January

is "Cervical Health Awareness" Month

February is "American Heart" Month

January / February 2019

In This Issue

Interesting New Year Facts

New Year celebrations are not new. The concept actually dates back to 2000 BC. The Mesopotamians used to celebrate New Year!

The Roman Catholic Church was the one to adopt 1^st January as New Year. Well, 1^st January as New Year was marked by Georgian Calendar.

New Year is usually considered to be the best time for making resolutions. Resolutions usually mean people want to give up some bad habits and pick up some good habits but resolutions may not necessarily be about habits.

Spanish tradition is to eat 12 grapes at midnight of 31^st December. While eating these grapes, Spaniards will make wishes. This tradition is believed to bring good luck for those who practice it. This grape eating tradition started back in 1895.

Most English speakers traditionally sing the song 'Auld Lang Syne'. It is actually a very old song from Scotland and was first published in 1796 poet Robert Burns in the book titled Scots Musical Museum. The literal translation of 'Auld Lang Syne' is 'old long since' and actually means 'times gone by'.

As far as United States is concerned, the most popular tradition is that of dropping the New Year Ball in New York City's Times Square exactly at 11:59 PM. The ball goes through a minute-long descent and hits the ground at the stroke of midnight.

The dropping of the New Year Ball is actually pretty new tradition that started only in 1907. Though currently the ball is made of Waterford Crystal, it was originally made of wood and iron.

January Holidays

January 1-

New Year's Day

January 21st-

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

February Holidays

February 1-

National Freedom Day

February 2nd-

Groundhog Day

February 14th-

Valentine's Day

February 18th-

President's Day

Employee Spotlight
Carmen D. Hood

Carmen Hood is a Commercial Appraiser with the Tax Assessors Office.

Ms. Hood sprung into action in the month of December utilizing her skills to lend a helping hand to a fellow employee.

Read more about Carmen's heroic acts in this issue.

By Vickie Hughes

Homemade Pear Cider

Ingredients:
10 whole Royal Riviera Pears, cut in half, stems and seeds removed
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 cinnamon sticks
2 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1 vanilla bean pod, split open.

Directions:

Combine the pears, sugar, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, vanilla pod and allspice in a large stock pot and cover with water.

You want the water to be about 2 inches higher than the pears.

Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce it to a simmer and cook for 1 hour uncovered.

After 1 hour, you can mash some of the pears (they will just fall apart).

Cover the pot and simmer for another 2 hours.

After 2 hours, let the mixture cool slightly.

Strain it through a fine mesh sieve (I did so twice) to remove the solids. Some of the solids may remain.

You can strain it through cheesecloth one more time before serving if desired. Serve hot with cinnamon sticks!

Store in a sealed container or jar in the fridge.

By: Aron Torbert

Winter Activites To Keep You Occupied

Plan A Road Trip

Get yourself pumped for spring and summer by planning your next mini getaway. Simply pick a spot that's close enough to visit for a few days.

Start a Vacation Fund

Consider setting up a secondary checking or savings account to save up for your dream vacation. Even if you save your money in a change jar. Every penny counts.

Plan a Brunch

When it comes to adulting, the chance to wake up late and eat breakfast is quite rare. Make it a point to plan a brunch date with your friends. This could be a super fun gathering for you and your group.

Redecorate

Start your new year off by giving your space a fresh makeover. Things tend to get a little boring over time with the same decor. Spice up your living areas with new dcor or artwork.

Clean Out Your Wardrobe

It is not uncommon for your personal style to evolve. Take some time to go through your wardrobe and get ride of anything that no longer speaks to you. Consider donating of giving away those garments, you may never know who could use them.

Clear Your Browser's Bookmarks

Hoarding on your browser is a serious thing. This winter tidy up your digital life by deleting links that you no longer need.

Make a Scrap Book

Take the past years memories off of your phone and place them onto paper. This way you will not have to just depend on Social Media to remember the good times.

Meditate

Things are either hectic or pretty mello at the beginning of the year. Either way taking time to meditate can take you into a moment of bliss. This can be done with a simple form of Yoga or by doing simple breathing exercises. Doing this boosts your brain, health, de-stresses and gives you a break from adult life.

Crock Pot

Chicken White Chilli

INGREDIENTS

3 15 oz cans Great White Northern Beans, undrained

6 c. chicken broth

1 4 oz can chopped green chiles

1 tsp chicken buillion

1 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp garlic salt

2 tsp cumin

2 tsp oregano

1 tsp cayenne pepper

4 c. chicken cooked and shredded

1 c. sour cream

3 c. shredded cheddar cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

In a large crock pot mix all ingredients except sour cream and cheese together.

Cook on high for 4 hours or low 6-8 hours.

During the last 30 minutes stir in sour cream and cheese.

Cook for remaining 30 minutes

By: Cindy Ware

Andouille Mac & Cheese

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups whole milk

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 teaspoon finely chopped thyme

Pinch of cayenne

Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

Pinch of white pepper

1 1/2 cups shredded mild white cheddar (6 ounces)

1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar (6 ounces)

Kosher salt

Black pepper

3 tablespoons canola oil

1 cup panko

6 ounces andouille sausage, diced

3/4 cup finely diced red bell pepper

1/2 cup finely diced onion

1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions, plus more for garnish

1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro, plus leaves for garnish

1/4 cup finely chopped parsley

1 pound medium pasta shells

Hot sauce

Thinly sliced hot red chiles or jalapeños, for garnish

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 450°. In a small saucepan, bring the milk and heavy cream to a simmer. Keep warm over very low heat.

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook over moderate heat until bubbling, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the garlic, thyme, cayenne, nutmeg and white pepper and whisk until the roux is lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk and cream until the sauce is smooth and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderate heat, whisking, until no floury taste remains, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the mild cheddar and 1/2 cup of the sharp cheddar. Season the cheese sauce with salt and black pepper.

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add the panko and toast over moderately high heat, stirring until lightly browned, 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Wipe out the skillet.

Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in the skillet. Add the andouille, bell pepper and onion and cook over moderate heat until the vegetables are lightly browned, 5 minutes. Stir in the 1/4 cup of sliced scallions and the chopped cilantro and parsley.

In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain well, then return the pasta to the pot. Stir in the cheese sauce and the andouille mixture. Season with hot sauce and salt and black pepper.

Spoon the pasta into four 12-ounce gratin dishes set on a baking sheet. Top with the remaining 1 cup of sharp cheddar and the toasted panko. Bake until piping hot, 15 to 20 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes. Garnish with scallions, cilantro and red chiles and serve with hot sauce.

By Cindy Ware.

Who is ready to make this year your best year?

New Year's Resolutions and lifestyle changes are ALWAYS at the top of the list!

Statistics state that 40 to 45% of Americans make one or more New Year's Resolutions per year and fail to keep them by about the second week of February.

So let's see what we are resolving to do better:

-Lose Weight

-Stop smoking

-Debt reduction

-Better money management

So how do we plan to maintain these resolutions for the year and make them into a lifestyle change?

Keep it simple-when it's a small task, it is easier to tackle. Make it tangible - it is easier to follow a plan that has a time limit and a "reset button".

Make it obvious - making charts or a "vision board" helps you see progress.

Above all else, keep believing in yourself that you CAN do it. This is your OWN personal resolution, so hold yourself accountable and make strides for success.

By: Carmen Hood

Healthiest New Year's Resolutions

New Year's resolutions are a bit like babies: They're fun to make but extremely difficult to maintain.

Each January, roughly one in three Americans resolve to better themselves in some way. A much smaller percentage of people actually make good on those resolutions.

While about 75% of people stick to their goals for at least a week, less than half (46%) are still on target six months later, research suggests

Lose Weight

The fact that this is perennially among the most popular resolutions suggests just how difficult it is to commit to. But you can succeed

if you don't expect overnight success.

Also, plan for bumps in the road. Use a food journal to keep track of what you eat and have a support system in place.

Stay in touch

Feel like old friends (or family) have fallen by the wayside? It's good for your health to reconnect with them. Research suggests people with strong social ties live longer than those who don't.In fact, a lack of social bonds can damage your health as much as alcohol abuse and smoking.In a technology-fixated era, it's never been easier to stay in touch-or rejuvenate your relationship.

Quit smoking

Fear that you've failed too many times to try again? Talk to any ex-smoker, and you'll see that multiple attempts are often the path to success.

Try different methods to find out what works. And think of the cash you'll save!

Save money

Save money by making healthy lifestyle changes. Walk or ride your bike to work, or explore carpooling. Cut back on gym membership costs by exercising at home. Many free fitness apps and workout videos can get you sweating. Take stock of what you have in the fridge and make a grocery list. Aimless supermarket shopping can lead to poor choices for your diet and wallet.

Cut your stress

A little pressure now and again won't kill us; in fact, short bouts of stress give us an energy boost. But if stress is chronic, it can increase your risk of-or worsen- insomnia , depression , obesity , heart disease , and more.

Long work hours, little sleep, no exercise, poor diet, and not spending time with family and friends can contribute to stress. Find ways to incoporate relaxation, sleep, and socializing so you can reduce everyday stress.

Go back to school

No matter how old you are, heading back to the classroom can help revamp your career, introduce you to new friends, and even boost your brainpower. Studies find that middle-age adults who had gone back to school (including night school) sometime in the previous quarter century had stronger memories and verbal skills than those who did not. What's more, several studies have linked higher educational attainment to a decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Get more sleep

You probably already know that a good night's rest can do wonders for your mood-and appearance. But sleep is more beneficial to your health than you might realize.

A lack of sleep has been linked to a greater risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. And sleep is crucial for strengthening memories (a process called consolidation).

So take a nap-and don't feel guilty about it.

By: Aron Torbert

5 Simple Ways to Relax at Work (Without Leaving Your Desk)

We've all been there before. Sometimes you know that taking a step back and heading outside for a breath of fresh air would help you power through the day, but you're stuck at your desk waiting for a call, or you have a meeting starting in six minutes, or just can't.

This is when you have to opt for a right-where-you-are destresser. And to help you out, I've rounded up five tips to reduce stress right from your desk.

Ear Massage-

This may seem like strange workplace advice, but this practice from traditional Chinese medicine has been proven to work!

Medical Studies have shown that ear massage (or auricular acupressure, if you're feeling fancy) relieved stress and anxiety in pre-op and post-op hospital patients.

The trick is to massage your ear gently, right in the middle of the upper third of your ear.

This spot, called the Shen Men point, reportedly decreases stress and boosts energy--just what you need on a trying day.

Workspace Reset-

Even if you're swamped with work, take the time to put empty wrappers and scrap paper in the trash, tidy up your workspace, and clean out your digital desktop.

Most importantly,when you've reset your desk, reset yourself! You can kick your energy up a notch just by sitting up straighter .

Hand Trick-

If you want to give your hands themselves a break (sore wrists from constant typing are real), pay attention to your thumbs.

Start by lightly pinching the muscle between your thumb and index finger and massaging in small circles. Remember to keep it firm yet gentle, to relax the muscles. You'll feel your hands, shoulders, and neck start to relax, and, in no time, you'll be ready to start working again.

Breathing Technique-

While taking a deep breath is the oldest trick in the book, you can enhance the calming effect of this simple tip with some basic body mechanics.

It's simple: When you breathe in, imagine the air inflating your stomach instead of your chest. Push your stomach outwards to draw the air down, then pull it back in to really empty your lungs of air. Put some muscle into it for three breaths, then fall back into your normal rhythm newly relaxed, and ready to take on your tasks.

Progressive Relaxation-

Start at your toes, tensing and slowly releasing the muscles. Work your way up your body, tensing and releasing the muscles in your feet, your legs, torso, arms, neck, and even into your face (but don't scare your co-workers!).

It doesn't take long to work all the way up your body and you'll finish feeling energized, ready to tackle the day anew without having left your desk.

Stress in the office feels inescapable, but it doesn't have to be that way. Remember: Take the time to care for yourself, and you'll reap the rewards with smoother workflow and increased productivity.

CCG 2018 Holiday Social Video

https://www.columbusga.gov/hr/holidaysocial-2018.mp4

CCG Employee Recognition Program (ERP)

CCG Employee Recognition Program recognizes employees who make consistent contributions to the CCG through outstanding job performance via two categories: PEER Award & Individual Excellence Award

PEER Award (Promoting Employee Excellence through Recognition)

Employees are nominated by their peers and winners are selected by past recipients of this award

Individual Excellence Award

Nominations must originate from a person in a supervisory relationship to the nominee and have approval of their department head