Inside this issue:

World AIDS Day—Dec. 1st

Spouse Biometric Lab Appointments

New Insurance Cards—Pharmacy Changes

1

No Increase to Insurance Rates

Holiday Weight Challenge Weigh-out

Happy Holiday Dessert Recipes

2

$75HB Re-shape Your Frame Weigh-ins

Holiday Blahs.. Are You Feeling Blue?

3

Hello Health Advocate—Creativity

Benefits Confirmation Statements

Rejuvenate Yourself with a Nap

Cranberry Apple Chutney Recipe

4

Lose the Covid-19 Weight Loss Program

Gratitude.. Holiday Giving & Receiving

5

Holiday Lentil Loaf Recipe

Blue Zones Workouts

6

CCG Wellness

Well-News

December 2020 Edition

Insured Spouses, Employee

Upgrades & New Hires

Holiday Weight Gain EQUALS

Poor Biometric Lab Results! Schedule Your Qualifying

Blood Draw TODAY

All Qualifying Spouses,

Employee Upgrades & New

Hires TODAY schedule your

Midland Health lab draw.

Use www.chpha.com to

schedule your lab draw. Call

the Health Advocate office at

239-252-5588 if you need

assistance.

LAB DRAW DEADLINE 3/31/2021

World Aids Day is celebrated around the world

Tuesday December 1st. It’s an opportunity for

people worldwide to unite in the fight against

HIV and to show support for people living with

HIV. There are an estimated 38 million

people who have the HIV virus. Despite the

virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35

million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making

it one of the most destructive pandemics in histo-

ry.

Today, scientific advances have been made in

HIV treatment. There are laws to protect people

living with HIV and we understand so much

more about the condition. Despite these

advances, people do not know the facts about

how to protect themselves and others, and the

stigma and discrimination remains a reality for

many people living with the condition.

HIV is transmitted through body fluids that

include blood, semen, vaginal and rectal fluids

and breast milk. It doesn’t spread in the air

New Insurance Cards Look for a new Allegiance insurance card

that will arrive in the mail by the end of

December. The new cards will have the new

pharmacy name, Navitus, and contact

information. You will need to present the

new card to your pharmacy starting

January 1, 2021.

Please contact the Benefits Office at 252-5214

or 252-8417 if you have not received your new

card by Jan. 1, 2021.

CCG Wellness Page 2

Insurance Rates Remain Unchanged!

For 8 years in a row our insurance premium

rates have had no increases. This beats national

standards by a landslide! The Kaiser Foundation

reported the average family premium has

increased 22% over the last five years and 54%

over the last ten years. In 2019 single and

family coverage for workers increased 4% and

5% respectively from 2018. How were we able to

maintain our rates for the past 8 years? It’s due

mainly to all insured employees and their spouse’s

participation in the Invest in Your Health

program. Your healthier lifestyle practices, preventa-

tive disease management, and completing age-related

health screens have enabled us to manage our health

care costs and pass the savings onto you. For 2021,

although preventative screenings are not mandatory

this qualifying year for spouses or new hires due to

Covid-19, we encourage all members to maintain

their physicals and age-related screenings.

Congratulations!

The Holiday Challenge Weigh-out

$75 Result-based Healthy Bucks

Weigh-out the week of January 4-12 at different

locations in order to obtain $75 Healthy Bucks in the

Result-based category.

GOAL:

Maintain a BMI less than 25 OR

If BMI was 25 and greater at initial October

2020 weigh-in you must lose 1 pound.

For those with a more muscular frame meet these

parameters for percent body fat:

Women < 31% body fat Men < 28% body fat

Inbody %Body Fat testing requires an appointment

scheduled through Allison Wroblewski, Wellness

Fitness Program Leader 239-238-6230

Happy Holiday Desserts

Looking for an easy way to eat more fruit this

holiday season? We’ve got one sweet little idea for

you. Eat dessert! Fruit makes a naturally sweet and

healthy choice at the end of a meal. With just a

little enhancement — and not many more calories

— you can turn fruit into a gourmet treat worthy of

a special holiday meal.

Fruit not only tastes great, but it’s also an excellent

source of essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins A

and C and potassium.

Quick & Easy Fruit Desserts

Sliced navel oranges drizzled with chocolate syrup

and topped with toasted sliced almonds.

1. Angel food cake topped with a fruit purée made

from fresh or unsweetened frozen berries or mixed

fruit.

Apple wedges drizzled with caramel sauce.

1. Fruit kebabs served with a dip made from

low-fat vanilla yogurt.

A fruit parfait made with a layer of fresh pineapple

or canned pineapple (in its own juice), a layer of

prepared low-fat vanilla or lemon pudding, a layer

of thawed frozen blueberries and another layer of

pudding.

Cherry-Chocolate-Almond Pudding – Prepare a

4-serving size of chocolate fudge pudding and mix in

½ teaspoon of almond extract and 2 cups of fresh or

frozen pitted cherries.

Rice pudding made with brown rice, liquid eggs,

and low-fat milk. Stir in dried cherries or mashed

ripe bananas.

Pears poached in white grape juice and topped with

chocolate syrup and a dollop of reduced-fat whipped

dessert topping.

CCG Wellness Page 3

Re-shape Your Frame - Body Composition Program Weigh-in Week of Jan 4—12

$75 Result-based Healthy Bucks

Weigh-in for BMI

Weigh-in at any Holiday Weight Challenge Weigh-out clinic scheduled the week of Jan 4—12. Your weight

will be recorded and your BMI will be computed. Weigh-outs will be conducted in August and September

2021 at a Wellness Clinic. You will be credited $75 Result-based Health Bucks for meeting the below goals:

• Maintain a BMI < 25 OR

• if BMI is 25-29.9 then lose 5% of weight recorded OR

• if BMI is > 30, then lose 10% of weight recorded at initial January weigh-in.

Register for this program on http://colliergov.GoSignMeUp.com

Holiday Blahs…

Are You Feeling the Holiday Blues?

During the holidays and winter months, many people often feel lonely, depressed, or blue about life and the

celebrations going on around them. Covid-19 has increased these feeling of isolation too! Many may miss

someone in their life, be alone, or be suffering a hardship of some kind in their life. If

not recognized, these feeling could lead to depression, which the symptoms include:

Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” feelings

Feelings of hopelessness and pessimism

Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable

Fatigue and decreased energy

Difficult concentrating, remembering details and making decisions

Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping

Overeating or appetite loss

Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts.

To help yourself, consider these tips: * Engage in mild activity or exercise. * Get

outdoors and enjoy an activity you once enjoyed. * Participate in religious, social, or other activities. * Set

realistic goals for yourself. *Break up large tasks into small ones, set some priorities, and do what you can as

you can. * Try not to isolate yourself, and let other help you. * Seek assistance through Emotional Wellness.

Call 239-659-7751 for an appointment.

CCG Wellness Page 4

Cranberry Apple Chutney

This chutney is delicious

served warm with Brie and

whole grain crackers, chilled

with your holiday turkey or

swirled into a bowl of hot

oatmeal. NOTE: If you don’t

have spice-flavored tea bags

(such as chai, cinnamon or

cider-flavored) at home,

simply use 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1 teaspoon

ground ginger and ½ teaspoon ground cloves

instead.

Ingredients

• 4 cups fresh cranberries

• 1 large tart apple, peeled, cored and diced

• ½ cup sugar

• ½ cup honey

• 1 cup water

• 3 spice-flavored tea bags

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredi-

ents.

2. Bring mixture to a boil while constantly stir-

ring

3. Reduce heat and simmer 15-20 minutes

while stirring occasionally.

Once apples are tender and mixture thickens, remove

tea bags, transfer to a bowl and serve.

Creativity Boosts Our

Immune System

Creativity comes in many forms. Painting, drawing, crocheting,

journaling, singing, dancing or playing an instrument are just a few examples. Whether viewing art for appreciation or creating your own, it engages the part of our brain connected with pleasure emotions and significantly reduces our anxiety. Singing reduces stress hormones and increases a protein called Cytokine which helps the body fight illness. Creating art in any form decreases negative emotions and promotes positive ones. The medical profession is starting to realize the benefits that art provides to the healing process, pain control and sleep enhance-ment. Results from a study revealed that expressive writing or journaling benefitted patients by reducing depression, decreased doctor visits and improved immune system functioning. There is no limitation to creativity. Construct a collage from family photos, use molding clay to make a beautiful vase or cook a mouth-watering meal inspired by the cooking channel with chef inspired presentation. Grab that bag of seashells you have been collecting and enhance a photo frame or mirror. Art in any form can be designed alone, with a friend or family members in the safety of your own home. Once you find your creative groove, keep it up. Evidence-based research shows being creative on a regular basis has the biggest health benefits which include the delay of intellectual decline and decreasing other health risks. Art offers a release from our ever constant social media and television world. Start creating something unique and beautiful today to achieve a sense of accomplishment and boost your immune system! American Journal of Public Health CreativeLive Debby Tackett, RN, BSN Community Health Partners Advocate Office 239-252-5588

Benefits Confirmation Statements

The newly elected benefits

statements will be mailed

mid December. Please

review the information on the

statement for accuracy and

call the Benefits Office

i m m e d i a t e l y i f t h e

information is not accurate.

252-5214 or 252-8417

Rejuvenate Yourself with a Nap

“Fatigue makes cowards of us all.”

Vince Lombardi

One of life’s great pleasures is a

nap. Whether it’s a short, energiz-

ing catnap or a long, rainy Sunday

afternoon siesta, a little-shut-eye is a very good thing.

A short nap can revitalize your spirits and your

creative energy. Below are some other benefits:

Relaxation

Increased alertness

Quicker reaction time & better memory

Life’s too short to spend it all awake! Enjoy and take

an energizing nap...and have a great day!

Page 5 CCG Wellness

Lose the

Covid-19

Weight Loss

Program

$75

Result-based

Healthy Bucks

Are you one of the many who has gained weight

during 2020 due to overeating and lack of exercise? If

so, register for the Lose the Covid-19 Weight Loss

Program on:

http://colliergov.GoSignMeUp.com.

Weigh in at the Holiday Weight Challenge

Weigh-out Clinics the week of Jan. 4-12. This 12-

week program will issue you $75HB result-based for

meeting these goals at weigh-out:

BMI 25-29.9 Lose 5% of weigh-in weight

BMI 30 + Lose 10% of weigh-in weight

A meal plan will be given at time of weigh-in and a

monthly exercise plan will be provided.

Non-member Wellness Fitness Center participants

will be able to exercise at the Main Campus Fitness

Center for 3-months during program participation at

No Charge (does not included group programs).

Gratitude

Holiday Giving & Receiving

It’s that time of year—the Holiday season of

giving and receiving—when we celebrate with

our loved ones and contemplate what makes life

most meaningful. As the year comes to an end,

may you pause and appreciate the many

blessings and divine opportunities that have been

birthed through the challenges and discomfort of

2020.

As you look back at all the loss, uncertainty and

radical, rapid change that has moved through our

world this year, look for the state of awe, and

deep, profound gratitude. Being grateful for

what you have is important. Being grateful

to what your can GIVE is profound.

While you may not have much to give in terms of

money or resources, you can give your time,

attention, focus and presence.

Here are a few ideas to get into the spirit of

grateful giving:

• Surprise the car behind you at a coffee drive-

up and pay for their order. You drive away

before they know what you did, so it is a pure

act of giving, without getting credit or

acknowledgement from the recipient of your

kindness.

• Let someone into traffic - ahead of you.

• Return someone’s cart in the parking lot.

• Give an extra tip to your server

• Volunteer your time.

• Call a friend and listen to what they have to

say. Give them your full attention and time.

• Clear out your closet. Gift what you don’t

need or use to others in need.

• Share experiences with those you love, rather

than exchanging objects.

• Meditate or chant a mantra on behalf of

someone or something.

• Dedicate your personal gifts (such a painting,

drawing, sewing, gardening) to those in need.

• When walking the beach enjoy the moments

of solitude and greet others with a kind

thought (hello—enjoy your day!).

Be mindful and ask yourself, “do I have it to

give, in this moment?” And if it feels right, take

action with any of the above suggestions.

However, if you feel depleted and stress, you

must fill yourself up first—as you can’t give from

a depleted place. Take a time-out to turn inward,

and as you give to yourself, you will have more to

give to others.

CCG Wellness Page 6

Holiday Lentil Loaf—2 Loaves (8 servings per loaf)

240 Calories; 36gms Carbs; 9gms Protein; 7gms Fat; 220mg Sodium; 7gms Fiber Ingredients:

1 pound lentils 6 cups no sodium vegetable stock 2 medium white onions

1—8.5oz. Jar sundried tomatoes in herbs and olive oil ½ c. whole grain croutons

1½ c. old fashioned rolled oats 2 teaspoons garlic powder 1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon dry thyme 1 teaspoon dry basil

Pinch of salt 3 dashes cayenne pepper ¼ cup egg whites

Directions:

1. Sort lentils by pulling out any refuse and rinse under running water.

2. In a covered pot, over medium heat, bring lentils and vegetable stock to a boil,

then reduce to simmer. Cook for about 40 mins—until lentils mash easily

when pinched between thumb and pointer finger.

3. Meanwhile, finely dice onions and sauté with sundried tomatoes over medium

low heat until onions are caramelized, so don’t turn the heat up too much.

4. When lentils are done, set both lentils and onion mixture aside.

5. In a food processor, pulverize ½ cup of oats and croutons until they look like flour. Add half of the len-

tils and the rest of the seasonings and process until smooth.

6. In a large bowl fold together whole lentils; pureed lentils; the remaining oats and sautéed onions. Add

the egg whites and fold together.

7. Transfer the mixture into 2 greased bread loaf pans, cover with foil and bake at 350° F for 45 mins.

BLUE ZONES

WORKOUTS:

Try these daily Blue Zones

exercises to rejuvenate

your body.

Push-ups:

Wall sits:

Sun salutations

Plank: