Working from home has been a bit of an emotional roller coaster for me. For the first couple of weeks I was loving it. I liked the short commute, cooking lunch in the kitchen, and being home with my wife and dog. Eventually though, the new environment started dragging on me. I missed my workspace, having meetings face-to-face, and the impromptu touch-bases that occurred in the cafe and hallways.

After a month or so I began to feel that I had a proper, functioning home office. I had a new desk, dual monitors, speakers, and a headset. All was well until late May when we had our first 90+ temperature days. The heat came on fast, and it came with a vengeance.

See, my house was built in 1889 and has nothing close to central air conditioning. Over the past few years that we’ve been here we’ve managed with one a/c window-unit in our bedroom. Even on the weekends, we’re not typically home during the day so it suited us well.

Reviving “R2-D2”

One day, it suddenly became an issue. I specifically remember the first heat-blast. I was in my home office (which is on the other side of the house from our bedroom a/c), logging on to a video conference visibly sweating through my t-shirt and chugging water every 2 minutes. Needless to say, I didn’t feel or look all that professional.

That night I went into our basement and dragged up an ancient stand-alone a/c unit that my wife had used in college, which she had received from her grandmother. We’ve nicknamed this piece of equipment “R2-D2”. It is huge, it has wheels, and it connects to a window via a long plastic trunk-like tube. Despite its size and inconvenience, it’s not that strong and takes a while to cool down the room.

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It’s also loud. It’s so loud. It’s on right now and it’s driving me crazy…

I learned quickly that I am unable to participate on a meeting while this thing is running. It’s that bad.

Over the past couple of months, I’ve had to adapt. I run “R2-D2” when I’m not on a call, but there are huge swaths of time where I am unable to do so. During these times, I’ve had to develop alternative methods to keep myself cool.

Ventilation is key

I thankfully have two windows on opposite sides of my home office. By opening both windows and opening the door I can get a decent cross-breeze, which helps tremendously. If it’s really hot, I’ll place a fan in the living room pointed in the direction of my office. This (hypothetically) moves some of the sacred a/c air from our bedroom in the direction of my office. If you don’t have an a/c unit, multiple fans can be used to create a cross breeze too.

Hydrate

Drinking water can help keep you hydrated on hot summer days. Adults need roughly four to six glasses of water each day, and more when you’re sweating. Working from home has the benefit of being a few steps away from the kitchen sink. This has allowed me to step-up my water game. Rather than rely on a single water bottle during a long call, I’m able to mute myself and refill as many times as I want.

Keep it Casual

Just because you’re working from home, doesn’t mean you’re confined to your typical work wardrobe. If it’s a hot day, socks and shoes are thrown aside, and I’ll be sitting there in my gym shorts. This is way more comfortable (and frankly convenient) than the typical business attire I was maintaining in those first few weeks of working from home.

More tips to help you keep cool:

• Close window blinds or curtains during the day
• Avoid using your oven, dishwasher, and dryer during the day because they can throw off excess heat into the house
• Take a cold bath or shower
• Open windows in the evening when the air is cooler
• Drape a cool washcloth over your neck or wrists

While it continues to be an ongoing challenge, my current cooling methods get the job done. I keep reminding myself that this is a temporary problem. We won’t be working from home forever. Even if the current situation persists and I’m stuck in my home office for a while, we do live in upstate New York after all. I’ll encouragingly remind myself that “winter is coming.”

Sources:

• Harvard Medical School – How Much Water Should You Drink?
• Lifehacker.com – How to Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning
• Reader’s Digest Canada – 20 Tricks To Keep Your House Cool Without Air Conditioning

When we think of summer grilling, we may automatically think of hot dogs and hamburgers. But there are healthier options that are perfect for the grill, and that your family and guests will find very tasty.

Simple Swaps Reduce Sodium

“Switch up your grilling routine to incorporate more fresh produce and lean protein,” said Patricia Salzer, RD, workplace wellness support coordinator at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. She recommended swapping out fatty meats for lean meats, poultry and fish.

“If you must have red meat, use fresh, rather than packaged, meats,” Pat advises. “If a food item keeps well in the fridge for days or weeks, it’s likely the sodium content is high. Sorry, hot dogs!”

Americans are eating 50 percent more sodium than they need, mostly from processed foods or food from restaurants. High sodium intake contributes to heart attack and stroke, two of the leading causes of death in the United States.

A Healthier Cookout

“For a healthier cookout, make grilled veggies the highlight of your plate with a smaller portion of meat, fish or poultry,” suggests Salzer. “An easy way to do this is to use skewers, maximizing the produce and minimizing the meat you put on them.”

Grilled vegetables such as eggplant, asparagus, corn, avocados, jalapenos and romaine halves can replace the usual starchy side dishes at your cookout. Furthermore, instead of flavoring foods with high-fat dressings or salty seasonings and marinades, choose herbs and spices, vinegar and extra-virgin oils.

“Grill whole-wheat pizzas or bread to make crostini or grill bread, then rub a cut garlic clove into it and finish it with a rubbing of a tomato half,” says Salzer. “And for dessert, grill stone fruits such as peaches, apricots and nectarines, or try pineapple, figs, melon, and apples.”

For additional information on nutrition and a healthy diet, visit Excellusbcbs.com. Click on Health and Wellness along the top tool bar.

Zucchini, potatoes, and even peaches are all amazing on that summertime grill. Sound strange to you lovers of hot dogs and hamburgers? Well, don’t knock it until you try it!

The garden and the grill have met, and newsflash – it’s delicious and good for you, too!

“Eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet may reduce risk for heart disease, including heart attack and stroke,” says Pat Salzer, RD, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield workplace wellness support coordinator. “It may even protect against certain types of cancers.”

Choose Wisely

The possibilities of adding fruits and vegetables into your diet – whether on the grill or not – are endless. One of the best things about summer is the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, Pat said. Pat shared some helpful tips for choosing, storing and eating fruits and vegetables at their peak for optimal freshness and nutritional value.

Apricots

• Look for: Plump; fairly firm; golden yellow or golden orange.
• Avoid: Pale or greenish yellow; bruised or shriveled.
• Store: In the refrigerator up to three weeks.
• Use: As a snack or add to cereal.

Berries

• Look for: Firm, plump.
• Avoid: If the container is stained.
• Store: Eat within a few days of purchase, keep refrigerated.
•  Use: On cereal or yogurt; in a smoothie or fruit salad; with angel food cake.

Grapes

• Look for: A plump bunch with grapes firmly attached to the stem.
• Avoid: Those with a bleached look at the stem; soft or wrinkled grapes.
• Store: In the refrigerator in a plastic bag.
• Use: In chicken salad; wash and place in bowl in the refrigerator or freeze for a refreshing snack on a warm summer day.

Cantaloupe

• Look for: Slightly soft stem end; sweet aroma; yellow or golden color.
• Avoid: Green color; soft or sunken spots.
• Store: On the counter for two or three days, then refrigerate in a plastic bag that is tightly sealed until you’re ready to cut. A ripening melon gives off gases that can spoil other produce.
• Use: As a snack or in fruit, chicken or turkey salads; hollowed out as a bowl for fruit salad.

Honeydew

• Look for: Waxy, cream-colored rind; stem should give to gentle pressure.
• Avoid: If melon is too firm or too soft, green colored or has dark blemishes on the skin.
• Store:  When uncut, keep on the counter top.  Once cut, keep it refrigerated. They don’t ripen once they are picked.
• Use: As a snack or in fruit, chicken or turkey salads, or as fruit kabobs on small skewers with low-fat yogurt dip.

Watermelon

• Look for: Heavy for its size; fragrant smelling; slightly soft at the blossom end. Thump; a low-pitched sound indicates a full, juicy interior.
• Avoid: If it sloshes when shaken, it’s probably overripe.
• Store: Uncut watermelon at room temperature for up to two weeks; when cut, refrigerate loosely wrapped.
• Use: As a snack or in fruit, chicken or turkey salads; hollowed out as a bowl for fruit salad.

Peaches

• Look for: Creamy or yellow color; smell for slight aroma; slightly soft when handled gently.
• Avoid: Green, extra-hard or bruised flesh.
• Store: Ripen by placing in a brown paper bag at room temperature; check daily for ripeness and eat when ripe or refrigerate for three to five days.
• Use: As a topping for cereal or frozen yogurt; grill with meat; use as a salsa with meat or low-tat tortilla chips. Great on the grill (recipe: Peach and Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese).

Sweet peppers

• Look for: Firm, bright, glossy red, yellow or green color.
• Avoid: Wrinkled skin.
• Store: Unwashed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
• Use: As a snack with low-fat dip or in salads; roast and add to sandwiches; stir fry; stuff with cooked brown or wild rice and bake.

Tomatoes

• Look for: Red or reddish orange with a sweet aroma; smooth, well-formed and firm, yet yields slightly to gentle pressure.  Tomatoes can also be yellow or green.
• Avoid: Hard ones or with wrinkles, cracks, bruises or soft spots.
• Store: Set in a bowl or ventilated paper bag to ripen, not on the window sill or in the refrigerator.
• Use: Sliced or in sandwiches; in green or pasta salads; with sliced cucumbers, red onions, olives, feta cheese and low-fat dressing. Too many tomatoes? Make sauce!

Remember to rinse fruits and vegetables under cool running water just before eating. Use one cutting board for slicing fruits, vegetables and breads; another for raw meat, poultry and seafood.

Looking for a delicious summer recipe using fruits and vegetables?

Grilled Vegetable Salad

• 8 ounces small whole mushrooms
• 1 Vidalia onion, quartered
• 2 zucchinis, sliced into ½ inch pieces
• 2 peppers (green, red, yellow or orange), seeded and quartered
• 1 eggplant, sliced into ½ inch pieces

1. Place these or any of your favorite vegetables on a grill rack with the grill on medium high heat.
2. Grill until slightly blackened.
3. Mix the following in a large bowl: tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, ½ teaspoon mustard and a dash of salt and pepper.  Add grilled vegetables and toss gently to coat.

Apple Salad

• 2 cups apple (diced)
• 1 cup celery (diced)
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup nuts
• 2 tablespoons lite mayonnaise-type dressing (or mayonnaise)
• 1/16 cup orange juice (1 Tablespoon)

1. Mix orange juice with salad dressing or mayonnaise.
2. Toss apples, celery, raisins and nuts with the dressing mixture.

Visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture for dozens of other recipes including free access to how-to videos and online cookbooks.

As we take precautions and physically distance ourselves, people are finding new ways to stay connected, support their community, and get moving through virtual races and events. While traditional events that bring us together have been sidelined, virtual events allow runners, walkers and bikers to create their own course, often with their front steps as the starting point.

Kelsey Gratien, an avid runner from Erie County, is using virtual events to motivate herself and her family to get moving. “With traditional 5Ks cancelled for the foreseeable future, I’ve taken this opportunity to try some new things like running with my kids on their bikes and training for a fast mile,” said Kelsey. A long-time competitive runner, Kelsey is finding that virtual events still appeal to her competitive side. “I’ve done a couple virtual races of varying distances, and while certainly not the same, they’ve kept me motivated and appeased my competitive side for now,” she said.

More Freedom and Friendly Competition? Sign Me Up!

A virtual race is a race that you choose to complete wherever you like and at your own pace.

Benefits of virtual races include:

• Freedom to run, walk, bike or climb when and where you wish. You’re also free to participate inside on a treadmill or stationary bike.
• Complete when you’re ready. Unlike traditional races that are held on a set day, some virtual ones extend over periods of time like weeks or months.
• Less social pressure that can come with a traditional race like worrying about times or where you are in the pack. You can feel more comfortable going at your own pace.
• Friendly competition with family and friends near or far. A virtual race is a fun way to motivate and hold each other accountable when you can’t be together physically. For those looking for more than a friendly competition, many virtual events have websites where you can track your progress against others.
• Anyone can join. A virtual race is perfect for all levels of runners, walkers or bikers. That makes virtual races a perfect activity for the whole family.
• Support an important cause. Virtual races often benefit a charity or community organization.

Why We Need Movement, Especially Now

Movement is a critical part of wellbeing. Engaging in physical activity is a one of the most important ways to improve health. It has been shown to reduce the risk of depression, anxiety, positively impact most health conditions and help you get a good night’s sleep. In today’s world, many people are struggling to get enough physical activity, which can have an impact both physically and mentally. Remember, ‘motion is lotion’ to your joints, muscles….and even your brain, lungs, heart and gut!

“Participating in a walk or run actually improves your immune system. And getting others to walk or run with you, even virtually, spreads health to others,” said Brian Justice, D.C., a chiropractor and medical director at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

Virtual Races in Upstate N.Y.

Ready to get started? Here are some upcoming or ongoing virtual events:

• ROC Juneteenth – a 5K run/walk that supports the construction of Rochester’s Civil Rights Heritage Park.
  • When: now – June 19, 2020
• Delaware Park 4^th of July, Freedom Loop Challenge – Complete two or four loops of Delaware Park in support of the People Inc COVID-19 Relief Fund.
  • When: July 1 – July 5, 2020
• Tour de Keuka* – a charity bike ride that benefits the Food Bank of the Southern Tier.
  • When: now – July 18, 2020
• Fight For Air Climb, Buffalo* – a stair climb that benefits the American Lung Association.
  • When: June 11 – July 11, 2020
• The Daemen Dash – a 1-mile run/walk that is free to join.
  • When: July 9 – July 23, 2020
• 2020 Boilermaker* – run/walk a 15K or 5K in support of the Boilermaker organization, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
  • When: September 1 – September 13, 2020
• Tour de Cure, Rochester* – ride, run or walk and support the American Diabetes Association.
  • When: October 3, 2020
• City Walks – virtual city walks available any time through Rally Health for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield members with Healthy Rewards.

Did we miss any virtual events? Please share more in the comments!

Note: If you choose to run, walk, or bike outside, please continue to adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines on protecting yourself and avoid large groups or running close to each other. If you have a chronic health condition, be sure to talk with your doctor about the types of physical activity that are right for you.

*Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is a sponsor of this event.

Growing up in Rochester, Theo Adams always celebrated Juneteenth with family and friends. “There have always been different community organizations that put on events and I usually attend those,” he said. “A couple years ago, one of my fraternity organizations held our own celebration in the community. People came over for a big cook out, there was face painting, and different community activists spoke,” said Theo.

Theo, who is a children’s behavioral health quality program specialist at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield said that for him, Juneteenth has continually been a time to celebrate culture and change. “It’s been about exposing people to different aspects of the culture and celebrating how things have changed for the better,” Theo said.

Despite the historical significance of Juneteenth, Theo said it has been largely under-celebrated by most in the past. “I don’t think people felt the need to celebrate like other historically significant days like the fourth of July,” said Theo.

The History of Juneteenth

The celebration of Juneteenth commemorates the abolition of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth, which takes place every year on June 19, remembers the day in 1865 when Union Army General Gordon Granger announced to enslaved individuals in Texas that they were freed. Many were unaware of the Emancipation Proclamation nearly three years earlier. Since that day, Juneteenth has been celebrated to honor African American freedom and achievement. It’s also a day to pause and reflect and to really assess where we are.

“Understanding the definition of racism and the history of slavery is vital as it sets context for where we are today,” said Joseph Searles, Corporate Diversity Relations Director at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “Although Juneteenth is celebrated and represents freedom for African Americans who were enslaved, it also marks a time for us to think about how far we have come and what more needs to be done as individuals, communities, and organizations to achieve a society that is fair and equitable for all and not just for some,” said Joseph.

“This year is different”

The celebration of Juneteenth this year is undoubtedly different for many, including Theo. “You can feel it, you can see it. This year is different,” he said. For Theo, Juneteenth remains a time to celebrate culture and change. “With everything going on, there is still a lot for people to celebrate. Let’s make sure everyone is a part of it. Now is the time for everybody to work together, support each other, ask questions to get a better understanding and help each other,” said Theo.

Keeping the Momentum Going

Theo, for one, is excited to see more people taking an interest in celebrating Juneteenth. “You can feel the change. This is probably the first year where I see my counterparts and friends look like they want to celebrate it more,” he said. “If anyone is going to celebrate it this year, we should be consistent and keep that momentum going for future years too.”

Run, Walk, Reflect

While large in-person celebrations will take a pause this year, many local Juneteenth events are going virtual. In Rochester, for example, Mayor Lovely Warren will raise the Juneteenth flag on June 19 and the fourth annual ROC Juneteenth 5K walk/run will be virtual.

In addition to raising awareness about the historic significant of Juneteenth, the ROC Juneteenth 5K is also a fundraiser for the creation of a Civil Rights Park, the first for Rochester and the state. A virtual event provides flexibility for participants who can walk or run any distance from anywhere, home or park. The walk/run can be done in one day or over the course of several days leading up to June 19, 2020.

Participating in the ROC Juneteenth 5K not only supports racial justice but also offers benefits to your health. “Supporting the Juneteenth initiative helps address the racial inequality so deeply embedded in our culture, and participating in the walk/run actually improves your immune system…very important in this COVID-19 environment. And getting others to walk/run with you, even virtually, spreads health…and both missions…to others,” said Brian Justice, D.C., a chiropractor and medical director at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

To learn more about the ROC Juneteenth 5K, visit juneteenth5k.itsyourrace.com

Here’s a list of local Juneteenth events to learn more:

Buffalo:

• Virtual Juneteenth Festival of Buffalo
  • June 13-14
  • Website:  http://www.juneteenthofbuffalo.com/
  • Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/juneteenthbflo/

Rochester:

• Virtual ROC Juneteenth 5K
  • Website: itsyourrace.com
  • Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ROCJun

Central New York:

• Syracuse Juneteenth in-person event has been cancelled.
  • Website: syracusejuneteenth.org
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Syracuse-Juneteenth-564545860610794/
• Virtual Juneteenth Celebration hosted by Southside Community Center in Ithaca
  • June 13 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Website: sspride.org
  • Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Southside-Community-Center-Inc-313557178998315/

Southern Tier:

• Binghamton Juneteenth Virtual Poetry Event
  • Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Binghamton-Juneteenth-Committee-1432110093478482/posts/?ref=page_internal

Utica/Rome/North Country:

• Virtual musical festival hosted by Utica Phoenix
  • June 13, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on WKTV 2.2. and 95.5 radio
  • Website: UticaPhoenix.net
  • Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheUticaPhoenix/

Learn more about Juneteenth at www.juneteenth.com