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Thursday, June 5th, 2014 with
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June is National Employee Wellness Month, and organizations across the country are taking part in fitness challenges, weight management programs, and smoking cessation efforts. And while making big life changes like quitting smoking or starting an exercise plan is undeniably awesome, sometimes taking small steps in a healthier direction can be just as powerful — simply because they’re more likely to stick.
Small changes can make a big difference during your lunch break.
Image source: Flickr user Martin Cathrae
When it comes to being healthy at work, there’s no easier (or more productive) place to start than office lunches. Even if your company isn’t participating in any formal wellness activities this month, consider trying out one of these ideas for two weeks. You’ll feel more energetic, better about your health, and even better about your job! And if you can bring a coworker or two on board, you’ll find it becomes much easier to stick to your goals.
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Sara on
Wednesday, June 4th, 2014 with
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Your mother’s favorite post-breakup metaphor is literally quite true: there plenty of fish in the sea. And they’re healthy. And they taste good… and they’re one of the most underutilized kinds of food for healthy office meals. Seafood is a staple of some of the healthiest and most well-respected diets across the globe, from the Mediterranean diet to Japanese traditions, like the so-called Okinawa diet. Fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, have been shown to be excellent at boosting energy levels and cognitive performance — an obviously relevant benefit for the workplace.
Arctic char is a delicious cross between trout and salmon.
Image source: Flickr user Aitor Garcia
Nutritionists recommend we eat fish at least twice a week… and office meals are a great way to get started. If you’re unfamiliar with the types of fish available, or even just stuck in a spicy-tuna-roll rut when it comes to your seafood intake, we’ve got some inspiration in store! Yesterday, we covered some of the most popular species of fish you’re likely to find on restaurant menus — salmon, ahi tuna, anchovies, tilapia, and mahi mahi. Today, let’s dive a little deeper, so to speak, into the wide world of seafood! Here are some additional varieties that will help you shake up the office lunch routine, whether you’re ordering takeout for one or planning the catering menu for a big meeting:
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Sara on
Tuesday, June 3rd, 2014 with
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We all know the scene: after a long morning at work and with a packed schedule for the afternoon ahead, you know you need a quick yet satisfying lunch to get you through the day. As you flip through the food delivery menus in the break room, you find the perfect solution: seafood.
OK, maybe that last part doesn’t actually happen very often. More often than not, when we’re stressed at work, we crave familiar favorites: pizza, burritos, even chicken fried rice. And even when we want to eat healthy, we default to a (hopefully) hearty salad or a deli sandwich on whole wheat bread. But if you don’t consider fish and other seafood when you want a more wholesome yet satisfying food delivery order, you’re really missing out!
If you’re new to seafood, it’s hard to know where to start!
Image source: Flickr user Meal Makeover Moms
Fish is generally incredibly healthy. It’s a key component of the Mediterranean diet, and most nutrition experts recommend we eat servings of seafood at least twice per week. Yet many of us didn’t grow up eating seafood (fish sticks don’t count), and may feel a little uncomfortable about ordering an item we aren’t familiar with. Meat is easy: pork, beef, chicken, maybe lamb if we’re feeling wild and ordering gyros. But fish? Tilapia, cod, halibut, salmon, mahi mahi, swordfish — there are dozens of varieties, and each one has a unique flavor and texture.
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Sara on
Monday, June 2nd, 2014 with
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Today marks the kickoff of National Employee Wellness Month, with over 200 companies and organizations, from Delta Air Lines to Walgreens to Yale University, pledging their participation and support. Sponsored by Virgin Pulse, STOP Obesity Alliance, WorldatWork, and the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, National Employee Wellness Month aims to provide structure and support for business leaders and owners to create wellness-minded company cultures and healthier, happier employees.
Healthy office meals & wholesome snacks are an integral part of workplace wellness.
Image source: Flickr user Jo Guldi
Even if your workplace hasn’t officially signed up to be part of NEWM, there are plenty of resources and inspiration to be gleaned. And if you think that the only reason to promote employee wellness is to save on your healthcare costs, you may be in for a very pleasant surprise. Here are just a few of the benefits of participating in workplace wellness programs:
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Posted by
Sara on
Friday, May 30th, 2014 with
4 Comments
Followers of food news and health-conscious diners who are looking for healthier office meals have heard it all before: the Mediterranean diet is almost too good to be true. Research has suggested that following a Mediterranean-style diet can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improve memory, and even prevent depression. That’s why Mediterranean-inspired office meals are one of the healthiest cuisines that wellness-focused workplaces can serve.
The secret to olive oil’s heart-healthiness lies, naturally, in eating your vegetables.
Image source: Flickr user netsnake
And by and large, it makes sense. The diet is rich in vegetables, legumes, fruits, and fish, and low in red meat and processed carbohydrates. One question that has plagued researchers may finally have its answer, though. The Mediterranean diet isn’t necessarily low-fat — olive oil and nuts are staples — yet following it seems to prevent heart disease and lower blood pressure. How is that possible?
The answer, as always, is to eat your vegetables. A new study on the Mediterranean diet in mice, published May 19th in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has found that it’s the combination of certain vegetables and olive oil that’s responsible for the Mediterranean diet’s heart-healthiness.
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Sara on
Thursday, May 29th, 2014 with
6 Comments
Is there anything more satisfying than a good slice of pizza? Gooey cheese stretching from slice to pie as you lift it away to your plate, a few scattered slices of pepperoni, and maybe a light sprinkling of red pepper flakes on top… perfection. There’s a reason this comfort food is a food delivery staple at the office, especially when employees are working late nights.
But sometimes we can get burnt out on pizza, and the old favorite becomes totally expected. Inject some creativity into your next pizza order by taking advantage of the latest food trend: artisan pizza.
Arugula on a pizza provides a fresh contrast to rich meats and cheeses.
Image source: Flickr user Charles Haynes
That’s right — pizza is getting a gourmet makeover. From fresher ingredients to artisan cheeses to gourmet toppings, pizza restaurants focusing on handcrafted, high-quality pies are opening to great success across the country. Some create individual pizzas to order along their counters, Chipotle-style, while others are concocting menus of elaborate pizzas with unusual — yet delicious — ingredients.
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Wednesday, May 28th, 2014 with
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It’s no secret that eating healthy office meals can require some creativity… after all, you can only eat so many sad salads for lunch before you start rethinking whether losing that last five pounds is really worth it.
The good news is that there are lots of ways to eat a delicious, healthy, and varied diet at work! From choosing more nutritious takeout to celebrating Meatless Monday with your coworkers, there are a number of strategies you can employ to stay committed to your healthy food habits. One secret weapon you may not have considered yet? Superseeds.
Hemp and pumpkin seeds are easy to slip in healthy dishes, from yogurt to salad, and add a big nutritional punch for their small size.
Image source: Flickr user Jennifer
Nuts may get all the glory, but seeds are just as nutrient-rich and easily incorporated into your daily routine. While most seeds are relatively high in calories and should be eaten in moderation (around a handful per day), they’re also high in fiber… which helps you feel full long after you’ve finished your “light” lunch.
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Sara on
Tuesday, May 27th, 2014 with
6 Comments
Busy admin assistants are often tasked with ordering food delivery for the office…which often means trying to find a one-cuisine-fits-all approach that will satisfy all kinds of coworkers. And while it’s easy to stick with tried-and-true favorites like pizza and Chinese, there’s one cuisine that is wonderfully well-suited for pleasing all kinds of diners: Greek food.
Greek dishes like moussaka are an unexpected yet easily accessible choice for food delivery orders.
Image source: Flickr user Alpha
If your only exposure to Greek food is the yogurt that’s taking over the dairy aisle at your local supermarket, you’re in for a treat. Greek food is a cuisine full of savory grilled meats, tangy cheeses, tons of flavor — and a fantastic choice for your next food delivery order. It’s more exciting than the usual pepperoni pie or chicken fried rice, but offers enough familiar ingredients and flavors to keep less adventuresome diners happy, too. Vegetarians, meat lovers, gluten-free dieters, healthy eaters, diehard Paleo diners… there may be no cuisine better adapted to satisfy a wide range of tastes and preferences, which can be a lifesaver for admin assistants trying to feed a crowd.
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Sara on
Monday, May 26th, 2014 with
Comments Off on Skip the Lemonade, Start with Watermelon: 6 Easy Swaps for a Healthier Company Picnic Comments
Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, but it may as well be the official start of company picnic season. And since swimsuit season is right around the corner as well, we think it’s high time to examine how to have a healthier picnic lunch. It can be all too easy to pile a plate with hot dogs, rich side dishes, and hearty desserts… and think that just because you might play a game of Frisbee after, you’re in the clear!
Start your picnic with a slice of watermelon for a healthy, belly-filling appetizer!
Image source: Flickr user Michael Neel
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Posted by
Sara on
Friday, May 23rd, 2014 with
Comments Off on From Cortisol to Vitamin C: How Food Delivery Orders Can Help Reduce Office Stress Comments
Stress is something we talk about a lot — especially in the context of the workplace — but it’s something few of us really understand. While we may think of stress as a mental condition or frame of mind, it’s actually a very physical experience… and one of the easiest ways to combat stress at work is by selecting the right food delivery orders for our mid-day nourishment.
Hummus and red bell peppers can help reduce stress.
Image source: Flickr user Abdulla Al Muhairi
It works like this: when presented with a stimulating experience (whether it’s positive or negative, from a frustrating driver that cuts us off in traffic to an exciting football game), our nervous system initiates a response. Without going into too much detail, our adrenal glands release hormones like epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol into our bloodstream, each doing their part to ready our bodies for whatever action this stimulating situation might require. In most cases, it’s incredibly helpful: our lungs take in more oxygen, the arteries leading to the skin restrict to slow down bleeding in case we’re injured, and our cells that are storing energy are activated to keep our resources at the ready so we can react quickly. Our bodies are primed for action, like running away from a threat or facing down a foe (or ready to tackle a big presentation at the board meeting).
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