LIFEBALANCE TRAVEL ISSUE
Get Away This Spring with LifeBalance Savings |
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Spring Break is just a few weeks away and soon students and families alike will be hitting the road! In honor of this popular travel season, the LifeBalance Program wants to remind you of all the phenomenal travel discounts that are available now and year-round. From lively amusement parks to restful resorts, from rental cars to hotels, don’t travel anywhere without checking out everything that LifeBalance has to offer! |
THINGS TO DO, PLACES TO SEE
Hit the Road Without Breaking the Bank
Here are some great ways to help you and your family save on your next getaway.
Fitness Facts
Working Out While on the Road
Hitting the highway? Check out these simple tips to keep your workout on track when you're on the go...
Plan Ahead
Research your destination to find health clubs in your area (or see if your hotel has fitness facilities). Plan on pounding some pavement? You can map your holiday run in advance by browsing running, walking, biking and hiking routes online.
Pack the Right Gear
- Workout clothes: If space is at a premium in your suitcase, pack one exercise outfit (top, bottom, socks and shoes) that you can wash in your hotel sink.
- Portable fitness gear: If you're looking to squeeze in some exercise within the comfort of your room, consider portable gear to include in your luggage like a jump rope (it's incredibly lightweight and provides a great cardio fix) or some type of AquaBells (fill these collapsible travel weights with tap water and you'll have dumbbells that weigh as much as 16 pounds each).
Seize Every Opportunity, No Matter How Small
Take the stairs any chance you can or park furthest away from you destination and walk.
Involve the Family
Suggest an evening walk around the neighborhood, a stroll around downtown or even a night out bowling. Take pint-size relatives to the park or on a hike. Kids are naturally active, so surrounding yourself with young ones will no doubt wear you out (in a good way, of course). As long as you're moving, be it biking, hiking, rollerblading or playing, you're staying fit.
(Brought to you by Gold's Gym of Spokane)
To plan and keep track of your fitness progress, visit the LifeBalance Activity Planner, Tracker & Journal available free through your MyLifeBalance account.
FOOD Facts
Healthy Eating While Dining Out
Would you like to supersize that? Shall I show you the dessert menu? How about more chips and salsa? If any of these questions have a familiar ring, then you may be one of the many Americans who dine away from home approximately four times every week...
According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Americans get 32% of their calorie intake from restaurant or takeout food. This percentage has doubled in the past 30 years. Our schedules are busier than ever and sometimes we simply can’t avoid eating out. This is especially true when traveling or going on vacation, a time when you may have less control over when and where you eat.
Unfortunately, with large portion sizes, fat-laden sauces and sodium-packed appetizers, it doesn’t seem easy to eat healthily while dining out. Yet, a few simple changes can cut the calorie count of your meal in a big way. Check out the following healthy eating tips when dining out:
- Eat a light snack about one hour before dining out to avoid diving into the bread basket when you arrive at the restaurant.
- Order low-calorie beverages: Consider sparkling water or green tea.
- Plan ahead: Many restaurants have their menus posted online, complete with calorie counts. Before meeting friends at a restaurant, scan the menu for a healthy choice.
- Ask for a half-size portion: If it isn’t available, then request half of your meal to be portioned into a doggie bag right away. Or choose an appetizer instead of a full entrée or try sharing an entrée with a companion.
- Select foods that are steamed, broiled, baked or roasted.
- Order your meal without gravy or sauces or with them on the side.
- Choose your salad carefully: Caesar, Greek and taco salads are higher in calories. Chef salads are typically high in fat, due to the cheese, meat and eggs.
- Beware of dressing on the side: Restaurants frequently serve up to three times the amount of dressing on the side. Order dressing on the side, then serve yourself no more than one spoonful.
- Never supersize anything: If your schedule mandates a stop at the fast food drive-thru, then order the smallest portions available. Choose the regular hamburger instead of the double, and the small fries rather than the large. You’ll save about half the calories and two-thirds the fat.
If these changes seem overwhelming, then don’t do everything at once. Try just one or two of these tips the next time you’re dining out. By implementing small changes in your dining habits, you may see big changes in your waistline.
(Brought to you by Jazzercise)
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
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Recipe
Hummus is one of the oldest foods dating back to ancient Egypt. Here's a great, healthy hummus recipe that will help you live almost as long...
Ingredients
8 oz. roasted red peppers (not packed in oil)
1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can white kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup sesame paste (tahini)
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Preparation
Combine all ingredients in food processor or blender. Process until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with toasted wedges of whole grain pita bread, vegetables, etc.
(Brought to you by 24 Hour Fitness)
Human resource
How to Stay Productive Before Vacation
The sun is beginning to poke out from behind the clouds and the winter months will soon be behind us. That can only mean one thing: your spring break vacation is approaching...
Your mind is dancing at the thought of all the fun you will have away from the office. There is just one problem; you have a long list of tasks to do, not to mention other long-term projects that involve your teammates. You find yourself thinking about your upcoming trip and not work; and who wouldn’t with sun, sand or snow on the horizon? It is easy to let your mind wander at work, especially leading up to vacation, but this may result in a loss of productivity because you will have a harder time staying on task. You may also bring co-workers out of their focus by conversing about your upcoming trip. We all find ourselves in this situation and there is a lot we can do to make sure we don’t interrupt others and also keep ourselves focused prior to going on vacation, which will not only benefit our teammates, but will enable us to leave for vacation with greater peace of mind.
Create a task list. Jot down all of the tasks you are currently working on, or ones that will hit shortly after your vacation, whether it’s in a document, calendar, or hand written on a piece of paper. This tool will help you stay organized and plan for your upcoming time away from the office.
Sort by priority. When is the actual task due? Give yourself a sense for which of the tasks are urgent and those that can be finished when you return from vacation. Sorting by due date will enable you to focus on the right projects.
Knock off little pieces of each task every day. Once your task list is created by urgency, this will be the time to plan out each day leading up to your vacation. The easiest and least stressful way to finish a long list of tasks is to do a little bit each day and avoid procrastination.
Once a task is completed, mark it as completed and reward yourself. Nothing feels better than finishing a task, especially when you stayed organized throughout the process. Once you complete each task, mark it as complete and give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done.
Always remember that even if you are taking an upcoming vacation, it doesn’t mean your coworkers are. Your efforts to avoid distracting your teammates will be especially appreciated by your manager or supervisor. You will find that if you stay focused on completing your list of projects and keep from distracting others in your workplace before departing, you will not only set a good example for your peers, but you will be able to take full advantage of your time away from work for relaxation and rejuvenation. Not to mention that when you arrive back at your workplace after your vacation, you won’t feel stressed and behind on your work, but rather refreshed and prepared because you set yourself up for success prior to leaving.
(Brought to you by Xenium)
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 to identify a LifeBalance ski / snowobard resort with an animal in its name was won by Robert Kordin, who answered Deer Valley (there were many other fantastic answers too!).
This month's question is as follows: Name three great Seattle attractions within walking distance of the Maxwell Hotel. The winner will receive a free night's stay at the newly opened Maxwell Hotel!
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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TRACKING WHILE TRAVELING
LifeBalance Tools Can Help You Stick to Your Goals Wherever You Go

Worried about seeing your health goals fall by the wayside while traveling? Be proactive and use LifeBalance tools to help you plan ahead and monitor yourself while you’re on the road.
LifeBalance Wellness Window tools and MyLifeBalance tools like the Activity Tracker and Food Tracker are the perfect resources to keep you on track while you travel.
LIGHT HEARTED
Stress Management Quiz
It’s a challenge for many of us to avoid daily stress and worry. Check out the latest Virtual Guide Quiz on Stress Management to assess your own stress levels and to get great advice on how to stress less.
Log in to your MyLifeBalance account to get started.
Quote of the Month
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain.
LifeBalance Coach
Stop and Smell the Roses
With spring around the corner, it's time to take a much needed break to stop and smell the roses...
Perhaps you budget doesn't allow for a trip to Paris or the British Virgin Islands this year, but that doesn't mean that you can't pamper yourself. Check out your LifeBalance to find local Travel / Tours, Massage / Spa / Relaxation and Performing Arts / Events / Theater to reward yourself and your family. Take a look at how LifeBalance can help you ease out of winter and into spring.
(Brought to you by Free To Be Parents Coaching)
Did You Know?
Interesting Facts and Figures
Bicycle Tourism is expected to double in growth over the next decade! Check out savings on bicycles and bike tours in the Cycling category.
The National Masters Racquetball Association Championships are in March. Give this exciting sport a try with savings on Tennis / Racquetball / Squash gear and games.
Famous composers Johann Sebastian Bach, Joseph Haydn, Maurice Ravel and Johann Strauss were all born in March. Experience their works and more with savings on Music this month.
Walking is the most popular physical activity for Americans over 45. Save on Running / Jogging / Walking needs today and login to your MyLifeBalance account to use the LifeBalance Walking Tracker to monitor your walking workouts.
Boone Bridge Books
Featured Titles
This month, the fine folks at Boone Bridge Books have provided us with several titles pertaining to travel. 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.
- Forbidden Knowledge Travel: 101 Things Not Every Traveler Should Know How to Do
Michael Powell
- The Wall Street Journal Guide to Power Travel: How to Arrive with Your Dignity, Sanity & Wallet Intact
Scott McCartney
- Pacific Northwest Camping Destinations: RV and Car Camping Destinations in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia)
Mike Church, Terri Church
- The Best Places to Kiss in the Northwest: A Romantic Travel Guide
Teri Citterman
- Pacific Northwest Trips
Lonely Planet
- Best Places Northwest: The Locals' Guide to the Best Restaurants, Lodgings, Sights, Shopping, and More!
Jo Ostgarden
- The Dog Lover's Companion to the Pacific Northwest: The Inside Scoop on Where to Take Your Dog
Val Mallinson
Boone Bridge Books offers members at least 25% savings on all titles (excluding textbooks) ordered from their website.
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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
exclusive LifeBalance savings at thousands of recreational, cultural & wellness related businesses throughout Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington. The LifeBalance Program Vendor
Network gives members the opportunity to quickly
search for specific recreational, cultural and wellness vendors
by geographic region and category, or by business
name, through the LifeBalance Search for Savings.
You
can use our secure server to make payments online
for many LifeBalance Member Events and Tickets. LifeBalance
offers members thousands of special events at reduced
rates with the top vendors, instructors, and venues.
LifeBalance also has your ticket to the arts, including
theater, dance, musical performances, sporting events, ski resorts, museums and more. Visit
the LifeBalance Events Calendar and the LifeBalance Ticket Window for a complete listing and select the listing that interests
you and then complete your registration.
The LifeBalance Wellness Window offers members food and fitness tips, wellness calculators, information about community events and more. MyLifeBalance is the component of the LifeBalance Program that includes personalized wellness tools, customized content and more.
You
can also easily print the LifeBalance Program materials
and this newsletter by visiting the Printable Materials section of the site.
Member feedback
The
LifeBalance Program always welcomes your feedback! Complete the LifeBalance Survey and let us know about new recreational, cultural and wellness businesses that you would like to see
added to our existing network of benefit vendors,
new member events, suggestions for the LifeBalance
website or even suggestions for this online newsletter.
If you would like to speak to a member of the LifeBalance
Member Service Team, please call 503.234.1375 or 888.754.5433.
The
LifeBalance Program
Absolute Recreation Management, Inc.
503.234.1375 / 888.754.5433
www.LifeBalanceProgram.com / info@LifeBalanceProgram.com
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LifeBalance eAction
March 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.
Shopping Cart
SAVINGS ALERTS

Join a NW Oregon Curves facility and pay no joining fee when you donate a bag of groceries before March 20, 2010!

Experience surfing in Hawaii or on the Oregon Coast and save with NW Women's Surf Camps!

Experience an ocean adventure at exclusive member prices with CruiseOne.

Save 10% on Bicycle Adventures tours.

Make spring break travel easy and save 20% when you stay at Red Lion!
HOTLIST
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