IN THIS ISSUE

Cheryl's Live Healthy Blog

Recipe of the Week

Articles We Found Interesting

Nutritonists' Tips for Healthier Halloween Treats

An Explanation to Why The Chamber Does Health

Healthy Tip of the Week

Volunteer Opportunities

Cheryl's Live Healthy Blog

Cheryl is starting her third year of Executive Edge at Western Racquet & Fitness Club and is determined to win this year! Each week she will take you through her experiences of getting healthier and reaching her goals!!

This week she talks about the importance of rest and why your body needs days off! Here is this week's links to her blog: http://www.deperechamber.org/blog/chamber-update/days-of-rest/

Recipe of the Week

Southwestern Vegetable Chowder

Makes 6 Servings

Total Time : 45 minutes
View recipe here.

INGREDIENTS:

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup diced onion
1 cup diced celery
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth
1 cup whole milk
2 cups diced sweet potato
2 medium poblanos or red or green bell peppers, diced
2 15-ounce cans black beans, rinsed
cilantro for garnish
lime wedges for garnish

PREPARATION:

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and celery; cook, stirring frequently, until softened and beginning to brown, 3 to 6 minutes. Sprinkle flour, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and salt over the vegetables and cook for 1 minute more. Add vegetable broth and milk; bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly.
Stir in sweet potatoes and peppers and bring just to a simmer. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender 12 to 15 minutes.
Add black beans and cook, stirring frequently, until heated through, 2 to 4 minutes. Serve topped with cilantro and garnished with lime wedges, if desired.

Articles We Found Interesting

1. Most Progressive Food Companies

2. Ways to Trick Yourself Full

3. Ways to Walk Off Fat Faster

4. Ebola Anxiety: A Bigger Threat Now Than the Virus Itself

5. The Best Fat-Burning Breakfasts

Nutritionists' Tips for Healthier Halloween Treats

Nothing says Halloween like heaps of candy. In fact, Americans eat some 25 pounds of candy per person per year, with Halloween accounting for the bulk of the consumption. If this sounds scarier than ghosts and goblins, fear not: We've asked some of the nation's top nutritionists for their best tips to ensure a healthier Halloween.

Fruit-Based Snacks "Look for fun, affordable fruit snacks like mini raisin packs," says Shauna Del Prete, RD, CDN. Raisins are a top smart pick. In fact, a University of Toronto study found kids reported feeling fuller and ate fewer calories at their next meal when they snacked on raisins compared with other popular snacks.

Pint-Size Packets of Jelly Beans According to Katherine Brooking, M.S., RD, co-founder of Appetite for Health, jelly beans are a great option because they satisfy your sweet tooth without as many calories as chocolate. "I give out Jelly Belly Kids Mix beans because each mini packet has just 28 calories -- or about 11 percent of the calories in a full-size chocolate candy bar," she says.

Single-Serve Packs of Nuts "Nuts are a great snack to keep tiny tummies satisfied with the fiber and protein they provide, plus kids have fun cracking them open," says registered dietitian Chris Cooper. Look for the single-serve packages like a mini-size (1 ounce) pack of Wonderful Pistachios, which has 80 calories, three grams of protein and two grams of fiber.

Aaarrr, Booty! Registered dietitian Julie Chudak suggests a kid-friendly and mom-approved alternative to candy -- Pirate's Booty. "I love it because it has less fat and fewer calories than traditional Halloween candies. Plus, it's also gluten-, nut- and trans-fat-free."

Toy Tricks "I mix fun toy tricks with the healthier treats and let kids take both an edible and non-edible choice or the option of two tricks for incentive. I've done this ever since a study from Yale University found that children are just as excited about getting a toy as they are candy," says Seattle-based registered dietitian Stephanie Magill. A few ideas:

* Halloween-themed pencils, pencil toppers, crayons or erasers

* Scary stickers
* Plastic rings and bracelets
* Temporary tattoos
* Glow sticks
* Bouncy balls

Chew and Change "I look for value packs of gum and let each trick-or-treater pick a pack," adds Upton. "If I run low, I'll let them pick a few sticks. Plus, I have rolls of quarters, so each can have gum and a quarter."

Minis or Fun-Size Candies A healthier Halloween doesn't have to mean no candy at all. Allowing for a few sweet treats teaches kids about balance and moderation. "I give out all the basics in small bite-size pieces," says Elisa Zied M.S., RD, and author of Nutrition at Your Fingertips.

Lollipops and Hard Candies "I especially like to give out hard candies and lollipops because they take longer to eat and can satisfy kids' cravings for something sweet and possibly help them consume fewer calories from their treat bag," adds Zied.

View source here.

Running in Wisconsin

This Week:

Nothing in the area.

Next Week:

Saturday, November 8th: Run For Lungs 5k: The Run For Lungs is a 5K run/walk for all ages. It is held by St. Norbert College's student organization: Colleges Against Cancer. The event is held in November because that is lung cancer awareness month. This event is not only a fun event for all, but it also promotes healthy living, raises awareness of lung cancer, and allows for donations and contributions to be made in trying to put an end to lung cancer. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society. Learn more here.

Sunday, November 9th: Annual World Run Day: In this Annual Global Running Event, run your own special running route to help celebrate the sport of running. Celebrate by yourself or with family and friends. Every registrant of this event is awarded by mail a commemorative 2014 World Run Day keepsake event t-shirt. Your name, location, dedication/quotation will also be listed on our event site www.runday.com. (Your photos may also be uploaded to the site...). Join our celebration on this special day for runners! Learn more here.

The Following Week:

Saturday, November 15th: Ugly Sweater Run 5k: The "Ugly Sweater Run" will put you in the Christmas mood of fun and cheers. Wear your "ugly sweater" and win special prizes at the post race party. Join us in downtown Manitowoc for a memorable experience. Santa will be there too! Learn more here.

OUR SPONSORS

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For more information and great online tools visit www.livehealthyamerica.org

Sincerely,

Cheryl Detrick, President
De Pere Area Chamber of Commerce

Issue: #41-2014

October 29th, 2014

An Explanation to Why The Chamber Does Health!

Good afternoon!

I'm sticking my head into the newsletter this week for a quick update and to bring you up to date on a question we have received. Member questions & concerns are very important to us so we always want to make sure to address them. This is the fourth year the Chamber has been managed the Live Healthy Brown County program. LHBC isn't all we do, but it is an important program of work for our members.

As you know, we publish this newsletter weekly. We have been asked, "Why is the Chamber so interested/involved in issues with health? Yes, it is important, but it isn't a Chamber issue or a benefit to members."

As the workforce gets older and smaller, the Chamber recognized the need to encourage members of our workforce and our community to live healthier lives so that they can be more productive workers. Many studies regarding "quality-of-life" have also shown that communities place an emphasis on community health and worksite wellness have a better return on their workforce expansion/retention efforts.

Additionally, since the beginning of 2014, with the full implementation of the Affordable Care Act, we shifted to "community rating" which has linked the wellness/illness of each of our community members to our individual, and therefore small group, health insurance costs. This gives every person, every person, a stake in promoting wellness. Also beginning back on January 1st, companies offer wellness programs can assess workers who don't meet certain health targets - such as lowering cholesterol, blood pressure, or body-mass index - with premiums that are as much as 30 percent higher than other employees'. Smokers who don't quit face even bigger expenses: companies can charge them up to 50 percent more than other workers.

Since business pushed very hard for those components to be included, we feel it is very much the business of the chamber of commerce, as a business organization charged with community and economic development, to be a leader in information, education and resources in this area. Based on the importance placed in the ACA and the components like those above business pushed to have included, issues of health and wellness are very much business issues.

Finally, we know the workforce has been shrinking. The Baby Boomers numbered 76 million strong. The following generation, those now fully installed in workplace and born 1965-1976 "Generation X," was only 51 million, but still 25 million fewer than the generation that proceeded it. The Millennials, oldest of whom are 37 and the youngest still in high school are catching us up as they are 75 million in number! However, obesity is at an all-time high. More than one-third of Americans, 78.6 adults are obese. Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, some of the leading causes of preventable death. The estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the U.S. was $147 billion in 2008 U.S. dollars; the medical costs for people who are obese were $1,429 higher than those of normal weight. Worst of all, obesity is higher among middle age adults, 40-59 years old (39.5%) than among younger adults, age 20-39 (30.3%) or adults over 60 or above (35.4%) adults.

So, my short answer, the Chamber assisting our member businesses help their employees be healthy is not only a productivity issue but also a bottom-line dollars and cents issue ... and helping our businesses be more productive and more profitable fits the definition of a "benefit of membership."

Having said all that, we will soon be having a new option for you. Alicia is creating a "survey" which will allow you to choose specifically what information you receive from us on an on-going basis. There will be 4 options: First Thing (our Monday Chamber E-newsletter), Live Healthy Brown County (this one), Event notifications only (Dawn, Dusk, Gala, Golf, etc.) or All. We want to reach our members and our community as they want to be reached and not inundate you with information you aren't interested in receiving.

I hope this answered the "why is the Chamber in health" question and gave some (hopefully interesting) food for thought.

Best,

Cheryl Detrick

Healthy Tip of the Week:

Ways to Get Back on the Fitness Wagon

By Linda Melone

The only thing harder than starting a new exercise program is getting back to it after a long hiatus. Working hard during the first half of the year prepared you for swimsuit season. But if the most strenuous thing you did all summer involved unfolding a beach chair, you need a plan. Jumping back to where you left off last April can lead to frustration at best and injury at worst. Here are experts best tips for getting back into a routine safely.

1. Get Your Head in the Game

People often get discouraged, feeling they've lost all their hard work after their time off, but it's not the case, says Doug Miller, Ph.D., professor of health and exercise science and director of wellness at Messiah College. "It's not wasted at all, and the benefits from the exercise can last much longer than most people realize." Miller cites a study that found squat strength decreased by only 13 percent when fit participants took eight months off from exercise. Plus, it took only six weeks for the study participants to regain their initial strength. So get back to your routine and you'll see results faster than you may think.

2. Get Support From Others

While posting on social media can help, support from in-person friends can never be underestimated, says Miller. "It adds accountability and provides a group of friends you can exercise with and get to know." So ask a friend to join you on the journey, join a local jogging or cycling club or sign up for a local exercise class. It's also motivating to work out with someone slightly better than you for healthy, fun competition.

3. Ignore the Calendar

Setting a start date for next week or next month sounds like a good way to resume your fitness plan, but this simple task becomes complicated when you realize how many events, trips, celebrations or holidays can get in the way of reaching your goals, says PJ Monson, founder of MyFitMogo. "Avoid thinking so far ahead. Just pick a day and start. Chances are, when you reach a potential obstacle you will be already married to your routine and not willing to cheat."

4. Start With One Thing

Set a single goal to get started and stick with it for a week. "If you try to change too many things at once about your daily routine, then you are more likely to become overwhelmed and quit," says personal trainer and fitness coach PJ Monson. Examples of simple goals could be getting to the gym three times a week, cutting out wine at dinner during weekdays or going on a 20-minute walk every day. "Once you stick with it for a couple of weeks, reward yourself by adding on another goal," Monson says.

5. Invest in a New Workout Toy or Gear

Purchasing new workout gear or clothing can help motivate you to restart your healthy habits because it'll give you a change to put it to good use. New gear could even include a set of Tupperware for your healthy snacks and work lunches, says Monson. If your new plan includes taking a yoga class, spend money on something to help motivate you, such as a new outfit, yoga mat or colorful blocks. If you plan to walk or run, a heart rate monitor or pedometer can give you the push you need to stick with it.

6. Make It Short and Sweet

No need to try and commit to a two-day daily workout, especially when you're first getting back int eh swing, says Monson. "You'll end tired, sore, and over it." Start with 10 minutes of brisk walking at the very least and go from there. Ideally, Monson suggests striving for an hour: a 20-minute strength routine, 30-minute cardio session, and 10 minutes of stretching. "Make sure you know the workout you are going to do before you get to the strength floor," she says," otherwise you will find yourself wasting time wondering what to do first."

7. Clean Out Your Kitchen

Aside from getting back into the workout groove, you'll also need to take a look at reestablishing good eating habits. Start with beverages, says Sharon Richter, RD, nutrition ambassador for KeVita, probiotic drinks. "Clean out the fridge and pantry of all drinks with dyes or artificial sweeteners. Replace them with water, sparkling water, low-fat milk or unsweetened almond milk and coconut water." Then hit the condiments. Toss out all items containing high-fructose syrup and dyes and replace them with fresh herbs, natural mustard's, oils and vinegar.

8. Give a Makeover to One Meal Each Week

In the same way you want to avoid prematurely overdoing your fitness routine, ease back into healthier eating habits by changing one meal a week, says Richter. For breakfast, ditch the fat-laden muffin and choose lean protein and a high-fiber carbohydrate like egg whites with veggies. When you're ready to tackle lunch, you can still have a salad, but you also want to include healthy protein like nuts, chicken or fish. For dinner, focus on portion control. "And allow yourself a couple of bites of dark chocolate for dessert. You'll notice that you'll start to crave the healthier options."

9. Keep a Food Journal

Writing down what you eat every day makes you realize when you're really taking in, says Richter. "You especially want to look at thing like alcohol. If you're having two glasses of wine during the week with dinner and four cocktails on a Friday and Saturday, for example, that adds up to 18 drinks a week. Try to cut it down, then eight." If you discover your snack choices include sweets and other unhealthy treats, substitute raw almonds, fruit, low-fat yogurt or other healthy choices.

10. Seek Professional Help

If boredom, lack of results or injury inspired your last hiatus, it's a good idea to take proactive steps to prevent it from happening again. "Exercise specialists can help you set up a plan that's just right for you," says Sean Wells, D.T.P., bistroMD fitness expert. "And they can be found anywhere --even in your gym. Asking the right questions and having an expert help you set those goals gets you started on the right foot." Ideally, look for a trainer who specializes in your particular goals, be it weight loss, muscle building, bone strengthening, etc.

View source here.

Volunteer Opportunities

Did you know that volunteering is good for the soul? It helps rid yourself of stress, makes you feel good about yourself, and allows you to meet people who you would have never met before.

September & October : Zoo Boo Decorating - Prepare for Halloween, NEW Zoo, 4418 Reforestation Road, Suamico. To volunteer, contact Angela Kawksi at 662-2405 or email at volunteer@newzoo.org.
Packer Homes Games -Parkers needed!! 6 or more volunteers are needed to help park cars for all the Packer Home games, 3 hours before the game. Perfect for all the tailgaters and fans going to the game. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old. To volunteer, contact Amy Murphy at 337-1121 ext. 1205 or email at amurphy@cp-center.org.
Terror on the Fox (September 26&27th, every weekend in October - November 1st), National Railroad Museum, 2285 S. Broadway, Green Bay, 5:45pm-midnight. Volunteers are needed for train supervision, platform, rade corssing, and parking. Must be 18 years or older to help. Wear black pants and black shirt. To volunteer, contact Kari Hinrichs at 437-7623 ext. 13 or email at khinrichs@nationalrrmuseum.org.