Posted on

Give Yourself a Little Love: American Heart Month

 

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women. With one in four Americans dying from heart disease each year, we can all benefit from improving our heart health. February is American Heart Month, an opportunity to boost heart disease awareness and take action to support our own heart health.

 

Five Valentines for Your Heart

 

Walking for heart health

  1. A nice, romantic stroll for one. Walking is a very accessible way to start improving cardiovascular health. American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of brisk walking five times a week. Put on some tennis shoes and take it to the streets or a local mall. (You don’t have to go it alone. Take your dog, a best friend, your partner or your family.)

 

  1. The apple of your eye. The apple-a-day advice isn’t just a fun saying. Apples Apples are heart healthy
    are rich in fiber, nutrients, and antioxidants. Medical News Today references a study that followed the effects of apples on stroke risk. Apples are also great for lowering cholesterol. Adding an apple a day to your life is a pretty easy habit to adopt.

 

  1. Savor your steak. Many Americans love red meat. It’s nutrient-dense and quite tasty when smartly prepared. However, limiting your red meat intake could reduce your heart disease risk. High saturated fat content in steak can contribute to heart disease. If you love steak and cheeseburgers, enjoy them sparingly. Consider cutting back to one delicious red meat dish per week.

 

  1. Take yourself to bed. Sleep deprivation is cruel to your health. Without regular,
    restful sleep, your body can’t complete many necessary functions for overall health and wellness. The body is built of cooperative systems, and those other malfunctions will eventually impact your heart health. Remove distractions from your bedroom and stick to a sleep schedule. If you may have sleep apnea, start seeking a diagnosis now to save years of distress on your heart.

 

  1. Make self-love a priority. Know your numbers for cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. Aim for total cholesterol of less than 200, with triglycerides less than 150. Fasting blood sugar should be less than 100. The blood pressure goal is 120/80 or lower. Pay attention to possible symptoms that something is amiss. Get regular check-ups. De-stress and unplug. There’s also no harm in building yourself up with pep talks when you’re faced with health and life challenges.

 

Make your heart health a priority this month by giving yourself these little valentines. Turn these tips into habits and your heart will be grateful for years to come.

Posted on

Beat the Slump with Orchard Snack Box

Orchard Snack Box and fruit baskets

 

Office worker in afternoon slump
Beat the afternoon slump with a healthy snack.

Drop by any office a couple hours after lunch and you’re bound to spot at least one person on the verge of becoming an office zombie. Slowed movement, sleepy eyes and the suppressed yawns are dead giveaways. Don’t worry– it’s just the mid-afternoon slump.

 

The mid-afternoon slump is a common phenomenon in workplaces. Human brains are biologically programmed for a break, and this slump is the body’s cue to catch some shut-eye.

There are several simple options for the worker hitting the slump:

Take a nap. Every office doesn’t offer napping pods or an environment where napping is a workable solution. If the slump isn’t addressed in other ways, they may just doze off at their desks or make errors until the slump has passed.

Grab a cup of coffee. Coffee is an easy pick-me-up for some folks, but it can interfere with one’s ability to fall asleep at night. It’s smarter to have coffee before noon and not risk interference with the sleep schedule.

Eat something. Healthy snacking raises the blood sugar, giving staff a much-needed boost to get through the slump. Improve productivity with a nutritious, exciting refreshment to finish the day strong.

Healthy Snacking Options Made Easy

 

At Orchard At The Office, we strive to help you conquer the mid-afternoon crash. Since 2010, we’ve provided fresh fruit for companies of all sizes across Texas, expanding our fruit delivery service across the contiguous 48 states. The burst of energy from a fresh piece of fruit can help people productively push through to quitting time.

Of course, there are times when you hanker for something else. Maybe you want something crunchy, nutty, savory or chewy. That’s where the new Orchard Snack Box comes into play. Our variety of nutritious, pre-packaged snacks gives staff grab-and-go options to beat the slump. Bars, nuts, jerky, fruit chews, fruit crisps, savory and crunchy treats by popular brands can provide the perfect pick-me-up.

Not only does the Orchard Snack Box help reverse the mid-afternoon slump and kick that zombie feeling, but it also saves time that your staff would spend trekking to the corner store. The snacks we offer provide healthy energy without the empty calories and sugar crash that cakes and cookies cause.

Sample contents of Orchard Snack Box
What’s inside an Orchard Snack Box?

Orchard Snack Box comes in four sizes: 60, 75, 150 and 300 pieces. Each delivery contains a different variety of snacks from our thoughtfully curated snack lineup, but you will always receive approximately 33% bars, 37% crispy, crunchy snacks, 8% jerky, 10% fruit, and 12% nuts.

There are vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free and non-GMO options in every box. Boxes ship weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or as a one-time purchase. The thoughtfully-curated mix of snacks changes every week to keep employees’ taste buds engaged. There are no contracts or long-term commitments required.

Fuel your staff with naturally sweet, low-glycemic nut bars, organic, non-GMO whole-grain goodies, or craveable, lean and clean protein sticks. From nutritious breakfast bars to spicy, savory protein-packed crisps, everyone will find a favorite. Become the office hero when you unbox the Orchard Snack Box. Let us help you prevent the office zombie workpacolypse.

Posted on

Harvest Project Food Rescue Helps Feed Hundreds

South Dallas Produce Giveaway Helps Feed Families in Need

Harvest Project Food Rescue was started by Danae Gutierrez in the summer of 2014 as a community project. It focuses on assisting underserved communities in Dallas County.  Harvest Project Food Rescue has redistributed over 2 million pounds of produce and has fed over 15,000 families in the Dallas area. Orchard At The Office has been a steadfast supporter of Harvest Project since 2017, consistently donating hundreds of pounds of fresh fruit each week.

The program provides fresh produce to families in need at no cost. It is able to do this by partnering with produce companies in Dallas that donate fruit and vegetables. However, the process of “food rescue” goes beyond distribution. Participants in the programs receive valuable tips on preparation and storage.

Harvest Project is a fully self-supporting volunteer organization. Volunteers arrive early to sort and display the produce available that day. Dignity and respect for others are cornerstone values of Harvest Project. Because the volunteers are receiving contributions, and getting the first pick of the produce is a perk, everyone’s in the same boat.

Participants and volunteers come from all over the globe. One would expect this when dealing with a community as culturally-varied as DFW. “Food insecurity can affect everyone,”  Gutierrez says, “and it was humbling for me to find that even I had assumptions of what need looked like, and every week I see proof that it’s a challenge that transcends cultures.”

Orchard At The Office, the largest provider of fresh fruit delivery to offices in Texas, is proud to donate hundreds of pounds of nutritious, delicious, cosmetically imperfect fruit to Harvest Project Food Rescue each week. If you are interested in learning where Harvest Project Food Rescue is distributing produce each week, please visit http://www.harvestproject.co/partners

If you would like to make a donation to Harvest Project Food Rescue, visit http://www.harvestproject.co.

 

Posted on

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself from Coronavirus

Washing hands with soap and water in bathroom to protect from coronavirus and viral illnesses like flu
Handwashing is the first, best defense against viral illnesses

Headlines are hopping with news about the coronavirus outbreak in China this month. With world travel so easy in our modern world, it is no surprise that cases of coronavirus are appearing in the United States. Understanding this virus and taking preventative actions are your two best measures to protect yourself from coronavirus.

What is Coronavirus?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report the current outbreak is of 2019 Novel Coronavirus, called 2019-nCoV for short. Symptoms may appear two days to two weeks after exposure to the virus and people are contagious prior to becoming symptomatic.

2019-nCoV has a reported range from zero symptoms to severe illness and death. Common pneumonia-like symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath.

How is Coronavirus Transmitted?

This particular virus does not seem to have animal transmission like many other coronaviruses. Person-to-person transmission likely occurs through respiratory droplets. Coughing, sneezing and exhalation carry a virus in the tiny droplets that are expelled.

While people may not be breathing directly on one another, they may leave these carrier droplets on surfaces that others touch. In short, it spreads like the flu.

Take Action to Protect Yourself and Loved Ones

Your first, best defense against coronavirus and other viruses is to wash your hands. It may sound too simple.

Consider everything your hands touch in a day. Desks, pens, shared computer surfaces, telephones, conference tables, printers, door handles– the list of potentially contaminated surfaces in an office is too numerous to list in full. Instead of wrapping everything in paper or wearing nitrile gloves at work, just wash your hands.

Review the CDC’s recommendations for handwashing. Wet your hands with clean water. Lather long enough to sing “Happy Birthday” twice, scrubbing under the nails and cleaning the backs of your hands as well. Rinse with clean water. Use a clean towel to dry or air dry.

Viruses seek admittance to your body through your mucous membranes. Don’t touch your face unless your hands have been washed. Wash your hands before eating. Don’t put a pen to your lips or nose to help you think. If you regularly need to brush your hair out of your face, wear it up or back to eliminate possible transmission. Hand sanitizer is no substitute for good handwashing.

Be considerate toward others and stay home if you feel sick. If someone in your office seems to be sick, avoid physical contact completely. Keep a distance of at least three feet when you must be in the same room.

If you do rely on mass transit as part of your commute, wear nitrile gloves and avoid touching yourself above the shoulders until your trip is complete and you can discard the gloves. A thick respiratory mask may help you protect yourself from viruses in a cramped subway car, but a surgical mask won’t offer much protection from flying respiratory particles. You might also consider driving for a few weeks.

Practice Daily Wellness Habits

Because there is no vaccine to protect yourself from coronavirus, it is imperative that you bolster your immune system. Sleep deprivation makes people more susceptible to illness, therefore it is imperative to get adequate high-quality sleep. Good nutrition is essential to maintaining optimal immunity to the germs we are exposed to every day. Choose fresh fruit and vegetables and a lean protein at every meal. Regular exercise such as 30 minutes of brisk walking stimulates the immune system.

Since coronavirus is a lot like the flu, practice standard flu safety. And don’t underestimate the power of handwashing.

 

Posted on

Best Healthy Snacks for Work – Benefits & Office Snack Ideas

healthy snacks for office workers - being eaten in office kitchen

What are healthy snacks to eat at work? How can we help employees make better decisions when it comes to snacking in the workplace?

People spend a great deal of time on the job. About a third of their lives! It’s tempting to purchase processed snack packs or give in to candy. Not the healthiest options. And, a little each day really adds up over time.

It happens, right? Your employees work hard. Sometimes, they’re stressed or just drained. They need fuel or a “pick-me-up” to keep them going strong and performing.

But would they give their best if they snacked on the best instead? It’s worth considering. Today, we’ll give you a few office snack ideas that taste delicious and bring nutritional value to the table – or to the desk, in this case.

Benefits of Healthy Snacks for Office Workers

So, what are the benefits of healthy snacks at work? Let’s look at how healthy snacks for the office kitchen positively affect employees on the job.

The article by Harvard Business Review, “What You Eat Affects Your Productivity,” encourages us to have healthy snacks for work. Productivity rises when we do. Managers, listen up! These are your people. Help them make good snacking decisions.

Healthy in Mind & Body

Fresh snacks for the company matter. It’s easier to graze on good foods when they’re readily available. Your employees need access to delicious and nutritious whole foods. This way, they’ll likely avoid mental fog and sluggish behavior. Food is fuel. We often compare our bodies to Ferraris in this analogy. But would you feed your Ferrari the cheap stuff? You can. But don’t expect top performance.

Energy, Mood & Focus Boosts

Candy bars aren’t cutting it. Employees are facing the afternoon slump and sugar crashes. Grazing on nutritionally rich snacks for office workers makes a difference. Energy is high. Mood improves, and your office maintains healthier bonds. The crew feels good, and they work together. They focus on creating solutions.

Confidence All Around

best healthy office snacks If your office has access to healthy snacks, you’re helping them take healthy steps in their lives. They feel better. They can even begin to look better, gaining confidence. This confidence can give root to healthier relationships around the workplace.

Your customers and/or clients may even notice the shift. When workers eat better, they perform better. When they have clear minds and energy, they make smart and even creative decisions.

Free & Appreciated Office Perk

Most of the time, post-lunch is the most difficult time of the day. The workday wears on, and we’re just trying to keep up. Healthy afternoon snacks for the office will be accepted and appreciated. More and more, people are taking charge of their health. They will reach for the banana or apple if it’s provided. Many offices use corporate fruit delivery to keep workers supplied with fresh fruit. Help your office establish better snacking habits. It’s a worthwhile investment.

8 Best Healthy Office Snacks

A quick scan shows you a fruit-forward list. And that’s the healthy direction we’re headed in. These are, without a doubt, some of the best healthy snacks to have at work. We’ll give you a brief description that explains why.

According to Live Science, here is the rundown:

1. Bananas

Great source of fiber and potassium; sweet and curb appetite; excellent for weight loss

2. Apples & Pears

High in fiber and Vitamin C; low in calories with no sodium, fat, or cholesterol; helps with bone health, GI protection, and weight management

When are apples in season? Find out in our recent blog post.

3. Oranges & Clementines

Known for Vitamin C; improves heart health, skin, cholesterol levels, and immune system

4. Avocados

Praised as a superfood; loaded with Omega-3s, protein, potassium, fiber, and vitamins; low in sugar and great for cholesterol and heart health

5. Grapefruit

Good source of antioxidants and fiber; helps with immune system and digestion; boosts weight loss and lowers cholesterol

6. Grapes

Filled with nutrients and antioxidants; great for the heart; good source of fiber, Vitamin K, B, and copper

7. Strawberries/Blueberries

Small punches of antioxidants; studies show that berry intake is linked to lower risk of cognitive decline (in older adults)

8. Mangoes

Known to boost the immune system, as well as eye and blood health; low-calorie snack with high fiber and vitamins A and C

 

All of these are great snacks to have at work. Make your office kitchen, break room, or conference area inviting. A rainbow of healthy snacks can do just that!