NGH Communities

N Good Health is designed to help you improve or maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle. Over the past several years, employees from all over the organization have used the program to help make their health a priority. These individuals come from various backgrounds and stages in their wellness journeys, but the N Good Health team is always in awe of the dedication they show.  Recently, we received an email with an awesome story and we are so excited to share with you today.

This email is from Anjel Ciaravino, Receptionist at Norton Prompt Care at Walgreens:

I started with Norton Healthcare in June of last year. While I haven’t seen weight loss since then, I have seen my LDL (113) and my Cholesterol (179) change to 60 and 158. I have been focusing on trying to cook all my meals as much as possible, limiting how much I eat out to once or twice a month, and working out 4-5 times a week. I am feeling stronger and healthier since making these changes. I have seen a huge difference in how much muscle I have gained and have lost a jean size. I absolutely think NGH has helped challenge the way I think about food and exercise. This year, I have decided to become a Wellness Champion. I am taking some of the courses offered on NGH and it has been very helpful to help me continue my journey to wellness. I needed first to focus on my relationship with food and now I can focus on portion control to hit my goals for this year. I am looking forward to what 2022 has to offer!

Do YOU have a story to share?  Please send your wellness success stories to N Good Health by reaching out to Lacey Nelson at lacey.nelson@nortonhealthcare.org with the subject line “Success Story”. You never know who may hear your story and get inspired to make their health a priority!

Welcome to Sips Ahoy, N Good Health’s first water drinking challenge! During this four week challenge, you’ll sail the good ship Hydration toward huge health benefits. So say bon voyage to empty calories and hello to better health.

How to Participate: Track your daily water intake in ounces in your N Good Health account or on the Navigate wellbeing app. The goal is to drink 32 ounces of water a day.  

How to Complete the Challenge: Track and record your water consumption for at least 20 out of the 28 days.

To learn more about this upcoming challenge, check out the program guide by CLICKING HERE.

Duration: 4 weeks 

All participants who meet the challenge completion requirement will be entered into the drawing to win a HidrateSpark STEEL Bluetooth smart water bottle. Ten winners will be selected.

The annual N Good Health deadline is September 15th- but you still have plenty of time to complete your program activities by the deadline- and we are here to help! To get started, login to your account on NGoodHealth.com. From there:

Take your well-being survey

Check in on your overall health with the well-being survey on NGoodHealth.com. After answering a collection of questions, you will receive a breakdown of your overall health as it applies to the 8 Pillars of Well-being. This survey can be completed online in just a few minutes.

Visit your primary care provider for your N Good Health physical

Establishing a relationship with a primary care provider allows continuous and coordinated care throughout your lifetime. Having an annual routine physical has been shown to detect early warning signs of many diseases. Don’t wait! Schedule your N Good Health physical today.

Tobacco testing is part of the N Good Health physical if you are a non-tobacco user. Once you have a negative tobacco test result in epic, you do not need to be tested again. IMPORTANT, all tobacco (nicotine) users must complete a tobacco cessation program each year.  Tobacco (nicotine usage includes, but is not limited to, cigarettes, pipes, cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff, snus and vaping/e-cigarettes.

* If you are having difficulty completing these or would like to complete with one of our team members over the phone, we are happy to help! Please give us a call at (502) 629-2162 or submit a self-service ticket listing the best time and phone number we can reach you. To submit a self-service ticket, you can CLICK HERE.

To check your progress, log in to NGoodHealth.com and look at your progress on the right-hand side. Not finished yet? Don’t worry! There’s still time. N Good Health physicals can be scheduled with your primary care provider or at Norton Prompt care at Walgreens clinics. CLICK HERE for a list of Prompt Care locations and to schedule your appointment online.

Questions?

Call (502) 629-2162 or submit an N Good Health service request by CLICKING HERE.

If it is unreasonably difficult or inadvisable due to a medical condition for you to complete the N Good Health program to earn wellness credits, you may complete a medical exclusion form in order to qualify for them. Call the N Good Health Department at (502) 629-2162 for the form or answers to any questions.

Anyone who completed their program activities by June 15th- regardless of being covered by Norton health insurance or not- was entered into two prize drawings. Three participants won free medical insurance, and 10 participants won 500 points to redeem in the rewards mall.

2023 Free Medical Insurance winners:

• Nancy Koller, NICU RN, Norton Children’s Hospital
• Cynthia Lahne, Security Officer, Norton Brownsboro Hospital
• Nicole Harris, Dietetic Hospital Associate, Norton Audubon Hospital

500 points to spend in the N Good Health Rewards Mall winners:

• Christel Spears, Care Management Manager
• Tonya Byrns, RN Navigator Physician Services
• Ranichelle Ingram, LPN Wound Care
• Blanca Narvaez, Receptionist ICC Audubon
• Terry Miller, Carpenter Engineering
• Pamela Blackburn, Mammography Technologists
• Elaine Delos Santos, Receptionist ICC Okolona
• Sara Scott, RN Progressive Cardiac Unit
• Anna Nethaway, Coordinator Access Center
• Kimberly Phillips, RN Operating Room

Don’t Forget!

Remember to complete the two program activities and redeem your points in the rewards mall by September 15th – that is the yearly deadline for N Good Health.

Two program activities:

• Well-being survey
• N Good Health physical

Keep in mind that spouses covered on a Norton Healthcare medical plan are eligible to participate- but ALL EMPLOYEES, regardless of insurance status- are eligible to participate and win as well.

Spouses can call (502) 629-2162 to obtain their spouse member number. Visit NGoodHealth.com ​and click on “Join Now” to get started.

Pedal for a Purpose! The Smoothie Bike is going back on tour this summer to raise money for Bike to Beat Cancer, benefiting Norton Cancer Institute.

The Smoothie Bike will make the following stops, 11am-1pm:

• Monday, July 18: Norton Healthcare Pavilion, Patio (extreme heat or rain site: cafeteria)

• Wednesday, July 20: Norton Women and Children’s, Atrium next to cafeteria

• Friday, July 22: Norton Children’s Hospital, Lobby

How it works

Each participant who rides the Smoothie Bike for at least two minutes will be treated to a free, fresh smoothie, and N Good Health will donate $5 to Bike to Beat Cancer on your behalf. Don’t want to ride? Donate $5 to the cause and receive a smoothie.

What’s back this year?

All riders will be required to wear a mask, we will be practicing 6 feet social distancing, cleaning the bikes after every rider and have hand sanitizer available.

We hope to see you riding!

The adult human body is made up of about 60% water! Water is essential in keeping every system in the body functioning at peak performance and feeling strong. The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is about 15.5 8oz cups of fluids a day for men and about 11.5 8oz cups of fluids a day for women. Staying hydrated is important any time of the year, but especially in the summer. So, whether you are playing sports, traveling, or spending time in the sun this summer remember these tips to stay hydrated.

• Water is the Best Choice!  It doesn’t matter if it’s bottled or from the tap, water is the best drink to stay hydrated. If you want to make your water more appealing, try adding sliced fruit like, lemons, limes, or strawberries.

• Keep Other Beverage Options in Mind. In addition to water, many other drinks can help to keep you hydrated too! Some options include milk and milk alternatives, tea, sparkling water, and coconut water.  While sports drinks, juices and other sweet beverages may be hydrating, they can also be high in calories and sugar.  These are best enjoyed on an infrequent basis.

• Limit Soda, Juice Drinks, and Other Sugar-Sweetened Beverages.  More than 35% of added sugar consumed in the United States comes from soft drinks. They also have little nutritional value and can add a significant amount of calories to the diet. It’s best that these choices are not consumed regularly and depended on for hydration.

• Eat your Way to Being Hydrated! Your food choices can help you reach your water intake goal. Many fruits and veggies contain a high water content that can help keep you refreshed! Choose foods liker cucumbers, celery, strawberries, zucchini and cauliflower to name a few.

Watermelon Mint Water

Ingredients:

• 4 cups 1/2 inch-cubed watermelon
• 6 sprigs mint
• 2 quarters water

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients into a pitcher and lightly muddle.

1. Refrigerate 2 to 4 hours to allow the ingredients to infuse.
2. Stir well and strain, discarding the solids.
3.  For serving, pour infused water over ice.
4. Top with watermelon cubes and sprig of mint (optional).

The infused water will keep refrigerated for up to 2 days.

Source: https://www.foodnetwork.com

National Picnic Month encourages you to get out and celebrate the warm summer days! A picnic can take place anywhere from your backyard to a local park.  Packing a perfect picnic doesn’t have to be overwhelming but there are a few key things to remember.

Food safety tips for picnics:

• ​Use plenty of ice packs to keep food cold
  • Pro Tip: Fill water bottles about two-thirds full and put them in the freezer overnight. They’ll help to keep your food cold and as they they melt, you’ll have ice cold water to drink.
• ​​​​For food safety reasons, none of your perishables should be out of the cooler for more than two hours. 
  • ​Ma​yo-heavy salads such as potato salad,​which can spoil more quickly in the sun. 

​​The best foods for picnics:

• ​For sandwiches, choose a sturdy bread and assemble them strategically:
  • ​​Place softer and juicier ingredients like tomatoes and condiments, in between the other fixings to keep them from making the bread soggy.
• For dessert, choose options that are pre-portioned and don’t require silverware to serve or eat.
  • ​Think cookies, hand pies, and bars.
• The frozen water bottles won’t be ready to drink the first few hours so be sure to pack additional zero calorie drinks like unsweet tea or diet lemonade.
  • ​Consider packing a refillable cup with a lid for each person (or bring a plastic jug and individual cups).

Miscellaneous items to pack for a picnic:

• 1-2 big blankets or sheets 
• Paper or reusable plates
• A roll of paper towels
• Wet wipes, or damp washcloths sealed in a zip-top bag.
• A small knife wrapped in cardboard for safety, and a small cutting board. Just in case!
• Trash bags
• Sunscreen and bug spray

​

Miss your chance to win BIG? We’re giving you another shot.

Complete the two program activities by June 15 to be entered to win free medical insurance for 2023 and 500 points to redeem in the N Good Health rewards mall. Three people will win free medical insurance, and 10 winners will be chosen for the rewards mall points.

Two program activities:

• Well-being survey, found in your new N Good Health account
• N Good Health physical

Schedule your N Good Health Physical
If you have a Norton Healthcare primary care provider, you can use MyNortonChart to schedule your N Good Health physical. Simply click on “Schedule an appointment with your physician” and select “N Good Health.” 

Need to complete your N Good Health physical but don’t have a primary care provider?
N Good Health participants who don’t have a Norton Healthcare primary care provider or simply need further after-hours or weekend options for scheduling can visit NortonHealthcare.com/PromptCare​ to schedule online for any Norton Prompt Care at Walgreens location. Or, you can call (502) 629-1234, option 3, to make an appointment. Be sure to say you are scheduling your “N Good Health physical” when making your appointment.  

Questions? Contact N Good Health at (502) 629-2162 or submit a service request on Nsite by selecting N Good Health under Departments and clicking on the “Contact Us” button. 

If it is unreasonably difficult or inadvisable due to a medical condition for you to complete the program activities to earn wellness credits, you may complete a medical exclusion form in order to qualify for them. Call N Good Health at (502) 629-2162 for the form or answers to any questions.

To celebrate Pride Month and discuss the importance of eating a colorful diet, N Good Health and NPride, Norton Healthcare’s LGBTQ+ employee resource group, are partnering to encourage you to add the colors of the rainbow to your diet. 

The original rainbow flag debuted at the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day Parade on June 25, 1978. According to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, Gilbert Baker is credited with the flag’s design and is said to have seen rainbows as a “natural flag . . . from the sky.” The now universal flag uses six colored stripes with specific meanings: red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, blue for serenity and violet for spirit. Recently, a more progressive Pride flag has introduced additional colors, including black, brown, pink, light blue and white. This flag was designed by Daniel Quasar and adopted by the LGBTQ+ community as a symbol of greater inclusivity and progress.

Just as the Pride flag encompasses diversity in the LGBTQ+ community, a rainbow of color can also signify a diverse diet. A beautiful plate full of a wide-variety of different colored fruits and veggies is a great indicator that you are eating a diverse spread of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, nutrients and phytonutrients. When humans eat plant foods, phytonutrients protect us from chronic diseases. They also have potent anti-cancer and anti-heart disease effects.

Here are the five colors of phytonutrients and their health benefits to add to your diet:

• Red – These foods are packed with lycopene, an antioxidant that is linked to protecting against prostate cancer and heart and lung disease.
  • Examples of red-colored foods: tomatoes, watermelons, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, radish and strawberries
• Orange/Yellow – Packed with Vitamin C and beta-carotene, these phytonutrients promote eye health and immune health.
  • Examples of foods orange/yellow foods include carrots, oranges, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, bananas and pineapple
• Green – These foods may be rich in lutein, fiber and vitamin K which helps support bone health, improved cognitive function and reduced risk of some cancers.  
  • Examples of green-colored foods: spinach, green grapes, edamame, avocado, asparagus, kale and green herbs
• Blue/Purple – Foods rich in this color are rich anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are described as compounds that is linked to encourage heart health, fight the effects of aging and help to protect and repair cells that were damaged by toxins (free-radicals).
  • Examples of blue/purple-colored foods: eggplant, blueberries, plums, blackberries, elderberries, Concord grapes, figs, prunes and purple cabbage

The American Cancer Society recommends 2 1/2 cups per day of fruits and vegetables. The most recent US Dietary Guidelines recommend consuming even more – 2 1/2 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruit, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Don’t worry if you’re not eating that amount or anywhere close to it; just do your best! Check back next week to learn tips that make it easier to add the colors of the rainbow to your diet!

Reach for the Rainbow

Reaching a total of 4 1/2 cups of colorful fruits and vegetable a day is the goal for a powerful plate. Here are some ways to make it happen:

• Give yourself the right amount of credit. 1/2 cup of chopped raw vegetables or fruit makes one serving. Leafy greens take up more space so 1 cup chopped counts as a serving. 1/4 cup of dried fruit equals one serving.
• Think in sets of twos. Try to eat two servings of fruit and/or veggies in the morning, two in the afternoon and two at night.
• Snacks count, too. Feeling hungry between meals? Munch on a piece of fruit or grab some sliced raw vegetables to go.
• When shopping, look at your cart. If you find most of your choices are the same one or two colors, swap out a few to increase the colors — and phytonutrients — in your cart.
• Dine out colorfully. Start out with a cup of vegetable soup. Choose an arugula r spinach salad and see if they can add extra vegetables. Top off your meal with fresh fruit for dessert and a soothing cup of green tea.
• Look local. Farmers markets, co-ops, buying clubs and community supported farms are usually great sources of fresh produce. Ask a farmer for fresh ideas on how to prepare fruits and vegetables that are new to you.
• Frozen and canned produce is okay too! It is best to eat in season, but since seasonal produce may be limited, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables count and are just as nutritious as fresh. Pick ones that do not have added salt, gravy or sauce.

Eating a wide variety of colors increases the opportunity for you to consume a variety of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, nutrients and phytonutrients. Check out the Health and Wellness tab on NSite every Monday to discover a recipe that will help you add the colors of the rainbow to your diet. NPride members have submitted some of their favorite recipes to be featured during the month of June!

As part of Norton Healthcare’s Inclusion Strategy, ERGs enable a diverse and inclusive work environment that drives increased engagement. Membership on any ERG is open to all Norton Healthcare employees. ​NPride provides employees and patients access to a safe and supportive community that values diversity, trust and progress.​  For more information visit the NPride department page on NSite.

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Resources:

https://www.momsrising.org/blog/celebrate-pride-with-rainbow-snacks, https://www.cookandculture.com/celebrate-pride-month-by-eating-a-rainbow-this-june/

https://www.moma.org/explore/inside_out/2015/06/17/moma-acquires-the-rainbow-flag/

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/phytonutrients-paint-your-plate-with-the-colors-of-the-rainbow-2019042516501

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Lettuce be happy and healthy! While there’s not a single magic food for brain health, there are many foods that have been shown to show be specifically beneficial in this area.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. With the pandemic, social unrest, natural disasters and ongoing violence, the past few years have been difficult for many people. Know that you are not alone and support is available to you. Norton Healthcare provides all employees and their household family members with confidential, professional counseling, education and referral services through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP can help resolve personal or family issues before they negatively affect health, relationships or job performance. For more information or to arrange for service, call Wayne Corporation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at (502) 451-8262 or (800) 441-1327, or visit WayneCorp.com.

Brain function and mental health might not be the first thing you think about when you think about the food and drinks you put into your body, but Kristine Carlson RD, University of Washington Medicine dietitian,  draws a comparison between the brain and another complex, high-performance machine.

“Most people probably don’t equate a healthy diet with a good mood or better memory,” Carlson says. “But, like an expensive car, our brains require premium fuel to function at its best. This function includes managing our emotions and mood disorders.”

While there’s not a single magic food for brain health, there are many foods that have been shown to show be specifically beneficial in this area. One of which is dark leafy greens! Eating a variety of dark leafy veggies are a great way to get in the important vitamins and minerals that may help increase mood and lessen symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Collards

Though mild in flavor, collards carry a powerful nutrient punch providing more dietary fiber than other leafy greens! A major player in heart disease prevention. It is also a great source of iron. Iron deficiency can cause a range of symptoms similar to those of depression, including mental and physical fatigue, low mood and irritability.

Arugula

Arugula belongs to the same family as broccoli, cauliflower, kale and cabbage and is a good source of Vitamin K and magnesium. Magnesium is often known as the relaxation mineral, as it has a powerful impact on mood and the nervous system. A shortage of both Vitamin K and Magnesium can lead to depression, anxiety, migraine, high blood pressure and several chronic health conditions.

Kale

When it comes to antioxidants, kale creams its competition! It contains lutein, a potent antioxidant shown to protect eyesight. Kale also boasts omega-3 ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), a compound that helps lower the risk of depression.

Spinach

Among the greens, spinach harbors the most folate and potassium. Folate helps the body create new cells and supports serotonin regulation. Serotonin passes messages between nerve cells and helps the brain manage a variety of functions, from determining mood to regulating social behavior. Folate deficiency can cause fatigue in addition to lowering levels of serotonin.

Swiss Chard

Swiss chard is high in antioxidants that fight free radicals within the body and decelerates the aging process. In fact, Swiss chard 41 different types of antioxidants! The consumption of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables and folate-rich beans and greens may lower the risk for depression

Source: The Whole U