Acts of Kindness

Performing an act of kindness could be an investment in your own stress-reduction and longevity, Women’s Health reported Feb. 25.

People who give of themselves to others are less likely to die after a stressful event, according to a study led by Michael Poulin, Ph.D., of the University at Buffalo. Losing a job or the death of a family member are among the stressors known to contribute to premature death, but the study found that people who performed good deeds were less likely to die in the five years after a traumatic event than those who did not exhibit a charitable impulse.

In fact, the individuals who didn’t extend a hand of kindness too often saw their risk of dying rise 30 percent after every stressful life event they encountered.

Acts of kindness don’t have to be grand gestures, either — simple good deeds like volunteering to be the designated driver at a party, cooking a meal for a friend, or giving some of your extra stuff to charity can accrue to the benefit of your health, experts say.

Other studies have found similar benefits from volunteering and giving to charity.

The research was published in the American Journal of Public Health.

Where to look for weather announcements

When the weather gets dicey, we try to stay open if it is at all reasonable to do so.  However, when it gets too nasty, we do close.  Among other things, this gives our guys time to clear the parking lots, our staff time to dig themselves out, and all of us a chance to stay safely at home.  It seems like very often after a weather-related closing we hear of someone that make the trek across town only to find our doors locked.  That has to be so frustrating.  Don't be that person!  We have resources available to get closure notifications:

1.)  Sign up for our constant contact list to get immediate email announcements. 

2.) Listen to KGRN radio, 1410 AM.

3.)  Call us at (641)236-2999.  We change our voicemail to reflect what's going on.

winter vegetable tips

Eating vegetables in season will give you the maximum health benefits in terms of vitamins and nutrients, and these 10 winter vegetables should find their way to your table, Health.com suggests:

• Radishes: a good source of vitamin C
• Blood oranges: contain vitamin C and fiber
• Snow peas: vitamins C and K
• Cabbage: vitamins C and K, plus fiber and detoxing phytonutrients
• Rhubarb: vitamins C, A, and calcium
• Chestnuts: vitamin C
• Artichokes: vitamin C, folate, and fiber
• Persimmon: vitamin C and fiber
• Kale: vitamins A, C, and K, plus calcium
• Cranberries: vitamin C, plus they can improve “good” cholesterol levels

Pilates!!!

You may have heard the rumors- and this time they are true. Pilates is coming back into the mix of GRMC class offerings! 

Come check it out:  We are hosting a sample class during instructor's choice on Friday the 22nd at 8:15.
Regular class will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12-12:45 starting February 26th.  Class will meet downstairs in the activity room. 

What is Pilates?  Out of the mouth of Desiree, our new instructor, "Pilates was developed in the late 1800s and has been used by countless individuals starting from the medically infirm to dancers and eventually to the general public as a means to improve strength, flexibility and endurance, without risking injury or building bulk.

Pilates is for everyone...any age or fitness level. It is fun and challenging... You will feel the effects of the exercises immediately and will continue to build on your strength, endurance, and overall proficiency of executing the exercises over time."

We are very excited to add Desiree to our team of instructors.  Allow her to introduce herself:

 "I moved to Grinnell last July with my family. I am a former collegiate softball and volleyball player and lifelong fitness enthusiast. Started training in Pilates about four years ago (after having three babies in three years) and became a firm believer in the Pilates methods based on the quick and dramatic strength improvements I received over a short period of time. (Not to mention the visible changes in my waistline!) I fell in love with this exercise system that appealed to everyone. I took classes with men and women of varying ages and fitness levels and everyone benefited from the classes."

Please let us know if you have any further questions

Instructors Choice February 15 2013

Hello Everyone,
Come ready for some great fun and a great workout before the weekend starts! We are going to be doing some strength training along with some core work. Hope to see you all there.

Garlic Pita Bread Bites

 

Tastey low-cal treat for the family...

Ingredients

• 1 (10 ounce) package pita bread, cut in half
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon crushed garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian-style seasoning

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Open pita bread halves and roughly cut into approximately 2 inch pieces. Arrange on a medium baking sheet.
3. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and mix in garlic and dried Italian-style seasoning. Pour the mixture over pita bread pieces.
4. Sprinkle bread with Parmesan cheese, adjusting the amount as desired. Bake in the preheated oven 10 minutes, or until lightly browned.

When I don't want to work out...

When I don't want to work out, I can...
     ...remember the feeling of accomplishment when when I am done
     ...take a 10 minute BRISK walk
     ...ask a friend along to the work out.  It helps us both with accountability
     ...look at a picture of myself "before"
     ...remind myself why I started in the first place
     ...force myself to go and feel better for it
     ...think of those that can't and be grateful that I can
     ...find something new to do
     ...listen to some energetic music
     ...put my feelings aside and use logic and reasoning
     ...call a friend to encourage me
     ...take the dog for a long walk
     ...put my workout clothes in front of the door so I won't forget them
     ...remember a time when I couldn't work out and how bad that felt
     ...bargain with myself to at least do 15 minutes and then reevaluate.  Odds are I'll stay
     ...start with something light and slow
     ...do it anyway

The Priorities

If you read the Pennysaver, visit our website, or walk down our halls you may have noticed that GRMC Wellness Services are currently getting a marketing push.  Thank you to those of you that agreed to be photographed sweatin' it out.  (If you feel self conscious don't worry we feel your pain.  A certain wellness specialist's backside may or may not be prominently on display.)   If you don't work at GRMC you may not know that wellness is a big priority here from the top down.  I have heard our CEO Todd Linden joke about how funny it is for a hospital to have keeping people out of the hospital as a major goal, but we do.  Obviously we wellness specialists believe in the importance of healthy lifestyles and it's wonderful to have that kind of support for the work we do. Kudos to GRMC for making that a part of our culture and kudos to you all as well for making your health a priority.

To view our lovely ad go to www.grmc.us