Diet Myths: Fact & Fiction

New Year's resolution time is just around the corner! Thinking about losing a few pounds, or just trying to eat a little better? 

If so, you might be confused about the right way to reach your goals. Many diets offer tempting promises, but can they be trusted? Come learn the facts about healthy weight loss and weight maintenance from CDPHE employee and Registered Dietitian Shana Patterson.

Diet Myths: Fact & Fiction

Thursday, December 13

11:30am-12:30pm

C1A

Looking for some last minute Thanksgiving ideas?

Check out these recipes to add a healthy spin to your holiday meals!

 

THANKSGIVING RECIPES: DELICIOUS AND HEALTHY OPTIONS- from the Mayo Clinic

 

THANKSGIVING REWIND- from the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR)

 

Do you know of other sources for healthy recipes? Feel free to post your own in the comments box below. 

Happy Holidays!

Cancer Prevention Study Opportunity Ending Soon... Enroll Today!

CDPHE's Comprehensive Cancer Program encourages you to take advantage of a great opportunity to contribute to cancer prevention research! The American Cancer Society is conducting a new study to better understand the genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that cause or prevent cancer. 

To be eligible for this study, called the Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3), men and women should: 

• Be between 30 and 65 years old
• Have no personal history of cancer (this does not include basal or squamous cell skin cancer)
• Be willing to make a long-term commitment to the study which simply involves completing periodic follow-up questionnaires.

Enrollment runs November 13-17th, and multiple locations are available to sign up. Simply check out www.cps3Colorado.org to schedule your appointment. 

Please help ACS reach their goal of more than 2,000 enrollees from the Denver area! 

Food Day is Wednesday! Register now!

Join the  2012 Food Day celebration!

 

Go to ColoradoFoodDay.wordpress.com to check out over 25 local upcoming events or events in process, like this one:

Food Day at the Denver Botanic Gardens. October 24, 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM (sessions), 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Food Expo and Gardens grounds are open). FREE!

The day-long festival will include many interactive activities including hands-on cooking lessons for adults and kids; speakers with expertise in food access and nutrition; an educational food expo, and more. Chipotle will also be onsite presenting a gardening workshop that will teach festival-goers how to start their own raised garden beds during the fall months and how to plant an herb and salsa garden. 

For specific information about sessions, speakers and registration, go to www.botanicgardens.org and click on Special Events.

There are two classes that attendees need to register for: 

• FREE - Food Preservation and Fermentation Registration

• FREE - Growing in Raised Beds - prepare your garden for spring

Or, celebrate your own Food Day creation and register your event!

 

 

Check out the national movement at FoodDay.org, and remember to celebrate Food Day today and every day!

Contact:  Shana Patterson, RD, at 303-692-2572 or shana.patterson@state.co.us

Recent Employee Wellness Updates!

Check out the latest information on the new Transportation Alternatives Pilot program, and get signed up to get free bus tickets, and to earn admin leave and $$ rewards!

Our newest Quarterly Challenge starts this week! Check out the Challenges & Awards section to find out how to earn points and rewards while improving your eating habits... Just in time for the holidays! 

Bring your dancing shoes... Pachanga is here! Pachanga is a Latin Dance Inspired workout. Classes will be held Wednesdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the Wellness Room (Building A, 4th floor). $5/class  or 8 classes for $35. Contact Sara Maki at Sara.maki@state.co.us

CDPHE Wellness Program hosts two Brown Bags in September

Teen Driving Safety 

Do you have a teen that is ready to start driving? Since 2004, Colorado has successfully reduced teen motor vehicle fatalities by 60 percent. Parents are the key to seeing this trend continue! Join Lindsey Myers to learn about Colorado’s graduated drivers license law and get tips about how to teach your teen to drive.

Tuesday, September 11^th, Carson Room, 12-1pm

 

Benefits of Family Gardening

According to the National Gardening Association, gardening creates bonds with nature and family,  positive attitudes about learning, and a sense of well being. Come learn about these benefits and more from certified Colorado Master Gardener and CDPHE employee Shelli Marks.

Wednesday, September 19^th, C1E, 12-1pm

Playworks Denver created Colorado Recess Day to bring awareness to the importance of play and physical activity at every age. This is a chance for adults to rekindle the curiosity of childhood with a couple hour of games and food. Junior Coaches will be using the skills they've learned at Playworks to help everyone remember what it's like to have fun playing games outside. Just to keep your energy level high, there will be three food trucks available.

What: Colorado Recess Day
When: Friday, Oct. 5, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Infinity Park, South Fields

Brown Bag Series: Our Aging Parents and Long Term Care

Please join  Jo Tansey, Long Term Care Program Manager and Rebecca Davis, as they present a brown bag lunch on Our Aging Parents and Long Term Care.  The lunch will be held on 8/28/12 in C1E from 12 – 100PM.   We encourage people to bring questions they have and to send questions prior to the date to Rebecca.davis@state.co.us Our aim is to talk about what to expect from nursing home care and make available resources on how to effectively search for reputable facilities.

The Wellness Advisory Board is happy to announce an updated on site activities schedule for the Main Campus.  New to the program is a Boot Camp offered 3 days a week!!  Yoga and meditation are still being offered, although their location has changed to the wellness room on the 4th floor of Building A.  Here is a list of some of the activities and programs available onsite.  See the "In the Office" page for all programs at the main and satillite campuses.

• Hatha Yoga - on Mondays from 12 - 1:00 p.m. in the Wellness Room (4th floor, Building A).  The cost is $80.00 for 8 weeks or $12.00 for a 1 time drop in. All levels welcome. Contact Michael Bonamer  
• Boot Camp- Strength and cardio every Tuesday (upper body and abs), Wednesday (cardio boxing) and Thursday (lower body and abs) at 11-11:30 in the wellness room (4th floor, Building A). Bring a yoga mat and resistance bands with handles.  All skill level welcome. Contact Mariska Osborne. No cost.
• Wednesday Walkabout - join your coworkers on Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. for 30 minute walk. All paces are welcome and you can turn around at any point.
  Meet at the flag pole outside of Building  A.    
• Meditation Circle – offered on Thursdays in the Wellness Room (4th floor, Building A) from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.  Contact Doug Ryder. No cost.

March 2012 Employee Wellness Survey Results

The Wellness Advisory Board would like to thank the 795 of 1,281 employees who responded to the March 2012 Employee Wellness Survey, yielding a 62 percent response rate. The Executive Summary highlights the most notable and critical survey results.  

Good Luck April!

As you all probably know by now, this is that last week at CDPHE for our Worksite Wellness Coordinator, April Sifford . Please take time today or tomorrow to wish her good luck in her new role at Metro State, where she will be teaching nutrition! There will also be a going away party next week on Tuesday, July 24 at 4:30 p.m. in the new Wellness Room on the 4^th floor of Building A. April’s work has had a great impact on the department and she will be greatly missed by many of us.

April- From all of us on the Wellness Advisory Board and the Wellness Champions, we wish you luck in everything you do in the future and want to thank you for all of your hard work here at CDPHE! We know you will make an impact wherever you go. Thank you for sharing your passion with us during your time here at the health department.

Family Friendly Hikes Near Denver

Enjoy the great outdoors, spend quality time with your loved ones, get some exercise, and take in the beautiful scenery this state has to offer…all within a 30-minute drive from Denver!  We’ve compiled a list of the most family-friendly day hikes around, including level of difficulty, distance, and trail characteristics.  How does 100% shaded sound? Get out there and take a hike!  

Weight of the Nation Screenings

The Weight of the Nation is a 4-part documentary created by HBO, the Institute of Medicine, CDC, NIH, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and Kaiser Permanente that aims to inform, inspire and incite all of us to confront America’s obesity epidemic.  Here are some facts:

•   Sugar-sweetened beverages are the largest source of sugar in the diets of children and adolescents.  About 46% of adult’s added sugar intake comes from sugary drinks.
• In the 25 years between 1987 and 2010, the number of American’s diagnosed with diabetes almost tripled to 20.9 million. In addition, 79 million Americans are now pre-diabetic.
• One study showed that obese people are 83% more likely to develop kidney disease compared to those of normal weight.

All showing will take place in the DOC from 12 - 1 p.m (the room is reserved from 1:00 - 1:30 for those wishing to discuss the films):

o Tuesday, July 10, Part I - Consequences

o Tuesday, July 17, Part II - Choices

o Tuesday, July 24, Part III - Children in Crisis

o Wednesday, August 1, Part IV - Challenges


      NOTE:  If you are not able to attend the viewings and still want to be a part of the conversation around campus you can go to http://theweightofthenation.hbo.com/ to view episodes and find additional resources.

“We” is Essential to Wellness Challenge - July 9 - September 30

While each of us defines family differently, we know that the quality of our family and social networks can significantly shape our health behaviors, for better or worse.  Your family may be large or small, traditional or non-traditional, comprised of self-chosen loved ones, or close or distant relatives.  However you define family, this quarter’s challenge will provide opportunities to foster healthy behaviors and meaningful connections that cultivate your mental, physical and emotional wellness.  Disconnect from devices, pursue something you’ve always wanted to try and reconnect with the people most important in your life.  It’s for your health!  Go to  “Challenges and Awards” to learn more about this fun challenge. 

Bike to Work Day - June 27

     Bike to Work Day on June 27.  There are several perks for participating

·         A pancake breakfast reception at Creekside Park (along the bike path just over the bridge from CDPHE) from 6:30 – 9:00 a.m.

·         A chance to win numerous prizes and some give away goodies

·         30 minutes of administrative leave for participating

·         Casual dress all day at work

·         A picture with the Governor Hickenlooper at 4 p.m. outside of building A

·         Wear red or white if you can to bring some cohesion to our group

·         If you haven’t registered, join our team. 

UNDY5000 Charity Run Supporting Colorectal Cancer Screening

Did you know that colorectal cancer is preventable through timely screening?  Colorectal cancer screening is not just about early diagnosis; it’s also about preventing it from occurring in the first place.  If you didn’t know that before now, help us spread the word and join CDPHE’s Bringing up the Rear team for the UNDY 5000!

Details

·         Saturday, June 23, 2012

·         8:30AM

·         City Park in central Denver

·         Boxer shorts, and not another t-shirt to shove in your drawer!

·         Events include:  Adult 5K, Youth 5K, 1 Mile Fun Run

Bringing up the Rear Team Site:  http://support.ccalliance.org/site/TR/5K/UndyNEW?team_id=18971&pg=team&fr_id=1530   Click on the yellow ‘Join Team’ Button found in the left-middle side of the page to begin the registration process.  We encourage your family and friends to join Bringing up the Rear too.

Donate Used Bikes for a Good Cause

Do you or your family members have old bikes lying around your house or garage? Have you been thinking it was time to clear out that space and make room for other summer activity equipment? Perhaps you’ve been thinking about getting a new bike and will soon have an old one!  

If you have old bikes that aren’t being used, there are several groups around Denver and across the state that will put those old bikes to great use! Bicycle Colorado  provides more information on organizations and individuals who are helping bikes get to folks who need them the most. The website features groups like Bicycles for Humanity Colorado which repairs old bikes and delivers them to communities in Namibia, Zambia and Kenya; providing essential transportation to improve access to healthcare, education and economic opportunities. Recycle Bicycles is another non-profit that repairs old bicycles and redistributes them to inner city shelters, housing projects and schools right here in Colorado.

So no matter what shape that old bike is in, if you are thinking about getting rid of it, please consider checking out Bicycle Colorado and donating your equipment to help improve communities across our state and our world!

June is Bike to Work Month. . .

National Bike Month is an opportunity to celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons we ride. Using two wheels can save you time and money and helps preserve your health and the environment. If you’ve never tried biking to work and have concerns, Wellness Advisory Board Member, Bailey Smith, shares her tips on how to overcome obstacles and provides information on how to plan and successfully ride to work.

Desk Yoga by Jodi Birkofer

Jodi Birkofer, Smart Meal Coordinator for the Department, leads you through an eight minute desk yoga routine.  She guides you on how to modify the routine as a beginner or more experienced yogi.  Set aside 10 minutes a day to stretch and re-energize.  Contact Jodi with questions.

Packing a Healthy Lunch

In this presentation, dietetic student, Patti Heath, from the University of Northern Colorado, talks about "How to Pack a Healthy Lunch."  Thinking about it, it was really a brown bag about, well, brown bags and how to fill them!

The presentation is embedded below (slides are available for download).  Too, we uploaded the handouts for how to keep a stocked pantry and fridge, sodium tipsheet, smart snacking for adults and teens, healthy snack ideas, healthy lunch handout, and a guide to kid-friendly veggies and fruit.

Wellness Equipment and Resources Drive, May 21 - 25

The Employee Wellness Advisory Board is collecting fitness equipment and wellness resources during the week of May 21 - May 25.  Donated items will be distributed throughout the department so all CDHPE employees have easy access to resources.  If you have items you are not using, we would love to take them off your hands.  We are looking for items such as dumbbells, weighted balls, yoga mats, books, dvds, magazines, cookbooks, etc.  Please support wellness by donating.  

A large equipment drop off will take place at the lab on Thursday, May 24, from 8 – 5 p.m.  The drop will be at the receiving dock on the southeast side of the building.  Employees are asked to contact Laurie Peterson-Wright to ensure the item is acceptable.  If employees want to drop off earlier, they can leave the item on the dock but no one will be there to assist them.  

Pack a Healthy Lunch Brown Bag, May 9

"Pack a Healthy Lunch" brown bag will be held Wednesday, May 9, from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. in the Snow Room. Patti Heath, a fabulous dietetic student volunteer will lead an interactive session on how to pack a healthy lunch and save $$.

New Yoga Class Starts, Wednesday, May 2

Jodi Birkofer, CDPHE Smart Meal Coordinator and a Wellness Champion, is leading a new yoga class on Wednesdays at noon (begins May 2).  She hopes to hold the class outside when weather permits.  Contact Jodi for pricing and to be included on her email distribution.

Stress Less Challenge: April 9 - June 30

Stress not want not, forget your troubles, come on get happy now, be all that you can be! Your Wellness Advisory Board presents….the Stress Less Challenge. From April 9 through June 30, your Wellness Advisory Board has chosen a topic of health near and dear to all our well beings, stress management. We are striving to provide all employees with opportunities and strategies to recognize, address and manage stress in their work and home lives. When this focus on stress has culminated at the end of June we will be recognizing individuals who have been successful in reaching their personnel goals of de-stressing their lives. For more information click on the "Challenges and Awards" tab at the top of the page.

Free Fitness Center Access

The CDPHE Wellness Advisory Board would like to invite you to use the Fitness Center at the Tower @ 4500 Cherry Creek Drive (tall building across from main campus). CDPHE was granted 4 key cards to the fitness center and your Wellness Advisory Board has offered to manage the cards for all employees. There’s no cost other than respecting the guidelines for fitness center checkout and use. Before reserving your time slot, please read the guidelines, which include a link to the reservation system.