February 21, 2017

9 Veggies to Eat in Late Winter

Getting creative in the kitchen provides nutritious and exciting meals, help anyone stick to their resolutions, as well as provide a great escape from cabin fever. Encourage your clients to take advantage of the extra time indoors this winter and experiment with new foods, without giving them nutrition advice. Trying some of these lesser known veggies will surely motivate anyone to explore many culinary possibilities.

Beets

Loaded with protein and packed with fiber, low in calories and abundant in flavor, the benefits of beets are seemingly endless. Beets are known to support liver function and heart health. They also contain anti-aging properties as well as act as a natural anti-inflammatory. They can be used as a salad topping, a main smoothie ingredient, or in a roasted vegetable medley.

Celeriac

This high fiber, low calorie root has proven to improve teeth and bone health and is a wonderful source of Vitamin C. Simply substitute celeriac for potatoes or carrots in your favorite soups and stews, or roast them for a side dish.

Fennel

Fennel has a slightly sweet flavor. It promotes digestive health along with a hearty dose of vitamin C and minerals such as potassium, copper and magnesium.

Dark Greens

Collard, turnip and mustard greens, broccoli rabe and swiss chard are all linked to digestive health, lowering cholesterol and delivering tons of vitamins A, C, K and E.

Radicchio

Adding Radicchio to a pasta dish can add a bit of spice and a hint of bitterness to your plate. This crisp, leafy veggie is packed with vitamins C and K, as well as potassium and magnesium.

Parsnips

Parsnips, like carrots, are loaded with vitamin C – almost 20% of your recommended daily dosage, to be exact. They can be used in all your favorite winter soups and stews as a substitution for or in addition to carrots.

Rutabagas

Rutabagas are a slightly bitter, slightly sweet root that is closely linked to veggies like cabbage and broccoli. Along with delivering a substantial dose of vitamins C and K, they also offer fiber and calcium while delivering a delectable flavor.

Brussel Sprouts

These tiny cabbages are full of antioxidants and cancer-fighting agents. While they can be slightly more bitter than cabbage, the texture and flavor are versatile enough to be a side dish fitted for any plate.

Winter Squash

There are a variety of recipes and types of squash to choose from. Full of vitamin A and potassium, squash can be easily added to your favorite veggie medley.

While this is a short list of many winter-friendly vegetables, it is enough to encourage your patrons to try something new, while also holding onto their health and fitness goals.

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CPH Insurance

Over the last decade, more than 500,000 people chose CPH Insurance for liability insurance. Because our business is specialized, we are able to focus on your liability needs in a way that bigger companies are not. Our team of associates represent over 50 years of collective experience in this field, and we are able to serve a large client base while maintaining a small-office approach.

February 15, 2017

Boards of Nursing and Their Disciplinary Powers

Avoiding Liability Bulletin – February 15, 2017

Your state board of nursing has the authority to administer and enforce the state nurse practice act. This power is broad and includes the ability to discipline a student nurse, a licensed practical nurse, a registered nurse, and an advanced practice registered nurse.

Potential violations of your state nurse practice act and its rules are numerous. Some include unprofessional conduct that is likely to deceive or harm the public, failure to pay income taxes, falsification of any document required in the performance of your role as a licensee, a willful or negligent violation of nurse-patient confidentiality, and being disciplined by a board of nursing in another state or jurisdiction.

Board of nursing disciplines are public disciplines, meaning that the discipline and the reason for it is a public record and available to the public. Most often, boards of nursing list disciplinary reports on their websites. Some states allow expungement of a discipline after a certain period of time while others do not.

In addition, disciplines are shared with all other boards of nursing through a national database, NURSYS, for verification of licensure, discipline and practice privileges.¹

The discipline that can be imposed by your board of nursing may vary slightly from state to state. Examples include a reprimand, probation, suspension of a license, and revocation of a license.

A reprimand is akin to a scolding or a censure.² It is the least form of discipline but is a discipline nonetheless. You are still able to practice nursing.

If you receive a probation due to the violation of the act or rules, you can also continue to practice nursing but there are requirements to doing so. If, for example, your nursing care resulted in a patient being placed at risk for an injury, a board of nursing might require you to take a nursing education-based course on safe nursing practices and/or only practice with a preceptor or mentor. Once completed and proof given to the board, the probation is ended. The ending of the probation may happen automatically or you may be required to petition the board to end the probationary period.

A suspension is just what it sounds like—your license is suspended and you are unable to practice nursing until the suspension no longer exists. The basis for a suspension of your license may include a substance use disorder, immoral conduct, inability to practice safely, and a conviction of a crime. If this discipline occurs, you must petition the board for reinstatement of your license. The reinstatement is based on you meeting conditions required by the board when the suspension occurred.

Revocation of your license is the most serious discipline. It means that your license is annulled, is taken back.³ Obviously, you can no longer practice nursing if this discipline occurs, and if you ever wanted to practice nursing again, you would have to begin the application process for doing so from scratch.

Professional licensure discipline is serious, regardless of the level at which it occurs. In addition to harm to your professional reputation, many employers will not hire a nurse if he or she has been disciplined by a board of nursing for whatever reason.

It is important, then, for you to avoid being disciplined by your board. Some ways in which to do so include:

Know your state nurse practice and rules and conform your nursing practice to its mandates;
Keep current in your area of nursing practice;
Practice within the scope of your nursing practice as defined in the act and rules;
Be in good stead with your employer and with those with whom you work or employ; and
Should you face any disciplinary proceedings, retain a nurse attorney or attorney to represent you.

FOOTNOTES

NURSYS, at https://www.ncsbn.org/nursys.htm (National Council of State Boards of Nursing website). You can also learn more about NURSYS at nursys.com.
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (2014). 11^th Springfield, MA: author, 1057.
Id., at 1068.

THIS BULLETIN IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE TAKEN AS SPECIFIC LEGAL OR ANY OTHER ADVICE BY THE READER. IF LEGAL OR OTHER ADVICE IS NEEDED, THE READER IS ENCOURAGED TO SEEK SUCH ADVICE FROM A COMPETENT PROFESSIONAL.

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About the Author

Nancy Brent

Nancy J. Brent, RN, MS, JD, a nurse attorney in private law practice in Wilmette, IL, represents nurses and other health care providers before the state agency that regulates health professionals. Brent graduated from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law in 1981. Her experience prior to opening her private practice included a year of insurance defense for a major insurance company and establishing a law firm with two other attorneys. After three years of doing defense work at the firm, Brent decided to establish a private practice in 1986. Brent has published extensively and has lectured across the country in the area of law and nursing practice. She is a member of several legal and nursing professional associations, including the American Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, the Illinois State Bar Association, and The American Association of Nurse Attorneys (TAANA).

February 14, 2017

5 Reasons to have Wedding Liability Insurance

Your big day is supposed to be everything you ever dreamed of, but when disaster strikes, it can be hard to clean up the aftermath. Wedding insurance can heft the bulk of the burden, and ensure that you don’t drop hundreds on a ceremony that won’t happen. With the proper precautions, you can avoid last-minute panic over vendors, caterers, location, and your attire.

In case you aren’t already convinced, here are some common situations where wedding cancellation insurance can be invaluable (note: cold feet aren’t covered!)

Sickness or injury. If the bride, groom, or other necessary components to your wedding falls ill or gets injured, it can be hard to carry on the show without them. Wedding insurance can protect you in case the wedding is ruined by a hospitalization, and make sure that your rescheduled day goes on without a hitch. Preexisting conditions do not apply.
Weather disasters. If you’re having your wedding in a location that could be ruined by a surprise winter/summer storm, it may be necessary to protect yourself from the downpour. Wedding cancellation insurance can make sure you can reschedule your wedding on a better day, without the additional bills tacked on.
Venue Unavailability. If the church burns down a week before your wedding, it may be too late to find a new location for your special day. This also applies to electrical outages, emergency shutdowns, and any other nasty surprises fate might have in store.
Military job interruptions. For people with loved ones in the military, you may already know that they may be shipped off at any moment. In case your husband or wife-to-be is called off before the wedding can be carried out, wedding insurance can make sure that you won’t suffer the consequences for unforeseen events.
Vendor Failure. If your caterer or officiant is a no-show, it can be hard or even impossible to carry on with the wedding. A short-notice replacement can cost three times as much, and when you’re paying out of pocket, the extra expense can really dig into your wallet. Wedding insurance can ensure that the show will go on.
Attire. Last minute damage to the wedding dress, tuxes, or bridesmaid dresses can spark panic. Clothes can also be lost, stolen, or even ruined when travelling, so if your destination is far away from home, you may be looking at extra risks. With the proper policy, you can protect yourself and your wedding garb, from unexpected disasters.

Don’t put yourself, and your special day, at risk. With wedding coverage so you can have the time of your life, without footing any extra bills.

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February 9, 2017

4 Ways to Keep Those New Year’s Resolution Clients Coming Back to the Gym

If you’re a trainer, you are always looking for ways to keep the turn of the year clients coming back, long after their January signup. It’s a running joke that many people stop coming to the gym after the first month of their resolution, but it never hurts to give them serious reasons to return. Not only will you be saving clients, but you just might help someone succeed too!

Here are four ways you can make a good impression during that crucial second month, and keep them coming back.

Encouragement. This is obvious, but it’s always said that honey attracts more flies than vinegar. Make yourself friendly and approachable, and praise your clients for doing well in their diets and workouts. With proper encouragement, people are more likely to keep trying and meeting their goals, and more likely to keep coming back.
Help them set realistic goals. Unrealistic goals can be discouraging, and many people might procrastinate on long-term objectives before giving up. Set short-term, easy-to-reach goals for their first few sessions, and don’t let them push too hard. Results don’t happen instantly, and it’s easier to reach a lot of small goals than one distant, enormous target.
Group activity. 30% of people tend to return for more workouts when they are involved in a group activity. When there is a whole class of people, clients are more likely to find a friend—and a reason to keep coming back. Like many other things, exercise is more fun with company!
Greet your clients. Having your receptionists greet clients, or greeting them personally when they come in, can make every person feel important. People like to feel special, especially when they are working hard at something, and it can be very encouraging to have a friendly face greet you at the door. Remember, your clients come here willingly, so make sure their visit is worthwhile!

Doing these things is easy, especially after you make a habit of it, and your clients will notice and appreciate how you go the extra mile for them. With proper encouragement and attention, any person can improve their health and stay true to their New Year’s resolution, so why not help them get there?

Bonus tip: Offer an incentive to clients who make it to the end of three months at the gym, with a certain total number of classes taken – a free half month will encourage them to stick it out and keep showing up!

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February 7, 2017

Are your Clients Breathing Properly?

Exercise can be unpleasant, especially when you aren’t accustomed to regular activity. If your clients frequently complain about chest pain or shortness of breath, it might be wise to coach them on how to breathe properly during exercise. It might be a surprise to them to hear that they are breathing wrong, but counting breaths can reduce pain and offer a great distraction to the regular aches and pains of working out.

Many people forget to breathe during heavy exercise, or don’t take in enough air when they begin to push themselves. Without the necessary amounts of oxygen, they can become lightheaded or ill, only making the workout worse for themselves. Taking shallow breaths, breathing too hard, and even breathing at the wrong time can put stress on your body, so it’s important to monitor every breath you take.

Different kinds of exercise can require different breathwork, so talk things over with your clients and find the method that fits what they’re doing.

For stretching, it is important to take long, slow breaths to calm yourself and get your lungs ready for a workout. Make sure your clients completely empty and refill their lungs 3-5 times during each stretch, with pauses in between inhalation and exhalation. This method fully relaxes your body while also stretching your lungs, making it easier to breathe and leaving you rejuvenated.

Breathing during cardio training is completely different. Cardio can be an intense workout for even the fittest person, so it’s important to get enough oxygen. Diaphragm breathing is necessary here, so advise your clients to breathe into their lower lungs, down near their stomach. This expands your lungs to full size, and sends extra oxygen into your blood. Whether they breathe through their nose or mouth doesn’t matter, but a steady pace is advised.

Weight training requires a completely different type of breathing. It can be harmful to let your clients hold their breath too long during reps, so reminding them to breathe is important. The simplest method for breathing is to breathe in on the way down, and breathe out on the way up.

A healthy workout shouldn’t cause severe pain or discomfort. In most cases, the majority of beginners’ issues lie in how they breathe, so be sure to cover the necessary breath exercises with your clients before beginning any serious workouts and will reduce your risk of a lawsuit.

Should a lawsuit occur, trainer insurance should be in place to protect you and pay for defense costs.

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February 3, 2017

Spotlight Interview – Dori Beals

Background Information

Dori was previously a Licensed Professional Counselor but retired from this career about a year ago. She is now solely pursuing her career as a facilitator of Yoga and the Healing Movement Arts, in Portland, OR.

When did you start working in this field?

Dori has been teaching yoga since 2000.

Why did you start working in this field?

Dori began working as a yoga instructor because she had come to love it. Prior to getting trained, Dori practiced yoga religiously for about 10 years. She was also working as a Therapist, specializing in healing movement arts. Dori designed a Sacred Dance class at Linfield College in Portland, OR.

The Nursing students enrolled in this course were overwhelmed, stressed and wanted a class that let them unwind after a long day. As her boss was working on scheduling for the following term, he expressed how nice it would be to have a Yoga Instructor around. That’s when Dori stepped in and offered to take the job. She has been teaching yoga ever since.

What is the biggest challenge for you as a fitness professional?

Dori believes that the most challenging part about her Yoga career is maintaining consistent attendance among her classes. She explained that she does have a few “die-hard” students who never miss a class; but that she also has a lot of students who come and go based on their busy schedules.

Another challenging aspect is making sure that students don’t test their limits and try crazy positions or techniques. Preventing injuries is a challenging part about any career in fitness, and something Dori finds to be difficult at times.

What is your biggest accomplishment in the fitness industry?

Dori’s biggest accomplishment is teaching students how to do a head stand. She explained that it is difficult to teach this position/technique. However, Dori was taught so well by her mentors that she is qualified in teaching this.

Dori said that learning to do a head stand without the help of the wall, can take over 6 weeks to master. You have to take it one step at a time and it is a very gradual process. However, it requires you to build abdominal strength and to use this strength to execute a proper headstand.

What advice would you give to people thinking about a career in fitness?

The biggest piece of advice Dori would give to emerging Yoga Instructors is to take a lot of yoga classes with variety of different teachers. This is because you will find out what you like and what you don’t like along with what teaching styles you adapt to. By taking numerous classes, you will be able to build your practice based on the experiences you’ve had.

Who was your biggest influence when you were starting your career in fitness?

Dori’s biggest influence when starting her career was Diane Wilson. Diane and Dori studied together for 10 years, and Diane actually opened the first yoga studio ever in Portland in 1983. Dori explained that Diane was the best of the best in Portland, and learned everything she knows from her.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your career?

The most rewarding aspect of Dori’s career is when her students feel really good about themselves and their accomplishments. Whenever someone does something for the first time and their face lights up with excitement and pure joy, Dori feels as though she’s done her job.

In addition, the most rewarding aspect is seeing students feel good about their body. There is constantly so much negative attention coming in and people are so down about their image, that seeing students realize how strong and capable their body is, is very rewarding.

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