February 2023 Open Line
February 24, 2023
February Is American Heart Month
There are many ways to take care of your heart.
You can decrease your salt intake and add flavor with herbs and spices. Learn more from the American Heart Association: How to Add Flavor with Herbs & Spices (9 minutes).
Another way to take care of your heart is to be physically active. Check out Daily Tips to Stay Active to learn more tips such as “Working out while working” or “Picking up the pace”.
Spotlight On Blood Pressure
By treating high blood pressure, you can help reduce your risk for a stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and kidney failure. There are steps you can take now. Learn more at:
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/wfhtn/documents/wfhtn_aha_how_can_i_reduce_high_blood_pressure.pdf
Recipe of the Week
Enjoy a filling and easy lunch or dinner with this Penne with Shrimp recipe! To add fiber, choose whole wheat penne. The shrimp in the dish is a healthy source of protein and has a variety of vitamins and minerals.
https://www.tn.gov/wfhtn/resources/recipes/entrees/penne-with-shrimp.html
February 17, 2023
Relationships Come in All Shapes & Sizes
Relationships come in all shapes and sizes. Check out these Here4TN resources for Relationship Wellness Month (Feb.) to help you understand how to make them better when to end them and more.
Upcoming Virtual Events
Pumped for Heart Health (Presented by ActiveHealth)
Friday, Feb. 24 from 10-10:45 a.m. CT
Your heart is the hardest working muscle in your body. It needs your help to keep pumping. Learn how to keep your heart healthy through your diet, physical activity, and stress management.
Download calendar invite.
You can access all upcoming activities, webinars, and workouts at
https://www.tn.gov/wfhtn/challenges/wellness-events.html
Recipe of the Week
Feb. 23 is National Banana Bread Day 🍌 🍞
The key to good banana bread is to use well-ripened bananas that are covered with brown speckles. Try using half whole wheat flour to add some fiber.
https://www.tn.gov/wfhtn/resources/recipes/desserts/banana-bread-ii.html
Wilder YDC is now ACA Accredited!
Over the last 8 months, Wilder YDC and Central Office staff have been diligently working to get the campus, services, and practice in place to align with the standards of the American Correctional Association (ACA). This accreditation process was not easy and took a lot of determination, collaboration, and fight to get the campus ready. With the assistance of retired state employees familiar with the ACA process to working with the TN Department of Corrections, Wilder used all resources available to get the campus ready. There were multiple changes to policy and practice, the addition of new religious opportunities, and preparing evidence to support expected practices required by the standards. So many people put their heart and soul into this process, and it paid off. In October 2022, ACA conducted a mock audit to help Wilder get a glimpse of where the campus was in preparation. During that review, Wilder scored 98.3% compliance which showed the campus was ready and the preparation was successful. However, the hard part was to come in maintaining the campus and practice in this new direction. On November 30, 2022, thru December 2, 2022, ACA was on campus conducting the actual accreditation audit. Upon completion, Wilder scored 99% compliance with only three findings and some additional recommendations. The ACA auditors recommended that Wilder YDC become ACA accredited. Fast forward to January 28, 2023, Wilder and Central Office staff were on hand at the annual ACA Conference in Orlando, Florida to officially accept the certificate validating Wilder as being ACA accredited. A huge thanks go out to the staff and youth at Wilder YDC, OJJ, and other Central Office staff for their support and hard work through this entire process. It is because of this, we Love Wilder Absolutely!
DCS Wears Red for American Heart Month!
A group of central office employees are wearing red today to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease among women. Go to The American Heart Association to learn more about the warning signs of a heart attack and stroke. https://goredforwomen.org/en/about-heart-disease-in-women/signs-and-symptoms-in-women
February 10, 2023
Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth!
Create a sweet treat using one of WFHTN’s Dessert Recipes.
Share your sweet shots with WFHT.TN@tn.gov.
Upcoming Virtual Events
Meditation Break with Nat
Wednesday, Feb. 15 from 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. CT
Give your mind a break with live, virtual meditation.
This class is brought to you by volunteer instructor and state employee Nat Chapman from the Department of Human Services in partnership with Working for a Healthier Tennessee.
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Livestream Walking Workout
Thursday, Feb. 16 from 1-1:15 p.m. CT
Get ready to virtually walk it out! Join our livestreamed Walking Workout to the tunes of Whitney Houston.
Equipment Needed: Tennis shoes and space to move around! Cameras NOT required.
Download calendar invite
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Missed our trivia event last week?
Get How Much Do You Know About Fats and Oils? quiz at
You can access all upcoming activities, webinars, and workouts at https://www.tn.gov/wfhtn/challenges/wellness-events.html.
Recipe of the Week
WFHTN Communications Coordinator Natalie was skeptical about the black bean brownies recipe on our website. How could this dessert taste like anything but black beans? She decided to put it to the test.
https://youtu.be/T--6F-K4u4I (2 minutes, 1 second)
Try this recipe for yourself: https://www.tn.gov/wfhtn/resources/recipes/desserts/black-bean-brownies.html
February 3, 2023
21 Days to a Healthier Heart ❤️
Are you aware of just how powerful YOU are? You have the power to stop a killer. According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women and claims more lives each year than all forms of cancer. Preventive power lies with real changes to your lifestyle, which can reduce the risk of heart disease by as much as 80 percent.
For this challenge, you will have a daily activity to complete. Don’t worry if you don’t complete each day’s activity, just do your best! Earn a maximum of 21 hearts. That’s one heart for each day’s activity.
Visit https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/wfhtn_21_days_to_a_healthier_heart_challenge to sign up for the optional Microsoft Teams chat and/or challenge communications by Thursday, Feb. 9 You can also access the challenge tracker to participate on your own time:
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/wfhtn/documents/wfhtn_2023_21_days_to_a_healthier_heart_challenge_final.pdf
Upcoming Virtual Events
How Much Do You Know About Fats and Oils?
Tuesday, Feb. 7 from 10:30-10:45 a.m. CT
Join this trivia game to test your knowledge about fats and oils!
What to Expect: WFHTN Wellness Coordinator Lindsey Joe will lead trivia. The top three winners will be awarded a prize! An additional prize will be awarded to a participant chosen at random. We’ll play using Mentimeter. A link to play will be provided when you join this trivia event.
If you can’t join us live, a link to this quiz will be available after Feb. 7 at https://www.tn.gov/wfhtn/challenges/wellness-events.html
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Join the next 4mind4body webinar:
Healthy Weight, Why Wait?
Wednesday, Feb. 8 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CT
What does a healthy weight look like? In this session with ActiveHealth, we’ll discuss factors that affect weight management.
Discover useful strategies for getting to and keeping a weight that’s right for you.
Registration: https://tn.webex.com/tn/onstage/g.php?MTID=e558ca457d029b6bae30bc738f76c8aaa
You can access all upcoming activities, webinars, and workouts at https://www.tn.gov/wfhtn/challenges/wellness-events.html.
Spotlight on Meal Planning
Do you want to save money and eat healthier meals? Try meal planning! Wellness Coordinator and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Morgan McFarlane offers practical tips to help you get started.
https://youtu.be/2LZGdbcaQbU (3 minutes, 17 seconds)
Recipe of the Week
Looking for a different twist on a favorite soup? Try out this "Healthified" Broccoli Cheddar Soup. This recipe is filled with broccoli which can provide several health benefits. 🥦 Broccoli is a rich source of multiple vitamins, minerals, and fiber and may support healthy cells and tissues throughout your body.
https://www.tn.gov/wfhtn/resources/recipes/soups/-healthified--broccoli-cheddar-soup.html