News

Healthy Fast Food — Smoothies

By Cheryl Shaw, Grace Cottage Hospital Health Coach

Who doesn’t love a smoothie? They’re easy to make, so they can give a new, healthy meaning to the words “fast food” – if you choose good ingredients.

You probably already know how to make a smoothie: just chop up the larger ingredients, throw everything into a blender, and turn it on. Super easy.

Here is a list of my top favorite smoothie ingredients to inspire you. Organic options are always best, but do what you can. Mix them up and have fun creating!

Start with a Base: Here are some healthy ideas: Nut or seed milk (almond, hemp, cashew), unsweetened coconut water, unsweetened plain yogurt or kefir (if you tolerate dairy; good for probiotics/cultures!), a little coconut milk mixed with water, cooled green tea, or pure water and ice.

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Grace Cottage Family Health and Hospital

Grace Cottage Video

Grace Cottage, in Townshend, VT, is a community-based hospital and family health center. The 19-bed hospital is for acute and rehabilitative care. It is equipped with a 24/7/365 emergency department, a palliative care suite, full lab and imaging services. The 12 practitioners at the family health center offer primary care, pediatrics, and mental health care. Out-patient rehabilitative services include physical and occupational therapy. There is also a full-service public pharmacy on-site.

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Running is a Gift for Life

By Amby Burfoot

Question: Why run?

Answer: Walking and running are inherent human abilities–I call them “gifts.” Every physically unchallenged baby is born with the ability to flex the knees forward and back. That is, to walk and then to run. When we move in this way, we stay lean, fit, and healthy. When we sit too much, we grow round and unhealthy. Fifty years ago, science focused on the heart-health benefits of running, which have since been proven in thousands of medical studies. For the last decade, the most exciting research has investigated the mind benefits–low depression rates, and low Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline. Healthy body, healthy mind: It’s a good combination.

Q: If running is so healthy, why are runners always getting injured?

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HuffPost features Grace Cottage in recent story on cell coverage

On April 16, the national news website HuffPost published a video segment on the negative impact of limited cell service in rural Vermont. We are thankful to Vermont Representative Laura Sibilia for her focus on gaining better cell service for the region, and hopeful that the national attention will help in efforts to solve the […]

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“Run for your life!” with Marathon Champion Amby Burfoot

Just a day before the Grace Cottage Hospital 5K walk/run, and a week before the Southern Vermont Girls on the Run 5K, former Boston Marathon champion Amby Burfoot is speaking on Friday, May 10th from 5:30 – 6:30pm, at the Brooks Memorial Library in Brattleboro. Burfoot won the 1968 Boston Marathon and hasn’t stopped running […]

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Grace Cottage CEO DiVello receives national leadership award

Just two weeks after celebrating his first anniversary as President and CEO of Grace Cottage Family Health & Hospital, Douglas F. DiVello was recognized by the American Hospital Association (AHA) as the Vermont recipient of the 2019 Grassroots Champions Award. Every year, one health system leader from each state is honored for his or her […]

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Easy Ways to Eat Your Vegetables!

By Elizabeth Harrison, Grace Cottage Health Coach

Eat your veggies! Where have you heard that before? Vegetables are a goldmine for adding vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to your diet, and they can go a long way toward ensuring you a healthy life, important for preventing or lessening the impact of many chronic diseases.

The nutrition experts at the U.S. Department of Agriculture have created the perfect visual to help you get enough of these nutrient-rich foods. Picture a round dinner plate, and divide it into fourths. Ideally, one-half of that plate will be covered with equal amounts of fruits and vegetables. On the other half, you will have a mix of grains and protein, with grains taking up more space than the protein.

This illustration is a great starting point. Some nutritionists even suggest that half your plate be covered with vegetables.

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Free Tobacco Cessation Group in March and April

Ready to quit smoking or chewing tobacco for good? The Grace Cottage “Quitters Win” tobacco cessation group can help. The free group will run for eight weeks, from March 4 – April 22 on Mondays from 4:00 – 5:00 pm. If you want to enjoy the health, social and economic benefits of being tobacco-free, get […]

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