Join the Turducken Dash!
November 1, 2018
Second Day of Wellness…..
December 5, 2018
Join the Turducken Dash!
November 1, 2018
Second Day of Wellness…..
December 5, 2018
Show all

12 Days of Wellness


On the Eighth Day of Wellness…
Frosty the Snowman

Did you know exercising in the cold may help you lose weight. Dr. Ronald W. Deitrick, a science professor from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania says using large muscle groups in cold weather actually burns more calories than working out when it’s warm.  ‘Your body has to work harder just to generate heat when you’re out in the cold. So exercising during the cold winter months can be more effective in burning calories than working out at the gym or in your home,’ Deitrick says in a press release.

So building Frosty will not only metaphorically warm your heart, but is actually also pretty good cardio. Apparently all the snow rolling, gathering, and general building process combined is enough to burn about 300 calories an hour.


On the Seventh Day of Wellness…
A Silent Night

Between holiday shopping, parties and family visits, the holiday season can leave you short on time and sleep. But it’s important to keep your sleep routine so that you can truly enjoy the season.

A lack of quality sleep increases chances of holiday weight gain and can disrupt your fitness routine,” says sleep expert, Nancy Foldvary-Schaefer, DO, MS, Director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Cleveland Clinic. She warns that the extra alcohol, finger foods and treats along with the added hustle and bustle of shopping can lead to unsatisfactory sleep. But a few conscious choices can help you maintain your sleep and your health, she says.


On the Sixth Day of Wellness…
Pumpkin Pie

On average a slice of pumpkin pie rings in at 316 calories. If you think about that in terms of working out, we’re talking about a 32-minute run. But before you write it off completely, pumpkin pie is the healthier choice when compared to its partner apple pie, which has 411 calories per slice.

So where do the calories in pumpkin pie come from? Yes, the actual pumpkin in the dish is quite healthy, but the butter and flour in the crust as well as the cream and sugar needed for the filling add a good dose of saturated fat and calories. But a healthy pumpkin pie is possible! Preparing a nut-based crust and swapping out the cream means you can create a vegan pumpkin pie that will still manage to get everyone’s mouths watering. Don’t be afraid to indulge a little during the holidays — just remember to eat smartly! (Madden, 2014)


On the Fifth Day of Wellness…
O Christmas Tree

Did you know that your Christmas Tree can provide Aromatherapy benefits?  The health benefits of pine include its ability to protect against sinus infections, clear mucus and phlegm, cure skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, boost the immune system, fight fungal and viral infections, stimulate the mind and body, and protecting your home and body from a wide variety of germs.

History of Christmas Trees
Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter.Discover the history of the Christmas tree, from the earliest winter solstice celebrations, to Queen Victoria and all the way to the annual lighting of the Rockefeller Center tree. Read more


On the Fourth Day of Wellness…
Jack Frost Nipping at Your Nose

While Jack Frost nipping at your nose sounds fun in verse, frostbite can cause permanent damage, causing long-term chronic pain and sensitivity to cold or numbness. In extreme cases, amputation may be necessary. Per a spokesman for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, it takes only minutes for exposed skin to become frostbitten if the temperature falls below 20 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind is blowing at 20 miles per hour or more.

What do you do to prevent frostbite?
Email your prevention tip to the Wellness Committee by Monday, December 10th at 10 AM Central for a chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card.  Only one entry per person.


On the Third Day of Wellness…
Corn for Popping

Popcorn, In its purest form — that is, plain air-popped kernels — is a healthy, whole-grain, antioxidant-rich snack food that comes at a pretty low-calorie cost for those who like to mindlessly nibble: A three-cup serving of air-popped popcorn has only 93 calories, 1 gram of fat and close to 4 grams of fiber.  It also makes a lovely decoration when strung for garland on your Christmas tree.  So start eating and stringing.

Food for thought – How did popcorn end up on our Christmas trees?
While its origins are not completely known, the art of stringing popcorn on a tree most likely came from the fact that when Christmas trees first became widespread, people didn’t have much to decorate them with. They borrowed from the German tradition of putting fruit on the trees and because cranberries are harvested through November, it’s most likely that they were strung with popcorn as they were still in season.

Today, many people purchase artificial popcorn wreaths while some families still thread twine or dental floss through popcorn and cranberries to make a holiday garland. It is common practice to make garlands with real cranberries and popcorn to string on outside evergreens to give birds, squirrels, and other wild life a treat for the holidays!


On the Second Day of 
Wellness…Hula Hoop

Did you know hula hooping can help strengthen your back for desk jobs? While performing hula hooping, you make very rhythmic rocking movements forward and backward, shifting your weight along the way. This kind of movement releases the tension of the muscles surrounding the sacrum (the lower part of the back) and realigns the sacrum with the rest of the spine. As a result, blood flow to the spine improves and total flexibility of the spine is increased.

 

 

 


On the First Day of 
Wellness…A Partridge in a Pear Tree

While many fruits are out of season during the winter months, Pears are available fresh during this time.  Pears are an excellent source of fiber and have Vitamin C for only 100 calories per serving.  This holiday season, while singing about pears add one to your menu for a healthy and tasty treat.

Food for thought – Did you know?

Both “my true love” and the partridge in a pear tree represent Jesus — the partridge because it’s a bird that will sacrifice its life to save its children. Two turtle doves represent the Old and New Testaments. The three French hens are faith, hope and love.

Share this:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *