SPRING INTO A HEALTHY SUMMER
Lacking culinary inspiration? Telling yourself that you will start going to the gym “next week?” Bingewatching TV rather than tackling a crossword puzzle?
We can often be our own biggest hurdle when it comes to making healthy decisions. But sometimes all it takes is a gentle nudge from a friend or a fun new idea to spark your motivation. Below, find three simple ideas to help you live your best life and boost your mental and physical health.
STAYING
Squats are one of the most important exercises we can do. And most of us do squats multiple times a day - think sitting down to dinner or standing up to get a drink of water. Squats help ensure both your leg and stabilizing muscles stay strong and your range of motion stays wide, so those mindless daily activities, stay that way.
1. Stand apart.
2. Squeeze your glutes and lower yourself down and back toward the ground. Try to drive your knees out slightly as you squat down.
3.
your
to
feet
shoulder
standing
and
width
repeat.
To take a more active role in your health, some health plans, including UnitedHealthcare, offer gym memberships at no additional cost. To learn more, visit UHCMedicarePlans.com. Consult your doctor prior to beginning an exercise program or making changes to your lifestyle or health care routine.
STAYING MINDFUL: Word Scramble
Keeping your mind active and engaged is one of the best ways to help fend off memory loss. Brain games, like word scrambles, are fun ways to help keep your memory sharp.
Try
ACTIVE:
tall
Straighten
and
place
back
unscrambling
IUHNSSNE CAOVATNI WFOSELR GNLSAUSSES CCNIIP HFGINSI
Squats
up
the
words
below.
Hint:
Summer.
STAYING HEALTHY: Sheet-pan roasted salmon with vegetable hash Salmon is one of the best foods we can eat to keep our brain healthy. delicious recipe; best of all, there is only one pan to wash! Enjoy this Ingredients:
• 2 cups butternut cubed (1/2 inch)
1/2 cup red onion, roughly chopped 2 tablespoons, plus teaspoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided 1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 ounces Brussels sprouts, trimmed and roughly chopped 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon brown sugar 2 (6-ounce) salmon fillets • •
•
•
•
•
•
• squash, 2
Directions:
1. Heat oven to 450 F. Spray a large rimmed baking pan with cooking spray. 2. Arrange the butternut squash and onion in pan. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon 1/4 teaspoon salt and the pepper; toss to coat. Bake for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the Brussels sprouts, 1 tablespoon and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Remove vegetables from the oven and add Brussels sprouts to
Stir to combine. Return to the oven and bake for 10 minutes.
In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard and brown sugar until
Brush mustard mixture over both pieces of salmon.
Remove baking pan from oven. Move the vegetables over to one side of the pan and place the salmon (skin side down) on the other side. Bake for another 12 to 14 minutes, or until salmon is cooked to desired doneness and vegetables are browned. Servings: 2 (BPT) 3.
4. 5. 6.
7. the pan. smooth. oil, oil