LiveWell Vermont

Safe and Effective Strength Training for All ages and Abilities  from Heather Main   First, the basics.   We all need three types of exercise. The specific answers to each of these depends on your personal goals.   Today we’re focusing on strength training.     Frequency – how often? Duration – for how long? Intensity – how hard do I work?   Cardiovascular exercise       Strength training         2 – 3 x/ week on non-consecutive days.   What happens if I lift just once a week? 30 – 45 minutes should be fine.   If you LOOOOOVE weight lifting you can take more time. Take it to an “8” on your subjective scale of 1-10 of how hard you’re working.   Variables: weights and repetitions Flexibility and...

 Click here for a gentle 20 minute flow with Grace from LiveWell Vermont! Yoga is a great way to break up your day! It is also a great way to work on your flexibility and strength. When you're stronger and more flexible, your posture improves. Yoga is for everyone - this class is an all levels class which means I offer modifications for poses. I hope you enjoy! ~Namaste

Featuring some prime June produce superstars (berries, mango, fresh herbs), this bright and flavorful avocado strawberry mango salsa is perfect for dipping chips or adding to salads, tacos, fish, or chicken! It is a new take on fruit salsa, has hints of sweetness from fresh strawberries and mango, creaminess from avocado, and a kick of heat from jalapeño. It takes just 15 minutes to make and is perfect for parties! From the Ambitious Kitchen: If you’ve never had a fruit salsa, you’re in for a real treat. It’s sweet and savory all at the same time and it’s the perfect way to surprise people during your summer BBQ. Like hey what’s up, I made you the best salsa of all time. You are now crowned the potluck party queen. Ingredients: 1 cup diced strawberries (a little more than a half pound of strawberries) 1 cup diced ripe mango (from 2 large mangoes) 1 avocado, diced 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced 2 tablespoons finely diced red onion 2-3 tablespoons diced cilantro 1 small lime, juiced 1/4 te...

Father’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate dads and everything they do. That includes celebrating a long, healthy life with your beloved father or father-figure. This Father's Day, help the dad in your life be the healthiest man he can be with these essential health and wellness tips, so that you can continue to enjoy many more Father’s Day celebrations together. 1. Schedule an annual physical Preventative healthcare  is the most important and effective thing men can do to live healthier lives.  The statistics regarding the issue are startling : Men are 24% less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year, and are 22% more likely to have neglected their cholesterol tests. Men are 28% more likely than women to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure. Men are 32% more likely than women to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes. Men are 24% more likely than women to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by gettin...

  We’re hosting a webinar! Event Title:   Produce Prescription Programs Then & Now: Implications for Health & Systems Improvement Date:  Monday, June 21 @ 2:00 - 3:30 pm EST Come join an interactive webinar,  Produce Prescription Programs Then & Now: Implications for Health & Systems Improvement,  to learn first-ever findings and recommendations on research of U.S. produce prescription programs from 2010 - 2020! This new report and interactive maps were commissioned by  Wholesome Wave  and prepared by  DAISA Enterprises  to further the evidence-base and policy-change potential for investment in food & health systems through the produce prescription model. In addition to research highlights, invited speakers will share context, field evolution, and opportunities to advance equity, program, and policy aims. Check out the   Executive Summary ! Registration Link:   Registration Page If you are unable to attend this w...

In case you missed the webinar yesterday...  here is the link  for:  The Body At Work: Ergonomics and Posture  Presented by Laura Rice of Epic Wellness - Resolve your ergonomics problems by looking at the source: your body, your posture and your movement habits. How you sit and move while working affects your entire body. We'll teach you to become aware of strain before it causes injury. You will also learn gentle movement and stretches that prevent RSI and back pain.    

The  theme  for this year is 'The  Ocean : Live and Livelihoods' and people can participate virtually.  World Oceans Day  is celebrated to highlight the negative impact of human activities. TUESDAY, 8TH JUNE, 2021 10 AM - 5 PM EDT Produced by the Division of Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations , in partnership with non-profit organization Oceanic Global, and presenting partner Blancpain , supported by La Mer , this year’s annual event will shed light on the wonder of the ocean and how it is our lifesource, supporting humanity and every other organism on Earth.

Getting your steps in is important! Physical activity like walking will help keep your body healthy and your mind at ease. Treading the same walking path each day can get a little … well, boring. So let’s keep things interesting! Try becoming a local tourist in your area. What’s a Local Tourist? The idea is simple. Instead of taking the same route each day for your usual walk, run, or bike ride, change it up. Let your location entice you to get moving by going to see things in your town that tourists would normally want to see. You could plan to see things you’ve already seen and love. Or you could plan to find something new with each adventure. What Kinds of Things Can I Do? You name it! Find something walkable that sparks your interest. Discover things in your neighborhood, like: •  A beach • A university track • An artistic statue • An old tree or cactus • A public tribal site • A famous building • A breathtaking sunset view • An interesting house in your neighborhood • A town c...

With TV, food delivery services, the internet, and desk jobs, it has never been easier to spend all day sitting down. It might sound relaxing, but sitting too much can cause a lot of damage to the body! That’s why we’ve put together a list of tips and tools to help you get your body moving. When you’re ready to start your challenge, your mission is simple: Aim to get 5,000 steps each day for 30 days in a row. Don’t worry if you don’t reach your goal every day — any physical activity is better than none. Ready to get stepping?  Click here for daily challenge details !

 This Memorial Day, bring nutrition to the grill!  Grilling doesn't have to be all burgers, hot dogs and potato salad. Follow these steps to reduce calories, fat and boost nutrients! 1. Start with the perfect protein. Fish, skinless chicken breast and lean ground poultry are all healthier choices. The good fats in fish like salmon and trout actually have health benefits. Wrap marinated fish fillets in foil, construct colorful chicken kebabs or make savory turkey burgers by mixing onions and peppers into the patties. If you do choose meat or pork, avoid "prime" and gravitate towards the loin, round, choice or select grades of meat. 2.  Right size your portions. A healthy portion of meat is about 3 ounces, or the size of a deck of cards. If that sounds small, just remember all the delicious grilled veggies and side dishes that will be keeping it company on your plate! 3. Add color – eat the rainbow! Just about all your favorite colorful fruits and veggies can be g...

 Do you love hiking and want to make sure you're prepared on the trail? Make sure you have these essential items on your next hike.   1.) Appropriate footwear.  For shorter hikes, trail shoes are great, but for longer hikes or if you're carrying a heavier backpack a more supportive hiking shoe/boot will be beneficial. 2.) Map/Compass.  Having a map and compass with you in case you get lost and in case your GPS fails, is essential. 3.) Extra water and/or a way to purify water.  When you become dehydrated, your body can't perform well. Be sure to pack plenty of water. 4.) Extra food.  It's always a good idea to have extra food on hand in case you get lost, you want to spend a little more time by a stream you found, the terrain was more difficult than expected and you need to keep your energy up, etc. 5.) Rain gear and extra clothing.  The weather can be unpredictable especially if you're changing altitudes throughout your hike. Dressing in layers can hel...

  The hills are alive with the sounds (and sights) of Mountain Days 2021! As the weather continues to improve, firming up our trails and woodlands, and health guidelines open more outdoor opportunities for recreation, we want to encourage you to get moving and keep healthy! This year we won't be able to host our traditional Mountain Day events at specific sites as we have in the past — but we still want to see you moving and exercising outside! From May 17 to 31 share your photos to our Facebook page or Instagram (#mountaindaysvt).* We want to see photos of you, your family and friends hiking and adventuring around the hills of Vermont. Then, enter your contact information here for your chance to win a Vermont State Park pass for 10 day-visits – a $30 prize value, with no expiration date! After May 31 we'll randomly select 50 winners to receive a pass. (Raffle winners will receive a paper voucher via regular US Postal Mail.) Happy ...

This request is for you to temporarily add the following message to your email signatures:  This is our shot, Vermont! Everyone age 12 and older is now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Sign up for your shot today at healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine or follow @healthvermont on Facebook and Twitter for walk-in opportunities. #OurShotVT   If you are uncomfortable with this or prefer not to, that is clearly your choice, but any small thing you can do to create awareness about vaccination availability is helpful and appreciated. Tip:  To change your signature, go to file, options, mail, signatures. Also, as a reminder, we should all be using email signatures that include our name, pronouns (optional), title and contact information.  Any messages or taglines following your signature should always be approved by your supervisor.

With over 5 million cases diagnosed in the United States each year,   skin cancer is America’s most common cancer.   Fortunately, skin cancer is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer. About 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers and 85 percent of melanoma cases are associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. By sharing facts about the dangers of unprotected exposure and encouraging people to check their skin for warning signs, we can and will save lives. We can’t do this work alone. In 2021, for the second straight year,  Skin Cancer Awareness Month  takes place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though many of us are separated, we can still unite against skin cancer,  share the facts  and help save lives. Reach Young People Sun Smart U  provides educators with the resources they need to teach youth how to make sun-safe choices that are vital in preventing skin cancer. We ask t...

This week, we celebrate all nurses, both at the bedside and those working to support them. Each of you is raising the bar in new ways, creating strong teams and working in service to others. It is your passion and hard work that will help us shape the future of healthcare. The  International Council of Nurses ’ theme for Nurses Week is “ Nurses: A Voice to Lead.”   This year – more than ever – we are looking to your voices and ideas for innovations and improvements to elevate nursing practice and define what it means to provide compassionate, connected care. We see your passion to comfort and desire to care and are filled with gratitude and humbled to work for you and alongside you every day. Thank you for all your hard work for healthier tomorrows!

  Looking at all your choices you may think—do I have to change all of these? And if not, which ones should I choose? Remember that all components—frequency, weights, reps, sets, and method of training—are related. Changing one aspect of your training may require you to change others to make things work. Keep it simple by changing only one component and allow your body to respond to that. Over time, you'll learn more about your body, allowing you to make changes more easily.

  GREEN UP DAY IS MAY 1! Pick up your Green Up trash bags and get out in your community on Saturday, May 1 to clean up your neighborhood roads and waterways. As a volunteer, you make a huge difference for our environment.  Click here to learn more. GREEN UP GEAR Safety green t-shirts with reflective print will keep you visible on the roads – $15 ea. Reusable aluminum water bottles – $12 ea. All proceeds support Green Up Day.  Click here to order yours today. THERE IS AN APP FOR THAT The Green Up App helps you and your team track your route, communicate, and let your town know where the trash is. Download from Apple Store or Google+ Click here for more information.

  Green Up Day is May 1st - Get Outside and Help Your Community Shine! We live our mission to keep  Vermont  beautiful. Green Up Vermont’s mission is to promote the stewardship of our state’s natural landscape and waterways, and the livability of our communities by involving people in Green Up Day while raising public awareness about the health, economic, and visual benefits of a litter-free environment year-round. You can also earn 20 points in the Back to Square One Incentive Program  - Attend a LiveWell Vermont Activity!      Visit the  Green Up Vermont  website for information. Tips to Stay Healthy on Green Up Day!

This Earth Day, we’re celebrating the people speaking up for nature and making positive change for our environment. See some of their stories below, by following #SpeakUpForNature on social media and by joining us for our virtual Earth Day event, "Change Starts Here." HOW TO HELP Earth Day was founded 51 years ago when thousands of people came together in the United States to speak up and demand cleaner air and water. In 1990, Earth Day became global when 200 million people in 141 countries spoke up together about global environmental issues. We commend all those voices that came before, and all the voices speaking up for nature today. Learn more at: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/earth-day/

  Earth Day Live: Restore Our Earth Digital Livestream Boasts Lineup of Activists, Global Leaders, Musicians, Influencers, and Educators From April 20-22, Earth Uprising, Hip Hop Caucus, Education International, and EARTHDAY‍.ORG are producing three days of climate action events to bring awareness to humanity’s greatest existential threat and raise ambition across numerous environmental issues. You can watch them all on our Earth Day site. EARTH DAY 2021 Today, April 20 at 2:30PM ET, Earth Uprising, in collaboration with hundreds of youth climate activists, will present the “Youth Speaks Summit 2021.” The global youth summit will consist of panels, speeches, discussions, and special messages with today’s youth climate activists including Greta Thunberg, Alexandria Villaseñor, Licypriya Kangujam, Xiye Bastida, Jamie Margolin, and Vanessa Nakate. The four-hour digital summit will address the progress that has been made on their main issues of concern, inclu...