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The VA Healthy Teaching Kitchen Program has put together a collection of healthy recipes that can be downloaded and printed. Click here to access VA Nutrition and Food Services page.
In this Edition:
Are you finding opportunities to learn and grow? Are you getting enough sleep at night to refresh your body and mind? The new year is the perfect time to think about what matters most to you. Complete your Personal Health Inventory to assess where you are and where you want to be. Understanding how you’re currently taking care of your body is an important step toward reaching your full potential.
What Matters Most to You?
Whole Health puts you at the center of your care. Whole Health centers around what matters to you, not what is the matter with you. Watch this video to explore resources and tools to help you start your Whole Health journey
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- Whole Health starts with a simple question: What matters to you?
- Start your Whole Health journey by visiting the Whole Health
- Download the Live Whole Health app to manage your Whole Health journey anytime, anyplace.
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- Start the New Year with Whole Health.
- Whole Health can help you maintain your New Year’s resolutions and achieve your wellness goals.
- Deepen your Whole Health journey by completing your Personal Health Inventory and Personal Health Plan.
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Through Whole Health tools like The Personal Health Inventory, Air Force Veteran Ray Obenza worked on his health and wellness goals and kept his commitment to spend more time with his family. “I find that the VA’s Whole Health model of care is the perfect way to address the physical, mental and emotional needs we all have and unlock the keys to achieve what we want most in life.” Read about Ray’s journey to #LiveWholeHealth.
 Due to the mental and emotional strain of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, some may turn to alcohol to escape stress. However, unhealthy drinking can cause new problems. Moderation is key for those who drink alcohol. The recommended limit for men is no more than two drinks each day and no more than 14 drinks per week. The recommended limit for women and all people over age 64 is no more than one drink each day and no more than seven drinks per week.
Thinking about your drinking? Considering a change? VA is here to help. Click here to learn more and start making changes.
Don’t quit trying. Try quitting!
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is here to support Veterans taking the first steps to stop chewing or dipping — even before you quit for good. When you’re ready, your VA health care provider can help you make changes in your tobacco use that prepare you to stop for good. Your health care provider can help you choose from prescription medications, nicotine replacement therapy, counseling, and other programs that provide support on your quit journey.
Many Veterans try several treatment approaches before they land on the one that works. If you have ever attempted to stop chewing or dipping, before you try again, ask yourself two questions:
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“Why did I want to stop before?” The answer can remind you of your lifestyle goals, big and small. Maybe you’ve always wanted to run a marathon, or your dental bills have skyrocketed, or you’re just tired of worrying about where you can go to spit. Let your goal motivate you along your journey toward a tobacco-free life.
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“What barriers did I face?” Answering this question can be tougher. Barriers can be complex, but many people just need support to overcome them.
If you can focus on the first answer, VA can help you identify strategies to take care of the second by providing treatments proven to help Veterans stop chewing and dipping for good.
Stop Before You Stop
When you’re ready to change your tobacco use, contact your health care provider about tobacco use treatment. The sooner your care team can offer you support and guidance, the better your experience will be.
Keep in mind: You don’t have to do it alone. Your provider will be there every step of the way and can explain additional options that might work better for you, including:
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Counseling: Counseling offers Veterans the best chance of becoming and staying tobacco-free when combined with another treatment, such as a prescription medication or nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). VA provides remote, group, and individual counseling for you to talk about your tobacco use, triggers, and lifestyle changes that can help you overcome the urge to dip or chew. VA medical centers and community-based outpatient clinics routinely provide tobacco use counseling. It’s also available through VA Video Connect, VA’s secure videoconferencing app.
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Medications and NRT: VA offers prescription medications and NRT products — gum, patches, and lozenges — to help relieve nicotine withdrawal symptoms and tobacco cravings. Your VA health care provider can guide you through the available options and help you decide which one might work best for you.
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Quit VET: Veterans can call 1-855-QUIT-VET (1-855-784-8838) for counseling and help in developing a plan to stop dipping and chewing. Quitline counselors are available Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Eastern time, to help you prepare for potential challenges and avoid relapse. Counselors offer continued support through follow-up calls and counseling sessions, available in English or Spanish.
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SmokefreeVET: For tools and tips you can use to stop dipping and chewing, sign up for SmokefreeVET by texting VET to 47848. SmokefreeVET provides regular text messages as well as extra support when you text the keywords DIPPED, URGE, or STRESS to 47848. Para inscribirse en SmokefreeVET en español, manda el texto VETesp al 47848.
Don’t quit trying. Try quitting — as many times as it takes.
It can be tough to stop using smokeless tobacco, and many people make several attempts before they stop for good. But every attempt helps you learn more about quitting. Whether you have tried once, twice, or 15 times, take the lessons you’ve learned and try quitting again with new tools and a renewed focus on your goals. No matter how many times it takes, VA will be with you every step of the way, with more proven resources than ever before.
Take a moment to imagine your life without dipping, chewing, and spitting. Then talk with your health care provider about VA’s tobacco use treatment options to find the ones that meet your needs and can help you improve your life, health, and future.
Use the locator tool to find a VA facility near you.
Dental Health Matters
Dental health problems cause pain and disability for millions of Americans. Remind your patients of the importance of dental health to their overall health. Help educate them about prevention and treatment with resources from the Veterans Health Library (VHL), such as the following:
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VVC (VA Video Connect) group
MOVE! Closed Group (16 sessions)
Starts Thursday Jan 27, 2022 @ 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
These groups focus on nutrition and exercise behavioral changes. Evidence shows people who attend and use the information that will be provided will stop gaining weight and/or begin losing weight.
The best part about this program is that it is absolutely FREE and you can be in the comfort of your own home attending a group meeting!
Please tell your PACT team or contact the MOVE! Program @
605-718-1095 ext 33054 to register!
MONHTLY SUPPORT GROUP
All groups are VVC.
This group is the 4th Wednesday of the month from 9-10 am via VVC. Great for people who have reached weight management goals and want monthly group support.
For more information call (605) 718-1095 ext 3-3054 or visit https://www.blackhills.va.gov/services/MOVE.asp
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Chair Yoga - Mixed Level
Don't miss our Facebook Live Yoga sessions on Thursday's at 1:00 p.m.
Like us on Facebook
This program can be done from your own home and is specialized for people with disabilities and movement restrictions.
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Diabetes Support group
Every 3rd Thursday of the month @ 11:00 a.m.
Patients with diabetes are often challenged by the routine of managing their diabetes, and may experience both stress and medical problems that affect their ability to live a full, happy and healthy life.
This program brings Veterans who have diabetes together to support each other to achieve their personal lifetime goals.
The best part about this program is that it is absolutely FREE and you can be in the comfort of your own home attending a VVC (VA Video Connect) group meeting!
Contact your PACT team to register!
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Diabetes Education Classes
Every other Friday @ 10:00 a.m.
Diabetes is a complex disease that requires daily self-management - making healthy food choices, staying physically active, monitoring your blood sugar and taking medications as prescribed.
Successful self-management will help you feel better and can reduce your chance of developing complications like heart disease, dental disease, eye disorders, kidney disease, nerve damage and more.
This educational program consists of 10 sessions and will be repeated throughout the year. Join for one session or for all 10 sessions as your schedule allows.
These classes are absolutely FREE and you can be in the comfort of your own home while learning how to manage your diabetes by joining our VVC (VA Video Connect) group sessions!
Contact your PACT team to register!
Upcoming sessions:
- Carbohydrate counting and heart healthy eating
- Monitoring blood sugars
- Adding activity into your life
- Taking medications
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Everyone experiences some levels of stress, but too much can lead to health problems. Help manage stress and protect your health by using our Veterans Health Library.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Resources for Veterans
Keys to Managing Stress
Stress Management (video)
For more Resources: See VA's Manage Stress Workbook, which Veterans can use to learn specific techniques for managing stress more effectively.
Ask for a TLC referral today and work with your coach to:
- Eat Wisely
- Limit Alcohol
- Manage Stress
- Be Physically Active
- Strive for a healthy weight
VA Black Hills Health Care System offers Telephone Lifestyle Coaching for Veterans who may choose to work on their health and wellbeing without having to come to the medical center.
To start the program, Veterans simply need to let their health care team know they would like to enroll and then be prepared to receive a call from their coach at a time they prefer.
For more information on Telephone Lifestyle Coaching, visit www.prevention.va.gov/tlc
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