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The second eligibility period for WOW! Rewards began on April 1st and ends on September 30th. There is less than 1 month left to participate for FY08!
For more information on Rolling Rewards and Instant Incentives, go to the WOW! Homepage.
How do you tell if you've completed the program requirements? Click here to find out! | |
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Greetings from the MaineHealth WOW! (Works on Wellness) Team!
September is Healthy Aging Month. According to the Healthy Aging website, the Healthy Aging Campaign is "a national ongoing health promotion designed to broaden awareness of the positive aspects of aging and to provide information and inspiration for adults, age 50+, to improve their physical, mental, social, and financial fitness."
Of course, you can engage in healthy aging activities at any age:
- Eat a diet rich in whole grains, omega-3-fatty acids (fish is a good source) and fresh fruits and vegetables. For a boost to your youthful eating regimen, try our lycopene rich fresh tomato salsa and sweet salsa rice recipes included below.
- Stay active. Find time to move your body daily. Live in the Greater Portland area? Download the "Get Up and Go Guide" at www.letsgo.org.
- Take advantage of preventive health screenings. For more information, go to www.mainehealth.org/wow and click on: Health Information>WOW! Health Resources>Preventive Guidelines.
- Discuss healthy behavior with the little ones in your life. Begin with a book. Raising Readers recommends Good for Me and You by Mercer Mayer (HarperFestive, 2004). FMI, visit www.raisingreaders.org.
- Maintain your social network-especially if you have a chronic health condition. Call the Southern Maine Area on Aging at 1.800.427.7411x529 about their Living Well class.
- Exercise your brain. Sign up for a cooking class at the MaineHealth Learning Resource Centers. How about Creating Low Cost Family-Friendly Cuisine: Greens, Grains & Beans? This three part series begins on September 16. FMI, call 1.866.609.5183.
For more healthy aging tips, read September's Parent and Family Newspaper column, courtesy of the MaineHealth Learning Resource Centers (also available at www.drlisabelisle.com).
Finally, find out whether your healthy aging activities make you eligible for WOW! Rewards, at www.mainehealth.org/wow.
Have a great September!
Lisa Belisle, MD, MPH
Medical Advisor, MaineHealth WOW!
P.S. September is also National Cholesterol Education Month. More information is available on the WOW! Calendar. |
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RECIPE: Got tomatoes? How about making some lycopene-rich fresh tomato salsa and sweet salsa rice?
Sweet Salsa Rice
1 medium bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
1 cup fresh tomato salsa (see below)
3 cups cooked brown rice (Basmati works well here)
1 can black beans, rinsed
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
optional: 1/2 pound lean ground beef or turkey, browned OR 1/2 pound chopped chicken breast, cooked
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan. Add pepper and sauté over medium heat until just tender.
Add remaining ingredients to saucepan and combine gently but well. Heat through. Adjust seasonings.
Fresh Tomato Salsa
6 medium scallions
3 cloves garlic
6 medium tomatoes, just ripe
2 small chili peppers, mild
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely minced
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely minced
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt, freshly ground (or to taste)
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
juice from one lime
crushed red pepper, to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Mince scallions and garlic; sauté over medium heat for 5-10 minutes (until scallions are tender). Do not allow garlic to brown. Allow scallions and garlic to cool. Place in a medium sized bowl.
Cut tomatoes into quarters and remove seeds. Dice tomatoes. Cut open chili peppers. Remove seeds and white pith. Dice peppers. Add tomatoes, chili peppers and remainder of ingredients to bowl with scallions and garlic. Mix well. If desired, pulse briefly in a food processor--do not over process!
Return to bowl. Adjust seasonings. Cover tightly and chill.
Will keep well for up to a week if refrigerated.
Note: there are many different ways to prepare salsa. Feel free to make this salsa hotter by using more fiery chili peppers. Or make it more intense by using scallions & garlic that have not been sautéed.
(From www.bountiful-blog.com)
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LifeBalance
Employee Assistance Program
Worried about finances? LifeBalance can help with money-related concerns, questions and planning. They have information on a range of topics, such as:
- saving and paying for college
- managing money during a divorce
- organizing bills and financial papers
- financial planning for expectant parents
- difficulty paying bills
- how to find a financial planner.
Call a LifeBalance consultant at 877-259-3785 for expert help on a range of issues.
Make an appointment for a consultation with a member of our financial specialist team. It's free.
The EAP offers expert consultation, referrals to local resources, nurse line access and face-to-face assessment. For more information, visit www.mainehealth.org/wow.
For information on classes related to financial planning, call the MaineHealth Learning Resource Centers at 1.866.609.5183.
Lisa Belisle, MD, MPH
Medical Advisor, MaineHealth WOW! |
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Maine Heart Center
The Maine Heart Center is offering a free lecture titled The Missed Beat- Understanding Cardiac Arrhythmias. For more information, click here. |
Kids Health
Did you know that The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center has a comprehensive website devoted to kids health? The website is designed for 3 specific age groups (Kids, Teens & Parents) and has categories such as Recipes, The Game Closet and Health Problems of Grown-Ups. Click here to check out the site! | |
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