Inside This Issue:

Facts About Epilepsy

Midland Health Spouse Qualifying Labs 1

Try Whole Foods Rather than Supplements

Benefits Open Enrollment Starts Nov. 1st

Inside Out Weight Management Program

2

Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Carrots Recipe

Tips for Fresh Breath

Exercise & Chronic Back Pain

3

Holiday Tips to Lower Sodium Ingestion

The DASH diet and Blood Pressure

Holiday Green Bean Casserole Recipe

4

Slow-cooker Deep Dish Pizza Recipe

Hello Health Advocate—Fear & Anxiety

Blue Zones Events for November

5

The Naples Pride Center—Now Open

Italian Bean Soup with Greens Recipe

Handling Holiday Stress & Family Conflicts

6

CCG Wellness

Well-News

NOVEMBER 2020 Edition

Did you know these facts about

Epilepsy?

3.4 million people live with active

epilepsy.

150,000 new cases of epilepsy are

diagnosed every year.

1 in 26 will develop epilepsy.

Every year, November is recognized as

National Epilepsy Awareness month. Epilepsy is the

fourth most common neurological disorder and

affects people of all ages. It is often referred to as

“seizure disorders”. Epilepsy is characterized by

unpredictable seizures and can cause other health

problems. Public misunderstanding of epilepsy can

cause challenges that are often worse than the seizures.

Although the symptoms of a seizure may affect any part

of the body, the electrical events that produce the

symptoms occur in the brain.

Below are some important facts:

1. You can’t swallow your tongue during a seizure.

It’s physically impossible.

2. Your should NEVER force something into the

mouth of someone having a seizure.

3. DON’T restrain someone having a seizure. Most

seizures end in seconds or a few minutes and will

end on their own.

4. The correct seizure first aid is simple: Stay. Safe.

Side. STAY with the person and start timing the

seizure. Keep the person SAFE. Turn the person

onto their SIDE if they are not awake and aware.

Do NOT put anything in their mouth. Do NOT

restrain them Call 911 if:

• the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes

• it’s a repeated seizure

• they have difficulty breathing

• the seizure occurs in water

• the person has an injury

• they are pregnant or sick

• the person does not return to their usual state

• it’s a first time seizure

• or the person asks for medical help

5. Epilepsy is NOT contagious!

6. People with epilepsy can handle jobs.

7. Those with epilepsy are usually not physically

limited in what they can do.

Midland Health Spouse

Insurance Qualifying

Lab Scheduler

NOW OPEN

All insured spouses & employee

upgrades can now schedule their Midland

Health lab appointments on this website:

www.chpha.com Encourage your spouse to obtain their lab

draw prior to the holiday feasting.

Appointments available November and

December at various County locations and at

the new Midland Health Patient Service

Center located at Colonial Square Office Park,

1032 Goodlette-Frank Road North, Naples

(south of the post office).

High fat, high sugar, high sodium

Holiday foods will affect your:

Waist measurement

Blood pressure

“Bad” cholesterol - (LDL)

Triglycerides

Blood “sugar” - (glucose & A1c)

CCG Wellness Page 2

Benefits

Open Enrollment

Make Open Enrollment a

smooth process by preparing

early. Employees wanting to

make changes to their current

benefits can do so by completing

the 2020 online application between Nov. 1 - 15, 2020.

Paper forms will only be accepted when making a change to

dependent coverage (i.e. changing from single to family or

family to single or waiving coverage).

Medical and dental change forms MUST BE

SUBMITTED to Risk Management—Benefits by

the close of business on Friday, November 27th,

2020. Certain limitations apply.

Look for the Benefits Inquiry icon on your desktop

starting November 1st or go to the Benefits

SharePoint website. www.colliergov.net/benefits

Try Whole Foods Rather than Supplements

A dietary pattern rich in foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and whole

grains is associated with better overall health and lower risk of death from all causes.

Since the micronutrients in these foods are one of the reasons for their positive health

effects, many Americans try to improve their odds for a long, healthy life by taking vitamin and mineral

supplements. Unfortunately, data are increasingly showing that nutrient supplements do not have the

same health effects as whole foods.

Not-So Super Supplements: According to the latest analysis of national survey data, at least half of

American adults take some kind of dietary supplement. Nutrient supplements (vitamins and minerals) are

touted as a way to help maintain health and are often seen as an insurance policy against dietary

insufficiencies. Many of these supplements are falling short of their promise. Numerous studies have failed

to find associations between nutrient supplement use and health benefits. One example is supplementation

with the antioxidant vitamin E, long touted as a way to prevent cancer. A 2016 study published in the

Journal of the American Medical Association found that Vitamin E significantly increased the risk of

prostate cancer among healthy men in doses as low as 400 International Units (IU) a day. Another study

found that adequate intake of nutrients from foods was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality,

whereas nutrients from supplements were not associated with mortality benefits and could even be

associated with higher mortality risk when taken in excess. Research suggests that taking nutrient

supplements in the absence of a specific nutrient deficiency does not improve health. It has been proven that

following a healthy dietary pattern, like a Mediterranean-style DASH diet is the best way to get the vitamins

and minerals our bodies need. Try these tips:

Meet nutrient requirements by choosing foods that naturally have high concentrations of nutrients.

Colorful vegetables, fruits, and nuts are all nutrient-rich.

Vary preparation methods. Cooking makes certain nutrients, like vitamin A, more available, but

destroys others, like vitamin C. Bell peppers, for example, contain both of these vitamins, so eat them

cooked sometimes and raw other times.

Talk to your healthcare provider before starting to take any nutrient supplement. Examples include

osteoporosis, long-term use of acid-suppressing medication or antibiotic, inflammatory bowel disease or

other absorption disorders, and veganism.

Keep in mind that, by law, refined grain products are enriched with thiamine, niacin, riboflavin and

folate. Milk is enriched with vitamin D; and vitamin A is added to non-fat milk.

Article provided by Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter

The Wellness Inside Out Weight Loss

Program is now offered to all insured

employees and their spouses. Participants

must have a BMI 30 and above or BMI of 27

with at least one health risk factor. This

program will be similar to the former New

You 2.0 weight loss program with more focus

on the “individual” conquering their weight

issues from the inside out and the outside in.

The program will be more accessible to our

outlier employee worksites. Accommodating

virtual and telephonic visits will lend greater

program access, however, monthly in-person

sessions will still be required. Ben Eustache,

the new Wellness Health Educator, will lead

this program with the other Team members.

Contact Ben.Eustache@colliercountyfl.gov

CCG Wellness Page 3

For Thanksgiving...Simple & Savory

Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Carrots

Serves 6

Ingredients

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into equal size

pieces (about 3 cups)

3 cups baby carrots

1 large onion, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 tsp. Italian Seasoning

Salt & black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425° F.

2. Combine the sweet potatoes, carrots, and

onions in a large bowl. Drizzle with the olive

oil, adding more if necessary to lightly coat,

sprinkle with the Italian seasoning, pinch of

salt and dash of black pepper. Toss to coat.

3. Spread into an even layer on a lightly greased

baking sheet.

4. Roast for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway

through. Vegetables should be soft and

lightly browned when done. Serve hot.

Nutrition per serving:

116 calories, 22g Carbohydrates, 2g Protein, 1g

Saturated Fat, 92mg Sodium, 5g Fiber

Exercise & Chronic Low-back Pain Relief

“People often think of low-back pain as not that

serious,” says Roger Chou, director of the Pacific

Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center at Oregon

Health & Science University. “Maybe it hurts, but it’s

more of a nuisance than anything.”

But low-back pain has an enormous impact, he notes.

“Globally, it’s one of the leading causes of disability.

And in the United States, it’s one of the main reasons

why people go to the doctor.”

What causes back pain?

“That’s not a simple question to answer,” says Chou.

“Some people have acute back pain maybe due to

lifting something too heavy. But often, there’s no

specific cause.”

Fortunately, “most people will be back to normal

pretty quickly,” adds Chou. But for others, the pain

persists.

“Some chronic back pain may be due to arthritis, or

maybe the discs between the vertebrae have started to

wear out,” says Chou.

But it’s not just what you see on an X-ray. “Mental

health, job dissatisfaction, and how people cope with

their pain are all linked to the severity and

persistence of chronic low-back pain,” he notes.

Compounding the problem: pain can cause people to

curtail their movement. “Some people are very afraid

of their pain,” says Chou. “They think it means

something serious, so they avoid physical activity.”

But movement may help.

“We don’t tell people to lie in bed for three to five days

like we used to,” says Chou. “I urge people to try to do

their regular activities, to the

extent possible, even from the

beginning.”

Pain medication is rarely the

answer for chronic low-back

pain. “Drugs are not going to

reduce your pain by much

more—or maybe any more—

than exercise,” says Chou. “And medications,

especially opioids, have side effects.”

No one type of exercise stands out.

“The average benefits are all in the same ballpark,”

says Chou. “That tells me that simply moving is

more important than exactly what you’re doing.”

The bad news: exercise only leads to modest relief for

chronic low-back pain.

“Chronic pain is really hard to treat,” notes Chou. “On

average, we’re talking about an improvement of a

point or so on a 10-point pain scale. Some people may

improve by more, but it’s not a huge benefit for pain.”

The Bottom Line: “If you have chronic low-back

pain, find an exercise that you like,” says Chou. “It’s

an opportunity to make some lifestyle changes that

are not just good for your back but for all areas of your life.” Nutrition Action Article, October 2020 Edition Contact Allison W. at 238-6230 for an exercise plan.

Tips to keep Your Breath Fresh

According to the American Dental Hygienist's

Association, bad breath is most commonly the

result of three things: an unclean mouth—If

you don’t routinely clean your teeth, gums, and

tongue, plaque—a soft, sticky film made up of

harmful bacteria—builds up and causes bad

breath; a medical problem— A stomach

disorder, a sinus infection with

excess post- nasal drip, or the

way your body c h e m i s t r y

interacts with medications can

c a u s e b a d breath; or daily

habits—Smokng or chewing tobacco can affect

your breath and cause halitosis. Dental hygienists

offer these tips for keeping your breath fresh:

Brush your teeth at least 2-3 times a day and

floss daily.

Rinse your mouth out with water after eating

if you can’t brush.

Chew a piece of sugarless gum to stimulate

your saliva flow—nature’s own cleanser

Eat a balanced diet.

CCG Wellness Page 4

Holiday Tips to Lower

Your Sodium Ingestion

• Substitute Chicken Stock–

No-Salt-Added instead of

regular Chicken Broth

• When teaspoons of salt are

needed in recipes; add a

pinch of salt instead.

• Try making your own bread

stuffing rather than a boxed

stuffing which is high in

sodium. Try onion powder

instead of onion salt. Limit

other salty seasonings.

• Make your holiday breakfast

egg strata with less cheese or

use swiss cheese which is

lower in sodium content.

Use fresh ground pork

seasoned with a pinch of salt,

black pepper, cayenne

pepper and brown sugar

instead of pork sausage.

• S u b s t i t u t e p a c k a g e d

mashed potatoes for fresh

mashed potatoes made with

a pinch of salt.

• Remember, Sea salt contains

the same amount of sodium

as iodized salt.

Green Bean Casserole

Serves 8

Ingredients: 1 pound frozen green beans (French cut is best), thawed ½ cup low-fat sour cream

1 10.5 ounce can reduced-fat, low-sodium cream of mushroom soup ½ teaspoon black pepper

1 small onion (cut into thin strips) Cooking spray

¼ cup flour

Directions: 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. In a 13 x9 x2-inch glass baking dish, stir together the green beans, soup, sour cream, and pepper until well blended. Bake

for 20 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, spread out the onion strips on a bakng sheet. Lightly spray the onion strips with cooking spray.

4. Sprinkle the flour over the onion strips, tossing to coat.

5. Lightly spray a medium-large skillet with cooking spray. Cook the onions on medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until

crispy, stirring occasionally.

6. When the casserole is done baking, remove it from the oven. Stir half of the onions into the green bean mixture.

7. Top with the remaining onions. Bake for 5 minutes, or until the onions on top are browned.

Nutrient Analysis:

77 calories, 3gms Protein, 12gms Total Carbohydrates, 0.5gms Saturated Fat, 138mg Sodium, 2gms Dietary Fiber

Page 5 CCG Wellness

OVERCOMING FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY

It is still uncertain how the pandemic will

evolve in the United States and around the world. Doing the best we can by following the public health recommendations still leaves us with a degree of fear and uncertainty. We dislike uncertainty and have a tendency to imagine circumstances as highly unlikely worst case scenarios. This has resulted in people avoiding going to the emergency room for care other than Covid. An April study by the American College of Cardiology has found a dangerous downward trend in hospital admissions for a serious heart attack. Admissions for this serious condition had dropped to 38 percent after March 1, 2020! Delaying needed medical care can be life-threatening. The hospital is still the safest place to be in an emergency. The warning signs of a heart attack are:

Chest discomfort, uncomfortable pressure (an elephant sitting on your chest), squeezing, fullness or pain which can last more than a few minutes or come and go;

Shortness of breath with or without chest pain; Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach; Light headiness, nausea or breaking out in a cold sweat; Symptoms can be different for women. Chest pain in the center of

the chest may be easily ignored, not crushing pain. Women can experience more symptoms of pain in the arms, back, neck and jaw, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting.

Please do not be uncertain or fearful to take the actions necessary if you are in need of emergency medical care. Minutes matter. We have an abundance of life to live and share with our loved ones. Want to talk about it? The Community Health Partners Emotional Wellness Program is available at 659-7751 for scheduling. Premier Health 2020, JACC 2020, AHA 2020

Debby Tackett, RN, BSN CHP Advocate Office

On Busy Holiday Nights Try a Slow-Cooker Deep-Dish Pizza Serves 4 Cooking Time 2 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

½ pound chicken sausage

1 can (11 oz.) Pillsbury refrigerated thin pizza crust

½ cup L.E. Rosselli Pizza sauce—No sugar Added; No salt added

¼ cup chopped onion

¼ cup chopped red or green bell pepper

1½ cups shredded low fat mozzarella cheese (6oz) or try Daiya Shredded mozzarella cheese (plant-based cheese)

Directions: 1. Spray 6-quart oval slow cooker with cooking spray. In 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook chicken sausage over medium-high

heat 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until no longer pink; drain.

2. Unroll pizza dough; fold in half crosswise. Place pizza dough in slow cooker; press in bottom and 1 inch up sides. Spread

pizza sauce evenly over dough to within ½ inch of edges. Top with half each of the cooked sausage, bell pepper, onion

and cheese. Repeat with remaining sausage, bell pepper, onion and cheese.

3. Place folded, clean dish towel under cover of cooker. This will prevent condensation from dripping down onto pizza.

Cover; cook on High heat setting 45 minutes. Carefully remove slow cooker’s ceramic insert, leaving cover on, and ro-

tate insert 180°. Combine to cook on High heat setting 30 to 60 minutes or until crust edges are deep golden brown,

cheese is melted, and thermometer inserted in center reads 165°F.

4. Loosen edges of pizza with metal spatula or small knife; carefully remove from slow cooker to cutting board. Cut &

serve.

Nutrient Analysis: 490 calories, 10gms Saturated Fat, 46gms T. Carbohydrates, 25gms Protein, 900mgs Sodium

Blue Zones Events

Collier County Government

is a Blue Zones Worksite. Find program

registration on https://www.eventbrite.com/e/live-

longer-better-presentation-tickets-126750611491

Live Longer Better Presentation The Blue Zones Project is recruiting

champions to help lead their efforts to

improve the health and well-being of the

community These are virtual events:

Tue. November 10th 5:30-6:30PM

Thurs. November 19th 9:00-10:00AM

Blue Zones Purpose Workshop Explore your strengths and talents that

can be used to lead a truly meaningful

life. A virtual

event.

Thurs. Nov. 19th

5:00-7:00PM

CCG Wellness Page 6

The Naples Pride Center

The grand opening of The Naples Pride Center occurred October 3rd. The Center is

located at 2248 Airport-Pulling Road, South and operational hours are 12-4pm. The

goal of the Center is to provide a safe, supportive space for the LGBTQ community

to gather, unite and create change. A Center where through support and social

groups, LGBTQ people can empower one another, so they live to their full potential,

all while educating our larger community. The Center will be there when people

need to reach out. It will be a place for all to stand proud and a place to inspire hope to all.

Naples Pride Center

2248 Airport-Pulling Road, South

Naples, FL 34112

Phone: 239-304-9407

Info@naplespride.org

Italian Bean Soup

with Greens

Serves 8 What better way to enjoy the cooler

weather than eating a hearty bowl of soup.

Ingredients:

2 T. olive oil

2 medium carrots, sliced (1 cup)

1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)

1 stalk celery, chopped (⅓ cup)

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 cans (15oz each) great northern or cannellini

beans, No Salt Added, drained, rinsed

1 can dices tomatoes, No Salt Added, undrained

2 t. dried basil leaves

½ t. salt

¼ t. black pepper

4 cups vegetable stock—unsalted

4 cups packed fresh spinach leaves

½ cup shreeded parmeasan cheese

Directions: 1. In 5-quart Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high

heat. Add carrots, onion, celery and garlic; cook

about 5 minutes, stirring frequesntly, until onion is

tender.

2. Stir in beans, tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, pepper

and vegetable stock. Cover; simmer 30-45 minutes

or until vegetables are tender.

3. Increase heat to medium; stir in spinach. Cover;

cook 3-5 minutes longer or until spinach is wilted.

Ladle soup into bowls; top each with cheese.

Nutrition Facts: 270 calories, 39gms Total Carbohydrates, 15gms Protein,

2gms Saturated Fat, 300mg Sodium

Handling Holiday Stress & Family Conflicts

The holidays present many wonderful

opportunities to bond with family, but this time

of year can also present significant stress,

particularly during these COVID-times.

Perhaps conducting a virtual holiday experience

may help lessen holiday stress and family

conflicts. The CDC is discouraging family

gatherings for this holiday season, but if you

decide to have a family gathering try these

stress reduction strategies:

1. Take Turns with Relatives

It can be stressful to decide which family

members you want to celebrate with during the

holidays. Taking turns is an easy solution. If

you see one group in November, see the other in

December, or alternate years.

2. Host Celebration at Your House

If traveling is stressful you may want to have

family over to your home for the holidays. Plan

an outdoor event to be safe. Have family bring

a covered dish and plate each guest’s food.

3. Be Prepared for Some Conflict

If you usually have conflict when you get

together with your family, it’s a good idea to be

prepared for it. Approach

the situation with a sense

of realism. Don’t expect

them to change their

habits; just aim to have a

sense of humor about it and

remind yourself what you

love about them.

4. Just Say No to It All

Blame it on COVID! If seeing family causes you

great amounts of stress each year, it’s okay to

say no sometimes.