Construction Update! Driveways and Sidewalks

~Photos submitted by project photographer Denise~

Chef Adam Rita Healthy Recipes No. 6: French Bread Veggie Pizza!

Black Bean Brownies

• 1 (15.5 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained



• 3 eggs



• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil



• 1/4 cup cocoa powder



• 1 teaspoon baking powder



• 1 pinch salt
  
  

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract



• 3/4 cup white sugar
  



• 1 teaspoon instant coffee (optional)



• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips (optional)
  

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8x8 square baking dish.

. Combine the black beans, eggs, oil, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, vanilla extract, sugar, and instant coffee in a blender; blend until smooth; pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top of the mixture.

3. Bake in the preheated oven until the top is dry and the edges start to pull away from the sides of the pan, about 30 minutes.

Chef Notes: I know these may seem strange, but I assure you they taste every bit like a brownie, without the empty calories, and all the benefits of black beans. Go ahead try something new!

Construction Update: New Parking Areas!

~Photos submitted by project photographer Denise~

Team Leisure and Fun: Pot Luck!

Teams "Round To It" and the "Dirty Half Dozen: More about Boat Day!

A Vital Life afternoon of FUN at Caesar Creek Lake

Team Spiritual Care: Vital Life No: 3

Vital Life: A Friar's Experience Fellow Residents and Staff, On Tuesday, October 4, Franciscan men and women throughout the world celebrate the life and death of the Little Poor Man of Assisi, Saint Francis. Few saints have captured people's hearts like Francis. Why? What was or is there about Francis of Assisi that has drawn people to him across centuries and cultures? Perhaps it was his genuineness. Francis was authentic. There was no pretense in him. He knew that God loved him, and that was enough. He had no need to promote himself and his own agenda. In God's love he found freedom. He did not have to worry about what other people thought of him. Francis responded to God's love with joyful exuberance. He broke forth in song. He gave praise. People took notice. They wanted that same joy for themselves. They sought his way of life. In our own day I sometimes think that Saint Francis has been tamed. People still want to have his joy, but most want it to fall on them like sunshine. They don't want to work for it, for in order to experience true joy, people have to let go of their own egos, their own concerns, their own security—and letting go is scary. Saint Francis found joy through the Cross, and the Cross is neither pretty nor popular. The raw Francis is too threatening to most people. A domesticated Francis with robins and squirrels and goldfish is a whole lot safer. . . and a lot less real. . . and a lot less joyous. Overly zealous biographers can sometimes suggest that Francis experienced no doubts or struggles as he sought to follow Jesus, and how wrong they would be! Francis struggled just like the rest of us. His greatest struggle may have been in watching the brothers develop a vision and structure for his Order which differed from his. From a human point of view, his greatest achievement was taken away from him by the very people who claimed to be his followers—but what a paradox! When Francis let go of the Order, when he embraced the Cross, he had only Jesus. He found freedom by letting go. In that freedom he could sing for joy. Only forty-four years of age, Francis completed his life on the evening of October 3, 1226, at his beloved Saint Mary of the Angels in the swamps outside the city of Assisi. May all of us who are inspired by Saint Francis embrace the Cross in our own lives and thereby come to joy. In his words, Peace and every Blessing! Loren Connell, OFM, sacramental minister October 1, 2011

October 2011 Employee Wellness Moments

Physical Environment October is National Ergonomic Month –Does your fitness workouts still challenge your body? Stock winter supplies for snow and ice National Massage Therapy Week starts Oct 25th Check for air leaks and drafts Check your indoor walking routes for safety Fill in ruts and driveways potholes Add one new stretch to your workout routine Make sure all drains are free and clear Wear reflective clothing for walking outside Replace filters as needed Social Spiritual October is National Eat Together Month! Inventory your "peace of mind" life skills Share funny stories and movies with others in your work group Experiment with a relaxation technique from another culture Plan your Christmas service project together Begin the journey to rediscovery of your "true self" Plan a mystery luncheon together or solve a fictitious murder mystery What values are you most congruent with concerning your workplace self-identity? Start a time slip involving a scary story, involve other departments Explore your purpose in this life. Nutritional Occupational As a team, collect canned goods for the needy Volunteer for a special work assignment! Have a healthy chili cook off! List your skills and competencies Have a Sweetest Day challenge for finding gourmet low sugar delights List the functional transferable skills that you would like to learn October is Apple, Pear, and Pineapple Month, substitute a candy jar day for these healthy morsels Is your career consistent with your values? October is Halloween Food Safety Month: provide a safe Trick or Treat stop for adults and children Are you maintaining a healthy work/life balance? Intellectual Emotional October is Class Reunion Month: Touch base with a study buddy of the past October is Emotional Wellness Month! A brisk walk can enhance creativity! Do you enjoy helping others? Does your lifestyle provide this opportunity? October is Health Literacy Month! Research and post new findings for improving and maintaining healthy lifestyles Have a workstation celebration to celebrate the little things in life that bring simple pleasures October is Organize Your Medical Information Month! Start a monthly sense of humor grab bag luncheon Look for workshops that you can do with others and that are fun and interesting! Try monthly team building exercises that focus on trust and getting to know other associates better The employee wellness ideas listed above are low cost/no cost activities that you and your employees can mix or match with previously submitted wellness ideas. These ideas can be used to create wellness moments that focus on the eight dimensions of wellness to enhance your Vital Life Community!