youth in the United States, affecting about 193,000 youth under 20 years old.  Regardless of their age, sometimes youth who have diabetes need support with their diabetes care. That’s why it’s important to help your child or teen develop a plan to manage diabetes, and work with their health care team to adjust the diabetes self-care plan as needed. Here are some tips to consider for your youth’s diabetes self-care plan. Manage blood glucose levels.  Make sure your child or teen takes their medicines as prescribed, at the right time, and the right dose—even when they feel good or have reached their blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol goals. Encourage healthy habits....

  Today is the day people! Go vote!! For more information, click here .  Election Day registration is available at the polls! All Vermont cities and most towns have official ballot drop boxes.  You can only use the drop box of the city or town you vote from.   A spreadsheet listing each town, whether it has a drop box, and drop box locations is downloadable at the  Secretary of State site . You can also drop off your ballot at your assigned polling location on election day.  The deadline for the return of absentee ballots is 7pm tonight!  Do your part!

  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!

Portion control is a good thing, especially when it comes to Pumpkin Bread Muffins . "These delicious muffins have all the flavors of fall, at just 110 calories per muffin!" says Angie Asche, M.S., R.D., owner of Eleat Sports Nutrition. "They also make the perfect fall snack for people with allergies to gluten or dairy."

With the coronavirus pandemic , many people are concerned about going to the gym, while others simply want to maintain an exercise regime while they may have limited ability to travel outside their homes. What's more difficult is figuring out what to do?  How do you set up an effective home workout? What do you do if you don't have much equipment or space? The following series takes you through a variety of choices for exercising at home, whether you have nothing but your own body and a pair of shoes or a workout room tricked out with every piece of equipment imaginable. The simplest way to work out at home is to use your own body. There are a variety of effective body weight  exercises  that can help you build strength, endurance and burn calories. And by  circuit training  (going from one exercise to the next, without little or no rest), you keep your heart rate up, burn more calories and get the most out of your exercise time. Sample Cardio Circuit Workout (N...