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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!

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.

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

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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 Sharon Nolan, Executive Secretary. From Sharon:

On June 16, 2021 I decided it was time to face my demons.  I have struggled with my weight my entire life.  Like many people, I fit the perfect pattern of lose weight, gain weight, lose weight, and gain back more weight.  I’ve tried numerous programs and some even multiple times.  This time I had reached my highest weight ever.  I always try to portray a happy and positive person.  Sadly, the person that people see outwardly is not the same person inwardly.  I was so upset with myself that I allowed this issue to get out of hand, once again.  After receiving my yearly evaluation from my boss, it was then that the light bulb went off and I decided to do something about it.  For the upcoming year my boss encouraged me to embrace self-care and to take the time needed to “fill my bucket”.  As much as he said I do to support others, he reminded me it is also important to take time to “refuel”. His statement touched me in so many ways and truly motivated me.

I shared my deep seeded sadness with a few of my close friends.  They too have struggled with weight issues.  I proposed that we start our own group and meet weekly at my house.  We could provide support, motivation, and encouragement for one another and certainly don’t judge one another.   We named our group BOWLS (Beautiful Overweight Ladies).  The best part is that it wouldn’t cost a penny.  I utilized the Omada website through NGood Health for tracking and received a scale to help track my progress. At Christmas my boss gave me a fitbit and I have synced it to my NGood Health account.  I also utilized the membership that Norton offers with Planet Fitness.  I try to attend the gym at least 4-5 days a week.  My diet consists of eating low carb meals, drinking water, and exercise.  I’ve made it a part of my daily regimen and avoid breads, starches, and sugar.  Having eliminated these three things have improved my energy level, cravings, and overall well-being.  

Last week I went for my annual NGood Health appointment and my doctor was elated with my progress.  Since beginning my journey I’ve dropped 80 lbs., lowered my blood pressure, and made improvements with my A1C and  cholesterol levels.  During my exam, they measured my abdominal circumference and I’ve decreased 9 inches since my NGood Health visit last year. 

My co-workers, along with my boss, are very supportive with my new endeavor.  I’ve shared my story with several co-workers and some have made improvements with their own healthy lifestyles. Sometimes it takes someone to openly share their struggles in a topic that is embarrassing to discuss.  Like myself, you never know who is struggling with their own weight issues and the mental impact it can have on you along with the physical impact. 

My hope is that my story can reach someone else that is contemplating a new lifestyle change.  I can attest that the benefits far outweigh the struggles.  Being able to physically keep up with my five grandchildren and be able to do things that were physically becoming a challenge is such a relief and very rewarding.

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!

Everyone likes variety, right? That’s why there are TWO different ways to WIN BIG in the next couple of months!

1. WIN BIG IN MAY

Complete a personal challenge or video course on NGoodHealth.com by May 31, 2022, to be entered to win the following:

• Tickets on the town
• A hot air balloon ride
• Free entry to the Bike to Beat Cancer
• Admission to the Festival of Trees & Lights

Sponsored by the Norton Healthcare Foundation.

2. COMPLETE THE N GOOD HEALTH PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

Complete the well-being survey and your N Good Health physical by June 15, 2022, 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.

Have questions or need help?  Submit a ticket to N Good Health by CLICKING HERE.

Need to schedule your N Good Health physical? Check it off your to-do list this month!
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. Norton Prompt Care at Walgreens Clinics

Any Norton employee or eligible spouse* who completed their two program activities by March 15^th was entered to win free medical insurance for 2023 and 500 points to redeem in the N Good Health rewards mall. 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 miss out on the next big opportunity – You could win!

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

Two program activities:

• Well-being survey
• N Good Health physical

There are more chances to win, click HERE for a listing of every opportunity to win prizes this year.

Missed the announcement of the January winners? During the month of January, anyone who created their new N Good Health account by Jan. 31 was entered to win 200 points to redeem in the N Good Health rewards mall. Over 6,100 participants were entered, checkout the Nsite post to see who won!

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.

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.

Join your Wellness Champions and co-workers along with N Good Health team members for a group walk to celebrate this day of movement! Walks will be at 10 am, noon and 2 pm.

Everyone who joins a walk will get a sticker and get entered to win a Hidrate Spark Smart water bottle. Not located at a main campus or off that day? Take the online pledge on the Nsite, committing to walk 30 minutes on April 6^th and get entered to win a Hidrate Spark Smart water bottle. Look for the National Walking Day banner.

Enjoy walking? Register for Splash-N-Dash using code WALKINGDAY for 20% off.  You can splash, dash, walk or run in support of Norton Children’s Hospital! Choose a designated 1K splash route or 5K dash route with a scenic view of E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park. Www.splashndash5k.org 

Walking is the easiest form of exercise and is something most people can do, regardless of their level of fitness.  Increasing the amount of daily walking to 30 or more minutes has significant health benefits like lowering blood sugar levels, decreasing waist circumference, improving mood and lowering blood pressure. 

We know it’s good for us so let’s talk about how to incorporate it into our days.  Using an activity tracker (available for a nice discount on NSite/Employee Services/Employee Discount Service) or an app on your phone, set aside a day or two to establish a baseline to see how many steps you typically cover in a day.  Everyone is different so if your baseline is 2000 steps, trying to shoot for 7500 steps tomorrow may feel daunting and could possibly lead to injury.  Set reasonable goals and progress slowly to your ultimate target of 7500 minimum daily steps.  If you are already achieving at least 7500 steps daily, think of what level you would like to reach and start increasing your steps by 10 to 20% each day to reach a higher goal.  

Here are some ideas to increase your daily steps:

1. Park your car far from the entrance of work or the store
2. After loading your groceries in the car, walk your cart all the way back into the store instead of parking it in the corral
3. Schedule a “walking meeting” with an associate and take a clipboard or small notebook to take notes if needed
4. Walk to your coworker’s desk to ask a question instead of sending an email
5. Pick the restroom or water fountain that is farthest from your work station
6. Enjoy a pre- or post-dinner walk around the neighborhood
7. Put on your favorite tunes and shake your groovy to the beat of the music
8. Walk along while the kids ride their bikes or walk around the field while they play their sport
9. Meet someone for a coffee/drink date and take it for a walk
10. Volunteer at a local animal shelter/veterinarian/doggy day care and walk dogs for them if you don’t  have your own dog to walk
11. If you ride the bus, get off a stop early or get on a stop later
12. Walk around the house during commercials if you watch television

Looking for a change of scenery?  Explore the many parks and trails Louisville has to offer.  Maybe pick one from this list to visit each weekend.  Get creative, break any sedentary habits and enjoy the health benefits of walking each day.

Celebrate Earth Month by incorporating more plant-based options in to your daily eating plan!  There are many reasons to adopt a plant-based eating plan. However, there is not a need to cannonball into it (unless you want to)! The general advice is to slowly and steadily add more plant-based foods into your diet. Increase the amount of plant-based ingredients in your meals until you’ve crowded out the other stuff.

We don’t restrict, we replace!  Check out some food swap ideas below.

• avocado instead of butter
• tofu instead of chicken
• black bean burgers instead of beef

Plan meals around vegetables, whole grains, fruits, beans, and legumes. This will give you the fiber, fuel and protein that your body needs.

Choose your fats wisely. Use liquid vegetable oils while cooking, like avocado or olive oil, and don’t forget that nuts, seeds, & avocados are sources of healthy fats.

Experiment with soy products like edamame, tofu, and tempeh.  Contrary to some media messages, soy has many health-protecting properties.  Incorporate it into dishes to provide great protein, calcium, & fiber!

 Flavor your food with salsa, hummus, mustards, hot sauce, vinegars, and fresh herbs & spices for maximum flavor!

Many times people assume that produce has to be fresh in order to be considered healthy. Great news- canned and frozen fruits and veggies can be part of a balanced diet! While fresh options are typically the least processed option of the three choices, canned and frozen produce may be more budget-friendly, accessible, and conducive to one’s lifestyle. Just be sure to choose canned and frozen produce that does not have added sodium, fat or sugar in it. This can be in the form of sauces, syrups, gravies, Jell-O, or “spices”.

Want to learn more about plant-based eating? All during the month of April, the Recipe of the Week will feature a delicious plant-based recipe to help you focus on putting plants first. Click here to discover the  Recipe of the Week. While you’re there, check out each Thursday’s blog where we continue to explore plant-based eating during the Month of April.

Making the move from couch potato to consistent exercise isn’t impossible—it’s just a matter of finding your stride! This 6-week challenge eases you into better health with tips for squeezing in extra exercise and a daily step count goal that will increase each week of the challenge.

Challenge Dates: The challenge began on Feb 28, but you can still register until March 6th. Challenge ends on April 10th.

How to Participate: Track your step count to achieve a weekly goal. The daily goal will increase each week of the challenge. 

How to Complete the Challenge: Track the minimum requirement of steps for that week for 5 of the 7 days, every week (6 of 6 weeks).

Duration: 6 weeks 

**CLICK TO VIEW THE CHALLENGE GUIDE!**

All participants who meet the challenge completion requirement will be entered into the drawing to win a new Fitness Tracker Device.  5 winners will be selected.

Join your Wellness Champions and co-workers along with N Good Health team members for a group walk to celebrate this day of movement!  Committing to walking at least 30 minutes you will join millions of people across the United States who are putting their health first and taking steps towards a healthier life.

Group walks will be led at the main hospitals at 10am, noon and 2pm. Not located at a main campus or off that day? Take the National Walking Day Pledge here!