Not only is May Sustainability Month, it is also Bike Safety Month! Follow BAL-4 & B-T as they learn about reusable bike tires.
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Healthy Pack-It-Yourself Lunches For The Office
May 10, 2012 By
For many Americans, lunch is the least healthy meal of the day because of shrinking lunch breaks and fast food options on every corner. Packing your own lunch to bring with you to work is much healthier, but it can be time-consuming and at times inconvenient. Below are a few ideas for high-quality, convenient lunches to pack at home at Fort Carson Family Housing.
Salads are an excellent way to keep lunch extra healthy. Top them with leans grilled or baked chicken and make sure to add some extras like nuts, dried fruit, or veggies for added texture and flavor. Opt for a light oil & vinegar style dressing rather than creamy options to keep the fat and calories to a minimum.
Pasta is a filling yet inexpensive meal to pack for lunch, but there are a few tricks to make it even healthier. Mix in a can of beans for protein and fiber, add in lots of vegetables, and top it with a lean protein like salmon or chicken to keep you satisfied until dinner time.
Wraps made with low-calorie tortillas and roasted veggies are a great alternative to bulky sandwiches filled with cheese and mayonnaise. Use a healthy spread, like hummus, to give it a little flavor and texture.
Egg salad is a great way to get protein and good fats into your diet. Instead of serving it on a bready sandwich, accompany it with crisp arugula or watercress, and add in a variety of fresh, sliced vegetables.
Tuna is packed with healthy protein and essential fatty acids that truly satisfy! Instead of mixing it with mayo, try using a low-calorie dressing, hummus, or pesto to keep it extra healthy. Then enjoy it as wrap or on a salad.
BAL-4 & B-T Learn to Pack a Waste-Free Lunch
May 7, 2012 By
Thoughtful Homemade Gift Ideas
May 3, 2012 By
If you're looking for a thoughtful, homemade way to show someone how much you care, why not try out one of these fun craft ideas! The recipient will be truly touched that you took the time to hand-make their gift.
Scrapbooking
Scrapbooks are a simple, thoughtful gift that are just perfect for any occasion – birthday, anniversary, graduation, Mother's day, you name it! Buy a kit from a craft store, or shop for the individual materials yourself. A versatile and fun way to make something meaningful, scrapbooks are the perfect homemade gift for a friend or loved one.
Magnets
Magnets are inexpensive and fun gifts that don't take up a whole lot of space. By simply applying photos or artwork to a magnet, you get a personalized gift or party favor that's both fun and incredibly useful.
Calendars
A customized calendar is a gift that will be useful all year round. Many templates are available for free online, and after you put your own personal touches on them, printing is cheap and simple, making this a great option in the homemade gift department.
Cookies in a Jar
Layer the ingredients of your favorite cookie recipe in a cute jar, then attach the recipe in a card around its lid. Fast and delicious, this gift is a creative take on the food gift and gives the recipient a fun activity in addition to a full stomach.
Mix CD
Everyone loves music, and making a personal mix is always a good way to go for a DIY gift. Select a compilation of new songs that you think they'll like, or choose some old songs that can bring back the nostalgia of your past together.
May is Sustainability Month: Follow BAL-4 & B-T as They Learn to Make a Difference
May 1, 2012 By
Balfour Beatty has declared May as Sustainability Month. Throughout the month, employees across all our offices will be learning about ways they can implement sustainable behaviors and practices in the office, at home and throughout the greater community. Sustainability is a collective responsibility. We encourage you to follow BAL-4 and B-T each month to learn about ways you too can make a difference.
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Dealing With Spring Allergies
April 26, 2012 By
Nothing can ruin a perfect spring day like those first signs of allergies. If you're like millions of other Americans, you may know them well – itchy eyes, a sneeze or two and you know soon enough you’ll be miserable. Try these tips to nip allergies in the bud.
Keep it clean – You can’t control pollen outside, but you can at least keep your house as free of pollen as possible. To prevent allergens from invading your home, wash bedding weekly in hot water, clean and vacuum regularly, and step up your air filter changes in air conditioners and your furnace during allergy season.
Talk to your doctor – There are medications with mild to nonexistent side effects that help tame seasonal allergies before they start. If your allergies are affecting your quality of life, make an appointment with your doctor to see if there is a prescription that is right for you.
Change clothes and shower after spending time outdoors – Pollen can accumulate on clothing and in hair, so limit your exposure by getting rid of it as soon as you come inside. You should also bathe pets who spend time outside more frequently.
Reduce clutter – Less clutter means fewer places for dust, mold and allergies to hide. Try to limit hiding places like carpets throw rugs, and regularly vacuum and wash any rugs you do have.
Wear a mask and gloves when cleaning – While a clean house will make you feel much better, the process of cleaning can throw allergens into the air and aggravate your symptoms. Protect yourself while you clean with a face mask and gloves.
Schedule around high pollen times – Pollen counts are highest outside in the late morning and early afternoon. Try to plan your day to avoid being outside at these times.
Have You Tried These Five Healthy Foods?
April 12, 2012 By
Eating well doesn't have to be a chore! There's so many flavors and foods in the world and you should make a point to try to experience as many of them as you can. Sure, these five are common, but they're often overlooked. Each makes a wonderful addition to a healthy diet!
Broccoli
Aside from being exceptionally high in vitamins K and C, broccoli has been proven to help in the prevention of a number of cancers. It's also a great detoxifier, and can lower cholesterol.
Salmon
This delicious fish is full of omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for heart health. Salmon is also high in niacin, which studies have shown can help against memory loss and Alzheimer's. Wild salmon is a healther choice than farm-raised, so it's important to know the provenance of your fish.
Pumpkin Seeds
The seeds are easily the most nutritious part of the pumpkin, loaded with magnesium. They are also beneficial to prostate and bone health, and can also lower your cholesterol. Whether snacking on roasted pumpkins seeds or adding a few to a salad, they make a great addition to your diet.
Garlic
There's a reason why garlic has been a medicinal ingredient for thousands of years. It has proven antimicrobial effects, and helps lower the risk of heart disease. It also contains a high number of antioxidants, and can strengthen your immune system when included in your diet.
Avocados
This rich and delicious veggie is great for helping cholesterol and also works to regulate blood sugar. Make sure to peel it carefully, as a greater concentration of nutrients is in the dark flesh just beneath the skin.
Not Alone Program for Military Families Affected by War
April 9, 2012 By
We would like to take the time to familiarize our residents with a helpful program that supports military families whose lives are affected by war. Not Alone, a non-profit organization, aims to “empower warriors and their families in their life after war.”
Not Alone provides many different avenues for receiving anonymous and confidential support at no cost, including:
- eGroups
- Training
- Workshops
- Personal Clinical Care for anything including post-traumatic stress disorder, clinical depression, and medical management
- Forums/Discussion Boards
- Social Networks
- Retreats for warriors and for spouses
- eClinic
Not Alone hosts weekly online groups for spouses on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Caregiver/Spouse Support Groups are held on Wednesday nights. The first Wednesday of every month is an open topic, with the rest of the Wednesdays dedicated to our series, 7 Lives of Military wives. Thursdays are Trench Talk, an open forum discussion revolving around deployment cycle issues.
To enter the group, go to http://notalone.webex.com
Under the "Today" tab, join the session up to 30 minutes before start time.
Wednesday password: "spouses"
Thursday password: "trenchtalk"
Are you unsure whether or not you should seek support? To determine your stress and anxiety levels, take Not Alone’s free Stress Assessment Test.
If you’re looking for immediate assistance, please contact the Not Alone eClinic, a 24/7 hotline at 1-866-781-8010.
For further information about Not Alone, visit their website at: http://notalone.com. You can also follow Not Alone on Facebook and Twitter.
Famous Speeches in American History
April 5, 2012 By
Public speaking is one of the oldest arts, practiced by everyone from shamans to statesmen and other leaders throughout history. It's not surprising that some of our country's most cherished and effective leaders have also been master orators, capable of moving and inspiring their audiences with the power of words. Here are five of the most famous speeches in American history:
The Gettysburg Address
Abraham Lincoln's powerful address is perhaps the most quoted speech in American history. It highlights Lincoln's incredible eloquence, but also his profound use of brevity. In just over two minutes, he spoke of human equality at the roots of the American experience, and the Union's struggle in the Civil War as one to preserve and renew freedom.
Lou Gehrig Farewell
Incredible Yankee's first baseman Lou Gehrig had his career cut short when at 36 he was diagnosed with the disease now bearing his name. Celebrating all that he was grateful for, Gehrig used his farewell address to proclaim himself as "the luckiest man on the face of the earth."
"I Have a Dream"
Martin Luthur King Jr's words have inspired countless millions as he called for an end to racial inequality and discrimination. This charismatic message of love voiced the hopes of civil rights, and in giving it King shared his dream with a nation.
Kennedy's Inaugural Address
When John F. Kennedy took the oath of office on January 20, 1961, he was helping to inspire America into a new era. In this stirring speech, Kennedy famously implored his fellow Americans to "ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country."
"Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death"
Before America was America, Patrick Henry spoke forcefully to the Virginia House of Burgesses. The Revolutionary War had begun, and Henry wanted to organize a militia in Virginia in an effort to join the war. His famous words still ring out as some of the most impassioned words spoken on behalf of America.
