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Personalize Your Plate

You may have noticed by now that we have featured a few new nutrition-based articles from Heather Leger.  N Good Health is excited to officially introduce her as a member of our team and a member of the Norton Healthcare family!  As a Clinical Nutritionist & Registered Dietitian, Heather is excited to share her passion of health and wellness with others.  She is also part of the RX For Better Health team at Norton Healthcare, which focuses on diabetes management.  For more info and help with your nutrition needs, you can reach Heather at [email protected].

March is National Nutrition Month® and this year we celebrate everyone’s unique lifestyles, cultures, bodies and goals.  The theme is Personalize Your Plate and as a registered dietitian, I’m here to help you create an eating plan that is special as you are!  You can personalize your plate by including your favorite foods from each of the food groups.  By eating a variety of foods, you can ensure you are getting all the nutrients your body needs. 

Try these tips to help you get started:

  • Fill up half your plate with fruits and vegetables.  Here you should vary your produce selections by different colors and textures.  Try this simple recipe for Colorful Roasted Sheet-Pan Veggies. 
  • For your grain, choose to replace any refined grains with whole grain options like barley, brown rice, quinoa, or whole-wheat pasta.  This Whole-Grain Rice Pilaf is a higher fiber and lower sodium version of the original San Francisco treat. 
  • Choose a lean protein like beans, lentils, peas, seafood or other proteins like eggs or lean cuts of beef or poultry.  A plant-based protein like this recipe for Sweet Potato-Black Bean Burgers is packed full of color, protein, and flavor. 
  • To round out your meal, add a healthy dose of fat from foods like avocado, nuts, seeds, or olive oil. 

National Walking Day is April 7th!

Join N Good Health and commit to walking at least 30 minutes as part of National Walking Day. Whether you break your 30 minute commitment up in several shorter walks, or complete it all at once, walking 30 minutes a day can improve your health.

National Walking Day celebrates health through movement. When you make the National Walking Day pledge, you will join millions of people across the United States who are putting their health first and taking steps towards a healthier life.

Take the pledge on the Nsite starting March 24th, look for the National Walking Day banner. Ten participants who pledge will win a Fitbit on April 8th.

Burned out? We can help.

Your physical health is only part of your overall wellness journey. N Good Health is excited to partner with the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) by Wayne Corp. to now offer healthy action points for in-person visits to support your mental well-being as part of Staying Balanced with EAP. You can earn 30 points per visit (up to 90 points) towards step 4 when you make an appointment with EAP.

Wayne Corp. is offering on-site Life Balance Assessments at a Norton Healthcare facility near you. Check the schedule below and make your appointment now! On-site appointments will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis. Virtual appointments are available too!

Wayne Corp also offers clinical counseling sessions at the Wayne Corp. office.  There you can receive support in areas such as:

  • Emotional difficulties
  • Marital conflicts
  • Stress
  • Alcohol or drug problems
  • Relationship issues
  • Parent/child/family conflicts

Life Balance Assessments generally last 20 minutes and are completely confidential. There is no cost to you. Points are awarded when you voluntarily submit a tracker form to N Good Health by faxing it to (502) 666-7667 or emailing it to [email protected].

To make an appointment, contact EAP by calling Wayne Corp. at (502) 451-8262 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST.

The Employee Assistance Program and N Good Health abide by all HIPAA standards and do not share any health information. No personal or appointment information will be shared between the EAP and N Good Health. To receive N Good Health points for using the EAP, submit a tracker to N Good Health.

N Good Health Success Story Spotlight: Shari Williams

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.

Hi there! I wanted to share my N Good Health weight loss success story with you! I’m an RN in Utilization Review at Watterson Towers. When the quarantine started last May I was sent to work from home and have been here ever since. Since my daughters and I were all home together I decided I would have a lot of time and no excuses not to finally get healthy. I joined Weight Watchers (which I was reimbursed for by Norton) and started riding my bike 2.5 miles/day. I’ve lost 70 lbs since May 13, 2020 and I finally feel normal again! I can keep up with my children now and exercise is no longer a chore. The before picture attached was taken when I was walking in the Zoo as part of the Norton Walking Group there. The after picture was taken two weeks ago when I received the first dose of my COVID vaccine. So I feel like my health has now come full circle. I still have a few lbs left to lose but I have no doubt I can make it happen this time!

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

** N Good Health reimburses Weight Watchers (WW) at a 75% subsidy & offers discounts on other health program options.   For more info, please Click Here to Submit a Self-Service Ticket.

Healthy habits learned from the pandemic

2020 is finished and although many are ready to leave it behind, there are some things that we should carry into 2021 and beyond.  While the pandemic has been a hindrance and a very difficult time for many, let’s highlight some lessons learned and habits worth recycling:

  • Doubling down on self-care.  During the crisis we learned that we are all connected and need to lean on each other for support and caring.  However, we can’t be there for others if we aren’t taking good care of ourselves.  Schedule down time, a hot bath, time to read or journal, some way to shift gears and relax.   It’s not self-indulgent….by caring for you, it’s a way to care for our community.
  • Create accountability.  Everyone learned to be accountable to one another by wearing a mask, keeping socially distant and washing hands to avoid spreading the virus.  Keep that trend up and extend it into your personal life by finding an accountability partner to help you achieve your health goals.  Check in with a friend each day to talk about healthful topics or maybe even join a social media group with likeminded goals to bounce ideas around with.
  • Make activity part of your daily routine.  Fitness centers and schools were closed for a good part of Spring 2020 so we had to find other ways to get physical activity.  Bicycles were rolling out of stores and balls and gloves were flying off the shelves.  Gyms and most schools have reopened but why not continue looking for alternative ways to squeeze in activity?  Explore local park trails, schedule a walking meeting at work or take your yoga mat and an app to the basement.  Whatever moves you, just be sure to do something every day to help ease mental stress and keep your body limber.
  • Form a health bubble.  To avoid spreading the virus, we have needed to limit our circle of contacts so many have formed a social pod with a select group of friends.  Sticking with this trend, form a group of friends that are interested in sharing healthy recipes, going for walks and enjoy feeling connected.
  • Journaling.  Remember the toilet paper and food shortages at the grocery stores in the early days of the pandemic?  We didn’t know what to expect and each time we listened to or watched the news, we felt unsure and maybe even scared.  Uncertainty can create havoc in our actions and in our thoughts.   By journaling how we feel and what we are thinking we can find a sense of comfort through voicing and expressing those thoughts onto paper.   
  • Be prepared.  Not knowing what each day may have in store for us, it’s a good idea to keep family members abreast of where important documents are stored in case an emergency arises.  Keeping a digital copy of these documents is good but it can be as simple as a 3-ring binder that is easily grabbed when needed.  Include a “where to find” list of items like banking information, insurance papers, key contacts and most importantly, your advance directive.  This document designates someone to make medical decisions for you if you are unable and offers specific guidance about your wishes if you should become critically ill. 

Humans are tough and have proven we can accomplish amazing things and survive tough times.  We learn from our experiences and make adjustments for the future.  Let’s take what we’ve learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, make adjustments to our routines and plan for a healthy future. 

Virtual options offered from Y @ Work and YMCA

The Y @ Work fitness center concept offers top notch fitness equipment around the clock as an easy way for you to reach your fitness goals.  Two convenient locations are available for you– Downtown at the Pavilion and at Watterson Tower.  Both facilities have enhanced the services they provide and added some new options to meet the changing needs of the members:

  • NEW!Virtual fitness and check-ins – members can enjoy a variety of live and pre-recorded fitness classes with these online options:
    • In Studio – members can search hundreds of pre-recorded fitness classes at both Y @ Work locations via iPad in the group fitness room
    • At Home — Y @ Work members can participate in pre-recorded fitness classes through FitnessOnDemand Flex at home by calling 629-BFIT to obtain an access code from your Y @ Work director
    • For both Y @ Work and community-wide Y members — the YMCA of Greater Louisville provides online resources to enjoy family fitness, wellness tips and participate in live fitness classes led by local instructors and pre-recorded classes from national fitness groups.  Connect virtually using your membership card at the Y @ Work department page on NSite.

       
  • NEW! Member connectivity – follow the Norton Y @ Work Facebook page to participate in challenges, receive wellness tips, be alerted to updates and connect to other members for accountability and motivation
  • Wellness Coaching – members receive up to three 30-minute coaching sessions to guide you in goal setting, educate on fitness equipment and set up a workout routine for you.  Call 629-BFIT to schedule your free wellness coaching appointments.
  • Registered Dietician services – Y @ Work members can get professional advice on how to improve your nutrition for weight loss/gain, endurance sports training, diabetes management and surgical weight loss recovery.  Additional fees apply.  Call Chris Boyd at 502-272-5920 for more information.
  • Personal training – boost results from your workouts through individualized sessions with a certified personal trainer who will guide you in proper form and help you reach your goals successfully and safely.

Your health and safety are a top priority and the Y @ Work staff works diligently to keep the facilities clean and sanitized.  At this time, masks must be worn at all times throughout the facilities.

Y @ Work membership is $10 per pay period for Norton Healthcare employees.  Add your spouse to your Y @ Work membership for only $5 per pay period.  Access to both Y @ Work locations is included with a YMCA community-wide membership.  To join or for more information please call 629-BFIT.

Earn healthy action points with EAP

Is your life balance off? Burned out? We can help.

Your physical health is only part of your overall wellness journey. N Good Health is excited to partner with the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) by Wayne Corp. to now offer healthy action points for in-person visits to support your mental well-being as part of Staying Balanced with EAP. You can earn 30 points per visit (up to 90 points) towards step 4 when you make an appointment with EAP.

Wayne Corp. is offering on-site Life Balance Assessments at a Norton Healthcare facility near you. Check the schedule below and make your appointment now! On-site appointments will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis.

Wayne Corp also offers clinical counseling sessions at the Wayne Corp. office.  There you can receive support in areas such as:

  • Emotional difficulties
  • Marital conflicts
  • Stress
  • Alcohol or drug problems
  • Relationship issues
  • Parent/child/family conflicts

Life Balance Assessments generally last 20 minutes and are completely confidential. There is no cost to you. Points are awarded when you voluntarily submit a tracker form to N Good Health by faxing it to (502) 666-7667 or emailing it to [email protected].

To make an appointment, contact EAP by calling Wayne Corp. at (502) 451-8262 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST.

The Employee Assistance Program and N Good Health abide by all HIPAA standards and do not share any health information. No personal or appointment information will be shared between the EAP and N Good Health. To receive N Good Health points for using the EAP, submit a tracker to N Good Health.

Wear red on Go Red Day, Friday, Feb. 5th

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute is a proud supporter of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement. According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer for women and accounts for 1 in 3 deaths. This year, National Wear Red Day falls on Feb. 5, 2021.  

You can help make a change.

Commit today to:

  • See your primary care physician each year.
  • Know your numbers.
  • Eat healthy and exercise regularly.
  • Properly manage stress.
  • Don’t smoke, or quit today.

Join the fight!

Help bring awareness to this day by sharing your creative expressions, inspirational stories and firsthand perspectives on what this day means to you. Email stories and photos to your appropriate patience experience coordinator so that we can help spread the word.  These photos may be used for social media.

If your scrubs/uniform does not allow for wearing red, there are other things you can do to show your support:

  • Attach a red ribbon to your shirt or badge.
  • Share LearnYourLinks.com​ with a friend or family member.​​

2021 Wellness Fairs are coming!

Navigate through your wellness journey in search of better health during the February Wellness Fairs.

The annual wellness fairs will look a little different this year. Join N Good Health on the Nsite for the entire month of February to learn more about the 4 steps, fitness memberships, discounted programs, partnering vendors and more!

You can win!

Each day that there is a new article, will be an opportunity to get entered into the weekly drawing! Winners will be announced the following week on the News & Updates and Health & Wellness tab.

Remember N Good Health is available for all employees to participate and use the wellness resources. Take advantage of wellness at your fingertips!

Treat yourself to a heart-healthy Valentine’s Day dish

by Heather Leger, N Good Health Dietitian

February is American Heart Month and it is no secret that nutrition plays a very large role in reducing your risk for cardiovascular disease. There are nutrients found in the Mediterranean diet such as flavanols, healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants that can be very helpful (and tasty!) when it comes to eating heart-healthy.  After finishing the series Bobby and Giada in Italy on the new Discovery+ app last weekend, it became clear to me that Italians really enjoy eating simply and healthfully with foods found fresh in local markets.  You may wonder how exactly you can do that at home when you don’t live near the Mediterranean coast but I’m here to assure you that you can! 

A main theme from the show is that pasta is actually not the main course.  In Italy, large meals can be up to 11 meal courses but most commonly, there are 5 smaller courses: antipasti, primo, secondo, contorno, and dolce.  At home, try choosing 3 out of the 5 traditional Italian courses, with a focus on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and plant-based protein plus a dose of healthy fat.  Pasta falls into the primo course, which is the first course of the meal that includes hot food.  If you enjoy eating pasta at home, pair a lightly sauced whole grain pasta with your contorno course, or vegetable side dish like roasted squash and zucchini and topped with a serving of Tuscan White Beans as your protein.  If you would like to include the secondo course of a serving of meat, chicken, or fish then go for the omega-3 and make this easy Salmon Baked in Foil by chef Giada De Laurentiis.  Want to live la dolce vita? Living the “sweet” life means you can add a fruit-based dessert like these delicate Mascarpone with Raspberry and Pineapple cups as an after dinner treat. 

As you can see, you don’t have to compromise taste when looking for heart-healthy recipes. Feel free to keep these ideas in mind when making Valentine’s day plans- what a great way to celebrate at home with your loved one!