SUMMER SURVIVAL GUIDE
Have a Ball this Summer with LifeBalance |
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Summer is nearly here and the sunshine and warm weather make it easy to get excited about the upcoming months! While we know summer can be a blast, we also know that with tight budgets and a lot to plan, it can be stressful too. That’s where LifeBalance can help. With savings on thousands of fun and healthy activities at your fingertips, you can stress less and enjoy the season more. This summer take advantage of all the program has to offer to plan your summer fun and stay within your budget! |
SUMMER FUN
Save on Healthy Activities All Summer Long
Excited to partake in your favorite summer activities? Before you head out into the sun, check with LifeBalance for ideas and savings on the many ways to enjoy the season.
Fitness Facts
Suit Up
If those New Year’s resolutions got away from you, don’t panic...
You can still get your body ready for summer before you start feeling the heat. The birds are chirping outside your window and it’s still light on your way home from work, signs that can only mean one thing; bathing suit season is painfully close. If the winter cold had you trading your gym session for a snuggle session on your couch, you may be less than thrilled to take off the layers.
No surprise, the best way to get your body beach ready is a two-pronged approach of diet and exercise. Start out with realistic goals like losing no more than a pound a week. Anything more is probably just water weight, which is only a temporary solution.
The simplest way to change your diet is to eat smaller portions and include healthier foods like complex carbohydrates (multigrain cereals and breads) and lean protein (chicken and fish). Also avoid crash diets that promise rapid weight loss.
Set manageable goals when it comes to the gym as well. Don’t over do it and risk an injury that’ll keep you indoors all summer long. Furthermore, the best way to track changes to your body is by looking in the mirror instead of stepping on the scale.
Of course, getting firm for bathing suit weather shouldn’t be a temporary fix, but a lifestyle change if you want to make a lasting difference to your body. Any change you make shouldn’t just be for the summer. What if you did the work this summer and kept it up for a year? How much effort would you have to put in to look perfect for next summer? Start now and see!
Ready to tone up those problem areas? Here are simple exercises to get you moving and get your core, arms, glutes and legs in shape.
Core / Torso Twist
Standing side-by-side to an adjustable cable machine, adjust the cable to belly button height. Stand with your legs shoulder width apart and knees slightly bent. Grab handle bar with your hands, extend arms out in front, and twist your upper body away from the adjustable cable. Be sure to stabilize your lower body so it doesn’t move. Switch sides and repeat.
Glutes / Plié Squat
Place legs a little wider than shoulder width apart, feet pointed out. Take a barbell and cradle it in your arms like a baby, holding it close to your chest. While your back is extended, squat down with your knees over a bench until your rear hits it. Hold and come up to full extension of your lower body so you are on your tiptoes. Come back down to standing position.
Arms / Push-ups
Get your body in plank position with arms shoulder width apart and bent and keeping your back and legs straight. With your arms, push your body up so that arms are extended, then lower yourself back down. For an easier option for beginners, do exercise with your knees bent. For more advanced variation, place your feet on an exercise ball to activate the core. Continue until you are fatigued.
Legs / Walking Lunges
Upgrade the lunge by adding a walk to it. Stand up straight, either with or without weights in your hand. Lunge forward with your right leg, ensuring that your knee is in a 90-degree angle and does not extend over your toes. Push off with the left foot and get back into standing position. Switch legs with the next lunge. (You should be moving across the room with each lunge forward.)
(Brought to you by 24 Hour Fitness)
To plan and keep track of your fitness progress, visit the LifeBalance Activity Planner, Tracker & Journal available free through your MyLifeBalance account.
FOOD Facts
Farmers' Markets: A Better Way to Eat Local and Healthy
If the results of the most recent surveys about obesity rates in America were the final broken straw that scared you straight toward better eating habits, congratulations for making the decision to choose better health over immediate convenience, nourishment over expedience and short, sweaty trips to the gym over longer hospital stays...
With some smart planning and shopping, you can begin to improve your health right away with a trip to your local farmers' market, one of the oldest forms of direct marketing used by small farmers to connect with neighboring consumers.
Although they vary in size and quality, the way farmers' markets operate in towns large and small remains roughly the same. Groups of farmers gather in open, designated public areas, mainly seasonally (but sometimes year-round), to share their home-grown and often cheaper, whole, natural and occasionally cooked foods with the public. The growth of farmers' markets has been exploding, rising some 260 percent over the past 14 years, according to the USDA.
Apart from the sour national economy, experts believe this uptick may be a product of the Slow Food Movement founded two decades ago to reverse the damaging effects of fast food and faster lifestyles and to counteract the disappearance of local food. Others see it as a means to support local, smaller businesses over larger grocery store chains and to reduce our country's reliance and consumption of fossil fuels.
The underlying moral: Reducing the distance between you and where the food you eat is grown is good for the environment and your pocketbook. Of course, saving money and cleaning up the environment is all well and good, but you may still be wondering where health enters into the equation. Plans to make cheaper, fresher and healthier whole foods more available were conceived as a means of subtly reversing the runaway epidemic of obesity. There's plenty of room to "grow" this movement. Less than 2 percent of all Americans shop at farmers' markets, according to the USDA.
Here are some tips that'll better help you find healthy, locally grown foods at a farmers' market near you or the corner store:
- Find a farmers' market in your area with the help of your community or Local Harvest, a directory of small farms, farmers' markets and other local food sources online.
- Check out the software, applications and websites that are available to help you find farms and farmers' markets near your home or work.
- Be aware that not all foods you'll find at a farmers' market are grown to strict, pesticide-free organic standards.
- If you are interested to learn about the toxic residues found on fruits and vegetables not grown organically, read the Environmental Working Group's Shopper's Guide to Pesticides online for more information.
- Be aware that there is not a national standard that mandates what "locally grown" actually means. Some retailers consider "local" to be foods grown and sold in the same state, while others extends that distance as far away as many states from a specific store.
- The range of products you'll find at a farmers' market varies greatly, from fresh flowers and fruit preserves to food vendors serving local fare and specialties.
(Brought to you by CNCA)
To monitor your caloric intake and to stay on track, visit the LifeBalance Food Tracker & Journal available free through your MyLifeBalance account.
Recipe of the Month
Salmon Burgers with Salsa and Avocado
Have fun with this super fresh seasonal treat!...
Ingredients
- 4 Salmon fish fillets
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Mayonnaise (substitute low-fat mayo for a healthier alternative)
- 4 Whole grain buns
- Lettuce
- Salsa of choice (or make your own)
- 1 Avocado
- Limes
- Cilantro
Preparation
Brush salmon fillets lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Grill, broil or BBQ for 6 to 8 minutes. Toast the buns. While the salmon is cooking, spread mayo on to the buns and slice the avocado. When the salmon is ready, remove it from the grill, broiler or BBQ and carefully take off the skin. Place a piece of lettuce on the bottom half of each bun and place a fillet on top of the lettuce. Then top with salsa, sliced avocado, a few sprigs of cilantro and garnish with a lime.
(Brought to you by spud!)
Trivia Contest
Win Gift Certificates
The randomly drawn correct answer to this trivia question wins a gift certificate from one of our LifeBalance vendors...
Last
month's trivia question, which asked members how many brands of comfort shoes are available through The Walking Company’s Online Store, was won by Shirley Gerhart, who answered 67 brands. We also received thousands of answers from other members. Thanks for all of your entries!
This month's question is as follows: Describe how will you use LifeBalance to help you have a healthy summer vacation? The winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to help with their vacation costs courtesy of Get Away Today.
To
answer this month's trivia question, simply fill in
the form below.
The
correct answer to this month's question will be revealed
in the next edition of eAction! |
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GET CONNECTED
Stay Updated on LifeBalance Offerings
Wondering how you can get additional updates on LifeBalance savings, vendors, events and activities? Find LifeBalance on Facebook and Twitter! Follow LifeBalance to stay informed on everything from exclusive giveaways and contests to new vendor listings and events. You’re sure to find more savings and have more fun by staying connected!
Quote of the Month
“Summer afternoon...the two most beautiful words in the English language.” - Henry James.
Did You Know?
Interesting Facts and Figures
There are approximately 250 minor league baseball teams in the U.S. Catch a game near you this summer with savings through LifeBalance on Baseball.
If carrying golf clubs, the average person can burn up to 300 calories an hour playing golf! Hit the links in the sun this summer with savings on Golf.
Wimbledon begins on June 24. Work on your own game with savings on Tennis / Racquetball / Squash.
An estimated 30 million Americans go fishing at least once each year. Save on gear and guided trips by browsing the Fishing / Hunting category.
Boone Bridge Books
Featured Titles
This month, the fine folks at Boone Bridge Books have provided us with several titles pertaining to stress management. Members save 32% on each of these titles...
For more information and direct links to purchase these titles, please visit the LifeBalance / Boone Bridge Books page.
- Quick & Easy Stress Busters: 5-Minute Routines for Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere
Anna Selby
- Get a Hobby!: 101 All-Consuming Diversions for Any Lifestyle
Tina Barseghian
- It's Bunco Time!: Cookbook and Party Ideas
Leslie Crouch
- The New York Times Stress-Buster Crosswords: Light and Easy Puzzles
Will Shortz
- Barefoot Contessa Parties!: Ideas and Recipes for Easy Parties That Are Really Fun
Ina Garten, James Merrell
- Tassajara Cookbook: Lunches, Picnics & Appetizers
Cathy L Greenberg & Barrett S Avigdor
Boone Bridge Books offers members at least 25% savings on all titles (excluding textbooks) ordered from their website.
Human resource
Summer Vacation, Friend or Foe
Summer is finally here! For many employees, summer is the ideal time to use their annual allotment of paid time off. Are dreams of sunshine and barbeques dancing in your head this time of year?...
For employers, the start of summer is the perfect time to review paid time off policies with supervisors and employees. How much advance notice do employees need to give in order to take vacation? Do they need to receive prior approval from their supervisor? Are supervisors prepared to balance the demands of vacation requests with the necessary business goals and deadlines? Are departments coordinating vacation schedules to ensure the business runs smoothly? These are all pertinent questions to consider and clarify with your team.
That being said, will employees actually take time off for vacation this summer? One survey found that in these stressful economic times, at least half of the survey respondents think they will forgo their summer vacation this year. This decision may be due to financial concerns, while others may be feeling that they just can’t take the time away from work due to increased pressure to perform and stretch resources. While this dedication is admirable, vacation deprivation can take a toll on the workforce through increased levels of stress and anxiety, rising absenteeism and growing dissatisfaction with work. This can be a direct result of too much work and not enough play.
Workers in the US receive less vacation time, on average, than their counterparts around the world. The European Union mandates a minimum of four weeks paid vacation for all employees. Canada and Japan have laws that require a minimum of two weeks vacation. While the US does not mandate paid time off, some employers are requiring their employees to take at least one to two weeks of time off each year.
While resources in the workplace may be stretched, particularly this year, consider the benefits of employees taking time off. Employees perform better when they are able to achieve a balance between work and life. Employees feel refreshed and energized after taking time to relax and refocus. Finally, employees value paid time off. By allowing them to take time away from work, companies can see an increase in employee engagement and motivation.
When the question is asked whether summer vacation is a friend or foe in the workplace, the answer comes down to an understanding between employers and employees. If the benefits of time off are understood and valued, and if paid time off policies allow for the successful operation of the business during the summer, then vacation is absolutely a friend!
Looking to plan your summer vacation? Be sure to check out the LifeBalance Travel / Tours category.
(Brought to you by Xenium)
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WEBSITE FEATURES
About the LifeBalance Website
For
a complete overview of the LifeBalance Program website,
visit the About LifeBalance section of the site.
For more information on how to access program benefits, visit the LifeBalance Proof of Membership / Frequently Asked Questions page.
Find
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You
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Member feedback
The
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Member Service Team, please call 503.234.1375 or 888.754.5433.
The
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LifeBalance eAction
June 2010
Welcome
to this month's edition of LifeBalance eAction. You
are a member of the LifeBalance Program. Each month, LifeBalance eAction! is delivered to provide program updates,
encourage members to make active lifestyle choices
and to offer members savings with the top recreational, cultural and wellness businesses.
SEARCH
Search the LifeBalance website for Savings, Event Listings, Activities, Tickets and more.
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SAVINGS ALERTS
Dell offers LifeBalance members up to 12% Savings on select products. 
Save up to 15% on hardware and software purchases at Apple! 
Enjoy 15% Savings on online purchases at The Walking Company. 
Save 10% at any Sport Chalet store nationwide! 
Save big on Broadway tickets in Seattle at the Paramount and Moore Theatres!
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MEMBER Extras
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Current Edition | eAction! Archives.
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