McKinley Grapevine

Good Morning Everyone!

Coloring isn’t just for kids!  Give it a try, you will be amazed how relaxed and calm you feel after just 15min of coloring.  Many psychiatrists have recommended coloring mandalas (circular designs with concentric shapes) to their patients as a relaxation technique and the main reasons for this is, coloring has the power to focus the brain much like meditation.  There are many benefits that can come from meditation but have you ever tried it?  It can be very challenging to slow your mind down (it is for me!) which can take some of the relaxation benefits out of meditation.  However, I think we all can color, right?  Try it and let yourself escape from the stresses that life brings, even if it’s only for 15min.

Click on the links below to learn more about the benefits that come from coloring:

http://greatist.com/grow/adult-coloring

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/13/coloring-for-stress_n_5975832.html

You can find a wide variety of adult coloring books at Michaels, Walmart, Meijer, Barnes and Noble, amazon…really, anywhere.  I encourage you all to give it a try as I have benefitted from it greatly!!  Attached is one of my own picturesJ. 

If you already color or do some form at art work for relaxation, I would love to see it – please email me a photo! 

Have a great Wednesday!!

Good Morning Everyone!

Did you elect medical insurance for 2016?  Have you called to schedule your Doctor’s visit yet?   If you haven’t had the chance to call your Doctor yet I want to encourage you to call TODAY and schedule you appointment!!  Here are some things for you to remember:

1. Let your Doctor know the purpose of your visit is for a biometric screening for insurance purposes. 
2. Make sure you schedule your appointment between January, 1^st and March, 31^st.
3. Print out your biometric screening form which can be found on Portal.
4. You will need to do a 12 hour fasting blood draw – the Dr’s office will send you a requisition form for you to take to the lab to have your blood drawn at your convenience.  If there is not a lab at your Dr’s office, ask them where you should go for your blood draw.
5. Do you need to find a Doctor in your area??  Go to www.mycigna.com or call Cigna and they would be more than happy to help!

 

Leaders – please be sure to share this with your team members who do not have email. Thank you!!!!

• Safe House Center of Ann Arbor Michigan –http://www.safehousecenter.org/wishlist/

• Harbor House of Central Florida –https://www.harborhousefl.com/give-help/get-involved/donate/#

The Safe House Center and Harbor House are safe, temporary homes for domestic violence victims to come to with their children.  In most cases, they are leaving with their children and that’s it!  No toiletries, clothing, blankets, pillows…nothing.  Both the Safe House Center and Harbor House have wish lists you can view by clicking on the links.  Please keep to their wish lists, at this time they do not need any more toys or gifts for the Holiday season, that’s already been taken care of!

• Toys For Tots Orlando – http://orlando-fl.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx

Contact Staff Sergeant Kent Clarke

Email: orlandotots@gmail.com

• Trees For Troops – Since 2005, more than 157,000 free, farm-grown Christmas Trees have been provided to troops and military families in the United States and overseas through Trees for Troops. Thousands of trees are donated by American farm families and the public, and FedEx delivers these trees to more than 60 military bases in the U.S. and overseas. FedEx has logged more than 573,000 ground miles for the Trees for Troops program.

  Be a part of this wonderful program by visiting one of the farms, retail lots and garden centers across the country that will be participating in Trees for Troops Weekend (December 4-6, 2015) this year.  Each of these locations will have a FedEx trailer parked at their farm/lot so you can purchase a tree and then place it on the truck to be donated and delivered to a military family at one of our participating bases the following week.   If you are in the Ann Arbor Area, English Gardens is the closest location participating (where you are able to donate a physical tree) in T4T Weekend. – http://www.treesfortroops.org/dnn/default.aspx#&panel1-3

• Blessed By The Battle – Orlando based homeless ministry run by Rhonda Lackie and her husband.  “On Sundays we do distributions at alternating locations around Orlando. We also go out of town once a month to serve the homeless both near and far. On November 21st we will be in Tampa to serve 500+ people Thanksgiving dinner and we will also be distributing clothes and hygiene products. We are always in need of clothing, hygiene products, and snacks”.
  Our facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/blessedbythebattle
• Adopt a Family – If you are at the corporate office, we have adopted the Gimenez Family – email me for details.  Looking for a family to adopt?  You can contact your local Salvation Army or The Ozone House if you are in Ann Arbor –                            http://ozonehouse.org/give/adoptafamily.php
  
• Delonis Center – Washtenaw County

New hats, gloves, scarves and hand warmers

A2 Shelter Wish List

 

Good Morning Everyone!

Apple Cider Vinegar – many of you may already have this in your pantry and in the past may have used it in a salad dressing or marinade.  But have you ever used it for a boost of energy, to whiten your teeth, level out your blood sugars or fight the common cold?!?!  Organic ACV (with the mother as shown in the pic) is made from fresh, crushed, organically grown apples and allowed to mature in tanks, which boosts its natural fermentation qualities. When mature, it contains a web-like substance, called “mother” that becomes visible when the rich brownish liquid is held to the light.  ACV is naturally antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal.  While there haven’t been scientific studies conducted to prove every benefit that many people rave about based on their own personal experience or because their Grandma used it, there have been some studies conducted that show ACV can increase insulin sensitivity and significantly lower blood sugar responses during meals.  This is beneficial to all of us but especially those with Type 2 Diabetes.  Click the link below for more info:

http://authoritynutrition.com/6-proven-health-benefits-of-apple-cider-vinegar/

Here is a link with some FAQ’s about ACV such as:

1.      What is the Mother in ACV and what are the benefits?

2.      What is the shelf life of ACV?

3.      Is it possible to take too much Apple Cider Vinegar?

Check it out 🙂

http://bragg.com/products/bragg-organic-apple-cider-vinegar-FAQ.html

Below are a few examples off a list of 50 ways to use ACV (click the link to see how to use it):

http://fitlife.tv/50-ways-to-use-apple-cider-vinegar-saturday-strategy/

1. Dandruff
2. Sore Throat
3. Foot Odor
4. Gas and Constipation
5. Heartburn
6. Clear Skin
7. Sun Burn
8. Whiten Teeth
9. All Purpose Cleaner
10. Sore Muscles
11. Lymph Circulation
12. Energy Boost
13. Upset Stomach
14. Weight Loss
15. Relieves Gout

Good Morning Everyone!!!

When was the last time you picked up a book, sat in a comfy chair with a fuzzy blanket and read for at least 15min?  It can be incredibly relaxing.  Did you know a love of reading can protect your brain from memory loss, slash stress levels, and encourage positive thinking? Check out the benefits 🙂 

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body- Joseph Addison

Health Benefits of Reading:

• Unlike watching TV or listening to the radio, reading spurs your brain to think and concentrate
• According to Reader’s Digest, getting absorbed in a good read can decrease levels of unhealthy stress hormones such as cortisol
• It help to improve/sharpen your analytical thinking skills
• Reading about someone who overcame obstacles can help motivate you to meet your own goals
• According to the Huffington Post, reading can be a great way to de-stress before bed and may help you sleep better

NOTE: Bright lights from electronic devices signal to the brain that it’s time to wake up, so reading a book under a dim light is a much better strategy before bed

For more information please visit:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/08/05/health-benefits-reading_n_4081258.html

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/10-benefits-reading-why-you-should-read-everyday.html

http://www.rd.com/health/wellness/benefits-of-reading/

 

 

 

Good Morning Everyone!

Should we ONLY be buying organic produce?  It’s a great question and I’ve had several of you inquire about this lately.  The quick answer is – buy local organic produce whenever possible.  The long answer is, well, there’s just way more to it.   However, in the effort of trying to make things as simple as possible J,  you’ll find 2 very helpful lists put together by Environmental Working Group at the bottom of this email: “The Dirty Dozen” (BUY LOCAL ORGANIC) and “The Clean 15” (Still consider buying organic but you don’t have to worry as much about the produce on this list).

When I think about why I want to buy certified organic produce the first reason that comes to mind is, I want to avoid harmful pesticides.  After reading a few different articles (some where the author was in favor of organic produce and others where the author definitely felt buying organic was a complete waste) this is what I learned:

• Pesticides are used by conventional produce farmers and certified organic produce farmers.  The difference between the pesticides are synthetic and natural (most are derived from plants).
• The certified organic farmers mainly use natural pesticides but they also have to use a lot more in order for them to effectively keep bugs and insects away.
• Systemic pesticides – these are pesticides that are incorporated into the plants (they will be found in the meat of the fruit or vegetable) while they are growing and used by conventional produce farmers.  To avoid these pesticides I will personally buy any produce on “The Dirty Dozen” list below from local organic farmers or certified organic from the grocery store.
• BUY FROM LOCAL FARMERS – you can ask what they use to protect their crops and local farmers are more likely to use less pesticides.
• Wash your produce with water and vinegar.  The vinegar will help kill the bacteria and breakdown the wax you feel on your produce.  Check out this website for more tips on the most effective ways to wash your produce: http://renegadehealth.com/blog/2013/10/30/the-best-way-to-wash-fruits-and-vegetables-8-tips

EWG analyzed pesticide residue testing data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration to come up with rankings for popular fresh produce items.  They compiled a list of 50 produce items with #1 containing the most pesticide.  Click the link below to view the whole list:

http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/list.php

Below are the lists I was referring to at the beginning of the email:

The Dirty Dozen Plus (have the greatest amount of pesticide residue- buy organic when possible)	The Clean 15 (have the least amount of pesticide residue)
Apples (most) Strawberries Grapes Celery Peaches Spinach Sweet bell peppers Nectarines-imported Cucumbers Cherry tomatoes Snap peas—imported Potatoes Leafy greens, such as kale and collard greens Hot peppers (least)	Avocados (least) Sweet Corn Pineapple Cabbage Sweet Peas — Frozen Onions Asparagus Mangoes Papayas Kiwi Eggplant Grapefruit Cantaloupe Cauliflower Sweet Potatoes (most)

 

Convenience is always a plus, right?!?!?  Well, if you can’t make it to your local farmers market, you might be able to have it shipped right to your doorstep.

• If you live in Michigan you can try Door to Door Organics – https://michigan.doortodoororganics.com/shop-good-food
• If you live in Florida in the Orlando area you can try Orlando Organics – http://www.orlandoorganics.com/index.cfm
• If you do not reside in either of these areas and you use a service, please email me to let me know what that service is so I can post it.  If you would like help finding a door to door service in your area, please email me I will gladly help you J

If you’re interested in learning more, below is one of the articles I found interesting:

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/science-sushi/httpblogsscientificamericancomscience-sushi20110718mythbusting-101-organic-farming-conventional-agriculture/

Have a fabulous day!!!

~ Meredith