All entries tagged with “healthy”

Flying High & Healthy: Top Airports for the Health-Conscious Traveler

Posted by Yasmin Parsloe on Thursday Feb 19, 2015 10:26 am

The Forum Events’ Team is prepping to travel across the country from Sarasota, FL (where our beach, Siesta Key, was just named TripAdvisor’s #1 beach in the country!) to another top destination, Los Angeles, CA! While our cargo is en route to the Pacific Palms Resort for another epic tri-Summit event, we’re getting our last minute paperwork and schedule changes underway. Before we grab our boarding passes and hit the runway, we’re planning how to keep what’s left of our New Year’s Resolutions intact.

If you’re also making the trek to California for the HR & Employee Benefits Summit, Training & Development Summit or Hospitality & Facilities Forum, some of you may be blessed with healthier options than others.

According to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), 75 percent of restaurants at America’s busiest 30 airports offer at least one healthy, plant-based entrée. PCRM weighed this statistic by measuring the percentage of airport restaurants offering entrees with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes.

Kudos to business travelers across America for becoming increasingly health conscious, and to the restaurant industry for meeting these demands! The study states that in 2001, only 57 percent of airport restaurants offered healthy options, a percentage that has obviously climbed.

Here’s a list of the top 10 healthiest airports in the US:

#1: 92 % Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
#2: 90 % Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
#3: 88 % Los Angeles International Airport
#4: 87 % Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
#5: 85 % Newark Liberty International Airport
#6: 84 % Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
#7: 84 % LaGuardia Airport
#8: 83 % Denver International Airport
#9: 82 % San Francisco International Airport
#10: 80% Dulles International Airport

So what should you be lining up for during your layovers? Airports are pointing travelers to more nutritious quick stops. PCRM’s dietitian, Susan Levin, M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D., says one of the best choices in the terminal is the “build-your-own” option available at many restaurants. Levin recommends loading up on fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, seeds, and fiber-rich whole grains, like brown rice and quinoa. You can take advantage of these options at Houston’s Real Food Company and Philadelphia’s Saladworks, offering an as-you-order-it salad option. If you’ve only got a few moments and have a restrictive diet – stop by Real Food Daily at LAX, the nation’s first all-vegan airport restaurant.

While we’re still fond of the hot, fast and greasy chains, keep in mind that sticking with the greens during your travels boosts mental wellness, making you feel calmer, happier and more energetic.

'Tis the Season: Holiday Season Productivity Tips

Posted by Yasmin Parsloe on Tuesday Dec 9, 2014 11:59 am

We are officially in the midst of the holiday season, which means that the art of balancing the stress of gift giving and entertaining with life at the office is being tested. According to the American Management Association, about two-thirds of 600 full-time employees surveyed said they experienced stress during the holiday season. 44 percent of executives similarly say productivity decreases during the holiday season. Workplace consultant Anne Grady says that employee frustration doesn’t come from having too much to do, but rather from unclear expectations. So how can we balance work and play this holiday season? Here are just a few tips:

1. Know and Balance Your Stressors

One of the biggest problems with the holidays is an overload of personal to-do lists interfering with the growing office to-do list. If you’re having a panic moment, regroup and make a list of what takes priority. Dedicate specific times to get your to-do list done and keep your work and personal list separate.

2. Get Flexible At Work

Employers can help boost productivity during work hours by compromising. Understanding the needs of employees can create a better environment and boost numbers over the holiday season. Managers should consider easing up on restrictions during this time of the year, offering incentives for good work and should the question arise – beware of opportunities to work from home. While groveling employees may be a temporary hassle, it’s worth it to keep customers happy.

3. Coordinate Calendars

This is optimal time for PTO. Beware that you don’t cut yourself short in the office by being too vacation happy. Make sure that calendars are aligned and the team understands the needs of the workplace in terms of absences and vacation days. Keep a shared calendar so that if there are any discrepancies – you don’t corner yourself too late.

4. Don’t obsess about hours

You’ve set a plan, you’ve set time off dates, and you’re giving your employees some leg room. Don’t stress about employees taking an extended lunch break or coming in a few minutes late, just be aware of their deadlines and work. If employees are not getting their work done, regardless of their time in the office, you will know and be able to act accordingly.

5. Relax!

Tensions in the office this season will show in your customer appreciation. Relax and remember now is the time to be grateful and enjoy your company and work friends. Setting a healthy environment is key to a positive holiday season.

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