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HEALTHY HAPPENINGS November 2014

Moonflower New Manager

Moonflower Community Cooperative has hired a new General Manager. Scott Brelsford recently took his post early this month. Moonflower is proud to introduce, in his own words, Scott Brelsford.
Greetings,

My name is Scott Brelsford, I am the new General Manager of Moonflower Community Co-op. I would like to thank Moonflower for this exciting opportunity to join the Moab community. I look forward to getting to know the area and people that make Moab special.

I come from the Flint Hills of Kansas, I attended school at Kansas State University in Manhattan KS where I studied finance as an undergrad and completed a MBA as a grad student. Immediately following school I took the General Manager Job at my local Cooperative, Peoples Grocery. During my time as manager we were able to raise funds for a new building, build out, move and get the new store up and running. Along the way our focus was increasing education, doubling our spending on local producers, raising wages, and creating Manhattan’s first Community Supported Agriculture program. We were able to accomplish all of these goals and more while servicing our debt and returning to profitability in just a few yrs.

I chose to move to Moab for two reasons. The first was for the Moonflower. It is strong in terms of sales growth above average compared to cooperatives of equal size. It is also at a crossroad. Tough, big picture questions need to be answered. That is what being a GM is all about. I also chose Moab for obvious reasons, this part of the country is arguably the most beautiful and the people and culture here reflect values I hold personally.

My Goals for Moonflower are first and foremost to serve ownership by continuing to operate the store in a profitable, responsible way. Some specifics would include expansion and remodel of the bulk section, a return to full kitchen/bakery, continue to raise wages, and keep prices as low as possible.

Moonflower has a strong history of responsible leadership and governance that has put them in an advantageous position. Many of these goals are about taking things one step at a time and following through. As GM it is my job to see where we want to be in 5 years, then make sure everything we do on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis is driving us toward those objectives.

I look forward to the adventures both personal and professional that my time in Moab will surely bring. Working is this unique local business environment as well as experiencing all that Moab has to offer recreationally, I have already enjoyed my time here tremendously. I look forward to connecting with more and more people as time goes on. Stop by the Cooperative and say hi!

Moonflower is currently accepting applications for part-time and full-time positions. Please bring a resume to the co-op and ask for me.
Cooperatively,
Scott Brelsford

Meet N' Greet

Grand County Hospice is hosting a meet n’ greet evening for prospective and returning hospice volunteers on Monday, November 3rd from 5pm-8pm at Moab Regional Hospital. We invite you to join us as we explore the history of hospice, the hospice philosophy, and the many ways that, as a hospice volunteer, you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of our patients and their families. Refreshments and a savory dinner will be provided. For more information, contact Sarah Shea at (435) 719-3683 or by email at volunteer@mrhmoab.org. We hope to see you there!

 

How to make Thanksgiving dinner healthier

Thanksgiving is not often associated with healthy eating. From candied sweet potatoes to sausage-filled stuffing, Thanksgiving dinner is full of flavor, but also full of calories and fat. The Calorie Control Council claims the average American will consume more than 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving Day.

Even if you won't come close to consuming 4,500 calories this Thanksgiving, you may want to take the following steps to make your Thanksgiving feast healthier.

· Create a calorie deficit. A key to maintaining a healthy weight or losing a few pounds is to exercise more and eat less, a strategy that can be employed during the holiday season. Such a regimen will improve your metabolism, and your body will be better at handling the extra caloric load of Thanksgiving without packing on the pounds. Once Thanksgiving dinner is over, go for a walk around the neighborhood. This can facilitate digestion and burn even more calories.

· Practice portion control. It's not necessarily what you eat on Thanksgiving, but how much you eat that makes the meal so unhealthy. The American Heart Association advises holiday celebrants to practice portion control. In addition, eat fewer high-calorie foods and fill up on lighter fare, such as vegetables and lean turkey. This way you get to enjoy a taste of everything without overdoing it.

· Cut down on bread. Bread can be both delicious and filling. But bread is often full of empty calories, particularly if you're eating refined, white breads. Opt for less bread in stuffing recipes and incorporate more celery, raisins, cranberries, and apples to give bulk to the stuffing. Choose whole-grain rolls and crackers to complement the main course.
· Choose healthier ingredients. Substitute low-fat milk or stocks for cream and whole milk in recipes. Include steamed cauliflower in mashed potatoes recipes to make them more filling and healthier. Sweet potatoes tend to be sweet enough without the need for butter, sugar and marshmallows. Skim the fat and oils out of gravies and sauces before serving. Olive oil is a healthy fat that can be used in place of butter or margarine.

· Focus on fruit for dessert. Thanksgiving dinner is usually followed with a decadent spread of desserts. These pies and cakes can be delicious but laden with calories. In lieu of traditional fare, serve poached fruits sprinkled with a little brown sugar and oatmeal for a tasty and healthy dessert. Low-fat sherbet, fresh fruit salad and rice pudding also make for healthier desserts.

· Choose healthy beverages. It's easy to overlook the calorie content of beverages. Whenever possible, choose water or a low-calorie drink. Children can sip on diluted apple juice. Be mindful of how many alcoholic beverages you consume. Spirits can be 100 calories per serving and are high in sugar.
Thanksgiving dinner tends to be high in calories. But there are ways to cut calories from your holiday meal without sacrificing flavor.

 

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