One-Pot Cooking

After working all day, finding something to make for dinner can sometimes be a pain. Who wants to spend their evenings stuck in the kitchen prepping healthy ingredients? And after dinner comes the “best” part - cleaning up the dirty dishes! This scenario leads many to order local takeout or make their way to the fast food lane. Why Choose One-Pot Meals?  Instead of grabbing a bite to eat out, make a healthy meal at home with just one pot! While eating out is convenient and saves time on clean-up, studies show that those who consume more meals at home consume fewer calories, less fat, sugar, and sodium compared to those who eat out. Your next healthy meal is just one dish away! Convenience And Healthy Combined  One-pot meals are dishes that are easy to make and a breeze to [...]

Grab and Go Breakfast

  The most important meal of the day - breakfast! And now that kids are heading back to school, it is even more important to fuel their brains for the day. Studies show that kids and adults who eat breakfast are more alert, think clearer, and have improved moods. Eating breakfast decreases our risk for heart disease, improves digestion, and builds strong bones. What better way to set your family’s day for success than incorporating a nutritious breakfast? Don’t skip breakfast! Even though breakfast is the most important meal of the day, nearly half the population is still skipping a morning meal! Do you bypass breakfast to make your hectic mornings easier? Unfortunately, this tactic can backfire leading to unwanted weight gain and hunger throughout the day. Here are some fun and convenient ways to assure you and the kids [...]

How to Meal Prep Healthy Lunches

  “BEEP! BEEP! BEEP” the alarm seems so much louder on the first day of school! Back to school can be a stressful time between trying to adjust to all the new schedules, as well as making sure everyone is organized and fed. This includes school lunches that need packed. This can feel like an annoying chore, adding to the morning chaos. Until someone figures out how to make lunches pack themselves, here are some tips to streamline your busy mornings. Meal Prep!  That’s right - meal prep. This is the key to a healthy week and is helpful for all. Preparing nutritious foods will save stress and time before heading out of the house for the day. Have a flexible plan for the week. Pick something to be the “main” component of your lunch like a whole grain sandwich [...]

The Corona Impact – Drink Less Alcohol

How much is too much? Current CDC guidelines for alcohol consumption recommend less than one drink per day for women and two for men. Trends indicate moderate drinkers are consuming far more than the current guidelines. In the past year, it was found that men averaged four to fourteen drinks per week and women averaged four to seven drinks. There are short and long-term health consequences of consuming too much alcohol.  The Corona Impact A 2020 study measuring alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic found that drinking increased amongst 60% of participants (compared to the year prior, 2019). Even before the pandemic, the consumption trends still far exceeded CDC guidelines! In addition to the health consequences this past year had on many individuals, increased alcohol consumption adds to the risks for more health issues. Risks Short-term consequences include alcohol poisoning [...]

Wellness for the HR Professional: Nutrition

  Most of us feel like we are in survival mode as we return to the workplace. We have also gained the “COVID-19 pounds”. Take the following steps to healthfully go back to work. Be kind to yourself and slowly integrate health behaviors (back) into your life. These 2 major steps are meant to help you thrive during this time and not add more stress. Eat mindfully. This means to increase your awareness of what influences your food choices. Consider the following: Why am I eating? Am I hungry or am I stressed? Is this physical hunger or an emotional response? Enjoy your food. Use all your senses to enjoy your food. This means you eat slowly, take small bites and chew thoroughly. No distractions. Take time to enjoy your food. Stop working for a period, turn off the screen [...]

Recipe- Melty-Cheesy Zucchini Boats

  Summer is here and so are a whole array of seasonal vegetables! Today, we are putting the spotlight on a summer favorite - zucchini. Zucchini is naturally low in calories and rich in nutrients such as potassium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. Check out the nutritious and delicious recipe below! Melty-Cheesy Zucchini Boats Prep: 20 minutes Cook: 30 minutes Serving: 8 Ingredients: 4 medium zucchini (about 8oz each) 2 tbsp olive oil, divided Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 lb ground turkey 1 tbsp minced garlic (3 cloves) 1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 small) 1 -14.5oz can petite diced tomatoes, drained 2 tsp Italian seasoning ⅔ cup panko breadcrumbs, divided ½ cup low-fat shredded mozzarella ⅔ cup shredded parmesan cheese, divided 1 ½ tbsp chopped fresh parsley Instructions:  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 13x9-inch baking [...]

Recipe- Creamy Mango Avocado Smoothie

What’s better than enjoying a nutritious fruit smoothie on a warm summer’s day? This recipe is loaded with in season fruit such as mango and avocados. Avocados are a nutrition powerhouse packed with heart healthy fatty acids that help brain function. Mangoes deliver antioxidants like vitamin A that help lower our risk of developing cancer.  Creamy Mango Avocado Smoothie  Prep time: 1 min Cook time: 2 min  Servings: 2 Ingredients:  ½ large Haas avocado ½ cup mango, diced ½ frozen banana 2 tbsp hemp seeds  1.5 cups skim milk  Dash of vanilla  Ice as needed Optional toppings: coconut flakes, chia seeds, granola Instructions:  Peel avocado and discard pit.  Blend all ingredients together in a blender.  Enjoy plain or in a bowl with toppings.  Calories 234 Total Carbohydrates 26grams, Protein 11grams,  Fat 11grams   This recipe is inspired by our very [...]

Men’s Health Month

In the United States, June is designated as Men’s Health Month. The goal is to raise awareness about the ways men can improve and maintain their health. The five most important things that men can do for their health are to be tobacco free, stay physically active, eat a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight for your height, and get recommended screening tests. In addition to the top five, there are other health behaviors that can increase your likelihood of living a long, healthy life. Below are details about important health behaviors for men: Be Tobacco Free - This includes smokeless tobacco products as well. See our articles about Smoking and Vaping , and reach out to a Be Well Solutions Health Coach to enroll in our Kick Nic smoking cessation program. Stay Physically Active - Aside from being tobacco [...]

Organic vs. Conventional Produce: What is the difference?

A frequent dilemma in the produce aisle: to choose organic or not to choose organic. Perhaps you pick up two apples: one organic and one conventionally grown. Both are round, firm, and red. Both are full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. So which should you choose? Let’s get the facts straight before heading off to the grocery store. What does “organic” mean? According the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the term “organic” refers to the way farmers grow and handle their crops. They must follow strict guidelines to be labeled with the USDA organic seal. Organic farming practices, established by the USDA, are designed to enhance water and soil quality, reduce overall pollution, and promote sustainability among the farming industry. In organic farming there are practices that are not permitted and are overseen by the USDA. Materials and processes NOT [...]

Exercise in the Great Outdoors Safely

Summer is just around the corner! The warmer weather can boost motivation for a consistent exercise routine. It’s the perfect time of year for a variety of outdoor activities. There are still some safety precautions to keep in mind. Use the tips below to keep your outdoor exercise safe and enjoyable. Safety First Safety is key when exercising outside. Choosing to exercise in daylight hours and paying attention to traffic will keep you alert on the road. If you’re in a rural or park setting, consider exercising with a buddy or letting someone know where you are ahead of time and when you plan to return. It’s a good practice to bring both your ID, a little cash, and your charged phone with you for any of those “just in case” scenarios. Also, don’t forget sunscreen and sunglasses. Even on [...]