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Winter is one of the hardest times to get

moving, but don’t let the cold slow you down.

There are plenty of activities you can do during the

winter time that are fun and good

for a cardio work out. Spend a

day with friends or family at a ski

resort. We have Brandywine Ski

Resort just outside of Akron, or

make a whole weekend out of it

and head to: The Ski House, Alfa

Ski, or Snow Trails Winter Resort.

You can go tubing, skiing, snow-

boarding, or cross-country skiing. There's fun to

be had for all!! Also visit this site to see how many

calories you burned that day, www.fitday.com/

webfit/burned/calories_burned.html

Feeling Sick !! What to do ?

Here’s some tried-and-true home remedies that can

help you feel better when you find yourself “under

the weather” with a cold or flu.

First– Do you have a cold or the flu?

Chances are, if you had a flu shot, you don’t have

influenza. The symptoms are confusing, but here’s

a simple test: People with the flu get sick more

suddenly, look much sicker,

and feel sick all over. High

fevers, body aches, extreme

fatigue and dry cough are also

more likely to be the flu,

according to experts at

eMedicineHealth. The

common cold generally

consists of a runny or stuffy

nose, a slight fever and

coughing.

Chicken soup: Researchers found that chicken

soup was most effective in reducing upper res-

piratory infections, and low-sodium soup carries

great nutritional value and helps keep you hy-

drated.

Garlic and Echinacea: Adding a Garlic supplement to your diet might not only reduce the severity of cold and flu symptoms, it may also keep you from getting sick. Garlic contains the compound allicin, which blocks the enzymes that contribute to the development of a variety of bacterial and viral infections. Echinacea can reduce the duration of cold and flu symptoms. Active ingredients include flavonoids, chemicals that have many therapeutic effects on the body, including the ability to boost the immune system and reduce inflammation.

Salt water and Epsom salt: Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a full glass of water and then swish it around your mouth and throat before spitting it out. Gargling with salt water reduces and loosens mucus, which can then expel bacteria and allergens from the body. Adding 2 cups of Epsom salt and 1 cup of baking soda to a warm bath can help reduce body aches, especially with the addition of a few drops of essential oils. Recommended oils include lavender, tea tree, juniper, rosemary, thyme, orange, and eucalyptus.

DID YOU KNOW THIS, ABOUT THE COUNTY’S HEALTH PLAN?

3-D Mammograms are (or soon will be) covered by our health plan. Participants on the AultCare plan have access to this newer technology right now – and for Mutual Health participants, the benefit will go into effect on January 1, 2017. Officially known as “tomosynthesis”, the procedure is nearly identical to a routine mammogram – except that in mammography the machine is stationary, while in tomosynthesis it moves around the body. Also known as 3-D mammography, the test takes many X-rays at different angles to create a three-dimensional image, which provides a clearer picture and can assist in early detection of any abnormalities. If your doctor recommends this new screening method, no additional approval is required. The claim (from in-network providers) will be covered in full under our plan’s preventive/routine benefit.

Health Watch

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Types of Teas and Their Health Benefits

Teas are chock full of flavonoids and other healthy goodies.

So enjoy a nice hot cup of tea this winter!

Here's what some studies have found about the potential health benefits

of tea:

Green tea: Made with steamed tea leaves, it has a high concentration of EGCG and has been

widely studied. Green tea’s antioxidants may interfere with the growth of bladder, breast, lung,

stomach, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers; prevent clogging of the arteries; burn fat; counteract

oxidative stress on the brain; reduce risk of neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

diseases; reduce risk of stroke; and improve cholesterol levels.

Black tea: Made with fermented tea leaves, black tea has the highest caffeine

content and forms the basis for flavored teas like chai, along with some instant teas. Studies

have shown that black tea may protect lungs from damage caused by exposure to cigarette

smoke. It also may reduce the risk of stroke.

White tea: Uncured and unfermented. One study showed that white tea has the most potent

anti-cancer properties compared to more processed teas.

Oolong tea: In an animal study, those given antioxidants from oolong tea were found to have

lower bad cholesterol levels. One variety of oolong, Wuyi, is heavily marketed as a

weight loss supplement, but science

hasn’t backed the claims.

Pu-erh tea: Made from fermented

and aged leaves. Considered a black

tea, its leaves are pressed into cakes.

One animal study showed that animals given pu-erh

had less weight gain and reduced LDL cholesterol.

FUN FACT...

Eating eggs can improve your

reflexes; they contain an ami-

no acid that helps us make

quick, knee-jerk reactions.

For chest congestion: Drink plenty of fluids (8 to 10 cups a day) such

as water, sport drinks, herbal teas, fruit drinks, or ginger ale. Fluids help

break up congestion, prevent dehydration and keep your throat moist.

Inhaled steam can ease congestion too. Create steam with a humidifier, or steam

up the bathroom by running a hot shower.

Cough and sore throat: Honey in tea with lemon can ease sore throat pain, and is an effective

cough suppressant. A recent study revealed that 10 grams of honey given at bedtime reduced the

severity of cough symptoms in children. The children in the study reportedly slept more soundly,

which also helps reduce cold symptoms.

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Myths Debunked Myth: Cold air can make you sick.

FALSE– Lower temperatures alone will not make you sick. In fact, the

exact opposite is true. “Cells that fight infection in your body actually increase if

you go out into the cold,” says Rachel C. Vreeman, MD, co-author of Don't

Swallow Your Gum! Myths, Half-Truths, and Outright Lies About Your Body and

Health. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a

cold virus grow best at about 91 degrees.

Varieties include ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, hibiscus, jasmine, rosehip, mint, rooibos (red

tea), chamomile, and echinacea.

Chamomile tea: Its antioxidants may help prevent complications from diabetes, like loss of

vision and nerve and kidney damage, and stunt the growth of cancer cells.

Hibiscus: A small study found that drinking three cups of hibiscus tea daily lowered blood

pressure in people with modestly elevated levels.

Herbal Teas

Made from herbs, fruits, seeds, or roots steeped in hot water, herbal teas

have lower concentrations of antioxidants than green, white, black, and oolong teas. Their

chemical compositions vary widely depending on the plant used.

Citations; Bjarnadottir, MS, A. (2015, June 17).http://www.wellnessproposals.com/pdfs/wellness_newsletters/weekly_wellness_newsletters/

cold_or_flu_what_to_do.pdf ,

Open Enrollment 2016 – Summary of Changes – Effective January 1, 2017

Changed plans (TPAs): 16

Elected to enroll in health plan: 8

Terminated health plan to elect cash-out: 4

Changed to pre-tax treatment of contributions: 20 Added dependent(s): 12

Terminated dependent(s): 8

Added optional life: 3

Cancelled optional life: 1

Increased amount of optional life: 7

Decreased amount of optional life: 0

THE BOARD OF STARK COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

JANET CREIGHTON

RICHARD REGULA

DAVID BRIDENSTINE