A Healthier You - Mind & Body in 2020

A new year is almost here and that means you may be considering a New Year’s resolution. I’ve got you covered!! Here’s some simple resolutions to help you become a healthier you- mind and body- in 2020!!

1. Dedicate 10 minutes a day to meditation.
2. Play More! Do more activates that bring you joy and get your heart racing.
3. Spend at least 15 minutes a day outside.
4. Take more “Me Time”. You deserve it!!
5. Strengthen your personal relationships. 
6. Be kind to yourself. Make a point to speak positive, respectful things about yourself each day.
7. Learn a new skill. Paint, knit, play guitar, fly an airplane; What’s stopping you!

As they say, a new year is like a blank book. This is your chance to write the story you want to read! 

Written by: Wenona Mertens

A Healthier You - Pneumonia Vaccine

Did you know there is a vaccine against pneumonia? PCV13/PPSV23 is just like the flu shot only it last a lot longer! So how do you know if you should take it? 
Here’s the recommendations:

• Younger than 2 years old: Your child’s pediatrician will place a newborn on a 2/4/6 month and 1 year booster schedule that will keep your baby healthy.
• Over 65 years old: You will receive two shots that should keep you protected the rest of your life.
• Between 2 and 64 years old: You may still need the vaccine if you have any type of immune system disorder, if you’re a smoker, or if you were not vaccinated as a baby.

The pneumonia shot is 60-80% effective in most people and is one more way you can protect yourself from a potentially life threatening sickness.

Written by: Wenona Mertens

A Healthier You - Holiday Stress

The holidays are upon us! For some this is their favorite time of year. Family gatherings, decorating our homes, catching up with old friends, and great meals are all wonderful reasons to enjoy these final months of 2019 but for others this can be a stressful time. You may be the one planning the get-together, the meals, doing the shopping, laying out the seating arraignment so Aunt Faye isn’t fighting with Cousin Suzy over politics. It can be a bit overwhelming so let’s look at a few steps you can take to put a little joy back into your holidays:

• It’s ok to say “No”🚫. Don’t overload yourself with so many places to be or dishes to fix that you can’t enjoy yourself. Be honest with people and say, “Sorry, I already have a full to-do-list.”
• Don’t Get Wrapped Up in the Details. It’s 100% ok if your pumpkin pie didn’t turn out just like Grandma’s recipe. Stop worrying so much about getting everything perfect that you miss the fact that your family is smiling and enjoying the time with you❤.
• Don’t over Spend. The holidays are about the memories not about the gifts🎁.
• Plan some downtime. Stay in and catch a holiday movie, read a book, or basically do NOTHING the evening after a busy day out. This gives you a chance to recharge and decompress😌.

At the end of the day just remember that you can’t control everything. Sometimes the best we can do is hope we catch the fight between Aunt Faye and Suzy on video so we can win that grand prize on America’s Funniest Home Videos.

Happy holidays y’all!

10 Qs with C2 - January 2020

Who: Kyle Carden

Positions held: Shipper Coordinator

1. If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Addison, AL. I love my hometown.

2. What is your favorite family vacation?

Summer Beach Trips.

3. What motivates you to work hard?

I watched my parents work hard to provide for our family. I want my kids to have the same experience and work ethic.

4. What was the last movie you went to?

The Mule

5. What is your favorite game to play or sport to watch?

Football

6. What would you sing at Karaoke night?

Garth Brooks SHAMELESS

7. How would your friends describe you?

Agitator, motivated, and a team player.

8. What was the last thing you recorded on TV or binge watched?

Bill Belichick and Nick Saban documentary. WAR EAGLE!

9. What's your favorite fast food or chain restaurant?

Milos Hamburgers

10. If you had a warning label, what would yours say?

I don’t hold it in.

A Healthier You - Christmas Oranges

The C2 office is currently a glow with Christmas lights, trimmed in green, red, and gold and smelling of sweet oranges. It’s looking a lot like Christmas! 😊 This got me to thinking: When did oranges become part of Christmas? I can hardly think of a Christmas without oranges sitting out somewhere in my home. We all know they are packed with vitamin C which can help fight off winter colds but is there more to this holiday tradition? Actually, yes, and there are a few stories on how it started but here’s my favorite:

St. Nicholas inherited a large sum of money but devoted his life to helping others, and eventually became a bishop. According to the story, St. Nicholas learned of a poor man who was unable to find husbands for his three daughters because he couldn’t afford a dowry. St. Nicholas went to the house and tossed 3 sacks of gold down the chimney. The gold happened to land in each girls’ stocking which were drying by the fire. Oranges are now symbolic of the gold that was left in the stockings that night.

In a way, that orange in your stocking represents the season of giving and that spirit is what this time of year is all about. Merry Christmas everyone!

Written by: Wenona Mertens

A Healthier You - The Last 30

We are down to the final 30 days of 2019. This time of year I start looking around my home and at the craziness of my day-to-day life and wonder what I could change to make 2020 a bit better. The first thing that pops in my head is “Use time wiser.” I feel like this one thing could really help life smooth-out so here’s some tips to help us all with just that:

1. Plan meals. Stop that afternoon stress of pulling together something to feed your family. Make a weekly menu, shop for the week in a single store trip, then stick to the plan. Not only does this cut out stress but you’re more likely to make healthier eating choices when you plan ahead.
   
2. Ditch the clutter. If you’ve not used an item of clothing, a piece of furniture, or maybe that fancy deep fryer in over a year consider donating it. This is just “stuff” taking up space in your home and taking up your time dusting or washing something you don’t need.
3. Make time for fun. Don’t forget life isn’t all about working and paying bills. Carve out time for those happy moments that you will remember years from now.
   
4. Make a family schedule. Keep it in a central area of your home and let everyone add events as needed. This gives you and your family an ever-ready look at what’s ahead so planning is easier.

Want more tips? Here’s a great article that Shanda shared with me about making the most of your year-end!

Written by Wenona Mertens

10 Qs with C2 - December 2019

Get to know your friends at C2 Freight a little better.

For the month of December....

Who: Shanda Anders

Positions held: Carrier Setup & Insurance

1️⃣ If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Celebration, FL

2️⃣ What is your favorite family vacation? Walt Disney World

3️⃣ What motivates you to work hard? I enjoy staying busy, achieving goals, and working hard; it makes vacations that much more enjoyable.

4️⃣ What was the last movie you went to? The Lion King (2019)

5️⃣ What is your favorite game to play or sport to watch? I’m not much of a gamer, but I like quirky board games like “Exploding Kittens” and “Bears vs Babies”. I love to play “Guess that song” type games too! I also like watching Alabama play football when I get the chance.

6️⃣ What would you sing at Karaoke night? Something from Broadway… either "Popular" from Wicked or I’d rap the entire Act 1 of Hamilton: An American Musical.

7️⃣ How would your friends describe you? An organized, attentive person who is highly motivated and a loyal friend (to a few).

8️⃣ What was the last thing you recorded on TV or binge watched? Queen of the South and The Good Place.

9️⃣ What's your favorite fast food or chain restaurant? It’s not a restaurant, but I’m at Starbucks every chance I get! For food I like eating at local small businesses.

🔟 If you had a warning label, what would yours say? “Warning: Will make things awkward.”