November 2024 Calendar COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAMS
The Center for Health & Wellbeing proudly hosts educational programs that inspire your healthiest self. Advance registration for all programs is required.
To register, please visit the CHWB calendar at YourHealthandWellbeing.org/events, call 407.644.2492 or stop by the CHWB Welcome Desk.
wholeness
Crystal Bowl Sound Meditation for Community + Connection
Mondays, November 4 & 11, 7 – 8 PM
Join Certified Meditation Instructor Camille Sacco for community + connection, and to learn the basics of meditation and to experience a crystal bowl sound bath. Please note: the first class of each month is free, providing an opportunity for all to experience mindfulness and meditation, but subsequent classes include a $5 program fee.
How to Go from Reactivity to Responsiveness
Tuesday, November 5, 11 AM – 12:30 PM
Discover the vital role emotions play in shaping your daily energy levels. Throughout the workshop, led by HeartMath® Resilience Trainer Stephanie Veraghen, you will learn simple, practical techniques (that take just a few minutes each day) that will leave you empowered to build resilience, amplify energy, and cultivate focus, mental clarity, and emotional balance.
Exercise Your Creativity: Calligraphy Gift Tags
Wednesday, November 6, 1 – 3 PM
At this month’s Exercise Your Creativity class, we invite you to try your hand at the art of calligraphy. Led by teaching artists Liz Kitchens and Jana Ricci, you’ll learn the basics of calligraphy (pens will be provided for the session) and using your new skills, you’ll learn how to create beautiful calligraphy gift tags to share this holiday season.
Preserving Your Bones
Thursday, November 7, 11 AM – Noon
As we get older, protecting our bones against fractures is critical for our health and longevity. In this class, led by certified lifestyle physician Laura Varich, MD, you will learn the lifestyle moves that will help you to optimize your bone health, starting today. Participants will sample a bone-healthy dish and leave with the recipe to start incorporating bone-strengthening foods into your diet! Program fee: $10.
The Stress Recovery Effect
Thursday, November 7, 6 – 8 PM
Feeling stressed? Learn to turn stress from your enemy to ally! Grounded in original research conducted at AdventHealth, this transformative program will empower you to do what elite athletes and high-performance CEOs do: reframe stress from a negative to a positive, find their optimal stress zone, and use The Stress Recovery Effect to fuel future success. AdventHealth educator and Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist Lisa Davis will guide you on how to channel your stress into success. Your $30 program fee includes your own copy of “The Stress Recovery Effect,” which will help you learn additional strategies to use in your daily life.
Basics of Nutrition
Tuesday, November 12, Noon – 1 PM
Crosby Wellness Center group exercise instructor Katelynn Swanson discusses how nutrition and fitness work together to benefit your body. Learn to leverage home recipes and workouts to become healthier in your everyday life.
Let’s Talk: A World Mental Health Day Talk
Tuesday, November 12, Noon – 1:30 PM
The World Health Organization has designated each October 10 as World Mental Health Day, an annual effort to raise mental health awareness and change. During this year’s World Mental Health Day, Hurricane Milton was barreling through the state of Florida, adding even more anxiety to our lives. As we all recover and move forward, the Winter Park Health Foundation invites you to a special panel conversation that will give you the opportunity to hear from mental health leaders from our community. The event, which will be moderated by Shainna Ali, Ph.D., a mental health counselor, educator, and advocate, will provide tips on how to cultivate mental wellness, how to know when to seek help, and information on mental health resources available right here in our community. Feel free to bring a lunch from home or pick something up from Nourish Coffee Bar + Kitchen on the way in.
CHILL Chats: Supporting Adolescent Development
Tuesday, November 12, 6 – 7 PM
Healthy development begins at the start of a child’s life, and the role of parents is enormous to help shape and support healthy and happy children. As children move into the adolescent phases, there are even more challenges that arise with fostering healthy relationships and preparing teenagers for adulthood. Led by counselors from the CHILL program, in partnership with Orange County Public Schools, this educational seminar will provide the opportunity for parents to learn from mental health professionals about the different aspects of adolescent growth and development.
Plant Identification -
“Weeds” & Florida Native Plants
Wednesday, November 13, 11 AM – Noon
Curious about what plants have been growing in your garden? Join one of the passionate gardening experts from Fleet Farming for Plant Identification -- “Weeds” & Florida Native Plants. In this program, you will learn about Florida plant identification, including common “weeds” or pioneer species, Florida native plant identification and invasive plants.
In the Kitchen with Katie:
Healthy for the Holidays
Thursday, November 14, 6 – 7:30 PM
The holiday season can be fun but indulgent, and sometimes it’s hard to stay on track with your health goals. Join cookbook author Katie Farmand in the CHWB Nutrition Theatre to learn recipes that will help you make healthy yet still delicious choices this holiday season. Recipes include: Warm Brussels Sprouts and Mushroom Salad; and Mujadara (Arabic lentils and rice). Program fee: $35.
Writing Refresh: Using Improv Games to Rejuvenate Your Writing
Monday, November 18, 1 – 2:30 PM
Feeling stuck? Fighting writer’s block? Ready to give up writing and take up needlepoint? Before you abandon your dream of penning the Great American Novel, join writing coach Chris Hicks and professional improviser Anthony Francis for an afternoon session of fun and productivity. In this dynamic workshop, you’ll be guided through a series of improv games and writing exercises specifically designed to energize you and elevate your writing.
Holiday Ornament Painting
Monday, November 18, 1 – 3 PM
Stumped for what gifts to give friends and family this holiday season? How about something hand-made? Join clay artist Liz Kitchens and try your hand at painting your own holiday ornaments. Program fee of $10.
How to Propagate Edible Plants & Trees
Tuesday, November 19, 3 – 4 PM
Planting a garden is good for your body, mind and soul, and it’s a nurturing and empowering hobby that will serve you and your family well for life. In this class, led by Melissa Goltermann of the nonprofit Momma G Farms, you will learn how to grow a plant from a cutting and from seeds, leaving the class with new knowledge, new skills and your own propagated plant you’ll enjoy watching grow in the weeks to come.
Nurturing Grateful Moments
Tuesday, November 19, 11 AM – 12:30 PM
It can be so difficult this time of year to take a breath, relax and focus on all there is to be grateful about. Join us for an activity that is sure to inspire deep feelings of gratitude during this upcoming holiday season. In this workshop, psychologist and artist Monica Vidal of the Atlantic Center for the Arts will offer a creative experience using paper and colors that will guide you toward recognizing the many acts of love that can go unnoticed in our daily lives. Program fee: $10.
Boosting Immunity
Tuesday, November 19, 1 – 2 PM
Optimal functioning of our immune system is critical for fighting off both bacterial and viral infections. As we head into cold and flu season, let’s arm ourselves with information and easy to apply lifestyle maneuvers to keep ourselves healthy and our immune system strong into the New Year and beyond. Laura Varich, MD, a certified lifestyle medicine physician, will offer her best tips for preserving your health in the months ahead, backed by the latest research.
How to Reduce Holiday Stress
Tuesday, November 19, 6 – 7 PM
The chaos of modern life can overshadow the joy of the holiday season, especially if you’ve lost someone or had a difficult couple of years. Join licensed mental health counselor Jill Hamilton Buss to explore your expectations for what “Happy Holidays” means to you and recognize maybe it’s time to find less stressful, more meaningful ways to celebrate the long holiday season.
Flavors with Allison:
Healthy Holiday Sides
Wednesday, November 20, 11 AM – 12:30 PM
Transform your holiday meals by learning how to create healthy, delicious side dishes that will impress your guests and nourish your body. Led by Allison Harrell, Registered Dietitian and Culinary Medicine Specialist, this class will guide you through crafting festive, nutrient-packed sides that celebrate the flavors of the season while supporting your health goals. Join Allison in the CHWB Nutrition Theatre, where she’ll prepare (and you’ll sample) dishes including: an Arugula Wreath Salad and Pomegranate Guacamole. Program fee: $35.
Sound Bowl Healing
Thursday, November 21, 1 – 2 PM
Join experienced sound healing practitioner Nicole Elliott, a Yoga Alliance certified meditation guide and Crosby Wellness Center yoga instructor, for a relaxing guided meditation and sound healing experience. Research shows that sound healing therapy can minimize and relieve pain, stimulate the immune system, reduce stress and improve mental and emotional clarity.
Holiday Raw Cooking
Friday, November 22, 11 AM – 12:30 PM
Join plant-based, certified ACE health coach Julie Ward in the Nutrition Theatre and learn how to harness the power of raw foods this holiday season. You will learn about the benefits to the body of eating raw foods from time to time. Julie, who holds a certificate in Plant–Based Nutrition from eCornell, will discuss the preparation of raw, plant-based foods and how to enjoy many more fresh foods. Program fee: $35
Caregiving Art Class
Friday, November 22, 11 AM – 12:30 PM
November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to honor, celebrate and recognize the many crucial contributions of family caregivers in the U.S. To provide inspiration and nurture the spark of creativity in both caregivers and their care partners, the Winter Park Health Foundation is excited to bring creative health practitioner Kaileigh Anne Tayek to CHWB for a workshop exploring evidence-based arts in health practices designed to foster connection among care partners. This class is ideal for caregivers and their care partners but also open to anyone eager to discover how incorporating the arts can enrich any caregiving experience, improve health and wellbeing, and strengthen relationships.
Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Meaning
Monday, November 25, 1 – 2:30 PM
Our society promotes the idea that the purpose of life is the pursuit of happiness in the form of pleasure-seeking/getting what we want. Meaning, on the other hand, is bigger; it lies in connecting and contributing to something beyond the self. In fact, recent research defines how finding meaning in life affects our wellbeing, even down to the cellular level. This workshop, led by licensed mental health counselor and registered nurse Alison Issen, will review this research and offer tools to create habits that enhance our sense of meaning in daily life.
fitness
Outdoor Yoga Series
Thursday November 14, 11 AM – Noon
Welcome Fall with Yoga in the Park. Breathe in the fresh air and connect with nature as we celebrate the change of the seasons with an outdoor yoga class in beautiful Ward Park, located just behind the Center for Health & Wellbeing. Under the careful guidance of Crosby Wellness Center yoga instructors Katie DeAscanis and Miranda Harris, during class, you will explore various yoga postures (asana) and purposeful breathing (pranayama). All skill levels welcome.
Laughter Yoga
Thursday, November 21, 3 – 4 PM
In this season of gratitude, join certified Laughter Yoga teacher Dana Kaplan in a program focused on helping your body create feel-good hormones using a gentle form of exercise combining breathing techniques from yoga with laughter exercises. No yoga mat is needed and this program is open to attendees of all ages.
medicine
Baby Bunch
Mondays, 10:30 AM – Noon
Baby Bunch provides a space for moms to connect with other moms postpartum so they can discuss highs and lows of their breastfeeding journey and share any challenges that they are experiencing. This group is for moms with babies aged from newborn to 12 months old.
Movement as Medicine
Tuesday, November 5 & 19, 2 – 3 PM
This class incorporates dance and creative movement to address balance, flexibility, and spatial awareness for people living with Parkinson’s disease. The AdventHealth class is offered twice a month in person. Please join us! Email to register: ORL.Parkinson@adventhealth.com
Dementia Caregiver Connection
Thursday, November 7, 2 – 3:30 PM
It’s no secret that those taking care of loved ones with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease experience an overwhelming amount of stress. It can feel like there is no relief or remedy for handling the demands of caregiving, but there is hope. At this month’s Dementia Caregiver Connection, you will learn how music can make the holidays more peaceful for you and your loved one. Please RSVP by calling 407-236-9997 or emailing shannon.manning@visitingangels.com.
Infant/Child CPR
Thursday, November 7, 6 – 8 PM
You’ve covered all the basics about caring for baby. Now, learn how to save your baby’s life should s/he suddenly stop breathing, experience cardiac arrest, or begin choking. This class, led by a certified instructor, will teach you how to handle these emergencies. Register at AdventHealthforWomen. com. Program Fee: $45.
Food as Medicine: Cooking for Healthy Weight Management
Wednesday, November 13, 11 AM – 12:30 PM
Join us in-person or watch along live online for a special Food as Medicine cooking program, focused on Nutritional Strategies for Weight Management, Weight Loss and Controlling Diabetes, featuring culinary medicine specialist Allison Harrell and AdventHealth’s Keri Whitaker, a research nurse at the Translational Research Institute. Program fee of $35 to attend in person; webinar free.
Bloodmobile
Tuesday, November 19, 8 AM – 4 PM
Make a difference and donate blood! The AdventHealth Bloodmobile will be parked outside CHWB. All donations help local AdventHealth patients.
No appointment necessary.
PT Screenings
Thursday, November 21, 10 AM – Noon
Most people in the U.S. will suffer from some sort of muscle or joint pain in their lifetime. With these screenings, an AdventHealth Sports Med and Rehab licensed physical therapist will be able to do a quick assessment of any areas causing aches or pains and help you understand what is causing the pain. The PT will also show you some stretches or exercises to help relieve the pain. These screenings can help address problems before they become more severe and help prevent them from requiring more extensive treatment. Stop by the Healthy Living Experience to learn more. No advance registration required.
Stroke Support Group
Thursday, November 21, 3:30 – 4:30 PM
The stroke support group meets once a month to provide support, socialization, and education to all stroke survivors, families, and caregivers with guidance from the AdventHealth Winter Park Inpatient Rehab team. RSVP by emailing: inpatientrehabcflsupportgroups@adventhealth.com.
Walk with a Doc
Thursday, November 21, 5:30 – 6:15 PM
Bring your friends or come solo and enjoy a 45-minute walk with a doc through beautiful Winter Park. AdventHealth Physicians and healthcare professionals are on hand to offer support and answer questions you have about your health. It’s a great way to exercise, get connected to reliable health information, and meet new friends. Program is hosted rain or shine, no RSVP needed. Walk-ups welcome! Call 407-619-0410 for more information.
ART HAPPENS: Teen Art Show
November 4 – December 2
The Winter Park Health Foundation is pleased to once again host the annual Art Happens Teen Art Show, showcasing the incredible talents of artists in grades 8-12. Organized by the Winter Park Library, this juried art show will be on display at the Center for Health & Wellbeing from November 4 – December 2. Stop by and admire the talents of our local teens!
Wellbeing IN THE Community
You can now enjoy some of your favorite CHWB programs throughout Central Florida! To underscore its ongoing commitment to the communities of Eatonville, Maitland, and Winter Park, the Winter Park Health Foundation has launched its Wellbeing in the Community initiative. These satellite opportunities are presented with WPHF community partners and are open to the public.
Register for these programs directly with the location organizations:
Basics of Strength Training
November 7, 5 – 6 PM
Maitland Public Library
Baby & Me Yoga
November 18, 10:30 – 11:30 AM
Maitland Public Library
Crystal Bowl Sound Meditation
November 19, 7 – 8 PM
Winter Park Library
November 6, 3 -7 PM
2005 Mizell Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32792
Visit the Center for Health & Wellbeing and browse more than 30 vendors selling the perfect holiday gifts. Shop trees, honey, candles, aromatherapy, self-care items, gift baskets and other items that make for the perfect healthy host gifts and stocking stuffers.
live music from 4 - 6 PM
The first 80 attendees will receive a complimentary candle from Co-Op vendor, Sunny K Candles!
*whilesupplieslast,oneperperson
The Many Benefits of Walking
by Katelynn Swanson
Getting started on an exercise routine can be both difficult and intimidating. You may have asked yourself, “Where do I even begin?” As a personal trainer, I often get asked this question, too. My answer is almost always the same -- begin with a walk! Walking has incredible benefits for our bodies, including regulating blood pressure, increasing cardiovascular fitness, and building up our immune system.
According to the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), “the more you walk, the better.” In a study conducted by the ESC, research showed that walking significantly reduced participants’ risk of cardiovascular related diseases. Walking also shows excellent benefits for our mental health, including improved mood and increasing concentration and focus.
The next question I usually get asked is, “How long and how often should I be exercising?” And once again, my answer is almost always the same -- any time you can devote to your exercise routine counts! So, if you find yourself with just 10 or so minutes to get out for a quick walk around the block, that counts!
Be sure to wear sneakers that are supportive and comfortable and talk to your doctor if you think you would benefit from orthotics for extra comfort. It’s also important to wear breathable clothing, pack a water bottle and wear sunscreen if walking outside. Keep in mind that a general recommendation for hydration is to drink at least ½ of your body weight in ounces of water per day. When exercising, it’s smart to increase these ounces since you’ll likely be working up a sweat. Pairing your walk with a great playlist or podcast makes time fly by. You may want to consider having a walking partner, too. Having someone for accountability is helpful and great conversation is a bonus!
Here in Central Florida, we have so many beautiful walking trails and outdoor parks. Ward Park, just behind the Center
for Health & Wellbeing, is an excellent place to walk; you may even see some of our local wildlife too. Be sure to check out the labyrinth in the park, too. It’s a great place for a meditative walk and it encourages relaxation and stress relief. You can also walk around CHWB’s outdoor track; 4 laps = 1 mile. According to the National Park Service, walking in nature reduces inflammation and boosts your immune system, which decreases the risk of certain diseases and cancers. For those of us who prefer to walk indoors in the air-conditioning, CHWB offers a walking track on the second level; 12 laps = 1 mile. Both CHWB walking tracks are free and open to the public, no membership required!
It’s important to remember that our bodies are greatly benefited by movement. Walking, swimming, dancing, stretching, and lifting are all excellent examples of ways we can move. When my clients and attendees in the CHWB programs I teach ask me what the best type of exercise is, my answer is almost always the same -- the type that you enjoy the most! Our bodies are so deserving of care and one way to care for ourselves is to exercise routinely. Put on those walking shoes and get those steps in!
Walking for Wellbeing
• Individuals should aim for 8,000-10,000 steps per day.
• Pairing your walking with a playlist or podcast often makes time fly by.
• Walking has proven benefits for our physical and mental health.
• Take advantage of the free indoor and outdoor walking tracks at CHWB – no membership required to use either!
Crosby Wellness Center’s Katelynn Swanson, aka KK, has been working in the fitness industry for over 12 years. After attending the University of Florida and earning both her bachelor’s and Master’s in exercise science, KK worked with clients and companies all over New York City. She currently owns a personal training and nutrition business, helping clients all over the US become healthier. KK specializes in strength training, weight loss and nutrition education and is a regular community education presenter at the Center for Health & Wellbeing.
The end of the year is approaching fast, and your to-do list is likely growing longer by the day. Don't limit your list to holiday preparations, though. Your body deserves some well-deserved attention, too.
If you've met your health care deductible, every day between today and December 31 is your chance for some last-minute, significantly less-expensive self-care. Think screenings, scans, elective surgeries and more that you've been putting off.
Now is the perfect time to take preventive health care into your hands. You can make appointments for those bigger procedures, too. There are four specific types of procedures you can check off your list before the New Year depending on your health care needs.
What Is a Health Care Deductible?
Your health care deductible is the amount of money you pay out of pocket for medical expenses before your insurance kicks in and your insurance provider pays for your procedures.
For example, if you have a $2,000 health care deductible, you’re responsible for paying for all your health and medical expenses until you reach that $2,000 mark. When you hit the mark, whatever it is, you’ve met your deductible. Your health insurance provider can now begin paying for a large portion of your health care costs.
By taking advantage of your after-deductible health insurance coverage, you can gain the most financial benefit while heading into the new year feeling on top of your whole health.
How Do I Know If I’ve Met My Deductible?
Your health insurance company website will likely allow you to log in and view your deductible status. Check the back of your insurance card for a customer service number and call to confirm your deductible status. If you are enrolled in Medicare, visit mymedicare.gov and click on my deductible status from the claims menu.
4 Important Appointment Types to Schedule Before the End of the Year
By this point in the year, you’ve likely met your health insurance deductible and out-of-pocket maximum (the highest amount you’ll have to pay). Before December 31, consider scheduling these four types of procedures — your body, and your wallet, might thank you.
ELECTIVE SURGERIES
Once you’ve met your health care deductible for the year, your health insurance provider helps pay for procedures. Many treatments, like elective surgeries, become much more affordable for you and any family members and dependents on your insurance plan.
If you’ve been putting off one of these surgical procedures for you or an eligible loved one, now is the perfect time to schedule it.
- Anti-reflux surgery
- Back surgery
- Cleft lip repair
- Cosmetic surgery
- Ear tube surgery
- Eye surgery for cataracts and strabismus
- Gallbladder surgery
- Hernia repair
- Joint replacement surgery, like for hips or knees
- Ophthalmology or eye surgery
- Thyroid surgery
- Tonsillectomy
- Sports injury surgery
- Ulcer surgery
OTHER ELECTIVE PROCEDURES AND APPOINTMENTS
With your deductible met, you can take advantage of health care appointments and elective procedures that may not have been high priority or top-of-mind for you earlier in the year. Because you deserve to feel healthy and well, consider scheduling:
- Acupuncture treatment
- Corticosteroid injections
- Diagnostic imaging
- Massage therapy
- Orthobiologic injections, like platelet-rich plasma (PRP), that promote healing
- Physical therapy
WOMEN’S CARE PROCEDURES
Now’s the perfect time to schedule your annual mammogram and make an appointment for a pap smear, too, if you haven’t had one recently. If you’ve met your deductible, take advantage of other women’s health procedures that may be significantly less expensive, like:
- Hysterectomy
- Urogynecologic procedures, including for pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence
Get Care You Can Count on, All Year Long
At AdventHealth, we’re here to help heal what hurts so you can feel whole — 365 days a year, 24/7. We have the comprehensive programs, convenient services and compassionate health care experts to handle these procedures for you and more.
To check off one or more of these procedures from your to-do list, visit AdventHealth.com to request an appointment today. You deserve to feel whole.
Sweet Potato Harissa Hummus
Recipe by: Allison Harrell, RDN, CCMS Allison.Dietitian@gmail.com
Makes 10 Servings
INGREDIENTS:
3 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon (or more to taste)
3 tablespoons cold water
3 tablespoons tahini
3 cloves garlic peeled
1 tablespoon spicy harissa
1 teaspoon cumin
1 ¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup cooked sweet potato or about the pulp of
1 medium sized sweet potato
1 14-ounce can garbanzo beans; rinsed and drained
INSTRUCTIONS:
Step 1: Poke holes in a sweet potato and cook sweet potato in the microwave for approximate 4 minutes until soft. Let cool to room temperature before using.
Step 2: Add all ingredients in the order listed to a blender or food processor and process on medium to high speed for 30 seconds- 2 minutes, or until the hummus is creamy. Scrape down the sides halfway through blending if needing to as well.
Step 3: If hummus is too thick for your liking, blend in an extra 1-3 tablespoons water until your desired consistency.
Step 4: Taste and decide if you would like to add more lemon juice. If so, add more, then pulse to blend.
This recipe comes from one of our cooking classes in the Center for Health & Wellbeing Nutrition Theatre. The Winter Park Health Foundation offers regular small-group cooking classes perfect for all levels of at-home chefs. We work with a roster of professional chefs to help uncover new skills, discover different flavors and expand your repertoire of healthy cuisine, all in a fun and social environment. Sign up for a future class today! Check Out One Of Our In-person Cooking Classes!