October 2024

Join us for a Wellness Webinar: 

No Gym, No Problem

Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 1:00 pm

Have you ever felt that the only way to get a good workout is at the gym? What if you don’t have access to one? No problem! Please join Rebecca Berlin, Health Coach to learn how to effectively exercise with simple tools. With a little creativity, you can create a great exercise routine without leaving home. We will discuss tactics to stay motivated, focused, and positive to maintain your workouts. 

Live sessions are limited to the first 2,000 attendees. All others can view the recording 6 hours after the live event.

Members that attend the live session or view the recording within 7 days of the original broadcast, will receive 1 HealthQuest Credit for attendance. Credits take 7-10 business days to be reflected in your HealthQuest Portal post completion.

No registration required! Simply follow the instructions on how to access this webinar directly on the HealthQuest Portal under Wellness Learning Events.

Join us for an EAP Monthly Webinar:

The Power of Productivity

Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 1:00 pm

Are you struggling to be productive? Do you find yourself procrastinating and having difficulty staying on top of tasks? Do you wait until the last minute to start working on a project? We all procrastinate from time to time. However, when we develop a habit of putting off necessary actions, it can take a toll on our well-being. This training will help you identify the reasons for the lack of productivity and defeat procrastination so that you can move forward and implement strategies to increase your level of productivity.

Registration is required!  After you register, and after the live event, you will receive an email within the next 24 hours so you can view the recording, if you miss the live session.

Members that attend the live session or view the recording within 7 days of the original broadcast, will receive 1 HealthQuest Credit for attendance. Credits take 3-5 business days after the vendor file is received, to be reflected in your HealthQuest Portal post completion.

2024: Condition Management Programs

Earn 5 HealthQuest Credits for Completion

As part of the HealthQuest program, you have access to four condition management programs. Each 8-week program is confidential and conducted by Marathon Health medical professionals.  

You may only participate in one program at a time, but don't worry!  Upon completion of the program including watching all the videos in their entirety, submission of the pre-survey (completed during your registration process) and submission of the post-survey, members will receive Five (5) HealthQuest Credits.  

Note:  You can only participate in each program once throughout the calendar year (i.e. you cannot complete the same program twice). 

Weight Management

September 2, 2024 - October 25, 2024

• This program offers a supportive, judgement free environment where we’ll focus on understanding the psychology behind decisions and the impact that lifestyle and behavior choices have on our health, focusing on weight.

Heart Health

September 2, 2024 - October 25, 2024

• The Healthy Hearts Program includes education and group support to help you lower the risk of heart disease and heart attack.  Who should participate?  Anyone looking to achieve and maintain healthy levels for blood pressure and cholesterol with the overall goal of living a heart healthy lifestyle.

Diabetes Management

September 2, 2024 - October 25, 2024

• The objectives of the Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) program is to support informed decision-making, self-care behaviors, problem solving, active collaboration with the health care team, to improve clinical outcomes, health status, and quality of life.  DSMES covers topics that a person diagnosed with diabetes needs to know about including, but not limited to standards of medical care for diabetes, an overview of medications used to treat diabetes, nutrition, physical activity, and planning for sick days and their impact on blood glucose. 

Tobacco Cessation

September 2, 2024 - October 25, 2024

• The ALA’s Freedom from Smoking® Program has helped hundreds of thousands of Americans end their addiction to nicotine and begin new tobacco-free lives.  Freedom From Smoking® is based on proven addiction and behavior change models.  The program offers a structured, systematic approach to quitting, and its positive messaging emphasizes the benefits of better health. 

October 2 - EAP Webinar: The Power of Productivity, Register Here October 10 - Wellness Webinar: No Gym, No Problem.  Access the webinar directly in the HealthQuest Portal under Wellness Learning Events. November 6 - EAP Webinar: Managing Holiday Stress, Register Here November 7 - Wellness Webinar: Portion Control and Healthy Substitutions.  Access the webinar directly in the HealthQuest Portal under Wellness Learning Events.

Should you need accommodations for any webinar, please email SEHPHealthQuest@ks.gov two (2) business days in advance.

by Valerie Porter, HealthQuest Health Coach

Monthly recipes are provided by Valerie Porter, RN, HealthQuest Health Coach. Health Coaching appointments are available to all benefits-eligible employees, and their SEHP-covered spouses, free of charge. To schedule an appointment with Valerie or another health coach, call (785) 783-4080.

Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 1/2 pounds uncooked boneless skinless chicken breast, diced
• Freshly ground salt and pepper
• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 white onion, chopped
• 2 large carrots, sliced
• 3 cups diced yukon gold potatoes
• 3 cups finely chopped cauliflower florets
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme)
• 2 cups of unsweetened almond milk, cashew milk, skim milk, 2% (if you want a richer soup, you can use whole milk)
• 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup frozen peas

Directions:

1. Place a large dutch oven or pot over medium high heat. Add in olive oil. Once oil is hot, add in diced chicken breast and generously season with salt and pepper. Cook chicken for 4-6 minutes or until thoroughly cooked and no longer pink. Remove chicken from pot and transfer to a large bowl; set aside for later.

2. In the same pot, add in 1/2 tablespoon olive oil, chopped onion, sliced carrots, diced gold potatoes, diced cauliflower and thyme. Saute for a few minutes until onion begins to soften, then add in milk, chicken broth and salt and pepper. Allow mixture to simmer uncovered for 10 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.

3. Next remove 3 cups of the mixture from the pot and add to a blender. Blend until completely smooth (be careful while you do this!), then transfer puree back to the pot. Stir in cooked chicken and frozen peas. Allow mixture to simmer for 5-10 more minutes to thicken up a bit. Taste and add more salt and pepper, if necessary. Garnish with extra black pepper and fresh thyme, if desired. Great with biscuits or crackers, if you’d like.

Tips:

To make this recipe vegan: if you want to make this recipe vegan or vegetarian, you can use chickpeas instead of chicken, and also be sure to use vegetarian broth and a dairy free milk.

Optional: Feel free to add ¾ cup of corn if not doing whole 30. If you'd like some more veggies in this soup, I suggest adding 8 ounces of baby bella mushrooms, which you can saute with the onion, carrots and potatoes.

Beat Flu Season with Immunity!

Getting the flu shot can help reduce your risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and even death from the flu. It's essential for high-risk groups, such as the elderly, young children, and those with certain health conditions.

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious viral infection that primarily affects the respiratory system. The flu shot offers numerous benefits:

1. Prevention: It significantly reduces your risk of contracting the flu virus, which can cause severe illness.
2. Reduced Severity: If you do get the flu after vaccination, symptoms are often milder and the illness duration shorter.
3. Protection for Vulnerable Groups: Vaccination helps protect those at higher risk, such as the elderly, young children, and individuals with chronic health conditions.
4. Lower Hospitalization Rates: The flu shot can reduce the number of hospitalizations due to flu-related complications.
5. Cost-Effectiveness: Preventing the flu can save on healthcare costs, lost wages, and other related expenses.

Did you know? The flu virus changes each year, so the vaccine is reformulated each year to target the most prevalent strains of the virus, providing appropriate protection.

Be sure to protect yourself and your family by getting the Flu Shot! If you have any other questions, do not hesitate to reach out to your Primary Care Provider.

FALL INTO HEALTHY HABITS

The fall season is a wonderful time to focus on health and well-being! With the season changing from summer to fall comes unique challenges and opportunities to maintain your overall health. Here are some tips to embrace the season while prioritizing your health:

1. Boost Your Immune System: Incorporate immune-boosting foods like citrus fruits, garlic, and leafy greens into your meals. Consider supplements like vitamin D as daylight decreases.
2. Stay Active Outdoors: Enjoy the cooler weather with outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or simply walking to appreciate the fall foliage.
3. Focus on Seasonal Produce: Fall offers a bounty of nutritious foods like pumpkins, apples, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts. Incorporate these into your meals for added vitamins and minerals.
4. Practice Mindfulness: As the year winds down, take time for reflection. Consider journaling or meditation to reduce stress and improve mental clarity.
5. Stay Hydrated: Even as temperatures drop, hydration remains crucial. Warm herbal teas can be a cozy way to stay hydrated.
6. Establish a Sleep Routine: With shorter days, it’s a good time to assess your sleep habits. Create a relaxing atmosphere and aim for a consistent sleep schedule to support overall health.
7. Prioritize Mental Health: Engage in activities that promote well-being, like spending time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, or volunteering.
8. Prepare for Flu Season: As mentioned earlier, getting your flu shot and practicing good hygiene can help you stay healthy. Don’t forget to wash your hands.
9. Plan Healthy Comfort Foods: Fall is known for comfort food, so experiment with healthier versions of your favorite recipes, like using whole grains or reducing sugar.
10. Self-Care: Schedule some time for yourself to relax, whether it's through reading, taking baths, or enjoying your favorite hobbies. If you need socialization, plan gatherings with friends and/or family to maintain strong social ties, which are vital for mental health.

Embracing these practices can help you enjoy a vibrant and healthy fall!

Questions?

HealthQuest Portal

Each person's path to well-being is unique and personal. Need an accessible alternative for an activity? To learn more email SEHPHealthQuest@ks.gov.