Lunching & learning

trevor.kenney — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 21:26:34 +0000

This month, I would like to highlight and recognize a group of individuals that works very hard here at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Susan Vanderaegen, Chris Groves, Joanne Gedrasik and Sharon Kanashiro are all caretakers from our Facilities department. They have faithfully attended most, if not all, of the Wellness Lunch and Learn sessions since 2009 (when I first started working here). Recently, they persuaded another caretaker, Ed Sandzewicz, to join them, saying, "Ed either comes along or he gets left behind!"

I have been very impressed with their dedication and interest in health and wellness issues and I wanted to highlight their reasons for attending the sessions and what they are getting out of them.

Reasons for attending

• "The Wellness Lunch and Learn sessions are interesting and informative. The opportunity to learn something new is appreciated. Sometimes the information or topic is something you know or knew at one time, but have forgotten, and the lunch and learn helps bring it into focus again."

They also added that, "It's also a nice break at the end of the work day," as the majority of our caretakers are up and working to keep our campus clean before the rest of us are even awake.

What they like

• The group indicated that it enjoys the speakers and the variety of topics and that the sessions open their eyes to new ideas.

Positive lifestyle changes

• Having attended a number of sessions, they have been able to make some positive changes in their own lives. They are also passing on their knowledge and good habits to their families. Another benefit is that because they are attending or participating at work, they can be supportive to each other when maintaining or improving healthy habits.

These individuals have demonstrated that they care about their health and well-being and are interested in doing what they can to improve or maintain a balanced lifestyle. I would like to say thanks to Ed, Sharon, Joanne, Chris and Susan – we on the Wellness Committee are glad the information is getting out to you and hope that we can continue to support your interest and quest for that healthy life that we all desire.

If you haven't been out to a Lunch and Learn session, chat for a few minutes with these regulars and you may be persuaded to attend one as well. The next Lunch and Learn is Wednesday, Apr. 13 at noon in Andy's Place (AH100). Digesting the Nutrition Label is the topic with campus dietitian Diane Britton presenting on how to decipher those mysterious food labels.

It's time to register for the 7th Annual Bee Heart Smart physical activity challenge. In 2010 we had 15 teams registered and 125 individual participants. Our goal for 2011 is to make it the biggest even to date. You don't have to be the fastest runner or walker, and you don't have to record the most steps to be a winner – participation alone may get you a prize!

The Challenge starts May 1 and runs through June 12 and you can enter as an individual or a team on the Bee Heart Smart website (www.uleth.ca/hum/wellness/walking/). Prizes this year will be awarded for early bird registration (before Apr. 15) and for best team name.

Suzanne McIntosh is the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's wellness co-ordinator

For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Lunch and Learn offers holiday eating tips

trevor.kenney — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:49:59 +0000

'Healthy holidays' seems like a contradiction. But there are some simple ways to enjoy the holiday season with a healthy twist!

On Wednesday, Dec. 9, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's campus dietitian, Diane Britton, will speak at a Lunch and Learn event, 12:05 p.m. in TH241. She'll talk about how to eat healthy and not hefty through the tempting holiday season. Following are a few tips from Diane's monthly nutrition column in the Legend.

Keep your weight stable
Instead of focusing on weight loss during the holiday season, set yourself up for success by focusing on keeping your weight stable within a few pounds.

Veggies first!
Research shows that the first food we put on our plate is the largest serving size, so load up on vegetable dishes first.

Party on a full stomach
Tempting goodies are at all holiday celebrations – so don't arrive hungry! 'Spoil' your appetite with a small meal or large snack before heading off to the celebration. Include some protein for better appetite control.

Plan ahead
Decide ahead of time what you will and will not eat. Having a plan helps you stick to better choices. Plan to include one of your favorite foods in a small portion. This will help you not feel deprived.

Drink wisely
Calorie laden beverages from eggnog to fruit punch are everywhere! Enjoy one glass of a higher calorie drink, and then choose lower calorie beverages for the rest of the evening.

Keep your hands full
If both hands are full it creates a barrier to eating mindlessly – you have to put something down to eat! Holding a drink, plate, napkin or even a pen makes you have to consciously put something down to put food in your mouth.

Be active!
Physical activity helps boost your metabolism and is a great way to spend quality time with friends and family. Enjoy walks, tobogganing and skating. Any movement counts!

For individual nutrition appointments call the Health Centre (SU 020) at 403-329-2484. All sessions are $20 for students and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ employees.

Diane Britton, On-Campus Registered Dietitian

UNews - campus dietitian

Lunching & learning

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Lunch and Learn offers holiday eating tips

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